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 147

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 147

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erty. His son proved up on the land by com- plying with the law in regard to duration of abode on the property.

George Kriter was united in marriage to Barbara Erb, who likewise was born in Al- sace-Lorraine and who had come to America with her parents when a child. She had the experience of being left alone with a family of children while her husband was with the army at the front. She shared with him the hardships of the early pioneer days, aided in establishing their home, and became one of Gage county's pioneer women. Here she re- sided until the time of her death, at the age of forty-nine years. For many years Mrs. Kriter and her husband were members of the Lutheran church, but before her death she joined the Methodist church. Mr. and Mrs. Kriter were the parents of seven children, as follows : Frederick D .; Emma, wife of A. N. Horn, of Emporia, Kansas; Lena, wife of Daniel Wagner, of Quincy, Kansas; Edith, deceased wife of Thomas Bloomfield ; Charles, who died at the age of twenty-four years ; George, of Oklahoma; and Mary, wife of E. C. Marks, of Emporia, Kansas.

Frederick D. Kriter accompanied his par- ents on their several removals and was a young man of twenty when they came to Gage county. At the age of twenty-one he found employment with the Union Pacific Railroad for about three months, and he then became a member of a construction crew engaged in building the Burlington Railroad. He was one of the gang who, on that memorable Sun- day, drove the last spike of the line extending the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad from the Missouri river to Denver, Colorado. After two years of this work Mr. Kriter pur- chased eighty acres in Section 11, Paddock township, adjoining his father's farm. For thirty-five years he has been one of the suc- cessful farmers of the township. After the death of his parents he purchased the interest of the other heirs and became the owner of the old home place. This he further im- proved, and the present buildings have all been erected by him, replacing the humbler ones erected by his father. Mr. Kriter is to-day

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the owner of five hundred and twenty acres of valuable land, which places him among the men of affluence in his adopted county.

For companion and helpmate Mr. Kriter chose Miss Lillie Baughman, who was born at Effingham, Illinois, a daughter of Philip and Jemima Baughman, now deceased. To this union seven children were born: Nellie is the wife of Frank Fulton, of Wymore, this county ; George, Minnie, and Luella are at home; Elsie is the wife of Earl Slocum, of Diller, Nebraska; and Fred and Jesse are at the parental home. Mr. and Mrs. Kriter are members of the Methodist church and in politics Mr. Kriter is a Republican. He has served fourteen years as member of the school board of his district, and has filled also the position of road overseer. At Wymore he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, including the adjunct organization, the Daughters of Rebekah, and also of the Knights & Ladies of Security. By industry and careful management Mr. Kriter has achieved success, and his support for a worthy cause can always be relied upon.

RICHMOND KIVETT. - One of the earliest settlers of Gage county was Richmond Kivett, who was called from his labors March 6, 1880. In the year 1867 Mr. and Mrs. Rich- mond Kivett came to Gage county and settled on a homestead in Section 24, Liberty town- ship, and Mrs. Kivett has continuously made her home upon this same land since those far- away pioneer days.

Richmond Kivett was born May 16, 1834, in Tennessee, and August 24, 1856, he mar- ried Miss Nancy Johnson, who is a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Sharp) Johnson, the former born in Georgia Purchase and the latter in Tennessee. They farmed in Tennes- see, where were born their children, three of whom ar living - Mrs. Kivett, the widow of the subject of this memoir; William H., re- tired and living in Missouri; and Elizabeth, the widow of Joseph Vittoe, residing in Colo- rado.

For some time prior to establishing his home in Gage county Richmond Kivett farmed

in Tennessee, where he also operated a saw mill. He came with his family to Gage county and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres in Liberty township. His sons and daughters grew to maturity upon Gage county soil, par- ticipating in the young life and duties of their associates. They are as follows: Milton and Alvis, who are at home, operating the farm for their mother, are not married; Rosanna is the wife of E. H. Lynch, residing in Ore- gon; Rhoda is the wife of L. S. Dalton, a farmer of Randolph, Nebraska; Nathaniel C. is a large cattle man of Austin, Nevada ; Henry Sherman is a farmer near Freedom, Nebraska; Bertha E. is the wife of I. M. Fisher, residing near Liberty, Gage county ; and Nathan R. is a cigar maker at Wilber, Saline county.

Richmond Kivett added to his land holdings as the years of his residence in Gage county increased, and at the time of his death he owned one hundred and sixty acres of land. He was a Republican in politics and was a man who was loved by all his neighbors and friends. He did not live to see the progress that time has made in the county, but his sons have taken the burden where he laid it aside and have continued to add to the material and civic wealth of the county. They have re- placed the crude sod house with a home of substantial proportions and conveniences and have provided the other necessary farm build- ings, to accommodate their growing herds of cattle and their productions of wheat and corn. Their mother, with the days of youth gone by and the sunset side of life still so bright and joyous, is still their housekeeper, still their guide and counselor. For over a half century she has made Gage county her home, her interests have been tangibly con- nected with the interests of the county and she has always taken a keen interest in all of its affairs.

HARRY H. DARNER. - One of the suc- cessful farmers of Island Grove township is the subject of this record and he has been a resident of Gage county for thirty-four years.

Harry H. Darner was born in Washington

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HISTORY OF GAGE COUNTY, NEBRASKA

county, Iowa, December 6, 1858, a son of An- drew and Jane (Haywood) Darner. The father was a native of the Buckeye state, born near Zenia, Ohio, April 17, 1817, while the birth of the mother occurred in New Jersey, December 13, 1817. They were united in marriage in Ohio and became residents of Washington county, Iowa, in 1848. In early life Mr. Darner was a carpenter, and he worked at that trade until 1861, when he pur- chased a farm and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. In 1884 he came to Nebraska, establishing his home at Blue Springs, Gage county. He passed away at the home of his son Harry H., November 14, 1900. The mother was called to her final rest June 9, 1897. They were members of the Baptist church and in politics he was a Demo- crat. He was a successful man and was self- made. Of the eight children four are living : Amelia is the wife of Robert A. Wilson, of Blue Springs ; Sarah is the wife of J. F. Rob- ertson, a government inspector, residing at South Omaha ; Charles J. is a farmer in Clay county, Kansas ; and Harry H. is the subject of this sketch.

Harry H. Darner was reared on a farm in his native county, attended the district schools and became a farmer. In 1884 he came to Gage county, and at Blue Springs he found employment as a teamster. He finally pur- chased eighty acres of land in Island Grove township, his resources being at such a low ebb that he was obliged to buy on time. By industry and good management he has suc- ceeded in making his tract one of the valuable farms of the township. He has erected excel- lent buildings and made other good improve- ments and is engaged in general farming. He has extended the area of his acreage by an additional purchase and is now the owner oi a quarter-section of land.

February 25, 1899, Mr. Darner was united in marriage to Miss Lena Sandritter, a daugh- ter of Henry and Margaret (Yetter) Sand- ritter, natives of Germany, who came to Gage county in 1868 and took up a homestead in Blakely township: a number of years later they moved to Blue Springs, where their last

days were spent. Mr. Sandritter was born in Waldolph, Baden, Germany, May 17, 1830. He came to America in 1854 and resided in Illinois until coming to Nebraska. He was a stone mason by trade and among other struc- tures in Gage county which he helped to build is the Burwood hotel at Beatrice. In 1861, at Peoria, Illinois, he enlisted for service in the Civil war, and he rendered valiant aid as a soldier of the Union until 1865. He died at Blue Springs, November 6, 1903. His wife was born at Volmervelen, Germany, in 1837, and passed away November 17, 1913.

Mr. and Mrs. Darner have two children: Mabel is the wife of R. L. Ernhart, a farmer of Island Grove township, and they have three children : Neva, Hope, and Wayne. Pearl L. is the wife of L. W. Hinnenkamp and is the mother of one child, Neta.

Mr. Darner and his family are members of the Evangelical church and in politics he is a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Darner were the first members of the Zion church and in the same he was class leader for many years. He is one of the trustees of the church and has thus served from the time of its organization. The year after he moved to the farm Mr. Darner helped to build the "Union Hall," an old landmark of Island Grove township. Fra- ternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has efficiently served as justice of the peace, assessor, and member of the school board, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart champion. Progressive in citizenship, he has rendered valuable service in all movements for the pub- lic good and he and his family are held in the highest of esteem by all who know them.

JOSEPH BURES is a progressive young farmer of Glenwood township and by inde- fatigable industry and faithfulness to his work he has risen to a prominent place in the agricultural circles of his township. Mr. Bures is a son of Frank and Anna (Nespor) Bures, who was born, reared and educated in Bohemia, their married life commencing in the homeland, in 1856. In 1861 they left their native land, filled with ambition to better their

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HISTORY OF GAGE COUNTY, NEBRASKA

condition by coming to the land where there have always been great opportunities for the hard-working and faithful man. They first made their home in Jones county, Iowa, where they rented land until 1875, when they estab- lished their home as pioneers in Saline county, Nebraska. In 1879 they came to Gage county and purchased land in Paddock township. Here Mr. Bures continued his earnest labors until he sold his land to his son Joseph, the subject of this sketch. Frank Bures was born in Bohemia, December 5, 1832, and makes his home with his son Joseph. His wife, who was born February 5, 1839, and who for sixty years was her husband's constant companion, passed to her reward August 17, 1916. Mrs. Bures was a faithful member of the Catholic church and imbued her sons with the love of the church and of the God whom she wor- shiped. Of the three children two are living, Frank being deceased; John resides in Elm township; and Joseph is the subject of this sketch.

Joseph Bures was born February 4, 1873, in Jones county, Iowa, and was about seven years old when his parents established their home in Paddock township, Gage county. He remained under the parental roof until he was 27 years of age. His education was received in the district schools and he served his ap- prenticeship as a farm hand for two or three seasons ere he launched on a farming career for himself. In 1900 he purchased one hun- dred and sixty acres in Paddock township, and here he farmed until 1905, when he sold the property and purchased his present home farm, in Section 2, Glenwood township. He has built a large, modern house and made various other improvements in his farm build- ings. In 1908 he purchased two hundred acres in Section 12, and this he is farming in con- junction with his home place.

April 7, 1899, Mr. Bures married Mary Cacek, who is a daughter of Bohemian parents who came to Gage county to farm and to rear their children. Mary (Cacek) Bures was a schoolmate of her husband's and the friend- ship which had grown between the young girl and the ungainly, growing lad ripened into

love, their marriage being the culmination of their early friendship. Mary Cacek was born June 11, 1880, in Gage county, and is a daughter of Joseph and Anna (Teple) Cacek, natives of Bohemia. Mr. and Mrs. Bures be- came the parents of six children: Joseph, Albert, Clara, Rosa, and Charles are under the parental roof, and Anton is deceased.

Mr. Bures is a breeder of Chester White hogs and is farming his land in a very efficient manner. His home is among the many nice ones of the township. In politics Mr. Bures votes the Democratic ticket and he is a mem- ber of the Catholic church. He is affiliated with the Z. C. B. J., a Bohemian brotherhood.

WILLIAM E. RIFE, city treasurer of Be- atrice, has for the past thirteen years been closely identified with the business interests of the city and county. He was born at Seneca, La Salle county, Illinois, February 11, 1867, a son of Ephraim and Savilla (Cochran) Rife, the former born in Pennsylvania, in 1834, the latter born in New York, in 1844. The parents married in Illinois and there Ephraim Rife became a farmer and merchant. He remained in the state of Illinois until 1881, when he came to Gage county, Nebraska, and purchased a farm of two hundred and forty acres, five miles east of Wilber, where he re- sided three years. He then traded for a farmi near Adams, where the family made their home two years. On disposing of this tract the parents moved to Lincoln, where they re- sided five years, and they then became resi- dents of Red Cloud, Nebraska, where they spent their remaining days, the father passing away in 1896, and the mother surviving until 1913. Ephraim Rife was a successful man in business and he and his wife were lifelong members of the Methodist church. Eleven children were born to them and eight of the number are now living: John H., a mer- chant in western Nebraska ; Samuel L., a busi- ness man of Bridger, Montana ; William E., of this review; Katura, married and residing in Seattle, Washington ; Grace, the wife of G. L. Griffis, vice-president of the Blue Valley Mer- cantile Company, at Beatrice ; Susan, the wife

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HISTORY OF GAGE COUNTY, NEBRASKA

of Mr. Bauffman, residing at San Francisco, California; Elmer Roy, in the employ of the Standard Oil Company at Red Cloud, Ne- braska; and Lydia, the wife of Rev. I. F. Roach, of Oklahoma City, who for five years was pastor of the Methodist church at Lincoln, Nebraska.

William E. Rife was reared on a farm, ac- quired his education in the public schools, and followed farming until he was twenty-eight years of age. He then engaged in business at Red Cloud, Nebraska, making his home there for ten years. He then, in 1905, came to Be- atrice and became one of the promoters of the Blue Valley Mercantile Company, with which wholesale concern he was actively connected, as a buyer, until 1916. He is still a member of the board of directors of the company. In 1916 he established mercantile stores at Cla- tonia and Pickrell, and these are still con- ducted by him.

In December, 1916, Mr. Rife was appointed city commissioner of Beatrice, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. G. P. Reynolds, and was made treasurer at the same time. At the election in April, 1918, Mr. Rife was duly elected to the same office, a fact which attests to the confidence and esteem in which he is uniformly held.

In 1889, at Lincoln, Nebraska, was sol- emnized the marriage of William E. Rife and Miss Magdaline Wooden, a native of Des Moines, Iowa, and they became the parents of seven children: George Edward, of Denver, Colorado, is now in the military service of the United States and is located at Newport News, Virginia, at the time of this writing; Grace Bell is the wife of Henry Doerch, manager of Mr. Rife's store at Pickrell; Beulah Irene is a bookkeeper in the Beatrice City Hall ; Floyd Ivan is at Deming, New Mexico, in the service of the United States; Pearl Le Van died in infancy ; Lydia Mae is at home; and William E., Jr., also is under the parental roof.

Mr. and Mrs. Rife are members of the Methodist church and Mr. Rife is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity ; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is deputy grand master ; the Fraternal Order of Eagles ;

the Royal Highlanders; and the Modern Woodmen of America. He and his wife also affiliate with the Daughters of Rebekah and the Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Rife is a Republican in politics and is one of the sub- stantial men of the city, where his support can be depended on for any measure that is of benefit to the people of the community.

DENNIS MAGNER has been a resident of Gage county for fifty years, and is still en- gaged in agricultural pursuits in Island Grove township, as one of the sterling pioneers of the county.

Dennis Magner was born in County Cork, Ireland, in September, 1833, and is a son of David and Margaret (Landers) Magner, who spent their entire lives in the Emerald Isle and who were the parents of eight children, Den- nis being the only one now living; John and Winnie came to America about 1848, settling in Iowa, where they spent the rest of their lives. Dennis Magner came to the United States in 1851 and after a residence of nine years in Chicago he located in Iowa, making his home there until 1868, when he came to Gage county, Nebraska. Here he secured a homestead in Island Grove township, and this has been his home continuously since pioneer days. He came to the county the next year after Nebraska had become a state, and pioneer conditions were to be found on every hand. He set about improving his farm, tilling the soil, planting and harvesting, and he has met with that success which properly rewards in- telligently directed effort. He is to-day the owner of four hundred acres of good land.

Mr. Magner was married, in Ohio, in 1859, to Miss Margaset Shannahan, a native of Ire- land, and this union has been blessed with seven children, four of whom are living: Margaret became the wife of Mr. Betro and resides in the state of Washington ; Edmund resides at Maple Falls, Washington ; and Anas- tasia and John F. are at the parental home.

The family are communicants of the Catho- lic church at Wymore and in politics Mr. Magner is a Republican. With no unusual ad- vantages at the beginning of his career, ex-

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cept a laudable ambition and a determination to succeed, the advancement of Mr. Magner has come to him as the result of his own ef- forts. He is now living practically retired, having placed labor's burden on younger shoulders, and he is enjoying the rest which he justly deserves.

WILLIAM L. DEWEY .- A native of Gage county, and a representative of one of its pioneer families, William L. Dewey was born on a farm on Wolf creek, August 13, 1866. His father, Timothy Dewey, was born in Ohio and in 1859 came to Gage county, Nebraska Territory, where he took up one hundred and sixty acres of land. After proving up on this land he made his home in Iowa four years. Returning to Gage county, he became a suc- cessful farmer and here he passed the re- mainder of his days. He disposed of his homestead and purchased land in the Otoe In- dian reservation, but later he returned to Island Grove township and purchased the land where his son William L. now resides. He and his brother William were here during the Indian uprising, and were among the very early settlers of the county, sharing in all of the hardships and pioneer experiences of those times. He was a cousin of Admiral George Dewey, who won fame at the battle of Manila Bay, that memorable May 1, 1898. The pro- genitors of the Dewey family came to America during the colonial period of our nation's his- tory. The mother of our subject was Mar- garet (Pilcher) Dewey, a native of Connecti- cut, and of her six children, five are living : Mrs. Minnie Titus resides in Iowa; William L. is the subject of this sketch; Selicia is the wife of Louis Curry, a merchant at Stroud, Oklahoma ; Charles is a farmer in Oklahoma ; and Belle remains in Gage county.

William L. Dewey was reared and educated in Gage county and took up farming as a life work, wisely choosing the occupation for which he had been fitted under the direction and teaching of his father. In October, 1913, he purchased the interest of the other heirs and became owner of the old home farm in Island Grove township, where he successfully

carries on general farming and stock-raising.

In 1891 Mr. Dewey was united in marriage to Miss Anna Retchless, a native of New York state and a daughter of William Retch- less, who settled in Pawnee county, Nebraska, in 1877. In 1887 Mr. Retchless became a resident of Gage county, where he passed the remainder of his life.

Mr. and Mrs. Dewey became the parents of six children : Charles is a resident of Armour, Nebraska, where he conducts an elevator and is agent for the Missouri Pacific Railroad ; Fannie and Herbert are at home; Nellie is the wife of Steve Rotney, of the state of Washington ; and Hattie and George are the younger children. In August, 1908, Mr. Dewey was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, and her death called from earth a devoted wife and loving mother.

Mr. Dewey is a Republican in politics and has served in various township offices. He is a member of Liberty Lodge, No. 152, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, and his life is defi- nitely guided by the benevolent teachings of this time-honored fraternity. He is progres- sive in his methods and is a successful farmer and stock-raiser.

FRANK DVORAK. - On the farm known as "Sunny Slope," in Section 29, Glenwood township, live Mr. and Mrs. Frank Dvorak. This farm was owned by O. J. Lyndes, of Be- atrice, until 1914, when Mr. Dvorak purchased it and established his home upon the veritable "Sunny Slope." Since 1915 he has been doing a general farming business, and he is one of the progressive exponents of farm industry in Gage county.

Frank Dvorak was born February 18, 1891, at Table Rock, Pawnee county, Nebraska, and is a son of Anton and Antonia (Svarscop) Dvorak. Anton Dvorak, who was born in 1865, in Bohemia, came with his parents to this country in 1874, and the family settled in Pawnee county, where the parents farmed until their death. For further family history reference may be made to the sketch of Anton Dvorak, on other pages of this volume.

Frank Dvorak received the education and

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the opportunities of the average lad of to-day, when we have free schools and text-books of excellent order. After finishing his schooling he chose farming as his calling in life and chose as his home the sunniest spot in Glen- wood township, known as "Sunny Slope."

To share his home with him he chose Miss Anna Zaribnicy, and their marriage was sol- emnized May 11, 1915. Mrs. Dvorak is a daughter of Frank and Theresa (Bednar) Zaribnicy, the former a farmer of Glenwood township, and the latter deceased. Mr. Zarib- nicy married for his second wife, Miss Anna Kalsus. Mr. and Mrs. Dvorak are members of the Presbyterian church and the Demo- cratic party receives his political support.

AMOS SPROWLS. - For thirty-two years Amos Sprowls has been a resident of Gage county, and in the work of development he has contributed his full share. Mr. Sprowls is a native of the old Keystone state, born September 7, 1835, and is the only survivor of a family of nine children born to William and Anna (Montgomery) Sprowls, both natives of Pennsylvania, where they spent their entire lives. The father was a farmer and made a specialty of raising Spanish Merino sheep, being a good judge of those animals and well versed in proper methods of breeding and raising them. He brought his flock to a high standard, and the subject of this sketch recalls that at one time his father had a flock of two hundred ewes, each yielding six pounds of wool. The paternal grandfather, Arthur Sprowls, was a native of Ireland, and during the days of the American Revolution he went to England, expecting to immigrate to America, but it was two years before he could get passage, owing to the war. He finally succeeded in securing passage on a sailing vessel, and he became an early settler of Pennsylvania, where he purchased one hun- dred acres of land and where he spent the re- mainder of his life. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Hugh Montgomery, who was born in Belfast, Ireland. He was a weaver by trade and at his death was a man of considerable wealth.

Amos Sprowls spent his boyhood days on a farm in his native state and his public-school education was supplemented by a course in Waynesburg College, his studies here being interrupted by the outbreak of the Civil war, when he was compelled to return home. His two younger brothers, George and Jesse M., entered the Union army and Jesse was killed at Gettysburg. George was wounded and taken prisoner, sent to Andersonville and then to Richmond, where he was released, and the transport boat on which he was returning to- his home was sunk, and he lost his life.

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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 147

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