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 108

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 108

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daughters.

The Branaman family moved to Illinois about 1857, from whence they went to Adair county, Missouri, in 1859. The mother died on the Mis- souri farm about 1867; and after a period the father again married while residing in that state.

In the spring of 1874. John B. Branaman came with his father, step-mother, and sister Ella, to Merrick county, Nebraska. The father homesteaded on section two, township twelve, range eight, where he resided until the time of his death, January 5, 1899. Two sisters of Mr. Branaman also came to Nebraska later on. Of the Branaman family now living, there is the subject of this sketch and sister, Mrs. Clara Gil- bert, who live in Nebraska, and a sister, Mrs. T. J. Overstreet, who lives in California.

John B. Branaman took up a homestead in Merrick county on the east half of south east quarter of section twenty-eight, township thirteen, range eight, and this homestead was his residing place until January 1, 1911, when he rented the farm to his son David, and moved to Central City where he intends making his home.

Ife has added to his land holdings until he now has three hundred and twenty acres of choice land in his farm.

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On October 13, 1881, Mr. Branaman was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary E. Earhart who was a native of Brown county, Ohio. They married in Merrick county, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Brana- man have had four children, three of whom are liv- ing: David B., who is married and living on the old home place, has one child; Bertram, who is de- ceased ; Cynthia Pearl, and John Harold, who reside at home.

Mr. Branaman is a successful farmer and stock man, and his family have the advantages of the modern home and enjoy modern ednca- tional advantages. They are best known along educational and social lines.

JOHN HUIGENS.

Among the progressive and energetic pioneers of Knox county who have contributed largely to the prosperity enjoyed in that vicinity, a high station is accorded the gentleman above named.

John IIuigens, descended from old Holland stock, has been a citizen of Nebraska since the spring of 1884. The first year he rented a farm four miles north of Creighton and then bought a relinquishment of a timber claim ten miles west of town; this he later changed to a homestead entry to which he secured title and made his residence until November, 1904. The first season he built a frame house, using up much of his means; then during the next four years there was a continual drouth and no crops. He suf- fered many deprivations and discomforts, but presisted in his efforts in spite of adverse cir- cumstances and has now a creditable success. He owns four hundred and eighty acres of fine Knox county land and some $7,000 worth of town property including his own commodious dwelling built in 1904, a tenant house and several vacant building lots.

Mr. Huigens was born in Henry, Marshall county, Illinois, June 15, 1862, and reared just across the line in Putnam county ; here he lived engaged in farming until his migration to Ne- braska. He is a son of Edward and Catherine (Thoemas) Huigens, the former a native of Hol- land who died when the son was but two years old; the mother, a native of Germany, lived until 1903.

Mr. Hnigens was married in Marshall county, Illinois, to Mary, daughter of Wymer and Helen (Smith) Fitzler. To Mr. and Mrs. Huigens eight children were born all of whom are living, they are: Barnard, who married JJeanette Wattine, is cashier in a bank at Herrick, South Dakota, where he owns a town residence and a quarter section of fine land near by; Edward, is a bar- ber in Creighton, and Anna, Joseph, Margaret, Emily, Julia and Henry are under the parental roof, the five youngest ones attending the Catho lie parochial school.

When Mr. Huigens first settled in Knox 17

county, the prairies were free from fences, one being able to drive miles in all directions with- out any obstructions. He saw three deer on the prairies after he came, but did not bring one of them down. Cornstalks and hay were their only fuel a part of the time, and provisions were scarce and hard to procure. During the bliz- zard of January 12, 1888, Mr. Huigens was at the house, and suffered nothing from the storm. His cattle that were out were grazing to the northwest, so drifted to the creek bottom and there they were found safe and sound when the storm abated; one small pig was all the storm cost him, while many neighbors lost their all. Hail- storms missed him, while nearby neighbors' trees were barked and killed and hailstones were driven in the windows of one side of the house and out through the opposite ones.

Mr. Huigens is independent in politics voting for the man he considers best, regardless of party. With his family he is a devout adherent to the Catholic faith; he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and with his wife of the Royal Neighbors.

After years of hardship and toil fortune has smiled on Mr. Hnigens and leaves him still hale and hearty with a competency, and retired from any further toil of active life.

OLIVER ASPLIN.

In compiling a list of the representative farmers of Stanton county, Nebraska, a promi- nent place is accorded the name of Oliver Asplin, the owner of a fine farm located in section eight, township twenty-four, range two. Mr. Asplin is one of the pioneers of the county, and has been engaged in agricultural pursuits here for many years past.

Mr. Asplin was born in 1850, and is a native of Nortlich, Sweden, the son of Olaf and Mar- garet (Olson) Asplin. He received his education in the schools of his native land, and spent his childhood and youth there.

When our subject was just of age, the family decided to emigrate to America. They crossed the ocean in a sailing vessel, and after reaching New York, came direct to Staunton county, Ne- braska. They at once took up the homestead where the subscriber now lives, which has been the home of the family ever since that time. A substantial but small sod house was their first dwelling house, to be replaced later by a good frame house. Many improvements have been made from time to time, until now Mr. Asplin is the proprietor of as fine a farm as one would wish to see. One of the most valuable parts of the farm now is a six-acre orchard which was planted by the subscriber some years ago.

It was not entirely plain and easy sailing from the first, however, for Mr. Asplin, at one time or another, has had to contend with many of the disadvantages and discouragements in-

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cident to a pioneer's life. He had faith in the country, however, and remained with it, and now is enjoying happily his share of the prosperity which is evident everywhere in this section.

In 1875, Mr. Asplin was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Pherson, and six children have blessed this union. They are named as follows: Carl, Adolph, Barnard, Annie, Mable and Emma.

WILLIAM COUTTS.

William Coutts, one of the oldest pioneers of Antelope county, Nebraska, is a man of wide ex- perience in agricultural pursuits and has a thorough knowledge of his calling. Mr. Coutts has been a resident of his present location for the past thirty years, and during that time has ac- quired an extensive acquaintance. "He is highly esteemed and respected for his true worth of character by all who know him.

Mr. Coutts is a native of Scotland, being born in Aberdeenshire, April 15, 1852, and is the son of William and Annie (Collie) Coutts, the father dying when our subject was but five years of age. Our subject's father followed the occupa- tion of farming until about thirty-two years of age when he entered the employ of a railroad. Our subject received his education in Scotland and remained there until 1873. In that year he left his native land, going from Glasgow to Lon- donderry, where he embarked for America. After a twelve day voyage on the steamship "Hibernia," he landed in Portland, Maine. From there he went to Kent county, Canada, where he remained seven years.

In 1880 Mr. Coutts came to Antelope county, Nebraska, and took up a claim in section thirty- five, township twenty-seven, range six, which is his present residing place. At first he built a shanty, but later he erected a good house, in which the family now live. In the early days, our subject had a hard time to get started in the new country, as did many others of those brave hearted pioneers of the west.

On August 27, 1886, Mr. Contts was united in holy wedlock to Miss Katie McCloud. Mr. and Mrs. Coutts are the parents of nine children, whose names are as follows: Colin, Verna (de- ceased), Josie, Minnie, Elizabeth, Georgia, Hazen, Hazel (deceased), and Gertie. Colin married Lou Tessier; they live at Crookston, Nebraska. Mrs. Coutts is a native of Canada, as was also her mother. Her father was a native of Scotland. Mr. Coutts is a member of the Modern Wood- men of America, and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In polities he is a republican and in religion a Presbyterian.

Mr. and Mrs. Coutts and family are known by hosts of people in this part of the state, and in their thirty years' residence in Antelope county, have proved themselves worthy of the high es- teem in which they are held.

WILLIAM J. WILSON.

William J. Wilson is one of the earlier set- tlers of Custer county and has passed through many stages of the history of his part of Ne- braska. He is a prosperous and successful man of affairs, owning a well equipped stock and grain farm and desirable property in the city of Broken Bow. He is interested in everything per- taining to the welfare and progress of county and state, and is recognized as a representative, upright citizen. Mr. Wilson belongs to a family that is well known in Custer county and was brought there in childhood by his parents. He is a native of Madison county, Iowa, born October 27, 1877, eldest of the three living children of John O. and Nancy (Kennedy) Wilson. A sketch of his father appears in this work. The family came to Custer county, and located there on a farm, where William J., reached maturity. After receiving a public school education he engaged in farming on his own account, and eventually purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on West Table.

Mr. Wilson was married at the home of the bride's parents, January 1, 1902, to Miss Anna Hebble, of West Table, who was born in Des Moines, Iowa, and came with her family to Cus- ter county in 1899. Her father, Detlef Hebble, was born in Germany and came to the United States in early manhood, being now a resident of Texas. His wife, Caroline (Mill) Hebble, was also a native of Germany, and died in Des Moines in 1889. Mrs. Wilson has a brother in Texas, and two sisters, Mrs. George Kennedy and Mrs. Cur- tis Benger, in Custer county. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wilson located on his farm, where they resided until 1905, when he retired from active life and came to Broken Bow. Since com- ing to the city Mr. Wilson has engaged in con- tracting and building, and has been successful in this line of work. He is an energetic and able business man and has well earned the success he now enjoys. He has added to his farm and it now contains two hundred acres of good farm land, highly improved and well adapted to rais- ing stock and grain. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilson : Lloyd L., Cleon D. and William G., all at home.

FRED E. DELANO.

The Delano family, of which Fred E. Delano is a member, dates back to the time of the Puri- tans in Massachusetts. The immigrant ancestor, who bore the name of Phillip De La Noye, and a Frenchman by birth, came to America in the good ship "Fortune," in 1621, one year after the land- ing of the Mayflower, and he and other members of his family were associates of such noted char- acters of history as John Alden and Priscilla Mullen. Fred E. Delano has made a success of farming and stock raising in Nebraska, and is

RESIDENCE ON CLAIM IN CHERRY CO. 1889

SODDY RESIDENCE FROM 1895 TO 1909

"WOOD LAWN FARM," RESIDENCE OF F. E. DELANO.

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one of the solid, substantial citizens of the central part of the state. He and his immediate family have been widely known for their progressive activity along the lines of education and similar public movements and have stood for the best in- terests of the community where they have lived. Mr. Delano was born in Oakland county, Michi- gan, April 13, 1859, third of the five children of Mortimer and Rosetta (Stevens) Delano. The father, who came to Oxford township, Oakland county, Michigan, about 1840, was a poineer of that township. He was a native of Genesee county, New York, born May 14. 1823; his death occurred on the Delano farm in Custer county, Nebraska, in August, 1898. His wife, also a na- tive of New York, was born Angust 30, 1825, and her death occurred in 1896, while on a visit with her husband to the old Michigan home. Those of their children now surviving are: Will S., liv- ing in Custer county, Nebraska. a sketch of whom appears in this work ; Milton, of Flint, Michigan ; Adelia, wife of Henry Ward Bristol, of Roswell, New Mexico; and Fred, subject of this sketch.

Mr. Delano was reared on a farm and re- mained with his parents until coming to Cherry county, Nebraska, in the fall of 1886. He had re- ceived the usual common school education given a farmer's son and was a graduate of the Michi- gan agricultural college at Lansing. He was well prepared for a life of farming and possessed ability to succeed in this line of work. Upon com- ing to Cherry county he secured a homestead there and in December, 1888, returned to Oak- land county, Michigan, where March 27, 1889, he married Miss Rose Shoemaker, daughter of Cal- vin and Mary (Cole) Shoemaker; the maternal grandfather was the Reverend Thomas Cole. A week after their marriage, the young couple came to their homestead, remaining there until December of the same year, proved up on the claim, and then came to Custer county and made their home on the old Delano farm where his father lived. In 1895 they located on the south- east quarter of section twenty-five, town- ship seventeen, range seventeen, which they later purchased, and which has since been their home. Upon first locating there they lived in a "soddy," but now they have a fine, new modern country home, fitted with a furnace and a private gas plant, as well as many other conveniences and comforts. It is with pleasure we present a view of this elegant, well furnished country home, and substantial outbuildings, on another page of this work. This commodious home compares very favorably with the one in which they began housekeeping on this place, and they now own one of the best equipped grain and stock farms in their section of the state.

Mr. and Mrs. Delano have two children, Harry Calvin and Lois Elsie. The former gradu- ated from the state university farm school in the class of 1911, and the latter in the class of 1912. Mr. Delano's father, mother and brother Milton

came to Custer county, Nebraska, in the spring of 1889, and the parents continued to make their home there until their deaths. The elder De- lano organized the Farmers' Club in June, 1889, under the trees of the place which Fred E. owns, and the club has had a continuons existence since that date. Before the new house was completed, Mrs Delano entertained seventy members of the club in their three-room "soddy," and all had a most enjoyable time. Mrs. Delano's parents are also both deceased. Her mother died in Michi- gan in 1871, and her father died in 1910, being in his eighty-third year. She has two brothers and a sister residing in Michigan.

In reaching their Cherry county homestead, Mr. and Mrs. Delano encountered the spring floods ; in many places on the road from Thedford to their claim the hay flats were under water. Here in the sand hills Mrs. Delano had one of the finest flower and vegetable gardens ever known in that region. A pet deer they owned, made itself very much at home in these gardens, eating their crop of cabbage at one time. The contrast of the soddy and the treeless billows of sand in this re- gion was in strong contrast with the old settled state of Michigan in which the bride had been reared, but she soon became accustomed to pio- neer surroundings, and has done her share cheer- fully in building their fortune and keeping their beautiful new modern home.

Mrs. Delano is a member of the Congrega- tional church of Arcadia. Mr. Delano affiliates with the Modern Brotherhood of America, and in politics is a progressive republican. He has served a number of years as township official, and was also for many years director of the school board of district number eleven.

WILLIAM LUEBKE.

William Luebke, an honest and industrious citizen of Pierce, carries on a good business as a blacksmith and wagonmaker at that place. He is owner of a comfortable home, and enjoys the re- speet of his fellow men, gained through striet in- tegrity and sound business principles.

Mr. Luebke is a sturdy son of Germany. born in the village of Fanger, district of Nangart, province of Pommerania, Prussia, October 18, 1861. He attended the parish school between the ages of six and fourteen, and the following three years was apprenticed to a blacksmith at Laks- beck, working for him two years as journeyman; at Stettin, nine months, two years at Friederichs- gnade, and about one month at Berlin.

He was employed as a blacksmith during his time in the army.

He finally decided to try his fortune in the new world, so took passage from Bremen on the "Maindt," and landed at Baltimore after a voy- age lasting eleven days, three of which a severe storm raged. He came directly to Nebraska and

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secured farm work near Bancroft, Cumings county, but remained only a short time and then came to Pierce, where he followed his trade for over two years in the shop of William Wigam. In December, 1890, he began business for himself and has enlarged from time to time, installing labor-saving machinery. In 1904 he replaced the frame building by a fine brick structure.

Mr. Luebke's parents came to America in 1888, the mother dying in 1895. Her husband later re- turned to Germany, where he is at the present time. Of their children living in America, Aug- ust is owner of a fine farm in Canada, whither he migrated in 1910, and Amelia is the wife of Otto Gahm, who lives on a farm nine miles east of Pierce.

Our subject was married at Pierce on April 22, 1889, to Alvina Kolterman, who was born in Wisconsin. Her parents natives of Pommerania, Germany, and later were pioneers of Pierce county. Our subject and his good wife have had eleven children, eight of whom are living, as fol- lows: Martha, Alvina, William, Minnie, Rosa, Robert, Lola and Evelyn.

Mr. Luebke is a democrat in state and national politics, although in county and local elections, he votes for the man, regardless of party. He and his family are active members of the Luth- eran church, and both Mrs. Luebke and her hus- band are members of the Norfolk Parochial lodge. He is a member of the Eagles, The Sons of Herman, and the German War Union.

GEORGE A. WELSH.

Among the younger Nebraska farmers and citizens of Howard county, who have come from pioneer families of the county and state, and prom- ise to emulate their fathers in the sterling qual- ities displayed in the early days, is the above named gentleman.

George A. Welsh, son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Welsh) Welshi, was born July 5, 1878, in Brus- sels, Canada, and was sixth in a family of seven children. He came to Howard county, Nebraska. with his mother, five sisters and one brother, his father having died in Canada in December, 1880. The family located on section twenty-two, town- ship fifteen, range twelve, and remained on the place until 1890, moving at that time to section twenty-five, township fifteen, range eleven, which is now the home place of our subject, where his mother still lives with him.

Mr. Welsh was married to Miss Agnes Dodd, daughter of James and Margaret (Henderson) Dodd, who was ninth in a family of twelve chil- dren, and was born in Howard county. Her parents came here in June, 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Welsh were married on the home place, March 24, 1897. They are the parents of six children, whose names are as follows: Charles E., Joseph E., George James, Elsie Elizabeth, Roy E., and Henry Allen.

Mr. Welsh is well and favorably known as a prosperous and successful man, and holds a prom- inent place in local affairs. He owns one hun- dred and sixty acres in the home place, and also two hundred acres one-half mile north of this.

Mr. and Mrs. Welsh are both from old pioneer families of Howard county, Nebraska, and they and their fathers are known for their many good qualities and progressiveness.

ALBERT S. CLEARY.

Albert S. Cleary, son of John and Hannah (Sargeant) Cleary, was born in Amesbury, Massa- chusetts, December 10, 1858, and was third in a family of five children, and the only one now liv- ing. He received his elementary education in the local schools and later was a student for three years at the Phillips Andover academy, a member of the class of 1880, and later engaged in mercan- tile business in Merrimac, Massachusetts, for sev- eral years. In 1881 Mr. Cleary sought the larger opportunities of the western country, going to Iowa for one year; and in October of 1882, came on to Nebraska, locating in Valley county. Here he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres in section two, township seventeen, range thirteen, which is still the home place.

In 1888 Mr. Cleary returned to his old home in Massachusetts, and on August 22, 1891, was united in marriage to Miss Martha A. Hughes, at the home of her parents, Isaac W. and Mary A. (Merrill) Hughes, in Massachusetts where she was born. Miss Hughes had been a teacher in Massachusetts schools. In 1892 Mr. Cleary re- turned with his bride to the homestead in Ne- braska. Mr. and Mrs. Cleary have seven children born to them, namely: Edith P., Helen M., John, Esther A., Charles A., Frances H., and Eliza- beth H., all of whom reside under the parental roof.

Mr. Cleary is a successful man of affairs, owns four hundred and twenty aeres all in one hody, a splendidly improved and equipped stock and dairy farm ; he is one of the younger men among the earlier settlers, and is widely and favorably known. In the fall of 1907, Mr. Cleary built a splendid home on his farm, and just finished a ce- ment silo holding one hundred and twenty tons, the first of its kind in the vicinity. He filed on a timber claim in Blaine, earlier in his career, broke part of it and then abandoned the tract.

Mr. Cleary's father, John Cleary, was born in IIalifax, Novia Scotia, in 1816. In early manhood he came to Massachusetts, engaging in the mer- cantile business ; he died there in 1887, at the age of seventy-one years. The mother was a descend- ant of William Sargeant, who settled in Ames- bury prior to 1656. She was born in Amesbury, and died in Valley county, Nebraska, while on a visit to her son in 1902.

Mr. Cleary has served as justice of the peace,

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and in the various township offices, and is at the present time treasurer of his township, elected on the democratic ticket. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. There were a few deer in the country when he eame, but they soon disappeared. He lived a number of years in a dngout on the place, which was later used as a summer kitchen when a larger, two story structure was built. In the blizzard of January 12, 1888, Mr. Cleary was herding cattle north of the house. Most of the cattle drifted into sheds where ten or twelve perished. In the drouth of 1894, he raised less than enough to seed the land again. He lost nearly all crops by hail in June, 1911.

HENRY E. BECKER.

Henry E. Beeker early in life left his native land and emigrated to the new world, where he beeame identified with American progress and civilization, and has been a loyal citizen to the land of his adoption, and is esteemed and re- spected by all who know him.

Mr. Becker was born in Schleswig, Prussia, Germany, November 1, 1829. His parents, Jacob F. and Mary C. (Tortsen) Becker, had eight ehil- dren, one son and seven daughters. The mother died in 1848, and the father in 1878, in his seven- ty-ninth year, both in Germany.

Henry E. Becker was an only son and grew up to manhood at his old home, received his edu- cation there and learned the trade of a cabinet- maker; and in the war of 1848 served his country as a soldier. In 1853 he emigrated to America, loeating at Mount Vernon, New York, where he worked in a door factory. In 1855 he went to Greenwich, Connecticut, and followed the car- pentry trade.

In 1859 Mr. Becker was married to Miss Cath- erine Duffy, who was born in Ireland, January 8, 1829. She was an excellent woman, and passed to the great beyond at her Madison, Nebraska, home, May 10, 1905.

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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 108

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