USA > Nebraska > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. II > Part 54
USA > Nebraska > Clay County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. II > Part 54
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A little sod schoolhouse in Union township was the stately institution of learn- ing in which George M. White first pursued his studies, and as a boy and youth he found plenty of work to do on the pioneer farm. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age, when he initiated an independent farm enterprise, on rented land. In 1900 Mr. White purchased one hundred and twenty acres in his native township and around this nucleus has evolved a well improved and valuable landed estate of two hundred and forty acres, all given over to well ordered enterprise along the lines of diversified agriculture and stock raising. His loyalty to his native county and state is unstinted and he takes satisfaction in having here been able to achieve substantial success, besides contributing inci- dentally to the general civic and industrial advancement of the community. He has had no ambition to hold political office and is independent of strict partisan lines, which implies that he gives his support to men and measures meeting the approval of his judgment. He has been for more than a quarter of a century actively af- filiated with the Modern Woodmen of America. The maiden name of his wife was Mary C. Maw, and their only child, Ella, is the wife of William Springer, a progressive farmer of Hamilton county.
JOHN BEACOM
The old Keystone state has contributed its quota of pioneer citizens to Nebraska and among the number is the representative farmer, John Beacom, who came to Hamilton county as an ambitious youth, with courage and self-reliance that enabled him so to take advantages of opportunities as to win for himself a generous measure of prosperity, though he encountered his share of the discouragements and losses that marked the earlier period in the history of this section of the state.
Mr. Beacom was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, on the 6th of March, 1860, and is a son of James and Susanna (Hill) Beacom, both likewise natives of Pennsylvania and both of English lineage. John Beacom was reared on the home farm and gained his youthful education in the district schools of his native county, where he remained at the parental home until he had attained to the age of eighteen years. He then came to Nebraska, in 1878, and in June of that year found employment on a farm in Hamilton county. He entered into an agreement thus to give his services for one year, at a stipulated wage of one hundred and fifty dollars a year, and continued to be associated with farm enterprise under these conditions during the first three years of his residence in the county. In 1878 he purchased eighty acres of railroad land in Orville township, erected on the place a frame house, sixteen by twenty-four feet, and also a frame barn, besides
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setting out trees, including an orchard, most of which has died out. He assumed active charge of the breaking of the prairie soil, faced with courage and resource- fulness the various trials and disadvantages that he encountered and forcefully carried forward his farm enterprise year after year, with the result that increasing prosperity came to him. He is now the owner of a valuable farm property of two hundred and eighty acres in section 17, Orville township, Hamilton county, besides a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Thomas county, Kansas. On his Hamilton county land he has provided three separate sets of buildings and other requisite improvements of permanent order and has the satisfaction of knowing that his possessions represent the direct results of his own efforts in connection with the development and advancement of the agricultural and live stock industry in this new favored section of Nebraska. In the early days his nearest trading point was the village of Harvard, Clay county ; he took his grist to a water-power mill on Blue river and most of his fuel was obtained from trees lining the banks of nearby water courses. The drought of 1894 destroyed his crops and left him, as well as all other settlers, with depleted income for that season, but he faced this problem with the same fortitude and resourcefulness that he had faced other adversities. Mr. Beacom has been at all times enterprising and progressive in his farm activities and in the live stock department has given special attention to the raising of red polled cattle and a good grade of Poland China hogs.
In 1883 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Beacom to Miss Lucinda Van Duesen, whose parents, mentioned elsewhere in this work, were numbered among the early settlers of Hamilton county. Mr. and Mrs. Beacom became the parents of four children : Ida is the efficient and popular postmistress at Stockham; Wil- liam and George died young ; and Ray remains at home.
Mr. Beacom is one of the substantial and popular citizens of the county, is a republican in politics, and is a stockholder in the farmers' elevator companies at Stockham and Aurora. His fine homestead farm is situated in section 17, Orville township, on rural mail route No. 2 from the village of Stockham. He attends and supports the Presbyterian church at Stockham, of which his wife is an active member.
HUBERT E. POTTER
Hubert E. Potter, a retired farmer of Fairfield, was born in McHenry county, Illinois, on the 13th of April, 1856, a son of Simeon and Almira (Tuttle) Potter, both natives of Pennsylvania. For many years the father successfully engaged in farming in Illinois but in 1885 removed to Clay county, where he retired and lived until his death at the age of eighty-six years. Mrs. Potter passed away at the age of seventy-eight, their deaths coming within three weeks of each other. A sister of Mr. Potter's also came to Nebraska, in 1880, and she is the wife of Walter Prickett, a former lawyer of Fairfield.
In the acquirement of an education H. E. Potter attended the country schools of Illinois and helped his father on the home farm. When twenty-four years of age he started farming on his own account and rented land for three years. In 1886, however, he came to Nebraska and bought railroad land near Kearney at two
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dollars and fifty cents per acre which land he subsequently traded for two hundred and forty acres belonging to Henry Jenkins in Clay county. There were few improvements on the land, a small shanty serving for a house, and Mr. Potter broke the greater part of his farm himself. He applied himself diligently to farming, advanced rapidly along that line and now owns a half section of land and one set of improvements. He put out a fine orchard and also five hundred shade trees. He engaged in general farming, stock raising and feeding and specialized in breeding Poland China hogs. In April, 1906, Mr. Potter retired from farm life and removed to Fairfield, where he purchased a fine home. For some time he conducted a garage, selling Buick and Overland cars and in the year 1917 averaged twenty-five orders for Buick cars in five weeks.
The marriage of Mr. Potter to Martha L. Dodge occurred at Beloit, Wisconsin. She is a native of Vermont and has become the mother of the following children : Arthur, who passed away at the age of five years; Bessie, who died when three years of age; Maude, who is the wife of Clarence Iliff, farming the old homestead of Mr. Potter ; Mollie B., married to Winifred Iliff, a brother of Clarence, the two marriages being celebrated at the same time and being the first event of that kind in the county ; Roland H., cashier of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Fairfield for four years; and Louie, whose death occurred at the age of three months.
Mr. Potter gives his allegiance to the republican party, in the interests of which he takes an active part. For nine years he was a member of the school board and for eight years served on the town board. Both Mr. and Mrs. Potter are consistent members of the Baptist church and he is fraternally identified with the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America and has been a member of the Ancient Order of the United Workmen for a period of twenty-eight years. Mr. Potter always gives his earnest support and cooperation to all matters and projects looking to the welfare and advancement of his community and the state at large and is indeed a valued and representative citizen of Fairfield and Clay county.
WILLIAM A. STEWART
William A. Stewart, after long years of connection with agricultural interests in Clay county, is now living retired at Springranch. A native of Ireland, he was born in County Downs on the 28th of March, 1858, a son of Robert and Jane (Craig) Stewart, both of whom were born in that country. Their ancestors left Scotland on account of religious persecutions and located in Ireland. In 1868 Mr. and Mrs. Stewart came to the United States and located in Henry county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming for the remainder of his life. His death occurred in 1887, seven years before his wife's death. Seven children were born to that union, four of whom are living: W. A., whose name initiates this review; James, a farmer of Fairfield ; Robert, a farmer of Red Willow county; and Flora, who is the wife of Hugh Carry, a truck farmer of Coal Valley, Illinois. Throughout life Mr. and Mrs. Stewart were consistent members of the Presbyterian church and the father was a stanch supporter of the democratic party, being a firm believer in the efficacy of the principles of that party as factors in good government. Mr. Stewart
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made a success in life and the last years of his residence in Clay county were spent in retirement.
William A. Stewart received his education both in Ireland and the United States, coming to this country with his parents at the age of ten years. After putting his textbooks aside he engaged in farming in Redwillow county from 1887 to 1910, achieved more than a substantial amount of success in that connection and became one of the leading agriculturists of the county. In 1910 he removed to Clay county, where he purchased a farm which he operated until 1920 and then retired from active farm life, moving to Springranch. He sold his land in Red- willow county to a son, but retains one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land in Clay county and a similar tract in Minnesota. For a short time after locating in Springranch he conducted an implement business but he soon gave that up to live in absolute retirement, enjoying the rewards of former diligence and industry. He is now owner and president of the Blue Valley State Bank.
In 1885 occurred the marriage of Mr. Stewart to Miss Lizzie Thomas, a native of Coal Valley, Illinois, and to them four children have been born: Robert, who is engaged in farming in Clay county ; John D., farming in Redwillow county ; Gladys, the wife of C. A. Pomroy, a farmer of Clay county ; and William E., cashier of the bank at Springranch.
Mr. Stewart follows an independent course in politics, voting for the man he thinks best fitted for the office without regard for party. He is a stanch advocate of education and has served on the school board ever since coming to Nebraska. Mr. Stewart had but little backing when he came to Redwillow county and his success is due to his own determined effort. His has been a useful and active life, fraught with good results and his energy has been a potent element in his continued advancement.
F. M. COLEMAN
F. M. Coleman, editor of the Auxiliary, is a representative of one of Fairfield's most important business interests. A native of Iowa, his birth occurred at Decorah on the 20th of October, 1859, a son of Dr. W. F. and Agnes (Grout) Coleman, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Newmarket, Canada. Their mar- riage was celebrated in Illinois. Dr. Coleman received his education in the line of professional work at the Rush Medical College of Chicago and immedi- ately after his graduation began practicing at Woodstock, Illinois. In 1855 he removed to Decorah, Iowa, and practiced in that town until his death in 1886. Dr. and Mrs. Coleman were the parents of nine children, five of whom are living : Viola, who is the wife of W. R. Toye, a dentist of Decorah; F. M., whose name initiates this review ; Alta L., who is the wife of J. Christinsen of Clarinda, Iowa, a photographer ; Herbert H., president of the Delion Tire and Rubber Company of East Orange, New Jersey ; and L. P., a dentist of Milwaukee. Throughout his life Dr. Coleman was a stanch democrat and both he and his wife were consistent members of the Congregational church. Dr. Coleman was also a Mason, being an exemplary member of the order. On the outbreak of the Civil war Dr. Coleman
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offered his services and in that year became assistant surgeon of the Seventeenth Iowa, Tenth Missouri and Fifth Wisconsin batteries, serving a period of three years and nine months.
F. M. Coleman is indebted to the schools of Decorah, Iowa, for his education and his first occupation on putting his textbooks aside was as a member of a band, in which connection he continued until 1886. In that year he entered the office of a paper in Edgar as printer and after thoroughly mastering that line of work went to Omaha and traveled on the road for a concern for a year. At the end of that time he went to Minneapolis, Kansas, and until 1895 was in the employ of a newspaper there. In that year he came to Clay county and located in Fairfield, where he purchased the Tribune, afterwards disposing of it and starting the Auxiliary. The paper is a weekly and has a large and ever increasing circulation. In connection with the paper he runs a job printing business and does a great quantity of work along that line.
In 1888 Mr. Coleman was married to Miss Ada L. McCumber of Minneapolis, Kansas, a daughter of Edwin K. McCumber, an early settler of Polk county, Nebraska. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Coleman two sons have been born: Harry W., engaged with his father in the printing business; and Roy L., in the garage business.
The political allegiance of Mr. Coleman has always been given to the democratic party, in the interests of which lie has taken an active part. His fraternal affilia- tions are with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Coleman has proved himself to be versatile, for not only has he engaged in printing, traveling, and other newspaper work, but at one time followed the painting and paper hanging trade, achieving a great amount of success along that line. His paper is conducted upon only the highest and most honorable principles and supports every movement he deems of value to the improvement and develop- ment of the community.
THOMAS D. CASE
In making a survey of the attractive farm now owned by the veneral citizen and honored pioneer of Hamilton county, Thomas D. Case, it is difficult to realize that in the early days he here was compelled to view, with impotent consternation, the effective work of grasshoppers, which not only made away with all growing vegetation on the pioneer farm but also partially stripped the bark from the trees which Mr. Case had planted on the place. The retrospective view would disclose also many other trials and hardships which Mr. Case had to endure, and he doubtless found little consolation in the old saying that "misery loves company," for he deplored the similar experiences which came to his fellow pioneers. In the gracious evening of a long and worthy life he is living in peace and prosperity on the farm of his son, W. H., in section 14, Scoville township, surrounded by his son and wife and both grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and it is pleasing to enter in this history a record of his career.
THOMAS D. CASE AND FAMILY
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Mr. Case was born in Wayne county, Ohio, August 8, 1830, his father, Samuel Case, having been a native of New Jersey and a pioneer farmer in Ohio, in which latter commonwealth he and his wife passed the closing years of their lives. The subject of this review profited fully by the advantages offered in the common schools of his native state, as is evident when it is recalled that in the early days he did effective service as a teacher, serving in that capacity ten terms in Indiana and one term in Nebraska. When the integrity of the nation was menaced by armed rebellion on the part of the southern states, Mr. Case promptly tendered his aid in defense of the Union. At Warsaw, Indiana, on the 2d of August, 1862, he enlisted as a member of Company M, Fifth Indiana Cavalry, and with this gallant command he gained abundant experience in connection with progress of the great conflict between the north and the south. He took part in the battle of Fort Saunders, did much scouting duty of arduous and hazardous order and on one occasion engaged in a hand-to-hand conflict with a Confederate soldier. The two fired from their horses at close range and after he had exhausted the loads in his revolver Mr. Case attempted to use his saber in subdning his antagonist, but the latter struck him over the head with his revolver, unhorsed him and effected his capture, on the 2d of December, 1863, early in the morning, near Knoxville, Tennessee. For three and one-half months thereafter Mr. Case was held in captivity at Belle Isle prison, in the James river, Virginia, where he experienced the neglect and hardships which brought this and other Confederate prisons into odious historical repute. On the 13th of March, 1864, Mr. Case was one of one thousand two hundred Con- federate captives who were loaded on trains and started for the prison at Ander- sonville. When within about twenty miles of Raleigh, North Carolina, Mr. Case began to use a jackknife in cutting through the floor of the car, and by working at night he and two companions made an aperture through which they dropped to the ties of the railroad and made their escape. About twelve miles distant they were given refuge by Quaker families, among whom they remained two and one-half months. After the snow had melted from the Alleghany moun- tains the three Union men made their way on foot over the mountains and re- ported to General McPherson, then in command at Knoxville, Tennessee. Mr. Case was given a furlough of thirty days, which he used in visiting his home and upon his return to headquarters General McPherson obtained for him a commission as recruiting officer. In this office he thereafter enlisted eight hun- dred and forty-four men, of whom four hundred and four were negroes, and he continued in this special service until about four months prior to receiving his honorable discharge, his final service being that of scout duty and his dis- charge was received at Knoxville on August 22, 1865.
After the war Mr. Case continued to be actively identified with farm enter- prise in Indiana until 1873, when he came to Hamilton county, Nebraska, where in March of that year he filed claim to a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, in section 22, township 9, range 8. He then returned to Indiana, and upon coming again to Nebraska was accompanied by his family. On his land he began the erection of a sod house, but before he could roof the same a three days' rain washed down and demolished the sod walls. He and his family lived in the village of Harvard during the memorable Easter blizzard of 1873 and
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on his place he thereafter provided a frame house, in which the family home was established. Most of the native timber which Mr. Case early planted on his homestead remains and is of excellent growth, and of his first orchard about forty trees are still standing. He broke his land and though he lost by the devastation of dry seasons and grasshopper visitations, he did not lose heart but endured such labors, responsibilities and reverses as came to him, as to other pioneer settlers, and with the fleeting years generous prosperity crowned his earnest and well ordered activities as an agriculturist and stock raiser. In addi- tion to his original homestead he took a tree claim of equal area, all of which he later sold, not now owning any land. Mr. Case taught one term of school in this county and also worked more or less at the carpenter's trade, in which he had become a skillful workman. In politics he was originally a whig, but he has been a stanch supporter of the republican party from the time of its organization. He has served Hamilton county as justice of the peace, is a mem- ber of the Baptist church, as was also his wife, both having previously held membership in the United Brethren church. His continued interest in his old comrades of the Civil war has been shown in his affiliation with the Grand Army of the Republic.
In Stark county, Ohio, September 10, 1850, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Case to Miss Jane Wagoner, who was born and reared in that state, and who remained his devoted companion and helpmate for more than half a century until the gracious ties were severed by her death, on the 27th of February, 1907. Of their children the firstborn, Samuel N., is deceased, as are also Philip H., Elizabeth A., Edwin L., Jennie and Minnie May. William H., who was a homesteader in 1877 and with whom his father makes his home; Thomas J. resides at Delmont, South Dakota. Since the death of his loved wife Mr. Case has remained with his sons, Edwin L. and William, but since the death of his son, Edwin L., he has lived with William, and he is one of the patriarchal citizens and honored pioneers of Hamilton county.
WILLIAM EMRICH
Among the leading business men of Fairfield, Clay county, who have risen to prominence by persistent and honest effort, is William Emrich. He was born in Jefferson county, New York, June 20, 1873, a son of John and Anna M. (Mitchell) Emrich, also natives of that state. The paternal grandfather, Frederick Emrich, was born in Germany and came to the United States in early manhood. He made his residence in New York state, where he followed the trade of a cooper and was a prominent and successful citizen of the community in which he resided. The maternal grandfather was Henry Mitchell, also a native of Germany, who after his marriage came to the new world and located in Nebraska, where he resided until death. The parents of William Emrich were married in New York and in 1875 went to Illinois, where the father followed farming. They resided in that state for four years and in 1879 came to Clay county, John Emrich buying some farm land on which they resided for a number of years. Mr. Emrich passed away
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on the farm but his widow is still living and makes her home in Fairfield with William. Six children were born to that union, five of whom are living: William, whose name initiates this review ; Frank H., a farmer of Indianola ; Mattie E., who is the wife of Charles J. Crawford, a farmer near Oxford; Lottie E., who is now Mrs. Robert Wilson and resides in Denver, Colorado; and John J., a railroad man of Fairfield. Throughout his life Mr. Emrich was a consistent member of the Christian church and his fraternal relations were with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, having seen service in the Civil war as a member of Company I, Fourteenth New York Heavy Artillery. He was wounded at Spottsylvania Courthouse and being disabled for further service was discharged and went to Illinois, where he stayed for five or six years, at the end of that time returning to New York. He was married there and soon after returned to Illinois, subsequently locating in Nebraska.
In the acquirement of an education William Emrich attended the schools of Clay county and his first occupation after putting his textbooks aside was farming. He followed that line of work until 1902, when he moved into Fairfield and opened a blacksmith shop which he conducted until 1910. From that year until 1917 he was connected with the garage business in Fairfield having the Ford agency, but selling out that business he again turned to farming. He had purchased some land in Colorado, three hundred and twenty acres, and although he never moved on this land he operated it while residing in Fairfield. In 1919, however, he engaged in the real estate and insurance business, in which line he is still active. He has built up an ever increasing trade and is considered one of the most able and reliable real estate men in the county. Mr. Emrich has never married and makes his home with his mother.
Politically Mr. Emrich follows an independent course, giving his support to the man he thinks most fitted for the office without regard to party. Fraternally he is a Knight of Pythias and is now serving as past chancellor of that lodge for the fifth time. He has been through all the offices of that lodge also and for twenty years has been the illustrious protector of the Highlanders. Mr. Emrich has the past lodge degree of the state. He likewise holds membership in the Modern Wood- men and Royal High and Dramatic Order of the Knights of Khorassan. In the civic affairs of Fairfield Mr. Emrich has also been prominent, having served his fellowmen as mayor for five terms. In 1904 and 1905 Mr. Emrich was a member of the city council. He is now devoting his entire time to the insurance and real estate business and his farm in Colorado. His friends, and they are many, recog- nize in him a public-spirited citizen, an alert and progressive business man, a faithful friend and a most congenial companion.
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