History of Richardson County, Nebraska : its people, industries and institutions, Part 133

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

USA > Nebraska > Richardson County > History of Richardson County, Nebraska : its people, industries and institutions > Part 133

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

ORION OLE MARSH.

Orion Ole Marsh, the efficient and capable county clerk of Richardson county, is a native born Nebraskan and a son of one of the oldest Nebraska pioneers, his parents having settled at old St. Deroin, on the banks of the Missouri river, in 1859, at a period when this now almost forgotten river village was in the heyday of its prosperity and was an important steamboat town. Mr. Marsh was born on a farm near Verdon, in Richardson county, November 18, 1871, and is a son of William Sumner and Lillie Lucretia Marsh, who still reside upon their farm in Muddy precinct and are counted among the most respected and oldest pioneer residents of this county. The senior Marsh is a veteran of the Civil War, born in Wisconsin, a son of Elijah S. and Rachel (Calvert) Marsh, both of whom were descended from old American families. Besides Orion O. Marsh the other members of the family of William Sumner Marsh are as follow: William E. Marsh, of Shubert, Nebraska; Mrs. Josephine G. Ray, of Verdon, Nebraska, and George Roy Marsh, of Lewistown, Montana. Further and fitting mention of William Sumner Marsh is made elsewhere in this volume.

Orion O. Marsh was reared on a pioneer farm in Richardson county and received his early education in the district schools, followed by a course of study in the Verdon high school. He began teaching school when twenty years of age and taught a total of one hundred and thirteen months in the schools of his native county, varying the time with farming activities. Mr. Marsh taught school during the winter months and followed farming during the summer months, thus keeping himself diligently employed during the entire year. He further fitted himself for the teaching profession by a course of study and training at the State Normal at Peru, and continued teaching successfully until 1908, in which year he decided to devote his attention entirely to farming. The lure of the school room was too strong for him, however, and he again taught a term of school during the winter of 1913-14. Mr. Marsh has been a continuous resident of Richardson county since his birth, with the exception of seven years spent in Chase county, Nebraska.

ORION O. MARSII AND FAMILY.

I345

RICHARDSON COUNTY, NEBRASKA.

in developing a Kinkaid homestead claim. He is interested in farming and is the owner of seven hundred and seventy acres of Western lands.

Mr. Marsh's teaching experience gave him a wide and favorable acquaint- ance throughout the county and he made many warm and steadfast friends. It was only natural that a man of his abilities and attainments should take an active part in civic and political matters and he served as assessor of Muddy precinct for eight years in succession. In November of 1914 he was nominated as the candidate of the Republican party for the office of county clerk and was successful in the election. He was re-elected to this important office in 1916 and his conduct of the duties of this important office has been eminently satisfactory to the people of the county regardless of political affiliations, he being recognized as a very capable and obliging county official. In addition to his official duties Mr. Marsh is serving as a member of the local exemption board, which has charge of the task of examining the young men conscripted for the selective draft army, which is being raised to fight the battles of the free peoples of the world in Europe.

On June 18, 1908, at Lincoln, Nebraska, Mr. Marsh was married to Ellen Elizabeth Thomas. One child has blessed this marriage, namely: Harper Thomas Marsh, who was born on December 28, 1909. Mrs. Marsh was born at Corning, Adams county, Iowa, February 18, 1877, was edu- cated in the State University at Lincoln, Nebraska, and has been a successful teacher in the public schools of Richardson county, she having taught a total of one hundred months in various schools in Nebraska. She is a daughter of David L. and Eleanor I. (Jones) Thomas, the former of whom was born in Cardiganshire, Wales, March 9, 1849. When three years of age he was brought to America by his parents, the family settling in Wisconsin, where he was married to Eleanor I. Jones, who was born at Spring Green, Sauk county, Wisconsin, March 30, 1858. The Thomas family removed from Wisconsin to Iowa in 1875 and resided in that state, engaged in farming, until 1879, when they came to Nebraska. They were successfully engaged in farming in Richardson county until 1903, when Mr. and Mrs. Thomas removed to Lincoln, Nebraska, where they now reside. A most notable accomplishment on their part is the rearing of a family of well-educated sons and daughters as. follow: Mrs. Ellen Elizabeth Marsh; Prof. David E. Thomas, a graduate of the University of Nebraska and of Yale University, who received the degree of Bachelor of Arts from the University of Ne- braska, the degree of Bachelor of Divinity from Yale, and the degree of Doctor of Philosophy from Chicago University, and who spent three years

(85)

1346

RICHARDSON COUNTY, NEBRASKA.

as a member of the faculty of the college at Le Mars, Iowa, part of which time he served as president of the college, and is now serving his fourth year as professor at Edmonton College, Alberta, Canada, and is acting president of this college during the present year; H. May Thomas, teacher of English in the Moody Institute, Chicago, Illinois; John Willard Thomas, county superintendent of schools at Sisseton, South Dakota; James Lloyd Thomas, a teacher and farmer living at University Place, Nebraska; Margaret G., deceased; Mrs. Merle (Thomas) Rice, a missionary in India, who has spent three years in the service of the missions department of the Christian de- nomination, and Dwight P. Thomas, senior at the State University at Lincoln, Nebraska.

Mr. Marsh is affiliated fraternally with the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Falls City. He also is a warm supporter of religi- ous works, and Mrs. Thomas is a member of the United Evangelical church. Mr. and Mrs. Marsh take an active part in social affairs in Falls City and have a host of friends and well wishers, who esteem them for their many good qualities. Their home, at 1902 Morton street is a pleasant and hos- pitable one, and there their friends and acquaintances are always warmly welcomed.

WILLIAM D. EASLEY.

"Through struggle to triumph" seems to be the maximum which holds sway with the majority of people; that is, those who attain to a successful goal at all, must find it after arduous effort, and though it is undoubtedly true that many fall exhausted in the conflict, a few, like William D. Easley, by their inherent force of character and strong mentality, rise above their environ- ment and all which seems to hinder them, until they reach the heights to which they originally aspired.

Mr. Easley, who is now living in honorable retirement in the city of Lincoln, was for many years one of the progressive merchants, lumber deal- ers and representative men of affairs in Richardson county, Nebraska. He is a scion of a sterling old Southern family and his birth occurred in Halifax county, Virginia, February II, 1853. He is a son of Albert L. and Eliza- beth ( Ballon) Easley, both natives of Virginia also, the latter of whom, born in 1826, died in 1889. The father was born in Halifax county, in March, 1812, and there he grew to manhood, attended school and married, continu- ing to reside in the Old Dominion until in October. 1868. when he moved

I347

RICHARDSON COUNTY, NEBRASKA.

to Nebraska with his family, settling on a farm near Rulo, in this county, being among the pioneers of that locality, and there he engaged successfully in general farming for many years. About 1884 he moved to Falls City, where his death occurred in 1888. He had spent his last years in retirement. He became well and favorably known in the eastern part of Richardson county and was influential among the early settlers there.

To Albert L. Easley and wife five children were born, namely: Mrs. Susan Carter, who resided in Kansas and is now deceased; William D., the subject of this review; Mrs. Alberta Jones, who lives in Boulder, Colorado; James, deceased, and Sally B., the wife of A. B. Wanner, a druggist of Falls City.

William D. Easley spent his early boyhood in Halifax county, Virginia, being fifteen years old when his parents brought him to Nebraska. He grew up on the farm in this county and, like all sons of pioneers, worked hard assisting his father develop the homestead near Rulo. He received his early education in the rural schools of his district and began his business career as a clerk in a general merchandise store at Rulo in 1869, when only sixteen years of age. He continued there until 1872, when he went to Colorado, where he clerked in a store six months, then went to Pawnee, Nebraska. In 1877 he engaged in the lumber business at Humboldt, Richard- son county, and was there thus engaged until 1886, when he bought the lum- ber yard at Falls City, which he operated until 1904, when he went to Kansas City, Missouri, continuing the lumber business. there until 1909. He has lived in most of the towns of Richardson county and is well known through- out southeastern Nebraska. While at Rulo he hauled lumber from that town to Salem, before the days of railroads in eastern Nebraska; a lumber yard having been established at Salem prior to the coming of the Chicago, Burling- ton & Quincy Railroad.

Mr. Easley was very successful in the lumber business, every phase of which he soon mastered and he kept well abreast of the times in all that pertained to his chosen line, being not only a close observer but a wide reader of the lumber journals and periodicals published in the interests of lumber men. He is a man of sound judgment and foresight and of industrious habits. He is one of the best-known lumbermen in the state of Nebraska and also up and down the Missouri river for a great distance. He is living in Lincoln and is not actively engaged in business at this writing. He located in that city in 1909 and was successfully engaged in the lumber and coal ,business there until 1916.

On May 30, 1876, in Pawnee county, Nebraska, Mr. Easley was married

I348

RICHARDSON COUNTY, NEBRASKA.

to Alice C. Wheeler, who was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. She is the fifth child born to Ephraim and Lucindia (Fellows) Wheeler, who came from Pennsylvania to Nebraska in 1866, taking up a homestead four miles southeast of Pawnee City, and who were among the early pioneers of Pawnee county. They developed a good farm there through hard work and perseverance and there they spent the rest of their lives, both dying many years ago at Table Rock. Mrs. Easley was reared on the home farm and attended the early-day schools. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Easley has been without issue.

Mr. Easley is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Falls City. Politically, he has never been very active in public affairs. further than to do his duty as a good citizen. He is a man of obliging and genial disposition and makes and retains friends without effort.

WENZEL SKALAK.

The colony of Bohemians that settled in Richardson county has benefited alike themselves and us, for they have made good citizens in every respect, have helped develop this semi-wild section of our vast republic and estab- lished comfortable homes through their industry. One of this number who is deserving of special mention in this volume is Wenzel Skalak, a well- known business man of Humboldt. He was born at Sokolec, Bohemia, April 25, 1852, a son of Frank and Elizabeth (Pohanka) Skalak, also natives of Bohemia, where they grew and were married. The father came to Richardson county, Nebraska, in 1865 and settled four miles south of Humboldt, built a log cabin and broke up the virgin prairie sod with a team of oxen. He worked hard to get a start in the new country and as the years passed became well- established and the possessor of a good farm. His nearest markets were Brownville and Arago. He bought his bacon and flour at Nebraska City. He sold hogs as low as two and one-half cents per pound and corn for ten and fifteen cents per bushel. He paid fourteen dollars and fifty cents an acre for his homestead rights. When he came here he had three hundred dollars which he loaned to a stranger who was in trouble, owing a debt of three hundred dollars. The man then helped him locate a good home- stead. Mr. Skalak lived with his family in an old saw-mill a while when he first came. During the grasshopper years, he had hard sailing. He set out a large cabbage patch and he covered some the plants with old hats

I 349

RICHARDSON COUNTY, NEBRASKA.

through which the insects ate their way and destroyed the cabbage. He had ten acres of wheat which he cut with a cradle and bound into sheaves by hand, threshing it by horsepower. He followed this method for several years, or until the latter sixties. He lived in a log cabin fifteen years. He spent the rest of his life on his homestead, as did also his wife. To these parents three children were born, namely: Wenzel, subject of this sketch; Mrs. Rosalia Prachejl, a widow living at Fairbury, Nebraska, and Frank, a farmer in Humboldt precinct, Richardson county.

Wenzel Skalak spent his childhood in Bohemia, being thirteen years old when his parents brought him to Richardson county, Nebraska. He attended the common schools, and helped his father develop the home place, working hard, as did all sons of pioneers. He also worked out as a farm hand at a salary of forty dollars a year until 1867, when he began clerking in a general store, owned by Ruel Nims, who had the first and only store in Humboldt for some time. In 1880, Mr. Skalak began working for William Stearns, and several years later started a mercantile business for himself in partnership with E. A. Loper, handling clothing, boots and shoes. Later, he was in partnership with G. A. Walch. Selling out the clothing business, he formed a partnership with H. H. Scott, with whom he conducted a hard- ware store for seventeen years at Humboldt. In 1904 he opened up his present store in partnership with C. W. Atwood, which they conducted to- gether until 1907, when Mr. Skalak began his present hardware store and implement business. He carries a large and well-selected stock of hardware and implements, all kinds of farming machinery, also plumbing and heating apparatus. He has built up a large and lucrative business, his trade extend- ing all over the western part of the county. He is also a stockholder in the Humboldt brick yard, the creamery company and the local telephone company. He is also owner of three hundred and twenty acres of good land in Butler county, Kansas, in the oil fields, and of one hundred and eight-five acres at Crab Orchard, Nebraska.

Mr. Skalak was married to Frances Radek, who was born on June 25, 1857, in Kuklik, Bohemia, and there she spent her girlhood, emigrating to America, with a friend, in 1875, she came to Humboldt, Nebraska, where she worked as a domestic for some time. To Mr. and Mrs. Skalak five children have been born, namely: William, who is working with his father in the store; Ludvik, in partnership in business with his father; Evan, a farmer near Dubois, Nebraska, and two children who died in infancy.

Politically, Mr. Skalak is a Democrat. He has served as a member of the city council of Humboldt. He has been one of the principal promoters

I350

RICHARDSON COUNTY, NEBRASKA.

of the local telephone company, being for some time chairman of the board of directors, and he is now vice-president of the company. He is also vice- president of the company that operates the brick plant at Humboldt, and is a director of the same. Fraternally, he is a member of the local lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Modern Woodmen of America. C. S. B. S., and the Bohemian lodge. He was reared in the Lutheran faith. .

JAMES W. BURNS.

The Old Dominion has sent many of her industrious citizens into Nebraska to help reclaim the great plains and among these is James W. Burns, farmer and stockman of Liberty precinct, Richardson county. He was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, September 5, 1853, and is a son of Thomas H. and Lucy (Crockett) Burns. The father was born in Virginia about the year 1806 and his death occurred in 1869. He grew up in his native state, in fact, lived and died there. He was overseer in an iron foundry for many years. All the children born of his union with Lucy Crockett are deceased but James W. Burns, the subject of this sketch. After the death of his first wife he married Ellen Obenchain, to which union two children were born, one of whom is living-Dillie, wife of William Kemper, who makes her home in Botetourt county, Virginia. Thomas H. Burns's first wife, Lucy Crockett, was born in Virginia, where she was reared and spent her life, dying in 1859. She and her husband were both members of the Bap- tist church.

James W. Burns grew to manhood in Virginia and received a common- school education. He assisted his father with the work on the home farm during his boyhood and young manhood. In 1870 lie went to Lafayette county, Missouri, where he worked out by the month as a farm hand. In 1878 he came to Nebraska and rented land in Arago township, Richardson county. In 1884 he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres in western Kansas. Selling out there in 1889, he moved to Verdon, this county, and in 1892 bought his present farm in Liberty precinct, which was unimproved. He set out trees, built fences, a house and barn and in due course of time had the land under excellent cultivation. The place consists of one hundred and sixty acres, in section 20. In connection with general farming he has always kept graded Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs.

Mr. Burns was married on December 18, 1881, to Nellie L. Bennett, a

I351

RICHARDSON COUNTY, NEBRASKA.

daughter of George W. and Sarah L. (Everet) Bennett, early settlers of Ohio, from which state they later moved to Wisconsin in the early days there, and finally came to Richardson county, Nebraska, from Minnesota, Mrs. Burns being born in the last-named state, on December 29, 1863. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Burns: William A., who lives in Salem precinct; Charles E., who lives in Porter precinct; Ira C., who lives in Liberty precinct; Clara L., wife of W. Schultz, of Liberty precinct; Harry T., who lives in Porter precinct; Emily K., who was graduated from the Verdon high school and is teaching in the district schools; Amos Schley, who enlisted for service in the United States army on July 4, 1917, a member of Company D, Fifth Nebraska Infantry; Nellie A. and Anther C., the two latter of whom are at home; Ella E. is deceased, and one died in infancy.

Politically, Mr. Burns is a Democrat. He has served as road overseer in his community, and was a member of the school board in his district for a period of twenty-one years. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Woodmen of the World. His wife belongs to the Knights and Ladies of Security. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They have worked hard and finally achieved marked success in agriculture.

RICHARD A. COUPE.

The old Empire state has contributed many of her most enterprising sons to the great West and they have played a very important role in the development of the same. One of this number in Richardson county, Ne- braska, who is deserving of special mention is Richard A. Coupe, one of the leading farners and cattlemen of Falls City precinct. He was born in Utica, New York, June 9, 1855, a son of James and Jane (Latus) Coupe. The father was born in Lancashire, England, in 1812 and there he spent his earlier years, emigrating to the state of New York in 1844, where he died in 1861, after devoting his active life to general farming. The mother was also born in Lancashire, England, in 1814, there she grew to woman- hood and came to America about 1844, locating at Utica, New York, where she and James Coupe were married. Her death occurred in 1867. Twelve children were born to them, seven of whom are living at this time, namely: Ellen J., who married John O'Brien, deceased; Mary L., the widow of John Roscoe, living in Utica, New York; Elizabeth, deceased; Henry F., who lives in Utica, New York; Thomas A., a dry goods merchant at Utica,

I352

RICHARDSON COUNTY, NEBRASKA.

New York; James F., a lawyer in Utica, that state; Joseph B., deceased, whose family lives in Effingham, Kansas, but at one time lived in Richard- son county, Nebraska, where he filled the office of county judge for three terms; Margaret 'A., deceased; Richard A., of this sketch; Sarah, who lives in New Orleans, Louisiana, and is a sister of charity, one of the volunteers at the hospital for lepers, known as Sister Cyril; two children, who died in infancy.

Richard A. Coupe grew to manhood in Utica, New York, where he received a common school education. He came West in 1878, locating at Rulo, Richardson county, Nebraska, and, in the following year, took up his residence in Falls City precinct, where he soon engaged in stock raising. He rented land about two years, and in 1882, bought one hundred and sixty acres near Wymore, Nebraska, which land he improved and sold in 1887, then moved to McCook, this state, where he conducted a meat market until 1892. In that year he returned to Richardson county and bought two hundred acres in Falls City precinct, his present farm, and here he has since been successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. He has. made many important improvements, remodeling the dwelling throughout, and from his home may be obtained one of the finest views in the locality, Falls City being within the range of vision. He has appropriately named his place "Pleasant View." He has prospered by good management and persistent industry, and has added to his original farm until he now owns. two hundred and forty acres in section 27, Falls City precinct. He also owns five hundred and forty acres of good land in Anderson county, Kansas. He is a breeder of Poll Durham cattle and Poland China hogs, being in partnership with his sons, under the firm name of R. A. Coupe & Sons. They began breeding thoroughbred cattle and hogs in 1914. Mr. Coupe has been a very extensive and successful cattle feeder, feeding from five hundred to one thousand head annually, which he ships to the Kansas City market. In 1885 he engaged in the butcher business at Falls City, continu- ing the same several years.

Mr. Coupe was married on November 24, 1885, to Mary M. King, who was born on December 14, 1863, in Canada. She is a daughter of John and Catherine (Simmer) King, natives of Canada, from which coun- try they came to Richardson county, Nebraska, in 1867, settling eight miles. north of Falls City, where they developed a good farm from the virgin prairie and there spent the rest of their lives. Mrs. Coupe was a child when her parents brought her to this county, and here she grew to womanhood and attended school. To Mr. and Mrs. Coupe ten children have been born,

Jeunes & Edwards

I353

RICHARDSON COUNTY, NEBRASKA.

as follow : James F., a field man for the Twentieth Century Farm Journal, published at Omaha, Nebraska; Nellie, the wife of Thomas Kanaly, living in Jefferson precinct, Richardson county; Henry A., is a live stock commis- sion merchant in Kansas City; Thomas, George L., John B., Catherine, Elizabeth, Mary and Richard, all at home.

Politically, Mr. Coupe is a Democrat. He was elected county supervisor in 1908, which office he held two terms in a highly acceptable manner. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the Royal Arcanum. He is a member of the Catholic church.

LEWIS CLIFFORD EDWARDS.

The early environment, education and training of Lewis Clifford Edwards, author of this history of Richardson county, have peculiarly fitted him for the task of writing and compiling a history of his own county, for he is a true lover of history trained in the newspaper field, a student of archaeology, a delver into the wonders of the past and a seeker after knowledge of what has happened in the years gone by. Mr. Edwards was born in a typical Nebraska pioneer cabin and was reared amid pioneer sur- roundings during his earlier years. He is self-made and self-educated and has worked his way into a position of confidence and esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens of Richardson county. He is modest, withal, and in writing this history, his sole aim has been to present such a work to the people of his county as will endure for all time to come as an authentic and reliable record of the important happenings in this county, since the advent of the first pioneer to the present time. The writer is certain that he has succeeded, and the work, with its contents, speaks for itself.

Lewis Clifford Edwards was born, September 28, 1878, on a farm located one and a half miles south of Glen Rock, Nemaha county, Ne- braska, in a typical frontier cabin built of stone and hewn logs. He is a son of Andrew Jay and Elvira Belle ( Houchins nee Mullins) Edwards, natives of Ohio and Indiana, respectively. Andrew Jay Edwards was born at New Lisbon, Columbiana county, Ohio, September 9, 1835, and was left an orphan by the death of his father in 1840 and that of his mother in 1845. The parents of Andrew J. Edwards were of Welsh descent.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Richardson County, Nebraska : its people, industries and institutions, Part 133

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