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 185

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 185

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In 1865, Mr. Neidig was united in marriage to Miss Anna Seiger, and they were the parents of seven children.

In 1891, Mr. Neidig was again united in mar- riage, the bride being Miss Maggie Dorr. . Mr. and Mrs. Neidig reside in their beautiful home, where they are surrounded by a host of good friends and acquaintances.

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COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY.

FREDERICK C. EMBREE.

Frederick C. Embree is one of the best known men of Custer county and has passed through many stages of Nebraska history. He has long been closely identified with the best interests and devel- opment of the county and had many interesting ex- periences of frontier life. In early days he did freighting between Kearney and Merna and in this way had an opportunity to study the possibilities of various parts of the state. He has always had faith in the future prospects of Nebraska and be- lieves there will be wonderful opportunities for his children there. He was born in Washington county, Iowa, August 23, 1864, and has spent most of his life in Nebraska. He is a son of Noah Embree, who is mentioned at length in the suc- ceeding paragraph of this article.

Noah Embree was born in Vermillion county, Illinois, February 22, 1833, a son of Jesse Embree, who was a native of Preble county, Ohio, and came to Illinois as a young man. He was married in Vermillion county to Mary Hollingsworth, and hoth he and his wife were of Quaker parentage, although the Embree family came from England to America and were originally of French descent. Jesse Embree carried on a farm in Illinois until 1840, then moved to Washington county, Iowa, where he became owner of five hundred acres of land. He added to his holdings from time to time and became well known for his prosperity and suc- cess. His wife died in 1851 and he in 1858. He had six children. Noah Embree remained on the home farm until after his father's death, receiving his education in the public schools and becoming well acquainted with farm methods. After the death of his father he carried on the farm until the spring of 1870, then disposed of his interests in Iowa and went by wagon to Nemaha county, Kan- sas. Not being pleased with the outlook there, he went on to Otoe county, Nebraska.

Mr. Embree was married in Keokuk, Iowa, June 17, 1858, to Miss Margaret Lyon. She was born in Jefferson county, Iowa, July 25, 1841, a daughter of Frank and Rachel (Harris) Lyon. The mother was a native of Illinois, and the father of New York, but the family soon after removed to Nashville, Tennessee. Six hundred acres of the ^town site rightfully belongs to them-the papers left for record were neglected and the title thus lost.

Noah Embree lived in Otoe county until 1893, then came with his wife and daughter to Custer county, where he purchased the Penn ranch near Callaway ; five sons had preceded him and were then well established in Custer county. Mrs. Em- hree died on this place June 21, 1898, and Mr. Embree remained there until 1907, when he came to live with his son Frederick, in Merna, where he died March 24, 1909. He and his wife had eight children, two of whom died in infancy; he was survived by five sons and a daughter: Allen L., lives in Sunnyside, Washington ; Oliver H., in Ful-

lerton, California; Frederick C., in Merna; Jehu W., presiding elder in the Methodist Episcopal church, of the Nebraska City Dis- trict, is located at University Place, Lincoln, Nebraska, where his children attend the school; Noah M., is in Athens, Georgia, and Mary married George A. Shaw, and died in Seattle, Washington, July 6, 1910. The father was a man of strong character, active along busi- ness, educational and religious lines and highly respected by all. In advising his young sons he displayed his usual good judgment and acumen by telling them when they saw him smoke or chew tobacco, they could do the same; when they saw him use liquor they could also do it, and that they would be privileged to swear when they heard him do so.

Frederick C. Embree came with his parents to Otoe county in 1870, receiving his education in the schools near his father's home there. He was reared to agricultural pursuits and was married in Nebraska City, April 9, 1884, to Miss Altana Myers, a native of Sheffield, Illinois, who came to Nebraska with her parents in the fall of 1882. The father, Samuel Myers, was born in Newark, New Jersey ; the mother in the state of New York. She died in Bedford, Iowa, while the family was living there. The father after living successively in Nebraska, Oregon, Iowa, and Nebraska again, now lives in Portland, Oregon, with his two daughters.

Upon his marriage Mr. Embree came overland to Ortello Valley and engaged in farming and stock raising there. During the dry years, in the early nineties, when crops were total failures, he gave his attention to stock raising, making a spe- cialty of fine cattle and horses. From time to time purchased more land in Ortello Valley until his ranch farm comprised eight hundred and forty acres. In March, 1905, he purchased two hun- dred and twenty-two acres of land adjoining the city limits of Merna, and developed it into a well improved stock and grain farm, a beautiful place, having about three hundred cedar trees and known as Cedar View Stock Farm. He is a successful pioneer of Nebraska, being of the younger men who have passed through so many years of life in Nebraska. He has traveled rather extensively but prefers life in Nebraska to a residence in any other state. He is well-known in the stock mar. kets and has often topped the market with his cattle, being an enthusiast on the business of stock raising. He and his wife have a fine family and all are well-known in social, educational and reli- gious circles. He is a' stockholder in the Farmers' Bank of Merna, also in the Farmers' Elevator Company there, and is a member of the Masonic order, being treasurer of the local lodge.

Eight children have been born to Mr. Embree and wife: Jesse S., a graduate of the Palmer School of Chiropracty, at Davenport, Iowa, is now successfully practicing his profession at Fremont, Nebraska ; Ernest N., Wilbur M., Maud and Ma-

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COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY.

bel (twins), and Mattie, reside at home; a son and daughter, twins, died in infancy.

Mr. Embree was formerly a republican, but ot Itate years supports whom he considers the most «capable man, no matter on what ticket his name ¿appears. During the years the populist party was active, Mr. Embree was delegated by his county to represent them in the state convention to nominate delegates to the National convention. With his wife, Mr. Embree is a member of the United Brethren church; he fraternizes with the Masons, the Odd Fellows, the Workmen, and the Woodmen; and the Rebekahs and Royal Neighbors, as does Mrs. Embree.

LOUIE C. MADSEN.

Louie C. Madsen, an intelligent and prosperous young man of superior attainments in a business way, is also one of the substantial citizens of Cotesfield, Nebraska, where he and his family are favorably known throughout the entire com- munity.

Mr. Madsen is a native born Nebraskan, first seeing the light in Iloward county, the event of Jhis birth occurring on February 7, 1882. He re- ceived his early education in the public schools here, in 1901, taking a course in the Fremont Nor- mal and Business College, where he received a good insight in the manner of conducting busi- ness, and after leaving the school spent four years in Elba employed in a clerical position with a well- known firm. He also worked in Dannebrog as bookkeeper with the State Bank of Dannebrog, and eventually was appointed assistant cashier for that institution, remaining with them up to May, 1907, at which time he severed his connec- tion with the bank and came to Cotesfield to ac- cept the position of cashier of the First State Bank of Cotesfield, which he has filled with satis- faction to all concerned, still holding that posi- tion. ( He is, a young man of more than ordinary ability and good business acumen, and has before him the prospect of a prosperous and brilliant business, career . 1

F: / Mr, Madsen was married on September 18, "1907, to Miss Carrie Lyhne, at the home of, her parents in Dannebrog, Mr. and Mrs. Lyhne are well known as one of, Howard county's pioneer families, and, Mrs. Madsen was reared and edu . cated here, Our subject, has one daughter, Lu- cille Genevieve, a charming little miss, and the pride of her parents' hearts.

Me , trods

.6 bIR Or BENJAMIN D. ALLEN.

2. 11 .

Benjamin D. Allen, "an" old" settler of Custer county, is a successful merchant of Comstock, and well known in the community as a singer. He was born in Pike county, Illinois, August 26, 1847, next to the eldest child of Alfred B. and Emily (Askew)/ Allen, and the only one of the family to ,Ideate in Nebraska. | His father was a native of

Kentucky, and his mother of Illinois, and both are now deceased. He has five brothers and one sister surviving. He was born and reared on a farm and followed agricultural pursuits all his life until recently.

In the fall of 1872, Mr. Allen was one of a party of nineteen, men, women and children, who left Pike county with prairie schooners, and came to Grand Island, Nebraska, where they spent the winter months. The following spring Mr. Allen entered the employ of Christopher Ridell, to go with a crew of men to St. Paul, Howard county, with a steam saw-mill outfit. Although it was a new line of work for him he soon learned its es- sential features and became a head sawyer on the big saw. They operated at various points along the Loup river for about two years, and in the spring of 1875 Mr. Allen left this occupation and took a pre-emption claim on the northeast quarter of section eight, township eighteen, range seventeen, Custer county, as well as a timber claim, being one of the very first settlers and an original home- steader in the locality. He was successful as a farmer and stock raiser, and although he had' to fight the hardships and privations of the pioneer. he remained on the farm during the dry years and by energy and economy reached prosperity i and snecess. He added to his land holdings and re- tained possession of his original land entry! | He did his full share toward advancing the growthi and upbuilding of the region and always had at heart its best interests! "He was the man who vol- unteered to carry the news to Fort Hartstufflat the time 'an Indian uprising was feared, in 1876, riding an old gray horse belonging to Mr. Hig- gins, and armed with a horse "pistol. to Captain Munson, at the fort, sent back word to the settlers that they should inform him immediately of any trouble, and while waiting for the troops fight for themselves: af tobagobains & bbal

"'l In the fall' of 1873 MrJ IAllen returned to: Illi- nois and married Melissa Curfman, daughter of Joseph and Eliza Curfman, and soon afterward brought her back to Nebraska with him. He gives much of the credit of his success in life to his wife, who is a woman of energy and'a high order of in- telligence, highly lesteemed by her, many friends. Mr.Allen is locally well-known as "Ben Allen, the singer,"' and for twenty nine years has been : chorister///Mareh /1, 111911yThe left the farm and camel to. Comstock to reside, engaging in general mercantile: business: [as a member of the firm of Dvorak& Allen. ni They are among the leading merchants of. that part of the county and have a thriving business, climat oft al it

Ato (Mr. and Mrit"Allen have seven children'? Jen- nie, wife of Du .RJ Leey of Arcadia, has three tebi !- dreng Roe, married and living on the home farm, has" three children: Ellittie, wife! of; George Rlie- mer, has two children"" Alma; wife of Bert Decker, of Berwyn, Nebraska, has three children! Mott, married and living on, section,, nine, township

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COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY.

eighteen, range seventeen, has three children; Bertha, at home; and Celia, wife of William Zablondil, of Comstock, has one child.

J. W. LADD.

The subject of this sketch, although still a young man, has been a witness of all the hardships of pioneer days in the west. He was born in Illi- nois on .July 16, 1872, and is a son of John Ladd, a native of Pennsylvania, who left that state in his early years and resided in Illinois for a num- ber of years. There he met and married Ara- minta Warner, who was born and reared in Illi- nois. About 1879 the family came into Nebraska, first settlement being made in Washington coun- ty, near Blair, where they remained up to 1884, then came on to Knox county. John Ladd se- eured a homestead about eight miles northwest of Creighton, and made that his home until 1901, when he moved to South Dakota, and located in Hot Springs, where he now resides.

Our subject started out for himself at the age of nineteen years, renting a traet of land which he farmed up to 1902. He then came to Creigh- ton for residence, engaging in the livery business which he carried on for two years, and then opened a meat market, in which he has developed a profitable trade through fair dealing and strict attention to his business.

Mr. Ladd has seen considerable of the progress that has come to the locality since his advent here. He has witnessed the settlers filling up the coun- try, the farms and roads have been marked by fences, and he feels that he has been a part and parcel of this growth.

On July 16, 1904, Mr. Ladd was united in marriage to Mrs. Elizabeth Raynor Johnson, who is a native of Sweden.

Mr. Ladd is an independent in politics. He is a member of the Independent Order Odd Fel- ows, also of the Woodmen of the World, and takes a leading part in the affairs of his town.

GARRETT VAN CAMP.

Garrett Van Camp, who for the past many years has been successfully pursuing agriculture in Boone county, is a gentleman of energetic spirit and capable mind. He has a pleasant home in section eleven, of Oakland precinet, and there enjoys the fruits of a well-spent career.

Mr. Van Camp was born in Waukesha county, Wisconsin, on September 14, 1846, the youngest of two children in the family of Hiram and Sal- lie Van Camp, the former a native of New York state, and the latter of Pennsylvania. The father of Hiram Van Camp, whose given name was Moses, was a Major in the Revolutionary war, the family being a famous New England family that took part in its early history.

Our subject grew up in Sauk county, Wiscon- sin, from his eighth year, remaining there until

he was twenty-one. He received a common school education, and started for himself when he was seventeen, obtaining work in the lumber camps, and did rafting and logging and river driving for two years.

In 1864 and 1865 he was in the government service, connected with the United States troops, his enlistment running for six months at a time and these troops being known as Uncle Sam's gov- ernment men. His term of service was at Du- Vall's Bluff and Little Rock, Arkansas.

He returned to Sauk county after his service in the army; and on the fourth day of October, 1866, was married to Laura Randall, who was a native of Wisconsin. After his marriage he set- tled on a farm and began hop growing, following the work for three years, then moved with his wife and son Victor, to Guthrie county, Iowa, where he engaged in grain and stock farming. He was very successful, but decided to go further west, so in company with W. M. Randall, and J. B. Barnes, came to Boone county, Nebraska. These three men were brothers-in-law, and had been schoolmates and friends for years. They home- steaded on adjoining claims upon their arrival here, and these original homesteads are still owned by their families, although Mr. Barnes and Mr. Randall are deceased. Mr. Van Camp's elaim was on section eleven, township twenty-one, range seven, and this is his home at the present time. having developed it into a finely equipped farm consisting of four hundred and twenty acres. He has a beautiful modern residence, and plenty of shade and fruit trees, all planted by his own hands. He remembers distinetly the early days, who 'from hardships and small means has come into success and prosperity, always being identi- fied with the best interests of his county, and is an honored member of the Boone county's pioneer association. He has acted as Road Supervisor of his district for many years.

Mrs. Van Camp died in October, 1879. By this marriage there were two children, Victor and Eva.

Mr. Van Camp was married the second time, on December 3. 1883. to Laura Whipple, who was a daughter of Ira Whipple, a prominent pioneer of Boone county. Two children were born of their union, Elgie, who married Erwin Hunter. living in Boone county, and has one child; and Floy, who lives at home. The second Mrs. Van Camp died in February, 1900.

Mr. Van Camp and his sons together control about eight hundred aeres of fine land in the place known as the Van Camp Farm, and. are classed among the wealthy and progressive citizens of their locality.

GEORGE COOLEY.

In compiling a list of the representative farmers and ranchmen of Antelope county Nebraska,

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COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY.

a prominent place is accorded the name of George Cooley, who owns a fine sheep raneh and a good farm, and resides in a comfortable home in see- tion twenty-nine, township twenty-six, range seven. For many years past Mr. Cooley has been engaged in agricultural pursuits in Blaine pre- cinet, and has done his full share as an old settler towards the development of the better interests of his community, and enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know him.

Mr. Cooley is a native of Athens county, Ohio, where he was born February 29, 1848. He is a son of George W., and Lucinda (Baker) Cooley.

Our subjeet's father was born in the same county, July 4, 1811, and died March 17, 1889. The grandfather was a native of England, and his mother of Ireland. Mr. Cooley's father wantedl to enlist in the ranks at the outbreak of the civil war, but was not eligible, so he engaged as a teamster and traveled through Kentucky and other parts of the south. At one time his team was killed by a stroke of lightning and he was stunned by the shoek for a half day; he was discharged for disability. The mother was a native of Belmont county, Ohio, her parents being of Pennsylvania German stoek, the mother a Virginian, where the family were slaveholders in the early days.

On October 11, 1867, Mr. Cooley was united in marriage to Miss Emeritta MieGill. They are the parents of three children : John, Sarah, and Fred. John is married to Miss Irene DePiel and has lived in Alberta, Canada, sinee March, 1910.

On October 20, 1881, Mr. Cooley with his fam. ily, left Ohio, going to Topeka, Kansas, where they remained six months, and thenee drove to Antelope county, reaching there February 23, 1882. They took up a homestead and timber claim in seetion twenty-eight, first building a small frame honse in which they lived for a short time, later ereeting a good house which is their present residence.

Mr. Cooley can relate many interesting inci- dents connected with pioneer life. During a hail storm the fifth of July, 1883, Mr. Cooley was in a gulch with his team, the small trees being the only protection from the pelting of the terriffie hail- storm. He lost all his crops in a similar storm the fifteenth of July the year following. During the memorable blizzard of January 12, 1888, he was out all afternoon getting his cattle under shelter. Prairie fires were a source of great danger in those times and the hardships endured by the early set- tlers were almost beyond the understanding of the present generation. While the hardships were great, there was a bright side to the pioneer life. Wild game was plentiful; deer and antelope roamed the country over and occasionally a big grey wolf would be scen.

Mr. Cooley is prominent among the old set- tlers and is respeeted as a man who has done his full share in developing the country in which he lives. He has always taken an interest in public

affairs; politically, he is an independent re- publican.

ARTHUR N. GRIERSON.

Arthur N. Grierson was one of the original homesteaders of Custer county and belongs to a family that has been influential in furthering the best interests of eentral Nebraska. He is a na. tive of Whiteside county, Illinois, born July 13, 1865, the fourth of the seven children in the family of Alex and Ann (Dunn) Grierson, the fa- ther being also an original homesteader in Cus- ter county. He built the first mill at Westerville, freighting the lumber from Kearney; the dam was built of cedar logs from Cedar and Wagsall's can- yons. For five years the father bought grain at Filmore and Exeter, Nebraska. Both parents were born in Scotland and the father now resides in Elgin, Illinois, where the mother's death oe eurred July 10, 1904. They have a son in Iowa, another in New York state and one in Oregon, and their three daughters live in Grand Island (Ne- braska), Illinois, and California, respectively.

Mr. Grierson reached manhood in his native state and there attended the common schools. When he was nineteen years of age he came to Custer county, joining his father and brother who had preceded him by three years. Later he se- cured a homestead of one hundred and sixty aeres of land in what was commonly called Lee Park district. On February 28, 1889, he was married in Myrtle township to Miss Frances Cooper, a na- tive of St. Charles county, Missouri, who had been a teacher in the schools of Nebraska. Their home for the first years was on the homestead farm, but in 1906 Mr. Grierson purchased a farm of the same size on section thirty-one, township sixteen, range eighteen, near Ansley, where the family have since resided. He has continued to improve and develop his land and now has a well-equipped stoek farm, with a comfortable residence and other suitable builidngs. Three children have been born to him and his wife: Nellie M., a teacher of Ansley publie schools; Lois E. and Francis M., at home.

Mr. Grierson is one of the younger men among the homesteaders and both his parents and those of his wife were among the pioneers of Custer county, where the Griersons lived some thirteen years. He is an industrious and enterprising far- mer and a public-spirited eitizen, always ready to give of his means and influenee to further any worthy canse and help in promoting the welfare of the community. His wife is a daughter of Rev. C. S. and Franees Emily (See) Cooper, the former a native of Wheeling, West Virginia, and the latter of Missouri. Both parents, with two of their daughters, reside in Agency City, Iowa. Mr. Cooper was for forty-five years a minister of the Methodist Episcopal ehureh and the first lo- val elder and ordained minister of the church in Custer county. He is now district superintendent

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COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY.

of the anti-saloon league of Agency City, Iowa.

Mr. and Mrs. Grierson lived in a "soddy" most of their married life; in 1909 they moved into their commodious frame dwelling, which makes a fine appearance in that part of the town- ship.

An uncle of Mrs. Grierson was married the day of the fearful blizzard of January, 1888; Mrs. Grierson was attending school at Westerville at the time. Mr. Grierson happened to be in the barn feeding and found his way to the house by following the clothes-line. Grand Island was their market place in those days, and a long, weary journey it was, freighting up the valley from that point.

Mr. Grierson is a republican in political views, and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Modern Woodmen of America.

HENRY D. KASSON.

Henry D. Kasson was born in Forkston town- ship, Wyoming county, Pennsylvania, April 15, 1841. He came to Nebraska in February, 1873, and took a homestead in the southwestern part of the state, and lived there for eight years. On ac- count of dry and hot winds, he then sold his land and bought land in Valley county, Nebraska. On October 20, 1881, he was married to Louise M. Weber, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio.

Mr. Kasson has a long and creditable war record. The following is a record of his army service : He was enrolled as a soldier on the twenty-sixth day of October, 1861, in Company B, Fifty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers. Engagements : Lee's Mills, Virginia, April 29, 1862; Williamsburg, Virginia, May 5, 1862; Chickahominy, Virginia, May 19, 1862; Reconoissance to Seven Pines, Vir- ginia, May 24, 25, and 26, 1862; Fair Oaks, Vir- ginia, May 31, 1862; Railroad and Bottom's Bridge, Virginia, June 27, 28, and 29, 1862; White Oak Swamp Bridge, Virginia. June 30, 1862; Carter's Hill, Virginia, July 2, 1862; Siege of Yorktown, Virginia, commencing August 17th to December 31, 1862; James Island, South Carolina, July 16, 1863; Siege of Fort Wagner, Morris Is- land, South Carolina, July 20 to September 7, 1863 ; promoted corporal September 7, 1863; Siege of Charleston, South Carolina, September 7, 1863. Discharged at Morris Island, South Carolina, Jan- uary 1, 1864, by reason of re-enlistment as a vet- eran; re-enlisted January 1, 1864, to serve three years or during the war; Siege of Charleston com- mencing September 7, 1863; promoted sergeant January 28, 1864; Siege of Charleston continued until February 18, 1865, the rebels evacuating the city. The Fifty-second Regiment immediately took possession of Charleston, South Carolina, March 17. 1865. The Fifty-second Regiment immediately marched on board of the transport boat called New York, sailed to Morehead, North Carolina, landed

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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 185

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