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 79

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 79
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 79
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 79
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 79

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Nora M. He lost his second wife, October 28, 1886. The record of his first family was lost by a cyclone in 1858 at Ellison, III., and he could not supply it fully from memory.

Theodore F. Johnson, retired farmer, Harvard, Neb. New Jersey has given to Clay County many estimable citizens, but she has contributed none more highly respected or, for conscientious dis- charge of duty in every relation of life. more worthy of respect and esteem, than the subject of this sketch. Mr. Johnson was originally from Essex County, N. J., born March 26, 1827, and the son of William D. and Martha (Shackelton) Johnson, mention of whom is made in the sketch of Oakley Johnson. When Theodore F. Johnson was be- tween five and six years of age he accompanied his parents to Fulton County, III., and was there reared to the duties of farm life. He was married in that county, June 26, 1851, to Miss Elizabeth Martin, a native of Franklin County, Pa., born April 10, 1830, and the daughter of Daniel and Mary (Brent) Martin, natives also of the Keystone State, the father born in 1802 and the mother in 1806. In 1852 Mr. Johnson moved to Warren County, Ill., where he resided for four or five years, engaged in mercantile pursuits, and then removed to Knox County in the same State, where for four years he labored at the carpenter trade. In 1859 he removed to Blue Earth County, Minn., there followed his former trade one year, and then returned to Warren County, III., where he resided from the spring of 1860 to 1884. He dealt in grain and merchandise a few years, and in April, 1864, enlisted in the Union army in Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Illinois Regi- ment, with which he served about five months. Returning home he resumed merchandising, and this continued for ten years, after which he dealt in grain for several years in Warren County, Ill. In 1877 he began a grain, lumber and coal busi- ness in Harvard, Neb., but did not remove his family to that place, however, until 1884. He continued in the last-named business until 1881, and from that time until 1884 he was engaged in farming. Since the last date he has been looking after his farming interests in the vicinity of Har-

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vard, which are somewhat extensive, being the owner of 800 acres of good land in Clay County. This land embraces five farms, all well improved. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have had two children: Lnella and John W. (both living). In politics Mr. Johnson is a Republican, and is an honorable, up- right man.

Oakley Johnson, an old settler and an influen- tial and substantial citizen of Harvard, Neb., was born on February 4, 1830, and is the son of Will- iam D. and Martha (Shackelton) Johnson, both natives of New Jersey, the former born on Decem- ber 19, 1800, and the latter in 1796. The paternal grandfather, Samuel Johnson, was a native of New Jersey, and was of English descent. His wife, however, was a descendant of emigrants from Holland. Mrs. Johnson was the daughter of Col. Richard Shackelton, a native of New Jersey, and a descendant of English ancestors. He took a promi- nent part in the Revolutionary War. The parents of our subject were married in 1819, and to their union were born eight children, of whom six are now living. Three of the sons, six in all, served in the Union army. They were Theodore F., John H. and Andrew R. (of whom Andrew R. was killed at the battle of Perryville, Ky.). John H. Johnson commanded the ram "Lancaster" of the Missis sippi flotilla at the capture of Memphis. When Oakley Johnson was three years of age he went with his parents to Fulton County, Ill., where he attained his growth on a farm. He received a good English education, and at seventeen years of age started out to fight life's battles for himself. After spending a few months in Chicago he went to Sycamore, Ill., where he clerked in a store for nine months. Then, in the spring of 1850, he engaged in merchandising at La Harpe, Hancock County, IH., continued there one year and a half, and then moved his stock to Ellison, Warren County, Ill., where he remained for four and a half years. In the spring of 1856 he went to Kirkwood, Warren County, Ill , and during the succeeding fourteen years was engaged in the grain and live-stock business at that place, also at Galesburg and Chicago. In the spring of 1870 he went to California, where he resided four years, and then, in 1874, returned to

Chicago, from which place he removed to Harvard, Neb., in 1878. Previous to this, however, in 1875, he had started the grain business at Harvard, which he continued. In 1879 he made a trip to Europe, where he spent several months visiting the British Isles, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and France. Returning to Nebraska, he con- tinned the grain business a short time, and in 1880 turned his attention to the real-estate business. He has purchased and sold a number of farms, and at the present time is the owner of 1,300 acres of good land in Clay County, which embraces nine different farms, the most of it being well improved. On September 20. 1860, Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Lissa Wilson, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, born March 4, 1841, and the daughter of Luke Wilson, a native of New York. Her mother was a native of Vermont. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were born three children: Frank W., Howard O. and Waldo S., of whom the second, Howard O., died at the age of sixteen months. Mrs. Johnson died on June 7, 1883. She graduated from the Cleveland (Ohio) Ladies' Seminary in June, 1860. and was a woman of excellent accomplishments. Mr. Johnson is a Republican in politics, and one of Clay County's most enterprising men, and one of her most worthy and esteemed citizens.

Levi L. Johnson, farmer and stock-raiser, also grower and manufacturer of sorghum molasses, In- land, Neb. This successful and enterprising tiller of the soil owes his nativity to Marion County, Ohio, where he was born in 1850, and where he spent his early days. At the age of eighteen years he began working for himself, first as a farmer, but from there he went with his father to La Grange County, Ind., where he was married in 1872, to Miss Martha Coney, the daughter of Michael and Ann (Cooper) Coney. After follow. ing farming in Indiana for seven years Mr. John- son emigrated west to Nebraska, settled in Clay County, Inland Township, in 1879, and bought eighty acres of prairie land, which he at once be- gan to improve. He has since been engaged in farming, and in connection makes abont 2,500 gal- lons of molasses per annum. To his marriage have been born five children, four now living:

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HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

Charles C. (whose birth occurred in 1873), Schuy- ler W. (born in 1874), Ella L. (born in 1883), Min- nie A. (who was born in 1885 and died in 1889) and Ottie L. Mr. Johnson has been unusually successful since coming to Nebraska, and his prop- erty is the result of many days of hard, honest work. He is interested in political matters and votes with the Democratic party. He is deeply interested in educational and religious matters, in fact everything for the advancement of the com- " munity, and being one of the early settlers, has witnessed the growth and development of the country. He is secretary of the Farmers' Alli- ance, and was a member of the school board from 1880 to 1888. He is the son of Levi and Mary (Shrock) Johnson, natives of Ohio, and the latter a daughter of Adam Shrock, of Pennsylvania. The parents were born in Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively, the father in 1820 and the mother in 1827. The former was a minister of the United Brethren Church, and followed his ministerial duties in Ohio for a number of years His death occurred in Tennessee in October, 1888. He was a Republican in politics, and was called out in the Ohio State military service in 1865. The mother died in Indiana in 1869. Of the eight children born to their union, four are now living: Oscar E. (in Ohio), Orren J. (in Iowa), Levi L. and Lo- renzo (living in Illinois). Those deceased were

named Mary M., David E., Oliver S. and Simon.

Samuel Jones, farmer and stock-raiser, Inland, Neb. Personal popularity, it can not be denied, results largely from the industry, perseverance and close attention to business which a person dis- plays in the management of any particular branch of trade. And in the case of Mr. Jones this is certainly true, for he has adhered so closely to farming and the stock-raising industry since com- ing to this State, and helped in so many ways to advance all worthy interests in this community, that he has become one of the prominent and most respected citizens of the township. Born in New Haven County, Conn., in 1826, he is the second of eight children born to the union of Samuel and Rhoda (Munson) Jones. The father's birth oc- curred in Connecticut in 1791, and he followed

farming on the old homestead in New Haven Coun- ty. He was married in Connecticut about 1820 and reared a family of eight children: Louisa, Dickerman (died in 1885), Samuel, Russell (de- ceased), Isaac (living in Connecticut), Catherine (in Connecticut), Betsey, and Robert (deceased). There were five children who died in infancy. The father emigrated to Wisconsin and settled in Dane County, where he died in 1867. The mother died in Connecticut in 1869. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the father was a Democrat in politics. The paternal grand- father, Pratt Jones, was an aid-de-camp to Gen. Washington in the Revolutionary War, and was but twelve years of age when he enlisted. He served all through the war and afterward settled in New Haven, Conn., where he tilled the soil. He mar- ried a very wealthy lady by the name of Dicker. man, who owned the township of Hamdon, and the lake was named after her, "Dickerman pond." The original family of Jones came from Wales. Pratt Jones was born in 1762 and died about 1852. Samuel Jones passed his early life in Connecticut, and there, in connection with tilling the soil, he was engaged in the brick making trade. He left Connecticut in 1848 and went to Michigan, where he remained one year, engaged in brick making. He then went to Wisconsin, where for four years he was occupied in brick-making and farming, and in 1849 took a trip to Denver, then to Salt Lake City, from there to Carson Valley, and was one of the first to discover gold in that place. Subse- quently he went to Marysville, Cal., where he en- gaged in mining, and from there went to Southern California, where he was interested in cultivating the soil. After this he went to Oregon, engaged in the saw mill business, and later embarked in the lumber business at Salem, Ore. In 1853 he went to South America, where he traveled and en- joyed himself, and later came to New York City, then to his old home in Connecticut, where he vis- ited for some time, and afterward went to Wiscon- sin. He was married in 1854 to Miss Jane A. In- galsbe, daughter of Elias and Maria (Smith) In- galsbe, and grand-daughter of Ezekial Smith, a native of Connecticut. Her mother was born in

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Washington County, N. Y., and her father in the same county. The latter followed farming, and emigrated to Wisconsin about 1840, where he died about 1867. The mother is still living, is about eighty years of age, and makes her home in Clay County, Neb. The Ingalsbes are of English descent and the Smiths of Scotch. Mr. Jones and family resided in Wisconsin from 1854 to 1873, but followed his former trade in Shelbyville, Shelby County, Mo., in 1864. In 1873 he emigrated to Clay County, Neb., and in June moved on the place where he now lives and there homesteaded eighty acres of land. He is now the owner of 240 acres in the home tract. Nine children were born to his marriage, six of whom are now living: Lil- lie H. (born in 1855, married, in April, 1876, Washington Klepper, by whom she had one child, now thirteen years old; after being divorced, she was married November 25, 1887, to Peter Powers; their two children are Lee, aged two years, and Jay, three months old), Fred D. (was married in Wisconsin, August 9, 1881, to Mary Jane Green, of English descent, born in Baraboo, Wis., in 1857; he died April 7, 1888, leaving four children: Burr, aged seven; Maud, aged five; Blanch, aged three, and Jessie, one year old), Mary L. (now Mrs. Hollister, born in 1859, has five children: Walter, aged ten; Ettie, aged eight; Earl, five; Cora, three, and Mabel, two years old, all living in Inland, Clay County, Neb.), Jennie M. (now Mrs. Brown, was born in 1863, and has one child, Nora, aged four years), Levi (born in 1865, was mar- ried February 25, 1890), Hattie (now Mrs. Moody, of South Omaha, born in 1869, has one child, Blanch, two years old), Jessie (now Mrs. Green, living in Fremont, was born in 1871), Willie (died April 30, 1876, aged three years). Mr. Jones is a Democrat in politics, and an excel- lent citizen.

Thomas J. Kemp, Spring Ranche, Neb. Clay County is indeed fortunate in having among her foreign-born element men whose industry, strict attention to business, economy and perseverance have produced such substantial results in the differ- ent affairs with which they have connected them- selves. Mr. Kemp belongs to this class, for, orig-

inally from England, his location in this county dates from 1871. He was born in Kent County in 1852, and is the eldest son born to the union of Thomas and Ann (Castle) Kemp, natives also of England. The father was a shoemaker by trade, was a member of the Prince of Orange Society, and also a member of the Episcopal Church. Thomas J. Kemp, the subject of this sketch, received a high school education in his native country, and there later in life learned the grocer's trade. He came to the United States in 1871, landed at Portland, Me., and came direct to Lincoln, Neb., and to Adams County of that State in May, 1871. He homesteaded government land two miles west of Hastings, improved the same, and farmed in Adams County nine years. He was married in 1876 to Miss Bertha Purdy, the daughter of James and Mary A. (Kirkhan) Purdy, both natives of England, and the fruits of this union have been five children: Alfred, Bertha, Ralph, Ennice and Oak- ley. Mr. Kemp came to Spring Ranche in 1879, engaged in general merchandising, also kept the postoffice, and followed this business six or seven years, since which time he has been engaged on the railroad. He was among the first settlers of Adams County, Neb., was enrolled on the first list of voters, assisted in electing the first set of county officers, and has seen the full development of these western counties of Nebraska. He has ever taken an active part in politics, and votes with the Re- publican party. He is a member of the Congre- gational Church, and is deeply interested in relig. ious and educational matters.

William Kewley, farmer and stock-raiser, Ong, Neb. Among the foreign-born elements of Clay County, Neb., none are more highly respected or esteemed than the subject of this sketch, who was born on the Isle of Man on December 26, 1832. His parents, Thomas and Isabella (Tear) Kewley, were both natives of the Isle of Man also, and the father was a successful tiller of the soil. Both par- ents received their final summons there. William Kewley, when but fourteen years of age, emigrated to the United States with an aunt, and in 1846 located at Rochester, N. Y. He there learned the shoemaker's trade, worked at the same in that city

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HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

for four years, and then returned to the land of his nativity. Two years later he returned to the States, via New Orleans, and spent the winter of 1852 in that city. From that time up to the break- ing out of the war he resided in the South for five winters, and in Peoria and Henry Counties, Ill., the remainder of the time. Enlisting in 1861 in the Seventeenth Illinois Infantry for three years, he was discharged in the spring of 1863 for disability. After recovering he re-enlisted (spring of 1864) in the Ninth Illinois Cavalry, Company K, and was a non-commissioned officer, serving until the close of the war, being discharged in the summer of 1865. While in the Seventeenth Infantry he participated in the following battles: Fredericktown, Belmont, Fort Henry, Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Burns- ville and numerous skirmishes. After being dis- charged he returned to Galva, Henry County, Ill., where he cultivated the soil for a number of years. He then sold out, and in the spring of 1887 moved to Nebraska, where he now has 160 acres of land. He has everything comfortable about his place, and all the modern conveniences. He was married in Bureau County, Ill., April 30, 1866, to Miss Marion Winger, a native of Switzerland, but reared and educated in Henry County, Ill., and the daughter of Hiram and Elizabeth Winger. Mr. and Mrs. Kewley have reared two children, one a nephew of Mr. Kewley's, and the other a nephew of his wife. Mrs. Kewley is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Socially Mr. Kewley is a member of the I. O. O. F., and has filled the chairs in the subordinate lodge. He is a member of the En- campment.

Joseph R. Kidd has been familiar with the duties of farm labor from his earliest youth, and he is now considered one of the successful agricult- urists and stock-raisers of Clay County, Neb. He was born in Morgan County, Ohio, January 3, 1843, and is a son of Peter and Mary. Ann (Gray) Kidd, being the second of their nine children, all of whom are living with the exception of one daughter, and are the heads of families. Joseph R. Kidd was reared in his native county and ob- tained a fair knowledge of books in the common schools near his home. In the fall of 1863 he en-

listed in the Ninth Ohio Cavalry and served until he received his discharge, June 10, 1865, having participated in a number of hard charges and skirmishes, but shortly after was stricken with typhoid fever and was unable to do any work for about two years. Upon his recovery he was en- gaged in clerking for about two years, but in 1867 removed to Washington County, Iowa, and was there occupied in contracting and building for about five years. In 1872 he removed to Nebraska, and the following year settled in Clay County, where he entered a farm under the homestead law, in Sheridan Township, on which he resided until 1877, he being one of the first settlers of that region. He next purchased property in Edgar, moved there, and engaged in the mercantile busi- ness, which occupation continued to receive his at. tention until 1883, but he has since devoted bis attention to farming and stock raising in which he is quite successful. His farm comprises 160 acres of arable land, all of which is in a good state of cultivation, his buildings are in thorough re pair and he has a fine, young, bearing orchard of about 200 trees. He has always supported the Republican party, and in 1883 was nominated and elected sheriff of Clay County, upon which he moved to Clay Center, serving, by re-election, two consecutive years. He has since filled several other positions of trust, such as assessor, and has always proved an excellent officer. He was mar- ried in Morgan County, Ohio, February 21, 1867, to Miss Josephine Young, a daughter of William Young, of Unionville, Ohio, but his wife died in Clay Center, Neb., April 14, 1888, leaving besides her husband, a family of seven children to mourn her loss: Anna Belle (wife of Dr. Mell Stone, of Washington Township), Lonie, Mattie, Albert, Loren, Fred and Hattie. On February 13, 1889, Mr. Kidd was married, in Hastings, Neb., to Miss Ella Conner, who was born, reared and educated in Grundy County, Ill., a portion of her education being also received in St. Joseph, Mo. Her father, J. W. Conner, resides in Clay Center, Neb. Mr. Kidd by his last union has one child, Mary Blanche. He is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of the G. A. R., and also the Farmers' Alliance.

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CLAY COUNTY.

John A. Kidd is a prosperous tiller of the soil of Logan Township, Clay County, Neb., and is a native of Morgan County, Ohio, his birth occurring on November 12, 1853, he being a son of Peter and Mary Ann (Gray) Kidd, who were also born in the 'Buckeye State." The father was engaged in farming all his life and taught his sons the de- tails of this calling, and this has since proved their chief occupation. He died in the summer of 1877, his wife still surviving him, and she is at present residing on the old homestead. Their family con- sisted of six sons and three danghters, all of whom are living but one sister. John A. Kidd received a high-school education in his youth, and after reach- ing a proper age began teaching the "young idea," an occupation he continued for about four years, continuing this with alternately attending school until the spring of 1878, when he came to Nebras- ka, and located in Clay County, where he pur- chased land. He taught school the three follow- ing winters and during the summer months tilled the soil, but in 1880 settled permanently on his present farm which comprises a tract of eighty acres in a fine state of cultivation. He has a good, new frame residence, excellent out-buildings, and a fine young fruit orchard. For the last seven years he has been dealing in stock, and ships from thirty to fifty car loads annually. He has been very successful, considering the fact that he began for himself with little or no means to start on, and his present calling seems to be one for which he has a natural aptitude. He was married in Chilli- cothe, Ohio, September 14, 1876, to Miss Maggie Wheeland, a native of Ross County, Ohio, she being a daughter of Samnel Wheeland. She was educated in Chillicothe and her union with Mr. Kidd has resulted in the birth of four children: Russell M., Joseph R., Paul C. and Mabel F. The eldest child died April 25, 1887, at the age of seven years and eight months.

Stephen King, retired farmer, Harvard, Neb). This honored citizen of Harvard, Neb., was born in Bracken County, Ky., March 29, 1823, and was the son of William B. and Anna R. (Greening) King, both of whom were born in Fauquier Coun- ty, Va., or in Powell's Valley, the former born

April 23. 1783. When a young man William B. King went to East Tennessee and was there mar- ried to Miss Greening, after which he and wife removed to Fayette County, Ky. From there they removed to Clark County, Ky., thence in 1815 to Bracken County, Ky., and in 1830 to Sangamon County, Ill., where both spent the remainder of their days. They were the parents of twelve chil- dren: Thomas A., Reuben, Elizabeth, James M., William G., Henry J., Sarah, Stephen, Hester F., Anna R., Fielding A. and John F. Of these James M., Henry J., Stephen, Fielding A. and John F. are living. The first four were born in Clark County, Ky., the next seven in Bracken County, Ky., and the youngest in Sangamon County, Ill. The father of these children died October 19, 1863, and the mother died March 27, 1873. The father of the subject of this sketch was the son of William and Betsey King, both natives of the Old Dominion. The former served in the Revolutionary War under Gen. George Washington, and his father was a native of Eng. land. Our subject's maternal grandparents, Reu- ben and Sarah Greening, were both natives of Vir- ginia. Stephen King was seven years of age when his parents located in Sangamon County, Iil., and there he spent his boyhood, attending the district school in winter and laboring upon the farm in summer. In early life he took the vocation of a teacher and followed this in Sangamon County for seven years. February 15, 1855, he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, widow of John Smith, and the daughter of Anthony and Nancy A. (Dean) Hendrix. Mr. Hendrix was born in Fleming County, Ky., December 19, 1789, and his wife was a native of Clark County, Ky. They were the parents of eleven children: Susan, George, Rebecca, Amy, Samuel W., Sally A., Elizabeth, Nancy A., Mary, Eliza J. and John, of whom Re- becca, Elizabeth, Nancy A., Mary and John are living. The first seven were born in Kentucky and the last four in Clear Lake Township, Sanga- mon County, Ill. The father and mother of these children died in Sangamon County, Ill. After his marriage Mr. King followed agricultural pur- suits in Sangamon County, Ill., until 1885, when

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he moved to Clay County, Neb., and located in Harvard where they have since lived a retired life. Mr. King is the owner of 240 acres of land near Harvard, and he spends much of his time attending its management. By his marriage he became the father of seven children: John Albert (born July 8, 1856, and died February 15, 1866), Mary Ellen (born April 25, 1858, and died April 18, 1888), George L. (born October 19, 1860), Charles H. (born March 25, 1862), William A. (born May 26, 1864), Katie (born February 8, 1866) and Eddie F. (born January 23, 1869). By her former mar- riage Mrs. King had three daughters: Susan, Alice and Jennie, all of whom are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. King are members of the Christian Church, and in politics the former affiliates with the Republican party. He and wife are much es- teemed citizens of the community.

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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