USA > Nebraska > Sarpy County > Biographical record : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Saunders and Sarpy Counties, Nebraska > Part 8
USA > Nebraska > Saunders County > Biographical record : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Saunders and Sarpy Counties, Nebraska > Part 8
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ILLIAM E. DECH was for many years one of the leading agriculturists of Wahoo precinct, Saunders county, Nebraska, of which he was a very early settler, but since 1893 he has been living a retired life at Ithaca, Nebraska. He was born in Monroe county, Pennsylvania, in 1841, and is a son of Elijah and Hannah (Heller) Dech.
Elijah Dech was a native of Northampton county, Pennsylvania, where he lived until April, 1857. He then removed to Lee county, Illinois, and engaged in farming, although his previous occupation had been that of a miller. In the spring of 1868 he went west to Ithaca, Saunders county, Nebraska, and homesteaded 80 acres in section 28, Wahoo precinct. He built a house 16 by 24 feet in dimensions upon the site of the present house of Barney Schroeder. Ithaca was laid out upon his farm. He was the first postmaster of that town, the postoffice being established in his house in 1869. He
died March 24, 1872, at the age of sixty-nine years, his widow surviving until 1892, when she passed away at the advanced age of eighty years. They were parents of the following children : Josiah J., a gentleman whose life- history appears elsewhere in this work; John, of Antelope, Nebraska; George, of Colorado; William E .; Susan, deceased ; Mary Ann, wife of Alfred Eyer ; Martha, wife of R. L. Roberts; and Helen, wife of B. Parks.
William E. Dech was reared and schooled in his native state, and in 1861 enlisted in the army service. He became a private in Com- pany G, 10th Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served three years, ten months, and twenty days, in a most creditable manner. In October, 1869, he arrived in Wahoo pre- cinct, Saunders county, Nebraska, and home- steaded the east half of the southwest quarter of section 28. He did not favor the idea of living in a sod house, so did not immediately build. He bought a yoke of oxen, plowed the ground and sowed grain. Having harvested his crops, he exchanged wheat at 35 cents per bushel for lumber, and was thus enabled to build a home. It was hard work to get a good start, but he managed to make both ends meet, and in time became one of the most prosperous men in the county. He set out a grove of trees and a splendid orchard, and was actively en- gaged in general farming and stock raising until 1893, when he retired. He built a fine residence in Ithaca, in which he still resides. In addition to his original farm he purchased another 80 acres in section 29, and the 80 acres homesteaded by his father, and owns a half sec-
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tion of land in Antelope county, Nebraska, which he rents. He owns stock in the Ithaca State Bank, and is one of its directors.
Mr. Dech was united in marriage with Mary E. Phelps, a daughter of Samuel T. Phelps, of Dixon, Illinois, and they have reared one daughter, namely: Amy, who married Robert Dech, and has two children; Nina and Lilah.
The subject of this sketch served sixteen years as school director and nine years as road supervisor. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and votes the Populist ticket.
HARLES O. JOHNSON, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of Stocking precinct, Saunders county, Nebraska, owns one of the most productive and beauti- fully situated farms in that county. Mr. John- son was born in Sweden in 1848. He is a son of Olof and Christina (Larson) Johnson. His parents came to the United States in 1851, settling in Burlington, Iowa. They lived in Jefferson county, in that state, for eight years. and then moved to Henderson county, Illinois. The elder Mr. Johnson then retired from active business pursuits and spent his last years at the home of his son, Charles. He died when sixty- five years old. His widow still survives him and resides in Illinois, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. Their family consisted of nine children, as follows: Christina, Caroline, Charles O., Clara, Louise, Matilda, Peter G., and a twin son and daughter, both of whom died young.
Charles O. Johnson left home at an early age to make his own way in the world. In 1864 he enlisted in Company H, 28th Reg. Ill. Vol. Inf., as a private. He served until the close of the war, and saw active service at Spanish Fort and Fort Blakeley.
After the war Mr. Johnson returned to Illinois, where he engaged in farming until his marriage with Annie Peterson. Mrs. Johnson is a daughter of Peter Peterson. Soon after marriage the young folk went to Montgomery county, Iowa, where they were engaged in farming for nine years. Mr. Johnson then purchased 80 acres of land in the same county and improved it so as to be able to sell to good advantage. This he did, and after selling he went further west and settled in Stocking pre- cinct, Saunders county, Nebraska. In 1883 he purchased the Adam Miller farm in section 16 of Stocking precinct, and, a little later, added to it 40 acres of adjoining land, which he purchased from J. F. Gilliland.
The original farm purchased by Mr. Johnson contained a house 24 by 32 feet in dimensions. This was enlarged into a modern house of ample proportions. Mr. Johnson set out more shade trees, new orchards, etc. He also built new barns, and now lias a very choice and well improved farm. It is also finely situated ; one of the grandest views of the county can be ob- tained from it toward the west and north. This farm is also very productive, and has frequently yielded as much as 60 busliels of corn to the acre. Mr. Johnson usually puts 100 acres in corn, as lie feeds about 80 cattle and 60 hogs. He also raises many fine draft horses.
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To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been born seven children, as follows: Clara, deceased; Minnie, Clara, Effie, Mabel, Daniel O., and Russell H. Politically, the subject hereof is a Republican. He has served his party as road supervisor, school trustee, etc. He favors the Lutheran creed, and is a prominent member of J. A. Andrus Post, No. 90, G. A. R. Mr. Johnson is a man of influence and prom- inence in his community.
A DOLPH SOLAND, a large land owner of Wahoo precinct, Saunders county, Nebraska, is one of the prosperous farmers of that section. He was born in Han- cock county, Illinois, November 17, 1855, and is a son of Jacob and Susan ( Bertchie) Soland.
Adolph Soland was reared in Illinois, and lived there until he was twenty-five years of age. In 1880 he moved to Saunders county, Nebraska, and purchased of J. W. Knapp 80 acres in section 32, which had been home- steaded by W. H. Uhler. There he has since re- sided, erecting his present handsome residence in 1898. In addition to this, in 1885, he pur- chased 80 acres of Z. B. Knapp; in 1890, 40 acres of T. and F. Zingrie; in 1894, 80 acres of Mr. Kansanback; and 331/2 acres of J. W. Knapp, making in all 3131/2 acres in Wahoo and Stocking precincts. He has greatly im- proved the land, which yields an average of 60 bushels of corn per acre, and he has been equally successful in raising other grain. He has set out a large number of shade trees, thus
greatly beautifying his property, and also a fine orchard, consisting chiefly of cherry and apple trees. The farm is stocked with an ex- ceptionally high grade of animals. He formerly raised Hereford cattle, but in recent years has raised Shorthorns, and with greater success. He raises from 80 to 100 hogs per year, and also a number of mules. Mr. Soland as a young man was dependent upon his own re- sources, and what he owns today is the result of his individual efforts. He is deemed one of the substantial citizens of his community, and enjoys the friendship of all with whom he comes in contact.
The subject of this sketch was united in mar- riage with Florence Scott, a daughter of John Scott, of Illinois. She was born in Kansas, and one child has blessed her union with Mr. Soland, namely : Gladys. They are very fond of children, and in the kindness of their hearts they have given a home to four children who were taken from the Christian Home, at Council Bluffs, Iowa, bestowing upon them the parental love which every child craves. Their names are as follows : Dorsey Davis, Emerson Davis, Robert Bradbury, and Eva Bradbury.
RS. LUCY J. HENRY, widow of the late Solomon Henry, resides upon the splendid farm in Stocking pre- cinct, Saunders county, Nebraska, where both worked in unison for so many years, and where the latter died in 1890.
Solomon Henry was one of the pioneer set-
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tlers of Saunders county. He was born in Madison county, New York, March 4, 1824. His parents, Elijah and Lucy (Perry) Henry, moved to Jefferson county, Wisconsin, with their family in 1844. They settled upon a farm and followed agricultural pursuits all their days.
Solomon was reared on a farm, and, like his father made farming his life work. In 1859 he married Lucy Jane Groves, the subject here- of. Soon after marriage, the young people started for Pike's Peak in company with Austin and John Smith and their families. They traveled in covered wagons from Wisconsin, taking all their worldly goods with them. It was their intention to engage in mining. Six weeks later they reached Plattsmouth, Ne- braska, where they met several families who were returning without success. Mr. and Mrs. Henry proceeded no further on their journey. They stopped at Plattsmouth about eighteen months, conducted a ranch near Central City about four years, after which they took up a claim about four miles northwest of Ashland, Saunders county, Nebraska. They were the seventh family to locate in Saunders county. Their claim was directly adjoining that of their friends, the Smiths. They settled upon it in 1863, and lived upon it one year and a half. Selling out to advantage, Mr. and Mrs. Henry sought a new location.
In 1870 they homesteaded 80 acres in Stock- ing township, their land being the southeast corner of section 14. With his wife's assistance Mr. Henry built a dugout for a house and one also for a barn. These were built near the
location of the present house and barn. They broke the sod and sowed grain, etc., making improvements as best they could. In 1875 the main part of the present house was built. This has been greatly en- larged since then, and spacious barns, corn- cribs, etc., have also been built. About 100 fruit trees, and a great number of forest trees have been planted. About the same time Mr. Henry purchased the southwest quarter of sec- tion 14, which was directly adjoining his 80 acres. This gave him a farm of ample propor- tions. He added to it, and accumulated land until his death, which took place on October 8, 1890. He left a large estate to be divided among his widow and their six children.
In politics Mr. Henry was an independent Republican, and religiously, a consistent mem- ber of the Baptist church. He was influential and popular, and, on his decease, was deeply mourned by all in his community.
Mrs. Lucy J. Henry, the subject hereof, was born June 7, 1842, in eastern Canada. She is a daughter of John and Dorcas (Hanson) Groves, and was reared and educated in Ver- mont and Wisconsin. Her father was a mason by trade, but late in life devoted his time ex- clusively to farming.
Mrs. Henry and her children still conduct the farm, where they are very pleasantly situ- ated. Two daughters have married and left the home nest, as has also Charles, who has a ranch in Cheyenne county, Nebraska. The others still reside with Mrs. Henry. The children are as follows : George Franklin, Alice, Ida, Emma, Galerd, and Charles. Ida married
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Herman Smith. They reside in Alliance, Ne- braska, and have three children : Harry, Henry, and Olah. Emma married E. S. Owen, and resides near Alliance. They have also three children, whose names are Ethel, Edna, and Lottie.
Mrs. Henry recalls to mind many interesting anecdotes and occurrences connected with her early life in Saunders county. She and her husband, like many others, experienced many hardships and endured many privations before they obtained their start. Surrounded as she is today by her loved ones, she has but to enjoy life and can express no wish which long re- mains ungratified.
HILANDER P. CHURCH, one of the leading citizens of Stocking precinct, Saunders county, Nebraska, is exten- sively engaged in agricultural pursuits, having one of the finest farms and residences in his vicinity.
Mr. Church was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1843, and is a son of Lemuel and Ruth (Bailey) Church. Lemuel Church led a retired life after locating in Saun- ders county, having been a carpenter and farmer in his active days. He died in the eighty-first year of his age, and his wife still survives him at the age of seventy-nine years, living with the subject hereof.
Philander P. Church learned the trade of a carpenter with his father, and followed it until he had a small start, when he came west to
Saunders county, Nebraska, in 1871. He home- steaded 80 acres, and timber claimed 80 acres of government land, where he now lives, and drew lumber from Ashland with which he built a small frame house in the center of his farm. He added many important improvements to the place, and set out a large grove of shade trees. In 1875 he moved his house to its pres- ent site, and built an addition, and in 1885 he erected a fine new house, whose dimensions are 26 by 26 feet, the other part being 16 by 24 feet. He also set out shade trees, shrubbery, and a fine orchard, and built cribs. In 1891 he built a large barn, 45 by 50 feet in dimensions. He has a good water supply on the farm, and a windmill which draws water 75 feet, in abundance. He has about 20 acres of forest land, which he set out in slips, or planted in seed, and this supplies him with needed stove- wood and posts. His farm is well stocked with cattle and hogs, and his principal crops are corn and oats. He is a man of excellent busi- ness ability, energy and good judgment, and, withal, a man of the highest character. He has dealt with all men with fairness and honesty, and enjoys the highest respect and friendship of his fellow citizens.
Mr. Church was united in marriage with Alma Webster, a daughter of Roswell Webster, of Ashtabula county, Ohio, and they are the parents of two children: Otto, who married Estella Linder, and lives at home; and Kate, who is also at home. Politically, Mr. Church is a Republican, and has served on the school board since 1872; also one term as assessor. He has been a member of the Saunders County
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Agricultural Society since its organization, and is now serving his second term as its vice- president.
UGUST O. EKDAHL, who has one of the most valuable and best conducted farms in Mariposa precinct, Saund- ers county, Nebraska, is the earliest settler of that community. He was born in Ostergotland, Sweden, in 1833, and is a son of Olof and Sophia Marie (Anderson) Person.
Coming to America in 1868, Mr. Ekdahl located at Omaha, Nebraska, on June 13, where he was first employed by the Union Pacific Railroad Company on a ferry boat on the Mis- souri River. He worked thus but a few days when he went 700 miles west, to Laramie City, Wyoming, and was there variously employed for a period of eleven months, building bridges, etc., for the railroad company. He returned to Omaha on May 11, 1869, and took a steamer down the Missouri River, inspecting Kansas land with the object of locating there. Not being pleased with the outlook he returned to Omaha June 28, 1869, and immediately set out for Saunders county with his partner, Oscar Johnson, arriving there on July 3. He home- steaded 80 acres in Chapman precinct-the east half of the northwest quarter of section 6, township 14, range 6. He owned two horses, and during the first year broke 10 acres for himself, 10 acres for Oscar Johnson, and several acres for Mr. Nelson and Mr. Ockander. Many of the settlers who came after him were poorly equipped, and Mr. Ekdahl, being kind of heart
and always anxious to help those in need of assistance, aided them in getting provisions and started in their work. John Lee plied a skiff back and forth across the Platte River, charging $2 to cross, and during the first year the subject hereof paid him and another fery- man located a mile west of Lee's crossing place, about $75 for passage. He hauled lumber from Fremont for different per- sons, charging $10 per trip, it being a very difficult one to make and requiring about five days. The heavy rains kept the roads in bad condition and frequently washed out the bridges, and Mr. Ekdahl was either obliged to ford the stream and carry the lumber up the opposite bank or to rebuild the bridge sufficient- ly to cross. In 1871 he pre-empted the east half of the southwest quarter of section 31, township 15, range 6, (which soon became railroad land), for which he paid $6 per acre, and upon this property he now lives. He had built a log granary on his original 80 acres, and this he subsequently removed to his new property, using it as a house for two years. Owing to the drouth and the prevalence of grasshoppers, it was a very difficult matter to get a start and place his farm upon a paying basis, but by energy and perseverance and the exercise of good judgment he succeeded. In 1879 lie erected a house, 12 by 16 feet, which is now used as a shed, on the north side of the barn. He built the main part of his present house in 1888, and completed it, as it now is, in 1896. In 1874 he planted many trees, but most of the fruit trees were ruined by stock, and he decided not to replant until he could
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afford to surround the orchard with a fence. He now has an excellent orchard of several acres of young trees. In 1883 he built the main part of his barn, and also other buildings, and, five years later, added sheds thereto, the dimensions being 11 by 16 and 12 by 16 feet. There is a large creek running through his land, and in 1879 he dug his first well, which is 56 feet deep. Of the railroad land, 45 acres is in pasture and hog lot, and on the other 35 acres are the buildings, orchard, and a part under cultivation. The entire 80 acres of his first acquisition is under a high state of cultivation and is as productive as any in the precinct. The farm presents a fine appearance, being well fenced, and having a strip of natural timber along the creek.
In 1879 Mr. Ekdahl was united in marriage with Anna Christina Olive Frostrom, a daughter of John Christian and Christina (Lindberg) Frostrom. Her father came to America in the spring of 1869, and first did construction work on the Union Pacific Rail- road eight months in Colorado. He then re- turned to Omaha and secured work on the bridge at St. Joseph, at which he was employed for fifteen months. He then homesteaded the east half of the southwest quarter of section 6, township 14, range 6, but later sold out to James Coleman, and purchased his present home near Weston. His family followed him to this country in the fall of 1872. A record of his children is as follows : Mrs. Ekdahl was born September 24, 1862; Jacob, born in 1863, married Lena Engvall, a daughter of C. B. Engvall, of Moline, Illinois, and they are the
parents of five children,-Bertha, Edwin, Ju- lius, Elvera, and Clifford ; Jacob now conducts his father's farm; Johanna Caroline, born in 1865, married O. Paulson, of Oregon; Hulda Augusta, born in 1867, is deceased; Lizzie was born in 1874; Amanda was born in 1877, and is the wife of R. Juline, of Rock Creek precinct ; Jolın Theodore, born in 1878, is deceased. Au- gust O. Ekdahl and his wife had eight children, of whom four are deceased : August Elim, born August 31, 1880, died December 5, 1881 ; Carl John Eli, born March 8, 1882, died April 30, 1884; Milsa Maria Olive was born November 20, 1883; Japhet Emanuel was born February 23, 1886; Roland Gotfrid was born November 7, 1889; Rhoda Amelia, twin with Roland, died January 6, 1900; one, born October 31, 1895, died in infancy; Ruth Josephine was born Septpember 7, 1899. The subject of this sketch is a Republican, and one of the first members of the Independent party. He belongs to the Baptist church of Weston. He is a man of high character, kind and considerate of others, and enjoys the confidence and good will of his fellow men to a marked degree.
OHN G. SMITH, M. D., a general prac- titioner of Wahoo, Saunders county, Ne- braska, has a pleasant office, waiting par- lors and consultation rooms in Block 164, on Fifth street. Dr. Smith is a Southerner by birth. He was born at Mckinney, Collin coun- ty, Texas. His father, B. F. Smith, was a na- tive of Kentucky and followed farming.
HON. WILLIAM H. DECH.
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In 1868, when Dr. Smith was eight years old, he accompanied his parents to Albany, Mis- souri, where he attended public school and sub- sequently commenced the study of medicine as a student under Dr. Doyle. He afterward attended Ensworth Medical College, graduat- ing in the class of 1891. After his graduation he returned to Albany, where he opened an office and practiced for about one year.
He then located at Hanover, Kansas, where he remained for six years, having built up a large practice during that period. A change of climate was desirable, however, and Dr. Smith went to Hamilton, Montana, for a short time. Later he located in South Omaha, Nebraska, where he also remained but a brief period. In 1897 he located in Weston, Saunders county, Nebraska, and practiced his profession success- fully there for two years. Desiring a more cen- tral location, Dr. Smith then removed to Wa- hoo, where he was enabled to hold his former practice in the western part of the county. In addition to this, by his ability and skill he has won the confidence of the people in other parts of that county and in Wahoo, where he now enjoys an extensive practice. Dr. Smith is nat- urally quite pleased with his change of location, as he now has a much broader field of labor.
The subject of this sketch has been twice married. His first union was contracted with Miss Orendorff, of Denver, Missouri. She died, leaving three children, namely : Freddie L., Claude C., and Wave F. Some time afterward Dr. Smith was united in marriage to Lillian Klotz, of Ashland, Nebraska. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and also belongs to
the Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen of the World, the Star of Jupiter and the Royal Neighbors, serving at the present time as med- ical examiner of the last two. Dr. Smith is rapidly advancing to the front in his profes- sion, and his success is well merited. He is among the most highly esteemed citizens of Stocking precinct.
ON. WILLIAM H. DECH, a gentle- man who has attained distinction in po- litical circles through the state of Ne- braska by reason of his enthusiastic support of the Middle-of-the-Road Populist party, has fre- quently been called into public service. He served in both bodies of the state legislature in a most satisfactory manner, always alert in promoting the interests of the district he repre- sented and the general welfare of the state. He is one of the early settlers of Saunders county, and a prominent citizen of Ithaca, where he owns a handsome property.
Mr. Dech was born near Easton, in North- ampton county, Pennsylvania, in 1840, and is a son of William and Catherine (Rice) Dech. His father was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania. William H. Dech enlisted in the army at Allentown, Pennsylvania, April 17, 1861, as a private in Company I, Ist Reg. Pa. Vol. Inf., and three months later joined the 54th Reg. Pa. Vol. Inf. He was in the service three years, participated in much hard fighting, and on July 19, 1864, was wounded in the right breast at Snicker's Gap, an injury from
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which he has never fully recovered. While in the hospital he studied medicine, but ill health prevented continuous study and he was ad- vised to go to the mountains. He accompanied an excursion party on the river, from Pitts- burg, and during the trip, many of the passen- gers were taken sick, and were relieved by the treatment Mr. Dech was able to give by reason of his knowledge of medicine. He arrived at St. Joseph, Mo., where he met Dr. Donoland of Plattsmouth, Nebraska, upon whose advice he went to the latter city. He there made the acquaintance of Dr. Johnson, who told him of the wonderful climate of Saunders county. Under his influence he went to visit the only settler in his locality, T. H. Bissell, an early frontiersman and cattle man, who had settled in section 33. So favorable was the impression made upon him by the land in the valley of Wahoo Creek that he immediately took up 80 acres in the southeast corner of section 20. There was no building located upon the prop- erty, and as a protection to the flour which he bought he drove willow sticks into the ground and covered them with shirts. He soon con- structed a shanty of limbs and leaves, and, hav- ing purchased a yoke of cattle, began to break the land. He built a small cabin and then wrote to his father, who came on with his family and took up the 80 acres on which S. Purbaugh now resides. His father improved his farm and car- ried on farming the remainder of his life, dying in 1890, at the age of seventy-seven years. His widow died in 1891, aged seventy-two years. They were the parents of the following chil- dren : Sabina W .; William H .; Lizzie, the wife
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