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 209

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 209

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During his several years of residence in Madi- son county, Mr. Giltner has experienced the many hardships that beset the early settler in this re- gion, and as late as 1894, the crops, as well as all vegetation of every description, were de- stroyed and burned by the hot winds that were the result of the terrible drouth that prevailed during that season.

November 2, 1880, Mr. Giltner was united in marriage to Miss Fannie Wherritt, a native of Missouri, and daughter of Sidney and Anme

Wherritt. Mr. and Mrs. Giltner are the parents of four children, whose names are as follows: Mayme, Martha, Josie and Bessie.

Mr. Giltner is one of the substantial citizens of northeastern Nebraska, and is always keenly interested in all pertaining to the best interests of his home state and county. He is a democrat, and a member of the Presbyterian church.

FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS GREER, M. D.

Dr. Flavius Josephus Greer is an early Ne- braskan, and one who has passed through the trials and vicissitudes of pioneer life. He is one of the best known men in Custer county, and has long been identified with its progress and devel- opment. He was born in Carroll county, Ohio, October 22, 1841, youngest of the nine ehildren of George and Sarah (Lee) Greer. The father was born in Maryland, of German ancestry, and the mother was born in Ohio, of Irish extraction. Both died in York county, Nebraska, the father in 1895 and the mother in 1877. But three members of the family now survive: Miss Mary Greer, of Callaway; W. II. Greer, of Forest Grove, Oregon. and Dr. Greer.

Dr. Greer was reared on a farm in Ohio, receiving his elementary education in the public sehools. Later he was a student in Harlem Springs, Ohio, and still later studied medieine. He was married at Springfield, Ohio, May 5, 1863. to Sabina J. Noble, a native of Carroll ell) Noble. the father a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and of Irish extraction, and the mother a native of Pennsylvania, of German ex- traetion. Both died in Carroll county, he in March, 1875, and she about 1883. Mrs. Greer has a sister and two brothers in Carroll county, and her brother, Barzilla, is living on the home farm, which was obtained by his parents from the gov- ernment in 1832.

Dr. and Mrs. Greer established their first home in their native county, where they lived until April, 1866, when they went to Rome, Iowa, and there he opened up his first office for the practice of his profession. In May, 1871, he made a trip into Nebraska, looking for a suitable location, traveling from Lincoln to Seward on the first train that passed over the Burlington railroad there. He filed an entry on one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he entered as a pre- emption. This place was located ten miles north- west of York, on Lineoln creek. Soon afterward. he returned to Iowa, and, although he made sub- sequent trips to York county, it was not mutil January 31, 1873, that he came with his wife and ehildren to establish a home there.

In the spring of 1874. he moved into York, where he opened a drug store, and engaged in medical practice. He remained in York until 1889, and later lived in Madison and Gage conn-

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COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY.

ties for short periods. In the spring of 1885, the family moved to southwestern Kansas, but in 1888, returned to York county, Nebraska. They came on to Callaway, Custer county, in June, 1890, and Dr. Greer has since continued his prac- tice there, although his interests have been broad and varied. He has been engaged in the drug business much of the time, and has also been interested in the stock business and real estate. Ile served several years on the town board of York, and, later on the board at Callaway, and is a well-known and popular citizen. He stands well in his profession, and has many friends in various circles.

Six children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Greer : James A., married and living in Perkins county, has four children; Cora, who died in August, 1888; Harley E., married, and living in Perkins county, Nebraska, has three children ; George N., married, and living in Callaway, has two children; Lydia K., wife of R. R. Barnard, of Callaway; Sadie G., wife of William F. Zum- brunn, of Kansas City, Missouri.

FRANK F. RORK.

Among the highly respected residents of How- ard county, Nebraska, who has always worked for the best interests of his county and state, and by his energy and push has helped build up the section to the thriving and productive region it has now become, we mention the name of Frank F. Rork as a leader. He has succeeded in accum- ulating a niee property for himself, having a fine two hundred and forty acre farm, which he occu- pies as a homestead, his residence being on sec- tion thirty of St. Libory precinct. Mr. Rork also owned a half section of land, five miles north of his home place, which he sold in 1910.

Frank F. Rork is a native of Union City, Penn- sylvania, born October 16, 1865, and was the youngest of his father's family of three children. His father, Patrick Rork, was a pioneer of How- ard county, coming here in 1879, and purchasing homestead privileges on section thirty, township thirteen, range nine. After getting settled on the place, he sent for his wife, son and two daughters, and together they began the work of establishing a permanent home, going through the hardships and privations incidental to the life on the fron- tier in those years, but ever having in mind the hope of at last attaining suecess through energy and thrift, which has come to them in a large measure.

They stuck to their claim, and gradually built up a good and comfortable home, the father dying on the homestead in 1890, and his wife surviving him for five years. One daughter is married, and now lives in Hall county, while the other, also married, resides in Loup county. Our subjeet has spent his entire life here practically, receiving his education in the local schools. He has fol-

lowed farming constantly, after his father's death assuming entire charge of the home farm, on which he still lives.

Mr. Rork was married in St. Libory on April 30, 1895, to Miss Kate O'Neill, who is a native of Wisconsin, and came to Iloward county with her parents, Hugh and Mary O'Neill, in 1894. They have an interesting family of nine children, all at home, named as follows: Frank, Raymond, George, William, John, Mary, Leonard, Elizabeth and Robert. Their home is one of the pleasantest ever visited, and is a hospitable spot to all who are fortunate enough to be among their acquaintances.

During 1892, 1893 and 1894, Mr. Rork held the office of county commissioner, and has also held minor local office, being a populist in politics.

FRED W. PILGER.

Among the early settlers of southeastern Ne- braska, who have been instrumental in the growth of the agricultural and financial interests of that region, a prominent place is given the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this review. He has always been found ready to further the interests of the community where he chose his home, and has gained a wide and enviable repu- tation as a worthy citizen and substantial agri- culturist, having built up a fine farm and home in section nineteen, township twenty-seven, range four, Pierce county, his present location.

Mr. Pilger was born, August 20, 1850, in Washington county, Wisconsin, and is the son of Peter and Elizabeth (Young) Pilger, natives of Germany, who were married in Wisconsin.

In 1868, Mr. Pilger went from Wisconsin to Omaha, remaining there a year and a half, going thence to Franklin county, Nebraska, where he filed on a homestead in the Republican River valley. Bloomington, the county seat, was located adjoining his farm. There were but four- teen settlers in the county at the time of his com- ing. He resided here seventeen years, and in the fall of 1888, came to Pierce county, Nebraska, which bis since been his home. He rented for sev- eral years in Pierce and Antelope counties, and bought his present place in 1895. He now owns two hundred acres of land.

In Franklin county, Mr. Pilger lived in a dugout for five years, and then built a frame house. Kearney was the nearest market place, fifty miles distant, and for the first two years lie had to make the journey to market and back by ox team. He "batched it" for nearly six years before finding a helpmeet to share his possessions and oeeupy the new frame house.

April 19, 1875, Mr. Pilger was married to Miss Aliee Lamb. Eight children have been born to them: Frank, who married Mabel Searle, and has two children, served three terms as county superintendent of schools of Pierce county; Le

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COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY.

Roy, who married Myrtle Abey, has four chil- dren, and farms in Holt county ; Lottie, married Edward Samuelson, and lives near Wayne; Carl, who married Bertha Vosberg, and has two chil- dren, occupies the home with his father; Veta, married Burrell Wright, of Dixon; Fred, runs the Holt County Bank at Dorsey; Luella is a teacher of Pierce county ; and Fern.

Mr. Pilger endured his full share of the hard- ships and privations of the pioneer days, and, among other calamities, he suffered the entire loss of his crops for two years by drouth, and two years by grasshoppers. He was fortunate in being at home at the time of the bad blizzards. His son, Frank, was a mile from home on the day of the blizzard of January 12, 1888. Ile drove the cattle into a grove for water at noon, and was at home at dinner when the storm broke. Prairie fire once came near burning his residence. He plowed a fire guard, but the fire jumped over it, being extinguished, however, before, reaching the house. The town of Pilger, named for our sub- ject's father, who settled in Stanton county in 1873, is located on his farm.

Mr. Pilger is independent in politics, always casting his vote for the man, regardless of the party.

E. L. PISCHEL.

A prominent old settler is found in the person of the gentleman herein mentioned. Mr. Pischel has been closely identified with the history of the development and growth of Knox county, and the surrounding country, for forty years or more, during which time he has built up a good estate and home, and, incidentally, gained a good repu- tation as a worthy citizen and a progressive agri- culturist. Mr. Pischel is a prominent man in his community, and is postmaster of Pischelville post-office, to which office he was appointed by President Harrison in 1884. Ile also owns the Pischelville merchandise store, and resides on sec- tion twenty-six, township thirty-two, range eight, where he has lived since settling in Nebraska. Mr. Pischel is, indeed, an old-timer in every sense of the word, he having come here when but ten years of age.

Mr. Pischel is a native of Bohemia, his birth occurring in the year of 1860, and he grew to the age of six years in his native land. In 1866, Mr. Pischel, with his parents, Anton and Maria Pischel, came to America, the father, like so many of the sturdy sons of foreign climes, having heard the promising accounts of the new world, where fortunes were to be gained, and land was cheap. They sailed from Bremen and landed in New York in 1866. After reaching the United States, the family came direct to Chicago, where they remained four years, the father plying his occupation of merchant tailor. From Chicago the family came to Sioux City, and took a boat

up the river to Knox county, Nebraska, where they settled, taking up a homestead in section twenty-six, township thirty-two, range eight, on which land they built a log house, and, later, our subject took up a tree claim. Here the family lived the life of the early pioneer, but perhaps suffering hardships and losses to a greater degree than most people, as their advent to Nebraska oc- curred much earlier than that of the average old settler. Ox teams were the means of transporting to and from market in those times. In the first years of settlement, the grasshoppers destroyed every spear of the crops, which was not a very eneour- aging beginning. The Indians were a constant source of anxiety on the part of the very earliest settlers of this region, including our subject and the family, and were on the verge of outbreaks on several occasions. Deer and antelope were plentiful in those days, and could frequntly be seen browsing in the vicinity. In 1894, there was another total failure of crops, but which did not affect the family to such a great extent as in the first years of their settlement here.

Mr. Pischel, as before stated, is a very prom- inent man in his section, and among the honors he has had conferred upon him, he served his constituency as county treasurer, being elected to that office in 1887, and also creditably held the office of eounty commissioner.

In 1884, Mr. Pischel was united in marriage to Miss Theressa Deitz, and Mr. and Mrs. Pischel are the parents of eleven children.

GEORGE W. HOWE.

George W. Howe first set foot on Nebraska soil on entering Omaha in 1856 from Council Bluffs, to spend a week or ten days in the Ne- braska metropolis, which at that time was merely a small frontier town. Two years elapsed before his next visit, at which time he came to Fort Ran- dall, which was then in the territory of Nebraska, later being transferred to Dakota, and eventually becoming a part of the state of Nebraska. The greater part of Mr. Howe's career has been spent on the frontier, and he has had considerable deal- ings with Indians during earlier years. This is noticed in his manner of speech, which is slow and deliberate, and is a characteristic of their race.

Mr. Howe is a native of Bradford county, Pennsylvania, born October 15, 1835. His father was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and followed that oceupation during his lifetime. George lived in his native county until his sixteenth year, when the family eame west, settling in Fayette county, łowa, where an elder brother had filed on a home- stead claim. When he was but eleven years of age, our subject began to support himself by working on a farm, and on arriving in Iowa, he obtained employment in a saw mill, which he followed for about two years, then migrated to

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Minnesota, that state being opened at that time for settlement. He remained there during the winter, spending his summers on the farm in Iowa. As above stated, he came to Nebraska in 1858 for settlement, taking a claim in the northi- east corner of Holt county, and so far as is known, was the first settler to prove up in that section of the state, his first proofs being made in 1871. He remained in the region of Fort Randall, part of the time in Dakota, and the balance in Nebras- ka, and also spent nearly one year in Montana.

In 1864, Mr. Howe married a member of the Ponca tribe, and secured an allotment of two hundred and eighty acres in the Missouri river bottoms, a part of the Ponca reservatios in Boyd county, and each of his ten living children have since received an allotment of land. Mr. Howe's wife was a Miss Lucile Le Claire, whose father was a French fur trader, and their children are named as follows: Elizabeth, wife of Albert Frasier, who at one time was a missionary in the band ruled by Sitting Bull; Hannah, now Mrs. Charles Frasier, cousin of Albert, and en- gaged in missionary work in Tripp county; Ed- ward Howe, farming in Boyd county ; Alice, mar- ried, and living on the Ponca reservation; Ar- nold, with his sister in Tripp eounty; Ida, wife of Edgar Burton, a farmer of Bridgeport; Ben, of Verdel; and George J., living at home, a grad- uate of the Genoa Indian School, and local repre- sentative of the Mutual Life Insurance Company ; John is next in order, and Rebecca, the youngest, is the wife of Daniel Ducker, and lives in Com- stock, Nebraska.

Since his marriage, Mr. Howe has taken a prominent part in Indian affairs, and is well versed in their mode of living, and the legends connected with the different tribes. At one time he was able to speak fluently in the Ponca and Sioux tongues. He was wagon master of the expedition under Inspector Kimball, when, in 1877, the Poncas were removed to Indian terri- tory. At the time of the famous massacre at New Ulm, Minnesota, he was at Independenee, Iowa, on a visit, and it was shortly after this time that the Santees were removed to Knox county, following their surrender.

One of Mr. Howe's earliest recollections is a hand of one hundred and fifty buffaloes on the reservation, and another of seeing a pair of them between Yankton and Bon Homme. He was hunting with a party of Indians near the conflu- ence of the Big and Little Elkhorn, when the first settlers came through that section, seeking a location, and at this point Norfolk later sprang into being. The travelers were considerably frightened, but a white man among the band of Indians reassured them, and put them at their ease. Wild game was plentiful at that time, and the first to fall a victim to his gun was an ante- lope, which crossed Mr. Howe's path on a hunt-

ing trip through the country, where Bazile Mills is now located.

For a time Mr. Howe held a license to trade with the Indians, and made use of the privilege to some extent.

Mr. Howe was a member of the Odd Fellows while living in Iowa, but later, on account of nearly all his time being spent on the plains, he allowed his membership to lapsc.

JOHN W. DOVER.

Many sons from English soil have given of their energy and strength of purpose in helping to build up what was some few years ago a barren and wild waste of prairie, and have endured almost incredible hardships and dangers in se doing.

John W. Dover, the subject of this biographieal writing, is one of those mentioned above, and after thirty-six years of varied experiences on the western frontier, is now amply repaid for his endurance and faithfulness to the state and county, where he chose his home many years ago. Mr. Dover resides on his fine farm, which is located in section twenty-four, township twenty- two, range one, west, Madison county, where he and his family enjoy the respect and estecm of a host of friends and acquaintances.

Mr. Dover is a native of England, born in 1852 in Westershire, a son of James and Jane (Nicholson) Dover, also natives of England. The father was a Morocco leather dresser by occupa- tion, and had plied that trade all through the years of his residence in his native land.

Mr. Dover and his parents left their native country in the year 1865, sailing by way of Liver- pool to New York, on the steamship "Jeremiah Tompson," and after reaching America, they proceeded to Delaware county, Iowa, where they located, and remained for ten years. In 1875, the family moved to Madison county, Nebraska, taking up a homestead in section twenty-six. township twenty-two, range one, west, and on this land built a good frame house. Our subject worked one year on the Craig & Clark ranch, when he first came to Nebraska.

In the earliest days of settlement in Madison county, the Dover family went through many hardships and dangers. In the blizzard of 1888, our subject lost considerable cattle in the terrible storm of snow and sleet, a storm that will ever live in the memories of those who witnessed it, and as late as 1894, Mr. Dover suffered losses through the hot winds, which were occasioned by the terrible droutb that devastated the coun- try. The nearest market places in the pioneer days were Columbus and Wisner, both being several miles distant. Deer and antelope were plentiful in those times, and could frequently be seen brousing around.

Mr. Dover was united in marriage in 1881 to

RESIDENCE AND FAMILY OF L. MICK.

COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY.

Miss Susie Manning, and Mr. and Mrs. Dover are the parents of eleven children, whose names are as follows : Eva, Pearl, James, Grace, May, John, Myrtle, Susie, Roy, Lena and Lawrence.

Mr. and Mrs. Dover and family are highly respected in their community, and Mr. Dover is well known throughout this section of the state as a substantial and progressive citizen, a credit to his home eounty.

JOSEPH SITTLER.

Joseph Sittler, who has a well-improved stock and grain farm in Custer county, is one of the pioneers of central Nebraska, having the respeet and regard of a wide circle of sincere friends. He has long been identified with the upbuilding and development of his part of the state, and is recognized as an upright, useful citizen. He is a native of Wheaton, Illinois, his father having been a resident of Dupage county for a period of sixty years. Mr. Sittler was born, November 17, 1857, the fifth child of Oswald and Mary (Vogel) Sittler, who were parents of five sons and four daughters. He lived on a farm a mile and a half from Wheaton until reaching his twen- ty-first year, and received his education in the excellent public schools of his native state. The father still lives on the home farm, and there are three sons and four daughters now surviving, all being residents of Illinois, except Joseph, and one son who lives in Iowa, the former being the only one of the family to come to Nebraska.

On July 3, 1878, Mr. Sittler came to Harvard, Clay county, Nebraska, making the trip alone. Ile first worked on a farm in that county, and, after remaining there six months, spent fourteen months in Douglas county. On April 17, 1880, he came to Custer eonnty from Harvard, making part of the trip in company with Jacob Pence, who left him at Lee Park. Mr. Sittler came to the northwestern part of the county, Broken Bow at that time not being laid out as a town. He was one of the first settlers in the neighborhood, the other five being: William Corcoran, Andrew Sommer, Al Thomas, David Kinleyside and John Jacquot. Mr. Sittler seenred a homestead on the northeast quarter of seetion twenty-five, town- ship eighteen, range twenty-two, and also a tim- ber claim on the northeast quarter of section one, township seventeen, range twenty-two. There was then only one log cabin in that immed- iate neighborhood, and the inland post-office was established at New Helena about that time, the mail coming from Loup City. For some time, their nearest trading points were Plum Creek (now Lexington) and Kearney. The early settlers in the northwestern part of Custer county did their trading at Grand Island, Hall county, pro-, euring lumber and various household supplies.

Mr. Sittler was married, May 1, 1884, on the Sommer homestead, to Amanda Read, the cere-

mony being performed by Judge Sommer, justice of the peace. Mrs. Sittler belongs to a pioneer family. Mr. and Mrs. Sittler lived on the home- stead farm until 1888, and they have lived all their married life in Custer county. They have nine children living: Chauncey J., married, and resides in Merna ; Cora Emma, Oswald H., Alma Leila, Adelbert W., Mabel Effie, Arthur E., Inez Mary and Clinton D., all natives of the county. The family now reside on the west half of section nine, township seventeen, range twenty-one, where they have a well-equipped farm and sub- stantial buildings. Mr. Sittler is one of the best known men in the county, and in years past has served as justice of the peace, and filled various other local offices.

LEWIS MICK.

Lewis Mick. a prominent farmer, living on section thirty-three, township twenty-two, range two, east, is well known throughout this section as a progressive and successful citizen, who has done his full share toward the development of the community. He is highly esteemed by all with whom he has had to do, and well merits the high station which he holds.

Mr. Mick is a native of West Prussia, and was born in 1865, the son of Benhart and Chris- tina Mick. He received his education in his na- tive land, and remained at home, helping his parents, until 1881. He had by that time come to the conclusion that America offered more oppor- tunities to the average young man than were to be found any place else, so he came across the ocean to New York, and immediately made his way to the state of Michigan, where he remained for a little over a year.

His next move was to Colfax county, Nebras- ka, where he worked for various farmers for wages until 1889. This was quite an important year for him in more ways than one. It was then that he was married to Miss Amelia Tiply, who has been a worthy helpmeet for him. Then, too, it was that same year that he came to Stanton county, and bought the farm which has been the family home ever since. He has added many improvements to the place since buying it, so that its value has been mueh enhanced thereby. He now has a comfortable and cozy home, very pleasantly located.

Mr. and Mrs. Mick are the parents of three children : Christina, Hattie and Edward. They are prominent among the old settlers.

In these days of peace and of correct organi- zation of the judiciary and other departments of the state, one reads as a chapter in a novel such narratives of happenings which befell the early settlers of the then new state of Nebraska.

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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 209

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