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 142

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 142

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Upon hearing a gentle rap on the door, he

654

COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY.

saw a man he did not know, and who asked for a minute's conversation with him. When he stepped out he was immediately surrounded and all chance of escape cut off, five glittering re- volvers being pointed at his head, though not one of the gang was courageons to attempt to arrest him. A large part of the afternoon was spent in an effort to effect his arrest, during which time many citizens of Loup City gathered around.

Mr. Wall told them if he went with them he would not be given a fair trial, calling them a band of outlaws and cowards, and offering to take them one at a time and "lick the whole outfit" if they would lay down their arms, or if they would give him a chance to get his revolver from the inside, to give them a round with it. He was standing with his back against the build- ing and with no weapon but his penknife, with which he was whittling a stick. They were so enraged at his remarks that finally they tried to throw a rope over his head, but each attempt to do so failed, and at one time one of them tried to take hold of him, but Mr. Wall struck at him with his knife with an upward thrust, ripping his vest from the bottom up. He appealed to the citizens for help and John Swain, son-in-law of J. C. Fletcher, who had recently come to the state in search of a location in the west, stepped up and offered to defend him with his life. Though the revolvers of the gang were leveled at his head, Mr. Swain did not flinch, but stepped fearlessly to Mr. Wall's side. .

Mr. Wall finally agreed to go with them if an officer of Sherman county and a sufficient number of citizens to protect him would go along, and suggested repairing to the court room, which was on the second floor in the Massasoit house. They all consented and a messenger was sent for Deputy Sheriff Reuben French. Mr. Wall, then county judge, busied himself with papers and put the county seal on some blanks he had filled out, in order to have the seal near for a weapon, and upon the arrival of the sheriff said, "I com- mand you to call conrt." After quietly sending another messenger for Martin Brambaugh, Judge Wall commanded the officer to arrest the entire Olive gang for contempt of court, but when Mr. French tried to carry out the orders the outlaws pointed their revolvers at him and he weakened. They then grew desperate and determined to take Mr. Wall with them, but he said "county court is in session and I cannot leave." He was in this way trying to delay matters until Mr. Bram- baugh and other citizens could get there. Two young men named Stringer came, as they had received some favor from Mr. Wall which they did not forget, and one of them slipped elose enough to him to put a good revolver in his pocket. John Harkins came in with a sledge hammer in his hand with which he had been working, and although he did not intend to use it, it had a quieting effect upon the outlaws. "Mart" Brambaugh, in due time, came into the

room, very much excited, and roared, "What is the matter here?" Judge Wall informed him he was deputized as an officer of the court to arrest the men who had caused the trouble for con- tempt of court, adding, "Here is my revolver," and laying it on the table. Brambaugh picked up the weapon with one hand and with the other took Bob Olive by the throat, saying, "You are my prisoner." The sudden and unexpected movement took the outlaws by such surprise that in a few moments they were all arrested, brought before Judge Wall, and fined for contempt of court, from ten to thirty dollars each. They agreed to pay their fines soon if allowed to leave and this was granted them, but these fines still stand unpaid on the court records of Sherman county.

During the time Judge Wall was engaged with the gang, Mr. Roberts was in the house up- stairs in hiding, with his wife and the Wall fam- ily, and the women were very much frightened. The strain upon Mr. Wall, which lasted several hours, was severe, but he demonstrated to the citizens of Sherman county that he was deter- mined to defend the cause of justice and right at the risk of life.

FRANK SUEPER.

Frank Sueper, proprietor of one of the most valuable farms in Madison county, Nebraska, has been a resident of that locality during the past thirty years. He is prominently known throughout that part of Nebraska as a successful farmer and public-spirited citizen, and has a host of friends among the people of his community, hy all of whom he is held in the highest esteem.

Mr. Sueper was born in Prussia, December 13, 1848. His parents were Barnard and Eliza- beth (Berg) Sueper, they being farmers in the old country, and Frank was reared on the home place. When he was thirteen years of age, the entire family left their native soil and embarked on a sailboat at Bremen bound for America. While on the voyage the ship was overtaken by a terrific storm and was wrecked on an island, all the passengers finally landing after terrible suffering from exposure to the elements. Here they were forced to remain for six months, living as best they might, obtaining food from the wrecked ship. One day a sailboat came to the island and took all on board, and they were taken back to Bremen, which was their nearest port, and from which the Suepers had sailed. They again set out for America in another sailboat, the "Theresa," and after a stormy passage lasting eight weeks, finally landed in New York.

Their first stopping place was in Lake county. Indiana, where they remained up to 1881. While there the family lived on a farm and managed to make a living, but were unable to get ahead as rapidly as they wished, so decided to try their fortune farther west, starting out for Nebraska

------

655

COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY.

in 1881. They arrived in Madison county after a tiresome journey, and the father purchased a tract of railroad land, on which they erected a frame shanty, fourteen by sixteen feet, and set about developing a farm.

Frank started for himself later on, in 1873, and was very successful for the most part, as he worked faithfully to build up a home, and after the usnal hard luck and discouragements. be- came proprietor of a good farm, now owning a three hundred and twenty acre place, all in good shape, and is rapidly becoming one of the well-to-do farmers of his locality.

November 3, 1873, Mr. Suepers was married in Indiana to Miss Wilhelmina Graina, a native of Prussia, and to them have come eight children, namely: August, Theresa, Eda, Frank, Lena, Toney, Mary and Emma.

THOMAS J. GILLIGAN.

Thomas J. Gilligan, a successful and prosper- ous rancher and farmer of Custer county, Ne- braska, came to the county with no cash capital, but was possessed of energy and ambition, com- bined with a strong will to succeed. He is a self- made man and attained his present position through economy, industry and attention to de- tails. He was born in Elizabethtown. New York, in March, 1860, third of the seven children born to John and Eliza Gilligan. His brother John, a physician and surgeon, came to Nebraska some years ago and located in O'Neill, Holt county, and these two sons are the only ones of the six sur- viving children who live in Nebraska. The father died in New York in 1878 and the mother still lives in that state.

Born and reared on a stony farm in the Adi- rondack mountains in northern New York, Mr. Galligan early learned habits of industry and thrift. He remained with his parents until reach- ing his majority. In 1878 he went to Iowa, and in the fall of 1881 came to Gage county, Ne- braska, where he spent the winter. In the spring of 1882 he came to Howard county, where he re- mained until the spring of 1884, then filed on a homestead in Custer county. He worked in Howard county during the winter months of 1884-85, and in the spring of 1886 came to make a permanent residence on his new homestead. He also had a tree claim and began to improve and develop his land. He proved his title and added to his possessions from time to time until he was the owner of eighteen hundred acres. In 1911 he sold twelve hundred and eighty acres. In 1897 lie moved from his homestead to another part of the farm of five hundred and twenty acres on section sixteen, township twenty, range twenty-one, where he has a fine and well equipped grain and stock farm. There is a fine grove of trees on this place and some fruit, besides splen- did hay and pasture land. This farm is located at the mouth of Big River canyon, and the home is

very pleasantly situated. Taken as a whole, Mr. Gilligan believes, with good reason, that he has the best farm in his part of the county.

Mr. Gilligan was married in Blaine county, Nebraska, in October, 1898, and six children were born of this union, one of whom is dead; and all of the others are on the home farm, making a fine representative family. They are named as follows: Ellen, Mary, Peter, Thomas, deceased ; Jennie and Nicholas.

GEORGE HOFELDT.

Among the prosperous farmers and stockmen of Wayne county, Nebraska, a high place must be accorded the name of George Hofeldt. He is the owner of a farm in section four, township twenty- six, range three, and is regarded as one of the progressive and successful farmers of the locality, which has been his home for many years.

Mr. Hofeldt was born in Cook county, Illinois, in 1861, and is the son of Henry and Elizabeth Hofeldt, both natives of Holstein, Germany. His parents came to this country in 1851, on one of the slow sailing vessels, and were on the ocean nineteen weeks before they arrived in New York.

Mr. Hofeldt spent his childhood in Cook county, Illinois. In 1875, when he was fourteen years old, the family removed to Carroll county, Iowa. The parents remained in Carroll county, Iowa, on a farm, which they owned until their deaths.

In 1884, Mr. Hofeldt and his wife moved to Wayne county, Nebraska, where a farm of one hundred and sixty acres was purchased from Bob Taylor. When Mr. Hofeldt purchased his place, it was raw prairie, and since then he has put it all under cultivation, and built a modern house, good barns and other out buildings. This farm is still occupied by the subscriber, who has made it his home since the above date. He has added one improvement after another, as fast as his circumstances seemed to warrant, and now has one of the finest farms to be seen for miles around. Of late, he has given considerable attention to raising stock, in which pursuit he has been successful.

February 24, 1884, Mr. Hofeldt was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Peters, of Carroll county, Iowa. Mrs. Hofeldt was horn in Hol- stein, Germany, a daughter of Claus Peters, her parents both dying in Germany. Mrs. Hofeldt came to the United States in 1882. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hofeldt. They were named as follows: Minnie, George, Louise. Bertha, Marguerite, Harry, Frank and Lester. Two died in infancy.

Mr. and Mrs. Hofeldt are well known mem- bers of the community, and the number of their friends is limited only by the number of their acquaintances

656

COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY.

REUBEN M. WOLCOTT.

Among the prominent ranchmen and stock raisers of Merrick county, Nebraska, the gentle- man above named holds an enviable reputation. He is one of the old settlers in this section of the country, and has aided materially in the growth and success of the region in which he dwells.

Reuben M. Wolcott was born in Lafayette county, Wisconsin, April 2, 1859, and was third in a family of seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Oliver S. Wolcott, who reside in Central City, Nebraska.

In the fall of 1861, Mr. Wolcott's parents moved from the Wisconsin farm to Western Iowa, where he received an education at the county schools, working on the farm during the sum- mer months. He came to Nebraska in the spring of 1880 with his father and located in Merrick county, devoting himself to farming and stock raising.

He is now located on the original Wolcott farm which he purchased from his father, and which consists of nine hundred and twenty acres of choice land located in the Loup Valley, on which are good buildings, and which is a well-equipped stock farm, on which Mr. Wolcott has bred Poll Angus cattle and is a breeder of Shire horses. He has been an exhibitor in the horse, cattle, and swine department in Nebraska, Minnesota and Wisconsin state fairs, and the Trans-Mississippi Exposition.

On July 30, 1903, in Merrick county, Nebraska, Mr. Wolcott was married to Miss Luella Adams, daughter of Robert and Amanda Adams, who were pioneers of Merrick county. Mr. and Mrs. Wolcott have one child, Ruby Evaline. Mr. Wol- cott and family reside in their pleasant farm home, and enjoy the esteem of a large circle of friends.

In 1903 Mr. Wolcott was elected a member of the state board of agriculture and re-elected in 1905 and again re-elected in 1908, and is an active member of the board. He stands for the best interests of his county and state, and is pro- gressive along all lines.

In his stock exhibitions, Mr. Wolcott has taken many prizes, and in stock circles is known in several states, and is prominent as an exhibitor.

MRS. ALICE R. ARMSTRONG.

That the sphere of woman's activity has been widening rapidly cannot be gainsaid; that she is filling well her chosen part in the drama of life is equally self-evident. Of the progressive, ef- ficient women of the west, not the least in men- tal and moral advancement is Mrs. Alice R. Arm- strong, the editor of the "Butte Gazette," Boyd county's official organ and one of the most ably conducted country newspapers in the northern part of the state.

Mrs. Armstrong was born in Blue Earth

county, Minnesota, a daughter of Reverand N. E. Gardner, originally a minister of the United Brethern denomination; after which he was for over thirty years associated with the Congre- gational church. Her mother was Mary Pricilla Allen, prior to her marriage to the young minis- ter.

N. E. Gardner was born in Perry county, Ohio, December 24, 1833. He worked at the pot- ter's trade when a boy and became an expert at it. He became converted in early life and en- tered the ministry when a young man. He was married in 1856 to Miss Pricilla Allen. He was licensed to preach in 1857 in the United Brethren Conference in Ohio. In 1863 he went to Min- nesota as a missionary and located in Blue Earth county during the Sioux Indian massacre, where he was robbed of everything he had and barely escaped with his wife and little babes, while a number of his nearest neighbors were killed. In 1867, he moved to Missouri, where he spent several useful years of his life as preacher, pre- siding elder and financial agent for Avalon Aca- demy. While moving from one work to another, he lost his loving wife and helpmate. Later, at Avalon, he married Mary A. Neeland, who was a strong christian character and a devont wife and mother.

In the latter seventies he went to Illinois, where several years were spent laboring as min- ister in the Rock River conference. From here he went to Iowa where he labored as United Brethren Minister. In 1886 he went to western Nebraska and entered the Congregational church, and continued preaching for that church dur- ing the rest of his work. In 1890 he went to Wyoming and held pastorate at Buffalo and Lusk. In 1893 he went to Silver Creek, Nebraska, and succeeded his son Jasper, who died while pastor of the Congregational church at that place. In 1895 he went to Arborville, Nebraska, and served as pastor for four years. In 1904 he went to Santa Cruz, California, and spent a year and a half.

His health failing, he bought a little cottage home in the village of Arborville, Nebraska, where he and his faithful wife resided until he was called to his eternal home, April 29, 1911.

He lived a very active life and his work was evangelistic, the greater part of which was spent on the frontier administering the kindly hand where help was most needed.

He possessed more than ordinary talent as a speaker and was successful in winning many from sin to the better way. His success was the re- sult of a life of consecration and a faithful pre- sentation of the Word of God. His last sermon was preached to the boys at the state penitentiary in Boise, Idaho.

Rev. Gardner was of a happy, cheerful dis- position and scattered help and sunshine wher- ever he went.

For the last year he has been severely afflicted,

657

COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY.

having undergone a serious surgical operation which he endured with wonderful fortitude. To the last he retained his spirit of cheerful hope- fulness and courage.

Together with his wife he spent the past winter in Boise, Idaho, visiting with his daugh- ters, Mrs. Ferguson and Mrs. M. P. Meholin. As summer approached he became more anxious to get home to Arborville, Nebraska, and in spite of the earnest request of friends to protract his stay. he left Boise April 4th. intending to visit at a few points on his way home. When he reached Grand Junction, Colorado, the home of his daughter, Mrs. A. K. Moore, he was very tired. Instead of getting rested and able to re- sume his journey, he gradually grew weaker. He realized the fact that God was calling him home and calmly and peacefully responded to the summons. He asked what time it was, and added that the Master would take him soon.

The minister's daughter taught her first school in Fayette county, Iowa, finishing out a term for her sister. On coming to Dawes county, she was one of the successful teachers there until her marriage to Mr. Thurlow S. Armstrong, then foreman of the "Dawes County Journal." The young wife at once took to newspaper work and assisted her husband on the Gordon paper, with which he soon became connected. They succes- sively published the "Valentine Republican," the "Norden Borealis." and "Ainsworth Journal," before trying ranch life in Brown county from 1889 to 1891. When Boyd county was thrown open to settlement, the journalistic couple saw. in the new county a fine field for their editorial talent, and removed to the county seat and for a year published the "Boyd County Banner."

A year later they established the "Butte Gazette," which has been in continous circula- tion since that time. Mrs. Armstrong assumed full control of the paper as proprietor, editor. and publisher in 1904, since which time she has been assisted by her daughter Hazelle. Since Mrs. Armstrong has taken the management of the "Gazette," there have been no less than five other papers started at Butte, none of which are in existence now, the last one. "The Boyd County Register" having been purchased by her in 1910. and consolidated with the "Gazette."

Mr. Armstrong had been appointed postmas- ter of Butte in 1892. and was appointed to a third term. which Mrs. Armstrong finished out, having virtually been postmistress most of the time in fact. if not in name. A short time before the close of Mrs. Armstrong's term. the office was burglarized of twelve hundred dollars worth of stamps and cash, but eventually all was recovered. the thief having hid his booty near by, which from time to time was found in installments in various places of concealment. The culprit was well known, but lack of absolute evidence to con- viet prevented prosecution.

The policy of the "Gazette" is republican, but 22

it is fair to its opponents and avoids the rancor of partisan journalism. It is an ably-edited newsy weekly, and, being the official organ of the county, enjoys an extensive patronage in legal and official joh work.

Mrs. Armstrong is a member of three fraternal orders, the Rebekahs, the Royal Neighbors, and a widely extended literary association known by the cabalistic letters of P. E. O. Sisterhood.

In 1907 Mrs. Armstrong was elected presi- dent of the Ponca Valley Editorial Association, comprising the counties of Boyd and Keya Paha, Nebraska, and Gregory and Tripp, South Dakota, the meeting being held at Bonesteel, South Da- kota.

Mrs. Armstrong is the mother of two children, Hazelle and Kathryn.

ALBERT BOWMAN BROWDER.

Albert Bowman Browder, for many years a successful and prosperous farmer of Boone county and later a resident of Albion, where he was engaged in the furniture business for a num- ber of years, is now retired from active labor and enjoying every comfort of life after years of faithful toil.

Mr. Browder is a native of Delaware connty, Iowa, born January 2, 1852. He is the eldest son of seven in a family of eight children born to George R. and Mary A. Browder. He grew to . the age of twenty years in his native country, then came by team and wagon to Boone county, and was one of the first homesteaders in that portion of the state. He had been married in Iowa, on March 6, 1872, and after getting located in Boone county sent for his wife, she arriving here in June of that year. Mr. Browder took up a claim on section thirty, and begun to build up a farm and home, and while he met with some hardships during the first years, in the main he was successful and accumulated a good pro- perty. He remained on his original farm up to 1888, then came to Albion for residence, engaging in the hardware business which he carried on for ten years. He then embarked in the furniture business and built up a good trade in that line also.

Mrs. Browder died in Omaha on October 6, 1905, she having gone there to the St. Joseph hospital for treatment, and her death was deeply mourned by her family and many friends here. She was survived by her husband and one son, who is married and now lives in Albion.

June 20. 1906, Mr. Browder married Mrs. Sarah Lewis, a childhood friend, in Iowa, and counted as one of the Browder family who came to Nebraska in 1878, In 1908 Mr. and Mrs. Browder left Albion and settled in University Place, which is a beautiful suburb of Lincoln. Nebraska. There they remained until Decem- her 1. 1910, when they returned to Albion, the old home, where they expect to remain.

658

COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY.

WILLIAM ZIEGENBEIN.

To the men of perseverence and stalwart de- termination who went to Nebraska when it was yet undeveloped as an agricultural and com- mercial region, the present prosperity enjoyed there is due. Among the early settlers of An- telope county who has been intimately identified with its development and has gained an enviable reputation as a citizen, may be mentioned Wil- liam Ziegenbein.

Mr. Ziegenbein was born in Prussia, Germany, in the province of Saxony, March 10, 1854, and was the third child in a family of six children. Our subject's father, Carl Ziegenbein, was born in 1827, in Germany, and after growing to man- hood served in the army of his native land for eleven years in the war between Denmark and Germany. In 1870, our subject and his father started for America, sailing on the steamship "Westphalia" from Hamburg and landing in New York City where they stayed three days. They then left for the west to start where land was cheap, and came to Omaha, Nebraska, from where they drove to their claim in Saunders county, on which they built a sod house. While living here the family went through many hardships, and they had to go twelve miles by ox team to the Platte river for wood.

In 1875 Mr. Ziegenbein was married to Miss Alice Briggs of Michigan, and to this union five children have been born: Mary, wife of E. Clark, has two children; Lizzie, wife of L. Buckminster, has five children; Pearl, wife of Ben MeIntire; Nellie, and Carl, who is married to Miss Nellie Williams.

A few years after his marriage our subject had bad luck with his crops, became dissatisfied with local conditions and moved further west, coming to Antelope county, Nebraska in 1881, where he took up a homestead in section twelve, township twenty-seven, range seven, on which he lived in a wagon until he could build a sod house. He has since prospered and is now counted among the substantial citizens of the county.

Mr. Ziegenbein is well thought of in his com- munity, and is a member of the Modern Woodmen lodge. In politics he is independent.

REUBEN E. GLASS. (Deceased.)

In the death of Reuben E. Glass, who spent the last years of his life retired from active life, in Broken Bow, Nebraska, Custer county, lost one of its most valuable citzens. He had been a resi- dent of the state since 1873 and during that time he had become well known and had made many friends who appreciated his character and worth. Mr. Glass was born in Detroit, Michigan, November 13, 1846, third of the six children born to Zenas and Sarah (Ferris) Glass, natives of New York. The father, who was of Scotch-

Irish descent, died in Michigan, and the mother survives, making her home in Lincoln, Nebraska. Of their children: one son, Milton, died in the Civil war; one son, Edwin C., lives in Lincoln; one daughter, Mrs. Sarah Frost, lives in Lincoln; others are deceased.

Mr. Glass grew to manhood's estate on a Michigan farm, receiving his education in local schools. He served in the civil war as a member of Company D, Twenty-fourth Michigan Infantry, where he won a creditable record, and after leav- ing the service returned to Michigan, where he engaged in business in the line of retail drugs. His first wife was Mrs. Lina Ferguson, who died in Michigan, leaving one daughter, Mrs. Lizzie Nichols, who has since died.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 142

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