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 169

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 169

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

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WILLIAM STRUEMPLER AND FAMILY

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

family are being taught habits of industry and economy and are being impressed with the value of individual integrity and honesty, Mr. Struempler not only setting them an ex- ample, but also taking pride in the fact that his given word is as good as if it were his signed note.

EBENEZER NICHELSON. - The story of Ebenezer Nichelson, a plain, unassuming farmer in the Callaway region, is easily told. He was born in Indiana, October 6, 1854. His father, James Nichelson, was a native of Mary- land and a blacksmith by trade and occupa- tion. The mother's maiden names was Susan Higdon. In the family of James and Susan Nichelson, father and mother of the subject of this sketch. were eight children, four of whom are still living. The surviving ones are William Nichelson, Isaac Nichelson, Ebenezer Nichelson ( whose story we are telling), and James H. Nichelson. In 1862 James Nichel-

SO11 moved to Champaign county, Illinios, where he worked at his trade, more or less, until his death, which occurred four years later. When but five years of age young Eben, as he was called, was left motherless. Thus, at twelve years of age, lie was bereft of bothi parents, and very early in life thrown entirely upon his own resources. He was an indus- trious lad of frugal habits, and found work enough to keep him busy. He worked con- stantly, regardless of the small pay by which labor was remunerated in those days.

On March 4. 1883, before leaving Cham- paign county, Illinois, Mr. Nichelson was mar- ried to Miss Hanna B. Hayes. Mrs. Nichel- son was born and married in the same house in Champaign county, Illinois. Her parents were natives of Ohio. Her father, Thompson P. Hayes, was a prominent citizen of Green- ville, in the Buckeye state. Her mother's maiden name was Sarah A. Dunn. Mrs. Nichelson has four brothers and one sister. They are: David, Asa, Joseph M., and John W. Hayes. Jeanetta ( Hayes) Haines, and Ben- jamin F. Hayes. The Hayes family were af- filiated with the United Brethren church.

Mr. and Mrs. Nichelson came to Custer county in the fall of 1883 and located on a pre-emption claim five miles southwest of Cal- laway. where they still reside. They have made good in Custer county and are now the . the community school.

possessors of 200 acres of fertile land, on which they have a beautiful home and are are in very comfortable circumstances. Mr. Nichelson is prominent in fraternal circles, being both an Odd Fellow and a Mason.

It causes Mr. Nichelson some amusement when he contrasts the opportunities and re- munerations of the present day with those that obtained when he was a boy. The first dollar he earned was paid him by a neighbor for plowing corn with one horse and the old- fashioned double-shovel plow -a mode of cultivation that wouldn't get very far in these days of the double and triple rowed machinery.

Mr. Nichelson is to-day one of the substan- tial men and progressive spirits of Custer county. His development of his early pre- emption claim and the general improvements which he has added to the assets of the com- monwealth, make the county indebted to him. He and his wife are highly respected and have a host of friends who delight to see them so comfortbly fixed and pleasantly surrounded.

WILLIAM H. WATTS. - In the person of Mr. Watts, Iowa made a contribution which Custer county is in a position to appreciate. He came into the county in an early day, and in the most trying time of its entire history. By exceptional pluck and tireless energy he has succeeded in materially contributing to the present-day wealth and resources of this favored section of Nebraska.

Mr. Watts was born in Iowa on the 19th of February, 1870, and is a son of John and Julia (O'Daniel) Watts, in whose family were three children : Mary Alice is the wife of John Cherry and they reside in this good county ; Jennie is deceased : and William H., the sub- ject of this sketch, is to-day rendering a good account of himself.

Mr. Watts' arrival in Custer county dates from the dry year of 1894, at which time his father located here. The first purchase of land for the Watts farm was a tract of 200 acres, which was diligently tilled and improved, and to which successive additions were made until the landed holdings are now 600 acres, which trebles the original purchase. Mr. Watts be- gan with nothing and has worked hard for every dollar of his accumulation.

In 1902 Mr. Watts married Elizabeth Cher- ry, who has been a faithful and companionable home-maker, and they are the parents of four children - Clifford, Clarence, Ehner, and Charles - all bright, sturdy lads who are liv- ing at home and pursuing their education in

In connection with agriculture, stock-raising is a prominent feature of the farm enterprise of Mr. Watts. A fine herd of cattle, and yards filled with splendid hogs, add to the thrifty appearance of his fine farm. The buildings are

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

MR. AND MRS. EBENEZER NICHELSON

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MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM H. WATTS

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

good, the other improvements are adequate, and peace and prosperity are domiciled with the family.

Independent in politics, Mr. Watts cares little for party or name. He makes his own selection of candidates for whom he votes. The family are Presbyterians.

SILAS C. WALDRON. one of the substan- tial ranchmen living in the Callaway vicinity, had more than the usual pioneer experiences, and, surviving the early days, he is rated as one of the heavy land-owners and food pro- ducers of Custer county at the present time.

Silas C. Waldron is a native of Wisconsin, in which state he was born May 24, 1860. He is a son of Arbitha and Emily ( Chapin) Waldron, the former a native of Canada and the latter of Massachusetts. The subject of this sketch is the only survivor in a family of four children.

Mr. Waldron's carly life was spent at the parental farm home, where he was a valuable assistant, and incidentally he ran the gamut of the country school, obtaining a fundamental education that has served him well in an offi- cial and business capacity throughout the eventful years of his life. In addition to attending the district school he worked at home and took a course in the high school.

In 1884 he made his advent into Custer county, coming with Charles and Frank Red- fern. for whom the Redfern Table was named. His own land and early home is located on the Waldron Table, ten miles south of Calla- way. He commenced his improvements in the days when water had to be hauled ten miles. All kind of means were resorted to for obtain- ing water for stock and house purposes; the lagoons were scooped out, cisterns were dug. snow melted, and all this helped to supply water. Young Silas worked for stockmen and did everything he could to hold and improve his claim.

Mr. Waldron was united in marriage De- cember 12, 1894, in Elim township, this coun- ty, to Miss Edna E. Twist. a daughter of Salem and Awilda (Albright) Twist. After their marriage Silas Waldron and his wife es- tablished their home, and began their opera- tions as Custer county farmers and home- makers. They have two children: Mrs. Fay Westman is the wife of a farmer near Calla- way, and she has no chiklren ; the second child, Edna M., is making her home with her grandmother. at Vaneta, Oregon. Mrs. Wal- dron died at the time of Edna's birth, and this

daughter is a very popular young lady, a grad- uate of the high school.

Mr. Waldron contracted a second marriage July 16, 1904, at Broken Bow, when he wedded Sopha Gustus, a lady from Illinois, she being a daughter of John and Matilda (VanGreen) Gustus, both natives of Sweden. Mr. and Mrs. Waldron have seven children - Charles T., Harry A., John A., Eva E., Esther M., Sidney C., and Anna R.

Mr. Waldron has taken more or less active part in public affairs. In 1886 he was ap- pointed deputy sheriff, under Charles Penn, who was one of the most celebrated sheriffs Custer county ever elected. In the capacity of deputy sheriff Mr. Waldron served two years, and he had many exciting experiences in effecting arrests of outlaws and thieves, who were far more numerous in the early days than now. He was rated as one of Custer county's most efficient officers, one who was always ready, day or night, for any trip or any service required. He also served as town clerk of his precinct, and he represented Grant township on the board of supervisers during the hard year of 1894. He served until the board of supervisors was reduced from twen- ty-four to seven members. He has also been justice of the peace in his locality.

Successful as a ranchman and stock-raiser, Mr. Waldron's accumulations and property place him in good circumstances. He owns 2,000 acres of land, and aims to handle from 200 to 250 cattle, and from 100 to 150 head of hogs on the place at all times. Of his land 450 acres are in cultivation, and he superin- tends the operations himself.

In looking back upon those early days and the experiences through which he has passed. Mr. Waldron feels that he has contributed his bit to the development of the county. He is en- titled to this opinion. His contribution has cer- tainly been no small one. He recalls that when he was a hoy his first money was received as pay for trapping pocket-gophers. a bounty for which was offered by Cass county, where his first individual enterprises were staged.

The Waldrons rate well in the community, financially, socially. and in every way. Mr. Waldron is a member of the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows, and is Republican in his political affiliation.

HARVEY J. WITTEMAN. - Though he is still a young man in years, it may con- sistently be said that Harvey J. Whiteman is not lacking in maturity of experience. His

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

MR. AND MRS. SILAS C. WALDRON

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career has covered a period in which he has been graduated from the school of hard work. made for himself a position in the business world, and settled himself permanently as a sound and reliable citizen of Broken Bow. where he is proprietor of the business con- ducted under the title of the Community Sales Company, this concern being recognized as one of the city's essential and well ordered commercial adjuncts.

Mr. Whiteman claims the Sunflower state as the place of his nativity. and thus he is naturally imbued with the progressive spirit Cowley county, Kansas, September 5. 1887, of the west. He was born on a farm in and is the second eldest of seven children born to Albert L. and Alvira (Tomlin ) Whiteman. Of the other children brief record may con- sistently be entered at this juncture: Dennis and Effie are deceased ; Malissa .A. is the wife of Fred E. Dye, of Mulvane, Kansas; Albert L., who is a graduate, with a life certificate, from the Ray Automobile School, Kansas City, and who is now a mechanic at Pittsburg, Kansas, married Gladys Oxford, a daughter of Robert Oxford; Olive May is the wife of Stephen Johnson and they reside in the state of Colorado; and Russell W. resides with his father, near Cambridge, Kansas.

A public-school education started Harvey J. Whiteman upon his way in the world, and this training came from the schools of Jasper county, Missouri, where his parents established their home when he was six years of age. He was able to attend school during the winter terms only, as he was expected to contribute to the family support by such service as he could give during the summer seasons. A loving influence passed from his life when he was but twelve years old. when his mother died, the family having been at that time resi- dents of Atlanta, Kansas. Shortly after the death of his devoted mother the self-reliant lad left the paternal home, and incidentally hc felt himself competent to cope with any emer- gency that might come. He had already earned his first money, by riding one of the horses of a binder team, on the neighboring domain of a farmer named Buck, in the Missouri com- munity, and after initiating his independent career his energy and self-confidence gained him employment in various positions. in each of which he proved reliable. trustworthy, and ambitions. Naturally his promotions came with regularity and he was finally able to feel that the time would come when he would be the owner of a business of his own. During his working years he was employed, among others,

by S. A. Schooley and J. A. Rudolph, ranch- men in Cowley county, Kansas, and he re- mained with these gentlemen, as foreman of their ranch, until the partnership was dis- solved. Following this, Mr. Whiteman was for four years foreman of the Kinkaid inter- ests in Brown county, Nebraska, and in 1912 he came to Broken Bow and established him- self in business as proprietor of the enterprise conducted under the title of the Community Sales Company. In the conducting of well equipped fced vards, sales stables, and general operations in the buying and selling of horses, mules, and other live stock, this concern has a secure place of leadership, as is evident when it is stated that its business in 1918 attained to an aggregate of fully $400,000.

Mr. Whiteman is a Custer county young man who has made good. It has been in his case merely a question of relying upon his own initiative and his own resources. He has not asked for extraneous assistance in any way. In his forward march toward material success he has shown the true western spirit, and if what he has already achieved is to be viewed as a criterion, he should feel assured of still greater success with the passing years.

In politics Mr. Whiteman is found arrayed as a staunch supporter of the cause of the Re- publican party, and in a fraternal way he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica. He has had no ambition for public office, but has proved loyal and progressive as a citi- zen and given his influence and support in assisting civic movements advanced for the general good of the community.

September 23, 1907. recorded the marriage of Mr. Whiteman to Miss Nellie B. Simons, a daughter of Adam B. and Hannah E. (Daw- son) Simons, who reside on their fine farm estate near Burden. Kansas, Mr. Simons hav- ing been born in White county. Indiana, and his wife at Galesburg. Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Simons are members of the Evangelical church and he is affiliated with the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. Of their nine children seven are living, namely: George R., Benjamin F., Nellie B., Mary G .. Elsic F., Ilattie E .. and Margaret V. Mr. and Mrs. Whiteman be- came the parents of four children : Navilla Bernice, who is ten years of age at the time of this writing, in the spring of 1919; Harold Ross, who died at the age of four years ; Adamı Albert, who died at the age of nine months ; and Elsie Blanche, who is two years of age.

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

HARVEY J. WHITEMAN

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NELS WESTMAN AND FAMILY

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NELS WESTMAN. - Here is written the name of another man who hails from northern Europe and in whose veins the blood of Swe- den has become a valuable asset to America. Just now in middle life, he has reached that place in his accumulations where he can af- ford surcease from strenuous effort and give opportunity to his children, who already have demonstrated that they are worthy of the name they bear.

Nels Westman was born September 3, 1868, in the frugal land of Sweden. He was the second child of Peter and Magdelian ( Ander- son ) Westman, both Swedish by long lineage. His maternal grandsire was Andrew Ander- son, one of the prominent characters of his native community. In the father's family were three children. Aside from Nels they are Anna Nelson, and Augusta Johnson. His father came to this country in 1869, and located in Galva. Illinois, where he worked on the railroad. In two years he accumulated enough money to send for his family and was joined by them and thus the first home young Nels had in America was established. The prin- ciples of industry and thrift, always so rigidly enforced in European countries, stood young Nels well in hand in the new world and have stimulated his efforts throughout his entire career. When a mere lad he gathered rags and iron and sold them for a few pennies. Later he began working for the neighbors. His first field work was dropping corn, and by this he earned money for his own clothes. Since thirteen years of age he has faced the world for himself, and his present holdings and surroundings attest that he "has made good."

The domestic career of Mr. Westman dates from November 7, 1889, when, in Minden, Nebraska, he was joined in wedlock to Anna Nelson, a native of Denmark, and a daughter of Peter and Mary ( Christofersen) Nelson, both of whom were sturdy Danes by a long succession of ancestors. In the family of Mrs. Westman were the following: Mary Wal- berg: Anna Westman; Hanna Oman : Chris- tine Rodine: and two half-brothers, Rasmun Larsen and James Larsen. In the home Mr. and Mrs. Westman established, comforts have predominated and thrift has supplied every need. They have three children. Ed- mund P. J. married Fay Waldron and is farm- ing on his own land, near Callaway. He and his wife belong to the Evangelical church. Almer N., who also is farming his own land, near Callaway, married Alma Anderson, and they, too, belong to the Evangelical church. There is one boy in their family. Karine

married James Oral Hlenry, who is farming on his own land, in the Callaway section. They belong to the Evangelical church.

The Westmans came to Custer county in 1907. He had bought the land two years previously to that time. The location is ten miles southwest of Callaway, on the famous Stop Table. Many times this is mentioned in this volume. The Westmans have added to their original purchase until they now own 880 acres, 480 of which is called table land. Mr. Westman has his farm well improved and well stocked, and that portion devoted to agri- cultural purposes is in a high state of cultiva- tion. By his diversified farming he deposits his eggs in several baskets, and he believes that if one crop fails it is better to have another to fall back upon. He attributes to hogs and cattle his greatest source of revenue. Mr. and Mrs. Westman were reared in the Swedish Lutheran church, are stanch supporters of all moral and uplifting movements, are patriotic Americans and are generally regarded as lead- ing spirits in the community. At the present time they have retired from active labors but they still live on the home farm, overseeing the operations of those to whom it is leased.

FRANK KLINKMAN is a progressive, en- terprising farmer and stockman who lives in the south part of the county, in a particularly productive locality, known as Sells valley. Mr. Klinkman came when pioneer days were over, but he has proved himself a valuable asset and is one worthy to be rated well as a Custer citizen.

Mr. Klinkman was born in St. Joseph county, Michigan, September 10, 1868. Both his father and mother were of staunch German lineage and both were born in Germany. The father was Fred Klinkman and the mother's maiden name was Freda Miller. In the fam- ily were the following children : Henry, Frank, Louis, Edith Holmes, and two half-sisters, Hannah Rubenstein and Caroline Perschal. Fred Klinkman came to the United States in 1855 and here he passed the remainder of his life. He died when his son Frank was seven years of age. The boy remained with his mother until he was ten years old, when his mother remarried, and he went to live with an elderly couple, for whom he worked for his board and clothes, the while he went to school in the winter time. This continued for two years, after which he went to Centerville, Michigan, and worked summers and attended school in the winter. In this way he earned about forty dollars a year more than his

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. .

FRANK KLINKMAN AND FAMILY

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

clothes, the most of which he gave to his mother. Afterward his mother made him a present of a five-dollar gold piece, which he highly prized because of the donor.

Two years before he reached his majority, Mr. Klinkman turned his face toward the west and came to Nebraska, where for two years he worked in Polk county, receiving from ten to fifteen dollars a month. He began his domes- tic life on the 3d day of May, 1890, at Osce- ola, where he led to the marriage altar Miss Caroline Timm, a lady of fine qualities, who came from Wisconsin. She is a daughter of Louis and Johanna (Persohn) Timm, both German people, born near Mecklenburg, Ger- many. In many ways Mrs. Klinkman's fam- ily were remarkable. The grandparents on her father's side died while crossing the ocean in a sailing vessel. They were sixteen weeks on the water. Louis Timm was then fourteen years of age. Three years later, when seven- teen, he enlisted in the army and served three years.

The Klinkman home has always been com- fortable in its appointments and ample in its provisions. As the years went by it became the home and shelter of a large family of children, all of whom do credit to their father and mother. The young Klinkmans are ten in number and bear the following names: Conrad A., who was in the draft but never served, is farming his own land, near Cozad ; Edith E. was next in order of birth; Mattie E. is the wife of Dean Booker and they live on a farm near Cozad, their children being three in number ; Lily L .. Ruth H., Roy, Vida J .. Vera I .. Harold G., and Ivan L. are all at home. It should be noted that Ruth H. and Roy are twins, fourteen years of age, and that Vida I. and Vera I. also are twins, twelve years of age, at the opening of the year 1919.

Mr. Klinkman and his family located in Cus- ter county in the year 1906 and bought 320 acres of good land, which they still own and occupy as a home. Farming and stock-raising have made all the money with which the place has been improved and which makes up the sum total of the Klinkman possessions. They have just built an elegant farm residence and are well fixed for the oncoming years. The family enjoy a splendid reputation and are de- voted members of the Evangelical church. There is a local church, with commodious building, two miles from the farm. The po- litical tendencies of Mr. Klinkman are Demo- cratic.

. CRANDDALL D. SAMSON. - Down near Oconto is a prosperous young farmer,

who has accumulated enough of this world's goods to provide for himself and family a very comfortable home and to enable him to take life easy. Crandall D. Samson is a native of Champaign county, Illinois, where he was born June 8, 1872. His father, James W. Samson, was a native of Marshall county, Indiana. His mother, Eliza E. (Watson) Samson, was a native of Ohio, James W. Samson was a frontiersman and had part in early wes- tern expeditions. In 1859 he left Leaven- worth, Kansas, with an ox team and drove through to Pike's Peak. He accompanied a crowd of buffalo hunters, who were killing buffaloes for their hides. When he reached the Colorado gold-fields, he lost no time in commencing prospecting operations and final- ly he located a claim, which he worked for two years, when the outbreak of the war called for young men of Samson's caliber, and he en- listed in the First Colorado Cavalry, in which he served four years. Shortly after his en- listment he had an opportunity to sell his min- ing claim for $10.000, but was unable to get a furlough long enough to close up the deal and consummate the transaction. Accordingly, the claim was "jumped" and became a total loss to him. The First Colorado Cavalry was assigned to scouting duty and Indian fighting during most of his term of service. After his dis- charge he returned to his Illinois home, and was married to Eliza E. Watson, a daughter of Jonathan Watson, a prominent citizen of the Buckeye state. Mrs. Samson's mother's maiden name was Delia Gregor. Crandall D. Samson is one of a family of eight children, all of whom are still living. The firstborn is Mrs. Margaret A. Hardyman ; Crandall D. was the second in order of birth ; the third is Mrs. Emma M. Street : the fourth is Watson R. ; the fifth is Mrs. Blanch B. Winkleman; the sixth is David ; the seventh is Mrs. Gloraetta Lowe; and the eighth is Guy.

Crandall D. Samson earned his first money by doing chores for his grandmother. She gave him a calf, which his father let him keep, and when it was grown it was sold and the money was invested in other calves. These early transactions started the youth in the di- rection of farming and stock-raising. He at- tended the public schools and received a good common-school education. His father's fam- ily was large, and as soon as he was able to work Crandall was thrown upon his own re- sources. Since that time he has made his own living and has gathered the competency he now possesses. His father and mother, with seven children, landed in Custer county in 1892. and located four miles west of Octonto.

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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 169

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