USA > Nebraska > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. II > Part 29
USA > Nebraska > Clay County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. II > Part 29
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He rejoined his regiment just before the battle of Gettysburg, participating in a forced march in the race with Lee and reaching Little Round Top during the second day's fight, just before Longstreet charged that critical position. When the rebels caught sight of the Greek cross, which was the battle flag of the Sixth army corps, they halted and never renewed the assault. From his vantage point on Round Top Lieutenant Bates had an excellent view of Pickett's famous charge through what became known as the Bloody Angle. It was at Gettysburg that Mr. Bates' promotion to a first lieutenancy came to him. When in 1864 congress passed a resolution to accept colored volunteers, providing, however, that the regiments must be officered by white men who had seen service in the field, Lieutenant Bates was examined for an appointment of this character in February, 1864, and was made colonel of the Thirtieth Regiment, United States Colored Troops, on the 1st of March following. His military record from that time on has been given in a local paper as follows : "For weeks the Union forces had unsuccessfully assaulted the rebel works around Petersburg. Finally a tunnel was dug under the entrench- ments and a plan was made to explode several tons of gunpowder. Through the gap thus made in the rebel line the works were stormed. The colored division of which Colonel Bates' regiment was a part was first chosen for this important duty but the plan was changed on account of a fear that if the assault failed the com- manding general would be censured for 'sending the niggers into such a place.' The weakest division in the corps was chosen by lot and when the explosion gave signal for the assault it was repulsed. Bates' division was then ordered forward and as
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ranking colonel he led the first regiment into 'the crater' made by the explosion. This hole was about the size of a city block and was the grave of two hundred and fifty men. Several hours' delay ensued in preparing for the second attack and the enemy had recovered to a considerable extent from the almost complete demoraliza- tion which immediately followed the explosion. The black soldiers drove them out, however, and kept them out. Just as they were settling down to a rest, a staff officer rode up to Colonel Bates with an order from General Burnside to charge a rebel battery on a nearby hill which was doing considerable damage to the Union forces. In forming for this charge Colonel Bates gave his men the usual instructions to pay no attention to the wounded who fell until after the battery was taken. If that order had been obeyed his life would surely have been lost that day. Just as the colored troops swept across a ravine they encountered a galling crossfire from five thousand enforcements under General Mahone and Colonel Bates fell with a fifty-eight calibre Enfield ball through his head. The bullet entered his right cheek and passed out just behind the left ear. The variation of a hair's breadth in its course would have meant instant death. But worse danger was coming. Bitter prejudice existed among the confederates against colored soldiers and especially against their white officers. The confederate congress had, in fact, declared that no mercy should be shown them. Wounded officers in such cases were invariably killed by bayonet. But for the heroism of Bates' black soldiers who carried him to safety he would undoubtedly have met that fate. October 11th he returned to duty and was given command of a brigade with the rank of general, also a medal of honor for the work he did at Petersburg. In January, 1865, his brigade was sent to North Carolina, where it joined General Sherman's army. General Bates' brigade remained at Beaufort, North Carolina, during the period of reconstruction and was mustered out in December, 1865."
With the close of the war General Bates returned to his old home in New York. He was married on the 1st of January, 1870, to Miss Lana A. Green of the Empire state and to them were born the following children: Lena Metzger, who died at the age of twenty-two years; LaVerne, a fruit farmer of Modesta, Cali- fornia ; C. L., who is chief clerk in the auditing department of the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy Railroad and resides at LaGrange, Illinois ; Mrs. Daisy Tunison, living at Aurora, and the mother of two children, Lawrence and Margaret Tunison, who are in school. Mrs. Bates passed away in the year 1902, while the death of General Bates occurred December 19, 1918. He was therefore nearing the eightieth milestone on life's journey when called to his final rest. He had long been a con- sistent member of the Masonic fraternity, also belonged to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and he proudly wore the little bronze button that proclaimed him a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. For a number of years he served as commander of his post and was most highly esteemed by all of his old military comrades.
General Bates dated his residence in Hamilton county from 1872, at which time he took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres. When he had com- plied with the law concerning the cultivation of the claim and had received his patent to the land he removed to Aurora, where he continued to reside to the time of his death. For a number of years he was vice president of the First National Bank of Aurora and was recognized as a business man of superior ability, of keen
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insight and sound judgment, successfully managing all of the interests with which he was associated. His fellow townsmen recognizing his worth and his devotion to the general good called him to several offices. He served as county superintendent of schools, was a member of the city council of Aurora for eight years and for two terms served as mayor of the city. It was while acting as county superintendent of schools that he took up his abode in Aurora, which was then but a tiny village and the subsequent growth, development and prosperity of the city are attributable in no small degree to the efforts of General Bates. When Aurora was made the county seat it was not even incorporated as a town and there was no legal way to raise money for any purpose. The citizens agreed to build a courthouse if the voters of Hamilton county would give them the opportunity and at the fifth election at which this question was before the people Aurora won the location. Immediately work on the courthouse was commenced but when the frame was constructed work stopped. Then Aurora learned that the people of the county were claiming that the election had been won by fraud and that an appeal would be made to the courts to declare the election illegal. A mass meeting was then called at which every voter of Aurora was present and the following resolution was passed, "Re- solved that the courthouse must be built, and Aurora must build it." General Bates was appointed a member of the committee, together with John Helms and William H. Streeter, to carry this resolution into effect and the next morning he started out with an agreement to be signed by the voters, that each one would stand by the committee in all that they did. Only two men refused to sign the paper. Work was at once begun, General Bates guaranteeing the pay of the workmen and at an early date the courthouse was completed. General Bates was then instrumental in bringing about the incorporation of the town, which was accomplished at the next meeting of the county commissioners, on the 3d of July, 1877. He became a member of the first board of trustees and so continued to serve until Aurora was made a city of the second class. He later served as a member of the city council for eight years and was chief executive by reason of his election to the mayoralty for two terms. He did much to guide the policy and shape the destiny during the formative period and his work in behalf of Aurora is one which entitles him to the respect and the gratitude of all of her citizens. He likewise was instrumental in securing a site for a cemetery for the town. Ar- rangements had been made to purchase such a site from the Union Pacific Railroad Company but subscriptions were not forthcoming and the contract for the land was cancelled. When his son Loraine died in 1874 General Bates began investi- gating the condition of the cemetery, renewed the contract with the railroad com- pany and made all payments until the town was incorporated, at which time the contract was turned over to the newly organized municipality. General Bates, however, served as superintendent of the cemetery for the first sixteen years at a nominal salary. He was one of the most enthusiastic champions of the Republican Valley Railroad from the time of the first committee meeting until the county bonds were voted. It was during his mayoralty term that the city water works were built and at all times he stood for progress and improvement in anything relating to the general welfare. For many years he did important work on the school board without financial reward and he advanced the money to pay for the ground whereon the present high school building stands, the district having no available funds at
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that time. He it was who raised the funds for the band stand and memorial part in the public square and had charge of both from the beginning to completion. It is almost impossible to give account of his public service, so wide and resultant were his activities. Throughout days of peace he displayed the same loyalty to the public good that he manifested when he followed the nation's banner on the battle fields of the south and while his reward came in less tangible way than during the Civil war when he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general, he never- theless enjoyed the highest regard, confidence and goodwill of his fellow townsmen, who during his life honored him for what he accomplished and since his death have revered and cherished his memory.
D. S. W. CARLSON
D. S. W. Carlson, whose well conducted garage at Aurora is bringing him grati- fying success, is numbered among Nebraska's native sons, his birth having occurred in Saunders county, October 3, 1884. His parents, John and Marie ( Nelson) Carlson, were both born near Stockholm, Sweden, the former in 1835 and the latter in 1850. They were married in that country and came to the United States in early life. The father crossed the Atlantic in 1845, becoming a resident of Detroit, Michigan. He was a blacksmith by trade and worked along that line at various places. Removing to Omaha, Nebraska, he followed blacksmithing in the shops of the Union Pacific Railroad and at an early day, in the settlement and develop- ment of Saunders county, he took up a homestead within its borders. There was not a house between Fremont and Lincoln at that time and he and Jack Carlson lived in a little sod house such as was common on the frontier. A prairie fire burned everything around their home one year. Mr. Carlson afterward improved his farm, built thereon a good residence and equipped the place with all modern accessories incident to the progress and development of a modern farm. In 1902 he disposed of his property there and removed to Hamilton county, where he pur- chased two hundred and seventy-seven acres of good land. His wife passed away in Saunders, while Mr. Carlson survived for some time and died in a hospital at Omaha, Nebraska. They were the parents of two children, one of whom was Signa, who became the wife of Nels Nelson, who was drowned November 7, 1907. The other member of the family was D. S. W. Carlson of this review. The parents were both members of the Lutheran church and in his political views Mr. Carlson was a republican. He started out in the business world empty handed, but as the years passed won a substantial measure of success.
D. S. W. Carlson was educated in the schools of Dodge county and of Fremont, Nebraska, attending the Fremont Normal. His youthful experiences were those of the farm bred boy, and when not busy with his textbooks he worked on the home farm, continuing to till the fields after reaching manhood, until 1905. He then turned his attention to carpentering and contracting and built a number of farm buildings and churches in Hamilton county. In February, 1920, he turned his attention to the automobile business, in which he has since been engaged. He now handles the Studebaker car, having the county agency therefor. He owns a large
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garage and does all kinds of repair work on automobiles. He also has an oil station and every branch of his business is proving profitable, owing to his capable management, keen discernment and unabating energy. He devotes his entire time to the garage and the agency and is today one of the prominent representatives of the automobile trade in Hamilton county. He still owns the old home farm which is well improved and from that property he derives a substantial annual income.
It was in 1908 that Mr. Carlson was united in marriage to Miss Laura E. Hunt, who was born at Phillips, Nebraska, a daughter of Joseph Hunt, who settled in Hamilton county in 1871, owning land near Phillips where he makes his home at the present time, having retired from active business. To Mr. and Mrs. Carlson have been born seven children, four sons and three daughters: Marie, Deroyce, Hubert and Donald, all in school ; Helen, Millard and Dorline.
Mr. Carlson is an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity, loyal at all times to the teachings and purposes of the craft. In politics he maintains an independent course, voting for men and measures rather than parties, nor is he at any time neglectful of the duties of citizenship, but gives active aid and support to all measures and movements for the public good. He and his family occupy a nice home at No. 1405 L street in Aurora and are now pleasantly situated in life. Mr. Carlson's record illustrates what can be accomplished through determined purpose and laudable ambition. He is one of the native sons of Nebraska whose record reflects credit upon the parent state.
JOHN GEORGE BAESCHLIN
A history of Hamilton county would not be complete without mention of John G. Baeschlin who passed away on the 6th of January, 1912, but who through many years of an active and useful life contributed to the development and up- building of Hamilton county. He was born in Toledo, Ohio, May 19, 1857, and pursued his education in the public schools of Wisconsin while spending his youth- ful days in that state. His parents were Jacob and Dorothea Webber Baeschlin, both of whom were natives of Switzerland. The father taught school in the land of the Alps, giving instruction in the French and German languages. After crossing the Atlantic he took up farming in Ohio and afterward removed to Wis- consin where both he and his wife spent their remaining days. He made several trips back to Switzerland, crossing the Atlantic on return visits to his native land on five different occasions.
John George Baeschlin started out in the business world empty handed ·but he steadily worked his way upward and as the years passed, by reason of his diligence and persistency of purpose, he gained a very substantial competence. In 1889 he married Miss Georgiana Hayworth, who was born at Thorntown, Indiana, a daughter of George W. and Caroline (Kirk) Hayworth. The father was engaged in the milling business at Thorntown and at Lebanon, Indiana, for many years and in 1882 removed with his family to Hamilton county, Nebraska, where he turned his attention to farming. He and his wife spent their remaining days in this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Baeschlin was born a daughter, Fern. Mrs. Baeschlin is a
JOHN G. BAESCHLIN
Vol. II-19
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consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Both Mr. and Mrs. Baeschlin were charter members of the Highlanders.
Mr. Baeschlin had many sterling traits of character which won him the high regard of all who knew him. When quite young he was taken by his parents to Wisconsin, was there reared to manhood and later the family removed to Missouri, but George, as he was familiarly known, drifted into Nebraska. He followed various pursuits at different times and at length settled down to the business of wholesale produce merchant. It was about 1888 that he became a resident of Aurora, and continuing in this business his trade at length grew to such propor- tions that it seemed wise to remove to Lincoln, which he did in 1906. At the time of his death he was said to be the largest independent wholesale produce merchant in the United States. During the last sixteen years of his life he shipped several carloads of poultry to the Pacific coast each week. In addition to his main office in Lincoln he maintained offices in Aurora, York, Seward, Fremont, Wahoo, Holdrege and Grand Island, Nebraska, and the entire business was under his direct supervision. He displayed notably sound judgment in all business affairs and quickly discriminated between the essential and the non-essential at all times. He was indeed a self-made man, dependent upon his own resources as soon as he was old enough to make a start in life. Year by year he developed his business interests until his position was one of leadership in connection with the poultry and egg trade of the country and thus as the years passed he won a notable and gratifying measure of prosperity, so that he was able to leave his family in very comfortable financial circumstances. Mrs. Baeschlin now occupies a beautful modern home at No. 1012 Ninth street, in Aurora, where she has many friends who esteem her highly and her position in social circles of the city is indeed enviable.
NELS H. ANDERSEN
Denmark has given its goodly quota of sterling citizens to Nebraska, and among the number is the well known pioneer of Hamilton county, Nels H. Andersen, within whose borders he has maintained his residence since 1879. Mr. Andersen has sold his farm property and is now living retired in the village of Kronborg, where he erected the modern and attractive house in which he and his wife maintain their home and take pleasure in extending hospitality to their wide circle of friends.
Mr. Andersen was born in Denmark in the year 1850, was there reared and educated, and in 1872, shortly after attaining his majority, came to the United States. He arrived in the city of Chicago at a time when it was just beginning to rehabilitate itself after the historic fire of 1871, and after there remaining about one year he went to Wisconsin, in which state he was employed for a time in a tannery and thereafter at farm work. There, in 1877, he was married to Miss Mary Hansen, and in the following year he purchased eighty acres of raw prairie land in Hamilton county, Nebraska, and in 1879 he and his wife came to establish their home on the pioneer farm in Otis township. They brought with them no household effects nor other equipment and as their funds were summed up in one hundred
.
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dollars, they passed the first summer in the home of a neighbor and in the autumn Mr. Andersen erected on his land a little frame house, fourteen by eighteen feet in dimensions. Privations and other hardships were faced by the young pioneers, and they lost their crops by hail in the second year of their residence. However, he persisted in the cultivation of this eighty acres and later added a tract of cqual area and eventually an abundant prosperity attended his vigorous and progressive activi- ties as an agriculturist and stock raiser. He remained on his farm until 1916, since which year he has lived retired at Kronborg, and he has sold all of his farm property.
Mr. Andersen is a democrat in political allegiance, and he and his wife are earnest communicants of the Danish Lutheran church in their home village. Of their children the eldest, Christ, resides at Burwell, Garfield county ; Herman died at the age of thirty-one years and Johanna died at the age of thirty-six years ; Kenneth is identified with farm industry in Hamilton county; Mavis died at the age of twenty-one years; Carolina, a nurse by vocation, resides at Central City, Merrick county; Agnes is a resident of Brush, Colorado; Hans and Mata are deceased ; and Otto, who was in the nation's military service in connection with the World war, now owns and has the active management of the old home farm in Otis township.
C. H. REED
C. H. Reed, whose death occurred in 1897, was the seventh settler of Bluff pre- cinct, having removed to Hamilton county in 1873. He secured a homestead and after passing through years of hardships and misfortunes became a successful and progressive agriculturist and one widely known throughout the community.
C. H. Reed was born in Sweden in 1833 and when thirty-five years of age came to the United States, first settling in Illinois. There he worked out on farms by the month, but hearing of greater opportunities offered in the west he came alone to Nebraska and located in Hamilton county in 1873, thereby becoming the seventh pioneer settler in Bluffs township. The trip to the west was made by train as far as Lone Tree, now Central City, and he arrived there on the 14th of February, that year. Mr. Reed was without finances but secured a homestead of eighty acres and began to cultivate his land. He built a sod house on the land that summer and a hay shed for live stock, although he had no live stock then nor for a period of two years afterward. He then purchased a yoke of oxen and with them started to break his ground. The grasshoppers took his first crop, also his second and third and as a result he walked to Lincoln and there secured a job. He experienced the severe Easter blizzard of 1873 and was snowed in for three days. In the early days of his residence in the county Indians were numerous but they were quite friendly, often stopping at the farm house for food and warmth during their fall and spring hunting trips. Mr. Reed had to take his grain to a mill some miles distant and when he went on this journey the entire neighborhood accompanied him. Although there were many obstacles in Mr. Reed's path to success, he overcame all of them by his grim determination and remarkable energy. At the time of his death in 1897 Mr. Reed was in possession of two hundred acres of fine farm land whereon
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stood a modern home. The widow of Mr. Reed is still making her home on this land in section 26, Bluff precinct.
Before coming to the United States Mr. Reed was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Peterson, and their son, C. H., who was born in Sweden, is managing the old homestead. Two other children were born to this union: George, who is engaged in farming in Alberta, Canada; and Albert, who is also farming on the home place. The two brothers on the home place rent the greater part of the land and engage in general farming on the remainder.
The death of Mr. Reed came as a severe blow to the community for he was one of their few remaining pioneers. He was justly entitled to that proud American title of self-made man for his success was the result of his own efforts, intelligently directed.
HANS P. MADSEN
The year 1873 recorded the arrival of the late Hans P. Madsen and his faithful wife in Hamilton county, Nebraska, and theirs was a life of struggle and many hardships in the earlier period of their residence on one of the pioneer farms of the county. They suffered loss of crops through grasshoppers, hailstorms and droughts, but they did not lose confidence nor courage and the passing years finally rewarded them with generous prosperity. Mr. Madsen was one of the substantial farmers and highly esteemed pioneer citizens of Otis township at the time of his death, when seventy years of age, and his widow still maintains her residence on the old home farm, in section 28, Otis township, the place being dear to her through gracious memories and associations of years that have passed.
Mr. Madsen was born in Denmark, or rather in the former Danish province of Slesvig, which had become a German possession at the time of his birth, in 1844, he having been of stanch Danish ancestry. He was reared and educated in his native province and was twenty-two years of age when he immigrated to America, in 1866, and established his residence in Illinois, where he continued to be employed at farm work until 1869, in which year he was joined by his wife on the 8th of April. She was born and reared in Denmark and her maiden name was Alice M. Mortensen. From 1869 to 1873 Mr. Madsen was engaged in farming in the state of Illinois. He then came to Hamilton county, Nebraska, and took up a preemption claim of eighty acres, in the present Otis township. Later he took also a homestead claim, adjoining his preemption and for several years he and his wife continued to occupy the little sod house which he constructed on his land. He purchased a team of horses and broke a few acres of his land, which he planted with wheat. He was isolated on the prairie farm during the historic Easter blizzard which swept this section in April, 1873, and which held the country snowbound for three days. He and his wife encountered their full share of the privations and other hardships that marked the pioneer days, but eventually prosperity smiled upon them and at the time of his death he was the owner of a well improved and very productive farm of one hundred acres. He was a man of unassailable character, industrious and ambi- tious, loyal to all civic and communal obligations, kindly and considerate in his
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