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 86

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 86
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 86
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 86
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 86

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.

1865, to Miss Louisa Kampmann, daughter of Cas- par and Lizzie (Thake) Kampmann, both natives of Germany. Her parents came to the United States, settled in New York in 1851, and later came to Illinois. There they both received their final sum- mons in 1885. Mr. Schlachter farmed in Illinois until 1880, when he moved to Nebraska and settled on his present property in Inland Township, Clay County. He bought at that time 160 acres, and now has a half section of good land, all improved, with a fine orchard, groves, and excellent buildings. He is also interested in stock-raising and has some fine hogs and cattle. He has been successful since coming to this State, and fully appreciates the comforts of a compensation gained by individual efforts. To his marriage have been born ten living children: Robert H., Lizzie (now Mrs. Myer), Louis William, Clara, Mary, Sarah, Ida, Lonisa, Flora and Ella. Two children, Martha and Henry, are deceased. In politics Mr. Schlachter is a de- cided Republican.

Ludwig Schuck, retired farmer, Glenville, Neb. Of German birth and antecedents, Mr. Schuck possesses to a remarkable degree the qualities which seem to characterize those of German de- scent-frugality, industry, perseverance and strict attention to business. His parents, Adam and Catharine (Kuntz) Schuck, were natives of the same country and were people of like habits. The father was a weaver by trade. Ludwig Schuck was born in Germany, in 1822, and was the sixth of eight children born to his parents: Barbara, John, George, Eva, Charles, Ludwig, Henry and Christina. The father of these children died in Germany in 1837, and the mother in 1851. Lud- wig's early life and school days were spent in Ger- many. In 1849 he emigrated to the United States, settled in Boston for a few months, and then, in 1850, emigrated to Illinois, where he followed farming in Woodford County. He was married in Marshall County, Ill., in 1858, to Miss Elizabeth Mick, a native of Germany, and the daughter of Frederick and Barbara Mick, also natives of that country. The father died in Germany, but the mother died in Illinois in 1874, having emigrated to this country in 1822. To the marriage of Mr. and

Mrs. Schnek were born seven children (four now living): Mary A., Catherine (died in 1862), Clara E., Jacob, Margaret, Henry (died in 1876) and Frederick (died in 1878). Mr. Schuck came to Clay County, Neb., in 1875, bought 320 acres of railroad land, and to this he has since added 160 acres, making one of the best farms in the town- ship. He has his land well improved, and is a prominent and much-esteemed citizen. He and Mrs. Schnek are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Schuck takes quite an interest in political affairs, and is a Democrat. He is interested in schools, churches, and all things for the good of the county. His son, Jacob, is farming for himself on Section 29, land owned by his father, and the latter is now retired from active life.

Charles Schuck, farmer and stock-raiser, In- land, Neb. Located in the midst of one of the finest agricultural centers of Clay County, the farm which Mr. Schuck now owns and occupies is conceded to be among the best in this vicinity, and this is saying not a little, for on every hand may be seen superior places whose ownership indicate thrift and prosperity. He was born in Germany in 1844, and is the son of John and Margaret (Shwager) Schuck, both natives of Germany, the father born in 1815. He was a stone-mason by trade, and followed this for many years. To his marriage were born three children: Charles, Mag- gie and Katie. The father died at the age of sixty-four, and the mother, who was born in 1817, followed him to the grave two years later. Charles Schuck attended school in his native country, and in 1866 emigrated to the United States, locating in Woodford County, Ill., where he followed farm- ing. This he continued for about eight years, and in 1869 was married to Miss Mary Newman, who

died during the first year of their married life. He was married again in 1871 to Miss Katie Engel, who died in 1876, leaving him one child, Lizzie. Mr. Schuck emigrated to Nebraska in 1875 and bought railroad land, 160 acres in all. His third marriage occurred in this State to Miss Augusta Fitcke, of Clay County, and to them have been born seven children: Anna, Ida, Louisa, John, Mary, Etta and Charles. Mr. Schuck began im-

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mediately to improve his land, and the same sys- tematic condition of affairs about his home is apparent in his course as a man. Thorough in all that he does, he allows no worthy movement to drag for want of support if in his power to help it. He is now the owner of 240 acres of land, all under cultivation and fenced, and has one of the finest places in the county. In 1882 he was constable of Inland Township, and was also school director. After this he was assessor for three years, and has been supervisor of Inland Township. Formerly he had always voted the Republican ticket, but he is now a Democrat. He is a member of the Farm- ers' Alliance, and he and wife are members of the German Congregational Church, which he assisted in organizing. He is deeply interested in the upbuilding of schools and churches.

George P. Schwab, treasurer of Marshall Town- ship, and one of Clay County's most successful and enterprising citizens, is a native of Hesse-Darm- stadt, Germany, born April 23, 1835, a son of John Henry and Margaret (Kuhl) Schwab, natives of the same country. The subject of this sketch came to the United States with his parents in 1847, the father locating in Lee County, Ill., where he spent the remainder of his life, and there George P. was reared to manhood on a farm, securing a very lim- ited education. At the age of twenty-one years he began farming for himself, and two years later set tled on a farm in Bureau County until March, 1880, when he came to Clay County, buying land in Marshall Township, near where he now lives, and the following fall built his present house and bonght the farm, it being the north half of Section 10. His house and barns are probably the best in the township. Mr. Schwab owns altogether 1,280 acres of land in Marshall Township, and the school district in which he lives. He is the most exten- sive stock-raiser in the township, having a number of fine specimens of graded cattle and horses, be- ing one of the first in this line in the township. February 7, 1858, he married Miss Katherine Keiper, a native of Germany, born April 13, 1840, by whom he has thirteen children, namely: Henry G. (born December 10, 1858), Conrad (born Octo- ber 7, 1860), Mary M. (born November 4, 1862,

wife of John Anthes), John G. (born February 11, 1865), Phillip J. (born May 20, 1867), Albert H. (born August 18, 1869), William F. (born Novem- ber 26, 1871), Carl F. (born February 17, 1874, died November 3, 1887), George W. (born June 27, 1876), Daniel H. (born December 17, 1878), Josephine F. (born April 13, 1881), Malinda M. (born September 12, 1883), Benjamin T. (born Angust 23, 1886). Mr. Schwab has been a Re- publican since 1856, but is now an ally of the Anti- Monopolists, being an active member of the Farm- ers' Alliance, and president of Marshall Alliance. Both he and wife are members of the Evangelical Church.

Frank H. Scott is a prominent yonng grocer of Harvard, Clay County, Neb., and is a striking ex- ample of the success which usually attends hard work and honest dealing. His birth occurred in Cowansville, in the province of Quebec, Canada, October 27, 1866, and is a son of Plinny and Can- dace V. (Beard) Scott, who were also born in Cow- ansville, the former May 31, 1836. He was a son of Plinny and Lydia (Bull) Scott, who were born in the State of Vermont. The wife of Plinny Scott was born October 19, 1839, and was a daughter of Oliver and Hannah (Clark) Beard, who were na- tives of the State of New Hampshire. The parents of Frank H. Scott were married near Cowansville, Canada, October 27, 1858, and reared a family of three children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the youngest, he and a brother and sister being the members of the family: Albert P., Lucia L. and Frank H. The mother of these children died at Harvard, Neb., November 22, 1888. The father, whose occupation has been that of a contractor and builder, is still living, his home being in Harvard, where he located with his family in 1880. Frank H. Scott was reared to manhood in his native town, and received his early education in Missiquoi High School of Cowansville. At the age of fourteen years he accompanied his parents to Harvard, Neb., where he has resided ever since, and in that place he is now one of the leading business men. He first entered the employ of the Gilchrist Brothers, clerking in their grocery store for six consecutive years, engaging, on November 1, 1886, in business

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for himself, and has given it his entire attention ever since, being at the present time a prosperous merchant. He sells his goods at little money, and has deservedly acquired a comfortable competency, for his start in business was obtained by saving his money while clerking. His stock of goods will invoice at $8,000, and he does an annual business of between $35,000 and $40,000. He is also the owner of valuable real-estate, consisting of seven- teen lots, three of which are improved with resi- dences. He is a member of the Episcopal Church, and he also belongs to the K. of P. and the M. W. A. In his political views he is a Democrat. He is an enterprising young man, whose business qualifications are of a very high order, and he has a large circle of friends, among whom he is very popular.

C. H. Searle. For something over seven years Mr. Searle has been identified with the interests of Clay County, Neb., contributing in many ways to its advancement and progress, especially as re- gards stock-raising and agriculture. As a breeder of fine stock he is well known throughout the Mid- dle and Western States. He has devoted his atten- tion to the breeding of Holstein cattle, Duroc Jer- sey and Poland China swine. The foundation of his fine herd of Holsteins was purchased from the celebrated "Shadeland Stock Farm," owned by Powell Bros., at Springboro, Pa., and by careful breeding he has built up a herd of exceptional merit. He already has a fine display of ribbons won on his cattle at the Omaha and Lincoln fairs. He also has as fine a herd of swine, both in num- ber and quality, as can be found in the State. He is the owner of the noted hog Derby, said to be the largest hog in the United States, also many other animals which have been prize winners at such fairs as Kansas City, St. Louis and St. Joseph, as well as Omaha and Lincoln. There is probably no man in the State more extensively engaged in fine stock breeding than he, and his example has served as an impulse to others to follow him in this industry, and to him, therefore, is largely due the credit for so many classes of fine stock in Clay County to-day. He is an active member of the Clay County Agri cultural Society, and was in 1889 made a director

of the "American Duroc Jersey Swine Breeder's As. sociation," at its convention in Chicago, an honor which came to him unsought. It is perhaps un necessary to say that he is a man of energy, pro- gressive spirit, and clear perception, unassuming in his manners and liberal in his contributions to worthy enterprises, aud when we add that he is an earnest worker in the Presbyterian Church, in which he is an elder, enough has been said to show his worth in any community. He was born in West Andover, Ashtabula County, Ohio, February 16, 1856. being the second son of S. E. Searle, a na- tive of the old "Bay State." C. H. Searle was educated in his native State, graduating from Grand River Institute in 1878, afterward pursuing a special course at Oberlin College. He was mar- ried in Madison, Lake County, Ohio, in 1881, to Miss Carrie Ford, a native of Lake County, and daughter of Deacon James Ford, of Madison. Mrs. Searle also graduated at Grand River Institute, in the same class with Mr. Searle, afterward study- ing at Oberlin. Their family consists of four chil- dren: Ralph H., Albert A., Ida A. and Carl C.

Marcellus Sechler is one of the well-known and esteemed farmers and stockmen of Clay County, Neb., and since 1883 has resided on his present farm, although during the year 1879 he had re- sided here for a short time. He was born in Somerset County, Pa., in April, 1855, his pa- rents, Joseph and Eleanor (Rhodes) Sechler, being also natives of that State. The father was a farm- er and cooper by trade, and resided in Pennsyl- vania until his death, which occurred in 1865, his wife having died in 1857. Marcellus Sechler at- tained manhood in bis native county, but imbued with the idea that the West afforded better op- portunities for a young man, he came to Illinois, and for one year was a resident of Carroll County. In 1879 he settled in Clay County, Neb., but re- turned to Pennsylvania three years later, and was married there on July 29, 1883, to Miss Minnie Shannon, a native of Somerset County, and a danghter of Aaron Shannon, of that county. Mr. Sechler again came to Nebraska in the fall of 1882, and has been residing on the old Johnson farm for the past six years, it comprising 160 acres,

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owned by Howard Brothers. Mr. Sechler has been successful in his enterprises and is now in easy circumstances. He and wife have two children: Harry and Harvey; Ella, a daughter, died recently, aged about twenty months. Mr. Sechler is a member of the A. O. U. W. and the Farmers' Alliance, being one of the executive committee in the last named order.

Guy W. Secord was born near London, Can- ada, on July 29, 1855, being a son of Steven A. and Ruth (Rouse) Secord, who were also born there. In 1856 the family moved to the States and settled in Jo Daviess County, Ill., where the father followed the occupation of lead miner. He was drowned on December 24, 1860, while crossing the Apple River, and fourteen years later his wife's death occurred. Thus left to depend upon his own resources at the early age of seven years, Guy W. began working out among the neighbors in the vicinity, receiving his board and clothes for the first two years, after which he began receiving small wages. His early educational advantages were quite limited, but the advantages he did re- ceive were improved to the utmost, and possessing a quick perception and a good memory he made good progress in his studies. After remaining in the State of Illinois until 1870, he went to Page County, Iowa, working on farms at intervals, and spending a portion of his time in Kansas until 1885, when he came to the fertile prairies of Ne- braska and purchased 160 acres of land in Clay County, which comprises his present farm. He de- serves much credit for the admirable way in which he has surmounted the difficulties which have strewn his pathway through life, and by his own labor and good management he has secured a handsome competency, and is now one of the representative farmers of the county. He has always been of a charitable disposition, and has ever been found ready to extend the right hand of fellowship to those not so fortunate as himself. On January 12, 1881, he was married to Miss Sylvia Rodman, a daughter of Antrim and Frances (Hadden) Rod- man, natives of the "Hoosier State." Mrs. Se- cord was born in Page County, Iowa, February 3, 1857, and her nuion with Mr. Secord has resulted

in the birth of four children: Maud E., Roscoe C., Katie M. and Charles W. Mr. Secord has al- ways been a Republican, somewhat favoring the Anti-Monopoly movement. He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance.

T. D. Shaw is the owner of 433 acres of land in Clay County, Neb., his first purchase of 160 acres being made the first year of his arrival here, 1870. He was born in Hancock County, Ohio, in 1848, and his school days were spent in Illinois, whither his parents moved from Ohio about 1855. He began the battle of life for himself at the age of twenty-two years, and in 1869 was united in marriage to Miss Maggie, a daughter of Moses and Harriet (Eliott) Johnson, who were born in Penn- sylvania. This union resulted in the birth of three children: Lewis M., Jennie and James, all of whom reside with their father. Mr. Shaw has a very high opinion of Nebraska as a farming region, and in a period of nineteen years has lost but one crop. His farm is also well adapted to stock raising, and Mr. Shaw has now an excellent grade of Short- horn cattle and Poland China hogs. On first coming here Mr. Shaw received his mail at a town fifty miles away, and was compelled to go ninety- five miles (to Beatrice) for his provisions. He is the second child born to Lewis and Margaret (Downing) Shaw, both Ohio people. They were married when the father was nineteen years of age, and their union was blessed in the birth of ten children: John (now living in Logan County, III.), T. D., William (who died at the age of five years), Dorcas (Mrs. Shout, living in Illinois), Sarah (Mrs. Bridges, also residing in Illinois), George (who was killed by the cars at the age of thirteen), Elizabeth (who died from being burned when nine years old), Emma (who died at the age of twenty two years), Nancy (who died at the age of five years) and James (living in Illinois). Both parents are living, and reside in Logan County, Ill., the former a Free Mason socially, and politically a Democrat.

Thomas Shea, farmer and stock-raiser, Inland, Neb. Thomas Shea first saw the light of day in the Emerald Isle in 1836, and was the youngest of twelve children, the fruits of the union of Thomas and Ellen (Shea) Shea, natives also of Ireland.

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CLAY COUNTY.

They were married there, and of their large fam- ily only our subject is now living. Shortly after the birth of the latter his parents emigrated to the United States, and settled in Putnam County, Ill., where the father worked on the canal. He died in La Salle County, Ill., in 1846, and his wife pre- vions to this, in the same county, in 1842. Thomas Shea was left an orphan when about ten years of age, and he started out for himself by working on the railroad for a number of years. He was mar- ried in La Salle County, Ill., in 1857, to Miss Ellen Halleran, daughter of Michael Halleran, and to them were born nine children: Thomas, Michael, Patrick, John, James, Joseph and Will- iam; two deceased, Mary and Ellen. Mr. Shea settled in Livingston County, Ill., in 1862, and there tilled the soil for twelve years. He then emigrated to Old Inland, Adams County, Neb., in 1873, bought railroad land, and moved his family there in the fall of that year. He bought a sec- tion of land in Clay County, but sold 160 acres, and bought the same number of acres in Wheeler County. Ever since locating in Clay County Mr. Shea has been engaged in farming and stock- raising, and owing to hard work and good business ability he has been very successful. He is a Dem- ocrat in politics, and he and family are members of the Catholic Church. He is interested in schools, churches, and in fact every and all enter. prises for the good of the county. He is one of the pioneer settlers, and a man universally re- spected.

Michael Sheedy, farmer and stock-raiser. Mr. Sheedy is an Irish-American and a farmer, and that is enough to carry the assurance that he is one of the substantial men of Lewis Township, where he resides. He was born in County Cork, Ireland, March 25, 1823, and is the son of John and Margaret (Fitzpatrick) Sheedy, both natives of the Emerald Isle, the father born in 1790, and the mother in 1805. The father was reared in his native country, and in 1848 emigrated to America, settling first in Rockport, Mass., but in 1854 emigrating to Iowa, where his death occurred in Clinton County in 1855. He was a large man and weighed 208 pounds. The mother died Jan-

uary 8, 1885. They were the parents of twelve children, four sons and two daughters now living. One son, John Sheedy, resides in Lincoln, Neb., is a large property owner, and his monthly rents come to $356. Another son, Patrick, is a farmer and owns 160 acres in Clay County. Dennis is in Denver City, and is president of the Colorado National Bank, worth close to $1,000,000. Mich- ael Sheedy was married in Rockport, Mass., in 1850, to Miss Johanna Calahan, a native of County Limerick, Ireland, born in 1832, who came to America in 1849. Eleven children were the fruits of this union, nine of whom are now living: David, Margaret, John (deceased), William (mer- chant in Yuma, Colo.), James (also in Yuma, Colo.), Anna, and Ella, (the wife of F. Reed, a banker of Yuma), John (at home), Dennis (attending college in Lincoln), Michael (deceased), and May (going to Harvard High School). Mr. Sheedy came to America in 1876, lived at Rockport for some time, and after his marriage in 1850 went to South Carolina, where he resided in Charleston for two years. He then moved to Illinois, was on the railroad, and later moved to Iowa, where he con- tinued his former employment. Ten years later he moved to where the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad was building, and worked on it until it came to the Missouri River. He was first boss, then walking boss, and later was head foreman for Wolfe & Carpenter at $100 per month. He was then contractor with John Fitzgerald, of Lincoln, for some time. He contracted all the way to Nebraska, and upon reaching this State took up land, and has since made his home here. Michael Sheedy came to Nebraska in the year of 1871. At that time there was nothing to be seen but sky and prairie. He was the first man in this part of the county that fenced in forty acres for a pasture, with posts eight feet apart and four wires; this fence was built in 1872. He hanled his posts (1,000) from the Little Blue in Nuckolls County, a distance of thirty five miles. He made the first wagon-road through where Fairfield is now located, and went through where Clay Center is also. It was used for seven or eight years as the main road to Fairfield. He still lives on the

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same farm, Our subject is the owner of 320 acres, after selling 120 acres in Clay County, and also owns 120 acres in Kearney County. He is quite deeply interested in stock raising, and is one of the substantial farmers of the county. His paternal grandfather, Michael Sheedy, was born also in County Cork, Ireland, was a stock buyer and farmer, and a very wealthy man. Mrs. Sheedy, wife of our subject, was the daughter of David and Ann (Cacy) Callahan, both natives of County Limerick, Ireland, where the father carried on farming. He died at the age of eighty-six years. They were the parents of thirteen children, nine sons and four daughters, and the only one now living is Mrs. Sheedy. She is a good sized woman, weighing 200 pounds, and Mr. Sheedy weighs 208 pounds. They are very comfortably fixed, and are happy and contented.

John Sheehy, farmer and stock-raiser, Glen- ville, Neb. The history of every community is made up, so far as its more interesting features are concerned, of the events and transactions of the lives of its prominent, representative citizens. In any worthy history of Clay County an outline of the life of the subject of this sketch should not fail to be given. Mr. Sheehy was born in County Limerick, Ireland, January 23, 1832, and is the oldest of six children, the result of the union of Patrick and Mary (Daune) Sheehy, both natives of the Emerald Isle, born in 1807 and 1808, respect- ively. The father died in 1847, and the mother in 1876. John Sheehy received a good education, and when but twenty-one years of age came to this country, landing in New York. He worked his way westward, and finally located in Rock Island, Ill., where he commenced learning the trade of brick-making. After continuing this for some time he went to Davenport, Iowa, and was there engaged in the manufacture of brick, which busi- ness he carried on on an extensive scale. In 1860 he moved to Helena, Ark., and remained there for two years, engaged in levee building. He quit. contracting and accepted the position of foreman on the grade of the Iowa division of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. Here he remained for eighteen months, when he took the position of

track foreman on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, which position he retained for seventeen years. In 1882 he removed to Clay County, Neb., from McDonough County, Ill., and is now the owner of 240 acres of good land, the result of years of economy and labor on the part of himself and his faithful wife. The farm is one of the best in the county, and is well stocked with horses and cattle. He was married in 1864 to Miss Catherine Normoyle, a native of Ireland, born in 1841, and the daughter of Edward and Mary (Brown) Normoyle, natives of Ireland, born in 1812 and 1822, and died in 1849 and 1880, re- spectively. To Mr. and Mrs. Sheehy were born eight living children: Mary (wife of R. L. Mas- sey, of Grand Island), Patrick, Roger, Nellie, Katie, Edmund, Thomas, James and Agnes. Mr. Sheehy is a Democrat and has filled several town offices. Himself and family are members of the Catholic Church.

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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