USA > Nebraska > Buffalo County > Buffalo County, Nebraska, and its people : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 16
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After receiving his discharge he returned home and two years later went to Oil City, Pennsylvania, working in the oil fields. He had learned the blacksmith's trade and he engaged in dressing tools in the oil fields, where he was also employed as an engineer, remaining there until 1883, when he removed to Shelton, Nebraska, where he operated a blacksmith shop for seven years. In 1889 he came to Kearney, where he was appointed chief engineer of the State Reform School, which position he held for twenty years. He was also chief engineer at the Soldiers' Home at Grand Island, Nebraska, for a time but later retired and is now enjoying a well earned rest. He is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land seven miles north of Gibbon, which he rents and which brings to him a good income.
On the 15th of June, 1876, Mr. Heffner was united in marriage to Miss Ida Clara Maxwell, who was born in Clarion, Pennsylvania, November 25, 1855, a daughter of Robert T. and Cynthiana (Pierce) Maxwell, who spent their entire lives in the Keystone state. There Mrs. Heffner was reared and educated, pur- suing a course of study in the State Normal School at Edinboro, Pennsylvania. By her marriage she has become the mother of three sons, as follows: Ernest M., who is a dental practitioner of Omaha; Clarence E., who practices dentistry in Falls City, Nebraska, and who participated in the Spanish-American war as a member of Troop E of Colonel Torey's Rough Riders; and Guy L., who is
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general auditor in the Chicago office of the Cudahy Packing Company. Realizing the value of education, Captain Heffner has sent two of his sons to the State University. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian church and they are both held in high regard throughout the community. Fraternally he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Degree of Honor. He also be- longed to the Grand Army posts at Shelton and at Bradford but at present is not associated with any post. His wife, however, is a member of Sedgwick Corps, No. I, W. R. C. He won his title in connection with the state military service, having been first lieutenant and later captain in the State National Guard. He has done splendid work in public service, has been equally efficient and loyal in support of his country's best interests and as the years have gone on the sterling worth of his character has endeared him to all with whom he has been brought in contact.
JOHN A. WILT.
A farm of one hundred and sixty acres situated on section 10, Center town- ship, pays tribute to the care and labor bestowed upon it by its owner, John A. Wilt, who is numbered among the pioneer settlers of Buffalo county, having made his home within its borders since 1871, or for a period of more than forty-five years. He has reached the eightieth milestone on life's journey, his birth having occurred in Maryland, February 18, 1836, his parents being George and Margaret (Hackensmith) Wilt, the former a native of Adams county, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Maryland. They were married in Maryland and there spent their remaining days, rearing their family of six children in that state.
John A. Wilt is now the only survivor of the family. He was reared and educated in Maryland and remained at home until he reached the age of nineteen years, when he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until after the outbreak of the Civil war. His patriotic spirit was aroused by the continued attempt of the south to overthrow the Union and he enlisted as a private for three years' service with Company G, Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania Infantry. He participated in several hard fought battles and, though often in the thickest of the fight, was never wounded nor injured. He was mustered out at York, Pennsylvania, and returned home with a most creditable military record. While he was never wounded, he was on one occasion captured and for three months was incarcerated in Libby prison, so that he went through all the experiences and hardships of southern army prison life.
When the war was over Mr. Wilt resumed work at his trade. He had been married in Pennsylvania in 1859 to Miss Carrie H. Doll, a native of the Key- stone state and a daughter of Jacob Doll. They continued to reside in the east until 1866, when they removed to Dayton, Ohio, where they remained for five years. In 1871 they arrived in Buffalo county, Nebraska and took up their abode upon a farm near Kearney, Mr. Wilt securing a soldier's claim, on which he remained until 1889. He then disposed of that property and purchased the farm upon which he now resides, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 10, Center township. This property he has since improved with fine
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buildings and he has also been identified with building operations in Kearney, doing much to promote the welfare of the city along that line. His has been an active, busy and useful life fraught with good results, and his prosperity is well deserved.
To Mr. and Mrs. Wilt have been born two children: Maggie, now the wife of A. A. Nash; and Cora, the wife of W. C. Nash, now of Portland, Oregon. In his political views Mr. Wilt is a republican but has never been an office seeker. He maintains pleasant relations with his old military comrades through his mem- bership in the Grand Army of the Republic. He and his wife deserve great credit for what they have accomplished, for their success is attributable entirely to their own labor. Every phase of Buffalo county's development is familiar to them, for they arrived here in pioneer times and have witnessed the changes. which have occurred, bringing the county to its present improved condition.
HENRY HERBST.
Henry Herbst is a retired farmer living in Amherst but for a long period was actively and prominently identified with general agricultural pursuits, whereby he won the competence that now supplies him with all of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. He has a wide acquaintance in Amherst and is acknowl- edged among its most venerable citizens, for he has passed the eighty-fifth mile- stone on life's journey, his birth having occurred in Mecklenburg, Germany, on the 3d of November, 1830. There he spent the period of his minority and in 1857 bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for the new world, spending seven weeks upon the ocean ere the voyage was completed. He landed in New York city but soon afterward made his way to Buffalo, New York, and in that locality worked as a farm hand for a month in order to get money with which to come to the west. He then made his way to Chicago and in that locality was employed at farm labor at a wage of ten dollars per month.
In 1861 Mr. Herbst enlisted for service in the Civil war, putting aside all business and personal considerations in order to aid his adopted country during the darkest hour in her history. He joined Company C, Twenty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served for four years and eight months. In the battle of Chickamauga he was struck by a cannon ball in the shoulder and was left on the field by his regiment, after which he was captured by the Confederate forces and spent eighteen months in the prisons at Andersonville, Charleston and Florence, Alabama, having a most horrible/ experience from lack of food and all those comforts and sanitary conditions which are so necessary to healthi. There were forty thousand prisoners and the death rate amounted to between four and five hundred each day. When he was searched by the Confederates before being thrown into prison he had a ten dollar bill, which was concealed between the layers of the sole of his shoe, and this proved quite a help to him in getting him things that he needed. When the war was over he received an honorable discharge at Springfield, Illinois, and returned to his home with a most creditable military record.
Mr. Herbst then took up his abode in Will county, Illinois, and was there
HENRY HERBST
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married in 1866 to Miss Mary Turner, who was born in Germany but during her infancy was taken to Will county. Some time after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Herbst removed to Benton county, Iowa, and in 1884 arrived in Buffalo county, Nebraska, where he entered a homestead and also a tree claim in Scott township. Upon his land he built a frame house and with characteristic energy began to till the soil and develop the farm, continuing to engage in general agri- cultural pursuits there until three years ago, when he was obliged to give it up on account of his age, having then reached the eighty-third milestone on life's journey. He is today the oldest resident in this part of the county, but he has lived an active life, has been a hard worker and is yet in excellent physical trim, his only ailment being stiff shoulders, the result of being hit by a rebel cannon ball.
Mr. and Mrs. Herbst became the parents of eleven children, of whom five are yet living ; Mrs. Minnie Feldwoch, a resident of Grant township; Mary, the wife of S. Tool, who is living in Callaway, Nebraska; Martha, the wife of Ed Lewis, whose home is in Callaway, Nebraska; Hulda, the wife of William Shate, resid- ing in Cherry county, Nebraska ; and Henry W., who occupies the old home farm.
Mr. Herbst has always voted with the republican party since becoming a naturalized American citizen. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church, to which he has ever been most loyal, exemplifying in his life its teachings and endeavoring at all times to live according to the golden rule. His many sub- stantial qualities have given him firm hold upon the affectionate regard of his fellow citizens and he is today one of the most venerable and honored resi- dents of this part of the state.
JOHN S. MINTON.
John S. Minton is engaged in the automobile business at Kearney and his agency here has become a profitable undertaking. He handles a number of well known cars and his ability is manifest in the success which is attending him in his undertaking. Iowa claims him as a native son, his birth having occurred at Osceola, Clarke county, November 9, 1869. He was one of five children, of whom two are now living, born to John H. and Elizabeth (Bush) Minton. The father was a native of West Virginia and was a cabinet maker by trade but in his later life turned his attention to farming. When a young man he left home and went west to Boone county, Indiana, where about 1846 he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Bush. In 1864 he removed to Osceola, Clarke county, Iowa, and in 1884 removed to Frontier county, Nebraska, where he spent his remaining days, his death there occurring in 1891, while his wife passed away in 1896. He was a man of marked force of character, possessing many sterling traits which gave him a firm hold upon the regard and goodwill of those with whom he was associated. For seven years he was a schoolteacher in Indiana and in Clarke county, Iowa, he was honored with election to the offices of register of deeds and county clerk, serving in the latter position for a number of years. His duties were most faith- fully and capably discharged and his labors wrought for the benefit and upbuild- ing of the community in which he made his home. Politically his allegiance was
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given to the republican party and he was a stanch and faithful member of the Christian church.
John S. Minton lived in Iowa to the age of fourteen years, spending his youth- ful days upon a farm in Clarke county and in Osceola. He received his edu- cational training in the district schools and after coming to Nebraska with his parents learned the blacksmith's trade. In the spring of 1897 he arrived in Kearney, where he began working at his trade, which he followed for a number of years. In 1909 he embarked in the concrete and machinery business in partner- ship with D. Wort under the firm style of Wort & Minton and with him in 1911 he established an automobile agency, representing the Ford, Maxwell, Reo and Oakland cars. They have since conducted this business with growing success and annually sell a large number of these different cars, their business having grown to large and gratifying proportions. Mr. Minton thoroughly knows the good points of every machine and his ability along commercial lines makes him successful as a salesman.
On the 16th of August, 1898, Mr. Minton was married to Miss Anna Bryant and to them have been born three children, Earl, Dale and John H. Mrs. Minton is a member of the Christian church and Mr. Minton belongs to the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Royal Highlanders. In politics he is a republican but he does not seek nor desire office as it is his wish to give his undivided attention to his business affairs and his close application and unremitting energy constitute strong and potent forces in his growing sucesss.
W. H. BUCK.
W. H. Buck, engaged in business at Gibbon as a lumber dealer, belongs to that class of enterprising, progressive men who recognize the fact that obstacles and difficulties may be overcome by persistent, earnest effort, and when one avenue of opportunty seems closed they can always carve out other paths whereby they may reach the desired goal. Mr. Buck is a native son of New England, his birth having occurred at Northfield, Vermont, on the 10th of August, 1858. He is a son of Bradley and Polly (Hopkins) Buck, both of whom were natives of Ver- mont and are representatives of old New England families. The father devoted his life to the occupation of farming and both he and his wife continued their residence in Vermont until called to their final home.
WV. H. Buck was reared on the old homestead and acquired his education in the public schools. His youthful training was that of the farm and he devoted his attention to the work of the fields until 1888, when he left home and made his way to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. He was employed in various ways there for five years and in August, 1886, came to Gibbon. Prior to his arrival here he had pur- chased the lumber business of Fred W. Gray, of Omaha, and upon his removal to this town he took possession of the business, which he has since successfully managed and conducted, covering a period of almost thirty years. He is accorded a liberal patronage, for his business methods are reliable and his enterprise unfal- tering. He is also associated with financial interests as one of the stockholders of the Exchange Bank of Gibbon, and he is the owner of three hundred and forty
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acres of improved farm land near the town, from which he derives a gratifying annual income.
In 1889 Mr. Buck was united in marriage to Miss Flora Woodruff, of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and to them have been born three children: Ella Bernice, the wife of George E. De Wolf, superintendent of schools at North Bend, Nebraska; James Bradley, who is associated with his father in the lumber business ; and Florence Beryl, who is attending the Wesleyan University at Lin- coln, Nebraska.
Mr. Buck belongs to Gibbon Lodge, No. 37, I. O. O. F., and to the Modern Woodmen. His political support is given to the republican party and he has served in various town offices, the duties of which he has discharged with prompt- ness and fidelity. His entire course, public and private, commends him to the confidence and goodwill of all, and throughout Gibbon and his part of the county he is spoken of in terms of high regard.
FRANK MAJOR.
For thirty-three years Frank Major has been a resident of Buffalo county and during the last sixteen years of this period has made his home in Kearney. He has witnessed the greater part of the growth and development of this section of the county as pioneer conditions have been replaced by the advantages of a modern civilization. He is now engaged in contracting and carpentering at Kearney and has erected some of the fine homes of the city.
His birth occurred in Yorkshire, England, February 29, 1840, and in his native country he was reared to manhood. His opportunities in youth were some- what limited, for at the age of thirteen years he began serving an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade and afterward worked as a journeyman. At that period it was necessary to thoroughly master all the details of the business, for carpenter work had not then become specialized and each individual must know how to do all kinds of building. In 1865, in England, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Davison, and in 1870, accompanied by his wife and three children, he sailed for America, landing at Toronto, Canada, on which day the youngest child died.
After a short stay in Canada the family removed to Low Moor, Clinton county, Iowa, where they maintained their home for thirteen years, during which period Mr. Major worked at the carpenter's trade. In 1883 he came to Nebraska and settled on a farm two miles south of the present site of Watertown in Buffalo county. For seventeen years he resided upon that place, converting it from a tract of wild prairie into richly cultivated fields, from which he annually gathered rich crops. He carried on his farm work according to modern pro- gressive methods and that his labors were at all times practical is indicated in the excellent crops which he gathered. In the year 1900 he removed to Kearney, where he has since been engaged in contracting and carpentering. For the most part his work has been confined to the building of residences and some of the fine homes of Kearney have been erected by him.
To Mr. and Mrs. Major have been born eight children, but only four of the
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number are now living: Kate, a school teacher; Charles, who conducts a grain elevator at Watertown, Nebraska; Jessie, who is teaching school in Spokane, Washington ; and Frank, who is devoting his life to the work of the ministry. The parents are consistent and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Since becoming a citizen of the United States Mr. Major has been identified with all that has worked for the best interests of his adopted country. He became a member of the Farmers' Alliance at its inception and afterward became allied with the populist party. However, he has always maintained an independent attitude in politics, voting according to the dictates of his judgment rather than guiding his course by party ties. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he found the opportunities which he sought and has gradually worked his way upward, being both 'the architect and builder of his own fortune.
FREDERICK J. SWITZ.
Frederick J. Switz is one of the oldtime residents of Kearney and his record as a soldier and citizen well entitles him to representation in the mstory of Buffalo county. His entire course has been marked by loyalty to duty and by fidelity to every trust reposed in him, and his course is worthy of the warmest commendation. He is a native of the kingdom of Prussia, his birth having occurred in Spreewald, near the village of Borgsdorf, on the 20th of February, 1842. His father, Christian Switz, was a farmer in the old country and for two years served in the German army. He married Elizabeth Plashna and in the year 1856, accompanied by his wife and six children, emigrated to the new world, taking passage on board a sailing vessel bound for the United States. They made a remarkably quick trip for that period, their voyage being terminated at the end of thirty days. The family located in Cleveland, Ohio, and one of the first things that Mr. Switz did after his arrival was to take out his first naturaliza- tion papers. He became imbued with a love for his adopted country and when treason threatened the disruption of the Union he volunteered his services in its defense and was enrolled as a member of the Sixth Ohio Cavalry in Septem- ber, 1861. He served for three years, or until the expiration of his term of . enlistment, and was then honorably discharged. In the old country he knew Franz Sigel, who was a general in the Union army during the Civil war, and under him Mr. Switz served, acting as aide-de-camp a part of the time. After the war he resumed farming, which he followed in different localities, and his last days were spent in the Soldiers' Home in Washington, D. C., where he passed away about the year 1892.
Frederick J. Switz was nearly fourteen years of age when he was brought to this country by his parents. He had previously attended the public schools of Germany and after reaching America he learned the trade of chair making in what was then Newburg, Ohio, but is now a part of the eighteenth ward of Cleveland. He devoted two years to the work, during which time he received four dollars a month with his board and washing. He, too, espoused the cause of the Union at the time of the Civil war, enlisting on the 19th of September, 1861, as a member
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of Company G, Forty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, of which regiment James A. Garfield, later president of the United States, was commander. He was discharged December 2, 1864, after participating in the engagements at Middle Creek, Kentucky, Cumberland Gap, Chickasaw Bluff, Arkansas Post, Grand Gulf, Thompson Hill, Raymond, Champion's Hill, Big Black River, the siege of Vicks- burg, the Red River Expedition under General Banks and the battle at Duvals Bluff, Arkansas. He was honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio, and returned home with a most creditable military record.
Mr. Switz then resumed work in the chair factory and his ability, industry and honesty led to his promotion to the position of foreman. After three years there spent he left his old employer to engage with another concern, and in 1869 went to Auburn, Alabama, where, under the firm name of Runnels & Switz, he embarked in the manufacture of furniture. After spending five years there he closed out the business and in February, 1874, came to Kearney, where he has since lived. Here he purchased a small furniture establishment owned by a Mr. Grant, and later he bought out the establishment of J. P. Johnson, consoli- dating the two. For thirty-nine years he conducted a furniture and carpet busi- ness and undertaking concern, and during this period he had at various times seventeen competitors, not one of whom was able to remain in business. He was the first of the furniture dealers in Nebraska to add to that line a carpet depart- ment. His long continuance with the trade indicates the success which is his. In 1913 he disposed of his holdings and confined his attention thereafter to retailing and jobbing paints, glass and wall paper, in which business he is still engaged, incorporating the same under the name of the Switz Paint & Glass Company. He is one of the few remaining early settlers of Kearney, having arrived here when the city contained a population of but three hundred, and he has not only witnessed its growth into the bustling, enterprising city of today. but has contributed in large measure to its development.
On the 7th of August, 1872, Mr. Switz was married to Miss Emma A. Raw- son, of Nebraska City, who died November 27, 1894. They were the parents of three children: Arthur F., who died when about thirty-seven years of age; Annie L., the wife of Charles W. Ashley, of Sioux City, Iowa; and Bessie E., the wife of C. D. Van Dyke, of Sioux City. For his second wife Mr. Switz chose Mrs. Phoebe S. (Hotchkiss) Allen, the widow of Homer J. Allen.
While of foreign nativity, Mr Switz has no sympathy with the Kaiser in the present war and is in every sense of the term a loyal American citizen, with a love for the land of his adoption that is unshaken. His loyalty is evidenced by the fact that he risked his life to preserve the Union and is further evidenced in his long, honorable career and his support of all those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. In his political belief he is a republican and served as county coroner for six years during the pioneer period. In religious faith he is a Congregationalist, and fraternally he is a Mason, having become a member of Iris Lodge, No. 229, A. F. & A. M., at Cleveland, Ohio, in November, 1868. He transferred his membership to Auburn, Alabama, and from there to Kearney, and is one of the four surviving charter members of the blue lodge of this city. He is also a member of the chapter and commandery and has served as master of his lodge and as eminent commander of the Knights Templar. His course in life has commended him to the confidence and goodwill of all and his
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enterprise and industry in business have wrought along the lines of progress and success, gaining him place among the substantial and honored residents of Kearney. Those who know him esteem him highly and his life record should serve as an example to all men of foreign birth who become citizens of the new world and who owe undivided allegiance to the stars and stripes.
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