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 118

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 118

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After following farming in Butler county for several years, Mr. Jones temporarily gave up that occupation and moved to Broken Bow. where for four years he was engaged in team- ing, one of his contracts being the delivering of the materials of which the court house was built. When he again decided to follow farm- ing, his equipment consisted of a team of horses, two cows, and a little household fur- niture : but his energy was still unbounded and his ambition and spirit still unbroken, he having had a full amount of these desirable qualities at the outset of life. He settled down to a determined effort to win success, and in 1912 purchased eighty acres of land. To the development of this he has since ap- plied himself with excellent results, and he now has his land well broken and planted to grain, of which he is raising large crops. He is rapidly attaining success, and no man is more worthy of achieving success. As a citi- zen Mr. Jones has done all within his power to assist in good movements, civic and educa- tional. He is a staunch Republican in politics, although his interest therein lies principally as a voter. His fraternal membership con- nects him with the local lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America.

LOGAN W. CHILES is consistently to be designated as one of the well-to-do and promi- nent citizens of Callaway; a citizen who has contributed heavily to public improvements and county development, and a man whose past experience savors of the wild days when laws were lax and ill-starred characters took advantage of the law-abiding hetter class.

Mr. Chiles was born July 19, 1864, in Davis county, Missouri, and is a son of Richard E. and Permelia (Enyeard) Chiles, both of whom were born in Kentucky, their children having been four in number, and all are liv- ing - Mrs. Emma Sicloff, Richard E., Elieu Thompson, and Logan W. The father was a colonel in the Confederate army, under Gen- eral Lee. After serving with distinguished valor; he died from the effects of a gun- shot wound which he received in battle. At

the time of his death, his son Logan was but four years of age, and as the mother had passed away two years previously, Logan W. was doubly orphaned at a very tender age. He came to live with his grandfather, Captain Enyeard, of Otoe county, Nebraska. Later Captain Enyeard invested a good deal of money in Custer county land, and he is well remembered by the old settlers in the south- western part of the county.

Logan W. Chiles was given good educa- tional advantages and finished his equipment with a two years' course in the Nebraska City College. Connected with the early days in the state he relates the following experience :

When about twenty years of age he con- tracted to break prairie for a Holt county farmer. The place where the prairie was to be broken was in a sparsely settled district. two or three miles from the nearest neighbor. These were in the palmny days of Doc Mid- dleton and Kid Wade, when horse-flesh changed hands easily - and sometimes sud- denly and without much ceremony. Logan had a fine span of black mares, very valu- able. Their handsome appearance attracted the attention of the sheriff of the county, who warned the boy to keep his eyes open or he would find himself, some morning, afoot and alone on the prairie, as there was a gang of horse-thieves operating in the vicinity that would not stop at murder if necessary to se- cure such a prize as those black mares would be. Logan thanked him for the advice and decided that be would better follow it. He stuck to his work, picketed the mares on the grass near his wagon, under which he slept. and he did his best to keep watch of what was going on. He had been there but a short time when, one evening just before dark, he noticed a man following the main road on foot, with a bridle in his hands. Sup- posing it was some of the settlers looking for a stray horse, he gave the matter small thought until later in the evening, when the man passed by again. This aroused his suspicions, and he resolved to take precautions. He fas- tened the mares to the wagon wheel with a log chain locked round their necks. A little later, when the last rays of the day were al- most gone, he saw the man standing on a nearby hill, with his form clearly silhouetted against the western sky. He took his Win- chester and sat down in a place from which he had unobstructed view and could watch the operations of the man. After a while, when it had grown darker, the man began to move down toward the camp. The boy kept his eye on the marauder as best he could, all the

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

while concealing himself in the tall bluestem grass. He waited until the man was nearly up to the horses, then he raised up out of the grass, within ten feet of the fellow. covered him with his Winchester and warned him that if he valued his life not to move. He added, "I know what you are here for, and you have struck the wrong fellow." The man, who was heavily armed, turned deliberately around and walked off without a word. Young Logan, kept his Winchester pointed directly .on the man as long as he could see him. That was not a good night for sleep, and the next morn- ing dawned bright and fair, inviting Logan to resume his work, which he did, but it might be said that the next night he pulled out for town and did not camp alone on the prairie again.

At Lorton, Nebraska, on March 12, 1886, Mr. Chiles was united in marriage to Miss Mattie M. Rexer, who was born in Otoe county, Nebraska, and who is a daughter of John J. and Mary (Wright) Rexer, the for- mer a native of Germany. Mrs. Chiles has al- ways been popular in social circles and has been a splendid companion and helpmeet to her husband. To them have been born eight daughters and one son: Mrs. Bessie Burk, Mrs. Pearl Campbell, Mrs. Stella Tidd, Mrs. Grace Brega, and Mrs. Mary Ross are hap- pily married and have homes of their own. Hazel, Mary, and Edith are at home, and the youngest child and only son is Joyce E., who is said to be the home dictator. That the last child is a boy, seems to have been a special dispensation by which each of the eight girls could have a brother. The Chiles family are very interesting, and Mr. and Mrs. Chiles maintain a hospitable home.

Mr. Chiles came to Custer county in 1911 and owns 160 acres one mile south of Calla- way, as well as the old Bannister and Finch- Hatton ranch, eight miles west of town, and 160 acres two miles south of Arnold, making in all 1,200 acres. Before settling in Custer county Mr. Chiles made extensive trips through Oklahoma; Kansas, and portions of Nebraska, hunting a location, but he found that he could get more for his money in Cus- ter county than in any other place he visited. He has unbounded faith in the future of the county. The family home, in Callaway, is a beautiful residence, well equipped with all modern conveniences and comforts, and this home is not only enjoyed to the fullest extent by Mr. and Mrs. Chiles, but is also known for its generous hospitality. Mr. and Mrs. Chiles are connected with the Methodist Episcopal

church and are held in unqualified esteem in the community.

GRANT HENDRICKS. - Down six miles northwest of Oconto, on a splendid tract of land, in a comfortable home, surrounded by valuable property of various kinds, lives the man who bears the two historic names of Grant and Hendricks. He is a representative farmer and is a Custer county citizen who might be used for exhibition purposes almost any time.

Grant Hendricks discovered America in In- diana, where he was born at South Whiteley, March 28, 1864. He is a son of Henry and Rebekalı (Wagner) Hendricks, very estimable people, the father being a native of Germany and the mother of the state of Pennsyl- vania. The parents were devout Christian people, being members of the Baptist church. They reared a large family of children, and of the twelve children eight still survive - Kath- erine Clapp, Peter W., May Winn, Samuel, W. Scott, Esther Hart, Alice Hittle, and Grant, whose life history these lines epitomize. Mr. Hendricks says the first money he earned was some that he didn't get. He worked for an old gentleman, paddling dirt from the drill with which they were putting in wheat. As his employer had no money, young Grant's step-father took a calf for the wages. Grant took good care of the calf, but when it was sold, his dreams of wealth vanished with the calf, for he saw none of the money. He re- mained on the home farm until he was seven- teen years of age and received a common- school education. After he was seventeen he worked out by the month until he was twenty years old. By common consent he and his future wife fixed their wedding day on Christ- mas eve, 1882. when at Angus, Indiana, he and Florence Kay were wedded. The bride was likewise born in Indiana, and she is a daughter of Isaac and Anna (Gordon) Kay, in whose family were five children - Mrs. Ida McDaniels, Mrs. Florence Hendricks, Orrin ( deceased), Elsworth, and Mrs. Anna Cum- mins. The parents were members of the Bap- tist church.

From the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hendricks have maintained a home in which comfort and plenty have been apparent. They have a large family of children, of whom they can be justly proud: Tressie is the wife of Milton Williams, a farmer living in the vicinity of Broken Bow, and they are the par- ents of five children. Milton was in the last

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY. NEBRASKA

national draft for service in the world war. but the war closed ere he was given assign- ment. James J., who married Daisy Bryner, a daughter of Z. K. Bryner, lives on a farm of 240 acres near Sterling, Colorado. and they have one child. Addie is the widow of Charles Williams, who died in April, 1916. Mrs. Will- jams lives near Callaway and has four chil- dren. Letha is the wife of Harrison Maxson, an inspector and grader in a hide and fur establishment in St. Joseph, Missouri, and they have two children. Ethel is the wife of Theodore Lange, a farmer near Callaway, and they have one child. Rollie volunteered for military service and was sent to Camp Grant, Rockford, Illinois, as a member of the One Hundred and Sixty-first Depot Brigade. Edith is the wife of Chris Rookstool and they re- side on a farm of their own, near Oconto. Mr. Rookstool has one child by former marriage. Glenn J. Hendricks works on the home farm with his father. Mabel I. is at home and is attending high school. William K. also is at home and in the high school. Cecil, the youngest, but treads the lower rungs of the educational ladder, with very bright prospect of advancement.

Mr. Hendricks came to Custer county in 1886, and homesteaded south of Berwyn. on part of what was then known as the old Pan- cake ranch. He lived there twenty-two years, and then moved to his present farm site, six miles from Oconto. He operates 640 acres of land, and is seemingly well fixed, so that he can take life easy and spend his days in com- fortable retirement. The present home of the family stands out in striking contrast with their sod house of early days. The inside di- mensions of that pioneer dwelling were twelve by thirteen feet, and it had a dirt floor and a straw roof. When it rained, more water fell in the house than on the same territory out- side.

Mr. Hendricks relates that after he had his "soddy" built and had sent for his wife, he had fifty cents in his pocket. He went to Kearney to meet the train, and while he was waiting at a livery stable a stranger ap- proached him, and explained that he had a sick horse and begged the fifty cents with which to purchase medicine. To save a poor man's horse. Mr. Hendricks parted with his half dollar, but down at the depot, an hour or two later, he saw the man with a pint of whis- key which he was using for himself instead of the horse. Mr. Ilendricks has no doubt but that the bottle was rubbed on the horse and probably had the desired effect.

Grant Hendricks and his family are very

reliable, commendable people, than whom Cus- ter county has no better.

ALOIS ZIMMER, who is one of the highly esteemed representatives of agricultural in- (lustry in Custer county, is known as a sub- stantial citizen and an experienced and skilled farmer and stockman. More than thirty years of connection with his vocation. in Custer county has given him a thorough intimacy with conditions in his community, near Mason City, and has also served to establish him in the good will and high regard of his fellow citizens.

Mr. Zimmer was born in Silesia, Austria, July 1, 1868, a son of Julius and Helen ( Koe- ler ) Zimmer. His parents, natives of Ger- many, where they were small farming people. immigrated to the United States in 1887 and at once came to Custer county, where they took up a homestead and continued to be en- gaged in agricultural pursuits during the rest of their lives. Through industry and perse- verance they succeeded in building up a com- fortable home for their children and in de- veloping a productive farm, and they were highly esteemed for their many sterling quali- ties of mind and heart and as devout members of the Catholic church. They were the par- ents of seven children : Julius, a well-to-do farmer of Custer county : Helen, the wife of Andrew Bower, a carpenter of Ravenna. Ne- braska: Louisa, the wife of Peter Streeder, a Custer county farmer : Alois, of this notice : Steven, engaged in farming in Custer county ; Frank, a farmer in the vicinity of North Platte, Nebraska; and Othelia, the wife of Tom Frame, an engineer at Buena Vista, California.

Alois Zimmer received his early education in the public schools of Germany, and in that country began his career as a farmer. He was nineteen years of age when the family settled in Nebraska, and here, the year after their arrival, he began to work out, continu- ing thus for the next fifteen years. During that time he carefully saved his earnings. with which he bought 160 acres of land, an uncultivated tract without improvements of any kind. He at once set to work, made his land productive, and began installing improve- ments as rapidly as his finances would admit. As a result of his hard and persistent work, he is now the owner of a handsome tract of fertile and productive land, which is made more attractive by the presence of a large and comfortable modern residence, with commodi- ous and substantial barns and attractive and

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

well built outbuildings, all erected by him. He does a general farming business, in which he has been very successful, and also has raised a considerable number of hogs, as well as Hereford cattle. In his operations he has used modern methods, and in his business trans- actions his integrity has been such that he bears an excellent reputation among his as- sociates.

In 1903 Mr. Zimmer married Kate Kramer, a daughter of Frank Kramer who was born in Germany and died in Custer county. Mr. and Mrs. Zimmer are the parents of one daughter, Catherine, living at home and at- tending school. They are members of the Catholic church, and Mr. Zimmer is a Demo- crat in politics, although inclined to be inde- pendent in local elections.

GUY P. MILLS. - Custer county has many "Mills" of different varieties, but among all the "Mills" of every description there is none more prominent or generally useful than the Mills family at Arnold. The name dates back to pioneer times and it is always con- nected, so far as this family is concerned, with everything that is helpful or progressive. Guy P. Mills, whose name introduces this sketch, is a native of Custer county. Here he was born in 1885, the son of William Mills, a prominent pioneer whose life sketch is given elsewhere in these columns. It was in this county that Guy P'. Mills received a common- school education and then, that he might be better qualified to conduct the business inci- dent to modern-day farming, he took a com- mercial course in a business college. With this equipment he began operations on a Cus- ter county farm. To-day he has 360 acres of land, 115 acres under cultivation, and has the place well equipped with improvements, ma- chinery, and a good grade of live stock. He breeds Duroc hogs and has made their propa- gation very profitable. In the cattle line his fancy runs to polled Durhams. These are of a splendid grade, all bred for double registry. His horses show good breeding and careful selection of type.

The domestic life of Mr. Mills dates from February 16, 1910. at which time he led to the marriage altar Miss Daisy V. Phifer, who presides over his home and makes it a com- fortable, hospitable domicile. Two children reign in this home - Sylvan Parris, born March 27, 1913 ; and Merrill Guy, born March 19, 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Mills belong to the Methodist church. He is treasurer of the school district, in which office he is serving

his third term. He is a member of the Mod- ern Woodmen and in politics is an independent voter. Just in the prime of life, with a good start and located in the land of opporunity, there is no doubt but that the future years will reward his toil and provide handsomely for the proverbial "rainy day" or the retire- ment of after years.

HENRY H. MYERS. - Of the men of Custer county who, after years of toil and labor to help make Custer a better place in which to live, have been called from the scene of earthly activities, the subject of this memoir well deserves a place in the records of the county.

Henry Hellery Myers was born in Arm- strong county, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1847. His father, John G. Myers, was a native of Pennsylvania, of German parentage, and died in Custer county, Nebraska, November 26, 1900. The mother of our subject was Char- lotta Hellery, a native of Würtemburg, Ger- many, who came to the United States with her parents when a girl of nine years, and she too passed away in Custer county, where her death occurred November 15, 1907.

Henry H. Myers was the eldest of eight children and accompanied his parents when the home was established at Elsah, Illinois, in 1857. Here he was reared and grew to manhood, acquiring his early education in the public schools. In February, 1864, he enlisted in Company C., One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and he served until the close of the war, being discharged at Camp Butler, Illinois, in September, 1865. For two years after the war he was a pilot on the Mississippi river.

On December 13, 1868, at Elsah, Illinois, Mr. Myers was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Hartley, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. The young couple made their home on a farm in Illinois until October, 1882, when they came to Nebraska and settled in Boone county. where they resided until the spring of 1885. when they came to Custer county and secured a homestead in section 15, township 17, range 23. He became a successful farmer and pur- chased 320 acres adjoining the old homestead, where he carried on agricultural pursuits until he retired and moved to Broken Bow, in March, 1910. Here his death occurred, in December, 1917.

Mr. Myers was one of the early settlers on West Table and helped to organize the school district as well as the first Methodist church of Cliff township, to which he contributed lib.

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

erally in support. He held various offices of trust and honor and in every relation of life measured up to the highest standard of man- hood. He and his wife reared a family of six children who have grown to maturity and be- come useful members of society. O. L. is a resident of Sidney, Iowa: J. A. and Ed and Earl are farmers of Custer county; Clara is the wife of Frank Barrett, of Broken Bow ; and Mrs. Ethel Jones resides in Denver.

JULIU'S ZIMMER .- Included among the substantial farmers and stock-raisers of Custer county, Julius Zimmer is also known as a help- ful, useful, and energetic citizen whose public- spirited services have contributed to the ad- vancement and development of his communi- ty's interests. For thirty-three years he has been a resident of the Mason City locality, and there has been identified with many of the movements that have served to aid progress in both agricultural and civic lines. He was born in Silesia, Prussia, August 18. 1859, and is a son of Julius and Helen ( Koeler ) Zimmer.

In their native land the parents of Julius Zimmer were small farming people who were industrious and energetic but whose efforts did not gain them satisfactory progress. They accordingly decided to try their fortunes in the United States, to which country they came in 1887. locating in Custer county, to which they had been preceded by their son Julius several years previously. Homesteading a property, they followed farming here during the rest of their lives, the father passing away in 1888 and the mother a number of years later, both having held the faith of the Catholic church. They were highly esteemed people, industrious. honest, and God-fearing, and they well merited the high esteem in which they were held by their neighbors. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: Julius, of this notice: Helen, the wife of Andrew Bower, a carpenter of Ravenna, Nebraska: Louisa, the wife of Peter Streeder, a Custer county far- mer: Alois, engaged in agricultural operations in Custer county: Steven. also engaged in farming in Custer county ; Frank, a farmer in the vicinity of North Platte, Nebraska: and Othelia, the wife of Tom Frame. an engineer of Buena Vista, California.

Julius Zimmer, the younger, received his ed- ucation in the public schools of Germany, in which country he received his introduction to farming. He came to the United States in 1884, in which year he located at Kearney, Nebraska, but in 1885 he came to Custer

county, where he took up a homestead, a tract which he still owns. During the early days he experienced many hardships and had to overcome numerous obstacles, but he persever- ingly kept at his task, proving himself ready for every emergency. He is a general farmer, with a knowledge of his vocation's various de- partments, and has met with much success also in the raising of a good grade of live- stock, modern methods always having been given a preference by him. The little sod house which was his first home here has long since disappeared. having been replaced by a commodious residence, around which are to be found a full set of farm buildings of the most modern type. Mr. Zimmer's reputation for business integrity has been built upon more than thirty years of honest transactions. As a citizen he has performed his share of the duties of office, including service as overseer of roads, and a quarter of a century of service on the school board, his public record being an open book. Independent in politics, he belongs to the Non-Partisan League.

In 1894 Mr. Zimmer was united in marriage to Miss Mary Reimer, who was born in Aus- tria, and to this union there were born twelve children, all living and at home: Anna, Hel- ena. Leo, Mary. Joseph. Barbara, Gregor, Hat- tie, Gertrude, Clement, Louisa, and Margaret. The family belongs to the Catholic church.

DIAH WOODRUFF - The Dominion of Canada gave to Custer county a splendid citi- zen when Diah Woodruff left his native prov- ince and made his way eventually to Nebraska, where he gained pioneer distinction and where he wielded a powerful influence in connection with the civic and material development and upbuilding of Custer county. He became one of the extensive landholders of this part of the state, conducted agricultural and live-stock enterprise on a very extensive scale, and he was one of the honored and influential pioneer citizens of Custer county at the time of his death, which here occurred on the 15th day of October. 1918. Recognition of his worthy character and achievement is most consistent- ly made in this history, which likewise exer- cises a legitimate function when it pays a trib- ute to his memory.

Diah Woodruff was born in the province of Ontario, Canada, on the 7th of May. 1849. and is a son of Hawkins and May ( Tool) Woodruff. of whose ten children the follow- ing named are now living: Mrs. Elizabeth Pauly, of Hannibal. Missouri: Catherine, a resident of Toronto, Canada; Emmett, a resi-

Dich Woodruff

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

dent of the state of Oregon; and Emma, the wife of William Hallaway.

Diah Woodruff was reared to adult age in his native province, where his early education- al advantages were those afforded by the public schools, and he continued his residence in Canada until 1866, when he went to Lock- port, New York, where for a time he was em- ployed in a nursery establishment, he having been an ambitious youth of about seventeen years when he came to the United States. Be- fore the close of the year 1866 Mr. Woodruff proceeded westward as far as Illinois, where he obtained work by the month, his wages being merely nominal, as gauged by the stan- dards of the present day. From Illinois he finally came to Nebraska, determined to find ways and means for the winning of indepen- dence and a due measure of prosperity. He was dependent entirely upon his own ability and efforts, and within a short time after his arrival in the state he obtained a homestead claim in Hamilton county. There he insti- tuted development work and there he contin- ued his activities until 1875. In that year he and his wife numbered themselves among the pioneers of Custer county, and that he made good use of the splendid opportunities af- forded in connection with the development of the great natural resources of the county. needs no further voucher than the statement that here lie eventually accumulated and de- veloped a magnificent landed estate of 3,600 acres, the nucleus of which was a pioneer tract of 160 acres which he obtained at the time of his removal to the county and which is still a part of his estate. On this original homestead he erected good buildings, including the at- tractive farm residence, which was built about thirty years ago and which has been remodeled and otherwise modernized since that time. Vigorous and self-reliant, indomitable in en- ergy, and possessed of mature judgment. Mr. Woodruff made steady and substantial prog- ress toward the goal of prosperity. and event- ually he gained secure status as one of the extensive and representative agriculturists and stock-growers of the county. He was liberal and loyal in the support of those measures and enterprises that conserved the social and mate- rial advancement and welfare of the commu- nity, and his sterling integrity gained and retained to him the unqualified confidence and esteem of those with whom he came in contact in the varied relations of life. Though never desirous of public office. he gave a staunch support to the cause of the Democratic party. His religious faith was that of the Presby- terian church, of which his wife likewise was

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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 118

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