USA > Nebraska > Buffalo County > Buffalo County, Nebraska, and its people : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 33
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On the Sth of June, 1905, Mr. Mueller wedded Miss Anna Schipman, of Grand Island, Nebraska, and this union has been blessed with four children, Erick, Elsie, Helen and Ruth. The parents are members of the Lutheran church and in his political views Mr. Mueller is a republican. He has served as justice of the peace and as a member of the school board and is a stalwart champion of progressive education. In fact he stands for improvement and progress along all lines and accomplishes what he undertakes either in a business way or for the benefit of the community.
L. P. SOUTHWORTH.
L. P. Southworth is now living retired in Ravenna but for many years was a most active business man and along the lines of intelligently directed business enterprise won his success. He was born in Oneida county, New York, on the 16th of April, 1837, a son of James and Adelia W. (Day) Southworth, who were also natives of that county, where they were reared and married. In 1838 they removed to Newark, La Salle county, Illinois, where the father passed away in 1841, while the mother, long surviving him, died in that county in 1889. Mr. Southworth was a lawyer by profession and thus provided for the support of his family.
L. P. Southworth was reared at home, acquiring his education in the public schools. The educational opportunities of that day and period, however, were very limited. The little temple of learning in which he pursued his studies was seated with slab benches, heated by a big fireplace and equipped in the most primitive way, while the method of instruction was little better than the furnish- ings. As a youth he worked as a farm hand and on reaching manhood he rented land and began farming for himself. At the outbreak of the Civil war he felt that his duty to his country was paramount to every other interest and on the 15th of August, 1861, enlisted as a member of Company F, Thirty-sixth
L. P. SOUTHWORTH
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Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He served for four years and three months at the front and was honorably discharged and mustered out on the 6th of November, 1865. He was wounded in the arm at Racceca and it was also at that place that he was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant of his company. He has a valuable souvenir of the war in an officer's sword, which he took from a Con- federate officer, whom he captured at Mission Ridge. This particular sword is a fine example of the high art attained by the English cutlers of an early day.
After receiving his discharge Lieutenant Southworth returned to his home and on the 14th of the following March was united in marriage to Miss Lodecia Eybond, of La Salle county, Illinois, by whom he had five children but only one is now living, Jessie S., the wife of C. M. Wann, living at Hays, Kansas. Some time following his marriage Mr. Southworth removed to Iroquois county, Illinois, where he resided for five years and then returned to La Salle county. In 1876 he became a resident of Chicago, where he engaged in the live stock commission business until 1881, when he removed to Russell county, Kansas, where he engaged in the business of cattle and sheep raising, there continuing for five years. Subsequently he devoted his time to trailing sheep throughout the western country, driving them from points as far as the state of Oregon. He bought and handled from fifty to one hundred thousand head per year. In the meantime he removed to Denver, Colorado, where he made his home for fourteen years. In 1903 he came to Ravenna, where he has since resided. For five or six years after taking up his abode here he remained active in stock buying and the shipping business and also held a controlling interest in the Citizens State Bank, of which he was president. In 1907, however, he disposed of his interest in the bank and retired from the live stock business, so that he is now enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. His has been a most active life, fraught with good results. He is a man of persistent purpose, carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes and his well defined plans, carefully executed, have brought him the success which is now his. He is one of the best known horse men in this part of the country, having won many prizes with his horses, and is recognized as one of the best judges of fast horses in the west and has owned among others such as Fred R., a trotter with a mark of 2:17; Tip Top, a pacer with a mark as four year old of 2:1514 and Western Flyer, a pacer with a mark of 2:17.
In politics Mr. Southworth is an earnest republican but has never been an office seeker. He has membership in Lotus Lodge, No. 6, A. F. & A. M. Having joined the order in 1862, he is now the oldest Mason in Ravenna and he has ever been most loyal to the craft, closely observing its teachings in all his relations with his fellowmen.
S. L. LEAS.
A quarter section of excellent land in Gibbon township pays tribute to its owner, S. L. Leas, who is an up-to-date and efficient agriculturist. A native of Indiana, he was born on the 9th of January, 1861, of the marriage of William and Susanna (Shaffstall) Leas, the former of whom was born in Ohio and the
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latter in Pennsylvania. They were married, however, in Indiana, and there the mother passed away in 1907, after having survived her husband for more than four decades, his demise occurring in 1865.
S. L. Leas is one of two living children of a family of six. He received his education in his native state and remained there until 1887, when he came to Buffalo county, Nebraska, and purchased his present farm, which comprises one hundred and sixty acres on sections 2, 9 and 14, Gibbon township. He has spared neither time nor expense in improving his farm, which is one of the most valuable properties of his locality and from which he derives a handsome income. He specializes in raising and feeding stock and studies the markets carefully, so as to sell to the best advantage. He is financially interested in the Farmers Elevator at Gibbon.
Mr. Leas was married in 1882 to Miss Flora Ransburg, a native of Ohio, by whom he has two children, namely: Fern, who engaged in teaching for a num- ber of years ; and Bonnie B., who has taught school for six years.
Mr. Leas supports the republican party at the polls and has served acceptably as a member of the school board for many years. Fraternally he belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and his wife is a member of the Presby- terian church. In developing his farm he has not only gained financial success but has also had a part in the advancement of the agricultural interests of the county and along other lines as well he has contributed to community progress.
C. R. LIPPINCOTT.
C. R. Lippincott manages an excellent farm of three hundred and forty acres in Platte township and is there specializing in the raising of high grade stock. His birth occurred in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, on the 3d of May, 1878, and he is a son of James F. and Jane S. (Vance) Lippincott, both natives of Pennsylvania. On leaving that state they removed to Fillmore county, Nebraska, but a short time afterward went to Gosper county, whence they came to Buffalo county. They settled upon a farm on section 1. Platte township, and there resided until 1906, when they went to the state of Washington. Two years later, however, they removed to Misssouri, where the mother passed away. The father is still living and still makes his home in that state.
C. R. Lippincott is one of six living children of a family of nine and he received his education in the common schools. During his boyhood and youth he assisted his father, and by the time he reached his majority he was thoroughly familiar with agricultural work, this knowledge enabling him to assume charge of the home farm in 1899. He has since engaged in stock-raising and derives a handsome income from the sale of his cattle and hogs. The farm comprises three hundred and forty acres of good land and is improved with substantial and commodious buildings.
Mr. Lippincott was married in 1898 to Miss Olga Moldrup, who was born in Illinois of the marriage of Peter and Marie (Jensen) Moldrup, natives of Den- mark. who in 1870 emigrated to the United States. They first located in Chicago. but in 1882 became residents of Kearney county, Nebraska. The father passed
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away in Missouri in February, 1915, and the mother is now a resident of that state. They were the parents of two children, but only Mrs. Lippincott is now living. Mr. and Mrs. Lippincott have seven children: Hazel M. and Dessa C., both of whom are high school students; Sadie L .; Abbie R .; Ethel J .; Maxine; and Marjorie.
Mr. Lippincott indorses the principles of the republican party and supports its candidates at the polls. He has served as a member of the school board and takes the interest of a public-spirited citizen in the affairs of local government. His wife belongs to the Church of Latter Day Saints. His energy and good judg- ment have gained him success in his chosen occupation and his sterling worth as a man has won him the warm regard of those who have been associated with him.
WILLIAM CLARK KEEP.
William Clark Keep is engaged in farming on eighty acres of land adjoining the town of Elm Creek and also owns five hundred and twenty acres of addi- tional land and derives a gratifying financial return from his farm property. He was born near New Milford, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, on the 13th of July, 1856, a son of Joel Keep, a native of Connecticut. The family record has been traced back to the Mayflower and there is a story to the effect that at one time all the members of the family were massacred on their way home from church with the exception of a boy and girl, who had been left at home and from whom all of the present representatives of the family are descended. Joel Keep was a blacksmith in his early manhood but subsequently engaged in buying lands, which he improved and then sold. Still later he turned his attention to the lumber business. He was twice married, his first wife being Almira Hocomb, by whom he had four children, all now deceased: Charles Melville; Lucia, who married Miles Corse ; John ; and Ellen, who married Daniel D. Thompkins. Mr. Keep chose as his second wife Mrs. Lucy Ann (Hendrick) Simonds, and to their union were born three children, namely: William Clark; Edward A., who resides in Callaway, Nebraska; and Mary Frances, the wife of Judson Very, of Callaway, Nebraska. The father passed away in Pennsyl- vania and the mother died in Nebraska.
William C. Keep was reared in the Keystone state and there received a common school education. In 1879 he decided to try his fortune in Buffalo county, Nebraska, where several of his neighbors and friends had recently located, and accordingly came to Elm Creek. For a year and a half he was employed in the Davis eating house, which is remembered by all of the early settlers, and after Mrs. Davis had sold out he remained with her successor for some time. While working in Elm Creek Mr. Keep entered a tree claim of one hundred and sixty acres and a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres in Dawson county, but for a considerable period he retained his position in Elm Creek and spent the week ends on his farm. At length he took up his residence on that place and turned his whole attention to its improvement and cultivation. Still later he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in Elm Creek and for fifteen
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years attempted to conduct his mercantile interests and to farm at the same time. He found, however, that the two undertakings interfered with each other and he disposed of his store and has since given all of his time to agricultural pursuits. He now resides on an eighty acre tract adjoining Elm Creek, but he also owns a ranch of three hundred and sixty acres in Dawson county and one hundred and sixty acres on section 15, Elm Creek township, this county. He manages his affairs well and is recognized as one of the most efficient farmers of his township. His home farm is finely improved and he takes justifiable pride in keeping everything in good condition.
Mr. Keep was married in 1886 to Miss Elizabeth G. Wells, who was born in Harrisonville, Ohio, on the 20th of March, 1869, and is a daughter of Apollo A. and Mary E. (Stephens) Wells, now residents of Dawson county, Nebraska. The family home was established in this state when Mrs. Keep was twelve years of age. By her marriage she has become the mother of five sons, namely, Roy WV., Earl M., William Clark, Jr., Harold W. and Raymond S.
Mr. Keep is a republican and is now serving acceptably as a member of the school board and for several years held the office of township clerk. Both he and his wife are active workers in the Methodist Episcopal church and the sincerity of their faith is evidenced in their daily lives. Their home, which is provided with all of the comforts of life, is noted for its warm-hearted hos- pitality. Their genuine worth is acknowledged by all who have been associated with them and they have many friends throughout the county.
MRS. MARY L. FINES.
Mrs. Mary L. Fines is one of the most respected residents of Shelton and is familiar with a great deal of the history of Buffalo county, for she has resided within its borders since 1865. She was born in Indiana of the marriage of Oliver and Sabrina (Hall) Loomis, natives respectively of New York and of Pennsylvania. They were married in the former state and resided there until 1838, when they removed to Indiana, which was then a frontier region. Subse- quently they lived for three years in Ohio, after which they went to Iowa and took up a claim. Seven years later they sold that place and removed to Worth- ington, that state. The mother's death occurred at Manchester, Iowa, but the father passed away in Nebraska.
Mrs. Mary Fines is the only one living of a family of seven children. She is indebted to the public schools for her education and remained at home until she was united in marriage to Edward Ellis, by whom she had two children, Robert and Thomas. Robert Ellis resides in Libertyville, Illinois, and is one of the well-to-do and highly respected citizens of that place. Thomas Ellis lives on a fine farm near Shelton, Nebraska, and is prosperous and greatly esteemed. For her second husband she married Stephen J. McKee, who enlisted in 1861 in the Union army for service in the Civil war. He remained at the front until the close of hostilities, making a creditable record as a soldier, and in 1865, after peace was restored, he and his wife removed to Buffalo county, Nebraska,
STEPHEN J. McKEE
MRS. MARY L. FINES
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where his demise occurred in 1877. By that union there were six children but only two, James and David, are now living. After the death of her second husband Mrs. McKee became the wife of W. F. Fines, who passed away on the 13th of February, 1891.
Mrs. Fines still owns one hundred and sixty acres of excellent land in Gardner township, this county, which is well improved and which one of her sons is operating. She also owns her residence and three lots in Shelton and derives a good income from that property. She holds membership in the Methodist Epis- copal church, in the work of which she takes a commendable interest, and her many good qualities have gained her the warm regard of all who have been closely associated with her.
W. R. HANKINS.
W. R. Hankins, who is engaged in general farming on section 3, Garfield township, is a progressive agriculturist whose labors have been carefully directed and have thus won him substantial success. He was born in Poweshiek county, Iowa, on the 5th of January, 1876, and is a son of Gilbert M. and Mary C. (Lytle) Hankins, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania. At the time of the Civil war the father espoused the cause of the Union and enlisted as a member of Company A, Fifty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, doing active duty at the front.
Following the close of hostilities he removed from Ohio to Missouri and subsequently became a resident of Iowa, where he was married and made his home until 1878. In that year he came to Buffalo county and took up a timber claim and also a homestead in Cherry Creek township, remaining upon that place to the time of his death, which occurred in 1898, while his wife survived until 1900. He was one of the progressive agriculturists of the community and brought his fields to a high state of cultivation, his labors resulting in the devel- opment of an excellent farm.
W. R. Hankins was but two years of age when the family removed to Nebraska and upon the old homestead he was reared with the usual experiences that fall to the lot of the farm lad. He attended the common schools and fol- lowing the death of his father he and his brothers took charge of the old home- stead, which they operated in partnership.
In 1902 Mr. Hankins was married to Miss Emma G. Johnson, a native of Boone county, Nebraska, and after his marriage located upon the farm which is now his home and which had been purchased by himself and his brothers after the father's death. In subsequent years when the division was made, Mr. Hankins acquired two hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation, converting the tract into a valuable farm from which he annually gathers good harvests. His life has been a busy and useful one and his labors have brought good results. In addition to tilling the soil he makes a specialty of breeding registered Percheron horses and at the present time has upon his place twenty head or more of registered Vol. II-17
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Percherons besides seventeen other horses. This is an important feature of his business and adds materially to his income.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hankins have been born three children, Roger, Mervin and Gertrude. The parents are members of the Baptist church and are interested in the progress and welfare of the community, their aid and influence being given always on the side of right and improvement. Mr. Hankins is a democrat in his political views and, while he has never sought nor held political office, he is serving at the present time as a member of the school board and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. Practically his entire life has been passed in this county and those who know him entertain for him warm regard because his salient traits of character are such as in every land and clime win confidence and good will.
CHESTER HOLLOWAY.
That Chester Holloway is a man of enterprise and business acumen is indi- cated by the fact that he holds title to twelve hundred and eighty acres of fine land in Buffalo and Lincoln counties. He has been one of the most extensive cattle breeders and raisers of the county and is still active in that line although since 1907 he has made his home in Gibbon. His birth occurred on the 9th of January, 1846, and his parents were Ira and Achsah (Bouton) Holloway, natives respectively of New York and Ohio. They were married in the latter state and subsequently removed to Michigan, where both passed away.
Chester Holloway was reared and educated in the Buckeye state and remained at home until 1863, when, at the age of seventeen years, he enlisted in Company E, Ninety-third Ohio Infantry, for service in the Civil war. He remained with that command until the close of hostilities and participated in several skir- mishes. After being mustered out at Winchester, Virginia, he returned to Ohio, whence in 1867 he went to Kansas, where he worked for the government at Fort Leavenworth. He made two trips from that fort to old Fort Hays, in New Mexico, with cavalry horses during the time that the United States troops were fighting the Indians. At that time there were many Indians throughout the west. After leaving Kansas he resided in Michigan for six years but in 1882 sold his farm in Ohio and took a trip through the southern part of the United States, going to New Orleans and Galveston and thence through New Mexico and Arizona to Yuma, Arizona, and on to San Francisco, California. From that city he came to Nebraska and, liking the conditions in this state better than those he had found elsewhere in his travels, he located in Buffalo county, purchasing land in Valley township, on which he lived for more than two decades. His well directed labors brought him substantial financial returns and year by year he increased his holdings, becoming at length the owner of twelve hundred and eighty acres, a large part of which is improved. He special- ized in the raising of cattle and became one of the largest shippers in the county. He has been through a number of severe droughts but has so managed his affairs as to minimize his losses. In 1900 there was almost a total crop failure and he was compelled to ship all of his cattle and horses to Cherry county, where he
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owns a ranch and where the drought was not so bad. Again, in 1904, this county suffered from a terrible drought and again his ranch in Cherry county saved him from loss, as he drove his cattle and horses there. Since 1907 he has lived in Gibbon. He is interested financially in the Bankers Mortgage & Loan Com- pany at Omaha and the Ravenna Telephone Company and owns valuable busi- ness property in Gibbon. He was formerly a stockholder in the Commercial Bank of this place but has now disposed of his interest therein.
Mr. Holloway is a republican in politics and for fifteen years he has served as a member of the school board. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge and he is in sympathy with the work of the various churches although not a church member. His influence has been perhaps most strongly felt along the lines of agricultural development, but he has also had a part in the promotion of the civic and moral advancement of his community and has measured up to a high standard of citizenship. His many admirable qualities have enabled him to gain and retain warm friends and all who have come in contact with him respect him highly.
CHRISTIAN BOHN.
Christian Bohn, actively engaged in general farming on section 6, Cherry Creek township, is one of the substantial citizens that Germany has furnished to Buffalo county. He was born in Holstein, Germany, February 19, 1859, his parents being John and Margaret (Alpan) Bohn, who were natives of that land. In the year 1873 the family came to the new world. The father had died in Germany in 1863 and the mother had afterward married Peter Gehrt., Crossing the Atlantic, they rented land in Hall county, Nebraska, where they resided from 1873 until 1880 and then came to Buffalo county, where Mr. Gehrt secured a homestead in Garfield township. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improve- ment made upon the place, but with characteristic energy he began its develop- ment and operated the farm until his death, which occurred in November, 1898. His widow long survived him, her death occurring in September, 1915.
Christian Bohn was a youth of fourteen years when the family came from the fatherland to the new world and from that time forward he provided for his own support, beginning work as a farm hand. He was thus employed until 1881, when he became a resident of Buffalo county and entered a claim in Cherry Creek township, securing one hundred and sixty acres on section 6. He at once began to break the sod and till the soil and from time to time added improvements to his place until he converted it into one of the best farms of the locality. As his financial resources increased he kept adding to his land until he is now the owner of six hundred and sixty acres, of which a quarter section is in Sherman county. He has operated his farm continuously for thirty-five ยท years and the changes which he has wrought have made it a very valuable and desirable property, constituting one of the attractive features of the landscape. He feeds a car load of cattle per year and a car load of hogs and he raises only high grade stock, making this an important feature of his business.
In December, 1883, Mr. Bohn was married to Miss Katherine Hauser, a
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daughter of John G. and Katherine (Habarar) Hauser, who were natives of Germany and came to the new world in 1882, settling in Sherman county, Nebraska. Her father there purchased land and carried on general farming for many years or until 1908, when he put aside business cares and retired from active life. He now makes his home with his son, his wife having passed away in May, 1908. To Mr. and Mrs. Bohn were born six children, namely: John, who is married and has one child; George; William, who died in 1899; Amanda, who married Fred Stein, a farmer of Sherman county, and has three children; Minnie, who married Frank Hoffman, of Grand Island, and has two children; and Frieda.
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