History of Custer County, Nebraska; a narrative of the past, with special emphasis upon the pioneer period of the county's history, its social, commercial, educational, religous, and civic developement from the early days to the present time, Part 108

Author: Gaston, William Levi, 1865- [from old catalog]; Humphrey, Augustin R., 1859- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1919
Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western publishing and engraving company
Number of Pages: 1180

USA > Nebraska > Custer County > History of Custer County, Nebraska; a narrative of the past, with special emphasis upon the pioneer period of the county's history, its social, commercial, educational, religous, and civic developement from the early days to the present time > Part 108

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).

Mr. Fodge was married February 23, 1878. to Clara A. Brotherton, daughter of Noah and Mary Brotherton. Mr. Brotherton was a mem- ber of the Twenty-fourth lowa Infantry, from Lucas, county, Iowa, during the Civil war, but after two years was honorably discharged, be- cause of eye affliction. In 1871 he came with his family to Hamilton county, Nebraska, where he homesteaded a farm and passed the rest of his life. Mr. and Mrs. Fodge have ten children, all of whom are in splendid cir- cuinstances. They are: Orpha M., who taught school prior to her marriage, is the wife of Jesse St. Clair, who formerly was in charge of two ranches, but is now a merchant of Cal- gary, Canada : Blanche G. is the wife of A. A. Shaw, a farmer near Broken Bow; Estella, who taught school before her marriage, is the wife of E. G. Scott, a farmer near Ord, this state : Aurella A. is the wife of E. G. Todd. who is in charge of Standard Oil interests at Anselmo, Nebraska; Pearl D. is the wife of John Kerns, who is engaged in the vulcan- izing business at Broken Bow ; Dorothea is the wife of Asa C. Furrow, a well driller and re- pairer, of Wild Horse, Colorado; Flora is the wife of Walter F. Haefele, a farmer near Co- zad, this state; Alberta Fern has taught in the public schools for six years; Beryl W. is a

708

HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

farmer near Anselmo. Custer county ; and Charles E. is, in 1918, a junior at the Broken Bow high school.

Mr. and Mrs. Fodge and their children are members of the Christian church, and he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica and the Modern Brotherhood. He is a Democrat in politics and has taken quite an active part in local public affairs, having served as town clerk and assessor and as con- stable of his township, while still residing on the farm.

ERNEST R. DEAL. - It is to such ener- getic and progressive young farmers as Ernest R. Deal that the great advance in agriculture and stock-raising during the past few years is clue, and it is to such as he that Custer county looks for a continuation of her present un- paralleled prosperity. Mr. Deal, who owns 160 acres four miles southwest of Broken Bow. in section 11. was born June 18. 1885, on a farm in Hamilton county, Nebraska, and he is a son of H. E. and Nettie ( Mitchell) Deal.

H. E. Deal was born in Wisconsin, and as a young man came to Hamilton county, Nebras- ka, where he subsequently had an agricultural career in which he won success only after many discouragements. At one time. after amassing a competency, he saw it swept away by misfortune, but he possessed the courage and resiliency necessary for a new start, and he is now one of the well-to-do retired citizens of Aurora. He is a Democrat in politics, and belongs to the Christian church. Mr. Deal was married in Hamilton county, Nebraska, to Nettie Mitchell, who was born in Iowa, and they became the parents of nine children, of whom seven are living: Ernest R. is the im- mediate subject of this review; Guy is in the United States Army: Ed. is identified with the telephone business in Aurora: Irma is the wife of Christ Miller, a railroader of Aurora : Marvin is in the United State Army : Annis is the wife of C. V. Evans, a farmer of Custer county : and Lyle is the youngest of the num- ber.

Ernest R. Deal received his early education in the public schools of Aurora, Nebraska. and was reared to agricultural pursuits, which he has always followed. He was twenty-three years of age when he first came to Custer county. in 1908. but after two years he dis- posed of his interests here and went to Thomas county, where he homestended a tract and re- mained for six years. Selling his claim at the end of that period. he returned to Custer

county and bought a quarter-section near Merna, and when he sold that property he bought his present place. in section 11. four miles southwest of Broken Bow. Here he has installed modern improvements of an at- tractive and useful character, and erected sub- stantial buildings. He does a general farm- ing and stock-raising business. and is a stu- dent of his vocation. being an active member of the local Grange, of which he is master. A Democrat in politics, he is not an office- seeker, but he has always displayed a lively and intelligent interest in local affairs, and at present is a member of the school board.

Mr. Deal was married in 1905 to Miss Cora Hunnell, who was born in Hamilton county, Nebraska, daughter of James Hunnell, an early homesteader of that county and a mem- ber of the board of county commissioners for a number of terms. Mr. and Mrs. Deal became the parents of two children: Robert H., who was born March 11. 1906. died at the age of two and one-half years; and the surviving child, Virgil, was born June 16, 1914.

PHILIP C. ZOERB is a substantial young farmer in the vicinity of Callaway, and has inherited a wealth of thrift and energy from German ancestry, while by his industrious hab- its he is achieving a well earned success in practical farming.

His natal day was January 24, 1879, and Germany is his native land. His father, Philip Zoerb, Sr., and his mother, Anna ( Miller) Zoerb, were sterling German people and were the parents of five children - Anna Ryun ( de- ceased ). Christina Butler ( deceased ), Philip. William, and John.

Philip C. Zoerb was but two years of age when his parents decided to try their fortunes in America. Their first home in this country was in Cincinnati, Ohio, where they stayed three years. They then came to Custer coun- ty and, in the spring of 1884, located on the South Loup river, about one and one-half mile east of the present site of Finchville. Young Philip stayed at home until he was twenty-four years of age, and he and his two brothers then rented the father's place, which they worked about six years.

June 10. 1908. in St. James, Missouri, Philip C. Zoerb wedded M'is Anna A. Reissans, who was born in Wisconsin, and who is a daughter of Charles and lda ( Silz) Reissans, both na- tives of Germany. In the family of Charles Reissans were the following children. Anna A. Zoerb, Elsise Zoerb. Clara. Paul. Adolph.

709

HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA .

Ida Forester, Lottie Anderson, and Emma who died November 20. 1918. Mrs. Reissans died November 28, 1917.

The Zoerb home has every evidence of thrift and prosperity. Plenty and comfort mark the habitation. Mr. Zoerb owns 160 acres of his own and in addition to this he farms 320 acres of his father's land. lle is a hard-working. substantial young farmer and makes good in every enterprise he undertakes. He and his wife have a fine family of six chil- dren - Marvin P., Ada, David, Alfred, Wal- ter J., and Marie A.

Mr. and Mrs. Zoerb are held in high es- teem and are counted as obliging neighbors and dependable citizens. He belongs to the Royal Mystic Legion, and partisan politics has small attractions for him. He votes independ- ently and selects well the candidate for whom le votes.

S. NETH. - Self-acquired prosperity. lib- eral ideas, ideals expressed in promoting agri- culture, education, and simplicity of living. as well as unquestioned pubilc and private in- tegrity, constitute the fundamentals upon which rests the enviable standing of S. Neth, who became a pioneer of Custer county in Septem- ber, 1882.

Mr. Neth was born in Wurtemberg, Ger- many, January 17, 1857, and was sixteen years of age when he came to the United States. He is a son of Conrad and Abbie ( Mang) Neth. the former of whom was born February 17. 1829, and the latter December 24, 1830, both in Wurtemberg. There were six children in the family, of whom four are living - John, a farmer of Fairbury, Illinois; S., of this re- view : and Conrad and George, farmers in Ger- many.

For three months after his arrival in Amer- ica, S. Neth lived in Ohio, and he then went to Illinois, where he resided until 1882. In that year he paid a visit to Custer county. where he secured a homestead. He returned to Illinois, but March 4, 1883, he came back to this county, where he has since remained. His original home was a tract of 160 acres. in addition to which he had a tree claim of a like acreage, and when he had these put under cul- tivation and in a productive shape he started to add to his holdings. He continued to fol- low this wise policy and is now the owner of 1,200 acres, all accumulated through his own industry and able management of affairs. Mr. Neth has always been a general farmer, but of late years has made somewhat of a specialty of breeding full-blooded Shorthorn cattle and

full-blooded Poland-China hogs. In addition to selling at home he ships to the large cities and finds a ready and profitable market for his live stock, for he has established a reputa- tion as a man of the strictest integrity and one at all times honorable in his transactions. The fact that he is an able stock-raiser is shown by the premiums which his animals have won in Custer county fairs, and he is frequently called upon for advice by his less well informed fel- low-stockmen. Until 1897 Mr. Neth resided in his original sod house, but in that year he erected a pleasant and comfortable frame home on his farm, and he has added other buildings which contribute to the attractiveness and value of his property. He has taken an active and helpful interest in the affairs of the commun- ity and has been the incumbent of public of- fice on several occasions, having served as a member of the board of county commissioners in 1892. 1893, 1894, 1898, and 1899. Mr. Neth's mother died in Germany, in 1894, but at the time he last heard from him, in 1917, his father was still living.

Mr. Neth was married in Illinois, to Miss Alice Huffman, who was born in that state, a daughter of Jacob Huffman. Her father, a farmer for many years in Illinois, died there, and her mother still survives. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Neth: Frank, who is engaged in farming in Custer county ; Homer, who resides at home and is assisting his father in his farming and stock-raising operations ; Mary, who is the wife of Frank Jenkins, a farmer of Custer county : Carl, who is farming near his father's place: Irene, who is the wife of D. C. May, a farmer of this county ; Belle, who is the wife of Floyd Rapp. also a Custer county farmer ; and Raymond. who still remains on the homestead. In poli- tics Mr. Neth is a Democrat, with independent inclinations.

WILLIAM MILLER. - Here is a young man upon whom the responsibilities of pres- ent-day activities rest heavily, and who, re- sponding nobly, is to be rated as one of the efficient food producers and substantial men of affairs. Those who know him well know him favorably, and in every day parlance they will transpose the more sedate "William" into "Willie," so that far and near in his neighbor- hood community, he is known as Willie Miller.

Mr. Miller is a native of Nebraska. having been born in Franklin county, April 5. 1882. His parents, Henry and Doris (Minso) Miller, were born in Germany, and transmitted to their progeny the frugal characteristics of the thrifty

710

HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

German people. The father's home shel- tered the following children : Henry, Albert and George (twins), and Willie, the fourth born and youngest of the family. The first three sons were born in Germany. but Willie is fortunate in being able to claim America as his native land and to have his home in the very heart of America - Nebraska.

When William Miller was but three years of age his parents came to Custer county and settled on the Redfern Table. It was here that Willie grew up, here that he had his boy- hood experiences, and here that he received his education in the public schools - a general discipline that has qualified him for the bur- dens and responsibilities of the present day. When twenty-one years of age he took a home- stead, and on that same tract of land he has his home at the present time.

In 1912 Mr. Miller married Miss Esther Morris, who was born in Custer county, in the vicinity of Sargent. She is a daughter of James and Edith ( Fry ) Morris, very excellent people of English descent. Mrs. Miller is one of a family of five children, only three of whom are living, the other two being Amos and Mrs. Mabel Zoerb.

The Millers maintain a splendid home, are endowed with peace and prosperity, and they have three happy, promising children - Fred- erick and Louis, and a baby who is but five months of age at the time of this writing. The thrift and energy of Mr. Miller and his good wife are indicated in the statement that follows : They own 1,200 acres of good land, well im- proved and splendidly adapted for profitable farming and stock-raising lines of enterprise through which they have made the money that has paid for their land and home. They have gone through the hardships and privations of early years. They know the way of success in Custer county, and they are now prepared to appreciate the good things that are coming their way. They have a splendid neighbor- hood rating, are courteous and obliging. and the neighbors depend on them for every public enterprise that will help and uplift the com- munity. Mrs. Miller is a member of the Epis- copal church, and the Woodman lodge affords a medium for Mr. Miller's social activities.

CURTIS B. BENGER. - There is no bet- ter known breeder of registered Hereford cat- tle in Custer county than Curtis B. Benger. a young man whose career has been one of marked success. Even before he had left his studies at the Nebraska State University he had entered actively into the stock business,

and since leaving that institution he has been increasingly progressive in the directing of his business interests. his standing among the stockmen of the state being shown by the fact that he is secretary of the Nebraska Hereford Breeders' Association, a position which he has held for the past eight years. besides being sales manager for that vigorous organization.

Mr. Benger is one of Custer county's sons who has made a place for himself among the men who are accomplishing real results. lle was born at Callaway, June 1, 1888, his parents being George O. and Clara B. ( McCreary ) Benger, the former a native of England and the latter of Ohio. The parents were Episco- palians and the father was a member of the Knights of Pythias. Besides Curtis B. there was but one other child: Gladys, who is now the wife of Harry Lamb. cashier of the Seven Valleys Bank, and who has one son.

Curtis B. Benger early showed an inherited predilection for the stock business, his father having been a well known stockman. The lad, while on a visit, earned his first money by taking care of a bunch of hogs for a neighbor. Securing a little pig. he raised it to maturity, and with the money he received from the sale of this animal he bought more pigs, and thus he started himself in business in a small way. Finding how the lad's inclinations lay, his par- ents sent him to the agricultural college at the State University, after he had left the Calla- way schools. At that time his father was a member of the firm of Benger & Decker. deal- ers in hardware and implements and breeders of registered Hereford cattle, and in the spring of 1909 Curtis B. Benger bought the interests of Mr. Decker in the stock business and became his father's partner. an association which con- tinned successfully until the death of the hon- ored father. April 1. 1916. The son then bought the estate's interest in the stock business, which he has continued with constantly increasing success. One-quarter of a mile west of Cal- laway he has 640 acres of valley land under a high state of cultivation, with 115 acres devoted to alfalfa and 240 acres of farm land. Here has has a beautiful residence, and his other buiklings are substantial and handsome, while his general farm equipment is of the most mod- ern order. Included in Mr. Benger's ninety head of full-blooded registered Herefords have been several chamrion prize-winners, notably his present individual. "Beau Carlos." No. 496668, first prize-winner at the Denver stock show of January. 1916. As previously noted, Mr. Benger has for the past eight years been secretary of the Nebraska Hereford Breeders' Association. and sales manager for that organ-

711

HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

ization. Aside from his cattle, Mr. Benger raises from 250 to 300 Poland-China hogs an- nually, as well as large black hogs. He is ener- getic and progressive, is alive to all opportun- ities, and in his absolute integrity he has firmly impressed those with whom he has had deal- ings.

Mr. Benger was married June 1. 1909, at Callaway, to Miss Lydia Hebbel, daughter of Detelef Hebbel, and they are the parents of two children: Mabel E. and Ruth H. Mr. and Mrs. Benger are members of the Episcopal church. He maintains the right to independ- ent views in regard to political matters.

PRESTON W. HOUGH. - In the life of Preston W. Hough, one of the well known and prosperous farmers and stockmen of Custer county, is presented a lesson for the youth of any land - something encouraging to the young aspirant who, without friends or for- tune, is struggling to overcome obstacles in his efforts to acquire a comfortable competence, if not absolute wealth.

Mr. Hough was born June 13, 1865, near Williamsburg, North Carolina, a son of Will- iam and Elmira W. ( Howell) Hough, natives of that state, and on the maternal side he is a grandson of James and Juda (Moore ) Howell. His parents were farming people of North Carolina and were members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. His father, although not an office-seeker, was a staunch Democrat. There were fourteen children in the family, but only five survive - John K., William T .. Joseph M., David S., and Preston W. In 1869 the family removed to Hancock county, Illinois, where, in the vicinity of Carthage, Preston W. received his early education in the public schools. He earned his first money plowing for a neighbor, at the wage of twenty-five cents a day, which amount he turned over to his father to buy clothes with. When he was thirteen years old he began to fend for himself. and he was variously employed until his mar- riage. at Augusta, Illinois, to Martha Pierce. who was born in Adams county, Illinois, a daughter of Edwin B. and Jane A. (MeNulty ) Pierce, natives of that state. Alr. and Mrs. Pierce were farming people, were members of the Evangelical church, and Mr. Pierce was a Republican and a member of the Masonic fra- ternity.

In 1886 Mr. Hough decided to try his for- tunes in Nebraska, and he arrived at Wood River, Hall county, with the sum of two dollars and fifty cents in cash. He was willing and energetic, and he secured employment with

Chauncey Abbott, for whom he went to work in the fall. During the next few years he had his ups and downs, like other young men striv- ing to gain a foothold, but he was industrious and persevering, and, with the aid of his worthy wife, by 1906 he had accumulated sufficient of this world's goods with which to come to Custer county and purchase 480 acres of land, known as the E. E. Switzer farm. On this place were an old sod house and other prim- itive improvements, but these have since dis- appeared, having been replaced by a modern home, strongly-built barns and other farm buildings, and, with up-to-date equipment and machinery, the property now presents an at- tractive and prosperous appearance. Mr. Hongh has his original purchase under a high state of cultivation, raising bumper crops, and has recently completed the purchase of 160 acres additional. He believes in modern methods in his work and makes a careful study of the business of agriculture, with the result that he is gaining marked success in both farming and the raising of good types of live stock. In line with his progressive spirit, he has been a supporter of all worthy movements which his judgment has told him would benefit the community, and educational and good-road projects have his assistance and co-operation. In political matters he is a Republican, but his home and farm duties have kept him busy to the exclusion of out- side matters, and he has not cared for public office.

Mr. and Mrs. Hough have five children : Lulu M. is the wife of F. W. Morrison, a Custer county farmer, and they have three sons : William E., who entered the national army, and was stationed at Camp Dodge, was later given an honorable discharge, on account of disabilities: Carl W., a graduate of the Broken Bow Business College, was assigned to class 1 of the selective draft, but had not yet been called for service at the time this sketch was prepared: Earl P., a graduate of the Broken Bow Business College, is now taking a three years' course at Western Union College, at LeMars, Iowa, preparing himself for the ministry of the Evangelical church ; and Cecil, an adopted daughter, is nine years old and still attending public school at Calla- way.

WILLIAM L. STEVENS, who is a pros- perous farmer in Custer county and owns a large acreage of valuable land, came with his parents to this county in 1889 and here he has lived during the entire intervening period.

712

HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

WILLIAM G. PURCELL

713

HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

Mr. Stevens was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, November 29, 1874, and is one of four children born to Levi and Cordelia E. (Lyon) Stevens. The other son, Charles, is deceased ; and the daughters are Mrs. Ethel M. Johnson and Mrs. Edith Whitman.

Upon coming to Custer county Levi Stevens located a pre-emption claim four and one-half miles southeast of Callaway, and this property is now owned by his son, William L., of this review, who owns also the old Oscar Gore place, situated but a short distance northwest of Devil's Gap canyon, this place being some- what noted in local history and consisting of 160 acres. Mr. Stevens did not have the edu- cational advantages he is giving his own chil- dren, but he went to the country schools when opportunity offered and grew to respected young manhood, not confining his activities to the farm entirely. He worked in lumber yards from 1898 until 1913, and most of the time was foreman for the Dierks Lumber Company which operated at Anselmo, Ord. and Calla- way. He filled that position for fifteen years prior to turning his attention to agricultural pursuits. Since then he has made wheat- growing somewhat of a specialty and his wheat crop in 1918 proved to be unusually heavy.

Mr. Stevens was married May 9, 1897. at Broken Bow, Nebraska, to Miss Anna Doug- lass, a daughter of John and Emma ( More- head) Douglass. Mrs. Stevens has two sis- ters and one brother: Jennie is the wife of George B. Mair, who now lives retired in Oakland. California, but for sixteen years was clerk of the Custer county court : Ethel is the wife of Edward Pinnell, who is a car- penter living at Grand Island, Nebraska ; and Curtis D., who is secretary of the Long Oil & Gas Company, of Kansas City, Missouri, married Luella Fritz. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens became the parents of five children: Leone, who was a clerk in the postoffice at Callaway, was the first from Custer county to enlist as a nurse, and was sent to Wilmington, Delaware. where she is working in a government hos- pital, at the time of this writing; Sadie M. remains at the parental home; William D. is deceased ; and E. Louise and Helen E., aged respectively ten and seven years (1918), are very engaging children and are still in school. Mr. Stevens is one of the solid, representa- tive men of his neighborhood and is ever ready to prove his good and earnest citizen- ship, but he has never been specially active in politics and seeks no public office.

WILLIAM G. PURCELL. - The following narration offers an epitome of the life activities

of and the useful service rendered by one of Broken Bow's most substantial citizens. Will- iam G. Purcell belongs to a family known throughout the entire county and most of the state - a family who have rendered every pos- sible public service demanded of them, a fam- ily who have been qualified to serve in a public and useful capacity in almost every department of official or social life.

William G. Purcell was born in Ravenna, Ohio, June 5, 1857. He is a son of the late George Purcell, whose family record will be found in the biographical sketch of Emer- son R. Purcell, on other pages of this volume. Early in his career the family of which William G. Purcell is a member, settled in Illinois, and the subject of this narrative received a practical education in the public schools of Springfield, the capital city of that state. He began his active life in the printing office, and has fol- lowed that vocation practically until the pres- ent time.

Imbued with the pioneer spirit, Mr. Purcell came to Custer county in January, 1884, and located upon a homestead in the vicinity of Merna. Later on he and his brother bought a job-printing office of R. H. Miller and they began its operation in 1886. Since that time printers' ink of some color has constituted the brand that discloses without announcement his vocation. More extended notice of his busi- ness connection with his brother is detailed in the biographical sketch of Emerson R. Pur- cell. During the early years of their partner- ship they were publishers of the Merna Leader and Custer County Chief. Later, to better facilitate business, their plant was di- vided, William G. taking over the job-printing department, which he operates at the present time, and in which he is rated as one of the best job printers in the central portion of the state.

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.

History of Custer County, Nebraska; a narrative of the past, with special emphasis upon the pioneer period of the county's history, its social, commercial, educational, religous, and civic developement from the early days to the present time, Part 108

Author: Gaston, William Levi, 1865- [from old catalog]; Humphrey, Augustin R., 1859- [from old catalog] Publication date: 1919 Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western publishing and engraving company Number of Pages: 1180

Author: Gaston, William Levi, 1865- [from old catalog]; Humphrey, Augustin R., 1859- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1919
Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western publishing and engraving company
Number of Pages: 1180