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 158

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 158

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

GEORGE T. MH,LIGAN AND FAMILY

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

quently cheap. The only offices he has ever held have been of a local nature. He was road overseer of his district for several years. He is a member of the Catholic church, as is the family, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Z. C. B. J., a Bohemian lodge.

GEORGE T. MILLIGAN. - One of Cus- ter county's successful and well-to-do citizens whose present prosperous condition is due to his own industry and good judgment, is the gentleman whose name introduces this para- graph.

Mr. Milligan is a native of Michigan, and was born near Port Huron, St. Clair county. He is a son of William and Elizabeth ( Bur- ton) Milligan. The father was born in Ire- land and was left an orphan when only a boy. At the age of sixteen years he ran away from his native land and became a resident of Canada. There he met and married Miss Elizabeth Burton, and soon after this event he came to the states and became a farmer in St. Clair county, Michigan. When his son George was only one year old he moved to Macomb county, where he opened up a new farm, and he continued to be engaged in ag- ricultural pursuits during the remainder of his life, passing away in 1893, at the age of seventy-six years. His wife, who was a na- tive of Canada, passed away in Macomb county, Michigan, in 1890 at the age of sixty- five years.

George T. Milligan was reared in his native state and when a young man of eighteen years came to Nebraska, arriving in Custer county September 23, 1885. After paying stage fare from Kearney to Broken Bow he had the sum of two dollars and fifty cents. He at once made his way to Ortello valley. Custer county, where he found employment as a farm hand. When old enough, he secured a home- stead on West Table, but a little later he relinquished his claim and took a homestead in Eureka valley. This was the scene of his activities for twenty-five years, and here he was successfully engaged in stock-raising and general agricultural enterprise.

About five years ago Mr. Milligan bought land near Anselmo, where he built extensive improvements and continued to be engaged in agricultural pursuits. He and his family now reside on a finely improved tract adjoin- ing the village of Anselmo, Mrs. Milligan hav- ing inherited this farm from her father's estate.

It was in Custer county that the marriage

of George T. Milligan and Miss Mary A. Jacquot was solemnized. Mrs. Milligan is a native of Illinois, and is a daugliter of Nich- olas Jacquot, who was an early settler of Custer county and whose record will be found elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Mil- ligan have become the parents of five children : Zella is the wife of Charles Gladson, who op- erates Mr. Milligan's old farm in Eureka valley ; William H., who passed away Janu- ary 12, 1917, married Margaret Mathews, and his widow and two sons now reside at Ar- nold; Lizzie is the wife of Loren White, a farmer on West Table; and Mary and Fred are at the parental home.

Mr. and Mrs. Milligan are members of the Methodist church and in politics he is a Re- publican. He is one of those who came to Custer county in the pioneer times, and he has seen the country transformed into a well de- veloped section, while to the work of progress and upbuilding he has contributed his full share. From humble circumstances he has become a man of means, and to-day he is the owner of 1,440 acres of land in Custer county. While he has made a success of his under- takings, he has not been unmindful of his duties of citizenship and he is held in unqual- ified esteem by all who know him.

JOSEPH H. McGUIRE. - Down on a splendid farm home in what is now the his- torical Powell Canyon, lives the progressive scion of a widely known hospitable sire. The name in the title line belongs to a pioneer family and the immediate subject has been a resident of the county ever since he was three months of age. This admits him to the ex- clusive circle of old timers of early settlers.

Joseph H. McGuire is a native of Nebraska and was born in Hamilton county, September 15, 1883. He is the fourth born of John H. and Anna (Davidson) McGuire. The father is a native of Illinois, but the mother, like her son, is a native of Nebraska. This estimable couple are the parents of nine children, eight of whom are still living. Aside from Joseph H., they are: Arthur, deceased; Bessie Mars ; Ashton ; Charles F .: Millia Wright: Edwin G .; Alice Muliklin ; and Lola, who is single" and engaged in the profession of teaching. The father and mother came to Custer county when Joseph H. was three months old and lo- cated a homestead in Powell Canyon, about five and one-half miles northeast of Arnold. This was their home until a few years ago ; they retired from active life and are now well and comfortably located at Forest Grove, Ore-

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

gon. Their Powell Canyon home was one of the famous well known homes of the early days. It was noted far and wide for its open door and whole-souled hospitality. During the course of years hundreds of travellers found it a comfortable place to spend the night. get a good dinner or find shelter from the storm. In such a home as this the children were raised to manhood and womanhood, and it is small wonder that they have developed without exception into respected and useful citizens. The parents were devoted members of the Methodist church. Before retiring in his Oregon home, the father disposed of his land. Ten hundred and eighty acres of it were purchased by Joseph H. and his brother Charles F.

The childhood years of young Joseph were spent on the canyon farm and in the canyon home he grew to manhood. His education was received in the common schools of the county and here in early youth he formed the early habit of industry and frugality which has stood him so well in hand since he has been facing the world for himself.

The first money he remembers making was earned by riding a calf, which somebody in- discreetly dared him to mount. The fright- ened calf ran with him into the barn, where young Joseph was scraped off the calf and considerable skin scraped off his nose at the same time. For this achievement he received fifteen cents. With fifteen cents in his pocket, a scab on his nose didn't count. During his early manhood, Joseph fancied that he would like to see something of the world and as he had an opportunity to travel with a company soliciting orders for enlarging pictures, he went with them. One year in the employment of this company netted some experience, while the coin of the realm for the most part went to the company. It was perhaps this experi- ence that led him to decide on farming for a life occupation.

When reaching his majority he homesteaded forty acres adjoining his father's land. To this diminuitive tract he has added by pur- chase until now his farm home is maintained on an eight hundred acre ranch, upon which there are good improvements and a fine con- tingent of good stock. He has followed di- versified farming and has achieved a general success.

The domestic ties of his own home were first formed December 14, 1904, when, at Merna, Nebraska, he was joined in holy wed- lock to Miss Jessie Life, a verv estimable young lady, a native of the Hoosier state. Since their union Mrs. McGuire has not only presided over the affairs of the household but

in every possible way has been an invaluable assistant to her husband. They are the happy parents of four children : Una F. ; Harry F .; Johnny N .; and Master Frederick B., who is now six years old and is a sturdy young di- rector of home affairs. All the children are bright and promising candidates for useful citizens.

The McGuires are well-liked, accommodat- ing neighbors. Mr. McGuire is a thirty-sec- ond degree Mason and a Shriner. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party.

HORACE NEVE. - Over on the west side of the West Table which. by the way, is the most productive and largest of all of the . celebrated tables in Custer county, there is no more widely known name than that of Neve. and it is to this remarkable family that Horace Neve belongs.

Horace Neve was born June 27, 1868, in Juneau county, Wisconsin. His father, Sam- tiel Neve, was a native of England, and his mother, Roxie (Acres) Neve, was a native of Pennsylvania. His father was twice married and became the father of a very remarkable family of children. By his first union there were seven children, of whom Horace was the fourth born, the others being William J., Em- ely, Frank, Louis, Maye, and Belle E. Fine. The father's second marriage was to Lucinda Drew, of Wisconsin, and of this second union thirteen children were born - Frederick E., Viola Soltz. Lottie Fox, George, Mathias, Jennie Doxy, Annie Zerlein, Henry, John, Roy, a son who died in infancy, William, and Richard. Sixteen of the children are still living.

Samuel Neve came to the United States in 1854 and made his home at Lyndon, Wiscon- sin, where he farmed during the summer, and during the fall and winter worked as a "luim- ber jack" in the pineries, as the pine forests were then called. This he continued for many years, and later, in connection with his farm- ing, he operated a threshing machine during the fall seasons of the year. Young Ilorace remembers that he purchased his first suit of clothes by selling newspapers and magazines. Hle worked on the home farm in the summer time and went to school in the winter. After he was old enough he assisted his father in running the threshing machine. Sammel Neve came to Custer county in 1882 and settled on the West Table, where he continued to reside until his death, July 29, 1913. and where his children grew to manhood and womanhood. For seven years Samuel Neve was road over-

HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

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HORACE NEVE

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

seer of the Cliff road district and for five years he served as school director. He en- joyed a splendid reputation and was always responsive to every call of duty.

Young Horace stayed in the home domicile until he was twenty-three years of age, and he then bought a half-section of land, adjoin- ing his father's home place, and began farm- ing for himself. He never married but lived with his parents most of the time until about ten years ago. He recently sold his farm for sixty-five dollars an acre and has just bought 420 acres three miles southeast of Berwyn. Mr. Neve has made four trips to Canada and in addition to this he has traveled extensively throughout the middle section of this country, partly on account of his health and partly to look for a location where conditions might be more favorable than here, but after his travels he returned to Custer county and bought the land upon which he expects to make his home during the rest of his life. The greater por- tion of his accumulation was made by raising hogs of the Berkshire and Poland-China va- rieties. In this phase of farm enterprise he was counted exceptionally successful.

DAVID O. BROWN. - Custer county has every reason to be proud of the personnel of the fine array of men who are upholding her prestige and precedence in connection with the basic industries of agriculture and stock-rais- ing, and properly assigned to prominent classi- fication with these sterling exponents of mod- ern farm enterprise is the popular young cit- zen whose name initiates this paragraph.

David O. Brown was born in Carroll county, Ohio, on the 23d of November, 1893, and he takes just pride in thus claiming the old Buckeye state as the place of his nativity, though this does not in the least militate against his loyalty to and appreciation of the county and state in which he now maintains his home. He is a son of David O. and Agnes (Price) Brown, the former of whom was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, and the latter of whom was a daughter of Reed Price, a prom- inent citizen of Ohio. David O. Brown, Sr .. and also Reed Price were numbered among the substantial settlers of Custer county and here the former acquired valuable farm prop- erty, his death having occurred in the city of Lincoln, this state, on the 5th of November. 1914. Upon coming to Custer county he es- tablished his residence on a farm west of Broken Bow. He is survived by one son and three daughters, the only son being the sub- ject of this review and the daughters being Mrs. June Freedman, Mrs. May Booth and Mrs. Fern Aldrich.

During the childhood days of David O. Brown, Jr., to whom this sketch is dedicated, the family home was maintained near Canton, Stark county, Ohio, and there he gained his preliminary education in the public schools, the while he assisted his father on the home farm, which was given over largely to the raising of fine live stock. Thus the youth gained early and valuable experience in con- nection with farm enterprise, including the handling of live stock. After having prose- cuted his studies in the Canton high school he took a course in a business college, after which he was for three years a student in St. Igna- tius College at Cleveland, Ohio.

In the spring of 1914, Mr. Brown engaged in the automobile business at Berwyn, Custer county, and with this line of enterprise he was there identified for a period of three years. Upon the death of his father he found it incumbent upon him to assume management of the home farm and the general affairs of the estate. Accordingly he now resides on the old homestead, in section 29, township 17, range 16, and he is the owner of 420 acres of excellent land, the same being available for profitable agriculture but his intention being to give his attention in large measure to the raising of thoroughbred cattle, preference be- ing given to a high grade of pedigreed Here- fords. His character, his ability and his pro- gressiveness assure him of the maximum suc- cess in this important field of endeavor, for he is systematic in his management of affairs and is a business man of circumspection and vigor.

On the 25th of November, in the fine old state of Ohio, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Brown to Miss Lillian Courtright, who was born at Carrollton, that state, and who is a daughter of M. V. and Lydia (Ralston) Courtright, both likewise natives of that com- monwealth. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are popu- lar factors in the representative social activi- ties of their community and well merit the recognition accorded to them in this history of Custer county.

ANDREW SOMMER. - One of the earli- est settlers of Custer county and one who through his own efforts has reached the goal of success, the subject of this review well de- serves a place in the history of the county he has so notably helped to develop.

Andrew Sommer is a native of France, born in Alsace-Lorraine, November 25, 1844. His parents, John and Barbara (Gerig) Som- mer. were natives of the same country as the son, and in 1848 they immigrated to America,

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ANDREW SOMMER

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

becoming residents of Peoria, Illinois, where both passed away.

At the age of sixteen years Andrew Sommer found employment in the coal mines of Illi- nois, and for twenty years he followed the occupation of miner.

When he was not yet twenty years of age, the Civil war being in progress, Mr. Sommer offered his services in defense of the Union, and in September, 1864, he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Eighth Illinois Infan- try, in which he served until the close of the war. He participated in the siege of Spanish Fort, and in many minor engagements and skirmishes, receiving an honorable discharge, at Chicago, Illinois, in August, 1865, after having made a creditable record for bravery and loyalty to duty.

In the spring of 1880 Mr. Sommer came to Custer county, Nebraska, and secured as home- stead the northwest quarter of section 32, town- ship 18, range 22. Not a single improvement had been made, and a sod house continued the first home on the new farm. He also took a timber claim of 160 acres, and as the years passed he brought his land to a high state of cultivation. On the place he has erected a sub- stantial set of buildings, his being one of the best improved farms in Custer county. He has been extensively engaged in stock raising and feeding, of which he made marked success, and he is now the owner of more than 1,000 acres of land, all within two miles of the home- stead which he obtained thirty-eight years ago. He has not been remiss in any duty as a citizen and has contributed liberally in time and money to those enterprises which have had to do with the upbuilding of the county.

July 3. 1885, in Custer county, was solemn- ized the marriage of Mr. Sommer and Melissa ( Keedy) Tygart, a native of Illinois and a daughter of the late Abraham and Elizabeth ( Bickel) Keedy, the former of whom was born in Illinois and the latter in Indiana. By a former marriage, to Andrew Tygart, Mrs. Sommer had a son, Perry W., who resides with his mother. Mr. and Mrs. Sommer have four children: Almore, who married Esther Col- linson, operates one of his father's farms ; Ben- jamin, who married Nora Sharp, likewise oper- ates land belonging to his father: Eva is the wife of Alvin Cole, a farmer two miles south of Merna: and Lizzie still resides with her parents.

Mr. Sommer is a Republican in politics, and he served as justice of the peace for thirty years. He helped organize school district No. 15, in 1882. and for several years served as treasurer of the same.

For the past several years Mr. Sommer has

abated the active work of the farm and has let the burden fall on the shoulders of younger men. Coming to Custer county without capi- tal, success has come to him through his own efforts and it has been justly deserved, plac- ing him among the prominent old settlers of the county.

GEORGE W. McGAUHEY. - One of the young farmers of the western portion of the state, who is now in the first flush of middle life, is named above, but his full name is rarely used and hardly known by the circle of friends who familiarly and habitually call him George.

George was born in Illinois, thirty-five years ago, but most of his life has been spent in Custer county. His father was Woodruff Henry McGauhey, a native of Kentucky, who died in Illinois at sixty-seven years of age.

The mother's maiden name was Baird, and she also was a Kentuckian. After the death of the father the mother brought the family to Custer county and located them on the homestead, in 1899. All were industrious and energetic and were always able to take care of themselves. The children in the family, be- sides the subject of the sketch, were Mary Gibson, living in Anselmo, whose husband, a former Ansley banker, is deceased; Ned Franklin lives in Anselmo and is with the Mel- ville Lumber Company of Anselmo.

George W. McGauhey chose for his wife Miss Rose Willetts, a native of Kansas and daughter of A. A. Willetts, a very prominent farmer and stockman of Anselmo. They now have four children. At the time of this writ- ing, Ellen is thirteen years old, Marvel is eleven, William five, and Master Glen has seen but three summers.

Mr. McGaughey is farming ou a somewhat extensive scale. He rents six hundred seventy acres of land, owns his own machinery and horse power and keeps a good grade of live stock.

He is actively affiliated with the Woodmen of the World, in which he takes prominent and loyal part. Both he and his wife are hard working people and enjoy an excellent reputa- tion. They have a good start and unless un- usually ill luck befalls them will have acquired a competency and have contributed their share to western development before old age over- takes them.

IRA P. MILLS. - In naming the substan- tial and representative men of Custer county, respectful attention is called to Ira P. Mills, who for many years was a leading agricultur-

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4.5. . ..

MR. AND MRS. IRA P. MILLS

EMANUEL, MYERS AND FAMILY

HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

ist but who is now living retired in his com- fortable home at Arnold. He has been a resi- dent of the county for thirty-five years and has been a factor in its development along many lines. He was born in Madison county, Iowa, December 29, 1859, and is a son of Will- iam and Lucinda (Stark) Mills, the former of whom was born in Vermilion county, Illi- nois. Mr. Mills has two brothers: William G., who is now retired and residing at Arnold, married Millie Guy; and E. Grant, who is a resident of Forest Grove, Oregon, married Bertha Needham, of Custer county. In 1865 the father of Mr. Mills came with his family to Nebraska and located in Lancaster county, nine miles south of Lincoln, where he lived for eighteen years.

Ira P. Mills was reared in Lancaster county, Nebraska, and from there came to Custer coun- ty in May, 1883. He attended the Nebraska State University from 1878 until June, 1880. He was married July 6, 1881, at Roca, Lan- caster county, to Miss Clorinda Perrin, who was a daughter of . Joshua and Lucinda (Deems) Perrin. Mrs. Mills died in May, 1917, the mother of four sons and one daugh- ter, as follows: William J., who attended the Nebraska Wesleyan University for three years, is connected with the statistical department of the Union Pacific Railroad, at Omaha. He married Irma Bramon and they have two sons. Benjamin H., who is a dealer in agricultural implements at Arnold, married Myrtle, a daughter of George Reed, and they have two children. Bernard I., who is a physician of the Eclectic school and who resides at May- wood, Nebraska, married Della, daughter of Walter Chamberlain. Helen L., is the wife of John Dennis and they live twenty miles south of Arnold. Floyd P., who is a farmer near Logan, Nebraska, married Ruth, a daughter of Edgar Pearce.

When Mr. Mills came to Custer county he secured a homestead in Mills valley, and this property he still owns, his realty holdings ag- gregating 1,760 acres, in Custer and Logan counties. In politics he and his sons are Re- publicans and he served two years as county supervisor, representing Arnold township.

ROY THOMAS .- The young farmer named in this head line is one of the pro- gressive young farmers of Custer county who were born in the county and have come into the stage of action in the time of the present generation and are now just entering the prime of their manhood years.

Roy was born in Custer county on the 20th

day of February, 1888, the son of George W. Thomas a well known and prominent citizen. It was here in Custer county that he received his education, here he has lived his life to the present time and here he began his lifetime occupation as a tiller of the soil, in which he has already made an initial success. Much of his success dates from July 12, 1911, at which time he led to the marriage altar Miss Nellie Hewitt, who is a daughter of George and Sarah Hewitt, of Hastings, Nebraska. In the family of Mrs. Thomas were ten children, but she is the only one living in this county. The Thomas home now has four children, bright promising youngsters, full of life and energy. Iola, Troy, Blount, and Faye all are at home and their presence assures no lonesome hours.

Roy knows no other occupation than farm- ing. He owns a quarter section of land on which he has some improvements and in con- nection with which he rents three more quar- ter sections, which makes his farming activities unusually extensive. It requires work and energy to conduct a farm of this size, main- tain the proper complement of livestock and keep everything going, but all of these quali- ties Mr. Thomas and his wife both possess in a high degree. Their home is yet in its mak- ing, their accumulations are yet initial, the years are before them but present conditions and the record of the past, prophesy the suc- cess of coming years. They are well liked and highly respected by their neighbors and most of their social energy is expended in the neighborhood Grange, of which they are mem- bers and from which they derive both social and pecuniary advantages. Mr. Thomas does not count himself either Democratic or Re- publican. He votes the ticket that suits him best and that represents, as he believes, the best man.

EMANUEL MYERS. - Of the follower of any reliable vocation no better recommenda- tion is asked than the credit of long employ- ment under a reliable management. For more than twenty years Emanuel Myers was con- nected with the Dierks Lumber Company, and at the present time he is living in comfortable retirement in his home at Comstock.

Mr. Myers was born in Dallas county, Iowa, December 21, 1863, and is a son of Daniel B. and Jane (Gaddes) Myers, natives of Indiana, and early settlers of Iowa. The father, who was a carpenter by trade, took up farming when he located in Iowa, but on occasion fol- lowed his trade in addition to farming and raising stock. His death occurred in 1867, while his widow survived him for many years,

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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 158

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