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 57

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 57

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HAMILTON B. GLAZIER. - Nearly forty years have passed since the late Isaac Glazier drove into Custer county in true pio- neer style and settled on a homestead amidst a veritable wilderness where habitations were few and where civilization was still in its primitive form. For twenty years he lived and labored, slowly and arduously developing a farm and establishing a home for his family,

and watching and assisting in the advancement and progress which were making the country- side to flourish and thrive. This honored pio- neer has passed from earthly scenes, but the reputation for industry and integrity which he established is being perpetuated by his chil- dren, among whom Hamilton B. Glazier and his sister are the owners of the old homestead which they operate, near Comstock.

Hamilton B. Glazier was born in Winona county, Minnesota, November 9, 1862, and is a son of Isaac and Emily (Bolen) Glazier, na- tives of New York state. The parents grew to maturity in the Empire state, and they were married in Illinois. Shortly after that event they moved to Winona county, Minnesota, where they settled on a new farm and carried on operations for a number of years. Not satisfied with their surroundings, and desiring a home on the newly opened frontier of Ne- braska, in 1879 they drove overland in a wagon to Custer county and located in the vicinity of the site of the present village of Comstock. Like all new settlers, they were forced to meet and to overcome many ob- stacles and to endure numerous hardships, but they were persons of hardihood and courage and cheerfully faced all difficulties. Mrs. Gla- zier passed to her final rest in 1886, but her husband survived until 1898, by which time he had become the owner of a valuable prop- erty, on which were improvements of a splen- did character. During his residence here Mr. Glazier set out about thirty acres of timber, one-half of which is now owned by his son. Mr. Glazier was a Republican in politics, but was active therein only as a voter, never car- ing for public office. He and his wife were the parents of five children, of whom three are living : Miss Lois, who makes her home with her brothers, for whom she keeps house : Ham- ilton B., who is the subject of this notice ; and Albert, also a bachelor, who is associated with his brother in his agricultural enterprises.

' Hamilton B. Glazier received his education in the common schools of Minnesota, where he was reared as are most farmers' sons, and he was about seventeen years of age when he accompanied his parents in their overland journey to Custer county. He assisted in the carly and later development of the homestead. in section 4, and since the death of his father he has added a number of improvements, in- cluding buildings, machinery, equipment and stock. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and has been uniformly success- ful in his ventures, so that he is accounted one of the substantial men of his community. While a good citizen and a supporter of worth . while and progressive movements, he has been

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content to remain a farmer and has sought no positions of public import. Mr. Glazier has never married.

JOSEPH BRYAN. - The subject of this memoir was formerly a prominent farmer of Custer county and was specially well known for the part he took in the advancement of education, religion and material progress in the part of the county in which he was located. The people in the vicinity of Ansley owe to him a debt of gratitude that will be hard to pay.

Mr. Bryan was born in Missouri, March 29, 1846, and was the first-born son of Will- iam and Caroline (Brim) Bryan, who were the parents of six children. William Bryan was of English descent and served in the Civil war until he met his death, on the battle-field of Shiloh. His wife, who also was of English descent, died in Illinois. The parents of Joseph Bryan moved to Clay county, Illinois, when he was a small boy, and there, when seventeen years of age, he enlisted in Company K, Forty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He served three years as a valiant young soldier of the Union, and after the close of the war he returned to Illinois and engaged in farming.

On September 16, 1869, Mr. Bryan was united in marriage, at Taylorville, Illinois, to Miss Mary E. Baker, who was born in Rich- mond county, that state, and who is a daugh- ter of William and Caroline. (Uterback) Baker, prominent and honored citizens of this community. Mr. Baker died in Illinois and his widow was a resident of Custer county, Nebraska. at the time of her death.

Mr. and Mrs. Bryan became the parents of seven children: William B. resides in Kan- sas ; Isabel is the wife of J. T. Wood, of Mason City, Custer county ; Nettie is the wife of Grant Stevens and they live in Kansas ; Alice is the wife of Luther Wilcox, and they are now living in Montana ; Frank G. resides in the city of Lincoln; J. Harry, who lives on the home farm, is individually mentioned on other pages of this volume ; and Robert L., who is living with his mother on the old place. and who is the owner of three shares of the home farm, having bought shares from two of the other heirs, was born July 19, 1887.

Joseph Bryan organized school district num- ber 132 and served as a member of the school board for a number of years. He and his wife were largely instrumental in the organi- zation of the first Sunday school in the county Since the death of Mr. Bryan his widow has continued to reside on the old homestead and

she has devoted much of her time to the im- provement of the place, the development of the farm and the paying off of the mortgage, as well as caring for the members of the fam- ily who are at home. She and her son Robert have been frequent exhibitors at the county fair. In 1911 they secured twelve first and six second premiums on exhibitions of fruits, vegetables, jellies and honey. These premiums included one sweepstake.

Mr. and Mrs. Bryan came to Custer county in 1879 and lived through the hard and strenu- ous days marked by pioneer privations. Their first home was a dugout, and this was later supplanted by a sod house, which seemed a palace compared with the former abode. They commenced with nothing and at one time were completely destitute of anything to eat. They succeeded in borrowing ten dollars from a more favored neighbor and made the trip to Grand Island for foodstuffs. All had the measles at the same time and many other hardships fell to their lot. They had to go to Lincoln to secure household goods, but all these difficulties were eventually overcome and they pressed forward to the goal of independ- ence and prosperity. This is a fine family and the living children to-day are a credit to the parents who reared them, besides being a valuable asset to the community in which they have their homes. Mr. Bryan died in 1892, and his good wife still survives, the while she is an honor to the motherhood of Custer county.

The son Robert, whose farming operations on the home place are mentioned above, is a very excellent young man, is a splendid farmer and has performed an admirable service for his mother. He received his early education in the district school and in all respects is qualified for excellent citizenship and for the useful service he is rendering in his home community. Upon him falls the responsibility of maintaining the old homestead.

LEWIS R. DOWSE. - Though he has not advanced far beyond the psalmist's span of three score years and ten and still possesses a full amount of physical and mental vigor. Mr. Dowse has the enviable distinction of be- ing the first permanent settler of Custer county, arriving here in Angust, 1873. It can thus be realized that the memory of this hon- ored pioneer compasses the entire gamut that has been run in the devlopment of this section of Nebraska from a prairie wilderness to a populous and opulent district of a great com- monwealth, and it is gratifying to him that he has been able to play a part in the civic and

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

industrial progress and upbuilding of Custer county.

Lewis R. Dowse is descended from staunch New England ancestors and is a native of Middlesex county, Massachusetts, where he was born in the town of Sherborn, October 20. 1845. His parents, William and Caroline ( Ware) Dowse, were natives of the same town. the father born September 3, 1815, and the date of the mother's birth having been Sep- tember 3. 1820. William Dowse learned the trade of whip-making under the direction of his father, who conducted an establishment for the manufacture of whips, where a large number of people were employed. After the death of his father William Dowse turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and he was thus occupied the remainder of his life. He died in September, 1901, at the age of eighty- six years, having long survived his wife, who passed away December 27. 1847. William Dowse was a Republican in politics and he and his wife were members of the Congrega- tional church.

Edmond Dowse, a brother of William, held the office of chaplain of the Massachusetts state senate for twenty years and was re-elec- ted at the age of ninety, but refused to serve any longer. He spent his entire life in his native town, passing away at the age of nine- ty-two, and for sixty years he held the pastor- ate of the local church.

The subject of this record spent his boy- hood days in his native village, acquiring his carly education in the public schools and also attending an academy at Sherborn. As a young man he secured employment in a fac- tory where cards were made to be used in the manufacture of cotton and woolen cloth. his intention being to learn the business. The Civil war being in progress, his patriotic spirit was aroused and he offered his services to his country. Failing to pass the physical exami- nation the first time, he again sought to enlist when, in 1864, the last call came, and this time he was successful. He faithfully served four months - until the conflict was brought to a close. Returning to his home he began learn- ing the trade of shoc manufacturing, following that occupation until the spring of 1868, when he decided to follow the advice of Horace Greeley, and "go west." Arriving in Iowa in the month of March, 1868, he took up the occupation of farming, and he resided in Iowa until June. 1873, when he decided to go far- ther west and started for Nebraska. His ar- rival in Custer county was in the month of August. 1873, and it has been conceded by those who have interested themselves in his-

torical records that he thus became the first permanent settler of the county. In 1903 the Old Settlers Association awarded Mr. and Mrs. Dowse each a medal as the first settlers. Their daughter, Mrs. Alice Sims, also was given a medal, as being the first white child born in the county.

At Montezuma. Poweshiek county. Iowa. December 21, 1869, was solemnized the mar- riage of Lewis R. Dowse to Miss Sarah Wag- ner, a native of Auglaize county, Ohio, where she was born February 23. 1854, a daughter of Samuel and Caroline ( Kats) Wagner, na- tives of Ohio and New Jersey respectively. The parents of Mrs. Dowse accompanied their daughter and their husband to Nebraska, as far as Loup City, where they remained until the spring of 1874, when they took up their abode in Custer county.

From the standpoint of material possessions. Mr. and Mrs. Dowse were in very moderate circumstances. They had several head of cattle. a limited supply of household goods and farm- ing implements, no money, but an abundance of energy and a determination to succeed and establish a home. Those early years were fraught with innumerable hardships and pri- vations. The first years their crops were de- stroyed by grasshoppers, and only those who had the experience can realize what the grass- hopper scourge amounted to.

Mr. Dowse held squatter sovereignty until he pre-empted the piece of land which has been his home to the present time. From a humble beginning this pioneer couple have labored unceasingly, and that their efforts have been crowned with success is attested by the fact that to-day Mr. Dowse holds title to 400 acres of land, well improved and under a good state of cultivation.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Dowse has been blessed with the birth of eight children and the presence of an adopted daughter: William married Florence Murphy and is a farmer near the old home ; Eliza is a graduate nurse : Alice, who was the first white child born in Custer county, is the wife of Charles Sims, residing at Newkirk, Oklahoma: Lewis S. married Marie Pickel and resides in the state of Wash- ington : Lawrence married Mahel Miner and lives near Corastock ; Elmer married Elsie Day and resides on the home place: Ethel is the wife of Frank Steeple, residing at Comstock : Nellie is deceased and Faye, unmarried, is a stenographer at Seattle, Washington.

A recital of some of the experiences and in- cidents that have come to this pioneer couple may help the readers of this volume. to realize that forty-five years have come and gone since

Western Pub & Eng Co

Eng ou L'G Wuhams & Hro NY

Lewis. R. Lowse

Sarah. M. Dowal.

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

they took up their abode here. This was un- organized territory at that time and taxes were paid to Valley county, this being considered a loan, and the money being refunded after the organization of the new county. This was known as Kountz county at first, named after a firm of pioneer bankers in Omaha. Later it was called Garber county, after Governor Gar- ber. The present name was adopted in honor of that gallant Indian fighter, General Custer. At the time of the Custer massacre the settlers in this neighborhood became much alarmed and some of them left here and went to Fort Kear- ney. Those who remained built a fort of sod and oak and cedar logs, and petitioned the government to equip the "Organized Rangers" with guns to protect the fort. But as they were never molested by the Indians the fort, which had been erected in section 15 of this township, never had to be used. The Indians caused the greatest alarm to the early settlers. Mrs. Dowse recalls that about the time of the Indian troubles in Montana, four Pawnees walked up to the house one evening while her husband was away. They claimed four ponies had been stolen by another tribe and they were in search of them. These four stayed all night at the home of a neighbor and the next morn- ing the Indians asked for a writing of some kind to prove to other settlers that they were friendly. The neighbor gave them this note, "These are friendly Indians ; grease them and let them slide." The spot where Mr. Dowse established his homestead had been the eamp- ing ground of Indians, and here numerous relics have been found. They have also dis- covered many holes in the ground in the shape of jugs, probably used by the Indians in eur- ing meat.

But times have changed and what was a wild, rolling prairie is now dotted with in- numerable farms, with here and there thriving villages ; schools and churches have been built and Custer county is a much better place in which to live than when Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Dowse came here more than forty-five years years ago, while in the work of transformation they have contributed their full share. They are members of the Congregational church and Mr. Dowse is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, thus maintaining pleas- ant relations with the few remaining veterans of the Civil war. In politics he has always given allegiance to the Republican party - the party which stood for a united country and has always been the party for progress and reform. When the history of Custer county is completed and the life record of its people written, no record will be found more

worthy of a place in its pages, and none will be of greater inspiration to future generations, than that of the first family who made per- manent location in Custer county.

LILBURN F. OXFORD, local manager of the business of the Dierks Lumber & Coal Company at Comstock, has the distinction of having been the second male white ehild born within the borders of Custer county. where he was reared to manhood, so that it is evident few citizens of the county at the present time have more fully witnessed the transitions, the splendid development and progress, in this now favored and opulent section of the state of Nebraska. As a child and youth he gained his share of ex- perience in connection with the hardships and other unpropitious conditions marking the pioneer epoch in the history of Custer county. and he has kept pace with the march of pro- gres in his native county, where he has been actively and successfully identified with both agricultural and commercial enterprise. As manager for the Dierks Lumber & Coal Com- pany's business at Comstock, he is essentially one of the representative and influential busi - ness men of this thriving village.

Mr. Oxford was born in Douglas Grove, Custer county, on the 22d of July, 1876, and is a son of James L. and Laura B. (Hender- son) Oxford, the former a native of the state of New York and the latter of Eagleville. Harrison county, Missouri. In the spring of 1874 James L. Oxford came from Missouri to Custer county, where he took up a pre- emption claim immediately west of the pres- ent side of the village of Comstock. In the autumn of the same year he returned to his old home in Missouri, and in the following spring he came with his family to Custer county, where he took a homestead near Wal- worth. He improved this property and there continued his farming and ranching operations until 1883, when he established his residence at Broken Bow and engaged in the livery busi- ness. There his wife died, in the spring of 1884, and he then returned to his farm, upon which he continued to reside until 1895, when he divided his Custer county landed interests among his children. He then removed to Oregon, where he purchased 640 acres of land and where he engaged in the raising of Angora goats and a good grade of cattle and where he still maintains his home. A Republican in politics, Mr. Oxford has taken a lively in- terest in public affairs, and while he has never had any ambition for public office he served two years as county commissioner of Custer

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

county. an office to which he was elected in the late '70s. His religious faith is that ot the Baptist church.

James L. and Laura B. (Henderson) Ox- ford became the parents of seven children, all of whom are living except one: Myrtle is the wife of Leonard R. Hersh, a farmer near Broken Bow; Mary E. is the wife of Albert Blessing, a farmer near Walworth, this county ; Daisy met an accidental and tragic death by the overturning of a container of scalding water, about 1879, when she was a child ; Lil- burn F., of this review, was the next in order of birth ; Charles, who is still a bachelor, is a farmer and sheep-raiser in South Dakota : Fred is married and is a prosperous ranchman in that state ; and Albert N., who married May Waters. is likewise an exponent of agriculturai and live-stock enterprise in South Dakota.

For his second wife James L. Oxford mar- ried Ella R. Ballinger, and they became the parents of five children, all of who are living : Clay is proprietor of a meat market at Browns- ville, Oregon ; Edward and Earl are farmers in that locality : Sylvia remains at the parental home: and Flossie is the wife of an Oregon ranchman.

After having duly profited by the advan- tages of the public schools of Custer county, Lilburn F. Oxford was for one year a student in the Broken Bow Business College. It is interesting to record that the first school which he attended was that of district No. 13, and the little sod schoolhouse, constructed in 1883, was located on land belonging to his father, the first teacher in this school having been Mrs. Thomas Lampman. The first school- teacher in that vicinity, however, was Mr. A. N. Peale, who conducted a select school in fall of 1880. In 1889 the log schoolhouse mentioned was replaced by a frame structure, and this latter building was destroyed by a cyclone, in 1898, while school was in session. One pupil. Eva Fowler, was blown through a door of the building and against the school flag-pole. the injury causing her death. Other pupils were severely injured but this one was the only fatality.

After completing his youthful education Mr. Oxford was engaged in farming during one year. but at this time the inception of the Spanish-American war led him to subordinate all personal interests to the call of patriotism. and he enlisted for service in that conflict. He became a member of the First Nebraska Vol- unteer Infantry, with which he served eight- een months. In an engagement in Marilao he received a flesh wound, and he proved a loyal and efficient soldier. After having been granted his honorable discharge from military

service Mr. Oxford returned to the farm. where he continued operations for the ensu- ing two years. He then accepted the position of manager of the business of the Dierks Lumber & Coal Company at Berwyn, and he has since continued his association with this representative concern, with which he has made an admirable record. his trans- fer to the management of the company's business at Comstock having occurred in 1915. He has done much to further the success of the company's business and is known as one of the reliable, energetic and progressive busi- ness men of his native county, as well as a loyal and public-spirited citizen. He gives his political allegiance to the Republican party but has never manifested any office-seeking pro- clivities.

June 25, 1903, recorded the marriage of Mr. Oxford to Miss Madge Hersh, at St. Joseph Missouri. Mrs. Oxford is a daughter of George and Minnie ( Mc Williams ) Hersh, who came to Custer county in 1886 and purchased land four miles east of Broken Bow. Mr. and Mrs. Oxford have two children - Iola, born August 19, 1908, and Lilburn N., born April 14, 1912.

ROBERT E. WATERS, who retired from the office of county clerk of Custer county in January, 1919, was, until his election to this office, a successful farmer and stock-raiser in the vicinity of Broken Bow. He still retains his holdings, but after assuming his official duties he gave more attention to the latter than to his agricultural work. the while he showed just as marked capability as an executive as he did as a tiller of the soil. Mr. Waters was born in Clark county, Missouri. March 12. 1878, a son of George O. and Elvira ( Story ) Waters, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Missouri.

Isom Waters, the paternal grandfather of Mr. Waters, was born in Kentucky and at an carly day became a pioneer of Missouri, later moving to Custer county, Nebraska, where he passed his last years. The maternal grand- father, Greenberry Story, also was a Ken- tuckian and an early settler of Missouri, where he passed away after a career passed in farm- ing. George O. Waters was born and edu- cated in Ohio, where he was reared as a farmer, and as a young man he went to Mis- souri, where he married. In May. 1879, he came to Nebraska and homesteaded land in Custer county, continuing to be engaged in agricultural pursuits until his retirement. when he was the owner of a half-section of land. all of which had been self-gained through in-

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

dustrious labor and good business methods and judgment. He took a somewhat prominent part in public affairs, having served as deputy clerk of the district court for four and one- half years, as well as town assessor and super- visor, and having established a good record. He was known as a leader in the local ranks of the Republican party, while fraternally he became affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. He and his wife are now residents of Bakers- field, California, and they are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They became the parents of nine children, of whom six sur- vive: W. W., who is an agricultural imple- ment dealer at Broken Bow ; C. F., who is en- gaged in dealing in stock-food at Des Moines, Iowa; Robert E., subject of this review; G. H., a farmer of Bakersfield, California ; C. S., assistant .chief of police at Bakersfield ; and Elvira Mae, the wife of Albert Oxford, a stockman and farmer of Oxford, South Dakota.

A child when brought to Custer county, Robert E. Waters secured his education in the public schools of Broken Bow, and when ready to enter upon his independent career he chose farming and stock-raising as the medium for his success in the business of life. He was thus engaged when the Spanish-American war broke out, and he enlisted in Company M. First Nebraska Volunteer Infantry, which command was sent to the Philippine Islands, where he took part in three battles. Upon his return to this country he received an honor- able discharge and resumed his labors as a farmer and stockman, continuing to be so engaged until 1915, the year of his first elec- tion to the office of clerk of Custer county. His first term was decidedly satisfactory to the voters of this county, who gave him the re-election in 1917, and he continued to be known as one of his county's most capable and popular officials until normal political exigen- cies compassed his defeat for re-election in the autumn of 1918.

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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 57

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