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 77

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 77
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 77
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 77
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 77

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).

Albert Hardy, farmer and stock-raiser, Fair- field, Neb. Mr. Hardy, one of the enterprising and substantial farmer of the county, owes his nativity to Meigs County, Ohio, where his birth

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occurred on July 2, 1846, and is the fifth child born to the union of Russell and Elizabeth (Smith) Hardy, natives of Ohio and Virginia, respectively. The father spent his school days in Ohio, and was a coal miner by occupation. When about twenty- three years of age he married Miss Smith, and to this union were born six children, only two of whom are now living: John (of Athens County, Ohio) and Albert. The parents are 'still living, and make their home in Will County, Ill. Albert Hardy started out in life for himself at about the age of twelve years by commencing to learn the black- smith's trade, but gave this up to join the army. He entered the United States service in 1862, in Company K, One Hundredth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was in the following engagements: Mount Vernon, Stone River, Chickamanga, Mis- sionary Ridge, Atlanta campaign, Franklin and Nashville. He was wounded in the right leg at Chickamauga, and was discharged at Chicago, Ill., in 1865, after being in service two years, ten months and eleven days. At the close of the war he re- turned home, attended school for about a year, and then took up the ocenpation of a farmer in Wiscon- sin. He was married on August 2, 1868, to Miss Elizabeth Fisbburn, daughter of John and Martha (Cox) Fishburn, who moved to Will County, Ill., in 1831, and Mrs. Fishburn was the first white woman to reside in Wilmington, Ill. To Mr. and Mrs. Hardy were born two children: Otis (whose birth occurred on September 15, 1873, named after Otis Hardy, of Joliet, Ill.), and Cynthia Ella (born No- . vember 13, 1875). Mr. Hardy came to Clay County. Neb., in the fall of 1871, and homesteaded his present farm. He is one of the early settlers, and has witnessed the development and growth of the country. He was very fond of hunting, and as game was abnndant, kept his family for the first two years in meat. The main herd of buffaloes at that time was between the Little Blue and the Re- publican Rivers, during the winter of 1871 and 1872. The last buffalo killed in Clay County was brought down in front of Mr. Hardy's house on April 30. 1874, and his front gate now marks the spot. Mr. Hardy is an active Prohibitionist in polities, and is a member of the G. A. R. He is

also a member of the Farmers' Alliance, and an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He organized the first Sunday-school in Clay County, December 10, 1871, and takes a deep in- terest in all church work. He likes Nebraska, and intends making that State his permanent home. He is raising Jersey cattle, Poland China hogs and a good grade of horses, and is one of the en- terprising citizens of the county.

William Harrison, farmer and stock-raiser, Ve- rona, Clay County, Neb. Mr. Harrison was origin - ally from England, where his birth occurred on July 30, 1830, in Poulton Wilts, and is the second of seven children, four sons and three daughters born to the union of John and Ann (Ivey) Harri- son, natives also of England. In 1854 our subject crossed the ocean, and settled in Caledonia, Racine County, Wis., where he cultivated the soil until Sep- tember 1, 1864, when he enlisted in Company G. Forty-third Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers, un. der Col. Asa Cobb, and operated principally in Tennessee. He was taken sick in Johnsonville, of that State, sent to the hospital at Nashville and later to Milwaukee, Wis., where he remained until the close of the war. In 1871, he took a contract for building bridges on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Pan] Railroad, under Lindon, Lander & Shepherd, of Minneapolis, Minn., from 1869 to 1872. During that time he was treasurer of Cale- donia Township. At the expiration of that term Mr. Harrison went to Nebraska on a visit, but lik- ing the country quite well, concluded to locate and homesteaded his present farm in 1873, on Section 13, Town 6, Range 5 west. He was married on November 15, 1853, to Miss Ann Page, a native of Middlesex, England. She was born in 1829, being the oldest of eleven children, the result of the union of John and Ann (Fisher) Page. To Mr. and Mrs. Harrison were born eleven children, nine now living: John W., Elizabeth A. (wife of A. W. Hall), Richard Francis (deceased), Donglas L., Elmer E., Ulysses G:, Isaac H. (deceased), George, Page, Albert and Robert W. The first experience of Mr. Harrison in Nebraska was three days in a sod- house 8x10 feet, through a storm of snow and hail, then in 1875 be experienced the plagne of grass-

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hoppers, in 1879 the drought, and in 1880 and 1881 immense hail stones. During his residence here he has been township treasurer, school clerk of his district, justice of the peace and has held numerous other local offices. He is a Republican in politics. Himself and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is Sunday-school super- intendent and steward. He has an excellent farm of 480 acres, and fine groves, orchard and substan- tial buildings. In 1885 he and his sons went to Dundy County and took np six timber claims and two homesteads, which they have since improved until they are now valuable farms. Mr. Harrison, in connection with his sons, has 1,840 acres of land. J. W., D. L., E. E., Grant and A. W. Hall are living on their places and Mr. Harrison in- tends following soon. During the fall and winter the boys ran a sheller and threshing machine and are watching every opportunity to better their con- dition, but yet are not grasping. They assist in all laudable enterprises and extend a helping hand to their neighbors in distress.

William A. Hart. On his present homestead of 360 acres, situated near Edgar, Mr. Hart and his family have been residing since 1886, and there he is giving considerable attention to the propaga- tion of cattle, and ships about one car-load each year. He was born in Macoupin County, Ill., Jan- uary 30, 1858, and is a son of Malachi and Elsie (Cox) Hart, the former born in Morgan County, Ill., and the latter in Indiana. Mr. Hart followed the occupation of farming until his death, Novem- ber 11, 1862, his wife surviving him at the present time, and residing in Sangamon County. William A. Hart remained with his mother until grown, receiving the most of his education and rearing in Sangamon County. At the age of twenty years he left his native State to come to Nebraska, and settled in Clay County, near the town of Edgar, purchasing and tilling a farm near the town, but afterward sold it and bought his present property in the year above named. His farm is situated three miles from Edgar and is one of the finest tracts of land for successful agricultural purposes in the county. It is all fenced and in a fair state of cultivation, and on it are erected a comfortable house and fair ont-

buildings. He has an apple and cherry orchard comprising about 100 trees, and is also engaged in raising some small fruits, sufficient for home use. His marriage to Miss Ella Nall took place in Clay County, Neb., December 25, 1885, she being a na- tive of Morgan County, Ill., but reared and edu- cated in Clay County. Her father, B. F. Nall, still resides in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Hart have three children: Nola, Hazel and Earl. Mr. Hart and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he belongs to the Farmers' Alliance, and is now acting as justice of the peace of Edgar Township.

Moses Hartley, farmer, Harvard, Neb. " This representative, substantial citizen of Clay County, Neb., was born in England, April 26, 1851, and is the son of Charles and Ann (Cluff) Hartley, with whom he came to America when but two years of age. The family settled in Stark County, Ill., where our subject spent his early life on a farm, and there he received his education. He was married February 22, 1877, to Miss Anna Willett, a native of Stark County, Ill., and the daughter of Hiram and Mary Willett. In 1880 Mr. Hartley emigrated to Nebraska, and first located in Leices- ter Township, Clay County, where he tilled the soil for six years. In 1887 he removed to Harvard and engaged in the livery business, conducting a large barn in that city until March 1, 1890, having as a partner during the last year and a half James Burns. This barn is one of the largest and best equipped in Clay County, and was built and founded by Mr. Hartley. This gentleman now owns a section of land in Leicester Township, Clay County, and his attention is given strictly to its management. Mr. and Mrs. Hartley have have had four children: Charles Willett (born Oc- tober 10, 1878), Leroy Earl (born October 27, 1880), Cora Pearl (born June 25, 1883) and Grace (whose birth occurred October 31, 1885). Mr. Hartley is a member of the M. W. A., and in pol- itics affiliates with the Democratic party. In all his operations he is meeting with substantial evi- dences of success, results which all concede that he deserves.

M. L. Hartman, meat dealer, Harvard, Neb.

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CLAY COUNTY.

Among the go-ahend meat markets in Harvard that of Mr. M. L. Hartman stands prominently in the foreground. He established his business in Har- vard in 1883, and has ever exhibited courtesy and fair dealing to all parties, which is the cause of his standing so well. Mr. Hartman was born in Han- cock County, Ohio, February 13, 1854, and is the son of Amos and Eleanor (Trout) Hartman, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Hancock County, Ohio. The parents are now re- siding in Boone County, Iowa, and of the family of children born to their union five are now living. M. L. Hartman left his native county when ten years of age and went with his parents to Moin- gona, Boone County, Iowa, where he received a good public-school education. In 1874 he went to California, but the following year returned to Boone County and there learned the butcher's trade, which he has followed chiefly ever since. Abont 1876 he engaged in the butcher's business for himself, and in September, 1882, he came to Nebraska, spending one year at Aurora. In the fall of 1883 he came to Harvard, where he has since lived, and here he has conducted a meat mar- ket ever since, with the exception of one year that he spent on a farm. He is now a member of the firm of Hartman & Ayton, and is doing a success- ful business. He was married September 5, 1876, to Miss Sarah Sims, a native of Jasper County, Iowa, born February 9, 1857, and the daughter of George and Elizabeth (Slater) Sims, natives of Eng land, who were married in America. Mr. and Mrs. Hartman have three children: Clifford, Har- vey and Blanche. Mr. Hartman is a Republican in politics and takes a deep interest in that party. He owns two farms in Harvard Township, each of which contains 160 acres. He has made what he has by his own exertions, and is a first-class citizen.

Michael Helmers, farmer and stock-raiser, Har- vard, Neb. A glance at the lives of many repre- sentative men whose names appear in this volume will reveal sketches of some honored, influential citizens, but none more worthy or deserving of mention than Michael Helmers. Mr. Helmers was born in Germany in 1844, received his education in the schools of that country, and in 1866 was mar-

ried there to Miss Maggie Brandt, a danghter of Chris and Adelheit (Yungen) Brandt, the former of whom died in 1870, in Germany, and the latter in this country in 1886. Mr. Helmers emigrated to Illinois from the old country in 1870. settled in Tazewell County, at Washington, and there tilled the soil until 1874, when he moved to Chatsworth, Livingston County, and from there to a farm near Strawn, in the same county. In 1882 he came to Nebraska, settled near Tracy, Clay County, and in 1885 came to his present farm, which consists of 200 acres of improved land. Since then he has tilled the soil and has been act- ively engaged in raising a good breed of cattle, hogs, sheep and horses. He has been quite suc- cessful since coming to Nebraska, and with his sub- stantial buildings, good orchard, etc., is now pre- pared to enjoy life. To his marriage have been born eight children (four sons and two danghters are living): Jessie (born in 1867 and died at the age of four weeks), Christopher (born July 23, 1867), Michael (born July 22, 1869). Mary (born June 28, 1871), Jessie (born September 1, 1872), John (born December 28, 1873), Peter (born Mareh 28, 1874) and Lena (born December 23, 1875). Mr. Helmers' parents, Michael and Jessie (Cli) Helmers, were natives of Germany, and were mar- ried in that country. There the mother died in 1858 and the father in 1886.

Albert Herrick is a successful merchant and liveryman of Ong, Clay County, and his fame as a business man is co-extensive with the county and surrounding country. He was born in Mil- wankee, Wis., June 16, 1837, and is a son of Ang- ust Herrick, who was born in Berlin, Germany, and was married there. They came to the United States abont 1830, and settled in Milwaukee, but the mother's death occurred when her son, Albert, was but an infant. Albert Herriek resided in Mil- waukee and Racine, Wis., until he was abont nine. teen years of age, then went to Ogle County, Ill., and from there enlisted on August 9. 1862, in Company H, Ninety-second Illinois, and served until he received his discharge in July, 1865. He participated in the battles of Chickamanga, Kene- saw Mountain, the battles in and around the siege

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

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of Atlanta, and was in all the engagements in which Sherman participated on his memorable march to the sea. After receiving his discharge in North Carolina, he returned to Ogle County, Ill., and resided there until the fall of that year, when he removed to Boone County, Iowa, and was there married, May 15, 1867, to Miss Mary J. McMillan, a native of Pennsylvania, being there reared and educated. After farming in this State for two years, Mr. Herrick engaged in timber contracting for a railroad, and after following this business for a year, he moved to Madison County, Iowa, and resumed his farming operations. In 1871 he moved to Nebraska and settled in Clay County, taking up a homestead in Sutton Precinct, and here improved an excellent farm of 160 acres. It is furnished with fair buildings, a good young or- chard, and is situated about two and a half miles from Sutton. In September, 1886, Mr. Herrick rented his farm and moved to Ong, where he first engaged in the livery business in the summer of 1889, also opening a grocery establishment on a smaller scale. He is doing a fair business, and has built up a reputation which goes far toward making him successful. He also owns considera- ble town property besides his farm, and has now a comfortable competency which he has gained through his own exertions. He is a Republican in politics, and although he does not aspire to posi- tions of honor and trust, yet for six years he has been treasurer of his school district, No. 13, Sut- ton Township. He belongs to Sutton Post No. 19, G. A. R. He and wife are the parents of the following children: John, Emma, Lillie, Amelia, Anna, Charles, Mary, William and Albert. Mrs. Herrick and her daughters, Emma and Lillie, are members of the Presbyterian Church.

George A. Herzog, real-estate dealer, Harvard, Neb. The steady growth of Harvard and the rapid increase in population in the county have opened up a wide and important field of enter- prise in the line of real estate. Many prominent citizens of Harvard are engaged in this business. Among those well known in this line, and whom familiarity with the city and experience in these transactions have fitted so eminently for the bus-

iness, is Mr. George A. Herzog. He-was born iu Bavaria, Germany, on August 12, 1850, was reared on a farm, and when sixteen years of age came to America. From 1867 until 1874 he resided near Buffalo, N. Y., where he was employed on a farm, and in the fall of the last named year he came to Clay County, Neb. Here he took an eighty-acre homestead in Leicester Township, tilled the soil on this until 1883, when he moved to Harvard. Here he was employed by an implement dealer for one year, and after that he was engaged in the in- surance business, which he has followed ever since, having at the present time a first-class line of com- panies. After he had been in the insurance bus- iness a year he added to it a real-estate business, and has since conducted the two together very successfully. His marriage was celebrated on October 7, 1877, to Miss Emma Parks, a native of Benton Harbor, Mich., she being the first white child born in that place, and the daughter of David B. and Alsona (Aldrich) Parks. Mr. and Mrs. Herzog are the parents of five children, as follows: Frank H., Arthur M., William H., Anna V. and Raymond H., of whom the first two are deceased. Mr. Herzog is a member of the Ger- man Reformed Church and the M. W. A. In pol- itics he is Democratic and has been a member of the board of aldermen at Harvard for two years, being at present a member of the board. He still owns his old homestead in Leicester Township, and besides a good property in Harvard. He is a man of strict integrity and inflexible honesty, and is strictly reliable in all his dealings. He is now the owner of 520 acres of land, all in Clay County except 120 acres in Hamilton County. He com- menced with nothing and has made all his prop- erty by industry and good business tact. He was one of thirteen children, all of whom are living, the youngest being twenty-four years of age, born to the union of George A. and Margaret (Rife) Herzog, both of whom still reside in Bavaria. Twelve of the children now reside in America.

Edmond Taylor Heuston was born in Jefferson County, Iowa, October 17, 1847, and is the fifth of eleven children born to Richard C. and Emma (Hull) Henston, the former born in Mount Holly,

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CLAY COUNTY.

N. J., in 1817, and the latter in Newark, Ohio, in 1822. The father was a farmer and stock-raiser, and in 1841 moved to Iowa, where he spent the remainder of his days, dying in 1859. In 1885 his widow with her family moved to Washington Territory, and are there now living. Edmund T. Heuston remained at home, assisting his mother in the care of the home farm until 1873, when he emigrated to Clay County, Neb., where he entered his present farm as a timber claim, but not having snecess in starting his trees growing he gave it np as a tree claim and homesteaded it. He attended the district school near his home in Iowa, and was a student at the Axline Academy two terms. He was married, in 1875, to Helen S. Ingham, daugh- ter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Hyde) Ingham, of Washington County, Iowa. She was born Jann- ary 28, 1851. Her union with Mr. Henston re snlted in the birth of seven children, six of whom are now living. Mr. Heuston is an active worker in the Republican party, has been a delegate to different conventions, and a member of the county central committee. In the fall of 1888 he was nominated and elected the first supervisor of his township, the county having just adopted the system of township organization. He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, and by his energy and enterprise has earned his present property.

Stephen A. D. Hinton, proprietor of the Com- mercial Hotel, Clay Center, Neb. This is one of the most comfortable hotels in the city, whose host, by able management, has secured a vastly in- creasing patronage, and contributes much to the house's desirability as a home for the traveling public. Mr. Hinton was born on March 13, 1860, in Shelby County, Ill., and is the son of John and Ellen (Whittington) Hinton. Stephen A. D. Hin- ton was reared to years of discretion in his native county, and received excellent educational advan- tages. He first attended the common schools, then the State Normal School, at Valparaiso, Ind , and a business college at Jacksonville, III. He afterward engaged in merchandising with his father in his na- tive county, but in 1887 he came to Nebraska and lo- cated at Hastings, where he was engaged in abstract business. In March, 1888, he came to Clay Cen-

ter, where he has since conducted the hotel business and has also been an assistant in the county clerk's office. On March 13, 1884, his marringe with Miss Flora Shinkle was consummated, and the re- sult of this union has been two children: Sarah Gertrude and Sylvia. In his political principles Mr. Hinton is Democratic. He is a member of the K. of P'. and A. O. U. W.

Benjamin F. Hockett, farmer and stock- raiser, Harvard, Neb. In his farming operations in this county Mr. Hockett has pursued the same progres- sive and enterprising principles which have char acterized his ancestors for many generations. He is a native of Guilford County, N. C., born January 13, 1829, and is the son of Samnel and Edith (Ves- tal) Hockett, natives of North Carolina, the father born about 1790, and the mother in 1800. In the spring of 1833 the parents removed to Morgan County, Ind., and there passed the closing scenes of their lives. Benjamin F. Hockett left Indiana in 1851, went to Indianola, Iowa, and there re- sided until April, 1852, when he was taken with the gold fever and crossed the plains to Northern Cal- ifornia. He followed mining for about eighteen years. made considerable money, and on April 16, 1870, he returned to the East and settled in Des Moines, Iowa. He sold his mining interests and returned to Indiana, where he remained but a short time, and then again located in Iowa. In 1871 he came to Clay County, Neb., took a claim on the northwest quarter of Section 2, Township 7, Range 7 west, and there he has since resided. He has a fine farm of 160 acres, and has it well stocked with sixteen horses, seventy head of cattle and sixty hogs. He has a good young orchard and plenty of forest trees. In 1874 he was mar ried to Miss Mary Eller, who was born in 1850. and who was the third in a family of ten children born to William and Catherine (Parnell) Eller, na- tives of North Carolina. To Mr. and Mrs. Hock- ett have been born ten children, eight of whom are still living: Edith M. (born February 19, 1875), Samuel W. (born November 2, 1876), Martha C. (born July 31, 1877), Ida B. (born November 10, 1879, and died August 22, 1882), Cora E. (born February 12, 1880), Robert V. (born June 29, 1882),

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Alice (born November 23, 1883, and died October 12, 1884), Homer (born April 23, 1885), Ralph (born January 21, 1887) and Nellie (born Novem- ber 23, 1889). Mr. Hockett is a member of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 70, at Harvard, Neb., and until 1856 was a member of the Whig party, since which time he has affiliated with the Republicans. He is at present serving his fourth term as consta- ble of Linn Township. Mr. Hockett is a grand- son of the celebrated Nalan Hockett of North Car- olina, who was the minister of the Society of Friends, noted throughout the State for his brill- iancy.

John L. Hodges is a successful farmer and stockman of Clay County, and has continued to "pursue the even tenor of his way" until he is now one of the wealthy men of the county. He was born in Macoupin County, Ill., August 6, 1836, being a son of Daniel L. and Caroline (Blake) Hodges, who were born in Missouri and New Jersey, respectively, but both were reared in Illinois, and were there also married. Mr. Hodges was one of the early settlers of the State, and made his home there up to 1873, at which time he moved to Nebraska and settled on land in Clay County, on which a portion of the town of Edgar is now situated. Here he made his home until his death, which occurred in January, 1877, his first wife having died in Illinois. His second union took place about 1847. John L. Hodges is the second of two sons, and remained with his father until he attained his majority. He engaged in farming for himself in Macoupin County, and from there enlisted in May, 1864, in the One Hundred and Thirty-third Illinois Infantry for the 100-days' service, and was engaged in guarding prisoners at Rock Island, Ill., until his term of service had expired. In 1878 he purchased the place on which he is now living, which consisted of 160 acres of land, and on this farm he located with his family in 1884. His land is fertile and in an excellent state of cultivation, and on it are a good residence, substantial out-buildings and an excellent young orchard, which is just beginning to bear. He is quite extensively engaged in stock dealing and breeding, and he is the owner of some

exceptionally fine thoroughbred Short-horn cattle and Poland-China hogs. He contemplates engag- ing in the breeding of red-polled cattle, which he considers superior to other fine breeds both as far as the milk is concerned and for beef. They are very hardy and good grazers. While a resi- dent of Macoupin County, Ill., he was married March 26, 1857, to Jemima Rice, a daughter of Jasper Rice. Mrs. Hodges was born, reared and educated in Illinois, and for some time followed the occupation of school-teaching there. She and Mr. Hodges are the parents of three children: Edgar A. (who is married and resides in Clay County, Neb.), Charles (who is a young man and still resides at home), and Laura Mary (who is also at home and is engaged in teaching music). The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. and Mrs. Hodges are members, and he is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, being president of the local alliance and vice-president of the county alliance. He is a substantial farmer of the county, and in every respect deserves the success which has attended his efforts.

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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