Compendium of history, reminiscence, and biography of Nebraska : containing a history of the state of Nebraska also a compendium of reminiscence and biography containing biographical sketches of hundreds of prominent old settlers and representative citizens of Nebraska, Part 102

Author: Alden Publishing Company
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago : Alden Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1402

USA > Nebraska > Compendium of history, reminiscence, and biography of Nebraska : containing a history of the state of Nebraska also a compendium of reminiscence and biography containing biographical sketches of hundreds of prominent old settlers and representative citizens of Nebraska > Part 102

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where Mr. MeCumber found them after the storm abated, none the worse for their run. It neees- sitated a three mile walk after the mules and the return for the wagon. During the blizzard of January 12, 1888, Mr. MeCumber was living on the ranch in Boyd county and had a narrow es- cape from probable death. Had he been a little earlier in his projected trip to town, he would have been out in it. As it was, the team was hitehed to the wagon to start when he heard the lond rumbling noise of the approaching cloud of whirling frozen mist. Hastily unhitching. he got his team into the barn and made his way back to the house by means of a rope to which he held until he reached his door.

But the early pioneers inured to hardship, paid little heed to storms or drouths or prairie fires. They had the fortitude to meet all emer- geneies and overeome them.

JOSEPH WESTBROOK.

Joseph Westbrook. deceased, was for many years one of the most extensive farmers of Beaver precinct, Boone county, and also one of the first settlers in that section. He was the possessor of an active publie spirit and broad mind, and was one of the men who so materially aided the de- velopment and growth of the county and state. His demise occurred in 1908.

Mr. Westbrook was born in

Chillicothe county, Ohio, on September 13, 1835, and grew up in that vieinity. He was married in July, 1856, to Mary Jane Ross, who was also a native of Ohio, their union occurring in Livingston eounty, Illi- nois, and they made the latter place their home for twelve years. then moved to LaSalle county. After two years there. they moved to Iowa, set- tled on a farm, and after raising one crop, came on to Boone county, landing here in the spring of 1871.

Mr. Westbrook homesteaded on the southwest quarter of section twelve, township eighteen, range five, and this place remained his home farm until his death, which occurred in April, 1908.

Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. West- brook after settling in Boone county, the first. Henry, being the first white male ehild born in the county. At his death, Mr. Westbrook was survived by his widow and eight children, three still living here, also Mrs. Westbrook, who ali live on the farm in section eleven, near the old homestead. Two other children live in Nance county, and three in Columbus. The entire fam- ily is well known and greatly respected through the country, being among the first to settle here. They went through many hardships in getting started. landing with just fourteen eents after filing on the elaim, and ean fully appreciate the word "pioneer," having gone through every form of frontier existence.

David R. Westbrook, now the head of the fam- ily, was born at Buckhart Grove, Illinois, on April 25. 1857, and is the eldest of eleven chil- dren. He and his father came to Boone county before the balance of the family, arriving in June, 1870, and on July 14 of that year, Joseph Westbrook filed on the homestead, after which the family returned to lowa, and in the following year brought the entire family to Boone county. He ean well be called one of the founders of the eounty, and to his aid and influence is due much of the present prosperity enjoyed in the section.

HOWELL REES.

One of the prominent farmers of Wayne county is Howell Rees, who owns a valuable es- tate there, located on seetion thirty-five, town- ship twenty-seven, range one. He is a well- known citizen, and is highly respected for his integrity and industrious life. He has a pleas- ant and comfortable home and enjoys well de- served sueeess. He has done his full share in building up the agricultural interests of the community.

Mr. Rees was born in 1857. in Glanmorgan Shire, Wales. He remained at home with his parents, David and Mary Rees, until 1879. At this date, he left his native land for America. coming from Liverpool to New York City by the steamship "Montana." From there he started for the west, eoming first to Montgomery county. Iowa, where he remained for twelve and one- half years.

In 1891, Mr. Rees decided to locate perma- nently in Wayne county, Nebraska, and with this purpose in view purchased his present home. which he has steadily improved until it is now as fine an estate as one would wish to see. Not among the least of his improvements. is a fine. thrifty grove, which he planted himself. He also has plenty of fruit. He has brought the land to a high state of cultivation and aided thereby in the development of the agricultural interests of his locality.

In 1885. Mr. Rees was united in marriage to Miss Maggie E. Jones. They are the parents of six children, named as follows: David, William H., Franklin T., Mary, Owen and Clifford.

Mr. and Mrs. Rees are prominent in the social life of the community and enjoy the respect and esteem of all with whom they have come in con- tact.

ANDREW COLANDER.

Among the self-made men in this section, a prominent place must be given to Mr. Andrew Colander, one of the leading old settlers of the county. His career shows, in a striking way, the prosperity which will invariably come to the man of indomitable will and untiring industry who

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refuses to give up, no matter what the discour- agement may be. All that he has is the result of his own efforts, and his sterling character has long been recognized by his fellow citizens, who hold him in the highest esteem.

Mr. Colander was born in 1859, in Sweden, to Andrew Colander, and Anna (Klocker) Colander. His father died when he was a child, and, with his mother, he went to America in 1870. The start was made in May, and they went across the North Sea to Liverpool, thence to New York by steamship.

They went at first to Omaha, Nebraska, in June, and as the mother's money gave out at this point, they were forced to work here for two years, until they had again saved enough capital to warrant taking up a homestead. This was done in the mother's name, the homestead chosen being located in section eight, township twenty- four, range two, east, where our subscriber now resides. The first few years they were here, a sod house sufficed for their needs, a frame house be- ing erected later.

For a time they met with more than the usual share of misfortunes suffered by the pioneer. In 1878, they lost everything they had by prairie fire, and for the first few years, the crops were utter failures, due to the grasshoppers. How- ever, the word "fail" was not found in the vo- cabulary of these two thorough pioneers, mother and son, and they persevered, and by untiring industry, gradually turned the tide of fortune in their favor. The farm has been improved in many ways. There is a fine orchard now bearing and also three acres of forest trees, all of which were planted by the mother.

In 1882, Mr. Colander was united in mar- riage to Miss Anna Klocker, and five children have been born to them. They are named as follows: Louise, Lillie, Sadie, Alice and Esther.

SAMUEL G. PURYEAR.

Samuel G. Puryear, who resides on section thirty, township twenty-eight, range five, Ante- lope county, Nebraska, is one of the leading old- timers in this section who has ever done all in his power to better conditions throughout the com- munity in which he chose his permanent home.

Mr. Puryear was born November 28, 1856, in Henderson county, Illinois, and is a son of John and Mary (Beck) Puryear. The father was born in Tennessee about 1825. He was a union soldier in the Mexican war, participating in the battle of Buena Vista, where he was wounded while assisting in moving a cannon up a hill. The . mother was born in April, 1835, in Belfast, Ire- land, from whence her father emigrated about 1849, settling near Oquaka, Illinois. There she was married and removed to Iowa about 1857. where Mr. Puryear filed on a quarter section near Burlington, under a soldier's warrant

granted him for services rendered in the Mexi- can war. He later sold this land and moved to Minnesota, where he lived for five years, mi- grating in 1865 to Pottawattamie county, Iowa, and settling on a farm east of Council Bluffs.

Samuel G. Puryear first came to Nebraska in 1892, sojourning for two years in Cuming county, before permanently settling on the farm he now occupies.

Since settling in the state, Mr. Puryear has prospered and each year he has improved his farm by needful additions to the equipment of the place, making of it one of the best in the beauti- ful northern section of Antelope county. He is engaged in stock raising and agriculture, ship- ping at least a carload of cattle each year, and disposing of two thousand dollars worth of horses during the course of seven years. When Mr. Pur- year first came to this place there was merely a small cottage on it. This he has rebuilt into a comfortable modern dwelling, also has erected a good barn which he replaced in 1910 with a much larger one fifty-four by fifty-four feet on a concrete foundation, which is designed to hold his entire crops and all the stock in separate com- partments. Since settling on the place Mr. Pur- year has planted liberally of trees, and at one time felled and sawed seven thousand feet of lumber. He came to Nebraska too late to ex- perience the severity of the fearful blizzard of 1888, although he encountered the remnants of it as it spent itself throughout the western part of Towa. While his stock was ont in the open and felt the icy blasts, there were none lost.

Mr. Puryear is now interested in raising thoroughbred stock, Hereford cattle, Poland China hogs, and English shire horses, and his stock ranks among the very best in northeast Nebraska.

Mr. Puryear was married September 28, 1882, to Miss Melissa White, daughter of John and Martha (Blackstone) White, natives of England and Wisconsin respectively, who lived in Mc- Donough county, Illinois, at the time of Mrs. Puryear's birth, and where she was reared. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Puryear, namely: Geneva, Wilda, Irving and Winfred. Mr. Puryear is an independent in politics and the family are Methodists in church affiliations.

DAVID M. ROSS.

David M. Ross, one of the most successful farmers and stock men of Valley county, Ne- braska, is well known for his public spirit and for his interest in promoting the welfare and advancement of his state and county. He has a beautiful home near Arcadia, where he has re- sided some half dozen years or more, and has there developed a fine farm. He has erected suitable buildings for carrying on his work and the house occupied by him and his family is one

ARCADIA AND. ORD ROAD

"SUNNY SLOPE FARM," RESIDENCE OF D. M. ROSS.

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of the handsomest and most comfortable ones in his part of the county. It has spacious porches, which add much to its beauty and comfort, and is well situated on a good building site. Mr. Ross is one of the substantial citizens of his community and is well known for his upright- ness and integrity. He is a native of Clark county, Ohio, born July 31, 1854, being eighth in order of birth of the nine children born to Joseph and Catherine (Freet) Ross. The father, who was of Scotch parentage, died in Ohio in 1879, being a native of Maryland, and the mother, who was of German descent and a native of Pennsylvania, died in December, 1889. One of their sons, William Ross, served three years in the eivil war.

Mr. Ross grew to maturity and received his education in his native state, and after leaving school engaged in farming. On May 18, 1876, he married Miss Sarah C. Gipe, a native of Darke county, Ohio, a daughter of Garret and Mary J. (Long) Gipe, both natives of Pennsylvania. In the spring of 1890 Mr. Ross came with his wife and five children to Valley county, Nebraska. In November, 1902, Mrs. Ross fell from a wagon, was run over and crushed to death, being sur- vived by her husband and five children. Their children are as follows: Amanda, wife of A. L. Juett, lives at Laten; California, and has four children; Joseph H. and Charles G. are mer- chants at Raisen City, California; Mary C., wife of Floyd Miller, of Custer county, Nebraska, has three children ; Pearl R., wife of C. V. Stern, of Valley county.

In 1900 Mr. Ross purehased four hundred and eighty acres of land in Vinton township, re- mained there four years, then sold this farm and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section twenty-nine, township eighteen, range fifteen, on which he has erected the house and other buildings, developing and equipping the fine stock and grain farm which he has since owned and occupied.

On December 2, 1903, Mr. Ross married Mirs. Florilla M. Mowery, who was born in Adams county, Indiana. Her parents, James and Maria (McCallum) Nelson, came to Nebraska in 1886. The mother died in Sherman county and the father in Valley county, where he was frozen to death, having become bewildered and lost his way returning from Ord. Florilla Nelson first married Daniel E. Mowery. four of whose five children are living: Alta M., married Adeson Musselman and lives near Mr. Ross; Jennie M., Inez G., and Zora J., are still under the pa- rental roof. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ross: David Levi and Wilbur M. Mr. Ross and family worship in the Church of the Brethern, formerly known as the Dunkards. Mr. Ross was largely instrumental in organizing school district number fifty-nine, of which he served as treasurer for several years.

Mr. Ross lived in a log house in Ohio, and

for eight years occupied a "soddy" in the west. He has endured the many privations of a new country, and weathered one of the worst bliz- zards, in February, 1890. In 1908 he erected a fine, modern frame dwelling and a large, roomy barn on his farm, together with an excellent water system, adding a silo to his equipment in 1911. A full page view of his well improved place is to be found on another page.

GEORGE H. MALLORY.

The life of this gentleman is an illustration of what grit and perseverance will accomplish in the face of discouragements and misfortune that would appall a less resolute man.

George H. Mallory was born in New York City on June 7, 1854. His mother died when he was nine years old, and his father not being in a position to eare for him, placed him in an or- phans' home. He was brought west with a lot of boys from the institution and bound ont to T. W. Smiley, on a farm seven miles west of Monmouth, Illinois. Life became so unbearable that he ran away in 1867, going to Iowa, where he found work near Burlington, husking eorn for the Tuman brothers, and remained all winter. In the spring he obtained employment near Calahan Creek, and spent five years in that vicinity.

He was married during that time and worked as a bricklayer, emigrating to Nebraska in 1876, and securing a position at Lincoln, working for Holmes & Hogan, in their brick yard. After three years he moved to Colorado, working for one year as a brick burner at Denver and Pueblo, then returned to Nebraska, following alternately farming and bricklaying, in Saunders county, for twelve years. In 1892 he came to Pierce and was employed in the brick yard for three years, and while there was considerable hardship en- dured by many, he was among the more for- tunate and got along very well, following his trade and at times engaging in different occu- pations. In 1902 he opened a briek yard on his own account, manufacturing eement blocks also. He took in a partner later, but the deal proved unsatisfactory and he discontinued the business.

In 1905 he bought a portable sawmill equipped with a Huber traction engine and the best fit- tings obtainable, and it is one of the most com- plete outfits imaginable, having three cars mounted on trucks, one used as a sleeping car for the ten or a dozen men whom he employs, one used for a dining car, and the other as an office and sleeping car for himself and sons. In this way he is able to take care of all the men whom he employs. They move to a grove, fell the timber, saw it into marketable dimensions, then paek up and move to the next place, thus re- lieving those with whom they have contracts of the necessity of housing them. Mr. Mallory also made a record in the purehase of his outfit. he being the first man who, in dealings with the

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Huber company, was able to meet the different payments on or before the day they fell due. He has done remarkably well, and is credited with having handled some of the largest con- tracts ever let in the state.

Mr. Mallory has been married twice, his first wife being Lida Smith, of Iowa, she dying at Ashland, Nebraska, in 1887, survived by her hus- band and three children. George Mallory, the eldest child ; Laura, wife of Frank Bird, and Nel- lie, wife of William Cornell, all live in Denver.

Mr. Mallory's second wife was Mrs. Nellie Gould Ernst, widow of Joe Ernst, of Omaha, she having one son by her former husband. Of three sons and three daughters born of this second union, five survive, Ernst, Harry, Raymond, Ce- celia and May, the first two being associated with their father in his latest enterprise.

The Mallory home in Pierce is a very com- fortable and homelike place, much of it being fashioned by Mr. Mallory himself, and here he finds rest and a sense of security during his leis- ure hours, enjoying to the full this comfort after so many years of toil and ceaseless care. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and Ben Hur lodges at Creighton. Politically he is a republican.

HANS OBERMILLER.

Hans Obermiller, an old and highly esteemed resident of Kelso precinct, Howard county, en- joys a comfortable home and many friends by virtue of an upright life and honorable career. He has endured many hardships during his pio- neer life in Nebraska, in spite of all securing his fine property and success through varied experi- ences on the frontier of Nebraska.

Mr. Obermiller was born in Germany ,on Jan- uary 28, 1837, and lived in his home vicinity until he was twenty-five years of age, then came to the United States, where he hoped to carve a name and fortune for himself, which he has done far beyond his early hopes. His first location was in Kankakee county, Illinois, where he spent two years, and then for six months was in the Illi- nois Central railroad depot in Chicago, after which he settled in Omaha, coming to that city in May, 1865, and remaining for two years, part of the time in a dairy and the balance in a brewery.

He next moved to Grand Island, Hall county, making that his home for fifteen years, coming to Howard county in 1882. Here he purchased a tract of land on section twenty-three, township eleven, range twelve, started farming and suc- ceeded in building up a good home, remaining on the place for a number of years. He carried on mixed farming and stock raising in a successful manner, becoming one of the well known men of the locality and accumulating a nice property during the time of his residence here. He retired from active farm work in 1902, at which time

he settled in a comfortable residence in Farwell, where he now resides with his family. He was married in Grand Island, September 10, 1866, to Margaret Larson, and they became the parents of thirteen children, the four youngest born in Howard county. Eight are living and all filling honorable positions in life. They are named as follows: Minnie, John, Fred, Dora, Carrie, Al- bert, Harry and Freida. All the children are married except the last two, who live at home. The family is prominent in their locality, and enjoy a large circle of friends.

Albert A. Obermiller, the sixth son of the living children of Hans Obermiller, subject of this sketch, was born in Grand Island, Nebraska, on December 5, 1881, and when but a few months old came with his parents to Howard county, where he has received his entire education in the precinct schools. He assisted his father in carry- ing on the home farm up to his twenty-second vear, at which time he started for himself, pur- chasing some land on section twelve, township fourteen, range twelve. This he has improved in fine shape, developing a fine farm, and is en- gaged quite extensively in the stock business. Mr. Obermiller is a young man of energetic habits, industrious and capable, making a suc- cess of whatever he undertakes to do.

In January, 1903, Mr. Obermiller was mar- ried to Isabelle Irvine, who is a daughter of John Irvine, a prominent pioneer of this section. Mr. and Mrs. Obermiller have four children : Leonard, George, Mildred and Harold, and the family occupy a pleasant and comfortable home.

JAMES W. THOMPSON.

One of the earlier settlers of Custer county, Nebraska, was James W. Thompson, who has for several years been retired from more active life. He owns a comfortable home in Arcadia, where he resides, but still owns his farm in Custer county. Mr. Thompson was born in Wilmington, Will county, Illinois, August 8, 1850, the second of the six children of David and Helen (Wright) Thompson, the father, a native of Scotland, came to America in 1848; the mother was born in England. Both died in Wilmington, Illinois, the mother in 1855, and the father in 1902. Of their children, one son was buried at sea, one daugh- ter lives in Lockport, Illinois, one daughter in Michigan, one in Montana and one in South Dakota.

Mr. Thompson was educated in his native state and there reached maturity, and after leaving school learned the trade of carriage painting. He was married at Wilmington, Illi- nois, May 1, 1872, to Sarah L. Johnson, a na- tive of Mexico, New York. In the fall of 1879 Mr. Thompson, in company with his friend, Henry Matthew, of England, drove through to Nebraska and both young men located on home-

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steads, Mr. Matthew in Valley county, and Mr. Thompson across the line in Custer county, each having one hundred and sixty acres of land. In the following spring (1880) Mr. Thompson's wife and their one child, a daughter, joined him on the homestead farm, which was their home for many years. Mrs. Thompson died August 22, 1907, while on a visit to her danghter in Mitchell, Nebraska, leaving her husband and two children to mourn her loss. The daughter, Marian, is the wife of George Whitman, of Mitchell, and they have three children. The son, David Clyde, the present postmaster of Arcadia, married Flora Brown.

Abont 1898 Mr. Thompson retired from the farm, removed to Arcadia, erected a good home there, and has since occupied it. He owns his original homestead on section twenty-four, town- ship seventeen, range seventeen, of Custer county, which is well improved and devoted to stock raising and the enltivation of grain, and also owns some mining property in Colorado. He also has various other interests and is an enter- prising business man. He was identified with the pioneer history of Custer county and became well and favorably known in that locality. He has made many friends in Arcadia, and stands well in the community where he now lives. In polities he was a democrat in early life, but of late years is a republican. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.

After coming to Custer county, Mr. Thomp- son first lived in a dugout, which he found on the place when purchased. This was used as a barn after building a good sod house on the hill the next fall. During one of the severe blizzards, when it was impossible to get the stock out to water, a well was dug in the corner of the barn. Game was plentiful in the early days, and Mr. Thompson killed one deer; at one time he drove past two lying down in the grass, but had no fire arms with him. With many others in the neighborhood, he was at a sale Jannary 12, 1888; noting the coming change in the weather, he hastened home to get in a load of hay, which he had just succeeded in doing when the storm broke over them.

RYLAND F. BRUCE.

In reviewing the history of Madison county, Nebraska, the citizens who have contributed to her welfare must be given special mention, and prominent among this number is the gentleman above named.

Ryland F. Bruce, retired farmer, son of Rufus and Mary (Hovey) Bruce, was born in Lamoille county, Vermont, December 19, 1837. He was the youngest of three children, one sister, de- ceased, and one brother, who lives in Vermont. The parents are deceased, both having passed away in their native state of Vermont, the father in June, 1874, and the mother in July, 1879.

Mr. Bruce received his education in his home state, and engaged in farming. On April 2, 1859, he was joined in holy wedlock to Sarah M. Love- joy of Vermont. Four children were born of this union, whose names are as follows: Abby M., married to E. J. Rix, has three children and lives in Madison county ; Mary, died in infancy ; Emma A., died in 1887; Nellie M., married to W. H. Banner, has one child and lives in Norfolk Junction.

In 1869, Mr. Bruce left Vermont, going to Iowa, where he engaged in farming until 1887, when he located in Madison county, Nebraska, and purchased one hundred and sixty aeres of land in the northwest quarter, seetion thirteen, township twenty-four, range one, west, which re- mained the home place until 1903.

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Compendium of history, reminiscence, and biography of Nebraska : containing a history of the state of Nebraska also a compendium of reminiscence and biography containing biographical sketches of hundreds of prominent old settlers and representative citizens of Nebraska, Part 102

Author: Alden Publishing Company Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago : Alden Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1402

Author: Alden Publishing Company
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago : Alden Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1402