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 156

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 156

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dence until 1889 when the neat cottage the family now occupies was erected. Several large barns complete the equipment of the place, and a mod- ern system of water supply and sewerage was installed. A full-page view of this picturesque place is to be found elsewhere in this work. Mr. Amsherry was in the county early enough to secure his share of deer and antelope, and remembers when they crowded the hills in great herds. In 1894, the dry year, they raised a gar- den crop by irrigation, tomatoes and cabbage . being especially prolific.

In politics Mr. Amsberry is a republican, and he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. The family are all members of the Baptist church.

JOSEPH ZIMMERER.

This gentleman, a well-to-do retired farmer of Pierce county, Nebraska, enjoys a comfortable home with his family in the pretty little city of Pierce. Through many years of unremitting la- bor and good management, he has accumulated a very valuable estate, has been enabled to give his children a good education, and otherwise pro- vided for their future chances in life.

Joseph Zimmerer was born in the village of Friedlingen, in the Black Forest, province of Wittenberg, Germany, on April 14, 1847, and there grew to the age of seventeen years, follow- ing farm labor, and receiving a meagre educa- tion in the local schools.

In March, 1869, he embarked at Bremen for the United States, landing safely in New York, after a tedious voyage of three weeks, and pro- ceeded direct to Ohio, where he joined a brother who had preceded him there. Here the brothers teamed until they met a visitor from Nebraska, who had wonderful tales of the high wages being paid in that country, and decided to try their for- tune in the great west, after two years' sojourn in Ohio. On arriving at Nebraska City, they found that freighters were receiving but twenty dollars per month, instead of seventy or eighty, and their dreams faded somewhat, but our sub- ject secured employment as a driver in a train of freight wagons, going as far as the Bishop Ranch, at the western limits of the state, south of the Platte, where he left the outfit, and re- turned to Nebraska City, obtaining farm work there, at which he was employed for two years, followed by a short sojourn at Watson, Missouri, working on a section of the railroad.

In 1873, he was married, and settled with his bride on a farm near Watson, in Atchison connty, Missouri, remaining for five years, when he re- turned to Nebraska, and bought one hundred and sixty acres near Nebraska City. They lived here until 1892, when he sold, and went to John- son county, purchasing two hundred and forty aeres, which he cultivated for ten years. He next eame to Pierce county, and purchased five

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hundred and sixty acres west of Pierce, engaging in general farming until 1908, when he moved to Pierce, retiring from active work. He has a com- fortable residence and sufficient property, which he has accumulated by years of hard labor, to enable him to spend the remaining years of his life in comfort and freedom from care.

To Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerer have been born the following children : Annie, Mattie and Louis, who are deceased; Adolph, farms part of the home place, northwest of Pierce; Joseph, is farm- ing in Pieree county ; John, lives near Humphrey, Platte county ; Gertrude, Matilda and Charles, all well settled in life.

Mr. Zimmerer is a democrat, and takes an active interest in local affairs, although he never sought public preferment. With his family, he has been for years a member of the Catholie church of Pierce.

JOHN JOHNSON.

John Johnson, who for many years past has followed his trade as a carpenter in and around the city of St. Paul, Nebraska, is known through that section of the country as an industrious and eapable workman, and good business man. He has prospered in his ehosen career, in that he has acenmulated a comfortable property, consisting of a valuable tract of land near his home city, and some town property, including the residence which he occupies with his family.

Mr. Johnson was born in Sweden, December 11, 1862. and remained in his native land until he was twenty years of age, as a boy learn- ing the carpenter and builder's trade. In June, 1882. he accompanied his parents and a brother to America, landing in Quebec, Canada. They came directly to the states, crossing the country to Nebraska, and their first location was in How- ard county, where the father took up a homestead ten miles north of St. Paul, although they re- mained in the town, which was then small. Our subject began working for the railroad, remain- ing with them for a few months, followed his trade for a time, and finally returned to the road, and continued in that work, moving with his family to Granger. Wyoming. There he was em- ployed by the Union Pacific Railway Company as section foreman, and remained in that state up to 1901, at which time he returned to St. Paul, and engaged in the carpentry business, which he has followed steadily ever sinee. He has assisted in erecting many of the buildings here, also a large number of the finest residences.

On June 19, 1884. Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Mary Johnson, also a native of Sweden, she coming to America with her parents in the same year as our subject. They have had seven children, six now living, named as follows: Axel Bernard, who is an engineer, and lives with his family at Topeka, Kansas; Dora. Ella, Lydia and Bessie, living at home, and Emil, now in

Laramie, Wyoming. The entire family is well known in and about St. Paul, and all enjoy the esteem and friendship of the entire community. Mr. Johnson was the fifth child in a family of nine, and his parents both reside in St. Paul at the present time, highly respected as worthy citizens, and early settlers in Howard county.

SOLOMON O. HUBBARD.

An honorable position among the pioneer set- tlers of eentral Nebraska is readily accorded to this gentleman by every one with whom he is acquainted. He occupies one of the large and well-improved farms of the county, and is greatly respected in the community where he now lives, which is on section twenty-three, township nineteen, range fourteen, Valley county, Nebras- ka.

Solomon O. Hubbard was born on a farm, twelve miles from Jamestown and twelve from Maysville, Chautauqua county, New York, July 3, 1842, and was the youngest of five children in the family of Samuel and Eunice (Conklin) Hub- bard, who had four sons and one daughter. Mr. Hubbard is the only living member of the family.

The father, mother and family moved from New York to Knox county, Illinois, January 1. 1854, going overland by team. They remained in Knox county for about five years, then moved aeross the line to Henry county, near Galva.

Mr. Hubbard enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infan- try, August 15, 1862, and received his honorable discharge, June 20, 1865, being corporal of his company at the time. He was with Major Gen- eral A. E. Burnsides, with Major General J. M. Scofield in Kentucky and Tennessee, and with Major General W. T. Sherman as far as Atlanta, and at the close of the war with Major General George H. Thomas, holding Hood in check at the west. He participated in one hundred and ten skirmishes and twenty-five general engagements. He was in the battles at Monticello and Rich- mond, in Kentucky; Calhoun, Philadelphia, Campbell Station, Knoxville, Bean Station, Dandridge, Kelly Ford, Muddy Creek and Nash- ville, in Tennesse; at Resaca, New Hope, Kene- saw Mountain and Atlanta, in Georgia; at Fort Anderson, Wellington and other North Carolina engagements. After his discharge, Mr. Hubbard returned to Henry county, Illinois, but remained here only about a year, when he moved to Iowa. where he lived until 1870, in Scott and Powishiek counties.

Mr. Hubbard was married to Miss Celestia Slaughter, September 5, 1866, and in the fall of 1870, with his wife and danghter, Graee, moved to the vicinity of Exeter and Geneva, in Fillmore county. Nebraska, driving overland by team. Hle filed on a homestead in this eounty in 1871. remaining until 1901, following farming and stock-raising. He came to Valley county in the

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fall of 1901, and purchased the west half of the northeast quarter and the east half of the north- west quarter of section twenty-three, township nineteen, range fourteen, which remains the home place to this date. A fine nine-room house was constructed in 1911, a dwelling in strong contrast with the sod dugout that was the family residence the first few years. Mrs. Hubbard died in Fillmore county, May 29, 1887, deeply mourned by many friends and her husband and family.

Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard had six children born to them: Grace Lillian, wife of Tom Lancaster, who has eight children, and resides near Ord, Nebraska; Martin J .; Elma and Nettie, both of whom are deceased; George W., who is married, has two children, and lives on a farm near his father, and Myrtle Celestia, who was married to Joseph Stanton at Grand Island, March 14, 1905, lives on section thirty-two, township twenty, range thirteen, they have two children, William G. and Elma Myrtle.

Mr. Hubbard has made several pioneer moves into new country by the overland route, and assisted in developing new territory. He is a self-made man, who has had a wide and varied experience, a man honored and respected. He remembers a number of the memorable blizzards of the early days, and saw deer and antelope while living in Fillmore county, at which time a few buffalo were killed along the Republican river.

Mr. Hubbard is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.

BURRELL E. REED.

Burrell E. Reed, one of the old settlers of the region where he chose his home in the early days, occupies a good home and valuable prop- erty in section four, township twenty-three, range one, in Madison county, Nebraska.

Mr. Reed is a native of the Keystone state, his birth oeeurring December 21, 1841, and he is a son of Whipple W. and Lyda (Colvin) Reed, both natives of Rhode Island, and of English par- entage. He grew to manhood in his native state, receiving the usual school advantages.

Mr. Reed served his country in the civil war, enlisting in 1861 in Company 1, Fiftieth Pennsyl- vania Infantry, under Captain Buzzard, and served under General Stephens. He participated in the battles of Knoxville. Port Royal, Bull Run, Vicksburg. Battle of the Wilderness, Petersburg, South Mauntain, Antietam, and the Siege of Rich- mond. He was in many of the hardest battles of the war, and underwent many hardships. He received his discharge in August of 1865. During his service, Mr. Reed was wounded at Peters- burg, June 17, 1864.

From his native state. Mr. Reed first came to Iowa, remaining there four years. Then driving from there to Madison county, Nebraska, in 1870, took up a homestead claim, on which he built a

log house. He also took up a timber claim. Later he sold his place, and bought the Nick Gardner farm, and now has two hundred and twenty acres of choice land, sixty acres of which are set to trees, making one of the finest groves in this section of the county.

In the very first days of settlement on the western frontier, our subject and his parents suf- fered many hardships and privations, and had to brave many dangers. Among other sources of anxiety, the prairie fires that often came upon them almost unawares were not the least. The grasshopper pests that came in clouds and swooped down on the fields of splendid crops, of which they destroyed every spear, were another source of discouragement, driving some of the few settlers almost to despair. These pests de- stroyed the entire crops of our family for four consecutive years, which caused much inconven- ience and almost utter privation. In 1894, our subject was subjected to severe losses through the hot winds that were caused by the drouth, and in 1902, hail was a medium of destructive- ness, having killed about all the fruit trees in that region. Deer and antelope were plentiful in those early days on the open prairies, and frequently could be seen grazing around in herds.

Mr Reed was united in marriage, February 3, 1869, to Miss Minerva Ransdell, who is a native of Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Reed are the parents of twelve children, whose names are as follows: Ida, who is the wife of Charles Murphy ; Frank, married to Miss Rosa Clayton; William, whose wife was Miss Pittman ; Harrison; Charles; Bert, who was married to Miss Nellie Hallman; Liddie, who is the wife of George Woodruff; Ella, Emma, Stephen, Robert and Dora. They are a fine family, enjoy the respect and esteem of a large circle of friends, and are members of the Presby- terian church. Mr. Reed is a democrat.

JOHN FREDERICK.

John Frederick, prominent in Custer county's financial cireles, as president of the Farmers' State Bank, of Callaway, has helped build up one of the sound and reliable institutions of cen- tral Nebraska. It was organized November 27, 1906, with a capital of forty thousand dollars and a surplus of eight thousand dollars, and does a general banking business, having deposits ag- gregating over eighty thousand dollars. Its officers are: John Frederick, president; vice president, T. II. Fonda, and eashier, John Fred- erick, junior.

Mr. Frederick was born in Richardson county, Nebraska, June 13, 1865, sixth child of Peter and Mary (Portrey) Frederick, who had eight sons and five daughters. The father, a native of France, came with his parents to America in 1849, being then about thirteen years of age. The mother was of German descent, and a native of Allen county, Ohio, born in 1837. They were

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married in Allen county in 1857. In 1861, Peter Richardson, with his wife and two children, came to Richardson county, Nebraska, and both par- ents now live at Falls City, retaining ownership of the original homestead farm in Richardson county. He established the first pork packing business in Nebraska, in 1862, transportation of its products being carried on entirely by boat. They were one of the very early pioneer families of the state, and closely identified with the his- tory of the development of the eastern part of the state. They were connected with the busi- ness life of their region as well, being there be- fore Nebraska was admitted as a state, and re- maining until the present time. They are active and robust in their old age, and enjoy the esteem and regard of a large circle of friends. Of the thirteen children born to them, eight are now living: Joseph, of Richardson county; Carrie, Mrs. John Schulenberger, of Richardson county ; Charles, of St. Louis, Missouri; John, of Calla- way; Mary, Mrs. Bladen, of Denver, Colorado; Peter, junior, of Richardson county; Edward and Lucy, Mrs. Louis Shawang, also of Richardson county.

John Frederick reached manhood on the old Nebraska homestead of his father, and was mar- ried in Richardson county, December 25, 1884, to Amanda Sellers. He had made a trip to Cus- ter county in July of that year, and looked over the country, and, after marriage, he and his wife came at once to Custer county, taking a pre- emption in the southwestern part of the county, their home for many years. He paid up his pre- emption, and in the spring of 1886 took a home- stead in the same neighborhood, and carried on farming until 1891. He then moved to a farm four miles north of Callaway, and in 1893 came to Callaway, and engaged in buying, feeding and shipping stock, which has practically been his chief business since 1891. He still carries on this enterprise in connection with his other business interests. For many years he has been one of the most prominent business men in the vicinity of Callaway, and is well known as a stockman in the central part of Nebraska. He and his family are widely known, and are active in social and educational eireles. Besides his interests in Cal- laway, Mr. Frederick is president of the Peo- ples State Bank of Arnold, Nebraska. He has been the friend of progress throughout the years of his residence in Custer county, and has done his share to help along various measures for the general welfare and prosperity.

Mr. and Mrs. Frederick have eight children: John, junior, cashier of the Farmers' State Bank, is married, and lives in Callaway; Lilly, wife of Albert Ogden, of Seward; Charles W., married, and living in Arnold, is cashier of the People's State Bank there; Hazel, Edward, Ida, William and George. All were born in Callaway, except John, who was born on the homestead farm. 24

HENRY RUBECK.

Perseverence and good management, supple- mented by honesty of word and deed, have placed this gentleman among the foremost farmers of Wayne county, Nebraska. For nearly thirty years he has been a resident of the state, where he chose his home in the early days. He has a comfortable home, pleasantly located in section eleven, township twenty-six, range four.

Mr. Rubeck is a native of the state of Illinois, where he was born, November 2, 1864, the son of P. J. and Listien Rubeck, both originally from Sweden. Mr. Rubeck spent his childhood in Henry county, and obtained his education in the local district schools there.

In 1881, he came, with his parents, to Lucas county, Iowa, where they remained over three years. In 1886, the parents came to Thurston county, Nebraska, this time staying until 1891, when they moved to Oakland, Nebraska, where they died, the father in 1901 and the mother in 1906.

Henry Rubeck moved to the western part of Nebraska in 1884, and stayed about a year. He then went to Thurston county, Nebraska, and re- mained one year, during which time he proved up on a homestead there, after which he was em- ployed at railroading for nearly three years. He then farmed his homestead in Thurston county, Nebraska, until 1891. Mr. Rubeck came to Wayne county in 1891, which has been his home ever since. He had, during the previous year, bought the farm which he occupies at the present time. The farm has been improved since it passed into his hands, and now every appoint- ment speaks of industry, thrift and good man- agement. There was not a fence post on the place when Mr. Rubeck bought it, and only eighty acres had been broken. He has built a good house, barn and other buildings, and fenced the place. Since coming here, he has added forty acres to his original purchase, and now owns two hundred acres of land.

Mr. Rubeck was married in 1890 to Miss Hat- tie Erickson. They have had nine children born to them, all of whom are living. They are named as follows: Florence H., Harvey R., Alvin R., Pearl O., Sylvia R., Henry W., Hattie M., Paul A. and Floyd L.

Mr. and Mrs. Rubeck and family belong to the Swedish Lutheran church at Wakefield, and Mr. Rubeck is a republican.

HONORABLE WILLIAM R. MORSE.

Among the prominent and successful business men of Clarks, Nebraska, we wish to mention the name of William R. Morse, who is well known all over the surrounding country as a man of ability and a citizen of true worth.

Mr. Morse is a native of Maine, was born August 4, 1846, and was youngest of four ehil- dren in the family of William II. and Eliza Han-

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nah (Reed) Morse, who has three sons and one daughter. Mr. Morse comes from old New Eng- land stock, the families of Morse and Reed dating their lineage back to about 1700, the Morse family originally coming from northern Ireland, and the Reed family from England.

Mr. Morse lived in the state of Maine until about his twenty-first year, receiving the com- mon school education, and one year's academic course. He is practically a self-made man, going out in life in his younger years, and his father having died when our subject was but a lad.

Mr. Morse came west in 1868, locating in Champaign, Illinois, where he became connected with a general mercantile store.

On March 20, 1872, at Champaign, Illinois, Mr. Morse was married to Miss Emma Thomas, a na- tive of New Jersey. Immediately after marriage Mr. and Mrs. Morse came to Nebraska, landing in Clarks, Merrick county, March 28, 1872, which town had just been established the fall prior to their arrival. Here Mr. Morse took up a home- stead, and was one of the first business men in Clarks, erecting the second business house in the town. He at first was in partnership with Doctor Martin.

Mr. Morse has been actively identified with the growth and development of Merrick county, always up and doing for the advancement of the town of Clarks, and is progressive along all lines for the building up of Nebraska interests. He is now engaged in the real estate and insur- ance business, and is a man of known integrity, having the respect and esteem of the business public.

In 1880, Mr. Morse was elected to represent his district, eighteenth senatorial, in the state senate, where he made good as an able legisla- tor. He is connected with the Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons lodge, and also the Knights of Pythias.

Mr. and Mrs. Morse have had six children born to them: Nellie, who is married to Rev- erend H. J. Hinman, resides in Cresco, Iowa, and has three children ; Clara, who is married to J. W. Larkin, a merchant of Plattsmouth, Nebraska, has one child; Ralph C., married and living at Longmont, Colorado; Harriet H., married to Dana D. Little, junior, a farmer of Merrick county ; Mollie E., married to Doctor C. H. Campbell, of Columbus, Nebraska, has one child ; and Harold M., a student.

Mr. and Mrs. Morse have a fine home in Clarks, and the family are well known in social and educational circles. They are a pioneer fam- ily, and the children were born in Merrick county.

Mr. Morse has been active along political

. lines, and is widely known. He has always been a republican. At the present time he is presi- dent of the Clarks school board, and is a promi- nent factor in the affairs of this portion of the state.

ALBERT A. MANKE.

A citizen of Nebraska through all but his earliest boyhood years, Albert A. Manke, one of the progressive lumber dealers of Bloomfield, is thoroughly western in all his traits and disposi- tion. He was horn in west Prussia, March 25, 1871.

His parents, Fred and Charlotte (Reichwaldt) Manke, emigrated from west Prussia to the states in 1872. Sailing from Hamburg, they landed in New York and proceeded direct to Calumet county, Wisconsin. Here the father farmed until 1879, when he decided to migrate to the Ne- braska country, of which he had heard so much. Loading his possessions into a wagon, he started with his family across country, camping by the wayside at nights. The trip occupied about four weeks, their destination being reached on the Fourth of July. The father settled on a home- stead in Cleveland township about ten miles southwest of Bloomfield. He afterwards sold the homestead and moved to his timher claim in the same township, and here he lived until his death, his wife having died on the homestead.

Albert A. grew to manhood in Cleveland township. His first schooling in Nebraska was obtained in a small frame building known as the Kemma school. Later he attended the Fairview school and the German parochial school at Bazile Mills. The boy remained with his father until nineteen years of age, when he clerked for a time in Creighton, and secured work on neigh- boring farms from time to time. He had been working for a man in the Indian reservation at the time of the location of the Bloomfield town- site. His employer, H. J. Paulsen, was the first to move to town and, with the boy's help, erected the first building in the new village, a building now serving as the laundry of the Commercial hotel. They ran a hotel and livery at the open- ing of the town, and until the hotel building was completed, the barn was occupied-horses in one end, while a dining room and kitchen war par- titioned off in the other. For sleeping quarters, they used the loft. The rough cottonwood lum- ber was hauled from Lee's sawmill on the Mis- souri river, and the finishing lumber was hauled from Hardington, Mr. Manke doing most of the teaming, sleeping in the open before the harn was built. A hay rack was the first feeding place before the stable was erected. The building. which is now used as a laundry, was first erected in the street that it might be moved when the lots were sold, as no one knew at the beginning who the purchaser of any lot might be. Mr. Manke was employed to plough furrows around each block to show where the streets lay.

In the spring of 1891, Mr. Manke secured work with the lumber yard of E. L. Jones & Company. the business having been purchased by them from b. C. Calkins, Mr. Calkins having been the first lumber dealer in the town. He con- tinned with the establishment until sold to the

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Edwards & Bradford Lumber Company, after which he found work in the elevator for two or three months. In the meantime, Mr. Jones and Mr. Calkins bought a competing yard, and sent for Mr. Manke at once. After a few months here, he went to Wayne, to take a course in the business college to fit himself for office work and eventually to take charge of the business for himself. The summer following his business course, Mr. Manke spent on the home farm until Mr. Calkins sent for him to resume his old place, thereby giving testimony to the efficiency and honesty of the young man. Here he remained for ten years, saving his money and investing it in land to go into business for himself. Mr. Manke disposed of his land, and on March 17, 1903, in partnership with Mr. Fred Uhling, bought the Edwards & Bradford yard, this being the place where he first started working in the Inmber business. Two years later Mr. Manke bought his partner's interest, and has since conducted the business as the sole owner. He carries a full line of lumber, coal, paints, oils, varnishes, etc.

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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 156

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