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 136

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 136

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Hiram T. Coffman always manifested a lively and intelligent interest in public affairs, especially those of a local order, and he was in favor of the principles of the Populist party at the time when that organization was at the zenith of its influence, but after its wan- ing he became staunchly arrayed with the Re- publican party. His religious faith was that of the Baptist church.

ALBERT BRASS. - Among the cattlemen of Custer county who have been engaged in large and important transactions in cattle feed- ing and dealing. one deserving of more than ordinary mention is Albert Brass, one of the owners of the K. C. and Brass ranches. From his young manhood all his training has been along lines connected with the business in which he is now engaged, and in which the size and importance of his operations have placed him in a leading position.

Mr. Brass was born in McHenry county, Il- linois, October 16, 1877, and is a son of Orson

and Emma ( Wilber) Brass, the former a na- tive of Ohio and the latter of New York. His father was a farmer and stock-raiser who bought and sold cattle on a large scale and who was known far and wide for his extensive deals as well as for his personal integrity and probity. He was a popular member of the local Masonic lodge at Woodstock, Illinois, was a staunch and unwavering Republican, and took an active part in civic affairs, as a pro- gressive and constructive citizen. He died July 7, 1918, his wife having passed away in 1906, in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church. They were the parents of nine chil- dren, of whom eight are living, but only three are living in the Custer county vicinity - Mrs. Charles Florida, residing on a farm near Com- stock; Ed, a cattleman of Grand Island ; and Albert, of this review.

Albert Brass received his early education in the public schools of McHenry county, Illinois, and was reared in an agricultural atmosphere, where he early learned to understand and ap- preciate live stock. From boyhood he made the most of the opportunities that presented themselves, to learn all he could regarding cattle, and when he came to Custer county, in 1904, it was but natural that he should engage in the cattle business, his partner in this ven- ture being his brother. Edward Brass, of Grand Island. Their initial ventures were somewhat in the way of experiments, but as success gave them confidence they became op- erators on a larger and larger scale, until, during the winter of 1917-18, they reached their high point by making a shipment of $53,- 000. This was followed about August 1st by a shipment amounting to $43,000, this last be- ing western cattle right off the grass. These animals were placed in the pasture about April 1st, and were sold August 1st, when, in addi- tion to the loss by shrinkage between the time of their purchase and the time of their weigh- ing at the Omaha market, each animal aver- aged a gain of 250 pounds. This refutes the statement or idea that Nebraska grass is not good for cattle, as this was the only food that the animals had to fatten on. The Brass bro- thers own the K. C. ranch, consisting of 2,945 acres, while the home property, known as the Brass ranch, in section 14, township 20, has 1,560 acres, of which the acreage not needed for stock is rented to outside parties. This ranch is improved with a large and commodi- ous house, substantial barns, and any number of splendid outbuildings, and the equipment of the entire property is up-to-date in every par- ticular. Mr. Brass is a man who does large things in a large way, has no superior in his

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branch of the cattle industry, and is a business man of marked judgment and acumen and of high and honorable principles. He is a Re- publican in his political views.

On September 26, 1903, in McHenry county, Illinois, Mr. Brass was united in marriage to Miss Edith M. Joslyn, and to this union there have been born nine children - Ellwyn, Ed- win, Maleda, Wendel, Evelyn, Loren, Orson, Nellie, and Albert, Jr., all of whom reside with their parents except Evelyn, who passed away in March, 1918, at the age of seven years, after a fatal attack of appendicitis.

FREDERICK CAMIN, who is one of Cus- ter county's large landowners, heavy taxpay- ers, and enterprising and respected citizens, has been a resident of Nebraska almost his entire life and takes great pride in the wonder- ful forward steps the state has taken within his memory. Mr. Camin was born at Water- town, Wisconsin, a son of William and Mary (Minick) Camin. The father was born in Germany, February 7, 1833, and came to the United States in 1854. He was a strong, re- bust young man and easily found employment in a saw mill at Watertown, where he re- mained until 1862, when he enlisted for ser- vice in the Civil war, as a member of Company E, Twentieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and shortly afterward took part in the battle of Prairie Grove, in which he was seriously wounded in the left side, a bullet passing through his body and coming out through his breast. This caused him to be honorably dis- charged, for disability, March 24, 1863.

William Camin survived his severe injuries and lived many years afterward, although his condition was feeble for seven years before his death, which occurred December 6, 1905. During this period he was carefully cared for by his son Frederick. In 1867 William Camin left Wisconsin for Nebraska, driving a mule team and a yoke of oxen, and after reaching the new state, he located a homestead in Cum- ing county. The first home was a dugout. twelve by fifteen feet in dimensions, and this was quite as commodious and comfortable as any of those occupied by neighbors, the while it served its intended purpose until 1870, when Mr. Camin erected the handsome resi- dence in which he lived until his death. He became a man of prominence in Cuming county, a leading factor in the Democratic party, and served in numerous local offices For three years he was county assessor and for three more was county commissioner of Cuming county. His children all survive, two sons and three daughters - William, Fred-

erick, Mrs. Freda Hazencamp, Mrs. Mary Kuester, Mrs. Augusta Brockman - all of whom live in Cuming county except Fred- erick.

Frederick Camin was too young at the time to remember the long, slow trail to Nebraska, but he very readily recalls many incidents of early days in Cuming county. Herding cattle for his father and for the neighboring stockmen was one of his earliest ways of be- ing useful, and it was through this means that he earned his first money. Perhaps every man, if questioned, could recall the time in his early youth when some unattainable ob- ject aroused feelings akin to despair. In Mr. Camin's case it was a new hat, and when he found that the only way to get it was to earn it, he forthwith set about the earning, the neighboring ranchmen being called upon to pay the sum of twenty-five cents a week for his herding services. He eventually secured the hat in this way, and it is quite possible that his practical father watched with silent approval the son's industry and self-denial.

Mr. Camin remained at home until he was of legal age, his twenty-fist year, going to school during the winters and helping his father during the summers, and he then took upon himself the management of the home farm, which he operated for two years. After his marriage, in 1886, he went to Holt county, Nebraska, where he bought 160 acres, near Atkinson, on which he lived for two years. He then moved to Boyd county, in 1892, and took up a homestead, on which he lived five years, when he removed to Keyapaha county, where he rented land for two years. He then returned to Holt county, where he bought eighty acres and where he remained two years. In the meanwhile his father had become some- what feeble, and Mr. Camin returned then to the homestead in Cuming county, as noted above. In 1909 he came to Custer county and bought 320 acres, the west one-half section of section 21, township 13, range 22. He has erected a handsome modern residence here and has 160 acres under a fine state of culti- vation. His investments in Nebraska soil have turned out well and he now owns a total of 1,120 acres.

Mr. Camin was married October 21, 1886, to Miss Margaretha Albright, who was born in Germany, a daughter of John G. and Bar- bara (Schademann) Albright, natives of Germany. They have the following children : Ida, Martha, Alma, Walter, Emil, Herman, and Anna, all of whom reside with their par- ents except the eldest daughter. This daugh- ter, Ida, is the wife of Carl Achterberg, who is a farmer five miles south of Oconto, and

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they have four children. Mr. Camin and his family belong to the Lutheran church He casts his vote with the Republican party but has never sought office.

ANTON FORTIK. - The blood of his- toric Bohemia flows in the veins of Anton Fortik, a South Loup farmer who ran the gamut of early-day hardships and who, single- handed and without help, has improved a splendid farm, reared a family, and made for himself a reputation as a reputable, reliable citizen second to none who began life under the same handicaps.

Mr. Fortik was born in Bohemia June 13, 1873, and is a son of Joseph and Anna (Cline) Fortik. In the ancestral line the blood of Bo- hemia flows through the veins of more than a dozen generations. Joseph Fortik and his wife and children came to Custer county, Ne- braska, in 1884, and immediately he filed on the homestead upon which he lived during the remainder of his life. In the father's family were nine children, of whom seven are living : John lives in Custer county ; Anna married U. G. Brown and has her home in this county ; the third was Anton, the subject of this sketch ; Frank lives in Custer county ; Joseph lives on the old homestead; Josie is the wife of Lewis Kulhanek ; and Charles lives in the vicinity of the home of his brother Anton.

Mr. Fortik regrets the limited educational advantages of his youth. From early years he was compelled to work, and school oppor- tunities were few, yet he is a man of keen in- telligence and very competent to transact all kinds of business connected with general farm- ing, the while he is able also to render very capably a great deal of public service. Dur- ing his boyhood years he worked for a Ger- man four years, and then went to work on his father's farm and helped to support the fam- ily. This was necessitated by the illness of his father. In 1898 his domestic life really began, when he led to the altar Miss Anna Kulhanek, sister of John J. Kulhanek. Of this union were born seven children, Anna, Rosa, Anton, Emil, Albert, Thomas, and Ever- ette. For generations the families on both sides have been members of the Catholic church, and have maintained splendid reputa- tions as honest, industrious, law-abiding citi- zens.

The Fortik farm consists of 400 acres of land, and this has long since developed beyond the sod-house period in which a pioneer "soddy" was the first dwelling of the Fortik family. The primitive domicile has passed away, and a beautiful farm home takes its

place. The resources of a new county owned their development many times to the sturdy emigrants from the Old World who have con- tributed brain and brawn to the land of their adoption.

JAMES E. G. NELSON, whose activities as a general farmer and stock-raiser in Cus- ter county have covered a period of thirty- two years, owes a large share of his success to the sturdy characteristics of his race. The courage and perseverance which he displayed during the early days of the county's history have enabled him to succeed where others have failed, and the same judgment that led him to select his homestead has caused him to retain possession thereof, with continued faith in its value.

Mr. Nelson was born in Denmark, July 19, 1863, a son of N. P. and Emma (Sonson) Christinson. His parents, who were natives of the same country, passed their entire lives within its borders and never desired any other country for their home. The father was a farmer and a man of marked industry, in ad- dition to which he was held in high esteem by his fellow citizens, who elected him a member of the body which corresponds to the town board here. He and his wife were devout members of the Lutheran church, and had nine children, of whom two now live: Lars, who resides in Denmark ; and James E. G.

Tames E. G. Nelson received his education in the public schools, and had just attained his twenty-first year when he decided to view the United States, the land of opportunity. At that time he did not remain for any ap- preciable length of time, returning soon to Denmark, but in 1886 he again came to this country, this time to make his permanent home here. Coming to Custer county in that year. he bought a relinquishment of his present farın, and settled down to the pursuits of gen- eral farming and stock-raising, in which he has been successfully engaged ever since. Mr. Nelson is one of the men of his community who have been progressive in their methods and in their ideas. Under his able manage- ment the land has been highly cultivated, until it is now some of the most fertile and pro- ductive to be found in this part of the county, and good buildings, including a large modern house, have been erected, adding much to the farm's appearance and value. A reputation for integrity and honorable actions is one of Mr. Nelson's most cherished possessions. and he is likewise accounted one of his locality's men who can be depended upon to stand be- hind worthy and progressive movements for

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the general welfare. He is a Republican in politics, and he and Mrs. Nelson belong to the Lutheran church.

In 1891 Mr. Nelson married Miss Matilda Johnson, who was born in Denmark, a daugh- ter of Peter and Sophia (Johnson) Johnson. The parents of Mrs. Nelson came to Custer county in 1885 and settled near the home of Mr. Nelson, where Mr. Johnson became a homesteader. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have had four children: Carl, who entered the United States service June 25, 1918, had his prelim- inary training at Camp Funston, and is lo- cated at Camp Mills, Long Island, at the time of this writing ; Alfred died when eight years of age; and Josephine and Marie died in in- fancy.

WILLIAM J. CROSS. - One of the men who has been in Custer county since 1883 and had all the experiences of early homesteaders is William J. Cross, who was born in State Center, Iowa, October 15, 1877, a son of John H. H. and Melissa ( Bullock) Cross, the for- mer a native of Ohio and the latter of the Hawkeye state. The marriage of the parents was solemnized in Iowa and there they lived during their early wedded life. In the days of the Civil war Mr. Cross enlisted in Com- pany H, Thirty-first Iowa Infantry, and he served three years, performing a hard and strenuous service for his country. He was on the remarkable expedition with Sherman through Georgia to the sea, and was one of the heroes who fought in the battle of Look- out Mountain. After the war he returned to Iowa, where he remained until he removed to Nebraska, in 1878, at which time he settled in the eastern part of the state, in Seward county. Feeling that opportunities were a little better in the new land farther west, he came to Cus- ter county five years later, and homesteaded a substantial tract of land, eight miles south- west of Ansley. In the home of John H. H. Cross, father of the subject of this sketch, were five children, three of whom are still living. The survivors are Oliver, who lives in Ansley and is employed by the railroad com- pany ; William J., who is the subject of this sketch ; and Dell, who lives eight miles west of Ansley.

John H. H. Cross is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, is a faithful member of the Methodist church, is a Republican in poli- tics, and, withal, is a very highly respected citizen.

William J. Cross, the subject of this sketch, has spent most of his life in Custer county, where he grew to manhood. He began life on

the farm, but during his early years he clerked in a Broken Bow store for a period of eight or nine years. He was educated in the public schools at Broken Bow. Mr. Cross is a re- liable citizen to whom much credit is due for the services rendered to the major county of the Nebraska commonwealth.

WALTER S. MOORE, who occupies a very responsible position as superintendent of the J. H. Melville Lumber Company at Mason City, Nebraska, is an experienced lumber man and is one of Mason City's energetic and pub- lic-spirited citizens. Mr. Moore was born on a farm near Sullivan, Moultrie county, Illi- nois, February 29, 1880, and is a son of Joshua C. Moore, of whom specific mention is made on other pages of this volume.

From 1887 until 1896, Walter S. Moore lived in the vicinity of Broken Bow, Nebraska. attending school there and working on a farm. Thereafter he lived on a farm and was en- gaged in agricultural industries exclusively until 1903. He then went as far west as Oregon, where he learned something of the lumber trade, while working for a furniture company, and after returning to Broken Bow he engaged in the lumber business there. He continued his activities at Broken Bow from February, 1907, until February, 1909, when he came to Mason City. Here he took charge of the business of the G. L. Turner Lumber Company, which is now operated under the style of the J. H. Melville Lumber Company, and he now has entire charge of the plant. He is a keen, capable business man, and no en- terprise in this line is doing a larger or more profitable business here.

Mr. Moore was married in 1908, to Miss Ella Green, who was born in Kansas. Her father, the late Col. J. T. Green, who died at Broken Bow, was a veteran of the Civil war and was one of Broken Bow's citizens of ample means.

Mr. Moore has been more or less active in civic affairs' ever since locating in Mason City. He has served usefully and efficiently on the town board and at present is town clerk. He votes independently, and frater- nally he is an Odd Fellow. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian church. They have no children.

JOHN A. SNYDER, whose valuable ranch and beautiful home are located in Custer county, has lived here for a quarter of a cen- tury and has one of the best cultivated farms in this entire section of the state. He has led

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an active, vigorous life ever since early man- hood, and his reminiscences of cowboy life are not only interesting but also historical. Mr. Snyder was born near Jefferson City, Mis- souri, December 10, 1863. His parents were John N. and Barbara (Grogan) Snyder, both of whom were born in Cole county, Mis- souri, their children having been seven in number - Peter, John A., Mrs. Margaret Uling, Andrew M., Charles B., Mrs. Mamie Mullins (deceased), and Clara (deceased).

When John A. Snyder was nine years old his parents came to Nebraska. His father had served over four years as a soldier in the Union army through the Civil war. When he came to Nebraska John N. Snyder settled twenty-two miles north of Fremont, which was the nearest railroad town and supply depot for a long period afterward. The country was yet in a wild condition and the hunting of wild animals was largely engaged in. Young John became a successful trap- per in boyhood and on one occasion caught three minks in his traps. These he sold to a neighbor for forty cents apiece, although he learned later that he could have obtained for the skins two and one-half dollars each in Fremont. He consoled himself with the thought that a tramp of forty-four miles to and from Fremont, would not have been a pleasure trip, even to make a better business bargain.

Mr. Snyder grew up strong and hardy, and he was only thirteen years of age when he came with David Rankin to the Bar-7 ranch, on the Middle Loup river, one and one-half miles east of the present town of Seneca. He was already a fearless horseman, and his first year's work was riding a range some 200 miles in circumference. He remained with the Bar-7 ranch until he was twenty-two years old. In 1893, having married several years previously and desiring a settled home, he came to Custer county and located three miles south of Oconto, where he has continued ever since. He owns 480 acres here, has placed 180 acres under a high state of cultivation and has put improvements on the place until it is in every way a desirable rural home, while its proximity to Oconto, but three miles distant, gives town advantages.

Mr. Snyder was married in June. 1891. at Nonpareil. Nebraska, to Miss Sarah Fritz. who was born in Favette county, Iowa, and who is a daughter of Harriet S. (Weaver) Hassler. her mother's second marriage having been with Harry Hassler and hoth having been born in Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have two daughters: Mabel is the wife of Harry Hodson of Deertrail, Arapahoe county,

Colorado, and they have two daughters; and Blanche remains with her parents. Miss Blanche Snyder is highly accomplished, being a graduate of the Fremont Normal School, and also of a business college at Broken Bow. She is proficient in music, and teaches the same. Mr. Snyder has never been specially active in politics but has always voted the Re- publican ticket and has done his duty in up- holding the law and furthering public im- provements.

BENJAMIN P. MORRIS, who has ac- cumulated about 200 acres of land since com- ing to Nebraska, has passed his active career as a farmer in Custer county, having arrived in this locality in 1883. He is now one of the substantial men of the Ansley community and has not only been successful as an agricul- turist, but has also been an active factor in public affairs and for a long time rendered his fellow citizens excellent service as an of- fice-holder.

Mr. Morris was born in Henry county, Ohio, July 15, 1857, a son of John W. and Susan N. (Pindar) Morris, the former born at Baltimore, Maryland, and the latter in Vir- ginia. The parents were young people when they went with their respective families to Ohio, where their marriage occurred and where Mr. Morris was engaged in farming for a number of years, in Henry county. In 1867, John W. Morris came to Nebraska and took up a homestead in Otoe county. There he farmed for a number of years, but in the evening of life he came to Custer county, where he and his wife made their home with their son Benjamin P., and where both passed their remaining days. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom seven are living : S. O., who is engaged in farming in the vicin- ity of Merna ; Mrs. Anna Reed, whose home is located near Syracuse, Nebraska ; Sue ; Mrs. Alwilda Klein, who resides at Burr, this state ; Mrs. Evelyn Klein, who lives at Burchard, Ne- braska ; and Mrs. Ella Himmelright and Mrs. E. M. Green, both of whom are residents of Custer county. Mrs. Morris was a member of the Presbyterian church. The father, who was a stanch Democrat, was quite active in politics and wielded considerable influence therein.

Benjamin P. Morris was about ten years of age when brought to Nebraska by his parents, and here his education was completed in the public schools of Otoe county. As a young man he adopted farming as his life's vocation, and in 1883 he came to Custer county and filed on a homestead, which forms a part of

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his present property, for since his original settlement he has added from time to time to his holdings, until he now has about 200 acres. He made all the improvements on his own farm, and they are appropriate, modern and substantial, reflecting the owner's good judg- ment, taste, industry and prosperity. He has always carried on general farming, and has also raised considerable stock, and in both de- partments he has met with the success that his energy and good management have merited and warranted. In business circles his word is held as good as a bond, and he has always kept his reputation inviolate. Like his father, he is a strong and unfaltering Democrat, and has taken some interest in political affairs in the past. During the sixteen years that he served as a member of the board of county supervisors he gave his fellow citizens fine and constructive service, and in 1914 he retired from that body with a splendid record. Mr. Morris has never married.

CARL E. BOWMAN. - One of the pro- gressive young farmers and stock men of Cus- ter county who is now engaged in the real- estate business, is Carl E. Bowman, of Broken Bow. Mr. Bowman was born April 7, 1883, in Cass county, Nebraska. His father was Abraham D. Bowman, and his mother's maiden name was Ella M. Bethel. His parents immi- grated to Custer county in 1885, when Carl was but two years of age. The first Custer home was the regulation "soddy," with brush and sod roof, supported by a large cedar log. nearly two feet in diameter and twenty-five feet in length. This log made an impression upon the boy's mind, and is to this day closely associated with his childhood. Like most of the primitive dwellings, this pioneer domicile had no floor and no more windows than were absolutely necessary. Carl claims that there were stormy days when the roof leaked and the only dry place where he could perch was under the ridge pole. He grew up in Custer county, imbibed the spirit of the west, and early formed the western practice of trading and cattle dealing. ()n a pony that his father pur- chased for him, Carl E. Bowman commenced his career by herding cattle on the prairie, in the days before pasture fences were fashion- al'e.

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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 136

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