USA > Nebraska > Seward County > History of Seward County, Nebraska, and reminiscenses of territorial history > Part 38
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JABES BERRY
Was an English born lad of four years when his parents crossed the briny deep and settled in Illinois. He was born November 7, 1862. He came to "J" precinct in 1881. Here Jabes found Mary, the daughter of our old pioneer friend, Job Reynolds, and after due consideration, they were married September 9, 1890. She was born November 4, 1861. in Indiana and came to Seward County in 1863. so she is a pioneer set- tler. They have three children : Naomi F., Arthur J. and Clee W.
Mr. Berry was raised a farmer boy and sticks to his trade like a good fellow. He belongs to the I. O. O. F. and the M. W. A.
HIRAM L. BOYES
Just at the opening of the war of 1812, Mr. Boyes was born, Jann- ary 9, 1812 at Hillsborough, New Hampshire. His parents were of a peculiar mixture, Scotish, Irish and French. In 1815, his father moved to Cataraugus County, New York, where the lad grew to manhood among the rocks and hills of that rugged region.
In 1836, the young man strayed away to Erie Connty and there met Miss Esther L. Hibard and married her. The young people had heard of the glorious west, and straightway made their way to the wilds of Michigan and settled in St. Joseph County in 1844. In 1849 Mr. Boyes had an attack of the gold fever and made his way to California around Cape Horn in a sailing vessel. Spent four years in the mines. Upon his return home they moved to Story County, Iowa, and were among the first to penetrate that new region. Here the family resided until their removal to Seward in 1867. Thus we see that Mr. Boyes life was large- ly that of a frontiers-man. He helped to redeem four different new lands and to bring them up from the wild wildernesses which he found to be rich and prosperous communities, hesides spending four years in the mountains of California.
At Seward, Mr. Boyes and family found just the place they had so long looked for, a goodly land where he was willing to live and die. He first built a saw-mill which proved a great blessing to the people of this valley. In 1869 they erected the Banner Mills and commenced to grind grain. The mill was a small affair but it did good work and was highly appreciated by the people. The full history of the mill is given in other pages of this book.
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
Mr. Boyes early became interested in the schools of Seward and was for years a member of the school board. He was a wide-awake and enterprising citizen. He labored long and hard in the interest of the city and county. His son Carlos became interested and identified with the mill when its foundations were laid, although he was but a boy, and he has been closely identified with it to the present.
There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Boyes eight children, seven yet living as follows: George, Harrison, Carlos, Martha, now Mrs. O. K. Olmstead of Orleans, Nebraska, Hiram of Oklahoma, Ethel, now Mrs. Doane Tremain of Perry, Oklahoma and Thomas, now of Seward.
Mrs. Boyes died some years ago. Mr. Boyes died at the family home June 19, 1900, at the advanced age of eigthy-eight years and will long be remembered as a kind neighbor and a very worthy and valuable citizen.
HARRY H. BRADLEY
The first colored boy born in Seward was born March 12, 1875. Was educated in the city schools. Harry has had a wide experience as a traveler. He has visited London, Glasgow, Liverpool and Paris at the World's Exposition. Has held many places of trust at the great expositions at Chicago, Buffalo, Omaha and St. Louis. Was chief stew- ard of the Nebraska sod house at Buffalo. He had charge of the roller- chair storage house of the Clarkson Concession Company. He was also an exposition guide.
Harry has through all his eventful career earned the respect of the people wherever employed and stands high in the estimation of the good people of Seward.
HENRY M. BROOKS
Was born in Ohio, February 22, 1844, but found the western trail in childhood and landed in Peoria County, Illinois, and there learned the carpenter trade and there he found Miss M. J. Erford and was mar- ried December 27, 1866, in Peoria County. She was from the old Key- stone state and born in Columbianna County, March 18, 1842. They have had four children : William Irving, Anna Myrtle. now Mrs. C. C. Sackett, M. D., Mary G. and Deane H. Mary G. died October 23, 1878.
The family came to Seward County and settled in "B" precinct in 1872, near the Oak Groves. Mr. Brooks enlisted at Peoria in 1862 and served three years, having a chance to smell much burnt powder. Was mustered out at Selma, Alabama, in 1865.
Mr. Brooks belongs to the A. O. U. W. and is a long time member of the Seward Presbyterian church.
Miss Myrtle was married to Dr. C. C. Sackett June 5, 1901, and resides at Laurel, Nebraska. Irving has a good position at Lincoln. He served seven months in the Cuban war. The family moved to Seward in 1879, where Mr. Brooks has been engaged as a carpenter and builder all these years, and the buildings that show his handiwork may be numbered by the hundreds in city and county.
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEARASKA
WALTER BEST
Son of Uncle Tommy Best, one of the pioneers of "I" precinct, was born among the stumps and stones of St. Lawrence County, New York, October 27, 1856. The family came to Seward County in 1872, and here Walter helped make the farm and when he grew to he a man he formed an attachment for Miss Elizabeth Lynch and they were mar- ried at Milford October 8, 1885. She was born at Monticello, Wiscon- sin, September 10, 1856. They have six children : Mand J., Mary, Hazel, Ethel, Stewart R. and Shirley.
Mr. Best now owns a farm in Section 35 of "I" Town, just beside Pleasant Dale. He is a member of the Knights of Macabees and of the M. W. A. The Baptist church is the family home.
GOTTLIEB BENNINGHOVEN
Was a native of the Province of the Rhine in Germany, born June 13, 1836. Was married June 27, 1861 to Henrietta Kreiger.
Although Mr. Benninghoven was a man of affairs in the old country, he longed for the freer air of America. He was at that time an officer of high rank, being mayor of his district.
In 1876, they bid adieu to the old home and came straightway to Seward, where he purchased one of the best farms which has been the family home to the present. They had a large family of boys, many of whom have made their marks in the world of letters : Ernest, Otto, Oswald, Leo, Enwald, Paul, Herbert, William and Daniel. The young- est was born in Seward County.
Mr. Benninghoven was a bright scholar and was a writer of great ability. Was for a long time corresponding editor of the Illinois State Zietung. Later was commercial editor of the German American Press Association. After a life of valuable labor, he died January 16, 1899.
Mrs. Benninghoven who survives him is a lady of great intelli - gence, having received a liberal education in the old home and seems to have increased her knowledge with the passing years.
JOHN M. BENDER
A Canadian boy that got sight of the stars and stripes across the lake and yearned to take shelter under its ample folds. John was born in Ontario July 28, 1861. Came to Indiana when six years old, and to Iowa at twelve, and at twenty-one he continued the march westward and landed in Seward County in the spring of 1882 and settled on Sec- tion 8 in "O" Town, among his people, the Arnish Mennonites were he wooed and won the heart and hand of Miss Barbary Miller and was married October 5, 1884 at her father's home in the same neighborhood. Miss Miller was born in Holmes County, Iowa, November 27, 1863, and came to Seward County in childhood. They have six children: Ida May, now Mrs M. R. Bender, David E., Franklin J., Gertie M., Lydia B., and William J. B.
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
Mr. Bender owns a beautiful farm in a most splendid locality. The church home is with the Amish Merronite.
DR. GEORGE W. BRANDON
The oldest living practitioner in Seward County, was born in Lee County, Illinois, June 22, 1847, and was third son of B. F. and Marga- ret Brandon. These old people died at the doctor's home in Milford. George was a wandering boy from the time he was six years old. Com-
Dr. George W. Brandon
menced his school days at Dixon, Illinois, and completed his studies at the seminary there. Then he went through the Chicago Medical Col- lege, also the medical department of the University of Michigan. He graduated at Rush Medical College in 1871. Spent a year in Soublette, Illinois. Full of life and ambition, Illinois could not hold him. He saw the rising star in the west and hither he came in 1872. He found just the spot to his liking in the Blue Valley at Milford and put up his shingle, nailing it so thoroughly that it has not blown down in thirty- two years. The Doctor took a liking to Miss Laura A. Haverstock, and they were married. Laura was the eldest daughter of John F. and Rebecca Haverstock, near Milford. She was an Ohio girl but now an old time resident of Seward County. They have but one child, Ida M., yet at home
The Doctor was appointed coroner of the county a long time ago, and has been elected several times to the same office. Has been a pen- sion examiner for eight years. Was coroner and officiated in the Bates
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
murder trial, and took a hand in the famous Henigan and Astor trial where the sheriff was a party.
Doctor has been a Mason for twenty-nine years and has taken the thirty-second degree. Has been their Secretary for fifteen years. Is also a member of the A. O. U. W., the M. W. A. and the Knights of Macabees. Doctor says he is and has been a republican from "away back."
In his long career he has traversed these prairies through storm and sunshine. He knows all about night rides in blizzards, of worrying through snow drifts with jaded horses. He knows something about In- dian war dances, of which we will tell more on another page.
LOUIS T. BOUCHARD
Was a Canada boy. born in the Province of Quebec, January 15, 1847 of French parentage. At eighteen he crossed over where the stars and stripes float in Vermont, but there were too many rocky hills there to suit the boy, and upon the western horizon he saw the bright star that had recently found its place on the flag, and in 1874 he found Ne- braska and located just west of Tamora in Seward County, and made settlement in 1875. In 1876, November 5, he married Miss Mary A. Oleson, a Seward County girl. They were the parents of two children, one who died in infancy and Mary A. who is now completing a course in music at Des Moines, Iowa.
Mrs. Bouchard died September 9, 1893. August 16, 1896, Mr. Bou- chard married Miss Roxie Evarts, an Ohio lady, born at Mansfield, November 10, 1867. She came to Nebraska in childhood, 1872. Three children were born to them : Norval E., Marie A., and Lovis T. Jun.
Mr. Bouchard has accumulated a handsome fortune in Seward County. Now owns four hundred and twenty-five acres of valuable land with up-to-date improvements.
HIRAM A. BRISBIN
Began to snuff Nebraska blizzards in 1869 when all the region around him was an unbroken wilderness.
Hiram was born among the rocky hills of old Clinton County, New York, February 9, 1847. Says he was a happy mixture of English, Ir- ish and Dutch (pretty well mixed we judge). He was left an orphan at a tender age and had to "paddle his own canoe." In 1855 he struck the western trail and landed in Indiana. He halted but a year when he pursued his westward way to Illinois. Here he was bound out to a farmer, but the bonds were broken when Hiram heard the bugle call to arms, for he ran away and enlisted in the first Wisconsin cavalry in August 1863. Was discharged in July, 1865. That year he again took the trail and we find him in Alamakee County, Iowa, where he mar- ried Miss Josephine Davis in 1868. The next year they found Nebraska and were satisfied. Located six miles west of Milford where Mrs. Bris- bin died, January 18, 1888.
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
In 1889 was married to Miss Frank Pyatt of Seward. They have two children. Marshall Ney and Ruth.
Mr. Brisbin is a charter member of Blue-river Lodge No. 30, A. F. and A. M. Was one of the war horses in the county-seat contest. He has had a hand in many political contests. Was greenback candidate for both House and Senate but could not count votes enough. Has held several tow iship offices, and with his neighbor, Ely Courtright, chan- pioned the first rural routes in Seward County.
Mr. Brisbin, the orphan boy, soldier, homesteader and good citizen has seen all sides of pioneer life but he has got here "all the same" and now enjoys peace and plenty, surrounded by a host of friends in the county and state he has helped to redeem from the "desert wild and drear. "
ALBERT E. BAKER
Grew to manhood in his native town, Manchester, Indiana, where he was born September 18, 1843. After the usual course of study in the common schools of that early day, he took a course in the Grundy Com- mercial College at Cincinnati. Came to Seward County in 1882 and located near Tamora on a farm, and farm work has been his calling in life. He loves his work and makes a success of it. He is a man of ability and enterprise.
Has been twice President of our Agricultural Society and twice its Secretary. Was elected county assessor in 1903, and has served the people well. In politics he is a democrat, and is very popular with the party. And he has plenty of good friends outside of his party.
October 24, 1867, he married Miss Sarah J. Dunn of his native place and there were born to them children as follows: Lucinda, now Mrs. Morrill Underhill, two died in infancy, then Albert E., at home, and Margaret, now Mrs. Carl Nelson.
Mr. and Mrs. Baker have most of their lives been members of the M. E. Church, where Mrs. Baker was an earnest worker in all matters of charity and other church duties until her poor health compelled her to retire from these duties. Mr. Baker has for many years been an honored member of the A. F. and A. M.
HON. HEINRICH BECKMAN.
One of our valued and most useful German American citizens, born in Hanover, Germany, September 14, 1844. Grew to manhood in the Fatherland and served in the army in the war between Hanover and Prussia in 1866. At the close of that war he concluded to seek a home in a better and freer land. He first made his home in Cleveland, Ohio, but in 1867 we find him in Clayton County, Iowa. While there his heart was made glad when he heard that the girl whom he had left behind him had found her way to America, and was living at Milwau- kee, Wisconsin, and on February 23, 1869, he claimed Miss Eleanor Eg- gert as his bride, at Milwaukee. She was born in Hanover, February 15, 1846.
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
The young couple had heard of our beautiful Nebraska and that Uncle Sam was ready to give all his children a farm on our broad acres so they came to Seward County and took a homestead on Section 12 in "H" Town, on May 14, 1870, it being one of the very first homesteads in the east part of "H" Town.
Here among these beautiful hills have come to bless the Beckman home, eight children, two of whom died in infancy. Beside these are: H. Frederick, a farmer, J. Heinrich, a professor in Lincoln High School, Herman F., a farmer, Annie M., Ernest F. and Martha C. E. Three last yet at home.
Mr. Beckman served Seward County as representative in our Legis- lature in 1889. He owns a beautiful home consisting of 318 acres of land all nicely improved. Church home is with the Lutherans.
WILLIAM T. BRINKMEYER
Is another of the home lads, born April 6, 1878 and was raised on a farm in "J" precinct five miles south-west of Seward, where he yet re- sides.
He belongs to the United Workmen and is a member of the Evan- gelical Church.
The story of his marriage must be told by the future historian. We trust it may be a most successful marriage and well told. Seward County boys generally do well when they have half a chance.
ADAM BECHTEL
Was born in Germany, July 18, 1845. At ten years of age came to Chicago where he remained five years. The city with all its charms could not longer hold him and he went to Iroquois County where he re- mained twenty-three years. In 1869, February 21, he returned and claimed the girl he had left behind him, and was married to Miss Hulda Timm. German girl, born in 1849. Children that came to the home are as follows: Lena, now Mrs. H. Wullennaher, May, Clara and Walter. Mr. Bechtel came to Seward County in 1884 and settled in "K" precinct. Sold that farm and now owns one in "L" precinct. He has lived in the city for about fourteen years and is engaged in the feed and flour business. Owns a very commodious and complete ware house.
HENRY F. BUSCHE
Our skilled and most competent worker with the fragrant weed, (tobacco) was a native of Westphalia, Prussia, born March 24, 1866. Spent his youth and early manhood in the Fatherland, but somehow Henry had a yearning for the great land of promise beyond. the ocean, and at twenty-six he took leave of the old home and landed in Lincoln in 1892, but before he came, he wooed and won the heart of Miss Kate Meyer of his native home. She was born December 9, 1865. They have four children : Mary, Elsie, Henry and Arthur.
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
The young couple came to Seward in 1896, where he is engaged in the manufacture of cigars. His "Seward Special" has become known as an extra good article of cigars and is very popular.
Mr. Busche is a member of the A.O. U. W. Church home is with the Evangelical people at Seward.
CARL BOYES
February 14, 1841. in old Cataraugus County. New York, among the rocks, everlasting hills and Catarangus Indians, Carl first saw the light. He can't tell just how be got out of those hills, whether he came "a foot or on horseback. Says he is no "injun" although born on their reserve. Like most of the bright New York boys, he wanted to get out of that tangled mass of brush and briars, and by easy stages he wan- dered westward and in 1867 we find him working at the dam by the mill site on the Blue, where he threw dirt, ent brush and fished; then rolled logs and did all kinds of work in helping to lay the foundations of the great mill.
July, 1872, he married a pioneer girl, Miss Elsie Clarke, who was born in New York among the icebergs near the St. Lawrence river, and came to Seward County in the spring of 1866, and was one of the class that attended the first school in the old log cabin.
Children of the house hold are as follows: Burdette, Engenie, Myrtle, now Mrs. J. Anderson and Don C.
Mr. Boyes is now the oldest mill man in the county having been connected with the business for over a third of a century, and has grown rich and gray in the work.
EDWARD C. BETZER
An Iowa boy that made his way to Seward County when but a lad of twelve. Was born at Pella, Iowa, March 30. 1874, and came to Seward County in 1886 where his parents settled on Section 2, "F" Town and where Edward still resides with his widowed mother, and runs the farm.
Ed is an industrious farmer. He belongs to the Royal Highlanders.
REV. CARL H. BECKER
Pastor in charge of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Seward, was born at Evansville, Indiana, September 7, 1858. Was educated at Fort Wayne and later took a full course in the Theological Seminary at St. Lonis. Commenced his ministerial work at the age of twenty-one and has now been a laborer in the Master's vineyard for a quarter of a century. He came to Seward in January, 1895, and has been the pastor here since that date.
Married Miss Lonisa Schnute, November 29, 1883, at Evansville, the native place of his bride, who was born November 23, 1861. They have born to them seven children: Louise, Walter H. W., Karl F. J. Paul, Hugo, Esther and Erwin.
ยท
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
Rev. Becker is a highly respected Christian gentleman, of fine attainments.
THOMAS H. BISHOP
One of the many old veterans of the union army, was born at Troy, New York, August 23, 1842. His parents took a siege of western fever when Tom was a babe, and landed in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, where the lad grew up.
August 16, 1863, he enlisted in Company H, 33d Wisconsin regiment. Was at the siege of Vicksburg, with Banks up the Red river; was at Franklin in two fights, at Nashville and old Spanish Fort and at Mont- gomery and in a fierce battle at Tuplo, Tennessee. Discharged August 13, 1865. Returned home and found Miss Annie C. Smith, who was waiting for a brave soldier boy. They were married February 11, 1874. She was a Wisconsin girl born at Salem April 3, 1852. They have nine children as follows: Carlton O., Clarence P., N. Edward, Julia M .. now Mrs. O. Burd, Ema M., Florence E., Rufus A., Mand M., and Ralph R.
Mr. Bishop came to Seward County in 1873, took a homestead on Section 10, Town 9, R 4 East, in "P" precinct, then went after his best girl. He is a long time member of the G. A. R. and the A. F. and A. M., also of the Modern Woodmen.
WILLIS D. BADGLEY
Was born in Pike County, Illinois, August 25, 1861, but did not remain there very long as his enterprising widowed mother took the western fever and found her way to Seward County in 1866, where she homesteaded the land near Milford where Willis now lives and which he owns. Willis helped his mother like a good boy, and went to school as soon as there was a school.
In 1883, December 13, he married Miss Edith E. Bundy. She was born at Salem, Wisconsin, August 7, 1863, and came to Seward County when a child. She died October 17, 1903. They had two children Myrtle L. and Lee W.
Mr. Badgley found a young widow lady at Juniata, Nebraska, and married her September 10, 1904. Mrs. Lydia Ball was born at Russeil, New York, February 11, 1862. She has two children Myrtle and Vernon.
Mr. Badgley owns and operates his mother's old homestead near the Industrial home east of Milford. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and Modern Woodmen. Church home is with the M. E people at Milford.
LUDWIG J. BENDER
Was a Hoosier boy, born of German parents in Allen County, August 28, 1864. He spent his young days learning to farm, and in 1886, when a young man, he struck the road that led to Seward County. In 1891 he discovered that he had left his best girl behind him, and he
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
returned to the old home and married Miss Eva K. Kaiser, January 29. Then he came back happy and made his home in "J" precinct near Ruby.
Mrs. Bender was born in Allen County, Indiana, April 2, 1872.
They have four children : viz., Aman, Hedwig, Ottomar and Rein- hart.
Mr. Bender owns a good farm and is a good wide awake citizen. Church home is with the Lutherans.
HERMAN J. BERNECKER
Is one of our leading and among the most respected German Ameri- can citizens. Was born in the Fatherland, April 13. 1852, and got on the American trail with his honored father in 1860, and landed in Grant County, Wisconsin, where he remained until he found that better place, Seward County, in 1873, when he bought the old farm where he expects to spend his days, surrounded as he is with all the comforts of life on his beautiful farm. At his new home, Mr. Bernecker found another prize, Miss F. S. Goety, and was married at the old stone church near Middle Creek, November 8, 1876.
She was born October 15, 1854 in Beauro County, Illinois, and came to this county in childhood. They have had five children : Minnie and Emma died in 1884, Bertha, Alma and Albert. Mr. Bernecker has been school treasurer of his district since it was organized. He has also been treasurer of the German Mutual Insurance Company since its organization. He has also occupied many places of trust and honor in his church. Herman is what we all consider a first class citizen.
The church home of the family is with the Lutherans.
CHRISTIAN C. BIRKY
Was born in Germany, May 27, 1852. He crossed the Atlantic when eight years old, so we take it that he is a pretty good American by this time.
He was raised in the sucker state and there he found Miss Elizabeth Roth, and they were married February 13, 1876. at Washington, Illinois.
She was born in Woodford County, Illinois, January 26. 1859, where she was educated. They have only twelve children : Mary, now Mrs. A. J. Welsh, Millie, now Mrs. C. I. Morefield, Lizzie, now Mrs. H. F. Ahlschwede, Lona and Christian died in infancy, Henry, Emma, Fannie, Minnie, Lydia, Anna and Esther. He came to the present home three miles north of Milford in 1887. Has a nice farm and knows how to take care of it. Is a wide awake citizen.
Church home is with the Lutheran Evangelical.
ISMA BOWKER
A genuine Nebraska boy, born in Sutton, Clay County, September 19, 1873. He lived when a child at old Camden with his maternal
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
grand-parents, Mr. and Mrs. Malick. They were among the earliest settlers of that old historic ground.
Mr. Bowker is yet waiting for a good wife. He is a partner in one of the largest mercantile honses of Pleasant Dale, and is a thorough yonng buisness man.
Is a member of the I. O. O. F. and also of the Maccabees.
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