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 121

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 121

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others less fortunate. There were Indian scares, and after the celebrated battle of Wounded Knee. the settlers felt much uneasiness, trying to keep together as much as possible, several families oc- cupying one cabin so as to be better protected in case of attack by the redskins. Mr. Bradstreet was well acquainted with Kid Wade, one of the early rustlers of whom so much has been written. He started out from the vicinity of Holt and Knox counties, and for several years his name was a terror to the settlers throughout that part of the state. Those days are now long since passed, though not forgotten, and while they were hard ones at the time, the memory is not un- pleasant, showing with what fortitude the pioneers met the problems that confronted them.

Mr. Bradstreet was born in Ulster county, New York, on May 15, 1863, and is a son of Henry M. and Susan (Robinson) Bradstreet, the former's death occurring in Spencer in 1908, while the mother now resides with a son there, and enjoys good health and the society of many friends. After coming to Nebraska, Mr. Bradstreet re- mained with his parents for about three years. then started for himself, filing on a homestead in Holt county, which he farmed for about twenty years. In 1905 he settled in Lynch, opened a liv- ery barn and carried on the business for four years, when he was elected to the office of sheriff. Prior to his election, he had served as deputy for four years, thus being thoroughly familiar with the duties of the position and knowing every per- son and part of the county. He was installed in office on the 7th of January, 1910, and begins his term under the most favorable anspices, having the complete confidence of the people, who know him to be a man of untiring energy and faithful- ness to his charge.

Politically Mr. Bradstreet is a democrat, and while Boyd county is normally republican, he won his recent election hy a comfortable majority over his opponent.

Mr. Bradstreet was married in O'Neill, on De- cember 15, 1886, taking as his wife Miss Nettie Huhby, daughter of John Hubby, of Lynch, of whom an extended sketch is to be found in this work. Their marriage was performed by Judge Gillispie, and was one of the well remembered events of the season, both being members of the foremost pioneer families of Nebraska. Three children have been born to our subject and his esteemed wife, as follows: Howard E .. Ethel and Nellie.

Mr. Bradstreet is a member of the Lynch lodge mimber two hundred and fifty-five, Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Masonic lodge, number ninety-five, at O'Neill.

ALONZO BROOKS. (Deceased.)

The above gentleman, who is now deceased, was for many years a leading citizen of Boone county.

He was a well known pioneer, a man of fine char- acter, taking at all times a prominent part in any work which tended to the upbuilding of the locality and best interests of his connty and state.

Alonzo Brooks was born in New York state on January 25, 1829, grew to manhood there, and was married October 1, 1851, to Miss Mary J. Wilson, three children being born of this union. The family settled in Washington, D. C., in 1852, remained for two years, then came west, locating in Boone county, Illinois.

In 1862 Mr. Brooks enlisted in Company K. Ninety-fifth Volunteer Infantry of Illinois, and did splendid work for his country, being pro- moted from second to first lieutenant of his com- pany on July 10, 1863. He took part in many famous battles, and was with his company in con- tinnous service from the time of enlistment up to the date of his discharge, being mustered out at the close of the war, in 1865.

In the fall of 1872 Mr. Brooks came to Boone county, Nebraska, took up a homestead and was joined by his family the following year. He at once engaged in the farming and stock raising business, continuing up to 1885, at which time he moved to the village of St. Edwards and lived there for about four years. At this time, himself and family. with the exception of one son. Horace. moved to Homeland. Florida, and there his death occurred on May 3, 1901. He was survived by his wife, son Horace, and a daughter, Sarah.

Mr. Brooks was a man of fine character, and was at all times prominent in every work which stood for the upbuilding of mankind and the good of his community. He was successful in every re- spect and was a truly self-made man, enjoying the esteem and love of all with whom he came in contact.

G. H. HANKS.

George H. Hanks, a prominent farmer and stockman living on section four, township twenty- eight, range five, Antelope county, Nebraska, is well known throughout this section as a pro- gressive and successful agriculturalist. highly esteemed by all with whom he has had to do.

Mr. Hanks is a son of George and Kate (Kane) Hanks. Our subject's father was born in the year 1834 in England, and was a British soldier, and was stationed at Montreal, Canada, for four years. The mother came to Canada when she was a small girl, from Ireland.

Our subject, Mr. Hanks, is a native of New York. and went to Vermont when he was five years old, with his parents, and from thence re- moved to Illinois in 1868, when in the year of 1870 the family migrated to the state of Iowa.

In 1881 Mr. Hanks came to Nebraska and took up a homestead claim on Verdigris river, which claim consisted of three hundred and twenty acres, and then came to Antelope county, and settled on section four, township twenty-eight,

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range five, which is his present location, as before stated. Mr. Hanks has one hundred and sixty acres of land in this section, and one hundred and twenty acres of land in Knox county, five acres of which are given to trees.

Mr. Hanks was joined in holy wedlock in the year 1876 to Miss Emily C. Barnes, and they have one child, R. B., who is married to Miss Hilsinger, who also have one child.

Mr. Hanks is affiliated with the Masonic, Woodmen of the World, and Workmen lodges, and has assisted materially through his labors and example in the upbuilding of the farming in- terests of his community, well meriting his high standing as a worthy citizen.

ANDREW J. THOMPSON.

Andrew J. Thompson has been a resident of Cnster county several years and has lived in the state much of the time since 1884. He is well known in his community as a prosperous and successful farmer and a substantial, progressive citizen. He was born in Peoria county, Illinois, July 17, 1857, third in the family of seven chil- dren born to James and Caroline (Vandevere) Thompson. Of these children, Daniel, James, Andrew, Ida (Mrs. Sturm), and Emma (Mrs. Williams), live in Nebraska, and two daughters live in Illinois. The parents were born in In- diana, the mother of English parentage. They lo- cated in Dodge county, Nebraska, in 1885, and both died in Keya Paha county, Nebraska, the father in 1908 and the mother in 1907.

In youth Mr. Thompson attended the schools near his father's home on the Illinois farm, and upon reaching young manhood engaged in farm- ing. He was married in Peoria county, Febru- ary 21, 1882, to Miss Vina Sturm, who was born in Clayton county, Iowa, daughter of Lewis and Harriet (Robinson) Sturm, natives of Indiana, the father of German extraction. Both parents died in Iowa, the father about 1866 and the mother about 1887. Mrs. Thompson has one bro- ther, George, in Lincoln; a brother in Mitehell, South Dakota ; a sister in Portland, Oregon ; three brothers in Portland ; one sister in Clinton, lowa ; one sister in Wisconsin.

Mr. and Mrs. Thompson lived on the Illinois farm until the spring of 1884, then came with their young son to Richardson county, Nebraska. and engaged in farming there. In 1890 they went to Kansas and pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres of land in Lane county. After prov- ing his title to this they returned to Richardson county, Nebraska, and remained there until 1904, and since that time have been residents of Custer county. Mr. Thompson had purchased, some time before 1904, one hundred and sixty acres of land on section nine, township eighteen, range eight- een, which is still the home place. He has since purchased the west half of section fifteen, town-

ship eighteen, range eighteen, adjoining, making a farm that is well adapted for stock raising and grain farming.

Mr. Thompson is a man of influence in the community and is interested in local affairs. Dur- ing the years he has been a resident of Custer county, he has served as director of the school board of district number forty-nine. He and his wife have five children : Albert L., married and living in Custer county ; Lester, also of Custer county, has two children ; Charles, Eva and Hazel, at home.

CLAUS J. KOLL.

Among the adopted sons of Valley county, Ne- braska, perhaps there are none who are better known than the Koll brothers, who are prosper- ous farmers living on adjoining farms near Ord.

Claus J. Koll, born in the village of Ehlers- dorf, province of Holstein, Germany, on the 16th of June, 1856. was the eldest of three children born to Hartwig and Margarita (Kuehl) Koll. Mr. Koll spent his childhood and early manhood years in his native country, not coming to Amer- ica until 1884, after the death of his parents. He sailed from Hamburg in the "Ritzia," and after eighteen days landed in New York. He first came to Dodge county, Nebraska, where he was em- ployed at farm labor until 1889. At that time he came to Valley county, and after working for a year on a farm, purchased the northwest quarter of section five, township eighteen, range fourteen. He has since purchased adjoining land, and the farm now comprises two hundred and forty acres. At the time of purchase it was unim- proved, but since his possession, Mr. Koll has set out a fine orchard, good, substantial buildings have been added, and the place is now regarded as one of the finest in Valley county. We are pleased to note that an excellent view of their farm home is to be found on another page of this work.

On June 19, 1892, Mr. Koll was married to Emilie Prien, who is a native of Davenport, Iowa, and danghter of John and Augustina (Wagoner) Prien. They came to America in 1857, embarking at Bremen for Baltimore in a sailship, and were nine weeks on the voyage. Three children, Hart- wig, Henrietta and John, have heen born to Mr. and Mrs. Koll.

Hartwig Koll joined his brother Claus in Dodge county in 1887, and was married there to Dorothea Hass a few years later. In 1903 he fol- lowed his brother to Valley county, and now lives on his farm, which is a little southwest of that of Claus. Four children have been born to them, Anna, Rosa, Frida and Edna.

Claus and Hartwig Koll are the only members of the family to come to America, and their perse- verance and thrift have undoubtedly brought them a much greater reward than would have

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"DROOPING ELM FARM," RESIDENCE OF MRS. MARY E. BRYAN.

RESIDENCE OF CLAUS J. KOLL.

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been the case in the old world. They are, both of them, self-made men in the strictest sense of the word. All that they possess has come to them only as the result of work and the exercise of economy and good judgment. In 1890 hail de- stroyed their crops and during the year of drouth, 1894, nothing came to harvest, but with all the discouragements, success has at last attended their efforts.

Both families are well and favorably known and have the respect and esteem of a large num- ber of friends. They were reared in the Luth- eran faith, and in politics are independent of party lines, voting for the man best fitted for the office.

JOSEPH BRYAN. (Deceased.)

Joseph Bryan, formerly a prominent farmer of Custer county, Nebraska, was well known for the prominent part he took in advancing the edu- cational, religious and material advancement of his part of the county. Mr. Bryan had a wide cir- cle of friends and his loss was deplored by the en- tire community. He was born in Missouri, March 29, 1846, a son of William and Caroline (Brinn) Bryan, and the oldest of their six children. He has one brother, John W., in Custer county, a sis- ter in California and one brother and one sister in Illinois. His father was of English descent served in the civil war, and was killed at the bat- tle of Shiloh. His mother, who was of English and Scotch descent, died in Illinois. While Jo- seph was still a very young boy, his father moved to Clay county, Illinois, and when but seventeen years of age, he enlisted in Company K, Forty- eighth Illinois Infantry, serving about two and one-half or three years. At the close of the war he returned to Illinois and engaged in farming.

Mr. Bryan was married on September 16, 1869, at Taylorville, Illinois, to Mary E. Baker, who was born near Olney, Richland county, Illinois, a daughter of William and Caroline (Utterback) Baker, the former of whom died in Illinois in 1861, and the latter in Custer county in 1895. Mrs. Bryan has two sisters in California, one brother and one sister in the state of Washington ; one brother in Illinois; one brother, James Baker, at Mitchell, Nebraska; one brother in Missouri; one sister, Mrs. Sarah Carroll, died in Custer county. February 7, 1911.

In the fall of 1873 Mr. Bryan brought his wife and two children to Lincoln, Nebraska, where for seven years he was employed in the salt works. In the fall of 1879 he moved to Custer county, living with his brother, John Bryan, until spring. when he erected a residence on his homestead. having filed on one hundred and sixty acres of land comprising the southwest quarter of section twenty-six, township sixteen, range seventeen. In the spring of 1880, the day he moved onto the

place, he planted an elm by his door as a memor- ial of the occasion and gave directions that it be ever preserved. It is now one of the finest of the many large trees on the place and holds a con- spicuous place in the view of the home and sur- roundings which we are pleased to publish on an- other page. This remained his home until the time of his death, November 29, 1892, after fifteen years of invalidism. He was survived by his wife and the following seven children: William B., married and living in Kansas, has two children; Isabelle, wife of J. T. Wood, of Mason City. Ne- braska, where he is a stockholder and cashier of the Farmers' Bank, they have four children ; Jean- ette, wife of Grant Stevens, of Kansas, has three children ; Alice, married Luther Wilcox, of Mon- tana, and has two children ; Frank G., of Lincoln, is married and has two children; J. Harry, mar- ried and living in Custer county, has two chil- dren; Robert L., has remained at home with his mother with whom he runs the farm, having purchased the interest of the other heirs.

Mr. Bryan was instrumental in organizing school district number one hundred and thirty- two and served a number of years on its board. He and his wife were largely instrumental in or- ganizing one of the first Sunday schools in the county.

After Mr. Bryan's death his widow continned to reside on the home farm, and with the assist- ance of her son Frank, carried on the place and paid off the mortgage. She devoted her attention to the care and rearing of her large family of children and proved herself an excellent business manager. The place is a productive tract, Mrs. Bryan being a frequent exhibitor at the county fair. In 1911 she and Robert secured twelve first and six second premiums on the home place, which is a well improved stock and grain farm. Fruits, vegetables, jellies, honey and other products, in- cluding one sweepstake prize.

JOSEPH FORSYTH.

Joseph Forsyth, a faithful servant of Uncle Sam, is a popular and esteemed citizen of Pierce, Nebraska. He has been engaged in the mail ser- vice since June 1, 1904, and during that time has become familiar to the entire community through which his work carries him, in the regular per- formance of his duty gaining the confidence and respect of all with whom he has met.

Mr. Forsyth was born in the village of Money- moore, county Derry, Ireland, on September 14. 1837, and received his early education there. When he was eleven years of age his parents emigrated to Cornwall, Canada, embarking for that country at Belfast in June, 1849, in a sailing vessel, and after a stormy passage, last- ing six weeks and three days, they landed at Quebec. Here Joseph was apprenticed to a printer and remained at the work for five years,

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getting as pay his board and clothes. About 1850 his family moved to DuPuyster, St. Lawrence county. New York, leaving him in Cornwall, and he could only communicate with his parents through his employer, who kept him in ignorance of the place to which they had moved in New York state, but by watching his chance when the former was away, he secured one of his father's letters, found that his time was nearly ont, so ran away. Taking an unpaid passage up the St. Lawrence river to Prescott, which was near where his parents had located, he made the en- tire trip without paying anything for fare. Ar- riving at his father's home safely, he soon found out that his former employer was coming after him to take him back and finish his term of ap- prenticeship. To escape this, he ran away from home and hired ont to a Mr. Lamberson, a drover who was passing with a herd of Canadian ponies, worked for that gentleman a year, for eight dol- lars a month and his board. He was located in Herkimer county, and after being there a few months, wrote his father of his whereabouts. Learning of his mother's illness, he returned home and remained until after her death. After- wards settling near his father's place, he was married there in 1861.

In the same year he felt the impulse of patriot- ism and enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Eighty-sixth New York Volunteers. In January, 1865, while with his regiment in Petersburg, he received the greatest shock of his life, a letter from Captain Day, sent from Washington, D. C., informing him of the destruction by fire of his father's house, in which his father, step-mother, her parents, his sister, and his baby perished. This news almost drove him to insanity, but so many furloughs were being granted that the order had gone ont that no more were to he given. Friends took the matter up with General Griffin, who recommended a thirty day leave of absence, and the order was signed by General Grant for his transportation. He departed with a sad heart having the good wishes and sympathy of his com- rades, his trip taking him through Washington, and while waiting for his train out, passed by the White House. President Lincoln was outside of the building, and ordered the guard to admit Mr. Forsyth, the latter telling him of his trouble, and the kindhearted president was very sympathetic, showing him through the building and on his de- parting gave him his blessing. On his arrival home, he found conditions so deplorable that he overstayed his time, returning to his company four days late, but his superiors were very kind and he was not even reprimanded. He was in the battle of Petersburg, April 2, 1865, there receiving wounds which disabled him, and he was taken to the hospital, where hasty attention was given him. Then he was sent with others to the Washington military hospital. His wound had become gan- grenous and as the hospital was full to overflow- ing he was sent on to the hospital at Philadelphia,

there proper attention being given him and he recovered after weeks of suffering. He received honorable discharge on July 21, 1865, and he in- mediately returned home.

Mr. Forsyth conducted his farm up to 1879. then sold out and came to Nebraska, taking up a homestead in Pierce county, and resided on it for eighteen years, his wife's death occurring there in January, 1897, and afterwards he settled in town. He remarried and rented a farm near town, carrying it on up to 1903, then sold everything and settled in Pierce, and since June of the fol- lowing year has held the position of mail carrier on rural route number three.

Mr. Forsyth had six children by his first mar- riage, five of whom survive, namely: Nina, Mary Jane, Frances, Cassie and Robert, all of whom are married and well situated in life. His second wife was Mrs. Mary Bell Johnson, widow of Louis Johnson, and of their union there were two chil- dren, Dewey and Lucy, both of whom are now pupils in the Pierce schools.

Mr. Forsyth is a republican; his first vote wa? cast for Douglas, to please his father and against his own inclinations, but since that time he has supported the republican party in every cam- paign. He is commander of Pierce post number one hundred and ninety one, Grand Army of the Republic, and with his family is a liberal contrib- utor and active member of the Methodist Episco- pal church.

AUGUST C. WICHMAN.

The gentleman above named is well known as one of the leading citizens and business men of Farwell, Nebraska, where his ability and sterling character has long been recognized. He is now in the prime of life, active and vigorous, and bids fair to have his name enrolled as among the fore- most men of his time in the history of that region. He is at the present time cashier and active man- ager of the Farwell State Bank, of which he was one of the organizers on its establishment in February, 1903.

August C. Wichman is a native of Dane county, Wisconsin, born July 18, 1867. His early childhood was spent in that state, coming to How- ard county, Nebraska, with his parents, four brothers and a sister, in 1873, where his father had previously filed on a homestead. August was the youngest in the family, and his early educa- tion was received here, living at home until his twenty-second year, when he began farming on his own account, locating on section twenty-two, township fourteen, range twelve, which became his home place after he had acquired considerable land in Iloward county and the adjoining coun- ties. He was extensively engaged in farming and stock raising for ten years, meeting with signal success in both lines of the work.

In March, 1903, Mr. Wichman came into Far- well for residence, becoming one of the original

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organizers of the Farwell State Bank, started in that year, the others being C. C. Hansen, presi- dent, and T. J. Hansen, vice president, while our subject was appointed to the position he still oc- enpies as mentioned at the head of this sketch. This bank is one of the solid and growing institu- tions of the vicinity, and has a large clientage from the entire country tributary to Farwell. Be- sides his connection with this business Mr. Wichman has other large interests, particularly in the Ashton State Bank in Sherman county, and the general mercantile business at Cotesfield, Ne- braska. Mr. Wichman is an active and progress- ive man in financial affairs in his locality, using his influence and money in every way possible to further the best interests of his community. He has formerly been chairman of the village board.

Mr. Wichman was married to Miss Carrie Obermiller at the home of her parents on the Obermiller homestead, February 20, 1894. She is a daughter of an old pioneer family of Howard county, and is a lady of most charming manner and accomplishment. Mr. and Mrs. Wichman have five children living, all at home, named as follows: Sophia, Hattie, Sidney H., Frederick J. and Wilbur O.

FRANZ ONKES FRANZEN.

Franz Onkes Franzen, living on section eleven, township seventeen, range sixteen, Val- ley county, Nebraska, was one of the earliest set- tlers of his part of the county and has lived on this farm since May, 1883. He was born in Han- over, Germany, April 19, 1846, the fourth in a family of four sons and two daughters born to Onka and Jantje (Fanders) Franzen. He was reared on a farm and educated in the parochial schools, and in 1871 came to America. Prior to coming to America Mr. Franzen had been a sailor from the spring of 1860 to the fall of 1871, and during that time made several voyages to the East Indies by way of Cape of Good Hope, and to South America. The ship on which he was signed changed captains at Liverpool, and Mr. Franzen took advantage of his right to claim a dis- charge, after which he embarked there for Quebec on a Cunard liner and came thence to the United States. After working for a few weeks at Minier. Illinois, he came on to Nebraska and made settle- ment in Cass county, September 2, of that year. and his first employment was as a farm hand. working in the big orchard of Perry Walker near Plattsmouth. Later he was able to engage in farm- ing on his own account on rented land in Cass county, and chose Nebraska as a permanent home for the reason that he was able to secure good land there at small expense.

Mr. Franzen was married November 13, 1874, to Gretje Bonnen, who had arrived in Nebraska from Germany during that year. She was one of the seven ehildren of George and Renska Bonnen. Mr. Bonnen died in Germany in 1875, and his 19

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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 121

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