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 56

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 56

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

vanced age, is shown in the fact that he per- sonally, supplied the material for the fore- going sketch, in addition to relating numer- ous other interesting incidents of early life in this region. When he left the ranch, with a well earned competency, Mr. Young re- moved to his home at Broken Bow, where he is now residing, surrounded by every com- fort and enjoying the affection and warm re- gard of a wide circle of friends.

In March, 1851, at St. Johnsbury, Vermont, Mr. Young married Mary Ann Woods, a daughter of Eben Woods, and they became the parents of four children, all of whom are deceased.

ELBERT P. GAINES, cashier of the Se- curity State Bank of Ansley, is one of Custer county's young and progressive citizens who have created a favorable impression in bank- ing circles and established themselves in po- sitions formerly held by men many years their seniors. He is essentially a product of Cus- ter county, as he was brought here in infancy, was educated in this community's public schools and has received his business training in its institutions, while his career thus far has reflected credit upon the county's influ- ences and upon his own ability and character.

Mr. Gaines was born at Cambridge, the county seat of Henry county, Illinois, Feb- ruary 21, 1886, and is a son of E. H. and Fannie B. (Page) Gaines, the former a na- tive of Illinois and the latter of Iowa. E. H. Gaines was reared and educated in his native state, and for a number of years was identified with the wholesale lumber trade, a field in which he met with marked success. In 1886 he came to Custer county and established him- self in the hardware and implement business, in which he continued until his death. He was a man of excellent business ability, strict integrity, 'personal probity and sound citizen- ship, and he well merited his success and the respect in which he was uniformly held. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, was a Republican in politics, and, with his family, belonged to the Christian church. Mrs. Gaines, who survives her husband, resides at Bethany, Nebraska. They were married at Menlo, Iowa, and became the parents of three children: Elbert P., to whom this sketch is dedicated ; Fred B., who is identified with the automobile business at Chicago, Illinois ; and Loine, who resides with her mother and is en- gaged in teaching school at Bethany.

Elbert P. Gaines attended the public schools of Ansley, and after his graduation in the high school he entered the hardware

412

HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

and implement business with his father, under whose able preceptorship he gained his initial commercial training. He remained in the store until he was appointed postmaster of Ansley, during the administration of Presi- dent Taft, when he gave up other interests to attend to the duties of that office. When his term of four years expired, he identified him- self with the Security State Bank, in the capacity of assistant cashier. This institution had been organized February 5, 1915, by local capitalists, who recognized Mr. Gaines' de- votion, fidelity, and general ability, by advanc- ing him, in 1918, to the post of cashier, which he holds at this time. The bank is capitalized at $20,000, and at this time has surplus and undivided profits of $3,000, while its deposits approximate $215,000. It is accounted a strong institution, bearing an excellent repu- tation in the banking circles of the state, and. guided by a conservative policy, has made con- stant advancement since its organization. Mr. Gaines has made many friends for the bank as well as for himself, among the patrons and de- positors, and has done much to inspire public confidence.

On June 18, 1907, Mr. Gaines married Miss Clara Varney, who was born at Westerville. Nebraska, a daughter of Edgar Varney, one of the early settlers and merchants of Wester- ville, and later a representative merchant at Ansley. Mr. and Mrs. Gaines have two chil- dren: Edgar V., born December 10. 1909; and Helen L., born May 25, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Gaines are attendants of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Gaines is a stanch Republican. He is prominent in fraternal cir- cles, being a thirty-second degree Mason and a Shriner, and being at present worshipful master of his Masonic lodge. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is past chancellor commander of the Knights of Pythias.

PLIN L. METCALF. - To the old and distinguished state of New York the county of Custer is in no small degree indebted for some of its most prominent citizens, eminent professional men, successful farmers and cap- able and well-to-do merchants-and in the van of the last mentioned class, although he is at present retired, is l'lin Metcalf, a resident of Sargent and a member of the town coun- cil. Mr. Metcalf was born in Wyoming county. New York. September 3, 1863, and is a son of Augustus and Lucia ( Crittenden) Metcalf. Milo Metcalf, the paternal grandfather of Plin Metcalf, was born in Vermont, and as a youth was taken by his parents to Wyoming

county, New York, where he followed farm- ing throughout the rest of his life. In that county were born his children, of whom three sons, Judson. George and Plin, served in the Union army during the Civil war, the last named meeting a soldier's death on the field of battle. Augustus Metcalf was reared on the home farm in New York and for a time followed the pursuits of the soil as a vocation. He was married in New York state, his wife also being a native thereof, but in 1872 he went to Putnam county, Ohio, and engaged in the mercantile business at Belmore, where he was also postmaster for several years, and where he carried on a successful business until his death. He was a member of the Presby- terian church and was a Republican in his political views. After his demise Mrs. Met- calf carried on the business for several years, and also acted for four years as postmistress, but in 1883 she disposed of her holdings and came to Custer county, Nebraska, where, like her sons, she settled on a homestead. After coming to Nebraska she joined the Methodist Episcopal church. She is the mother of four sons : Walter, who still lives on his original homestead in Custer county; Plin, whose name initiates this review : Perry, who also is on his original homestead here ; and Clarence, who is engaged in the implement business at Sargent.

After attending the district schools of Put- nam county, Ohio, Plin Metcalf took a course at the Ohio State Normal School at Ada, and then commenced his career in the role of a school teacher. His experience as an educa- tor, however, lasted only one year, for in 1883. when he was twenty years of age, he came to Custer county and took up a homestead, as did also his mother and three brothers, all of the farms adjoining. He continued to follow farming and stock-raising with a full measure of success until 1899, when he turned his at- tention to mercantile lines, investing in a busi- ness at West Union, where he was located as a merchant until 1909. His ten years of ex- perience there had been beneficial, and when he came to Sargent he was better equipped in knowledge of merchandising, so that his suc- cess here was immediate. He was in partner- ship with James Haggerty in a general store for a time, but he eventually bought his partner's interest, and he continued as the sole proprietor of the business until January 1. 1918, since which time he has lived in re- tirement. During the active years of his ca- recr Mr. Metcalf displayed excellent judg- ment, fine business. capacity and shrewd knowledge of affairs, so that his operations were prosperous, and he is to-day considered

413

HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

one of his community's well-to-do men. He has a good farm in Dawson county and holds other interests, all accumulated in an honor- able and legitimate manner. Mr. Metcalf is a Republican and for some time has been actively interested in public affairs. For several years he was a member of the board of school directors, and he is now serving efficiently as a member of the town council of Sargent. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masons and Odd Fellows, in which latter order he has passed the official chairs. He and his wife hold membership in the Meth- odist Episcopal church.

In 1882 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Metcalf to Miss Emma Slentz, who was born in Ohio, and to this union have come two children : Clyde, who is employed in the im- plement business with his uncle, Clarence Met- calf, and Grace, the wife of William Bruce, who at the time of this writing is serving in the United States Navy, his preliminary train- ing having been received at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station, Illinois, and at Hamp- ton Roads, Virginia.

J. HARRY BRYAN. - One of the young farmers who is a native of Custer county, who was here reared and educated, and who here began farming and has already achieved an immense success is J. Harry Bryan, who re- sides in the vicinity of Huxley postoffice.

J. Harry Bryan was born July 5, 1883, and is a son of Joseph and Mary E. (Baker) Bryan. Joseph Bryan was born in Missouri, in 1844, and his wife, who was born in south- ern Illinois, September 25, 1844, is still living. The parents were married in southern Illinois, and came to Custer county in the early '70s. As sterling pioneers they located a homestead nine miles northeast of Mason City, and upon this place Mr. Bryan lived until the time of his death, in 1892. His widow. now vener- able in years, still lives on the old homestead. In their immediate family were eight children, seven of whom are still living. W. B. is a farmer in southeastern Kansas ; Mrs. John T. Wood resides at Mason City; Mrs. G. L. Stevens lives in Custer county ; Mrs. L. F. Wilcox has her home on a farm at Glendive, Montana : F. G. lives at Burwell, Nebraska, where he is in the employ of the railroad com- pany ; J. Harry, the subject of this sketch, was the sixth born; and Robert L. lives on the old homestead. The family belong to the Christian church. The father was a Republi- can in politics, and in his early life he entered the service of his country, from southern 1]li- nois. While thus serving in defense of the

Union in the Civil war he contracted consump- tion. He was in Sherman's historic march to the sea, and his father, W. J. Bryan, was killed at the battle of Pittsburg Landing.

The fair education which J. Harry Bryan enjoys, was gleaned from the public schools of his native county. He took up farming at an early age, and he now owns 120 acres of land, well improved, with a nice residence and all required outbuildings ; and the farm equip- ment, which is to be rated as first class, meets the requirements of all the operations that can be conducted upon a place of its size.

In March, 1905, was recorded the marriage of Mr. Bryan to Mrs. Eva ( Corey) Mitchell. who was born in Clay county, Nebraska, a daughter of William Corey, who was a pioneer of that county. The first husband of Mrs. Bryan was G. Mitchell. Mr. and Mrs. Bryan have three children - Guy, Leona, and Mil- dred - all bright and happy children, pursuing the foundation course of their education and contributing joy and satisfaction to their par- ents.

Mr. Bryan is a member of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. in which he takes a prominent and active part. He affiliates with the Republican party, and is rated as one of the leaders and depend- able spirits in all partisan affairs. He is a progressive farmer, a good judge of live stock, and a citizen whose home and premises denote thrift and enterprise.

CHARLES W. BOWMAN. - For a num- ber of years the name of Charles W. Bowman has been inseparably connected with the agri- cultural and real-estate interests of Custer county, where he has been located since 1885. His career here has been one of constant ad- vancement since his arrival, and both as a farmer and realty operator he has won success and maintained a high reputation for ability and integrity.

Mr. Bowman was born December 27, 1863, at Plattsmouth, Cass county, Nebraska, a son of Albert G. and Mary Ann ( Covalt) Bow- man, natives of Ohio and West Virginia re- spectively, and is a grandson of Abraham Covalt. The family has been identified with the Christian church for many generations and its members have always been supporters of progressive movements along moral, educa- tional and religious lines. Albert G. Bowman was a cabinetmaker by trade, a vocation which he followed first in Ohio and later at Platts- mouth, Nebraska, but eventually he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits in the west- ern part of Cass county, where he rounded out

414

HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

a long, useful and honorable career. He and his wife were the parents of the following chil- dren : Sarah A. and Samuel H. died in in- fancy. Elizabeth, by her first marriage, had two children, Charles and Albert Wachter, who are farmers in Custer county. In her second marriage she became the wife of Will- iam H. Russell, a farmer, they leaving two children when they died. - John H. and Anna D. Abraham D. married Ella MI. Bethel, and both are deceased. They had one son, - Carl E., who is a member of the firm of Bowman & Bowman, Broken Bow. Mary A., who married John Keefer, a farmer near All- selino, Custer county, is deceased. Ida D., who died in 1890, married James M. Russell, and her son is farming with his father in Cus- ter county. Rhoda H. is the wife of Joseph V. Carnes, a retired farmer of Lincoln, this state, and they have seven children, - Nellie, Myrtle, Lillie, Mary, Rhoda, Lulla and Ollie. Charles W., of this review, was the next in order of birth. Jennie V., who makes her home with her brother Charles W., at Broken Bow, is the widow of the late Jacob L. Phil- lips, banker and broker, who died in 1890.

Charles W. Bowman was given his educa- tion in the public schools of Cass county, and when still a youth he showed his industry and capacity for hard work by assuming the re- sponsibility of contributing materially to his own support. When he was a lad it was his custom to arise at daylight, gather several gallons of strawberries, and carry them on foot to Greenwood, Nebraska, a distance of three and one-quarter miles, where he would peddle them to the villagers. In addition, he at times herded cattle for the neighbors, and in this way managed to secure enough money to keep himself in clothes. When he was but seventeen years of age he had saved money enough to buy a team of ponies, which he traded for an acre of land at Greenwood, but this he sold after coming to Custer county. Mr. Bowman continued his thrifty habits and about the time he reached his majority he had ac- cumulated enough farm machinery to carry on operations, a team, a wagon and harness, and decided to try his fortune further to the west. Accordingly, March 20, 1885. he loaded his worldly possessions on his wagon and made preparations to bid his parents goodbye. Just as he was leaving, his father inquired as to the state of his finances. When he was in- formed that the young man had just $3 cash capital. he brought forth a $20 gold piece, and. with tears streaming down his sunburned cheeks, presented it to his son. saying: "Son. you are going into a wild, unsettled country ; take this and may God bless you." Charles

W. Bowman arrived in Custer county about ten days later and proceeded to take a home- stead and a timber claim about four miles north of New Helena. The first few years were hard ones for the ambitious young man, and, with the other pioneers who were rapidly settling the country. he experienced many hardships and was called upon to use numer- ous expedients in order that he might carry himself over the bad years. Among other things he spent many weary hours in digging up cedar stumps in the cedar canyons, from which the cedar trees had been cut and hauled to Grand Island and other points at an earlier day. These stumps were dug up and split into fence posts and then hauled 100 miles to Grand Island and sold, or exchanged for the necessities of life. By 1902 Mr. Bowman found himself well on the road to prosperity and the possessor of a good property which had been developed solely through his own efforts. But while his agricultural operations had proved very successful, he had become at - tracted to the real-estate business, and finally, in 1902, he disposed of his ranch and farm and applied himself to realty and loans. His business ability, his expert knowledge of land values, and his general qualifications have en- abled him to become a leading factor in his line of work. His former farm, situated on what is known throughout Custer county as the Bowman Table, is to-day worth $100 per acre.

Mr. Bowman was married November 20, 1897, near Anselmo, Nebraska, to Ida D. Dare, a daughter of James and Mary J. (Jackson) Dare, and four children have been born to this union: Lloyd D., Mary N., Maude E. and Deerce H. The family be- longs to the Christian church. Mr. Bowman is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and in the Masonic fraternity he has received the thirty-second degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. Both he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star, in which Mrs. Bowman has filled all the official chairs of her chapter.

MARTIN F. BLANKENSHIP, a substan- tial farmer now living in comfortable retire- ment at Broken Bow, came first to Custer county in 1882, and with the exception of three years he has lived here ever since, the while he is well and favorably known all through this section. Mr. Blankenship was born at Indianola, Vermilion county, Illinois. September 7, 1856. His parents were Martin C. and Geraldine (Scott) Blankenship. the former of whom was born in Kentucky but

415

HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

reared in Indiana, and the latter of whom was born and died in Vermilion county, Illinois. His grandparents were well known people in their day, their names being William and Mary (Whitesett) Blankenship and William and Elizabeth (Goliday) Scott. The parents of Mr. Blankenship both died when he was an infant less than a year old, and of their seven children he and a sister, Mrs. Martha S. Nut- terfield, who lives in Illinois, are the only sur- vivors. The father was a preacher in the Missionary Baptist church.

Left an orphan when so young, Martin T. Blankenship necessarily was reared by stran- gers, and John T. Phillips and wife, farming people in Vermilion county, Illinois, became good foster-parents, teaching him habits of industry and giving him an opportunity to go to school in the winter time. In those days money was not very plentiful and boys had few chances to earn pocket-money. For that reason the first dime Mr. Blankenship ever earned and the use he made of it remain in his memory as the basis of an amusing story. He was about twelve years old when a neighbor paid him the ten cents for planting a field of corn, covering with a hoe, and the coin was treasured until he added ten cents more, about Christmas time, by turning a grindstone for a man. He gained permission to go to Dan- ville and there he invested his capital in a bunch of fire-crackers, with which he antici- pated making considerable of a celebration on Christmas day. He remembers remaining awake almost the entire night, until four o'clock on Christmas morning, and then of mischievously crawling on his hands and knees to the big old fireplace, where he inserted a fire-cracker in the smouldering embers. The explosion probably created enough excitement to satisfy a boy's love of adventure, but prob- ably he was forgiven when his foster-mother found out that the noise was not occasioned by the breaking of her cream jar from the frost, as she had feared. It was just an in- nocent boyish prank, and since that time Mr. Blankenship has often stated that he had never subsequently gained as much fun out of a like expenditure. When he was eighteen years old his foster-father died and his foster- mother went to Indiana, but he had been earn- ing his own living after he was fourteen years of age.

Mr. Blankenship married. September 18. 1879, at Potomac, Illinois. Miss Delilah E. Peterson, who died December 26, 1910. Her parents were Cornelius and Mary ( Roderick ) Peterson. In 1882 Mr. Blankenship brought his family to Nebraska and located in Custer county, five miles northwest of Broken Bow.

and he remained on that place until 1886, when he returned to Illinois, where he remained three years. Farming and stock-raising have always engaged his attention, and he has been very successful. To his first marriage four children were born, namely: William D., Rosa B., Zona V. and Edward A., the last named being deceased. The first three were reared and schooled in Custer county. Will- iam D., who is a farmer near Kingfisher. Oklahoma, married Matie Hussey, a daughter of Charles Hussey, and they have one child, Flossy E. Rosa B. is the wife of Frank De- Moss, who is a resident of Danville, Illinois, a Democrat, a member of the order of Wood- men and of the Free Methodist church. Mr. and Mrs. DeMoss have four children. Hallie A., Floyd, Annis, and Gerald. Zona V. is the wife of John Downing, who was a farmer near Oakwood, and who is in the national army at the time of this writing; he and his wife belong to the Free Methodist church and they have no children. Politically Mr. Down- ing is a Democrat. Mr. Blankenship's second marriage took place at Alliance, Nebraska, August 2, 1913, when he wedded Mrs. Susan- nah Canter, a daughter of Hiram and Lydia (Smith) Donohue, who were members of the Baptist church. Mr. Blankenship has been for years a very prominent man in the United Brethren church and the church record shows that he has been an earnest worker. Politi- cally he is identified with the Democratic party.

CHARLES F. ELLERSICK. - The mill- ing interests of the community of Comstock and the surrounding country have a capable representative in the person of Charles F. Ellersick, who has been the proprietor of a flour mill in this locality for a period of twenty-three years, and who for the last eleven years of that time has been located at Com- stock. He has developed an excellent busi- ness through good management and natural ability, and at the same time has been able to serve his community efficiently in official capacities.

Mr. Ellersick was born in Hanover, Ger- many, September 1, 1857, and came to the United States at the age of twenty-four years. A millwright by trade, he was employed by a Milwaukee, Wisconsin, concern, for which he worked for about twelve years, during which time he had charge of the installing of the ma- chinery for the Broken Bow flour mill, erected by his house. Mr. Ellersick was not employed at his trade from 1888 to 1895, but in the latter year he bought a flour mill from Mrs. Jenkins

416

HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

and Mr. Mickle, located at Wescott. He op- erated that mill until the railroad, passing on the east side of the river, brought into prom- inence the town of Comstock and practically eliminated the town of Wescott, so Mlr. Eller- sick wisely changed the location of his mill, in 1907, to Comstock, where it has since flour- ished, with a constantly increasing business. This mill has a daily capacity of sixty-five barrels, and the demand for its product at present is such that it is operating practically all the time.

Mr. Ellersick is a business man of no mean ability, and one who is thoroughly familiar with every angle of his particular line, the while he is well known to the milling trade. with an excellent reputation for integrity and fidelity in business engagements. As a citizen he has contributed generously of time, means and energy to movements for the betterment of Comstock and its people, and for several years past he has rendered valuable service as a member of the town board, his business judgment and general acumen being held in high regard by his associates. Mr. Ellersick is a Democrat in his political allegiance, and fraternally he is affiliated with the local or- ganizations of the Masonic order and the Mlod- ern Woodmen of America, in both of which he has many friends, as he has also in busi- ness life.

At Grand Island, Nebraska, in 1885, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Ellersick to Miss Lena Stoeppelman, and they are the par- ents of five children, namely : Katie, the wife of George Young, engaged in agricultural pur- suits near the city of Sargent : Lena, the wife of Henry Hein, the owner and operator of a farm near Westerville: Miss Emma, residing at home but engaged in teaching in the public schools at Scottsbluff : Charles, a flour mill- er associated with his father in business at Comstock, the maiden name of his wife hav- ing been Bernice Fretz; and Flora, who re- mains with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Eller- sick and their children are consistent members of the Lutheran church, which they attend at Comstock, and they liberally support all re- ligious movements.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 56

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