USA > Nebraska > Sarpy County > Biographical record : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Saunders and Sarpy Counties, Nebraska > Part 25
USA > Nebraska > Saunders County > Biographical record : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Saunders and Sarpy Counties, Nebraska > Part 25
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33
OLOMON ZEORIAN, a prosperous farmer of Springfield precinct, Sarpy county, Nebraska, was born in Switz- erland, February 22, 1844. and is a son of Christ Zeorian.
Christ Zeorian died when Solomon was but two years of age. He was the father of seven children, of whom nearly all are dead. Solo- mon was the only member of the family to come to this country. Their names are as fol- lows: Christ, Jr., Mattie, Mary, Barbara, Susie, John, and Solomon.
Solomon Zeorian began work as a boy at herding cattle, sheep and goats, as his home was in the moutains of Switzerland and not much farming is done, except in the valleys.
When about eighteen years old, he left his home for America, in company with two other young men. He landed in New York City with but little money, and soon located at Alli- ance, Ohio, where he engaged in farming for three years. He was married at Canton, Ohio, and then moved to a small town near St. Jo- seph, Missouri, where his wife died. He was discouraged and tempted to return to his home in Switzerland, but was first persuaded by friends in Saunders county, Nebraska, to make them a visit. So pleased was he with the farm- ing opportunities of that state that he home- steaded near Yutan, Saunders county, and in the same spring worked for a Mr. Gantz, and later for Mr. Schaup in the mill at Papillion. He kept the homestead for some time and then sold out. He bought his present farm in Sar- py county, Nebraska, from Ham Hinkel. It consisted of 160 acres, and to this he added a tract of 80 acres, making 240 acres of finely improved farming land. He also had a timber claim in Furnas county, and some land in Hamilton county. Nebraska, which he sold. He removed to his present home during the winter succeeding his purchase, and erected a small house and a temporary barn, which were shortly after destroyed by fire. Another was built on the present site, and from the 80 acres which he purchased he moved the small house as an addition to it, making it a comfortable and roomy home. He subsequently built a substantial barn, 28 by 32 feet, in size, with a granary and corn crib attached. Previous to the purchase of his home, Mr. Zeorian worked for J. D. Spearman, being employed in hauling
257
SAUNDERS AND SARPY COUNTIES
and teaming to and from Omaha. He has made all the improvements upon the property, which is in as good condition as any in the dis- trict. In 1884 he set out cottonwood, maple, and ash trees, and has a grove of two acres. He has about 18 acres of fruit trees in all, consisting of three different orchards, one of five acres near the house, another of eight acres south of the house, and a third of five acres on the So-acre tract which he last bought. He set out three acres of peach trees in the spring of 1899, which are growing well and give much promise. He has a large pasture of 50 acres, through which there is a stream of running water supplied by a strong spring. It was the water supply that induced Mr. Zeo- rian to build so far back from the road. The spring supplies water for all the stock, and there is also a 30-foot well near the house. Mr. Zeorian has met with success in raising Shorthorn cattle, and Poland-China hogs, preferring the latter to any other kind, after having given them all a thorough trial.
Mr. Zeorian formed a second matrimonial alliance, in this instance with Florence Rarick, a daughter of J. W. and Mary Rarick, of Iowa, the latter being the parents of five children : Glo- riana, who died at the age of twenty years; Florence, Mr. Zeorian's wife; Sherman, who lives in Iowa; Mattie (Maxwell), of Califor- nia; and Mrs. Frank Orth, of Portland, Ore- gon. Two children, Laura and Beulah, are deceased. Mrs. Zeorian was reared, mainly, in Ohio. She is of English descent, and one of her uncles has traced the family history, on the mother's side, back to Oliver Cromwell.
The subject of this sketch and his wife have ten children, all living, as follows: Pearl; El- mer; Roy; Mattie B .; Minnie May; William E. : John W .; Solomon, Jr .; Ralph Dewey, and James Kirk. In politics Mr. Zeorian is a Re- publican, while in religious attachments he is a member of the Congregational church.
OHN PETTY, who has been located in Sarpy county, Nebraska, since 1866, has a fine farm in Springfield precinct, and is extensively engaged in general farming, dairying and stock raising. He is one of the reliable citizens of that district, and is held in the highest esteem.
Mr. Petty was born in Ontario, Canada, in November, 1837, and is a son of John and Phebe (Bell) Petty,-his parents being of English descent. Seven children were born to his parents, as follows: John, the subject of this sketch ; Thomas, deceased, who lived in Ne- braska for a time; Edmond, of Hot Springs, South Dakota; Joseph, a ranchman and spec- ulator of the same place, who owned the farm on which that town is now located, and also started the town; Anne, who lives in Canada; Phebe, who also lives in Canada; and one who died young.
John Petty moved to Sarpy county, Nebras- ka, from Ontario, Canada, in 1866. The trip was made overland by wagon, drawn by two horses, and consumed five weeks and two days. He settled first in section 11, just north of his present home, on supply school land,
258
BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
where he made quite extensive improvements. He was later completely burned out. He re- built and lived there until 1894, when he pur- chased his present fine farm of 120 acres at $57 per acre. He remodeled and added to the house, which is now a double one, 16 by 20 feet each way, and also built a barn 20 by 30 feet in dimensions, with corn crib adjoin- ing. He built corn cribs, cow sheds, and other necessary outbuildings, and the farm is now in excellent condition for successfully carry- ing on his business. His original farm of 160 acres he sold to Mr. Shubert. The orchard on his present farm was set out in 1883, and he has set out a young orchard which prom- ises well. His house and the surrounding grounds cover five acres and present an at- tractive appearance from the road. In early days the yield of his land was very heavy, and he now plants, principally, corn. He is also engaged in dairy,-milking 14 cows,-and supplies the creamery at Spring- field. He has high grade stock, and favors Shorthorns. He has a good 100-foot tubular well, which is equipped with a windmill.
Mr. Petty's first wife died in 1880, having given birth to three children in Canada, and two in Sarpy county. They are as follows : Jennie Correll, of Oxford, Nebraska; John, deceased; James, a farmer and ranchman of South Dakota ; Julia (Cunningham), of Sarpy county ; and Phebe, who is single, and is now visiting in this state. Mrs. Petty's maid- en name was Elizabeth Coleman, and she was a sister of Thomas Coleman, a prominent farmer and ranchman of Sarpy county. Mr.
Petty subsequently formed a second marriage, wedding Dora Barton, of Iowa, and they have had nine children, eight of whom are living as follows: Annie; Cora; Lucy; Kate; Ray ; Earl; Mary; and John, Jr. Politically the subject of this sketch is a Democrat.
DWARD E. GOOD, a leading at- torney of the Saunders county bar, has been practicing law at Wahoo ever since his admission, in 1885, and has met with good success. He is one of the most ac- tive and enterprising men of the town, and in addition to his practice, has been identified with a number of public ventures, which have been of material benefit to the place.
Mr. Good was born near Bloomfield, Davis county, Iowa, May 13, 1862, and is a son of William H. and Mary ( Mccullough) Good. He attended the Southern Iowa State Normal School, of Bloomfield, and pursued his legal studies at the State University of Iowa, from which he graduated with the class of 1885. During his college days, he and Hon. B. F. Good, the present judge of the Fifth Judicial District of Nebraska, were associates, both be- ing in the same college class. After graduation, together they located at Wahoo, form- ing a partnership which existed until January I, 1900. Edward E. Good has devoted his entire time to his practice, and a good paying clientage has been his reward. In politics, he is a Republican, and takes an active interest in the workings of the party. He is a director
259
SAUNDERS AND SARPY COUNTIES
in the First National Bank of Wahoo, and also a director in the Wahoo Building & Loan As- sociation, of which he served as president for four years.
Mr. Good was united in marriage with Or- pha Gillilan, of Central City, Iowa, in 1885. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic Order, belonging to blue lodge, the chapter, commandery and the shrine. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias; the A. O. U. W., and the Woodmen of the World.
H. DAVIDSON is one of Ne- braska's pioneers, who has been ambitious to develop the rich re- sources and further the useful enterprises of his state, and to that end he has devoted much time and labor. He is a prompt and careful business man, and by strict integrity and per- severing industry, he has amassed a comfort- able fortune. He is now the owner of over 1,500 acres of good farming land, and a num- ber of buildings, and is president of the Sarpy County State Bank, which is located at Spring- field. He was born in Hollidaysburg, Penn- sylvania, March 11, 1853, and is the only child of James and Sarah J. (Murphy) Davidson, the latter a native of Pennsylvania, while the former was born and reared in Ohio, although his parents were originally from Pennsylva- nia.
James Davidson crossed the Missouri River November 1, 1856, and took up a warrant of
160 acres of land near the Platte River, in Sarpy county, located in section 18, township 12, range 11, 40 acres of which were never transferred. In the following spring his wife and his son, W. H., joined him. W. H. Dav- idson still has a good recollection of the many incidents that took place on the boat from St. Louis, Missouri, to Bellevue, Nebraska. After the father had spent the required five days and nights' on his farm, he pre-empted another tract of land near the South Bend bridge, on the old town site of Platford. This land is now owned by J. H. Preston, and Mr. David- son was obliged to pay 60 per cent for the money he borrowed to pay on the farm. About that time an uncle pre-empted a tract of land in Sarpy county, but in 1858, he moved to Omaha, and from there to Nebraska City, where he remained until he enlisted in the Union army. He spent three years in the army and was mustered out as a captain. W. H. Davidson's father built a house on the old Platford town site, in which he lived two years, and in the fall of 1859 he moved to the present homestead, in section 5, township 12, range II. On the 40 acres west of the present buildings, he built a log house and a straw stable. Around the house he set out many cot- tonwood shoots, which were obtained from the Platte River. Some of the trees grown from them now have a diameter of 32 inches each. In 1861, W. H. Davidson set out a twig, which broke and caused a large gnarl in the huge tree, as it still stands. Five and six yoke of oxen were then used in turning the soil. This work was hired by James Davidson, and he was
260
BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
obliged to pay $4 and $5 per acre, which was more than the land cost. In 1865-1866, Mr. Davidson helped to set out a two and one-half acre grove of cottonwood trees, which were recently sawed into 17,000 feet of lumber, a 16-foot cut of one tree making 320 feet of lum- ber. He also helped to set out an orchard of 50 trees in 1863, but the trees were all killed during the following winter. In 1858 Mr. Davidson took the contract for carrying the weekly mail from Bellevue to Platford, for four years; he made a trip by horseback every week for a short time, when he sold the route, and was succeeded by Horace Rogers. For many years his produce was marketed at Omaha, which city had but few improvements at that time. Mr. Davidson has a good recol- lection of the road along which he traveled, and of the two old wooden bridges across Buf- falo and Papillion creeks. Wheat was raised extensively by James Davidson, which, after being cradled, was threshed either with a flail or by allowing the animals to tramp out the grain. The first thresher seen in his section of Sarpy county was a horse-power machine, in 1862, and all the neighbors were wont to as- sist each other; the threshers each furnished one team and charged 8 cents a bushel. The subject hereof has spent many a day operating the self-raking harvester and helping to bind, and he remembers the first wire binder that made its appearance, in 1878. The machines cost from $300 to $350 each, and James David- son bought a half interest in a Plano binder for $250. In 1883 twine-binders came into use, and at that time, twine was worth 22C
per pound. The early pioneer knew little of screen doors and windows, which came into use about 1874. Mr. Davidson had a great number of cows, and in 1865 he sold to H. K. Clark, of Bellevue, 800 pounds of butter, which he had helped to churn by hand. This was hauled to Denver, Colorado, by oxen. He also had a number of steers, which were then used for all farming purposes. An unbroken steer cost $45 and $50, while a good pair of oxen brought as much as $140. Horses were then very high-priced, and were considered quite a luxury. His first frame barn was built in 1870. It still stands, in a good state of preservation, and is used for a shed and granary. At that time pine shingles cost $4 per thousand, while floor- ing lumber cost $50 per thousand. The money for building this barn was raised by selling wheat, which the subject hereof hauled to Omaha, bringing back a load of lumber. W. H. Davidson's present residence was built in 1874. The main part was 18 by 28 feet in dimensions, and a story and a half high, the original build- ing being of logs, and consisted of a room 16 feet square. To the west of the house W. H. Davidson assisted his father in setting out a walnut grove, containing four long rows. Some of the trees have grown to be 50 inches in circumference. He also helped put out a hedge, which extends about half a mile along the road. In 1892 W. H. Davidson's present barn was built, which is 32 feet square, with 16-foot posts. Two large cattle sheds and corn cribs have also been built. One is 100 by 20 feet in dimensions, and holds 5,000 bush- els of corn, while the size of the other is 112
261
SAUNDERS AND SARPY COUNTIES
by 20 feet. In the center of his cattle yard is a self-feeder, which holds a large supply of corn. James Davidson managed the farm un- til 1892, when he retired from active life and moved to Springfield, Nebraska, where he passed from this life, in 1895. He was one of the largest stockholders in the Sarpy County State Bank. At the time of his death, he owned 1,000 acres of good farming land, all of which was in one body, and W. H. David- son was the only heir to the same. James Davidson was an influential farmer and citi- zen of Sarpy county, and his death was deeply deplored by his many friends, who knew him to be upright and honest in all his transactions.
W. H. Davidson received his educational training in the district school of district 9, which extended across the county, and Miss Bates, now Mrs. A. V. Rogers, of Springfield, was his first teacher. He also attended the Bellevue graded school, and the state university at Lin- coln. He assisted his father in operating the farmı, and since 1892 he has managed it alone. Since August, 1895, however, he has devoted most of his time to the management of the bank of which he is president. He owns 32 . of the 36 shares, which are valued at 8500 each, and as he is a man of good financial abil- ity, through his exertions the bank is able to keep pace with the rapid growth of Sarpy county. The Protestant church in the vicinity was built, in 1885, by public subscription. For many years previous to that time church meet- ings were held at the different homes-as elec- tions were often held. Before the death of his father, W. H. Davidson had purchased 527
acres of land, all of which is adjoining the homestead, with the exception of 120 acres. The most of his farms are rented. There are six tenement houses on these farms. From the one operated by the subject hereof he ships several carloads of cattle each year, raised thereon. He has three wells, one of which is tubular and 70 feet deep, while another is 10 feet in depth, both being operated by windmills. The third well is used for domestic purposes." In politics Mr. David- son is a stanch Republican, and has served on the school board. In 1879 he wedded Olive Lefler, who came to Sarpy county from In- diana, on a visit of a year's duration. They have five children: James, assistant cashier in the bank; John, Floyd, Sarah, and Charles. The two last named attended school in district 17, while John and Floyd attend the high school in Springfield. Mr. Davidson is widely known throughout the county, and regarded as an honest, upright and straightforward business man, and one who always lends his influence to promote the welfare of his community and state.
A NSEL SPALDING JUCKETT, one of the representative citizens of Saunders county, Nebraska, resides upon his excellent farm of 160 acres in Pohocco precinct. He was born at Whitehall, Washington county, New York, and is a son of Daniel and Rachael (Wheadon) Juckett, and a grandson of Mi- chael Juckett, who settled at the head of Lake Champlain shortly after the Revolutionary War. Mr. Juckett's parents are both living,
262
BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
Mrs. Juckett's maiden name being Wheadon, a highly connected family of that period. The family consists of four children, all of whom are living, as follows: Ansel Spalding, Byron, Marsellous, and Martha, the wife of James Wilson. With the exception of Ansel, all, with their families, live near their parents at White- hall, New York.
Ansel Spalding Juckett's early life was spent on a farm, and influenced by the same condi- tions that affected all alike in his time. Boys were taught to swing the ax in the forest and assist in earning a livelihood, taking at odd times what schooling the community afforded. However, through his parents' especial care, and by reason of his own perseverance and ambitious disposition, he managed to acquire a very good common school education. Upon approaching his majority, his younger broth- ers having grown up to relieve him of his cares and duties at home, he went out on his own responsibility. For a short time he worked as a farm hand, but finally turned his attention to canaling, serving at different times both as boat hand and on the tow path. It was not long until he got a position in Ami Gibbs' company store, at Whitehall, New York, and this position he held for some time, at last taking almost entire charge of the man- agement. It was while there that he formed the acquaintance of and married Marge L. McConnell, a daughter of Daniel and Lauret- ta McConnell, then living at Mooers, Clinton county, New York. The succeeding ten years were spent in mixed farming, dairying and gardening in Washington and Warren coun-
ties, New York. He then became interested in the development of the West, and came to Nebraska in the spring of 1876, leaving his family to follow a few months later. Through the advice of friends familiar with the differ- ent portions of the state, he settled in Saun- ders county. Although the country was yet very new, the real hardships to which earlier settlers had been exposed were over. The country at this time was just beginning to prosper, and to offer assurance of permanent homes. The summer of 1876 was spent in work upon the construction of the new Lin- coln branch of the Union Pacific Railroad, from Valley, Douglas county, and Mr. Juck- ett, with ox teams, broke the land for the town site where Yutan now stands. His family having arrived in the fall, he rented a farm in Marble precinct, for a home, and continued to rent for three successive seasons, when he purchased his present home, which had pre- viously been homesteaded by Abner Smith. This farm of 160 acres is situated in the north- east corner of Pohocco precinct, six and one- half miles southeast of Fremont, Dodge coun- ty, Nebraska.
Mr. Juckett's family consists of two chil- dren: Delbert B., who is engaged in public school work ; and Frances, wife of Dr. M. W. Page, of Spencer, Clay county, Iowa. They were both born in the state of New York. The subject of this sketch has been prosperous and quite successful, and is loyal to the state of Nebraska and her interests. Since leaving New York he, with his family, has made three visits to his old home and relations. He is a
263
SAUNDERS AND SARPY COUNTIES
member of the M. E. church, and a Populist in politics. He has never held office except that of member of the school board, and could not be persuaded to enter public life in any capacity.
Delbert Byron Juckett, the only son of An- sel S. and Marge L. (McConnell) Juckett, was born in Whitehall, Washington county, New York, April 28, 1869. At the age of eight years, Mr. Juckett came to Nebraska, with his parents. From that time his boy- hood experiences were molded by conditions surrounding a family trying, in a new coun- try, to make the best of adverse circumstances and to build up a home for the future. His attendance at school was consequently more or less irregular. However, he managed to get what was to be had in the district school, and at the age of nineteen years entered the Fremont Business College, graduating in one year. He then entered the Fremont Normal School, from which he was graduated with the class of 1894. In the meantime he taught school at intervals, and therefore his college course was by no means continuous. D. B. Juckett has been engaged in active school work for some time. As principal of public schools, he has filled positions as follows : One year at Linwood, Butler county; three years at Malmo, Saunders county ; and three years at Morse Bluff, Saunders county. He is en- gaged for the present at Weston, Saunders county.
Taking advantage of summer vacations, Mr. Juckett has availed himself of the oppor- tunity to see the greater portion of our own
country, visiting on different occasions, the cities along the Atlantic coast, the Pacific coast, and portions of Canada and the South. In political faith he is a Fusionist, and a great admirer of Mr. Bryan. He believes that every voter should be a politician, so far at least, as his responsibility to government goes.
E. MILLER is one of the enter- prising and prosperous business men of Springfield, Sarpy county, Nebraska, where he is engaged in the drug busi- ness, and he undoubtedly carries a larger line of drugs than any druggist in his section of the county. He is an active, wide-awake and con- scientious business man, and in both business and social circles he has many friends. He was born in Aylmer, Canada, in 1857, and is a son of John H. and Mary (Curtis) Miller, who drove through to Sarpy county by wagon. John H. Miller bought land three miles north- east of Springfield, and at first lived with his family in a dug-out. He set out a 10-acre or- chard, from which he sold $1,800 worth of apples in one year, besides raising considerable other fruit. He also built a fine house and sev- eral outbuildings. He gave W. E. Miller an 80-acre tract, which he still owns. John H. Mil- ler continued to till the farm there until his death, March 20, 1900, and his widow now resides on the farm. W. E. Miller has a brother and three half-sisters, namely: James C., who is now editor of the "Springfield Mon- itor," and is also a physician and pharmacist,
264
BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
having operated a store in Springfield before the subject hereof opened his store; Mrs. W. WV. Dowe, who is the wife of a stockman and butcher of Springfield, and has one daughter, Mrs. George Snyder, of Hooper, Nebraska; Mrs. W. L. Williams, who resides at Papil- lion, Nebraska; and Mrs. Reynolds, who lives in Fairview precinct.
W. E. Miller was reared on his father's farm, and during 1873-1874 he was a student at the state university, but in the following year he began to hustle for himself. In 1877 he started in the drug business, buying out Dr. Clark's old stand in Sarpy Center. In 1880 he sold his place of business and homesteaded a farm in Holt county. When the town of Springfield was started, in the fall of 1881, Mr. Miller was engaged in various enterprises until 1888, when he re-entered the drug busi- ness. He continued to conduct that store for three years, and then sold out to O. F. Har- lan & Brother. Two and one-half years later he re-purchased the store, and in 1891 he erected his present store building, which is a two-story structure, 22 by 40 feet in dimen- sions. It is a handsome pressed-brick build- ing, and was completed at a cost of $2,500. The large stock carried is also worth about $2,500. Mr. Miller's wife owns considerable real estate in Springfield, while he owns two fine farms, one of which consists of 80 acres, and is located three and one-half miles west of town-the west half of the southeast quarter of section 20, township 13, range II. The other farm is located on the east half of the southwest quarter of section 8, township
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.