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 147
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After the war, Mr. Cameron returned to Ohio, remaining until June, 1872, when he eame to Col- fax county, Nebraska, and homesteaded one hun- dred and sixty acres of land in Shell Creek pre- cinct. In a couple of weeks Mr. Cameron re- turned to Ohio, and in October of the same year, with his wife and four children, drove to the Ne- braska homestead; several years later he pur- chased eighty acres in Schuyler precinct and moved onto the same. He afterwards accumulated a farm of more than one thousand acres in one body, it being the finest farm in Colfax county at that time, and is still known as the "Cameron farm."
In 1883, Mr. Cameron sold his farm and moved into Schuyler, running a hotel for a few years, then selling out and purchasing a farm joining the city limits of Schuyler, where they lived until March, 1910, when Mr. Cameron re- tired, and moved to Sehuyler, where he bought a good home, which is now the residence of the Cameron family.
Mr. Cameron has been prosperous and suceess- ful, now owning three hundred and twenty acres of fine farm land, aside from good city property. Mr. and Mrs. Cameron have passed through all the diseouragements and trying pioneer expe- riences. They are widely known, enjoying the highest respect of the community. Mr. Cameron is chaplain of the Phil Sheridan Post of Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. and Mrs. Cameron are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church and have been for over fifty years.
ORANGE BRITTELL.
The gentleman above mentioned is counted among the oldest settlers of Antelope county, Ne- braska, and since locating here in 1878 has taken a foremost part in the development of this re- gion. Mr. Brittell has built up a good home and farm in seetion twenty-one, township twenty- three, range six, where he and his family reside and enjoy the respeet and warm friendship of a host of friends and acquaintances.
Mr. Brittell was born in Illinois, in 1844, and his father, Isaac Henry Brittell, is a native of
France, who came to America when he was a small boy. Our subjeet's mother, Jane (Scott) Brittell, is a native of Ohio. Our subject grew to manhood in his native state, and during the Civil war enlisted in Company D, Seventy-fifth Illi- nois, Captain A. McMoore, under General Sher- man. He enlisted in 1861, and received an hon- orable discharge in 1865. The battles Mr. Brit- tell participated in were at Perryville, Kentucky, Buffalo river, all through the Atlantie campaign and through various parts of the south. After the war Mr. Brittell returned to Illinois, later going to lowa, driving the entire distance, and here he lived ten years. In 1878 he came to Ante- lope county, Nebraska, driving in a covered wa- gon, and took np a homestead in section twenty- one, township twenty-three, range six, where he now lives, and where he first built a sod house, which has been replaced by a fine residence.
In 1868, Mr. Brittell was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie A. Russell, and Mr. and Mrs. Brittell are the parents of five children, named as follows: Ella, who is the wife of Thomas E. Chappell ; Roy, who is married to Julia Brittell : Lloyd, married to Grace Russell ; Claud, married to Myrtle Dale; and Sidonie, who is married to Fred S. Walker.
Mr. Brittell is well thought of and is a pop- ular man in his community, and has served his county in the capacity of county commissioner for six years. He and his family enjoy the respect and esteem of all who know them.
THOMPSON BAKER.
Thompson Baker, a retired farmer whose home is in Ansley, Nebraska, is honored as a vet- eran of the civil war and respected as a useful. publie-spirited citizen. Mr. Baker was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, January 18, 1839, eighth of the eleven children born to Richard and Catherine (Thompson) Baker, both also na- tives of Pennsylvania, the father born in Beaver county and the mother in Mercer county. Both died in Beaver county, the father in 1882, and the mother in 1884. Of their children the fol- lowing facts are available: James, died in 1863. a prisoner in infamous Andersonville prison : William, died in 1908, at the age of eighty years ; Sophronia, and Sidney, live in Pennsylvania ; John, lives in Iowa; Robert, died in 1862, while> confined in Libby prison ; George, lives in Penn- sylvania: Richard, lives at Westerville, Custer county ; Sarah, lives in Pennsylvania ; Thompson. is the specific subject of this sketch. Of these children, six sons served in the civil war, all of them with distinction.
The boyhood and young manhood of Thomp- son Baker were spent on his father's farm and he received the usual education accorded a farm- er's son in those times. December 28, 1861, he enlisted in Company D. One Hundredth Pennsyl- vania Roundheads, served until the elose of the
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war, and received his final discharge at Harris- burg, Pennsylvania, July 24, 1865. He partici- pated in many important engagements, the most noteworthy of which were: James Island, South Carolina ; Bull Run, Virginia; South Mountain, Maryland; Fredericksburg, Virginia ; Vicksburg, Mississippi; Jackson, Mississippi; Blue Springs, Tennesse; Siege of Knoxville, Tennessee; Battle of the Wilderness; Spottsylvania Court House; North Anna River, Virginia; Petersburg, Mine Explosion, Popular Grove Church, Hatcher's Run, Fort Steadman, and the final assault on Peters- burg, April 2, 1865. He was promoted to the rank of corporal May 5, 1863; to that of sergeant May 20, 1864, and to first sergeant May 17, 1865.
At the close of the war Mr. Baker returned to Pennsylvania, and there married, October 3, 1865, Sarah E. Huffman, also a native of that state. In March, 1866, this couple moved to Iowa, where they lived on a farm until the fall of 1872, then with his wife and three children, removed to York county, Nebraska, where he secured a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres of land not far from the town of York. He also secured a timber claim of a like size. In 1878 he came on farther west to Custer county, which has since been his home. He pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres of land on Clear creek, where he lived many years.
In the fall of 1880, Mr. Baker was elected sheriff of Custer county. In very early days he did his share in organizing school district num- ber four, and he has always taken great interest in all questions affecting the general welfare and prosperity of the region. In 1897 he moved to Ansley, made his home there for a period of ten years, then returned to his farm, where he lived about two years, and in March, 1910, sold his farming interests and again located in Ansley, where he purchased the comfortable home where they have since resided.
Thirteen children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Baker, of whom eleven now survive: Frank, married and living on Clear creek, eight miles north of Ansley, has three children ; Tina, widow of Charles R. Hare, who died September 1, 1904, has one child and lives at Ansley ; Richard J., is married and lives in Berwin township, Custer county, and has three children; Walter, married and living on Clear creek, nine miles north of Ansley, has four children; Alice, married Frank Hayse, and they are the parents of three chil- dren and live on Clear creek; Hattie B., married William Gardner, and they live on Clear creek, and have eight children ; Ralph, a merchant, mar- ried and living at Westerville, has three children ; Wesley N., married and living nine miles north of Ansley on Clear creek, has two children; Katehrine, wife of Austin Daniels, lives at Ansley. and they have one child; May, wife of John Davis, lives at Westerville, and they have one child; Maud, wife of Herbert Hollenbeck, lives at Westerville, and they have two children. Mrs.
Baker's father, James Huffman, was born in Pennsylvania and spent his entire life there, as did the mother, and Mrs. Baker now has three brothers and a sister still residing in that state. Mr. and Mrs. Baker are well known in Ansley and vicinity, and have many warm personal friends.
Mr. Baker assisted in the organization of Steadman Post number one hundred and eighty, Grand Army of the Republic, at Westerville, Ne- braska, and for a long period of years was active as a member. He is also a member of Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Ansley lodge number one hundred and fifty-six.
EDWIN A. MARSH.
Edwin A. Marsh, a prominent citizen of Cus- ter county, belongs to an old English family and is one of the pioneers of the region where he now resides. He is one of the best and most favorably known men in his county, and has always repre- sented the best interests of his county and state. He has passed through the trials and adversities of pioneer days, and is now classed as one of the most successful farmers and stock men of cen- tral Nebraska. He has a well equipped stock and grain farm and a comfortable home, sur- rounded by modern comforts and conveniences.
Mr. Marsh was born in Glastonbury, Sommer- setshire, England, September 19, 1864, eldest child of Francis and Charlotte (Creeby) Marsh, who were the parents of five daughters and two sons. Edwin and his father came to the United States in January, 1880, sailing from Bristol to New York on a freight ship, the voyage lasting nineteen days. They first located in Fillmore county, Nebraska, where the son, Edwin, went to work as a farm hand, and the father found em- ployment in the nursery at Crete. Edwin Marsh worked on a farm three years, beginning at a salary of eight dollars per month, and at the time he left was receiving twenty-six dollars per month. The father returned to Fillmore county after a few years at Crete, and in September, 1881, Edwin Marsh came to Custer county and erected a house on the farm his father had se- cured as a homestead during the summer of that year. He then returned to Fillmore county, and in April, 1882, the father and mother, with four daughters and two sons, came to live in Custer county. The mother and younger children had come from England in August of 1881 to join the father and son in Fillmore county.
Edwin Marsh lived with his parents until the time of his marriage, June 10, 1888, to Hannah Hyatt, their union taking place in the old sod building, known as Liberty church, in township sixteen, range seventeen. She is a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Abraham W. and Lorain (Severns) Hyatt, the former of German and the latter of French descent. The Hyatt family came to Nebraska in 1878, residing in Saunders
RESIDENCE OF E. A. MARSH.
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county five years before making permanent set- tlement in Custer county.
After his marriage, Mr. Marsh moved to his farm on the north half of section four, township sixteen, range seventeen, where he had secured a timber claim in 1885, and this has since been their home. He has four hundred and eighty acres of land in this farm, and one hundred and sixty acres on section thirty-five, township seven- teen, range seventeen. He has in various ways helped in the development and welfare of Custer county, and has been a township official at dif- ferent times. He is a self-made man, and one of the younger pioneers of his part of the state, and has steadily progressed since he began to work at eight dollars per month in 1879. He is an ex- tensive dealer in cattle and hogs, buying, feeding and shipping stock. He also has a number of horses and jacks.
Mr. Marsh's first residence, before marriage, was a dugout with a sod front, which was re- placed with a small frame house when he brought home a bride. In 1908 he built his present com- modious, modern dwelling, which, from its emin- ence, commands a fine view of the valley, one of the best located residences in Custer county. A view of this fine property is presented for your inspection on another page.
Among the hardships of the early days, Mr. Marsh recalls hauling hogs in a covered wagon to Grand Island, a distance of seventy-five miles, and receiving only three dollars per hundred for his load. He well remembers an incident of get- ting grist to the mill through the deep snows. The first week he got only three miles, being com- pelled to leave his three sacks of wheat at a neighbor's. He tried again the next week, but had to leave after going only four miles. The third week he made a final attempt, and got it to the mill on Muddy creek, only twelve miles from his home.
Three children have been born to Mr. Marsh and wife, namely: Francis W., married Orpha Eastman on Thanksgiving day, 1908, and living in Cherry county, north of Mullen, has one child ; Flossie Fern, married Guy Gates, December 23, 1910, and they live in Custer county ; and Guy, at home .. The children were all born and reared on the home farm. Mr. Marsh and wife have many friends and acquaintances, and are well known in social circles. They are members of the Christian church. Mr. Marsh is a populist, a member of the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen.
The father and one brother of Mr. Marsh live at Ansley, and he has four sisters married and living in Custer county.
FRANK FREDERICK BRUEGMAN.
Frank Frederick Bruegman, a retired farmer of Osmond, Nebraska, is a native of the province of Holstein, Germany, born in the village of
Probsteihagen on April 29, 1864. His parents were Claus and Catherine (Kohlmorgen) Brueg- man. The father emigrated with his family to America, sailing from Bremen, February 4, 1878, and landing in New York ten days later. They came directly to Davenport, Iowa, where a son, older than our subject, had settled some time previously. Claus Bruegman found employment in a glucose factory, and remained in that city for three years.
Frank F. Bruegman located in Nebraska with his parents in 1881, and here engaged in farming, having followed that work during his youth. On attaining his majority, he filed on a pre-emption claim four miles east of Osmond, and started for himself. One year later he bought a quarter section nearer the town, and made the latter place his home until 1903. He experienced every form of pioneer life in this vicinity, going through drouths, and endured great hardship during the memorable blizzard of 1888, braving that storm for three hours. He had ridden out to try and drive some of his stock to shelter, and the storm was so severe and blinding that he became bewildered and lost his way, wandering about for two or three hours before his stock was found. His horse refused to go in the storm, and he was obliged to get off and lead him back to his house, arriving safely at last, but not until his family had endured great anxiety because of his ab- sence.
Mr. Bruegman sold his farm about 1904, and bought successively two tracts near Bloomfield, on which he resided for two years, then sold the one last purchased and removed to Denver. He remained there and in Berkeley, a suburb of Denver, for about a year, at which time he re- turned to Osmond, and has since made this his residence. He owns a good home here, besides two hundred and forty acres of fine farming land four miles east of the town, on which he has a tenant to care for the place, raising con- siderable grain and running quite a herd of stock.
Mr. Bruegman was married at Niobrara on January 7, 1902, to Melitta Eggert, a native of Holstein, Germany. In company with her par- ents, she came to America in 1892, sailing from Hamburg in the Normania, landing in New York after a voyage of about nine days. They settled in Niobrara, Nebraska, where Mr. Eggert was employed for a time in a packing house. He later obtained the contract to supply beef to the Ponca Indians, and during his subsequent long intercourse with them, learned to speak their language fluently-better, in fact, than English. In 1904 he retired from active life, and is taking life easy in a comfortable home in Osmond, mov- ing there in the summer of 1910.
Mr. and Mrs. Bruegman are the parents of two children, Marie and Frank, junior, both bright and interesting.
Mr. Bruegman is a republican, and an active
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party man. He is a member of the Royal High- landers, and takes a lively interest in all local affairs. With his wife, he attends the Lutheran church, and is among the active workers in that congregation.
JONAS J. BLOMGREN.
Jonas J. Blomgren, senior, accounted one of the most substantial farmers of Howard county, Nebraska, resides on his elegant estate in Danne- brog precinct.
Mr. Blomgren was born in Sweden on April 22, 1837, and grew to manhood in that country. At the age of seventeen, he left home, and started for himself, following farming the greater part of his time. In 1866 he was married, and contin- ned to live in Sweden with his family for six years, then emigrated to America.
The father, after reaching New York City, started for the west, and upon arriving in Ne- braska decided to settle here, picking out a loca- tion in Howard county, where he filed on home- stead rights in section twenty-two, township thirteen, range eleven, put up a rude shanty, and sent for his wife and three children. After Mrs. Blomgren reached New York City, two of her children, who were taken sick crossing the ocean, were sent to the hospital, where both died. Following this, Mrs. Blomgren and her son Jonas J., joined Mr. Blomgren in Howard county in 1873. Here they worked faithfully to build np a home, and remained on the place through the pioneer days, suffering many hardships, but in the main being successful in accumulating considerable property. In 1881, Mrs. Blomgren died, leaving two children, to whom our subject has given devoted care, but after the death of his helpmeet, often found it hard to keep up the struggle of being both mother and father to his children, and in 1883 he was married the second time. Of this union, eight children have been born, and his family have been a great help to him in developing his farm, as all have worked together with the one end in view of gathering together a competence, and making their home- stead one of the most productive in the vicinity, which has been accomplished in a marked degree.
Jonas J. Blomgren, junior, was born in Swe- den in 1867, and at the age of six years came to America with his mother. He was reared in Iloward county, receiving his education in the country schools, living at home until he was sey- enteen years of age, then started out to make his fortune. Ile spent several years in Colorado and Wyoming, following various occupations, and saw a great deal of the different states, going to New Mexico, where he remained for a short time, finally returning to Howard county in December, 1900. Ile had purchased an eighty-acre tract in 1895, on sections sixteen and twenty-one, and in 1897 forty aeres in section twenty-four, and began farming for himself, after his return to
Howard county in 1900. He has erected a fine residence, and has the place well set out with trees, fine lawns, etc., and in 1909 bought forty acres more in section sixteen. There are plenty of good farm buildings, and every im- provement in the way of machinery and equip- ment for conducting a model farm, everything on the place showing evidence of good management and thrift.
Jonas J. Blomgren, junior, was married in Howard county in 1894 to Johanna' M. Blom- quist. They had four children, and in 1902 the wife and mother died, all of the children also being deceased.
On April 4, 1903, Mr. Blomgren was married again, taking as wife lda A. Ostling, whose par- ents are among the well-known pioneers of this county. Of this union, two children were born : Adler Joseph O. and Mildred Elizabeth S,, both charming and intelligent youngsters. The fam- ily have a very pleasant home, and are held in high esteem by their associates.
WILLIAM H. HUNT.
As an old settler of Valley county, Nebraska, and an agriculturist of untiring energy and per- severance and a worthy citizen, the gentleman here named needs no introduction to the people of his locality. He has spent over twenty-seven years of his life in their midst, has gained a host of staunch friends, and incidentally acquired a good home, and placed himself in position to en- joy his declining years in peace and comfort.
William H. Hunt, son of William M. and Anna (Harmon) Hunt, was born in Lewis county, New York, April 27, 1848. He was the eldest of three children, and has one sister residing in Laramie, Wyoming, and a brother deceased, as are also the parents, the father passing away in 1892 in Illinois, and the mother in 1893, one year later. in Valley county, Nebraska. In early childhood, Mr. Hunt, with his parents, went to Illinois, locat- ing in Marseilles, LaSalle county, where he re- ceived his education in local and private schools, and later learned the tinsmith's trade. He also lived in Peoria and Burean counties, in Illinois.
On October 15, 1873, Mr. Hunt was united in marriage to Miss Zerissa Golden, a daughter of Philemon Golden, born near Trenton, New Jer- sey. Two children were born of this union, whose names are as follows: Raymond, who re- sides at home, and Charles, who lives in Ord. Mrs. IInnt died May 20, 1888, in Valley county, Nebraska, survived by her husband and two chil- dren.
In 1879, Mr. IInnt went to Leadville, Colorado, working at his trade and prospecting until 1885, when he moved his family to Valley county, Nebraska, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land in the northeast quarter of section nine, township eighteen, range fifteen, which is still his home place. Mr. IInnt has served as
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township elerk, and director of his school district, number fifty-two, for six years.
Mr. Ilunt was married on December 14, 1895, to Miss Helen Cole, who was born in Howard county, Iowa, a daughter of Ezra Cole. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt have had two children, namely: Eu- gene E., deceased in infancy, and Lloyd C., who resides at home. Mrs. Hunt's father lives in Cresco, Iowa, in which state the mother died in October of 1893. She has a sister in Ord, a sister and a brother in South Dakota, and another sis- ter in Iowa.
Mr. Hunt has passed through much of Valley county history, is a prosperous man of affairs, and is widely and favorably known. During the blizzard of January 12, 1888, he brought the school children home with him, and kept them safely through the awful night.
In politics he is a populist, and is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
JACOB DECKERT.
Among the prosperous citizens of Madison county, Nebraska, who have spent many years in this locality, is the subject of this personal his- tory, Jacob Deckert, owner of a valuable estate in Emmerick township.
Mr. Deckert is a native of eastern Canada, born January 28, 1852. He is a son of Cornelius and Lena Deckert, the father born in Germany and the mother in Canada. The father came to that country across the sea in a sailboat, being seven weeks on the water. Cornelius Deckert was a mason by trade, and followed that work in Canada, the family living there up to 1879, when they came to Nebraska, the elder Deckert taking a homestead, which was their home for a number of years, and is now occupied by our subject. They went through the usual hardships experienced by the early settlers in that locality, but, with grim determination, overcame every obstacle, and succeeded in building up a good home and becoming among the progressive and successful agriculturists and stockmen in their county. The father was hurt in an accident a short time after settling there, and he never re- covered from his injuries, passing away, August 16, 1881.
After his father's death, the entire burden of the farm work fell upon Jacob, as he was the eldest son, and he took his task up willingly. although sometmes, when crops failed and there seemed to be so many discouragements in his path, he was tempted to try new fields, but has since been very glad that he stuck to the old homestead, as he has been well repaid for all his efforts, in the comfortable home he now possesses. The place contains one hundred and sixty acres of good land, and this he has put in the best pos- sible shape, improving it with good buildings, and has it well stocked with cattle, horses, hogs,
etc. Mr. Deckert has retired, and now lives at. Newman Grove.
Mr. Deckert was married, March 25, 1878. and has a family of seven children. His wife's maiden name was Anna Smith, and she is a native of Germany. John, the eldest son, lives in Boone county ; Henry, married, lives in Pierce county ; George, married, lives in Madison county ; Louis, lives at home; Anna, Emma and Mary.
IRA P. MILLS.
Ira P. Mills is one of the early homesteaders of Custer county, where he has resided since the days the cattlemen began leaving the country. He was born in Madison county, Iowa, December 29, 1859, eldest child of William and Lucinda (Stark) Mills, who had three sons and one daugh- ter. The father was born in Illinois, and the mother in Iowa, and they were married in Madi- son county, in the latter state, in February, 1859. The father was a farmer by occupation, and at the time of the Civil war, enlisted in Company I, Twenty-third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, serving until he received his honorable discharge in 1863. He then returned to his Iowa home, and in the spring of 1865 moved, with his wife and their four children, to Lancaster county, Nebraska. via the "prairie schooner" overland route, and reaching their homestead farm there, April 6. They remained in Lancaster county until May, 1883, then came to Custer county, again making the move with a team and covered wagon. The father took a pre-emption and timber claim five miles northwest of Arnold, in the little valley which became known by the name of Mills Val- ley, where he remained until his death, January 20, 1898. He was survived by his widow and four children : Ira P., William G., Emuma and E. Grant. Mrs. Mills lives in Arnold. as do her two elder sons; Emma, Mrs. Nathan English, lives in Lexington, Nebraska; E. Grant Mills lives in Oregon.
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