History of Richardson County, Nebraska : its people, industries and institutions, Part 136

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

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some, especially when first the Sioux and the Cheyennes were on the warpath. The late Joel T. Jones, of Humboldt, and his two brothers were in Mr. Miles employ for some years on this and other routes. For several years Mr. Miles was engaged in the mail contract business, his routes covering all sections of the Western country, including Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Texas.

In 1856, Mr. Miles secured a tract of several thousand acres of land in what is now the neighborhood of Dawson, this county, to be used as a suitable place for the recuperation of the large numbers of horses and mules required in the mail service. This tract, whereon he made his home, was the nucleus of the present great Miles ranch, one of the most complete agricultural plants to be found in the West and which was the first great ranch to be established west of the Missouri river. Mr. Miles made his home on the ranch to the time of his death.

At the close of the Civil War, Mr. Miles secured his Texas mail con- tract and retained the same for a period of four years, at the end of which time, in 1871, he retired from the mail carrying enterprise and engaged extensively in the cattle industry, bringing cattle in great herds from the Texas ranges and feeding them on his ranch in preparation for shipment to the Chicago markets. His son, Joseph H. Miles, was an able and com- petent assistant in this work, and made the long trips to and from Texas in charge of the herds of cattle brought from the Southland for fattening on the ranch. It was not long until the Miles ranch and its products became known far and wide among the cattlemen of the West, its area being increased until it comprised six thousand acres in one body.

From the very beginning of his residence in Nebraska, Stephen Boyd Miles took an active and influential part in the civic affairs of the new and growing country, and for many years was one of the leaders of the Democratic party in this section. In 1859 he was appointed on an inter- territorial committee of four members from the state of Nebraska and four members from Kansas to meet at Lecompton, Kansas, for the purpose of arranging for the creation of a new state, whose northern boundary should be the Platte river and which would be bounded on the south by the Kaw. The deliberations of the committee were rent in twain over the question of slavery and, after a stormy session at Lecompton, the joint committees dis- agreed and nothing came of the movement which then passed into history.

Mr. Miles also took an active part in the general business affairs of the new country, and was a stockholder of the old National Bank of St. Louis,

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which failed during the Civil War period. In 1872, in association with William Nichols, of St. Louis, he organized the Commercial Bank of St. Louis, and in 1882 he organized the First National Bank of Falls City and continued as its president until his death. In 1884 he organized the Bank of Rulo at Rulo, Nebraska, later changed to the State Bank of Rulo, and remained president of the latter institution until his death. He had ever retained a warm interest and affection for his old home town back in Pennsylvania, and in 1890, he returned there and estab- lished the Miles National Bank of Delta, becoming president of the same. Joseph H. Miles, his son, became cashier, and bought his father's interest in the bank in 1894.

Stephen B. Miles departed this life on October 30, 1898. His death marked the passing of one of the strong and historical figures of Richardson county and Nebraska. He was essentially a builder, whose creations stand to this day as monuments to his enterprise and industry. He builded solidly and substantially, as few men of his day and time have done.

Mr. Miles was reared in the Presbyterian faith and ever took a proper interest in benevolent works, his purse being open in time of need or distress to his fellowmen, but he was not an active churchman. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and took considerable interest in lodge work and affairs, though his business activities seemed more im- portant to him than the social diversions of life.

SAMUEL LICHTY.

One of the best-remembered citizens of a past generation in Richard- son county, who is deserving of having his life-record perpetuated on the pages of local history, along with other sterling characters who have made this one of the banner counties of Nebraska, was the local Samuel Lichty. He was born, September 29, 1847, in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, a son of Solomon Lichty and wife. When young in years, he removed with his parents to Carroll county, Illinois, and in March, 1875 came to Falls City, Nebraska, and engaged in the banking business with John Hinton. He made his first visit to Nebraska in 1869, when he purchased land. . After several years residence in Falls City, he withdrew from the banking busi- ness and purchased a farm, two and one-half miles northwest of Falls City, where he resided until 1902, when he sold out and moved back to

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Falls City. He had been equally successful as a farmer as he was a banker, and by his industry and judicious management accumulated a handsome competency. He was also successful in other lines of endeavor, notably the insurance business. It was due to his efforts that the Legislature of Nebraska, during its session of 1887, passed an act permitting the organi- zation of farmers mutual insurance companies, and the following year he organized the Richardson County Mutual Insurance Company. He became its secretary, the duties of which responsible position he discharged with ability and credit until his death; in fact, it was very largely due to his ' efforts that the undertaking proved to be successful. In 1897 and 1898 he served as deputy state insurance inspector.

Mr. Lichty was active and influential in public affairs, for he served to the satisfaction of all concerned in the offices of school director, road overseer and as a member of the county board of supervisors to which he was elected in 1886, serving two years. In his earlier life he was a Repub- lican, but when the Farmers Alliance was organized in 1889 he joined it and was either a Populist or Prohibitionist. At one time the taxpayers demanded that the county wards and county officials be investigated, so Mr. Lichty was chosen chairman of the investigating committee. He was a director and a member of the Dwelling House Mutual Insurance Company, and was a charter member of the Nebraska Mutual Insurance Company. He was an able adjuster, a successful insurance writer, careful and honest in all his work. He was always a great admirer of William J. Bryan and was a Free Silver Prohibitionist. While deputy insurance inspector, he exposed the methods of the insurance department as practiced by his chief, whereby, it was alleged, a wholesale graft was practiced, the Federal and other insurance companies being the victims. Whereas, the law provided for five dollars per day and expenses for inspecting insurance companies in Nebraska the examiners habitually charged the companies from one hundred dollars to two hundred and fifty dollars for services and, it was charged, pocketed the proceeds. Mr. Lichty secured evidence of the graft which he presented before the state Legislature for investigation. His action raised quite a furor, and for his work in this line he was dismissed from office by his superior on February 10, 1899. Governor Poynter took a stand on the question and thus the work of the subject of this sketch as a reformer resulted in the accomplishment of much good, his actions being heartily endorsed by the law-abiding people of the state, but it was

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by no means pleasing to the politicians. He was also commended by the best people for refusing to accept railroad passes, or in any way placing himself under obligations to corporations or anyone asking favors they were not entitled to.

Mr. Lichty was an active member of the Brethren church and assisted in every department of church work. For a number of years he was secre- tary and treasurer of the National Home Missionary Society of that church, and gave up the duties of the same only when compelled to do so on account of failing health.

The following is self-explanatory :

"To Whom This May Come, Greetings:

"At the national conference of the Brethren church, met at Dayton, Ohio, August 31, 1913, following the resignation of Bro. Samuel Lichty of Falls City, Nebraska, as secretary and treasurer of the Missionary Board of the Brethren church, the following resolution was ordered incorporated iu the regular resolution of the conference.

"That we most heartily and lovingly express our fullest appreciation in behalf of Samuel Lichty in his great and effective work as secretary and treasurer of the Mis- sionary Board of the Brethren church and commend his successful administration to his successor.

"By the order of the same conference, the copy has been herewith prepared and signed and sealed by the officers of the said conference for presentation to Samuel Lichty for personal preservation.

(SEAL)

I. L. Gmx. Moderator. DYOLL BELOTE, Secretary."

Mr. Lichty was charitably inclined and known as a liberal and cheer- ful giver to all worthy causes. He always advocated giving to charity work and the missions, and was a frequent contributor of interesting and forceful articles on this subject to various publications.

Mr. Lichty was first married to Olive Ransom on March 26, 1876, in Carroll county, Illinois. To this union two children were born, namely : Ransom, who lives in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Mrs. C. A. Marsh, who lives in Denver, Colorado. The death of Mrs. Olive Lichty occurred on Decem- ber 22, 1896. The second marriage of Mr. Lichty occurred on January 27, 1898, when he espoused Ellen Gnagey, of Milledgeville, Illinois. She was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania. July 29, 1860, and is a daugh- ter of Joel and Catherine (Fike) Gnagey. The father was born on Febru- ary 9, 1836, in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in the old family homestead there, his parents having been pioneer settlers in that section of the Keystone state. He is still living and is remarkably well-preserved for one of his advanced years. He has long been engaged in the ministry of the Brethren church and is still filling the pulpit occasionally at Myersdale, Somerset county, Pennsylvania. To Mr. Lichty and his second wife one child was born, Ruth.

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who is, at this time, a student in Ashland College, Ashland, Ohio, where she is making an excellent record.

The death of Samuel Lichty occurred on December 15, 1915, at the age of sixty-eight years. He had lived a successful, useful and highly com- mendable life, deserving of the high esteem in which he was held wherever he was known.

THOMAS J. GIST.

Thomas J. Gist, secretary, treasurer and manager of the Leo Cider and Vinegar Company at Falls City, former vice-president of the Falls City State Bank, former deputy county treasurer and for years actively identi- fied with the general commercial and industrial affairs of Falls City and of Richardson county, is a native of the neighboring state of Missouri, but has been a resident of this county since he was four years of age. He was born at Tipton, May 2, 1863, son of Silas P. and Margaret (Black) Gist. natives of Kentucky and Tennessee, respectively, who were the parents of seven children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the third in order of birth and the first-born of whom died in infancy, the others being as follow: Phoebe, who married W. A. Greenwald, of Allentown. Pennsyl- vania, and is now deceased; Luella, deceased; William, deceased; Samuel, deceased, and Ray, who is vice-president of the Humboldt State Bank of Humboldt, this county.

Both Silas P. Gist and Margaret Black were orphaned when children, both being reared by kinsfolk. They were married in Kentucky, and in 1860 came west and settled on a farm in the immediate vicinity of Tipton, Missouri, where they remained until 1867, the year in which Nebraska was admitted to the sisterhood of states, when they came over into the new state and settled on a farm in the neighborhood of Salem, in the precinct of Grant, in this county. Two years later they left the farm and moved into the village of Salem, where Silas P. Gist engaged in the grain and live- stock business. Later he extended his operations to include the general mercantile business and, from the very beginning of his residence in that village, became one of the most active factors in the development of the same. For the past thirty-five years he has been engaged in the banking business, president of the Bank of Salem and president of the State Bank of Humboldt, and, despite the fact that he is now past eighty-two years of

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age, still takes an active part in the business affairs with which he so long has been connected. His first wife died in 1913, at the age of seventy-two years, and at the age of seventy-eight he married again.

As noted above, Thomas J. Gist was but four years of age when his parents moved over from Missouri into this county and he grew up at Salem, supplementing the elementary education he received in the schools of that village by attendance for a year at the Nebraska State University. In 1880 he became engaged, in association with his father, in the mercantile business at Salem, remaining there until 1886, in which year he received the appointment as deputy treasurer of Richardson county and for four years thereafter was engaged in performing the duties of that office, residing during that time at Falls City, where, in 1888, he married. Upon the completion of his service in the court house, in 1890, Mr. Gist resumed the mercantile business and was thus engaged until 1893, when he helped to organize the Falls City State Bank and was made vice-president of the same. Mr. Gist continued actively engaged in the banking business until 1911, when he was made secretary-treasurer and general manager of the Leo Cider and Vinegar Company, and has since given his undivided attention to the affairs of that flourishing concern, though retaining his stock in the bank and remaining a member of the board of directors of the same. Mr. Gist is a Democrat and, since the days of his boyhood, has given his earnest attention to local civic affairs. In addition to his service in the county treasurer's office years ago, he has given several years of service to the city as councilman from his ward. He was first elected to the city council in 1901 and served for four years thereafter and again in 1915 he was elected to the council, during all that period of service giving his best attention to city affairs.

It was on September 5, 1888, that Thomas J. Gist was united in mar- riage, at Falls City, to Annie Reavis, who was born in that city, daughter of Judge Isham and Annie M. (Dorrington) Reavis, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of New York, who were among the most prominent of the early settlers at Falls City and the latter of whom is still living there. Judge Isham Reavis, who was for years one of the most influential men in this part of the state, died in 1914. To Thomas J. and Anna (Reavis) Gist, four children have been born, namely: Isham Reavis, a graduate of the Nebraska State University, who is now assistant cashier of the State Bank of Humboldt: Silas Frank, who is engaged in the manufacture of vinegar at Springfield, Missouri; Annie M., who is now attending the Nebraska

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State University, and Elizabeth W., at home. Mr. and Mrs. Gist are men- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church and the former has been a member of the official board of the same for the past thirty years. He is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the local lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and in the affairs of both of these organizations takes a warm interest. Mrs. Gist long has been an active participant in the club life of the city, doing much toward the extension of the cultural activities of the community, and is widely known in the work of women's clubs throughout the state. She received her education in the Illinois Women's College, of which educational institution she is a graduate in the classics and music, and a member of the board of regents. For the past twenty years Mrs. Gist has served as pipe organist for the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Gist was president of the State Federation of Women's Clubs from 1910 to 1913, and she served as state secretary of the General Federation of Women's Clubs from 1913 to 1915. Her ability as an organ- izer and public speaker is recognized and her active interest in affairs affecting the advancement of women in public spheres of usefulness has been con- siderable. Mrs. Gist is a member of and was the first regent of Reavis- .Ashley Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and, at pres- ent, is filling the post of state chairman as a member of the national com- mittee of the organization. For the past twenty years she has served as pipe organist at the Methodist Episcopal church.

CHARLES A. LORD.

All do not reach the heights to which they aspire, but some by per- severance and courage make stepping-stones of their adversities and finally attain the goal sought. But as a rule long years of struggle must necessarily precede any accomplishment of important magnitude. Such has been the history, briefly stated, of Charles A. Lord, successful automobile distributor, now living in the city of Lincoln, but formerly one of the enterprising busi- ness men of Shubert, this county.

Charles A. Lord was born on March 21, 1868, in Rushville, Illinois, a son of Joseph and Anna (Boyd) Lord, the former a native of England and the latter of Illinois, who became pioneers of Richardson county and here spent their last days.

Joseph Lord was born in 1828. He grew to manhood in England

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and there attended school. In 1844, when twenty-five years of age, he emigrated to America, coming on West to Illinois, locating on a farm, and soon thereafter he married Anna Boyd, who was born in that state in 1830. Her parents were pioneers there. Mr. Lord continued to operate his farm in Illinois until 1868, when he removed to Nebraska, settling in Rich- ardson county, buying land that had been only partly improved. It was in the old Indian Reservation, three and one-half miles southwest of Salem. and there he established the future home of the family. He worked hard in developing his land into a good farm, making extensive improvements in the way of buildings, etc., and there he continued farming and stock raising until his death in 1874. His widow survived him many years, dying in 1902 on the old homestead. at the advanced age of eighty-two years. To these parents twelve children were born, seven sons and five daughters, namely : James, Frances, William and Elizabeth, all deceased: Robert .1 .. a retired farmer, who is now making his home in Oklahoma City; Mrs. Sarah Ellen Clark, who also lives in the state of Oklahoma; Joseph and Josephine, twins, the former of whom is engaged in farming south of Salem, Richardson county, and the latter, now Mrs. Harris, living in the town of Salem: Mrs. Amanda M. Moore, a widow and the owner of exten- sive ranches in Nebraska; Joshua S., cashier of the First National Bank of Falls City, a landowner of Richardson county and formerly representa- tive from this county to the state Legislature, who is mentioned in a separ- ate sketch in this volume; Charles .\., the subject of this biographical re- view, and Thomas, who is a properous farmer near Peru, in Nemaha county, Nebraska.

Charles A. Lord grew to manhood on the home farm, where he worked when a boy during the crop seasons, attending the district schools in the winter time-Rock Creek, No. 72, in Salem precinct. Later he was a stu- dent in the high school at Salem. He left school in 1888 and learned the barber's trade, which he followed in Salem twelve years. In 1901 he bought a hardware and furniture store at Shubert, this county, to which he added implements, harness and an undertaking business. He took a course in embalming in a school in Omaha, receiving a first-grade certificate in 1002. He conducted his various business interests in Shubert with very satisfactory results until 1910, when he sold out and removed to Lincoln, where he turned his attention to the automobile distributing business and has con- tinned in this line to the present time with ever-increasing success. Mr. Lord is agent for the Hudson automobile in the South Platte territory and.

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for the state of Nebraska and the northern part of Kansas for the Lexing- ton and Harroun cars. He maintains one of the finest and most modern exhibit rooms in Lincoln, occupying the first floor and basement of the Eagle building, at 230 North Twelfth street. He distributes one thousand automobiles annually, thus making him the second largest distributor in the state. He understands every phase of the business in which he is now engaged and has met with pronounced success from the first. He also is a stockholder in the bank at Elk Creek, Nebraska, the Orpheum Theater building. the Platner-Yale Manufacturing Company, both of Lincoln; owns two hundred and twenty-five feet of business blocks on () street, Lincoln, and also a fine fruit farm near Peru, Nebraska, containing forty acres of apples and pears. He erected his present well-appointed and magnificent residence in Lincoln at a cost of forty thousand dollars. Mr. Lord is a man of rare business acumen and foresight and has been very successful in all his undertakings. He is one of the substantial and progressive nien of affairs of Lincoln, where he is well known and influential in industrial circles.

On December 27, 1891, at Salem, this county, Charles .\. Lord was married to Nellie Malone, who was born at Salem, a daughter of Morris and Anna (Young) Malone, the father a native of Ireland and the mother of Illinois. Mr. Malone came to America when a young man. He was a butcher and merchant and engaged in these lines in Salem, Nebraska, from 1870 until his death in 1902, he then being fifty-three years of age. He was a well-known and influential citizen there and one of the leaders in the Democratic party in his precinct. . After his death his widow married Edward Graham, a farmer of Salem. In 1904 they moved to Shubert. and there her death occured in 1907, at the age of fifty-nine years. Her second union was without issue and only one child. Nellie, was born to her first marriage.

Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lord, namely: Gladys M., who was born at Salem, where she spent her girlhood and attended the public schools, including high school. She also studied at the Shubert high school until 1910, then entered the Lincoln high school. She then took a course in the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, from which she was graduated in 1916. The second child born to Mr. and Mrs. Lord, a daugh- ter, died in infancy.

Politically, Mr. Lord is a Democrat. He helongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and has also been a member of several other

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lodges. Personally, he is a man of fine attributes, being honest in all his business transactions, helpful and obliging in his daily associations with the world, and a companionable and genial gentleman whom it is a pleasure to meet.

JOHN F. HARKENDORFF.

One of the well-known and respected farmers and stockmen of Ohio precinct, Richardson county, is John F. Harkendorff, who was born on March 3, 1869, in the locality where he still makes his home, having been contented to spend his life in his native community. He is a son of Frederick J. and Mary C. (Hasenyager) Harkendorff. Frederick J. Harkendorff, who was a son of John F. Harkendorff, one of the early pioneers of Rich- ardson county, was born on March II, 1841, and was thirteen years old when he came to this county. from Illinois with his parents, before Ne- braska was admitted to the Union. His youth was spent on the pre-emption claim on the site of the present village of Straussvile. He later moved with the family to the farm in Ohio precinct, on which Frederick H. Harken- dorff, brother of the subject of this sketch, now lives, where he grew to manhood and where, after his marriage, he established his home, continu- ing general agricultural pursuits there until 1903, when he retired from active life and moved to Falls City, where he spent the rest of his life. dying there on November 3, 1913. His widow is still living there. She was born on a farm ten miles from St. Louis, Missouri, and is a daughter of John Hasenyager and wife, who were among the pioneer settlers of Richardson county, locating on a farm in Ohio precinct. Seven children were born to Frederick J. and Mary C. Harkendorff, namely: John F .. the subject of this sketch; Anna, deceased; Mary, wife of F. W. Wittrock. of Ohio precinct; Charles, of the same precinct; William, deceased; Fred- erick H., a farmer of Ohio precinct, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work, and Louisa, who died in infancy.

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History of Richardson County, Nebraska : its people, industries and institutions, Part 136

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