USA > Nebraska > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. II > Part 62
USA > Nebraska > Clay County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. II > Part 62
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PETER BOYD
Since 1879 Peter Boyd has engaged in farming in Clay county, where he is recognized as a leading and progressive agriculturist. Like many other prominent and successful men of Clay county he is a son by adoption, his birth having occurred in La Grange county, Indiana, on the 14th of June, 1848, a son of James and Catherine (Engle) Boyd, both natives of Pennsylvania. Their marriage occurred in Ohio and at an early date they removed to Indiana, where they resided during the remainder of their lives. Throughout his life the father engaged in farming, in . which occupation he achieved more than a substantial amount of success. Fourteen children were born to their union, ten of whom are living, Peter being the ninth in order of birth. The religious faith of the parents was that of the Dunkard church and the father was a stanch supporter of the democratic party. Two brothers of Peter Boyd, John and Carey, were soldiers of the Civil war, serving throughout that conflict. They participated in some of the most important battles of the war and were with Sherman on his march to the sea.
In the acquirement of an education Peter Boyd attended the country schools of La Grange county, Indiana, and after putting his textbooks aside engaged in farm- ing. After residing for a time in Iowa, he came to Clay county, Nebraska, in 1879, and bought one hundred and sixty acres of raw land which he broke and on which a small frame house was standing when it came into his possession. He brought with him from Iowa three horses, one cow and two pigs and also some household
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goods. He made the trip by train as far as Harvard. The neighborhood in which he located was at that time but sparsely settled and he underwent all of the pioneer hardships but allowed nothing to stand in his way, every misfortune only serving to drive him to greater effort, until he was recognized as a successful farmer. He bought an additional one hundred and sixty acres, which he brought to a high state of cultivation and still owns together with the original tract.
In 1871 occurred the marriage of Mr. Boyd and Miss Adelaide Fish, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Eugene Fish, an early settler of Iowa, where he lived until his death. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Boyd ten children have been born : Earl, a graduate of the Fairfield high school and of a medical school in Lincoln, and now a prominent physician and surgeon of Central City; Alonzo, a farmer of Furnas county ; Mabel, the wife of William Heller, a garage man of Westphalia, Kansas; Jesse, a farmer of Polk county, Nebraska; Cora, who is the wife of J. Y. Smith, a rancher of Wood Lake; Fred, farming in Frontier county; Ernest, also farming in Frontier county ; Ray, who lives on his father's farm; Ora, farming in Clay county ; and Frank, residing at home.
Since age conferred upon Mr. Boyd the right of franchise he has been a stanch supporter of the democraic party, in the interests of which he has taken an active part. The religious faith of the family is that of the Christian church. Mr. Boyd has always done general farming, raising some hogs and cattle, and his ability and success as an agriculturist is readily conceded. He is always interested in the development and improvement of the community and his undivided support may be relied upon in furthering any movement for the general welfare.
NELS NELSON
Sweden has contributed to Nebraska many successful agriculturists and Nels Nelson, who since 1902 has been living a life of retirement, is no exception. He is a resident of Verona, where he is numbered among the most progressive and repre- sentative citizens.
Nels Nelson was born in Sweden on the 19th of March, 1847, and in the spring of 1869 came to the United States. He first located in Illinois, where he worked out for two years and then spent the following two years in farming on his own account. In 1872, however, he came west and settled in Nebraska, making the trip in a covered wagon and being accompanied by two families. He homesteaded on section 26 and thereon built a small frame house., He had a span of small horses which he used to break the ground and soon had his land in a fine state of cultiva- tion. At that time the vicinity was not very thickly populated, there being but four houses between his home and Sutton and there were no dwellings west of his place until the town of Fairfield was reached. Mr. Nelson had very little money when he arrived in the county and it was a year and a half before he got any crops, but he was more fortunate that many of the early settlers and soon had his land upon a paying basis. At one time Mr. Nelson was in possession of fifteen hundred and twenty acres of fine improved land and was ranked among the foremost agriculturists of the surrounding country.
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In 1869 Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to Miss Anna Johnson, their marriage having occurred in. Sweden, and to them nine children were born: Fred Nelson, who is living in Omaha; Henry of California; John, residing in Clay county ; Carl, whose death occurred in August, 1918, at the age of forty-four years; Albert, who is living in Kansas; Emma Hember of Clay county; Minnie of Clay county ; and two other children, both deceased. The death of Mrs. Nelson occurred on the 25th of December, 1918, and came as a severe shock to her family and many friends. Throughout her life she was a consistent member of the Baptist church.
In 1902 Mr. Nelson removed from the farm and is now residing in Verona, living a life of ease and quiet. He has been prominent in the activities of the com- munity and for twelve years was a member of the school board. His life has been one of industry and diligence and he is justly entitled to the proud American title of self-made man.
U. G. McREYNOLDS
U. G. McReynolds was for many years a well known figure in the agricultural circles of Clay county and his demise on July 20, 1920, came as a severe shock to his many friends in the community. Like many other prominent agriculturists of Clay county he was a son by adoption, his birth having occurred in Illinois on the 1st of July, 1862, a son of A. F. and Margaret (Minnick) McReynolds, both natives of Virginia, where the birth of the latter occurred June 27, 1826. Their marriage was celebrated in Indiana in 1849 and they removed to Iowa in 1854 and here they remained until 1881 and then came to Nebraska and located in Nuckolls county. A. F. McReynolds later retired from active life and moved into Fairfield, his death occurring there on the 28th of April, 1911. Mrs. McReynolds passed away Jan- uary 9, 1909: Eight children were born to that union: Joseph, deceased ; Mrs. Esther A. Tweed, a widow of Fairfield; Moses W., a druggist of Beattie, Kansas; Aaron W., a druggist of Omaha; Minerva C. Smith, deceased; Mrs. A. M. Conrad of Hastings; U. G., whose name initiates this review; and Margaret I. Mattox of Ames. Both Mr. and Mrs. McReynolds were consistent members of the Christian church, Mrs. McReynolds having been baptized in 1850.
In the acquirement of an education U. G. McReynolds attended the schools of Iowa and later entered a college at Fairfield, that state, and completed a course. Soon afterward he came to Nebraska and located at Fairfield, accepting a clerkship in the store of a Mr. Tweed. In later years he started out into business on his own account and conducted a feed store for some time with success. He then wrote insurance and for five years was a member of the Fairfield fire department. He also served for one term as constable. Mr. McReynolds became a well known figure in Fairfield and the surrounding vicinity and had many friends who appreciated his true personal worth and many sterling traits of character.
On the 1st of January, 1885, Mr. McReynolds was married to Miss Anna Nixon, a native Ohio, and a daughter of Jonas P. and Mary (McFadden) Nixon, both natives of that state. They were married in Ohio and in 1872 came to Nebraska and located in Clay county, where Mr. Nixon took up a homestead in the northwest
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corner of that county. He resided on the homestead until he was elected sheriff of Clay county, which office he held for four years. At the termination of that time he removed to Fairfield and engaged in the real estate business, which he followed until his death. Six children were born to that union, four of whom are living: Mrs. McReynolds ; Mrs. Belle Moore of Fairfield ; James W., engaged in the harness business at Smith Center, Kansas; and Joseph E., who is engaged in the real estate business. Both Mr. and Mrs. Nixon were consistent members of the Christian church and he was a veteran of the Civil war. He enlisted in the Seventieth Ohio Regiment in 1861 and served throughout the war with the commission of lieutenant. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McReynolds, three of whom are living: Ira, a café owner of Albany, Oregon; Ernest R., employed in a depot in Fairfield, entered service in the World war in June, 1917, was with the Rainbow division in France and Germany, served in Company A, wireless, as non-commissioned cor- poral and received his discharge on the 7th of May, 1919; and Elmo, who runs a cleaning plant at Fairfield.
The religious faith of Mr. McReynolds was that of the Christian church and he was a charter member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. The life of Mr. McReynolds was a busy and useful one and his death on the 20th of July, 1920, removed from Fairfield one of her most progressive and respected citizens. Mrs. McReynolds has engaged in dressmaking for a number of years and has an exclusive and extensive patronage. She is also fitter for Spirilla corsets. She is a business woman of ability and has gained the respect of all who know her.
EDMUND A. STEENBURG, M. D.
For more than a third of a century Dr. Edmund A. Steenburg has engaged in practice in Aurora and has long been the loved family physician in many a house- hold where his professional services have been of the greatest value. Doctor Steen- burg is of Canadian birth, the place of his nativity being Frankford, Ontario, while the year was 1865. His parents were Benjamin and Isabelle (Sills) Steenburg, both of whom were natives of Ontario, born near Toronto. In that locality they spent their entire lives, the father devoting himself to the occupation of farming in order to provide for the support of his family. To Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Steenburg were born four children, of whom three are living: Alwolda, the widow of Stephen A. Simmons and a resident of Vancouver, British Columbia; Elizabeth Esther, the widow of H. J. Scripture and a resident of Brighton, Ontario; and Edmund A., of this review. In early life the mother was a member of the Dutch Reformed church, but later both Mr. and Mrs. Steenburg joined the Methodist church and lived consistent Christian lives.
Doctor Steenburg was educated in the schools of Ontario and pursued his pro- fessional course in Rush Medical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated with the class of 1887. He determined to remain on this side of the border that separated him from his native country and in the spring of 1887 established his home in Aurora, where he has since remained. Throughout the intervening years he has engaged in general practice and does considerable surgical work. He is very
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careful in the diagnosis of his cases and most systematic and accurate in his surgical work. His entire professional activity is based upon a thorough knowledge of the scientific principles that underlie the profession and at all times he has kept in close touch with the trend of professional thought and progress. He is also a stock- holder in the First Trust Company of Aurora and is serving as vice president.
In 1889 Doctor Steenburg was married to Miss Minnie Moore, a native of Mis- souri and a daughter of James Moore, who came to Aurora in 1879 and conducted a livery barn. To Dr. and Mrs. Steenburg have been born two sons: The elder, Donald Benjamin, was graduated with the Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nebraska and with the M. D. degree from the University of Pennsyl- vania, completing his course in the latter institution in 1913. He then entered upon active practice with his father following an interneship at the University of Pennsylvania. He saw service in France during the World war with the Harvard unit. The younger son, Edmund K., completed a course in the University of Nebraska with the Bachelor of Arts degree and then entered Harvard, within the classic walls of which institution he was graduated in 1917. He, too, had qualified for the medical profession and entered upon active practice in connection with his father, who is today the oldest physician of Hamilton county in years of continuous connection with the profession. The name of Steenburg has ever been an honored one because of the high standards maintained by father and sons in connection with their practice. Doctor Steenburg is a York Rite Mason and his wife is a member of the Presbyterian church. Politically he is a republican and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but has never sought nor desired political office. He belongs to the Hamilton County Medical Society, the Nebraska State Medical Association and the American Medical Association and is now the president of the first named. All who know him speak of him in terms of high regard and his service to his community has been an invaluable one.
JOHN A. BISHOFF
John A. Bishoff, who passed away July 12, 1900, was highly respected by his friends and associates and for many years was identified with the agricultural development of his adopted state, in which he resided at the time of his death. He was born in Baden, Germany, December 27, 1832, a son of Michael and Christine Bishoff, also natives of Germany. There his parents resided all their lives and his father achieved a great amount of success as a distiller.
John A. Bishoff received his education in the schools of his native country and came to the United States in 1849. He worked on the boats from St. Louis for a number of years and subsequently answered the call of the west and located in Grand Island, Nebraska, in the late '60s. For some time he resided in that place, engaging in chopping and selling wood but in 1871 removed to Clay county, where he took up a homestead and for the first summer camped in his wagon. After his marriage he built a home on the land, brought his farm to a high state of cultiva- tion and at the time of his death was in possession of three hundred and twenty acres of land, which Mrs. Bishoff owns. His death occurred on the farm July 12.
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1900, and was a severe shock to his many friends residing in the county. In August, 1905, Mrs. Bishoff moved into Harvard, built a cozy little home on North Main street and is there residing alone.
In 1872 occurred the marriage of Mr. Bishoff and Cony Hergenrother, a daughter of John and Mary (Merline) Hergenrother, both natives of Germany. Her parents came to the United States when young people and were married in New York state. In 1870 they removed to Clay county, acquired a homestead, and lived thereon until death. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hergenrother : Mrs. Bishoff; John, who is a retired farmer residing in Oxford; Peter, who is residing on his father's old homestead; Lena, who is the wife of Charles Smith, a carpenter of Harvard; and Mattie, who is residing in Harvard. Mr. and Mrs. Hergenrother were members of the Catholic church and he was a stanch supporter of the democratic party. They passed through all of the early pioneer hardships, allowing no obstacle to remain long in their path and at the time of his death Mr. Hergenrother was the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of well improved land and was ranked among the influential farmers of his community. Mr. and Mrs. Bishoff's marriage was the first to be celebrated in Clay county and to them ten children were born, five of whom are living: Otto W., who is farming near Harvard; Albert, a farmer of Clay county; Edward, who is engaged in farming; Frank, a farmer; and Ida, who married Arthur H. Yost of Lincoln, where he is successfully engaged in the lumber business.
Mr. Bishoff was throughout his life a stanch supporter of the democratic party, having firm belief in the principles of that party as factors in good government, and his religious faith was that of the Catholic church. Long years of toil brought to Mr. Bishoff the well merited and highly deserved success that usually rewards honest and capably directed effort and his death deprived Clay county of one of its most respected and useful citizens.
WILLIAM T. GLASS
Among the substantial citizens of Fairfield is William T. Glass, who is residing retired, enjoying a rest which he has richly earned and truly merits. Like many other prominent and successful citizens of Clay county he was born in another state, his birth having occurred in Oldham county, Kentucky, on the 5th of Decem- ber, 1850. Further mention of the Glass family is made in the sketch of George E. Glass, to be found on another page of this work.
In the acquirement of an education William T. Glass attended the district schools of Iowa and after putting his textbooks aside engaged in farming. He was but a boy when he removed with his father and the rest of the family to Saline county, Nebraska, and there he resided twenty-three years. In 1893 he removed to Clay county and purchased a farm in section 18, northeast, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres. He made that farm his home until 1909, when he moved into Fairfield. He disposed of his farm in 1919, receiving one hundred and sixty dollars per acre for the land for which he paid thirty dollars per acre. Many were
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the pioneer hardships endured and difficulties overcome by Mr. Glass, his persistency and his determination being the dominant factors in the attainment of his success.
In 1877 occurred the marriage of Mr. Glass and Miss Susan Chamberlin, a native of 'Tazewell county, Illinois, and a daughter of L. D. and Susan (Welcher) Chamberlin, both natives of New York. Their marriage was celebrated in Mis- souri, soon afterward they removed to Illinois and in 1874 came to Nebraska, locat- ing in Saline county, where both passed away. Twelve children were born to them, four of whom are living: Nancy Brown, a widow who resides in Iowa; Mrs. Glass; Mahlon, who resides in Oregon; and Abbie Steel of Western, Nebraska. Four chil- dren have been born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Glass: Nettie, who is the wife of Joseph B. Moore, a farmer of Wyoming; Lloyd, who is engaged in farming near Scotts Bluff -; R. F. of Sterling, Colorado, who is engaged in public work; and Millie, who is the wife of Emerson Nixon, a bookkeeper and stenographer of the Omaha Grain Exchange.
Since age conferred upon Mr. Glass the right of franchise he has been a stanch supporter of the republican party and the religious faith of both himself and wife is that of the Christian church. His career has been one of activity and usefulness, crowned with success in the upbuilding of his fortunes, while his sterling character- istics throughout his life have commanded for him the confidence and respect of all.
EDWIN L. CASE
Death often removes from our midst those whom we can ill afford to lose and such was the uniform feeling of the community when it was learned that Edwin L. Case of Giltner had passed away. He was born in Indiana, Feb- ruary 29, 1860, and attended the schools of that state. He came to Hamilton county with his parents when a youth of thirteen years and was reared on the home farm, dividing his time between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields. After his textbooks were put aside he continued to devote his attention to farm work under his father's direction to the time of his marriage.
It was on the 11th of October, 1885, that Mr. Case wedded Miss Rose Dudgeon, who had come to Clay county in 1883 and lived on a farm with her brother in Leicester precinct. After their marriage they removed to a place of one hundred and twenty acres in Scoville precinct, and as the years passed, Mr. Case extended the boundaries of his property by further purchase until he became the owner of two hundred acres of land, constituting a valuable and well improved farm. He added excellent buildings to his place and all the modern equipment and successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits for many years.
To Mr. and Mrs. Case were born three daughters: Ivas E., now the wife of Hugh Woodburn of Colorado; Jennie B., the wife of Oscar Dangler of Scoville precinct ; and Mabel, who is at home with her mother.
Mr. Case passed away in Iowa while on a visit in that state, his death occurring September 8, 1914. Four years later, or in 1918, his widow removed
MR. AND MRS. EDWIN L. CASE
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to Giltner, but still owns the home farm. Mr. Case was a loyal and faithful member of the Baptist church from the age of sixteen years, and it was in the same church that he was married that his funeral services were conducted. His wife belongs to this church, and Mr. Case was also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. All who knew him respected him for his sterling worth. He could be depended upon in any business transaction for reliability and honesty, and left behind him a "priceless heritage of a good name which is rather to be chosen than great riches."
CHARLES P. WHITESIDES
After passing through the experiences and hardships of pioneer life in Hamilton county, where he took up his abode in 1872, Charles P. Whitesides became identified with newspaper publication and is now serving the public in the capacity of county engineer. He was born in Rock Island county, Illinois, July 9, 1858, and is a son of Samuel Whitesides, a native of Kentucky, and a grandson of William Whitesides, who was born in Virginia but removed from that state to Kentucky, where his remaining days were passed. He was a cooper by trade but also followed the occu- pation of farming. His son, Samuel Whitesides, was reared in Kentucky and on the 3d of September, 1840, was married to Miss Calista Allyn, who was born near New Albany, Indiana, a daughter of James Allyn, who was a native of the state of New York but removed to Indiana at an early day, continuing a resident of that state throughout the remainder of his life. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. White- sides was celebrated in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Making their way down the Ohio and up the Mississippi rivers, they settled at the head of Rock Island Rapids, in Illinois, and there Mr. Whitesides served as deputy sheriff and peace officer at Rock Island for a period of sixteen years. He assisted in the capturing and hanging in connection with the "Vendetta of the Prairie." The offenders were murderers and horse thieves who occasioned great trouble to the settlers for a long period. It was in 1872 that Mr. Whitesides came to Hamilton county, Nebraska, where he home- steaded. He then returned to Illinois for his wife and family and came back to Hamilton county in October of that year and lived here for five years. On the expiration of that period, in 1877, he returned to Illinois and spent his remaining days in that state. During the Civil war period he joined the Union army as a member of the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Illinois Regiment, with which he served until wounded and discharged on account of disability. He was afterward commissioned mail agent by President Lincoln. Both he and his wife were con- sistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they took an active and helpful part, and Mr. Whitesides was also an earnest supporter of republican principles. To him and his wife were born six children, of whom five are living: John W., who served in the Fourteenth Illinois Cavalry during the Civil war when quite young, is now a signal man on the railroad and makes his home in Rock Island, Illinois; Emmons is engaged in farming at Malvern, Iowa; James W. occupies the old homestead in Hamilton county; Joseph G. is in the employ of the government at Rock Island and Charles P. completes the family.
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The last named obtained his education in the common schools of Illinois and in September, 1872, came to Nebraska with his brother Emmons, being but four- teen years of age at that time. He drove a team across the country, thus hauling some household goods. During the first year of the family's residence here the father planted twenty acres and they gathered some corn. They also erected some sod buildings and sheds and dug a well. For five years the family occupied the old homestead and in 1874 Charles P. Whitesides began to learn the printer's trade at Orville, then the county seat of Hamilton county.
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