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 223

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 223

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In early childhood Mr. Ledwieh accompanied his parents to Essex county, New York, and there grew to maturity. He received his education in the publie schools and soon after leaving school enlisted for service in the civil war. In April, 1861, he be- came private in Company I, Twenty-second New York Infantry but as he had enlisted without his parent's consent and they strongly disapproved of his action, he was dismissed from the service, being then in his eighteenth year. In September, 1864, he again enlisted. this time in Company A. Second New York Cavalry, served until the close of the war. and received his discharge at Mobile, Alabama, in August, 1865. Ile had taken part in many im-

portant engagements, had participated in the Red River campaign with General Banks, and fought at Fort Blakesly.

At the close of the war Mr. Ledwich returned home and remained in New York until 1868, when he purchased land in Iowa and there engaged in farming. In 1871 he went to Minnesota and he re- mained in that state until 1876, when he and his brother William went prospecting in the Black Ilills, spending six years there in the interests of the Ilome Stake Company. In 1881 he located'in Des Moines and three years later came to Nebraska and pre-empted 'one hundred and sixty acres of land. After living on this land several years he secured a homestead in Broken Bow township, also a timber elaim of the same size and adjoining. IIe was married at Broken Bow, November 24, 1886, to Miss Emma King, a native of Lewis county, New York, who came to Custer county with her parents in 1884. The young couple began housekeeping on the homestead and for about seventeen years live. in the little sod house. Mr. Ledwich made various improvements and developed his farm in various ways, being an enterprising and successful farmer and stock raiser.

Since 1904 Mr. Ledwich has lived in Broken Bow, having retired from farm life in that year. He purchased nine acres of land there, on which he has erected a pleasant and comfortable house, where he and his wife enjoy a peaceful and quiet life. Both have always been much interested in publie movements helping along the prosperity and pro- gress of their community and are highly respected · by all who know them. Mr. Ledwieh helped along various local measures and served a number of years as treasurer of school district number one hundred and twenty-one.

RICHARD II. TRENHAILE.

Richard H. Trenhaile while of American birth, is of English parentage. The father, George Tren- haile, was born in Cornwall, and there married Miss Mary Stevens. a native of the same place. He was engaged much of the time in farming, but occa- sionally worked 'at mining in the tin, copper and zine mines of that part of the kingdom, until his emigration to the states about the year 1847. Sail- ing from Falmouth in the full rigged ship "Roslyn Castle," after a voyage of six or seven weeks, they landed in Quebec. Trans-shipping here the travel- ers proceeded 'by the St. Lawrence river, the Wel- land canal and the Great Lakes, to Milwaukee, whence they drove across country in wagons to lowa county, Wiseonsin, and settled near Dodge- ville. Here Mr. Trenhaile engaged in farming as a principal vocation, working in the mines of that. region when not busy on his farm. He moved to Nebraska in the fall of 1874, where he and his good wife died within a day of each other. and were in- terred the same day. The records of the family having been lost there is some uncertainty as to their ages; on their headstones is carved what is

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presumed to be correct ; on the father's "Died Jan- uary 7, 1878, age sixty-two years ;" on the mother's "Died January 6, 1878, aged fifty-five years."

Mr. Trenhaile, Senior, followed the rush into California gold fields in 1864. Here he had an unusual experience ; falling into a shaft sixty feet deep he lay unconscious for a time; climbed to the top by bracing his hands and feet on the sides and then waited for some one to assist him over the edge.

Richard II. Trenhaile, thirteenth in a family of seven sons and seven daughters, ten of whom at- tained maturity, and nine of whom married and reared families, was born near Ridgeway, Wiscon- sin, July 24, 1857, and grew up on the farm. Ile was seventeen years of age when the family moved to Nebraska, and he lived on the home farm in Saunders county until a year after his parents' death. He then moved to a farm eight miles from Fremont where he lived for four years, migrating thence to Hand county, South Dakota, in March 1885, and buying a relinquishment to a quarter sec- tion of fine farming land. In the fall of 1891, Mr. Trenhaile sold his Dakota land and in September moved to Knox county, Nebraska. For two years he rented his brother's farm five miles north of Bloomfield, and in March of 1894 moved to a quar- ter section he had purchased three miles further from town, where he lived eleven years. . In 1905 he retired from aetive farm management, purchas- ing a fine traet of ten acres west of the corporation line of Bloomfield and built a fine two-story, seven- room dwelling on an elevated site, one of the finest appearing homes in town.

Mr. Trenhaile was married in Wahoo, Nebraska, February 24, 1880, to Miss Irene Ellen Wallace, who was born near Lone Roek, Sauk county, Wis- consin, and was fifth in a family of seven children. HIer parents, Phillip and Almeda (Sherman) Wal- lace, were natives of Canada and New York respec- tively. They were married in Ohio moved to Wis- consin about 1854, and to Iowa in 1867, and the father settled in Dodge eounty, Nebraska, in 1875. The father was born May 1, 1825, and died in Ne- braska, January 15, 1883; and the mother died iu 1868, while the family was living in Marion county, Iowa. She was thirty-seven years old. To Mr. and Mrs. Trenhaile three children were born: Amos Richard, who runs the home farm, is married to Sadie M. Jaycox and has two children, Harold and Erma; Ruth is the wife of Delbert Jayeox, living on a farm fourteen miles northwest of Bloomfield, and they have three children, Alice and Ralph, and Nellie Irene is their youngest child.

Mr. Trenhaile is independent in politics with democratie leanings. All in the family belong to the Methodist Episcopal 'chureh.

Mr. Trenhaile was fortunate in the blizzard of January 12, 1888, happening to be at the house when the storm struck. He had brought home a load of eoal the day before, leaving the sled load near the kitchen door where it was convenient for use

during the succeeding frigid days that followed. The Dakota plains were swept by the freezing winds for several days, and a boy whom they knew in the neighborhood was among the unfortunates who perished. Hailstorms have usually passed Mr. Trenhaile's farm, only one causing him especially severe damage, forty acres'of wheat and corn and five of barley being destroyed one season; the wheat was ready for the siekle, and the corn well np and growing nicely ; but there was nothing left when the storm was gone.

There were deer and antelope still in Saunders county when the family moved into that state. Mrs. Trenhaile's father and brother killed one soon after settling in the west and Mrs. Trenhaile has seen them in herds of six or seven. Mr. Trenhaile saw deer in'Knox county in 1884, while on his way to Hand county, South Dakota.

One of the heirlooms of the family is an ancient meat platter, decorated in rich blue figures, that has been in the family many generations, the exaet age of which is unknown.

Mr. Trenhaile 'is now reaping the fruits of a well-spent, industrious life ; he enjoys his eomfort- able home where a eordial hospitality is extended to his friends, and here has all that a reasonable man could wish.

LOUIS L. BUHRMAN.

For the past thirty years the gentleman above named has been prominently identified with the farming interests of Howard county, Nebraska. He resides on northwest quarter secton twenty-nine, township thirteen, range nine, where he has lived sevral years, and is highly esteemed by all wlio know him.

Louis L. Buhrman was born in St. Libory, St. Clair county, Illinois, April 26, 1857, and was third in a family of six ehildren. He lived in Illinois un- til first coming to Howard county, Nebraska, Oc- tober 20,1880, going back to Illinois in March,1881, when the entire Buhrman family, father, mother, and brother John Henry, came to this region. Three married and one single sister had already come into Nebraska.

On September 4, 1883, in St. Libory, Mr. Buhr- man was married to Theresa Eller, who was a na- tive of Illinois and came from an old pioneer fani- ily of Howard county. Mr. and Mrs. Burham have eight children lving. Joseph C., Mary Margaret Annie, Elizabeth Mary, Henry J., John E., Conrad and Bernard B.

Mr. Buhrman is prominent in the affairs of his county, and has always been interested in the 'bet- terment of all conditions. He was a member of the school board in district number forty-one in past years.

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COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY.

GEORGE G. KOSTER.

Among the prominent citizens of Niobrara, Knox county, Nebraska, we mention the gentleman above noted. Mr. hoster is a son of Colonel Herko Koster, who prior to his death was a leading spirit in promoting the growth and welfare of this part of Nebraska. (A complete review of his life's work is to be found elsewhere in this volume.)

George G. Koster was born in the city of Nio- brara on September 23, 1881, and he was the first white child born in the place. His education was obtained in the schools of his birthplace, and since he was a small 'boy he has assisted his father in carrying on the different enterprises in which he was engaged, although the greater part of his time has been spent in the hotel business. In 1903 Col- onel Koster admitted his son to a partnership in the hotel and shortly afterwards George purchased the establishement and took in with him his brother-in-law, Evan L. Gillham, Together they are doing a very large business, catering to the wants of the public in a very satisfying manner and each year adding new features in the way of improve- ments and modern equipment for the comfort of their patrons.

Mr. Koster was united in marriage to Florence Reid, on January 15, 1903, the event occurring at Omaha, where the parents of the bride resided. Four children have been born to our subject and his wife, namely : Florence Grace, Herko Amenzo, Ger trude and George Evan. .

Mr. Koster is a member of the Masonic lodge of Niobrara. He belongs to the Blue Lodge, Knights of Pythias, Elks, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and Woodmen of the World, and is a popular member of the social and business life of the city. Politically he is a staunch democrat, as was his father before him.

LOUIS GUGGENMOS. (Deceased.)

Louis Guggenmos, deceased, was an early set- tler in Howard county, Nebraska. He was born in the Kingdom of Bavaria, Germany, on March 28, 1835, and was reared on his father's farm there. Ile came to America in 1866, locating in Iowa City, Iowa, where he remained for three years, then came on to Nebraska stopping at Omaha for a short time. He wished to thoroughly look over the country be- fore deciding upon a permanent location, and with this end in'view conceived the idea of traveling through the states on foot, his destination being Pike's Peak, Colorado. In company with another adventurous young man he set out to accomplish his purpose, they going first to Grand Island, where his companion grew faint-hearted and abandoned the trip, our subject continuing alone. He went on to North Platte by train, and at this point re- mained for a year working at different things, and also cutting timber for his outfit. He finally came to the conclusion that Nebraska was a desirable place to settle, finding it to be ideal for raising cat-

tle, so invested his small capital in stock, and lo- cated in Howard county in 1871.'

When Mr. Guggenmos landed here he owned thirty-five head of cattle and was the first man to engage in this business in the county. He chose as his location for a ranch a tract of land lying on the west bank of Loup river, homesteading a claim on section thirty-two, township fourteen, range ten, on which was one of the finest natural groves on the river. He worked hard and gradually increased his holdings as he became more prosperous, until he owned eight hundred acres of good land.

In April, 1872, he had the misfortune to be struck by a prairie fire which destroyed his hay, leaving him with seventy-five head of cattle and nothing to carry them on but corn. He came through in fair shape however, without losing a single animal, and this was only one instance of many in which he met with discouragements and loss, but gradually prospered and became num- bered among the wealthy men of his section, his success due entirely to his energy and thrift. Iu March, 1906. Mr. Guggenmos retired from active farm life and removed to St. Paul, where he owned a nice home and ten acres of ground, making it one of the beautiful residences in the city. After just three months in this new home Mr. Guggenmos was injured by a vicious horse, causing concussion of the brain, and his death followed almost instantly. His loss'was a severe one to the community, as he was widely known and esteemed by all who knew him.

Mr. Guggenmos was a republican politically, although he'was never active in his party, prefer- ring to live a quiet home life.

Mr. Guggenmos was married on April 15, 1879, to Barbara Keller, the ceremony taking place in Grand Island. They had a family of seven chil- dren, as follows : Charles, Rose, Cecelia (deceased,) Fred, Della, Lena, Paul and Benjamin, the two latter living with the mother in St. Paul. Charles and Fred are married and with their families re- side in Nebraska. while Rose is a student at the Ne- braska State University in Lincoln and Della a popular teacher in the St. Paul public schools.

Mrs. Guggenmos was born in Switzerland, and came to America when seven years of age. The en- tire family emigrated here (excepting the father, who died in his native country,) their first location being in Long Island, New York, where they re- mained for two years, then they spent three years in New Jersey, coming to Nebraska at the end of that time, or in 1873. In the spring of 1873 the mother purchased eighty acres of land, where Mrs. Guggenmos grew to womanhood the former making her home with her daughter until her death Febru- ary 7, 1910. After the death of our subject his widow was appointed administratrix of his estate, and has taken full charge of affairs since that time, still owning their farm lands and other properties. She with her children are occupying the handsome town residence, and have a large circle of warm friends in the locality.

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COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY.

CHARLES GUGGENMOS.

Charles Gugenmos, who is a well known resi- dent of St. Paul, Nebraska, and son of Louis Gug- genmos, one of the early pioneers of IToward coun- ty, was born in St. Paul township, on May 16, 1880, and his entire life has been spent here. He re- ceived his education in the public schools, and as a boy worked on his father's farm. He now is owner of a finely cultivated traet of eighty acres situated on section eight, township fourteen, range ten, and has one of the model farms in his locality HIis home is now St. Paul, where he is engaged in the hardware business, and is classed among the progressive and up-to-date young merchants of Howard county.

Mr. Guggenmos was married on September 19, 1906, to Miss Kate Duffin, of St. Paul. Mrs. Gug- enmos was for seven years prior to her marriage a teacher in the publie schools of Howard county, and the young couple have many friends in and about St. Paul. They have one child, a daughter Mildred, and enjoy a pleasant home and beautiful surroundings.

J. T. FUNK.

To the men of perseverance and strong deter- mination who came to Nebraska when it was yet un- developed as an agricultural and commercial re- gion, the present prosperity enjoyed there is due. Among the early settlers of Madison county who have been instrumental in bringing about the growth and prosperity now enjoyed in this region, may be mentioned J. T. Funk, a prosperous and successful farmer of Battle Creek township, who, has gained an enviable reputation as a citizen. He resides on section thirty-five, township twenty- three, range two, and is surrounded by a host of good friends und miany neighbors and acquain- tanees.

Mr. Funk is a native of the Keystone state, his birth occurring May 20, 1839 ; he is a son of Joseph and Eliza (Mullen) Funk, both also natives of Pennsylvania, the father being of German descent. and the mother of Scoteh parentage. Our subject lived in his native state until he grew to manhood, receiving the usual school advantages.

In 1861, Mr. Funk enlisted in the civil war, joining Company A, First Pennsylvania Cavalry, under Captain J. K. Robinson, and General Gregg commanding. He received his honorable discharge in September of 1864. Mr. Funk engaged in the following battles: Gettysburg, Spottsylvania, bat- tle of the Wilderness, second battle of Bull Run, Antietam, Bristoe Station, Hands Slope, and St Mary's Church, and while engaged in the latter battle in 1864, was wounded. He has a creditable war record. and can relate many interesting and true incidents of that period of his life.

In 1871 Mr. Funk left his native state and came to Madison county, Nebraska, making the journey by rail as far as Sioux City, Iowa, which was the

end of the railroad in the direction our subject wished to go. Hle then drove overland to his pres- ent homestead, which as before stated, is located in section thirty-five, township twenty-three, range two. He built a frame house on this land, hauling the lumber from Columbus, which at that time was the nearest market place and fifty miles distant.

In those pioneer days on the western frontier, many hardships and diseouragements were en- dured by the sturdy sons who came to subdue and settle this raw, unbroken country. The grasshop- pers were about the greatest source of anxiety and hardship to be endured, they, for the first eight years of our subject's residence here, destroying every spear of erops planted and raised so carefully to a promising harvest; after the pests had taken their flight there would be nothing but bare ground where before their alighting were splendid grow- ing erops. This was very discouraging to the early settlers in a new country, and it caused much pri- vation and worry. Prairie fires were often fought hy the family, many times barely escaping loss of life in the seething wall of flames. For fuel in the winter, hay and corn were burned, as wood was a scarce article in those days, and when it could he gotten the price was above the reach of the average settler of that region.

Mr Funk now owns three hundred and twenty acres of good land. on which are ten acres of trees, making a fine orchard and grove.

Mr. Funk was united in marriage February 15, 1866, to Miss Jane Cunningham, and they are the parents of seven children : Laura. Joseph, deceased ; Lloyd. deceased : Bessie, Edward, Victor, and Jes- «je, deceased. They are a fine family, and enjoy the respect and esteem of all who know them.

Mr. Funk is a republican.

JACOB COOL.

Jacob Cool is one of the honored pioneers of Custer county and is generally respected as a citi- zen of integrity and public spirit. He is a native of Iowa born July 21, 1858, the sixth child in the order of birth of Alfred and Clementine (Gram- mar) Cool who had four sons and five daughters. It is thought his parents were natives of Indiana but they were early settlers of lowa, where they both died, when the son Jacob was a small child, the mother when he was six years old and the father two years later. The boy lived in Iowa until the spring of 1883, received a common school educa- tion and going out in the world to earn his living at an'early age. In the early spring of the year just mentioned he saddled a horse, and leading two other horses, started to ride to Nebraska, reaching Custer county in June and taking a pre-emption and tree claim.

In 1885 MIr. Cool secured a homestead on sec- tien six. township sixteen, range twenty-two, being on of the first settlers in the neighborhood. He and several other young men

GEORGE A. COPSEY.

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COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY.

had made a trip into Nebraska with a team and wagon in 1879, but he had returned to Iowa during the winter. He was attracted to the state as a healthful place to live at the time he decided to make it his permanent home, with this object in view securing some land. He was one of the early bachelors of the county and lived alone several years before his marriage. He now resides on sec- tion thirty-two, township seventeen, range twenty- two, but retains ownership of his original home- stead and pre-emption elaim. He owns six hun. dred and forty-nine aeres of choice land in the county and is one of the more successful farmers and stockmen of his locality, having improved and developed his land to a high state of productive ness. He had to pass through the various years of severe trial, such as years of drouth and panie, which , tested men's souls and endurance, and well earned his present prosperity.

September 13, 1890, Mr. Cool married Annie May Worth, of Custer county, daughter of David and Mary Worth, who came there in 1883. Mrs. Cool was a native of Iowa and died on the home farm March 16, 1904, survived by her husband and four children and deeply mourned, not only by her sorrowing family, but by a wide cirele of friends. She was an early comer to the county and was well known and esteemed for her many fine qualities of mind and heart. Mr. Cool and his sons continue to reside on the home farm. The sons, who were all born on the home farm, are namerd : Ira Truman, Hiram Glenn, Clyde Ray and Golden Porter. The eldest of these, Ira T., a worthy young man, of good character and high ability as a farmer, being now in his twentieth year, assists in the management of the farm, and his efforts and good judgment are a great help to his father in many ways.

GEORGE A. COPSEY.

One of the pioneer citizens of Nebraska, who have passed through the hardships of frontier life and attained a large measure of sneeess through untiring energy and industry, is George A. Copsey, a native of the Empire state anl a veteran of the civil war. We present a portrait of him on another page of this volume.

Mr. Consey was born April 11, 1838, fourteenth in a family of seventeen children born to John, and Mary (Talbert) Copsey, then residing in Herki- mer county, New York. Besides George A. the other children now living are, a daughter in New York state: a daughter in Chicago: a son, Edward Cop- sey, in York county, Nebraska, and a son, William. of Grand Island, same state. Both parents were natives of Egland and they came to America about 1820. The father died in Wisconsin in 1870 and the mother died in Chicago in 1878.

In 1854, when sixteen years of age, George A. Copsey removed to Englewood, Illinois, where he spent one year, then went to Wisconsin, then a pioneer state, and engaged in farming there. He was married in Wisconsin, November 18, 1858, to

Katherine Munn, a native of St. Lawrence county, New York. In December, 1863, Mr. Copsey en- listed in Company C, Sixth Wisconsin Infantry, serving until the close of the war and receiving his discharge at Washington, in June, 1865. The de- cisive engagements in which he participated were: Coal Harbor, Spottsylvania, Stony Creek Station, Wilderness, Five Forks, and Petersburg. He also took part in many minor engagements and skirmishes.

At the close of the war Mr. Copsey returned to his home in Wisconsin and in the fall of 1878 brought his wife and five children to Custer county, homesteading on one hundred and sixty acres of land on section twenty-seven, township seventeen range eighteen, where he

re- sided until 1896. at which time he retired from active life and moved to Ansley, where he bought a good home, which they now occupy. In 1899 he sold his homestead and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of well- improved land which had been equipped as a stock and grain farm, but he has continued to make his home in Ansley. He was instrumental in organizing school distriet number one, the first in Custer county, and served many years as treasurer of the board.

Six children were born to Mr. Copsey and wife: Artemus, who died in 1909, left six children and his widow, living at Westerville; Ella married Douglas Polkenhorn, of Iowa, and they have five children; Harley. of Gretna, Nebraska, is married and has seven children; Rose, wife of George Fletcher, of Colorado, has six children; Effie, wife of David Gardner, of Westerville, has nine chil- dren; and Raymond, at home.

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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 223

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