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 99

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 99

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1892 to 1904, at the same time being post- master for six years and also having charge of the local business of the Omaha Elevator & Grain Company. When he came to Custer county, in 1890, he bought 400 acres of land at Lodi. In 1904 he moved to Oconto and established his present hardware and furni- ture business, and since April, 1917, he has been postmaster. Mr. Bridges, although thrown upon his own resources in early boy- hood, has proved a good business man, possessing perhaps a natural faculty in that direction, as is indicated by a little story he tells of the way he "turned over" his first earnings, when a little boy on the home farm. He worked at planting corn, for twenty-five cents a day, and when he had accumulated enough he bought a pocket knife, later trad- ing the same for a goat, and he then traded the goat for two pigs, which he proudly, no doubt, carried in his arms a distance of three miles to his home. This amusing story illus- trates the principle by which many a man has won affluence.

Mr. Bridges was married November 5, 1893, at Mexico, Missouri, to Miss Lena A. Far- rah, who was born at Rush Hill, that state, a daughter of William and Jane (Moffit) Far- rah, whose children were: Everett, William, Charles, Cora, Alice, Lena, and Lulu. Mr. and Mrs. Bridges have two children: Marie O., who is in school at Le Mars, Iowa ; and John A., who has attended the St. James School at Kearney, Nebraska. Mr. Bridges has been shown many marks of public con- fidence in relation to the citizenship responsi- bilities occasioned by the world war, and at the time of writing (1918) he is serving Oc- . onto as federal food commissioner, as recruit- ing officer for the army and navy and as chair- man of the four-minute speakers on patriotic subjects.

THOMAS CHRISTENSEN was born in Saunders county, Nebraska. July 22. 1875. His father, Christ Christensen, was born in Schles- wig-Holstein, which was then a province of Denmark. He came to America when a young man and secured a homestead in Saunders county, Nebraska, where he became

a successful farmer. His last days were spent at the home of his son Thomas, in Gree- ley county, where he passed away at the age of seventy-two years. The mother of our subject was Maria (Thompson) Christensen, who was born in Jutland, a province of Den- mark, and, who came to America when a young woman. She, too, resides at Merna, Custer county.

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

Thomas Christensen spent his boyhood days on a farm in Saunders county and when a young man of twenty-one years, he began farming for himself, operating his father's farm a couple of years. He then went to Greeley county and purchased 240 acres, which he improved and on which he carried on agri- cultural pursuits until eight years ago, when he came to Custer county, where he is to-day the owner of 800 acres, well improved, and devoted to diversified agriculture and stock- raising.

Mr. Christensen married Miss Anna Jen- sen, who was born in Custer county, a daugh- ter of M. C. Jensen, an early settler whose record appears on other pages of this volume. Two children have come to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Christensen, and their names are Eleanor and Thomas Pershing. The parents are members of the Lutheran church and in politics Mr. Christensen casts an independent vote. Though a resident of the county only eight years, he is fast making a place for himself as a progressive and sub- stantial citizen.

JOSEPH P. McCORMICK. - Custer county has a wealth of young farmers upon whom it can depend to maintain its well earned reputation as a county of progress and great production. This story concerns one of them.

Joseph P. McCormick was born in Poca- hontas county, Iowa, in 1873, and is a son of James and Nora (Flynn) McCormick. The father was a Canadian by birth and the mother a native of Ireland. James McCormick was a prominent member of the community in which he lived, occupied a position as road overseer, and was prominent in the affairs of the Catholic church. Concerning his children the following brief data are available: Rosa, Anna. and Mary are deceased; Mrs. Nora Harlow resides on a fruit farm in the state of Washington ; Michael and James are deceased ; Frank is a farmer in McPherson county, Ne- braska; and Joseph P., is the subject of this sketch.

On the 5th of February, 1908, was solemn- ized the marriage of Joseph P. McCormick to Miss Anna Nolan, a native of Kansas, who comes of splendid family and who has been a very dependable helpmeet in her husband's fortunes, sharing the trials and hardships in- cidental to establishing a home on a Nebraska ranch. Mr. and Mrs. McCormick became the parents of three children : Joseph died at the age of three years; Theresa is six years old ; and Violet is four years of age (1919), both

being bright little girls who add much to the joy and sunshine of the home.

The McCormick ranch consists of 760 acres, of which 158 acres are in cultivation, the rest being pasture land. The foundation of this ranch consisted of an original 160- acre homestead, to which were added 240 when the Kinkaid homestead act became effec- tive. The rest of the tract was acquired by purchase. The improvements are of first order. A new farm home has just been erected and makes a creditable showing, as well as affording convenience and comfort to the family. In his stock-raising operations Mr. McCormick inclines to the best blood ob- tainable and maintains always a high grade in his cattle production. He claims the best are the most profitable; likewise, his taste, as well as his judgment, runs to good horses, with the result that the horses found on his ranch are blocky specimens of the best types.

He owns his own farming machinery and is well equipped for extensive operations. He and his wife are highly respected in their home community, where they have a host of friends. They are faithful devotees of the Catholic church and are counted among the supporting constituency of that denomination. In politi- cal affairs Mr. McCormick generally trains with the Democratic party, but he reserves the right to exercise his own judgment.

OREL JONES, who has just completed a term of five years as a member of the Ne- braska state board of pharmacy, is the pro- prietor of a drug store at Oconto, which he has been conducting since 1910. Mr. Jones was born at Malvern, Iowa, February 6, 1877, and is a son of Norvel Jones, a Civil war veteran who now resides on the old farm which was his home, near Galesburg, Illinois, when he entered the Union army, in 1864.

Orel Jones was reared on his father's farm and attended the country schools until he was twelve years old. In 1887 he came to Madi- son county, Nebraska, and in 1893 he was graduated in the Madison high school. Dur- ing the next five years he taught school during the winters and worked on the farm in the summers, besides which he was, for a season, a clerk in a dry goods and clothing store. In 1899 he entered Highland Park College of Pharmacy, Des Moines, Iowa. and in this institution he was graduated in 1900. Subsequently, in company with his brother, Newell Jones, he bought a drug store at Madison, Nebraska, his brother having been employed in this store for four years pre- viously. The brothers conducted this store in

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

partnership for two years and then sold, New- ell Jones entering a medical school in the city of Chicago, and Orel Jones becoming a clerk in a drug store at Sheridan, Wyoming. In 1910 Mr. Jones established himself at Oconto, as above stated.

At Little Sioux, lowa, on the 6th of June, 1904, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Jones to Miss Eva P. Hope, who is a daugh- ter of William Hope. Mrs. Jones was gradu- ated in the Highland Park College of Phar- macy, as a member of the same class in which her husband was graduated, that of 1900.

WALTER M. HENDERSON. - Forty- one years ago a traveler could journey many miles over Custer county without finding even a settler's hospitable "dugout" or seeing evi- dences of farm activities, and Walter M. Hen- derson, an early pioneer here, mentions that when his parents came and located on Lillian creek, there were no houses between the home of Captain Comstock and J. L. Oxford's place - a distance of twenty miles. As habitations were few and far apart, social intercourse was not general, and with no schools and no churches, and with a natural cessation for a time of political agitation and ambitions, the very early settlers were largely thrown upon their own resources. Fortunately the coun- try settled rapidly and civilizing conditions were brought about that have continued in in- creasing volume to the present day, when Custer county takes a front rank in steady progress with all other counties in the state.

Walter M. Henderson was born in Harrison county, Missouri, January 21, 1861. His par- ents were John F. and Mary J. (Williams) Henderson, the former of whom was born at Paterson, New Jersey, and the latter in Muskingum county, Ohio. John F. Hender- son was a cooper by trade but turned his thoughts toward farming when it became pos- sible to secure a homestead in so desirable a section of the country as Custer county, Ne- braska. He came here with his family in the fall of 1877 and homesteaded on Lillian creek, but in the spring of 1879 he received an in- jury that crippled him. In 1882 he sold his interests, and afterward, until the time of his death, May 9, 1914, he lived with his son Walter M. He was widely known in the community and was highly respected. In re- ligious faith he was a Universalist, while his wife belonged to the Presbyterian church. They had five children, two of whom sur- vive: Walter M. and Frank E., the latter of whom conducts a produce market at Comstock,

the maiden name of his wife having been Martha Smith.

Walter M. Henderson was seventeen years old when he accompanied his parents to Cus- ter county. He had been well educated in the public schools of Harrison county, Missouri, and had determined to make farming his vo- cation. Four years later he secured his pres- ent homestead, which is situated in section 32. township 19, range 17, Custer county. Herc he has resided ever since, becoming financially independent through well advised methods of farming and stock-raising and being now num- bered with the county's substantial citizens. In his early political life he was a Republican and for a time he was interested in the doc- trines of the Populist party, but for a num- ber of years he has been identified, as was his father, with the Democratic party. He has never been anxious to serve in political office, although just such intelligent and trustworthy men as Mr. Henderson might well be chosen when public interests are at stake.

Mr. Henderson was married December 22, 1881, at New Helena, Nebraska, by Justice C. R. Mathews, to Miss Emma G. Greenwood, a daughter of G. B. Greenwood, of Weissert. this county. Mrs. Henderson passed away May 3. 1912. They became the parents of three children: Walter L., who is a farmer on the homestead, married Myrtle Henderson : Elmer F., who was formerly a farmer, and who is now traveling representative of the Williams-Murphy Mercantile Company. of Omaha, married Katie Applegarth ; and Ethel B. is the wife of G. H. Todd, who is a black- smith and engaged in business at Westerville, Custer county.

ROLLAND T. BAKER. - Among the men whose long and industrious careers have been devoted to agricultural pursuits and whose labors have been so well directed and ably prosecuted that they are now able to pass their declining years in the peace and comfort of retirement, one who was for thirty- seven years a farmer of Custer county and who is now a highly respected citizen of Bro- ken Bow is Rolland T. Baker. Mr. Baker was born February 15, 1849. in Jackson county, Indiana, a son of Martin and Mar- garct ( Spall) Baker and a grandson of Sam- uel Baker.

The boyhood of Rolland T. Baker was one in which he acquired a thorough education in the school of hard work and experience, for his father died when he was but nine years of age and it was necessary that he contribute

HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

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MR .. AND MRS. ROLLAND T. BAKER

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

to the family support. When he was twelve years of age he was earning his first money in the harvest fields of a neighboring farmer, and during such time as he could be spared from his duties he attended the district schools. He remained at home until he was twenty years of age and March 6, 1869, in Jennings county, Indiana, he married Margaret J. Mc- Clain, daughter of John and Elizabeth Mc- Clain. Mrs. Baker has two sisters living : Mary, the wife of George King, a Minnesota farmer, with a son and daughter ; and Anna, the wife of John Irwin, a farmer of Iroquois county, Illinois.

For several years after his marriage, Mr. Baker continued to work on the farm during the summer months and in the winter seasons entered the timber and made staves for a bar- rel factory. Thus he acquired some small capital, and in 1877 he removed to Iroquois county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming. Not securing the measure of success that he felt should reward his efforts, he decided to try his fortunes still further west, and in 1888 he came to Nebraska, settled in Custer county, and acquired a farm about ten miles west of Anselmo, on which he resided about five years. Subsequently he removed to Clear creek, north of Broken Bow, and during a long period was engaged in successful operations there, being for nine years a resident of the Brenizer ranch, He retired from active labors in March, 1917, and came to Broken Bow, where he has since lived quietly, in the enjoyment of the comforts that have rewarded his long career of indus- trions labor. During his life, through his honorable conduct and integrity, Mr. Baker has established and retained an excellent rep- utation, and his good citizenship has been exemplified in many ways. He belongs to the Modern Brotherhood of America, a fraternal organization in which he has numerous friends. As a voter he staunchly supports the principles and candidates of the Democratic party, although he has not been an office- seeker. Mr. and Mrs. Baker are consistent members of the Broken Bow Baptist church. To them have been born seven children, as follows: William Albert, a carpenter in Bro- ken Bow: Syrenus M., a farmer seven miles west of this city ; Bessie, the wife of Dr. J. D. Wilson, who is, at the time of this writing. in the medical service of the national army ; Ern- est, a farmer in Custer county ; Lillie, the wife of E. L. Tooley, a farmer of this county ; Ruby, the wife of Floyd Holcomb. a farmer and garage man who is individually mentioned on another page of this work: and Edward, who is at Camp Funston, as a member of the

Two Hundred and Tenth Engineers. at the time of the preparation of this article.

VENCEL KRIKAC. - The beautiful land of Bohemia, famed for its picturesque valleys, silvery streams, romantic mountain scenes, and its handsome, gay and music-loving people, has sent to the United States, some of its most industrious, loyal and constructive citizens, among whom, in no small degree of promin- ence, stands Vencel Krikae, of Comstock. When he arrived in this country Mr. Krikac was a youth with an ordinary education, un- learned in our language or customs, in modest circumstances, and with only his own am- bitions to aid him. It speaks much for his determination, ability and industry that to- day he is one of the leading citizens of his community, president of the Farmers and Mer- chants Bank, a prominent and successful operator in real estate, and the owner of much valuable Custer county land.

Mr. Krikae was born in Bohemia, Decem- ber 29, 1865, a son of Bartholomew and Mary ( Fiala) Krikac, natives of Bohemia. The family immigrated to the United States in 1883 and located in Valley county, Nebraska, on a homestead, where the father continued to be engaged in farming operations until his death, about the year 1896. He was a car- penter by trade, and in his native land had served two years in the army, during which service he had contracted an illness from which he never fully recovered. While car- pentry was his trade, he became a skilled farmer and raiser of stock, and if his life had been spared he would no doubt have made a success of his career. In politics he was a Democrat, and his religious, faith was that of the Catholic church, to which his widow, who resides on the homestead, also belongs. They were the parents of eight children, of whom five are living: Andrew, who is engaged in the confectionery business at Butte, Boyd county, Nebraska ; Joseph T., who follows the real-estate business at Chico, California : Frank T., who is a farmer in, Valley county, on the old family homestead; Vencel, whose name initiates this review : and Catherine, who is the wife of J. J. Waldmann, living in Val- ley county. Of the other children it may be recorded that Thomas died in Valley county. at the age of thirty years : Mary died in child- hood ; and one child died in infancy.

Vencel Krikac received his early education in the public schools of Bohemia, and was variously employed until accompanying his parents and the other children to the United States, in 1883. Here he was taught the rudi-

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

ments and principles of farming, which he adopted as a vocation, but the work was slow and hard, for he also had to learn a strange tongue and assimilate methods and customs entirely foreign to what he had known. How- ever, he proved that he was possessed of the ability to overcome these obstacles, and he steadily rose in fortune until he became the owner of a large and valuable property of his own and had a comfortable income from his operations. In 1909 he was made president of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Com- stock, in recognition of the abilities he had shown as a financier and business man, and two years later he ceased active labor as a farmer and moved to Comstock, to engage in a general real-estate, loan and insurance busi- ness, with which he has since continued to be identified. In this direction he has been un- usually successful in building up a large and important business in all departments, and his many connections with big deals have brought him to a position where he is justly ac- counted one of the leading men in his line in this part of the county. He has interested himself in matters of a civic character, and at all times has given his support to public- spirited measures, movements and enterprises.

In 1891 Mr. Krikac was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Klima, and they became the parents of five children, of whom one died in infancy: Vencel, Jr., is assistant cashier in the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Com- stock ; Miss Emma is bookkeeper in that in- stitution ; Miss Rosie is a teacher in the pub- lic schools; and Edward is attending school. ·The members of the family belong to the Catholic church.

DANIEL THOMAS. - Representing the vounger element of Custer county farmers, Daniel Thomas has already demonstrated the possession of qualities which should gain hin success, and is further adding to the reputa- tion for solidity, worth and integrity estab- lished by his pioneer father. He was born October 13, 1893, three miles from Berwyn. Custer county, and is a son of Henry J. and Catherine (McMackin) Thomas.

Mr. Thomas is one of a family of eight children, the others being: Samuel A. ; John T .; James P .: Mrs. Anna Scharnow ; Mrs. Marv Brownell; Elizabeth, who is single and resides with her parents; and Ellen, who is single and taking a nurse's course at the Gen- eral Hospital at North Platte, Nebraska.

Daniel Thomas, or "Dan" as he is famil- iarlv known, was educated in the schools of Broken Bow, and was reared amid agricul-

tural surroundings. When still a lad he was given the opportunity of earning some extra money, driving a stacker team for Judge Sulli- van. The Judge had promised him a wage of fifty cents a day, but was so pleased with the lad's work that he added twenty-five cents a day to the sum, and young Thomas thus earned eight dollars - sufficient to buy a new suit of clothes. Mr. Thomas has always fol- lowed farming, and there are few among the younger generation who have been more pro- gressive and enterprising. At the present time he is not only the owner of 160 acres of his own but also has the management of the 160 acres owned by his father, and on both of these properties he is achieving splendid results.

CLAY D. READ. - For many years the late Clay D. Read was held in high esteem in Custer county. He came here when a youth of nineteen years and until his death, Febru- ary 27, 1915, was identified with the agricul- tural development of this section, the while he was recognized as a man of sterling character and of useful and loyal citizenship. Mr. Read was born at Oxford, Johnson county, Iowa, and his parents were Charles J. and Charlotte Brown Read.

Charles J. Read, who was born in Edin- burgh, Scotland, left home when he was fif- teen years of age and entered the British army, in which he served as a soldier for three years, and subsequently he was in the Crimean war. After coming to the United States he served as a soldier in the Civil war, until it closed, and during three years of this time he was in the United States navy. For eleven years after the war he was a railroad man. He married Mrs. Charlotte Brown, who, by her first marriage had one son, Albert Brown, who is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Read had but one child, the late Clay D. Read, the sub- ject of this memoir.

Clay D. Read remained with his parents in Oxford, Iowa, and attended the public schools. He was born August 3, 1874, and in 1893 he came to Custer county, Nebraska, where he made his home during the rest of his life. He followed farm pursuits and event- ually acquired a large property, which he de- veloped and improved. He was industrious and enterprising, and was very practical withal, so that in carrying on his agricultural industries he knew how to make them profit- able.

Mr. Read was married December 25, 1902, at the home of the bride, situated four miles southwest of Oconto, Nebraska, to Miss Elva

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

O. Narragon. She is a daughter of Lyman J. and Mary E. ( Willison) Narragon. Her father was born in the state of New York and his occupation was lumbering. Her mother was born in Ohio. They were early settlers in Custer county, where they became well known and were highly respected. Mrs. Read has four brothers and two sisters, namely : Austin A., William S., Elisha L., Charles C., Mrs. Rosa A. Miller, and Mrs. Eula F. Toby. Nr. and Mrs. Read became the parents of six children - Ralph V., Leota M. (deceased). Mary O., Charles L., Florence E., and Law- rence L. The Read homestead, consisting of 265 acres and situated two and one-half miles north of Oconto, is the family home, and its industrial activities are carried on under the supervision of Mrs. Read.

ARVID GUSTAFSON, who is one of the enterprising farmers and dependable citizens of Custer county, owns an extensive, well developed property in the vicinity of Broken Bow. He was born in Sweden, March 11, 1860. In Sweden his father's name was Gustaf Bearstrom and the maiden name of his mother was Eva Samuelson. On both sides, the family is notable for marked longevity, the father, born in 1809, living to the age of ninety-four years, and the mother. born in 1823, dying at the age of ninety-two years. The father had seven children by his first marriage and three by his second. Eight of his children came to America, but all do not live in the same section. Arvid Gustafson is the only one living in Custer county. Ne- braska, but Charles and Andrew live in Lan- caster county ; Carolina Madsen lives in Kear- ney county and Clara Smith lives in Dawson county. Anna Johnson lives in Kansas, and Theda Jacobson lives in Illinois. The chil- dren were all reared in the Lutheran faith.

Arvid Gustafson was thirteen years old when he accompanied his half-brother to the United States. He had attended school in his native land and afterward had school op- portunities in both Illinois and Nebraska. In 1877, when he came first to Nebraska. he found a home at Lincoln, and in that vicinity. he at first worked on farms, but eventually he bought land. on which he resided until 1884. when he decided he could better his prospects by moving to Custer county. He came into this county with a wagon load of household goods, a span of mules and $200 in cash as the sum of his worldly wealth. and while that was a fortune when compared with the property of many other early settlers, it by no means satisfied Mr. Gustafson. He secured a home- stead of 160 acres, and through hard work and

good judgment he has added to the original farm until he now has 320 acres of fine land, together with more than merely comfortable home surroundings.

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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 99

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