USA > Nebraska > Seward County > History of Seward County, Nebraska, and reminiscenses of territorial history > Part 42
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
WILLIAM S. FORD
Was a Kansas horn boy that put in an appearance at Atchison, April 18, 1857. We suppose he took an active part with the Free State men. He moved to MeHenry County, Illinois, to be raised, but some- how found his way to Nebraska in 1878 and located on section 2, Town 12. Range 3, where he resided until 1901, when he sold out and moved to Filmore Connty. He came with $200 wealth and left with some more than he brought.
Married Miss Martha M. Clapp June 26, 1881, in Butler County. She was born April 11, 1863, in Coles County, Illinois, and came to Nebraska in childhood, in 1867. They have eight children, viz: Will- iam, Verne R., Blanche M., Bertha A .. Clee J., Ray G., Ethel M., and a baby girl that died in infancy. Church home is with the U. B. folks and helped to organize the church at Pleasant Prairie in 1885, Rev. John J. Lohr pastor. Later the church was moved to Bee, where Mr. Ford was superintendent of Sabbath school fourteen years.
GEORGE FOSTER
Was a pioneer homesteader near the old walnut creek ranch in sec- tion 6. "N" Town, in September 1869. George was born on one of the blue clay hills of Butler Connty, Ohio, March 9, 1836. When a child his parents moved to Indiana, but at seventeen he took the back track. But the old hills had lost their charm for him and he turned his face westward and at twenty-one he found an Iowa girl, Miss M. J. Linch, and was married September 29, 1857, in Henry County, Iowa. She was born October 16. 1838, in Indiana. They had three children. One died in infancy and Cora D., now Mrs. D. Smith ; and Nancy E., now Mrs. B. A. Wash.
Mr. Foster got to [owa in time to enlist in the 4th Iowa cavalry and was made saddlery sergeant. He was at Vicksburg, Selma and Colum- bus, Georgia.
Mrs. Foster died November 12, 1901. Mr. Foster married the second wife, Mrs. Mary E. Ramey, of York, Nebraska. She was born Jan- mary 22, 1846, in Decatur County, Indiana.
Mr. Foster is a member of the G. A. R. Family church home, Methodist. The old people have recently moved to Seward where they enjoy a neat and comfortable home
THOMAS J. FOSTER
Another of the sixty miners who came and helped to hiaze the way for the multitude who followed. Thomas was born in Missouri in 1843, June 2, but sought the freer air of Illinois, at a tender age. Somehow his eye was turned westward and next we find him in Iowa in Davis County, then in Madison County and in 1869 he found the right place on a homestead near Beaver Crossing. While in Madison County, Iowa, he found in Miss Rebecca E. Cummins a good wife and was married in 1865. They are the parents of seven children. One died in infancy ;
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
Sadie E., now Mrs. Ed Miller; Idella, now Mrs. F. Roland; Mary F., now Mrs. George Evans; Ora B., Earl and Raymond, yet at home. Mr. Foster, yet only a lad, enlisted in Company C. 138th Illinois in- fantry and did good service. Has improved a splendid farm and is now trying to take life easy. Was in the implement and furniture trade at Beaver Crossing for fourteen years. Mr. Foster filed the complaint against Orlando Castler for the murder of Monroe at Seward.
JOHN FLEENER
Our principal egg and poultry dealer for many years. Was born in Des Moines County, Iowa, January 23, 1863. There he received a com- mon school education and as soon as he was of age he came to Page County, Iowa, where he married Miss Sadie Grafton. They came to Seward in 1894. He commenced handling poultry and eggs in 1895 and has done a large and prosperous business. Some months of the present year he has paid for these staples over seven thousand dollars per month.
ALBERT H. FURNALD
Was born where the tall pine trees grow in Aleghany County, New York, July 24, 1858. At nine years of age he began to look for the taller trees in the great pine state of Michigan and there among the logs and stumps Albert grew to manood when he again struck the great trail that led him to Seward in 1878. where he worked on his father's farm for many years. In 1887 he had found his girl in the person of one of our pioneer girls, Miss Effie C. Clark, and they were married November 23, at Seward. Miss Clark was born among the icy hills of northern New York, August 20, 1862, and came to Seward County with her parents in the spring of 1866, so she is pretty nearly a Nebraska girl. They have one son, Henry S Mr. Furnald has been a mail carrier on one of our first rural routes for three and one half years. He is a member of the United Workmen and also of the M. W. A. The church home is with the M. E. people. The Furnald's home has been contin- uously on section 21, in "G" Town, just by the city of Seward, since 1878. They have now sold their beautiful home and design a removal to Antelope County, Nebraska, near the city of Neligh.
JAMES A. FALLEN
A New York boy that was born where the rocky hills furnished plenty of sport rolling great rocks down the hills at Lockport. He first saw the light March 20, 1843. When a young boy he went to Buffalo where he was educated. Came to Plattsmouth in 1868. where he married Miss Elizabeth McDonough, December 28, 1871. She was an Ohio girl born at Chillicothe, August 15, 1854, and came to Nebraska in 1869.
There were born to them eight children as follows : four yet living, John A., dea 1; Charles W., May, an adopted daughter; Margaret C., dead ; William J., dead; Elizabeth M., now Mrs. M. V. Leger; Edgar
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
F., dead; Leo A. and Catherine N. Mr. Fallen came to Seward in 1872, and all these years followed contracting and building. His hand- iwork may be seen in hundreds of buildings in and around Seward. Mr. Fallen has been a very active and useful citizen. The church home of the family is with the Catholics.
JAMES MAXWELL FLETCHER
This unique character was born in the wilds of Kentucky, Hamilton County, October 14, 1838. £ Was educated in a little log school house in the old fashioned way much like Lincoln. The whole term of his studies in school was ninety days when he graduated, we suppose with high honors. We may tell of his early experience in his own language to us, where in his own peculiar way he said, "I spent my boyhood days on my father's farm doing the ordinary work of a farmer boy in that rough wilderness region among the stumps and stones, rolling logs into piles to burn, grubbing and burning brush and killing tobacco worms." At the early age of nineteen he fell in love with a neighbor girl, Miss Lydia Smalley, and was married in 1857. This noble wite and true helpmeet survives him and is at this writing a resident of Seward. To his happy union were born nine children, four of them yet live ; Edward H., Abbie, now Mrs. Allen S. Anderson ; Emma, now Mrs. Theo Biven and Della, now Mrs. W. H. Smith. Three babes were buried at the Indiana home, and the youngest was buried in Seward soon after their removal here. William died in Seward, May 1, 1898. The young couple removed to Fayette County, Indiana, in 1859, with two babes and com- menced to lay the foundations of a home, when two years later he heard the drum beat calling to arms. Hearing his country's call, he hastened to enlist in Company H, 30th Indiana volunteers, and served in the army of the Cumberland, was carried from the bloody field of Pitts- burg Landing as dead. He was paralyzed by the concussion of a burst- ing shell. He was insensible for many days after reaching home. For two years he was entirely helpless and was during his whole life a
great sufferer. While in this serions condition he displayed wonderful energy and determination in trying to support his young family. He actually tended one crop on the little farm while on crutches. In the seventies he engaged in packing pork and in 1873 the panic swept his all from him. After a long and wearisome struggle with disease and financial embarrassment in 1880. turned his face toward the setting sun and settled at Seward, which was his home to the time of his death. Here with his sons, Edward and William, engaged in the meat business. At an early age Mr. Fletcher united with the M. E. church and became an energetic worker in the Master's vineyard. Until his total disability he was an enthusiastic worker in the Sabbath-schools and was for years an efficient superintendent of the Seward M. E. Sun- day school. He threw his whole soul in the G. A. R. Post work and was there loved and honored by all. He was a most earnest republican and was ever ready to measure swords with the opposition. In political
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
debate he was a marvel and fairly ranked with the best stump speakers of our state. To illustrate his points was ever ready with a story that never failed to carry his audience as if by storm.
For the last ten years he was nearly helpless and scarcely ever got a night's sound sleep, yet his mind was clear to the last and he enjoyed in a marked degree the company of his many friends. Was compelled to take his rest and little sleep in a reclining chair, as he could not lie in bed.
The noble wife that mourns for him has all through these years of suffering been a sure staff upon which to lean. A few weeks before he was called home he told the writer that he was fully ready to hear the Master's call and that his faith was "like an anchor to the soul, sure and steadfast. " We all miss "Uncle Jim" but while we mourn we can look through the dark clouds of sorrow and see the grand old man at rest and rejoice. Ile was taken home to his Father's mansion January 14, 1896.
DAVID R. FRINK
Was a young Michigander born in St. Charles County among the stumps and stones of that rough county, April 10, 1847. When seven years old he found the trail leading to Iowa and remained there until he heard of Nebraska in 1877 and Iowa could no longer hold him. June 14, 1866, he married Miss Malinda Abernathy at Anamosa, Iowa. She was born June 23, 1846, near Belvidere, Illinois.
They have seven children, viz: Nettie, now Mrs. W. W. Ogelvie; Ella, now Mrs. E. H. Perkins; Charles L., Lottie, now Mrs. J. C. Chatlain, ; Bennie, now dead; Alta, now Mrs. M. S. McAlister; and Inez., yet at home.
The family settled on section 24 in "L" Precinct, September 1877. Mr. Frinks' father died of wounds received at the siege of Vicksburg. Mr. Frink is a member of W. (). W. at Tamora. Church home is with the M. E. folks at Goehner. Mr. Frink has a splendid farm, part in "L" and part in "K' Precincts. It is a pleasure to visit at their genial home.
ISAAC H. FEARY
A hoosier boy, born in Marshall County, August 29, 1857. Had a little touch of western fever in 1865 and landed in Illinois and in 1882 he had a more violent attack of it and he struck the Nebraska trail and landed in "B" Precinct. Seward County.
He found Miss Mary A. Rurup and was married December 24, 1890. She was born in Dane County, Wisconsin, February 23, 1867, and came to Seward County in childhood. They had three children, Dixie A., Dorothy O., and Marie C. Mrs. Feary died January 17, 1898. Mr. Feary was again married to his wife's sister, Miss Ida R. Rurup. They have two children. Ida May and Josephine.
Mr. Feary is a Modern Woodman. He owns a large and valuable farm.
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
Hon. George W. Fuller
Mrs. Geo. W. Fuller
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
HON. GEORGE W. FULLER
Was a soldier boy of the rebellion that found his way to Nebraska in pioneer days. Was born in a log cabin on the banks of the classic Rock River in Whiteside County, February 7, 1844, where he spent his youth and young mauhood and when the bugle notes sounded to arms George was not backward, although but a boy of eighteen. He enlisted in the 75th Illinois infantry and served under Grant, Sherman and Rose- crans, and was in the awful struggle at Perryville and Lancaster, Ken- tucky ; Nolenville and Stone River, where he was wounded. Was at Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Ringold Back Face Gap, Resaca, New Hope Church, Kennesaw Mountain, Culp Farm, two battles of Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Lovejoy Station, Franklin and Nashville. Of Mr. Fuller's war record his old captain, George R. Shaw, of Prophets town, Illinois, writes as follows: "Mr. George W. Fuller served during the war as an enlisted man in Company C of the 75th regiment of Ill- inois infantry volunteers : that he was ever faithful to duty, brave in action, discreet in all his relations with his associates and his superior officers. In short. an ideal volunteer soldier. He deserves well of his "fellow men for his service to his country." Upon his discharge at the end of the war Mr. Fuller went to his old home and in 1868 came to Nebraska and filed on a claim in York County but abandoned it. In 1869 Mr. Fuller returned to the old home and February 23rd married Miss Matilda J. Ashton. She was a native of Plymouth, England, but crossed the ocean at four years of age, so she is pretty nearly an Ameri- can girl. She was born Angust 21, 1850. They have had born to them eleven children, viz: Mary L., now Mrs. H. Kellog ; America M., died in infancy ; Jennie, now Mrs. J. M. Daily ; George W., Edward H., Matilda M., Bertha M., Alma C., Gladys M., John C. and Florence E. Mr. Fuller served the city of Seward one term as mayor. Was repre- sentative in 26th and 27th sessions of the legislature, where he served on several important committees. He moved to Seward County in the spring of 1869 and took a homestead in "I" Town. He was one of the first to engage in the brick business on the old Manly farm four miles northwest of Seward, in the early seventies. Mr. Fuller has had an honorable share in developing Seward County. He is a wide-awake citizen and now owns a beautiful farm just east of the city.
Is a member of the G. A. R. Post at Seward. Mr. Fuller was in the brick and building trade for many years and laid the walls of many of the blocks in Seward. He was at the head of the company that built the Windsor Hotel in 1880.
ROBERT T. GALE
Seward County's first homesteader, the seventh in this land district. Came to Nebraska in very early territorial days, unfortunately nothing of his early history is attainable. This author became acquainted with him in the spring of 1860 at Nebraska City, where he was engaged in making brooms. We enjoyed a close acquaintance with him until death
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
called him home in he spring of 1867. He was a man of unusual in- telligence and worthy Christian character. Was a member of the Missionary Baptist church.
Was surveyor by trade and was twice elected surveyor of Seward County, in 1865 and 1866. He homesteaded the land just east of the present city, January 2, 1863, the next day after the homestead law became in force, but on account of Indian troubles could not occupy the land until the early spring of 1864. In the spring of 1861 he married Miss Amelia Wooley, sister of Frederick Wooley of Seward. There were two children born to them, Clara, now a resident of Portland, Oregon ; and a son that died in infancy.
Mr. Gale was an active and representative citizen and did his full share in the early development of the county and is kindly remembered by all the old settlers. His funeral services were conducted by the venerable Rev. E. L. Clark. All the neighbors followed his remains to the grave with sorrowing hearts. It was the first funeral service held in his vicinity. His widow now resides in Portland, Oregon.
ALGERNON GALUSHA
An old Seward County boy who has made his mark in the world, and although he is at present a citizen of Red Cloud, Nebraska, yet we feel that Seward County has a right to claim him as we sent him out to battle with the world in his young manhood.
Al, as we all learned to call him, was born at Franklin Falls, New York, July 29, 1859, but moved at the age of eight to Lawrenceville, same state, where he was educated in the academy. He struck the great western trail which led him to Seward in 1882, where he clerked in a store and gained many friends who well remember him as a bright young man of good character and very attentive to business.
In 1886 he went to Red Cloud and was for many years engaged in the mercantile business, but is at present traveling as a salesman, and although he has just been nominated by the state republican convention to be their standard bearer for secretary of state, instead of traversing the state looking for votes, he is attending strictly to his employer's business, and we judge that the people will recognize that important fact.
Mr. Galusha is an honorable member of the Masonic order Blue Lodge No. 53, at Red Cloud, also of Chapter No. 19 and Cyrene Com- mandery No. 14. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. No. 60 at his home, is a member of the Grand Lodge and secretary of the finance committee.
Mr. Galusha was elected by a large majority and seems right at home in the capitol.
ARTHUR H. GANNON
An Iowa born boy that came with his parents to Seward when our sidewalks were all of prairie sod. Born at Marengo, September 1, 1869, and came to Seward in 1872. Grew to manhood here and was educated
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
in the city schools. Was married to Miss Mary Knobbs, at Seward. They have five children, viz: Clyde, Bessie, Beach, Mckinley and Cecil.
Mr. Gannon is a barber by trade and has a neat tonsorial parlor which he has managed for many years. He is quite unassuming attending strictly to his business interests.
J. ALFRED GARNER
A New York State boy, born among the rough and rugged hills of Franklin County, April 14, 1850. He came to Seward County in 1866, with the family of Rev. E. L. Clark. He was one of the boys that waded snow drifts in the awful winter of 1865 and 1867 to the old log school house. He worked as a valuable farm hand until 1869. March 28 he married Miss Helen B. Hageman. She was a native of Fulton County, Illinois, born May 20, 1852. They have twelve children, viz : Maggie, now Mrs. C. E. Robins; Martha F., now dead; George W., Jennie A., now Mrs. A. Hackworth ; Constance, now Mrs. B. M. Garton ; James A., Harry, Newton L., Edward E., Ella B., William L. and Ruth E.
Church home is with the Seventh Day Adventists. Mr. Garner is a splendid farmer and good citizen.
W. D. GIVENS
The oldest photographer in the county. Was born February 6, 1856. Came to Lincoln in 1875 and commenced the picture business in 1878 and opened his gallery in Seward in 1880 and has continued the busi- ness through sunshine and storm from that time to the present.
He has the largest and pest equipped gallery in the county. Mr. Givens is certainly a success as a photographer.
In 1883, October 31, he captured one of our Seward girls, Miss Laura B., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. I. E. McPheley. They have two children, Millie L. and John H.
Mrs. Givens was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Angust 24, 1863, and came in early childhood to Seward County where she was educated and grew to womanhood.
JOHN F. GEESON
The leading tailor of Seward County. Was another of those sturdy German boys that dreamed of the better land beyond the sea and at twenty-one found his way to Illinois, and three years later he made Seward his home and opened his tailor shop, which has grown with the years to be a large and prosperous concern.
Mr. Geeson was born October 17, 1863. After getting well settled in business he found Miss Antonia Scheibel and was married at Omaha, September 3, 1889. She was born Sepember 21, 1868, in Germany.
Six children came to bless their home, viz: Clara, Josephine, Marie Edward, Margaret and Leonard. Mr. Geeson is a Workman and Wood- man of America. Church home is with the Catholics. He has been for years a trustee of the church. He is a member of the city council.
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
JACOB GEIS
A Prominent farmer of "K" Precinct and president of the In- dependent Telephone Company. Came from the blue clay hills of Sciota County, Ohio, born May 8, 1844, where he was raised, and there he was married January 31, 1871, to Miss May Karl. She was a native of Portsmouth, Ohio, born December 18, 1846, and died at the family home January 5, 1901. They were the parents of eleven children. They followed Teddie's advice in advance. Names as follows : John J., Frank L., Mary A., deceased ; Rosa M, now Mrs. F. Eisbarth ; William, now dead; Henry E., dead ; Louis K., Suphrona I., Charles, dead ; Fred S., and Herman. The family came to the county in 1889 and bought the old Thompson ranch on section 31, where he now has an elegant home.
Church home is with the Catholic people. Mr. Geis has had the misfortune to lose one hand but somehow he is a rustler "all the ame."
CHARLES GEMBLER
Was a child of the sucker state, born at Mineer May 30. 1872, and remained there till grown. Came to Seward Connty in 1893, and married Miss Annie E. Wullenwaber, August 17, 1896, at Seward.
She was a Mineer girl that followed Charley to Seward. She was born July 13, 1874. They have five children, viz: Lena, Letha, Elvin, Lucile, and Opal. They settled on a farm in "F" precinct, but he is now in charge of the Opdike elevator at Goehner. He belongs to the M. W. A. Church home is with the Evangelical people.
HERMAN GOECKE
Was a seventeen year old German lad that saw the brighter light beyond the sea and had the courage to break away from the old en- vironments and seek a home in this new and fertile land.
Was born May 21, 1855, and in 1872 cames straight to Seward County, where he bought a quarter section in section 12, "H" Town and the lad went to work with a will and improved it and after seven years he began to think of Christinie that he had left behind and straightway, armed with Uncle Sam's authority as an American citizen he went and claimed his own. He and Miss Hegener were married in the Fatherland July 14, 1881. She was born August 14, 1862. Three of their children died in infancy. The living are as follows: Minnie, now Mrs. E. Braner; Annie, now Mrs. L. Sieck ; Fred W., Ella, William, Herman. and Emma
Mr. Goecke has a nice home among the hills and seems prosperous and happy. Church home is with the Lutherans.
JOHN F. GOEHNER
One of the most successful and enterprising merchants of Seward for thirty years. Was born in Germany in 1850. The boy in his early
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
youth heard of our great republic and its possibilities and to get there was the dream of his young life. In his nineteenth year he crossed the ocean and commenced life here as clerk in a grocery house at St. Louis. In 1871 he found his way to Nebraska City and clerked there for two
Dwelling of John F. Goehner
years, when in 1873 he came to help build Seward. He opened a small grocery store and commenced the grain trade in 1875. Made quite a success of his business and in 1879 built the first Goehner block on the corner of Seward and Seventh Streets and in the summer of 1884 built · the fine block that bears his name on the corner of Seward and Sixth Streets, and placed therein an immense stock of hardware.
This young lad has grown to be a successful business man of high order and displays nnbounded enthusiasm in public enterprises for this city and county. Is a leading member of the Lutheran church and was a leading spirit in securing the location here and building of the fine college, noted on another page of this work. Has twice been honored as member of the city council. In 1884 was elected and served as state senator. Lent a strong helping hand in securing the building of the F. E. & M. V. railroad through the county. Has been honored with the . naming of one of our new towns.
Mr. Goehner married Miss Vanderhe at Seward in 1875. To them have been born seven children, as follows, all yet living with the
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
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parents : Frederick, Benjamin, Arthur, John, Walter, Wilhelm, and Dorothy. Mr. Goehner has been treasurer of the Seward Mutual Fire Insurance Company for eight years.
CHARLES M. GORDON
A New York boy born in Orange County December 28, 1832. His parents thought that the little hills of New York were not big enough, so when Charley was three years old they went to Pennsylvania, where the lad could climb mountains to his heart's content. Charley got enough of the rocky fields of that rough locality and in 1858 he found better quarters at Laporte, Indiana, when he married Miss Sarah Prince, August 10, at Buffalo, Michigan.
She was born in April, 1839, in Lucerne County, Pennsylvania. They came to Seward County in 1875, November 25, and located on section 13, "B" Precinct. Children born, six, viz: Clara A., Harry A., George E., Lewis L., who died at nine years of age; Frank F., and Bert B.
Mrs. Gordon died some years ago. Mr. Gordon enlisted in the 21st Indiana Battery but did not get to smell much burnt powder. He is a member of the A. F. and A. M. The church home of the family is with the Christian Church of Lincoln.
Since the death of Mrs Gordon, Mr. Gordon has made his home with his daughter at Lincoln.
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