USA > Nebraska > Sarpy County > Biographical record : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Saunders and Sarpy Counties, Nebraska > Part 32
USA > Nebraska > Saunders County > Biographical record : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Saunders and Sarpy Counties, Nebraska > Part 32
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ACOB FACKLER is a pioneer settler of Sarpy county, Nebraska, where he still owns considerable farming land; after many years of unremitting toil in the occupa- tion of a husbandman and a stock raiser, he suc- ceeded in accumulating a comfortable compe- tency, upon which he is now living in retire- ment. He is a typical self-made man, and has many friends throughout the county, who know him to be an honest and upright citizen, whose word is always as good as his bond. He was born in Miami county, Ohio, July 18, 1825, and is a son of Valentine and Elizabeth ( Mill- er ) Fackler.
The subject of this writing was practically reared in Iowa, for in 1836 his parents moved there from Ohio, settling on a farm in Louisa county, near the mouth of the Iowa River.
About two years later they moved to Johnson county, Iowa, where Jacob Fackler lived until he went to Nebraska, during which time he assisted his father in farming and followed his trade as a carpenter. In 1855 he purchased 80 acres of land and two good steers, for which he was to pay $100. By hard and steady work he succeeded in paying for both. He continued farming in Iowa until 1858, when he sold his place, and on April 17 of that year started to drive to Sarpy county, Nebraska, where he arrived on the 8th of May. He first stayed with Charles Wilson, who owned a farm in township 13, range II. In a short time he took his family to Sarpy county, his family then con- sisting of his wife and three children. He brought with him to Nebraska a Black Hawk warrant, which he secured in Iowa from Mrs. Kester, a widow of a soldier of the Black Hawk War. From the government Mr. Fackler pur- chased 120 acres of land at $1.25 per acre, the land being situated in the southwest quarter of section 34, township 13, range II. During the first summer the subject hereof lived on the Boyer farm, a mile and a half distant from his property. With the coming on of winter he returned with his family to Iowa, where another child was born. In the spring of 1859 he re- turned to his claim, and in the fall of that year he bought 120 acres in section 16, township 12, range II, from "Uncle Jimmy" Russell, and also entered 40 acres. He also bought at that time a quarter section which had been pre-empted by Benjamin Driscoll. During the winter of 1864- 65 he sold the Driscoll farm to Joseph Briscoe, and about the same time disposed of 120 acres
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to Mr. Kerl. He resided upon his first farm un- til 1865, and occupied himself in breaking his land, and giving the necessary amount of care to his initial crops. In 1865 he sold his first warrant of land, and bought 120 acres located near the Platte River, in section 30, township 13, range 12, from A. Kingman. Upon this farm he took up his residence. A few years later he bought an adjoining 160 acres, in section 31, and, as he had accumulated a large herd of cat- tle, he made cattle raising his chief pursuit, carrying on general farming also to a consider- able extent. He lived on this farm of 280 acres until March, 1898, a period of thirty years, and then moved to his present residence in Spring- field, Nebraska. He still owns his farm, and no small amount of town property. Mr. Fackler lived in a rude log house until 1876, when he built an elegant stone house, which is 32 feet long by 18 feet wide, with an L 20 feet long ; it is certainly a substantial structure. About 1876 his barn was struck by lightning and de- stroyed, a number of horses perishing in the flames, but he immediately set about the con- struction of his present barn, which has a large basement under it. There is no lack of water on the farm, for two springs furnish an abund- ance of it, sending a cold stream through the milk house, thence through the cattle yards, and on out through the pasture. For many years Mr. Fackler sold his produce in Omaha, but since the town of Springfield was started and attained a degree of prosperity, he has used that place as his market. He helped to build the postoffice at Springfield, bringing the ltunber from Omaha.
In 1851 Mr. Fackler was married to Eliza- betli Nicholson, and they have the following children : Samantha Ann, deceased; Mary A., who has four children, and lives in Kansas; James A., who is engaged in farming in Idaho; John B., a farmer and blacksmith living in Kansas ; Alice, the wife of Byron Dill, of South Bend, Cass county, Nebraska, and mother of eight children living and one deceased ; Zrealda A., wife of George T. Burchett, living in Kan- sas, who has three children living and one de- ceased ; Jacob, Jr., deceased ; Sarah, wife of Mr. Heacock, who lives five miles north of her fa- ther's farm, and has three children: George, who lives in Kansas, 90 miles south of his father's farm; and David, who lives in Spring- field, Sarpy county, Nebraska. Politically, Mr. Fackler is a Democrat, and has held the office of school director and officiated as justice of the peace.
AGNUS NELSON GRANQUIST, a retired farmer of Clear Creek precinct, Saunders county, Nebras- ka, is a native of Sweden, where he was born in 1836. His father was Nelson Granquist and died when his son, Magnus, was but seven years old.
In early manhood Mr. Granquist followed farming in his native country and was after- wards employed in a saw mill. In 1860 he married Mary Anderson. Accompanied by his wife and one daughter he crossed the ocean to America, drifting to Omaha in 1869. One year later they took a homestead claim upon
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their present farm. They were entirely with- out means, but had strong constitutions. They determined to have a home they could call their own. Mrs. Granquist was plucky, and never failed to do her part. They built a sod house having dimensions of 10 by 14 feet, with one window and one door. Mr. Gran- quist made a rude bed, which can be seen at the present day, by the side of a shed at his home. There they lived one year without mak- ing any further improvements. The only means by which Mr. Granquist supported his family was by working on the B. & M. R. R. R. Later he purchased a shed or stable from a neighboring farmer and converted it into a house 12 by 14 feet in size. There in that rude home happiness began, although they used boxes for chairs and tables.
Mr. Granquist subsequently cultivated his farm, which in time he was able to improve. He built a comfortable residence, barns, stables, etc., and set out orchards and shade trees. Four children blessed their union, namely : Mary, Carl, Emma, and Lewis. The last named is now deceased. Mary married Charles Eggert, of Kansas. She died leaving seven children whose names are: Leslie, Ed- na, Elmer, Earl, Harrison, Lily, and Eva. Carl dicd in Sweden. Emma married Emery Par- rish, and conducts the home farm; they have one son, Harley.
Mr. Granquist follows the leadership of the Republican party. In his religious views he belongs to the Methodist church. May 24, 1898, he was called upon to mourn the loss of his beloved wife, who had stood by him so
faithfully. She was fifty-eight years old at the time of her demise. The subject of this sketch is now spending his declining years in comfort and ease. He showed true manhood and heroism by making a home for his family amid such difficulties, and deserves his present exemption from toil.
ATRICK J. HALL, ex-member of the legislature from Saunders county, Ne- braska, is an 1869 homesteader and prominent farmer of Clear Creek precinct. Mr. Hall was born in Rockbrook, County Wexford, Ireland, in 1838. His father, John Hall, came to the United States and soon afterward took part in the Mexican War. He was never heard from again. His widow, who was Bridget Summers before her marriage, took care of the children, whom she reared and educated as best she could.
When Patrick was twelve years old he began working in a crockery store at $1 per week, and boarded at home. Later he obtained a sit- uation in the "Boston Transcript" bindery, at $10 per month. When sixteen years old he accompanied his mother to Lee county, Illinois, where he followed farming until 1861. He then enlisted in the Union army as a private in Company D, 34th Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving three years.
After his experience in the war, Mr. Hall re- turned to Illinois, and rented farms for several years. He married Cecelia Becker, a daughter of Charles and Mary Becker. They started life
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together on a farm and in a few years accumu- lated a little property, but not enough to buy a home in that locality. So they took what they had, consisting of $400, their horses, a wagon, and one child, Mary, and went west to seek a location.
They took up a homestead claim of 80 acres, which is a portion of the same farm where they still reside. Mr. Hall built a house 12 by 20 feet in size, which is a part of their present resi- dence, taking the precaution to sod the side for winter protection. He subsequently purchased 160 acres of Union Pacific Railroad land, and now has a splendid residence and a fine set of buildings on his farm. He also set out a large number of fruit and shade trees. He owns the only oak grove in his section of Saunders county.
Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hall-namely : Mary, Harry, and twins, whose names are Fred and Paul. Mary married Charles Wallen, and they have four children : Charles, Ethel, Julia, and Gertie. The others are still at home.
Mr. Hall is a stanch Republican, and has served his party in many different ways. Chief among these was as member of the legislature, to which he was elected in 1885. He also served as tax collector in Illinois and as assessor in Ne- braska, filling that office in a capable manner for ten years. He takes a very decided interest in educational matters. He was instrumental in establishing a school upon his farm, and has been a school director since 1870. He is a past commander of the G. A. R:, and has passed all
the chairs of that organization and of the K. of P.
Mr. Hall can truly be called the architect of his own fortunes. Aided only by his beloved companion, he has worked his way up from a modest beginning to a place of prominence in his community, which owes a part of its growth and development to him.
B. NICHOLSON, a well known and successful farmer of Platford pre- cinct, Sarpy county, Nebraska, was born in Washington county, Indiana, in 1838. and is a son of G. B. and Angeline (McClure) Nicholson. He was one of five children : Elizabeth, John R., M. G., N. H., and J. B. Elizabeth is the wife of Jacob Fackler, a rec- ord of whose life appears elsewhere in this volume. John R., who is a farmer of Spring- field precinct, has seven children, namely : E. B., J. B., and D. H., who have families and reside in Springfield; J. R., Jr., who lives in Springfield; Thomas and George, who live at home; and Emma Jane (Ball), of Louisville. M. G., a half brother, is a retired business man and former justice of the peace of Spring- field; N. H., a half sister, is now Mrs. Dris- coll, of Fremont, Nebraska : J. B. is the gen- tleman to whose life this sketch is devoted.
J. B. Nicholson's childhood was spent in Indiana; in 1847 he was taken by his parents to a farm near Mt. Vernon, Iowa, where they lived until 1858, when they moved to Nebraska. He then went with his father to Sarpy county,
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« and located on the bottom land near the river, now owned by Mr. Barker. He pre-empted 80 acres of land, in section 2, and his father pre- empted 160 acres in section 2, township 12, range II, paying the government price of $1.25 per acre. It is now worth $45 per acre. After remaining two years, our subject returned east and in Iowa was married to Miss War- ner. He and his father left two men in charge of their claims, but one of them deserted and our subject lost his 80 acres. Leaving his young wife at Mt. Vernon, Iowa, in 1862, he enlisted in Company F, 24th Regiment Iowa Vol. Inf., and served three years, or until the close of the war. He was in many important engagements, including Vicksburg, Champion Hill, and Cedar Creek, Va., under generals Grant, Sheridan, and Banks. He was taken captive at Cedar Creek and held a prisoner until the close of the war. Returning to Iowa, he and his wife at once started for Nebraska, where he began farming in the same section in which his original pre-emption was located. He settled on school land in section 36, which was opened for sale, and remained there for two years. About 1870 he sold that property and purchased his present home, a farm of 82 acres, from state "supply" school land, at $7 per acre. It was raw land and wholly unim- proved. He built a frame house, 16 by 24 feet, hauling the lumber from Papillion, and this, with an addition in front of 14 by 24 feet, still stands and is in good repair. He built a large barn at the same time, which is also in excellent condition now. He first set out cottonwood trees, and an excellent grove
now surrounds the buildings. He has a fine orchard of one and one-half acres, and a 78 foot well, with a windmill. He has been most successful in his work, having overcome seem- ingly insurmountable obstacles confronting him, and is now recognized as one of the pros- perous men of the community.
Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson are the parents of ten children, namely: J. H., who is engaged in farming in Butler county, Nebraska; Ida L. (Byers), of Sarpy county; N. Z. (Hinkel), whose husband is in the restaurant business at Brock, Nebraska; M. Z. (Foote), of Louis- ville, Nebraska; S. P., who lives at home; S. E. (Hester), of Louisville, Nebraska; Hen- rietta, a daughter living at home; and three children who are deceased. Politically, the sub- ject of this sketch is a strong Republican. Re- ligiously, he holds to the doctrines of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. He is a man of pub- lic enterprise and has aided largely in the up- building of his neighborhood.
ILLIAM H. THOMPSON, a well known citizen of Sarpy county, Nebraska, is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Richland precinct, where he owns a fine property. He is a son of John W. and Matilda (Key) Thompson, and grandson of Greenville and Malinda (McLain) Thompson. His grandfather came to Sarpy county, Nebraska, at the time of the War of the Rebellion, and lived in retirement until his demise.
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John W. Thompson was born in Nodaway county, Missouri, January 23, 1844, and re- moved to Sarpy county, Nebraska, in 1864. There he was married to Matilda Key, a daugh- ter of James and Susanna (Ward) Key, two of the earliest settlers of Sarpy county. In 1872 Mrs. Thompson inherited 80 acres of land and money for building a home now owned by Alfred Thompson, and upon this tract they located. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson built a fine home and set out many fruit and shade trees. Their efforts met with success from the start and they were subsequently enabled to buy an adjoining quarter section of land; 80 acres on the east of D. O. Tunison's property ; 80 acres of G. Thompson; and 160 acres of new land in Papillion precinct. All of this they greatly improved and erected many new build- ings thereon. They raised 90 bushels of corn per acre on the new land, 50 bushels of oats, and 25 bushels of wheat. In later years the yield decreased to an average of 50 bushels of corn, 30 bushels of oats, and 15 bushels of wheat. They raised about 50 head of fine thoroughbred Shorthorn cattle and fed about 75 head per year, and from 100 to 200 hogs. He divided the property among his sons, and then spent two years in South Omaha in the livery business, after which he purchased a large ranch at Long Pine, Rock county, Ne- braska, where, in connection with his sons, he has been largely engaged in raising and feeding cattle. Beginning at the very bottom as a young man, he has forged his way to the front and is now a prominent and influential citizen. As a result of his union with Matilda
Key he had twelve children, nine of whom are now living. They are as follows: Will- iam H., our subject; George E., who is asso- ciated with his father, married Mary M. Nich- olas; Alfred is engaged in farming and is a machine agent for Russell & Company; Susan- na is the wife of John J. Lutz, Jr .; a son who died in infancy ; Charles E., who married Mary Raymond; Thomas E .; Granville, deceased ; Mae M .; John H., deceased; Fred Earl; and Avery.
William H. Thompson was born in Sarpy ·county, Nebraska, November 7, 1866, and taught school six terms in the two adjoining school districts, in addition to carrying on farming. He has an excellent farm in Rich- land precinct, which he is conducting in a most capable manner, and also has an interest in his father's business. He is a man of high character, and is held in the highest esteem by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
Matilda (Key) Thompson, the mother of the subject of this biography, was a woman of rare judgment and business ability and was one of the many brave pioneers, who through their untiring efforts in all lines of work, sta- bility and uprightness of character, have made Sarpy county and Nebraska what they are to- day. Of all the gentle and noble women of which the state can boast, she has done her part from the days when the country was a wilderness and the chief inhabitants were wolves and ferocious Indian savages, down to its present high state of civilization and prosperity. Her life work ended December 31, 1895, and she was laid peacefully to rest
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on January 5, 1896, in beautiful Papillion cem- etery, her bier being followed by representa- tives of every family in the neighborhood. She was one of whom we may truthfully say: "Well done, good and faithful servant, thy life work finished, come home to rest."
T ORGNY ANDERSON, M. D., enjoys the reputation of being the only Swedish physician and surgeon in the city of Wahoo, Saunders county, Nebraska. He
located in Wahoo, in May, 1893, and from the first was successful. His practice at the present time is very extensive, and his reputa- tion as a skilled physician and surgeon is well established. His office and consultation rooms are located in the Opera House Block and his fine, large residence is on Broadway.
Dr. Anderson is a native of Stockholm, Sweden. He is a son of Nils Anderson. He was reared in his native city, and was educated in the University of Stockholm. After his graduation, he came to America, and entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois, from which institution he was graduated in 1887. He then returned to his native country, and spent one year in Stockholm. Arriving again in America, he located in Chicago, Illinois, where he opened an office and practiced his chosen profession until November, 1892. Leaving Chicago, he went east, and practiced as house physician in the Presbyterian Hospi- tal, of New York City, until May, 1893.
Dr. Anderson then came west to Omaha, Ne-
braska, in quest of a good field for exertions. Friends advised him to locate in Wahoo, which he did, and has had no reason to regret so doing. His success has been greater than he anticipated, and he enjoys the patronage of a large circle of clients.
Dr. Anderson has been twice married, and twice he has been deprived by death of a be- loved wife. Each wife left him one son and one daughter. His first wife was Hannalı Bro- man, of Sweden; his second, Miss Bruce, of Saunders county, Nebraska.
Dr. Anderson is a valued member of the Nebraska State Medical Society. He also affiliates with the Hollanders, and with the Ben Hur, and A. O. U. W. organizations. He is favorably known throughout Saunders county where he enjoys the confidence of the people. In the winter of 1895-1896, he was elected on the Republican ticket, coroner of Saunders county, and filled that important office in a very creditable manner.
ILLIAM H. ORME,* senior mem- ber of the firm of W. H. Orme & Son, hardware and general merchants of Colon, Saunders county, Nebraska, is virtually the father of Colon. Mr. Orme is a self-made man in the truest sense of the term, and the progress of the little town of Colon has resulted from his efforts.
Mr. Orme was born at Ashton, England, in 1836, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Chadwick) Orme. William Orme was killed
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by an accident in a coal mine before the birth of his son, William H. His widow, with her children, came to America, in 1840. The fam- ily located in Paterson, New Jersey, and young Orme began work in New Brunswick, New Jersey, at the early age of eight years, in a wall- paper manufactory. Shortly afterward, his mother moved to New Brunswick, New Jer- sey, where the subject of this review obtained work at 80 cents a week. They next moved to Allegheny, Pennsylvania, where William H. Orme secured employment in the Arbuckle coffee plant at $1 per week. They remained there two years, when they returned to New Brunswick. From there they moved to Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania, where William H. worked in a cotton mill, and on a farm. After one year's residence there, they moved to Philadelphia, where the subject hereof worked in a millinery store. After living there eiglit months, they moved to Allegheny, Pennsylva- nia, where he was employed as a printer's devil in the "Pantograph" office for about five months, at 75 cents per week.
Some time afterward, the family moved to Chicago, and young Orme sailed on the great lakes during the summer season and worked at lumber jobs during the winter, for several years. He subsequently went to Aurora, Illi- nois, and learned the shoemaking and harness- making business, but did not like it, and again returned to the lumber business at Kewanee, Illinois. His next venture was at railroading. He began as fireman and rose to be an engineer. He then served as brakeman, and rose to a conductorship. Thus far in life, Mr. Orme had
tried everything that he wanted to undertake, in the hope of finding something which exactly suited him, but he had not.
Returning to Aurora, he worked nine and one- half years longer at the shoemaking business. After his marriage, which took place in 1858, he rented a farm one year, after which he again returned to shoemaking. In 1862, he followed both farming and shoemaking and was able to save a little money. Investing what money he had, and borrowing $500 to put with it, he went into the shoe business in Aurora, in 1865, and continued thus until 1871. He built up quite a large and paying business, and after a short time sold out for $5,800.
Mr. Orme then came west to Saunders county, Nebraska, and took up a homestead claim in section 26, township 16, range 7, which he owns at the present day. He built a board house, with dimensions of 8 by 10 feet, set out about one and one-half acres in fruit trees, and large tracts of shade trees, hedges, etc. Some cottonwood trees of his own planting are now three feet in diameter.
Mr. Orme at first devoted his time to rais- ing wheat, but this proved a failure. One year alone, his wheat cost him 57 cents a bushel, and he sold it for 40 cents. After such a dismal failure as that, Mr. Orme abandoned the idea of raising wheat and turned his attention to corn and cattle. The result has been very satisfactory. In 1888, he went to Colon, built a store there and opened a hard- ware business. In 1890, this was converted into a general store and is conducted as such at the present time, under the firm name of
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W. H. Orme & Son. They carry a fine, large stock of everything the community demands, including farm inplements. The firm has also represented the Farmers and Merchants In- surance Company, for the past eight years, and is agent for the Columbia Insurance Company, of Omaha.
Mr. Orme was joined in marriage in 1858, with Eliza Etta Philip, a daughter of Jacob Philip, of Illinois. They have two children- George Albert and Lizzie May, the latter resid- ing at home. George Albert is postmaster at Colon. He married Jennie Crinklaw, and they have two children, Mabel and Hattie Ruth. He built a fine large residence in Colon, and is junior member of the firm of W. H. Orme & Son.
Mr. Orme is a stanch Republican. He has served as justice of the peace for sixteen years, as assessor, one year, and is also a notary public. Upon first locating in Colon, the place did not contain a hall or any place where even a Sunday school could be held. Mr. Orme started a subscription, heading the list with his own donation of $50, for a hall, and suc- ceeded in raising $830 in three weeks' time A · committee was appointed to build the hall, as the town site company had donated a lot. An additional lot was purchased and the hall was built. In 1895, Mr. Orme was instru- mental in getting the village incorporated, which meant for its residents many improve- ments, such as sidewalks, school money, etc. In 1899, a jail was also built, but it is a fact worthy of mention that no one was ever put into it. The town now has 23 voters, 19 of whom are Republican.
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