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 230

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 230

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sibilities, and at his death assumed full charge of his business affairs, assisted by her son Edward. who at that time was but sixteen years of age.

Mrs. Bartle's mother is still living in Saunders county, at the home of one of her daughters, and at the age of eighty-five years is active and takes a lively interest in all matters pertaining to the farm which she still owns.

WILLIAM H. PREDMORE.

William H. Predmore, an old and widely known citizen of Custer county, Nebraska, is a large landholder and a prosperous business man. Ile is a native of Findlay, Ohio, born March 5, 1844, youngest of the ten children born to Moses and Jane (Cayton) Predmore, the father a native of New Jersey, and the mother of Pennsylvania. Moses Predmore died at Garnavillo, Iowa, in 1862, and his widow passed away at Point Pleasant in the same state, in 1878. Besides William HI , there is a daughter. Mrs. Caroline Strother, who lives in Iowa, but the other children are all de- ceased. In 1849 William H. Predmore accompa- nied his parents to Iowa, where he reached ma- turity on a farm, being educated in the local schools. Later he engaged in farming on his own account, and being reared to habits of persever- ance and industry, has been very successful in his chosen occupation. 1

Mr Predmore was united in marriage with Bertha E. Coslor, in Winneshiek county, Iowa, on March 28, 1865. Mrs. Predmore was born in Ger- many, a daughter of Jacob and Adeline Coslor, both also natives of that country. Mr. and Mrs. Coslor both died in Iowa, he in 1848 and she in 1856. One son, Augustus, lives at Sargent, Cus- ter county, retired from active life. The family came to America in 1846 and first located in'Cin- cinnati, Ohio, later coming west. Mr. Predmore and wife made their first home in Clayton county, Iowa where he eventually purchased land. In the spring of 1874 he brought his wife and their three children to Fremont, Nebraska, living there ten years. They came to Custer county in the sprng of 1884 and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land on Middle Loup river. In 1890 they removed to Broken Bow, where they remained about fifteen years. They then came to their present place, which adjoins the city limits of Broken Bow on the west. Ile had purchased this farm some years prior and in 1903 erected a fine home there. He has a well-equipped farm and has it in fine condition.

Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Pred- more : Adeline M., wife of H. G. Hall, of Sidney, Nebraska, has two children; James W., living five miles west of Broken Bow, is married and has five children ; Daniel W., of Cluster county, has two children. Mr. Predmore is the owner of eleven hundred and sixty acres of land, all in Custer county, and is well-known as a self-made man. He

is an enterprising and patriotic citizen and inter- osted in all measures for the welfare of his county, and state. Ile is member of the Masonic order and has been so for forty years.

R. J. RAGAN.

In reviewing the history of eastern Nebraska, the citizens who have contributed to the welfare of this section of the state must be given special mention, and a prominent place among this num- ber is accorded to the gentleman above named, and also to his father, Patrick Ragan, who is one of the leading old settlers of this state. Mr. Ragan resides on seetion twenty-seven, township twenty- one, range one, Madison county, where he and his father are well and favorably known, and enjoy the respect and esteem of all who know them, and their friends are many.

R. J. Ragan, our subject, is a native-born Ne- braskan, his birth having occurred in Platt county, May 5, 1882, and he is a son of Patrick and Kath- erine (Ragan) Ragan, the father being a native of Ireland, where his birth cecurred in County Kerry, in 1949.

The son received the usual school advantages in his native state, where he has remained all his life, and as far as he knows, always intends to remain. as taking it all in all, Nebraska has treated him fairly well.

Our subject's father, Patrick Ragan, left his native land for the new world in'1861, embarking on a sailboat at Liverpool, and landing in Canada, where he remained one year, and from thence came to the United States. After arriving in this country, he came west to Platte county, Nebraska, in, 1869, and tock up a homestead in section four. township twenty, range one, and on this land put up a sod house and lived in this seven years, later building a good 'frame house.

In those early days on the frontier, the family experienced many hardships and discouragements ; the virgin soil of the open prairie had scarcely known the eut of a plow or the touch of cultiva- tion, and when the family planted their first crops, the grasshoppers came in hordes and devoured every vestage of vegetation to be found anywhere; many times they fought the destructive prairie fires that so often crept upon the early settler un- aware, and had great difficulty in saving their lives and property. In strange contrast to the . fires which raged round, the settlers found fuel a scarce article and often were compelled to burn twisted hay and cornstalks for cooking and warmth. In those days, Columbus was the nearest market place, the town being thirty-five miles dis- tant, and much time was consumed in making the- journey to and fro. Deer and antelope were plen- tiful then, and were seen in herds grazing through- out the country.

In 1903 Mr. Ragan, senior, came to Madison county, Nebraska, and bought the land where he

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now resides, and during his residence here has proved himself to be a substantial and progressive citizen, and with his son enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know them in the community in which they reside.

J. D. GABELMAN.

J. D. Gabelman, a prominent farmer and stock man living on section seventeen, township twenty- one, range two, is well-known throughout Madison county, as a progressive and successful agricultur- ist, highly esteemed by all who know him.

Mr. Gabelman is a native of Will county, Illi- nois, where he was born June 11 1857, a son of Jacob and Pheobe (Deed) Gabelman. The father was a miller by trade, and followed that occupa- tion in the old country. Our subject's father eame to America on a sailboat bound from Bre- men to New York, and was on the sea about forty- two days. After landing in the new world, the father stopped at Rochester, New York, and then proceeded to Illinois state, remaining there a few years.

In 1872 Mr. Gabelman, with his parents, came to Nebraska, locating in Madison county, where his father took up a homestead, and on this land built a frame house, fourteen by eighteen feet. Here in the earliest days of settlement on the west- ern frontier, the little family suffered many hard- ships and privations, as did so many of the brave sons who came to this undeveloped country to brave the unknown dangers and suffering. The grass- hoppers took all the crops the first few years the family were in Nebraska, which was very discour- aging to them and the few other settlers. Deer and antelope were plentiful in those days, and frequently could be seen grazing about; many times they burned hay and corn stalks for fuel to keep warm by, as wood was too scarce and high in price to think of buying it.

In 1877 Mr. Gabelman was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Knapp, and to this union nine children were born, whose names are as follows: Jacob, Charles, Fred, Frank, William, Alfred, Myra, Pearl, and Elizabeth. They are a fine family and in their comfortable home are sur- rounded by a host of good friends and acquaint- anees, and enjoy the respect and esteem of all who know them.

JOHN P. TACKLEY.

John P. Tackley, a prominent citizen of Custer county, Nebraska, was among the earlier settlers of the state and has passed through various periods of the history of the development of the country from a region of wild prairies to farms villages and eities. Ile was born in Syracuse, New York, October 7, 1845, fourth of the ten children of Peter and Mary Tackley, both natives of France, but married in America. Both parents died in New

York, the father about 1890 and the mother in 1909. They were farmers and their children were reared to farm life and educated in the loeal schools. Besides John P. Tackley, there are three sons and a daughter in California, one daughter in Chicago, and two sons and two daughters in New York.

After leaving school Mr. Tackley learned the trade of cooper, which he followed in his native state and later in Toledo, Ohio, where he located in 1881. He was married in New York, July 26, 1869, to Ellen Delong, a native of that state. In 1883 they removed from Ohio to Custer county, Nebraska, securing a homestead near Anselmo and a timber claim of one hundred and sixty acres. They also pre-empted eighty acres of land. In 1895 they sold their farming interests in Custer county, receiving but thirty-five dollars for the timber claim, and returned to Toledo, remaining there about a year and a half. In the spring of 1897 Mr. Tackley again decided to locate in Custer county and for nine years conducted a store at Gates. In 1907, they came to their present home, at Lillian postoffice, where they have established a general store and enjoy a good custom. Mr. Tack- ley has established himself in the good opinion of his neighbors and is a man of business foresight and enterprise. He and his wife are well-known in many eireles and enjoy the esteem of a large number of friends.

Two children blessed the union of Mr. Tackley and wife: Georgia, wife of William Newcomb, of Custer county, has ten children, and Flora, who married Morton Russell, also of Custer county, and has eight children. Mrs. Tackley's father, Lo- renzo, Delong, and his wife, Nancy (Fargo) De- long, were natives of New York, where their en- tire lives were spent. Mr. Delong died in 1875 and his wife in 1881. Mrs. Tackley has a brother and two sisters living in New York. She is now serving as postmistress at Lillian, having been ap- pointed to this office in 1907.

FRANCIS JOLL.

The gentleman above mentioned is counted among the oldest settlers of Knox county, Nebraska. Since locating here in 1883, he has taken a foremost part in the development of this region, and has built up a'good home and farm in section twenty. six, township thirty-one, range three.

Mr. Joll is a native of England, his birth oeeur- ring in 1856; and he is a son of John and Ann (Sheer) Joll, both natives of England. The father was a miner in England. Our subject received his edveation in his native land, where he grew to his manhood years; then hearing of the better oppor- tunities offered a young man in the new world, he came to America. embarking at Liverpool for New York. After reaching American shores, he vent directly to Colorado, where he worked in a

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mine for six years, then going to LaSalle, Illinois, mining there seven years, until 1883.

In 1883, Mr. Joll came to Knox county, Ne- braska, where he took up a homestead in sections twenty-seven and twenty-eight, township thirty- one, range seven, which he greatly improved. Later he bought eighty acres of land from J. T. Linsey, which he also improved, and out of which he has made a fine home for himself and family, and where he now lives.

Mr. Joll, like so many of the earlier settlers of this western region, experienced a great many hardships and disappointments in the pioneer days, and as late as 1900 lost all his crops through the hailstorms of that season. But Mr. Joll has stuck to his faith in Nebraska soil and her natural resources, and has been well repaid for his faith- fulness.

In 1881, Mr. Joll was united in marriage to Miss Mary Taylor, and, Mr. and Mrs. Joll are the parents of three children, whose names are as fol- lows : Maude, Ella, and Ethel.

Mr. and Mrs. Joll and family are highly es- teemed and respected by all who know them, and in their pleasant home are surrounded by a host of congenial friends and acquaintances.

JOHN GREENWALD.

One of the typical pioneers of northeastern Ne- braska is the gentleman named above, John Green- wald. He is one of the earlier settlers of Wayne county, and can relate many of the pioneer ex- periences of the settlers of this locality, who braved the hardships and privations and became perma- nent settlers and prosperous farmers. He has succeeded in building up a good home and has gained the confidence and esteem of a large circle of acquaintances.

Mr. Greenwald is a native of Hesse-Armstadt, Germany, and was born in 1840. His parents, Conrad and Barbara Greenwald, were small farmers. The subscriber's early years were spent in his native land, where he received his education.

In 1862, Mr. Greenwald came to America, as so many thousands of his countrymen have come. sinee, to seek his fortune in the land of oppor. tunity. He went from Baltimore directly to Pennsylvania, and from there to Cincinnati, Ohio, then to St. Louis, Missouri, and from the latter place to Pekin, Tazewell county, Illinois, where he remained'about ten years, working at the trade of blacksmith, which he had learned in his native country. On account of his health, he decided to stop working at his trade and come farther west.

In 1875 he accordingly came to Wayne county, Nebraska, and bought what was known as the "George Graves Place" of three hundred and twenty acres. Since purchasing this homestead, he has made many extensive improvements, not the least of which is the planting of a fine orehard of 'five acres or so, which is now in its prime. He has prospered, in spite of the many discourage- ments which fell to his lot during the early years

of pioneer life, when grasshoppers, prairie fires, and blizzards all seemed to conspire to make the settler's life a burden. He now has a comfortable home, and a good farm, the very appearance of which indicates thrift and good management.

In 1868, Mr. Greenwald was married to Miss Pauline Weiland, of Tazewell. They are the par- ents of seven children, upon whom they have be- stowed the following names: Lewie, John, Pauline, Lizzie, Annie, Matilda, and Phillip.

Mr. and Mrs. Greenwald are members of the German Lutheran church, and Mr. Greenwald is a democrat although not party bound, voting for the men he considers best qualified for office.

CHIARLES SCHERZBERG.

In reviewing the history of eastern Nebraska, the citizens who have contributed to her welfare must be given special mention, and a prominent place among this number is given to the venerable gentleman above named. Mr. Scherzberg is a pioneer settler, and is perhaps one of the best known men of his locality.

He was born in Fuerstendurhm, Sondershaus- en, Gold Valley, Germany, December 26, 1837. ITis parents were also natives of Germany.

In 1858 Mr. Scherzberg came to America, lo- cating in Michigan, where he followed the occupa- tion of farming; then going into Iowa in 1864, then into South Dakota, where he remained three months, when he returned to Iowa, and was en- gaged in railroading for the northwestern railroad.

In 1866 Mr. Scherzberg, eame to Nebraska to follow railroading, and was one of the locators of Grand Island. He came to Merrick county in 1866.

In the summer of 1872, Mr. Scherzberg was married to Miss Lizzie Clumke, who was also born in Germany, and came to America in 1872. Four children were born of this union: Ellen, wife of D. Knightfield, has eight children and lives in Merrick county ; Arthur, who resides in Nebraska ; Carl, married, has five children, and lives in Hall county ; and an infant, deccased. Mrs. Scherz- berg died February 29, 1880.

Mr. Seherzberg has been prosperous and suc- eessful and owns two hundred and eighty acres, which is used as a stock and grain farm. Ile has acted as road supervisor some years, which offiee he has filled to the entire satisfaction of the people, and with credit to himself.

On October 14, '1880, Mr. Seherzberg was mar- ried to Augusta Popblke, a native of Prussia. Three children were born of this union: Alfred, who resides in Loup county, Nebraska; Walter, married, has three children, and lives in Merrick county ; and Oscar, who resides at home.

Mr. Scherzberg is one of the early settlers of the county, and is widely and favorably known. He lives on section ten, township eleven, range eight; his postoffice address being Grand Island, Nebraska, rural free delivery, number four.

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JAMES A. LINDSAY.

The advent of James A. Lindsay in Knox eounty, Nebraska, dates from April, 1881, the spring of the great flood, he reaching Yankton previous to the time the waters had begun to rise. From there he came to Running Water, and crossed to Niobrara, which has since been his per- manent home.

Mr. Lindsay was born in Peoria, Illinois, ou February 20, 1844. His father, John T. Lindsay, was a native of Pennsylvania, late in life came 10 Niobrara and died here in 1907. His mother, James A. Lindsay's grandmother, settled in Illi- nois, on a farm which she purchased in the early part of the nineteenth century, and this land is now a part of the city of Peoria. John T. Lind- say came to Peoria when about nineteen years of age. He read law there and was admitted to the bar, later becoming a partner of the celebrated Robert G. Ingersoll. He became interested in railroad construction work and was made Presi- dent of the Peoria, Atlantic & Decatur railroad, but on account of the loss of his hearing was com- pelled to give up the work, and after expending thousands of dollars in an effort to regain his hear- ing, was unsuccessful, therefore, was forced to di: - pose of his various holdings, and finally settled in Knox county, where'he owned a ranch, and which he lived on for a number of years, but his death oeeurred at the home of his son, James A. Lind- say, in Niobrara.

At the outbreak of the Civil war, James A. Lindsay enlisted in Company C, Seventy-seventh Illinois Infantry, under the command of Colonel Grier, and served until the close of the war, being mustered out in July, 1865. During this time he was in thirteen engagements, including the famous battles of Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, the siege of Vicksburg, and the several skirmishes along the White river. IIis regiment was sent on the Red River expedition under Banks, thence to New Orleans, and participated in the siege of Mo- bile, Mr. Lindsay's regiment being at Spanish Fort when the news of Lee's surrender reached them. From the foul water supply around Vicksburg le was taken siek and sent to the hospital, from which he promptly escaped and rejoined his regiment, thus avoiding the danger of contracting the more loathsome diseases of smallpox, measles, ete., which were prevalent in the camp hospital.

After his discharge from the army at Spring- field, Illinois, Mr. Lindsay went south, and for a time elerked in a commission house in New Orleans. Ile returned to Peoria in 1870, and for several years was there employed in a elerieal ea- pacity with a coal company, later settling on a farm near that eity; where he remained up to the time of coming to Nebraska. After landing here. himself and brothers, William and John, settled on land belonging to their father. James A. and Wil- liam also took claims in Raymond precinct, on which they resided up to 1900, then sold out and

removed to Niobrara, which has been their perma- ment residence during the intervening years.

James A. Lindsay was married in Peoria, to Miss IIelen M. Jewell, a native of that city. To them were born two children, Robert Jewell Lind- say, who has been in the employ of Cluett, Pea- body & Co., at Detroit, Michigan, for the past twelve years, and Ella, now Mrs. Wm. Hamilton. of Denver, Colorado. Mrs. Lindsay died at Pe- oria in 1880.

In politics Mr. Lindsay is a staunch democrat. Ile is a member of the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias, in which he has served as Chancellor Commander and Deputy Grand Chancellor of the lodge. Ile is a Comrade in the Grand Army of the Republic, Lander Post, number one hundred and twenty-five of Niobrara, having the distinction of being one of the youngest members of that organi- zation, and is the present Commander, filling that office for a number of years past.

ERICK PETERSON.

Among the leading old settlers and public- spirited citizens of Knox county, Nebraska, the gentleman above mentioned deserves a foremost place. He has been a resident of Knox county for the past thirty-nine years locating on his pres- ent land when he firt settled here. Ilis home is situated in section nineteen, township thirty-two, range two.

Mr. Peterson is a native of Sweden, his birthi occurring in the years of 1839, and he is a son of Peter and Anna (- ) Peterson, both natives of Sweden. Mr. Peterson grew to manhood in his native country, receiving his edneation in the na- tive schools; he also served the customary two years in Sweden's army, as every able-bodied young man was compelled to do upon reaching his majority. He was married while living in Sweden.

In 1871, Mr. Peterson, with his family, left his native land for Ameriea, sailing on a steamship from Guttenberg to HIull, England, and from there to New York. Upon landing in the United States, Mr. Peterson at once started for the west, going to Sioux City, Iowa, from where he came overland by stage to Yankton, South Dakota, where he bought a team of oxen and started for his home- stead claim in Knox county, Nebraska, which is the present residing place of Mr. Peterson. He also took a tree claim, which is situated one mile and a half south of where he now lives. He first built a log house which served as the family resi- dence for sixteen years, but which has been sup- planted by a good frame house.

Mr. Peterson has had many 'hardships and dis- couragements during his many years of residence in this locality. It seems that the grasshoppers had been awaiting the early settler's advent to this eounry, as for the first three years of Mr. Pe- terson's residence here, the pests destroyed every

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vestige of vegetation, which nearly caused a famine in the western country; and in 1893 and 1894 he suffered severe losses through drouth, and in 1896 the hail storm of that year destroyed his erops. But through all the many drawbacks and discouragements, Mr. Peterson has held faith in the natural resources of his home state, and has been well rewarded for his patience and industry.

In 1859 Mr. Peterson was married to Miss Christina Anderson, and they are the parents of eight children. four of whom are living: Oscar, Hattie, wife of Mr. Elmer Harding; William, and Joe. Mrs. Peterson died November 26, 1905.

JOHN P. DETHLEFS.

John P. Dethlefs, a sturdy son of Germany, was born May 1, ,1834, and was the third child in Claus and Wibke Dethlefs' family of thirteen-a baker's dozen. He is the only member of this large family now living. The father was owner of a small piece of land, and also operated a flour mill in their native country. Claus Dethlefs was also a first-class surveyor, and followed that busi- ness during his lifetime.

John received his education in his home vi- cinity, remaining at home until he was thirty-six years of age, then came to America to seek his fortune, his first location being in Wisconsin, where he spent a short time, possibly four or five months, and from there came directly to Nebraska, arriving at Omaha along in the fall of the year. lle lived there for about six months, then came on to Howard county and homesteaded on section six, township fourteen, range twelve, also took a pre-emption on section five, consisting of three hundred and twenty acres. He was the first white man to take up homestead rights in this neighbor- hood, and passed through the regulation pioneer experiences. Hle improved his farm as rapidly as he was able, during the first few years meeting with discouragements and hardships, but on the whole was very successful, and he is now one of the extensive and most prosperous farmers in his locality. Ile still lives on the original homestead, having a large aercage under cultivation, and en- gages in mixed farming and stock raising. The place is liberally supplied with good buildings of all kind, and bears evidence of good management and thrift.

Mr. Dethlefs was married on July 21, 1876, to Miss Annie Marie Lhotka, who came to America from Bohemia in the previous year. They have had a family of nine children, all living but one, Peter, who died in infancy. The others are named as follows: John P., junior, Annie, William P., Theodore C., Minnie, Matilda, Emma and Ed- ward. All are well-known and highly estecmed as industrious and thrifty citizens, and are popular in their community. During his residence in Howard county, Mr. Dethlefs has held various local offices and has in every case discharged the duties of same in a capable and satisfactory manner.

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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 230

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