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 115

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 115

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The parents. Edward and Hannah Anu (Chew) Vandegrift, with their eight children, moved from New Jersey to Davis county, Iowa, in October, 1870. The father worked at the trade of blacksmith and his sons farmed there for a few years, and in June, 1873, the family, consisting of the parents and eight children-John. Hannah Mary, Israel (., Angeline, Benajah (now de- eeased), Edward K., Lambert C. and Clara O .- came with a team to Sherman county, Nebraska, the journey lasting from May 1 to June 15. They had two mule teams and brought their household goods in wagons. The father secured a homestead on the northwest quarter of section ten, township fourteen, range fourteen, and this was the nucleus of the present large estate. The father remained on this homestead until his death, which occurred about 1886, and it is still the home of his widow, who lives with her children, being now in her eightieth year. One child was born after the 18

family came to Nebraska, Lyndia Etta, now de- ceased. The children all reside in Sherman county exeept Edward K., who resides in Dawes county, Nebraska.

With John Vandegrift live his brothers, Israel C. and Lambert, his sister Angeline, his sister Clara and her husband, C. P. Hays, and all help in operating and managing the farm. They now have nine hundred and sixty acres of land in the county and are known as able and enterprising farmers, being among the most prosperous in the region. They still retain the original homestead and have passed through the pioneer stage of their experience. In their early days in the new home they encountered many trials and difficul- ties, over which they were victorious, and the success that now attends their efforts is the result of untiring industry and thrift. They had few neighbors in the beginning, but are now sur- rounded with friends and acquaintances and ac- eorded the highest respeet and esteem by all who have had any dealings with them, whether of a business or social nature.

John Vandegrift has always been much inter- ested in public affairs and has worked untiringly in the interest of the advancement of all meas- ures he considers beneficial to the county or state. He is well liked and popular and has served in various positions of public trust and honor. In 1884 he was elected supervisor and for several years he was an officer of sehool distriet number two. In 1899 he was elected a member of the lower house of the state legislature and was re- elected in 1901, serving two terms. He is pro- gressive in his ideas and is able to present his views in a manner to insure their respectful con- sideration. He is a man of stability and influence in any circle and is enthusiastic in his support in what he considers right. Mr. Vandegrift is a populist in political belief and a member of the Seventh-day Baptist church.

CARL FREDERICK HAASE.

Carl Frederick Haase, whose name is familiar to nearly all the residents of Madison county, Ne- braska, is a worthy representative of the pro- gressive farmer of northeastern Nebraska. He was one of the very earliest settlers of this county, coming here in 1869, and has lived here continu- ously since that time.

Carl Frederick Haase, retired farmer, son of Fritz and Frederica (Uttecht) Haase, was born in Germany, January 2, 1848; he received his edu- cation in the schools of his native land, and tried various business enterprises before coming to America. Hearing through a cousin, who had been iņ America for some years, of the homestead law enacted in Nebraska, he decided to come to this country where larger opportunities were offered. So in July of 1869, Mr. Ilaase came to America, locating in Madison county, Nebraska, homestead-

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ing one hundred and sixty acres of land in section nine, township twenty-four, range one, which re- mained his home place for thirty-five years.

On September 26, 1873, Mr. Haase was mar- ried to Miss Louisa Maass, also a native of Ger- many, who came to America in April, 1873, and they are the parents of thirteen children, four of whom are deceased; the names of all the children being as follows: Ludwig, who is married and has four children, lives in Knox county, Ne- braska; Sarah, died in infancy ; Martin, also died in infancy ; Fred, deceased ; Mary, married to Ar- thur Conrad, has five children, and lives in Nor- folk; Martin, married and lives in Wayne county, Nebraska, has three children; Emma, married to Herman Wachter, lives in Madison county, Ne- braska, and has three children ; Fred, married and lives in Battle Creek, Michigan ; Selma, married to John Rice, lives in Warnerville, Nebraska; Otto, deceased ; and Linna, Paul and Minnie, who reside at home.

Our subject is prosperous and successful, own- ing four hundred and sixty acres of land, most of which is under cultivation. He is an independent, politically, and served his township as road super- visor for ten years in the early days, during which time the first bridges in the township (number twenty-four) were built. He was precinct as- sessor for three terms, and for nine years was di- rector of his school district (number twenty), which he was instrumental in organizing.

Mr. and Mrs. Haase are among the earliest pioneers of Madison county, and have passed through all the various phases of its history. In 1905 they retired from the farm, moving to Nor- folk where they built a good home, where they now live.

Mr. and Mrs. Haase have both been active members of the German Evangelical Lutheran church since 1870, indeed, they were among the organizers of the first church in their locality.

It may not be amiss to here state that Mr. Haase paid his first personal tax in 1870, which was five cents in cash.

The family is highly esteemed by all who know them, and Mr. and Mrs. Haase are enjoying the latter part of their life as they should after their early endeavors. They are genial, contented and happy, and richly merit the success that has come to them.

WILLIAM R. LOHR.

William R. Lohr, of Merna, Nebraska, where he has various business interests, is one of the old settlers of Custer county, where he has a large acquaintance and many friends. He was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, third born of the nine children of Solomon and Sarah (Sidles) Lohr, and first saw the light of day May 10, 1852. Be- sides William R., those of the children now sur- viving are: Mrs. Emma Trexler, of Bennett, Ne-

braska; Mrs. Alice Steele, of Lincoln; Mrs. Laura Rickard, of Bennett ; one son in Utah, one dangh- ter in the state of Washington, one daughter in Illinois and one daughter in Wisconsin. The father was born in Germany and died at Pontiac, Illinois, in 1865, and the mother, a native of Penn- sylvania, is living in Bennett, Nebraska.

In early childhood Mr. Lohr went with his parents to Stephenson county, Illinois, and there grew to maturity, being reared to farm work and receiving his education in the public schools. Later he engaged in farming for himself and in 1871 went to Woodbury county, Iowa, going to Otoe county, Nebraska, in the spring of 1876. On March 24, 1878, in Bennett county, Nebraska, he was united in marriage with Miss Martha J. Brenizer, a native of Illinois, and daughter of David K. and Margaret (Gabriel) Brenizer. In

the fall of 1882 he brought his family to Custer county, taking up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres and a tree claim of one hundred and sixty acres adjoining, on section thirty-two, township eighteen, range twenty-two. The follow- ing spring he brought his family to the homestead with an ox team and wagon, and began improving and developing a stock and grain farm. He has always taken an active interest in local affairs and was instrumental in organizing school district number fifty-two, of which he served as treasurer several years. He and his wife have had six chil- dren, namely: Mabel, wife of Ray Hicks, of Merna, has five children; Ralph D., of Montrose, Colorado, has two children ; Charles O., of Ogden, Utah; Ross W., at home, and two children who died in infancy .

Mr. Lohr is an early Nebraskan and has passed through its periods of greatest progress and de- velopment, in which he has done his share. He is successful as a stockman and in business affairs and owns twelve hundred and eighty acres of land, all in Custer county. He is extensively en- gaged in stock business and also holds an interest in the farmers' elevator at Merna, Nebraska. He lived on and operated his homestead until 1904, when he came to Merna and purchased a fine resi- dence now occupied by the family. The family are prominent in many circles.

GUS BACKHOUS.

Among the prominent settlers of eastern Ne- braska we mention the name of Gus Backhous as being one of the best known from the fact that he has spent the past twenty-nine years of his career in this region, and during that time has devoted his best efforts to aiding in the development of the natural resources of this part of the country, and helped to build up the community in which he chose his home.

Mr. Backhous is a Prussian, being born in Freidrich Gnade, Germany, in. 1867, and is the son of William and Lena (Burns) Backhous. Our

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COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY.

subject's father served his native country in the war between France and Germany in 1870 and 1871, and died at the age of twenty-eight years. In due time Mrs. Backhous was married again, this time to Mr. John Seefield.

Mr. Backhous while in Germany lived twen- ty-five miles from Berlin from whence he came to America and settled in Norfolk, Madison county, Nebraska, where he resided eight years and then came to Pierce county, where he owns a good, well improved farm, upon which is one acre of fine trees. His land is located in the northeast quar- ter of section sixteen, township twenty-eight, range two.

In the year 1891, Mr. Backhous was married to Miss Anna Leauellan, a descendant from Ger- many, and from this union were born eight chil- dren, whose names are as follows: Frank, Fred, Ella, Rudolf, Viola, Johnny, Herman, Lawrence and Lillian.

Our subject votes the democratic ticket in politics, and is a member of the German Luth- eran church, and is respected by all who know him.

ALFRED A. MORSE.

Alfred A. Morse, a leading old settler of Mer- rick county, Nebraska, who has gained an en- viable reputation as a progressive agriculturalist and worthy citizen, resides in Clarks, Nebraska, where he has a pleasant home. He settled in this locality about forty years ago, and is closely iden- tified with the history and the development and growth of agricultural and other interests of this region.

Alfred A. Morse, son of Cornelius and Mary (Hutchings) Morse, was born in New York state, July 28, 1838, and was second in a family of six children ; and has one brother and one sister re- siding in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the others being deceased, as are also the parents, the father hav- ing died in Merrick county, Nebraska, January 5, 1888, and the mother on May 8, 1894, in Mil- waukee, Wisconsin. In 1845 our subject went with his mother to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he received his education, and later worked as painter.

In the spring of 1861, Mr. Morse went to New York state on a visit and while there enlisted in Company H, Fifty-first New York Volunteer In- fantry for three years, but after six months' ser- vice was discharged on account of disability and returned to Wisconsin. On August 15, 1862, he re-enlisted in Company B, Twenty-fourth Wiscon- sin Infantry, serving but a few months when he was again discharged on account of illness. Mr. Morse participated in the battle of Perryville, Kentucky, October 8, 1862. After the war he re- turned to Wisconsin and to his trade of painting.

On November 19, 1863, Mr. Morse was married to Miss Amanda Raymond, who was born in New

York state. In the spring of 1871 Mr. and Mrs. Morse came to Merrick county, Nebraska, home- steading one hundred and sixty acres in section twenty-eight, township fifteen, range five, and in the following fall moved on to the homestead which remained the home place for seventeen years, then going to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where they remained about six years; then returned to Clarks, Merrick county, Nebraska, where they purchased a good home which is their present re- siding place. However, Mr. Morse kept his home- stead until 1908, when he sold. In the early days Mr. Morse helped to organize his school district, number twenty-five, and served as director of same for many years. Mr. Morse also helped to organize the Methodist Episcopal church in Clarks, in March, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Morse were among the first settlers of Merrick county, and have experienced all the inconveniences and hard- ships of frontier life, and are widely and favor- ably known. Mr. Morse is a member of Thorn- burg Post number twenty-seven, Grand Army of the Republic, indeed, is one of the charter mem- bers of the organization, and the only one of the original membership left in Clarks.

RANSOME KILE.

The venerable Ransome Kile, now retired from active life, has been a resident of Nebraska since February 10, 1884. He is a native of Knox county, Ohio, making his advent to his father's family December 23, 1835. Two years later his parents moved to Lake county, Indiana, and here Ransome Kile grew to manhood on his father's farm. After marriage he farmed for himself in Lake county, and about 1861 removed to Cass county, Iowa, where he resided about two years. Returning to Lake county, he soon after enlisted in 1863 in Company A, Seventy-third Indiana Volunteer In- fantry and served ten months; he re-enlisted in Company E, Thirty-third Regiment and served until the close of the war. His company joined Sherman after his march to the sea, somewhere in North Carolina, and was near Martha's Vine- yard, north of Raleigh, when news of Lee's sur- render reached him. Mr. Kile was on picket duty at the time and was at a loss to know the meaning, as there was shooting going on within their camp and bullets were cutting off leaves from the trees around him. He soon learned that his comrades were celebrating with whole cartridges, though they had been ordered to draw the ball before loading. After participating in the Grand Re- view, having marched from Raleigh to Washing- ton, he returned to his Indiana home and little family. Farming here until the fall of 1879 he again migrated to Cass county, lowa, where he re- sided the last four years prior to his settlement in Nebraska. Securing a quarter section in Ante- hope county west of Plainview, he occupied his farm until 1903, when he moved to Plainview. Ile

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COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY.

had tried renting the farm, but the soil and build- ings were deteriorating under a tenant, so he sold his land and built two houses in town. For these he finds good tenants, and makes his home al- ternately with his children.

Ransome Kile is a son of John and Sarah (Laf- lar) Kile, both natives of Pennsylvania ; the father died at the age of twenty-four when our subject was only two years old; the mother died at the age of forty-three.

Mr. Kile was married in Lake county, Indiana, in September, 1855, to Mary Powers, a native of Providence, Rhode Island. Her birth occurred April 6, 1837, and she died December 9, 1907. They have three sons living: Doctor W. T. Kile, of Plainview, who is given notice on another page ; Levi E., of Verdel ; and M. L., a jeweler of Creigh- ton, who married Maude L., daughter of T. J. Buckmaster, who is mentioned at length elsewhere in this work. M. L. Kile and wife have one son, Marvin Wendell Kile.

On coming to Nebraska Mr. Kile lived a short time in a sod house with a frame lining ; there was a good cellar under it-something few houses of the country had at that time. He brought grape vines and fruit trees from lowa and these lived safely through the winter in the cellar. Like most of the early settlers they burned hay, corn, and cornstalks when other fuel was scarce and corn brought only ten cents in the local market. The most he ever sold corn for was fourteen cents. A severe hailstorm, such as sometimes passes over the west, one year, beat his growing corn into the ground, leaving hut short stubs; these, however, sprouted again and produced thirty-five cents a bushel corn.

Success attended his efforts in the west, and Mr. Kile is enabled to pass his declining years in peace and comfort surrounded by his children.

EDWIN EVANS.

The gentleman whose name heads this review, is probably one of the best known men of Boone county, Nebraska, having served as sheriff dur- ing the past six years, prior to that time being for many years a successful agriculturalist and stockman of North Branch precinct.

Edwin Evans was born in Dane county, Wis- consin, on December 10, 1857. He was the eldest in a family of thirteen children born to George and Rena Evans. When he was three years of age his parents moved into Dakota, where they re- mained but a short time, then went to Black Hawk county, Iowa. There the father took a farm and they occupied it for seven years, finally return- ing to Dane county, Wisconsin, where Edwin as- sisted his father in carrying on the home farm.

In 1874, father, mother and nine children left Wisconsin and moved to Boone county, Iowa, making that their home for the following nine years, then the entire family came on to Ne- braska, locating on school section sixteen, town-

ship twenty-two, range five. They engaged im- mediately in farming and stock raising, and went through the usual pioneer experiences, but soon got their farm in good shape, and were successful in raising good crops and improving their farm with good buildings of all kinds, our subject re- maining on the homestead up to 1904, when he settled on an eighty acre farm of his own, situ- ated on section twenty-one, township twenty-two, range five, which he had purchased some time previously.

Mr. Evans' mother died on the home farm No- vember 28, 1903, and his father's death occurred on April 29, 1909, he being in his seventy-third year. There are ten children living, all of whom are residents of Boone and Madison counties.

Our subject was married,on March 16, 1904, to Mrs. Julia Julson, who was a widow with one child, Clarence Julson. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Evans, Reuben and Gladys, both charming children.

Mr. Evans is a man widely known and greatly respected in his locality, and is one of the truly self-made men of his times. He is active in local affairs, and in the past has held different public offices. He is politically a democrat, and was first elected sheriff of Boone county in the fall of 1905, assuming charge of that position Jannary 1, 1906. He has since been re-elected, twice in 1907 and 1909, serving now his third term, which will ex- pire Jannary 1, 1912.

JOHN B. ROBINSON.

John B. Robinson came to Nebraska when the eastern part of that state was, as you might say. still in its infancy, and has remained here through all the changes that have taken place in the past twenty-three years, aiding materially by his in- fluence and means in the development of its nat- ural resources. He occupies a high position as a worthy citizen and prominent old timer, and de- serves prominent mention for his patriotism and loyalty for the state of his adoption.

Mr. Robinson is a native of Delaware county, lowa, and was born Jannary 4, 1869. His father, James B. Robinson, was born in 1822 in Ireland. coming to America in 1844 from County Vermana. Ireland. Our subject, Mr. Robinson, came to Ne- braska in 1887, settling in Stanton township, then went to Neligh, where he worked four years, then to Garfield county. In October 1895, he came to Antelope county, where he now resides on sec- tion twenty-one, township twenty-four, range seven, and has a beautiful home and fine orchard and groves, which place is known as the Elgin Stock Farm. He owns twelve hundred acres of the finest land in Antelope county, and is a very prominent and influential citizen of these parts.

Mr. Robinson was united in matrimony in 1891, to Miss Fannie Shain. Mr. and Mrs. Robin- son have had two children born to them, whose names are : Lillie and Nellie B.

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Mr. Robinson has been instrumental in bring- ing about his own success, as well as the pros- perity enjoyed in the farming community of that section of the county in which he resides, and has done his full share in its progress. He is a man of the strictest integrity, and is known for his thrift and good management, and enjoys the respect and high regard of all who know him.

JOHN A. HALL.

John A. Hall is an early Nebraskan who has made his success in the state and has always been much interested in the progress and development of county and state, and has been well known for his upright eharaeter and honest dealing. He was born in Edmeston, New York, April 7, 1844, eldest of the four children of Zachariah S. and Polly M. (Chase) Hall. He and his brother, Harvey D., are the only surviving members of the family. The father and mother were both natives of the state of New York, he born in Washington county and she in Pittsfield, and both died in that state, he in 1876 and she in 1890. Mr. Hall is a lineal descendant of an English ancestor of the name who came to America from England in 1640.

Mr. Hall reached maturity on the New York farm, receiving his elementary education in loeal schools and later attending Cooperstown Acad- emy, and the Williston Seminary at Easthamp- ton, Massachusetts. He taught several years in New York and later in the schools of Nebraska He was married in Willimantie, Connecticut, Mareh 9, 1869, to Mrs. Eliza Burlingame, whose maiden name was Bull. She has one daughter by a former marriage: Addie, wife of Frank Bene- diet, of Hartford, Connecticut, who has three children. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hall: Herbert E., at home, and Frank G., married and living near Mason City.

Mr. and Mrs. Hall lived on the Hall homestead in New York until March, 1873, when they came with their small son to HIall county, Nebraska, securing a homestead of eighty acres near Grand Island. This place was their home until 1881. when they came on to Custer county and took up a timber claim of one hundred and

sixty, acres, later pre-empting one hundred and sixty aeres on seetion twenty-nine, town- ship fifteen, range seventeen, which is still the home place. Ile helped organ- ize school district number nine, and served for some time on its board. He is a good citizen and interested in everything pertaining to the general advancement of the interests of his community. He has been personally successful, has a . well improved farm of three hundred and twenty aeres of land, and is president of the Farmers' State Bank at Mason ('ity, in which he is a stockholder. The Halls are among the best known families in C'uster county and have a large circle of friends.

He is a member of the Baptist church and in politics is a populist.

The family have lived out two "soddies" in C'uster county and now occupy a neat frame cot- tage. One of their most terrifying experiences was in a cyclone which tore out the west side of their stable and landed it over on the east side. A son who was milking in the stable at the time was uninjured, nor were the cattle hurt; one ealf, whose tether rope was new and strong, was earried over the roof with the timbers and killed.

In the blizzard of January 12, 1888, Mr. Hall and wife were in town; driving to the school house he got the children and drove home. Much of the way, however, he had to walk ahead and pilot the team through the blinding, icy midst. Nothing was raised in 1894, the dry year, and eleven years before, hail completely destroyed the growing crops, but with later success those early hardships are but a memory.

E. R. LIBBY.

Located very pleasantly on section five, town- ship twenty-five, range eight, Antelope county, Nebraska, is to be found the estimable gentleman whose name heads this biographical sketch. Mr. Libby has been identified with the history of Antelope county since pioneer days, and he has contributed largely to the upbuilding of the lo- cality in which he makes his home. He is known as a man of industrious habits, and possesses persistent honesty of purpose and force of char- acter, and is known as one of the leading influ- ential early settlers of the county.

Mr. Libby is a native of Canada, born there near Prescott, November 1, 1847. His father, William Libby, died in Quebee, Canada, in 1852, when our subject was very small; his mother, Wealthy (Townsend) Libby, was of English and Scotch descent, born in 1808 in the state of Maine. Mr. Libby's two brothers, George and William, served their country's cause in the civil war.

In 1855, Mr. Libby came from Canada to the state of Indiana, then coming from there, June 28, 1866, to Johnson county, Nebraska, with his mother who filed on a homestead near Elk Creek. and after taking possession built a board house fourteen by twenty-two feet. Here the mother and son passed through many vicissitudes and hardships, suffering losses through the grasshop- per raids of 1866 and 1873, and during the latter year they also suffered loss through the drouth and hot winds of that season; these discouraging incidents made it very hard for the lone widow and her son, and had it not been for a brother of our subject's who was a miller in Johnson county, and who gave timely assistance when needed, it would have been impossible for our subject and his mother to exist on the homestead.

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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 115

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