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 124

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 124

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Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have passed through all the trying experiences and discouragements of pioneer life, and had trouble with the Indians. etc. During the three days' terrible storm in April, 1873, the family nearly perished. They were a family of nine living in a dugout of one room, snowed under and unable to get out for either wood or water, consequently had scarcely anything to eat, subsisting on two meals in three days. They also passed through the grasshopper siege and the years of drouth; but through all kept faith in Nebraska.

The family enjoy the respect and highest esteem of a large circle of friends and acquaint- ances, and are widely and favorably known.

JOHN DONNER.

Prominent among the successful agriculturists of Antelope county, Nebraska, is John Donner. who resides on section fourteen, township twenty- four, range seven, where he has a splendidly im- proved ranch and pleasant home. He has spent the past thirty-three years in this region and during that time has become a leader in the progress of the locality where he chose his home and where he has passed through many hard pioneer experiences.

Mr. Donner is a native of England, born Feb- ruary 25, 1844, in Lincolnshire county, Boston

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village, and during his youth followed the oc- cupation of farming in his native land. In 1866 Mr. Donner left his mother country, sailing for America on the steamship Kangaroo, and after landing in the United States settled in the state of Indiana, where he remained until 1868, then going to McHenry county, Illinois. In 1873 he returned to England, remaining one year, and again came to Ameriea, setting sail on the steam- ship "Idaho." Mr. Donner then came to Ante- lope county, Nebraska, in 1877, near Neligh, where he took a homestead claim. Here he built a dugout. Mr. Donner is one of the few old settlers who are still residing on their old ori- ginal homestead farms. On this farm he has lived the better half of his life time, experiencing the different phases of life, enduring disappoint- ments and hardships, and receiving his share of joy and sorrow. In the early days he suffered losses by the hot winds, etc., and one year lost four horses on account of not having proper feed for them. At one time, for protection he ploughed a fire line around his house and barn, and sodded up the sides of his house to protect it, and also to keep out the cold. In March, 1903, his house was burned to the ground, but he rebuilt and now has a very fine home. At the time of the fire, he was very fortunate in not losing any of his barns or other buildings.

Mr. Donner now owns one hundred and sixty acres of fine land, well improved, and which is known as the Fairview Farm. He is very much interested in several very fine Clydesdale brood mares which he owns.

Mr. Donner was united in marriage January 1, 1877, to Miss Ada Pethick. Mr. and Mrs. Don- ner are the parents of three children, named as follows: Clara, married Robert Polzfuss, and has two children; Annie and Katie. Mr. and Mrs. Donner and family are highly esteemed and re- spected by all who know them.

ALFRED AMOS.

Alfred Amos is a member of a representative family of Custer county, Nebraska, one whose members have identified themselves with various measures for advancing the public welfare and prosperity. They are prominent in social cireles and held in high respect and esteem. Mr. Amos was one of the very early settlers of the county and in his first years there met and overcame various discouragements and trials incident to pioneer life. He was born in Carroll county, Ohio, the eldest of seven children of John Morde- cai and Catherine (Thompson) Amos. A sketch of the father also appears in this work. Mr. Amos first saw the light of day October 1, 1851, and grew to manhood on the farm in Ohio, being educated in nearby schools. He engaged in farm- ing as a young man and has sinee followed that occupation. In 1882 he came west looking for a

suitable place to locate permanently, and settled in Custer county, homesteading one hundred and sixty acres of land on section twenty-one, town- ship eighteen, range eighteen.

Mr. Amos then returned to Iowa and on March 1, 1883, was united in marriage with Miss Carrie Carnall, who was born in Iowa. She is a daugh- ter of James and Caroline (Nicholson) Carnall, natives of England, the father born in Lincoln- shire and the mother in Essex. Mr. Carnall was educated in his native country and married in London, he and his wife coming to America in 1851 and locating in Fayette county, Iowa. He died in Arlington, Iowa, February 11, 1911, at the age of eighty-six years, and his widow now lives in the old home in Arlington, being now (1911) eighty-two years of age. Mrs. Amos has two brothers and a sister in Iowa; one brother in Mansfield, Missouri; one brother in California, and one brother in Colorado Springs.

Mr. and Mrs. Amos established their first home on the Custer county homestead, soon after mar- riage, remaining there twenty years. He and his wife each served several years as director of the school board of district number ten, she filling the office ten years. In 1903 they purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land on section twenty-one, township eighteen, range eighteen, which is still the home place. They have a well improved and equipped stock and grain farm and are successful and prosperous to a gratifying de- gree. They have eight children: Wayne L., of Custer county, married Esther Wooters, and they have one child; James Leland, also of Custer county, married Ida L. Bruner, who died March 30, 1911; Anna S., wife of Milton Copsey, lives near Westerville and has three children; Glenn A. Bert S., Catherine, Caroline and Edith Mildred, all at home. Catherine and Caroline are twins.

DANIEL B. SMITH.

Daniel B. Smith was born in Indiana, August 19, 1853, sixth child of Martin and Lucinda (Good) Smith, who were parents of three sons and four daughters. The father brought the fam- ily to Wisconsin when Daniel was a small ehild. and in 1861 enlisted in Company D, Eleventh Wis- consin Volunteer Infantry. He died of siekness while in service, in 1863, his death occurring the day before the expiration of his term of enlist- ment ; his discharge papers arrived the day after his death. The mother died the following year, and Daniel B., remained with an older sister until his sixteenth year. He then started out in life for himself and in April, 1868, set out for Nemaha county, Nebraska, he and a younger brother coming to the home of their unele, S. J. Good. Daniel lived in Nemaha county until 1883, then came to Valley county. He has worked at farm- ing since early manhood, beginning aş a farm hand.

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Mr. Smith was married March 4, 1874, to Miss Martha Williams, a native of Missouri, born near Springfield, in Cedar county, their union taking place in Nemaha county. When they came to Valley county they had four children. They bought one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land southwest of Ord in section nineteen, town- ship eighteen, range fifteen, and pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres in section eighteen, ad- joining, living on this farm until 1905, when Mr. Smith purchased two hundred and seventy acres of land two miles north of Ord. At that time the place contained no improvements and he has de- veloped and improved it until he now owns one of the finest grain and stock farms in his part of the state, with a comfortable home and other sub- stantial buildings. He still owns the three hun- dred and twenty acre tract south of Ord, and has a dwelling in town to which to retire to when the time comes. He began life, a boy about fifteen years, without a dollar of money, and by his own efforts has now become one of the prosperous stockmen of central Nebraska. He may be rated among the early pioneers and helped materially in developing Valley county and bringing it to its present high standard of prosperity.

Mr. Smith 'and wife had eleven children and ten of them now survive: Olive, deceased ; Frank, is a blacksmith of Rocky Ford, Colorado; Ethel, wife of Germain Hoyt, living near Garland, Mis- souri, has three children; Myrtle, wife of Ed. Thompson, of Valley county, Nebraska, has three children ; Charlie, graduate of Boston Theological College, is a Methodist Episcopal minister. mar- ried and has one child; Lottie, married Harvey Friend, who lives in Valley county ; Evet, Nina, Dora, Minnie and Mamie, all at home. The fam- ily are well known in social, educational and re- ligious circles and have many friends. Mr. Smith, a republican in politics, held township offices some years ago, and has always done his full duty as a citizen. The family worship in the Methodist Episcopal church.

For four years they lived in the primitive sod house and then replaced it with a more modern edifice.

Mr. Smith's present home is one of the most pretentious country houses in the county and we are pleased to call attention to a view of the home and surroundings elsewhere in this work.

THEODORE HOEPPNER.

Although a comparatively recent settler in Pierce county, Nebraska, the gentleman whose name heads this personal history is well and fav- orably known to the residents of this part of the country.

Mr. Hoeppner was born in the village of Bellin, Holstein, then a province of Denmark, September 29, 1853, and he is the son of Christ and Margar- eta (Paulstin) Hoeppner, also natives of Denmark,

the father following the occupation of farmer in that country, where he died October 1, 1872, at the age of fifty-one years. The mother followed our subject to America one year after his arrival here, he setting sail from Hamburg when about nineteen years of age, on the steamboat "Silesia," and after a voyage of nine days landed in New York. Mr. Hoeppner went directly to Scott county, Iowa, where he worked on a farm six years, and for one year cultivated fifty acres of rented land. In 1879, he went to Tama county, Iowa, and bought eighty acres, on which he lived until coming to Pierce county, Nebraska, in 1901. Here he bought a farm of two hundred and forty acres from John Hamer out of the south half of section twenty-five, township twenty-eight, range two, his present home. He is a good farmer and has a well improved farın. He suffered loss by hail in 1905, losing on his own and rented land one hundred and seventy acres of corn and sev- enty acres of oats-a severe blow to him at that time.

On February 4, 1881, Mr. Hoeppner was mar- ried to Miss Emelia Goettsch, a native of Scott county, Iowa, her parents, Joachin and Margar- ite (Lamp) Goettsch, were old settlers of Scott county, Iowa, where they followed farming, having lived there since 1860. The father had been a sailor in the old country from 1851 until 1860, when he came to America. He married in Davenport, which was only a "mud hole" when Mrs. Goettsch's parents first settled there when she was a girl in her teens. They were eight weeks on the voyage crossing the ocean. Mr. Goettsch was employed manufacturing hand- made shingles for a time, and for five years before marriage worked on the railroad section.

Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hoeppner, seven of whom are living: Louis, Alma, Alfreda, who is now Mrs. Carl Shubert; Adelia, Lillie, Herbert and Edna.

Mr. Hoeppner votes the democratic ticket, and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and Sons of Herman lodges. He and his family worship at the German Lutheran church, and hold the respect of all who know them.

A view of Mr. Hoeppner's home, with its fine grove of ornamental evergreens, is to be seen on another page.

BENJAMIN M. JONES.

Benjamin M. Jones, former sheriff of Pierce county, Nebraska, now retired from farming, re- sides in the east part of Plainview. He first came to this state in 1889, landing in Pierce county on the seventh day of February, and has been a loyal supporter of the best interests of this section since that time.

Mr. Jones is a native of St. Joseph, Indiana. born August 22, 1860, and is a son of Milton and Margaret (Aikens) Jones, both born and reared

"RIVERSIDE FARM," RESIDENCE OF DANIEL B. SMITH.

'CEDAR LAWN," RESIDENCE OF THEODOR HOEPPNER,

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in Ohio. The former is of Welsh origin, his an- cestors coming to the colonies long before the revolutionary war, settling in Virginia, and his grandmother was a cousin of the famous Robert E. Lee.

Ben remained with his parents on their Indi- ana farm until he reached his majority, then left home and obtained a position as fireman on the Baltimore & Ohio railway, running between Chicago, Illinois, and Chicago Junction, Ohio, con- tinuing at that work for two years. He was after- wards employed at various things, becoming thor- oughly familiar with farm implements and their values, and on coming to Nebraska in 1889, he at once entered the employ of I. W. Alter, of Plain- view, remaining with him for two years. He then traveled for various firms for nine years, making all the principal towns of lowa and Minnesota, and was very successful in bringing business to his firm.

In the fall of 1901 Mr. Jones was elected sher- iff of Pierce county, serving up to January 1, 1906, having been re-elected to the office by an increased majority. His positive refusal to accept a third term was all that prevented his nomina- tion and consequent election, and in June after the close of his second term, he fitted up a large wagon containing all the conveniences for camp- ing, and started across the country to Denver in the hope of improving his wife's impaired health. They spent some months in the open, following the Platte rivers to that place. Mrs. Jones, who was Ella J. Pecd, was married August 18, 1900, died in Colorado in February, 1907, leaving two fine, bright boys, Reed M. and Wayne B. The for- mer was an unusually precocious child, learning to read and write at the age of four years, and both are advancing in their studies much beyond the average child of their age.

Mr. Jones was again married, on June 1, 1908, to Miss Anna Peed, who is a sister of his former wife, and this was a most admirable match in every way, as no one could so well fill the place of his children's mother, or take a greater interest in their welfare.

Mr. Jones is a staunch democrat, and has al- ways commanded a large vote from the opposition, owing to his straightforward character and hon- esty of purpose in all matters. While holding the office of sheriff, Mr. Jones' books and accounts were always open to the most critical inspection, and he proved a most worthy and efficient of- ficial. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Ancient Order of United Workmen of Plain- view.

W. S. FREEMAN.

The above gentleman is the possessor of a finely developed farm consisting of one hundred and sixty acres in Spring Creek precinct, which he has fitted with good buildings and every im- provement in the way of machinery, etc., and is

known as a successful agriculturalist who for the past many years has been prominent in all affairs of his county and state.

W. S. Freeman was born in Potter county, Pennsylvania, on November 27, 1853, and grew up in that locality, coming to Howard county with his parents in 1871. The father, William E. Freeman, is a native of New York state, born De- cember 5, 1829, and was married in Potter county, Pennsylvania, about 1850, to Sarah L. Cushing. They remained in the east up to 1870, at that time coming to Nebraska, their first location being Columbus, where they spent several months, then came on to Howard county and filed on a pre-emp- tion on section eight, township fifteen, range nine. The village of Cushing is located on a por- tion of this land which was for many years their home farm. Mrs. Sarah Freeman's death oc- curred August 24, 1905. During his residence in this section, William E. Freeman became one of the leading business men of the county. He was also one of the pioneer merchants, having for many years been engaged in the general mercan- tile business in different towns, and in addition to this was extensively engaged in farming nearly all of the time. He went through all the old How- ard county experiences, and during the early days of his residence here, was obliged to haul the lumber for his first dwelling from Hastings. After the death of his wife Mr. Freeman moved to Cali- fornia, where he makes his home with a daughter, Mrs. Carrie F. Doyle. There were four children in the family, W. S. Freeman, whose name heads this review, Carrie, mentioned above, Oscar H., of California, and Minnie, now Mrs. Penny, who lives in Fullerton. During the famous Nebraska blizzard of January 12, 1888, Mrs. Penny became known as "the Nebraska heroine," as it was through her efforts that the children of the school in which she was teaching, were saved from per- ishing in the terrible storm of that date by being tied together with twine and by her guided to the nearest settler's house, three-quarters of a mile away.

W. S. Freeman was married in Scotia, Ne- braska, on August 31, 1876, to Mary A. Scott, who is a native of Kentucky and came to Greeley county, Nebraska, in 1871, where her parents, Samuel C. and Caroline (Raydure) Scott, were prominent pioneers, she being the eldest of five daughters. Her mother and father, also two sis- ters, are now deceased, while two sisters still live in Greeley county. Mr. and Mrs. Freeman have one child, Winnie B., a charming young lady, who is at home with them, and they have a pleasant home and large circle of friends.

JACOB B. WILLIAMS.

Jacob B. Williams, son of Daniel P. and Lu- cinda (Scrivens) Williams, was born in Watson, Lewis county, New York, October 14, 1853, and

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was seventh in a family of eight children; he has one brother residing in Boulder, Colorado; one sister, Mrs. Elizabeth L. Green, in North Loup, Nebraska; another sister in New York state, and the others are deceased. The Williams family are descendants of Roger Williams, Jacob B. Wil- liams being of the seventh generation; his father was born in New York state, where he died in 1876; the mother was a native of the Empire state also, but died in Valley county, Nebraska, her death occurring Jannary 1, 1888.

Mr. Williams received the usual educational advantages in the home schools, and later was a. student at Alfred University in . Allegheny county, New York, and later engaged in farming.

On March 15, 1876, Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Mary S. Babcock, at the home of her parents, Leander and Roxina (Williams) Babcock, in Brookfield, New York. Miss Babcock was born in Lewis county, New York, and was a teacher in the schools of New York and Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have had no children, but have one adopted daughter, Sadie W., who is the wife of Roy S. Cox ; they reside in Valley county, and have two children, a daughter and a son.

In March of 1879 Mr. Williams came to Ne- braska, locating in Clay county, purchasing eighty acres of Burlington & Missouri railroad land, living on the same for seven years. In 1886 he came to Valley county and purchased one hun- dred and sixty acres of land near North Loup, which remained the home place for nineteen years. In 1895, owing to ill health, Mr. Williams retired from the farm, which he sold after moving to North Loup, purchasing a good home where he now lives. Since 1896 he has been engaged in the real estate business. He is a successful man of affairs, and owns one hundred and seventy-two acres of land in Texas, as well as splendid Ne- braska farm and city property.

Mr. and Mrs. Williams are among the earlier settlers of this part of Nebraska, and are widely and favorably known. Mr. Williams has served as director and treasurer at different times of school district number forty-two for some years.

Mrs. Williams' father, Leander Babcock, was of English descent, born in Madison county, New York, and died February 15, 1881, in his native land. Her mother, Mrs. Roxana (Williams) Bab- cock, was of Welsh descent, born in Brookfield, New York, where she died November 23, 1895.

FRED SCHOEPFLIN.

Fred Schoepflin, one of the old settlers of Ne- braska, where he chose his home in the early days, occupies a good home and valuable property in section twenty-eight, township twenty-one, range three, Madison county, has aided immeasurably in the upbuilding of his locality, and is well known throughout this part of the county.

Mr. Schoepflin was born near the river Rhine,

Germany, October 17, 1844. His parents were farmers and butchers, and he worked on the home place as a boy, following farming continuously during his youth.

When he was just twenty years of age he left the mother country and crossed the sea to Amer- ica, of which country he had heard wondrous tales regarding the wealth to be accumulated by those who were willing to work and endure. He sailed from Havre in the month of January, and after a voyage lasting sixty days, the sailboat on which he was a steerage passenger, landed safely in New York City. He first located in Illi- nois, making his home in Kane county for four years, then came west to Nebraska in 1871, trav- eling by rail to Columbus, and from there drove to the vicinity of his present homestead, where he filed on a tract of land and started to develop a farm. He has built and worn out two sod houses since coming here, finally erecting a comfortable frame dwelling, his present home.

During the first few years in this region, Mr. Schoepflin went through all the hardships inci- dent to the life of the pioneers here, suffering crop failures, and losses by prairie fires, which he fought for days together with his neighbors in an effort to save their property from destruction. In those days the hunting of big game was about the only sport, and deer, antelope and other wild ani- mals were seen in plenty on the plains.

Mr. Schoepflin's holdings now comprise a finely cultivated farm of one hundred and sixty acres, all fenced, and supplied with a complete set of buildings, well stocked, and is one of the valuable estates in Madison county.

In June, 1874, Mr. Schoepflin was united in marriage to Miss Dora Bolenski, who is a native of Prussia. They had one child, Amanda, who was married to John Weber, a German Lutheran minister. She died in 1905.

CHARLES E. BLAKEMAN.

Charles E. Blakeman is one of the best known farmers and stock men of Custer county, where he was one of the early settlers. He makes a specialty of raising shorthorn cattle, in which line he is very successful, being one of the largest landholders of central Nebraska. Mr. Blakeman was born in Lake county, Indiana, November 28, 1856, and was the third in order of birth of the five children of John and Lucinda (Williams) Blakeman, the father a native of England and the mother of Ohio. He has one sister, Mrs. Charles Hipsley,. in Broken Bow, Nebraska, and another sister living in Indiana. John Blakeman came to America when about twenty years of age and located first in Ohio, but later removed to Indiana, which is now his home. He enlisted in an Indiana regiment for service in the civil war. His wife died in Indiana in the fifties.

In boyhood Charles Blakeman attended the

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public schools of Indiana, and as a young man, spent four years at railroad work in Chicago. In June, 1884, he removed to Saunders county, Ne- braska, and on February 3, 1885, in Omaha, was united in marriage with Josephine Teeple, who was born in Indiana, daughter of Phillip and Mar- garet (Pringle) Teeple, natives of Canada. The mother died in Canada in 1865 and the father now lives in North Dakota. Mrs. Blakeman has two brothers in Hammond, Indiana. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Blakeman came to Custer county and secured a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres on the northwest quarter of section six, township seventeen, range twenty-three, which was the home place for several years. Mr. Blakeman was very helpful in the organization of school district number two hundred and forty one, and has served as a member of its board most of the time since. He and his wife were among the first settlers on West Table and for many years were unable to strike water for locating a well, so had to haul water from a distance. They have six children: John P., Howard, Homer C., Wallace E., Otto C. and Bessie B., all at home ex- cept Howard.

After passing through years of privation and hardship, Mr. Blakeman achieved a notable de- gree of success in his farming operations. He has in his possession twenty-three hundred and sev- enty-five acres of land, of which twenty-two hun- dred and fifteen acres are in the home place, which is one of the best equipped farms in his part of the state. He has some fine shorthorn cattle and a number of high bred horses and has one thousand acres under cultivation. The fam- ily stand well in the opinion of their neighbors and have a wide circle of friends. .

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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 124

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