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 57

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 57
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 57
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 57
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 57

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Episcopal Church, and is active in the women's work. Dr. Williams is a member of the Adams County Medical Association, and in 1880 served as coroner of Adams County. In 1864, when but six- teen years of age, he enlisted in Company G, Forty- seventh Regiment Iowa Volunteers, and was sta- tioned at Helena, Ark. At the expiration of his term of enlistment he was honorably discharged at Davenport. He is at present a member of the G. A. R., and is not only prominent in his profession but is a man who, by his genial and pleasing man- ners, has won his way into the hearts of the people.

C. C. Wilson, farmer and stock-raiser, Hastings, Neh. Highland Township is acknowledged by all to be one of the best agricultural townships in this county, and as such its citizens are men of advanced ideas and considerable prominence. A worthy man among this class is found in the person of C. C. Wilson, who moved to Adams County, Nebraska, in 1884, locating on a partly improved farm of 160 acres, on which he has made many and vast im- provements since that time. He was born in Litch- field, Conn., in 1833, was the youngest in a family of three children born to Darius and Clarissa (Treak- way) Wilson, natives respectively of New York and Connecticut. The parents were married in the last named State, and there the father carried on the blacksmith trade until 1860, when he moved to Ottawa, Ill., and there received his final summons in 1880. His wife died one year later. Their chil- dren were named as follows: Caroline (now Mrs. Wiliam A. Jones, of Highland Township, Adams County, Neh.), Charles (enlisted at Ottawa, Ill. , in Waterhouse's Battery, in 1862, was taken sick and died the following year). C. C. Wilson secured a fair education in the schools of Connecticut and worked in the factories of that State (iron foundry) until 1856, when he moved to Knox County, Ill. There he followed farming and there, in 1865, he married Miss Mary A. Preston, a native of New Jersey, and the daughter of Thompson and Mrs. Preston, natives of New Jersey, who moved to Illi- nois and settled on a farm at an early day. There they remained the balance of their days. After his marriage, Mr. Wilson followed farming, and in 1884 moved to Adams County, Neh., where he

ADAMS COUNTY.

purchased land, erected buildings, set out orchards, and is now one of the progressive men of the county. Ile is also interested in stock raising and has a high grade of Short-horn cattle. lle is not active in politics, but votes with the Republican party. Mr. Wilson lost his excellent wife in Illi- nois in 1874. She was a member of the Presby- terian Church. To their union were born four chil- dren: Frank, Arthur, Cora and Charles.

Charles W. Wilson, recorder of deeds, Hastings, Neb. Prominent among the comparatively young men of Adams County, whose careers thus far have been both honorable and successful, is the subject of this sketch. He was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., November 4, 1840, and is the son of George W. and Ann (Dragoo) Wilson, the former born in Massachusetts about 1820, and died in Wisconsin in 1856, and the latter born in New York about 1824, and died in Wisconsin the same year as her husband. They removed to Wisconsin in 1846, and here the father followed the occupation of a lumberman. Charles W. Wilson is the only living representative of his father's children. He came West with his parents in 1846, settled in Wisconsin, and there re- ceived a good common school education. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Eighth Iowa In- fantry, and served through the entire war, participa- ting in the battle of Shiloh, where after fighting all day on that memorable Sunday, April 6, 1862, about 6 o'clock he was taken prisoner with Gen. Prestiss' whole division. He was kept a prisoner nine months; part of the time under Wirz, of An- dersonville notoriety. He was exchanged at Rich- mond, made a short visit home, and joined Grant's army in time to participate in all those battles which resulted in the capture of Vicksburg. Was in the battle of Memphis, and Spanish Fort, where Com- pany A, of which he was a member, was specially detailed to lead the charge, which, after desperate fighting, resulted in the capture of that place. Ile was an active soldier in his regiment to the end of the Rebellion, participating in all its battles, and was honorably discharged on May 9, at Selma, Ala. , having been a gallant and faithful soldier four years and nine months. On September 16, 1866, he was married to Miss Mary C. Benshoof, who

was born at Johnstown, Pa .. in 1846. The fruits of this union have been two children: C. William and George E. After the war he located in Jackson County, Wis., and for three years was engaged in the stone constructing business, selling out at that time. In 1869 he moved to Ilardin County, Iowa, settled on a farm and there remained until the fall of 1871, when he came to Adams County, Neb. Hle located on the southeast quarter of Section 18. Township 5, Range 10, entered a homestead and there resided until his removal to Hastings, in De- cember, 1889. When he first settled in Zero Town- ship, there were but three families living there. He is at present the owner of half a section. In poli- ties he is an active Republican. He has always taken a deep interest in the politics of the country; has been an active member in county and State con- ventions since the organization of the party, cast- ing his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. In 1889 he was elected recorder of Adams County. The nomi- nation of Mr. Wilson for his present position was brought about by the country wishing to be repre- sented. and he was chosen as against any one from the city of Hastings. Mr. Wilson is a member of the G. A. R. He has been a resident of Adams County for more than eighteen years, and is one of its most respected citizens.

John Winter is a man whom nature seems to have especially designed to be a planter, for he has been very successful in the pursuit of this calling. and is now the owner of 640 acres of land, nearly all of which is under cultivation, the home place consisting of 320 acres. This property has been acquired through his desire to keep out of the beaten path and to his adoption of new and improved methods, together with industry, good judgment and economy. He was born in Germany, September 7, 1850, but being of an adventurous and enterprising turn of mind, he emigrated to the United States in 1871, and first took up his abode in Goodhue County, Minn., remaining there three years, and in February, 1874, came to Adams County, Neb. . and purchased his present property. Ile tills large areas of land each year, and in 1889 devoted 200 acres to corn. 100 acres to wheat, 50 acres to bar- ley, and about 100 acres to oats. He is the most

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HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

extensive farmer in Roseland Township, and every- thing about his property shows that thrift, good judgment and energy are the owner's chief character- isties. He has a good two-story house, a large barn, numerous sheds for his grain and stock, and has everything for the successful handling of stock, such as wind pumps, etc., this enterprise receiving mueh of his attention for the past five years. He will ship about one car load of hogs this season and six of cattle. He is trying to improve his stock, and has among his drove some fine thoroughbred Poled Angus cattle for breeding purposes. He was married in April. 1879, to Miss Mary E. Triester, a native of Wisconsin, and a danghter of William Triester, by whom he has the following children: Anna, Katie, Nellie, Maggie, Minnie, John, August and Emma. Mr. and Mrs. Winter are members of the Lutheran Church.

George W. Wolcott, farmer, Kenesaw, Neb. There are many incidents of peculiar interest pre- sented in the career of Mr. Wolcott, which cannot be given in the brief space allotted to this sketch. Known over a large region of country tributary to Kenesaw, his reputation is that of a man honorable and reliable in every walk of life. He was origin- ally from Oneida County, N. Y., where his birth occurred on December 3, 1843, and is the son of Josiah P. and Hannah (Russell) Wolcott. His father was a farmer by occupation, and the early life of our subject was spent at hard labor, assisting his parents to make a livelihood from the stubborn soil. His educational advantages, like those of. many a pioneer boy, were limited. the schooling re- ceived consisting of a few months' attendance at a subscription school, where each family paid a cer- tain sum per capita for the children sent. On Au- gust 29, 1862, both father and son enlisted in Com- pany B, One Hundred and Forty-sixth New York Volunteers, and fought side by side for the defense of their country, until soon after the battle of Fred- ericksburg, when the father died. George W. par- ticipated in fourteen general engagements as follows: Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, where he participated in the terrible struggle of Little Round Top, Williamsport, Bristoe Station, Rappa- hannock, Mine Run, Battle of the Wilderness, where

the fighting was so severe that in one hour one-half the regiment was killed, Laurel Hill, Spottsylvania Court House, North Ann River and Bethesda Church. He was taken prisoner near Richmond on June 2, 1864, and confined for a short time at Pemberton, Danville, Libby and Florence prisons, and for three months was confined in the terrible prison pen at Andersonville. He was paroled on December 10, 1864, and was afterward exchanged. He was hon- orably discharged in July, 1865, after which he returned home and engaged in the lumber and shin- . gle manufacturing business, continuing at that until 1873, when he came to Nebraska and purchased his present farm of 160 acres in Wanda Township, and just outside the town limits of Kenesaw. He takes an active interest in both the business and political affairs of his community, and has served as justice of the peace, has also been a member of the election board, and was elected to his third term as assessor. He selected as his companion in life Miss Celestia E. Burr, a native of Lewis County, N. Y., and a daughter of Mr. John and Abbey (Tuttle) Burr, both New Englanders by birth, and was married to her on March 4, 1866. To this union have been born seven children: Ervin E. (deceased), Arthur M., Clinton A. , Myrta H. , Harry E. , Guy E. and Abbie F. (deceased). Mr. Wolcott is a member of Matthias Post No. 155, G. A. R. , at Kenesaw. and also a charter member of Kenesaw Lodge No. 144, A. F. & A. M. Both he and his worthy wife are members of the Free Baptist Church, and the latter takes a deep interest in woman's work. She is a member of the Ladies' Missionary Society, and is also a member of the W. C. T. U.

John Woods, farmer and stoekman, Ayr, Neh. Every community is bound to have among its citi- zens a few men of recognized influence and ability, who, by their systematic and careful, thorough man- ner of work, attain to a success which is justly de- served. Among this class is Mr. Woods, a man es- teemed to be a prominent and substantial. as well as progressive, farmer of his township. Since 1870 he has been a resident of Adams County, Neb., and since that time has been actively engaged in agrieul- tural pursuits. He was born in Lawrence County, Ky. , July 15, 1843, and was reared and educated

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ADAMS COUNTY.

in that county. His parents, James and Mary (Cains) Woods, were both natives of Kentucky, and the father was a hatter by trade, although he was also interested in cultivating the soil in Lawrence County. He sold ont in 1859 and moved to Arkan- sas, locating in Marion County, where he died in 1860. His wife survives him, and now resides with a daughter in Nebraska. On October 10, 1861, John Woods enlisted in the Fourteenth Kentucky Infantry, United States Regiment, and served until discharged on January 31, 1865, four months after the expiration of his term of service. He partici- pated in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain and the siege and surrender of Atlanta. While out on a scout he was taken prisoner in Kentucky, and hell for six months, or until exchanged. Ile then re- turned to his home in Kentucky, but soon after came west to Montana, where he was engaged in mining and freighting for about four years. He returned to his native State in 1869, and the following year, as has been mentioned, he came to Nebraska. Here he has made his home ever since, and is the owner of 320 aeres of land, all in a body, and rich bottom land. He has it all cultivated and is doing well. In 1885 Mr. Woods bought a lot of heifers, and went west to start a cattle ranch in Montana, where he continued for about two years. He moved his family out there and back in 1887, as the decrease in price of fat cattle disabled him financially. Mr. Woods was married here on July 31, 1873, to Miss Julia Duncan, a native of Illinois, and the daughter of Patrick and Ella Duncan. To Mr. and Mrs. Woods have been born two children: Cora and Mary E., both attending school at Hastings, and now in their third year. Mr. Woods has served as a mem- ber of the school board, and is interested in educa- tional matters.

George F. Work, attorney at law, also real estate, loan and insurance agent, Hastings, Neb. As a leading citizen of Hastings, Neb., in its pro- fessional, business and social life, lending eminent strength to its bar, tone to its finance and grace to its society, Mr. Work is second to no one in the city. He owes his nativity to Harrison County, Ohio, where his birth occurred on March 1. 1839, and is the son of John A. and Margaret (Gallaher)

Work, the father a native of Washington County. Pa., born in 1813. He removed from Ohio to lowa in 1852 and died in Jasper County, of that State, in 1857. In early life he followed the carpenter trade, but later in life tilled the soil. The mother was born in the Keystone State in 1814, and is now a resident of Fairbury, Neb. George F. Work is the second of nine children, seven of whom are living: William G., George F., David C., Mary B., Alex- ander M .. Anderson L. and Oria A. Ile first attended the public schools of his native State and afterwards spent some time at Wittenburg College, in Jasper County. Towa. In April, 1861, he en- listed in Company B, Fifth Iowa Infantry, known as the Jasper Grays, and on July 9, of the same year, he was mustered into the Fifth lowa, serving in that company until October, 1863, when he was mustered out to accept a commission as captain of Company E, First lowa Infantry, of A. D., after- wards changed to the Sixtieth Colored Infantry. Hle served until October, 1865, when he was honor- ably discharged. He was at the siege of Corinth, New Madrid, Island No. 10 and luka, Miss., where he was wounded. After the war he settled in Des Moines, Iowa, and for some time was connected with the Des Moines postoffice, and served as an officer of the Iowa Legislature for two sessions. In January, 1871, he removed to Arkansas, where he engaged in teaching, and was assistant secretary of the Arkansas Senate, taking part in the Brooks- Baxter war in that State in 1873-74. He continued at Little Rock until November, 1874, when he came to Hastings and here has since resided, with the ex- ception of two years, when he was a resident of Colorado. Since his residence in Hastings he has been engaged in the real estate business and fire and life insurance. representing the best old line com- panies. He was admitted to the bar in Adams County in 1878, and to practice before the supreme court of Nebraska in 1881. He was married in Jasper County. lowa, October 20, 1863. to Miss Maggie E. Sturgeon, a native of Lawrence County. Pa., born in 1844, and to this union have been born five children: Chartes 1 .. Florence B. . George W .. Roy D. and Edna E. In politics Mr. Work is a Prohibitionist. He is a member of the G. A. R., a

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HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

member of the Congregational Church, and has been superintendent of its Sunday-school for thirteen years. He has been a resident of Hastings for fif- teen years and is one of the leading citizens of the same. In 1875 he was elected justice of the peace and discharged the duties incumbent upon that office for some years. In 1882 and 1883 he was county judge of Adams County, was also for two terms city police judge, and served two years as a member of the city council.

Abraham Yeazel is the efficient cashier of the Exchange National Bank of Hastings, Neb., and is one of the leading business men of the county. After attending the common schools and finishing his education in the Illinois Industrial University, he came to Nebraska and located at Lincoln in 1872, but after a short stay returned to Illinois, and for two years was engaged in . teaching the young idea how to shoot," after which he returned to Lincoln and entered the employ of the firm of Cobb & Mar- quet, remaining with them until the fall of 1877, when he came to Hastings and established the Ex- change National Bank, with which he has since been connected. In 1880 his marriage to Miss Eva Cox was solemnized. She was born in Indianapolis, Ind. , in 1863, and is a daughter of A. W. and E. F. (Ballard) Cox. Mr. Yeazel is a Free-trader in his political views. He was born in Champaign County, III., December 28, 1851, being the son of James and Mary (Spencer) Yeazel, natives of Clarke County, Ohio, the former's birth occurring in February, 1811, and the latter's in 1815, and died in Illinois in 1888 and 1866, respectively. They removed to the State of Illinois in 1840, and were pioncer set- tlers of Champaign County.

Aaron D. Yocum is well known to the early resi- dents of the county, for he has been a resident of this locality for the past eighteen years. Ile was born in Belmont County, Ohio, December 9, 1842. and is the fifth of eight children, six of whom are living, born to Samuel and Jane (Deweese) Yocum, the former of whom was born in Lancaster County, Pa., in 1804, and died in Morgan County, Ohio, in

1878, having lived the life of a farmer. He, as well as his wife, was a member of the Quaker Church, the latter of whom was born in Belmont County, Ohio, in 1809, and died at Lloydsville, Ohio, in 1866. Her life was that of an exemplary Christian, and she was greatly beloved and respected by all who were so fortunate as to know her. Aaron D. Yoemm received the advantages that usually fall to the lot of the farmer's boy, that is he attended the district schools near his home, but his studies, as well as his work on the farm, were interrupted by the murmurings of war, and in April, 1861, casting aside all personal considerations, and thinking only of his country's peril, he enlisted in Company K. Seventeenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, at St. Clairs- ville, Ohio, for the three months' service. At the expiration of this time he re-enlisted, this time be- coming a member of Company E, Sixty-second Ohio Infantry for three years, and for faithful service he was commissioned first lieutenant on August 14, 1863. Ile veteranized February 4, 1864, and re- enlisted in his old company and regiment, npon which he was commissioned adjutant. At Deep Bottom, Va., he received a serious wound, and was honorably discharged from the service in December, 1865, and returned to his home and friends with the consciousness of having been a faithful and trusted soldier. In 1872 he removed from Ohio to Adams County, Neb., and located on a homestead just east of the present site of Hastings, and here two years later he began reading law in the office of Ash & Scofield, and in the year 1877 was admitted to the Adams County bar, and to practice in the federal conrts in 1879. In 1874 he was elected a member of the board of county commissioners, serving for six years, and in 1880 was elected mayor of Hastings, and was again given this honor in 1888, which posi- tion he is now filling. He has always been a Re- publican, a pronounced party man, and socially is a member of Hastings Lodge No. 19, K. of P. He also belongs to the G. A. R. He was married, in 1866, to Miss Anna P. Strahl, of Ohio, by whom he has a daughter named Alice.

341

CLAY COUNTY.

CHAPTER XIX.

INTRODUCTION-POPULATION-ELEVATIONS -- AREA-RIVERS AND STREAMS-PHYSICAL FORMATION-GRASSHOPPER PLAGUES-EFFECTS OF SAME-STORMS AND BLIZZARDS-DESTROVING ELEMENTS-EXPLORATION -- PIONEERS-AN OLD SETTLER'S REMINISCENCES-INDIAN WARFARE-EVACUATION OF SPRING RANCHE-FEMALE CAPTIVES --- ORGANIZATION OF OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.

And even calm Perpetual reign'd. save what the zephyrs bland Breathed o'er the blue expanse .- Thomson.

LAY County is known Con- gressionally as Townships 5. 6, 7 and 8 west. in Ranges 5, 6, 7 and 8 north. It is almost divided equally by the longitudinal line 21° west of Washington, between 40° and ¥41° north latitude. The estimated area is 576 square miles or 368,640 acres, and the estimated population is 14.795, this total being based on the 2.758 votes cast for the county treasurer in November. 1889, multiplied by five. In 1870 the Km population was 54; in 1874, 3,622; in 1875, 4,183; in 1876, 4.785: in 1877. 5,652; in 1878, 7.012; in 1879. 9.373; in 1880. 11,299 and in 1885, 14, 157. The measured elevations above sea level are Sutton, 1,680 feet; Clay Center, 1.687 feet; Fairfield, 1,782 feet; Ed- gar, 1.728 feet; Glenville, 1,842 feet: Verona, 1,776 feet, and Spring Ranche, 1.717 feet; all below the elevations in Adams and Hall Counties.

The Little Blue enters the county a point west of Spring Ranche, flows in a general course south- east, and leaves the county at Section 34, of Fair- field Township, about five miles south of the town of that name. The west fork of Big Sandy Creek rises in Glenville Township, and flowing southeast, through Fairfield, leaves the county in Section 34 of Logan Township.

The head waters of the West branch of the Big Blue wander through Leicester and Harvard Town- ships, and feeders of this stream run through Lin- coln and School Creek Townships. The South branch of the Big Blue rises in Lynn Township. with one stream coming down from Harvard City. and flows in a general eastern course to Sutton, where it follows a northwestern channel to its junction with the west branch south of Lushton. In every see- tion of the county pure water is found at from forty to 100 feet; while numerous streams run through depressions in the prairie.

The soil is very productive, requiring only little labor from the husbandman to show most satisfac-

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tory results. It is related that during the terrible year of 1874, land which cost $10 per acre and $9. 07 per acre for breaking, cross-plowing, seeding, harvesting, stacking and threshing, almost paid for itself that year. The soil is heavier and richer than that of adjoining counties, and every resident agricul- turist points to Clay County as the paradise of the farmer. Tests of sugar beets grown near Fairfield in 1889 show 4.27 per cent of sucrose; while a test hy L. E. Wales, of Edgar, of beets grown in that section of the county, indicate 6.54 per cent.

The grasshopper plague of 1874, described in the history of Adams and Hall Counties, did not overlook Clay. Every crop, except the wheat and barley, then harvested, was eaten up, leaving the settlers in a condition almost approaching poverty. Aid rendered by Congress and the State, as well as by the people, poured in to alleviate the dis- tress, and in the fall of 1874 a committee of citizens was formed at Sutton to make an equitable distribu- tion of this aid, namely: C. M. Turner, F. W. Hoh- man, R. G. Merrill, George Stewart and J. Stein- metz. Sutton was selected as the depot for the dis- triet which included parts of Fillmore, York and Hamilton Counties, and all Clay County. W. A. Gunn was president and M. J. Hull, vice-president of the sub-committee at Edgar, in the district of which Harvard was the depot. One-half a car-load of United States army clothing was distributed from Harvard, while from this point and Sutton, several car loads of coal and provisions were given out.

The people of necessity suffered much from the result of the insects' visitation, but they recovered in a surprisingly short time, and the following year found them in a position of comparative prosperity.

The distance from the great grain markets of Chicago, coupled with the high charges of the rail- road companies, have militated against the agricul- turists, not only of this section, but also through- out the whole State. The land has produced abnnd- antly, enough to supply twenty times the number of inhabitants of Nebraska; but the prices obtainable for grain and other products have been so low as almost to oppose the idea of marketing farm pro- duce. In February, 1890, Gov. Thayer and the people cried out for better terms from the railroads,

and the railroad magnates consented reluctantly to a 10 per cent reduction in carrying charges. Throughout the country, in February, 1890, great heaps of golden grain waiting shipment near every depot and farm house, told very plainly of the boun- teons harvest of the year before.

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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