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 155

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 155

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Mr. Crow's family consists of seven children, as follows: Edward S., Bertha Alice, Ella May, Willard R., Adnelle, Leslie A., and Lottie Grace. Edward S .. is married and living in Howard county on a farm.

WALTER N. WOODY.

Walter N. Woody, a prominent figure among the farmers and stockmen of Valley county, Ne- braska, is one of the earlier settlers of his re- gion and has been associated with its progress and advancement. He was born July 27, 1862, in Dodge eounty, Minnesota, third of the ten chil- dren born to Joseph H. and Louisa (Wright) Woody, natives of Indiana, now living in Iowa. Besides Walter H., there are two sons and three daughters in Iowa, a daughter in South Dakota and a son, Jerome, in Arcadia, Nebraska. In early childhood Mr. Woody accompanied his parents to Jasper eounty. Iowa, where he grew to maturity, receiving his education in the local schools.

Mr. Woody eventually engaged in farming on

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his own account, and in March, 1885, he drove through from Iowa to Valley county, spending three weeks en route. He secured a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres of land near Ar- cadia, where he lived about three years.

November 7, 1887, Mr. Woody married Kath- erine Hekler, who was born in New York state. daughter of Christian and Barbara (Mahle) Hekler, now residing in Valley county, and she has a brother and sister also living in that county. In 1891 Mr. Woody returned with his fam- ily to Jasper county, Iowa, remaining in that state until February, 1899, when he again eame to Valley county, which has been his home since that time. He has purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, comprising the southeast quarter of section fourteen, township seventeen, range fifteen, where he has developed a fine farm and is considered one of the most intelligent and pro- gressive agriculturalists of the county. His dealings with his fellows are marked by upright honesty and reliability and he is known as a public-spirited, desirable citizen.

Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Woody: Mary Elizabeth, Harry Alvin, Robert Earl, Carl Roy, Paul Christian, Clara Frances and Olive. The family is well known and its members have many friends.

Mr. Woody was formerly a democrat, but of late years is a believer in the principles of the people's party. He was reared in the Methodist church. Mr. Woody was born in a log house and for a few years lived on his claim in a sod house, which was later replaced by a small frame dwell- ing. Although not out in the storm, Mr. Woody well remembers the terrible blizzard of January 12, 1888, when so many lives were lost.

A. E. JOHNSON.

A. E. Johnson, who resides on section twenty- eight, township twenty-two, range four, in Madi- son county, Nebraska, is one of the leading old- timers in that section, and has ever done his full share in the betterment of conditions throughout the community in which he has spent the past many years.

Mr. Johnson is a native of Vernland, Sweden, born July 14, 1866. He was but two years of age when his parents left the old country and came to America with their little family of two chil- dren, crossing the ocean in a steamship. em- barking from Vernland province. The father was a carpenter, and on landing in New York they came direetly west to Madison, Wisconsin, where Mr. Johnson followed his trade for ten years. From there they removed to Pulaski, Mis- souri, remaining for about one year. April 26, 1879, they decided to go farther west, so secured a team and wagon, loaded their household goods, and started on their journey overland, to Madi- son county, arriving there after a one hundred and sixty day trip filled with numerous incidents.

Immediately after landing in the region, Mr. Johnson filed on a homestead, and with the help of his children built a sod house which was their dwelling for a number of years until they became able to put up a comfortable frame house. The Inmber for this was hauled from Columbus, a distance of forty miles, which place was also their nearest trading post. They worked hard to improve their farm, and met with considerable discouragement and hardships, losing all their crops by the hot winds in 1894, and also suffering severely from blizzards, etc. As times grew bet- ter and the country became more thickly settled, they prospered, and through thrift and good management succeeded in building up a fine property, having at the present time three hun- dred and twenty well tilled acres, the entire place in first class condition. They are engaged in the stock and grain raising business, and are among the well-to-do residents of their section, our subject remaining with his parents up to 1894, at which time he started farming for him- self on the place known as the Henry Smith homestead. in Emmerick township.

Mr. Johnson was married in 1898, to Miss Ilamah Broberg. They have three children: Myrtle E., Florence D. and Melvin L., and their home is a pleasant, cheery spot.

JOHN D. WIELAND.

John D. Wieland has been with the Dierks Lumber Company since 1885, and for the past eighteen years has been manager of the Callaway yard. He is one of the well-known men of Custer county and is a man of forceful character and business ability, who has made his influence felt in local affairs. He was born at Salem, Colum- biana county, Ohio, February 4, 1867, youngest child of Daniel and Christina (Koupp) Wieland, who had five daughters and three sons. He has one brother and two sisters living, the brother at Red Oak, Iowa, and the two latter, Mrs. Frank Cozad and Mrs. P. B. Riley, in the Vic- toria creek neighborhood in Custer county. Sketches of Mr. Cozad and Mr. Riley appear in this work. The parents of Mr. Wieland were born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and married in their native country. They came to America in a sailing vessel abont 1853, first settling in Chester county, Pennsylvania, their home for several years. They then moved to Columbiana county, Ohio. and in the summer of 1867 to Montgomery eounty, Jowa. The mother died in 1873 and the father in 1885.

John D. Wieland practically went out in life on his own account at the age of thirteen years. He had been educated in the common schools and reared to farm work. About 1885 he went to Red Oak, Iowa, worked there for a short time, and in October, 1885, came to Broken Bow, Ne- braska, where he entered the employ of the Dierks Lumber & Coal Company. He remained

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at Broken Bow until 1893, in March of that year coming to Callaway to take charge of the yard there. He has helped build np a large trade and carefully takes care of the best interests of the company.

Mr. Wieland was married in Callaway, March 28, 1894, to Elizabeth, daughter of Robert and Esther Thompson, a native of New York state. Her parents were natives of Scotland. Five ehil- dren were born to this union, of whom four now survive: Robert D., Vern O., Neva, (deceased), Lester Dierks and Loretta, all born in Callaway. Neva died in February, 1910. Mr. Wieland is a representative citizen, interested in the progress and welfare of his community, and has a large circle of friends.

EDWARD SANDAIIL.

One of the prosperous and influential farmers of Wayne county is Mr. Edward Sandahl, who owns a very valuable property in section four- teen, township twenty-six, range four. He was one of those wise and far-sighted pioneers who foresaw the prosperity which has attended this region, and who accordingly, with the greatest perseverance, toiled along through the poor years and remanied to enjoy the results of many years' labor.

Mr. Sandahl is a native of the state of Illinois. having been born in Henry county, in 1858. He was the son of Samuel and Caroline Sandahl, both of Sweden, who came to America the year pre- vions to his birth. They came in a sailboat, as was enstomary, and the voyage from Guttenburg to New York City took up nine weeks and three days. The father was an officer in the Swedish army, but on coming to America, took up the trade of a carpenter. The subscriber spent his childhood in Illinois and received his education in the local publie schools.

In 1884, Mr. Sandahl came to Wayne county, Nebraska, where he purchased his present farm of one hundred and sixty aeres from Joe Egler. who had taken it up as a homestead four years previous. Mr. Sandahl still occupies this farm, which he has improved in many respects, so that now it makes him a very pleasant, comfortable home. Ile has added to his first purchase until he now owns six hundred and forty acres.

In 1882 he was united in marriage to Huldah Bark, of Mercer county, Illinois, who was born in Sweden, and they are the parents of seven chil- dren : Lillie A .. wife of Ernest Hyps; Carl F., Edward L., Nettie F., George E., Edna C., and Huldah B.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Sandahl are well and favorably known, and they are quite prominent in both a social and educational line. They are members of the Swedish Lutheran church at Wakefield.

AUSTIN PHELPS.

Among the prominent citizens of Merrick county, Nebraska, who has for the past many years taken an active part in the development of the county and is familiar with the changes that have taken place throughout the section, we men- tion the name of Austin Phelps. This gentleman is one of the well-to-do residents of Clarks, where he takes an active interest in all pertaining to the upbuilding of his home town.

Mr. Phelps was born near Springfield, Illi- nois, May 26, 1839, and was eldest of two chil- dren in the family of John and Permelia (Austin) Phelps, who had one son and one daughter. Mr. Phelps was a farm boy, growing up on a farin seven miles distant from Springfield.

In July, 1861, Mr. Phelps enlisted in Company B, Thirtieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, on the first call for three hundred thousand men, and participated in the battles of Belmont, Fort Henry, Fort Donaldson and Shiloh. Mr. Phelps well remembers the first day the troops started ont of Springfield under Colonel Grant ; the first camp being made on the Phelps farm prior to the enlistment date of young Phelps. Mr. Phelps served one year and received honorable discharge on account of disability and returned to the farm home in Illinois.

On March 2, 1869, Mr. Phelps was married to Miss Maria Cummins, who was also a native of Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Phelps have four children living : Carrie, who is married to Al. Locke, has four children and lives in the state of Washing- ton ; Mary, married to Frank Harland, has two children and lives at Spokane, Washington; and the sons, Edward and Carlysle, who reside at home with their parents.

On January 1, 1875, with his wife and three children, Mr. Phelps landed in Omaha, Nebraska. where he had shipped his stock and household goods, which he unloaded and moved overland to Merriek county, locating on a homestead farm in the Loup river bottoms twelve miles northwest from Central city. Here he followed farming and stock raising about twelve years, when he moved to Central ('ity engaging in the hotel business, where he remained some ten years. He then made a change and moved to the town of Clarks, twelve miles east of Central City, where he eon- tinned in the hotel business until about 1902, at which time he retired from that business, but still owns the property. While not as active as in former years, Mr. Phelps with his sons, Edward and Carlysle, carry on farming and stoek raising.

Mr. Phelps has a wide acquaintance with the people of this portion of Nebraska, and the family enjoy the respect of many friends.

Mr. Phelps and sister, Mrs. J. P. M. Howard, are the surviving members of the John and Per- melia Phelps family. Mrs. Howard resides in Illinois.

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JERE B. BAILEY.

Jere B. Bailey, the hardware and furniture dealer of Naper, has been in Nebraska sinee the spring of 1883, and in that time has become thoroughly naturalized. In his advent to the state, his anticipations of the "wild and wooly" were fully realized. He landed in Valentine in April, and in dismounting from the train waded out into snow knee deep. Valentine at that time was a favorite resort of the cowboys, and the open range country developed a wild and reck- less breed of them. Some of his companions were loth to leave the train, but Mr. Bailey made his way directly to one of the thirst emporiums, called up the house and stood treat. This won their friendship, brought him an invitation to their dance that night, and from that time on he was safe from molestation amongst them.

He pre-empted eighty acres of land near the Niobrara, on which he lived most of the time until coming to Boyd county, about the time it was thrown open to settlement. In June, 1890, he filed on a homestead two miles northwest of Butte, and for the first summer lived in a tent. The Indians harrassed the settlers the first season, demanding money for the land, which they elaimed. Some paid what was demanded, but Mr. Bailey, knowing the Indian character bet- ter, got out his "bull whip" and told Blue Eyes that he would pay with the lash if he were an- noyed again, and experienced no further trouble. He lived on this claim until 1902, when he built a two-story frame store building in Naper and went into business there. He carries a line of hardware and furniture, and practices embalming and undertaking. His genial disposition and straightforwardness win him a goodly share of the trade tributary to Naper.

Mr. Bailey was born at Waukon, Iowa, July 17, 1855, a son of Herbert and Mary (Crowley) Bailey, both natives of Massachusetts, who eame to Iowa in the early fifties. Mr. Bailey was mar- ried in Valentine, July 14, 1888, to Miss Carrie Luber, who was born in Iowa, a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Beck) Luber. The father was a native of Bavaria, who settled in Iowa, where he died. The mother is a native of Wis- consin ; she came to Nebraska and settled in Boyd eounty in the latter eighties with a daughter. They now reside in Butte; Miss Luber has for a number of years been a teacher in Nebraska. hav- ing kept sehool in Cherry, Keya Paha, and Boyd counties.

Mr. Bailey lived in a log house in Cherry eounty, and while in Boyd his farm dwelling was a "soddy." the most comfortable house for any time of the year. At times they burned eorn for fnel. as it was cheaper than ecal. During the Indian seare in 1891, Mr. Bailey and wife were somewhat worried at one time by seeing signal fires burning on one of the buttes near where Naper now stands, and looking through a field

glass could see men moving on the hill, but it was a false alarm.

Mr. Bailey is a republican in politics, and a member of the Masonic lodge of Butte.

GUSTAVE MUHS.

In compiling a list of the eitizens of Stanton county, Nebraska, who have aided materially in making of that region a thriving agricultural district, a prominent place must be accorded the gentleman whose name heads this article. For about twenty years, Mr. Muhs has been identified with the history and development of this section, and his labors to this end are well-known to all who reside in that community. He now has a pleasant home in section eleven, where he enjoys the contentment which comes from the know- ledge of duties faithfully done.

Mr. Muhs was born in the province of Schles- wig-Holstein, Germany, in 1869, the son of Henry and Celia Muhs. The father was a small farmer near the village of Stein. The subscriber spent his childhood and youth in his native land, going to the sehools there and helping his parents at home whenever possible.

In 1882, Mr. Muhs came to America, going at onee to Washington county, Nebraska, where he remained for a little over eight years. In 1890, he went to Stanton county, where he bought the farm which is still his home. He has made extell- sive improvements since buying this farm, one of the most notable being the planting of about one and one half aeres of trees, which was about the first thing he did. The trees are all well-grown now, and very thrifty, and considerably enhance the value of the farm.

In 1896, Mr. Mubs was united in marriage to Miss Dora Peterson, a native of Germany. Seven children have come to bless their home, upon whom they have bestowed the following names: Henry, William, Walter, Ella, Eddie, Elsie, and Ernest.

Mr. Muhs has prospered as well as progressed, and devotes some of his time to recreation, with his auto car and also to travel abroad, where he visited the home of his boyhood days. Ile com- meneed with eighty acres of land, and is now the proprietor of eight hundred acres.

MEINOLPH MEIS.

The gentleman above mentioned is classed among the substantial and practical agrieultur- ists of Antelope county, Nebraska, and is pro- prietor of a valuable estate in seetion twenty- seven, township twenty-three, range seven, in the above named county and state. He has been a resident of this locality for many years, and has acquired a host of friends, himself and family en- joying the respect and esteem of all who know them.

Mr. Meis is a native of Germany, being born

ANGUS CATTLE

'MASON CITY STOCK FARM," RESIDENCE OF JOHN A. AMSBERRY.

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in Sedinghausen village, provinee of Prussia, De- cember 15, 1838. There he lived until he reached the age of twenty-nine years. Mr. Meis served his native country six months in the German army in the year 1863. In 1867, Mr. Meis left his native land for America by the way of Bremen, and was on the sea seven weeks in the steamer, "Zir-Casion." The captain of this vessel tried to sink the boat by boring holes in the bottom of the vessel, but was prevented. For this he was arrested and hanged a few days after reaching New York. There were eleven hundred people on board. The passengers received sixty-three dol- lars each from the steamship company. They landed at Halifax, then proceeded to New York, where the captain was arrested. After landing, Mr. Meis went to Dubnque county, Iowa, where he remained for three years, and then moved to Carroll county, Iowa, where he lived for twenty- three years. IIe then, with his family, came to Antelope county, Nebraska, March 1, 1893, and bought three hundred and twenty acres of land in the above-mentioned locality, where he and his family now reside.

Mr. Meis was united in marriage in February, 1861, to Miss Mary Ehrich, who, four years later, died, deeply mourned by her husband and rela- tives and friends. Mr. Meis again married in Sep- tember, 1867, the bride being Mary Godde, and Mr. and Mrs. Meis are the parents of a fine family of ten children, whose names are as follows: Thresa, Antone, Mary, deceased; Frank, Annie, Rosa, Louise, Joseph, Emma. and John, deceased.

Mr. and Mrs. Meis and family in their long residence in this section of the county have well merited the popularity and friendship they enjoy in their community.

WESLEY THOMAS.

Wesley Thomas owns a well equipped farm of five hundred and sixty acres in Custer county, and is known as one of the snecessful farmers and stock men of his region. He is a native of Grant county, Indiana. born October 28, 1860, the youngest of three children born to Milton and Susannah (Dilla) Thomas, and their only son. The mother died when he was a small child and his father afterward married again, but no children were born by this marriage. The father had been married before this union with Susannah Dilla, and she had also been married before. By his first marriage he had five children. He was an original homesteader of Grant county, Indiana, and if not a native of Indiana, was brought there when very young. He lived on that farm until his death, in 1878. Two sons by his first marriage and one of the mother's sons were in the civil war.

Wesley Thomas was reared on the farm in Indiana where he was born and gained his edu- cation in the publie sehools. He remained with his father until his eighteenth year. He came to

Kearney, Nebraska, in July, 1883, and in Decem- ber of the same year took up a homestead on section eighteen, township seventeen, range twenty-one, being still in possession of the original homestead. He was married in Custer county, April 29, 1888, to Mary Longfellow, daughter of Richard and Melinda Longfellow, and fourth born of their eight children. Mrs. Thomas came to Cus- ter county with her parents during the summer of 1882, her father being an original homesteader there. The father was a native of Ohio and the mother of Pennsylvania, and prior to coming to Nebraska they lived in Illinois. The ancestors of Mr. Longfellow on the paternal line were from Germany. He died in Custer county in 1892 and the mother in 1902, being survived by five chil- dren, three of whom now live in Nebraska; John R., Mrs. Richard Bryan and Mrs. Wesley Thomas. Two sons, James E. and Riehard Longfellow, live in the state of Washington. Mrs. Thomas her- self became an original homesteader when she se- cured land on section twenty-five, township sev- enteen, range twenty-two, where she and her hus- band now reside. Both have passed through the days of pioneer hardships and privations and re- member well the time when it was necessary, occasionally, to use the coffee grinder in prepar- ing grain for making bread, the year of the dronth, and similar experiences. Both have as- sisted materially in forwarding the development and improvement of the county and state, and they have a wide circle of friends, by whom they are sincerely esteemed.

Two children have been born to Mr. Thomas and wife, Ola and Susannah, both of whom were born in Custer connty. Mr. Thomas has two half- brothers living in Nebraska, E. J. Thomas and David Weesner, Kincaid homesteaders in Blaine county.

JOHN A. AMSBERRY.

John A. Amsberry, a prosperous farmer and stoekman of Custer county, is well known for his personal integrity and worth. He was born in West Virginia, September 11, 1850, second in the family of twelve children born to Francis E. and Lucy (Beard) Amsberry. The five sons: William, John, James, Frank and Floyd, all live in Nebraska, the first three in Custer county, Frank in Lineoln and Floyd in Bankleman. The seven daughters live in Custer county. The father, also a native of West Virginia, of English parentage, located in Custer county, Nebraska, in 1884, securing a homestead near Mason City, where his death occurred in 1899. The mother, born in Bedford county, West Virginia, was of Scotch-Irish extraetion, and still lives on the home farm, being now (1912) eighty-five years of age. Mr. Amsherry grew to manhood on the Virginia farm. receiving his education in local schools.

In 1871, Mr. Amsherry started out in life on his own account, going to Marion county, Iowa,

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where he was employed at farm work. How- ever, he was enthused with the liberal oppor- tunities offered in the west, and in the spring of 1874 pushed his way on to Valley county, Ne- braska, where he pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres of land near the town of Ord. After having his crops entirely devoured by grasshop- pers in 1874, he returned to lowa, but the Inre of the west called him again and he located in Custer county in the spring of 1878, taking a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres of land on section thirty-one, township fifteen, range sev- enteen, where he has remained throughont the years that have since elapsed. He secured a tim- ber claim adjoining, bringing both places to a high state of development and productiveness. He has been active in promoting various public measures, and was one of the organizers of school district number nine, serving several years on the board.

At Knoxville, Iowa, on September 24, 1879, Mr. Amsberry was united in marriage with Miss Mary Buckley, a native of West Virginia, and daughter of Frank and Martha (Blaine) Buck- ley. Her father, a native of West Virginia, was killed in lowa, February 15, 1869, while felling timber. Her mother was born in Virginia, and is living in Garden county, Nebraska. One son, Ambrose Buckley, lives in Cheyenne county, Ne- braska, and two daughters, besides Mrs. Ams- berry, Mrs. M. F. Ashworth, of Ansley, and Mrs. James Smith, living near Mason City, are resi- dents of Custer county. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Amsherry: Zadee, wife of Ray H. Duke, of Mason City, has one son ; Frank G. and Nellie, live at home.

Mr. Amsberry is one of the early Nebraskans, and has passed through the many trying exper- iences and diseouragements incident to pioneer existence. He was the fourth homesteader on Muddy creek, and is one of the best known men in his county. Throughout the years of his resi- dence there, he has been identified with the best interests of the county and state. He is the friend of progress along all lines, and a success- ful man of affairs, being the owner of eleven hun- hundred and sixty acres of choice land, well im- proved and equipped for raising stock and grain. HIe specializes on thoroughbred Angus cattle, having a herd of over one hundred head of reg- istered stock, and is one of the leaders in this line in the region. In 1889, he erected a commodious residence, one of the first frame houses in his neighborhood, and he has various substantial buildings on his farm, suitable for housing stock and various other uses. The first residence on this farm was a dugont, twelve hy sixteen, and the cold winter of 1880 and 1881, two hoarders were accommodated. On one trip to Grand Island that winter, Mr. Amsberry was delayed by the deep snow, and did not return for eleven days, eausing much uneasiness in the household. After the dugout, a "soddy" was the family resi-

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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 155

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