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 85

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 85
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 85
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 85
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 85

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Samuel M. Risley, liveryman, Harvard. Neb. Mr. Risley is not only one of the old settlers and much respected citizens of Clay County, but he is one of the prominent business men of the town of Harvard. He owes his nativity to Susquehanna County, Pa., where his birth occurred May 10, 1843, and is the son of Samuel and Betsey (Cook) Risley, natives of Pennsylvania. The parents are now residents of Lee County, Ill., to which county the family removed in the fall of 1856 from their native State. Samuel M. Risley's boyhood was spent on a farm in Pennsylvania until thirteen years of age and he then removed with his parents to Lee County, Ill. On May 14, 1864, he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Fortieth Illinois Infantry for 100 days, and March 2, 1865, he re- enlisted in Company E, Seventh Illitiois Cavalry, serving until the close of the war, when he was hon- orably discharged. He then returned to Illinois, remained on a farm until 1873, when he came to Harvard, and on May 8, of that year, engaged in the livery business, which he has since successfully conducted. He was burned out October 28, 1887, losing ten good horses and nearly all of his livery stock. Again, July 31, 1888, he was burned out. He was married, December 5, 1869, to Miss Mary A. Wilbur, who died in Harvard, May 31, 1881, leaving four children: Harry M., Kittie E., Charles

D. and William E. Mr. Risley's second marriage occurred June 19, 1883, to Miss Charlotte Fuller, a native of Knox County, Ill. Mr. Risley is one of the oldest settlers in Clay County and is a man who has the confidence and respect of all ac- quainted with him. In politics he is a Repub. lican, and socially he is a member of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 70, and the G. A. R

John H. Robertson, farmer and stock-raiser, Harvard, Neb. The name which appears above will at once be recognized by nearly all of those of this community, for it is borne by a man intimately associated with the farming and stock-raising in- terests of Clay County. Mr. Robertson was born in Washington County, N. Y., on October 13, 1839, and is the son of Lewis and Jane (Reynolds) Rob- ertson, and grandson of Nathaniel and Mary (Ran- dall) Robertson, probably born in Vermont about 1785, and of Scotch descent. Lewis Robertson was born about 1812, and immigrated to Wisconsin with his family in 1842, locating in Kenosha Conn- ty, where Mrs. Robertson still resides. The father died in 1884. John H. Robertson began his ca- reer in 1859 as a farmer, and in 1862 was married to Miss Mary C. Coon, of Wisconsin, and the daugh- ter of Sylvester and Catharine (Eycleshymer) Coon, who were the descendants of the early pioneers of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Robertson became the parents of the following children: Oliver (born September 19, 1862), Jane A. (born May 13, 1864), Franklin (born Angust 11, 1867), Archie (born May 16, 1870), Susie (born November 22, 1872), John (born October 7, 1876), Lewis (born November 14, 1878), Arthur (born September 10, 1880), Eva (born August 8, 1882), and Lizzie (born April 8, 1886, and died June 28, 1886). Mr. Robertson enlisted in the United States army on February 4, 1864, in Company I, Thirty fifth Regiment of Wis- consin Infantry, and was discharged on March 15, 1866, at Madison, Wis. He went direct from Mil- waukee on March 22, 1864, and landed in New Orleans; later the army was then ordered back to Port Hudson, lay there six weeks, and buried 560 men. From there they went to Morganzie Bend, lay there until abont July 1, and then marched up Schafali River, and here were in some sharp

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skirmishes with bushwhackers. About ten days

later they crossed the river and chased the bush- whackers, but then returned to Morganzie Bend, which place they left soon after to go to St. Charles on the Red River in Arkansas. There they remained one month, and then went to De- vall's Bluff, Ark., where they went into winter quarters. In February they went to New Orleans and went into camp at Lake Ponchertrain. From there they went to Fort Morgan, thence to Mobile, Ala., by land, going through the pine swamps, and being thirteen days and nights in making the trip. They besieged Spanish Fort, Ala., for thirteen days and captured it, taking 1,400 prisoners. They lost 16,000 at that place. They then returned to Mo. bile City, and later crossed Tombigbee River, where they captured a fleet of twenty-two vessels. From Mobile they were transferred to Texas Landing, on Brazos Island, to Brownsville, where they remained until mustered out of service. Mr. Robertson came to Nebraska in the spring of 1878, bought 160 acres of land, which he has now well fenced, well improved, and on which he has good build- ings. A school-house is on his place. He is a member of Richardson Post No. 60, G. A. R., at Harvard, and is a Republican in politics. He has made all of his property since coming to Ne- braska, a fact that speaks volumes for his energy and perseverance. Living as he does in Harvard school district, his family have the advantages of a good high school. He has a good young orchard and plenty of forest trees on his place.

Dr. Ferdinand W. Rose is one of the skillful and eminently successful physicians and surgeons of Harvard. Clay County, Neb., and has attained an enviable position among the medical brethren throughout the surrounding country. He was born in Jackson County, Ohio, September 20, 1852, and was a son of Horace P. and Margaret (Stephenson) Rose, the former of whom was born in Greenbrier County, Va., and the latter in Jack. son County, Ohio. Horace P. Rose was a son of Charles and Francina (Harless) Rose, who were born in the Highlands of Scotland, and near Barce- lona, Spain, respectively. The maternal grand- parents were John and Mary (Shumate) Stephen-

son, the former a native of the Highlands of Scot- land also, and the latter of Wales. John Stephen- son's mother bore the name of Helen Cameron, and was a direct descendant from Lochiel, chief of the Camerons, who was killed at the battle of Cul- loden. The parents of Dr. Rose were married in Jackson County, Ohio, March 16, 1851, and be- came the parents of eleven children, five sons and four daughters being now alive, of whom our sub- ject is the eldest. The father of these children was a farmer by occupation, and resided in Jack- son County, Ohio, until his death, May 4, 1886, his widow still surviving him, her home being in that county. The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood on the old home farm, in his native county, and his winters were devoted to attending the district schools near his home, and his summers to following the plow. At nineteen years of age he, as a temporary pursuit, took up the avocation of school-teaching, and his labors at this calling were performed in Ross County, Ohio. In the spring of 1875 he entered the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, which he attended dur- ing the spring term, but during the winter of that year, and in 1876, he taught another term of school, as a means of defraying his expenses in college. In the spring of 1876 he returned to the medical college at Cincinnati, and, after taking a second course of lectures, he graduated June 27, 1876. He at once entered upon the practice of his profession at Sharonville, Pike County, Ohio, but in April, 1877, he removed to Bowersville, Greene County, Ohio, where he devoted himself to the active practice of his profession for a period of nine years. In 1886 he came west and located in Harvard, Neb., where he has since made his home, and where he is one of the leading physicians. He was married August 6, 1873, to Miss Hannah Mc- Kinniss, of Alma, Ross County, Ohio. She was born in Pike County, being a daughter of William and Lydia (Slane) McKinniss, the former of whom died when Mrs. Rose was a small child. The mother is still living, her home being in Sharon- ville, Pike County, Ohio. Dr. Rose and his wife have a family of four children: Raymond I. (born June 27, 1874), Horace (June 10, 1877), Edgar E.

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(June 30, 1879), Leon C. (September 20, 1884, and died March 25, 1889). Socially the Doctor is a member of the I. O. O. F., the I. O. R. M., the A. O. U. W. and the M. W. A. He is a devoted member of the Republican party, and takes an active part in local politics, doing all he can to promote the welfare of his party. He is not only an active and effective worker in the private councils of his party, but he has also, won for himself a reputation as an eloquent and forcible stump speaker. As a physician he has been very successful, and he now ranks among the ablest practitioners in this part of the State, and is a very sociable, agreeable and popular gentleman.

William Ronsey, farmer and stockman of Clay Connty, Neb., is a man of marked character and more than ordinary prominence in the material affairs of the county, and his personal popularity results largely from the industry, perseverance and close attention to business which he has displayed in the management of his affairs. He was born in Morgan County, Ill., November 20, 1836, and is a son of William and Margaret (Story) Rousey, who were native Virginians, and moved to the State of Illinois about 1828, having farmed in Tennessee for a few years. They made a farm in Morgan Coun- ty, Ill., and there resided until the father's death, which occurred in 1837, his wife surviving him until 1884, when she passed from life in Clay County, Neb. They reared a family, consisting of four sons and one daughter, to maturity, and all are now living and are the heads of families. Will- iam Ronsey was the youngest of the family, and after attaining manhood he settled on a farm in Morgan County, continuing until he came to Ne. braska, in 1879, taking up his abode on the farm where he now lives, which then consisted of raw land amounting to 160 acres. He has a substantial one and one-half story residence, a good barn and other outbuildings, and an excellent young bear. ing orchard of select fruits and a young grove. Mr. Rousey is a stanch Prohibitionist, and does all in his power to further the cause of temperance, although he was formerly a Republican in his po- litical views. In the fall of 1889 he was elected one of the board of supervisors of Clay County,

and nearly ever since coming to the State of Ne. braska he has been a member of his local school board. He was married in Morgan County, III., on November 12, 1857, to Miss Jane, a daughter of Alexander and Polly (Wright) Gunn, she being born, reared and educated in Morgan County. To them a family of six children have been born: Harvey (married, and residing in Edgar), Eli, Ben- jamin, James, Edward and Bertha. Mr. and Mrs. Rousey are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a Master Mason and a member of the Farmers' Alliance. By industry and deter- mination he has become a representative agricult. urist of the county, and ranks high in the com- munity in which he resides as a man and citizen.

Harry E. Rowland, farmer and stockman, Davenport, Neb. Among the many successful tillers of the soil in Clay County, none are more deserving of mention than the subject of this sketch, who owes his nativity to Illinois, his birth occurring in Ogle County, April 19, 1861. His father. B. F. Rowland, was a native of the Old Dominion, and when a young man went to Illinois. He settled in Ogle County, and was married in Carroll County, to Miss Mary E. Puterbangh, a native of Pennsylvania, and the daughter of George Puterbaugh, one of the pioneer settlers of Carroll County. Mr. Rowland followed farming in that county until his death, which occurred Oc- tober 1, 1888. His wife survives him at this writing and resides on the old homestead. Harry E. Rowland was the fifth in order of birth of six children, all living, and five of whom are married. Two reside in Nebraska. He attained his growth in Ogle County, and remained with his father un- til his majority, receiving a good education in the common and high schools. After this he fol- lowed farming in Ogle County until 1885, when on February 21, of that year, he arrived in Clay County, Neb. He now has 160 acres of fine till- able land, all in a good state of cultivation, has a good residence, and substantial barns and out- buildings. He has out a young orchard of 100 apple trees, and has plenty of small fruit of all varieties. He was married in Ogle County, Ill., December 21, 1882, to Miss Mollie E. Bittinger,

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a native of Maryland, but reared and educated in Illinois, and the daughter of George Bittinger, of Ogle County. There are two children by this marriage: Gracie and Ethel. Mr. Rowland is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, and an honest, upright citizen.

A. R. Rndd is a proper representative of the prosperous business men of the county, and since February, 1887, he has been engaged in the mer- cantile business at Ong. He was one of the first to locate at this place, and his first stock of goods was quite small, but he increased it from time to time, and he is now occupying an excellent new store building which he built and into which he moved in March, 1889. Mr. Rudd carries a gen- eral stock of goods, large and well selected, and being intelligent, active and accommodating he has won a liberal share of public patronage. Mr. Rudd is a Republican in politics and has held to the principles and supported the men and meas- ures of that party ever since he attained his ma- jority. On March 10, 1889, he was appointed postmaster of Ong, and the office is held in his store. He has held other positions of trust, such as town clerk. and in all has discharged his duties in a highly satisfactory manner. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. and socially is a member of the A. O. U. W. He was born in Sweden, October 3, 1865, but in 1869 emigrated with his par- en's to the United States, and after a short resi- dence in York State they removed to Massachusetts, and in this State Mr. Rudd was principally reared and educated, although he took a course in the Galesburg Commercial College in 1887, just prior to his engaging in business in Ong, having come to this State in 1877. His parents, C. J. and Gustava C. Rudd, were both born in Sweden, and are now residing in Clay County, Neb.

Jonathan Sanderson, farmer and stockman, Ong, Clay County, Neb. Jonathan Sanderson was born in Yorkshire, England, December 5, 1837. His parents, Thomas and Frances (Bland) Sanderson, were natives of England, and with their family came to the United States in Septem- ber, 1851. They located in Columbia County, Wis., where they were among the pioneer settlers,

and there the father tilled the soil until his death in 1880. His wife died soon after coming here. Thomas Sanderson was collector of government taxes and duties in England, for over twenty years, but resigned his office to come to America. Jona- than Sanderson remained with his father until after he became of age, then followed lumbering for about six years. In Dane County, Wis., in the fall of 1869, he was married to Miss Rebecca McCloughan, only daughter of William and Mary McCloughan. She was born in Summit County, Ohio, but her parents came to Wisconsin when she was a child. Jonathan Sanderson and wife have eight children, five boys and three girls; they are all at home. The eldest daughter is a school- teacher of Clay County. In the spring of 1872 he moved to Nebraska and homesteaded the farm where he now resides. His farm is located one and one-half miles from Ong, and consists of 240 acres of fine tillable land which is under a good state of cultivation. The place is well improved, having a large residence, good barns and every thing convenient. There is a good grove of twelve acres, besides a young orchard of 150 apple trees and small fruits and shrubs, which is beginning to bear; also about ten acres of native timber. In connection with agricultural pursuits Mr. Sander- son has been giving some attention to the breeding of Short-horn cattle and Poland-China hogs. He began dealing in the former in 1874, at that time introducing that kind of cattle into the neighbor- hood. In 1878 he increased his stock, and now has about twenty head, all registered. These cat- tle are as fine animals as are to be found in the county, they having taken several premiums at the county fairs. Mr. Sanderson was one of the few who organized the Harvest Home in Logan Town- ship. It resembles a fair and picnic and is kept up in the interest of the farmers. It is the only one in Clay County. In politics he is a Repub- lican and always has been one. He has held the office of justice of the peace for two or more terms, and has been one of the school board nearly all the time, and has held other local offices. At present he is township clerk, and fills the office in a satis- factory manner. He and wife and eldest son and

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danghter are members of the Farmers' Alliance, and he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Ong.

David B. Sanborn. In enumerating the enter- prising and progressive agriculturists and stock- men of Clay County Mr. Sanborn must not be overlooked, for he is in every respect a self-made man, and has slowly but surely climbed the ladder of success until he is now acknowledged to be one of the leading men of the county. He was born in Erie County, N. Y., October 24, 1836, his par- ents, John T. and Susanna (Hubbard) Sanborn, being natives of New Hampshire and New York, respectively. After attaining manhood the father went to York State and was there married and made his home until 1840, at which time he re- moved to McHenry County, Ill., reaching the lat- ter State in March, 1841. Here Mr. Sanborn re- sided until his death, which occurred in November, 1855, his wife dying in February, 1877. Their family, consisting of four sons and five daughters, grew to mature years, and three sons and two daughters are living at the present time. David B. Sanborn spent his youth and early manhood in Henry County, Ill., and in the month of March, 1864, enlisted from there in the Union army, taking his brother's place in Company A, after it had been consolidated with Company E, Fifteenth Illi- nois Infantry, and served until the close of the war, proving a faithful and trusty soldier. He was taken prisoner after the fall of Atlanta and was kept a prisoner for six months, four months being spent in Andersonville. While a prisoner he made his escape, but was run down, shot and recaptured. Upon receiving his discharge he returned to his home in McHenry County, and after being engaged in farming until 1871, went to Chicago, and was driver for a street railway company there for about three years. In 1874 he came to Nebraska and the same year purchased the farm where he is now re- siding, twenty-five acres being at that time under cultivation. At different times since he has made purchases of land, and is now the owner of 246 acres, nearly all of which is under wire fence and is a fine body of land. Near his residence is an orchard of abont 200 trees, and his buildings are

all in good condition. He has always been a Re- publican in politics, is a member of the G. A. R. organization, and he has held some locul positions of honor and trust in the county. He was married in McHenry County, Ill., November 1, 1876, to Miss Anna L. Wiltshire, a native of Ohio, but reared in Illinois, a daughter of George Wiltshire, a native of England. Mr. and Mrs. Sanborn are the parents of the following children: Frank J., Charles D., George A. and John A., the last two named being twins.

Louis H. Schaaf. Nothing so markedly shows the strength and prosperity of a community as the number of large concerns engaged in hand ling the staple necessities of life, and prominent among these may be mentioned the grocery estab- lishment belonging to Mr. Schaaf. He was born in Jerseyville, Ill., July 12, 1857, and is a son of Henry and Sabra (Bingham) Schaaf, who were born in Germany and New York State in 1832 and 1836, respectively. The Schaafs were early residents of Illinois, and the grandfather was one of the first millers and built the first mill in Jersey County. Henry Schaaf died in St. Mary's, Mo., in 1858, but his wife is still living, and is a resident of Edgar, Neb. Louis H. Schaaf was the younger of two children and was reared in Illinois, there receiv- ing his educational advantages, which were only such as the common schools afforded. In 1878 he came to Clay County, Neb., and after being engaged in farming near Edgar for two years he began clerking, this occupation receiving his at- tention for three years. He then opened a grocery establishment at Edgar, continuing alone for about a year and a half, and then became associated in the same business with George H. Vau Antwerp, their partnership lasting until April, 1889, when Mr. Schaaf sold ont to William Westering, and on June 15, 1889, he opened his present establish - ment at Sutton. Although he has been established here a very short time he has built up a trade and founded a reputation which ranks him in every way but in age with the oldest houses of the county. He has made his own way in the world, and is now a leading business man and a highly esteemed resident of the county. He was married on April

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1, 1872 to Miss Louisa Keller, who was born near Chicago, Ill., in 1863. They have two children: Leslie and an infant unnamed. Mr. Schaaf is an uncompromising Republican, and socially is a mem- ber of the A. O. U. W., a charter member of Edgar Lodge No. 50. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church.

J. H. C. Scherich, farmer and stockman, In- land, Neb. The estate which is owned by the sub- ject of this sketch is one of the finest in Clay County, and it is but the repetition of a truth well known to say that no man is more deserving of the , possessions which he enjoys than Mr. Scherich. He was born in York County, Pa., in 1842, but was reared near Harrisburg, Cumberland County, and was the fifth of a family of seven children, the result of the union of John and Rachel (Millard) Scherich, both natives of Pennsylvania, and the latter the daughter of Isaac Millard, of York County, Pa. John Scherich was a native of Lan- caster County, his birth occurring in 1812, and was married in York County, Pa., to Miss Millard, who bore him the following children: Christian, Ann Jane, John A., Phoebe S., J. H. C., Rachel E. and Winfield. The father was a farmer by oc- cupation, and also carried on the carpenter trade. He died in Pennsylvania in 1885. The mother was born in 1814 and is still living in the Key- stone State. Both were members of the United Brethren Church. J. H. C. Scherich received a good practical education in his native State, and in 1864 enlisted in Company F, Two Hundred and First Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served one year, or until the surrender. He was dis- charged in the fall of 1865. In the last named year he was married to Miss Margaret R. Kerr, a native of Fulton County, Pa., born in 1842, and the daughter of Samnel and Mary (Blair) Kerr. Mr. Kerr died in 1854 but his wife, who was born in 1822, is now living and is a resident of Inland, Neb. After his marriage Mr. Scherich engaged in cultivating the soil, and in the spring of 1872 em- igrated to Clay County, Neb., where he took up 160 acres of land, where he now lives, and to this he has since added eighty more acres. He has im- proved the same and is one of the substantial

farmers of the county. He is interested in the raising of stock, Hereford cattle, Poland China hogs and Norman and Clydesdale horses. He has a good orchard and a nice grove on his place. Being one of the pioneers he has seen the com- plete growth and development of the county, and has aided in all matters pertaining to its general good. To his marriage were born eight chil- dren: Annetta (now Mrs. Charles Kelley, of In- land), Harry E., John F., Asher E., Carrie O., Minnie M., Clarence R. and Millard B., all at home. Mr. Scherich is considerably interested in political affairs and votes with the Republican party. He likes Nebraska, and thinks it a fine State for farming and stock raising. He is inter- ested in schools and churches, and has been a member of the school board.

John Schlachter, farmer and stock-raiser, Glen- ville, Neb. Mr. Schlachter is another of those of foreign birth who have come into this county and made for themselves comfortable homes, be- coming respected citizens of the community. He was born in Norden, Germany, in 1841, and is the fourth in a family of eight children, the result of the union of Robert H. and Sarah (Harmes) Schlachter, who were married in 1838. Both par- ents were natives of Germany, and the father was born in 1803. He was a ship carpenter by trade and followed the sea much of his life. He emi- grated to the United States in 1851, settled in Peoria County, Ill., and there made his home for eight years, after which he moved to Woodford County, dying there in 1880. He was a successful business man, and in his political views affiliated with the Republican party. He was the son of Henry Schlachter. The mother of our subject was the daughter of H. Harmes, a native of Germany. She died in 1886. Both she and her husband were members of the Lutheran Church. They reared the following children: Henry, Hero, Mary, John, Dina, Lena, Charles and Robert. John Schlach- ter was about ten years of age when he came to this country with his parents, and attended school in Illinois. In 1862 he started out for himself as a farmer, and this occupation he has continued to follow successfully since. He was married, in

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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