USA > Nebraska > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. II > Part 37
USA > Nebraska > Clay County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. II > Part 37
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In politics Mr. MeDougall gives his allegiance to the democratic party and while he has labored earnestly and faithfully in achieving prosperity during the period of his residence in Hamilton county, he has not been unmindful of his civic responsibilities and has shown loyal and helpful interest in community affairs. He is now in independent financial circumstances, as the result of his own well directed efforts and in view of his present status there is significance in the state- ment that upon coming to Hamilton county he was compelled to go in debt for the first bill of groceries which he here purchased. He has been one of the world's determined and productive workers and well merits the success which has rewarded his efforts.
SWAN J. JOHNSON
Since 1912 Swan J. Johnson has been living retired in Saronville, Clay county, a respected and representative citizen. A native of Sweden, he was born in that country August 28, 1846.
Swan J. Johnson received his education in his native land and there remained until he was twenty-two years of age, at which time he came to the United States. He went directly to Indiana and there resided for one year and then removed to Galesburg, Illinois, where he lived for a period of five years. Hearing of the greater opportunities being offered in the west, Mr. Swanson decided to try his fortunes here and in 1879 arrived in Nebraska. He had farmed rented land in Illinois but now determined to engage in that line of work on his own account and he purchased a quarter section of railroad land near Harvard. That land was
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then nothing but prairie and upon it he built a little frame house, fourteen by twenty-two feet, consisting of two rooms and he had a straw barn for the cattle, which consisted of four head of horses and two cows. He also brought some farm machinery with him from Illinois. For three years he was unfortunate in being unable to raise crops and would have gone back east had it been possible at that time. Mr. Swanson was a man of quick wit and ready intelligence and grasped every opportunity that lay in his path. He allowed nothing to discourage him and steadily forged ahead, until he is now living retired in Saronville, financially independent.
In 1875 in Moline, Illinois, occurred the marriage of Mr. Johnson and Miss Amanda Forsell, also a native of Sweden, who came to America when fourteen years of age. They have become parents of nine children : Benjamin, who is farming in Decatur county, Kansas; Oscar, farmer of Wilcox; Fred, who is engaged in farm- ing in Clay county ; Hattie Peterson, residing in Clay county ; E., who makes his home in Clay county; Luther, a resident of Saronville; Viola Peterson, who is residing on the home place ; Wendell, farming in Clay county ; and Clifford, at home.
At one time Mr. Johnson was in possession of nine hundred acres of fine land in the county but he has divided this among his children. When he removed to Saronville he built a fine home and now owns this, together with additional prop- erty. He has been active in the development and improvement of the community and for a number of years served his fellowmen as school treasurer. The religious faith of the family is that of the Swedish Lutheran church, of which they are con- sistent members. On looking back over the years of his life Mr. Johnson is glad that he did not have means sufficient to take him back east at the time when his crops failed him and every attempt at advancement seemed futile. He is glad he stayed and worked out his many problems and he attributes his success to his ability along an agricultural line and his ready grasping of opportunities.
H. E. BELDEN
H. E. Belden, deceased, was for many years one of the successful business men and agriculturists of Clay county, Nebraska. His death occurred on the 24th of November, 1917, and caused a feeling of deep bereavement to sweep the com- munity. He was a native of Vermont, in which state his birth occurred January 6, 1858, his parents being Daniel and Jane Belden, also natives of that state. The father passed away in Vermont and after his death Mrs. Belden made her home with our subject, H. E., for seven years and then returned to her native state, where her demise occurred. Four children were born to their union, two of whom are living: Imogene Woodward of Vermont; and Lottie Carry of Massachusetts. H. E. Belden was the third in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Belden were through- out their lives consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
H. E. Belden received his education in the schools of Vermont and later learned the carpenter's trade, which line of work he followed until he came to Nebraska in 1880. On arriving in this state he acquired a half section of land in Frontier county and after residing for three years on that land, disposed of it and removed
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to Clay county. He bought some land in that county, whereon he resided nntil January, 1916, when he sold his farm and moved into Harvard. For eight years he conducted a plumbing establishment in that town, going back and forth from his farm during that time. He was always a stanch advocate of education and for thirty years was a member of the board of education.
In 1882 Mr. Belden was united in marriage to Flora Wyckoff, a native of Livingston county, Illinois, and a daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Wright) Wyckoff. Her father was born in Ohio, while her mother was a native of Penn- sylvania. Their marriage occurred in Illinois, however, and in 1871 they came to Nebraska, where the father secured a homestead in Fillmore county. Mr. Wyckoff resided on the home place until a short time before his death, when he moved to Harvard, where he died. The mother passed away at the home of Mrs. Belden in Harvard in 1917. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wyckoff, four of whom are living: Mrs. Belden ; Charles, who is a well known plumber of Harvard; Alva, a rancher of Douglas, Wyoming; and John, who is a banker of Nebraska. Mrs. Wyckoff was a consistent member of the Baptist church, while her husband attended the Congregational church. In politics he was a stanch republican and fraternally was identified with the Masons. For three years he saw active service during the Civil war and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. Mr. and Mrs. Belden became the parents of four children: Luella, who is the wife of Roy Hunt, a druggist at Harvard; Cora, who married Harry Bermond, a farmer six miles west of Harvard; Arthur, who is engaged in the plumbing and windmill business at Harvard; and Edith, who is the wife of Russell Salsbury of York, where he is engaged in the drug business.
Throughout his life Mr. Belden was a stanch supporter of the republican party and the principles for which it stands. His fraternal affiliation was with the Masons and his religious faith was that of the Christian church. Mr. Belden was one of the highly respected and enterprising citizens of Clay county, a man of great energy and rare business ability. He was well known for his integrity in all business transactions and his death removed from this portion of the state one of . its most useful citizens. Mrs. Belden is still making her home in Harvard, where she owns a fine home and is financially independent. She is active in the lodge circles of that town as a prominent member of the Eastern Star and her children also have membership in that organization.
GEORGE E. JACKETT
George E. Jackett is among the very first of the early pioneers of Hamilton county, arriving here July 1, 1871. A native of Illinois he was born in Lake county, that state, December 10, 1845, a son of Michael and Mary (Knapp) Jackett.
The parents of George E. Jackett removed to Wisconsin in 1846 and there he received his education in the primitive country schools. After putting his text- books aside he engaged in farming and some time after his marriage came west, making the trip overland in a covered wagon. He arrived in Hamilton county, July 1, 1871, bringing with him as a part of his equipment three horses and two
MR. AND MRS. GEORGE E. JACKETT
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cows. He acquired a homestead of eighty acres in the Union precinct and his first improvements thereon consisted of a small dugout, a sod barn and a henhouse. He broke his own land and did his first freighting from Lincoln. He set out a number of shade trees on the land and also planted about three hundred peach trees, most of which soon died. His crops were destroyed at various times by the grasshoppers, but no obstacle was too great for him to overcome. Elk, deer, antelope and wild cats were plentiful around the country and he has killed many of these animals, whose skins he has preserved. During the winter he trapped beaver along the river and has had as many as four hundred Indians camping on the farm. The Indians frightened Mrs. Jackett on coming to their home at one time. She assisted in molding bullets to be used in case of an Indian attack upon their home. He hauled his wood from the Blue river and during a big Easter blizzard he and his family were storm bound for several days and his dog and his hogs were snowed under for a week. Later Mr. Jackett preempted eighty additional acres and is now in possession of two hundred and forty acres, on which stand a good set of improvements.
On the 21st of March, 1871, occurred the marriage of Mr. Jackett and Miss Mary Cameron and they have become the parents of six children: James, who is residing at Genoa, Colorado; Royal C., at home; George, a farmer in Hamilton county ; Margaret, the wife of William J. Mack of Twin Falls, Idaho; Edna B., the wife of H. H. Kilburn of Kimberly, Idaho; and L. G., at home.
Mr. Jackett has always taken an active interest in the development of the community in which he makes his home and to that end has served his fellow citizens as a member of the school board. His political policies are of an inde- pendent nature, he voting for the man best fitted for the position without regard for party. His fraternal affiliation is with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Mr. Jackett was one of the early farmers in this state. He belongs to that class of representative citizens who came to the west with the determination to find in a new and growing country the success which perseverance, labor and energy merit.
FRANK C. RUNDLE
Frank C. Rundle began life in Aurora with a capital of but twenty dollars. Today he is the owner of a valuable farm of two hundred and eighty acres near Ansley and was previously the owner of another excellent property which he sold in 1919. For many years he was actively associated with farming interests and his industry and diligence brought to him a very substantial measure of success. Mr. Rundle was born in Iroquois county, Illinois, April 3, 1867, his parents being Abraham and Caroline (Townsend) Rundle, both of whom were natives of England. Crossing the Atlantic they became residents of Chicago in early life and afterward removed to Iroquois county, Illinois, where the father purchased land and continued to make his home until his demise. His widow still occupies the old homestead, having there eighty acres of valuable land. The farm at one time comprised one hundred and sixty acres but half of the amount has been sold. Mr. Abraham Rundle gave his political endorsement to the republican party and filled various town-
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ship offices and also served as school director. His religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was empty-handed when he came to the United States but through diligence and determination won success and was able to provide a good living for his family, which numbered five children: Carrie, who is the wife of L. J. Randolph, a farmer of Enid, Oklahoma; Nellie, the wife of P. K. Divilbiss, and also a resident of Enid; Frank C .; Philadelphia Elisabeth, the wife of Frank S. Hogg, a farmer of Hamilton county, Nebraska ; Abraham G., a traveling salesman, living at Mazon, Illinois.
Frank C. Rundle pursued his education in the country schools and in Grand Prairie Seminary at Onarga, Illinois. His youthful experiences were those of the farm bred boy and when he started out to earn his own living he continued to devote his attention to farm work. In 1888 he arrived in Hamilton county, Nebraska, reaching Aurora with but twenty dollars to his name. He assisted in erecting a building by carrying the hod and afterward worked for George Daniels, a prominent contractor. A little later he entered the employ of Samuel Hogg, a farmer, for whom he worked by the month and subsequently rented land, desiring that his labors should more directly benefit himself. His industry and economy at length brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase one hundred and sixty acres of land in 1906 and from that time until 1919 he owned and occupied his farm, converting it into a valuable property and annually gathering a golden harvest as a reward for the care and labor which he bestowed upon the fields. The property which he purchased at sixty-five dollars per acre he sold in 1919 for two hundred dollars per acre. He then bought two hundred and eighty acres of land near Ansley and still owns this farm. He likewise purchased a nice modern residence in Aurora at No. 1516 Eleventh street and is most pleasantly located, engaging in no business save the supervision of his own interests and investments.
In 1890 Mr. Rundle was united in marriage to Miss Laura Hogg, who was born in Morgan county, Illinois, a daughter of Samuel and Anna (Willoughby) Hogg, both of whom were natives of England and settled in Illinois in early life. In 1884 they came to Nebraska and the father purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Hamilton county at twenty-five dollars per acre, he and his wife continuing to reside upon the farm throughout their remaining days. They were members of the Episcopal church and were highly esteemed by all who knew them. They had a family of six children of whom Mrs. Rundle was the sixth in order of birth. By her marriage Mrs. Rundle has become the mother of seven children : Glenn, who is living at Fort Collins, Colorado, where he is a mechanic; Edith, the wife of J. A. Casteel, a farmer of this county ; Ernest who is on his father's farm; Clara, the wife of R. E. Garwood, a farmer of Alliance, Nebraska ; Ralph, who also carries on farming near Alliance; Carol and Loren, both in school.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Rundle are very active and prominent members of the Presbyterian church in which he is serving as an elder. For several years he was superintendent of the Sunday school, while Mrs. Rundle was a teacher of a Sunday school class. They do all in their power to advance the work of the church and have ever been supporters of all those forces which make for moral progress in the community. Mr. Rundle also belongs to the Highlanders. In politics he is a repub- lican and for eight years served as precinct assessor, while in 1920 he was elected county assessor and is now filling that position. He is also connected with the
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Farm Burean and is organizing bureaus in different counties. His entire life has been characterized by constructive effort resulting in the material, intellectual, social and moral progress of the state.
PERLY G. HIXSON
Perly G. Hixson dates his residence in Hamilton county from May, 1873. He first traveled westward in a prairie schooner and became a pioneer resident of Iowa, while later he established his home in this state when Hamilton county was still on the western frontier. He therefore participated in all that constituted pioneer life with the hardships and the privations, the opportunities and advantages. He was born in Vinton county, Ohio, June 29, 1851, and is a son of Griffith and Sarah (Arganbright) Hixson, both of whom were born in the east. At an early day they removed westward to Wisconsin and there the father engaged in car- pentering. He married Sarah Arganbright, a daughter of Philip Arganbright, a native of Pennsylvania who removed from the Keystone state to Ohio and con- tinued to live within its borders until called to his final rest. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Griffith Hixson were born five children of whom four are living: Lydia, the wife of H. J. Willis, mentioned elsewhere in this work; Perly G .; David, a resident of Hamilton county; and William F., who is a retired farmer living in Imperial, Chase county, Nebraska. The parents were consistent Christian people, the father belonging to the United Brethren church, while the mother was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His political endorsement was given to the republican party but he never sought nor desired office, preferring to concentrate his efforts and energies upon his business affairs, thus providing a comfortable living for his family.
Perly G. Hixson was educated in the common schools of Ohio and started out to provide for his own support by working as a farm hand at eighteen dollars per month. He was thus employed for seven years and from Ohio removed west- ward in a prairie schooner in company with his brother-in-law H. J. Willis, residing in Iowa for eleven months. He then resumed his westward journey and reached Hamilton county in 1873. Here he homesteaded and still owns the land which he secured. He first had a tract of eighty acres to which he afterward added eighty acres more and then purchased forty acres of railroad land. His landed possessions now aggregate one hundred and ninety-four acres which he has converted into a rich and productive tract that annually returns to him a gratifying income. His first home was a sod house in which he lived for twenty-five years. As time passed on he carried on the work of developing and improving his property and now has an excellent farm, the neat and thrifty appearance of which indicates his careful supervision and practical methods.
In 1883 Mr. Hixson was married to Miss Jane Dixon, who was born in Ross county, Ohio, and who passed away in 1913, in the faith of the United Brethren church, of which she was a devoted member. Mr. Hixson was again married January 26, 1918, his second marriage being with Laura Shenault, who was born in Ohio. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Hixson Vol. II-24
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belongs to the United Brethren church. His political support is given to the republican party and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day.
In 1918 Mr. Hixson removed to Aurora and retired from active business al- though he goes to the farm occasionally and assists in its cultivation but has rented the land. He is numbered among the pioneer settlers of the county for there were comparatively few residents here at the time of his arrival. Antelopes were seen in considerable numbers and there were also a few buffaloes while wild geese and prairie chickens were numerous. The Indians were passing through here at times on their way to the reservations in the west and various evidences of frontier life were seen. Mr. Hixson has at all times borne his part in the work of general progress and improvement and has lived'to see remarkable changes during the period of his connection with Hamilton county. ITis worth as a man and citizen are widely acknowledged and the most envious cannot grudge him his success, so worthily has it been won and so honorably used.
C. G. YOST
C. G. Yost, who is engaged in the automobile business in Sutton, was born near Harvard, Nebraska, in 1885, a son of George and Margaret (Sinner) Yost, both natives of Russia. They came to Clay county in 1873 and the father purchased eighty acres of railroad land, later buying an additional two hundred and twenty acres. At the time of his death he was in possession of three hundred and forty acres of well improved land. Their first home on this land was of sod and he broke his ground with the aid of a horse. Eight children were born to that union, of whom C. G. was the fifth in order of birth. They are all prominent residents of Clay county. The death of Mr. Yost occurred on the old home place in 1911 and came as a severe blow to his family and many friends. He was a well educated man for his day and a great reader. Throughout his life he was a member of the German Evangelical church and always took a leading part in all church affairs. His political allegiance was given to the republican party. His widow is still making her home on the old home place.
C. G. Yost received his education in the schools of Harvard, where he grad- uated from the high school. He was reared on a farm and there remained until he was eighteen years of age, when he became an employe of the Yost Lumber Com- pany of Harvard. He remained in that connection for five years, at the end of which time he was sent to Grafton to manage the company's yard. At the end of two years he resigned, establishing an implement and hardware store in Grafton, which business he conducted on his own account for a period of four years. He then purchased an implement business in Sutton, which he conducted until 1917, when he accepted the Ford agency there, with which he is still actively connected. He has built up a fine trade and during the year 1920 had a business of over eighty-five thousand dollars. When he first took over the agency he had only a little shop and but one helper. The business increased so rapidly, however, under his able management, that he was forced to move to more commodious quarters, with
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the result that he now occupies a large building and has four assistants. He also runs a garage repair shop in connection with the agency.
In August, 1908, Mr. Yost was married to Miss Elizabeth Wendt, a native of Germany and a daughter of Herman Wendt, who is still living in that country. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Yost five children have been born: Freda; Cecilia ; Ardell; and Merlin. Otto died at the age of nine years.
Since age conferred upon Mr. Yost the right of franchise he has been a stanch supporter of the republican party, although he has neither sought nor desired public office, preferring to devote his entire time to his business. The religious faith of the family is that of the Evangelical church. Mr. Yost is one of the highly respected men of Sutton and has been uniformly successful in the conduct of his business. He is alert, energetic and progressive and has already made for himself a prominent position in commercial circles and is steadily climbing the path of advancement to success.
THOMAS EZRA TURNER
A veteran of the Civil war who is now living retired in Harvard is Thomas Ezra Turner who was born in Oswego county, New York, on the 13th of July, 1845, a son of Isaiah and Mary Ann (Hoagg) Turner, further mention of whom may be found in the sketch of H. H. Turner, appearing elsewhere in this work.
Thomas Ezra Turner received his education in the common schools of Illinois and Iowa and at the age of sixteen years entered the Union army from the latter state, joining Company E, Thirty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until 1865. At the close of the war he had won the promotion of ser- geant. Mr. Turner participated in many of the important battles of the war, serving with the Army of the Cumberland, and was at Shiloh, Chaplin Hills, Stone River, Liberty Gap, and in the Atlanta campaign with Sherman on his march to the sea. He was wounded but once and that during the battle of Liberty Gap. He was also active at Dalton, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, and Ezra church and his last active service was at Bentonville, North Carolina. After receiving his dis- charge he went to Iowa and there engaged in the milling business, which he followed until 1887 when he came to Nebraska. He had bought a farm in Clay county, erected a frame house on the land and there resided until 1910, when he removed to Harvard. He purchased a nice home in that town and is there residing, enjoying a life of retirement. He is still in possession of a quarter section of land, which supplies him with a substantial income.
In Iowa Mr. Turner was married to Miss Emma Hurd, a native of Lorain county, Ohio, and a daughter of S. H. and Ellen (Wallace) Hurd, both natives of New York state and of Scotch descent. At an early day Mr. and Mrs. Hurd went to Ohio and there the father engaged as a cabinet-maker and later as a miller, achieving a substantial amount of success in the conduct of each enterprise. Five children were born to them : O. S., who is a commission broker and real estate man of Kansas City; Mrs. Turner; and three other children who are deceased. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Turner eight children have been born: Minnie, who is the wife of James Horn, a farmer and owner of a country store at Colby, Minnesota ;
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Marshall, a decorator and painter of Harvard; Grace, who is the wife of B. H. Blaisdell, engineer in the Philippine Islands ; Emma J., who is the wife of William Alberding, who is working her father's farm; Mary, the wife of Paul Alberding, engaged in the undertaking business at Harvard ; Fred, paper hanger and painter of Clay Center; Wallace, traveling man with headquarters in York; and Elsie, the wife of D. Stone, veterinary surgeon of Harvard. Wallace was in the United States army for eighteen months during the World war and was the first boy to leave Harvard. Throughout his period of service he was stationed on the Rio Grande as a member of the medical corps.
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