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 56

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 56
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 56
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 56
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 56

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Warren H. Waldron is a Michigander by birth and bringing up, and has inculeated in him the ster- ling principles of the better class of citizens of that State. His career furnishes a striking illustration

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of the fact that no matter in what channel a man's career may lie, a good education is of undoubted benefit. His elementary schooling was received in his native county, Washtenaw, where he was born November 22, 1850, but he also received the advan- tages of the public schools of Ann Arbor and Ypsi- lapti. Being brought up to the calling of a farmer by his father, he has made that his occupation through life, and has been tilling the soil in Adams County, Neb., since 1874. His farm is situated about seven miles southwest of Hastings, and com- prises 400 acres of finely improved land, well stocked, Mr. Waldron giving especial attention to the propagation of Clydesdale horses, Hereford cattle and Poland China hogs. In his political views he was formerly a Republican, but is now a Prohibi- tionist. In 1884 he was elected a member of the county board of supervisors, serving four years, and in 1889 was again elected to a two years' term. Ile was married in 1875 to Miss Eliza Kenny, who was born in Washtenaw County, Mich. , January 30, 1856, and by her has two children: Clarence R. and Norris W. Mrs. Waldron is a daughter of John and Adelia (Queal) Kenny, who were born in Vermont and Pennsylvania, in 1820 and 1827, respectively, and were among the first settlers of Washtenaw County. Mr. Waldron and his wife are members of the Congregational Church, and he is one of the representative men of the county. Mr. Waldron's parents, William and Martha (Ayres) Waldron, were born in Seneca County, N. Y., in 1814 and 1819, respectively, and are now residing in Jackson County, Mich. On February 28, 1889, they cele- brated their golden wedding, there being four gen- erations represented. Although a farmer formerly, he is now retired from active business life.

M. F. Wallace, since his residence in Adams County, Neb., has figured conspicuously among the successful agricultorists of the region, and has won golden opinions for himself as a man and citizen. He was born in Brown County, Ohio, near George- town, about forty miles north of Cincinnati, in 1828, being the eldest of a family of seven children born to Nicholas and Sarah (Gates) Wallace. the former of whom was born in Fayette County, Pa., in 1805. He was a tanner by trade, and at an early day re-

moved to Brown County, Ohio, where he married. but died in Marshall County. Ind., in 1875, his wife dying in Nebraska in 1887. They were members of the Seventh Day Advent Church, and in his political views he was a Democrat. His union, which took place in 1826, resulted in the birth of these children: Martin F. (the subject of this memoir), Margaret .J., Sarah. Henry, George, James and Augusta. The maternal grandparents, Martin and Sarah Gates, were born in Virginia. Martin F. Wallace spent his school days in Ohio, and in 1850 went with his par- ents to Indiana, where he started out in life for him- self as an iron forger, then turned his attention to farming, commencing the latter occupation in 1861. continuing in Indiana until 1873, when he emigrated to Nebraska, and entered and purchased 160 acres of land in Adams County, about two and a half miles from Hastings. At that time his property was wild prairie land, but is now finely improved with good buildings, orchard, etc. He has been a member of the school board of his district ever since he has been in the State, and in his political views is a Democrat. Ile was married in Indiana, in 1855, to Miss Julia Bells, a daughter of John Bells, but she died in 1858 in giving birth to a son, Thomas, who died at the age of three months. Nellie, the daughter of Henry and Isabel Gaddis, became his wife in 1860, their children being named as follows: Frank (who resides in Lincoln County, near Wal- lace), JJulia (who died in 1875), Etta (Mrs. Borley, residing at lastings), Wilbur L. (living in Box Butte County), (Charles who died in 1873), Edgar (living with his parents), John, Anna May (who died in 1879), Julius (at home). Bennie (who died in 1874), and Bessie (who died in 1876).

1. J. Ware is one of the prosperous general mer- chants of Prosser, Neb., and by bis superior man- agement and excellent business qualifications has become well known as a leading business man of the county. Born in Vermont, in 1851, he is the sixth of eight children born to Enoch and Louisa (Atwood) Ware, the latter of whom died when the subject of this sketch was a small child. The father was a farmer of Vermont, and made his home in that State until his death, being an active Republi- can politically, and a member of the Methodist

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Episcopal Church at the time of his death. L. J. Ware, like so many of the substantial citizens of this county, was initiated into the mysteries of farm life in his youth, but up to the age of eighteen years he was also an attendant of the common schools, acquiring thereby a fair knowledge of the common English branches. He then started out in life for himself as a coachman, but at the end of one year discontinued this occupation, and in 1871 removed to Montgomery County, Ill., where he purchased 120 acres of wild land, which he greatly improved, and on which he resided until 1885, then sold out and came to Nebraska, settling in Hastings, where he clerked for one year for A. J. Nowlan. He next located in Hansen, where he opened a general mer- cantile establishment, and was thus engaged in busi- ness alone for one year, then formed a partnership with E. Hemenover, and the firm took the name of Ware & Hemenover. After another year spent in this manner he sold out to his partner and came to the then new town of Prosser, where he opened the first general mercantile house, also purchasing a number of lots and erecting a store building and residence. He has done exceptionally well and commands a large trade in the surrounding country. Ile was married in 1872 to Miss Adelaide Maek, a native of New Hampshire, and by her has one child, Lena M. He and wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are also stanch supporters of the cause of temperance, Mrs. Ware being a member of the W. C. T. U., of which organ- ization she was the first president in Adams County, Neh.

Jacob S. Way, farmer and stock raiser, Hast- ings, Neb. In Pennsylvania, in 1842, there was born to John F. and Mary A. (Masters) Way, a son, who is now taken as the subject of this sketch. He received his education in Ohio, and in 1863 started out for himself as an agriculturist. The same year he emigrated to Macon County, Ill. , re- maining there one year, and then moved to Iowa, settled in Van Buren County, and was there married to Miss Rachel Logsdon, the daughter of Lawrence and Naomi (Shaffer) Logsdon, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania, respectively, and both of German descent. Mr. Logsdon died in 1860. In 1872 Mr.

Way moved to Adams County, Neb., took up eighty acres of land, and to this he added until he had 300 acres; he now has 160 acres of as good land as is to be found in the county. Ile is also engaged quite extensively in stock raising. He is honest and up- right, and by his enterprise and industry has been quite successful. He has seen the complete growth and development of the country, and has been un- tiring in his efforts to further all enterprises for the advancement of the same. He and wife are mem- bers and earnest workers in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is steward and trustee of the same. He has a church on his land which was erected in 1884, and of which he is class leader. To his mar- riage have been born these six children: John L. and William (twins, the latter married to Miss Mary Crane), George W., Mary N., Eva L., Charles, Ida B. and Harvey. As before stated Mr. Way is the owner of 160 acres of land, and in 1889 he sold 160 acres, and has located his three sons in Perkins County, on 160 acres each. Thus it may be seen what Mr. Way has been doing since a resident of Adams County. He also has money invested in property in Hastings. In his political views he affiliates with the Farmers' Alliance, and votes for principle rather than party. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Hastings Lodge No. 50, and is a member of Hastings Chapter No. 21. He is a member of Hastings Lodge No. 43, A. O. U. W. In 1887 he held the office of supervisor in Ayr Township. He has been a member of the school board, and has held the office of treasurer for some time, and now holds the office of director. His par- ents, John F. and Mary A. (Masters) Way, were natives of Germany and Pennsylvania, respectively. The father was born in Wurtemberg, in 1816, and remained in his native country until seventeen years of age, when he emigrated to this country. He was a blacksmith by trade and was married in Pennsyl- vania, in March, 1837, to Miss Masters, who was of German origin. The mother died about 1851, in Ohio, whither they had moved that year, and the following year the father married Mrs. Caroline Huftill, who died in 1878. His third marriage occurred in 1879. He is still living and is seventy- four years of age. To his first marriage were born

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three children: John II. (living in Nebraska), Eliza- beth (deceased) and Jacob S .; and to his second marriage also three children: George, Mary and Elizabeth.

Edwin C. Webster, treasurer of the Nebraska Loan and Trust Company, and one of the leading Freemasons of Nebraska, was born at Phelps, On- tario County, N. Y., on April 26, 1850. His father, Isaac Catlin Webster, was born in Litchfield, Conn .. in 1808, and died near Phelps. N. Y., in 1858. He was the son of James Webster, a native of Vermont, who died at the age of eighty-six years. The Web- ster family trace their ancestors back to Gov. John Webster, who was born in England, emigrated to America in 1836, and was the fifth governor of the Connecticut colony. The mother of Edwin (. Web- ster, Armenia Burtis, was born in New York City in 1815, and died at Hastings, Neb., in 1889. Her father, Arthur Burtis, was born in the city of New York, was a prominent member of the Tammany or- ganization, and was for some time a member of the board of aldermen, and well known as superintend- ent of public charitable institutions, several of which he was instrumental in founding. His death occurred in Genova, N. V., in 1835. Edwin C. Webster is the youngest son of seven children, four of whom are now living. He was reared on the farm, at- tended the public schools, and subsequently entered the Phelps high school. In 1869 he began clerking in the dry goods store of T. J. Lyman, at Phelps, N. Y., where he continued for three years, and then entered the employ of the Ohio & Mississippi Rail- road at Cincinnati, in the freight department. There he continued until the spring of 1874, when he came to Kansas City, and for some time was station agent in the employ. of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, at Belton. Later he was employed as bookkeeper for the Kansas City Railroad Transfer Company. In April, 1875, he went to Des Moines, Iowa, entered the employ of the Iowa Loan and Trust Company, beginning at the bottom, and at.the time of his res- ignation was assistant secretary. In January, 1881, he came to Hastings, Neb., and became a member of the firm of James B. Heartwell & Co. In May, 1882, he became the treasurer of the Nebraska Loan and Trust Company, which position he has since

filled. He was made a Mason in Hastings Lodge No. 50, in April, and dubbed a Knight Templar in the Asylum of Mt. Nebo Commandery No. HI, in December. 1882; took the fourteenth degree, A. & A. S. Rite, in this city, in Fiducia Lodge of Perfec- tion No. 3. March 24, 1884; the thirty-second de- gree from Inspector General Robert C. JJordan, Oc- tober 16, 1884, and December 15, 1888, he received the thirty-third degree at Omaha, in the southern jurisdiction, U. S. A., from Albert Pike. He is the only thirty-third degree Mason in Hastings. He was Master of Hastings Lodge in 1886, and in 1887 he was High Priest of Hastings Chapter No. 21. R. A. M., also the first Master of Hastings Council No. 3; R. & S. M., and one of the leading spirits in the erection of the Masonic Temple in 1886, and in 1889 Generalissimo of Mt. Nebo Commandery No. 11, K. T. He was united in marriage at Galveston. Texas, on October 11, 1875, to Miss Rosa E. Smith, a native of Charleston, S. C. , born on December 14. 1853, and the daughter of Benjamin F. and Julia A. (Jaudon) Smith. Mr. Smith was a merchant and contractor, and died at Galveston, Texas, in 1886. His wife was born in Charleston, S. C., and now re- sides at Austin, Texas. Mrs. Webster is a niece of Judge Cole, one of the founders and leading men of Galveston. Texas. To Mr. and Mrs. Webster have been born four children: Edna L. . Louis S. , James F. and Cornelius C. Mr. Webster is a Republican in politics and one of the leading men of Hastings.

George T. Wheat, farmer and stockman, Hol- stein, Neb. Nowhere in Logan Township is there to be found a man of more energy or determined will or force of character than Mr. Wheat possesses, and no agriculturalist is deserving of greater success in the conduct and management of a farm than he. His birth occurred in Tioga County, N. Y .. on July 27, 1843, and he grew to manhood in Illinois, whither his parents had moved in 1856, and there remained until nineteen years of age. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the Seventy-fourth Ilinois In- fantry, and served until discharged in June, 1865; during that time participating in the following en- gagements: Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga. Missionary Ridge, Kenesaw Mountain, where he was shot through the left breast and disabled from,

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further duty. After being discharged he returned to Illinois and the following year engaged in enlti- vating the soil. Later he settled on a farm in Win- nebago County and continued his former pursuit until 1871, when he moved to Nebraska, arriving in that State in May of that year. He located first in Webster County, and, after a residence there of four years, removed to his present residence in 1875. lle has 160 acres of land, all in a good state of cultivation, has good buildings, a good bearing orchard and is a prosperous and enterprising citizen. He was married in Adams County on March 28. 1875, to Miss Mary Shellhamer, a native of Wis- consin, and the daughter of E. C. Shellhamer. To this union have been born two children: Charles and Alice. Mr. Wheat is a member of the G. A. R., and is a member of the relief corps, same organi- zation. He has ever been a Republican in his polit- ical views, and was elected district treasurer in 1875, which position he has held ever since. with the ex- ception of two years. llis parents, James and Erminnie (Hall) Wheat, were natives of New York State, and he was a carpenter and contractor by trade. He moved to Illinois in 1856, located in Winnebago County, and there he still resides en- gaged in tilling the soil.

John White (deceased) was a prosperous farmer and stockman of Hanover Township, Adams County, Neb., and was born in the " Emerald Isle " in 1817, in which country his parents lived and died. His father, Arthur White, and wife reared a family of seven children, of whom John was the eldest, and all are now living in the United States, located at Philadelphia. After coming to the United States John White also resided in that city for many years and was married in Philadelphia, Pa., to Miss Eliza MeCully, a daughter of John McCully, of Ireland. To their union a family of seven children were born and all were reared in the State of Pennsylvania, their names being, Wesley M., Martha (who died in 1880), Margaret (who died in Pennsylvania, in 1869), John, James, Joseph and Lizzie (now Mrs. Coltrin). In 1872 Mr. White removed to Nebraska, and took np a homestead of eighty acres in Han- over Township, also pre-empting eighty acres more, but here his career was closed forever, his death occur-

ring in 1887. He was a man whom all delighted to honor, for he was the soul of honesty, was energetic, enterprising and public spirited, furthering all worthy public enterprises to the best of his ability. He and his wife were worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and npon his death his third son, James, took the homestead in charge, and has since farmed it on shares. The eldest son, Wesley M., spent his younger days in Pennsylvania, there also receiving his education, but npon his father's re- moval to Nebraska he came also and homesteaded 160 acres on the same section as his father. Here he was married in 1878 to Miss Amanda F. Abrams, a daughter of Joseph and Amanda (Rowe) Abrams, the former of whom was a Pennsylvanian. Mr. and Mrs. White have one child named Roy A. After breaking np a portion of his land Mr. White suc- ceeded in obtaining a school and taught the " young idea " in the first school house built in Adams County. Hle also carried on farming, but later be- came an employe of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Company, acting as conductor on that line for about six years. He was conductor of the first train that ran into York and Blue Hill, building the road to the former place, but in 1879, gave up railroading and returned to farm life. His brother, John H., resides at Hastings, and was mar- ried to Ada Snodgrass, by whom he has four chil- dren. Joseph B., another brother, is baggage mas- ter on the Union Pacific Railroad. Wesley White served in the Union army the last two years of the Rebellion, in Company D, Forty-seventh Pennsyl- vania Infantry, Second Brigade, First Division, Nine- teenth Army Corps, and took part in a number of hotly contested engagements, among which may be mentioned Berryville, Winchester, Cedar Creek, and numerous others. In January, 1866, he was dis- charged at Charleston, S. C. He is a charter mem- ber of the Masonic Lodge of Hastings, No. 50, and is one of the successful and intelligent residents of the county.

S. B. Whitman, farmer and stockman, Hastings, Neb. Among the worthy citizens of Adams County whose merits are such as to entitle them to represen- tation in the present work, is Mr. S. B. Whitman, the subject of this brief notice. His connection

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with the interests of Adams County have contributed very materially toward giving him an extensive acquaintance, while his accommodating and agree- able manners have rendered him none the less popu- lar. He is a native of the Old Dominion, his birth occurring in 1837, and is the third in a family of children born to the union of David and Rebecca (Freeman) Whitman, the father a successful farmer by occupation. The latter was born in New Hamp- shire, in 1796, and died in Vermont, in 1874. His wife died in July, 1887. Their children were named as follows: Freeman, John, Monroe, S. B., Levi, Hattie, Nelson and Lucy. S. B. Whitman was reared in the Green Mountain State, Orange County, and in 1861 enlisted in Company E. Second Regi- ment Berdon's Sharp-shooters, and was in the battle of Gainesville, two days at Bull Run, South Moun- tain, in a skirmish at Fredericksburg, Antietam, where he received a gun-shot wound in the right arm, and then went to Fairfax, Va., where he was confined in a hospital. His wound proved to be very serious, and he was discharged in 1862, on account of disability. He settled in Vermont, and in 1863 was united in marriage to Miss Elvira Wood, a native of Vermont, and the daughter of John Wood, also a native of that State, who died when his daughter was quite young. To Mr. and Mrs. Whitman were born five children, three now living: Mabel (now Mrs. Olinger, who resides in Blaine Township, Adams County, Neb.), Charley (at home) and Mand (at home). Mrs. Whitman is a member of the Congregational Church. Mr. Whitman emi- grated from Vermont to Wisconsin in 1866, settled in Fond du Lac County, and there remained for eleven years. He then came to Nebraska, settled where he now lives, and is the owner of 160 acres of good land, all under cultivation. He has been road supervisor of the township, has been a member of the school board for six years, and holds that posi- tion at the present, and is interested in all that per- tains to the good of the county. He is a Republi- can in politics, and is a member of Silas A. Strick- land Post No. 13, G. A. R.

A. L. Wigton, secretary of the Union Life In- surance Company of Hastings, Neb., has been a resident of Adams County for the past seventeen

years. lle was born in Delaware County, Ohio, January 19, 1841, and is a son of Z. P. and Mar- garet (Harrison) Wigton, who were born in Brad- ford County, Pa., and New Jersey, March 12, 1816, and August 17, 1815, and died at Malcom, Iowa, and Ponca, Neb., June 9, 1870, and April 1, 1889, respectively. The paternal grandfather was William Wigton, a native of New England, who died in Delaware County, Ohio, in 1866, at the age of seventy-eight years. A. L. Wigton received educa- tional advantages beyond that of the average boy, and being a lover of books from his earliest youth, he made fair progress in his studies while pursuing an academic course at Central College, Ohio. After leaving school he began teaching, and was discharg- ing these duties when the war cloud, which had so long been hovering over the country, at last burst; but he was not enrolled in the service until 1863, his previous application in 1862 being rejected on account of severe sickness which he had passed through, and from which he had not thoroughly re- covered. He joined Company G, Eighty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and at the end of thirteen months he was honorably discharged for disability. In March, 1865, he removed from his native State to lowa and took up his abode at Malcom, the oceu- pation of farming receiving his attention for about five years, after which he, in August, 1871, engaged in the newspaper business, purchasing the Malcom Gazette, and six months later the Brooklyn Journal, successfully conducting both until March, 1873. At this date he came to lastings, Neb., erected a building and established the Hastings Journal, and with the exception of a short interruption has been in the newspaper business here ever since, being at present proprietor of the Hastings Independent. In 1885 he assisted in organizing the Union Life lusur- ance Company, and has since acted as its secretary. He has always been a stanch Republican, and his first presidential vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln for his second term. In 1874 he was elected police judge and justice of the peace of Hastings, and also successfully filled the position of superintendent of publie instruction of Adams County for two terms. In 1879 and 1880 he served a term in the State Senate, representing the counties of Adams, Web-

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ster, Nuekolls and Thayer in this body. He belongs to the I. O. O. F. , the G. A. R., and is an earnest member of the Presbyterian Church, and was one of the leading spirits in the establishment of the Col- lege at Hastings, and is now vice-president of the board of trustees. On December 5, 1866, he was married to Miss Mary A. Hunt, a daughter of Rev. John and Sophia (Bingham) Hunt. Mrs. Wigton was born in Delaware County, Ohio, October 29, 1847, and she and Mr. Wigton are the parents of three children: William H., Clara L. and Harrison A.

Dr. Josephus Williams, physician, Kenesaw, Neb. Among the younger members of the medical pro- fession in Adams County is he whose name heads this sketch, and who is already well established as a physician of merit and true worth, and regarded with favor by those older in years and experience. His birth occurred in Miami County, Ohio, on May 12, 1847, and he is the son of George and Martha (Bear) Williams, natives respectively of Pennsyl- vania and Tennessee. When Dr. Williams was but six years of age he moved with his parents to Iowa, Tama County, and they were among the first settlers there. In 1884 they moved to Cherry County, Neb., and there they now reside. They thus be- came pioneers of two States. Dr. Josephus Wil- liams received the advantages for an education fur- nished by the early district schools, and as his father was a farmer and miller by occupation, he was taught this trade. Choosing the practice of medi- cine as a profession, he began to study under the instruction of his brother, Dr. David Williams. In 1879 he came to Kenesaw, Neb., and began prac- ticing, continuing the same until 1882, when he entered the Omaha Medical College, from which in- stitution he graduated in 1883. The Doctor is one of Kenesaw's pioneers. At the time that he first lo- cated here, the town consisted of four small houses, and he has therefore been an eye witness of its sub- sequent growth and prosperity. In 1868 he mar- ried Miss Malcenia Conger, a native of Bureau County, Ill., and a daughter of J. R. Conger, one of the early settlers there. To Dr. and Mrs. Wil- liams have been born two children: Sarah E. (now Mrs. Dr. F. C. Brosius, of Kenesaw), and George E. Mrs. Williams is a member of the Methodist

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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