USA > Nebraska > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. II > Part 14
USA > Nebraska > Clay County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. II > Part 14
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C. M. Ferree received his education in the schools of Illinois and Nebraska. He engaged in farming with his father until he was seventeen years of age, when he came with him to Edgar and accepted a position as clerk in a general store. In the summer of 1894 he entered into the conduct of a mercantile store with his brother and continued in that connection until 1919, when they sold out the busi- ness. Six months later his brother died. C. M. Ferree is now doing an extensive business in real estate, insurance and loans in connection with C. C. Stout and he devotes his entire time to the development of these interests.
On the 14th of October, 1891, occurred the marriage of Mr. Ferree and Miss Margaret O. French, a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania. Her parents re- moved to Nuckolls county, Nebraska, in 1880, and there Mrs. Ferree completed her education. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Ferree one daughter has been born: Edna M., who died one month later.
Mr. Ferree gives his political allegiance to the republican party and his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Ferree is a consistent member of the Christian church. He is a Knight Templar, Shriner and past master and for five years held chairs of the Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons. In addition to his business Mr. Ferree owns some fine land in Nuckolls county and maintains a great interest in the agricultural development of the state. Mr. Ferree has spent practically his entire life in Edgar and Clay counties and has seen the community progress and prosper. He is a self-made man, having won his present success by his own determined effort and his many friends entertain for him the warm regard that arises from a recognition of high personal worth and appreciation for loyalty and fidelity in public life.
JOSHUA WILSON
A well known man, highly respected throughout Clay county and for many years prominent in the agricultural circles of that county, is Joshua Wilson who is now a resident of the Soldiers' Home at Grand Island.
Joshua Wilson was born in Indiana and there received his education. He enlisted for service in the Civil war from that state and after serving about four years in the Union army received his discharge, returned to Illinois and obtained employment on various farms. In 1876 he came to Nebraska and settled in Clay county, making the journey as far as Hastings by rail. He worked on the railroad for some time, at the end of each week walking to his homestead of one hundred
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and sixty acres which he had acquired upon coming to the county. His first dwell- ing on the land was a dugout of one room with a dirt floor and he also made a dugout barn. His land he broke himself with the aid of a team of oxen. Corn- stalks furnished the greater part of his fuel, although he also gathered branches and reeds from along the creek banks. He put out an orchard and shade trees and set about to bring his land to a highly cultivated state. He suffered some loss as the result of grasshopper visitations and hailstorms, but as a man of great determination and energy he allowed no obstacle to remain long in his path. In 1905 Mr. Wilson decided to retire from active farm life and subsequently removed to Trumbull. He traded his one hundred and sixty acres of well improved Clay county land for some land in Kansas. Mr. Wilson is now residing in the Old Soldiers' Home at Grand Island and is much respected and loved by his former comrades in arms.
While residing in Indiana Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Sleeth, a native of Shelby county, that state, and she proved a fitting helpmeet for an honored husband. Her death occurred at the age of sixty-five years and came as a severe blow to her devoted family and friends. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson seven children were born: A. S., who is farming in Clay county ; Scott, also farming in Clay county; Harry, who is engaged in farming in Logan county, Colorado; Maude, who is now the wife of Ed Labrie, a farmer of Fre- mont; Lola, who is married to James Prince, a prominent farmer of Colorado; Chandler, who is engaged in railroading at North Platte; and Benjamin, who is deceased.
Throughout his life Mr. Wilson has been a stanch supporter of the republican party, having firm faith in the principles of that party as factors in good govern- ment. His religious faith is of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was that of his wife, and he is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He was al- ways active in community affairs and could be counted upon to give his undivided support to any movement he deemed necessary to the moral development and general welfare of the vicinity. Mr. Wilson has held many school offices and served his fellowmen to the best of his ability while so connected.
CHARLES A. CARLSON
Charles A. Carlson is the owner and manager of the Aurora Republican, the oldest paper published in Hamilton county, it having been established in 1873. His identification with this paper dates from 1904 and he has been connected with the printing trade since the age of nineteen years, at which time he started out in the business world. He was born in Sweden, September 5, 1879, and is a son of S. A. and Christine (Johnson) Carlson, both of whom are natives of Sweden. They came ·to Lancaster county, Nebraska, in 1881, and the father purchased land on which he still lives, having transformed the place into a valuable and productive farm. His wife died on the old homestead in 1915. They were members of the Swedish Mission church with which Mr. Carlson is still identified and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He is truly a self-made man and
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deserves much credit for what he has accomplished. When he arrived in Lancaster county, Nebraska, he was entirely without capital and today is the owner of over two hundred acres of rich and valuable land, besides considerable personal property. To him and his wife were born thirteen children of whom eleven are living.
Charles A. Carlson, the second in order of birth in this family, was educated in the country schools of Lancaster county and was reared on the home farm with the usual experiences of the farm bred hoy to the age of nineteen years, when wishing to try his fortune along some other line he turned his attention to the printing business, obtaining a position on the Lincoln Daily Post in 1898. He worked on that paper for two and a half years and then went to Omaha, Nebraska, where he was employed in different printing establishments for six months. He then joined with two others in establishing a job printing business in which he continued for a year and then sold out. Returning to Lincoln he entered the employ of the Woodruff Printing Company and State Journal, there remaining until 1904 when he removed to Aurora and began work on the Republican. He con- tinned with that paper until the Advocate was started and with the new paper he remained for a year. He then joined Clark Perkins in purchasing the Republican and together they published the paper until January, 1920, when Mr. Carlson bought out the interests of his partner and is now owner and manager of the Aurora Republican, which has a circulation of sixteen hundred. He also has a large job printing business, this constituting an important branch, although he has been very successful also with the paper which he has made a most readable journal devoted to the dissemination of local and general news. When he first began work on the republican he received a wage of nine dollars per week but saved his money and eventually was able to acquire an interest in the paper and at length to become its owner.
In 1904 Mr. Carlson was married to Miss Carrie Johnson who was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, coming with her parents to Hampton, Nebraska, when two years of age, and they have become parents of five children: Edna, attending high school; Leora and Herbert in school; Lyle and Kenneth. The parents are members of the Congregational church and Mr. Carlson is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He stands for progressiveness in all public affairs and is actuated by a spirit of enterprise and determination in all that he undertakes.
FRANCIS JOSEPH TALICH
Francis Joseph Talich, living on section 24, Deepwell township, Hamilton county, is there engaged in general farming which he carries on successfully, owing to his industry, perseverance and capable management. He came to Ne- braska from Grant county, Wisconsin, where his birth occurred on the 12th of April, 1867. There he remained until thirteen years of age, when he removed to Iowa, where for a time he was engaged in herding cattle. He spent the sum- mer there and then made his way to South Dakota, securing employment on a steamboat on the river, carrying supplies up the Missouri as far as navigation
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would permit. The fall and winter were spent in that way, after which he worked on a cattle ranch in Montana, remaining in that state for more than two and a half years. About that time his parents removed to South Dakota, where they homesteaded and F. J. Talich also took up a homestead, proving up on his property. He had a sod house which he occupied for eight years, but produced only one crop in all that period. He passed through all of the hardships and privations of pioneer life. The early settlers burned hay and cow chips and Mr. Talich also hauled wood from the Missouri river a distance of eighteen miles. After eight years spent in that locality, however, he sold his property there and came to Hamilton county, where he rented land for a year. Here things took an upward turn for the better and he purchased an eighty acre farm, which he occupied and cultivated for a time and then sold. He next bought another eighty acre tract and in the summer of 1917 purchased the farm whereon he now resides, com- prising two hundred acres. This he has in addition to the home place of one hundred and sixty acres and he owns altogether five hundred and twenty acres in three separate farms, all improved with excellent buildings. He carries on general agricultural pursuits and his industry and enterprise have been the basis of his constantly growing success.
On the 14th of February, 1892, Mr. Talich was married to Miss Christiana Martin, who was born in Grant county, Wisconsin. They have become parents of eight children, seven of whom are living, Raymond having died at the age of six months. Those who survive are John, Sylvia, Elmer, Francis, George, May and Myrtle. The parents are members of the Catholic church and Mr. Talich gives his political support to the democratic party. He has served as road overseer and for twenty years has been a member of the school board. His life has been an active and useful one and his own industry has constituted the foundation upon which he has built his success.
EZRA AYER
For thirty-six years Ezra Ayer has engaged in farming in Clay county, his home being on section 10, Eldorado township. He was born in Canada on the 26th of March, 1853, and at the age of two years removed with his parents to DeKalb county, Illinois. They resided there until 1855, when the father went to Fillmore county, Minnesota, where he homesteaded and remained until 1857, when he returned to Illinois and located in Henderson county.
Ezra Ayer received his education in the country schools of Henderson county, Illinois, and there resided until 1870 when he went to Mills county, Iowa. For thirteen years he made that county his home and then for two years resided in Sarpy county, Nebraska. In 1885 he decided to come west with the result that he located in Clay county, Nebraska, where he bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, on which land he is still residing. He immediately set about to im- prove the place and put it on a paying basis and he is now one of the most success- ful general farmers and stock raisers in the county.
In 1875 Mr. Ayer was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Hay and they
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have become parents of four children: Leonard E .; Gertrude; Geneva L .; and Blanche.
Throughout his entire life Mr. Ayer has been a stanch supporter of the republican party, having firm belief in the principles of that party as factors in good government. The religious faith of the family is that of the Christian church and they are prominent and active members of that congregation. Mr. Ayer has always taken a keen interest in the development and improvement of the community in which he has so long resided and as a stanch advocate of educa- tion he served as a member of the school board for twenty years. He has followed scientific methods in his farming and his success is the result of diligence and industry intelligently directed.
H. H. TURNER
H. H. Turner, an honored veteran of the Civil war, has been residing retired in Harvard since about 1902. He was born in Otsega county, New York, on the 3d of July, 1843, a son of Isaiah and Mary (Hoagg) Turner, both natives of the same county. In 1850 Mr. and Mrs. Turner removed to Byron, Illinois, where they resided until 1860, when they went to Iowa. The death of Mr. Turner occurred in the latter state. Throughout his entire life he had followed farming and at the time of his death owned two hundred and forty acres of fine land. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Turner: Mary, who is the wife of John Cherry and resides in Iowa; H. H., the subject of this review; T. E., a retired farmer residing at Harvard; Jane, who is the wife of Palaska Hughes, a miller of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and William, who is residing in Iowa. Mr. Turner gave his political allegiance to the republican party and was for many years tax assessor in Iowa. He was a stanch advocate of education and served as school director for many years. The grandfather of H. H. Turner was Ezra Turner, whose birth and death occurred in Otsego county, New York, where he was a well known and highly respected citizen.
H. H. Turner received his education in the public schools of New York and Iowa and in due time attended Beloit College in Wisconsin. In 1862 he entered the Union army from Iowa, joining Company H, Twenty-seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served three years. He was in the Army of the Tennessee and participated in the battles of Pleasant Hill, Brice's Cross Roads, Spanish Fort, Blakely, as well as other battles and skirmishes. At the close of the war he returned to Iowa and engaged in farming, achieving a substantial amount of success. In 1870 he was appointed to take the census and had eight townships under his supervision. In 1878 he came to Clay county and bought eighty acres of land for which he paid cash. He built a frame house and some outbuildings on the land and there resided until about 1902, when he moved into Harvard. He is now living retired, enjoying the fruits of a life spent in diligence and industry.
Mr. Turner has been married twice. On returning to Iowa after the close of the Civil war he was wed on the 16th of April, 1871, to Miss Laura White-
MR. AND MRS. H. H. TURNER
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nack, a native of Indiana and a daughter of Abraham Whitenack, who was an early settler in that state. Her father later removed to Iowa and in 1871 settled in Milford, Nebraska. Five children were born to the first marriage: Etha, who is the wife of Fred Clark and resides in Kansas; Walter, who is engaged in the apple business in the state of Washington; Alice, deceased; Albert, who is a painter of Ardmore, Oklahoma; and Maude, now the wife of Earl L. Seit- singer, a farmer of Washington state. Mrs. Turner's demise occurred on the 4th of June, 1891, and on the 4th of December, 1901, Mr. Turner was married to Miss Alice Bulson, a native of Victoria, Illinois, and a daughter of Frederick and Mary D. Bulson. Her father was born in Otsego county, New York, and her mother in Kentucky. They located in Illinois in 1847 and there they both passed away. Frederick Bulson served in the Mexican war one year and three months. Four children out of the family of eight born to Mr. and Mrs. Bulson are living. In 1886 Mrs. Turner came. to Clay county, locating just east of Harvard, and lived with her sister for some time.
Since age conferred upon Mr. Turner the right of franchise he has been a stanch supporter of the republican party and the principles for which it stands. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church and he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Turner has always taken an active inter- est in the development and improvement of the community and for many years was justice of the peace and a member of the school board. He has become well known in the agricultural circles of the county and his wife now owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres located six miles east of Harvard. Both Mr. and Mrs. Turner have many friends in the county and are readily conceded to be representative citizens.
ALVIN O. HARTQUEST
No man occupies a more enviable position in the financial and business circles of Aurora than Alvin O. Hartquest, vice president of the First Trust Company. His position is due not only to the success which he has achieved but also to the straightforward business policy which he has ever followed. He has won his suc- cess through constructive measures and his progressiveness has carried him into important relations. Mr. Hartquest is a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred in McHenry county, April 14, 1865, his parents being Abraham A. and Nettie (Page) Hartquest, both of whom were natives of Sweden. Coming to America in early life they were married in McHenry county in 1847. Mr. Hartquest purchased land and resided upon a farm in that state until he removed to Hamilton county, Nebraska, in April, 1883. He invested in land in South Platte township and resided thereon for a number of years. In April, 1891, he took up his abode in Lincoln, and retired from farming, with the purpose of spending his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest, but death called him in September of that year. The mother afterwards lived with her daughter, until she, too, was called to her final home in August, 1896. They were consistent Christian people, holding membership in the Episcopal church and Mr. Hartquest gave his political allegiance
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to the republican party. He was a self-made man, his prosperity being due entirely to his own efforts and his course illustrates what can be accomplished by perse- verance, industry and unfaltering energy. To Mr. and Mrs. Hartquest were born nine children of whom five are living: Emma, the wife of Morton Kee, a retired farmer of Los Angeles, California, who is still the owner of land in Hamilton and Adams counties, Nebraska; Josie, the wife of Sumner Pingry, who is living retired at Crystal Lake, Illinois; Mrs. Hanna Warneke, residing in California; Alvin O .; and Otis F. who is engaged in the drug business in Aurora.
Alvin O. Hartquest pursued his education in the pubile schools of his native state and was reared to the occupation of farming, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He afterward engaged in the creamery business in Aurora and was active along that line for fifteen years, conducting his business systematically and progressively so that success crowned his labors. He then turned his attentions to the real estate business and afterward formed a partnership with J. B. Cunningham with whom he was asso- ciated until the latter's death, two years later. Mr. Hartquest then organized the First Trust Company of Aurora, of which he became vice president and general manager. He is thus the executive head of the business and under his guidance the patronage of the company has steadily increased, making the business one of the profitable concerns of Hamilton county and an important feature in financial circles. He is also one of the stockholders in the Farmers' State Bank of Aurora and has made considerable investments in land in Hamilton county.
In December, 1893, Mr. Hartquest was married to Miss Amelia Adamek, a native of Chicago and a daughter of Joseph Adamek who conducted a wagon and carriage shop at Algonquin, Illinois, for a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Hart- quest have become parents of three daughters: Erma, the wife of Floyd Eldridge who is with the Haney Company of Hastings, Nebraska; Lura, who attended the Wesleyan University at University Place, Nebraska; and Mary, who like her sisters is a graduate of the Aurora high school. Mrs. Hartquest is a member of the Epis- copal church but the family attends the Congregational church. Mr. Hartquest is a Scottish Rite Mason and also a member of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise has membership with the Highlanders. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he has served as a member of the city council, exercising his official prerogative in support of all plans and measures for the general good. In fact his support can be counted upon to further any movement that has to do with the welfare and upbuilding of his adopted county and state. Men know that what he says he will do and that his enterprise is of a character which qualifies him for leadership in public affairs.
MICHAEL PRESSLER
Among the valuable and representative citizens that Germany has furnished Nebraska is Michael Pressler, prominent in the agricultural and political circles of Hamilton county. Mr. Pressler was born in Germany on the 4th of March, 1851, and in 1862 came with his parents to America.
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Upon arriving in the United States Michael Pressler and his parents first settled in Sangamon county, Illinois, and there he received his education and grew to manhood. He worked on his father's farm until he was twenty years of age, when he engaged in the blacksmith business which he followed for nine months, or until his marriage which occurred on the 31st of December, 1874. He then rented some land and commenced farming in Illinois, achieving a gratifying amount of success in that occupation. In 1881, however, he determined to come west and in the latter part of that year arrived in Hamilton county, Nebraska, where he has since remained. He purchased eighty acres of land, on which he now resides, for six hundred dollars and set about to improve the place. He built a small frame house and otherwise improved the land and in 1898 bought an additional eighty acres, working both tracts. He engaged in general farming and soon became recognized as one of Hamilton county's most progressive and success- ful farmers. This land, which is located in section 32, Scoville township, is now under his supervision.
On the 31st of December, 1874, occurred the marriage of Mr. Pressler and Miss Catherine C. Horschler, a native of Illinois. To them four children have been born: George M., who is farming in Scoville township; John J., otherwise known as Jack Burns, a moving picture actor with headquarters in New York; William T., who died at the age of seventeen years as the result of having been kicked by a horse; and Walter, who is residing in Trumbull.
Politically Mr. Pressler is well known throughout the county as a stanch supporter of the republican party. For many years he has taken a prominent part in the political affairs of the community and has wielded much influence. He has attended many of the county and state conventions but has always refused to have his name put before any of the committees as a candidate for any public office. Fraternally Mr. Pressler is a Mason and is an exemplary member of the craft. He has been an honorary member of the Doniphan Lodge for thirty-six years, is a member of the Hasting's Consistory and Tehamah Temple of the Mystic Shrine. Mr. Pressler became a thirty-second degree Mason in 1902. Mrs. Pressler is a consistent member of the Catholic church. Mr. Pressler has served his fellowmen as assessor for a period of over twenty years and was justice of the peace for six years. Although a native of Germany he secured his citizenship papers as soon after arriving in this country as possible and no native born American in the county has more love or respect for this great nation than he.
AMOS CURTIS
In the passing of Amos Curtis on the 4th of April, 1917, Hamilton county lost a representative and pioneer citizen. He had spent the greater part of his life on his homestead in that county and had a large circle of friends who were deeply bereaved at his demise.
Amos Curtis was born in Monroe county, Ohio, May 14, 1846, and lived there for some years when he removed with his parents to Iowa. On the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in Company K, Forty-sixth Iowa Infantry, with which
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