History of Gage County, Nebraska; a narrative of the past, with special emphasis upon the pioneer period of the county's history, its social, commercial, educational, religious, and civic development from the early days to the present time, Part 111

Author: Dobbs, Hugh Jackson, 1849-
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Publishing and Engraving Company
Number of Pages: 1120

USA > Nebraska > Gage County > History of Gage County, Nebraska; a narrative of the past, with special emphasis upon the pioneer period of the county's history, its social, commercial, educational, religious, and civic development from the early days to the present time > Part 111

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CHRISTIANAS L. HUTCHINSON. - Industry and intelligently directed effort in past years make it possible for the subject of this record to live retired, surrounded by all the necessities and many of the comforts and luxuries of life. A native of Pennsylvania, Christianas Lupardus Hutchinson was born in Berks county, June 5, 1854, a son of John S. and Sarah (Van Hart) Hutchinson. John S. Hutchinson, who was a native of New York state and of English parentage, was left an orphan when a child. He grew to manhood in his native state and as a young man he mar- ried Miss Sarah Van Hart, who was born in New Jersey of Holland Dutch descent. In 1856 Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson immigrated to Illinois and settled in Champaign county, where he became a successful farmer and where both he and his wife both passed the re- mainder of their lives.

Christianas L. Hutchinson grew to manhood in Illinois, attended district school and under the instructions of his father learned the best methods of agriculture. In his native county Mr. Hutchinson married Miss Anna Johnston, who was born in Illinois and who is a daugh- ter of Hale and Lucy Johnston, the former born in New Hampshire and the latter a native of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston were early settlers in Champaign county, Illinois, and both have passed to the life eternal. Mr. Hutchin- son was engaged in farming in Illinois until 1888, when he came with his family to Gage county, Nebraska. Here, in 1885, he had pur- chased two hundred and forty acres of land, in Paddock township. This land was partially improved and he went to building, plow- ing and planting, - a sturdy exponent of civic and industrial progress. He devoted his time

and energy to making his one of the finely im- proved farms of the township, and there re- mained until his removal to the village of Odell. For the past twelve years Mr. Hutchin- son has lived a retired life, but had his "girls been boys" he would probably still be on the farm. The family occupy a comfortable home in Odell. Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson have two daughters - Ella May, at home, and Anna Belle, wife of Howard Drake, a farmer in Paddock township.

Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson attend the Meth- odist church, though their religious beliefs coincide with the teachings of the Presbyterian church. In politics Mr. Hutchinson is a Re- publican and he has served efficiently as a member of the town council and the school board.

With no special advantages except ambition and a desire to succeed, and coming to this county when his possessions consisted of a team of horses and four hundred dollars in money, the passing years have brought suc- cess to Mr. Hutchinson and for thirty years he has been a valuable and valued member of his community.

LON W. EPARD has been a resident of Gage county since he was a youth of twenty years and for the past twenty-two years he has resided on his present fine homestead farm of one hundred and sixty acres, in Section 9, Logan township. He was born in Clark county, Ohio, December 9, 1861, and is a son of Simon and Thurzy Jane (Anderson) Epard, both of whom were born and reared in the old Buckeye state, whence they came to Gage county in 1880, the father having for years thereafter been engaged in farming in Logan township, and having finally removed to the state of Kansas, both he and his wife being now venerable residents of Colby, that state, - the former having attained to the age of eighty-five years (1918) and his wife being about one year his junior.

Lon W. Epard was reared on the old home farm in Ohio, where he acquired his early education in the public schools, and after com- ing with his parents to Gage county he assisted

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his father in the work and management of the latter's farm until he initiated his independent career as a farmer. He follows the even tenor of his way as a substantial farmer in Logan township and he and his wife are held in high esteem in the community. In addition to his home farm he is the owner of a recently ac- quired farm of one hundred and twenty acres, Logan township. Mr. Epard is aligned with the Democratic party and he served ten years as a member of the school board of his dis- trict.

In 1888 Mr. Epard married Miss Ida N. Mumford, who was born and reared in Logan township and who is a daughter of John B. Mumford, of whom personal mention is made elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Epard have one son, J. B., who was named in honor of his maternal grandfather and who lacked but four days of being eligible for the second draft made in the recruiting of American sol- diers for the great European war in which the nation has become involved.

IRA N. PICKETT, M. D., is a pioneer phy- sician of Gage county, and one who is posses- sed of those reliable qualities and faithful de- votion to duty that make for benignant service to humanity. He has endeared himself to the people of his community and he has also es- tablished an enviable reputation among his professional confreres in the state.

Dr. Pickett's ancestors were natives of France and the name was originally spelled Piquette. Because of religious persecutions, the family immigrated to England and in the early part of the seventeenth century repre- sentatives of the name came to America and settled in North Carolina. William Pickett, father of Dr. Ira N. Pickett, was born in North Carolina and there married Miss Cyrene Cook, also a native of that state. They later became residents of Hamilton county, Indi- ana, where Mr. Pickett engaged in farming.

Dr. Ira N. Pickett was born in Indiana, June 20, 1852, and when he was but three years of age his father and mother both passed away, their deaths occurring only three months apart. One of the Doctor's earliest recollec-

tions was that of his father holding him to the window to show him something in an apple tree. The dogs had treed a coon and his father was calling his attention to it. On a recent visit to the old home place the Doctor ate apples from this same tree, which had been bearing for more than sixty years.

Dr. Pickett received a common-school educa- tion in Indiana and attended Whittier Acad- emy, at Salem, Henry county, Iowa. He be- gan the study of medicine at Red Oak, Iowa, and later returned to Indiana and entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Thorn- town, that state, from which institution he was graduated. Dr. Pickett went with the early immigration into Stafford county, Kansas, and established himself for the practice of medi- cine on that western frontier, in what was afterward called Stafford county, his advent there being before county organization was cffected. In the fall of 1880 Dr. Pickett re- turned to Red Oak, Iowa, where he remained until the spring of 1883, when he sought a lo- cation in Nebraska. He went as far as Grand Island on the Union Pacific Railroad, but find- ing no suitable location he turned his course toward southeastern Nebraska. At Lincoln, while waiting for a train, the Doctor was ac- costed by a man who inquired his business, and upon being told he was a physician looking for a location, he was advised by the gentleman to come to Gage county and open an office in the new town of Filley. This gentleman was Elijah Filley, who had that day made the trip to Lincoln for the purpose of filing papers for the establishment of the town which bears his name. The young physician accompanied his newly found friend home and for three years practiced medicine at Filley, the while he boarded at the home of the founder of the town. In the spring of 1886 Dr. Pickett es- tablished himself at Odell, Nebraska, where he has devoted himself to the practice of his profession, through the medium of which he has endeared himself to the people of the com- munity. Here the Doctor has for the past thirty years served his people with ability, loy- alty and untiring devotion to duty.

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HISTORY OF GAGE COUNTY, NEBRASKA

Dr. Pickett was united in marriage to Mrs. Minnie Colby, of Ridout, Illinois.

Dr. Pickett was reared in the faith of the Society of Friends, and while no organiza- tion of that faith exists at Odell, he has never seen fit to change his affiliations. In politics the principles of the "Bull Moose" wing of the Republican party have his endorsement. Since its organization, ten years ago, Dr. Pickett has been a member of the Gage County Board of Health. Various business enterprises have profited by Dr. Pickett's co-operation and sup- port, and they have had to do with the up- building of the town. Among these are the Odell Vinegar Company, of which he was president for several years. He was one of the promoters and has been a director in the Odell Lumber Company. In strictly profes- sional lines the Doctor is affiliated with the American Medical Association, the Missouri Valley Medical Society, the Nebraska State Medical Society, of which he was president in 1913, and at the present time (1918) he is serving as president of the Gage County Medi- cal Society. Fraternally Dr. Pickett is a Ma- son and at one time he was worshipful master of the Odell Lodge of Ancient Free & Ac- cepted Masons.

In all things that have had to do with the moral, educational and material uplift and ad- vancement of Gage county, Dr. Pickett has given hearty support. Only three men are now in business in the town of Odell who were here at the time Dr. Pickett arrived, more than thirty-two years ago. All these years he has been popular with his townsmen, both as a physician and as a citizen.

PAUL F. MOSELEY is one who can claim Gage county as the place of his nativity, his birth having occurred in Paddock township, March 15, 1888. He is a son of Frank Mose- ley, of whom a memoir appears elsewhere in this volume. Reared on his father's farm, Paul F. Moseley spent his boyhood days be- tween his studies in the district school and his father's home, where as a boy he assisted in the lighter duties connected with the operation of a large farm. As his strength increased he

assumed more largely the heavier duties, and thus when he reached young manhood he was so well versed in the best methods of tilling the soil and planting and harvesting crops that he was admirably fortified when he became a farmer on his own account. He is to-day op- erating a farm of four hundred acres belong- ing to his father-in-law, and is the owner of eighty acres adjoining this tract. Aside front planting those cereals best adapted to the soil and climate he also raises stock of all kinds, making a specialty of breeding and raising pure-bred Short-horn cattle, and having at the time of this writing thirty head of registered animals on the place. Both branches of his business are bringing him good returns.

Mr. Mosely married Miss Martha Taylor, who was born in Gage county, and who is a daughter of Sherman Taylor, her father being individually represented on other pages of this history. Mr. and Mrs. Moseley belong to the younger generation of Gage county's citi- zens, both are natives of the county and both belong to pioneer families which have done much to bring about the county's development along every line of industry. Mrs. Moseley is a member of the Methodist church at Wy- more and her husband is serving the third year as a member of the school board of his, district.

TOBE PABEN was born in Hanover, Ger- many, November 13, 1853. His parents were Henry and Mary (Gerdes) Paben. When he was but ten years old his father died, and the lad was thrown on his own resources. Later his mother remarried; and after the death of her second husband, Wert Buss, she and her son came alone to this country, settling in Adams county, Illinois. Here the mother died.

Mr. Paben was only fourteen years of age at the time of his arrival in America, but he at once started to work on a farm, in which employment he continued until 1873, when he joined the United States Regular Army, serv- ing until 1878, in Texas and New Mexico, and fighting in the Indian wars. He completed his enlistment with credit and was given an honorable discharge. Having thus given his

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HISTORY OF GAGE COUNTY, NEBRASKA

service to his country, he returned to his home in Illinois, where he operated a rented farm for two years. Then, feeling that urge which has prompted men to leave old countries for new and which is the moving cause of emigra- tion from older settlements to newer, he came to Nebraska, and took up a homestead in Chey- enne county. He first lived, as nearly all of the other settlers did, in a sod house, and this was later replaced by one of stone, showing clearly how the new country changed quickly from a group of crude settlements into a well ordered farming district. Ten years later, in 1890, he drove with a team to Lawrence, Mis- souri, where he remained for three years. From there he drove to Bates county, Missouri, and after remaining there for three years he went to Lyons, Kansas. He lived there for seven years, and then returned to Nebraska, settling this time in Logan township, Gage county. Here he owns, in Section 15, a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres of well cultivated land, improved with the good buildings typi- cal of our best farms. He has served since residing here as a member of the school board, and for the past seven years has been township treasurer.

Mr. Paben married Marie Flessner, a native of Hanover, Germany, and she is now de- ceased. Four children were born of this mar- riage, three of whom are living in Gage county, Nebraska: Henry, who is not mar- ried; Maria, who is married; Frank, who is married and resides in Beatrice. The place of abode of Menne, the other child, is not at present known by his father. For his second wife Mr. Paben married Engel (Flessner) Johnson, who although bearing the same name as his former wife was in no way related to her. She is a native of Germany and came to this country when nine years of age, with her parents, Gerhard and Hannah Flessner. They too settled in Adams county, Illinois : her father is still living, aged eighty-seven years. By a former marriage, with Benjamin Johnson, Mrs. Paben became the mother of three children, two of whom are living: Wert, who is married and resides in Gage county, and Lena, who is married and resides in

Lyons, Kansas; Hannah, is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Paben have a family of six children, all but one of whom reside in Gage county : Misses Anna and Tena, are at home; Ekie, who is married, is also at the parental home; George, who is married, and Bertha, who is married, both reside in Gage county; and Sena, who is married, resides in Lancaster county. The family are members of the Lutheran church.

It can appropriately be said of Mr. Paben that he is one of the great "world's vanguard," for he has been in many parts of the country when in their frontier stage, has shared with other pioneers the hardships which beset the settlers of western Nebraska in the early '80s, and has done his part in making Nebraska a better country for those who will come after him.

CHRISTIAN HAVERLAND. - The life record of Christian Haverland exemplifies what may be accomplished by industry and perseverance and will serve as an inspiration for those who are willing to work, to apply themselves industriously and to improve their opportunities.

The subject of this memoir was born in Germany, June 22, 1836, and there made his home until 1869, when he decided to seek a home in America. December 26, 1855, he married Miss Dora Brower, and, after a voy- age of fourteen days on the steamship "Ger- many" they landed in New York city on the 10th of June. They immediately started for Illinois, arriving in Woodford county on the 15th of the same month. During the first year he worked on the railroad by the month and engaged in such other work as would se- cure him an honest livelihood. He then rent- ed land and engaged in farming. He remained in that county until 1881, when he came to Gage county, Nebraska, and rented land in Riverside township, where he lived five years. He then removed to Sicily township where he had bought land three years previously and where he spent the remainder of his days. his death having occurred October 31, 1916. The wife he married .in Germany and who

HISTORY OF GAGE COUNTY, NEBRASKA

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CHRISTIAN HAVERLAND

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HISTORY OF GAGE COUNTY, NEBRASKA

accompanied him to America passed away in Wood ford county, Illinois, in December, 1874, and in December, 1875, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Elizabeth Sherling. Of the first marriage two children, Emma and William, were born in Germany and Louis was born in Illinois. These three children still make their home on the farm in Sicily township. To the second marriage were born three children: Herman resides in Burbank, California; Min- nie is a resident of Lincoln, Nebraska; and Frederick died at the age of twenty-six years.

When Mr. Haverland arrived in America his possessions in worldly goods consisted of one hundred and fifty dollars in money, but he was possessed of sterling integrity and a determination to win, with the result that he made a success of life. He was a good Christian man and loyal citizen. Pioneer con- ditions still existed in Gage county when he came here and he did his full share to help make it a better place in which to live. Three children, unmarried, still continue to make their home on the farm where the father spent so many years and they are not only ap- preciative of the fact that he left them a splendid property and home, but also cherish his memory and hold in loving remembrance the name of one who commanded the respect and unqualified esteem of all who knew him. His sons and daughters to-day occupy an en- viable place in the community. The two sons in Gage county carry on their agricultural pursuits and continue in the noble line of productive endeavor followed so earnestly and effectively by their honored father.

HENRY KRUEGER belongs to that ster- ling and industrious class of citizens which Germany has furnished to the United States, his birth having occurred in the Province of Hanover, Germany, March 10, 1853, and his parents, Christ and Margaret Krueger, having spent their entire lives in their native land. When a young man of eighteen years Henry Krueger came to the United States, and his first American experience was gained during sixteen months passed on a farm at Downer's Grove, near Chicago, Illinois. He then came

to Kansas and worked on a farm near Han- over, in Washington county. Carefully sav- ing his earnings, he finally was able to pur- chase one hundred and seventy-five acres in Glenwood township, Gage county, Nebraska, just outside the corporate limits of Odell. Here he was successfully engaged in farming for several years. Six years ago he purchased two hundred and forty acres in the same town- ship, and here he now makes his home. He is the owner of four hundred and fifteen acres of land, and this statement indicates the pros- perity that has come to him, and that entirely through the earnest efforts and careful man- agement of himself and his good wife.

Mr. Krueger married Miss Caroline Shatta, who is a native of Marshall county, Kansas, and of German descent. Concerning their children the following record is given: Katie is the wife of Henry Bachhouse, of Horton, Kansas ; Lena, is the wife of Howard Avey, of Beatrice, Nebraska; Henry is a farmer in Glenwood township; Lizzie, is the wife of Fay Phillips, a farmer in Paddock township; and Dora, Fred, John, Tracy, Frank, and Jesse are all at home. The family attend the Chris- tian church. In politics Mr. Krueger is a Democrat. He has no reason to regret coming to America, for here he has found an oppor- tunity the old world could not offer, and has been a very successful man.

HERBERT R. RUYLE, whose pleasant home is at 1518 Elk street in the city of Bea- trice, is a representative of one of the well known families of Gage county and on other pages of this publication is given adequate record concerning the family history, these data appearing in the memoir dedicated to his father, the late William H. Ruyle.

He whose name initiates this sketch has won high reputation through his service as a public auctioneer, and has conducted innumerable auction sales throughout this section of the state. He was born in Logan township, this county, on the 23d of March, 1885, and was reared to manhood on his father's farm in Gage county, Nebraska, his common schoot education having been supplemented by a

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course in a business college in Beatrice, and a course in agriculture at the University of Ne- braska. His independent activities as a farmer were initiated in this county and were continued four years, at the expiration of which he went to Franklin county, where he engaged in the buying and shipping of live stock and also in farm auctioneering. His facility as an expert auctioneer has substantial basis, for in 1907 he was graduated in the Jones Auctioneering College, in the city of Chicago. Mr. Ruyle continued his residence in Franklin county until October, 1915, when he established his residence in the city of Be- atrice.

February 16, 1907, recorded the marriage of Mr. Ruyle to Miss Ina A. Jeffries, who was born at Springfield, Illinois, on the 4th of June, 1886, a daughter of William B. and Martha (Lester) Jeffries, natives respectively of Tennessee and Illinois, in which latter state their marriage was solemnized, and whence they came to Nebraska and settled in Gage county in 1886, their home at the present time being on a farm a few miles east of Beatrice. Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Jeffries the eldest is Edith, who is the wife of Earl Wright, of Peru, this state; Mrs. Ruyle was the next in order of birth; William E. is a farmer in Rockford township; Lillie E. is the wife of Thomas Dunn, of the same township; and Frances remains at the parental home. Mr. and Mrs. Ruyle have four children: Edna E., Everett H., Jeanette I. and Martha L.

In politics Mr. Ruyle is numbered among the loyal supporters of the cause of the Demo- cratic party and he and his wife are members of the Centenary Methodist Epicopal church in Beatrice. In addition to his substantial auctioneering business Mr. Ruyle is the owner of a well improved farm, in Rockford town- ship.

OLIVER C. MUMFORD, whose home- stead farm, an integral part of the undivided family estate, is situated in Section 4, Logan township, is one of the vigorous and popular young representatives of farm enterprise in his native county, adequate record concerning the

family history being given on other pages of this publication, - in the sketch of the career of G. L. Mumford.

Oliver C. Mumford was born in Logan township, on the 26th of August, 1887, and was reared to the benignant discipline of the farm, the while he made proper use of the ad- vantages of the public schools of his home township. His entire adult career has been marked by consecutive association with farm enterprise on land comprising a part of the estate of his father, and in his progressive op- erations as an agriculturist and stock-grower he now utilizes an adequate area of land. Mr. Mumford is a fancier of fine horses and is the owner of a standard-bred horse to which he has given the name of "Fred Hill," this animal having made a turf record of 191/4; the horse was sired by "Milton Cook," and its dam was "Alice Hill." Mr. Mumford takes deep inter- est in all things touching the wellbeing of the county in which he was born and reared and with the history of which the family name has been worthily linked since the early pioneer days. In politics he gives his allegiance to the Democratic party.

January 22, 1913, recorded the marriage of Mr. Mumford to Miss Ginevra Nietman, who was born in the city of Beatrice, this county, a daughter of Henry and Minnie (Jens) Niet- man, both of whom were born in Germany and both of whom were children at the time of the immigration of the respective families to the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Neitman came to Gage county in the '80s and she is now deceased, Mr. Nietman being now retired from active business and still retaining his residence at Beatrice. Mr. and Mrs. Mumford have a winsome little daughter, Kathryn Loraine, wh) was born December 23, 1914. Mr. Mumford is affiliated with the Fraternal Order of Eagles and his wife is a member of the Lutheran church.

STEPHEN A. SMITH, - Since the pio- neer days the subject of this review has been a resident of Gage county and not only has he been witness of the changes that have taken place but has also, for forty-eight years, beer

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an active force in bringing about our present day development.

Stephen Allen Smith was born in McMinn county, Tennessee, March 17, 1845, and is the son of Elijah S. and Mary J. (Winton) Smith, the former a native of North Carolina and of English descent, the latter born in Tennessee, in which state they were married April 4, 1844. In 1849 they moved to Illinois and became pio- neer settlers of McDonough county, where Elijah S. Smith achieved substantial success as a farmer. They spent the remainder of their lives in this county, living retired in later years at Goodhope, Illinois, where they both passed away.

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History of Gage County, Nebraska; a narrative of the past, with special emphasis upon the pioneer period of the county's history, its social, commercial, educational, religious, and civic development from the early days to the present time, Part 111

Author: Dobbs, Hugh Jackson, 1849- Publication date: 1918 Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Publishing and Engraving Company Number of Pages: 1120

Author: Dobbs, Hugh Jackson, 1849-
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Publishing and Engraving Company
Number of Pages: 1120