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 73

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 73
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 73
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 73
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 73

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William Darby is one of the well-known farmers of Clay County, Neb., and is extensively engaged in the breeding of Poland China hogs. He was born in Canada, July 6, 1848, being a son of David Darby, a native of Yorkshire, England. In 1844 Mr. Darby removed with his family to Canada, and after following the tailor's trade there until 1885, he removed to Clay County, Neb., where he has made his home with his son, William Darby. He buried his wife in March, 1890. William Darby grew up to manhood in Canada, and in 1865 came to the United States, and for a number of years was engaged in farming in Porter County, Ind. He removed from there to Nebraska and settled in Clay County, in the fall of 1878. In 1884 he pur- chased his present farm, which consists of 160 acres, well improved, with a good residence and a good barn and pigery, and other conveniences, also a fine young orchard just beginning to bear. He

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has been actively engaged in the breeding of Poland-China hogs since the spring of 1885. At that time he went to Butler County, Ohio, and purchased his foundation stock, and has each year since that time made purchases from the best herds in Ohio and Indiana. His herd consists of about twenty-five head of registered stock, and about 100 head of young animals all eligible to register, among them are some of the finest animals that can be found. He is prepared to furnish choice stock to his customers at all times and at reason- able prices. He has taken numerous premiums at different fairs, and has done much to improve the fine stock interests of Nebraska, and especially in Clay County. He also owns an interest in a fine imported English Shire stallion, and a Bashaw stallion of considerable notoriety. He has a few fine mares on his farm rearing colts. Mr. Darby is a member of the Farmers' Alliance and the A. O. U. W. In 1874 he was married to Sarah Wors- ter, of Porter County, Ind. She was born in Ohio and reared in Indiana, she being a member of the Christian Church. His farm is located two and one-half miles north of Edgar, Clay County. Any one wishing to inspect his herd can do so in about twenty minutes' drive from Edgar, on a nice smooth road, and will be cordially welcomed by Mr. and Mrs. Darby.

Edward D. Davis, sheriff, Clay Center, Neb. Mr. Davis, the popular sheriff of this county, though born in North Wales on November 16, 1846, has resided here since 1878, and the confidence which the people repose in him is therefore intelligently placed. His parents, David and Elizabeth (Hughes) Davis, were also both natives of Wales. The father and family came to the United States at an early day, locating near Johnstown, Pa., where the father died in 1883 and the mother in 1889, she being one of the victims of the noted Jotins- town flood. Edward P. Davis was reared to man- hood in Pennsylvania, securing a common-school education, and in 1878 he emigrated to Nebraska. He first located at Glenville, Clay County, where he followed the trade of blacksmith until the fall of 1887, when he was elected sheriff of Clay County, a position he has held by re-election to the pres-

ent time. He is an able and efficient officer, and a man of courage and good judgment. His wife was formerly Miss Elizabeth Rees, a native of Wales, whom he married on May 10, 1871. Mr. Davis is a stanch Republican, and has always ad- hered closely to that grand old party. In 1863 he enlisted in the 100 day service, and in 1864 in Company H, Eighty-third Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, serving as private until the close of the war. He is a Mason, a member of the I. O. O. F., the A. O. U. W. and the G. A. R. He is one of the county's most prominent citizens.

William H. Deeder. Within the limits of Clay County, Neb., there is not a man who possesses a more substantial or progressive spirit than Mr. Deeder, and he has had an active career in agri- cultural pursuits and in stock-raising, and by his progressive ideas has done not a little for the farm- ing interests hereabouts. He was born in Penn- sylvania in 1838, and is a son of Isaac and Sophia Deeder, who were also born in that State in 1818 and 1821, respectively. About 1850 the family removed to the State of Illinois, and made their home in Pike County until the death of his father. William H. Deeder grew to manhood and received a good common school education in Pike County, and in the year 1858 was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Mountain, a danghter of James and Eliz- abeth (Perigo) Mountain, natives of England. Mr. Deeder was so unfortunate as to lose his wife by consumption in 1863, she having borne him one child, Isaac, who has since died. In 1861 Mr. Deeder enlisted in Company H. Second Illinois Light Artillery, United States Army, and served three years and eight months, participating in the following battles and skirmishes: Fort Donelson, the second Fort Donelson, Fort Columbus (Ky.), Clarksville, Nashville (Tenn.) and numerous other skirmishes. He was under Gen. Grant when the river was opened from Cairo to Donelson, thence to Clarksville and from there to Nashville, and re- moved all the torpedoes from Fort Columbus, be- ing a member of a regiment that held the river. He was mustered out of service in 1865, returning home, to Pittsfield, Pike County, Ill. He was mar- ried, August 14, 1864, to Miss Cefronia Osborn,

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a daughter of John Osborn, of Nashville, Tenn. : 1883 to 1884 Mr. Dillinger was engaged in mer They have nine sons and one daughter. In 1886 he and his family moved to Clay County, Neb., where they have since resided on their present farm, which comprises a tract of 160 acres, all tillable and well improved land, which he has made by diligence and perseverance. He is a member of the G. A. R. and the United Brethren Church.

Samuel R. Dillinger, grain dealer, Inland, Neb. Mr. Dillinger, one of the most successful and enter- prising business men of Inland, was born in Des Moines County, Iowa, in 1855, and is the elder of two children born to the union of Daniel and Nancy (Davis) Dillinger, the latter a daughter of John A. and Lucy Davis. The father was born in West- moreland County, Pa., in 1828, and was a car penter by trade. He was married in Iowa, in 1854, to Miss Davis, and to them were born two children: Samuel R., and Daniel W. (who is now living in Sherman County, Kas., is married and has a family). The father died in Iowa in 1857. He had followed the carpenter trade all his life, but in connection carried on farming for some time. Both he and wife were members of the Uni- versalist Church. After the death of her husband Mrs. Dillinger remained a widow for seven or eight years, and then married Christian Ziegler, and is now living in Des Moines County, Iowa. By her last marriage four children were born: David, Lucy, William and Harriet. The paternal grand- father was named Danie! Dillinger. Samuel K. Dillinger passed his school-boy days in Pennsyl- vania and Des Moines County, Iowa, and in 1874 started out for himself as a tiller of the soil. He came west in 1877, settled in Clay County, Neb., and was there engaged in cultivating the soil until the winter of 1878, when he returned to Iowa. In the spring of the following year he returned to Clay County and continued his former occupation. In 1878 he bought eighty acres of land, which he be- gan immediately to improve, but this he sold in 1879. He was married in 1880 to Miss Melissa B. Gallentine, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1860, and the daughter of Daniel and Sarah Gallentine. Four children are the result of this marriage: Sam- uel R., Helen L., Nellie M. and Otis W. From

chandising and was very successful in this. In 1885 lie again engaged in merchandising, which he continued until 1886 and then sold out. He embarked in the grain business by himself in 1888, but in 1889 consolidated with Mr. Ealer and con- tinned the same under the firm name of Dillinger & Co. They are doing a good business and are wide-awake, live men. Mr. Dillinger is a Demo- crat in politics, is a member of the Masonic Fra- ternity, Lodge No. 44, Harvard, Clay County, und is a man of energy and good, practical common sense.

Hon. John B. Dinsmore, president of Sutton Na. tional Bank, Sutton, Neb. Every life has a history of its own. and although in appearance it may pos- sess little to distinguish it from others, yet the po- litical career and experience of Mr. Dinsmore, as well as his popularity as a citizen, have contributed to give him a wide and popular acquaintance with nearly every citizen of the county. He is a native of the Empire State, his birth occurring in Chau- tauqua County, on March 15, 1838, and is the son of John B. and Harriet H. (Alden) Dinsmore, na- tives, respectively, of New Hampshire and New York. The father was born in Windom, August 14, 1792, and died August 15, 1871. He was by occupation a farmer, but early in life he spent four years as a sailor on the high seas. He was a son of John Dinsmore, who was born in New Hamp- shire, and who there passed the closing scenes of his life. The mother of our subject was born in 1806, and died in July, 1876. She was the third wife of Mr. Dinsmore, and by him became the mother of six children, of whom Hon. John B. Dinsmore was the eldest. The latter was reared to agricultural pursuits in his native county, re- ceived the rudiments of an education in the dis- trict schools, and later was a student at Grand River Institute, at Austinburg, Ohio. When about twenty one years of age he spent a short time in Kansas, and about one and a half years in Saline County, Mo., but the Rebellion com- ing on he returned to New York for the purpose of entering the service, and on September 20, 1861. enlisted in Company I, Ninth New York Cavalry,

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and served until October 20, 1864, when, as second lieutenant, he was honorably discharged. The fol- lowing year he went on his father's farm in York State, and in April, '1866, he engaged in mercan- tile pursuits, which he continued in that State for about six years. In 1872 he came to Clay County, Neb., and took a homestead in the southern part of the same. Since coming here he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits and stock-raising, and is now the owner of 1,000 acres of well-improved land. He has a fine herd of Short-horn cattle, and is engaged quite extensively in raising Poland- China hogs. In politics Mr. Dinsmore is a stanch Republican, and in April, 1873, he was appointed to fill out an unexpired term as county commis- sioner. In the fall of the same year he was elected sheriff of Clay County, and served in that position one term. In 1875 he was elected to the position of district and county court clerk, and in 1880 was elected to represent Clay County in the Senate of the Nebraska General Assembly. Upon the organ- ization he was elected president pro tem., was chair- man of the committee on penitentiaries, and intro- duced what is now known as the mechanic's lien bill. On January 1,1877, in partnership with L. R. Grimes, Mr. Dinsmore engaged in the banking business under the firm name of Grimes & Dins- more, and after three years Mr. Dinsmore contin- ued the business under the title of J. B. Dinsmore & Co., until 1887, when the Sutton National Bank was organized. In March, 1883, he, in company with others, organized the Sutton Creamery Asso- ciation, of which he has been a member for some time, and of which, in 1883, 1884 and 1885, he was president. All these years he has been one of the most active members of that body. He was married on April 12, 1865, to Miss Helen M. Matteson, a native of Chautauqua County, N. Y., born in 1844, and the daughter of Victor M. and Marietta (Hoag) Matteson, natives of the Empire State. Mr. Dinsmore is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Evening Star Lodge No. 49, and is a mem- ber of the Mount Nebo Commandery at Hastings. He is also president of the bank of Stockham, Hamilton County, Neb., and a member of the G. A. R. and Loyal Legion of the United States. He

is one of the leading men of Nebraska, and a prominent member of the Congregational Church.

H. H. Disbrow, harness-dealer, Harvard, Neb. Man owes so much, both in the way of business and pleasure, to that noble animal, the horse, that any industry which has for its object the supplying of the horse with harness, saddles or trappings for his better utilization, should surely be regarded in the light of a public benefactor. At least, in a comprehensive work of this kind, recognition must be paid to this important enterprise. Among those prominently engaged in this branch of industry in Harvard is Mr. Disbrow, who estab- lished his business here in 1874. He was born in New Brunswick, N. J., December 4, 1853, and is the son of E. S. and Harriet E. (White) Disbrow, the father being a native of New Jer- sey. The mother died in Wisconsin in 1864. H. H. Disbrow was the fifth of nine children by his father's first marriage, and early in life was taken to Wisconsin, where he was educated in the schools of Fond du Lac. When sixteen years of age, at the above-mentioned city, he began learning the harness-maker's trade, and came to Harvard in 1873. The following year he began the harness- maker's business in that town, and there he has since continued. He always does a good business and now employs three harness-makers, carries a complete stock of harness and saddles, etc., and is one of the most successful business men of the place. His marriage occurred in 1884 to Miss Lottie Pearsall, and they now have three children: Glen, Claude and an infant as yet unnamed. In politics he adheres to the Republican party. He is one of the pioneer settlers of Clay County, and for ten years has been engaged in the live stock business. He is also one of the owners of the opera house, in which he has one-half interest. He has made his own way in life, and is one of the substantial men of Harvard.

Hon. James Donnelly is the present mayor of the city of Harvard, Neb., and he is also a prom- inent hardware dealer of that place, and although he has only resided in the place for about six years he has identified himself with every interest and is recognized as a valuable and trustworthy citizen

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and man of business. His birth occurred in Ire- land August 12, 1844. In the year 1850 he re- moved with his parents to Wethersfield, Ill., and on the 7th of August, 1862, James Donnelly en- listed in the Union army, in Company A, of the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois' Vol- unteer Infantry, with which he served until May 16, 1863, at which time he was wounded in the battle of Champion's Hill, Miss., from a gun shot striking the lower part of his left leg, which neces- sitated its amputation. On the field he was taken prisoner a few days later, but was paroled about July 1, and returned np the river to Memphis, where he remained in the hospital for about two weeks. He was then transferred to the hospital at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., where he was honorably discharged August 7, 1863, just one year after the day he enlisted. Prior to the battle of Champion's Hill he had participated in the battles of Port Gibson, Raymond, and Jackson, Miss., in all of which he proved himself a brave and intrepid sol- dier, and loyal in thought, word and deed to his country. Rendered unfit for further duty he, on receiving his discharge, returned to his home in Wethersfield, Ill., where he remained until 1868. In the spring of 1864 he entered Bryant & Strat- ton's Business College of Chicago, Ill., completing a full commercial course in the fall of 1864 as well as a full course in telegraphy. Upon returning home he engaged in the dry goods and grocery business in connection with Charles Lester, and was thus engaged until 1868, also discharging the duties of postmaster from 1865 up to that time. He was also collector of his township from 1864 to 1867, and in February, 1868, removed to Afton, Iowa, and for one year was employed as a book- keeper in a store. At the end of that time he formed a partnership with one of the proprietors, U. V. Matthews, and the firm of Matthews & Don- nelly founded a hardware store in Plattsmonth, Neb., in February, 1869. In the fall of 1871 the firm was dissolved, and shortly after Mr. Donnelly established a like establishment at Crete and was a well-known business man of that place until 1881. In May of that year he removed to Denver,

was engaged in the real estate business. In the fall of 1883 he returned to Nebraska, and in No vember located in Harvard, where he has ever since been established in business and is a prom- inent and honored citizen. He was married in Wethersfield, Ill., in September, 1870, to Miss Delia S. Gage, a native of Norfolk, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., born February 22, 1846, their un- ion being blessed in the birth of five children: May J., Bertha G. (deceased), Frederick and two oth- ers that died in infancy. The mother of these children passed from life February 29, 1880, in Crete, Neb., and November 5, 1889, Mr. Don- nelly was married to Charlotte Renton, a native of Staten Island, N. Y., a daughter of Charles and Mary Renton, who were born, reared and married in England. Mr. and Mrs. Donnelly are members of the Congregational Church, and he is a member of the G. A. R. and the A. O. U. W. He has been commander of his post two. years, and is at present master workman in the lat- ter order. He has always been a stanch Republican in his political views, and for two years was mayor of Crete, Neb., and served as a member of the school board of that city eight years. He was sec- retary and trustee of Doane College at Crete for three years, and filled all these positions in a highly satisfactory manner. In the spring of 1886 he was elected a member of the city council in Harvard, and held this position for two years. In April, 1889, he was elected to the position of mayor, and he is now discharging the duties of that office to the satisfaction of all concerned. He is a shrewd and successful man of business, and is a man of undoubted honesty and integrity, well and favorably known throughout Clay County.

Byron H. Dunn, treasurer, Clay Center, Neb. Mr. Dunn, the present efficient incumbent of the office of county treasurer, owes his nativity to Carroll County, III., where his birth occurred Sep- tember 18, 1849, and his parents, Samuel S. and Mar tha B. (Holman) Dunn, are both natives of York State. Byron H. Dunn was reared and educated in his native county, following the occupation of a farmer and stock-raiser until the fall of 1880, when Colo., where for a little more than two years he . he emigrated to Nebraska. He located on a farm on

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the main line of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad, midway between Sutton and Harvard, in Clay County, and became the owner of 560 acres of as good land as there is to be found in the county. Mr. Dunn is, and always has been, a stanch Republican in his political views, and has taken quite an active interest in the political affairs of the county, having been elected school and township treasurer of Lewis Township. In November, 1889, he was elected by his party to the office of county treasurer, which position he now fills to the satisfaction of all. It is but saying the truth when the statement is made that no more capable man for the position could be found than Mr. Dunn. He is popular with all, kind and courteous in his intercourse with his fellow-men (a secret, no doubt, of his great popularity), and always willing to aid any enterprise which tends to the interest of his adopted county. He was mar- ried March 24, 1870, to Miss Mary A. Trail, a na- tive of Maryland, and to them have been born four living children: Sherman H., Howard L., Reuben B. and Clarence B. He is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity and is a man universally respected.

William Ealer, grain dealer, Inland, Neb. This prominent business man, a member of the firm of Dillinger & Co., was born in Northampton County, Pa., in 1841, and is the son of Robert Ealer and the grandson of Abraham and Mary (Trail) Ealer. His grandparents both came from England, being among the first settlers of the country, and located at Easton, Northampton County, Pa., about the year 1750. Robert Ealer was born in Northampton County, Pa., in 1808, and was a carpenter by trade. He also farmed some in his younger days and was married in about 1836 to Miss Rebecca Frey, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1818, and the daughter of Jacob Frey, also of the Keystone State. To Mr. and Mrs. Ealer were born seven children: Jane, Edwin, William, Henry, John P., Matilda C. and Ellen. The father of these children is still living in Pennsylvania, but the mother died in that State in 1861, in the same county in which her birth oc- curred She was a member of the Lutheran Church, to which her husband at the present time

belongs. William Ealer's early life was divided between assisting on the farm and in attending the common schools. At the age of eighteen years he learned the carpenter's trade, and at the breaking out of the war enlisted in Company D, Twelfth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and under Col. L. B. Peirce, and later Col. Reeno, participated in some of the hard fought battles: Culpepper, Chancellorsville, Second Bull Run (where he was taken prisoner and paroled on the field); was in the battle of Antietam and Sheridan's campaign and in numerous skir- mishes, and also with Col. Mosby's men in the Shenandoah Valley, Va. He was struck with balls several times, but was not seriously injured. He ranked as first sergeant, and was discharged in July, 1865, after being in service over four years. He then returned home and worked at his trade. In February, 1865, he was united in marriage to Miss Agnes E. Michler, a native of Pennsylvania. born in 1842, and the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Keller) Michler, also natives of Pennsyl- vania. After working for twelve years in Pennsyl- vania Mr. Ealer and his family emigrated to the West and settled in Clay County, Inland Township, in 1878. He purchased 160 acres of land two miles south of Inland, began improving the same, and aside from this is the owner of a half interest in a grain elevator at Inland. He is one of the practical and reliable citizens of the county. To his marriage were born four children: Harry H. (living at home), Frank W. (married to Ida Bar- rett, of Clay County), Anna M. (married to J. J. Watts, in Clay County, and died in Sherman County, Kas., leaving a child, Grace A., who makes her home with our subject), and Thomas E. (who died in Pennsylvania when an infant.) Mr. Ealer is a Republican in politics and he and wife are mem- bers of the Lutheran Church. The firm of Dillin- ger & Co. was established in 1889, on the Chicago & North - Western Railroad, Fremont branch. The firm holds grain, Iumber and coal, and are doing a good business.

Anderson Eller, now engaged in farming and stock-raising in Edgar Township. Clay County, Neb., was born in the State of North Carolina in Wilkes County, April 30, 1840, being a son of

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Harvey Eller, whose wife was formerly Mary C. Vannoy. They were also born in that State and county. In 1854 they left their native State and removed to Iowa, settling in Jefferson County, but are now residing on a farm in Wapello County. Anderson Eller grew to manhood in Iowa, and made his home with his father, assisting him on the farm nntil he attained bis twentieth year, then began doing for himself, and worked as a farm hand for two years. In the spring of 1873 he determined to seek a home in the fertile prairies of Nebraska, and took np a homestead claim in Marshall Precinct, of Clay County, being one of the first settlers in that part of the county. He experienced many hardships the first two years of his settlement here, and in the month of April, 1873, witnessed all the horrors of a blizzard, and the second year was affected with the grass- hoppers. He pre-empted his present property in 1875, and now has eighty acres in a good state of cultivation and improved with good buildings of all kinds, and a young bearing orchard of 150 trees. He was married in this county on Decem- ber 24, 1875, to Miss Cora B. Mizener, a danghter of I. M. Mizener, of this county. She was born in Macoupin County, Ill., and in 1872 came with her brother-in-law, J. H. Hazlett, to Nebraska, and married at the early age of sixteen years. They have two children: Harvey N. and Tindall Ord. The family worship in the Christian Church, in which Mr. Eller is a deacon.

Jesse F. Eller, cashier of First National Bank, Harvard, Neb., and an old resident of Clay Coun- ty, was born in Ashe County, N. C., on February 12, 1852, and is the son of Harvey and Mary C. (Vannoy) Eller, natives of North Carolina. Har- vey Eller was born in 1819, and was married in 1838 to Miss Mary C. Vannoy, whose birth occurred in 1821. The fruits of this union were fifteen chil- dren, ten of whom were sons, and thirteen are now living, the youngest being nineteen years of age. The parents are both living, their home being in Iowa. Our subject's paternal grandparents were Simeon and Fanny (McNeil) Eller. Jesse F. El- ler accompanied his parents to Wapello County, Iowa, when but eight months old, was reared on a

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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