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 139

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 139

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Mr. Roepke was married to Miss Wilhelmina Rogge, a native of Wisconsin. Mrs. Roepke died at Pierce, April 21, 1903, survived by her husband

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and one child, Maria, now the wife of Herman Lumke, the latter a well known farmer living near Wisner.

Mr. Roepke was for many years a staunch democrat, but at the beginning of the Bryan cam- paign his sound money principles drove him to the opposing party. He has been active along political lines, as well as in a business way, since taking up his residence in Nebraska. He has been a life long member of the Lutheran church, and contributed liberally to the same, being the donor of two lots on which the church stands, and also donated the bells of the church.

WILLIAM M. PARKER.

William M. Parker, one of the older pioneers of Howard county, Nebraska, whose farm in Cotesfield precinct has long been noted as one of the model establishments of the farming com- munity in that part of the state, is now retired from active work, although he still makes the homestead bis permanent residence.

Our subject is a native of Mount Ayr, Iowa, born August 4, 1858, and was reared and edu- cated there. He remained on his father's farm until he was twenty years of age, afterwards traveling through the different states for about a year and a half, then came into Howard county where his father had settled about 1872. He at once bought homestead rights and took up a tract of land on section eighteen, township six- teen, range eleven, and began farming. He also dealt in stock quite extensively, and remained on the place up to 1904, at which time he re- moved with his family to Arkansas, where they spent two years, then returned to the home farm, and have since lived here. Mr. Parker has been very successful in building up his home, having it now in the best possible condition, and there is no more productive or better kept place in the county. The place contains two hundred and sixty-five acres, and is supplied with a complete set of good buildings, well stocked, and is a very valuable property, all of it having been accumu- lated by the untiring energy and good manage- ment of our subject. Lately he has been con- siderably handicapped from the fact that about three years ago he completely lost the sense of hearing, and has been obliged to use an ear trumpet, although with the aid of this instru- ment he is able to converse tolerably well with his family and friends. He is recognized as one of Howard county's substantial citizens, and by his earnest efforts and sterling character has gained the highest esteem and respect of his fellowmen.

On August 4, 1884, Mr. Parker was united in marriage to Mabel Tucker, a native of New York state, who came to Nebraska several years prior to that time and had been a teacher in the public schools in Howard county. Mr. and Mrs. Parker are the parents of seven children : Ella May,

George M., Jesse M., Edna E., Roy L., Olive Belle, and Ruth Pearl.

Our subject is the oldest of seven children, one of whom is dead, and the balance, with the exception of a sister, who is in Wyoming, live in Howard county. Mr. Parker has always been prominent in local affairs, and has done much to establish and build np the schools in his locality, serving as moderator of district number fourteen for a number of years.

GEORGE T. HATHER. · (Deceased.)

George T. Hather was born in England, De- cember 9, 1828, coming to the United States in 1851, his first location being made at Rush, near Rochester, New York. After residing in the Em- pire state for about four years, Mr. Hather was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Jane Carter, Sep- tember 13, 1855. Miss Carter was a native of Rochester, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Court) Carter, who were natives of England, and was born May 12. 1838, sixth in a family of thirteen and the first of American birth. Mr. and Mrs. Hather were blessed with ten children, four of whom are living, namely: Frederick, a black- smith of Ord, Mary Jane, married George Cooper. now living in Scotia; Matilda, married Fred Di- vine, and lives in Vancouver, Washington; William has a fine farm a mile and a half north of Ord. A sketch of each of the sons is to be found on other pages of this work.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hather moved to Dubuque county, Iowa, where they re- mained thirty years, coming from there to Val- ley county, Nebraska, in 1885, where several of the children had already taken up their resi- dence. At one time Mr. and Mrs. Hather and their ten children all lived in Valley county. Mr. Hather sold his farm in the fall of 1910, and a few months later, December 31, 1910, passed on to his reward in eternity. Mr. and Mrs. Hather have been active along all lines, and assisted greatly in the development of Valley county. Mr. Hather was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as is his widow, and she still takes an active interest in church work. Mr. Hather still lives in the memories of all who knew him, and his widow is greatly respected and beloved.

WILLIAM M. ROBERTSON. (Deceased.)

William M. Robertson, son of Collin and Margaret (Mungel) Robertson, was born in Andes, Delaware county, New York, Jannary 23, 1848. His parents were born and married in Scot- land, coming to America in 1841, locating in Del- aware county, New York. His father served this country in the civil war, enlisting as private and rising to the rank of second lieutenant, which

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rank he held when mustered out. During his serviee he was under General Sherman three years in the campaigns around Chattanooga and Atlanta, and in his famous march to the sea.

Our subject's father died in 1875, but the mother lived in Worland, Wyoming, until at the advanced age of eighty-eight years, she passed away in September, 1910.

During his childhood, Mr. Robertson attended the common schools, and at the age of eighteen entered Rock River Seminary, at Mount Morris, Illinois, for two years, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in April, 1874. He then re- moved to Norfolk, Nebraska, where he engaged in the practice of his profession. He arrived in Nebraska with a small amount of cash and a large determination for success. with gratifying results, as success was his abundantly. After practicing in Norfolk for two years, he removed to Madison, Nebraska, where he practiced for sixteen years, then returned to Norfolk, living there until his death, January 22, 1907.

When only sixteen years of age, Mr. Robert- son enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Forty-second Illinois Infantry, after having been rejected three times on account of his small stature and physical conditions. His enlistment was secured May 4, 1864, after successfully eluding the vigilance of the mustering officer.

Mr. Robertson was an active republican all his life, and his subsequent history shows how well he has served his state, leaving at his death a record his family may well be proud of.

Mr. Robertson was a member of the Nebraska constitutional convention in 1875, which drafted the present state constitution. In 1887 he was appointed by Governor Thayer as commissioner to represent Nebraska at the centennial at the time of the adoption of the constitution of the United States of America, held at Philadelphia. He was delegate to the republican national eon- vention in 1888, and national committeeman from 1888 to 1892. Ile was appointed registrar of United States land office at Neligh, by President Harrison, and held that office for three years. after which he served as mayor of Norfolk.

He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and also affiliated with Norfolk lodge number six hundred and fifty-three, of the Brotherhood Protective Order Elks.

On December 29, 1870, Mr. Robertson was wedded to Miss Anna Garver, at Forreston, Illi- mois, three children being the result of this union, whose names are as follows: Scott G .. deeeased in 1872; Ruth, married to Professor George C. Williams, who have two children and reside in Ithica. New York; and Sydney, attorney-at-law, who resides at home, and bids fair to follow in his father's footsteps.

WILLIAM J. FORBES.

Among the prominent and successful farmers of central Nebraska should be mentioned William J. Forbes, who in his early years there passed through the usual discouraging experiences of the pioneer in that region a quarter of a century ago. Mr. Forbes is a native of Will county, Illinois, born Mareh, 29, 1862, younger of the two sons (Charlie and William) of James and Mary Forbes, the former of whom died in Will county about 1865. The mother still survives and is liv- ing in Arcadia, Nebraska. She married a Mr. Strathdee as her second husband. The son, Charles Forbes, lives in Omaha, Nebraska. Both sons were reared to manhood in their native state and after the father's death the mother and step- father, George Strathdee, lived for a time in Joliet and later at Willmington, where both boys received their education. William J. Forbes re- mained in Willmington until his twenty-first year and in the fall of 1882 came to Custer county, Nebraska, his brother having for some time been a resident of that state. The two brothers purchased the south half of section thirty-six, township seventeen, range seventeen, in March, 1883.

On April 25, 1886, Mr. Forbes married Miss Nettie Brody, a daughter of Jesse and Annie Brody. The Brody family came to the state in July, 1882, and bought land in Sherman county. Mr. Brody died in 1887 and his widow is now living in Michigan. After marriage Mr. Forbes and wife lived on the farm he and his brother owned until 1894, then sold out to purchase eighty acres of the northwest quarter of section three, township sixteen, range seventeen, and two hun- dred and forty aeres on section thirty-four, town- ship seventeen, range seventeen, in Clear creek valley. Mr. Forbes has developed a fine estate there, which has been the family home since the autumn of 1894. He removed to this place dur- ing what was known as the "dry year" and well remembers the trials through which he passed.

Four children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Forbes, namely: George, at home; Florence, Mrs. Sperry ; Myrtle and Ralph. at home. The son-in-law, Ray Sperry, was born January 9, 1884, on the homestead farm on the southeast quarter of township sixteen. range seventeen, a son of Amos and Mary Sperry, and was married at Broken Bow. Nebraska, August 20, 1906, to Florence Forbes, and they have one child, Ethel Irene. They live on the Sperry farm. where he was born. Mr. Forbes has always taken an active interest in every public movement for the welfare or progress of the county or state. and is recognized as an upright, public-spirited citizen. He is now a member of the sehool board of distriet number ninety-one.

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WILBUR SPAHR.

For about a quarter of a century, the above named gentleman has been a resident of Wayne county. He is the proprietor of a fine farm lo- cated on section two, and during his long resi- dence here has built up an enviable reputation as a citizen. He is a man of active publie spirit, lending his aid and influence for the improvement of conditions in the community.

Mr. Spahr is a native of Indiana, and was born in that state June 12, 1869, the son of J. E. and Delia Spahr. Wilbur Spahr is the fifth of seven children. He has two brothers, Frank A. and James H., residing in Wayne county.

About 1873, the family moved to Logan county, Illinois, where the father rented land until 1877, when they again moved, this time to Shelby county, lowa, where the father rented land until coming to Nebraska. In 1884, Wilbur Spahr, with his parents, went to Wayne county, Nebraska, where the father bought the northwest quarter of section two, township twenty-seven, range three. At the time of purchase, this was raw prairie, and J. E. Spahr put all the land under cultivation and built good buildings. He continued to live on the place until his death in 1908. Mrs. J. E. Spahr died in 1903.

Wilbur Spahr remained at home until his marriage, although he had previously purchased eighty acres of land. Before marrying, he had built a house on his land, and, following his mar- riage, moved to the place. In 1899, he sold this land, and purchased another eighty on the north- east half of section two, township twenty-seven, range three, which he made his home until mov- ing to town in March, 1911. In 1909, he added twenty aeres to his place, now owning one hun- dred aeres in a body, two and three-fourths miles from Wayne-one and three-fourths miles north and one mile west. In 1908, Mr. Spahr purchas- ed about six aeres on North Main street, Wayne. In 1910, he built his present home and barn. He now rents his farm.

Mr. Spahr is a man of broad mind and keeps thoroughly abreast of the times. He takes an active interest in publie affairs, and in political faith is a republican. Mrs. Spahr is a member of the Lutheran church.

JACOB W. ABBOTT.

Jacob W. Abbott, retired, one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Merrick county, Nebraska, has been a resident of this seetion over thirty-one years, where he has given the best years of his lifetime to the progression of this state.

Mr. Abbott was born in Miami county, Ohio, February 14, 1845, and is the son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Collins) Abbott, being the eldest of seven ehildren. Ile has one brother residing in Lincoln county, Nebraska, one in Cedar Rapids,

Iowa ; one sister in Washington county, Iowa, one in Tingley, Iowa, and another in Kansas, the others being deceased. The father died in the army in March, 1863, he having enlisted in Com- pany C, Nineteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. The mother died in Merrick county, in 1885.

When about two years old, Mr. Abbott went with his parents to Indiana and about 1855 went on into Iowa where our subject received his edu- cation and later engaged in farming. On August 18, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Nineteenth lowa Volunteer Infantry, serving until close of the war and received his discharge July 10, 1865, in Davenport, Iowa. Decisive battles participated in were Prairie Grove, Arkansas, December 7, 1862; on Van Buren raid, Arkansas, in December, 1862; all through the Siege of Vieksburg; at cap- ture of Yazoo City, July, 1863, and the Siege of Spanish Fort, Alabama, in March and April, 1865. After the war, Mr. Abbott returned to Iowa and engaged in farming, and on January 1, 1873, was married to Miss Elizabeth Taylor of Iowa.

In the fall of 1877, Mr. Abbott came with his wife and three children to Chapman, Nebraska, remaining several months when they drove into Kansas where they homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres in Jewell county. In the fall of 1880 they returned to Merrick county and have since resided in Chapman. In 1907 Mr. Abbott pur- chased a fine farm which he sold recently. For many years Mr. Abbott ran a threshing machine and was indirectly interested in meat market business.

Mr. and Mrs. Abbott have had eleven children born to them, ten of whom are living: Ida, who is the wife of Wilson Bishop, has three children and lives in Sutton, Nebraska; Allan, who is married, has two children and lives in Merrick eounty ; Kizzie, wife of Mr. W. Scott, has four children, and lives in Hamilton coun- ty, Nebraska: Platte, who resides in Mer- rick county; David, living in Hamilton county ; Blanchard C., married and lives near Chapman ; Melbourn, resides in Merrick county; John, in the same county; Iva, who is married to Profes- sor Jolin R. Stevenson, lives in Chapman ; Juanita, who resides at home; and an infant deceased.

Mrs. Abbott has one brother residing in Ar- kansas, one in Brighton, Iowa, another in Red Cloud, Nebraska; one sister in Washington county, Iowa, another in Rogers, Arkansas, and one in Iowa. The mother died in 1905 in Chap- man, Nebraska, at the mature age of ninety-four years, and the father, James Taylor, died July 13, 1903, in Iowa, also at the age of ninety-four years.

Mr. and Mrs. Abbott are among the early settlers of their county, and have passed through all the hardships and discouragements incidental to frontier life. They are widely and favorably known.

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ANDREW OLSON.

Andrew Olson, residing on section thirty, township twenty-nine, range two, Knox county, Nebraska, is regarded as one of the leading citi- zens of his locality. Since settling here Mr. Olson has always been an important factor in the up- building of his region, aiding materially in its development, and in the growth of its commer- cial and agricultural resources.

Mr. Olson was born in Sweden, January 3, 1854. There he received his education, remaining with his parents up to his twenty-ninth year, at which time he decided to try his fortune in the new world, leaving home and taking passage at Guttenberg in an emigrant ship for America in May, 1883.

On landing in New York City he immediately started for the golden west, as he had heard glowing accounts of that country from friends. He first came to Burt county, Nebraska, where he worked on a farm for five years, after which he came to Cuming county, Nebraska, reaching there in 1888, and at once started to look for employment. For a time he rented land and be- gan on his own account, remaining in the locality up to 1894, when the drouth began. He then moved to Cedar county, and farmed for several years, succeeding in building up a comfortable home. He disposed of his interests in Cedar county and came into Knox county, landing here in 1902. Here he purchased a quarter section of good land, which he has improved in splendid shape, and has one of the best equipped stock and grain farms in this section.

During the storm of 1888, some cattle belong- ing to Charles Basom, a neighbor, got iuto a slough near Mr. Olson's house, and were com- pletely covered with snow. Mr. Olson and Mr. Basom succeeded in getting them out and on higher ground, and all except one of them, which had drifted away, were saved.

Mr. Olson was united in marriage to Mrs. Clara Nystrom, in Cuming county, March 12, 1889, and to them have been born eight children, who are named as follows : Emil, Nellie, Rudolph, France, deceased ; Mabel, Reuben, Frederick and Hazel, all bright and interesting young people, and their home is one of the pleasant and hospit- able havens to the traveler in their community.

VIRGIL F. BARNHARD.

Virgil F. Barnhard, son of John and Nancy (Lambert) Barnhard, was born in Knox county, Ohio, November 20, 1844, and was second in a family of five children ; one brother resides in the state of Washington, and the other children are deceased. The father died at Bluffton, Ohio, February 3, 1911, at the advanced age of eighty- nine years, eleven months and thirteen days. The mother died in 1880.

After receiving his education, Mr. Barnhard

engaged in farming, and on February 9, 1862, was mustered in Company H, Seventy-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, receiving his honorable discharge in July, 1865. During his service he engaged in the following battles: Stone River, Talahoma Cam- paign, Chickamauga, and was with Sherman from Chattanooga to Kenesaw Mountain, Geor- gia. He was wounded at Kenesaw Mountain and was disabled for any more active service, being in the hospital at Louisville, Kentucky, for about one year, being mustered out at that place and discharged at Camp Denison, Ohio.

After the war, Mr. Barnhard returned to Ohio and again engaged in farming, and later married Miss Minerva Charlton, also a native of Ohio. In 1871 he came to Nebraska, locating for a few months in Colfax county, and in the spring of 1872 came to Boone county, homesteading one hundred and sixty acres in section twenty-two, township eighteen, range seven, west, which re- mained the home place a good many years. Mrs. Barnhard died June 22, 1884, on the home farm, survived by her husband and eight children : John, who is married and lives in Cedar Rapids, Nebraska; Mary, married to Frederick Wright, has three children, and lives in Boone county ; Bessie, who was the wife of Frank Bealer, died in 1907, leaving six children; Albert, who is married, has three children, and lives on the original homestead; Newton, mar- ried, and lives in Boone county; Nannie, married to George Schoolcraft, has four children, and lives in Nance county, Nebraska ; Herman, resides in Boone county; and Adolph, who is married, has two children, and lives in Cedar Rapids.

On New Year's day, 1891, Mr. Barnhard was joined in wedlock to Mrs. Hattie Mentz, of a Platte county pioneer family. Her parents came to Nebraska in 1871; the stepfather, H. A. Saun- ders, is deceased, and the mother died at Iola. Kansas, in March, 1910, at the advanced age of nearly seventy-nine years. Mrs. Barnhard has a sister residing in Missouri; two brothers in Kan- sas; and one sister in St. Edwards, Nebraska.

In 1901, Mr. Barnhard retired from the farm and moved to Cedar Rapids, where he has built a good home, which is his present residence. He enjoys the esteemu and confidence of the people, and served on the school board for fourteen years, which length of service proves how credit- ably and faithfully he performed his work.

Mr. Barnhard has been prosperous and suc- cessful and enjoys a wide acquaintance, and is a member of Caddall Post, number seventy-four. of the Grand Army of the Republic.

MRS. PAT GRIFFIN.

The lady above mentioned is classed among the most prominent of the early settlers of Knox county, and is well known throughout that part

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of Nebraska. Mrs. Griffin's maiden name was Lucinda Sterling, her birthplace being in Craw- ford county, Pennsylvania. She married Pat. Griffin in Crawford county, November 12, 1876, he being a native of Canada, of Irish descent, born in 1858. Five children were born to them, one of whom, Rosa, died when an infant, and the others are: John, Thomas, Charles and William Patrick. The first and the last are married, and all live in Knox county.

Mr. Griffin and his family left Pennsylvania in 1880, headed for the west, their first location being in Saunders county, where they remained for six months. From there they drove through the country to Knox county with a team and cov- ered wagon, and on the day of their arrival in the locality their little daughter, Rosa, was in- jured by an accident and died the following day. During this trouble they were indeed "strangers in a strange land," and of all their after expe- riences, none seemed so hard as this.

Mr. Griffin settled on a homestead which has remained their home up to this time, and they are now the owners of a fine tract of land consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, all in a high state of cultivation. The entire place is equipped with good buildings and fences, and shaded by many fine trees, which were all planted by Mr. Griffin and his family. The farm is located on section four, township twenty-nine, range seven.

J. A. GUSTUS.

J. A. Gustus has spent many years in Ne- braska and has passed through much of the early history of the state, having met all the discour- agements and trials incident to pioneer life. He has become well known in Custer county, where he has a large number of friends. He was born in Sweden. December 21, 1855. When he was seventeen years of age, having received a com- mon school education, he left his native land and came to America, spending some time in Michi- gan. Later he joined an uncle, John Gustus, in Geneseo, Illinois, and there worked evenings as clerk and attended a private school.

On August 24. 1879, in Moline, Illinois, Mr. Gustus was united in marriage with Tilly Louisa Vangreen, also a native of Sweden, who came with her parents to America in early childhood. He was employed in the works of the Moline plow factory and they made their first home in that city. In 1881 they came with their two children to Omaha, Nebraska, and in the fall of 1884 they came on to Custer county. Mr. Gustus seeured a homestead twelve miles west of C'alla- way in Elim Valley, and made his home there until 1890, bringing the land into shape for suc- cessful farming. Since 1890 the family have lived in Callaway and he is associated with the Farm- er's Co-operative Creamery Company at that place. He served several years on the school

board and has at all times taken an active in- terest in the affairs of the community.

Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gustus: Arthur C., of Omaha; Sophia, wife of S. C. Waldron, of Custer county, has four chil- dren; Mabel, wife of Dan Pearson, lives in Call- away; Esther, Josie, John, and Varner, at home. The family are well known in Callaway and Mr. Gustus is recognized as a progressive, public- spirited citizen and honest and upright in his dealings.

WARREN G. COLLINS.

Warren G. Collins, son of John C. and Fanny (Godfrey) Collins, was born in Allegheny county, New York, December 2, 1845; he was the youngest in a family of six children, and now has one brother, Nelson Wilder, residing in New York state, one brother, Rufus J., in Ord, Ne- braska, and a sister, Mrs. Olive A. Clark, living in Brown county, Nebraska; two brothers are dead. The parents both passed away in Valley county, Nebraska, the mother November 8, 1874, and the father September 2, 1886.

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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 139

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