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 186
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March 21, 1865; marched to Newbern, North Caro- lina, March 22, 1865; marched from Newbern, North Carolina, April 3, 1865, for Goldsborough, North Carolina; reached Goldsborough, North Carolina, April 7, 1865. The Fifty-second Regi- ment assigned to the First Brigade, Second Divis- ion of the Twenty-third army corps, commanded by General Scofield. On April thirteenth they had marched to and taken possession of Raleigh, North Carolina. From Raleigh marched to Salisbury, ' North Carolina, reaching that place May 11, 1865. The First Brigade was detained at Salisbury, North Carolina, to do provost duty. The Fifty- second Regiment was mustered out of service at Salisbury, North Carolina, July 12, 1865; left Salisbury, July 13, 1865, for Harrisburg, Pennsyl- vania. Discharged at Harrisburg, July 21, 1865.
A view of Mr. Kasson's place is presented on another page.
MARION G. HAYS.
Among the natives of Illinois who have located in Nebraska and become prominent in the upbuild- ing and development of the latter state may be mentioned Marion G. Hays, of Custer county, a self-made man, who came to the state without capital and has won a high degree of success. He was born in Lexington, McLean county, Illinois, August 25, 1850, the elder of the two sons of Henry and Almarine (Henline) Hays, the father a native of Virginia and the mother, of Kentucky. His brother, Frank S., came to Custer county about 1890 and lives on a farm which he owns. Marion G. Hays was reared on an Illinois farm, where he resided until coming to Custer county iu 1883. He has been practically winning his own way in the world since his fourteenth year, as his father died when he was about eight years of age. His mother, who remarried, died in Illinois in 1908, although for some years prior to her death she lived with her sons in Nebraska. She reached her eighty-sixth year.
On June 30, 1869, Mr. Hays was united in mar- riage with Miss Martha Bivens, of McLean county, daughter of William and Catherine (Wells) Biv- ens and second of their five children. In the fall of 1883 Mr. and Mrs. Hays, with their daughter, Esther and son Frank, came to Custer county and homesteaded on one hundred and eighty-nine acres of land on section five, township sixteen, range eighteen, and they are among the few original homesteaders who live on their farms thus gained. Mr. Hays is one of the pioneers of his part of the county and now has one of the best homes there. He has improved and developed his farm, equip- ping it with everything necessary to carry it on successfully, and has been actively engaged in stock raising until a few years ago, when he re- tired from active life. He has won his success through the efforts of himself and wife and they have passed through the various phases of the
W
"WALNUT GROVE RANCH," RESIDENCE OF HENRY D. KASSON.
NO SODEY RESIDENCE
RESIDENCE OF MARION G. HAYS.
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COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY.
history of their region. In early years he worked at freighting in order to support his family, mak- ing the trip between Westerville and Grand Is- land. On these journeys he carried a "grub box," which Mrs. Hays always filled with good, palatable food. Each freighter carried his own blankets and slept on the floor of the house at the end of the day's journey. They always cooked their own meals on their host's stove, the family remaining in bed until the freighters had eaten and gone. In Grand Island they slept in a hay mow and dined sumptuously at a restaurant.
Mr. Hays has been a member of the Masonic order since he reached his majority in Illinois, and transferred to Ansley on coming west. He is prominent in social and fraternal circles, being a member of the Royal Highlanders, as well as the Masonic order. In politics he is a democrat.
But two children were born to Mr. Hays and wife; their daughter died in Broken Bow, April 8, 1889, she at that time being a teacher in the public schools and a young woman of high char- acter and refinement, who had many friends. The son, Frank M., has a fine farm consisting of a half- section of land adjoining his father's place on the south. He was born in McLean county and brought to Nebraska in childhood. He is a promi- nent farmer and stockman, as well as an enterpris- ing and useful citizen. He was married at Wes- terville, Custer county, March 9, 1899, to Alice Baker, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson Ba- ker, of Custer county, and their union has been blessed by three children: Harry, Vernon, and Esther.
Deer and antelope were plentiful in 1883 in the vicinity of Mr. Hays' farm. He killed three October 25 of that year; the snow being knee deep to a horse, it was easy to trail and bring down a deer, which were dragged home tied to the horses tails. Wolves were easily run down and killed when the snow was deep. January 12, 1888, the day of the blizzard, found Mr. Hays, like many others, on his way to a sale. When the storm broke he mounted his horse, stopped at the school house and instructed his children to remain in town, and let the faithful animal take him home, which it did at breakneck speed. With one eye covered with ice, the horse found the way through the blinding snow to the door of the barn, more by instinct than sight. In 1894, the dry year, only a few oats were harvested, which the hungry pigs devoured the day it was cut.
Mr. Hays and family lived in a dugout on their claim some ten years before building a large "soddy." Their stable, cow shed, hog house and other outbuildings were all built of sod, as well. A neat, frame cottage now replaces the primitive dwelling, and a big red barn has displaced the sod shed. A view of the present home, with a sketch of the old "soddy," are to be found on another page of this work. 28 12
FREDERICK L. WANSER.
Frederick L. Wanser, youngest child of Wil- liam Wanser, was born at Peoria, Illinois, June 26, 1864, and spent the first years of his life, in and near Peoria, and in Livingston county. When the family migrated to Nebraska in the fall of 1871, he came with his mother by rail to West Point, where the family resided for three years and then settled on a homestead two miles north- west from Plainview. Here he grew to manhood in the open country, developing all the sterling, self-reliant traits of the west.
In 1888, with his father, he engaged in the drug busness in Plainview and continued in that until 1894, when they disposed of their store, the son entering the real estate business in which he has engaged since that time.
Mr. Wanser was married in Creighton, Ne- braska, December 10, 1890, to Miss Mary A. Roth- well, who was born about forty miles from Provi- dence, Rhode Island, a daughter of James and Jane (Griffith) Rothwell, the former dying at Creighton, at the age of seventy years, the latter dying January 9, 1911, in his eighty-fifth year. Mrs. Wanser did not come west with her parents, remaining until 1882 to complete her education in the Ashaway High School. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wanser: Elsa, a gradu- ate of Plainview High School class of 1910, and since a teacher of the Pierce county schools; and Sterling, and Byron.
Mr. Wanser well remembers in coming to Pierce county meeting earlier settlers getting away, among them the venerable William Alex- ander who had been discouraged by the raids of grasshoppers for the past few years, but who later returned to his Nebraska homestead. Such inci- dents were not calculated to give newcomers much enthusiasm about the prospects of the west. But the present marvelous development has justi- fied their faith in what was then the far west.
Mr. Wanser has experienced the many exciting phases of pioneer life, such as prairie fires, and blizzards. In the memorable storm of 1888 he was on the hay flats a mile from home, but made his way safely home through the icy mist. The barns were so completely filled and covered with snow that for six weeks the horses could not be removed, water and feed being carried to them through the window. Mrs. Wanser, then resid- ing in Creighton, remembers the citizens coming to the rescue of the children at the village school and taking them home in relays until all were safe beneath the family roof. She was teaching in the schools there at the time, and had taught at Ba- zile and East Branch prior to that time.
Mr. Wanser is a republican, and a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge.
When Mr. Wanser came to the vicinity of Plainview there was but one tree anywhere on the plain, a small cottonwood two and a quarter miles northwest of town that was little, if any, over fif-
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COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND. BIOGRAPHY.
teen feet in height. He assisted William B. Chil- vers in planting the ash sprouts that now form his extensive ash grove and also the cottonwood now forming the beautiful forty-acre grove on his tim- ber claim.
During the first years in Nebraska, Mr. Wan- ser has seen as many as seventy-five antelope in a herd and as many as thirty deer in one day. One of his most uncomfortable experiences of pioneer days was on a deer hunt. With a companion, on a wagon they were following a herd of deer to the south of the settlement, and finding progress too slow, unhitched and followed on horseback. The deer they killed was too heavy to carry on a horse so they were compelled to return some miles for the wagon and go back for their game. On reach- ing home that night about nine o'clock, he found his heels and toes frozen so severely that it was many months before they ceased to give him pain.
The early church services were something unique, reminding one of Puritan days. Mrs. Wanser relates of Mr. Wanser's attending ser- vices of one of the pioneer preachers that lasted from early morning until late in the afternoon with no intermission for refreshments, and adds that he is much less devout now-a-days.
It is good for men to have passed through the trials and hardships of pioneer days; it gives them a greater appreciation of the comforts and bene- fits of the present day in this western land of plenty.
ALBERT LEUTHAEUSER.
Albert Lenthaeuser, one of the younger mem- bers of the farming community of St. Libory pre- cinct, is a gentleman of progressive ideas and a worthy citizen of his section, his every act stand- ing for the best interests of his county and state. He is in many respects a thoroughly self-made man, and is a true representative of a family, well-known for their education and refinement.
Mr. Leuthaeuser is a native of Nebraska, born in Merrick county, January 22, 1876. He is the eldest in a family of four sons born to his parents, Rev. August and Metta (Damman) Leuthaeuser, two of his brothers now residing in this state and the other in Montana. His father and mother are now residents of Concord, Dixon county, Ne- braska, where the former is pastor of the Evan- gelical Dutheran church. The family were pio- neers in Merrick county, moving from there to Stanton county when Albert was about one year of age, and when he was five they went to Norfolk, remaining another five years. From there they came to Saunders county, which locality they made their home for fifteen years. Our subject started for himself when he was in his twentieth year. At that time he was married to Mary Koch, who was a native of Germany, coming to Saunders county with her parents when she was a small child. The young couple settled on a farm in
Saunders county and began in the stock business, Albert buying stock for shipment as well as having quite a herd on his farm, and raising some grain, and other farm produce. In 1904 he purchased the old Martin Jensen farm which is situated in section ten, and fourteen, township thirteen, range nine, and consists of two hundred acres of fine land. The farm is improved with fine build- ings of all kinds, equipped with every convenience for modern farming, and is one of the show places of the neighborhood.
To Mr. and Mrs. Leuthaeuser have been born six children, namely : Helena M. W., Martha E. M., Esther H. A., Ruth E. A., Martin A. C., and Walter, and they form one of the most interesting family groups to be met with in many a day. They have a happy and congenial home, and are well liked by all who know them.
DANIEL COOLEY BAILEY. (Deceased. ).
Prior to his demise the gentleman whose name heads this personal history resided on his estate on section ten, township nineteen, range fourteen, Valley county, Nebraska, and was well known throughout this locality as a successful and pros- perous agriculturist, ever active in all pertaining to the npbuilding of his home state and county, and always taking a keen interest in all lines of advancement.
Daniel Cooley Bailey was born November 15, 1820, in Canada, where his parents who were New Yorkers, were visiting at the time. On April 6, 1845, he was united in marriage to Miss Suzan Alzina Dale, and Mr. and Mrs. Bailey were blessed with four children, whose names are as follows: Mary, George, Harry, of whom a bio- graphical writing appears on another page of this review ; and Frank.
Mr. Bailey and family moved from New York state to Wapaca county, Wisconsin, in 1855 or 1856, and came on west to Valley county, Ne- braska, in 1872; they drove overland from Wis- cousin and reached the site of their homestead September 3, 1872, after camping five weeks on the way. Mr. Bailey was one of the first county commissioners of Valley county, and in the years that followed he was one of the active upbuilders of Valley county. The Bailey home was the scene of many of the first incidents that went to make up the growth and development of Valley county, before that county was organized. Here was held the first church service and the first commission- ers' meeting. This was before Fort Hartsell was established, when all was a wilderness to the north and west.
Mr. and Mrs. Bailey were good christian peo- ple and were honored with the respect and esteem of all who met or knew them. They were widely known for their goodness of heart, and the Bailey home was always hospitably open. Mr. Bailey
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died May 10, 1907, and his good wife, Mrs. Alzina Bailey, passed away October 26, 1908. They will ever remain dear in the memory of those who knew them, and at their death they were deeply mourned by a host of sorrowing friends and relatives.
A log dng-out was the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Cooley from the time of their coming until 1893. We show a view of this primitive dwell- ing on another page.
JOE BROSH.
In reviewing the early history of Nebraska, those who have actually experienced the glorious successes of that golden state may perhaps look upon this sketch as inadequately portraying the incidents connected with its growth and upbuild- ing, but in the memory of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, who is one of those typ- ical pioneers and representative westerners, each event of success and failure through which he has passed stands out vividly and will remain so dur- ing the entire course of his life.
Mr. Brosh was born in Michigan, in 1872. He is a son of Frank and Lizzie Brosh, both natives of Bohemia, who came to the United States during the early part of their married life and settled in the eastern states. They crossed the Atlantic in a sailing vessel, the trip consuming several weeks, its passengers suffering the usual discomforts and hardships on the journey, but finally landing in safety, although there were times when all felt they might not again see land. However, they reached port in New York, and Mr. and Mrs. Brosh went directly to Michigan, where they set- tled on a homestead which they occupied for many years, their first dwelling being a log house and their furnishings of the most primitive sort. Their children were born and reared there, the fa- ther working for the most part in the lumber camps, where also our subject was employed as soon as he became old enough to shift for himself.
In 1882 Mr. Brosh emigrated west, arriving in Madison county, in the spring, where he bought a tract of land from Mat Clouse, which he rapidly improved, engaging in the stock and grain rais- ing business, and through thrift and perserverance was soon countel among the prosperons and suc- cessful men of his section. He has a good farm and a comfortable home in Kalamazoo township, where he is highly esteemed by his fellowmen, and during his residence here he has given freely of his time and money in promoting the good of the community.
Mr. Brosh was married January 2, 1891, to Miss Mary Dorweck, who is a native of Wisconsin, and to them have been born four children, as fol- lows: Mary, Rosie, Adolph, and Frank.
CHARLES EDWARD ROSS.
Charles Edward Ross has been a resident of Custer county since he was brought there by his parents in 1874, in early childhood. He was born in Jasper county, lowa, December 18, 1869, and was the youngest child of Jacob H. and Cather- ine (Baker) Ross. Jacob H. Ross brought his wife, with their two sons and four daughters, from Iowa to Custer county in the summer of 1874, taking a pre-emption on the northeast quarter of section seventeen, township nineteen, range twenty-one, later taking up the land as a home- stead. His son Wesley came to the county some years later. The Ross family were among the first settlers on Victoria creek and have been closely identified with the development and upbuilding of their part of the county since they came there. Mrs. Ross died on the homestead farm September 14, 1900. The only members of the family now liv- ing in the county are Mrs. George Carr, of Bro- ken Bow; Robert D. and Charles Edward. Wes- ley Ross, also a pioneer settler of Custer county, now resides in Oregon; Eliza, Mrs. Thomas Pros. ser, lives in Missouri ; Annie, Mrs. George E. Carr, is mentioned above; Lizzie, Mrs. Judson Hawks, lives at Norwood, Colorado, Robert D. Ross and family live in the county ; Mrs. Tina Cooper lives in Oklahoma. Robert D. Ross was born in Iowa and came to Custer county with his parents in 1874. He married Miss Ida Belle Merchant, daughter of an early settler, and they have four sons and two daughters.
Charles E. Ross was in his fifth year when brough by his parents to Custer, county, where he grew to manhood. He has since then lived on his father's homestead, which he now owns and operates. He married Rebecca Wells in Bro- ken Bow June 24, 1894. She is a native of Can- ada, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Brad- ford Wells. Her family came to Custer county from LaSalle county, Illinois, about 1891. Her father died February 13, 1895, and her mother January 21, 1908, the former in Custer county, and the latter in Omaha. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ross: Raymond L., Leonia Fay and Thelma Irene. The Ross family are one of the most prominent in Custer county and have a high standing in various circles. The old home place is one of the landmarks of the re- gion, but now has modern improvements and con- veniences. It is very pleasantly located and sur- rounded by trees set out by Mr. Ross, some of which are three fect through. He well remem- bers his early boyhood days when his family, like others in the neighborhood, had to endure many hardships and privations. IIe is a prosperous and successful farmer and stockman and is recog- nized as a progressive, useful citizen. In politics he is independent of party lines, voting for the candidate he considers best fitted for the office.
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FRED BICHEL.
Among the early settlers of Wayne county, Nebraska, who have been largely instrumental in the growth of the commercial interests of that re- gion, a prominent place is given the gentleman whose name heads this article. For about forty years, he has been a resident of the United States, and has always been found ready to further the interests of the community where he has made his home for twenty-seven years. He lives on section thirty-five, Hunter precinct, where he has built up a valuable estate through his industry and good management.
Mr. Bichel is a native of Germany, and was born in the Province of Schleswig, Holstein, De- cember 15, 1852. He was the son of Fred and Katic Bichel, the father being the proprietor of a tailor shop and clothing store in a small village. Our subscriber received his school education in Ger- many, and afterwards helped his parents, until 1871.
About this time, Mr. Bichel decided that America offered a better chance for an energetic young man than was to be had in the old country. So in that year, he left his native land on the steamship "Westphalia," which plied between Hamburg and New York City. He came at once to the west, and for thirteen years remained in Mills county, Iowa, when he rented land. In 1881 he came to Wayne county, Nebraska, where he had the year before bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which has been his home ever since He has made many improvements to the place whichi have greatly enhanced its value. His pioneer days were not without discouragements, as he suffered the usual hardships and discomforts, with a few ex- tra losses to make the measure even. January 12, 1888, he lost considerable stock in the severe blizzard. Every obstaele encountered, and every loss met, has only made him the more determined to suceced. He has persevered in the face of mis- fortune, and has now attained his reward in a con- fortable, pleasant home, where he can spend a peaceful old age surrounded by friends and family. He owns now two hundred and forty acres. of land
November 10, 1881, Mr. Bichel married Bertha Cristen, who was born in the same province in Germany as Mr. Bichel, and with her sister came to the United States the year of her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Bichel are the parents of twelve children, eight of whom are living. Those living are Ernest, Annie, Adolph, Clara, Frieda, Helen. Albert and Carl. The others died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Bichel are members of the Ger- man Lutheran church at Wayne, and Mr. Bichel is a republican.
JOSEPH PHELPS.
Joseph Phelps, whose biography forms an in- teresting page in the history of the carly period of Nebraska, is a resident of Merrick county, Ne-
braska, where he has resided for the past forty- two years. His present home is one mile east of Central City, where he resided thirty-three years. His original homestead is situated two miles west of the same eity.
Joseph Phelps was born in Pennsylvania March 22, 1840, and was third of four children in the family of Bela and Henrietta (Swerly) Phelps, who had three sons and one daughter. Bela Phelps and wife were natives of New York state. About 1843 the Phelps family moved to Henry county, Illinois, where later they were known as pioneers of that county, and where our subject, Joseph L. Phelps, grew up to his young manhood days. The mother of Mr. Phelps died in Henry county, Illinois, shortly after her arrival there.
Mr. Phelps enlisted in Company C, Ninth Illi- nois Cavalry, September 10, 1861, and went through Missouri and Arkansas with Curtis' army in the spring of 1862. He received arms at Pilot Knob, Missouri, and the first stop was at Jackson- port, Arkansas, where he was posted during the. months of May and June patrolling Caiche Swamps and White river country, going into the first engagement at this point; then engaging in battle at Orchard Ridge July 7th, then on to He- lena, Arkansas, arriving there July 14th, where the regiment remained three or four months and during this time had numerous small. engagements and skirmishes; and then to Memphis, Tennessee, where they first established post at Germantown, and patrolled the railroad during the summer months, having numerous skirmishes with the rebel forees, and went out on several expeditions. Dur- ing the months above mentioned Mr. Phelps was with General Washburn destroying the track of the Mississippi and Tennessee railroad, and was with the overland force of General McClernand's White river expedition; and on the skirmish line out of Germantown during the months of June, July, and August, going into Tennessee on scout duty in August. Mr. Phelps was in active service during the war and has an honorable war record. He was mustered out at Springfield, Illinois, in November, 1864, when he returned to Geneseo, that state, and went back to the farm.
On January 14, 1867, Mr. Phelps was joined in wedlock to Miss Amelia Baker, at Geneseo, Illi- nois, at the home of her sister. Mr. and Mrs. Phelps have had three children born to them one of whom is living: Ida, who is married to John Willhoft, has five children and lives five miles north of Central City, Nebraska.
In June, 1868, Mr. Phelps came overland from Henry county, Illinois, to Lone Tree, Nebraska, where they pre-empted land and later on, upon passage of the homestead act, took up a homestead which is still owned by our subject and is located two miles west of Central City. Mrs. Phelps joined her husband in the fall of 1868.
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