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 211

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 211

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Judge and Mrs. Riley celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary at Los Angeles, in 1903, and received the congratulations and good wishes of a host of friends and relatives. They have had ten children, seven of whom are living, named as follows: Jane, F. W. Riley, Samuel, Anna, IIattie, Elizabeth L., and Millie, all of whom are married with the exception of the last mentioned who remains at home.

O. C. WINGETT.

O. C. Wingett, a prominent farmer and stoek man residing on section twenty-three, township twenty-seven, range eight, Antelope county, Ne- braska, is known throughont that locality as a progressive and successful agriculturist, highly estemed by all who know him.

Mr. O. C. Wingett was born in Athens county, Ohio, May 22, 1847. In 1854 the family moved to Wisconsin and then back to Ohio and when our subject was a lad of abont thirteen years he moved with his parents to Missouri. In 1872 our subject took up land in Miller county, Missouri, building a log house and lived there about two years. He then moved to Minnesota where he lived for ten years, then came to Nebraska. In 1902 he came to Antelope county. Mr. Wingetts' father, C. H. Wingett, was a native of Green

971

COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY.

county, Pennsylvania, born in 1817; and the mother, Phoebe (Wingett) Wingett, was born in 1818, also in Green county, Pennsylvania, and died when onr subject was a young man. In 1864, Mr. Wingett enlisted in the Civil war in Company A, Missouri Infantry, under Captain Richardson and Colonel Hiekeok. The father also enlisted, joining the home guard.

Mr. Wingett was united in marriage May 4, 1870 to Miss Mary Norris, her father being a native of Scotland, and coming from that conntry when he was twenty-three years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Wingett have had twelve children born to them, named as follows: Dora, Elbert, who is married to Miss Daisy Lamb, they having four children; Jasper, married to Miss Annie Mills, has three children ; Brainard, married to Ollie Eg- gleston, has one child; Warren, who is married to Miss May Lyons, and has one child; Erma, wife of W. D. Knibbs, has two children; Sadie, wife of F. F. Hohn, has three children ; Maggie ; Orpha ; Minnie, who is married to Chas. Welburn and has four children ; May married to H. L. Delaney nas one child.

After Mr. Wingett's company disbanded from the army, he went to Kansas, where he rented a farm for one year, and from there went to Min- nesota, remaining there ten years where he lived on a farm. In 1889, Mr. Wingett came to Ne- braska, settling in Cedar county, and remained there fourteen years. Then in 1903, he came to Antelope county, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land of Alva Baker, whiel is his present residing place, and where Mr. Win- gett and his family now enjoy the respect and high esteem of all who know them.

Mr. Winget is a member of the Grange. He is also a member of the United Brethern church.

REZIN R. ROBINSON.

Rezin R. Robinson and family are pioneers of Custer county, and for the past thirty-three years have taken their part in the development of eentral Nebraska, being esteemed and respected by a large cirele of riends. Mr. Robinson has always been ready to contribute time and money in the cause of progress, and is regarded as a publie-spirited, desirable citizen. He was born in West Virginia, September 4, 1838, youngest of the children of John and Leah Robinson, who were parents of two sons and two daughters. Both parents were natives of West Virginia, and died in Clarksburg, that state. Three of their children now survive: Edward, of West Vir- ginia; Mrs. Lida Hoff, of Clarksburg; Rezin R. of Nebraska.

Mr. Robinson was reared on the farm where he was born and has spent his entire life in farm- ing and stock raising. He was married in Taylors- town, Pennsylvania, October 8, 1866, to Altha Snyder, also a native of West Virginia. Four

children were born of this union, namely: Cora May, deceased; Harvey HI., married and living one mile west of his father's homestead; Truman G., married and living in Colorado; Okey N., married and living one mile east of his father's homestead, has four children. The mother of these children died in West Virginia in 1877.

Mr. Robinson was married in February, 1878, to Mrs. Franklin Purpount, whose first husband lived but three months, a daughter born of this marriage named Cora Elizabeth is now Mrs. William Doman. In maidenhood Mrs. Robinson was Emma W. Snyder but was of no kin to his first wife. About one year later, Mr. Robinson and his wife, with the three children of his first mar- riage left their West Virginia home and came to Nebraska. They spent a short time in Kearney, while their first child was born, and in the spring of 1880 eame to the new homestead farm on section thirty-one, township nineteen, range twenty-one, where in March Mr. Robinson had erected a sod shant and stable. He now owns over five hundred acres. The pioneer homestead farm has been the family home throughout the years since the spring of 1880, and has been devel- oped into a prodnetive and well improved estate. Ten children were born of the second marriage, of whom five now survive, namely: Rosa Gay, wife of George Keller, of South Dakota, has two ehil- dren ; Irvin, ummarried and living at home ; Verna. wife of Elmer Gladson, of Merna Ressie and Lloyd at home.

GEORGE II. BENN, SR.

Among the prominent citizens and representa- tive farmers and stoekmen of Valley county, Ne- braska, George H. Benn ocenpies a foremost place, as he spent many years of his life in this seetion, and has built up a good home and enviable repn- tation as an energetie worker and good business man. He resides in section eight, township nine- teen, range fourteen, and is highly estemed by all who know him.

George H. Benn, son of George and Katherine (Stuedlje) Benn, was born in the village of Haby, Schleswig, then a Danish provinee, February 11, 1846, and was third in a family of eight chil- dren, all of whom, excepting our subject, are re- siding in Schleswig, where the parents lived and died. George received his education in the schools of his native land, and later engaged in milling. At the age of twenty-one years he was called to service in the standing army of Ger- many, serving four years, participating in the Franco-Prussian war, taking part in twelve bat- tles, among them the decisive engagements of Metz, Orleans, Lehman and Gravelette. He re- ceived his discharge in June of 1871. and again engaged in milling.

In the fall of 1884, Mr. Benn came to America, sailing from Hamburg in the "Westphalia," and

972

COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY.

landed, after a voyage of twelve days, in New York. He remained in Carroll county, Illinois, from September until April following, then came to Valley county, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres in Michigan township, where he lived for seventeen years. He then sold his property, and in 1902 purchased the southeast quarter of section eight, township nineteen, range fourteen, and has made of it a well improved stock and grain farm. The log cabin of the original home- stead has been replaced by a neat frame cottage. surrounded by substantial barns and outbuild- ings. A view of them on another page gives a better impression of this place than can be done in mere words.

On March 18, 1885, Mr. Benn was mar- ried to Miss Katherine Sieh, a native of the village of Schacht, province of Holstein, Ger- many. She came to America in 1884, sailing from Hamburg to New York in the "Rhetia," landing after a stormy passage of eighteen days. Her father died in Germany in October of 1865, and her mother is still living in the fatherland at the advanced age of eighty-three years; a sister of Mrs. Benn's is also residing there. With her younger son. Mrs. Benn spent five weeks in the summer of 1910 in the fatherland, sailing each way between New York and Cux haven in the steamer "President Lincoln." Mr. and Mrs. Benn have had two children born to them, namely: Henry G., and George H., who reside at home.

Mr. Benn is a successful man of affairs, in- terested in all pertaining to the welfare of his home county and state; he is of the Lutheran faith and in politics is a democrat. He has served as treasurer of his school district, number fifty- four, for a number of years.

ROBERT J. FOX.

Another prominent citizen of this section of Nebraska is Mr. Robert J. Fox, now a resident of Myrtle precinct, but one of the early settlers. He comes of a large family, most all of the mem- bers of which have been or are residents of the state. He came early enough to experience some of the hardships of the pioneer's life and now after many years of hard and unceasing toil, is preparing to take his ease.

Mr. Fox was born in Luzerne county, Pen- nsylvania, on September 25, 1858, and was the second of seven children born to Michael and Elizabeth (Summers) Fox.

The subscriber was born on a farm, and re- mained on the farm in Pennsylvania, receiving his education in the little district school, and working on a farm during his spare time. When he was nineteen years old, just a year or two after the death of his father, he came to Nebraska. His aunt, Mrs. George Walker, an early settler of Fillmore county, Nebraska, came back to

Pennsylvania on a visit, and when she returned, our subscriber came west with her. He arrived at the Fillmore county farm in February, 1877, and worked there for three years. He was mar- ried here also to Miss Alice Burnett, daughter of John and Lucinda (Watkins) Burnett, two of the early settlers of the county. Mr. Fox was born in Cedar county, Iowa. Her parents were natives of Ohio.

After his marriage, Mr. Fox remained for five years in this county, and in 1886, with his family, consisting of his wife and little son, Clyde, came to Custer county to take up their residence herc. Mr. Fox himself had been here in the fall of 1882, and taken up a tree claim, and he now took out pre-emption papers on the timber claim in section twenty, township sixteen, range seventeen, making the place his home for several years. In 1901, Mr. Fox exercised his homestead privileges, and, after purchasing the relinquishment, filed on a homestead on the northeast quarter of section nineteen, township sixteen, range seventeen, on which he proved up, and he has lived here ever since. Since his occupancy, he has added many improvements, so that now the farm, numbering about four hundred and eighty acres, is one of the best-equipped stock and grain farms in this section of the country. In the management of botlı of these branches of agriculture, Mr. Fox is equally proficient. The place is known as Pleasant View Stock Farm, and is illustrated on another page of our work, making one of the finest hill views in the volume.

As has been said before, most of Mr. Fox's people have become residents of the state. His sister, Maggie, now Mrs. Frank Phillips, came to Custer county in 1885, and is now living near Alliance. His mother took up a homestead in 1890 in Cheyenne county, Nebraska, and her death occurred eight years later, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Phillips. A brother, Thomas Fox, was an early settler, and is now living near Ansley.

Mr. and Mrs. Fox have been blessed with eight children, six of whom are living. The two eldest, born in Fillmore county, died in infancy. The children are named as follows: Clyde C., Mable, Charles E., Robert G., Gladys, Ralph, Lawrence and Myrtle. The family is well known in social and educational circles, and have the respect and esteem of all who know them.

Mr. Fox is independent in politics in local elections, supporting the democratic candidates in national affairs. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.

During the dry year, Mr. Fox, more fortunate than his neighbors, raised a few potatoes and seventy-five bushels of wheat, and thus did not need aid from the public. His first residence on the timber claim was a "soddy," in which he lived a number of years. The lumber for this was hauled from Kearney, sixty miles distant.

RESIDENCE OF GEORGE BENN.

"PLEASANT VIEW STOCK FARM," RESIDENCE OF ROBERT J. FOX.

973

COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY.

On the return trip with his lumber, Mr. Fox brought a number of boxes of crackers as freight. It was a rainy season, and six times he was com- pelled to pile the crackers under his wagon, and protect them by unloading part of the Inmber to shield them, from the storm. The day of the bliz- zard of Jannary 12, 1888, he started to a sale, leaving his wife at a near neighbor's. The storm overtook him, and through it he made his way home to care for the stock, but Mrs. Fox remained at the neighbor's until the next day.

W. W. AHRENS.

Although not a resident of Nebraska in the early days, Mr. Ahrens has experienced the same conditions in a neighboring state, and is thor- onghly familiar with the life of the pioneer. He is a son of Christian and Amelia (Schroeder) Ahrens, both natives of Germany, and was born near Belle Plaine, Iowa, on October 12, 1857. Ilis father served in the German army in its conflict with Denmark, coming to America about 1850. He settled in Illinois, where he was mar- ried, and soon afterwards, with his bride, settled in Benton county, Iowa, working as a carpenter through that country, and being in great demand in putting the finishing touches to the rude log houses and other buildings being erected by the settlers there. His own log house was the first to be built in the town of Belle Plaine, and in it was held the first prayer meeting of that region, different religions gathering together for wor- ship, himself and wife being members of the Evangelical faith. His first farm was a tract of forty acres, through which the Northwestern railway later built their road, and from this source he made considerable money, by the sale of the land, and by furnishing the gang of em- ployees with food, etc. Their nearest supply sta- tion at that time was Muscatine, and later Iowa City, when the railroad had extended its line to the latter point. Our subject had his first sight of a locomotive when the first train was run through that section, and considered it a most wonderful thing, as formerly the only mode of transportation was by ox team.

Mr. Ahrens grew to manhood in this locality, remaining under the parental roof until his mar- riage, which took place in 1881, then moved to a farm near Sac City, and for seven years followed farming there. At the end of this time, he settled in Everly, and opened an insurance and real estate office, continuing the business for eight years, then went to Curlew, and established him- self in the mercantile trade, conducting a store up to 1904. In March of that year, he located in Osmond, Nebraska, engaging in the real estate and insurance business. He remained but a short time, then, observing that Plainview offered greater advantages in that line of work, settled in the latter place, and he has since been one of

the town's hustling business men. His offices are located in the building of the Citizen's State Bank of Plainview, and his patronage extends over a large section of that part of Nebraska.

Mr. Ahrens was married at Buckeye, Iowa. now almost a deserted village, located a few miles west of Belle Plaine, the event occurring on April 27, 1881. His wife's maiden name was Anna Peterson, who is a native of Germany, and a daughter of William and Margueretta Peterson. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ahrens, namely : William G. and Edward C., both of whom have been engaged in the meat business for several years; Wallace E., has a Kinkaid homestead in Blaine county, and Margaret, a popular teacher in the Plainview schools. The family ocenpies a comfortable home here, and are among the highly esteemed residents of their city.

Mr. Ahrens had been a democrat always until the silver question was made the paramount issue of the party, and since then he has been affiliated with the republicans. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen of America lodges of Plainview. He is a most con- genial and companionable gentleman, possessing the usual western cordiality in an unusual degree, has been successful in business, and is now pre- pared to enjoy the balance of his life in peace and plenty.

PETER CLAUSEN.

Among the enterprising and prosperous busi- ness men of Howard county, Nebraska, none is better known or more universally esteemed and respected than the subject of this review. Mr. Clausen has devoted many years of his life to the pursuit of agriculture in this region, being an old settler of the locality, and he has also interested himself in the financial enterprises of the section, making a pronounced success in cach business venture he has engaged in. He has been a potent factor in prodneing the present prosperity en- joyed in his locality. His home is in Loup Fork precinct.

Peter Clausen was born in Germany on Janu- ary 7, 1849. Ile is a son of Claus and Christina Clausen, and was the second in order of birth, of their four children. Ile grew up in his native country, coming to America in 1869, landing here in March, and going directly to Clinton connty. Iowa. He was a mason by trade, and followed that work in Iowa for two years, then came to Nebraska, going first to Grand Island, where he worked at his trade for a short time. In May, 1872, Mr. Clausen came into Howard connty, and homesteaded in section eight. township thirteen, range twelve, making this his home farm ever since. He now owns three hundred and twenty

974

COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY.

acres, all choice land and under thorough culti- vation, engaging extensively in stock raising. The place is supplied with all good buildings, etc.

In developing this farm, Mr. Clausen has passed through all the early times of Nebraska, and has aided materially in producing the pres- ent prosperity of the section. He has his farm equipped with every improvement in the way of buildings, machinery, etc., and has planted a fine orchard, besides many shade trees.

The balance of the Clausen family came to America from Germany, arriving here in 1870, spending one year in Iowa, then coming directly to Nebraska, settling in Hall county, where most of them reside, the father and mother now being dead.

Mr. Clausen was married at Grand Island. Nebraska, on the nineteenth of October, 1878, to Christian Rieft, she coming to America on the same ship which brought her future husband over. To them have been born five children, four of whom are now living, as follows: Emma Christina, wife of Joseph Nitsch, they living in Sherman county; Mary Margaret, wife of Mads Hansen, living in Howard county, parents of three children; Henry C., married, and living in Sherman county ; and George F., at home.

FABIUS D. MILLS.

Fabius D. Mills and his good wife have reared a large family to honorable man and woman- hood, and have the respect and esteem of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances in the vicinity of their home in Custer county. They are among the oldest settlers of the region, and have always given their earnest efforts toward the support of every measure calculated to advance the wel- fare and interests of the public. Mr. Mills was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, December 10, 1845, seventh in a family of ten children, born to John and Betty (Urmson) Mills. Besides him, the other children who survive are as follows: Mrs. Panthea Taylor, of Crawford county, Wis- consin ; Fergus, of Wanzeka, Wisconsin; Mrs. Rosie Smethurst, of Madison. Both parents were born in Lancashire, England, and died in Craw- ford county, Wisconsin, the father on January 18, 1873, at the age of sixty-seven years, and the mother in 1900, at the age of ninety years. They were married in England in 1831,. and ten years later, came to America, settling in New Brighton, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Mills received his primary education in the public schools, and later attended Sharon Academy in Pennsylvania. In April, 1858, the family moved to a farm in Crawford county, Wisconsin, and Fabius D. eventually engaged in farming on his own account. He taught school for a number of years, and served two years as superintendent of the schools of Crawford county.

He was there married on March 31, 1869, to Miss Louise Copsey, a native of Primrose, Wisconsin, who had taught for a time in the schools of that state. She is a daughter of John and Susan (Green) Copsey, the former a native of York- shire, England, and the latter of Herkimer county, New York. He died in Wisconsin about 1903, and she now lives in Mt. Sterling, that state. Besides Mrs. Mills, there are three daugh- ters and three sons living in Wisconsin, one daughter in Wyoming, one daughter in Colorado, and one son, Alonzo Copsey, living in Lincoln, Nebraska.

In October, 1878, Mr. Mills brought his wife and their four children to Custer county, Ne- braska, and secured a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres of land on section twenty-seven, township seventeen, range eighteen, which is still the home place, and also a tree claim of the same size. The farm is called White Lodge Farm,and is one of great fertility. Some idea of its productiveness may be gained from an eight-acre tract that in 1911 produced twenty- four hundred bushels of potatoes, thirteen of which filled a half-bushel measure. He has served in various public offices, was county supervisor during 1884 and 1885, justice of the peace for sixteen years, and notary public for twelve years. He is a true friend of progress, and since coming to the state has been closely identified with the upbuilding of his region. He is recognized as a public-spirited man, and uses his influence for the betterment of all. He is now devoting his time and efforts toward collecting funds for a railway, which is projected from Loup City, Sherman county, to Tryon, McPherson county, and it is expected the road will be constructed in the very near future. This will be of great benefit to shippers, and will greatly advance land valnes. Mr. Mills has a well-improved and equipped farm, and devotes considerable attention to raising alfalfa.

Seventeen children have been born in this family, as follows: John C., living two miles northwest of Westerville, has three children; Douglas E., living near Huxley, has eight chil- dren ; Ella H., wife of John II. Robins, living near Rushville, Nebraska, has five children; Blanche and Arthur W., died in infancy, she in 1873 and he in 1875; Aristides, died in 1889; Bessie, wife of Dennis Leman, of Beaver, Wyoming, has five children ; Edna L., wife of Andrew Allen, of Custer county, has one child; Milton, died in 1887; Mabel, wife of Dr. A. J. McArthur, of Weissert, has one child; Charles C., is married, and lives near Huxley, Nebraska; Roscoe C., lives in Custer county; Alice, wife of Myron Goddard, of Custer county, has one child; Frank- lin D., Bayard, Sylvia and Edward R., at home.

Mr. Mills lived in a "soddy" until 1888, and he replaced the first frame house with the pres- ent dwelling, known as White Lodge. January

975

COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY.

12, 1888, the day of the last great blizzard, Mr. Mills had come from Broken Bow to Ansley, and started to drive ont home, but the storm was so severe that after facing it four miles, he and some friends were compelled to return to town, and remain until morning. In the early nineties, they experienced the most diseouragaing period of their life in the west; 1890 and 1894 were years of drouth, while 1891 and 1893 were years of severe hailstorms, 1892 vonchsafing them the only good crop year in the five.

Mr. Mills is a democrat in polities, and, with his wife, is a member of the Westerville Method- ist church. However, he is a believer in the Catholic church, though not a member. Fratern- ally he is an Odd Fellow.

A. R. OSBORN.

Among the representative citizens, whose in- tegrity and industry have had a lrage share in the development and advancement of Madison county, Nebraska, may be mentioned A. R. Osborn, a prominent farmer of Schooleraft pre- einet. Mr. Osborn is highly esteemed in his com- munity, where he has a large number of friends. He is a native of Virginia, born October 28, 1852, to Enoch and Rena Oshorn, natives of Virginia. His father was a Confederate soldier in the Civil war.

Mr. Oshorn was reared and educated in his native state, and eame to Madison county in 1877, and seeured the homestead where he now lives. At that time the nearest market was Columbus, and he was many times obliged to fight prairie fires to save his home and farm buildings. Deer were plentiful in the early days, and helped pro- vide the settler with meat. They burned hay for fuel during the first few years, as coal was scarce and high in price. In the year 1894, Mr. Osborn lost his erops through the hot winds, but he per- severed in spite of hardships and vicissitudes. and developed and improved his place, adding to his land as he was able to do so, until he now owns four hundred and forty aeres of fine farm land. Ile devotes it to mixed farming, and raises considerable stock.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 211

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