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 121
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shovel plow. The hard times and panic that ensned after the war depleted the fortunes of the senior Schreyer and, hearing about the splendid opportunities of the unsettled west. he came to Custer county in 1875 and located five miles northwest of Callaway, in Triumph precinct. This was two years before the or- ganization of Custer county and several years before there were any schools in that locality. This curtailed the ambitions of young Alfred, who much desired an education, but he re- solved to improve himself and so effectually did he apply himself that to-day he enjoys the distinction of having been the first qualified teacher in the southwest part of Custer county. In the spring of 1881, in the residence of D. E. Sprouse, two and one-half miles north of Callaway, he taught two months, finishing the term by teaching another month in the resi- (lence of John Schreyer, five miles north cf Callaway. In the family of his father, Fred- erick Schreyer, were the following children : Alfred, of whom this is written ; Mrs. Hulda Miller, and Mrs. Rosa Cassel, both of whom are deceased; Mrs. Clara Posten ; and Oscar.
Alfred was married July 4, 1884, in Broken Bow to Miss Addie Mulvany, a very excellent young lady whose native state was Indiana. She had taught several years in the Custer county schools. Her parents, John and Eliza- beth A. (Dobson) Mulvany, were prominent people and early settlers of Custer county, and in their family were seven other children : Mrs. Henrietta Davis, Mrs. Darthula AikInan, John H., Fl. Sherman, Mrs. Hester A. Runyan, Mrs. Mary S. Wright, and George W.
Alfred Schreyer and his wife immediately established their own home and, although it lacked the comforts of the present day, it was always homelike and comfortable. Time pros- pered them with this workl's goods and blessed the family circle with seven children, concern- ing whom brief record is here given: Mrs. Mary E. Longmore is the wife of a thrifty farmer near Callaway, and they have two sons and two daughters. Mrs. Frieda V. Bennett is the wife of the manager of the Harding Cream Station in Arnold, and they have one son. Walter E. is deceased. Georgia 1. is the wife of Samnel H. Bailey, a farmer living near Arnold. Elizabeth N. is the wife of David N. Oberg, a farmer living near Etna, and they have two sons. Frances .1. is the wife of Rally C. Hickenbottom, a farmer of Callaway. They have one son and one daugh- ter. Mabel I. is at the paternal home and is attending the Arnold high school. Mrs. Addie Schreyer passed to the life eternal on the 25th of November, 1918, aged fifty-two years, three
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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA
.
ALFRED SCHREYER AND FAMILY
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months, and nine days, and her memory rests as a benediction upon all who came within the sphere of her gracious influence.
Mr. Schreyer, whose residence dates from the early days of the pioneers, is one of the really substantial farmers of the county. In 1884 he homesteaded land adjoining his fa- ther's claim. This he never sold but he has add- ed to it and eventually purchased most of the home place of his father. He now owns 908 acres of splendid land and has always been a large producer of hogs and cattle. His fan- cy turned always to high-grade Herefords. He lives in Arnold and rents his ranch, fully stocked. This gives him a splendid source of income. He belongs to several social orders and stands high in the community. He is sec- retary and manager of the Callaway & Arnold Telephone Company, and has held such local offices as school director, town treasurer. and justice of the peace, all of these preferments attesting to his ability as a community leader.
ESTEL P. SPRATT .- This review an- nounces the name of a young farmer who is operating in the vicinity of Arnold and is. making good. Estel P. Spratt was born in Marion county, Missouri, in 1880, and in that county he spent his boyhood years. From his parents he inherited qualities that have con- served his success in later years.
Prior to coming to Custer county Mr. Spratt lived on a farm in Logan county, but he pre- fers Custer county, as it offers greater oppor- tunities to the man who is willing to work. He now owns 280 acres of good land, upon which he has built a new house which affords the comforts of a modern farm home. He has 160 acres under cultivation and does gen- eral farming in all its varied branches. His live stock is of good grade and he is a man who takes good care of everything on the farmı.
Mr. Spratt married Miss Della Phifer, who was born in 1883, in Mills county, lowa. Mr. and Mrs. Spratt have maintained a hospitable home -one that ranks well with the other homes in the community. They have two chil- Iren - Gerald E. and Freda. Gerald was born in 1908 and Freda in 1909. They are bright. promising children in whom their parents feel a pardonable pride. The family belong to the Methodist church. Mr. Spratt is an indepen- dent voter but believes in rendering his com- munity a local service whenever opportunity presents itself. He is treasurer of the school board. Socially he is a member of the Modern Woodman. The community has few more
patriotic men than he. In all the war drives he has been a liberal contributor. He has bought War Stamps, Liberty Bonds, and rendered the government every possible service. The Spratts are rated Al in the community and are obliging, agreeable neighbors.
MELVIN K. JONES, a representative farmer of Custer county and a member of that hardy band of settlers that came here in 1887 and lived through many hardships in those early years, still owns the farm on which he first settled and which is now a well improved. profit-yielding property. Melvin K. Jones was born in Appanoose county, Iowa, September 27. 1859. His parents were David A. and Priscilla (Guernsey) Jones, natives of Indiana, and his two grandfathers were Nathan Jones and Bronson Guernsey. They were all mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Democracy was the political creed of the family.
Melvin K. Jones was the only son and is the only surviving child of his parents. When he was about four years old his parents moved to Pottawattamie county, Iowa, which at that time was still a wild, undeveloped region of country. They located at what was called Shantytown, a point on the Missouri river near the present town of of Loveland, and there the father of Mr. Jones worked in a saw mill. At that time the Winnebago Indians were more numerous along the river than white settlers. At first, living conditions were primitive. but after the close of the Civil war a great army of eastern settlers came to that region and by the time Mr. Jones had become ready to settle down permanently, states "far- ther west" had become attractive. When he came to Custer county, in 1887. he located southeast of Callaway, adjoining the old Olive ranch on the south and west, and here he vet resides, as the owner of 240 acres of fine land.
Mr. Jones was married March 12. 1885, on Custer Ranch. Custer county, Nebraska, to Miss Mattie Dickson, who was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, a daughter of Joseph B. and Clorinda ( Wells) Dickson, the latter of whom was a daughter of John and Martha ( Odell ) Wells. The parents of Mrs. Jones came to Custer county. Nebraska, in November, 1884. and located three miles southeast of Callaway. They had the following children: Mrs. Mattie Jones, Mrs. Mary Miller, Mrs. Jane Deal, Mrs. Emma Maier, Mrs. Susie Van Antwerp, and James A. Mr. Dickson had served in the Civil war and later was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, while in politics
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he was a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have four children - Millie E., Roy C., Flor- ence E., and Elva O. Millie E. is the wife of Albert B. Downin, a farmer and stock-raiser south of Lodi, this county, and they have two sons - Ralph and Morris. Roy C. Jones mar- ried Miss Ulah Murphy and they have two daughters - Leah A. and Delma E. Miss Florence E. Jones is a teacher in the schools of Custer county. in 1918. and Miss Elva . O. Jones is attending the graded schools. Mrs. Jones is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Jones has been measurably active in the development of Custer county, by co-oper- ating in the public-spirited enterprises that have conserved the general welfare, but he has never consented to become a candidate for public office. He is independent in his political attitude and gives his support to men and measures meeting the approval of his judg- ment, irrespective of partisan lines. Mr. Jones can recall many interesting events pertaining to the pioneer period of Custer county history and is, perhaps, one of very few left who had only Indian boys for playmates in the pioneer days of the history of the state of Iowa.
CHARLES B. MATTOX, who is in many ways one of the representative men of Custer county, owns a very large body of valuable. well improved land, and successfully carries on agricultural industries. Mr. Mattox has spent almost all his life in this county, being ten years old when he accompanied his parents here, and he is thoroughly identified with the best interests of this section.
Charles B. Mattox was born December 1. 1874. in Coles county. Illinois, near Mattoon, the fourth of a family of eight children born to his parents. William and Mary ( Larue) Mattox. William Mattox came to Custer county with his family in the fall of 1884 and homesteaded in Dry valley, the name indicat- ing one of the discouraging conditions that these early settlers faced in those pioneer days. The Mattox family, like many others, was called upon to exercise courage, self-reliance, and hope, and in the course of time many of the earliest disadvantages were overcome. William Mattox and his wife continued to live on the homestead for twenty-four years, in 1908 retiring from active life and moving to Comstock where they now live. While never very active in politics, Mr. Mattox has always been a staunch supporter of the Republican party. Following is a record concerning their children: Thomas, who is a farmer south of
Comstock, has been twice married, first to Anna Tennant, who died in 1895, and, second, to Etta Davis ; James, who lives near Sargent, married Almeda Tennant : Laura E. is the wife of William Westbrook, who is a farmer in Custer county, south of Sargent : Charles B. is the subject of this sketch: Joseph, who is a farmer in Rose valley, married Flora McCas- lin; Anna is the wife of Frederick Neidt, a farmer in Dry valley; Harvey O., who is a resident of Antioch, Sheridan county, Ne- braska, married Zella Wills; and Arthur died at the age of two years, during his journey from Illinois to Custer county.
Charles B. Mattox was old enough to assist his father when the family reached Custer county, and he remained at home and worked on the farm up to the time when he started out for himself, in the meanwhile attending school as opportunity was afforded. He has devoted himself to farming and stock-raising, and through hard work and intelligent manage- ment he has greatly prospered. He now owns 600 acres of fine land, and his home property is well improved, with evidences of thrift and careful, methodical farm operation to be seen on every hand.
September 10, 1902. Mr. Mattox married Miss Mary Roth, who was born near Com- stock, Nebraska. She is one of a family of eight children born to Jonas and Jennie ( Eu- bank) Roth, who were early pioneers in Cus- ter county, their homestead being located four miles west of Comstock, all their children liv- ing in the neighborhood of this pleasant town. Mr. and Mrs. Mattox have two children, Be- atrice and Paul, who are being given good educational advantages. In politics Mr. Mat- tox has always been a Republican, and the nature of his standing in party and community is evidenced by the fact that he has been re- tained in the office of township treasurer for more than four years.
CHRISTIAN KAUPP was one of the early settlers of Custer county and, after a period of many years spent in the development and operation of his farm, he is now living in hon- orable retirement in a beautiful home in Merna.
Mr. Kaupp was born in Germany, February 10. 1836, and is a son of August and Rosina ( Wolf) Kaupp, who spent their entire lives in the fatherland. When a young man Mr. Kaupp came to America, in 1864, and after spending about two years in New York and other parts of the east. he became a resident of Henry county, Illinois, where he resided until 1887. He then came to Custer county
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and took a homestead of 160 acres, in section 15. township 17. range 23, as well as a tree claim of an equal area. Here he spent many years in agricultural pursuits, and in 1910 he retired with a competence,
In March, 1867, at Lorraine, Illinois, Mr. Kaupp was united in marriage to Miss Kath- erine Heimindinger, a native of Germany, who came to America in 1852, and they became the parents of fourteen children - William, Chris- tina, Charles, Rosina, Julia. Florence, Sophia, Mamie, Hardy, Albert, Walter, Nettie, and two children who are deceased.
Mr. Kaupp was among the early settlers of West Table, shared in the hardships of the pioneer days and became one of the well-to-do men of Custer county.
JAMES R. FORSYTH was one of the very early settlers of Custer county. He came here in 1875 and from that time until he retired he was one of the substantial men of the community.
A native of Louisville, Kentucky, he was born in 1835, a son of Henry and Eleanor Forsyth. Reared and educated in the south. he there made his home until about the time of the Civil war, when he became a resident of Dane county, Wisconsin, later moving to Iowa, where he was engaged in farming until 1875, when he came to Custer county and took a homestead in section 10, township 19, range 21. His first home was a log house. which still stands on the place and which was the family home for many years. He also took a tree claim, and this was the scene of his ac- tivities for many years. He was interested in all those things which had to do with the upbuilding of his community. In 1906 he retired from active life and moved to Kearney.
He was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Dryden, a native of Dane county, Wisconsin. and a daughter of Nathaniel and Emma ( Bolsh) Dryden, who also were among the early settlers of Custer county.
Mr. and Mrs. Forsyth reared a family of seven children: David D .: Elizabeth ; Alpha ; William Il., residing at The Dalles. Oregon ; Theron E., of Naches, Washington: C. M, who owns and operates the old homestead : and John R .. a resident of Great Falls, Montana.
The parents were members of the Methodist church and in politics James Forsyth was a Democrat. Ile came here at a time when hardships and privations were to be found on every hand but he was equal to the task and lived to see the changes that have made the Custer county of to-day. The life record of
such a man ought to serve as an inspiration to the present generation and help to make better men and women of them.
JAMES KRISS, whose success as an agri- culturist in Custer county, Nebraska, proves that determination and industry will be gen- erously rewarded here, has spent the most of his life in Custer county and is well known and highly esteemed by his neighbors in gen- eral. He owns a valuable farm in the vicinity of Comstock, his land being fertile and level and he has made improvements that are suit- able and substantial.
James Kriss was born in Europe, in the province of Bohemia, September 28. 1871, and is the youngest of the six children born to Frank and Annie ( Nickedah) Kriss, the others being as follows : Frank, who is a farmer, mar- ried Josie Severien; Fannie is the wife of Charles Severien, a farmer in Michigan : Charles, who is a farmer south of Comstock. married Annie Palavek; Mary lives in the city of Omaha, Nebraska ; and Christie.
The parents of Mr. Kriss were natives of Bohemia and from there they came to the United States in 1881. During the first year they lived at Omaha, Nebraska. the father in the meanwhile looking about for a desirable section in which to settle permanently, and fi- nally he secured a homestead situated about eight miles north of Comstock. Custer county. The mother died there in 1906 but the father survives and resides with his son James. The old homestead property was sold four years ago.
James Kriss received the larger part of his schooling in Custer county, and remained at home and assisted his father until ready to begin business life for himself. His success has been unusual, and he now own 480 acres in section 24, township 18, which is his home place, and another farm of 240 acres, which lies to the north of the homestead. This large acreage gives him an opportunity to farm extensively and to raise live stock successfully. He has taken full advantage of these oppor- tunities, and is numbered among the repre- sentative farmers and stock-raisers of the county.
Mr. Kriss was married in June, 1898, to Miss Mary Weverka, whose parents, John H. and Frances Weverka, were early settlers in Custer county and who still live on their old homestead which they secured from the gov- ernment. Mr. and Mrs. Kriss have a fine fam- ily of sons and daughters, all of whom still live at home, namely : James, Hettie, Emma,
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Barbara, William, Joseph and Edward. Mr. Kriss and his family are members of the Bo- hemian Catholic church and attend services at Comstock. In politics he is a Democrat, and he is a willing worker for his party when called upon, for he has much influence among his Bohemian neighbors, but he has never con- sented to accept any political office. His rep- utation is that of an honest, upright man, and good American citizen.
WILLIAM FLIEDER. - The good judg- ment shown by many of the early settlers when they came from other countries to find a home in the United States, has resulted in the de- velopment and improvement of a wide area of land, not only in Nebraska but also in other sections. Within the last thirty-seven years many sturdy people have come from Bohemia, and wherever they have settled, substantial re- sults have followed, for, as a people, they are steady, industrious, and home-loving. About 1881 the parents of William Flieder, who is a well known resident of Custer county, came to America, and after some time spent at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, they came into Nebraska and homesteaded in Valley county. In this state they passed the remainder of their lives.
William Flieder was born in Valley county. Nebraska. July 5. 1882. a son of John and Annie Flieder. They had eight children and William is the only survivor of the entire family who is now living in Custer county. He was educated in the public schools of Da- kota county and remained at home and worked on the farm for his father until he was eigh- teen years old. He then started out for him- self. and has been a farmer ever since. At the present time he has a large farm under his care, operating some of the James Kriss land in Woods Park, six and one-half miles north of Comstock. He carries on general farming and raises considerable live stock, modern methods governing his operations and result- ing in satisfactory returns. Mr. Flieder has never married. In politics he is identified with the Democratic party.
HENRY HOGG, who is now one of the successful agriculturists and highly respected citizens of Custer county, is another one of the men who came to Nebraska in the early days with little else than their ambition as capital. and who have lived to see their resources grow and develop and to attain positions of marked prominence in their communities.
Mr. Hogg is a native of Scotland and pos-
sesses all the sturdy characteristics of the Scot- tish race. He was born in the shire of Had- dington, November 6, 1860, a son of Henry and Mary ( Forrest) Hogg, the former a na- tive of Berwickshire and the latter of Had- dingtonshire. The parents were staunch and uncompromising members of the Scotch Presbyterian church, in the faith of which they reared their children, and were people greatly respected in their home community in Scotland, where Mr. Hogg, the father, was variously engaged in business pursuits. They came to the United States in 1890 and joined their son Henry, at whose home both passed away in peace and contentment, when well ad- vanced in years. There were four children in the family : Henry, whose name introduces this sketch; Robert, who is engaged in farming eight miles west of Burwell, Nebraska ; Mary, who is the wife of William McLennan, a tailor of Rapid City, South Dakota ; and Agnes, who is the wife of A. S. Winch, a fruit grower and dealer of Washougal, Washington.
Henry Hogg was educated in the public schools of his native land and grew up an industrious and energetic lad, applying him- self to his studies and mastering the trade ot carpenter, in the city of Tranent. In his native land he saw no future for himself, and accordingly, when twenty-one years old, he turned his face hopefully toward the shores of America, in which country he felt sure that a youth of his ambition and industry could gain independence and prosperity. By the time he had reached Grand Island, Nebraska, his small capital was completely exhausted, but he man- aged to make his way to St. Paul, this state, where he secured employment at his trade. Three years later, on August 9, 1884, he se- cured a homestead in the Berwyn community, the first improvement on which was a dugout built by himself. As noted, Mr. Hogg's capi- tal was nothing large, and in order that he might live he had to spare some of his time from his farm to work at his trade at Ansley. as opportunity presented itself, and this pro- cess he kept up for twelve years, thus carrying himself over the rough places. Also, during this time, he was able to make improvements. to build a good house and other buildings, and to stock his property with a good grade of cattle and other live stock. It was not until 1896, however, that he sent for his bride. Mary Riddell, who was born in Scotland, and they were married in Hall county, December 7th of that year. They became the parents of five children, of whom three are living: Janet. who is engaged in teaching a rural school near Oconto. this county: Edith, who is attending
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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA
the Ansley high school and will graduate in 1919: and Walter, who also is attending school.
Mr. Hogg is now the owner of 160 acres of well improved land. all developed and im- proved under his own eye and through the work of his hands. He carries on general farming and stock-raising, and through indus- try and good management has made a success of his various ventures. He and Mrs. Hogg are consistent members of the l'resbyterian church, and fraternally he is identified with Ansley Lodge No. 176, Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons. Mr. Hogg holds independent views as to political matters, but has the com- plete confidence of the people of the commu- nity, and since he held the office of town clerk in the early days he has frequently been called upon to represent the people in positions of public trust and responsibility.
JOHN P. LONG. - Arnold has a long list of substantial citizens. One of them is named above. Mr. Long was born September 29, 1863, in Jasper county, Illinois. It was there that his early boyhood days were spent and there he received the education of the common schools. It was in this state also that he was united in marriage, in February, 1885, to Miss Mary S. Mills, who since that time has been the partner of his joys and sorrows and co- builder of his modest fortunes. Shortly after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Long came to Nebraska, and in the spring of 1886 they lo- cated a pre-emption claim eight miles east of Arnold, Custer county. They proved up on this in fourteen months and homesteaded a quarter-section in the same locality. Here they made their home until 1909. when they moved to Arnold, where Mr. Long assumed charge of the telephone office, handling farm implements on the side. This occupation he followed nearly eight years, and he then en- gaged in the hardware business, which he has conducted until recently. Mr. Long is a pub- lie-spirited citizen and has been connected with every public enterprise promoted in Arnold. Ile has served as a member of the school board for more than twenty years. He is interested in the new Security State Bank, which is erecting a new building. at a cost of more than $30.000. Mr. Long is one of the directors, and one of the managers of the Arnold Tele- phone Exchange. In the recent election he was chosen supervisor to represent the Fifth supervisoral district in the affairs of Custer county. In connection with the nation's par- ticipation in the world war every war appeal
has received ready response from Mr. Long. lle devoted time and made liberal donations to every object appealing for support from the people. He and his wife are faithful members of the Methodist church. Mr. and Mrs. Long have three children : Letha A. is the wife of John S. Harrell, a farmer living near Arnold, and they have one son and two daughters. Arthur C. married Mary Lehmkuhler and they live on a farm near Arnold. Myrtle A. is the wife of Clarence N. Brummett, a young farm- er living near Lantry, South Dakota, and they have two sons and two daughters.
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