History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 135

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

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To Mr. and Mrs. Roche were born seven sons and six daughters : Katherine. P., whose record as a Red Cross nurse will be found with her photograph, in the soldier section of this work ; John J., who died in infancy ; Eliza- beth C., a teacher in the North Platte schools ; Leo T., a farmer near Ogalla, Nebraska, mar- ried Irene Wolfe, of Fullerton, Nebraska, and they have three children, Margaret E., John J. and Patricia K .; Mary A., yet in France performing her noble duties as a Red Cross nurse, has potograph and record in the sol- dier section of this work ; Vincent E., a farmer living near Grand Island ; Joseph F., who went to Europe as a member of the American Ex- peditionary Force, is with the Army of Occu- pation in Germany, and his photograph and military record may be found in the soldier sec- tion in this work; Patrick A., associated with his brother Leo T., in farming ; Daniel, and M. James, both of whom are assisting their father on the home farm ; Rosa L , a student at Hast- ings, Nebraska ; Constance, a high school stu- dent in Wood River ; and Lenore, who died in infancy.

Mr. Roche and family are devoted members of the Roman Catholic church. There are few families in this section so notably patriotic and Mr. Roche is justly proud of his daughters and son who have served the country so well. He has a creditable military record of his own. While living at Green River, Wyoming, he was a member of Company E, First Infantry, Wyoming National Guard. This company was named the Warren Rifles, in honor of the first governor of Wyoming, who is now further dis- tinguished by being a senator of the United States and the father-in-law of our own

William J. Ballinger was born in Coles County, Illinois, March 24, 1863. His parents were George W. and Sarah (Graves) Bal- linger, the former of whom was born in Mor- gan County, Indiana, December 24, 1832, and died in Nebraska, January 25, 1919, and the latter, born in Hendricks County, Indiana, March 14, 1837, died July 17, 1916. They were united in marriage in 1857 and three sons and one daughter were born to them: John L., Francis M., William J. and Matilda J., all of whom are living. The Ballinger family came to Hall County in the fall of 1881 and settled about four and a half miles southwest of Wood River. William J. worked for his father for several years and then started out for himself as a farmer. After leaving the farm and coming to Wood River, he engaged in teaming until two years ago. although a sad sufferer from rheumatism.

On March 23, 1890, Mr. Ballinger mar- ried Miss Emma Lewton, of Wood River. Her parents were Newton and Sarah E. (Nes- bit) Lewton, the former of whom was born in Pike County, Illinois, May 15, 1841, and the latter near Louisville, Kentucky, August 27, 1832. They were married at Carthage, in Han- cock County, Illinois, and had two daughters and one son: Emma, Charles and Salena. Charles Lewton resides at Huntsville, Illinois. Mrs. Salena (Lewton) Riley, lives in Topeka, Kansas.

Mrs. Ballinger accompanied her parents when they came to Hall County in the fall of 1871, when her father located on a homestead four and a half miles northwest of Wood River, a practically unsettled section at that time. Mrs. Ballinger well remembers some of the notable events of those early days, par- ticularly the freezing of the crops, grasshop- per invasion and more than all the memorable three days storm of 1872, when snow fell to a depth that covered the tops of the barns. Her father was away from home at the time and that made the situation more alarming.

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There were many Pawnee Indians in the neighborhood, none of whom were savage, but all were certain to be hungry when they visited a settler's cabin. In 1881 Mrs. Ballinger's father removed to Wood River and went into the furniture and undertaking business. Later he became interested in a drug store and still later a livery business. In 1892 he embarked in a confectionery business and continued in this line up to the time of his death, May 24, 1894. The mother of Mrs. Ballinger died May 19, 1915.

To Mr. and Mrs. Ballinger one son was born, Charles W., on October 13, 1897. With- out giving this young man undeserved praise, there is much to say in the way of comment on his honorable career. A diligent student, he was graduated from the Wood River high school on May 21, 1914, receiving the coveted distinction of Honorable Graduation Diploma. While yet in school he applied himself to ac- quiring the art of telegraphy, studying with Grant and Mrs. Gard, in the Union Pacific depot, and after he was considered competent, he entered the services of the Union Pacific Company as night operator and helper. Later he was used as relief man up and down the line for two years, and after this experience, was placed in the office of the train dispatcher in Grand Island. He was efficiently perform- ing his duties there when he enlisted, May 15, 1917, for service as a soldier because he felt his country had need of all her loyal sons. His photograph and service record may be found in that interesting part of this work, the soldier section. Since his safe return to life he has gone back to his old position in Grand Island.

The accident above referred to that so seri- ously injured Mr. Ballinger some twenty years ago, was a fall over an unprotected plow shear, and his good right arm was almost severed thereby. Nevertheless he has borne that handi- cap and his later rheumatic affliction with re- markable patience and courage. He is a mem- ber of the Wood River Lodge, No. 158, Odd Fellows, to which he has belonged for thirty- one years. Mrs. Ballinger is a member of the Rebekah Lodge, No. 287. She is also a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church.

JOHN FRANKLIN SHEHEIN, who was one of Hall County's well known and highly respected citizens for many years, in- vested in land when he came here, improved it and added to the original tract, and at the time of death, April 10, 1907, was accounted a farmer who had prospered greatly, as well

as deservedly, for he was always careful and industrious. He had a beautiful home farm that he had enjoyed improving, it being said that his improvements cost more than was the original cost of the land.

John Franklin Shehein was born in Ken- tucky, January 21, 1858. His parents were David R. and Alice Shehein, who left Ken- tucky during the Civil War and moved to Hamilton County, Iowa. There John F. went to school and when old enough began to help. his father on the farm. In June 1886, just before what is always referred to as the "big storm," he came to Hall County. At that time he was a poor man, but he had the industry .and energy that served finally to make him a rich man. He bought railroad land in Doni- phan township for which he paid $25 an acre, and as above stated, so admirably improved it that after his death his widow sold the entire form of one hundred and fifty-five acres at $125 an acre.

March 20, 1880, Mr. Shehein married Miss Mary Wiggins, who was born in Illinois, a daughter of Charles and Olive (Van Cassel) Wiggins, also natives of that state. To this marriage children were born as follows : John Franklin, who lives at Doniphan, Nebraska ; Georgiana, the wife of G. S. Denman, of Doniphan; Hattie May, the wife of Barney Jacobs, of Denver, Colorado; David Earl, who lives in Kimball County ; Leo G., employed in the People's State Bank in Grand Island; Hazel Gladys, who lives with her mother; Verna, attending the high school; and Howard and Matilda, both of whom are deceased. The family belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Shehein was a Republican in politics and he belonged to the fraternal order of United Workmen. He was an honorable, worthy man in every way and in his death Hall County lost one of her best citizens.

CHARLES D. EVANS, a well known, patriotic and popular resident of Hall County, came to the vicinity of Wood River with his parents when ten years old. This neighbor- hood has been his home ever since with the exception of six years spent as cowboy and farmer on the Bar A ranch, in Colorado. He was born at Waynesville, Illinois, September 24, 1869.

The parents of Mr. Evans were Thomas A. and Sarah E. (Goodrich) Evans, both of whom were reared in Illinois. They had a family of three sons and two daughters, name- ly : Carles D., Carmi G., George D., Mrs. Nora M. Warren, and Mrs. Jennie Harmeson.

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The father came to Nebraska with his family in June, 1879 and settled four miles south of Wood River on the Platte. He was a bridge carpenter by trade and also was a farmer. He had served as a soldier in the Civil War and was very active in G. A. R. circles in Hall County. Being a man of sound character, he was' frequently elected to public office, and served several terms as road overseer and county assessor.

Charles D. Evans had some school training after coming to Hall County. He has always led an active life and from the age of four- teen years has practically taken care of him- self. In boyhood days he earned a small wage as a cattle herder. He developed skill in managing horses, and while with the Bar A ranch in Colorado had a reputation for his feats of horsemanship. After coming back to Hall County he engaged in farming. On July 24, 1892, Mr. Evans married Miss Cora M. Irish, of Menlo, Iowa. the daughter of Jesse P. and Mary A. (Craig) Irish, the former, born in the state of New York, was eight years old when he was taken to Illinois and later to eastern Iowa. Mrs. Evans's mother was born at Blue Grass, Scott County, Iowa. After marriage the parents of Mrs. Evans removed to Adair County,Iowa, where they spent the rest of their lives. They had two sons and three daughters : Orlando E., Mrs. Annette J. Sill, Roscoe E., Cora M. and Arthur O. Be- fore becoming acquainted with Mr. Evans, Mrs. Evans had come to Boone County, Ne- braska, to pay a visit to relatives.

Mr. and Mrs. Evans have three sons and one daughter, as follows: Roy E., in the United States navy, enlisted in the service of his country just before completing his course in the York Business College, photograph and his service record will be found in the soldier section of this work; Mary E., who taught school for one year after graduating from the Shelton high school, was married in 1916 to Arthur A. Harris, a farmer in Buffalo County, and they have one daughter ; Carl E, whose army service record may be found in the soldier section of this work, enlisted April 2, 1917, and upon release returned to the em- ploy of the B. & M. railroad, with which he has been connected as a telegrapher since the age of sixteen years. He married May 17, 1918, Miss Hattie Mathew, of Wood River; and Everett B., who is a schoolboy of seven years. Mr. Evans himself has an honorable military record, having served three years as a member of Company C, Second Nebraska National Guard. This shows that for three

generations the Evans family has been found in the ranks of this country's defenders.

Mr. and Mrs. Evans are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They both be- long to the Fraternal Aid Union. In politics he is a sturdy Republican. Of genial tempera- ment and gifted with true wit, Mr. Evans is a welcome addition to any circle. His many friends find much enjoyment and cheer in listening to his humorous way of looking at life.

DANIEL O'KANE, one of Wood River's well known, respected, patriotic citizens, for many years was in the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad as telegrapher and agent. He was born in Ogle County, Illinois, October 24, 1855, and is one of a family of eight chil- dren born to Joseph and Mary (Davey) O'Kane.

Daniel came to Nebraska with his parents in the spring of 1874 and located in Willow Is- land, Dawson County, securing a section of land three miles northeast of Gothenburg. Subsequently the father served one term as county commissioner in Dawson County. Dan- iel had attended school in Illinois, and was about twenty years old when he began to work for the government at North Platte, Ne- braska, putting up hay for the cavalry regi- ments at Forts McPherson and Russell. In 1876 he worked on railroad construction and at the same time studied telegraphy, making such rapid progress that in 1877 he secured a position as operator and extra agent. On July 12, 1878 he was transferred to Fort McPher- son in the capacity of night operator, and transferred from there, December 23, 1879, to Alda, Nebraska, as agent and operator for the Union Pacific. He remained at Alda the following ten years, when he was sent to Overton, where he remained until 1903 and in the next year retired from railroad service. For about three yeas he conducted a store in Kearney and then came to Wood River. Having so long been in "the tide of events" as it were, Mr. O'Kane feels that he is not ready entirely to retire, and in order to keep somewhat in touch with active affairs and passing events, he keeps himself busily en- gaged as a clerk in the Wood River post office.

On January 17, 1882, Mr. O'Kane married Miss Anna Mitchell, at Alda, Nebraska, who was born at Milford, Indiana, August 9, 1862. Her parents were Thomas and Frances H. (Self) Mitchell. the latter of whom died De- cember 15, 1869, leaving two sons and three

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H. P. HANAN, FATHER, MOTHER, AND GRANDCHILDREN

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daughters, Mrs. O'Kane being the only sur- viving daughter. She was eight years old when she accompanied her father to Nebraska, where in 1871 he homesteaded near the pres- ent site of Alda, starting a little store at this location which was also the post office. Two years later he endeavored to cultivate his land but for two seasons the grasshoppers devoured all the result of his hard work, and he gave up the attempt. Accompanied then by his daughter and son, Frank, Mr. Mitchell went to Iowa with the intention of working there for sufficient capital to continue effort on his Nebraska land in the future. He had suffered a great shock in the year previously in the accidental death of his son Elmer. When the great exodus came to the Black Hills, Mr. Mitchell was one of the first to go to the gold fields from this section and he remained there several years doing very well.

In this connection, Mrs. O'Kane relates an interesting narrative concerning a trip she made to Deadwood, South Dakota, in 1880, to visit her father. She was about sixteen years old at the time and was accompanied by a young woman a few years older, also going to visit her father. These brave maidens faced many perils on the journey, but safely reach- ed their destination after traveling two days and three nights in a stage coach drawn by six horses. Youth and good spirits carried them through, with the seven other passengers, three of whom were young English prospec- tors. The stage driver gave the party credit for being the jolliest and best natured load he had ever brought up the dangerous Black Hills trail. Mrs. O'Kane remained with her father for a year and then returned to Alda, where she was married to Mr. O'Kane in 1882.

Mr. and Mrs. O'Kane have had three daugh- ters and one son: Mary Mabel, who lived but seven months; Josephine F., who was united in marriage, October 31, 1903, with John G. Doherty, of Loomis, Nebraska, cashier of the Exchange Bank of Ogalalla, They have five children, Irma, Helen, Dorothy, Daniel and Kathleen; Thomas Frank, who volunteered in the service of his country (see soldier sec- tion in this work) was graduated from a busi- ness college at Amarillo, Texas, then entered the service of the Santa Fe Railroad as rate clerk in the office of the general passenger agent and was filling the position as assistant chief clerk in the passenger department when he vol- unteered and is still in service; and Thelma B., a graduate in the class of 1919 from the Wood River high school, and is a graduate also of the Conservatory of Music at Grand Island.

In his political views Mr. O'Kane is a Demo-

crat and is as loyal to the party as he has always been to friends and employers. He is a member of the order of Modern Wood- men of America, while Mrs. O'Kane belongs to the Royal Neighbors and to the M. B. W. She has been one of the hardest workers in the Red Cross movement of the Wood River chap- ter and has received a beautiful badge and certificate of merit from the head office of the American Red Cross. This was in acknowl- edgement of having put in eight hundred hours for the cause, although the actual time was much more than that, but it was not only an example of patriotism but a labor of love as well.

PATRICK FAGAN, one of Hall County's well known and highly respected citi- zens, has been identfied for many years with the management of several of the largest agri- cultural enterprises of the county, at the same time successfully conducting a large estate of his own. He was born in the Dominion of Canada, November 13, 1866.

The parents of Mr. Fagan were John and Sarah (McGriskin) Fagan, both of whom were born in Ireland. They came to Canada about 1860, where the father of Mr. Fagan worked as a farmer until 1867, when removal was made to Morgan County, Illinois and the rest of the father's life was spent in the United States. In 1893 he came to Hall County, Ne- braska, where he secured a homestead of a quarter section of land, situated in Prairie Creek township, and to the development and improvement of his land he devoted his re- maining years. His death occurred in February, 1902. Both he and his wife were faithful mem- bers of the Roman Catholic church. They had the following children: William, a prominent farmer in Prairie Creek township; Patrick, who owns a valuable farm in Center town- ship; Katherine, the wife of Jefferson Norris. of Christian County, Illinois; Mary, who lives at Hot Springs, South Dakota; Anne, who has taught school in Hall County for twenty years; Jennie, the wife of George Bucking- ham, of Chicago; Margaret, the wife of Ed- ward Landrigan, of Ravenna, Buffalo County, Nebraska, and two who died in infancy.

Patrick Fagan had instruction in the country schools near his father's farm in Illinois. When he started out in life for himself he worked on farms for $15 a month, which was considered a fair wage at that time. He came first to Hall County in 1889 and in a short time returned to Illinois but three years later returned to spend a year before

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going to Wyoming, where he had many cattle and range experiences. In 1899 he settled in Hall County and has since made his home here. Mr. Fagan owns a farm of two hun- dred acres of land in Center township, which is well stocked and yields a satisfactory in- come. He is best known, however, for his successful management of two extensive ranches, having been for sixteen years the manager of the McDonald ranch, and at pres- ent manager of the great Taylor ranch, which is the largest ranch in the county, an account of which will be found elsewhere in this volume.

On May 12, 1901, Patrick Fagan married Miss Mary Donigan, who was born in Morgan County, Illinois, but her parents were natives of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Fagan have had four children born to them, three of whom are living: Clara, John and Margaret. Mr. Fagan and his family are members of the Roman Catholic church. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the Elks. In poli- tics Mr. Fagan votes according to his own ex- cellent judgment. He is an independent Re- publican.

GEORGE FREDERICK has long been a resident of Hall County and for many years was actively engaged in farming pursuits, but for the past seven years has been living re- tired.

Mr. Frederick was born in Hesse-Darm- stadt, Germany, April 5, 1844. His father, Christopher Frederick, was a native of the same province and when sixteen years of age came to America and worked at the trade of miller in New York and Boston. He remained here till he became twenty-one years of age, and often spoke of having voted for Andrew Jackson for president. He returned to Ger- many and married Margaret Keller. When the revolution of 1848 came on he again came to America, bringing his family and establish- ing his home in New York City. A few years later he moved to Franklin County, Indiana, and here he and his wife both passed away.

George Frederick was five years old when brought to America and grew to manhood in Franklin County, Indiana. In 1864, at the last call for volunteers, he enlisted in Com- pany F, One Hundred Forty-sixth Indiana Regiment of Infantry and served till the end of the war, being mustered out in September, 1865. After the war he returned to Indiana and became a farmer, residing there until 1889, when he came to Hall County, Nebraska, and settled in Cameron township. He was

sucessful in his chosen vocation and became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land which he cultivated until 1912, when he sold his farm and retired to Wood River, where he occupies a comfortable home, sur- rounded with all the necessities and many of the luxuries of life.

Mr. Frederick was married in Franklin County, Indiana, to Miss Catherine Keough, who was born in Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Frederick have two chil- dren: Otto, is cashier of a bank at Hanna, Wyoming; and Owen, an expert mechanic, resides in Wood River.

NEWTON WESLEY HENDERSON, a well known and competent farmer of Hall County for a number of years, is well remem- bered in Jackson township for his many traits of sterling character. He was born in Fulton County, Illinois, December 5, 1886, and died on his farm in Hall County, October 19, 1909. He was the fifth in a family of nine children born to Elijah J. and Sarah E. (Watson) Henderson. His father was born in Fayette County, Ohio, April 22, 1835, and his mother in Indiana, September 18, 1832.

Newton Wesley Henderson was nineteen years old when he accompanied his parents to Nebraska in 1885, and had been well edu- cated in the schools of his native state. The family settled in South Jackson township, Hall County, and he remained at home assist- ing his father as long as he was needed, then worked on neighboring farms until 1894, when he became a farmer on his own respon- sibility, and so continued until the close of his life. He carried on his farm operations with much success, was a kind husband and father and was neighborly and just in the community.

On December 8, 1897, Mr. Henderson mar- ried Miss Emma A. Alberts, of Jackson town- ship, Hall County, a daughter of Gottlieb H. and Lena C. (Majweskey) Alberts, the former of whom was born January 1, 1822, at Baden, Germany, and the latter, February 7, 1838, in Mecklenburg, Germany. Mrs. Henderson's father was left an orphan in his youth. Before coming to the United States, he had served in the German army according to law, and after he reached this country, found it embroiled in civil war and re-entered military service, as a member of the Thirty-third New York In- fantry. He served two and a half years, par- ticipating in many battles and at Fredericks- burg received an injury to his knee that troubled him all the rest of his life. When

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he crossed the ocean to America, it was in a sailing vessel that was unskillfully managed, for the captain lost his bearings and while drifting far out of its course, provisions al- most gave out.

Mr. Alberts remained on a farm in the vicin- ity of Syracuse, New York, after his mili- tary service was over, until 1871. In the mean- while he had married a young lady who had crossed the ocean alone and had gone to the home of a brother near Syracuse, and to this marriage three sons and one daughter were born, Mrs. Henderson being the daughter, all natives of Hall County except the eldest son. As noted above, the Alberts family came here in 1871 and in the fall of the year Mr. Al- berts homesteaded in Jackson township. Like other settlers of that time, this family passed through many hardships, trough loss of crops on account of unseasonable weather and the pest grasshoppers, and through the drowning of their cattle and horses in the Platte river, in the memorable blizzard that occurred Easter Sunday, in the early seventies. The family never suffered from lack of food, however, for wild game was plentiful, and they even had enough at all times, to generously divide with the vagrant Indians who were never ashamed to beg. On the other hand, as Mrs. Hender- son relates, they demanded the best their hosts could supply, always refusing corn bread if they saw white bread. Mr. Alberts erected a house for his family but when it was paid for he had only $5 left as his capital with which to face the future. In the estimation of everyone, he was a fine man.

For about four years after marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Henderson lived on a farm north of Wood River and then removed to the Alberts homestead in Jackson township. They became the parents of three sons: Ralph W., Earl A. and Elijah R. Ralph W. Henderson was born October 19, 1898, was in military service and accompanied the American Expeditionary Force to France. His record appears in the soldier section of this publication. He returned home safely with duty well performed, and is assisting his mother on the homestead. Earl A., who was born April 11, 1900, and Elijah R., who was born March 18, 1904, are also engaged in farm pursuits on the home farm, and all three are reliable, steady, highly respected young men. During the World War, Mrs. Henderson was continuously active in Red Cross work, going into Wood River for supplies and taking them home to make into the articles most needed, her kind heart at all times overflowing with good will and sympathy for the sick and

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History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 135

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