History of Richardson County, Nebraska : its people, industries and institutions, Part 115

Author: Edwards, Lewis C
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1742

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Mr. Ogle was married in 190 to Fredericka Bruhn, who was born in Germany, August 1, 1879. a daughter of Frederick and Sophia ( Scharples)

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Bruhn, also natives of Germany, where they grew up and were married. They emigrated to America from Mecklenburg-Schwerin in 1883, locating in Chicago, Illinois, where they resided five years. In 1888 they came to Nebraska, locating on a farm five miles northeast of Verdon, in this county, but moved to Nemaha precinct in 1905. Mr. Bruhn was born in 1851 and his wife was born in 1855. To Mr. and Mrs. Ogle four children have been born, namely: Wilma, born on January 2, 1902; Edmund, August 9, 1903; Forrest, March 9, 1912, and Joseph, December 25, 1916.

Mr. Ogle is a Republican. He belongs to the United Brethren church. He has worked hard, managed well and has succeeded, now ranking among the leading farmers of his locality.

HENRY H. KUPER.

It would be hard to find within the borders of Richardson county a more progressive farmer and stockman than Henry H. Kuper, of Humboldt. He was born, November 21, 1862, in Illinois, a son of Herman and Catherine (Gerdes) Kuper. The father was born in Germany, from which country he came to America when about fifteen years old, accompanied by his brother John, and settled in Illinois. He was born about 1834 and died about 1909, after devoting his active life to general farming. It was in the summer of 1865 that he came to Nebraska, driving overland from Illinois in a covered wagon, bringing his family, having only two children at that time. He settled in the northwestern part of this county, buying one hundred and sixty acres, on which he built a log cabin, later a house of cottonwood lumber. He broke up the sod with oxen, fought prairie fires and underwent the privations and hardships incident to such a life on the western frontier. He later in life was heard to remark that the only things of interest to see when he settled there were Indians and long-horned cattle. But he worked hard and succeeded, notwithstanding the dry years and the grasshopper plagues. It was quite a different country to that he had left in Illinois and he wanted to return there, but his children helped him develop the new farm, plant trees and otherwise make the place a comfortable spot on which to reside. There were no churches to attend and towns were far away. They hauled their hogs twenty-eight miles to market, after butchering them, the nearest meat market being Brownville. His wife was also disheartened, having no associates, nothing but plenty of hard work. But they stayed and later neighbors came

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and they helped organize the Lutheran church in Nemaha county, just across the line from their farm. Finally, with better surroundings and good crops they became reconciled to the new country. The mother of the subject of this sketch was a native of Holland, born near the German border, in 1837. There she grew up, leaving her native land when eighteen years old, coming to America with a brother, and settling in Springfield, Illinois, where she met and married Mr. Kuper. Their union resulted in the birth of seven chil- dren, named as follow: Mrs. Mary Cordes, deceased: Henry H., the sub- ject of this sketch; Mrs. Margaret Sasse, of Diller, Nebraska; Ilert, who lives in Orban, this state; Hiram H., who makes his home in Thomas, Okla- homa ; Mrs. Anna Grief, who lives in Kansas, and John, who lives in Diller, Nebraska.

Henry H. Kuper was three years old when his parents brought him to Richardson county and he grew up on the farm here, working hard when a boy, as did all boys in pioneer days. He attended the early-day schools, about two and one-half miles southeast of the old home place, at one of the first school houses built in this county. Later he was a student in the German Lutheran school. When twenty-three years old he rented land from William Preston, and in 1878 his father bought one hundred and sixty acres in Frank- lin precinct, the place being unimproved. To this place Henry H. Kuper removed, making extensive improvements, building an excellent dwelling and a good barn. It was one of the best houses in the locality, for he intended to remain there indefinitely, but in 1906 he sold out and bought his present farm at Humboldt, on which he has made all the improvements now to be seen there, including a modern eight-room house. The place contains one hundred and fifty-one acres, seventy-one acres of which are within the city limits of Humboldt. He also owns three hundred and fifty-six acres in Hitchcock county, Nebraska. He also formerly owned three hundred and twenty acres in Franklin precinct and considerable land in Pawnee county, this state. He has not only carried on general farming successfully, but for the past twenty-one years has been a breeder of Shorthorn cattle, and has made exhibits at state fairs at Lincoln, also at county fairs. He received second prize on his fine stock at the state fair in 1907, and took first prize at all county exhibits wherever he showed his stock that year. His herd leader is an imported animal, "Scottish Sentinel No. 353283," bred by T. B. Earle, at Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and was purchased by Mr. Kuper from Ex- Gov. A. C. Shellenberger, of Elma, Nebraska. At one time Mr. Kuper owned two fine imported bulls and four high-grade imported cows and at that time

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was the only breeder in the state to own so many head of imported live stock of that kind. He was also for some time a breeder of Poland China hogs. He is regarded as one of the best judges of cattle in southeastern Nebraska and his fine stock always find a ready market at fancy prices, owing to their exceptionally high quality. He is now buying and raising stock for sales, and holds public sales about twice a year. He has large and np-to-date barns, silos and other necessary equipment for properly caring for his stock.

On October 30, 1895, Mr. Kuper was married to Olive A. Keiser, a daughter of Nimrod and Mary E. ( Martin) Keiser, natives of Pennsylvania and Illinois, respectively. Nimrod Keiser was a carpenter by trade, but also devoted much of his life to farming. He came to Nebraska in an early day with his family, locating in Pawnee county, where Mrs. Kuper was born. She grew up on the farm and received a common-school education. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kuper namely: Elsie, who was graduated from the Humboldt high school with the class of 1917, and Ila, Myron and Loren, all at home.

Mr. Kuper is a Democrat, and served as assessor of his township at one time. Fraternally, he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. He was reared in the Lutheran faith but now attends the Christian church.

HENRY BRECHT.

A widely-known farmer and stockman of this county is Henry Brecht, of Falls City precinct. He was born on July 24, 1866, at Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, and is a son of Carl J. and Susan (Herdle) Brecht. The father was born in Baden, Germany, in 1826, and there spent his boyhood and attended school. When about twenty years of age he came to America, locating in Buffalo, New York, where he worked at the wagon-maker's trade and was married. Later he moved to the province of Ontario, Canada. where he followed his trade and also engaged in farming for ten years. On November 14. 1867, he came to Nebraska, locating on a farm in Jeffer- son precinct. Richardson county. His brother Bernard had previously home- steaded a farm in the northwest corner of that precinct and upon the death of the brother. Carl J. Brecht bought the farm and there became well estab- lished, although he was a poor man when he reached this county and for some time lived in a log cabin, which he built himself. He continued to

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farm until his death, which occurred in 1877. His wife, Susan Herdle, was born in Germany in 1835, and her death occurred on January 9, 1903. She was about twelve years old when her parents brought her to America, locating in Buffalo, New York. Nine children were born to Carl J. and Susan Brecht, namely: Charles J., deceased; Conrad, a retired farmer, of Falls City, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Mrs. Caroline Fenske, who lives in Hoskins, Wayne county, Nebraska; Fred, Mrs. Mathe- rine Kruse and Peter M., all of Falls City; Mrs. Elizabeth Schmechel, a widow, who lives at Hoskins, Nebraska, and Henry, the subject of this sketch, who was the fourth in order of birth.

Henry Brecht was reared on the home farm, where he worked hard during the summer months, in the winter time attending the district schools in Jefferson precinct. He assisted his brother in conducting the old home place until 1894, when he bought sixty acres near there, where he farmed on his own account. In 1902 he bought two hundred acres near Rulo, built a barn and made other improvements there and farmed there until 1910, when he sold out and bought his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres in section 13, of Falls City precinct, southwest of the old homestead. He also owns eighty. acres. in Jefferson precinct, making two hundred and forty acres in all. The former place had no improvements when he came here, but he now has one of the best improved farms in the locality. He has built a modern eight-room house, with basement, and also has a number of large and convenient outbuildings. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising and breeding, specializing for the past five years in breed- ing Poland China hogs and Shorthorn cattle, and finds a very ready market for his fine stock, owing to their superior quality. He has applied himself assiduously to his work and has managed well, being recognized as one of the leading general farmers of his precinct.

On December 20, 1894, Henry Brecht was married to Amelia Ruegge. who was born in this county on July 27, 1872, a daughter of Henry and Margaret (Thomas) Ruegge, both natives of Germany, from which country they came to America, proceeding on out to Nebraska and settling many years ago in Richardson county, where they became well established through their industry. Mrs. Ruegge is deceased and Mr. Ruegge lives in Falls City, aged seventy-two years. Mrs. Brecht was reared in her native locality and there attended the common schools. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Brecht, namely: William J., now ( 1917) twenty years old, who is assisting his father on the home farm, and Anna Margaret, now twelve years old.

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Mr. Brecht is a Democrat and has served as a member of the local board. Fraternally, he belongs to the Royal Highlanders and to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. He holds membership in the First Pres- byterian church at Falls City. He is well and favorably known throughout his locality and supports all movements having for their object the general good of the precinct and county.

EDWARD E. AUXIER.

Edward E. Auxier, president of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Verdon, a well-to-do farmer and stockman, owner of eighty acres of land forming the home place in section 7 of Liberty precinct, this county, and also holding land in the precinct of Grant, making three hundred and eighty acres in all, is a native of the old Blue Grass state, born in Johnson county, Kentucky, April 28, 1864. He is a son of Nathaniel and Hester (Mayo) Auxier, who were the parents of thirteen children, as follow: Samuel, deceased; George W., deceased; Julia, wife of James Cooley, of Preston- burg, Kentucky; Mrs. Martha Hager, of Missouri; Mrs. Minta Friend, deceased; Andrew J., deceased; Louise, who died in infancy; Edward E., the subject of this biographical sketch; Nathaniel, a biographical sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume, and John David, who was killed in the battle of Salt Works, Virginia, during the Civil War. George W. Auxier also served as a soldier during the Civil War and was wounded during the course of an engagement in Tennessee. Andrew J. Auxier be- came a prominent attorney and served two terms (until 1882), as common- wealth's attorney in his home district in Kentucky. He was appointed mar- shal of that district by President Arthur and held that position until 1884. in which year he was nominated by the Republicans of that district for Congress, but was unable to overcome the strong Democratic majority. In 1886 he was elected district judge and was occupying the bench at the time of his death in 1892. Nathaniel Auxier, father of these children, was a farmer. He was born in Johnson county, Kentucky, in 1812, and died in 1866, when Edward E. Auxier, the subject of this sketch was but two years of age; the latter thus being left orphaned indeed, for his mother had died at the time of his birth in 1864. she then being forty-eight years of age. It should be noted that the children above enumerated are not set out in the respective order of their birth. Hester ( Mayo) Auxier was born

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in Jackson county, Kentucky, a daughter of Lewis Mayo, a man of broad education and a school teacher. Lewis Mayo was a son of Jacob Mayo, who was appointed clerk of the Floyd county (Kentucky) court in 1800. The Mayos had emigrated from Fluvanna county, Virginia.

The Auxiers are an old Colonial family, the first of the name in this country, Samuel Auxerre, a Frenchman, having come here with his family in 1755 and established his home in the then colony of Pennsylvania. His descendants now are numerously represented in various parts of the country. The original name, Auxerre, in some cases has been corrupted to Oxer, but the greater part of the large connection in this country now spell it as it is seen at the head of this sketch. Sometime between 1755 and 1775 Samuel Auxerre (Auxier) moved with his family from Pennsylvania to the colony of Virginia and was living there at the time of the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. His five sons, Simon, Michael, George, Abram and Samuel enlisted their services in behalf of the patriot cause and ren- dered valuable service during the long struggle for the independence of the colonies. The last-named of these sons, Samuel Auxier, was too young to enlist at the beginning of the hostilities, but when fifteen years of age took his place in the fighting line and served until the end of the war, later moving to Kentucky, where he spent the rest of his life. His eldest brother, Simon, also established his home in Kentucky. Michael Auxier pushed on into the western part of Kentucky, where he died at the advanced age of one hundred and four years. George Auxier settled on the Kanawha river, in what is now West Virginia, and Abram Auxier pushed on into what then was known as the great Northwest Territory and settled in the Wabash country. Michael Auxier, the centenarian, had been scalped by an Indian in Virginia in the days of his young manhood and is said to have been "the only bald-headed Auxier ever heard of."

Samuel Auxier, the youngest son of the French immigrant, married in Virginia, July 15, 1779, Sarah Brown, a daughter of Nathaniel and Ann Brown, and in 1791 moved with his family to the Kentucky country, settling at Blockhouse Bottom, in what is now Johnson county, on the Big Sandy, where he established his home and where he spent the rest of his life, his death occurring there about 1802 as the result of injuries received by falling off a horse. It was he who erected the blockhouse which gave the name to Blockhouse Bottom and some of his descendants are still living on the land granted him there in payment for his services during the Revolution. He was a man of the true pioneer type and was an Indian

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fighter of renown, it having been he who restored to her family Jennie Miley, the white woman who had been held for years as a captive by the Indians, who had taken her from Virginia into the Kentucky country. Samuel and Sarah (Brown) Auxier were the parents of the following children: Nathaniel, born in June, 1780; Nancy, July 20, 1782; May Barbara, Feb- ruary 7, 1784; John; Daniel; Samuel, August 7, 1791; Enoch, February 22, 1795, and Frances Amelia, March, 1800. After the death of her hus- band about the year 1802, Sarah Auxier married Jesse Kelly, who died in service during the War of 1812. She then married John Phillips, who died in 1835. In 1843 Sarah applied for a pension as the widow of Samuel Auxier, basing her application on his services as a soldier of the Revolu- tion. She was born on January 16, 1765, and lived to be ninety-one years of age.

Samuel Auxier, 3rd, sixth son of Samuel and Sarah Auxier, grew up on the home farm in Kentucky and in 1813 married Rebecca Phillips, by whom he had eleven children, Nathaniel, John B. (major in a Kentucky regiment during the Civil War), Jemima, George W., Sarah, Joseph, Samuel, Rebecca, Martha, Arminta and Henry J. The first-born of these children, Nathaniel Auxier, married Hester Ann Mayo, as noted in the introduction to this, and was the father of the subject of this sketch.

Deprived of both his parents while still an infant, Edward E. Auxier was reared by his elder brothers and sisters until he was sixteen years of age. He received his schooling in the district schools and also in local "subscription" schools and for four years after leaving school was engaged in teaching in his native state. In 1885 he came to Richardson county and located in Ohio precinct with a brother, Nathaniel, further reference to whom is made in another part of this work. Edward E. Auxier taught school for two years in the Deerfield and Schuyler districts, this county, and also taught near Rulo. In the fall of 1887 he bought his present farn of eighty acres and in 1888 he moved on to same. At different times he purchased other tracts and now owns three hundred and eighty acres. There were no improvements on the place at the time he took it over and he was compelled to live in a small house. In 1895 he erected a substantial house, which he later had remodeled and converted into a comfortable mod- ern home and here he and his wife reside.

On February 13, 1887, Edward E. Auxier was united in marriage to Lucy A. Prichard, daughter of Joseph and Caroline (Compton) Prichard. natives of Kentucky, who, in 1865, came to Richardson county and settled in Arago township. Joseph Prichard died in 1914, at the age of seventy-

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seven years. His widow is now living in Falls City and has reached the good round age of seventy-eight years. They were the parents of eight children.

To Mr. and Mrs. Edward E. Auxier six children have been born, namely : Mabel, who married G. H. Rice and lives in Paintsville, Ken- tucky; Homer J., who lives in this county and married Ethel Wilkinson, daughter of Thomas Wilkinson and wife, of Dawson; Grace, who lives at home with her parents, was graduated from the Verdon high school and is now a teacher of the Harris district school; Ethel E., at home, who teaches school in Ohio precinct; Edward J., in high school at Dawson, and Ray, also in high school at Dawson.

In addition to his farming activities, Mr. Auxier has been breeding Poland China hogs for the past twenty years and has been very successful in this line. In 1906, when the farmers and Merchants Bank was organ- ized at Verdon, Mr. Auxier became a stockholder and in the same year was elected president of the bank, which position he still retains.

Mr. Auxier is an ardent Democrat and gives close attention to the public interests of his precinct and the county generally. In 1897 he was elected county supervisor and was re-elected in 1899, holding office until 1901. During this period of service he was chairman of the board for three years, giving thorough satisfaction to his colleagues. Mr. and Mrs. Auxier and family are members of the Congregational church and generous supporters of its upkeep. Mr. Auxier is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Verdon, and to each of these organizations he gives much attention.

JAMES R. PAGE.

One of the best-remembered citizens of a past generation of Nemaha township, this county, whose name is deserving perpetuation on the pages of local history, was James R. Page, who passed from earthly scenes nearly a score of years ago, but whose influence is still operative for good in the locality whose interests he labored to promote in every legitimate way.

Mr. Page, who devoted his active life to agricultural pursuits, was born on September 8, 1862, and died on May 28, 1898, while still in the prime of life and usefulness. He came from Missouri to Nebraska with his parents when young in years, locating in Richardson county. In 1888 he was married

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to Nancy Ellen Amos, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of John B. and Amanda T. Amos, also natives of the old Keystone state, where they grew up, were married and established their home. Remaining in Pennsyl- vania until 1869 they migrated to Nebraska and settled on the place where Mrs. Page now resides, Mr. Amos developing it from a wild state to one of the best farms in Nemaha township, and there he and his wife spent the rest of their lives. The father died in 1890, but the mother survived until 1907, reaching an advanced age. To Mr. and Mrs. Amos eleven children were born, five of whom survive at this writing, namely: Mrs. Laura Hedrick, of Idaho: Mrs. Emma Taylor, a resident of Seneca, Kansas; John T., living near Seneca. Kansas; Mrs. Florence Frey, of near Derby, Kansas, and Mrs. Nancy E. Page.

Four children were born to James R. Page and wife, namely: Wittie. who married Mamie Lugenbill, and lives in Speiser township; Rilla, wife of Earl Simmonds; Burt, deceased, and James R., deceased.

James R. Page and wife lived on the Amos homestead for three years after their marriage, and in 1891 they moved to a farm in Speiser town- ship, where they lived fifteen years, at the end of which time they returned to the the old Amos farm. Mrs. Page is now owner of both these fine farms. They each contain one hundred and sixty acres and are well improved and productive. She has shown herself to be a capable business woman and is overseeing a general farm and live stock business in a successful manner. An excellent grade of stock of all kinds common to the locality is kept and her acres are well tilled. The Amos homestead, although now one of the oldest farms in the county, has been so carefully managed that it is just as productive as it was four decades ago. Mrs. Page attends the United Brethren church, which her husband also attended during his lifetime.

THEODORE G. ATWOOD.

Among those who came from the Atlantic coast country to the rolling prairies of Nebraska to establish a home and have succeeded in the newer land is Theodore G. Atwood, of Franklin precinct, Richardson county. He was born at Trenton, New Jersey, February 3, 1865. He is a son of James and Mary (Cole) Atwood. The father was born in Birmingham, England, in 1831, and there he grew to manhood and attended school. In 1855 he set sail for our shores, locating in the state of New Jersey, where he worked

JAMES AND MARY ATWOOD. WILLIAM AND PERMELIA STRINGFIELD.

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out as a farm hand. In 1869 he came to Richardson county, Nebraska, settling on a farm east of the town of Humboldt, remaining there until he could erect a dwelling on his own land, having purchased a tract of virgin soil in section 11, Franklin precinct. His first house was sixteen by twenty- four feet. He also built a small stable, dug a well and broke up the sod, improving the land as he could. He set out a number of trees, having the only grove of cottonwoods between his farm. and Brownsville, Nebraska. While he worked on the farm his wife would often walk to Humboldt for provisions, a distance of six miles. She also was a native of England and came to America a short time after Mr. Atwood came to the United States. She was seven weeks crossing the Atlantic, in an old-fashioned sailing vessel. Her death occurred in September, 1915, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. James Atwood followed her to the grave a few weeks later, dying in October, 1915, also at a ripe old age. They were a highly esteemed pioneer couple of this county, where they worked hard and endured many hardships to get a start, but spent their declining years in comfort as a result of their earlier efforts. Nine children were born to them, namely : William, who lives in Brookfield, Missouri; Charles, who lives in Hum- boldt precinct, this county; Ellsworth, deceased; Theodore G., the subject of this sketch ; David, deceased; Mrs. Anna Wilkinson, who lives at Auburn, Nebraska; Emma, deceased; George, deceased, and Benjamin, who lives in Franklin precinct, this county.

Theodore G. Atwood was reared on the home farm and attended the district schools at Hazel Dell school house. Like all pioneer hoys he worked hard. He herded cattle on the unfenced prairies when only nine years old, both winter and summer-on the wild grass of the prairies in summer and in the cornfields in winter, usually remaining at his post with the cattle from sunrise to dark. He herded cattle about six years, and when twenty- three years old began farming for himself, renting the place he now owns, his father buying the farm later. Young Atwood became heir to one hundred and sixty acres, and later bought two hundred acres. He also, in his earlier career, worked in the coal mines and smelters in Colorado, spending three years in that state. Returning to Richardson county he has since devoted himself to general farming and stock raising in which he has reaped grati- fying results, owning now three hundred and twenty acres in sections 12 and 13, Franklin precinct. His place is well improved and he has a com- fortable home and such outbuildings as his needs require. He handles large numbers of live stock.

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History of Richardson County, Nebraska : its people, industries and institutions, Part 115

Author: Edwards, Lewis C Publication date: 1917 Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F. Bowen Number of Pages: 1742

Author: Edwards, Lewis C
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1742