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 167

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 167

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Mr. Barnes is an active public-spirited citizen, a populist in politics, and has served officially in Elba precinct from 1898 to 1905, inclusive, as assessor during most of that time. In the fall of 1906 he was elected county commissioner and re-elected in 1909, which office he is still filling. During his residence in Greeley county he held the office of treasurer of the county, also was a member of the Union district school board.

Mr. Barnes' first wife died on May 10, 1894, and two years later he was married to Miss Mary Cook, of Howard county. There were seven chil- dren born of the first union, named as follows: Etta. Earl and Goldie, all married and settled in comfortable homes in Howard county ; Mary and Mabel, are employed as long distance telephone operators in the St. Paul offices of the telephone company, while Claude and Reuben are both farming near Cotesfield. The four children re- sulting from Mr. Barnes' second marriage are: Lester, Edmond, Emil and Armel May, all living at home.

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ANDREW PIERSON.

Andrew Pierson, one of the prosperous farm- ers of Sherman county, is one of the old settlers of that locality, and ean recount many interest- ing experiences and ineidents of his early life in Nebraska. He is the proprietor of a fine, well improved stock farm of about five hundred and twenty aeres, and is reckoned among the pro- gressive farmers of the community.

Mr. Pierson was born near Maryholm, Sweden, on January 8, 1850, and he was the third in a family of four children, only three of whom are now living. The parents never left the old eoun- try and the father died there in 1854, the mother in 1880. Mr. Pierson passed his boyhood and youth in the old country, and received his edu- eation there.

He came to America in 1871, sailing from Copenhagen to Hull, England, and embarked at Liverpool for Quebee, whence he traveled by rail and river to New York. He located in New Jersey, working in the ore mines at Oxford for a time, and later went to Shugenants, Warren county, Pennsylvania, where he worked in the coal mines two years. After a visit to his native land, Mr. Pierson eame west in the fall of 1877, and engaged in farm labor in Burt county, Ne- braska. In 1881, he came to Sherman eounty, where he took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty aeres on section two, township sixteen, range sixteen, which has been his home ever since; as he prospered he purchased adjoining land in sections one and two, until acquiring the acreage above mentioned.

On the thirty-first of August, 1893. Mr. Pier- son was married in Loup City, to Tilda Neilson, also a native of Sweden, who eame to Ameriea in 1893 with Mr. Pierson on his return from a visit to the home land. Five ehildren have been born to them, named respectively: Carl A., Selma, Alma, Albin, Arthur, deeeased, and Arthur, the second of that name, all at home. Henning Pier- son, a son of Mrs. Pierson, is married, and lives in Sherman county.

For thirty years our subscriber has been iden- tified with the agricultural interests of the lo- eality and he has aided materially in transform- ing this region into a thriving farming distriet. He has always been interested in educational matters and for twelve years served as treasurer of the sehool distriet, number twenty-seven.

During his first year in the west Mr. Pierson batched in a small dugout with a sod front; he later ereeted a more commodious sod house, which was the family residence until 1888.

Mr. Pierson was reared in the Lutheran ehnreh. In polities he is a republican.

PETER ETLING.

In compiling a list of the prominent pioneers of Madison county, Nebraska, we mention Peter

Etling as being one of the true old-timers, he hav- ing located here in the fall of 1881, and since that time being intimately identified with the growth and progress of the region. He has always taken an active interest in the affairs of his eommunity, aiding by every means in his power the develop- ment of the agricultural and commercial re- sourees of his part of the state, and has inei- dentally, through thrift, good management and economy, succeeded in accumulating a goodly portion of this world's goods to protect himself and family from discomfort in old age.

Mr. Etling is a native of Ohio, born in Holmes county, November 18, 1843. His parents were born and reared in Prussia, they coming to America about 1842. The vessel in which they made the trip was a sailboat, and, like many other emigrants, experieneed considerable hard- ships during the voyage, which consumed thirty- eight days. Often the sea was very rough and the little boat was in danger of being swamped by the great waves which swept over her, but a safe landing was finally made, and the passengers scattered to their various destinations, Mr. and Mrs. Etling going directly to Ohio, where they now live.

Peter was educated in his native county, at- tending the country sehools. He followed farm- ing during his young manhood years, and achieved a certain measure of success, but became dissatis- fied with conditions in the east, so, in company with his wife and children, eame west, arriving in Madison county in April, 1881. The following year he bought the Albert Berklin homestead and began farming. Their dwelling during the first year was a rough dugout, then a comfortable frame house was ereeted, and improvements added as fast as they were able. He had the usual experiences relative to loss of erops on account of the hot winds, storms, ete., and in the blizzard of 1888 was among those who suffered the loss of stock. However, in spite of all these setbaeks, he continued to prosper, and beeame the owner of a finely improved tract of land eon- sisting of two hundred and forty aeres, all now under eultivation except what is needed for graz- ing for his stoek, of which he has considerable, owning several head of thoroughbred Belgian horses, Poland China hogs and Hereford cattle, all registered stoek.

In 1869, Mr. Etling was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Emmig, and to them have come seven children, six of whom are now living, all settled in their own homes, except Mrs. Schind- ler, and doing their full share as worthy eitizens of their respeetive communities. They are named as follows : Carrie, now Mrs. H. W. Deeker; Sarah, Mrs. Peter Emmrick; Mary, who is the wife of Joseph Schindler; and Katie, Anna and John F., the latter three are unmarried.

Mr. Etling is a republican, and while he has not eared to take a leading part in the affairs of his immediate seetion, he is always on hand to

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assist in promoting the best interests of the county, and is one of the substantial and trust- worthy men of his community. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and the German Luth- eran church.

WALTER M. HENDERSON.

Walter M. Henderson was one of the very early settlers of Custer county and a member of a pioneer family. During his early years there he had many trying experiences, and passed through the years of severe storms, and the years of drouth, when crops could not be raised. He is one of the few men to retain possession of their original homesteads, a man of forceful character, self-made in every way. He is a native of Har- rison county, Missouri, born January 21, 1861, second of three children of John F. and Mary J. (Williams) Henderson. The father was born in Paterson, New Jersey, August 7, 1828, and the mother in Muskingum county, Ohio, February 14, 1831. They were married in Ohio and during their early married life removed to lowa, and before 1861 had removed from Decatur county, Iowa, to Missouri. While their son, Walter, was still in his infancy they returned to Iowa, remain- ing there until about 1868, when they returned to Missouri. The father was a cooper by trade and these removals were made as his business pros- pects seemed to dietate. They lived in Missouri until November, 1877, at which time the father and mother, with their two sons, Walter M. and Franklin E., came with a team and wagon over the prairie schooner route to Lillian Creek, Custer county. The father secured a homestead on section thirteen, township nineteen, range twenty, which remained the home farm until the title was proved. The sons were also original homesteaders in Custer eounty.

On December 22, 1881, Walter M. Henderson was united in marriage, at New Helena, Custer county, with Emma G. Greenwood, daughter of George B. and Roenna Greenwood, of an early Nebraska family. Mr. and Mrs. Greenwood brought their family to the county in 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Henderson were married by Judge Matthews, of New Helena, the first justice of the peace of Custer county.

In 1882, Mr. Henderson filed an entry on the farm which has since remained the home place, on the southeast quarter of section thirty-two, township nineteen, range seventeen, and a timber claim of eighty acres in the same section, making two hundred and forty acres altogether. Mr. Henderson hauled logs for the first cabin north of the river, from Cedar eanyon. He erected a house on the homestead for himself and one on the eighty-acre timber claim for his parents, where they remained until the death of the mother on Deeember 29, 1887, after which the father came to live with his son, Walter M. The father was injured by a falling tree on February

27, 1879, losing his right arm and receiving in- jury to his hip, from which he never fully re- covered.

In youth Mr. Henderson received a common school education, and early began to help with the work on his father's farm. From his eighteenth year he had the care and responsibility of his parents and faithfully performed these duties. In early days he freighted with an ox team from Lillian Creek to Grand Island and at times was on the road for ten days in making a round trip, camping out wherever night overtook him. At this time there was no house between what is now Walworth postoffice and the village of Comstock. He says the companions of these trips were Texas cattle, jack rabbits, coyotes, and the whisperings of the winds. He is one of the successful farmers of his part of the county and also has a creamery business at Comstock.

Mr. and Mrs. Henderson are the parents of four children, three of whom now survive: Walter L., married, and living five miles south of Comstock, has three children; the second child died in infancy ; Elmer F., married and living on part of the old homestead, has two children; and Ethel Belle, at home. All were born on the home farm, and educated in the local schools.

FRED KOEBKE.

Fred Koebke is one of the older residents of Wayne county, Nebraska, and since coming to that region has been actively interested in every measure for the public welfare. He has con- tributed his full share to the betterment of con- ditions, and as a private citizen has proven him- self public-spirited and enterprising.

He is a native of Germany and was born Jan- mary 3, 1862, a son of Ernest and Myra Koebke, of Pommerania, Germany. The parents spent their entire lives in Germany, where the father was engaged in farming.

Mr. Koebke was one of eight children, and remained with his parents until some time after reaching his majority. He received the usual education to be had in the public schools of his native place, and was reared to the work of farming, and served three years in the German army. He was an ambitious young man, and the reports that reached him of opportunities to be had by young men of small capital in America fired his enthusiasm, so that he left home in 1888, sailing from Hamburg to the city of New York. He started west at once, reached Washington eounty, Nebraska, in the fall, and after spending the winter there, removed to Wayne county, where he obtained work and in 1890 purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section seventeen, township twenty-seven, range three, which is his present home. There were no im- nuovements on this land, but he began to develop his farm and add to its value, until he now has one of the pleasant homes in the community,

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where he earries on a general line of farming and raises considerable stock of various kinds. Ile is well known as a man of industry and de- termination, and is regarded as an intelligent and progressive farmer. He follows modern methods of carrying on his work, has improved machinery to help him in it, and is one of the influential citi- zens of the county. He has made many friends and enjoys the respect and esteem of all. His house was erected about 1895.

CALVIN B. HARTWELL. (Deceased.)

The gentleman whose name heads this per- sonal history, now deceased, during his life time, held a high position among the leading citizens of Merriek county, Nebraska.

Calvin B. Hartwell was born on a plantation in Virginia in the year 1810, and while he was still an infant his parents moved to Massachu- setts, where he lived until about his twenty-sev- enth year.

Mr. Hartwell was joined in wedlock to Miss Elizabeth Ragsdale, a native of Indiana, in the year 1837, at Washington, Indiana. After mar- riage, Mr. and Mrs. Hartwell migrated to Hills- boro, Illinois, where they made their home until 1849. Four children were born in Illinois: Lucy A., Thomas J., Caroline S., and Mary Elizabeth. In 1849 the family moved to Worth county, Mis- souri, where they resided until June, 1862.

The Hartwell family arrived in Douglas county, Nebraska, in June, 1862, the family con- sisting of father, mother and six children, two boys and four girls; five children were born in Missouri, namely : John C., Laura J., Hannah R., Malina Aliee and Amos E. The children who came with the parents were the six youngest, the three eldest having married and made homes of their own. The family lived at Bridgeport on the Military road, and Mr. Hartwell was con- nected with a tavern, or inn, so called in those days. In the latter part of March, 1865, the family came to Merrick county, Nebraska, where they were original homesteaders of that county on seetion twenty-eight, township fifteen, range four, and this remained the residence until the time of Mr. Hartwell's death, on February 25, 1878. Mr. Hartwell was an educated man, being a graduate of Harvard. and always took an active interest in the upbuilding of his home county and state, and several times was called upon to serve Merrick county as commissioner.

After Mr. Hartwell's death, the family made the farm their home until 1882. At this time the children had married, excepting Amos E. and Malina Alice, who were on the farm with their mother. In 1882 the family became separated, ud Mr. Hartwell went to live with her son. She Jow roides in Clarks with her daughter, Mrs. Hans Kokier. and is in her ninety-first year. Mrs. Ilartwell has had a busy life and passed through

pioneer days in several states, and is a woman loved by all.

Amos E. Hartwell, youngest son of the above mentioned, was born in Worth eounty, Missouri, March 27, 1860, and when he grew to his eighteenth year started out in life for himself, this being the year of his father's death. Mr. Hartwell had good schooling and always sought higher education. In his twenty-first year he taught the district school, after which he attended the Nebraska University from 1882 to 1884; then engaged in stock business one year, when he be- eame interested in a general mercantile store in Clarks, Nebraska, until 1889.

On May 4, 1887, in Clarks, Nebraska, Mr. Hartwell was married to Miss Ruth A. Richard- son, a native of New York state, and who became a resident of Hall county, Nebraska, in 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Hartwell have seven children living: Edgar E., Merwyn A., Mary A., Laura E., Gladys E., Robert R., and Carl B., all of whom reside under the parental roof.

Mr. Hartwell, after 1889, followed farming and stoek raising until 1904, since which year he has handled live stock for the market. He is a successful and highly esteemed man, and the Hartwell family has always been widely known in this section of Nebraska, and have been prom- inent in business, social and educational cireles.

HENRY H. DATHER.

A leading old timer of northeastern Nebraska is found in the gentleman above mentioned, he having come to Pierce county about 1890, when that region was just beginning to be settled by many who had come to this new country to build up homes and fortunes through industry and per- severance, and who by dint of good management and often times much privation, have accumu- lated a competence to last them through their deelining years. Mr. Dather resides in section three, township thirty-two, range eight, where he has a comfortable home and is held in high es- teem by a host of warm friends and good neigh- bors.

Mr. Dather is a native of Iowa, being born in Bremer county, that state, in 1865, a son of Henry and Salina (Jackson) Dather, the father being a native of Germany, and the mother being born in the state of Ohio. Henry Dather, our subject's father, came from Germany when he was a small hoy with his father. His father, our subject's grandfather, having served in the Ger- man army in the war between Turkey and Ger- many, experieneed many hardships, so he de- cided to come to America with his family where his sons would never have to go through the hardships and trials he had gone through in his pr'ir land: and such is the brief history of the Pather family's advent to Ameriean soil.

In 1891 Ilenry II. Dather left his native state, Iowa, to make a fortune for himself. He came to

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Plainview, Pierce county, Nebraska, remaining there for one year, when, believing he could be- come more prosperous in Knox county, in the same state, he removed to that locality, and in September, 1892, he took up a homestead in sec- tion three, township thirty-two, range eight, which old homestead farm has remained the re- siding place of Mr. Dather and family to this day. He built a good frame house at once on this land and "batched it" for about five years, when he married.

Mr. Dather was united in marriage in 1897 to Miss Ella Jones, and Mr. and Mrs. Dather are the parents of a fine family of six children, named as follows: George, Mary, Henry, Salina and Mar- garet, and a baby son.

E. M. ARNOLD.

E. M. Arnold, proprietor of one of the most valuable estates in Stanton county, Nebraska, has been a resident of that locality for a number of years. He is prominently known throughout the northeastern part of the state as one of the fore- most farmers and stock men of the community.

Mr. Arnold is a native of Washington county, Iowa, and was born in 1866, the son of William and Rebecca Jane Arnold. The family is an old one, and distinguished in many ways. His grand- father came from Wales, while the grandmother was of Scotch descent. The family first emi- grated to this country in the early part of the eighteenth century, according to the records. The great great grandfather came to Virginia, and was an officer in the war of 1812. The sub- scriber's father came to Iowa in 1841, and took up a homestead there, when this was the frontier. An unele also took up a homestead here, and still resides in this same county and township, having lived here for seventy years. He was a carpenter by trade, and built the first church in Washing- ton county, also the last Methodist church, up to date.

Mr. Arnold himself came to Stanton county, Nebraska, in June, 1884. He lived here three years, then moved to Daws county, and took up a homestead, building a sod house as his home there. Later he returned to Stanton county, and bought his present home. He has improved the farm in many ways since buying it, adding new buildings, building fences, planting groves and fruit, until now, as has been said, it is one of the most valuable farms in the county.

In 1889, Mr. Arnold was united in marriage to Miss Ida Lowry, and four children have been born to them. They are: Jay Edward, Pearl Myra, Newton and Blanche.

In politics, Mr. Arnold is a staunch republi- can, and takes an active interest in public affairs. His name is always foremost in the aid of every measure of tending to the development and build- ing of the financial and social interests of the community.

C. H. BLIGH.

A typical pioneer of Nebraska is represented by the gentleman above named. Mr. Bligh has lived many years in this section of the country and has been a part of the growth and develop- ment of this region, building up for himself a sub- stantial home and fortune by his perseverance and thrift, and has come to be one of the foremost citizens of Antelope county.

Mr. Bligh was born July 7, 1841, and is a na- tive of Madison county, New York state. From there he went to Berkshire county, Massachu- setts, and while residing there the war broke out and he enlisted in Company E, Twenty-seventh Massachusetts Infantry, under Generals Burn- side and Foster, Captain Trafton commanding. He took part in the battles of Roanoke Island, Newburn, Kingston, and Little Washington, North Carolina. He re-enlisted at Norfolk, Vir- ginia, in December, 1863, then took part in the battles of Cold Harbor and Petersburg; his com- mand then returned to North Carolina, where he was captured March 8, 1865, at the second battle of Kingston. He was sent to the confederate prison at Salsbury, then to Danville, and to Libby prison. He was released from Libby prison the night before Richmond fell. After the war Mr. Bligh went back to Massachusetts, remaining there for some time, then in February, 1867, moved to Janesville, Wisconsin, where he lived for two years, then to McHenry county, Illinois, where he remained until the spring of 1879, when he came to Nebraska.

On February 9, 1864, Mr. Bligh was married to Miss Sarah J. Bowdish, and they are the parents of three children: Ella M., Etta, deceased, and William.

In 1879, our subject with his family started for the west where they thought a young man had better opportunities to get a start in life. They drove from Illinois to Nebraska in a covered wagon and was four weeks on the road. Mr. Bligh took up a homestead in section thirty-four, township twenty-eight, range seven, and built a frame house thereon, living in the wagon until the house was built. They still live in this same house, but have added to it considerably until now the family have a comfortable and beautiful home which is called "Clover Lawn."

In the early pioneer days, Mr. Bligh and his family suffered many discouraging experiences. Their entire crops were destroyed by the hot winds in the drouth of 1894; they fought prairie fires to save their home and possessions; in 1880 and 1881 they burned hay and corn for fuel in the winters which were very severe. Antelope and deer were plentiful when Mr. Bligh first came to this part of the state, and the nearest market place was at Niobrara, as that town had water facilities. The next summer after Mr. Bligh came to Nebraska, the railroad was built to Neligh. January 12, 1888, our subject's son, William, was at school during the blizzard of that year, and,

"MORNINGSIDE FARM," RESIDENCE OF FRANK DOBESH.

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starting home, became lost for a short time, but got through safely. This son, William B., is now a blacksmith in Royal, owning a shop, and is a prosperous young man.

Mr. Bligh was the first postmaster at Royal, the postoffice being at his home which is one and three-fourths miles north of where the village of Royal now stands. He was appointed in July, 1880, and held office until 1890. For the first three months the sale of stamps, etc., only re- turned the government twenty-five cents, and at no time did his earnings as postmaster exceed one dollar per week. In those early days his home was used as a tavern for travelers. Sometimes as many as ten people slept in one room on the floor.

WILLIAM FIELD SLINGSBY. (Deceased.)

William Field Slingsby, deceased, was one of the earliest settlers of Custer county, and was highly esteemed as a man of high character and integrity, ready at all times to do his share in promoting the general welfare of his county or state. He was born in Lincolnshire, England, August 16, 1837, third of the five children of his parents. When he was about ten years of age the family came to America, and first located in Indiana, but a short time later removed to Wis- consin, near Oshkosh, where the father and mother died. Mr. Slingsby was thus left practically on his own resources at an early age and had his own way to make in the world. He was married Jan- uary 21, 1875, to Mary A. Smith, their union tak- ing place at Waukau, Wisconsin. In October, 1878, he came to Custer county, Nebraska, which was then opening up, to look at land, and took up a homestead on section thirty-two, and a timber claim on section twenty-nine, township seventeen, range seventeen. In the spring of 1879 he brought his wife and their two children there, shipping their belongings to Grand Island, whence they drove across the country by team. They lived on the homestead until 1894, when he sold his farm. He then moved his improvements to his timber claim on the southwest quarter of section twenty-nine, township seventeen, range seventeen, which remained his home until his death, May 5, 1905. His widow survived him until February 7, 1909. There are five children surviving : Nellie May, wife of David Collier, of Custer county, has three children; Lulu Elizabeth, wife of John Mills, lives on Clear creek, Custer county, they have three children ; Albert, William and Mabel, at home. William married, February 1, 1911, Miss Alma Casteel, a native of Custer county and daughter of Alfred and Susan (Gordon) Casteel.

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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 167

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