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 167

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 167

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

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CHARLES G. SANDERS

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

At Nebraska City Mr. Sanders was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Harmon, who was born in Virginia, and who accompanied her parents. Joseph and Sarah Harmon, to Otoe county, Nebraska, in 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Sanders have a family of six children : Elsie is the wife of M. C. Waddington; and Erma, Nelson, Winona, Lucile, and Henry are still under the parental roof.

The family are members of the United Brethren church and in politics Mr. Sanders is a Democrat. Loud in his praises of the op- portunities to be found in his adopted county, he has been an important factor in enterprices which have had to do with the unbuilding of his community, and he is held in the highest of esteem by all who know him.

WILLIAM M. GILMORE. - There are many still familiar names that are closely as- sociated with the pioneer history of Nebraska, and one of these that is worthily represented in Custer county is that of Gilmore. Will- iam M. Gilmore, who owns a fine property in Ryno valley, came to Custer county in 1898, and here he has ever since been identified with land development and agricultural indus- try. He is a native of Nebraska, born in York county, August 4, 1867, and is one of a family of fourteen children born to Jacob R. and Sarah Gilmore.

William M. Gilmore grew up when pio- neer conditions still prevailed in York county - when a large part of that section was prac- tically unsettled. He recalls the many hard- ships of those days and also, with feelings of admiration, remembers the courage and resourcefulness with which they were met and overcome. His school opportunities were somewhat meager but were such that he was able to lay a sound foundation for the sub- stantial superstructure of practical knowledge which he has since built up and through which he has effectively overcome the early handi- cap. He has been careful that his children should have the best educational advantages possible.

Mr. Gilmore remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age. In 1898 he came to Custer county and located at first on land situated four miles east of Oconto, south of the South Loup river. There he remained one year and he then inoved to a farm two miles east of Oconto, where he continued operations two years. In 1906 he bought his present fine property in Ryno valley, where he has 240 acres, well developed and improved. In addition to op- erating this land, in partnership with his son

Harry E. Gilmore, he also leases an additional 160 acres. Mr. Gilmore has the reputation of being a very efficient farmer, careful and experienced, and his agricultural undertakings have been very successful. His postoffice ad -. dress is Callaway.

In 1890, at York, Nebraska, William M. Gilmore was united in marriage to Miss Mat- tie MacDaniel. Mrs. Gilmore has three brothers and two sisters, namely: Theodore Walter, Henry, John, Maie, and Ellen. Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore have four sons, fine, sturdy, patriotic young Americans who are a credit to state and country. The eldest, C. Homer Gilmore, is engaged in farming in the south- ern part of the county, near Oconto; Harry E., the second son, who is in partnership with his father in the large farming opera- tions above mentioned, was preparing for military service in the national army at the time when the world war came to a close ; Orville L., also did his best to make Custer county a banner section in raising crops with which to help win the world war ; and Samuel R., is yet in school. Mr. Gilmore and his older sons are Democrats in their political views.

GEORGE W. STOUFFER was born in Ogle county, Illinois, March 2, 1860, a son of Danicl W. and Frances ( Petrie) Stouffer, who were born in Maryland and who were early settlers in Ogle county, Illinois, where both passed away.

George W. Stouffer was reared in his native state and when a lad of sixteen he began work- ing by the month on a farin, later engaging as a farmer on his own account. For a time he operated a tract of land in Plymouth county. Iowa, this property having belonged to his father.

In 1888 Mr. Stouffer came to Custer county and bought a relinquishment of 160 acres in section 20, township 18, range 21. He proved up on this claim, and upon selling the same he purchased land in Dale valley. In 1892 he bought 160 acres where he now lives, the place at that time having a sod house and other meager improvements. To-day he is the owner of 800 acres, all in one body. and successfully conducts a general farming and stock-raising enterprise. A good grade of cattle is to be found in the pastures and some fine Percheron horses are raised on the place. The improve- ments are among the best in the neighborhood, all having been put there by the present owner.

Mr. Stouffer was married, in Iowa, to Miss Mattie Johnson, who passed away in Custer county, leaving two children : Guy, who is mar-

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GEORGE W. STOUFFER

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

ried and has two children, owns and operates a farm of 200 acres adjoining his father's place ; and Terry is now deceased.

For his second wife Mr. Stouffer married Miss Lillie Taylor, and she passed away five years ago, leaving five children: Mattie, Gladys, Daniel, Mabel, and Frances, all of whom are at home except Daniel, who is in the national army at the time of this writing.

Mr. Stouffer is a member of the Merna camp of the Modern Woodmen of America, and in politics is independent. He is one of the pro- gressive. up-to-date farmers of Custer county and is widely and favorably known.

EDGAR E. THOMPSON, who owns and resides upon a well improved farm and cattle ranch in the vicinity of Broken Bow, is one of the substantial exponents of farm industry in the county and is a sterling citizen who is entitled to recognition in this history.

Mr. Thompson was born in Scioto county, Ohio, and in 1918 he celebrated the forty-fifth anniversary of his birth. He is a son of Silas and Hannah (Gahine) Thompson, both like- wise natives of the old Buckeye state. The mother passed away at the age of forty-two years and the father subsequently married Ellen Humphrey, he having continued his residence in Ohio until his death, at the age of seventy-seven years. Silas Thompson be- came the father of twelve children. Of the sons of the first marriage it may be noted that John is a resident of Rock county, Ne- braska; Oscar is individually mentioned on other pages of this work; and David and Edgar E. are both residents of Custer county. where they are identified with farm enter- prise, the latter being the immediate subject of this review. The three surviving daugh- ters of the first marriage of Silas Thompson are Alrs. Belle Schriver, a resident of Ken- tucky : Mrs. Anna Benedict, of Urbana, Ohio; and Mrs. Lou Houston, of Geneva, Nebraska. Elbert and Aubrey arc sons of the second marriage and both are residents of Custer county. Mrs. Cora Hickman, of Custer county. and Mrs. Maude Bass, of Omaha, are daughters of the second marriage.

Edgar E. Thompson was reared and edu- cated in Ohio and in the earlier period of his residence in Custer county he was employed for ten years on the Parmelee ranch. There- after he was similarly employed on the Tier- ney ranch, for seven years. Thus he was given the best of advantages for gaining ex- perience and becoming an adept in the hand- ling and feeding of live stock. He is now the owner of 320 acres of land, of which 240

are available for cultivation and devoted to this purpose. He conducts a general agricul- tural and stock-raising business, and has good types of cattle, hogs and horses. He has re- sided on his preent homestead since 1915 and is gradually adding to the excellent improve- ments of permanent order. He has provided the requisite farm machinery and other ac- cessories for the facilitating of operations, and his energy and progressive policies assure him cumulative success in his well ordered enter- prise. His herd of cattle at the time of this writing numbers about 150 head.

The year 1898 recorded the marriage of Mr. Thompson to Mina Higgins, who was born in Iowa and who has proved a true com- panion and helpmeet to her husband. She has aided greatly in furthering his success and has made the pleasant home one of attractive- ness and gracious hospitality. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have two children - Charles, who is nineteen years of age (1918) and who gives valuable aid to his father in connection with the operations of the home farm; and Louisa, who is seven years old and is a medium for the dissemination of light and happiness mn the parental home.

JOSEPH S. WHITE. - A fine strain of Hoosier blood was infused into Custer county in the early pioneer days, and the county has had from this source much to gain and nothing to lose. The stalwart sons and gracious daugh- ters of Indiana are numbered among the best of Custer county pioneers.

Joseph S. White, to whom this sketch is dedicated, takes due satisfaction in reverting to the Hoosier commonwealth as the place of liis nativity. He was born in Daviess county, Indiana, on the 3d of August, 1851, and is a son of Moses B. and Lucinda (McReynolds) White, of whose nine children seven are living. Joseph S., of this review being the eldest of the number ; Mrs. Rebecca J. Smith resides in Douglas county, Missouri: Nancy S. likewise lives in that county ; Anne maintains her home at St. Joseph, Missouri ; Ellen is a resident of the state of Washington: George resides in the city of St. Joseph. Missouri; and James G. lives with his brother Joseph S., of this sketch.

Moses B. White, in company with his fam- ily and other relatives, immigrated to thic west in the autumn of 1856, some of the num- ber establishing residence in Missouri and others in Iowa. Moses B. White located in Clarke county, Iowa, where he gained his full. share of experience as a pioneer settler of the Hawkeye state and where he continued his

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MIR. AND MRS. JOSEPH S. WHITE

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

residence until his removal to Andrew county, Missouri.

Joseph S. White was five years of age at the time of the family immigration to Iowa, and his early educational advantages, meager in scope, were those afforded during the ten years of the family's residence in Clarke coun- ty, Iowa. In April, 1889. Joseph S. White and his brother, James G., immigrated from An- drew county, Missouri, to Nebraska, and set- tled in Custer county. The subject of this review experienced many hardships and trials incidental to pioneer life in Custer county, and privations and isolation were bravely bornc. Mr. White has stated that coyotes, jack-rab- bits, and fleas seemed omnipresent, and that the maximum discomforts to settlers were en- tailed by the invasions of the fleas, which are now, fortunately, a thing of the past, while coyotes and jack-rabbits have been practically subdued. The sod shanties that dotted the pioneer plains have nearly all disappeared, though occasionally one is encountered, as a reminder of the early days. The prairie fires that used to sweep the country at intervals, adding materially to the troubles of the set- tlers, are now very infrequent. Thus Mr. White has satisfaction in knowing that he has been not only a witness of but also a participant in the march of development and progress in Custer county. He arrived in the county on the 20th of April, 1889, and forthwith entered claim to a homestead, about eighteen miles southeast of Broken Bow, in section 14, town- ship 14, where he essayed the task of reclaim- ing a productive farm and developing a home worthy of the name.

Like most of the Custer county pioneers of the '80s. Mr. White had but little of this world's goods, and his original habitation in the county was a primitive dugout. When from this he was enabled to remove to a sod house, the latter seemed almost a mansion, in comparison with the bank dugout. The passing years have not denied to him a gener- ous measure of success and prosperity. as is attested by the fact that to-day he is the owner of 360 acres of land. the same being well improved and effectively given over to diversified agriculture and stock-raising. His old homestead is still his place of residence and he is living in comfortable circumstances, the while he enjoys the unqualified respect and esteem of the community in which he has lived and labored to goodly ends. His wife died in Missouri, in 1887, and his children were thus denied a mother's care, though he established a comfortable pioneer home after coming to Custer county. Ile encountered his

full share of the vicissitudes and hardships that marked the earlier period of settlement in the county, and he merits enduring honor for the contribution which he has made to civic and industrial progress in this now fa- vored section of Nebraska. In the retrospec- tion that brings to him memories of the pioneer epoch, he can but feel that his efforts have been rewarded and that now his "lines are cast in pleasant places." He is an earnest member of the Church of God and is loyally interested in all things pertaining to the com- inunal welfare.

In the year 1880 was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. White to Miss Louella Courter, whose death occurred in Missouri, in 1887, as previously noted in this context, and the two surviving children of this union are Mary Elizabeth and Birdie L.

WEST WHITNEY. - With Mason City as his postoffice address, Mr. Whitney owns a well improved farm and is proving dis- tinctly progressive and successful in his operations as one of the representative agri- culturists and stock-growers of this part of the county.

Mr. Whitney was born in Johnson county, Nebraska, in the year 1879 and is a son of Delbert and Lucy Whitney. He has three sisters, concerning whom the following brief record may consistently be offered: Lou is the wife of John Clinton, a farmer in Colo- rado; May is the wife of Ed. Peterson, who is employed in one of the large packing houses in the city of Omaha; and Mattie is the wife of Roy Morgan, a prosperous farmer in Custer county.

Mr. Whitney is indebted to the public schools of Nebraska for his early educational discipline and has been associated with farm enterprise from his youth to the present time. In 1902 he wedded Miss Addie Nelson, who was born in Indiana, and thereafter he was engaged in farming on rented land until 190S. when he came to Custer county and purchased land which he has developed into one of the valuable and productive farms of the county, the place being devoted to diversified agricul- ture and to the raising of excellent types of live stock, including Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China hogs, besides which Mr. Whitney is the owner of a fine Shire stallion and has given special attention to breeding of horses of this type. In politics he is an in- dependent voter and he attends and supports the Christian church, of which his wife is a member. Ile is one of the alert and progres- sive exponents of farm enterprise in Custer

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county, is always ready to do his part in the support of measures and enterprises advanced for the general good of the community and is well entitled to recognition in this history.

GEORGE F. DEWEY. - It is a substantial farmer that answers to the celebrated cogno- men in this caption line. He is a man of sterling qualities, is a successful farmer and stockman and is one of the leading spirits in the community where he resides.

George F. Dewey was born in the state of Iowa, in 1868. He is a son of Samuel and Amelia (Young) Dewey, very excellent peo- ple. The father was a native of Indiana, the mother was an English lady. Both have passed to their reward, at the ages of sixty-four and fifty years respectively. In their family were seven children: Mary Peck lives at Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska ; James H. lives on a farm in Custer county ; Louise lives in Lincoln ; Laura Charling lives at Ithaca, Saunders county ; Myrtle is in Nevada ; Ellen Lemar is the wife of a physician living in Osceola, Nebraska, and the third born in this family was George F., of whom we are writing. The father came to Nebraska in 1880 and established his first home in Saunders county. From there he moved to Lancaster county, then to Wahoo and from there came to Custer county after retiring. He was always rated as a very suc- cessful man and was known as a breeder of pure-blood Poland-China hogs. He bought land here and he died in 1905.

George F. Dewey grew up on a farm, re- ceived a liberal education in the public schools, and twenty-two years ago, in 1897, he led to the marriage altar Miss Bertha Bristol, who was born in Iowa, in 1878, the daughter of very estimable parents and herself a lady of high standing and fine character. They have established a home and maintain it with all the comforts and advantages of modern life. They have two children: Laura is the wife of Edward Lee, of Custer county, and Frank is pursuing his studies in the Ansley school. Mr. and Mrs. Dewey bought the land that now constitutes their home and for a time they lived in a sod house. The degree of success attained by Mr. Dewey is well marked by the statement that he owns 720 acres, on which are good improvements and stock of high grade. Some of the cattle are registered. He has hogs of the Duroc-Jersey strain and the horses are patterned after fashionable Perch- eron models. Cattle raising is the most promi- nent feature of his operations. Everything around him on the farm is the result of his own labor and frugality, in all of which, how-

ever, he had valuable assistance on the part of his wife, who graciously presides over his household. The farm home is ornamented with fruit trees and everywhere a homelike appearance is presented.

In social affairs the Deweys are prominent and helpful promoters. They belong to the Grange, Royal Highlanders, and Modern Woodmen, and they give preference to the Grange. Independent in politics, Mr. Dewey claims no allegiance to any political party. This is a well known and respected family whose members are honored by all their friends and acquaintances.

JOHN W. CHERRY has secure place as one of the representative agriculturists and stock-growers of the younger generation in Custer county, is a member of a well known and highly esteemed family of this county and takes justifiable pride in claiming Ne- braska as the place of his nativity. Mr. Cherry is now the owner of a half-section of excellent land, well improved and equipped with modern machinery and other accessories essential to progressive farm enterprise, his home being in the vicinity of Cumro, which is his postoffice address. Concerning the family adequate mention is made on other pages of this work, in the sketch of the career of Joseph H. Cherry, father of him whose name introduces this paragraph.

John W. Cherry was born in Box Butte county, Nebraska, in the year 1889, and has been a resident of Custer county since early childhood, his parents having here established their home in 1891. Here he was reared and educated and here he has found splendid op- portunity for successful achievement in con- nection with farm enterprise, his landed prop- erty being given over to diversified agriculture and the raising of good types of live stock.

Loyal as a citizen and duly interested in community affairs, Mr. Cherry is independent in politics and supports the men and measures meeting the approval of his judgment. He holds membership in the Presbyterian church and his wife is a member of the Baptist church.

The maiden name of Mr. Cherry's wife was Lucy Mason, and she is a daughter of Isaac and Mary Mason. Mr. and Mrs. Cherry have one child, Sylvia, who is six years of age at the time of this writing, in the spring of 1919.

JOHN FORTIK. - Bohemian blood and muscle, combined with Custer county soil and opportunity, make a combination hard to

THE STUPPLEBEEN OLD HOME AND FAMILY GROUP

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

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beat - a combination that is renowned for frugality and thrift. John Fortik is the com- bination and his farm home as presented to- day is the result of his toil and enterprise.

John Fortik was born forty-nine years ago. in Bohemia, a province that has given to America many men who have made a success in all the high callings of life. He came to the United States when but ten years of age, and made Saline county, this state, his first home. There he stayed six years, and he then went to Buffalo county, where he spent one year. From there it was an easy journey into Custer county, where he homesteaded upon reaching his majority. He proved up on the homestead. and it is to-day his home. He has added to it, however, until he is the owner of a half- section of good land.

During his early life Mr. Fortik received common-school education, applied himself dili- gently, saved his money, and consequently has been able to make the commendable showing that is here described. The improvements 'on his place are good. He has fine horses of the draft-stock pattern, and owns his land in fee simple, without mortgage or debt.

In speaking of the early days, Mr. Fortik says he worked out until he was twenty-three years of age, and that he had but very little when he reached Custer county. What he has to-day has been the result of farming opera- tions. He remembers that on one occasion, when hard pressed for money, he tried to bor- row twenty dollars, but, failing to secure it. he has never tried to borrow a cent since that time.

He belongs to the Catholic church, is inde- pendent in politics, trailing in the wake of no political party, and preferrng to select his own candidates and vote for qualifications as men represent them, regardless of political brands.

MRS. SUE E. STUPPLEBEEN. - In the vear 1884 there journeyed to Custer county from Kansas a young married couple who were to become well known to the early residents of the Callaway vicinity - Martin H. Stupple- been and his wife, the maiden name of the latter having been Sue E. Parry. For years there- after they occupied what was known as the "Half-Way House." twelve miles north of Callaway. and the hospitality which they ex- tended to friends and strangers, settlers and travelers, is still well remembered with grati- tude. Martin H. Stupplebeen departed this life January 14, 1916, and his widow is still the owner of the old homestead. although she now makes her home at Callaway, where she has a wide circle of friends.

Sue E. Parry was born March 22, 1860, in Richland county, Ohio, a daughter of Lewellyn H. and Mary E. (Schrack) Parry, natives of the same county, highly respected and honored farming people, and devout members of the Baptist church. Mr. and Mrs. Parry became the parents of nine children, of whom seven are living: Lilly F. is the wife of James D. Barrett, a farmer of Perry, Oklahoma; Sue E. is the immediate subject of this review ; Howard V., who is a stock salesman of Fair- view, Oklahoma, married Sadie Colwell; George F., who is a ranchman and stock farm- er of Vici, Oklahoma, married Ella McCollum ; Charles E. is a bachelor and is a farmer at Cestos, Oklahoma; Mary A. is the wife of Frank Phillips, a farmer of Coyle, Oklahoma : and Lew T .. who is a farmer of Cestos, Ok- lahoma, married Frances Langley. The men in this family are, without exception, Demo- crats.

When Sue E. Parry was three years of age her parents removed to near Fort Dodge. lowa, and at Frankfort, Kansas, on August 4, 1884, was solemnized her marriage to Martin H. Stupplebeen, a son of Martin and Gertrude ( Holsapple) Stupplebeen. Shortly after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Stupplebeen came to Custer county and located twelve miles north- west of Callaway, at what was known as the "Half-Way House," this title having been ap- plied because of the fact that the house was about half way between Callaway and Arnold. At that time, and for several years thereafter, settlement was slow and neighbors were few and far apart. On the opposite side of the Loup river lived Mrs. Frank Brega, and Mrs. Brega and Mrs. Stupplebeen became fast friends who would regularly meet and visit across the river. On all too many occasions it was necessary to cut these meetings short, because of the activity of the insects, which in those days were omnipresent in this region. Many of the pioneers traveling up and down the Loup river in early times have reason to remember with gratitude the whole-souled hos- pitality with which they were greeted and en- tertained by Mr. and Mrs. Stupplebeen, whose latch-string was always out. Mr. Stupplebeen was a hard and energetic worker. Through industry and good management and the assist- ance of his capable wife he succeeded in the development of a valuable and well improved farm, on which he continued operations until his death, January 14. 1916. He was accounted one of the reliable citizens of his community, and was a man who commanded respect by reason of his strict integrity and personal pro- bity. He was a Democrat in politics, but public

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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 167

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