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 74

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 74
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 74
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 74
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 74

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farm, and when twenty-one years of age entered the university at Pella, Iowa, where he attended six months. In the meantime, in 1873, he came to Clay County, Neb., and took an eighty-acre homestead in Marshall Township. During the great storm of April, 1873, he was snowed in his sod house, and had nothing to eat from noon Sun- day until noon Tuesday. On leaving college lie returned to his homestead, and for several years worked on that during the summer months, and taught school during the winter. In 1883 be re- moved from his homestead to Clay Center, where he engaged in the real estate and loan business. Upon the organization of the First National Bank in Harvard, in 1889, he was elected its cashier, and he now holds that position. His residence, since that date, has been in Harvard. Ho selected for his companion in life Miss Lavina Troxel, a native of Wapello, Iowa, and the daughter of Daniel and Snsannah (MeCall) Troxel, natives, respect- ively, of Kentucky and Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Eller were married on December 4, 1877, and to them have been born three children: Mary M., Anna V. and Charles J. Mary M. died in early childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Eller are members of the Christian Church, and the former is a Mason and a Republi- can. Mr. Eller is what is termed a self-made man, and although he started with no capital, he is now one of the substantial and esteemed citizens of Harvard.

James C. Elwood, farmer and stock-raiser, Sut ton, Neb. Mr. Elwood is one of the pioneers of Clay County. He has been located here since 1873, and has not only become well known and respected, but is one of the most successful farmers, as a glance over his fine estate will show. His finely improved farm of 240 acres is adorned with a very commodious and comfortable residence, and the ontbuildings are all of the best. Mr. Elwood was born in Chenango County, N. Y., March 18, 1827, and was the ninth of eleven children born to Nathaniel B. and Atlana (Curtis) Elwood, natives also of the Empire State. The father was a suc- cessful agriculturist and followed this occupation all his life. James C. Elwood seenred a fair edu- cation in the common schools, and at the age of

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nineteen began to fight life's battles for himself on a farm in Steuben County, where he remained for twenty-one years. He then moved to Rockton, Ill., in 1868, and continued tilling the soil until 1873, when he moved to Nebraska, settling in this place. He first homesteaded eighty acres on his present farm, and to this he has since added 160 acres. In 1848 he married Miss Sallie A. Styles, a native of New York, born May 5, 1833, and the daughter of J. T. Styles, on whose farm Mr. Elwood remained so long after leaving home. Five chil- dren were the fruits of this union: Nathaniel B. (married to Miss Bettie Elder), Simeon S. (married to Miss Ida M. Hurlburt), Wesley V. (married Miss Emma A. Herrington), Eleanor (wife of Leonard J. M. Nehf) and James S. Mr. Elwood affiliates with the Republican party in his political views, and Mrs. Elwood is a member of the Grove Free Baptist Church. He is one of the best and most enterprising farmers of the county, and as such merits the respect which he receives.

John L. Epperson, county attorney, Clay Center, Neb. Mr. Epperson is a good example of what can be accomplished in life when a thorough deter- mination to succeed in any calling is coupled with energy, perseverance and close application in the direction chosen. He was originally from LaFay- ette, Ind., where his birth occurred November 6, 1834, and is the son of James H. and Martha J. (Os born) Epperson, natives, respectively, of Lexington and Maysville, Ky. The father and family immi- grated west to Iowa City, Iowa, in 1840, and there resided until after the mother's death in 1846. He then removed to near Plattsville, Wis., where John L. worked in the lead mines for three years At the age of eighteen years the latter removed to McDon- ough County, Ill., with his father, settled on a farm and there read law. Upon the breaking out of the late war he enlisted in 1862 in Company L, Seventh Illinois Cavalry, and served three years as a private. For a long time he followed the stars and stripes in their many conflicts and struggles on to victory, and at last returned to his home with the full satis- faction of having served his country well. Re- turning to Illinois he practiced law, and was also in the employ of the Chicago, Burling-

ton & Quincy Railroad until 1879, when he came to Clay County, Neb., and settled on a farm west of Fairfield. Four years later he removed to Fairfield, entered the practice of law, and in the fall of 1888 was elected county attorney. He then removed to Clay Center. On December 11, 1856, Miss Sarah C. Rine, a native of Franklin County, Pa., became his wife, and to this union were born three living children: Martha J. (wife of George W. Ganmer), Charles H. (attorney at Fairfield) and Ambrose C. Mr. Epperson is a Republican and a warm advocate of the principles of his party to-day. He is a Mason, a member of the G. A. R., a man universally esteemed and respected, and a legal practitioner of experience and ability.

A. P. Erickson, farmer and stock-raiser on Section 18, Town 8, Range 6, Eldorado Township, Clay County, is a native of Sweden, born near Linsisipine, March 18, 1861. His father, John Erickson, spent his school days in Sweden and learned the shoemaker's trade. At the age of twenty-five years he married Miss Cora Connot, and by this union has had three children : Swan (liv- ing in Clay County, Neb.), Williamette (deceased) and A. P. (the subject of this sketch). The father died when our subject was about five years of age, a member of the Lutheran Church, and when he had reached his ninth year his mother emigrated with him to America, settling in Warren County,

Ill. Here he received a limited education and worked by the month on a farm until he was sev- enteen years of age, when he came to Clay County, Neb., and bought and settled on the farm he now owns, consisting of 120 acres of land, all well im- proved, with a nice dwelling, barn, ont buildings, fences, etc. As a fruit-raiser, he has been very snc- cessful, having an abundance of fruit of all kinds. He raises good cattle, mostly of the Short-horn breed, as well as good horses. In November, 1884, he was married to Miss Mary, daughter of A. P. and Christina E. (Grin) Munson, and the fruits of this union have been two children: Frank H. and Augustus F. Mr. Erickson is a mem- ber of the Farmers' Alliance and of the Baptist Church. In his political views he affiliates with the Repulican party, and takes an active interest

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CLAY COUNTY.

in the politics of his county. He has been very successful in Nebraska, and is well pleased with the State, and has made what property he owns by his own exertions and good management.

Daniel W. Evans, farmer and stock-raiser, Spring Ranche, Neb. Among the successful agri- culturists of Clay County, Neb., whose merits are such as to entitle him to representation in the pres- ent work, is Mr. Daniel Evans, the subject of this sketch. He was born in Highland County, Ohio, in 1841, and is the fourth in a family of children born to Charles and Susan P. (Eastman) Evans, natives of Ohio and Massachusetts, respectively. The father was born in 1809 and spent his entire life in Highland County, Ohio, where he carried on farming and was a very extensive hog and cattle buyer, driving his hogs to Cincinnati long before railroads were known. In politics he was first a "Know-Nothing," then a Whig and lastly a Re- publican. He was an energetic and prominent. leader in political affairs, both local and at large, and was a representative citizen. He was reared an Old-School Presbyterian and took a great deal of interest in the upbuilding of churches and schools and the welfare of the country generally. In 1830, he married Miss Susan P. Eastman, and to them the following children were born: Eliza J. (deceased in infancy), Effie A. Arthur (of Cham- paign, Ill.), William H. (residing at Greenfield, Ohio), Daniel W., James E. (died at Greenfield, Ohio, at the age of forty-one years), Mary M. Ar- thur (of Council Bluffs, Iowa), Leander (who died in infancy), Hugh A. (a farmer near Champaign, Ill. ), and John F. (a farmer in Indian Territory). The mother of these children died at Hillsboro, Ohio, in 1851, of Asiatic cholera, and the father was mar- ried the second time, in 1855, to Miss Mary Eliza- beth Selph, who bore him five children: Mrs. Alice Nevin (of Colorado), Horace S., Lena M. (married at Hillsboro, Ohio, on the old home- stead), David M. (at Hillsboro) and Bertha (at home with her mother). The father died in 1871. Daniel W. Evans received a common-school edu- cation in his native State and in Angust, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, First Ohio Cavalry, for three years, or during the war. He participated

in the battle of Shiloh, Perryville, Corinth, Stone River, Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, Chicka- manga, Murfreesboro, and all the battles of the Atlanta campaign, and numerous other engage- ments of more or less note. Between battles he was on cavalry raids, chasing Morgan. He went as far as Jonesboro during the Atlanta campaign, and was discharged at Columbia. Tenn., on Oc- tober 6, 1864. During service he was in twenty- six or twenty seven hard-fought battles and was a brave and fearless soldier. Returning to Ohio at the close of the war he followed farming for two years, and in March, 1866, was united in marriage to Miss Delia S. Flesher, the daughter of Elias and Susan (Scudder) Flesher, the father a machin- ist of Warren County, Ohio. Our subject moved to Southern Illinois in 1867, thence to Adams County, Iowa, in 1869, and from there to Clay County, Neb., in 1870, and settled on his present place of residence. During all this time he has followed farining and has made a success of the same. He did not bring his family to Nebraska until the fall of 1871 on account of the Indians who were hostile at that time. He homesteaded 160 acres of land and has since added to this eighty acres; making a fine farm of 240) acres. It is said that the first white child born in Clay County after the settlement was the danghter of Mr. and Mrs. William Griffith, on February 14, 1871. She is married now. Mr. Evans removed to Kansas in 1877, engaged in farming, and after remaining there three years returned to his homestead in Clay County. To his marriage have been born three children: Jessie M. (a teacher of Clay County), Charles F. (at home), and Harry G. (at home). Mr. Evans is a Republican in politics and represents his precinct often in both county and Congressional conventions. He is serving his second term as supervisor from Spring Ranche Township, is also treasurer of his school district, and is steward and recording secretary in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he and his wife are both members. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., and G. A. R., I. O. G. T. and Farm- ers' Alliance.

Josiah Everett, supervisor of Sheridan Town-

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ship, also farmer and stock-raiser, Edgar, Neb. A life-time of hard, earnest endeavor in pursuing the occupation to which he now gives his attention, coupled with strict integrity, honesty of purpose and wise liberality, has placed Mr. Everett among the truly respected and esteemed men of the connty. He owes his nativity to Mercer County, Pa., where he was born on January 5, 1842, and is the seventh in a family of eight children, the re- sult of the union of Peter and Elizabeth (Marsters) Everett, natives of Pennsylvania. Josiah Everett's only education was that of the ordinary farmer's son of that day, working on the farm in the sum- mer and in the winter attending the district school. In the spring of 1863 he assisted in driving a herd of horses from Winnebago County, Ill., to Sacra- mento, Cal., and while West was engaged in min- ing and assisting in the construction of quartz mills, a court house, etc., in Washoe City, Washoe Valley, Nev. He experienced the usnal hardships and came very near losing his life from a band of Goshoot Indians, then on the war-path, who tried to stampede the horses. He then left Sacramento on a steamer to San Francisco, and from there went to New York by way of Panama. From there he went to his home in Illinois. Prior to this, in 1861, he enlisted in the Union army, upon the first call for troops, and served four months in Company C, Sixty-seventh Illinois Infantry under Capt. Hiram R. Enoch in the Western division. After returning to Illinois from his California trip he went to farming, but in August, 1864, he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Forty-sixth Illinois Infantry, and served until the close of the war. Being on detached service he did not par- ticipate in any of the principal battles, but was in several severe skirmishes and was wounded twice, once by a bushwhacker under the left shoulder blade, and another time by the falling of a horse. He served as a non-commissioned officer, but was afterward promoted to the rank of captain, and given charge of a colored company (F), First Ken- tucky Volunteers. After the war he returned to Illinois, remaining there until 1871, and then went to Grundy County, Iowa, where he made his home for eleven years. He then sold his farm and

moved to Nebraska, where he purchased his pres- ent property. He was married in 1866 to Miss Adelia Locke, a native of Connecticut, born in 1845 and the daughter of William and P. Locke, natives also of Connecticut. To Mr. and Mrs. Everett have been born two children: Elias E. and Oscar J. Mr. Everett is a member of the G. A. R. at Edgar, and is a Republican in politics. He has been school director, road supervisor, and in 1889 he was elected township supervisor, and March 25, 1890, he was elected president of a Farmers' Alliance of his township. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church, of which he is clerk. He is a successful agriculturist and is the owner of 160 acres of excellent land.

James M. Farley is a well known and highly successful stock-raiser of Lone Tree Township, Clay County, Neb., and nowhere in the entire com- munity in which he resides is there to be found a man of more energy, force of character and deter- mination than he. He was born in that State of progressive and intelligent farmers - New York, his birth occurring in Cattaraugus County, February 3, 1844, he being a son of John and Caroline (Bush) Farley, natives, respectively, of Ireland and Hol- land. James M. removed to La Porte County, Ind., with his parents when a small child, and at the age of eight years was taken to Will County, Ill., and two years later to Winneshiek County, Iowa, where he was reared to manhood on a farm. In 1859 he engaged in steamboating on the upper Mississippi, but at the opening of the war laid aside all personal considerations and enlisted in Company F, Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, serving his country as a private and non-commissioned officer until the close of the war, after which he returned to his home in Iowa, where he remained until 1867. He then located in Kansas City, where he was engaged in contracting for city improvements for one year, after which he removed to Fayette County, Iowa, and engaged in the lime and stone business until 1874, at which time he came to Nebraska. He pur- chased a quarter-section of land in Lone Tree Township, Clay County, of the Burlington & Mis- sonri River Railroad, and homesteaded another quarter-section, making his home on the former

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piece of land, being engaged in farming and stock- raising until 1885, when he purchased and removed to his present property, which consists of acres of excellent farming land. His farm is an exceptionally fine one for stock purposes, the con- veniences, etc., being unsurpassed, and he is one of the most extensive dealers in stoek cattle in the county. November 17, 1867, he was married to Miss Mary M. Lee, a native of Norway, and by her he has a family of seven children: Effie B. (wife of John W. Arrowsmith, a professor in Mor- rison College), George W., Eva M., Minta R. Ma- bel, Nellie M., Jessie L. and James Walter. Mr. Farley has been a Republican ever since he at- tained his majority, but is now in sympathy with. the farmers' movement, opposing monopolies, and is a leading and active member of the Farmers' Alliance. He is a Royal Areh Mason, having passed all the chairs in Fairfield Lodge, and be- longs to Edgar Chapter No. 22. He is also a mem- ber of the A. O. U. W., and belongs to George Oli- ver Post of the G. A. R., at Fairfield. In 1882 he was elected commissioner of Clay County to represent the district, and filled the duties of this office in a faithful and efficient manner for two terms of three years each. He has also been elected to the office of justice of the peace, but has never qualified. He is a true representative of that oft much abused phrase "self-made man," for he started in life with no means whatsoever, but by energy and intelligent management has acquired a comfortable competency and commands the re- spect of all who know him.

John G. Farrell, farmer and stock-raiser, Har- vard, Neb. No name is more elosely associated with the farming interests of the county than the one that heads this sketch, for it is borne by a man who is progressive in his ideas, and during his residence in this county has been one of its most successful agriculturists. He owes his nativity to County Cork, Ireland, where his birth occurred in 1846, and is the seventh of nine children born to John and Ellen (Cotter) Farrell, and the grandson of Timothy Farrell, who was born in Ireland in 1800. John Farrell, Sr., reared the following ehil- dren in Ireland: Mary, Nora, Ellen, Timothy, Cor

nelins, Jeremiah, Dennis, John and James. The father of these children died in Ireland in 1888. but the mother died previous to this, in the old country, in 1884. John G. Farrell passed his early life in Ireland, where he received his educa- tion, and at the age of twenty-four years emigrated to the United States, landing in the State of New York, where he remained about three years. From there he went to Mississippi, remained there one year, and in 1873 came to Clay County, Neb., set- tling on 160 acres of land, having taken up eighty acres and purchasing the rest of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad. He was married in 1874 to Miss Patience Brown, daughter of Steven Brown, one of the early settlers of Clay County, who came here in 1871. To Mr. and Mrs. Farrell have been born five children: Mary E. (born in 1876), Pa- tience A. (born in 1877), Timothy (born in 1882), Steven (born in 1887) and Constance K. (born in 1889). Mr. Farrell has a nice farm, pleasantly located, and, being a progressive farmer, has every convenience. He is a Democrat in politics, a mem- ber of the Farmers' Alliance, and he and wife are members of the Catholic Church. He takes a deep interest in churches and schools, and has held the office of school director for some time. In connec- tion with his farming interests he is engaged in rais- ing a good grade of cattle, hogs and horses.

G. Z. Fink is the present justice of the peace of Glenville Township, and, though a successful farmer and stoek-raiser for the past six years, he is now retired from the active duties of life. He was born in Baden, Germany, December 18. 1835, and possesses the sterling characteristics of all Ger man - Americans - energy, frugality, honesty and perseverance. He is the eldest of six children born to Jacob and Margaret (Zeh) Fink, who were born in Baden in 1808 and 1814, respectively, and moved to the United States in 1836, settling in Philadelphia, Pa. In 1839 the family moved to Evansville, Ind., where the father was engaged in the Inmber business, but afterward moved to St. Lonis, Mo., thence to Wheeling, W. Va., moving from there at the end of nine months to his old home in Penn sylvania, living in Reading at the time of his death in June, 1867. G. Z. Fink was fortunate enough

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to secure a good common-school education, and, unlike a great many boys, made good use of his opportunities. He then entered the academy of Pittston, from which institution he was gradu- ated, and from the age of seventeen until he was twenty-one years old he worked at the trade of locomotive machinist, on the Philadelphia & Read. ing Railroad, and after a few years time accepted the position of locomotive engineer, which position he ably filled at intervals for fourteen years. On July 4, 1864, while hanling a passenger train, loaded with excursionists, his engine collided with another train, and although considerable damage was done, and he was quite badly scalded on the arm and leg by the steam, fortunately no lives were lost. His life was full of the dangers inci- dent to an engineer, so that in 1865 he gave up this calling, and accepted the position of superin - tendent of the Blue Creek Oil Company, of Charles- ton, W. Va., a position he held with success for two years. After retiring from the management of this concern he went to Philadelphia, and em barked in the furniture business, but becoming tired of mercantile life he sold out, and in 1867 became managing foreman of a furniture factory belonging to D. B. Sliffer, a position he retained until the spring of 1871. He then became fore- man of a lumber camp in Perry County, and in 1873 he started a carriage and blacksmith factory in Churchtown, Cumberland County, where, by his honest dealing and the excellent quality of his work, he built up an extensive trade and made a new start in life. In 1877 he became interested in the growing West, and selling out his factory he came to Clay County, Neb., and settled in Glenville Township, and purchased a farm of eighty acres of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Com- pany, which he still owns. Being also a carpenter by trade, he rented his farm and engaged in the business of contracting and building, and has built or assisted in building nearly every house in the town. In 1884 he retired, and for some time en- gaged in farming, raising and dealing in stock. January 24, 1859, he was married to Miss Alcinda F. Rupp, a daughter of Prof. I. D. and Caroline (De Arested) Rupp, a teacher of languages in Swa-

tara Collegiate Institute, of Jonestown, Pa., the former born in 1803, and the latter in 1808. Mrs. Fink was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, May 14. 1830, and her union with Mr. Fink resulted in the birth of five children: Daniel J., Maggie C. (wife of P. L. Kissenger), and Addie M .; two children died in infancy. Mr. Fink is a Mason and a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F., and is a member in good standing in both these organizations. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, his wife of the German Reformed, and in 1880 he was elected justice of the peace of his township, and has held the position ever since, being a popular and just official. He is a patron of all worthy · enterprises, and is a man whom all respect and esteem.

M. L. Fishburn, residing near Fairfield, Clay County, Neb., was brought up to the life of a farmer by his father, John Fishburn, and like the majority of boys has since followed in his father's footsteps, and is now a successful agricultorist and stockman of this State. He was born in Will County, Ill., in 1856, being the second child of John and Phobe (Wright) Fishburn, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania and was there reared to manhood, learning the shoemaker's trade in his youth, and began life for himself at about the age of twenty-five years. He came to Illinois at an early day and was there first married to Miss Cynthia Cox, by whom he had a family of five children .. Of these Mrs. Elizabeth Hardy is a resident of Clay County, Neb., Joseph lives in Oregon, and Mrs. Cynthia Grant is a resident of Will County, Ill. The mother of these children died about 1850, and about 1852 Mr. Fishburn married Miss Wright, a daughter of James Wright. This union resulted in the birth of seven children: Mrs. Mary Kidwell (living in Will County, Ill.), M. L. (the subject of this sketch), James (living in Lincoln County, Neb.), Mrs. Martha Bagley (residing in Fairfield, Neb.), Catherine L. (who died at the age of five years), John (living in Lex- ington, Dawson County, Neb.) and Daniel (who died at the age of two years). The father was a shoe-maker and farmer by occupation, and having been captain of a company of Pennsylvania State

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militia he was engaged in drilling troops during the late war. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and died in 1865, his wife pass- ing from life in Will County, Ill., June 4, 1889, having suffered two years from a dislocated thigh. . M. L. Fishburn obtained a fair education in the common schools of Illinois, and when twenty-five years of age began the battle of life for himself. He came to Clay County, Neb., in 1879, and was married here, June 3, 1880, to Miss Mary L. Hall, a daughter of Henry and Esther (Rose) Hall, who were born in London, England, and came to the United States in 1872, settling in Clay County, Neb. To Mr. and Mrs. Fishburn a family of three children have been born: Arthur, Leonard and Ernest. After coming to Clay County, Neb., Mr. Fishburn learned and for five years worked at the carpenter's trade, but for the past six or seven years has been engaged in tilling the soil and has met with well deserved success. He is quite ex. tensively engaged in breeding Poland-China hogs, and at the present time has about twenty-five head of thoroughbred animals, and also keeps a good grade of horses and cattle. He and wife are mem bers of the Congregational Church, and he is a lib- eral supporter of schools and churches.

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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