History of Richardson County, Nebraska : its people, industries and institutions, Part 90

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 90

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).

Upon the completion of his military service Mr. Williamson entered a business college at Rock Creek, Illinois, and was graduated from the same with the honors of his class in 1867. He then went to Chicago and after a brief stay there came West, at St. Joseph taking a boat for Ft. Benton, pro- ceeding thence to Helena, Montana, where he became employed in a clothing store at a salary of one hundred dollars a month and his board. After a month of that sort of service, however, he had enough of it and started work- ing on a ranch; but a couple of months later helped his employer move to Diamond City and set up a boarding house. He later was employed in the

916

RICHARDSON COUNTY, NEBRASKA.

mines and remained there until 1869, when he returned to Illinois, by way of Omaha, in which city he made a stay of some little time. That fall he went from his home in Illinois back to his boyhood home in Pennsylvania and was there married. In the spring of 1870 he returned to Illinois and located at Cherry Valley, where he remained for a year, at the end of which time he returned to Pennsylvania and there opened a general store, remain- ing engaged in business there for four years. He then spent a couple of years as a fireman on the Pennsylvania railroad, was promoted to the post of engineer and in that latter capacity continued in the railway service for six years. In 1882 Mr. Williamson decided that he had had enough of rail- roading and would prefer farming. With that end in view he came to Neb- raska and bought a farm of eighty acres, just east of Humboldt, in this county, and settled down to farming. In 1896 he was elected sheriff of Richardson county and served in that capacity for one term of two years, being the first incumbent in that office after the completion of the new jail. During that period of public service Mr. Williamson made his home in Falls City, the county seat, but upon the completion of his official term he returned to his farm and there continued to reside until 1913, when he retired from the farm and moved to Humboldt, where he and his wife are now living and where they are very pleasantly situated. Mr. Williamson is an ardent Republican and has for years been regarded as one of the leaders of that party in this county.

On August 12, 1869, at Duncansville, Pennsylvania, J. Rock William- son was united in marriage to Margaret Jane Funk, who was born in that village on April 16, 1848, daughter of James and Susan Funk, also natives of Pennsylvania, the former of whom was a merchant and an extensive man- ufacturer of lime, the proprietor of the largest kilns in Pennsylvania, mak- ing a specialty of glass-making lime and ballast for railroads. Mr. and Mrs. Williamson have four children, namely: Alice Alpha, who married Charles E. Barngrover, of Denver, and has three children, Victor, Marguerite and Perry ; Mrs. Gertrude Anderson, of Omaha, who has one child, a daughter, Laura Jane; Mrs. Mary Major Emigh, of Omaha, who has six sons, George Rock, Guy and Wayne (twins), Nicholas, William and Donald; and Guy C., a farmer, of Elwood, this state, who married Minnie Clift and has three chil- dren, Margaret, Dale and Inez May. The Williamsons are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and have ever taken a proper part in local good works. Mr. Williamson is a past commander of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic at Humboldt, William Mix Post No. 66, and since

917

RICHARDSON COUNTY, NEBRASKA.

1898 has served as officer of the day of that patriotic organization. He is past master of the local lodge of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, having been master of the lodge in 1890, and is also a member of the local lodges of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and of the Knights and Ladies of Security, in the affairs of all of which organizations he takes a warm interest.

WILLIAM F. STOLTZ.

Among the well-known and progressive farmers of Porter precinct, Richardson county, is William F. Stoltz, owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land of prime quality in section 35. He was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, on October 20, 1878, the son of William and Mary (Ulmer) Stoltz, also natives of the same county and state. William Stoltz was a son of Jacob Stoltz, a native of Germany. Mary Ulmer was the daugh- ter of Isaac Ulmer and wife.

William Stoltz came from Pennsylvania to Richardson county in 1886 and located between Dawson and Stella, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of raw prairie land. He moved his family to the farm in the fol- lowing spring. William Stoltz was born in 1847 and died on March 20, 1915. . His wife, Mary Ulmer, was born on May 31, 1849, and died on Janu- ary II, 1901. They were the parents of the following children: Charles E., Jacob F., who lives in Aurora, Illinois; Isaac H., of Onago, Kansas; Samuel, who lives in Chicago; William F., who lives on the home farm; Ezra W., of Jerome, Idaho; Daniel, who died in 1878; Martin, who died in 1896, and Mrs. Clara Bobbitt, who lives in Jerome, Idaho, and Hattie, who lives in Porter precinct. Of these children, Charles E. was educated in the Richard- son county schools and Jacob was graduated from the Stella high school and the University of Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Stoltz were married on June 22, 1869.

William F. Stoltz, the subject of this sketch, was seven years old when his parents came to this county from Pennsylvania. He attended the district schools and later went to the high school of Stella. When he had completed the latter course, he attended the Lincoln Business College. Thus equipped by preparatory training he began working for himself. He started to work as a farm hand in 1901 and continued for one year, and in 1902 he rented his present farm from his father and from his maternal uncle, Daniel Ulmer. In 1908 he bought one hundred and sixty acres of excellent land and later,

918

RICHARDSON COUNTY, NEBRASKA.

when the estate was settled in 1916, he bought out the other heirs. In 1905 he erected a substantial well-planned house and here he and his family make their home, comfortably situated.

On October 2, 1904, William F. Stoltz was united in marriage to Effie Tolly, daughter of R. J. and Julia (McQueen) Tolly, natives of Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Tolly were among the early settlers of Richardson county and are now living near Stella on a farm. Mr. and Mrs. Stoltz are the parents of one child named Carroll, born on September 21, 1905. Mr. Stoltz and his wife are members of the Baptist church, of which they are liberal sup- porters and in the activities of which they are earnestly interested. Mr. Stoltz is a Democrat, but has never sought public office.

CLAUDE M. LINN.

Examples that impress force of character on all who study them, are worthy of record in the annals of history wherever they are found. By a few general observations the biographer hopes to convey in these lines some idea of the personal characteristics and importance to the locality of Claude M. Linn, president of the Home State Bank of Humboldt. Richardson county.

Mr. Linn was born, February 27, 1873, in Pawnee county, Nebraska. He is a son of James L. and Martha (Oviatt) Linn, natives of Tazewell county, Illinois, and Hardin county, Iowa, respectively. They came to Pawnee county, Nebraska, in 1870, and took up a homestead two miles west of Table Rock and there they became very comfortably established through their industry and perseverance. After farming for some time the father engaged in mercantile pursuits in Table Rock, handling lumber and grain, in partnership with a Mr. Cooper, under the firm name of Linn & Cooper. Later, in the early eighties, this firm built the first flouring-mill in Humboldt, Richardson county, moving to that town in 1882, operating a flour-mill and lumber and grain business. Finally, he dissolved partnership with Mr. Cooper, Mr. Linn taking charge of the lumber business and Mr. Cooper managing the mill.

James L. Linn was active in public affairs, and a staunch Republican. He served a term in the state Legislature from Pawnee county, and later was elected state senator from his district, which embraced Pawnee and Richard- son counties. He served two terms, and made a most commendable record. His death occurred in 1891. His widow is now living in California. To

919

RICHARDSON COUNTY, NEBRASKA.

James L. Linn and wife six children were born, named as follows: Mrs. Eugenia Perrin, who lives in California; Fred R., in Montana; Claude, of this sketch; Mrs. Florence Grinstead, Ray L. and Mrs. Georgia Unkefer, all live in California.

Claude M. Linn received his education in the Humboldt high school. He began his business career when eighteen years old, working in his father's lumber yard, with whom he remained until the latter's death, then took charge of the business which he continued to conduct until 1902, when he turned his attention to the grain and milling business, in partnership with O. A. Cooper, under the firm name of Linn & Cooper. In October, 1907 they dissolved partnership, Mr. Cooper taking charge of the mill and Mr. Linn the grain elevator, which he is still operating, together with a chain of seven others, all located in southeastern Nebraska, except one in western Nebraska and one in western Kansas. He also owns a farm of two hundred and fifty acres west of Humboldt, which he looks after personally, and makes a specialty of rais- ing hogs and cattle.

The Home State Bank of Humboldt, of which Mr. Linn is president, was organized on February 1, 1915, by C. M. Linn, Otto Kotouc, S. M. Phil- pot, R. R. Philpot, Dr. G. G. Gandy, Edward Uhri, Louis Stalder, I .. L. Davis and Henry Schwass. The capital stock was twenty-five thousand dol- lars. The bank has had a steady and satisfactory growth and is doing a large business. It owns its own substantial brick building, the old First National Bank building, which has been remodeled and new and modern fix- tures installed. The deposits now (1917) amount to a total of three hun- dred thousand dollars, and the total resources are three hundred and thirty- five thousand dollars. The bank makes a specialty of farm loans and does a general banking business. The present officers are Claude M. Linn, presi- dent; R. R. Philpot, vice-president ; Otto Kotouc, cashier; Glen D. Jenkins, assistant cashier ; directors, C. M. Linn, R. R. Philpot, Otto Koutoc, Dr. G. G. Gandy and Edward Uhri. The splendid success of this sound and popular institution has been due very largely to the able and honest management of its president, who is regarded throughout the community as a man of excep- tional executive ability, foresight and integrity.

Mr. Linn is also president of the Humboldt Brick Company, which was established in 1909, the capital stock of which is forty thousand dollars. It is equipped with all modern appliances and has a capacity of fifty thousand brick daily-building and paving brick, made in gray and other shades. The output now covers a wide territory in Nebraska, Kansas, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota and other states. Brick from this plant have been used in

920

RICHARDSON COUNTY, NEBRASKA.

many notable buildings, including the foundation work of the government building in Falls City, the State University buildings at Lincoln, the Burling- ton railroad round-house and shops at Havelock, Nebraska. Thirty men are constantly employed, with a pay-roll amounting to two thousand dollars a month. The pronounced success of this important concern has also been due to the enterprise and keen business acumen of Mr. Linn. Louis Von Bergen is vice-president ; I. Shirley, secretary, and W. Skalak, treasurer.

There is a practically inexhaustible shale deposit, over ninety feet deep, on Mr. Linn's farm, which makes his land very valuable.

Mr. Linn was married in 1894, to Ora Wittwer, who was born on the home farm southeast of Humboldt, and there she grew to womanhood and was educated in the local schools. She is a daughter of Gottlieb Wittwer, one of the successful farmers and respected citizens of Nemaha precinct. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Linn, namely: Claude M., Jr., assisting his father in business, and Donald, now attending school.

Politically, Mr. Linn is a Republican and is active in party affairs. Fra- ternally, he belongs to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Chapter : and Commandery at Tecumseh, Nebraska, also the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Lincoln. Personally, he is an obliging and companionable gentleman.

EDWARD E. DURFEE.

Edward E. Durfee, proprietor of a fine farm of one hundred and seventy- four acres in section 28 of Arago precinct, this county, and one of the best- known stockmen in Richardson county, was born on that farm and has spent all his life there, with the exception of the time spent in high school at Falls. City and in the State University of Missouri. He was born on January II, 1882, son of Edmond J. and Maria L. (Montgomery) Durfee, the former of whom, a native of Iowa and a pioneer of Richardson county, is still living, now a resident of Falls City, and further and fitting mention of whom is. made elsewhere in this volume.

Reared on the home farm, the place on which he is now living, Edward E. Durfee received his early schooling in the district schools of that neigh- borhood and supplemented the same by a course in the Falls City high school, from which he was graduated in 1901. He later, during the years 1903. 1904 and 1905, attended the Missouri State University at Columbia, taking

EDWARD E. DURFEE AND FAMILY.

921

RICHARDSON COUNTY, NEBRASKA.

there the courses in law and agriculture, and upon his return to the farm began to build up a business as a breeder of pure-bred live stock, in which he has met with much success, long having been regarded as one of the most successful breeders in this part of the state, his spring and fall sales of fine stock being largely attended and the products of his well-equipped stock farm bringing excellent prices, his specialties being Shorthorn cattle, Percheron horses, mules of the "Mammotli" type and Poland China hogs.

On August 26, 1903. Edward E. Durfee was united in marriage to Jessie Waggoner, a graduate of the common schools and a student of shorthand in the business college at Falls City, who also was born in the precinct of Arago, this county, March 9, 1883, daughter of Riley D. and Martha (Anderson) Waggoner, pioneers of that precinct, who are still living there and further and fitting mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume. To this union six children have been born, namely Marie, deceased, and Opal, Agnes, Blanche, Eugene and Martha. Mr. and Mrs. Durfee are members of the. Methodist Episcopal church and take an interested part in church work, as well as in the general good works and social activities of their neighborhood. Politically, Mr. Durfee is a Democrat: and, fraternally, is affiliated with the local lodges of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Highland- ers, in the affairs of which organizations he takes an active interest.

ROMANE TIMERMAN.

The late Romane Timerman, who was an honored veteran of the Civil War and one of the best-known and most substantial pioneer farmers in Rich- ardson county and who died at his home in the precinct of East Muddy in the spring of 1916, was a native of New York state, but had been a resident of this county since the spring of 1869, having come here shortly after his mar- riage in Illinois and thus was accounted one of the pioneers of the northern part of this county. He developed a fine farm in East Muddy precinct and his widow is still living there, very comfortably situated.

Romane Timerman was born on December 24, 1844, and was but a child when his parents, Jacob and Rosina Timerman, further and fitting mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume, they having been pioneers of Rich- ardson county, moved with their family from New York to Illinois and in this latter state he grew to manhood and was living when the Civil War broke out. He and three of his brothers enlisted and went to the front, he going

922

RICHARDSON COUNTY, NEBRASKA.

out as bugler for Company B, Ninth Illinois Cavalry, with which command he served until the close of the war, participating in many of the most notable battles and engagements of the war. Upon the completion of his military service Romane Timerman returned to his home in Illinois and was there married in January, r869. In the following April he and his wife, with the others of the Timerman family, came to Nebraska, driving through with household goods and other chattels sufficient to set up housekeeping and get a start on a pioneer farm, crossing the river at Brownville and coming on down into Richardson county, settling in the precinct of West Muddy, it not being long until the Timermans became one of the best established families in the northern part of the county. Romane Timerman was a good farmer and he prospered in his operations from the very beginning, gradually adding to his holdings there until at the time of his death he was the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres on which he had a very comfortable home and one of the best farm plants in that section. Mr. Timerman was a Republican and ever took a good citizen's interest in local political affairs, but was not an office seeker, being content to reserve his activities to his home and farm, in which he took much pleasure and delight. He was an active member of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic at Stella and took a warm interest in the affairs of that patriotic organization. Mr. Timer- man died on May 11, 1916, and his widow is still living on the old home place, which has been her home since pioneer days.

· On January 20, 1869, at Geneseo, Illinois, Romane Timerman was united in marriage to Caroline Luckcuck, who was born near Buffalo, New York. April II, 1850, daughter of William and Eliza (Heathridge) Luckcuck, natives of England, who later became residents of Illinois. Both William Luckcuck and his wife were reared in the city of London and they were mar- ried in Westminster Abbey, an unusual distinction. After their marriage they came to the United States and settled in the city of New York, where they reared a large family and where Mr. Luckcuck was engaged in the mer- cantile business. He later moved to Buffalo and then bought a large tract of land in Erie county, New York, and engaged in dealing in imported horses. He remained there until 1860, when he moved with his family to the state of Illinois and there spent the remainder of his life, the owner of a large tract of land in Henry county, Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Timerman were born four children, three sons and one daughter, namely: George H., who is the proprietor of a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres in the vicinity of Stella, this county; Charles, who is at home, managing the home farm for

923

RICHARDSON COUNTY, NEBRASKA.

his mother : Louis, a farmer of the precinct of West Muddy, who married Rosa Workman and has two sons, Dale and Louis, and Ida Belle, who died in infancy. Mrs. Timerman is a member of the Baptist church and has ever taken an. interested part in church work, as well as in the general good works and social activities of the community of which she has been a resident since pioneer days, and has done much to help promote various agencies designed to advance the common welfare thereabout.

FULTON PETERS.

A sturdy veteran plainsman and early pioneer of Richardson county is Fulton Peters of Barada precinct. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, April 27,'1835. He is a son of Francis and Mary Peters, natives of Germany, where they grew up, married and made their home until 1839, when they brought their family to America, locating in St. Louis, Missouri, where their son, Fulton, was reared and attended school, and there he learned the trade of ship carpenter. He helped to build the ferry "Carondelet," whichi was subsequently transformed into a gunboat for use in the Union navy during the Civil War, being the first unit that formed the famous "Mosquito Fleet." Fulton Peters continued to follow his trade in St. Louis until 1867, but he came to Richardson county, Nebraska, in 1856, to locate land, moving on to the place he had entered in 1858. After a year's hard work improving the land he returned to St. Louis and did not return to his land here to make his permanent home until 1870. During the Civil War he worked in the gov- ernment navy yards, under an oath of allegiance and received five dollars per · day for his work. He has lived on his farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Barada precinct for a period of forty-seven years and has carried on general farming and stock raising.

Mr. Peters was married in 1856 to Euphrasia Barada, a daughter of Anton Barada, a half-breed Indian, after whom Barada precinct was named. Mrs. Peters was born in 1837 in St. Louis, and her death occurred in 1888. Her father, Anton Barada, was taken from the Omaha Indians when a boy · and brought to St. Louis, where he was reared and where he married a French woman. In 1854 he was notified that he was entitled to a tract of land in the "Half-breed Reservation" and he came to Barada precinct, Richardson county, developed his land and here spent the rest of his life, dying in 1887. He was one of the best known of the early pioneers here.

924

RICHARDSON COUNTY, NEBRASKA.

The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Peters: Frank lives in the Omaha Reservation at Walthill, Nebraska: Amil, Walter, Mrs. Mary Saylors and Mrs. Josephine Mitchell, all live in the Omaha Reserva- tion; Jacob is farming sonth of Barada, Richardson county; Mrs. Margaret Rockwell is the widow of Edward Rockwell and makes her home in Indian- apolis, Indiana.

Politically, Mr. Peters is a Democrat and has filled minor township offices. He is a member of the Catholic church.

Mr. Peters crossed the plains in 1853. from Kansas City to Ft. Lar- amie, Wyoming ; in fact, he made three trips in all across the great western plains-one to Salt Lake City, Utah, and one to the Solomon river, during the gold excitement period. He started to the Solomon river district in 1864. with a train of one hundred and five wagons, taking the short cut-off by way of Pacific Springs on the Platte river and Green river in the moun- tains. He built a boat which he used in crossing that stream. Some mem- bers of the party became dissatisfied and went to Oregon, but when only ten miles away the deserters were attacked by the Indians, or Mormons, and many of the party were killed, the survivors returning to the original wagon train. A new party was sent out which chased the marauders into the fastnesses of the mountains. But the camp was attacked the second night following and the cattle were stampeded. Mr. Peters, with twenty- five men followed the stock, overtook them and turned them back. The train was again attacked on Green Creek mountain or Snake river, at a time when the party was divided, part of them having been sent to rescue another party of whites that had previously been attacked by the Indians. Mr. Peters and his band drove off the savages and he then took charge of the immigrants and their supplies, helping them to reach the settlement, the train finally reaching Walla Walla, Washington. At Baker City, Oregon, Mir. Peters engaged in mining for some time, finally returning to Nebraska. In 1873 he made a trip to the Black Hills, in company with Anton Barada, F. Goolsby and William Ankrom. They made the overland trip to the Black Hills and started mining there, but on account of the hostile Indians of that country they were compelled to give up their prospects and return home, escaping the savages by strategy. They built a big camp-fire to deceive the Indians and stole quietly away during the night, arriving at Buffalo Gap the following morning, their trip from there on home being uneventful. In 1883 Mr. Peters went to Blackbird, Nebraska, to locate on land which the Barada family was entitled to, but failed to get possession,

925

RICHARDSON COUNTY, NEBRASKA.

after one year's efforts, even carrying his case to Congress. Some mem- bers of the family proved up on their rights to portions of this land; but others really entitled to it, have failed.

Mr. Peters worked on the Ohio & Missouri Pacific railroad, when it was being built, contracting for a portion of the work. He was nearby when the memorable Gasconade disaster occurred. He worked on the con- struction of the Gasconade bridge of the Missouri-Pacific railroad in 1855.

Mr. Peters is a well-preserved man for his age and is one of the well- known and honored citizens of Richardson county, in which he has lived to see and take part in many great changes since he first traversed its wild prairies over sixty years ago.

ANTHONY J. HANIKA.

In a great general farming locality like Richardson county, immense numbers of cattle, hogs and other live stock are raised annually, which gives rise to an extensive business in the buying and shipping of stock to the markets. Among those who follow this line of endeavor here is Anthony J. Hanika, of the village of Shubert.

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 90

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