History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 125

Author: Buechler, A. F. (August F.), 1869- editor
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Pub. and Engraving Co.
Number of Pages: 1011

USA > Nebraska > Hall County > History of Hall County, Nebraska > Part 125

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Mr. and Mrs. Coons had six children in their family: D. L., who was born in 1883, lives on a farm in Howard County, Nebraska, west of St. Paul; Ottis, who died in infancy ; Edith and Ernest, twins, the former of whom is the wife of Arthur Lowry, living at Cairo, Nebraska, and the latter living at home ; Ethel, a competent teacher in the public schools ; and Lloyd, a student in the high school at Cairo. Mrs. Coons is a member of the Baptist church. Mr. Coons is active in politics to some extent in South Loup township and as a man of sound judgment in most matters, has much influence. For a number of years he has care- fully watched over the welfare of the public schools as a member of the school board, and for two years he served very satisfactorily to his fellow citizens as township clerk.

WILLIAM EDWARD MARTIN. - The traveler of today whose pleasant task it is to

visit and occasionally pause and perhaps accept hearty hospitality in Hall County, is much im- pressed by the evidences on all sides of peace, plenty and a high state of civilization. It al- most requires credulity therefore, to accept the fact that history proves, that but fifty years ago this entire section of the state was yet the home of savage Indians who pillaged and mur- dered at will. Attesting this hideous truth, so abhorrent to present American ideals, are per- sons still living who passed through this con- dition with other hardships of pioneering, and among those none are better known than the Martin family, a prominent representative of which is William E. Martin, who resides on his farm near Doniphan.

William E. Martin was born in McHenry County, Illinois, not far from the city of Elgin, January 20, 1856. His parents were George and Ann (Owers) (Weaver) Martin, both of whom were born in the same village of Soahm, in England, the father in March, 1819, and the mother, September 5, 1818. The mother, by a previous marriage, had two chil- dren : George Weaver, a minister of the Holi- ness faith, died in the church parsonage at Tabor, Iowa, April 18, 1914, and Eliza Weaver who died in Hall County, in 1885. To her marriage with George Martin, the following children were born: Hephzibah, the wife of George Masterson, a farmer near Little River, Kansas; Henry N., a retired farmer living in Hastings, Nebraska; Robert O., who was a retired farmer living at Ellsworth, Kansas, at the time of his death, in 1902; Annie, the wife of George Huffman, a banker at Little River, Kansas; and William Edward, who lives in Hall County.

George Martin, the father of William E. Martin, was a man of good standing in Illinois before coming to the west. He came to the United States in 1850 and located as a farmer in McHenry County, Illinois, where he rented land near the present Elgin watch factory. In 1857 he removed to Sidney, Iowa, and from 1858 to 1862 engaged in freighting across the plains between Nebraska City and Denver. In 1862 he brought his family to Hall County, securing a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, lying about eight miles west of Doni- phan. The family lived at first in a sod house built by the father, but later he built a log house, using cottonwood logs which he cut on the bank of the Platte river. George Martin was industrious, enterprising and reliable. He raised about two hundred head of cattle on his own ranch and operates ranches for others. He was the first postmaster at Martin, through which ran the Ben Holliday stage line be- tween Nebraska City and Denver. He re-

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W. E. MARTIN

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mained on his homestead until his death, which occurred April 18, 1883.

While the Indians were a constant menace to the early settlers, the first definite trouble that the Martins encountered was on Septem- ber 10, 1864, when George Martin was wounded by an Indian arrow, and two of his sons, Henry N. and Robert O., who were rid- ing the same horse, were struck by an arrow that pinned them together, H. N. being shot through the body. As soon as possible Mr. Martin and his wife started with them for Nebraska City for surgical treatment, but the boys were too badly wounded to be able to stand the rough trip, so at Beaver Crossing, the family took possession of an abandoned ranch house and within thirty days the parents had nursed the youths to a state of health that enabled them all to return home. Henry N. Martin still survives but Robert O. never fully recovered and his death twenty years after- ward from spinal meningitis, was primarily due to the Indian injury, On June 6, 1868, Indians raided a bunch of staked out horses belonging to the Martins, and although given a warm reception, managed to make off with three animals, going on then to a neighbor's place and carrying off the Greggs' furniture and clothing. The Martins pursued the robbers and wounded one of them. In 1869 the Mar- tins went to the help of other neighbors. The Indians killed a Mrs. Warren and carried off two girls by the name of Campbell, who were kept prisoners three months when an exchange was made for Indian prisoners held by whites, through the authority of the government.

William E. Martin was six years old when the family came to Hall County. He says that in the summers the antelope and buffalo appeared in countless numbers. One of his earliest sports was trapping beaver, mink and otter on the Platte river and as he grew older and became more adept, he provided much of the warm clothing needed by the family, his resourceful mother contriving all kinds of gar- ments from the skins. At an early day he bought a quarter section of cottonwood trees and watched them grow, and when large enough 'for saw logs, bought a power saw and from his little grove sawed about 70,000 feet of lumber. A cottonwood sapling he planted in 1869, today has a diameter of over six feet.

Mr. Martin is a very intelligent, well in- formed man, and is a graduate of the Grand Island Business College. He owns three hundred and sixty acres of well improved land and has an excellent orchard. He is a Re- publican, as was his father, but votes inde- pendently in local matters. During the World

War he was a liberal supporter of patriotic causes. Mr. Martin is a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church. On December 28, 1904, Mr. Martin married Nettie M. Hummell, who was born in Nebraska, the daughter of George and Lottie (White) Hummell, natives of New York and New Jersey, who settled with their parents, when young people, in Louisa County, Iowa. Here they were married and after a residence of one year came to Nebraska in 1871, locating in Webster County where they passed their lives. The mother died there in her forty-fourth year, the father passed away in July, 1917. He was a Methodist minister, one of the first in Red Cloud vicinity. A short time before his death at a pioneer picnic he rode a horse at the head of a procession, carry- ing a bible, just as he had done in the early days as a circuit rider.

CARL STOEGER, successfully operating three hundred and twenty acres of well im- proved land situated in section twenty-two, South Loup township, is a native of Hall County, born at Cairo, March 18, 1893. He is a son of Adam and Sarah Stoeger, the father a native of Buffalo County, Nebraska, and the mother of Iowa.

Carl Stoeger obtained his education in the public schools. He remained at home until fourteen years of age and then went to work on farms and after renting land for a time which belonged to his father he purchased his present property which he has successfully operated the past three years. He has given careful attention to cattle and stock, keeping standard breeds only. At the present time Mr. Stoeger has twenty head of fine cattle and seventeen head of hogs, his sows being pure bred Poland-China, a large herd of good horses and mules and first class poultry. His farm and stock show the effect of careful manage- ment and probably his farm is one of the most profitable in South Loup township.

On August 15, 1913, Carl Stoeger was united in marriage with Miss Lulu Pry. Her parents are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Stoeger have four children : Laurence, Mildred, Ray- mond and Leonard. The family is highly re- spected in their neighborhood and Mr. Stoeger is considered a competent farmer and depend- able citizen. He is an independent voter.

HANS SIEK, one of Hall County's good farmers and highly respected citizens, owns a fine body of land in South Loup township, five hundred and eighty acres in all and has

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over half of it under cultivation. He is num- bered with the county's substantial men and has made all he has by hard work.

Mr. Siek was born in Germany, November 26, 1856. His parents were Claus and Eliza- beth Siek, neither of whom came to the United States. The father died at the age of fifty-four years and the mother when fifty- three years. When twenty-one years old, April 1, 1878, Mr. Siek came to Nebraska and secured farm work in Hall County, subse- uently he pre-empted land near Elder, but never lived on it. In 1886 he married Margaret Holtdorf, and they have had children as follows: a babe that died; Mrs. Anna Runge, who lives in Cameron township; Mrs. Ella Schuett, who lives in Cameron township; John, a physician; Peter, a farmer in Cameron township; Mrs. Rosa Peters, whose husband is a farmer and dairyman in Buffalo County ; Ernest, who assists his father ; Mrs. Margaret Miller, who lives in Cameron township; August, who lives at home; and three others who died in infancy.

Mr. Siek can tell many interesting stories of early days in the county, Cairo being a little village when he first came here. He says that on many occasions he has shot rabbits in what is now north Grand Island. Mr. Siek is not only a careful farmer and stockman, but a progressive one and he has always made a study of his business just as he would have done had he engaged in any other. He has improved his property and all his buildings are substantial. He believes it good policy to give attention only to good grade of stock and at present he has ten head of fine horses, fifty head of cattle, fifty head of hogs and stan- dard poultry. He is an independent voter and he is a Spiritualist in religious belief.

HERMAN WIESE, whose large and well cultivated farm is situated in sections twenty- eight and thirty-four, Center township, is well known in Hall County where he has spent al- most his entire life. He was only six years old when he accompanied his parents, Joachim and Catherine Wiese, from Germany, where he was born August 24, 1875. His recollec- tions are vague in regard to the long voyage and wearying journey from the Atlantic coast to Nebraska, but he can casily recall many interesting events of early times in Hall County.

Herman Wiese grew up on his father's homestead and had school advantages but not to compare with those his own children can

enjoy. He very early began to assist his father and take responsibility, but in 1909 he be- gan farming on his own account and has done exceedingly well. Mr. Wiese owns two hun- dred acres of some of the finest land to be found in Hall County. He has it well stocked and cultivates it with modern farm machinery, and has taken his place with the foremost farmers of this section.

In 1902 Mr. Wiese married Miss Anne Hennings, whose people were early settlers in Hall County, and they have the following chil- dren : Helen, Hulda, Clarence, Linda, Arnold and Walter, all of whom live at home except Helen, employed in Grand Island. Mr. Wiese and his family are members of the Lutheran church. He has never interested himself to any extent in general politics but feels a little differently where Hall County is concerned, and when matters of local importance come to the front. He casts his vote for the man he deems best qualified for the office he seeks. He belongs to some of the low German organizations which meet at Grand Island.

KLAUS HENRY KRUSE, identified with the interests of Hall County, Nebraska, for almost fifty years, has taken an active part in its agricultural development. By improving the tracts of land that he gradually acquired, he has not only added to their value, but set an example that many another careful land- owner followed. Mr. Kruse was born in Hol- stein, Germany, October 2, 1841, the eldest of ten children born to Frederick and Catherine (Miller) Kruse.

It was in 1871 that Klaus Henry Kruse came to the United States and immediately made his way to Iowa, where many Germans had already settled. He remained in that state for one year, then came to Nebraska and se- cured a homestead of eighty acres in Prairie Creek township, Hall County. He immediately applied himself to the development of this land and years of hard labor followed. In the course of time Mr. Kruse acquired other farms, and these also, during his active years, he developed into profitable properties. He now owns two hundred and eighty acres, a larger territory than was comprised in some . of the provinces in his native land in his boy- hood. He has always believed a general farm- line more satisfactory for the Nebraska farm- er than special features, and has raised grain, potatoes and other crops and has had cattle and stock that always commanded a good price.

Mr. Kruse has been ytwice married. His

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first wife, died in 1880, was Dora Kruse. They had four children: August, employed on the Reid Alton ranch; Adolph, who lives in Center township; Rosa, the wife of H. Smith, of Hall County; and Dora, the wife of George Hoagland, of Hall County. Mr. Kruse mar- ried second, in 1883, Mary Cyndia Walc. Four children were born to this union : Mary and Henry, who are at home; and Fred and Katie, who are deceased. Early in 1917 Fred Kruse, was called into military service by the government. After a season of training he went to France with the American Expedi- tionary Force and alas, he can never come back, for he fell in battle, July 25, 1918. He was a very popular young man and the whole community grieve with his family. Mr. Kruse is a member of the Lutheran church. He and family are very highly esteemed in their neighborhood.

GUY M. DEAN, one of Hall County's suc- cessful farmers and representative citizens, operating his father's farm in Prairie Creek township, was born in Shiawassee County, Michigan, February 14, 1872. His parents were George P. and Emily (Firster) Dean, both of whom were born in Michigan.

Following the close of the Civil War, many of the returning soldiers found their old home surroundings offered too little opportunity to men broadened by travel and experience, and they took heed when the chance was given to secure government land in the yet unsettled sections of the western country. The certainty of pioneer hardships did not alarm men who had fought through four years of carnage and had faced death on many a battlefield. Thus it was that Hall County secured such worthy settlers as George P. Dean, who came with wife and infant son in the summer of 1872. He had served as a member of the Twelfth Michigan Cavalry during three years of his service, participating in many battles includ- ing the campaign around Chattanooga, Look- out Mountain and Missionary Ridge. He still owns his farm of eighty acres situated in sec- tion thirty-five, Prairie Creek township, Hall County, but no longer is actively concerned in its operation, having turned his farm responsi- bilities over to his only son when he retired. In order to occupy his time, however, without unduly taxing his strength, he is serving as caretaker of a cemetery at Pittsburg Landing. Mr. Dean in telling of early days says that they hauled their fire wood from the Loup river, a distance of fifty or sixty miles, and cedar wood for the railroad for a living during the

winter time and were caught in many a bliz- zard on the prairies. His family consists of two children: Guy M. and Edna. The latter is the wife of B. X. Harvey, of Adamsville, Tennessee.

Guy M. Dean has practically spent his entire life in Hall County. After finishing his period of school attendance, he became his father's right hand man on the farm and now rents the entire property from his father. It has been greatly improved and Mr. Dean keeps it well stocked. In 1881 he married Miss Cora B. Spiker, who, at death, left one son William C., who lives in Grand Island. Mr. Dean's second marriage was to Miss Mabel M. Eaton. Mrs. Dean is a member of the First Congre- gational church at Grand Island.

GEORGE GRAHAM, who conducts his large farm situated in section two, South Platte township, Hall County, very profitably, has lived amid farm surroundings all his life. The Graham family came early to Hall County, and the grandfather of George Graham took part with other pioneer set- tlers, in many struggles with the Indians, who at that time were very hostile.

George Graham was born November 24, 1862, in Wisconsin, and was young when brought to Nebraska by his people. His par- ents were Alexander and Elizabeth (Campbell ) Graham, natives of Scotland. Accompanied by other members of their family, they came to the United States and located first in Wiscon- sin. From there they came to Hall County, where Alexander Graham secured a home- stead. On that place George Graham grew to manhood. ' Later he went to Kansas and took up a homestead for himself, on which he carried on farming for a time and then re- turned to Hall County. He owns two hun- dred acres, has his farm well stocked, carries on a general line of agriculture, raising a large amount of prairie hay, and makes a feature of doing his own blacksmithing, hav- ing a smithy on his place.

Mr. Graham is a quiet, thoughtful, busy man, who makes no display of political opinions at any time, but he always casts his vote according to his convictions of right. He is a member of the Congregational church

JACOB C. NEUHALFEN. - The sturdy developed farms that meet the eye in Hall County, give the impression that men of agri- cultural experiences are operating here to their own and the county's profit. An instance

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is presented in the well kept farm of Jacob C. Neuhalfen, situated in section 26, Doniphan township, for he was reared on a farm and has devoted his life to farm industries.

Jacob Charles Neuhalfen was born in Ham- ilton County, Nebraska, July 2, 1886. His parents were Michael and Marie (Trost) Neuhalfen, the latter of whom was born in Germany in 1849, and the former in 1838. He died in Nebraska in 1915. Both parents came to the United States in 1858, lived at first in Illinois, and later came to Nebraska locating in Hamilton County. The father bought land that he later improved. The parents of Jacob C. Neuhalfen had eight chil- dren. He attended the country schools in the neighborhood of his father's farm and grew to manhood in Hamilton County. Farming and raising stock have been familiar labors since boyhood, and the practical methods he uses so successfully on his own farm, are more or less the results of experience. He is a man who stands well in his neighborhood in every way.

In Grand Island in 1910, Mr. Neuhalfen married Miss Bertha Happold, a daughter of Karl and Lena (Gmelich) Happold, natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Neuhalfen have three children: Wilbur, Charles and Elaine. Mrs. Neuhalfen is a member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Neuhalfen has never been very active in politics as far as party is concerned, but he has opinions on public affairs and votes according to his own judgment. This is a family of very pleasant, hospitable people.

CHARLES JOHN HEITZ, an enterpris- ing and successful farmer of Hall County, be- longs to one of the old pioneer families of this section that has been favorably known here for almost a half century. The old home- stead that Mr. Heitz's father secured in those early days when , Indians still wandered through this section and permanent white settlers were few, is yet in possession of the family.

Charles J. Heitz was born in Hall County, September 10, 1894. His parents were Theo- bald and Amelia (Walther) Heitz. His mother was born in Switzerland, September 5, 1859. His father was born July 1, 1839, in Alsace-Lorraine, France, and died in Hall County May 22, 1909, being survived by the mother who still lives on the old farm. He was a well educated man, having attended school in his native land. He took a course in a high school after coming to the United States. In 1871 he came to Nebraska to be-

come a permanent settler, selecting a home- stead of eighty acres lying in section 34, Don- iphan township, Hall County. He continued to live on this property during the rest of his life, in the course of years placing substantial improvements thereon. When he came first to Grand Island one small store represented the present busy commercial houses of that city, and bands of Indians were not unusual sights. It is not on record that he ever had any difficulty with them. The family home was at first a sod house but later comfortable farm buildings were erected. The following children of the family survive: Charles J .; George, in Montana; William, of Hastings, Nebraska; Frank and Edison on the farm with the mother; Mrs. Louise Spiehs, of Don- iphan township, and Mrs. Lee Richmond, also of Doniphan township.

Charles J. Heitz obtained his education in the public schools. From boyhood he has - been interested in farm pursuits and for some years has been numbered with the extensive farmers and cattle feeders of the county. He operates three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land situated in section 34, Doniphan township, to which he gives close attention. He is financially interested additionally in the Farmers Elevator and Milling Company at Doniphan, and is considered a capable and upright business man.

In Grand Island in 1913, Mr. Heitz married Miss Byrd Nelson, a daughter of Edward and Mary Belle (Drake) Nelson, the latter of whom was born in Greensburg, Indiana, in 1861. The father of Mrs. Heitz was born in Kentucky in 1846. He served four years in the Civil War, enlisting when fifteen years old and was a prisoner at Andersonville, Georgia, for six months. He died two years ago, the mother in November, 1918.

-RICHARD LEO McMULLIN, whose busi- ness enterprise in farm and stock activities has made his name well known in Hall County, belongs to a pioneer family of Nebraska that settled permanently in this county in 1883. Like others of that date, it was called on to bear many unexpected hardships and face many discouragements, but a certain steady family strength of character brought endurance that finally won success in spite of misfortune.

Richard L. McMullin was born in Harlan County, Nebraska, in 1880 the youngest of three children and the only son born to Rich- ard and Jane (Joynt) McMullin. Their two daughters survive: Anna, a resident of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Bessie, the wife Digitized by

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MRS. J. W. RATHBUN J. W. RATHBUN

MRS. C. P. RATHBUN C. P. RATHBUN

DONALD RATHBUN

RALPH RATHBUN

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of I. J. Doan, of Doniphan, Nebraska. The father was born in New York, in 1841, and died in Hall County in 1911. The mother was a native of County Mayo, Ireland. Prior to coming to Nebraska in 1878, Richard Mc- Mullin was a farmer in Illinois. He settled in this state in Harlan County in 1878, where he homesteaded and the family lived for five years in a sod house on his three hundred and twenty acre farm. After selling his home- stead advantageously, he brought his family in 1883 to Hall County where he bought four hundred and eighty acres, which he developed with the assistance of his son. When he died this land, by that time grown very valuable, was divided among his three children. He was a man of sterling character, upright in all his dealings with others, and was a faithful member of the Roman Catholic church.

Richard L. McMullin attended the country schools, had Christian training at home and remained with his father until 1896 when he embarked in farming on his own account, He invested in land in different parts of Hall County, now owning six hundred acres, some of which is well improved. He is an exten- sive feeder of hogs, cattle and mules for market, an important feature of his business being the handling of mules. In some of his business enterprises he is associated with Frederick O. Harrell, also a prominent stock- man of Hall County.

Mr. McMullin married Miss Emma Gregg, who was born in 1885, in Hall County, also a member of one of the pioneer families here. They have one daughter, Nona, attending school at Doniphan.

In politics Mr. McMullin is an independent voter. He has never been very active in pol- itics, his business affairs largely absorbing his time and interest, but he has served in village offices and as school director. He belongs to the Roman Catholic church and is a liberal contributor to many of its benevolent agencies.

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History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 125

Author: Buechler, A. F. (August F.), 1869- editor Publication date: 1920 Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Pub. and Engraving Co. Number of Pages: 1011

Author: Buechler, A. F. (August F.), 1869- editor
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Pub. and Engraving Co.
Number of Pages: 1011