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 9

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 9
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 9
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 9
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 9

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).

That at the time said mortgages were executed and recorded this respondent was seized of the same in fee simple; that they were free from incumbrances and were then and still are worth at least $30,000 in cash, and that each particular tract of land included in said mortgages is worth, in cash, at least double the amount secured thereby; that at the date of said mortgage the respondent executed to said State nineteen bonds for the aggregate sum of $16,881.26, payable to said State five years from date, with interest from date at the rate of ten per cent per annum, the interest pay- able annually; and that the respondent has paid the in- terest due on said bonds and mortgages for one year.

Space forbids a detailed account of the trial. Suffice it to say that Gov. Butler was acquitted of every charge except the first, upon which he was found guilty. He was removed from his office, the duties of the executive devolving upon William H.

James, secretary of State. Gov. Butler remained under this cloud until the Legislature of 1876-77, when all record of the famous impeachment trial was expunged from the records.

The elevation of Secretary of State James to the executive chair was followed by stirring events. An attempt was made to impeach Auditor Gillespie, but after allowing the matter to rest for some time the House withdrew its charges, and the matter was dropped for all time. On September 19, 1871, a new constitution was submitted to the people of the State, but it was rejected by a vote of 8,627 to 7,986. The necessity for the adoption of a new and revised constitution was generally admitted ; but a number of distasteful amendments were attached which brought the instrument in disfavor.

The leading issues of the eighth session of the Legislature, which convened on Jannary 9, 1872, were the reconsideration of the question of a new constitution, and the adoption of a measure looking to the development of the saline resources of the State. The relations between the members of this body and Acting Governor James were not of the most cordial character. A joint resolution providing for the submission of the constitution, stripped of its objectionable features, was defeated in the House on January 19. A dead-lock ensued, whereupon the House adopted a resolution to adjourn on January 24. In the meantime the Senate had adopted a resolution to adjourn until December 31. Acting Governor James then assumed a questionable preroga- tive of issuing a proclamation, declaring that inasmuch as "no reasonable hope is entertained that the longer continuance in session of the Legislature will result in the adoption of any measures which have for their object the public good," the Legislature adjourned without day. But the Legislature refused to recog- nize the right of the acting governor to regulate its movements. The Senate assembled on the 21st, took up the concurrent resolution of the House to adjourn on the 24th, and agreed to it. An unsuc- cessful attempt was made to have the office of gov- ernor declared vacant, and the Legislature adjourned on the 24th.

But the end was not yet. Acting Governor James was called to Washington, D. C., on business.

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

His enemies seized the opportunity to make trouble for him. Isaac S. Hascall, president of the Senate, issued a proclamation, declaring that the absence of the acting governor from the State ereated a vacaney in the office, and calling the Legislature to convene in a special session on February 15, for the purpose of enaeting laws, as he alleged, for the promotion of the State. A friend immediately telegraphed the news to Acting Governor James, who at onee re- turned to the State. He issued a counter proclama- tion annulling the call for a special session of the Legislature issued by Mr. Haseall. A few of the members eame together and attempted to organize, but a test case was decided against them by the supreme court, and the matter passed into history.

At the general election in the fall of 1872 the following State officers were elected: Governor, Robert W. Furnas; secretary of State, J. J. Gasper ; auditor, J. B. Weston ; treasurer, H. A. Koenig; attorney-general, J. R. Webster; chief justice, George B. Lake. The name of Robert W. Furnas has been prominently identified with the State of Nebraska from its earliest days. He removed to Nebraska from Ohio in 1856, and located at Brown- ville, where he commeneed the publication of the Nebraska Advertiser, one of the oldest newspapers in the State. At an early period in the Civil War he received a colonel's commission and organized the Indian brigade of three regiments, which he com- manded during its service in Kansas, Missouri, Ar- kansas and the Indian Territory. He afterward recruited the Second Nebraska Cavalry, aud com- manded them in a notable expedition against the Sioux. For four years he had the appointment as agent of the Omaha and Winnebago Indians, a po- sition he held until a short time before his election as governor of Nebraska. He has always taken an active interest in everything pertaining to the agri- eultural and horticultural interests of the State.

The ninth session of the Legislature convened on January 9, 1873. This session was made mem- orable by the first contest over the submission of a prohibitory amendment to the constitution. The friends of prohibition introduced a measure to regu- late the sale of intoxicating liquors, but after some consideration it was indefinitely postponed. The

tenth session of the Legislature was a special one, convening on March 27, 1873, and remaining in session only two days. It was called for the pur- pose of taking needed action on matters relating to the boundaries of certain counties. On April 23, 1873, occurred one of the most terrible storms ever experienced in the history of the State. The storm began with a heavy rain, which before nightfall changed to snow, and for forty-eight hours the fall of snow, driven by a fierce, northwest wind, was so heavy that most of the time a person could not see ten feet from him. Many persons were lost and narrowly escaped death in trying to pass from their houses to the barns. Much stock perished, even in barns, the snow penetrating and filling them entirely, while herds were driven miles before the storm. The snow packed so firmly and drifted to such an extent that ravines and even streams were effectually bridged by it, and loaded teams were driven over them on the drifted snow.

The year of 1873 was also a memorable one in the history of the State, as it was in that year that the grasshoppers first devastated the State. In July and August of that year myriads of these insects settled down over the State, destroying the erops and leaving the farmers utterly destitute. Their coming was forestalled at times by a dark, cloud-like haze, caused by the swarms as they passed through the air, obseuring the sunlight of the brightest day. Dropping from their flight to the earth, they became a thiek, seething mass of devouring insects. All green vegetation, except grasses, was rapidly con- sumed. The damage done by the grasshoppers had an exceedingly depressing effeet upon all the busi- ness interests of the State. The troublesome insects visited the State a second time in 1874, doing almost as much damage. Since that year, however, they have done no injury and it is not likely that they will ever again make their appearance.

At the general election in 1874 the following State offleers were elected : Governor, Silas Garber; secretary of State, Bruno Tzschuek ; treasurer, J. C. MeBride ; attorney-general, George H. Rogers ; superintendent of public instruction, J. M. Mc- Kenzie.

Gov. Garber came to Nebraska from Cali-

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

fornia in 1870, and settled in Webster County. Before removing to California he had served in the war with distinction, holding a captain's commission in an Iowa regiment. He laid out the city of Red Cloud in 1872, and was the first probate judge of Webster County. Before his election as gov- ernor, he served the people of Webster, Nuckolls and Jefferson Counties in the Legislature.

The eleventh session of the Legislature, which convened in January, 1875, performed a notable service for the State, by providing for a new consti- tution better suited for the needs of the rapidly- growing young commonwealth. A constitutional convention was held in Lincoln in June, 1875, at which the present constitution was devised. It was submitted to a popular vote on October 10, and was adopted by an overwhelming majority, the vote for adoption being 30,202, and against adoption 5,474.ª

The eleventh session of the Legislature also wit- nessed the memorable contest over the election of a United States Senator, to succeed Senator Tipton. Algernon S. Paddock was elected. In 1876 Gov. Silas Garber was honored by a re-election. His associates during the second term of his admin- istration were: Lieutenant-governor, O. A. Abbott;

secretary of State, Bruno Tzschuck; auditor, J. B. Weston ; treasurer, J. C. McBride; superintendent of public instruction, S. R. Thompson ; attorney- general, George II. Roberts; land commissioner, F. M. Davis. The twelfth, thirteenth and four- teenth sessions of the Legislature were uneventful. At the general election in 1878 the following State officers were chosen: Governor, Albinus Nance; lieutenant-governor, E. C. Carns; secretary of State, S. J. Alexander; auditor, F. W. Leidtke; treasurer, G. M. Bartlett; superintendent of public instruction, S. M. Thompson ; attorney-general, C. J. Dillworth ; commissioner of lands and build- ings, F. M. Davis. Gov. Nance came to Nebraska from Illinois in 1871, and located in Polk County. He enlisted in the Ninth Illinois Cavalry when but sixteen years of age, and served until the close of the war. After the war he became a student at Knox College, in Galesburg, Ill., and afterwards studied law. After coming to Nebraska he en- joyed a successful professional and political career. He was twice a member of the Legislature, speaker of the House, delegate to the National Republican convention in 1876, and was re-elected governor of Nebraska in 1880.

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

CHAPTER VIII.

NEBRASKA'S PART IN THE REBELLION-NUMBER OF SOLDIERS FURNISHED-SENTIMENT OF THE PEOPLE-COM- PANIES ORGANIZED-SKETCHES OF INFANTRY REGIMENTS-ENGAGEMENTS PARTICIPATED IN-HOME PRO- TECTION CONSIDERED-INDIAN ENCOUNTERS-SKETCHES OF NEBRASKA'S SENATORS AND CON- GRESSMEN-SENATORIAL SUCCESSION-PHINEAS W. HITCHCOCK-THOMAS W. TIPTON- JOHN M. THAYER-ALGERNON S. PADDOCK-ALVIN SAUNDERS-CHARLES F. MANDERSON-CHARLES H. VAN WYCK, AND OTHERS.

The cannon's hushed ! nor drum nor clarion sound; Helmet and hauberk gleam upon the ground; Horsemen and horse lie weltering in their gore; Patriots are dead and heroes dare no more .- Montgomery.

T the breaking out of the Rebellion Nebraska con- tained a population of less than 30,000; but notwith- standing this fact the State sent 3,307 men to fight for the preservation of the Union. These soldiers comprised at least one-third of the able-bodied men of the State, consequently Nebraska furnished more troops in proportion to her population than many of the loyal States of the North. The news of the fall of Fort Sumter aroused all the patriotism of the people of the young States, and the work of raising troops to quell the Rebellion commenced on the very day the news was received. Under the proclama- tion of President Lincoln calling for three years' volunteers, the Secretary of War assigned one regiment to Nebraska. Gov. Alvin Saunders im- mediately called for volunteers to fill the Nebraska contingent, and the patriotic citizens readily re- sponded. The first company was formed June 3, 1861, and the regiment was filled by the organiza-

tion of the tenth company July 22, less than fifty days being required. The companies were as fol- lows: Omaha furnished two companies, the Omaha Gnards, Thomas Watson, captain, John Horbach, lientenant, and the Union Rifle Company, William Baumer, captain, and P. Walter and H. Koenig, lieutenants. Cass County furnished a company of dragoons, with R. G. Doom's as captain, and Isaac Chivington and G. D. Conley as lieutenants. Platts- mouth furnished a company under the command of Capt. R. R. Livingston, with A. F. Mckinney and N. F. Sharp, lieutenants. Burt County furnished a company commanded by Capt. Stephen Decatur. Florence, Nebraska City and Brownville each raised companies, and two more were furnished by Omaha and Douglas County. The regiment being full, Gov. Saunders appointed the following officers : John Thayer, colonel ; Henry P. Downs, lientenant-colonel; William H. McCord, major; Enos Lowe, surgeon.

On July 30, the First Nebraska Infantry em- barked on a Missouri River steamer for St. Joseph, Mo., where the men were to receive their equipments. After being fully equipped the regiment was taken to St. Louis and employed in service within the boundaries of the State of Missouri until February,

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

1862. They encountered many bodies of rebels belonging to Price's command and several hot skirmishes ensued. On February 2, 1862, the regi- ment started for Tennessee where it was to partici- pate in the first campaign in which the Union armies won a decided advantage. The regiment arrived at Fort Henry, Tenn., on February 11, but was imme- diately sent to Fort Donelson, where it participated in the struggle which resulted in the capture of that rebel stronghold. The First Nebraska then remained comparatively inactive until April 6, when it marched for Pittsburg Landing, reaching there too late, how- ever, to participate in the first day's fighting. On the morning of the 7th they were placed in Gen. Lew Wallace's division, Col. John M. Thayer being in command of the brigade. The fighting com- menced at daybreak, the First Nebraska troops bieng placed so as to receive the brunt of the ene- my's charges. The fighting, as is well known, was furious, but the enemy were repulsed, the First Nebraska having the honor of leading the final charge that drove the rebels from the field. In his official report Gen. Thayer spoke of the First Ne- braska troops as follows: "The action now became general. I again gave the order to 'forward,' and the line advanced as regularly, and with a front as unbroken, as upon a parade ground, the First Ne- braska, Lient .- Col. McCord, moving up directly in front of the enemy's battery." And again : "Nobly did the First Nebraska sustain its reputation, well earned on the field of Donelson. Its progress was onward during the whole day, in face of a galling fire of the enemy, moving on without flinching, at one time being an hour and a half in front of their battery, receiving and returning its fire; its con- duct was most excellent." At Pittsburg Landing the First Nebraska sustained a loss of between twenty and thirty men. At Corinth and other bat- tles of the summer of 1862, the regiment did its full duty. From October, 1862, till the following August, the regiment was stationed at various points in Missouri and Arkansas, doing camp and picket duty. They had several skirmishes with the enemy, notably at Cape Girardeau and Chalk Bluffs, on both occasions the enemy being repulsed with great loss. August 28, 1863, they were removed to St. Louis.

In November their regiment having been mounted were thereafter known as the First Nebraska Cav- alry. From this time until June 18, 1864, the First Nebraska was stationed at different points in Arkan- sas, engaged in scouting and doing picket duty. They skirmished with the enemy at the towns of Jacksonport and Sycamore, killing a few of the enemy and capturing a great many prisoners.

The regiment returned to Omaha in June, 1864, and were furlonghed until the following August, when they were detailed for duty against the Indians, and were ordered to Fort Kearney. Here the regi- ment remained until they were mustered out of ser- vice July 1, 1866. During this time they were engaged in scouting and escort duty, protecting telegraph lines and guarding the lives and prop- erty of the settlers from the depredations of the In- dians. It was a constant warfare between the Indians and the soldiers. Raid succeeded raid, and the punishment which the Indians received did not seem to deter them, but they were ready for new depredations and outrages whenever the opportunity presented itself. The regiment served faithfully in defense of the Union. Their bravery is attested on the fields of Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Sycamore, Chalk Bluffs, Red Banks, Cape Girardeau, Jacksonport and others. And after they were no longer needed in crushing the Rebellion, they rushed to the protection of frontiers from the ravages of hostile Indians.

In the summer of 1862, while the First regiment was in the South fighting the Confederates, it be- came necessary to devise some means by which home interests could be protected. The Indians were plundering, killing and capturing the settlers, and an organized effort to repel their attacks must be made. The result was the organization of the Second Nebraska Cavalry, as a nine months regi- ment. R. W. Furnas, Brownville, was their col- onel. In April, 1863, the Second Nebraska were ordered to report for duty at Sioux City, preparatory to joining the expedition up the Missouri under Gen. Sully. Under Sully the Nebraska troops took part in various skirmishes with the Sioux Indians. On September 3, 200 miles above Fort Pierre, the great battle of Whitestone Hills was fought, with

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

the Brule, Yankton and Blackfeet Sioux, numbering nearly 2,000 strong. In this fight the Indians were completely defeated, abandoning all their camp property and animals, losing 150 men, 300 wounded and 200 prisoners. The Nebraska troops lost 7 men killed, 14 wounded and 10 missing. In the latter part of September, 1863, the regiment returned to Omaha and were mustered out of service, having served most acceptably against the Indian's.

In August, 1861, a call was issued for two com- panies of cavalry to join the First regiment. Under this call two companies were formed under Capts. Patrick and Croft. These companies, however, did not join the First regiment as first intended, but with two other companies, one from Nebraska City, the other from St. Louis, were merged into the Fifth Iowa Cavalry, under which name they went through the war. They were also known as the "Curtis Horse." These four companies, designated the Nebraska Battalion, were lettered respectively A, B, C and D, and composed the First battalion. These troops served their time in the army of the Southwest, where they participated in some of the hardest fought battles of the war.

As a matter of no slight interest, the following brief personal sketches are given prominent mention as indicating the character of those who have been called upou to ocenpy honored official positions.

Phineas W. Hitchcock, deceased, was born No- vember 30, 1831. His father was a farmer near New Lebanon, Columbia County, N. Y., where the subject of our sketch was born. He spent two years at school in Barrington, Mass., and when twenty years of age he entered Williams College. Four years later Mr. Hitchcock graduated from that insti- tution, and after several years of combined law study and journalistic work in the State of New York, he came to the Territory of Nebraska in the spring of 1857. He at once opened a law office at Omaha, combining with the practice of his profes- siou an agency for several insurance companies, and a general real estate business. He was elected to the Republican convention in Chicago, which, in 1860, nominated Abraham Lincoln, and from the first voted for Lincoln. In the winter of 1860-61 he went to Washington to secure from Mr. Lincoln the

appointment of secretary of the Territory of Ne- braska. Meeting with J. Sterling Morton, the occu- pant of that position, he visited with him at the lat- ter's old home at Detroit, Mich., where he became acquainted with Zach. Chander and other prominent Republicans, who supported him in his application. He received the appointment of marshal instead of secretary of Nebraska, which office he held until 1864. He was then nominated for Territorial dele- gate to the XXXIXth Congress. On the admis- sion of Nebraska as a State he was elected surveyor- general. Ile was elected to the United States Senate for the term commencing March 4, 1871. He was remarkably successful in the passage of a large number of bills of great importance to the undeveloped West. Ile originated a number of · laws relative to timber culture, of Indian legislation, and of the acts admitting Colorado as a State. He belonged to the stalwart wing of the Republican party. His death occurred at Omalia, Neb., July 10, 1881.

Thomas W. Tipton was born August 5, 1817. near Cadiz, Ohio. He was a student in Alleghany College, Meadville, Penn., and graduated from Mad- ison College, Pennsylvania, in 1840. In 1849 he was appointed to a position in the United States Land Office, resigning in 1852. Ile was admitted to the bar in 1844, and began practicing law in McConnellsville, Ohio, in 1853. In 1856 he re- ceived authority to preach in the Methodist Episcopal Church, but preferring the Congregational Church, changed his church relation. In Brownville, Neb. , he served a small Congregational Church organiza- tion, for one year, as pastor, and was elected ehap- lain of the First Nebraska Infantry in July, 1861, in which capacity he served until the end of the war. In 1845 he was a member of the Legislature in Ohio; in 1859 was elected to a constitutional con- vention in Nebraska, and in 1860 was a member of the Territorial Senate. In 1865, in July, he was appointed assessor of internal revenue for Nebraska. He entered Congress on March 4, 1867, drawing a term as United States Senator. In 1869 he was re- elected for a full term of six years. In 1872 he left the dominant politieal party and supported Horace Greeley for president. Since that time he has sup-

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

ported the principles of the Democratic party, by which he was nominated, in 1880, as a candidate for governor of Nebraska. In reply to an interro- gation as to the reason of his acceptance of the nomination : " I did it in order to try and keep the Republican majority down to 25,000."

John M. Thayer located in Omaha in the fall of 1854, being one of the first settlers of that place. In 1855 he went to Fontanelle to fight and subdue troublesome Indians. He was at the head of 150 men ealled the Territorial Militia. In the spring of 1859 he again led a force of 194 men against the Indians. He was elected a member of the Upper House of the Nebraska Legislature from 1859 to 1860, and was elected a member of the constitutional convention in the fall of 1860. When the Rebellion broke out he wrote to the Secretary of War, propos- ing that Nebraska should furnish one regiment. He was instrumental in organizing the First Regi- ment, Nebraska Infantry, and was appointed colonel of the same, organized in the spring and summer of 1861, and went to St. Louis, then to Pilot Knob and Sedalia, Mo. They then came to St. Louis, and were sent by steamer to Fort Henry, and partici- pated in the battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh. He was then promoted to brigadier-general, having been in command of the Second Brigade of Wal- lace's division at the two latter battles. Was in the battles of Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post (where 4,000 to 5,000 prisoners were captured), siege of Vicksburg, and was appointed brigadier and major- general of volunteers for gallant services. He par- ticipated in the capture of Jackson, Miss., under Sherman. He was in the army of Arkansas, and participated in the battles of Prairie de Ann, Mos- cow, Jenkins' Ferry and Saline River. Subsequently he was placed in command of the Army of the Frontier. His military service closed in July, 1865, and he was brevetted a major-general. On the ad- mission of the State he was elected to the United States Senate, drawing the four years ballot. In 1875 he was appointed governor of Wyoming Terri- tory, and served one term. In the fall of 1886 he was elected governor of the State of Nebraska, and in 1888 was re-elected to that high office, being the present incumbent.

Algernon Sidney Paddock was born at Glens Falls, N. Y., November 5, 1830. He entered Glens Falls Academy in his thirteenth year, remaining until his eighteenth year, when he entered Union College. Here he remained up to his senior year, when he left and went to Detroit, Mich., but re- turned to New York after an absence of three months, and began teaching school and studying law mean- while. In May, 1857, he came to Fort Calhoun, Neb., where he pre-empted a farm and settled. In 1872 he removed to Beatrice, Gage County, where he has since resided. During 1858-59 he was en- gaged on editorial work on the Omaha Republican. In 1860 he was a delegate to the National Republi- can convention in Chicago that nominated Lincoln, and the same fall stumped New York for that ticket. He assumed the position of secretary for Nebraska April 1, 1861. In 1864 Mr. Paddock was delegate to the National convention at Baltimore. Was de- feated for the United States Senate in 1867. In 1868 he was nominated governor of Wyoming, but declined. In 1874 was elected to the United States Senate, serving in that capacity six years. Mr. Paddock was again a candidate for that office in 1880-81, but was defeated by C. H. Van Wyck. In 1886 he was again re-elected to the Senate, and is the present incumbent.

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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