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 98

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 98

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While Mr. Cameron has devoted much time and attention to his agricultural industry and land improvement, he has served the county in the capacity of school teacher, his labors

in this direction covering eight years. Mr. Cameron has accumulated a comfortable com- peteney through steady industry, for he has never, as have some of his acquaintances, been led into land or other speculation. In this connection he relates an experience of his youth that opened his eyes to the uncertainty of the "sure thing." As a boy he was obliged carefully to regulate his expenses in conso- nance with his income, and there never was any great surplus. In the hope of overcom- ing this condition, at one time he was per- suaded to invest his sole capital of five dollars in oil stock. From that time on he has never been tempted to pay any attention to the allur- ing promise of oil, land, or mining stocks. As a thinking and educated man, Mr. Cam- eron occupies an established place in public affairs, but he has accepted no political office. He votes the Republican ticket, is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a member of the Presbyterian church.

HARRY JACOBSEN, who is a substantial farmer of Custer county, owns 380 acres of some of the finest land in this part of the state, the same being located four miles east and south of Merna. He is a native of Ne- braska, and is a scion of a sterling pioneer family that was here established in the terri- torial days - about one year prior to the ad- mission of Nebraska to the Union. Mr. Jacobsen was born in Saline county, May 3, 1868, and is a son of John and Sarah ( Cooper ) Jacobsen, the former of whom was born in Ohio and the latter in Maryland. John and Sarah (Cooper) Jacobsen gained territorial pioneer distinction in Nebraska by immigrat- ing to this now opulent state in the spring of 1866. They made the overland journey from Rutland, LaSalle county, Illinois, with team and covered wagon, and they took a home- stead near the West Blue river in the north part of Saline county. There they bravely faced the problems and trials of pioneer life and there they proved valued members of the community, the while they bent their ener- gies to the reclamation and development of the frontier farm. It is worthy of record that John Jacobsen assisted in the organization of the first school district in Saline county, the same having been designated as district No. I. The name of John Jacobsen merits endur- ing place on the roster of the honored pioneers of Nebraska. He and his wife became the parents of seven children, concerning whom brief record is here offered: Lawrence E., who is a farmer near Genesee, Louisiana, has four sons ; Harry, of this review, was the next

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

JOHN CAMERON

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

in order of birth ; Frank A., who is unmarried, is a school teacher near Hammond, Louisiana, and is a member of the Episcopal church ; Ross, who is overseer of a large farm near Rutland. La Salle county, Illinois, married Susan, a daughter of George H. Fougerson, and they have on daughter: Lydia, who died in 1900, was the wife of George Willis, and they had three daughters; Paul, who lives in Louisiana, is married, and he and his wife, Maggie, have four sons and one daughter : and Frederick A., who is a carpenter and farmer, is married and has one son. The father of the above family died in 1879, and the mother subsequently married John Imhoff. Two daughters of this second marriage are living - Lillie D., and Bertha. Miss Lillie D. Imhoff became a skilled stenographer and in that capacity worked for eight years in the government agricultural department at Washington, D. C. She then became the wife of Paul Anderson, who is connected with the government printing office, and they have one son. Bertha Imhoff also is married and is the mother of four daughters, and they all live at Osyka, Mississippi.

Harry Jacobsen was eleven years old when his father died and he was largely thrown on his own resources - industrious habits and natural thrift enabling him to overcome many disadvantages. He began early to help on the farm and believes the first money he earned and received was fifteen cents a day paid him by a neighbor for plowing corn, with a double-shovel plow and one horse. Mr. Jacobsen has made farming his life work. He came to Custer county in 1906 and bought 320 acres on East Table, near Merna, and this he has developed into a fine property. His residence, on the edge of the table, is beauti- fully situated and it can be seen from a dis- tance of many miles in several directions.

Mr. Jacobsen was married April 30, 1890, in Saline county, Nebraska, to Miss Mary Elizabeth Fougerson, a daughter of George H. and Mary K. (Landon) Fougerson, and a granddaughter of Munson. Landon. Mrs. Jacobsen's father was born near Buffalo, New York, December 8, 1836, and her mother January 18, 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobsen have nine children : Edna G. is the wife of Wendell Cosner: John H., at the time of this writing, is serving his country as a soldier in France : George A., who is operating on a large ranch near Rushville, Nebraska, mar- ried Grace Mauck, a daughter of Daniel Mauck, and they have one child; Ross E. is the home farmer: Charles V. also lives at home and assists on the farm; Hazel E. was a member of the graduating class of 1918 in

the Merna high school; and Elmer E., Mil- dred. and Elsie B. are all doing well in their classes at school. The eldest daughter, Mrs. Cosner, a very talented lady, has been secre- tary of the Nebraska State Grange for five years. She was thoroughly educated along business lines and after completing a course in the Grand Island Commercial College went into the stenographic field and for some years was identified, as a stenographer, with such important business concerns as the Old Trusty Incubator Company, at Clay Center, the Broken Bow Abstract Company, and the Farmers Mercantile Company at Anselmo, Nebraska. She resides eight miles northeast of Merna, where Mr. Cosner is engaged in farming.

HERMAN BURROW, who is well known over Custer county, has carried on general farming here for many years and owns 440 acres of fine land, with a beautiful home situated three-quarters of a mile southeast of Merna. Mr. Burrow was born in Germany, August 1, 1854, and is a son of Christian and Anna ( Hebbe) Burrow. His father was born in Germany, February 12, 1809, and died September 3, 1907. His mother was born in Germany, February 20, 1812, and died April 9, 1874. They had six children, namely : William C., Christian, Gustave, Julius, Her- man, and Mrs. Christena Kruger. They were members of the Lutheran church. The father was a farmer all his life.

Herman Burrow remained with his parents in Germany until he was seventeen years old, when he came to the United States, where he has lived here ever since, and for thirty-six years he has been a resident of Custer county. He first found work on a farm near Sauk City, Wisconsin, and continued there for two years. He then went to Illinois, where for four years he worked on farms, with good wages. From Illinois he went to Osceola, Iowa, and in the fall of 1882, he came to Custer county and lo- cated two and one-half miles northwest of Merna. Through his industry in his earlier years, he is now able to live at ease, his sons taking care of the hard work, although Mr. Burrow continues general supervisor.

Mr. Burrow was married July 15, 1880, at Osceola, lowa, to Helen Thomas, a daughter of Henry and Johanna ( De Marse) Thomas, and they became the parents of three daugh- ters and two sons, as follows: Cora is the wife of Kearney G. Kellenbarger: Dorris is the wife of William Hannah ; Eunice became the wife of Claude James, who died Novem- ber 20. 1918, and she passed to eternal rest

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

only a few days later, her death having oc- rurred on the 29th of November, '1918; and Henry and Homer, conduct their father's farming operations. The surviving daugh- ters all have comfortable homes of their own. Mrs. Burrow is an excellent housekeeper and not only looks after her domestic affairs but also takes a great deal of interest in her poultry yard. The family attend the Method- ist Epicopal and Lutheran churches. Mr. Burrow has always given his political support to the Democratic party, and he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America.

WILBER M. SPEER, was possessed of two teams and the sum of seven dollars and fifty cents at the time of his arrival in Custer county, in 1889; to-day he is one of the well- to-do men of his community and a citizen who at various times has been called upon to fill public offices. His rise has not been spec- tacular, but has been steady and consistent, for his success has been gained through hard and persistent industry and not through any sudden, lucky chance or circumstance.

Mr. Speer was born at Rutland, Dane county, Wisconsin, December 20, 1861, and is a son of John D. and Sarah J. (Lockwood) Speer, the former a native of Michigan and the latter of Vermont. The father, who was a blacksmith by trade, enlisted in the Union army in 1862, and not long after his entrance into the war he was wounded in battle, and after being captured by the enemy he con- tracted black measles, his death having oc- curred on the boat that was carrying him to a southern prison camp. He was but twenty- two years of age at this time, and Wilber M. was his only child. Mrs. Speer later married Amasa J. Parker, who was a farmer of the Rutland community, and there Mrs. Parker passed away. Mr. Parker now lives at Ona- way, Iowa. They became the parents of six children, of whom four are living: Ida May, who married George Hook and lives at Whit- ing, Iowa; Mary A., who married James Hook, of the same place; Evelyn, who mar- ried Charles Waterman and resides at Onawa, Iowa; and Jay M., who is also residing at Whiting, and who is married and has a fam- ily.

Wilber M. Speer was educated in the pub- lic schools at Rutland, where he passed through the eighth grade, and at the age of sixteen years he started to learn the black- smith trade, a predilection for which he had probably inherited from his father. He spent two years and three months as an apprentice, following which he worked at his trade about

one year and he then engaged in railroad work, following that vocation for three years, dur- ing a part of which time he was employed on farms during the summer months. In 1889 he came to Custer county, with the small capital noted above, and shortly after his ar- rival he traded one of his teams for a tree- claim right. His experiences during the early days were full of excitement, and he also had his full share of difficulties and discomforts, but eventually he got a start and began to make money. He continued to be engaged in farming until 1894, when he moved to the town of Wescott and engaged in the black- smith business in an independent way. He continued the business until 1899, at which time his health failed and he was compelled to give up his trade. For one year he was in the livery business at Sargent, and then he moved to the Douglas Grove district, where he resided until 1911, having served in all the township and school offices within the inter- vening period. In 1911 he located at Com- stock, where he has since been engaged in the blacksmith business, and he now has two large and well equipped establishments, in ad- dition to which he is contemplating the erec- tion in the near future of a garage and black- smith shop, 50 by 100 feet, to be modern in every feature and department. He enjoys at present a large and prosperous trade, all of which has been attracted by his expert, ex- peditious, and reliable work.

Since coming to Comstock Mr. Speer has been prominently identified with civic matters, having served in the capacities of member of the village board and justice of the peace, and his public record is an honorable and credit- able one. He is a member of the local lodge of Odd Fellows, and Mrs. Speer belongs to the Christian church. Mr. Speer is the owner of a farm of 176 acres, near Comstock, on which his son is now carrying on extensive and profitable agricultural and stock-raising operations. On this farm Mr. Speer, several years ago, was in the business of raising race horses, but he finally retired from that line of enterprise.

In 1879 Mr. Speer was united in marriage to Miss Edna C. Warner, at Paoli, Wisconsin, and they became the parents of one son : Joseph A., who graduated in all branches from the public schools at the age of seventeen years, and is now a traveling salesman with headquarters at Butte, Montana, and he is married. Mr. Speer's first wife died, and in May, 1883, he married Miss Katie M. Owens, at Rutland, Wisconsin. Her parents, natives of Wales, were early settlers of Wis- consin, where they passed the remainder of

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their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Speer have had six children: Cora, who died in November. 1916, was the wife of Clifford I. Roth, a farmer; Percy W., who is a farmer and blacksmith of Comstock, married Eva Wood ; Elza, who is a drayman at Comstock, married Leona Goodner; John E., who is a farmer of Douglas Grove, married Alice Squier ; Frank E., who is a farmer near Comstock, married Sylvia Ohme; and Zella L. is the wife of Ira Rickett, a garage proprietor at Comstock.

CHARLES L. SMITH, of Broken Bow, has more than a local reputation as a shrewd stock-buyer, and has been a farmer and dealer in stock in this county for the last thirty years. Mr. Smith was born at Covington, Virginia, June 11, 1866. His parents, who were also born and who still live at Covington, are Josiah and Mary J. (Andrews) Smith. Of their nine children the following survive : Charles L., of this review; Wright, a resi- dent of Hot Springs, Virginia ; and Elizabeth, the wife of George Smith.

Charles L. Smith lived at home with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age, the while he worked on the farm in the sum- mer and went to school in the winter until he was sixteen years old, when he went to work in a saw mill, in connection with which he continued his labors two years. He taught school during the winter of 1886 and in the spring of 1887, he came to Custer county and went to work for his uncle, Harvey B. An- drews, near New Helena. There he learned the cattle business, in which he has met with a large measure of success. Mr. Smith is credited with the possession of an almost un- canny amount of correct conjecture when he judges a load of cattle or hogs, and this wis- dom has not only been helpful in his business but has also caused his friends to believe that it is a natural gift. In support of this theory, Mr. Smith tells the story of his earliest trad- ing exploit. He was only a boy when he earned his first money, twenty-five cents a day for four days of plowing with an ox-team. In place of cash he consented to take oats at fifty cents a bushel, and he then traded the oats for a pair of shoes worth twice as much. Without doubt the trading instinct is a gift that every dealer does not have.

Mr. Smith was married July 15, 1891, at Burwell, Nebraska, to Miss Rosa McGraw, a daughter of James and Frances ( Walker) MeGraw, and the following children have been born to them: Velma is the wife of W. E. Heaps, a farmer in Custer county, and they have three children; Zelma, who resides at

home, is a teacher ; Henrietta is the wife of Leroy Snyder, a railroad man, and they have one child; John is a Custer county farmer ; and William E., Louanna, and Aubrey remain at the parental home. The family belong to the Episcopal church. Mr. Smith is a Demo- crat in politics and is affiliated with the Ma- sonic fraternity and the Modern Woodmen of America.

LEWIS NEVE. - The agricultural inter- ests of Custer county have a worthy repre- sentative in the subject of this record, who owns and operates a valuable farm of 200 acres, on West Table.

Lewis Neve was born in Juneau county, Wisconsin, September 3, 1873. His father, Samuel Neve, was a native of England and came to America when a boy of fourteen vears. He became a farmer, and resided in Wisconsin until 1883, when he came to Cus- ter county and took a homestead on West Table, where he spent the remainder of his days, and where he passed away at the age of seventy-five years. In Wisconsin he mar- ried Roxy Ackers, a native of that state, and there she passed away. For his second wife Samuel Neve chose Miss Jane Drew, who is still a resident of Custer county.

Lewis Neve was a son by the first marriage and was reared in Wisconsin until the family came to Custer county, where he joined them in the fall of 1883. He remained in his father's home until he reached years of ma- turity, when he became a farmer, renting land for a few years. He was successful and acquired sufficient capital to justify the pur- chase of a farm of his own. His holdings consist of 200 acres, in section 27, township 18, range 23, and his land is in a high state of cultivation.

For a companion and helpmeet Mr. Neve chose Miss Laura Butler, who was born in Illinois, a daughter of Marion and Millarin Butler, who came to Custer county in 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Neve have one child, Clarence, a young man who is assisting in the operation of the farm. Both Mr. and Mrs. Neve rep- resent early families of Custer county and they are held in high esteem by all who know them.

FRED C. WARNEMUNDE, who is man- ager of the Gilcrist Lumber Company, at Oconto, Nebraska, was born at Plau, Ger- many, March 13. 1891, a son of Fred C. and Ida (Sellman) Warnemunde, the father be- ing a representative farmer near Winside.

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Wayne county, Nebraska. Of the other chil- dren in the family the following brief record is consistently entered: William is thirty- two years of age at the time of this writing, in the autumn of 1918; Erna, aged twenty-nine years, is the wife of O. Roland, of Hoskins, Wayne county ; Antonie, aged twenty-five years, is the wife of Fred Rathman, of Dal- ton, Cheyenne county ; Henry is nineteen years old ; and Erwin is a lad of fourteen years.

Fred C. Warnemunde is a somewhat recent acquisition to Custer county, coming here in 1915. He was reared in Wayne county and remained on his father's farm until he was nineteen years of age. Thus he understands all the industries connected with ranch life in Nebraska and he earned his first money by herding cattle. He has had excellent edu-

cational training and was graduated in the Fremont Business College, June 10, 1912, hav- ing earned the money to pay his tuition. After completing his business course he plowed corn for one week for his brother and then accepted work with the Nye, Schneider, Fowler Lumber & Grain Company, at Em- met, Nebraska. He continued with that con- cern until September 13, 1915, when he came to Oconto and became foreman for the F. H. Gilcrist Lumber Company. This is a large business concern that has Inmber yards in fif- teen towns in Nebraska and not only handles lumber but also machinery, and implements. Mr. Warnemunde is manager of the com- pany's business at Oconto.

December 2, 1914, at Rushville, Nebraska, Mr. Warnemunde wedded Miss Olga M. Roh- wer, a daughter of Claus Rohwer, and they have one son, Fred E.

JOSEPH D. KENNEDY, who is cashier of the Oconto State Bank, at Oconto, this county, has been identified with this financial institution since coming here, in 1910, and is held in high esteem in banking circles over the state. Mr. Kennedy was born at Osceola, Iowa, October 15, 1867, and is a son of Ed- win R. Kennedy.

The Oconto State Bank was founded in 1903, with a capital of $5,000, the first officers being: M. F. Paul, of St. Paul, Nebraska, president ; George Mary, vice-president ; and S. A. Robinson, cashier. Banking was car- ried on at first in a building which was the only available one at the time and the dimen- sions of which were sixteen by twenty-four feet. The banking company leased quarters here, but as it was also the court room of T. B. Buckner, justice of the peace, it was some- times necessary for the bank to suspend busi-

ness while the judge held court. In the fol- lowing year, however, a bank building was erected, with dimensions of twenty-four by forty-two feet. As the bank became a flour- ishing institution, changes came about and greater expansion ensued, and on June 15, 1910, the bank was reorganized and the capi- tal stock increased to $25,000, a paid in capi- tal, with surplus of $5,000. The present bank officials are: G. E. Stuckey, president ; George Mary, vice-president ; Joseph D. Ken- nedy, cashier ; and George Mary, Jr., assistant cashier. All deposits in this bank are pro- tected by the depositors' guaranty fund of the state of Nebraska, there being a law which provides that deposits in the state banks of Nebraska shall be protected by the de- positors' guaranty fund of the state of Ne- braska, which fund the state of Nebraska shall levy and collect from the state banks of the state. This is called the Nebraska guar- anty law. The bank at present is housed in a spacious new building that was erected in 1913. . It is of brick construction, with di- mensions of twenty-four and one-half by fifty-eight feet, and with every modern com- fort, convenience and bank appliance, its cost having been $7,200. The old frame building, which was moved to the north side of the lot, was for a time used as a postoffice building, and it is now utilized as the township hall.

Mr. Kennedy was married August 19, 1892, at Lexington, Nebraska, to Miss Mamie E., a daughter of Thomas Watkinson.

EVENS BARRETT. - Among the suc- cessful farmers of Custer county is Evens Barrett, who was born in Montgomery county, Iowa, September 14, 1872. His father, Hercules Barrett, was born in Eng- land and when a young man came to the United States. In Jackson county, Iowa, Hercules Barrett married Miss Julia Kinsey, a native of that county. They later moved to Montgomery county, Iowa, where they re- sided until 1891, when they came to Custer county, Nebraska, and purchased the farm on which they spent their remaining days, the father having been one of Custer county's successful agriculturists and at his death hav- ing been the owner of 320 acres of land. They had a family of seven children: The eldest, Frank, is deceased; John resides in Custer county ; Evens is the subject of this record ; Hulda is the wife of James Butler, of Montana : Henry and Sylvester remain in Custer county ; and Susan is the wife of Carl Fitz, of this county.

Evens Barrett was reared in his native state

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and was nineteen years of age when he ac- companied his parents to Custer county. When twenty-two years old he began an in- dependent career. After working for others for three years he engaged in farming on his own account. Fourteen years ago he pur- chased his present farm, which at that time was but slightly improved, having a sod house, etc. To-day the place is improved with good buildings, and the air of neatness which pervades the premises bespeaks the progressive spirit of the owner.

Mr. Barrett chose for a wife and helpmeet Miss Anna Butler, who was born in Illinois, a daughter of Martin and Anna (Huffman) Butler, early settlers of Custer county. Mr. and Mrs. Barrett have one child, a son named Lloyd, who assists in the operation of the farm, and who was registered for military service at the time when the great world war came to a close.

The family are members of the Christian church and in politics Mr. Barrett is a Re- publican. By diligence and progressive methods Mr. Barrett has made a success of agriculture and is one of the substantial men of his community.

JOHN T. BRIDGES, who is postmaster at Oconto, is a leading business man of this place and is one of Custer county's dependable and patriotic citizens. Mr. Bridges was born at Ramsey, Illinois, April 16, 1863. His par- ents were James I. and Sarah J. (Sturgeon) Bridges, and his maternal grandfather was Simpson Sturgeon. James I. Bridges was born near Louisville, Kentucky, and in later life removed to Illinois. Here he married Sarah J. Sturgeon and the following children were born to them: Mrs. Ellen Wear, Will- iam T., John T., Edward F., Mrs. Minnie Van Schick, Isaac T., Eugene H., and Mrs. Ida Smith.

John T. Bridges may justly be called a self- made man. He left the parental roof when he was about twelve years old, and from that time on he provided for his own necessities and showed good judgment in making bar- gains with his employers, mostly farmers in his carlier career, as he was able to attend school in winter and even secured high-school training. He also learned the art of teleg- raphy, and in 1884 he worked as a telegrapher for the Clover Leaf Railroad, in Illinois. From 1888 to 1890 he was in the service of the Rock Island Railroad, in Kansas, and after telegraphic work at different points on the Black Hills branch of the Union Pacific Rail- road, he was agent at Lodi, Nebraska, from

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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 98

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