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 146

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 146

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ALBERT RUSSELL.

Albert Russell, a prominent and well-known eitizen of Areadia, Nebraska, is interested in all that pertains to the welfare or progress of his county and state. He is a native of Delaware, Indiana, born December 31, 1851, an only child and left an orphan in infancy. He was adopted by John Russell and wife of that state, assuming their name. When six years of age he aceom- panied his foster parents to Henry county, Illi- nois, where, near Kewanee, he received his edu- cation and grew to maturity. He engaged in farming there and was married in that county, November 10, 1874, to Miss Emma Gates, who was born at Chillicothe, Illinois, daughter of Nathaniel and Julia (Cross) Gates. Her father, a carpenter by trade, was born in New York and died in Illinois in 1876, while her mother, a native of Ohio, died in Illinois in 1872. A brother lives at Council Bluffs, Iowa, a sister died in April, 1911, in Henry county, Illinois, and ,one brother died in service during the civil war. Mrs. Russell passed into eternity, June 6, 1911, leaving a loving memory of christian woman- hood.

In February, 1877, Mr. Russell brought his wife and their first born, Grace, to Nebraska, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of rail- road land in Platte county, where they resided until 1903, when they came to Arcadia, their home since that time. Mr. Russell purchased two hun- dred acres of land within the city limits and there has a splendidly improved and well equipped grain farm. He has taken an active part in local affairs and during the years 1909-10 served as supervisor on the county board. He is now a member of the city board, and has well performed every duty that has fallen to him in his official capacity.

Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Russel, and six of them now survive: . Grace, married Charles Dockhorn, and has one son. Glen ; Fred J., of Valley county, is married and has three children ; Harry W., lives in Idaho, is married and has two children; Milo C., married. and living in Valley county, has one child ; Olive O., wife of Adam Kunkle, of Sehuyler Nebraska, bas three children ; Myrtle F., died in 1904; Ora. died in infancy, in 1894; Albert E., is a student in Lincoln Business College.

Mr. Russell owns five hundred and thirty acres of land and is one of the more successful farmers of the region. He is a member of the Congregational church, the Modern Woodmen of America. and in politics is independent of party lines. During his residenee in Platte county Mr. Russell and family lived in a dugout for fourteen years. The blizzard of October, 1880, that inaug- urated "the winter of the deep snow," Mr. Rus- sell was loading poles at the Platte river and found great difficulty in reaching home. He was out in the fearful blizzard of January 12, 1888,

FORMER RESIDENCE LOST CREEK TP. PLATTE CO, NEB .

FARM PROPERTY YFE 26 7 1 R'15 VALLEY CO.

TOWN RESIDENCE OF ALBERT RUSSELL.

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on the road to town three miles from home, and with difficulty found a place of shelter.

On another page we show a view of Mr. Rus- sell's well kept town home, of his farm property and of the old home in Platte county.

CARL SCHULZ.

Among the leading old settlers and public- spirited citizens of Pierce county, Nebraska, the gentleman above mentioned deserves a foremost place, he having lived on his present location since 1893. Mr. Schulz is a native of the village of Beverdick, province of Pommerania, Germany, and was born September 16, 1844. He lived in his native country until he reached the age of twenty-nine years, emigrating in 1873 to the new world, arriving in New York after a sixteen days' voyage from Liverpool, England, having reached that port by way of Stettin and Hull.

After landing in New York he came directly to Nebraska and settled on the land he now oe- eupies, which is in section six, township twenty- five, range one. Owing to hard times in Pieree county, he sought work in lowa for two years to keep his family in provisions. Our subject has succeeded in developing a good farm, engaged in mixed farming and stock raising, and now owns five hundred and twenty acres of land, five acres of which are covered with trees.

Mr. Schulz did not escape the privations and hardships of those pioneer days which beset the venturesome sons of the soil who migrated to Ne- braska in search of prosperity. In those days, Wisner was his nearest market place, and in 1873 his crops were burned out by the hot winds. and for three years the grasshoppers took every- thing. which eansed him great suffering ; but after the coming of the better years he was very for- tunate. He also went through the blizzard of 1888. and in 1881 suffered from the high water, but after all these trials has succeeded in aceu- mulating a nice property.

Mr. Schulz was married September 28, 1880. to Miss Johanna Gehm, who was also a native of Pommerania. She died December 10, 1900. Seven children were born to them, named as follows: Elsa, married William Wagner: Ida. married Emil Newman, deceased ; Minnie, mar- ried Peter Dick: Bertha. and Reinhold. Adolph and Albert are deceased.

Mr. Schulz is a member of the German Luth- eran church.

ANDERS JENSEN. (Deceased. )

The gentleman above named. now deceased. was for many years known throughout Howard county as one of the successful farmers and largest land owners of that section. He was proprietor of five hundred aeres of fine farming and grazing land, all of which he accumulated

hy thrift and good management. He was a pio- neer in the region, and has been closely identified with its upbuilding from the early days of its settlement by white men.

Mr. Jensen was a native of Denmark, born in Norre Vissing, October 10, 1843. His boyhood was spent on his father's home, and he followed farming as a young man. On November 29, 1872, he was united in marriage to Karen Petersen, who grew up in the same province with our sub- ject, and they made their home there up to 1881, then emigrated to America. Their first location was at St. Paul, Nebraska, which they made their home for seven years, during which time Mr. Jensen was engaged in the hotel and livery busi- ness.

From there they moved on a farm containing one hundred and sixty aeres, situated six miles southwest of St. Paul. Mr. Jensen worked faith- fully to improve the place, and succeeded in de- veloping a fine farm, erecting good buildings of all kinds, and put it in first class condition. His principal crop was grain, but he also raised con- siderable stoek. He remained on the farm up to the time of his death, which occurred on No- vember 22, 1908. He was greatly missed by the entire community in which he made his home, as he was a man of broad mind, a very ardent tem- perance worker, and one who gave liberally of his means to aid the cause.

Mr. Jensen's family consisted of a wife and six living children, who are named as follows: Peter, who is vice president of the Boelus State Bank, he is married, has three children, and lives in Boelus, where he carries on a general merchandise business; Mary, employed by the Brandies store at Omaha ; Ella, attending college at Grand Island: Niels. cashier of the Boelus State Bank; Anna, who clerks in her brother Peter's store in Boelns; and Jenssine, assistant cashier in the Boelus State Bank.

After her husband's death, Mrs. Jensen rented the farm and moved into Boelus, where with her children. she occupies a handsome residence and joins in the social life of the town.

In 1905. Mr. Jensen, his two sons, Peter and Niels. in partnership with L. B. Kenyon, pur- chased the Boelus State Bank. Mr. Kenyon was elected president. Anders Jensen, vice president. Peter Jensen, cashier. and Niels Jensen. assist- ant cashier. Anders Jensen continued to act as vice-president of the bank until his death. ()n Jannary 1. 1909. Mr. Kenyon was continued as president. Peter Jensen was elected vice president in place of his father, and Niels continued as cashier, with Miss Jenssine Jensen as assistant cashier, which force remains the same at the present time.

SAMUEL P. WARNER.

Samuel P. Warner, a well known and highly esteemed old settler of Valley county, Nebraska.

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resides in Ord, where he has a pleasant home and enjoys the respect and friendship of the many. In his many years' residenee in this locality Mr. Warner has always done his full share in the betterment of conditions in his home state and county, and is aceorded a foremost place as a substantial and worthy citizen.

Mr. Warner is a native of Broom county, New York state, born February 24, 1844, a son of Alfred and Sally (Perkins) Warner; he was ninth in a family of fourteen children, and has two brothers residing in Wisconsin, and another in Minnesota, the other children being deceased, as are also the parents; the father died January 13, 1867, in Wisconsin, and the mother passed away October 17, 1870, in Mukwonago, Wiscon- sin.

In early childhood Mr. Warner went with his parents to Wisconsin, where he grew to man- hood, and on January 5, 1863, enlisted in Com- pany B, First Wisconsin Heavy Artillery; he served until the close of the war, receiving his honorable discharge at Lexington, Kentucky, July 1, 1865. After the war he returned to Wis- consin, working at his trade of earpentry.

On September 29, 1875, Mr. Warner was united in marriage to Miss Mary Young, who was born in Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Warner have had one child, Myrtle E., who is the wife of Lafayette Paist, treasurer of Valley county. Mrs. Warners' parents are deceased, her father, Silas Young, died in Wisconsin; her mother, Bertha (Terry) Young, passed away in Nebraska. Mrs. Warner has a brother and a sister living in Cali- fornia. Mr. and Mrs. Warner are among the earlier settlers of the county and are widely and favorably known. Mr. Warner is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge, and is popular with all classes of citizens in Valley connty.

In November of 1879, Mr. Warner came to Valley county, Nebraska, where he homesteaded forty acres of land twelve miles north of Ord, which was the home place for about seven years, when in 1886 the family moved to Ord, where Mr. Warner engaged in earpentry. Mr. Warner is a successful man of affairs, owning good eity property, and in 1908 bnilt a fine modern home where he now lives.

TROY C. OSBORN.

The gentleman above named is one of the very oldest settlers in Madison county, Nebraska, and is familiarly known to every one, having lived in Madison county for the past forty years or more, sinee his earliest residenee here having been one of the leading citizens, who by his in- finence and personal aid, has helped to a won- derful degree in the development of the region. Since 1908 Mr. Osborn has resided on his present farm, which is located in section twenty-one, township twenty-four, range four, where he and

his family are surrounded by a host of good friends and neighbors.

Mr. Osborn elaims Virginia for his native state, which was also the state of nativity of his parents, Enoch and Rena (Hoeks) Osborn. Our subject remained in Virginia until he attained the age of twenty-one years, receiving the usual school advantages, and after reaching manhood followed the occupation of farming.

While still living in Virginia, Mr. Osborn enlisted in the confederate army during the civil war, serving under Captain Cox in Com- pany C, Forty-fifth Virginia Infantry, receiving his honorable discharge in 1865. Mr. Osborn was captured at Richmond and taken to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he was kept prisoner for nine months. His father was also a confederate soldier, enlisting in Company C, Forty-fifth Vir- ginia Infantry, father and son marching almost side by side. After the war, they both returned to Virginia, remaining there some few years.

In 1868, Mr. Osborn, our subject, left his home in Virginia and started for the west, com- ing by rail to Omaha. From there he came over- land by ox team to his homestead southwest of Battle Creek, where he built a sod house and "batched it" for several years.

In those first years of settlement in the wild and unbroken frontier, many hardships and dis- couragements were experienced by those sturdy sons who braved dangers and much suffering, enduring many losses and crop failures through the various causes of grasshopper plagues, prairie fires, and elements of the weather. The grasshopper pests that infested this portion of the conntry were about the greatest source of anxiety, they often coming in great clouds and swooping down on the fields of ripened crops, eating every spear of green to be found for miles in every direction. Prairie fires were often fought to save property and homes, and the settlers in those days were constantly on the alert of this danger. As late as 1894, Mr. Osborn lost the entire sea- son's crops by the hot winds that burned out the soil and killed all vegetation; this was due to the severe drouth which caused so much havoc in that part of the country.

In 1908, Mr. Osborn bought his present home, which is known as the Northup homestead ; this, as before stated, is located on section twenty- one, township twenty-four, range four.

Mr. Osborn was married March 14, 1873, to Miss Molly Lyon, a native of Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Osborn are the parents of four children, named as the following: Lee, Alice, Frank and Enoch. They are a fine family, and enjoy the respeet and esteem of all who know them.

Mr. Osborn is a member of the Masonie fra- ternity and a demoerat.

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RICHARD E. ALLEN.

Richard E. Allen, of Arnold, has long been an important factor in the affairs of his community, where he has a wide acquaintance. He is one of the successful men of Custer county, and has large land holdings there, owning the town site of Arnold. He was born in Livingston county, New York, April 21, 1857, third of the six children of Silas E. and Amelia (Blakesley) Allen. The parents were natives of New York and were married there. They had one daughter and five sons, but the only member of the family now living in Nebraska is Richard, although two other sons and the daughter at one time lived there. The parents came to Custer county sev- eral years after Richard, early in the spring of 1886, he took a homestead in township sev- enteen, range twenty-five. The mother died in Arnold in February, 1895, and the father some years later removed to Kearney, where he died in May, 1905. The daughter and four sons now survive.

Mr. Allen was born on a farm near Mount Morris, but in 1858, when he was about one year old, the family removed to a farm adjoining the town of Alvira in Clinton county, Iowa. In the winter of 1863 they moved to Linn county in the same state, and Mr. Allen was married Decem- ber 8, 1878, to Lovira Parks, a native of Iowa and a daughter of Morgan S. and Lydia Parks.

In April, 1880, Mr. and Mrs. Allen and one child left Linn county, Iowa, via the "prairie schooner" route, for Nebraska, accompanied by the family of Joseph Hall. They reached Custer county in June, and July 5 of the same year Mr. Allen filed an entry on a homestead on the north- east quarter of section twenty-eight, township seventeen, range twenty-five. He was the original homesteader of the locality, as at the time he came there were only cattle men living there and using the land for grazing.

In the fall of 1883, Mr. Allen laid out the town of Arnold on a part of the homestead entry. This was one of the early inland towns of the state. In the early days the little settlement had to haul merchandise and supplies from Cozad. on the main line of the Union Pacific railroad, and later from Gothenburg, when the latter town came into existence. Before the advent of the homesteaders into Custer county little thought was given to the project of making the region a farming locality, as it was then used only for grazing cattle. Mr. Allen has lived on his home- stead since these conditions existed and has made it his home since making the entry on the land, although he is now in the midst of the village of Arnold, which is just beginning to boom as a result of the extension of the railroad to Gandy, Logan county, through Arnold, in the fall of 1911. After nearly thirty years of ex- istence the town has received new impetus for progress and growth, and Mr. Allen has had

much to do with this condition. He was an early merchant in Arnold, but went out of business in 1889. He served seven years in early days as postmaster in the village, following George Arnold, the first postmaster. Since giving up his mercantile interests, he has devoted his at- tention chiefly to his farming and stock interests, which are extensive. He served as township supervisor during the first year after this system was adopted and has held other local offices, be- ing active in educational matters. He has a host of friends and is a popular and public- spirited citizen.

Mr. and Mrs. Allen have three daughters: Gertrude, married Andrew J. MeCant, and they live in Arnold; Myrtle May. married William Chadima, lives in Cedar Rapids, lowa; Blanche R., married Charles F. MeGuire, and they live on the old homestead. The family have a pleas- ant and comfortable home in Arnold, which is in sharp contrast to their first habitation, which was a pine log cabin.

HENRY KLOPPING.

One of the prominent farmers of Wayne county is the gentleman named above, who resides in section fifteen, township twenty-six, range three, on his well equipped farm, with its com- fortable home. He is one of those substantial citizens whose industry and thrift have added so much to the development of the state. For many years Mr. Klopping has been identified with the agricultural interests of this section of the country, and he has done his full share in bring- ing about the present prosperity enjoyed by the residents of the community.

Mr. Klopping is a native of Prussia, Germany, and was born March 21, 1866, the son of Fred and Minnie Klopping, who were small farmers of their community.

In 1880, the subscriber, with his parents, left his native land for America, coming by steamship from Bremen to New York City. The family came west at once, and settled in Iowa, where Henry Klopping remained for about fourteen years. The father and mother are still on the same farm in Iowa.

It was while in lowa that he was married to Miss Mary Beck, March 7, 1889. Mrs. Klopping is a daughter of Rasmus and Jane Beck, the former born in Germany, and the latter in Mis- souri. Mr. Beck died when Mrs. Klopping was only six years old, and Mrs. Beck died in March, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Klopping are the parents of seven children, all of whom are living except one. They are named as follows: Frank, Roy. Hazel, deceased, Bryan, Fred, Albert and Glenn. The family is well and favorably known in the community.

In 1892, Mr. Klopping decided to move to the less thickly settled state of Nebraska, where land was cheap. He came to Wayne county and

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bought the farm, which has been in his possession ever since. Since owning it, he has, little by little, added many extensive improvements so that now it is a picture of thrift and good manage- ment.

WALTER CHAMBERLIN.

Walter Chamberlin, a banker of Clarks, Ne- braska, is one of the leading men of his com- munity as well as one of the old settlers in east- ern Nebraska, and to his efforts and influence during many years have been due much of the prosperity enjoyed by the residents of that re- gion.

Mr. Chamberlin was born in Cascade, Iowa, February 2, 1862, and was fourth in the family of Simon and Deborah (Price) Chamberlin, who had two sons and three daughters, the parents being natives of New York state. Of this family Mr. Chamberlin and three sisters are now living. Mrs. John A. Stockton resides in Falls City, Ne- braska, and the other two sisters live in Missouri. Mr. Chamberlin is now engaged in the banking business in Clarks, Merriek county, Nebraska, in which state he has continued in that business sinee 1884. He organized the State Bank of Clarks in 1889, which institution was reorganized as a National bank in 1903, with the following offieers: Walter Chamberlin, president; A. D. Sears, vice president; Marvin Chamberlin, cashi- ier. This is a solid, progressive bank. Besides his banking business, Mr. Chamberlin is active along other financial and business lines. Mr. Chamberlin grew up to his young manhood in the state of Missouri, the family going from Iowa to that state when he was seven years of age.

On November 3, 1887. Mr. Chamberlin was married to Miss Mary E. Traeey in Pawnee City, Nebraska, a native of Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlin have two children: Walter, junior, and Edward S., both of whom reside at home.

Mr. Chamberlin has been a member of the school board of Clarks for a number of years, and is otherwise active along municipal lines.

The Chamberlin family are of English deseent, and an old New England family prominent in early history.

J. A. SKALBERG.

J. A. Skalberg, one of the oldest settlers of the region where he chose his home in the early days, oeenpies a goodly estate in seetion nineteen. township twenty-nine, range two, Knox county, Nebraska. Here he has done his share in the up- building of his locality, and bas become well and favorably known throughout that part of the state.

Mr. Skalberg is a native of Sweden, and was born February 28, 1865, growing to the age of nine years in his birthplace. Then, with his father, he left his native land and came to

Ameriea, taking passage on an emigrant ship, which landed in New York City. His mother died when he was about two years old.

Their first location was in Page county, Iowa, and after about twelve years, J. A. Skalberg came to Wakefield, Nebraska, where he spent about seven years. In Mareh, 1892, he came to Knox county, purchased one hundred and sixty acres of well located land, and began farming on his own account. He has made this farm his home since that time, and has made of the tract a finely cultivated and improved place, equipped with substantial buildings of all kinds, stocked with all kinds of farm animals, and raises good crops of grain, etc. He has some fine trees on the place, a good orchard, and altogether, his property is one of the most valuable in that part of the county, consisting in all of two hundred and forty acres.

February 11, 1888, Mr. Skalberg was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Peterson, who was born in Page county, Iowa, a daughter of O. P. and Sarah Peterson, who were born in Sweden and came to America when children. To our subjeet and his estimable wife have been born ten chil- dren, as follows: Harry, Roy, David, Norris. Vernie, Bertha, Hazel, Mayme, Emma, and Christal, all of whom are industrious and intelli- gent young people, helping their parents in carry- ing on the farm work.

Mr. and Mrs. Skalberg are members of the Mission church at Wausa, and the entire family attend its services.

WALLEN CAMERON.

Wallen Cameron, retired farmer of Sehuyler, Nebraska, is a son of Alexander and Lydia (Miller) Cameron, his birth occurring October 1, 1833, in Ohio. He was eldest in a family of six children, and has one sister, Mary E. Lafferty. residing in Findley, Ohio, the other children be- ing deceased, as are also the parents, they both having passed away in Hancock county, Ohio. Mr. Cameron received his education in the home schools and later engaged in farming.

On April 19, 1857, Mr. Cameron was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Woods, of Han- eoek county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Cameron have had six children born to them, four of whom are living: Melville D., who is married and lives in Omaha, Nebraska; Jennie, wife of Rev. W. W. Wells, resides in Valentine, Nebraska, and they have three children; Horace A., also married, lives in Omaha; Alexander B., is married, has four children, and lives in South Dakota; James C., died in 1878, in infaney ; and Wallen died in 1893, at the age of twelve years.

On November 18, 1861, Mr. Cameron enlisted in Company H, Western Sharpshooters, after- ward called the Sixty-sixth Illinois Infantry. serving until the close of the war; he received his honorable discharge at Joliet, Illinois, in July,

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1865. Decisive battles engaged in were at Fort Donaldson, Shiloh, advance on Corinth, as also in the battle of Corinth. In December of 1863, his company marehed from Corinth to Pulaski, Tennessee, camping for the winter, and there re-enlisting in the same regiment. After a forced march to Lookout Mountain they engaged in the Siege of Atlanta, being under fire for about one hundred days. They recruited at Rome, Georgia, and was with General Sherman on his famous march to the sea, and also participated in the battle of Bentonville, and many minor engage- ments and skirmishes; and he also participated in the grand review at Washington, after the strife of war had ceased, and peace reigned in the land.

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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 146

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