USA > Nebraska > Sarpy County > Biographical record : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Saunders and Sarpy Counties, Nebraska > Part 20
USA > Nebraska > Saunders County > Biographical record : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Saunders and Sarpy Counties, Nebraska > Part 20
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the land. Mr. Carpenter built a house on the west end of his 80 acres and, in 1892, moved the building to its present site, on the east end. He also built a substantial barn, 32 by 36 feet, and these buildings, together with the orchard and fine shade trees, make the place an excep- tionally attractive one.
Mr. Carpenter is a very good musician and as such is favorably known throughout the vi- cinity. He plays the violin and cornet and plays those instruments well. Owing to the retiring disposition of Mr. Carpenter and his modesty in speaking of his accomplishments, we have secured the following information from one of his personal friends, Mr. Lilli- bride: Mr. Carpenter has been the recog- nized leader of the Weston band since 1888, when he organized it. It contained sixteen in- struments, all brass. Since the organization he has been the principal factor in holding the members together, drilling them without com- pensation, and today Weston has a band of which any town might justly be proud. One or two evenings a week Mr. Carpenter devotes to the young members of the association, who fill any vacancy which may happen to arise. The citizens of Weston greatly appreciate Mr. Carpenter's efforts in establishing and main- taining a musical feature in the town, and he receives praise on all sides for his untiring efforts.
The subject of this sketch married Susan Pickering, a daughter of George Pickering, who lives in Bureau county, Illinois, and they have one son, LeRoy, who is nineteen years of age. LeRoy received his education in Wes-
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ton, Wahoo and Lincoln, Nebraska, and, like his father, is a fine musician, being able to play on any instrument. He is gifted with a natural talent for music. Mr. Carpenter is a Democrat in politics and takes an active in- terest in the progress and development of Wes- ton, where he has made many warm friends. In religious matters his views are liberal.
EORGE W. MEREDITH, M. D., a popular and skillful physician of Ash- land, Saunders county, Nebraska, has, perhaps, the most extensive practice there. He is frequently obliged to attend patients 25 or 30 miles distant, besides having a large prac- tice in Ashland and its immediate vicinity. Dr. Meredith is a native of Bloomingsburg, Fulton county, Indiana. His father, Peter Meredith, spent the greater part of his life in that vicin- ity, engaged in farming, but for the past ten years he has made his home with his son, the subject of this writing.
George W. Meredith attended the public schools of his native place, after which he took a thorough course at the state normal school at Terre Haute, Indiana. He then commenced the study of medicine under Dr. N. J. Clymer, of Bloomingsburg. Later he entered the state university at Indianapolis and graduated from the medical department in the class of 1873.
In June of the same year he opened an office at Union Mills, Laporte county, Indiana, and began the practice of his chosen profession. He continued his practice there until October, 1880, when he discontinued it and took a pleas-
ure trip through the West. On his way east from Lincoln, Nebraska, he made the acquaint- ance of Dennis Deen. Mr. Deen needs no in- troduction to the people of Ashland, as he is one of its oldest and most esteemed residents. He started a mill in that vicinity before a village was even thought of. He has lived there ever since and knows everybody. Being a man of excellent judgment he recognized in Dr. Mere- dith just the kind of physician and surgeon needed in his locality. He urged and advised him to locate in Ashland, Nebraska.
After giving the matter serious consideration Dr. Meredith finally acted upon Mr. Deen's advice, and, December 6, 1882, he opened an office in Ashland. Nor has he ever regretted his action in this matter, for with his superior skill and ability he has won his way into the hearts of the people and increased his practice to its present extent.
Dr. Meredith married Clara L. Vail, a daughter of H. B. Vail, of Wataga, Illinois. She died, leaving the following three children : George B., Clara Estelle and Ernest L. George B. Meredith graduated from the Ashland High School and then took a course at the state uni- versity. He is now superintendent of the Mis- souri-Kansas Telephone Company, with office at Wichita, Kansas. Some time after the death of his first wife Dr. Meredith contracted a sec- ond matrimonial alliance, this time with Mrs. Ellen E. Curtis, of Ashland, Nebraska.
Dr. Meredith is a very prominent Mason. He is a charter member of F. & A. M. Lodge, No. 110, of Ashland, and is past master of the same. He also affiliates with the Knights Tem-
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plar of Lincoln, Nebraska. He is a member of the Mystic Shrine and Rose Croix Scottish Rites. He is a member and past grand of the 1. O. O. F., and is past royal patriarch of the encampment. He belongs to the Rebecca Lodge, the Knights of Pythias, and is now serving as assistant surgeon on the general's staff, of the Uniform Rank of the K. of P., Nebraska Brigade. He belongs to the Wood- men of the World, the Modern Woodmen of America and the A. O. U. W.
Dr. Meredith is also a member of the Ne- braska State Medical Society. He purchased the Sanford property on Fourth street, in Ash- land, and remodeled and enlarged it. He also built a convenient office, with reception room, waiting parlors and consultation rooms. Every- thing is fitted up in the best possible style. In his political opinions the subject hereof is a true Democrat. He served his party, in 1892, as mayor of the city of Ashland, and he will be a candidate for state senator of the fifth senatorial district of Nebraska at the next elec- tion.
ENRY ROGERS, a prominent granger of Saunders county, Nebraska, owns a fine and well improved farm in Clear Creek precinct, about two miles from the town of Memphis. Mr. Rogers was born in Fulton county, Illinois, in 1858. He is a son of Michael and Mary (Kingery) Rogers.
Michael Rogers was born near Louisville, Kentucky. In early manhood he settled near
St. Peter, Illinois. In 1866 he sold his prop- erty there and went west, to Missouri, where he remained two years. This location did not suit him, and he decided to go to Nebraska. The trip covered a period of four weeks, and was made in covered wagons or "prairie schooners." Mr. Rogers finally arrived in Saunders county with only $18.00 left in his pocket and with a family of ten children for which to provide. He took up a homestead claim north of Yutan, a farm now owned by Jonas Bender. While his family stopped at the res- idence of Joseph McKee, Mr. Rogers proceeded to build a sod house 16 by 24 feet in size. There they endured many privations, but it was the best they could do, and they had hopes of a brighter future. They worked hard to keep the wolf from the door, and during storms took refuge in the sod house, which also had a sod roof. Five years later Mr. Rogers built a frame house, but was obliged to go to Plattsmouth for the lumber. This cottage had the same dimensions as the sod house, 16 by 24 feet. It was made of plain boards, but was much better than the sod house.
Michael Rogers then sold his farm to his son, Henry, and moved to Platte county, where he purchased 80 acres of school land. Upon that farm he passed his last days, dying in 1895. His wife was Mary Kingery, a daughter of William Kingery. She was born in Harri- son county, Indiana, in 1831, and now resides at the home of Henry Rogers. She is a woman of extreme fortitude and endurance, and is re- markably well preserved for her age. She is much beloved by all who know her and
JAMES LILES.
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is reverenced by her children. She can relate many incidents of her pioneer days, when Indians frequently camped at their very door. Eleven children were born to her and her husband, namely: William, John, George, Henry, Lizzie, Sarah, Martha, Sherman, Mary, Effie, and Ada. All are still living ex- cept John, Lizzie, Sherman, and Effie.
Henry Rogers began his career on a farm. In early manhood he purchased the homestead farm and made many improvements on it. Seven years later he sold his interest at a large profit. He then went to Kansas, but remained only six months, having decided in that short space of time that the best place in the world was in Saunders county, Nebraska. Returning to that county Mr. Rogers rented a farm for one year. He then purchased 80 acres from Mrs. A. Thulin. This tract was homesteaded by J. Woods, and, at the time Mr. Rogers pur- chased it, contained a small house. A new house was soon built, together with barns, corn cribs, hog pens, and a hennery. A little later Mr. Rogers built a neat house for his parents. A milk-house was also added, and a cob-house, and a fine, large windmill was set up. Fruit and shade trees were set out in abundance, and it is now one of the finest farms in the vicinity of Memphis. Upon it various kinds of grain and stock are raised.
Mr. Rogers was joined in marriage with Emma Linebaugh, a daughter of Simeon and Margaret Linebaugh. Mr. Linebaugh died at the early age of thirty-two years, leaving three children : Emma, Lewis, and Elizabeth. The last named is now deceased. Mrs. Linebaugh
contracted a second matrimonial alliance, mar- rying Peter Kingery, of Saunders county.
Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have three children : Ivan Merle, Elsie Fern, and Henry Carl. The family worship at the Christian church, and, like many of his neighbors, Mr. Rogers votes the Populist ticket.
J AMES LILES, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, is an enterprising and up-to-date farmer residing in New- man precinct, Saunders county, Nebraska, where he is the owner of a fine farm, which he has put under a fine state of cultivation. He was born in Cambridgeshire, England, in 1836, is a son of A. C. and Susan (Challice) Liles, and is one of a family of eight children : Sarah ; James; Emma; Matthew; Sophia ; Mary Ann; Eliza, and Hattie. Sarah is the wife of Mr. Peachey, a farmer, of New York, and they have a family of nine children: Luke; Becky; James; Thurzy; Sarah J .; Ellen M .; Susie; Florence; and George H. The subject liereof was next in age. Emma married a Mr. Miller, a farmer in the state of New York, and has the following children : E. B .; David, and Mary. Matthew is engaged in farming in Monroe county, New York, and is single. Sophia (Collins) is a widow. Mary Ann is de- ceased. Eliza is the wife of a Mr. Beardsley, and they have three children : Fannie; Bertha ; and Louise. Hattie was wedded to a Mr. Reddy and has two children. A. C. Liles died in Monroe county, New York, December 5,
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1892, aged eighty-five years, and his widow died there December 24, 1899, aged ninety- three years.
James Liles settled in the state of New York in 1849. In 1885 he moved to Illinois, where he remained only a short time. On March I, 1885, he went to Saunders county, Nebraska, with his wife and four children. From W. H. Dickinson he bought the northeast quarter of section 29, township 14, range 5, the purchase price being $15 per acre. E. M. Willis, the first owner of this property, built upon it a small house, of the dimensions of 14 by 16 feet, which was the only improvement made on the land at the time Mr. Liles came into possession. He added several rooms to the house, making a nice two-story frame; he also put up a stable 28 feet square, and adjoin- ing the stable he has a granary 12 by 28 feet in size. The farm contains an orchard con- sisting of 30 cherry trees, 100 apple, and various other kinds of fruit. A number of shade trees was also put out. In the center of the property there is a strong spring, prob- ably the only one in Newman precinct, and it sends a stream of water through the farm. In the spring of 1893, Mr. Liles bought 160 acres from J. S. Gregory, of Lincoln, Nebraska, upon which was a house 16 by 24 feet in dimensions, which his son, George H. Liles, now occupies. Mr. Liles also purchased, in 1899, the north half of the northwest quarter of section 29 from J. F. Brown, of Orrick, Missouri, and the farm is under a fair state of cultivation. He is a successful and practical farmer, and he raises much grain and Polled Angus cattle
and Poland-China hogs. He is well known throughout the country as a wide-awake busi- ness man and a progressive farmer.
The subject of this sketch wedded Jane Amesbury, a daughter of Benjamin and Esther Amesbury, of England, and they have the following children: Etta, born in the state of New York, who is the wife of Earl Collins, a farmer of Monroe county, New York; Addi- son J., who married Lucy Hayden, lives in Lincoln, and has three children,-Earl, Minnie, and Edna; George H., who married Tillie Raitt, and has three children,-Ivy, Albert, and Luella; and Emma, who is the wife of T. E. Titus, of Lincoln, Nebraska, where he is in the transfer business; they also have three children,-Etta, Oliver, and Louis.
ILLIAM C. MOTT, a progressive farmer of Green precinct, Saunders county, Nebraska, is also quite an ex- tensive stock raiser, having his farm stocked with perhaps the best graded and finest cattle in southeastern Nebraska. Mr. Mott was born in Adams county, Ohio, in 1860. He is a son of James and Ellen (Cunningham) Mott. His parents formerly lived in Ohio, where all their children were born. Later they went west to Saunders county, Nebraska, where, in 1882, they settled upon a farm and spent their declin- ing years in Green precinct. James Mott died in 1890, aged eighty years. His widow sur- vived him until 1897, when she passed away, aged seventy-two years. Both expired at the
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residence of their son, William C. Nine chil- dren were born to them, three of whom died in infancy. The others are : Mary E., who is also now deceased; John H., whose career will be mentioned later herein; William C., the subject of this sketch; James D., of Ohio; Emma S., wife of E. Gordon, of Saunders county, Ne- braska; and Charles R., also deceased.
John H. Mott is also a prominent farmer and stock raiser of Green precinct. He was born in Adams county, Ohio, in 1858, and was reared and schooled in his native state. On February 21, 1879, he went west to Saunders county, Nebraska, to see the country. After working on different farms for several years he bought 80 acres of railroad land in 1880. Upon this land he still resides, but it is now a well improved farm instead of being new and uncultivated. His first house was 16 by 24 feet in dimensions, and 12 feet high. This was subsequently replaced by the present large and comfortable residence. Many other new buildings were added, such as barns, gran- aries, corn cribs, hog pens, henneries, etc. Fruit and shade trees were also planted in abundance, and today John H. Mott has 56 fine bearing apple trees alone. He devotes all his time to raising stock and grain, of which he keeps only the best. His marriage with Flora C. Mathe- son was the source of two children : Hugh F. and James Donald. John H. Mott is a stanch Republican in politics. He is a member of the Brethren church. Mrs. Mott died at her home May 1, 1900, aged thirty-nine years.
William C. Mott was reared and schooled in Ohio. He accompanied his parents to Nebraska.
In 1890 he purchased 80 acres of land, which was known as the Loomis farm. His present home, however, is on an adjoining 80 acres, known as the Sutton farm. This latter farm contained a small frame house when Mr. Mott purchased it. This was enlarged into a spacious modern residence. New barns, corn-cribs, sheds, etc., were also added, all of which greatly improved the value of his place, which is known as one of the best grain and stock farms in the vicinity.
Mr. Mott has 50 head of choice Hereford and Shorthorn cattle and 150 head of the best kind of hogs. His principal grain product is corn. The subject of this sketch was joined in marriage with Saloma Colbert, a daughter of John Colbert. In 1897 Mr. Mott was called upon to mourn the loss of his beloved com- panion, who died without issue at the early age of thirty-seven years. Like his father and brother, Mr. Mott is a Republican. In his re- ligious views he favors the M. E. church.
ILLIAM JEFFERSON BRYAN, a retired farmer and real estate dealer, of Ashland, Saunders county, Nebras- ka, has had a varied career, and has been eminently successful in all his undertakings. Mr. Bryan was born in Jackson county, Indi- ana, in 1828. He is a son of James A. and Elizabeth (Shearear) Bryan. His father was a farmer by occupation, and in 1831 he moved to Pike, Illinois, where he died in 1844.
William J. Bryan began working on a farm,
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while still a boy, for $9 per month. Being the oldest child in the family he was thus early in life forced to assist his mother in supporting the family. Learning the true principles of econ- omy he also saved a little money for himself, and in 1852 he had $200 of his own. He pur- chased 100 acres in St. Clair county, Illinois, for $1,000. After building a small house upon his land he sold the property in 1857 for $30 per acre. He then purchased another and larger farm. After building on it and otherwise im- proving it he sold that also at a large profit. He then purchased 180acres of improved land upon which he built a $2,500 house, barn, granary, etc. In 1877 Mr. Bryan again sold out, realiz- ing quite a handsome profit on his investment. Putting $10,000 in the bank, he took the re- mainder of his money and went west. In October of the same year (1877) he located in Mill precinct, Lancaster county, Nebraska, upon the northeast corner of section 3, where he purchased a half section for $11 per acre. Later he purchased an additional quarter sec- tion in Green precinct, Saunders county, Ne- braska. He built a fine house and barn upon the latter tract, and added more land to it, un- til he had 1,000 acres. In 1892 he sold the homestead place to Mr. Hickle. Since then Mr. Bryan has handled many farms-buying and selling.
In the fall of 1887 he moved to Ashland and engaged in general merchandising. One year later he traded his store for 240 acres of land in Cass county. Mr. Bryan subsequently bought 20 acres of the Baloo estate, where he now lives a peaceful and retired life. He has
been twice married. His first marriage was contracted with Margaret J. Vine. She died in 1872, leaving the following children to the care of a loving husband : Emazetta, Orin S., James A., Effie, William O., and Samuel. The last named died young. Emazetta married W. C. Linley, janitor of the high school at Ash- land, and they have four children : Roy, Lonie, Vernie, and Arlie. Orin S. is a farmer. He married Stella Hubbard, and has three chil- dren : Frank, Lee, and Ella. James A. is also a farmer. He married Ella Hayes. They have been blessed with seven children, three of whom are deceased. Their names are : Elmira (de- ceased ) ; Victor A., Lloyd Mckinley, Margaret A., Annie E., and Floyd C. and Roland, both deceased. Effie married E. P. Putney, a farmer. They are the parents of six children, two of whom are deceased. Those living are: Nora, Lola G., Raymond, and Orfa M. They lost a baby son, and a son called Claude. William O. is a farmer. He married Nellie Cushman. They have three children: Horace G., Cecil J., and Daniel.
After the death of his first wife Mr. Bryan married again, being united with Mrs. Eliza- beth Good, a daughter of Michael Hanson, who was a native of Germany, and came to the United States in early manhood, settling in Illinois. Elizabeth Hanson first married Thomas Good, who died in 1871, leaving two children, namely: Lula A. and William T. They had also lost one child, called Kate. Lula A. Good married P. H. Edwards, of Colorado Springs. William T. Good married Margaret Bruffy, and they have two children-Lula K.
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and an infant daughter. Mr. Bryan has one daughter, Abbie Elizabeth, the result of his second marriage. She is a talented young lady, still at home.
William Jefferson Bryan cast his first vote for Fremont, and has supported the Republican party ever since its organization. He has served as justice of the peace, and on the school board. He united with the Christian church in 1854, and has been a member of it ever since.
Mr. Bryan was instrumental in organizing the electric light plant in Ashland, and was president of the company for two years. He was a director of the national bank at Ash- land in 1887 and 1888. He is a public spirited and enterprising citizen, and has assisted ma- terially in developing the locality of his adop- tion. He is still active in both mind and body, and is a remarkably well preserved man.
OAH WILHELM, a progressive agri- culturist of Clear Creek precinct, Saund- ers county, Nebraska, is one of the pioneer farmers of that vicinity. He was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in 1841. He is a son of Dr. John and Christina ( Kahler) Wilhelm. His father died in early manhood, and when ten years old Noah was bound out with a cousin on a farm until he attained the age of fourteen years.
Noah Wilhelm then started out to make his own way in the world. He followed farming and ore mining in Allegany county, Maryland, until 1861. Responding to his country's call for men he enlisted in Company B, 34th Reg.
Ill. Vol. Infantry. He went out from Dixon, Illinois, and served four years, lacking a few days. He was in many hard battles, among which were Pittsburg Landing, Stony River and Chickamauga. Being then, as he still is, a large man, of commanding appearance, he made a fine looking soldier.
After the war Mr. Wilhelm returned to Maryland and formed a partnership with a brother in contracting to get out ties for rail- road construction. Subsequently he engaged in farming. He then decided to go west. Through friends he had heard of the splendid prospect in Saunders county, Nebraska, where it was but little settled. March 14, 1869, he took up a homestead claim of 80 acres in Wahoo precinct, the same now owned by Mrs. Hinkey.
Mr. Wilhelm then began to improve his farm. He went to Knight Island, on the Platte River, where he cut cottonwood trees, hauled them to Otto Creek, and had them sawed into lumber. He drew these a distance of twelve miles to build a cabin, which was 14 by 20 feet in dimensions. In this way he started a home. He married Mary Eyer, a daughter of Philip Eyer, and took her to this rude home to live. Together they worked and planned how to best improve their farm. They set out orchards and groves of shade trees, and also enlarged the house. For fifteen years they lived upon that farm and then sold out.
They then purchased an 80-acre farm from Colonel Eyer, also 40 acres of Silver Creek bot- tom land, and 160 acres from Moses Dodge- making in all 280 acres. Mr. Wilhelm set out
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fine fruit orchards on the home place, which is well stocked with cattle, hogs, sheep and horses. He also has a large colony of bees.
Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilhelm, as follows: Franklin Leroy, John Philip (deceased), Henry Nelson, Charles Aden, Margaret Christina, Marcia G. (de- ceased), Nellie May (deceased), Izetta, Wil- liam Alva, and Archer B. Mrs. Wilhelm is an active member and supporter of the Methodist church. In his political opinions, the subject of this sketch follows the leadership of the Republican party. He is but another example of the many worthy men who have risen to positions of influence and prominence by their own exertions.
HRISTOPHER KEETLE, one of the most extensive and prominent farmers in Ashland precinct, is also well known as one of the representative farmers of Saunders county. Mr. Keetle was born in Cas- sel, Germany, in 1838. His parents, Philip and Catherine (Schaeffer) Keetle, came to the United States in 1846. Philip Keetle settled in Ashland county, Ohio, and was a pioneer farmer of that state, where he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. The father died at the age of seventy-three years and the mother when sixty-four years old. One of their children died young. They reared Chris- topher, the subject of these lines, and William, who resides on the old homestead in Ashland. Ohio.
Christopher Keetle was reared in Ohio. In his young manhood's days he followed farming and threshing; he even worked at plastering during the summers. He married Mrs. Ma- hala, a daughter of Daniel Fisher. Eight chil- dren were born to them, namely : Minerva, wife of R. Rigler, of Saunders county, Nebraska; Della, wife of Charles Alker, of the same county, who has one son, Samuel; William, who is a collector for the Omaha Sewing Ma- chine Company, and who married Lizzie War- ren; John, a farmer ; Edward, who also follows agricultural pursuits; Daniel, who married Myrtle Russell, lives on a farm and has two children, Viola and Asa; Charles, who mar- ried Lizzie Rose, and has three children, Don, Laota, and Emmet; and Orville, who is still at home.
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