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 22

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 22

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REMINISCENCE

AND BIOGRAPHY.

GOVERNOR CHESTER HARDY ALDRICH.

Governor Chester Hardy Aldrich was born at Pierpont, Ohio, on the 10th of November, 1862. His parents were George W. and Sophrona E. (Hardy) Aldrich. Chester Hardy Aldrich was given excellent training and educational advan- tages in his youth, and grew up with everything in his favor for making a success in life. After a thorough preliminary education, he entered the Ohio State University, from which he was gradu- ated with the class of 1888 with the degree of A. B. The degree of L. L. B. was conferred upon him in 1911 by the Nebraska Wesleyan University.

Our subject was married June 4, 1889, to Sylvia E. Stroman of Ulysses, Butler county, Nebraska.

While still a young man Chester Hardy Aldrich left his Ohio home and came west. He settled at David City, Butler county, Nebraska, where he was admitted to the bar in 1891, and began the practice of law. He still makes David City his home. He has varied business interests, and de- votes a great deal of attention to stock raising. He has always taken an active interest in all mat- ters that affected the public welfare, and is one of the leaders of thought and action of the state. He was a member of the state senate in 1907, and in 1910 was elected governor for the term begin- ning January, 1911. In political affairs Mr. Al- drich is a republican, and in religious affiliations a Methodist. He is also a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, being a Knight Templar. A man of high character and integrity, he holds the respect and esteem of his fellow men of all parties and creeds.

HON. JAMES N. PAUL.

Hon. James N. Paul, probably better known than any resident of Howard county, Nebraska,

and, as his name would indicate, one of the found- ers of the city of St. Paul, is a gentleman of large means, and a leader in the affairs of his county and state. In 1901 Mr. Paul was appointed judge of the eleventh judicial district of Ne- braska, and is still on the bench, having been elected for a second term without opposition.

Judge Paul is a native of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, born September 23, 1839, and in 1840 the family moved to

Meigs county, Ohio. He received his early educa- tion there, and at the age of twenty began the study of law in Gallipolis, Ohio. In 1864 he en- listed in Company H, one hundred and fortieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, saw considerable hard service, and was mustered out of the army at Gallipolis, Ohio, in 1865. He then went to Leav- enworth, Kansas, and continued his law studies while working as a civil engineer, remaining there four years, when he came into Nebraska as a civil engineer and surveyor, following this work for eight years. He was admitted to the bar in St. Paul, Nebraska, in 1873. Three years previously he and a brother, N. J. Paul (whose sketch ap- pears in this book) had spent some time in How- ard county, laying out the village plat of St. Paul.

In 1873 Judge Paul established the first news- paper in St. Paul, called the "Howard County Advocate," continuing the publication of the or- gan for about seven years, at which time he gave up newspaper work and turned his entire at- tention to his law practice, real estate deals and various other interests. He succeeded in building up a large and lucrative practice in the general courts of Nebraska. In 1885 he was elected a member of the state senate and chairman of the judiciary committee, serving one term.

On December 24, 1869, Judge Paul was mar- ried to Mary F. Paul of Leavenworth, Kansas, and to them have been born the following chil-

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COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY.

dren: Charles Howard, who is a lawyer, is mar- ried, and resides in New York city; Herbert J., who with his family lives in St. Paul, he being court reporter for the eleventh judicial district ; James Leonard, civil engineer, also living in St. Paul with his family, and Willard S., cashier in the St. Paul State Bank. Mrs. Paul is a lady of charm and rare mental attainments, active in the Federation of Women's Clubs in the state, and the entire family are held in high esteem by as- sociates.

EX-GOVERNOR W. A. POYNTER.

Among the prominent men in publie life of Nebraska, none is held in higher esteem by the people of that state than the gentleman above mentioned, now deceased. His faithful discharge of his official duties, his upright character and lovable disposition, have placed him among the most highly esteemed men of his time, and in his demise the people of his locality have lost a faith- ful and disinterested friend, his party a strong advocate and the church of Christ an elder and workmen above the average.

W. A. Poynter was born in Woodford county, Illinois, on May 29, 1848, and there grew to man- hood. He was educated at Eureka college, gra- duating from that institution with an A. B. de- gree, and later the degree of A. M. was conferred on him from his alma mater.

He was married in October, 1869, to Maria J. McCorkle, and to them were born two children, C. W. M. Poynter, M.D., and Mrs. Josephine Bick- ford, both now living in Lincoln, Nebraska.

On coming to Nebraska, he soon entered into the work of reform in political matters. He was foremost in the Farmers Alliance and the Anti- Monopoly movement, which finally culminated in the populist party. Of this party he was one of the founders and always a leader. As a populist he was elected governor, and went direct from his farm-from the plow handles and dairy-to the executive chamber. Mr. Poynter led an ac- tive life, making his home in Illinois up to 1879, at which time he came to Boone county, Nebraska, and settled on a farm in Rozelma precinct, which he owned at the time of his death, which occurred on April 5, 1909, while he was transacting busi- ness at the state house.

Mr. Poynter was elected state representative while living on his farm, and later was elected to the senate, and speaker of the senate, filling both offices with dignity and ability. His party was one of reform, and he was one of the fondest, always a trusted leader. In the fall of 1898, he was elected governor of Nebraska, and made his residence in Lincoln from that time on. For five years prior to his death he was on the Univer- sity Institute force, and spent the winter lectur- ing all over the state, gaining the acquaintance of a wide circle of people, and becoming very well known among the leading men in state and

national affairs. In this work his evening lecture was very popular and a great inspiration.to agri- culturalists.

On the morning preceding his death he went to the state house to plead for the daylight saloon bill, not that he favored the saloon at all, but that this much of a reform might be accom- plished. After closing his speech, which was full of earnestness and eloquence, he stepped back in line with the others and immediately expired. He was a man of noble character, always fighting for the best in life, and carrying this thought to the last, faithful to the last, and he left many friends among all classes to mourn his demise.

Mr. Poynter was a thorough christian, and had spent his life in active service of the church. At the time of coming to Nebraska, he took a leading part in planting the church in his neigh- borhood, which still stands, a strong influence for good. All the enemies he left were those who opposed him in his works of righteousness and efforts at reform.

HON. W. L. KIRK.

The above gentleman is the genial editor of the Creighton News, and while not born in Ne- braska, has spent practically his entire career within the state, having been brought to Richard- son county while an infant in arms. This was before the grasshopper raid struck the state, and he well remembers the time when for two years his father's crops were consumed by the pests. After the family's removal to Antelope county, in 1881, they were often threatened with prairie fires, and occasionally schools were dis- missed in order to help fight the flames. Sand storms frequently devastated their crops, as after a three-days' blow there was usually no sign of vegetation, but after a rain-which generally fol- lowed these storms-the green blades were again brought out. During the blizzard of 1888, which is well remembered by every old-timer, Mr. Kirk barely escaped being caught in the storm. He had his horse saddled, intending to visit a neigh- boring school, when, noticing the threatening clouds, he decided to wait a while, and inside of ten minutes the snow blew so fiercely that he was unable to see the house. Mr. Kirk has seen this country in its primitive state, when its land would not be accepted as a gift, and often compares it with the present, when its soil produces as large crops as can be found in any section in the coun- try.

Mr. Kirk is a son of Wm. T. and Mary B. Kirk, who are natives of Mason county, Kentucky, and are now residing in Plainview. His birth occurred on January 30, 1869, in Mason county, Kentucky. He was educated in the country schools of Rich- ardson and Antelope counties, attending the Creighton high school later. While a student there, he worked for his board, and in his spare moments learned to set type in the office of the

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Creighton - News. After attending school two years, he quit, entering the office of Lucas & Lo- gan, printers and publishers of the Courier, doing chores for enough to keep him in pocket money. He was employed by that firm with an increase of two dollars per week, until his parents removed to Plainview, where he joined them, and secured work with the Plainview Herald, which was pur- chased later by his father and himself. After running the paper for a time, he sold it and leased the Osmond Herald, selling his interest in the latter business in 1892 to its present owner, B. S. Leedom. He then worked as a compositor for some time, and leased the Elgin Advance in March, 1893. He prospered for the first year, then, times being hard and the effects of the panic of that year becoming felt considerably, he aban- doned the business and started all over again. For three years he was editor and manager of the Neligh Yeoman. When that journal changed hands, he severed his connection with it, return- ing to Plainview and entering the employ of N. E. Foster, its owner. During the latter's incum- bency as chief clerk of the legislature, Mr. Kirk had entire management for six months. He was next employed by W. E. Powers on the Pierce Leader until September, 1901, when he returned to the office in which he first learned to set type, leasing the paper of H. L. McCoy. He has run this paper ever since, building up the circulation and improving the office in every way, infusing new life in it, and making it one of the first pub- lications in the county, and, in fact, in north- eastern Nebraska.

Mr. Kirk was married at Plainview, April 28, 1892, to Rosa M. Buckingham, and they are the parents of two daughters, Opie and Esther.

Politically Mr. Kirk is a staunch republican, who gives forcible expression of his views in his ably conducted journal. He served as a member of the house in the thirty-second session of the Nebraska legislature, being elected from a demo- cratic district, overturning a four hundred ma- jority; served on the insurance, immigration, labor and public printing committees, and was chairman of the house committee on university investigation, looking into the needs and condi- tions of the state university. A heavy democratic majority did not give a republican much show, but he got one bill through to become a law. He was an active member, and received considerable recognition, although a minority member.

Mr. Kirk has been a member of the school board for the past five years, serving as secretary most of that time. He is a prominent Mason Past Chancellor Commander of the K. of P., also a leading member of the M. W. A. and Royal Highlanders. Mrs. Kirk holds the office of Past Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star.

GOVERNOR A. C. SHALLENBERGER.

Ex-Governor A. C. Shallenberger has for many

years been one of the most prominent residents of Alma, Nebraska, and is widely known through Harlan county and the surrounding country as a successful agriculturalist and stockman. He is president of the Bank of Alma, which he estab- lished in 1887, and of which he was cashier for six years, from 1887 to 1893 inclusive, then be- came the head of the institution. He served for some time as mayor of Alma, and represented this district in congress in 1900. In 1906 he was the democratic candidate for governor of Ne- braska, and again in 1908, when he was elected to that office and served one term.

Mr. Shallenberger was born in 1861 at Toulon, Illinois. He came to Nebraska in 1880, settling in Polk county. He was then eighteen years of age, and for some time after locating here was employed as a clerk in a store at Osceola, Ne- braska, and also at Stromburg, Nebraska. He has five brothers, two of whom are managers for the International Harvester Company, and three are engaged in the banking business, so it was only natural for him to select this line of work. The Bank of Alma has a capital of $30,000. To illustrate the rapid growth of the Bank of Alma, it is only necessary to say that while seventeen years ago the deposits were only $8,000, they are today over $200,000. Then there were no farm- ers' accounts, and now the bank carries many hundred accounts, the greater portion of them be- ing from farmers, which shows the wonderful progress of this vicinity and the prosperity of the farmers and stockmen. Since 1890 lands in this section of Nebraska have advanced from two hun- dred to three hundred per cent. Mr. Shallenber- ger is the owner of one thousand seven hundred and twenty acres of fine farm land located near Alma, and since 1890 he has raised and fed large numbers of cattle and hogs each year. The farm land about here has become so high that he has gone out of ordinary stock, and breeds only the best, and keeps only thoroughbred shorthorn cattle, preferring these, as they serve the dual purpose of beef and dairy, and the latter pays better on high-priced land than beef cattle. At the Nebraska State Fair in 1906, "Bar None II" took first prize and sweepstakes, and at the Royal exhibit held at Kansas City he captured second prize for yearling bulls. Mr. Shallenberger cap- tured eleven first prizes in 1907, and in 1908 cap- tured nine first prizes. He has now seventy-five to one hundred thoroughbred shorthorns in his herd, and at his sales held each year, buyers come from all over Nebraska and Kansas, recognizing the fact that they will get nothing but the best of stock. There is probably no man in western Ne- braska who has made a closer study of financial and agricultural conditions of the state, and he is recognized as an authority on these subjects. Mr. Shallenberger was married in 1884 to Miss Eliza Zilg of Spring Green, Wisconsin. They have three children: Martin Shallenberger, who is second lieutenant of the sixteenth United States

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infantry ; Grace Shallenberger, at the University of Nebraska, and Dorothy Shallenberger, at home.

OBED CRAVATH.

Among the truly self-made and highly success- ful pioneers of Nebraska, the name of Obed Cra- vath deserves a prominent place. During his career of forty years as a farmer, he can boast of never having had a failure of crops, although passing through pioneer experiences in both this state and Minnesota. He now resides in Fuller- ton with his family, retired from active labor, and is numbered among Nance county's substantial and worthy citizens, an active man of affairs, and widely known throughout the entire region. We are pleased to present a portrait of Mr. Cra- vath on another page.

Obed Cravath is a native of Michigan, born in Washtenaw county, April 27, 1835, and is a son of Obed and Hannah Cushman Cravath. He re- ceived his education in his home state, and was interested in farming there as a young man. His father died when he was but four years of age, and his mother remained on the home farm until her death, which occurred in 1851. In the sum- mer of 1855 Mr. Cravath went to Minnesota, took up a claim in Olmsted county, and after making arrangements for proving up on the land, re- turned to Michigan, where in April of the follow- ing year he was married to Charlotte E. Kellan, also born and reared in Michigan. After their marriage, they moved to Mr. Cravath's claim in Minnesota, remaining on the place for five years, then purchased additional land and established a permanent home. In 1878 Mr. Cravath made a trip through the country, taking in different parts of Nebraska, and came through Nance county, which seemed to him to be a very desira- ble country, and two years later brought his fam- ily here, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres in section thirty, township seventeen, range six, which formed their home farm for fifteen years. He added to his original place until he now owns four hundred and five acres. They then located in Fullerton, and have since made their home in the little city. During his career as a farmer, Mr. Cravath has been very successful and is num- bered among the substantial and prosperous men of his county.

Mr. and Mrs. Cravath have no family of their own, but have one adopted daughter, Inez Marie, who lives with them. In 1893 Mr. Cravath was elected county clerk on the populist ticket, and was also ex-officio clerk of the court. While liv- ing in Minnesota he was assessor of his township, also chairman of the board of supervisors, county commissioner and justice of the peace for six years. As justice of the peace Mr. Cravath per- formed one marriage ceremony, and as clerk of the court signed one man's death warrant. With the exception of the office of justice of the peace,

which he filled three terms, Mr. Cravath was elec- ted and filled the other positions' for one term each. He was born in Michigan when it was a territory, and moved to Minnesota before it be- came a state. During his entire life, he has acted as pall bearer at only one funeral, and once offi- ciated as funeral director.

SAMUEL A. KENNEY.

One of the oldest residents of northeastern Nebraska is Samuel A. Kenney, who is also one of the earliest settlers of Stanton county. He was born in Washington county, Maryland, April 2, 1823, and is the son of Samuel and Margaret Hanna Kenney, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of Washington county. The father died at the age of fifty-six, but the mother lacked only four years of the century mark when she died.

When Samuel A. was only six months old, his father moved to Fairfield county, Ohio, and settled sixteen miles west of where Columbus was later platted for the state capital. At that time, this was the extreme frontier, and the set- tler was abliged to carry his rifle with him at all times, for the thick woods sheltered panthers, lynx and wild cats, any of them being dangerous to meet when unarmed. Mr. Kenney grew up on the farm here, and when about twenty, went to Zanesville and worked for seven years at the tanner's trade.

In August, 1850, Mr. Kenney married Almina Elizabeth Vermillion at Gratiot, Ohio. She was a native of Virginia. In the fall of that year, Mr. Kenney and his bride pushed still farther west- ward, becoming pioneers in Coles county, Illinois. At one time he and his wife picked a pailful of wild strawberries on the present site of Mattoon. He lived here for two years and one-half, and with the restlessness of the true pioneer, again moved west to the fore front of civilization, reach- ing Madison county, Iowa, in June, 1853. He made this place his home for six years, and de- veloped a good farm in the midst of the wilder- ness. At this time so many big timber rattle- snakes were found that the county offered a bounty, and the old records show that over five thousand and two hundred were killed in one day.

In the summer of 1860, Mr. Kenney and his family returned to Ohio, his wife not having seen her old home and kindred since leaving as a bride ten years before. The family traveled back in the same prairie schooner that had carried them west. They passed through Mattoon, their former home for a few years, the day on which Lincoln was first elected to the presidency. They remained in Ohio through the winter, enjoying a long visit with home folks and old friends until about the time that the war broke out. For weeks they retraced their steps until they reached their Iowa home.

During the long and fierce struggle between

OBED CRAVATH.

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the north and the south, Mr. Kenney lived on his Iowa farm, but in 1869 he sold his lands and again pushed onward to the ever-receding frontier. He had heard of the rich prairies of Nebraska, and made his way direct to the Lowery farm in Stan- ton county, the owner of which was a relative of one of their Iowa neighbors. They rested here a few days, then pushed on, and in June finally located on a homestead two miles north of where Stanton now stands.

Mr. Kenney homsteaded a quarter section at first, and later purchased an eighty-acre tract ad- joining. He at one time owned an additional half section, but as land was a drug on the market, and taxes often were higher than the value of the crops produced, he sold it. Mrs. Kenney died here in 1895 at the age of sixty-three years. Mr. Kenney, however, remained here until 1906, when he retired from active management of the farm.

The first building on this homestead was a three-room dugout, in which the family lived for eight years. The lumber for the door of this primitive dwelling was hauled from Omaha, one hundred miles or so away. In 1877 he built a more comfortable dwelling and barn.

Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kenney : Margaret Hanna, whose wedding was one of the first in Stanton county, when she mar- ried Wm. H. Brown; Christiana (Mrs. Jos. Pi- lant) ; Emma (Mrs. Harry Harris) ; Ella (Mrs. Thos. Shillington) ; Perry, James, Albert, Anna Belle (Mrs. Amos Prawitz), Katie (Mrs. Adam Warner) and William. Two of the children died.

In politics Mr. Kenney is a democrat, and he is also a member of the Methodist church. He is remarkably well preserved for a man nearing ninety, active and clear-minded, and bids fair to round out a century or more. His heart is as young as it ever was, and he takes as much interest in children as when his own were small, and, as for the children, they are firmly per- suaded that there is no one, in the whole world, who can tell such wonderful stories as Grandpa Kenney.

JOHN SAUDERS.

The name of John Sauders is familiar to the residents of Pierce county, Nebraska, where he has lived for many years. Locating here in 1881, when this region was practically in its infancy, he has taken a leading part in its development and growth from its early settlement.

Mr. Sauders was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, March 7, 1841, and is the son of John and Ellen (Amsted) Sauders, natives of Pennsyl- vania and Maryland, respectively. Our subject has one brother, William Sauders, who lives in Sidney, Ohio.

When leaving his native state, our subject went to Cairo, Alexander county, Illinois, where for six or seven years he followed the river be- tween Pittsburg on the Ohio and LaSalle on the

Illinois, and from Keokuk to New Orleans on the Mississippi. In 1867 he settled in McLean county, Illinois, and farmed near Randolph for a period of ten years. He then moved to Ringo county, Iowa, where he lived for four years, finally set- tling in Pierce county in 1881, filing on the two middle eighties of the west half of section five, township twenty-eight, range four. He lived in a dugout for twelve years, then built a good house. He has developed this land into a fine place, with a seven-acre grove of thrifty trees.

Mr. Sauders went through the hardships to which this section was subjected in the early days, but fortunately was one of the few who suffered no loss in the blizzard of 1888. Like other early settlers, his only fuel for eight years was hay and corn.

At the outbreak of the civil war, Mr. Sauders served two months in the state militia, and then enlisted in company E, Eighteenth Illinois infan- try, at Cairo, May 28, 1861. He served his coun- try for three years, receiving his discharge at Springfield, Illinois, June 11, 1864. He fought in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh and Vicks- burg, besides many smaller engagements and skirmishes. He received a number of slight flesh wounds, but never reported them, fearing dis- charge. He was in the hospital three times, but reported again for duty as soon as possible after getting again on his feet.

In politics Mr. Sauders is a staunch repub- lican.

HANS C. ENEVOLDSEN.

Hans C. Enevoldsen, for many years a prom- inent resident of Loup Fork precinct, Howard county, is a prosperous farmer, and commands the respect of a large circle of acquaintances. He is a gentleman of untiring energy, possessed of sterling characteristics, and has prospered in his chosen calling.

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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 22

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