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 112

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 112

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

Albert Miller was reared in Indiana and at- tended the public schools. In answering the question as to the first money he ever saved, Mr. Miller states that it was a "cold prop- osition," as the securing of the dime offered, necessitated his wading into a swamp to his middle, late in the fall of the year, and bring- ing out to its owner a horse that had stalled there. This spirit of courage and determina- tion has never left Mr. Miller, and in part it

explains his subsequent success in life. He remained with his mother until he was twenty- one years of age and then went to work on another farm, where he continued four years. In the meanwhile he married, and two years later, in March, 1886, he came with his fami- ly to Custer county, Nebraska, locating in section 28, township 13, range 23, on West Buffalo creek, where he has lived on the same place for the past thirty-two years. During the first three months Mr. Miller hauled, for a dis- tance of three miles, all water used in his household, but in June he found water in his well, at a depth of 135 feet. The lack of water during the long drouth period was not the only hardship to be endured, Mr. Miller recalling that at one time he drove 100 miles to get flour. The old-home folks in Indiana urged the Millers to abandon their Nebraska land and return east, but Mr. Miller did not give way, and the present prosperity of this whole region fully proves his wise foresight. He owns 600 acres of fine land and still is actively engaged in farm pursuits, few men being bet- ter qualified for the business of operating profitably.

Mr. Miller was married June 9, 1884, in Wells county, Indiana, to Miss Mary Foust, who was born in that county, a daughter of Daniel and Margaret (Householder) Foust. natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Miller has one brother, John Foust, and one sister, Mrs. Ma- linda Bowers. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have four sons and two daughters, as follows: William H., who is a farmer located eighteen miles south of Callaway. this county, married Grace Copass ; Arthur, who farms his father's prop- erty on West Buffalo creek, married Mae Ash- ley : Samuel, who was sent to Camp Grant. Illinois, and while there, about the last of Sep- tember, 1918, he suffered an attack of Spanish influenza, from the effects of which he died, on the 5th of October, his remains being brought home for burial: Charles is at home at the time of this writing, as is also Clara J. : and Viola is the wife of Harry Pierson, who is a soldier in the national army and stationed at Camp Dodge, Iowa, at the time of this writ- ing. Mr. Miller and members of his family

belong to the Methodist Episcopal and Evan- gelical churches. He votes independently, but his eldest son is a Democrat in politics.

JOHN MATZ, ranchman, who is one of Custer county's heavy landowners and substan- tial citizens, has lived continuously in this county since he came here in 1884, with the ex- ception of four years. Mr. Matz is widely known through his extensive and successful live-stock interests. He was born in Scioto county, Ohio, January 27, 1861, one of a fam- ily of three sons and four daughters born to John and Dora (Tchel) Matz, both natives of Germany, the mother having been born in the province of Mecklenburg. In their early mar- ried life the parents immigrated to the United States, and the father was an iron-ore miner near Portsmouth, Ohio, for eighteen years, after which he bought a farm near Harrison- ville, that state. He lived on his farm during the rest of his life and there his death occurred in April, 1896. His widow then came west, where she lived with her children until she passed away, in April, 1909. The children were seven in number - Mrs. Eliza Miller, Charles ( died January 20, 1916), John, Gustavus A., Mrs. Anna Bonzo, and Sarah A. and Emma (both deceased).

As a boy and youth John Matz remained with his parents and assisted in the work of the home farm, the while he attended school dur- ing the winter seasons. Prior to coming to Custer county, in 1884, he worked for two years as a farmer in Clinton county, Indiana. For a time Mr. Matz worked on the Zimmer ranch in Custer county, but in the spring of 1885 he located a homestead west of Redfern Table, and from that time on he has kept add- ing to his acreage, his latest purchase being three whole sections. Additionally he owns 1,260 acres on West Buffalo creek. This is all fine grazing land, and Mr. Matz devotes it mainly to his stock interests, usually running from 400 to 750 cattle in summer and seventy- five head of horses, together with many hogs of the Poland-China and Duroc breeds. He has been very careful in handling his live stock and takes great pride in maintaining a standard quality. Mr. Matz is recognized as an able busi- ness man, and naturally he has often been asked concerning his early start. He has sometimes replied that the first money he ever earned was when he and his sister picked a gallon of blackberries and sold them for a dime, to a conductor on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad.

Mr. Matz was married January 3, 1894, at Kearney, Nebraska, to Miss Margaret E. Win-

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

ter, who was born near Harrisonville, Ohio, and who is a daughter of Frederick and Fe- licia ( Magney) Winter. The father of Mrs. Matz was born in Germany and her mother in France, and they had four sons and six daugh- ters - Charles B., George. Frank, William (the last named being deceased). and Kath- erine, Mary. Elizabeth, Matilda, Caroline (de- ceased), and Mrs. Margaret Matz. Mr. and Mrs. Matz have two sons, Charles L. and Roy W., both of whom, at the time of this writing, are preparing to become soldiers in the national army for service in the world war as good patriots. The sons are both in partnership with their father and are well known stock- men. Charles L. married Clara Carlson, a daughter of Otto Carlson, and they are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. The whole family connection is one of high stand- ing in Custer county, Mr. Matz and his sons having the reputation of being able and enter- prising business men and honorable in every relation of life.

STILLMAN GATES was born in Chau- tauqua county. New York, October 6, 1835, the eldest of five sons and three daughters born to Lorison and Salome ( Felt ) Gates. The father was born in New York and the mother in Vermont, and they were married in Elling- ton. New York. December 4, 1834. In the spring of 1837 the family moved to Huron county, Ohio, where they lived until 1852, when they went farther west, and located in Porter county. Indiana, which was their home for several years. A few years before his death the father became a resident of Laporte, Iowa, where he passed away September 17. 1902. His wife had died in Porter county, Indiana. January 3, 1869. Lorison Gates was a minis- ter in the Christian church and held several pastorates while living in Olio.

Stillman Gates left home about the time he reached his majority, and was married in Wheatfield. Jasper county, Indiana. April 2. 1857, to Mary McNeal, a daughter of James and Hope (Gifford) McNeal, of St. Lawrence county. She became the mother of five chil- dren, and passed away in Indiana. In Jasper county, Indiana, Mr. Gates again married. There he wedded Mrs. Susan ( Miller) Brown. widow of Preston Brown. In the spring of 1877 they moved to Tama county, lowa, and in June, 1879, he made a trip with a team to Custer county, Nebraska, looking for a loca- tion. He then made an entry on a homestead. in section 5, township 19. range 20, and also on a timber claim, after which he returned to

lowa. In December of the same year he moved with his family from the Iowa home to the Custer county homestead, having a four- horse team and a wagon, with a house six by sixteen feet, on wheels. They made the trip in the dead of winter and encountered many hardships before reaching their destination. During the early years they did their trading at Grand Island, making many trips over the road. Gates postoffice in Custer county was named for Mr. Gates, and for many years he served as postmaster. The local church and schoolhouse were built on his farm. He was one of the first settlers in his locality and for many years was active in the development and upbuilding of the community, being a friend of progress along all lines. He served for a number of years as justice of the peace and held other local offices. He had a country store at Gates and was one of the best known men in the county. He became a successful farmer and stockman, and is now the owner of 560 acres. In the spring of 1909 he re- tired and established a beautiful home in Sar- gent. In 1910 he was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary A. Cummings. With his fourth wife, who was Mrs. Lucetta Mary Bennett, he is now living in a beautiful home at Gar- dena, California.

Ifis five children were all born of the first marriage. They are: James L., of Tulsa, Ok- lahoma ; Herbert P .. of Broken Bow ; Harry S., of Gardena, California : Frederick A., de- ceased ; and Salome Hope, the wife of Oliver L. Swick, of the Gates vicinity.

Stillman Gates is a man of large stature. endowed with strong physical powers and en- durance, which stood him in good stead when he was called upon to meet the pioneer con- ditions that confronted the early settlers of Custer county. He is of a kindly disposition. with a keen sense of humor, and no one can better appreciate a joke than he. even though the joke be on himself. He is a Christian man and a member of the Christian Order, or New Lights. His name is one which will always be remembered by the people of Custer county, and to the readers of this volume is here pre- sented a portrait of this venerable pioneer.

WILLIAM C. NIXON. - As farmer. teacher. and public official. William C. Nixon is well known to the residents of Custer county, in which he has lived continuously for thirty- three years. He came here in 1885, along with such other reliable early settlers as John Matz, Albert Miller, Luther Barnes, John McNa- mara, Arthur Romine, and J. F. Williams, and

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

TÝM

STILLMAN GATES

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

with them he has ever since co-operated for the best interests of the whole county. Mr. Nixon was born in Clay county, Illinois, October 13, 1843. His parents were Benjamin and Eliza- beth ( Smith) Nixon, the father born in Harri- son county, West Virginia, and the mother in Henry county, Kentucky. Of their seven chil- dren, but two survive: William C. and Lizzie.

William C. Nixon was reared on his father's farm and was given such educational advan- tages as Clay county afforded at that time. In looking back to his childhood, in order to re- call the first money he ever earned, the memory comes to him of a precious dime earned by keeping quiet during a visit of his grandfather, and there is no doubt at all but that in later years he would, on many occasions, have cheer- fully paid the same amount under similar cir- cumstances. He worked on the home farm as long as he remained there, and for several years he taught school in Illinois. In April, 1885, he came to Custer county, as noted above. He bought railroad land, the southwest quarter of section 33, township 13, range 23, on the south border of the county, and there he lived. developing, improving and managing his landed estate, until he retired. When he came to the county, Delight township extended eigh- teen miles east and west and twenty-four miles north and south. In 1887 Grant township was organized, extending nine miles north and south and eighteen miles east and west. Mr. Nixon was made assessor of Grant township and served twelve terms, and for twenty-eight years he has been a member of the school board. It is worthy of special note that he and his son Edgar and his daughter Jessie all taught school in the district.

Mr. Nixon was married August 13. 1867, in Clay county, Illinois, to Miss Maggie Lee, who was born in Switzerland county, Indiana, and died in Custer county, April 29, 1918. Her parents were John and Clarinda ( Davison ) Lee, the former of whom was born in Indiana and the latter at Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Nixon had six children : Edgar, who owns 240 acres of fine Nebraska land, is a Republi- can in politics and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church ; John is at home with his fa- ther : Jessie, who died September 26. 1904, was the wife of Herbert Smith, and for several years was a very popular and efficient school- teacher, she having been a member of the Evangelical church : Nettie B. remains with her father : and Olive and Alice are deceased.

THOMAS M. BIRNIE is one of the agri- culturists of Custer county who has contrib-

uted to the general development of the Broken Bow community during recent years, and he now has a large and well developed farm in section 29. Mr. Birnie was born in Ireland, November 5, 1881, a son of John and Elizabeth (McLean) Birnie.

The parents of Mr. Birnie were born in Ire- land and were there reared, educated and mar- ried, and in 1882 they came to the United States, their first settlement being at Wahoo, Saunders county, Nebraska, where John Bir- nie followed his trade of brick-layer. He was an industrious and thrifty man and carefully conserved his earnings, so that, March 4, 1910, he came to Custer county and purchased a half-section of land. There he continued to be engaged in fairly successful agricultural oper- ations until within a short time prior to his death, which occurred at Merna. He was a Democrat in politics. Both he and his wife, who also died at Merna, were faithful members of the Presbyterian church. They had seven children, of whom six are living: Annie and Tillie, who reside at Merna with their brother ; Robert, who is a farmer in the Merna locality ; Thomas M. and John, who are associated in farm enterprise; and Janet, who is engaged in teaching school at Columbus, Nebraska.

Thomas M. Birnie was still a lad when brought to the United States by his parents, and his youthful education was acquired prin- cipally in the public schools of Wahoo. When he had completed his studies he turned his at- tention to farming. He came to Custer county with his parents, and here has been rewarded with marked success, being now the owner of a half-section of land, in section 29. He carries on general farming and stock-raising, in both of which departments of farm enterprise he has shown progressiveness and ability, and his property is finely improved with good buildings and modern equipment. He is showing a good citizen's interest in the affairs of the commu- nity, although his only activity thus far in politics has been the casting of his vote for the candidates of the Democratic party. He be- longs to the Presbyterian church.

ALBERT F. APPERSON. - One of the industries which is carried on in certain parts of Custer county, and which is profitable if practiced in a proper manner, is that of fruit- raising. In this special field Albert F. Ap- person is making a success as a raiser of cher- ries, apples, and pears, on his well cutivated property in the old town of Wescott. Mr. Apperson was a homesteader of the year 1885 in Custer county and for a long period was

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

engaged in general farming and stock-raising, during which time he took a substantial and constructive part in the development of the county and its interests.

Mr. Apperson was born in Culpeper county, Virginia, December 9, 1856, and is a son of W. C. and Frances (Glasscock) Apperson, natives of the same county. The father, who followed farming throughout his life and was an industrious and highly respected citizen, fought as a soldier during the Civil war. Ile was a staunch Democrat in politics, and he and his wife were faithful members of the Baptist church. They had a family of ten children, of whom nine survive, but Albert F. is the only one residing in Custer county.

Albert F. Apperson received his early edu- cation in the public schools of his native county, and grew to manhood in the state of his birth, being given a thorough training in the art of agriculture. He was twenty-six years of age when he came to Nebraska, his first place of residence being Otoe county, where he was variously employed, principally at farming. for three years. Conditions there, however, did not suit him, and in 1885 he came to Custer county, where he took a homestead, about five miles west of. Comstock, in section 9. For a number of years he lived on that property, increasing its acreage and develop- ing its resources, and eventually he became one of the well-to-do men of his community. He has since sold the old homestead, but he is still the owner of 200 acres of valuable and highly productive land, which is located in the same vicinity, and on which he has modern improvements. When he retired from the hard labor of an agriculturist, several years ago, Mr. Apperson removed to the old town of Wescott and began the raising of apples, cherries, and pears, an industry in which, as before noted, he is making an excellent success. He is accounted one of his community's pro- gressive citizens and has gained in high de- gree the respect and esteem of his fellow men. At Arcadia, Nebraska, February 9, 1897, Mr. Apperson married Miss Martha Bennett. Her parents, who were natives of New York, immigrated to Valley county, Nebraska, at a very early day and took up a homestead there : they now live in retirement at Arcadia. Mr. Bennett is a carpenter by trade, and still follows that vocation at odd times. Mr. and Mrs. Apperson are the parents of nine chil- dren, as follows: William D., who is single and is his father's representative on the farm; Helen, who was the first child born at Com- stock; and Carrie, Warren. Virginia, George, Rosette, Woodrow, and Walter, all of whom

are living at home. Mr. Apperson is a staunch Democrat in his political allegiance, but has not sought public office.

JOHN PESEK. - While the active career of John Pesek was passed in agricultural op- erations in Valley county, his farm, which he still owns, lies just across the county line, and as his home is now at Comstock, he is ac- counted one of the representative men of Custer county, so that he is fully entitled to recognition in this publication. Mr. Pesek is one of the self-made men of Custer county, and. like numerous others who reside in his community, is a native of Bohemia, where he was born in April, 1860, a son of John and Lizzie Pesek.

The parents of Mr. Pesek were honorable farming people in Bohemia, were industrious, God-fearing and law-abiding, and their lives ended in a tragedy, when the home caught fire, and was totally destroyed, bringing death to Mr. and Mrs. Pesek. The fire attacked the barn and the resultant conflagration destroyed all live stock and farm equipment. There were six children in the family, of whom four are residents of the United States - two in Texas ; John, of this sketch: and Mrs. Fannie Errat, who resides near Cummings Park, Custer county.

John Pesek received his education in the public schools of his native land, and was about twenty-two years of age when he im- migrated to the United States. His first place of residence was the state of North Dakota, where he lived six years, and in 1888 he moved to Nebraska and bought land in Valley county, just across the Custer county line, near Com- stock. He started farming operations in a modest way and gradually increased his ac- tivities and interests, as well as his acreage. For years he was adjudged one of the suc- cessful and capable general farmers of his lo- cality, as well as an intelligent breeder of high- grade cattle and other live stock. He was known also as a business man of ability - one whose word could be absolutely depended upon and who took no unfair advantage of those with whom he had transactions. After more than a quarter of a century of successful activity, he decided that it was time to shift the burden of hard work to younger shoulders, and accordingly, March 17, 1915, he retired from active life and took up his residence at Comstock, where he owns a comfortable home. He is still the owner of the farm, which con- sist of 480 acres and is in a high state of de- velopment, the while there are modern im-

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provements which add to its attractiveness and value.

June 28, 1885, Mr. Pesek was united in mar- riage to Miss Barbara Stanhonker, of North Dakota, who died March 16, 1916. They were the parents of six children: John, who was born July 26, 1886, married Mary Kukach and is engaged in farming on a part of his father's property in Valley county; Joseph, who was born February 28, 1888, is married and like- wisc resides in Valley county ; Michael, who was born August 25, 1889, is married and is engaged in agricultural operations in Valley county ; Frank, who was born January 6, 1893. is married and is engaged in farming and stock-raising in Valley county : Theodore, who was born October 13, 1894, is a member of the United States army, and at the time of this writing is stationed with his regiment in France : and Lewis, who was born December 23, 1897, is a bachelor and is a farmer of Val- ley county.

Mr. Pesek is a Democrat in his political views, but has not cared for public office. However, as a friend of education he con- sented to serve as school-district director for several years, and discharged the duties of that position with efficiency. He is a member of the Catholic church, and was its treasurer for some time.

RICHARD HALL. - While the connection of Richard Hall with the agricultural inter- ests of Custer county, reaching back only until 1903, is not of such long standing as some others whose biographics appear in this work, his carcer has been sufficiently progressive to give him a position of prominence and pres- tige among the tillers of the soil and raisers of stock in this thriving and prosperous lo- cality. When he came to this community, in 1903. he had yet to make his start : to-day his industry and expert management are indicated by his possession of large tracts of valuable Custer county land in the vicinity of Ansley.

Mr. Hall was born in Polk county, Nebras- ka, May 9, 1873, and is a son of William and Elizabeth ( Baldwin) Hall. His parents, na- tives of Michigan, were pioneers of Polk county, where they came early in the spring of the year in which their eldest son was born, taking up a homestead there and passing the rest of their lives in the development of a farm and the establishing of a home. The father passed away in 1894, and the mother survived until 1917. William Hall was suc- cessful, self-made man, and had a record for integrity and conscientious performance of

duty as soldier and civilian, as an agricultur- ist, and as a citizen and friend. During the Civil war he fought as a soldier of the Union, being connected for four years with Company D, Twenty-fourth Regiment, Michigan Vol- unteer Infantry, and he thus continued the family military record, his father having been a soldier in the war of 1812. His mother had the distinction of having lived to the remark- able age of ninety-eight years. William Hall was a Democrat in his political views, although not a man to seek office at the hands of his party, and his fraternal connection was with the Masonic order. With his family, he be- longed to the Methodist Episcopal church. He and his wife were the parents of eight chil- dren: Richard, who is the immediate subject of this review; Nellie, who is the wife of Chris Anderson, a retired farmer of Mason City, this county; Dave, who carries on a teaming business at Seattle, Washington ; John, who for some years resided on his fa- ther's farm in Custer county; Mary, who is the wife of Charles Kinniston, of Seattle, Washington, an early settler of Polk county, Nebraska, and at one time president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers ; Frank, who is engaged in farming near Ansley : Fred. who likewise is a Custer county farmer ; and Edna, who is the widow of Floyd Gaylord, of Ansley, and who is now residing with her brother.

Richard Hall was educated in the public schools of Shelby, Polk county, Nebraska, and was reared to the vocation of farming, which he adopted upon the attainment of his ma- jority. He did not seem to make much prog- ress in his native county, and in 1903 he came to Custer county, where he purchased a farm of eighty acres. In order to secure this land he had to go into debt, and his first few years were marked by constant struggle, but his faithful endeavors were finally rewarded, and he not only has his property free from debt, but is also the owner of 560 acres northeast of his home place. He is engaged in general farming and the raising of cattle and has been remarkably successful in both directions, while his standing as a business man is firmly es- tablished, having been built up through years of honorable and straighforward transactions. Mr. HIall is a thirty-second-degree Mason and he is very popular in the ranks of the time- honored fraternity. In politics he supports the principles and candidates of the Democratic party.

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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 112

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