USA > Nebraska > Sarpy County > Biographical record : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Saunders and Sarpy Counties, Nebraska > Part 15
USA > Nebraska > Saunders County > Biographical record : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Saunders and Sarpy Counties, Nebraska > Part 15
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Mr. Van Driel was united in marriage with Elizabeth Brugman, a daughter of John Brug- man, and they are parents of the following children : John A., born in 1873; Eva T .; Min- nie, deceased; Lillian; Henry, deceased ; Julia ; Minnie; Gertrude; Agnes; Louie H., and Josephine. The subject of this sketch was school director for sixteen years, and officiated as such in 1892, when the school was built at Malmo. He was justice of the peace one term, and pres- ident of the bank for several years, retiring in 1897. He is a member of the Catholic church, and attends service at Pilsen, or Sand Creek. In politics, he is a Democrat.
OHN A. LIND, who has one of the most attractive farms in Saunders county, Nebraska, has been successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Mariposa precinct since 1871. He was born in the south central part of Sweden in 1844, and is a son of Johan and Annie (Breita) Addolphs. His mother now lives with him, his father having died in Sweden.
Mr. Lind was reared and mentally trained in Sweden, and, in 1869, came to America, hav-
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ing borrowed the money with which he secured his passage. He located in Illinois and fol- lowed farming for three years, and, in the fall of 1871, went west to Omaha, Nebraska, where he worked as a car repairer until 1888. His brother-in-law, A. G. Larson, moved to Saunders county in 1870, and purchased 160 acres of land, and, in 1871, the subject hereof bought the east half of the southeast quarter of section 3, township 15, range 6, from him, it being railroad land which sold for $4 per acre. In 1887, he purchased the 80 acres just north of this property, at $25 per acre, making him a nice farm of 160 acres. In 1887 he also built his house, the main part of which is 20 by 30 feet, with a wing and kitchen measuring 20 by 14 feet. He built a barn, 24 by 40 feet, with a shed on the west side, 16 feet wide, to shelter cattle and machinery. He built a hog shed 30 by 28 feet in 1895, a separate cattle shed in 1897, and a double corn-crib, 30 by 24 feet, in 1899. After acquiring his first piece of property, he hired a man to break 18 acres, and immediately set about its improvement. At the present time he has one of the most highly cultivated farms in the country. There is a good running stream, supplied by springs, whose course is through his 40-acre pasture, and he has a bored well 60 feet deep, with a windmill which he put up in 1899. He was offered $45 per acre for the land in 1891, and he has since made many improve- ments at a great cost, thereby greatly enhancing its value. There is a fine driveway leading from the road through the orchard up to the house, and to the north is a grove of box elders affording protection to the house and barns
from the northwest winds, and greatly beautify- ing the place. The premises include an orchard of one acre, consisting mainly of apples, cher- ries, prunes and peaches. The farm is well- fenced, and everything about it kept in the best of condition, a feature which has never failed to attract attention and favorable comment. Mr. Lind has managed his affairs well, and is now prepared to spend the remainder of his days free from the cares and worry of active business life, if he so chooses.
The subject of this sketch was united in matrimony with Annie Larson, a sister of A. G. Larson, who owns an adjoining farm, and they became parents of four children : Annie, who lives at home; and Henry, Edward and another son, all of whom are deceased. In poli- tics Mr. Lind is a Republican, and served on the school board, from which he but recently resigned. He is a faithful member of the Swedish Lutheran church.
OHN DOLEZAL is one of the pioneer settlers who braved the terrors of the grasshopper, other insects, and drouth, to make a home in Saunders county, Nebraska, and his success is due to his perseverance and determination to win. He was born in Bo- hemia, in 1845, and is a son of James Dolezal, deceased.
Mr. Dolezal located in Saunders county in 1873, bringing with him his wife and oldest son, Joseph; also his mother-in-law, who died, in 1894, aged eighty-four years. He had about
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$370, which he immediately invested in land, buying three 40-acre railroad tracts, which lay in the southeast quarter of section 7. As he did not have enough money, he was obliged to borrow, for which loan he paid a heavy interest. In 1880 he took new time at $6 per acre, and, with a good crop in 1881, he succeeded in paying for one 40-acre piece. As his efforts were meeting with success he purchased in 1890 three more 40-acre tracts north from James Hutchinson's farm, for which he paid $37 per acre. In 1895 or 1896 he bought three more "forties" of the Cudy land, on which his son Frank is now farming. Farm- ing and stock raising are his chief pursuits, and he has succeeded in putting his farm into a fine state of cultivation, though for the first seven years his efforts met with poor success. In 1889 he erected his present house, and in 1892 he built a new windmill. He also has a fine orchard, and is recognized as one of the lead- ing and substantial farmers of his community.
Mr. Dolezal was united in marriage with Anna Simrod, who was born in 1848, and had three sisters, as follows : Frances, deceased, the wife of Mr. Kudrna; Barbara, deceased, the wife of John Wondra; and Maggie, the wife of John Dibelka, of Omaha. The subject of this sketch has a brother and three sisters liv- ing : Joseph, who resides in Chicago; Annie and Maggie, who are married and live in Bohemia ; and Mary, also a resident of Chicago. To Mr. and Mrs. Dolezal were born the following child- ren : Joseph, Frank, Charles, Richard, and William. Joseph received his schooling at Wahoo, Nebraska, and has been teaching school
ever since he was seventeen years of age. Frank, who was born in the spring of 1874, married Mary Charf, a daughter of Anton Charf, an early settler of Newman precinct ; they have two sons, Eddie and Emil. Charles was born in 1876, and lives at home. Richard is deceased. William, aged eighteen years, lives at home, assisting in the cultivation of the farm. In politics Mr. Dolezal is a Populist. He and his family are members of the Catholic church.
ARL R. GOUCHER, deputy county clerk of Saunders county, Nebraska, is regarded as one of the rising young business men of that section. He was born in Plymouth, Indiana, April 16, 1874. He re- ceived his education in the public schools of Nashville, Michigan; Orville, Ohio, and Wa- hoo, Nebraska.
Mr. Goucher sought a home in the West, coming to Wahoo in 1890. He has been a use- ful and industrious young man, following those pursuits which have brought him into constant contact with business men, who have justly shown their appreciation of his services.
In 1893 Mr. Goucher accepted a position as cashier in the store of Killian Bros. There his business ability and strict integrity won high favor, and he remained in their employ six years.
On January 1, 1900, Mr. Goucher was ap- pointed deputy county clerk of Saunders coun- ty, which position he now fills. It is safe to
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predict that a bright future awaits him, and in the near future his services will receive a more substantial reward. Politically Mr. Goucher is found on the side of the Populist party. In his social relations he affiliates with the Knights of Pythias.
ON. JOHN H. BARRY, of Saunders county, Nebraska, was born in Rockford, Winnebago county, Illinois, October 7, 1868. He is a son of David Barry, who was a native of County Waterford, Ireland, and came to America when five or six years old, with his parents. They first located in Lawrence, Mas- sachusetts. From there they moved to Du- buque, Iowa. In that city his parents died.
David Barry followed steamboating on the Missisippi River until 1868. He located in Rockford in 1865, and remained there until 1877, when he moved to Saunders county, Ne- braska, and purchased a farm in Center pre- cinct. Agricultural pursuits occupied his time until January 1, 1900, when he rented the farm, and now lives a retired life in Wahoo, Nebras- ka. He married Ellen Kearney, a native of County Kerry, Ireland. They reared three sons : John H., the subject hereof; Frank W., now a student in the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, and Joseph D., a student in the academic department of the University of Ne- braska.
John H. Barry received his primary educa- tion in the Wahoo High School, graduating with the class of 1890. He then studied law at the University of Nebraska, in the class of 1893.
The same year he was admitted to practice in Lancaster county, before the supreme court. On August 1, 1893, he began practicing his profession in Wahoo, and has remained there since. He has been uniformly successful in his law practice. In the fall of 1897 he was elected county judge of Saunders county, and was re-elected in the fall of 1899. His first election showed a majority of 366 votes, which was increased on his second election to 947. This incident shows that he is one of the most popu- lar men in the county, and it is said that he is the best judge the county ever had. He was elected by the Populist and Democratic parties.
On September 1, 1897, Judge Barry was joined in marriage with Julia L. Murphy, a daughter of Jolin and Mary Murphy, of Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska. They have one daughter, Frances H.
UST BRUSE, a prominent farmer of Mariposa precinct, Saunders county, Nebraska, has attained great success in pursuing his present occupation. He was pos- sessed of no means when he landed in this coun- try, but he has worked hard and industriously and grown to be one of the prosperous and sub- stantial men of his district.
Mr. Bruse was born in Sweden in 1842, and is a son of Olof and Mary (Samuelson) Bruse. His father came to this country one year later than the son, in 1869, and located in Saunders county, Nebraska, where he homesteaded the east half of the southeast quarter of section 26, township 15, range 6. He had eight children.
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Those living are: Gust; Emma, the wife of C. Nordhall, who has the farm east adjoining that of the subject hereof; Peter, who is mar- ried and also lives in Saunders county; and Hannah, who married John Person, of Omaha, a watchman for the Union Pacific Railroad Company, by whom she has four children : Amelia, John, Albert, and Vera.
Gust Bruse came to America in May, 1868, and for nearly two years was employed in a saw mill in Michigan, after which he went west to Omaha. In 1870 he went to Saunders county, Nebraska, and homesteaded the north half of the northeast quarter of section 34, township 15, range 6. He built a small house, 12 by 14 feet, partly frame and partly dug-out, and shortly after bought 40 acres-the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 27- making a fine farm of 120 acres of well- improved land. He first had a sod stable, but replaced it with a straw barn, and in 1890 he built a new barn, 28 by 36 feet. The old part of his present home was built in 1879, and in 1893 it was remodeled and an addition put on, 28 by 18 feet, making a very comfortable home. He set out many cottonwood trees in 1872 and an orchard of about two acres in 1888 or 1889, and to-day he has a fine grove and an orchard which contains a large variety of fruit. He has 20 acres of the farm in pasture and is engaged in cattle raising. The farm is supplied with good outbuildings, is well fenced, and everything about the place bears an appearance of progress and prosperity-denoting careful management.
In 1878 Mr. Bruse was united in marriage
with Kate Nelson, who was born in Sweden in 1837 and is a daughter of Nels Abraham- son. She has two sisters and one brother, who came to this country with her in 1868, namely: Mary (Snowgren), who lives at Madrid, Iowa, and has four children,-Tilda, Albert, Char- lotte, and Amil; Anna, the wife of Louis Mat- teson, who lives in Minnesota and has three children,-Hannah, Mary, and Eric F .; and Henry Nelson, who lives in California, is mar- ried and has a large family. The subject of this sketch and his wife have two sons living at home-Andrew and Charles. Their only daughter, Augusta, is deceased. The family attends the Mission church, one and a half miles north of Malmo.
J. SNYDER, of the firm of F. J. Sny- der & Company, dealers in butter and eggs, was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, May 19, 1837. He is a son of Thomas Snyder and grandson of Henry Sny- der.
Henry Snyder was of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry. He lived and died in Northampton county, Pennsylvania. His son Thomas Sny- der was born in Northampton county, where he was reared and educated. He learned the tanner's trade and followed it during the early part of his life. He married Lavina John, and afterward moved to Livingston county, New York, where he engaged in farming, and was very successful. Death came to him at the ripe age of eighty-six years. His wife died when
RESIDENCE OF THOMAS MADIGAN.
THOMAS MADIGAN.
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seventy years old. They reared a large and interesting family, namely : Harrison, Thomas, Jr., William, F. J. (the subject hereof), Le Grand, Clinton, James, and Charles.
F. J. Snyder spent the first part of his busi- ness life in Livingston and Madison counties, New York, engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1881 he moved west to Fremont, Nebraska, and became connected with the Fremont Butter & Eggs Company. This was a new firm, and Mr. Snyder helped to build it up. He remained with the concern until 1887, when he located in Wahoo and engaged in business for himself, handling butter and eggs.
In 1890 Mr. Snyder formed a partnership with J. C. Gruver, but bought him out two years later. H. K. White became a partner in Mr. Snyder's business in 1895, since which time they have operated under the firm name of F. J. Snyder & Company.
The subject of this sketch was joined in mar- riage with Mary E. Cottrell. They have three children, named, respectively, Jessie, Arthur E., and Floyd W. Mr. Snyder is a strong Repub- lican, but not a politician. He has served one term as mayor of Wahoo.
be HOMAS MADIGAN is one of the best known farmers and stock dealers in the vicinity of Weston, Chapman pre- cinct, Saunders county, Nebraska. He was born in the state of Illinois, and is a son of John and Margaret (Kane) Madigan. His father was born in County Clare, Ireland, but, at an
early day, came to America, where he lived un- til his death, in 1890. His family consisted of five sons and four daughters, as follows : Mary ; Mrs. Clements (deceased), whose husband was the proprietor of hotels at Red Cloud, Nebras- ka; John, (deceased) ; Michael; Robert, (de- ceased) ; Thomas; Margaret (Rosencrantz ), of Lancaster county, Nebraska; James; and Kate. The two last named reside with their mother on the old homestead,-she having reached the advanced age of seventy years. John Madigan went, with his family, from the state of New York, where they had resided for some time, to Illinois, in the early "sixties." He remained there until 1864 or 1865, and then moved to Wheatland, Iowa, where he was em- ployed, until 1869, on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, his son, Thomas, working with him. The family then went to Saunders county, Nebraska, spending the win- ter of 1869-1870, at Aslıland. John Madigan then homesteaded the east half of the south- east quarter of section 8, township 14, range 6, and his son, Michael, homesteaded the west half of the southeast quarter of the same sec- tion.
The family all worked together upon this property until 1881, when the subject hereof married. He then leased 80 acres of school land, the north half of the southwest quarter of section 16, township 14, range 6. In 1883 he bought this tract, at the appraised value of $8 per acre. He erected a frame building, with dimensions of 14 by 16 feet, and, one year later, built an addition of the same size. In 1885 he built a barn, measuring 36 by 40 feet, with 14-
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foot posts. He continued to live in his old house for many years, and, in 1896, built the first part of his new house, two stories high and 18 by 28 feet in dimensions. Two years later he entirely removed the old part, built an extension of 16 by 24 feet, forming an L, and now has one of the finest country homes in his section of Saunders county. Near his house he has a good four-acre orchard, con- sisting chiefly of cherry and apple trees. There is a fine running stream on the property, and two wells, each 60 feet deep, and each supplied with windmills. For some years he devoted his efforts to corn and wheat raising, but in more recent years he has been feeding, buying and shipping stock. Mr. Madigan has engaged in this business on an extensive scale, and now handles over 500 head of stock per year. In addition to his original 80 acres, he purchased 40 acres of railroad land, described as the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 17, in 1884. He bought also the south- west quarter of the southwest quarter of sec- tion 16; and the east half of the northeast quarter of section 17. He has 23 acres of pas- ture and timber land, having purchased 17 acres of Mr. Nelson's farm, which had been cut off by the railroad. Mr. Madigan also owns the greater part of his father's landed estate in Chapman precinct, having purchased the in- terests of all the heirs except three. When the estate is settled it will give Thomas Madi- gan, in all, 320 acres.
Thomas Madigan was united in marriage with Maggie East, a daughter of M. G. East, who went to Saunders county in 1875, pur-
chasing land in section 16, in Chapman pre- cinct, which was subsequently sold to J. and T. Novak. This union resulted in the birth of the following children: John T .; George M .; Delia; William; Ruth; Mary; and a child who died in 1895, unnamed. Mr. Madigan is a Republican, a member of the school board, and has been a supervisor for six years.
Michael Madigan, an elder brother of Thomas Madigan, was born in the state of New York. He afterward lived in Illinois, and in the fall of 1868, moved to Saunders county, Nebraska, by wagon, accompanying his father. They followed Wahoo Creek, up to Weston, where each took up an 80-acre claim, in sec- tion 8. Michael's father built a frame house, 14 by 20 feet in size, hauling the lumber from Ashland, where there were but a few stores at that time. Michael built a partly log dug-out on his property, and set out $50 worth of trees, which he purchased at Lincoln; but they did not tlirive in the baked ground. There has been a wonderful change in the ground since then, and where a pick was formerly required to break it, a spade may now be used. Michael Madigan subsequently bought 200 acres of land in section 24, township 14, range 5, 120 acres of which was railroad land,-the remain- ing 80 acres having been homesteaded by T. E. Cook. Mr. Madigan resided upon this property for some years, and, in 1896, sold out, and purchased his present home, just south of the town of Weston. For the past thirteen years he has been in the well-drilling and re- pairing business, and also has been engaged in house-moving. He employs from five to eight
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men during the summer months, and has from $2,000 to $3,000 invested in tools, pumps, sup- plies, etc. He is also conducting a store in Weston.
Michael Madigan was united in marriage with Mary Brown, a daughter of John Brown, and they have three daughters: Emma (Sa- meck), whose husband is cultivating the old Sameck estate, in section 15; Nellie, who re- mains at home; and Georgia, who is also at home with her parents. Fraternally, Mr. Mad- igan is a member of the A. O. U. W. He is a Republican in politics.
On preceding pages are shown two pictures of interest to readers of this biography ; a view of Thomas Madigan's residence, and his por- trait, executed from a recent photograph.
HRISTIAN CHRISTANSON, one of the most substantial farmers in Marietta precinct, Saunders county, Nebraska, is of German nativity. He was born in Schles- wig-Holstein, Germany, in 1838. He is a son of Peter and Mary (Smith) Christanson. He was reared in his native country, and when twenty-one years old he entered the army, where he served four years. He then returned home, where he remained for several years.
In 1867 Mr. Christanson came to the United States, settling in Cook county, Illinois, where he followed agricultural pursuits. In 1868 he purchased from a land agent 80 acres of land in section 32, Marietta precinct, Saunders coun- ty, Nebraska. One year later ( 1869) he went west, took possession of his land, broke 20
acres, and built a small frame house near the site of his present residence. He set out a great many trees, which have grown so rapidly that they are now fine timber. Mr. Christan- son has cut a great deal of this timber and sold it at $4 and $5 per cord. He still has an abun- dance left.
In 1893 the subject hereof built a large, sub- stantial residence, at a cost of $1,000. He also has extensive orchards of his own planting. He added 50 acres to his original farm, and makes a business of raising both grain and stock. At the present time he has about 33 fine cattle and about 70 head of hogs.
Mr. Christanson was united in marriage with Mary Thompson, a daughter of Thomas Jen- sen of Fremont, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Christanson had five children (four of whom are now living), and have lost one daughter -- Laura. Those living are: Thomas, John, Sophia, and Henry. Upon coming to Ameri- ca Christian Christanson had but one dollar in his pocket. By his good judgment in making investments, and by his steady application to business, he has risen into prominence, and is now regarded as one of the representative farm- ers of Marietta precinct.
RED JOHNSTON, the genial station agent on the Union Pacific Railroad, at Mead, Saunders county, Nebraska, has filled that position of trust since 1898.
The station at Mead was opened in 1878, when the present depot was built. It contains
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one waiting room and one ticket office, tele- graph office, and freight house combined. The first postoffice at Mead was opened in this depot, being a part of the ticket office. Joseph Stur- devant was the first ticket agent at that place. Mead is now one of the largest shipping points in Saunders county. It has three side tracks, running to all the principal elevators. The main shipments are grain and live stock. In 1899 the following shipments were made: 800 cars of corn, 170 cars of oats, 40 cars of wheat, 50 cars of cattle, and 125 cars of hogs. Mr. Johnston has one assistant-James A. Byrnes.
Fred Johnston is a native of Omaha, Nebras- ka, where he was born in 1875, and is a son of Charles Johnston. He was reared and schooled in his native city, and in 1888 began to learn tel- egraphy in the Western Union office in Omaha. From there he went to Kansas City, and later became relief agent on the Southern Pacific. Railroad in Texas. His first regular appoint- ment was at Sartartia, and later at San An- tonio, where he served as chief clerk and cash- ier. He was subsequently appointed telegraph operator at Gonzales, Texas. He was trans- ferred afterward to Aguas Calientes, Mexico, on the Mexican Central Railway.
Mr. Johnston then returned north and ac- cepted a position as operator upon the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway system, at Fair- bury, Nebraska. Clay Center, Kansas, was his next location, and from there he went to Oma- ha, where he worked for some time on the Western Union Telegraph line. He was then transferred to Lincoln, on the B. & M. R. Rail- road. There he remained until 1898, when he
was appointed to fill his present position as station agent at Mead.
The subject of this sketch married Winnie Byrnes, a daughter of John Byrnes, mine host of the best hotel at Mead. Mr. and Mrs. John- ston have one son-Roger Harold. Mr. John- ston is a thorough railroad man, and is popular as a citizen.
ERRY DALEY, a prominent and well- to-do farmer of Center precinct, Saun- ders county, Nebraska, began his career in the West entirely without capital. He was born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1838. He is a son of Daniel and Mary (Driscoll) Daley. His father died early in life, leaving his widow with six children, as follows: Daniel; Jerry, of whom this sketch treats; Dennis, Katie, El- len, and Mary. The family came to America in 1854, landing in Boston. They located for a short time at Lowell, Massachusetts, and then moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan.
In 1856 Jerry Daley began work as a section hand on the Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad; a short time later he engaged in teaming. In 1858 he secured work in a plaster mill, where he remained until 1861. He was then engaged in farming one year. The following year (1862) he went to the Lake Superior region and worked in the copper mines until 1867. Thence he went to Fremont, Nebraska, and spent one season working on the Union Pacific Railroad.
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