USA > Nebraska > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. II > Part 24
USA > Nebraska > Clay County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. II > Part 24
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J. E. INGRAM, M. D.
Dr. J. E. Ingram, physician and surgeon of Harvard, is enjoying a good practice that is constantly increasing. His college training and his post-graduate work have been most thorough and his office is equipped with X-ray machines and other facili- ties for professional work of an advanced character. Doctor Ingram comes to Nebraska from the neighboring state of Kansas, his birth having occurred in Republic county on the 30th of April, 1883, his parents being J. T. and Alice (Kerby) Ingram, both of whom were natives of Iowa, in which state they were
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reared and married. In 1872 they removed to Thayer county, Nebraska, where the father homesteaded and in 1886 they went to Kansas. In that state he purchased land near the city of Republic and continued to reside there for fourteen years, or until 1900, when he took his family to Franklin county, Nebraska, securing a farm there which he further developed and improved until 1907. In that year he sold the property and retired from active life, establishing his home at Bethany, Ne- braska. Since that time, however, he has acquired a fruit farm in California, where he now makes his home. His wife passed away in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1909. They were the parents of nine children, all of whom are living, J. E. Ingram being the sixth in order of birth. The parents were members of the Christian church and J. T. Ingram was a republican in politics in early manhood but afterward became a supporter of the populist party. In 1891 he was called to represent his district in the Kansas legislature and some time afterward became an advocate of democratic principles.
J. E. Ingram attended the common schools of Kansas and also the high school at Bloomington, Nebraska, while subsequently he was for four years a student in Cotner University. Determining to make the practice of medicine his life work, he afterward entered the Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, and was there graduated in 1915. He then came to Harvard, where he opened an office, but in the meantime served as an interne in a hospital at Cincinnati and also as interne in a hospital at Lincoln, Nebraska, for eight months, thus gaining valuable pro- fessional experience. He was likewise at one time assistant to a physician at Chanute, Kansas, but has practiced at Harvard continuously since July 17, 1916. He here has a nice practice which is constantly growing and he has splendid X-ray equipment in his office. In 1917 he pursued post-graduate studies at Rochester, Minnesota, and has also studied in the Chicago Polyclinic Post Graduate School. In August, 1920, he pursued special work in rectal diseases in Chicago and thus by advanced study he is constantly promoting his skill and efficiency.
On the 4th of July, 1915, Dr. Ingram was married to Miss Ada B. Sipes, who was born in Franklin county, Nebraska, and to them has been born a son, Bernard Everett, now three years of age. The parents are members of the Christian church, loyally following its teachings and high purposes. Dr. Ingram belongs also to the Masonic fraternity and to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Polit- ically he is a democrat but without aspiration for office. He belongs to the County, State and American Medical Associations and the State and National Eclectic Associations and has ever made his professional duties his first interest and con- sideration, so that he enjoys the confidence of the general public and of his professional brethren as well.
ABRAHAM G. HAGEY
Abraham G. Hagey was one of the honored settlers of Hamilton county and was familiar with every phase of early development in this section of the state. He came here when the work of progress and improvement had scarcely begun and bore his full share in carrying it forward. Not only were his labors a factor in the
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cultivation of farms but were also an element in public progress through his efforts to promote the schools and to advance every project for the general good.
Mr. Hagey was born in Pennsylvania in 1834 and in 1847 or 1848 went with his parents to Illinois, where his father engaged in the jewelry business. He drew lots with his brothers to see who would enter the service at the time of the Civil war and it fell to him to remain at home, for some one was needed in caring for the farm property.
It was in the spring of 1873 that Mr. Hagey came to Hamilton county, Ne- braska, making his way to what was then a frontier region into which it seemed that civilization had scarcely penetrated. He purchased a relinquishment from a man who was driven out by the Easter blizzard. Mr. Hagey had driven through from Illinois with three horses and a covered wagon, camping out along the road at night. His first place was an eighty-acre tract of land and his first house was partly of sod and partly a dugout. He also had a sod stable on his place and a well was put down. He likewise planted forest trees and continued the work of steady development and improvement in this section of the state. On various occasions Indians passed through the district on their hunting trips. In those pioneer days Mr. Hagey did most of his trading at Harvard and often took his grist to mill in York county and sometimes to Springranch in Clay county. There were still some antelopes in this section of the state and various evidences of unimprovement and of unsettled conditions of the west. His labors constituted an element in planting the seeds of civilization and of development which have since borne rich fruit here.
At Sterling, Illinois, in 1860, Mr. Hagey was married to Miss Agnes Lyle, a native of Scotland, who was born February 22, 1832, and accompanied her parents on their emigration to the United States about 1843. She departed this life April 7, 1901, having long survived her husband, who died in Hamilton county, Nebraska, in February, 1878. They were the parents of four children: George, who still occupies the old homestead; Frances, the wife of W. E. Cutts of Alliance, Nebraska; James, living in Downey, California; and John, who is farming in Hamilton county. After the mother's death the sons George and John took over the old home place, planted an orchard and greatly improved the property.
Abraham G. Hagey assisted in organizing the school in District No. 64. He belonged to the Grange, becoming connected therewith in 1871 and 1872 while dealing with Montgomery Ward & Company of Chicago. He remained a member until his death. His name is high on the roll of valued pioneer residents of this section of the state and the work which he instituted as a farmer is still being carried on by his sons George and John, who own the old homestead jointly.
CHRISTIAN GEORGE
Russia has contributed a substantial portion to the population of Hamilton county and the representatives of that land have been closely associated with the substantial development of this section of the state, especially along agricultural lines. Christian George is numbered among those who formerly engaged in farming and by reason of capable business management are now enabled to enjoy
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well earned rest. He was born in southern Russia, April 1, 1850, and is a brother of John George, in connection with whose sketch on another page of this work the family history is given. He was educated in his native country and in 1874 came to Hamilton county where he assisted in the arduous task of breaking sod and preparing the undeveloped prairie land for farming. Ile purchased a half section of railroad land at four dollars per acre, paying one tenth down and the balance in ten years. His first home was a sod house, or rather a mud house with a sod roof, which he built and in which he lived until he had completed payment on the property. In time he replaced this primitive home with a frame dwelling. From time to time as his financial resources increased he bought more land and had at one time five hundred and eighty acres.
In 1872 Mr. George married Rosanna Ormen, a native of Russia and a daughter of Phillip and Freda (Wall) Ormen, who passed away in Russia, where her father had followed farming. Ten children have been born of this marriage: John M., a farmer of this county; J. C., also farming here; Matilda, the wife of Jacob Nickloes of Hamilton county; Carl and Gussie, who are farming in this county ; Peter, living in Aurora; Lydia, the wife of Edwin Banks of Aurora, who is a railroad man; Rose, at home; Paul, in the railroad employ ; and Ernest, upon the farm.
Mr. and Mrs. George are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his political endorsement is given to the republican party. While on the farm he served as a member of the school board but has never been active in seeking public office. He occupied the farm until 1915 when he removed to Aurora and retired from business, his land being at that time worth two hundred dollars per acre. He gave each child land worth five thousand dollars and 'still holds a mortgage of twenty- three thousand dollars on land which he sold. All of this he has accomplished in an active and busy life.
WILLIAM PROUTY
William Prouty is one of the prominent and influential residents of Clay county, making his home at Edgar. He has devoted his entire life to agri- culture and has won a measure of success that is of a most substantial character and which has come to him as the direct reward of his perseverance and earnest labor. He was born in Berrien county, Michigan, on the 30th of October, 1851, a son of Caleb and Margaret (Williams) Prouty, the former a native of Vermont, while the latter was born in New York. Their marriage occurred in Michigan, where both had come as young people. Six children were born to that union, three of whom are living: Louise, who is the wife of Mason Hungerford, a veteran of the Civil war, residing in California; Ida, the wife of J. W. Jameson, a veteran of that conflict, now a resident of Hillsboro, Oregon; and William, whose name initiates this review. Throughout their lives both Mr. and Mrs. Prouty were consistent members of the Christian church and he was a stanch supporter of the republican party.
William Prouty is indebted to the schools of Michigan for his education and
MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM PROUTY
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after putting his textbooks aside he engaged in farming with his father. In 1872, however, he determined to come west and as a result located in Clay county, where he acquired a homestead of eighty acres. He built a log house on this land and there resided alone until 1877, when he returned to Michigan and was married. Soon after that event he and his wife came to the homestead and thereon resided until July 9, 1919, when they removed to Edgar. Mr. Prouty sold his homestead, realizing a substantial sum, and purchased a five acre tract on the edge of Edgar, where he built a fine home.
In 1877 occurred the marriage of Mr. Prouty and Miss Ida Schweisthal, a native of Wisconsin and a daughter of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Robbins) Schweisthal, the former a native of Germany and the latter of England. They both came to the United States at an early day and their marriage was cele- brated in Wisconsin. Upon the outbreak of the Civil war the father enlisted in the Wisconsin regulars and served with them two years. During his active serv- ice he was quite severely wounded and confined to an army hospital for several months. The death of Mr. Schweisthal occurred June, 1881, at the Soldiers Home in Milwaukee. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Schweisthal four girls were born, three of whom are living ; Mrs. Prouty; Mary, who is the wife of E. C. Stephens of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Hannah, who is the wife of E. J. Jones, who is en- gaged in plumbing in Aurora. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Prouty : William Ross, whose death occurred at the age of nineteen months; Luella, who is the wife of A. N. Squires, a farmer of Clay county; Alta, who married E. A. Hunter, a musician, and they reside in Missouri; Fred W. works for the county on the roads; Grace, the wife of H. M. Larkin, a resident of Ayr; and Pearl, whose death occurred on the 15th of March, 1920, and who was the wife of Dr. W. T. Simpson.
Mr. Prouty follows an independent course in politics and fraternally is iden- tified with the Odd Fellows. The religious faith of Mr. and Mrs. Prouty is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. He passed through all the hardships of the pioneer days but allowed no obstacle to remain long in his path. His success is the result of his own determined effort, intelligently directed, and he is living retired in Edgar, an honored and representative citizen.
HENRY T. WILLISS
Among the well known men in Clay county is Henry T. Williss, a retired farmer of Fairfield. He was born in Indiana on the 7th of February, 1855, a son of Jesse and Jane (Manwell) Williss. His parents were both born in Ohio and removed to Iowa in 1857, settling in Prairie county. From that time until 1875 Jesse Williss engaged in farming and then came to Nebraska, Gage county, where he purchased land and resided thereon until his death.
Henry Williss received his education in the country schools of Iowa and walked a distance of seven miles to the little log schoolhouse each day. He attended school for two or three months in the year and the remainder of the time helped his father on the home farm. When his parents located in Gage county in 1875 he
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came with them and until he was twenty-seven years of age remained under the parental roof. He then rented land for some time and later purchased eighty acres, on which place he erected some fine frame improvements. He traded that eighty for one hundred and sixty acres in Gage county, which he soon afterward disposed of and subsequently purchased a one hundred and sixty acre tract one mile east of Fairfield. That land was fairly well improved and under Mr. Williss's able management was soon brought to a highly cultivated state. He engaged in general farming and kept a good grade of stock and was known throughout the county as a most successful agriculturist. In 1914 he retired from active life, selling his one hundred and sixty acres, and moved into Fairfield, where he is residing, a highly respected citizen. He is active in the development and improve- ment of the community and has an interest in the Farmers & Merchants Bank and the Farmers Elevator.
On January 29, 1879, in Nebraska, occurred the marriage of Mr. Williss and Miss Jennie Gemmill, a native of Canada, and to them six children have been born : Emma, who is the wife of C. E. Duntz of Smith county, Kansas; Ella, the widow of Marion Ests and a resident of Davey ; Will, a resident of Smith Center, Kansas ; Erma, who is the wife of Edward Bailey of Harvard; Lewis LeRoy, of Smith Center, Kansas, who received training for entrance into the World war at Camp Cody, New Mexico, and saw active service abroad; and Charles, of Smith Center, Kansas.
In politics Mr. Williss follows an independent course, giving his support to the man he thinks best fitted for any particular office. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church and both he and his wife are consistent members of that organization. Mr. Williss has led a useful and active life and his success is due to his own determined effort, intelligently directed.
D. C. HAGER
One of the attractive commercial establishments of Clay Center is the jewelry store of D. C. Hager, who has continuously been connected with the jewelry trade in this city since 1886, or for a period of thirty-five years. He was born in Ap- panoose county, Iowa, November 12, 1861, and is a son of Jacob and Margaret (Craft) Hager, the former a native of Ohio, while the latter was born in Penn- sylvania. They were married in Iowa, having removed to that state when young people, and the father followed the occupation of farming, having a small tract of land which he afterward sold prior to removing to Clay county, Nebraska, in 1875. Here he purchased a homestead right of one hundred and sixty acres, which had a little house on it. He added some improvements to the place and after- ward sold it, at which time he bought land one mile south and town property in Clay Center and took up his abode in the city, there spending his remaining days. His widow still makes her home in Clay Center. Mrs. Hager is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which Mr. Hager also belonged and he was likewise a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, having served for three
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years as a Union soldier in the Civil war. On one occasion he was captured by the Confederate forces and sent to prison in Tyler, Texas, where he was in- carcerated for three months. To Mr. and Mrs. Hager were born ten children : D. C., of this review; Clara, the widow of Hugh Louden and now a resident of Montana; Frank, who is clerking in a store at Clay Center; Ida, the wife of W. F. Taylor, a carpenter of Clay Center; John, who is farming in Minnesota ; Cora, the wife of John Athey, a farmer, living near Ord, Nebraska; G. Edward, a prominent attorney of Lincoln, who formerly served as county attorney ; Addie, who lives with her mother; Eva, the wife of Rev. Charles Burns, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church located at Chester, Nebraska ; and Pearl, the wife of W. P. Hertel, a merchant of Clay Center.
D. C. Hager was educated in the country schools of Clay county and began life on a farm. He learned the jewelry business in a store at Ottumwa, Iowa, and started in business on his own account along the same line in 1886. He has been engaged in the jewelry trade since that time, covering a period of thirty- five years, and has long been accounted one of the prominent and representative merchants of this section of the state by reason of the thorough-going business methods he has displayed, his unfaltering enterprise and his unquestioned reliability in all trade transactions.
In 1886 Mr. Hager was married to Mrs. Addie (Brooks) Wohrman, a native of Illinois and a daughter of George Brooks, who was a pioneer settler of Clay county, where he took up the occupation of farming. He afterward removed to Buffalo county, Nebraska, where he purchased land and at a later date went to California, where his remaining days were passed. He served as a soldier of the Civil war. To Mr. and Mrs. Hager have been born four children: Elmer L., born in 1888, was educated in the high schools of Clay Center and is now a partner of his father in the optical business; Margaret is at home; Edna is a student in Cotner University, of Lincoln; and Ruth is employed in the office of the county attorney. Mrs. Hager also had a daughter by her previous marriage, Etta, the wife of Allan Campbell of Clay Center. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hager hold membership in the Christian church and he belongs also to the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His political endorsement is given to the republican party, but his entire time and attention are given to his store and the careful management of his business has brought to him a substantial measure of prosperity.
JOHN J. KLINE
A pioneer farmer of Hamilton county was John J. Kline and his death which occurred March 14, 1914, came as a servere shock to his many friends. A native of Ohio he was born in Portage county in 1848, a son of John and Margaret (May) Kline. John J. Kline was but eight years of age at the time of his father's death and at that early age began to assume responsibilities. He obtained such education as was afforded in the country schools of Ohio, and when seventeen years of age learned the carpenter's trade which line of work he followed until the removal of the family to Illinois, when he was a young man. He farmed rented land in Vol. 11-16
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that state where his marriage occurred in 1875 and in 1880 Mr. Kline and his family came west. The trip was made by train and they settled in Hamilton county in 1883, buying one hundred and sixty acres of land whereon he built a small frame house, shed and stable and made additional improvements. He planted an orchard but this largely died out as the result of the droughts of '93 and '94. He was a very successful farmer and increased his holdings from time to time until he had a fine ranch of two hundred and forty acres in section 32, Scoville township. He was a man of great energy and determination and allowed no obstacle, however great, long to remain in his path.
In 1875, while residing in Illinois, Mr. Kline was married to Miss Bertha Horschler, a native of Mount Pulaski, Logan county, that state. Her parents were Melchior and Mary (Young) Horschler. Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kline: Anthony H., whose death occurred at the age of twenty-three years; George, engaged in farming in Hamilton county ; Lena, who is the wife of William Wonder- lich, a farmer of Hamilton county ; Katherine L., at home; Ralph, who passed away at the age of two years ; Cecelia, at home; Daniel E., farming in Hamilton county ; Elmer, who died in infancy; Mary L., who is the wife of Cyril Wonderlich, a farmer of Hamilton county; Clara M., who is Sister Leonarda at St. Anthony's School, Cedar Rapids, Nebraska; Francisca, who is Sister Francis Dominick in the St. Agnes Academy at Memphis, Tennessee; and Irene, who is also a nun, being known as Sister Theodore and is at St. Patrick's School, Fremont, Nebraska.
Throughout his life Mr. Kline was a stanch democrat, having firm faith in the principles of that party as factors in good government. Fraternally he was well known as a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Royal Highlanders and the Knights of Columbus. His religious faith was that of the Catholic church and he was a member of the St. Joseph church at Giltner. Having had but few educational advantages himself, Mr. Kline was a fervent worker in furthering any movement along that line and he served as school treasurer for a period of twenty- seven years. He was also for many years road overseer of the precinct. The greater part of Mr. Kline's life was devoted to farming and he became well known and an influential leader in the community. His death, March 14, 1914, was an occasion of deep sorrow throughout the vicinity, for in his passing Hamilton county lost a representative citizen.
JACOB BUDLER
Jacob Budler, for many years prominent in agricultural circles of Hamilton county, is now residing retired on his home farm in section 31, Valley township, a prosperous and respected citizen. A native of Germany, he was born on the 28th of December, 1851, and twenty years later came to the United States, in the spring of 1871.
Upon his arrival in this country Jacob Budler first located in Pittsburgh, Penn- sylvania, where he obtained employment in a dairy. He remained in that connec- tion until May of that year, when he began to realize the greater opportunities offered in the west and as a result left Pennsylvania for Illinois, locating at
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Aurora. He made his home there for about nine years, working out by the month for about four years and then farming rented land for the remainder of the time. In 1879 he came to Nebraska, locating in Hamilton county, where he bought one hundred and twenty aeres of land and there was a sod house and a shed on the place. Part of the land had been broken and the remainder being in prairie he immediately set about to cultivate it. He had brought a horse team and some farm machinery with him from Illinois. After purchasing his land, for which he paid eight and a quarter dollars per acre, Mr. Budler was without funds, but it was not long before he had his land on a paying basis. His farm is now composed of three hundred and ninety-three aeres with two sets of buildings.
While residing in Illinois the marriage of Mr. Budler to Miss Katrina Bermes was celebrated at Aurora on the 25th of February, 1872. To them thirteen children have been born, four claiming Illinois as their native state: John, Antone, Henry and Nettie, all born in Illinois; Frank, died in infancy; Marie; Bennie; Rosy ; George; Albert; Annie and Lula. One died unnamed. Henry is in the United States army and was active in the Spanish-American war. This family has been closely bound together, each doing his part toward the making of the family fortune. Sickness has played but little part in their lives and for the most part the family circle remains intact.
Mr. Budler and family are consistent members of the Catholic church and he is . a generous contributor to its every cause. He has always taken an active part in the development and improvement of the community in which he has so long resided, and he served his fellowmen as road overseer for one year. Mr. Budler is now living retired on his home farm, which is being conducted by his son, Bennie, and his son-in-law, Clyde Henthorne. He has labored hard and faithfully and is well entitled to the rest from hard work which he is now enjoying.
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