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 76

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 76
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 76
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 76
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 76

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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CLAY COUNTY.

Mrs. Gaddis were born a family of six sons and six daughters, five of whom are living. The father died about 1865, and the mother in Febru- ary, 1890. Charles E. Gaddis, as soon as large enough, assisted on his father's farm in his native county until twenty years of age, or until 1879, when he made his way to Clay County, Neb., and for five years tilled the soil in the vicinity of Har- vard. In 1884 he located in Harvard, and in March, 1885, he became the owner of a confec. tionery establishment, which be has very success- fully conducted ever since. He was married on June 25, 1885, to Miss Allie M. Dalton, a native of Indiana, who bore him one child, Clara Irene, whose birth occurred on February 17, 1888. Mr. Gaddis is a member of the A. O. U. W., and in politics he affiliates with the Republican party. He is the owner of one-half of the opera house block in Harvard, which property he and H. H. Disbrow erected in 1888. Mr. Gaddis is also the owner of other business property in Harvard. He began with nothing, and, although young, he is now in good circumstances. He has those characteristics of energy, promptness and sobriety which ever se- cure success.

Casper W. Gardner, butcher, Harvard, Neb. Among the many fine meat stores of Harvard, none are more worthy of consideration than that conducted by Mr. Casper W. Gardner. Courteons attention awaits customers at this store, while con- fidence in the proprietor and his assistants is fully justified. Mr. Gardner owes his nativity to Bel- mont County, Ohio, where his birth occurred on November 26, 1847. and he is one of nine children, five of whom are living, born to the union of An- drew and Susan (Mercer) Gardner, the former a native of West Virginia, born in 1813, and the lat- ter born in 1823. The father, who was a success- ful farmer, died in June, 1880, and the mother died a year later. Casper W. Gardner accompa- nied his parents to Lee County, Iowa, when but two and a half years of age, and was there reared on a farm. At the age of twenty three years he emigrated to Nebraska, and after stopping a few months in Lincoln City, in June, 1871, came to Clay County, where he took a pre-emption of 160

acres near Harvard. He resided on this a year and then sold his right and secured a position as baggage master on the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad, holding the same for one year. He then followed the carpenter's trade for three years, and later learned the butcher's trade, which he has continued ever since. For the past ten years he has conducted a meat market of his own, and has been very successful, now carrying on a thriving trade. He was married on December 15, 1880, to Miss Ella Nora Moore, a native of Clinton County, Ohio, born December 1, 1858, and the daughter of Taylor and Eleanor J. (Tiegne) Moore. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner have had four children: Nora, Ruby, Clyde and Erma, of whom Nora died, aged twenty-one months. Mr. Gardner is a mem- ber of the A. F.& A. M., the A. O. U. W. and the M. W. A. In politics he is a Republican. He is an enterprising business man, and has many warm friends.

Daniel W. Garver. Among the individuals of the present day worthy of honorable mention is the subject of this sketch. He first saw the light of day in Franklin County, Pa., October 20, 1850, his parents being Benjamin and Barbara (Bender) Garver, who were born in Pennsyl- vania and Maryland, respectively. Daniel W. was reared to manhood in the "Keystone State," came to Illinois in 1869, and there completed a very lib- eral education in the State Normal School at Nor- mal, Ill. He followed school-teaching as a pro- fession from the age of sixteen years until 1883, but also followed farming from 1872 up to that time. In the spring of 1872 he came to Clay County, Neb., and pre-empted a quarter section of land in Lone Tree Township, where he has since resided, having purchased an additional eighty acres adjoining, in Section 29. In the fall of 1873 he was elected county superintendent of schools, and filled this position in a faithful and highly efficient manner for one term of two years. He then taught school in the county until 1883, since which time he has devoted his attention to his farm and to the raising of stock, in which enterprises he has been one of the most successful in his town- ship. He has always supported the principles of

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HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

the Republican party and is a member of the Farmers' Alliance. He was married on September 20, 1874, to Miss Sarah R. Epley, a native of Stephenson County, Ill., and a daughter of Peter and Mary (Heckman) Epley. and by her he has a family of three children: Clytie B., Harry G. and Frederick B.

Isaac Gill, farmer and stock-raiser, Glenville, Neb. In the history of Glenville and Glenville Township. in the development, growth and contin- ued advance to communities of wealth and influ- ence in the county, Isaac Gill has borne a promi- nent part. He was originally from the Keystone State, where his birth occurred on July 7, 1828, and his parents, John and Myra P. (Arnold) Gill, were natives also of Pennsylvania, the father born in 1807 and the mother in 1817. Being compelled to work for a living at an early day, Isaac was en- abled to obtain but a slight education, and when nineteen years of age he commenced learning the shoe-maker's trade with his uncle, Jacob Arnold, of Snyder County, Pa. After continuing with him for two years he opened a shop in Union County, Pa., where he remained five years, doing a first- class business and then sold out and returned to his uncle, in whose employ he entered. Three years later he formed the notion of going west, and consequently emigrated to Stephenson County, Ill., where he worked at his trade and followed farming for sixteen years. After that he emi- grated to Nebraska and homesteaded a farm of eighty acres near his present home. About 1847 he married Miss Susanna M. Burns, a native of Pennsylvan'a, born in 1826, and the daughter of John and Hannah (Reitz) Burns. To this union was born one child, Mary (now the wife of Jere- miah Epley, whom she married in 1870, and by him became the mother of seven children: George W., Eddie E., Ollie O., Lanra A., Frank, Charles and Malinda B. This family recently moved to Albany, Ore.). After the birth of their dangh- ter Mrs. Gill's health failed, and her death occurred in October, 1888. During the same year Mr. Gill sold his homestead to go west to Oregon with his son-in-law, but Mr. Epley not selling his place, Mr. Gill purchased his present home of

forty acres and is now prepared to spend the bal- ance of his days in peace and comfort. On Sep- tember 22, 1889, he was married to Mrs. Margaret Dutt, born May 25, 1826, and the youngest in a family of twelve children, the result of the union of John and Catherine (Croye) Knisley, natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Gill was a resident of the Keystone State until 1876, when she visited her son, Willliam T. Stufft, of Clay County. Neb., but returned to her home two years later. In 1886 she returned paying them another visit. Mr. Gill is a Republican in politics, and he and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church at Glenville. He is always ready to assist in all enterprises of a public nature and benefit, and is one of Glenville's . foremost citizens.

Jacob H. Goehring, retired, Harvard, Neb. As an evidence of the usefulness and prominence to which those of foreign birth have seemed to attain in this county, attention may be directed to the subject of this sketeh, a native of Bavaria, born January 24, 1832, and the son of Lonis and Kate Goehring. Jacob H. Goehring came to America when but ten years of age, and spent his youth in New York State, working at the brewing business. He left the State of New York, went to St. Louis, and three years later to New Orleans, La., where he spent seven years. Returning northward to Peoria, Ill., he was married there in 1858 to Julia Schmidt. He afterward resided in Chicago for four years, in Racine, Wis., for four years, and then, in 1872, emigrated to Nebraska and settled in Harvard, Clay County. Since coming here he has given his principal attention to hotel-keeping until lately, and by his pleasant and hospitable manner made a success of that business. He re tired from that, however, a few years ago, and is now living a retired life. He is regarded as relia- ble and straightforward, and has deservedly ac- quired a comfortable competency. To his mar- riage were born two interesting children: Adolph and Ida, both of whom are married. In politics Mr. Goehring affiliates with the Democratic party, and is one of the many excellent citizens of the county.

Frank S. Granger is the assistant superintend-

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CLAY COUNTY.

ent of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad at Edgar, Neb., and in addition to filling this posi- tion with grace and ability, has been active in all public matters, and is a decided acquisition to the county. He was born in Detroit, Mich., January 4, 1855, and is a son of Sylvester and Mary (Ver nia) Granger, natives, respectively, of New York and France. He was reared and educated in the "Hoosier State" and at the early age of seventeen years began railroading as a brakeman for the Pennsylvania Railroad system, and remained with this company for five years, rising to the position of conductor. In 1880 he entered the employ of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad as brake- man, but was soon promoted to the position of con- ductor of a freight train and afterward to passen- ger conductor, then to train master. February 1, 1889, he was made assistant superintendent of the Southern Division of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad, and in this capacity has proved an influential, faithful and highly efficient officer. He has always been a great fancier of fine stock, es- pecially horses, and while not professionally in the business he has some fine specimens of registered trotting horses and Jersey cattle in his stables at Edgar. He has always voted for the men and measures of the Republican party, and socially is a member of the K. of P. and is a Royal Arch Mason. It may be faithfully stated in conclusion that he is one of the representative and enterpris- ing citizens of this portion of the State, and com mands the respect of all for his many worthy so- cial and business qualities. His marriage to Miss Lizzie Haruden, who was born near Montreal, Canada, took place September 15, 1877, and their union has resulted in the birth of three children: Ina, Charles E. and Harvey C. Mr. Granger is a stockholder in the Edgar Canning Factory.

William Griess, merchant, Sutton, Neb. Of the many prominent and successful business men of foreign birth now residing in Clay County, none are more deserving of mention than the subject of this sketch, who is not only a prominent merchant, but has held a number of positions of trust in the county. He is at present a member of the board of supervisors and is tilling that position in a cap-

able and efficient manner. His birth occurred in Russia on November 7, 1852, and is the son of Henry and Margaretha (Roemmich) Griess, natives also of Russia. The father was born in August, 1819, and died in Sutton, Neb., in February, 1885. He was a farmer by occupation and followed this calling in his native country for many years. After coming to America he was engaged in the grain business in Sutton and was an active business man. The mother was born in April, 1821, and died in Sutton in January, 1888. William Griess, the fourth of five children, was early taught the duties of farm life, and received his education at the Odessa Reform School, where he spent four and a half years of his life and from which he graduated in 1868. The family then emigrated to America, settled in Clay County, Neb., in 1873, and William remained on the farm for five years. He then came to Sutton and for six years was en- gaged in the grain business, continuing until 1885. In 1883, however, he engaged in the gen- eral merchandising business and continued the two until 1885, since which time he has been merchan- dising. His present business building was com- pleted in 1888, and is a brick, 100x24 feet, and one of the best-furnished stores in this part of Ne- braska. He is doing a good business. Mr. Griess is an uncompromising Republican, and in 1888 was elected a member of the county board. He is also a member of the Sutton council. He was married in 1873 to Miss Kate Ochsner, a native of Russia, born in 1856, and to them have been born six chil- dren: William F., Lydia K., Maggie S , Mary A., Leon K. and Frieda H. Mr. Griess is an old set- tler of Clay County, and one of its representative men. He and family are members of the German Reformed Church. He still owns the farm four miles north of Sutton, consisting of 560 acres of well-improved land.

P. Griess, grain dealer, Sutton, Neb. No bet ter proof of the advancement of Clay County, and especially the town of Sutton, within the last ten years can be shown, than the dimensions which the grain traffic has assumed. One of the largest. dealers and best-known business men of Snt- ton is P. Griess, who was born in Russia Feb-

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HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

ruary 14, 1851, and is the son of Henry and Mar- garetha (Roemmich) Griess, both of whom were natives of Russia. P. Griess was the third of five living children, and was reared in Russia, attend- ing school at Odessa, where he remained four and a half years, and graduating from the school in 1868. He then came with his parents to the United States, settled in Clay County, Neb., in 1873, and for twelve years was engaged in farming. Since then he has been in the grain business, is the owner of two ele- vators in Sutton, and does all the grain business on the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad at this point. He is the owner of 600 acres of land four and a half miles northwest of Sutton, and has it all well improved. He was married in 1870 to Miss Sophia Grosshans, a native also of Russia, born September 17, 1850, and the fruits of this union have been nine children: Theodore, Henry, John, William, Edward, Albert, Ferdinand, Lydia and Gustave M. In politics Mr. Griess is Demo- cratic, but cast his first presidential vote for R. B. Hayes. As a farmer Mr. Griess was one of the best in Clay County, and October 19, 1885, he removed to the town of Sutton from his farm. In 1888 he was elected a member of the Sutton school board, and filled that position in a highly creditable manner. He is one of the old settlers of Clay County, and one of the leading citizens. He is a member of the German Reformed Church.

Elias G. Groff, surveyor, Clay Center, Neb. Mr. Groff, who is the present able and efficient incumbent of the office of county surveyor, was born in Lancaster County, Pa., on January 11, 1828, and is oue of the following children born to Mark S. and Nancy (Good) Groff: Elias G., Solo- mon G. (a resident of Lancaster County, Pa.), Marks G. (a resident of Hannibal, Mo.), Frances (wife of Christian S. Hoffman, Esq., of Lancaster County), John G. (deceased), Michael G. (resides in Lancaster County), Anna (deceased, who was the wife of Moyer Hoover, of Lancaster County), Catherine (wife of Lewis Wingenroth, of the same county), and Elizabeth (wife of Mr. Aaron D. Christ, of Du Page County, Ill.). The parents were both natives of Lancaster County, Pa., where

they spent their entire lives, the father being a descendant of one of the earliest and most influ- ential families of that State and county. His ancestor, Hans Graaf, located in said county in 1717, and was the first settler of Earl Township, which was so named in honor of him, and has since been divided into Earl, Earl East and Earl West. Elias G. Groff was reared to manhood in his native county, secured an academic education, which he later improved by attending the State Normal School and by private study during the thirteen years he tanght school in his native county. He became proficient as a teacher, and was for three years principal of the public schools at New Holland in Lancaster County. He also studied civil engineering, which he followed, together with abstracting, settling of estates and conveyancing of real estate after his time of "pedagoguing," until he left for the West in 1879. He came direct to this county, located upon a farm near Inland, whence, in 1882, upon his qualifications in civil engineering becoming known, he was appointed county surveyor to fill a vacancy then existing. The following year he was elected to this office, and has held that position contin- nously from that time to the present by re-election. It is needless to say he has discharged the duties in a highly efficient and capable manner. He was mar- ried, March 11, 1858, to Miss Catherine A. Diffen- derffer, a native also of Lancaster County, Pa., and a descendant, too, of one of the prominent pioneer families of that region. She died October 7, 1887, having borne him the following children: Anna Mary (wife of William H. Sheets, of Clay County), David D. (deceased), Frederick W. (deceased), Charles C. and Helen Amelia (the latter two now at home). Mr. Groff was originally a Whig in politics, and was a warm advocate of the Union canse during the late war, holding a position in the United States revenue service soon after the Rebel- lion. He has been a stanch Republican since the organization of the party, and has always taken an active interest in the welfare of his party both here and in his former home, where he also held for ten years the office of justice of the peace, school director for thirteen years, and other local

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CLAY COUNTY.

offices of more or less importance. Socially he is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, the I. O. O. F., the K. of P., and is also a member of the Encampment. He was originally a member of the Reformed Church of the United States, and was closely identified in his former home with church and Sunday-school work, having superintended the Sunday-school of his church for twenty-two years. Since his residence here he has affiliated with the Congregationalists, and is n consistent member and trustee of that religious body.

Henry Grosshans, president of First National Bank, Sutton, Neb. In looking over a compara- tive statement of the institutions of a financial character doing business in this city, we find them in comparison with the same class of organizations elsewhere, solvent, prosperous and useful in the highest degree. The First National Bank adds no little to this, and is one of the best and most sub- stantial of its kind in the State. The president of this bank, Mr. Grosshans, was born in Russia on March 13, 1859, and is the son of John and Chris- tina (Melhaffe) Grosshans, natives of Germany. The father's birth occurred in 1820, and he is now a resident of Clay County, Neb. The mother died in Russia in 1863. Mr. Grosshans, the youngest of eight living children, came to the United States in 1873, and in the fall of that year settled in Clay County. He followed farming for two years, and after that was in the grain business for seven years. From that time up to 1889 he was in the agri- cultural implement business, and in November of that year he was elected president of the First National Bank, which position he is holding at the present time. In politics he is a Republican, and in 1887 was elected mayor of Sutton, which posi- tion he held for one year. He has always taken a deep interest in political affairs. In 1883 he was married to Miss Lizzie Zimbelman, a native of Russia, born in 1863, and they have two children: Henry J. and Herbert A. He and wife are mem- bers of the German Reformed Church, and are highly respected residents of the county, where they have made their home for the past sixteen years.

I. M. Grubb, farmer and stock-raiser, Glenville,

Neb. In the history of Inland Township, in its development, growth and continned advance to communities of wealth and influence in the county, I. M. Grubb has borne a prominent part. Born in McMinn County, Tenn., in 1839, he is the son of William and Mahala (Anderson) Grubb, natives of Tennessee and Virginia, respectively. The father followed farming in Tennessee in his younger days, and was married about 1823, first to a Miss Plank, who bore him six living children: John, Mary, James, Margaret, Elizabeth Ann and Sarah Emiline. The mother of these children died in 1834, and his second marriage was to our subject's mother, in 1835. To the last union were born five children: William L., Isaac M., Henry S., Peter J. and Allen W. The father died in Tennessee in 1846, and the mother in 1887. The maternal grandparents of our subject, Abijah and Mary An- derson, were natives of Delaware. I. M. Grubb passed his boyhood days in McMinn Connty, Tenn., and started out for himself as a farmer in 1861. In 1862 he enlisted in Company B, Sixteenth Bat- talion Tennessee Cavalry, and was in the fight of Chickamauga, also a number of skirmishes. He received his discharge in 1863, and afterward en- gaged in farming. In 1866 he emigrated to Henry County, Iowa, and was there married in the fol- lowing year to Miss Sarah M. Anderson, daughter of Peter and Sarah Anderson, of Iowa. Mr. Grubb is a carpenter by trade, and while in Iowa worked at this with success, from 1866 to 1878, when he emigrated to Clay County, Neb. He bought 160 acres of land, to which he has added, and now has 200 acres of excellent land. It was all prairie, but this he has improved, and is given a recog- nized position among the leading agriculturists of this township. In politics he is independent, and in all matters of education and progress he takes a warm interest. He reared three children, but only two are now living: Laura (died in 1873), Joseph P. (at home) and Frank A. (also at home). Mr. Grubb was justice of the peace in Inland Town- ship in 1880, and he has been a member of the school board in District No. 61. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church.

Elmer E. Hairgrove, attorney, Sutton, Neb.

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HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

This prominent member of the legal profession was born at Jacksonville, Ill., on August 7, 1861, and is the son of William J. and Minerva J. (Whitlock) Hairgrove, the father born in Alabama in 1832 and the mother at Jacksonville, Ill., in 1833. The father was a successful agriculturist, but is now retired. Of the four children born to his marriage, Elmer E. is the youngest. He first attended the public schools of Jacksonville, and in 1882 graduated from Illinois College at that place. In 1884 he graduated from Drake Univer- sity at Des Moines, Iowa, law department, and afterward located for the active practice of his pro- fession at Waverly, Ill., where he continued until March, 1888, when he came to Sutton. There, the May following, he was admitted to the Clay County bar. For two terms he was city attorney of Waverly, Ill., and is a young man of unusual abil- ity and promise. He is doing a good business and is an energetic student. On December 11, 1884, he was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Gray, a native of Keokuk, Iowa, born on April 3, 1865, and to them has been born one child, Anna E. Mr. Hairgrove is a member of Sutton Lodge No. 75, K. of P., and he and Mrs Hairgrove are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

J. M. Halloran, grain and coal dealer, Inland, Neb. Among the enterprising business houses of this town, whose operations are worthy of record in a work of this kind, is that of Mr. J. M. Hallo- ran, dealer in grain and coal. This business was established here in 1887 by Mr. Halloran, and in it he has been very successful. This gentleman was born in La Salle County, near La Salle, Ill., in 1862, and is the eldest of five children, the re- sult of the union of Michael and Johanna (Don- ivan) Halloran. The father was born in Ireland, but about 1855 he immigrated to this country and settled on a farm in La Salle County, Ill., where he married Miss Johanna Donivan, who bore him these children: John M., Mary, Nellie, Michael and Maggie. Later the father moved to Woodford County, Ill., farmed there for a few years, and came with his family to Adams County, Neb., set- tling on land purchased of the railroad company in 1878. He has become a large land holder and

has over a thousand acres. He started to buy grain in a town (Halloran Station, Adams County, Neb.), named after himself, in 1884, and there he still resides, engaged in that business. In politics he is strongly Democratic. In 1887 our subject started in the grain business in Inland, Clay County, Neb., and has continued this successfully since. He also has a tract of land in Clay County, which he is actively engaged in improving. Like his father he is Democratic in his political princi- ples, and is interested in all matters relating to the good of the county.

Nels Hanson, farmer and stock raiser, Sutton, Neb. In the history of Clay County, in its devel- opment, growth and continued advance to a com- munity of wealth and influence, Mr. Hanson has borne a prominent part. He is one of the sub- stantial farmer's, and the neatness and system dis- played in and about his farm indicate to a certainty the progressive and intelligent citizen that he is. He was born in Denmark on October 25, 1850, and there received a good practical education in the common schools. He then began tilling the soil, and this continued until 1872, when he emigrated to the United States, landing in New York, but locating a short time afterward in Madison County, Ill. After remaining there a short time he went to Du Page County, and after a residence there of four years, immigrated to Nebraska He purchased a claim, now his present home, and soon was ac- tively engaged in improving the same. In 1877 he was married to Miss Cary Gormsen, a native of Denmark, and to them were born four children: Mary E., Hans M., Willie and Dora. By careful management and economy Mr. Hanson has become the owner of 200 acres in this township and eighty acres in Sutton Township. He has his farm under fence, has a gool barn, good cattle sheds, wind-mill, granaries, and, in fact, has everything to contribute to comfort. Mr. Hanson is the son of Hans Nelson and Mary (Nelson) Hanson, natives also of Denmark.

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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