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 207

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 207

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September 25, 1886, Mr. Given married Auta Read, daughter of Sylvester and Mary (Davis) Read, pioneers of Custer county. The Read family came from Clarke county, Iowa, to Custer county in 1883. Ten children have been born to Mr. Given and wife, of whom six now survive: Edith, wife of Abram R. Horton, living on a farm six miles west of Merna, has two daughters, Inez, and a baby sister; Maplet, at home; Esther, wife of J. Leroy Stratton, living in Julesburg, Colo- rado; Thurston, at home; Johnnie, deceased ; Edna, Edwin and Edgar, triplets, all deceased ; Mansel and Jay, at home. The family are well known in social and educational circles and lend their influence for the betterment and welfare of the community. They have many friends, among whom they are highly esteemed.

Mr. Given was out nearly the entire day of the blizzard of January 12, 1888, looking after his stock; few ventured beyond their doors in such a storm.

'He is a democrat in politics and fraternally a member of the Odd Fellows, the Royal Highland- ers, and the Modern Brotherhood of America.

JABEZ I. BOWMAN.

The Bowman family were among the very early settlers of Nebraska, where they located in 1862, when Jabez I. 'Bowman was about four years of age. He was born in Keokuk county, Iowa, November 20, 1858, seventh born of the

ten children of Albert and Mary (Covanlt ) . Bow- man, and one of four sons. The parents moved from Iowa to Denver, Colorado, in the spring of 1862 and in the fall of that year moved to Platts- mouth, Cass county, Nebraska, where the father engaged in the trade of harness maker. IIe was an enterprising business man and had also learned the trades of carpenter and tinner. Later he se- cured a homestead three and one-quarter miles northeast of Greenwood, Cass county, and the family lived for some time on this farm. The parents afterward moved to Broken Bow, Custer county, where they died. One daughter, Mrs. E. V. Phillips, and one son, C. W. Bowman, live in Broken Bow; Mrs. Rhoda Carnes lives in Greenwood, Nebraska, and Mrs. Elizabeth E. Rus- sell lives in Broken Bow.

Jabez I. Bowman lived on his father's home- stead until his marriage, January 2, 1881, to Sarah, daughter of Columbus and Phoebe Jenkins, which took place in Louisville, Cass county. Mrs. Bowman was born in Iowa and came to Nebraska with her parents about 1868. They were among the pioneer families of Cass county and Mr. Jenkins was a veteran of the eivil war. After his marriage Mr. Bowman moved to a rented farm in Cass county and in the fall of 1883 came to Custer county, securing a home- stead where, in the following spring the family located. They occupied this place several years and he had improved and developed it to a con- siderable degree, then they sold out and since then Mr. Bowman has operated various farms in the vicinity. At the present time he is carrying on the old Caywood farm, which is the property of his sister, Mrs. Eliza V. Phillips, before men- tioned. He is an energetic and industrious farmer and an excellent business manager and he and his family stand well in the community, where they enjoy the regard of a large number of friends. Six children were born to him and his wife, namely: Elmer Dexter; Albert Col- umbus, deeased; Claude Lester and Clyde Leroy, twins, the latter deceased; Jabie Leeson and Willis Talbot. All were born in Nebraska except Jabie, who was born in Harrison county, Iowa. Both Mr. Bowman and his wife have passed through the years of hardship and privation in- cident to pioneer life, and both have always held themselves in readiness to do anything they could to advance the interests and welfare of the county and state. Mrs. Bowman's parents are both deeased, and the only one of the Jenkins family living in Nebraska is her brother Ben- jamine of Havelock, the others being residents of Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman are both mem- bers of the fraternal order, the Yoemen of America. A family group picture of the Bow- man family is presented on another page.

J. I. BOWMAN AND FAMILY GROUP.

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COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY.

0. JOHNSON.

O. Johnson, the subject of this personal his- tory, was an early settler of this portion of the state, and watched its development and growth. lending his aid in the upbuilding of the com- munity, and was highly estemed by all who knew him.

Mr. Johnson was born in 1857, in the state of Indiana, and later in life moved to Chicago, Illi- nois, and in 1883, came to Pierce county, Nebraska, where he homesteaded land in section twen- ty-seven, township twenty-seven, range four, and on this land built a frame house, and planted ten acres in trees. Here he resided some little time, and then bought land in section thirty, township twenty-seven, range four, where he lived until January 21, 1911, on which day, while laboring under a period of temporary aberration, he killed himself and wife. In the early days, Mr. John- son had his full share of hardships and losses experienced by those sturdy people who braved unknown experiences in the pioneer days. He lost numerous cattle in the blizzard of 1888, and in 1895, lost his entire crops in the hailstorm.

Mr. Johnson was united in matrimony in 1888 to Miss Anna North, who was born in England. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have had ten children born to them : Nellie, wife of Charles Brockesh ; Mary, who is married to Charles LaBord ; Lilliam, How- ard, Charles, John James, LeRoy, Clifford and Leonard. They are a fine family.

Mr. Johnson's two brothers enlisted in 1860, and served the union cause in the civil war, Olaf being wounded.

Mr. Johnson was one of the leading citizens of his locality, and aided materially in the up- building of his community. He owned four hun- dred acres of land in Pierce county, and one hun- dred and sixty acres in Antelope county. His homestead was a well-improved and desirable property. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was also affiliated with the Order of Odd Fellows. In political faith he voted the republican ticket.

FREDERICK W. VOGT. (Deceased.)

Frederick W. Vogt was well known as one of the oldest settlers of Howard county, and a popu- lar resident of Fairdale precinct. He was horn September 24, 1846, in Coshocton county, Ohio, and died July 29, 1910, at Elba, Nebraska.

Mr. Vogt was the ninth in a family of ten children, of whom but two brothers and three sisters are now living, father and mother also being deceased. He lived in Ohio until he was fourteen years of age, at that time going to Defi- ance county, that state, where he followed farm work up to his twenty-first year. At that time he emigrated to Mills county, Iowa, and remained for three years, previously spending one year in

Illinois. - In 1872. he came to Howard county, Nebraska, landing in the region in March of that year, and soon afterwards filed on a homestead, and proved np on the same. This was his home for a number of years. and during those early days, he passed through the usual pioneer exper- iences, meeting with many discouragements in getting his home started. Ile later removed to section two, township fifteen. range eleven, which was their home farm until they moved to Elba. in October, 1909. He owned about two hundred and seventy-eight acres of land, all lying along the North Loup river, consisting of good bottom land. and on which he raises fine crops of grain. He had the place improved with good buildings of all kinds, well stocked. and was recognized as a successful agriculturist.

Mr. Vogt was married, December 29, 1872, at Silver City, Iowa, to I.ulu Mothershed, who is a native of Clay county, Missouri, and who is now the only remaining member of her family. Mr. and Mrs. Vogt had nine children, seven now living, named as follows: E. L., who is county superintendent of schools in Howard county ; Ernest William, married. and living near Elba : Frank A .. residing in the same vicinity ; Arthur N., farming on a homestead, adjoining his father's place ; Thomas J., Samuel II., and Lizzie Maud. living with their mother in Elba. They are very popular in the locality, having many friends, and the esteem of all with whom they came in con- tact in a business or social way.

Mr. Vogt was always active in local politics and educational interests, lending his best efforts to promote the general welfare. He was one of the prominent pioneers of Howard county, and as such was well know to hundreds throughout this country, and during his entire residence in this section, nothing but of good of him has ever been known. He was everyone's friend, and. indeed, to know him was to be his friend. His funeral was held at the United Brethren church, Rev. Mason conducting the services, but the church was not near large enough to hold the immense crowd who were present to pay their last respects to a departed friend and neighbor. The remains were laid to rest in the Fairdale cemetery, and he sleeps beside two of his chil- dren, who died some years ago. The floral offer- ings from loving relatives and friends were many and beautiful, and the entire community tendered heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family.

JOEL F. LANUM.

Among the best-known men of Custer county, Nebraska, is Joel F. Lanum, now a prominent business man of Ansley, who has passed through the most important years of Nebraska's history. He is a native of Morrow county, Ohio, born March 20, 1851, eldest of six children born to Dennis and Phebe (Brown) Lanum, of Irish and

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COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY.

English descent, respectively. The father was born in Virginia, and the mother in Ohio, and both died in the latter state, he in July, 1896, and she, August 17, 1865. One daughter, Mrs. Mary Bell, lives in Ohio, and four children are now deceased.

Mr. Lanum grew to manhood on a farm in his . native state, and later engaged in farming on his own account. In 1868, he located on a farm in Maeon county, Illinois, and he was married in that county, at the home of the bride's parents, to Miss Esther Ann Davis, a native of Pennsyl- vania. She is a daughter of Joseph and Mary A. (Arnold) Davis, natives of Pennsylvania, and the father of German descent. He died in Janu- ary, 1901, and Mrs. Davis in 1897, both in Custer county. The Davis family came to Custer county in 1880, and secured a homestead. They are given further mention in connection with the sketch of John Davis, which appears in this work. Mrs. Lanum's brothers and one sister are as follows: John Davis, of Ansley; William Davis, of Broken Bow; Mrs. Hattie Arnold, of Custer county ; George, of Wisconsin.

Mr. and Mrs. Lanum made their first home on their Illinois farm, and in the fall of 1881, he came west, looking for a suitable location for his family, securing a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, comprising the southeast quarter of section ten, township sixteen, range eighteen, which was the home place for a number of years. He secured a tree claim of the same size, also, in Custer county, and developed a fine farm. He took an active interest in local affairs, and for many years served on the school board. In the early days of his residence in the state, he carried on freighting between Grand Island and Wester- ville, a distance of eighty miles. In 1898, he left the farm, and moved to Ansley, where he erected a modern home for the family, and he has since conducted a large feed barn and livery. He is an enterprising and able business manager, and has been successful in his various investments. The family stand well in the community, and have many friends.

Nine children have been born to Mr. Lanum and wife, as follows: Mrs. Mary B. Arnold, of Ansley; Rufus, of Custer county, has six chil- dren ; J. Dennis, of San Francisco, has five chil- dren; Franklin, who lives near Ansley, has two children ; John G., of Custer county, has one child; Perry of Ansley, has one child; William Kem, married, and living in Ravenna; Mrs. Lulu E. Gooch, of Ansley, has one child; Judson C., at home. Mr. Lanum is known as a prosperous and energetic man of affairs, and besides several other desirable properties, owns three hundred and twenty acres of well-improved and equipped stock and grain farm land.

OSCAR REEVES.

Prominent among Madison county's old set- tlers is Osear Reeves, who has made this region his home many years, and during that time has always done his full share in aiding in the devel- opment of the agricultural resources of this sec- tion of the country. Mr. Reeves lives on section twenty-one, township twenty-two, range three, where he has a fine home and valuable estate, and where he and his family enjoy the respect and esteem of all who know them.

Mr. Reeves is a native of old Virginia, in which state his birth occurred, August 3, 1875. He is a son of J. C. and Cynthia (Cox) Reeves, who were natives of North Carolina and Virginia, respec- tively.

In 1876, our subject's father came to Madison county, Nebraska, where he took up a homestead in section twenty-one, School Craft, township range three, and immediately began to improve same, which was done under very great difficul- ties and many discouragements.

The first few years of residence here, the grass- hopper pests, which devastated that region, de- stroyed every spear of crops to be found for miles around. After their visits, the ground would be bare, with scarcely stubble enough to tell there had been anything growing there before. Prairie fires were another source of anxiety and danger in the pioneer days, and many times our subject's father and family were compelled to fight the treacherous flames that would come rushing on them almost unawares, the family often just bare- ly saving their homes and lives. Deer and ante- lope were plentiful in those days, and the family often saw them in herds, grazing on the open prairies. As late as 1894, which, by the way, was about the last calamity to visit this section of country, our subject lost the entire crops by the hot winds that burned all vegetation to a crisp, the winds being due to the terrible drouth which prevailed in that year.

Mr. Reeves was united in marriage, February 22, 1900, to Miss Beatrice Clark, a native of Ne- braska, and a daughter of James and Sally (Casey) Clark. Mr. and Mrs. Reeves became the parents of three fine children, named as follows: Howard, who died March 30, 1908; Cleava, who died April 20, 1908, and Norah, who died May 10, 1908, all dying of scarlet fever.

DENTON V. JOYNER.

Denton V. Joyner, a prominent citizen of Broken Bow, is one of Custer county's early set- tlers, and has been identified with various business interests there. He has been actively interested in public affairs, and has held office as deputy under several county treasurers. He is, perhaps, best known for his good work in the newspaper field, and has also been prominent as an educator. Mr. Joyner was born in Taylor, New York, July

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8, 1857, the elder of two sons born to John J. and Dorcas D. (Cole) Joyner. His brother, Grove O., also lives in Broken Bow. Mr. Joyner grew to manhood in his native state, and received his ele- mentary education in local schools. Later he attended Cincinnatus Academy, and was for a time a student in the state normal school a: Cortland, New York.

On March 12, 1879, Mr. Joyner was married at Cincinnatus, New York, to Miss Emma A. Rob- bins, a native of New York, where she had been a teacher before her marriage. Mr. Joyner him self had taught several years in the New York schools in early manhood, and in 1878 entered the journalistic field, editing the Cincinnatus "Register." In May, 1880, Mr. Joyner brought his wife and their daughter to Nebraska, remain- ing in St. Paul, Howard county, until the spring of 1881. In 1880, in company with his father, he made a trip into Custer county, and both took a filing on land, the son securing one hundred and sixty acres on the southwest quarter of section thirty-one, township eighteen, range twenty-two, and in the following spring, moved to his place, but six months later returned to St. Paul, where he served for a time as deputy county clerk.

In 1887, Mr. Joyner was appointed deputy county treasurer, and later again entered the newspaper field by editing the "Republican" of Broken Bow. He served two years as clerk in the United States land office, and for seven and one-half years was manager of the central ele- vator. He has served as deputy under three county treasurers: W. C. Bedwell, Walter A. George and John E. Cavanee, giving valuable service in this connection. Ile is one of the best known men in the county, and in early days passed through the experiences of frontier life, meeting all discouragements bravely and unfal- teringly. He has been identified with the best interests of his county and state, and is recog- nized as one of the county's most publie-spirited citizens.

Three children have been born to Mr. Joyner and wife: Winnifred L., in Lincoln ; Harold R., married, and living in Broken Bow, has one child ; one child who died in infancy. Mrs. Joyner is a daughter of Horace and Lucretia (Matthews) Robbins. Her father, a native of Greene, New York, was of Puritan stock, and died in his native state in 1889. The mother, also a native of that state, is of Scotch extraction, and is now living at her birthplace, Cincinnatus. One daughter lives in New York.

E. A. HARRSCH.

E. A. Harrseh, an enterprising and prosper- ous farmer of Knox county, Nebraska, owns one of the fine and valuable estates in the county. He is one of the pioneers of this region, classed among the leading old settlers of his locality,

who has watched the growth and progress of this part of the state of Nebraska from its early set- tlement. Mr. Harrsch resides on section thirty- five, township thirty-one, range eight, and has a comfortable home and pleasant surroundings.

Mr. Harrseh is a native of Germany, his birth having occurred in that country in 1849, and is the son of Adolph Harrsch, who was also a native of Germany, being born in Wurtemberg in 1802. When but a small boy, our subject, with his par- ents, came to America, and remained until he reached the age of nine years. His parents and family, including our subject, then went back to Germany, where they remained ten years. When Mr. Harrsch had attained the age of eighteen years, he migrated a second time to the United States. In 1869, Mr. Harrsch joined Company D, Twenty-second United States Infantry, at Fort Randall, and served five years.

In 1873, Mr. Harrsch came to Knox county, Nebraska, and the following year, took up a home- stead in section thirty-five, township thirty-one, range eight, on which land he built a log house. When this homestead was taken, he was still in the regular army, on detached service, and did not set- tle on the claim until after he was discharged. He received his discharge in November, 1874. Mr. Harrsch had a discouraging time the first year of his residence on the homestead, the grass- hoppers destroying his entire crops. Several years after locating on the place, he took a tree claim.

Mr. Harrsch is now located as before stated. in section thirty-five, township thirty-one, range eight, where he has one of the finest farms in the country, with a good spring of water right at his door. He has had discouragements and crop failures since locating here, among other exper- iences having been hailed out in 1892, and the crops were a failure again in 1894, but through it all he has prospered, and now owns four hun- dred and sixty acres of fine land, and forty acres of trees, this being the largest acreage of trees in this part of the county.

In 1882, Mr. Harrsch was united in marriage to Miss Anna Gesnitzer, and Mr. and Mrs. Harrsch are the parents of nine children, namely : Herman, Anna, Ernest, Richard, Hans, Robert (deceased), Adolph, Margaret and Fred.

Mr. and Mrs. Harrsch and family are highly respected in their community, and Mr. Harrsch is a popular citizen, having served his constitu- ents satisfactorily in the office of county super- visor from 1888 to 1892.

WILLIAM T. KIRK.

William T. Kirk, now living a retired life at Plainview, Nebraska, has been a resident of this state for upwards of forty years. ITis long and useful life has been spent mostly in the west, on the frontier country, of which he has become thoroughly a part.

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COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY.

Mr. Kirk is a native of Mason county, Ken- tucky, born on November 30, 1845. He is a son of Washington and Amanda (Welles) Kirk, both reared in Mason county, of Scotch descent, although their ancestors had been residents of America sinee colonial days.

William grew up in his native county, and was married there. At the outbreak of the Civil war, he was engaged in farming, and at the call to arms enlisted in Company G, Sixteen Ken- tucky Regiment, on the northern side, serving for three years with his company. He then re-enlisted under the same command, and saw hard service until the close of the war, being discharged on August 5, 1865. The first two years of his army experience was through Kentucky and Tennes- see, and the remainder took him farther south, being under the command of General Schofield, in Sherman's army, in Georgia, North Carolina and Alabama. He participated in the march to the sea, and before the close of the war, was sent back to Tennessee under Thomas to hold Hood in check.

Upon returning from the war, he continued to live in Mason county until coming to Nebraska, about 1871. The family came by train to Byeton, Missouri, thence by stage to Rulo, Nebraska, and there Mr. Kirk and his family made their home for one year, then rented a farm near the town, farming for six years. He disposed of his farm, and purchased a home in Rulo, engaging in the meat business, which he carried on for three years, at that time moving to Antelope county, arriving in the latter vicinity in the spring of 1881, locating on a farm, twelve miles west of Plainview. Two years later he filed on a home- stead near by, occupying the place for seven years, then sold out, and retired to Plainview. He has been engaged in the meat and butcher business several times during his earlier residence in Plainview, in partnership with a son, but most of the time has lived a quiet life. He purchased an entire block in Peed's addition to the town erected a comfortable home, and there himself and his good wife enjoy all the comforts and many of the luxuries, free from care, and possess- ing many warm friends in the community.

Mrs. Kirk's maiden name was Mary B. Galt, daughter of Edward L. and Mary (Prather) Galt, old residents of Mason county, Kentucky, whose ancestry goes away back into the colonial times.

Mr. and Mrs. Kirk have had the following children, all living :, named as follows: Wirter L., editor of the Creighton News, of whom a more extended sketch is found elsewhere in this work ; Charles G., a soldier during the Spanish war in the third Nebraska regiment, is now farming; George W., now engaged in the real estate busi- ness at Plainview ; Joseph W., the youngest son, is employed as foreman on a section of the North- western railway. He is owner of a fine farm in Burt county, which he has rented.

Politically Mr. Kirk is an independent repub- lican, and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

FRANK O. SEGER.

Frank O. Seger, residing in section twenty- eight, township thirty, range two, of Knox county, Nebraska, is regarded as one of the leading citi- zens of his locality. He has always been one of the important factors in the upbuilding of his region, aiding materially in its growth from the time of its early settlement.

Mr. Seger is a native of Sweden, having been born in Linekoping province, in the year 1856, and is the son of A. P. and Johanna (Satterstedt ) Seger, the mother passing to the great beyond when our subject was but a small boy. Mr. Seger received his education in Sweden, growing to his young manhood days there, and served his native country as a soldier in her army for seven years.

In 1881, Mr. Seger left his native land for America, sailing from Guttenberg, by way of Hull and Liverpool to New York, on a steamship. After landing on American shores, he first went to New Windsor, Illinois, where he remained two years, and then went to Moline, Illinois, where he worked five years in the plow factory. In 1888, Mr. Seger came to Knox county, Nebraska, and for fourteen years rented land in Dowling town- ship, and in 1902, he bought his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, where he now has a well-improved place and fine home. Like so many of the earlier settlers of this region, Mr. Seger has experienced many hardships and dis- couragements in getting a footing in the western country, but perservered in his faith of Nebraska soil and resources. His efforts and perseverance have been crowded with success, as he is now in a position to enjoy life in peace and comfort.

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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 207

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