USA > Nebraska > Seward County > History of Seward County, Nebraska, and reminiscenses of territorial history > Part 51
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The lad was left an orphan at the age of eight years. He had lived since his fourth year with his paternal grand-mother and until her death in December, 1831. His elder brothers and sisters having already died, he was placed with other relatives, who sent him to England to school in July. 1836. His education was completed at Rundel Academy near St. Ives, Cornwall. On March 5, 1848, he was married in London to Mary Ann Jndd, starting almost immediately for America where he arrived October 1, 1848, living in New York state until 1865 and in Massachusetts during the next fourteen years. He came to Seward County in October, 1879, where he lived continuously until January 1900, when he took up his residence with his oldest son in Omaha. He still retains the farm he took as wild prairie in 1879. and it is now perhaps as highly developed and as perfect of its kind as any property in the county. His wife is well remembered by our old settlers for her kindly Christian character, died at the family homestead in this city, December 15, 1894 and is buried in the family lot in Greenwood ceme- tery.
Mr. Taylor is a father, grand-father and great-grand-father. He still regards Seward as his home and his greatest pleasure is to visit his many old friends in this localiy. The anthor has had the pleasure of an acquaintance with Father Taylor (as we all love to call him) for over a quarter of a century, and we have learned to esteem him as a most worthy Christian gentleman that has acted well his part in de- veloping this new land He has been an honored member of the Epis- copal church for over forty years.
JOHN R. S. TAYLOR
Our good kind old colored neighbor was born and raised a slave. Born in Calaway County, Missouri, April 22, 1838. Married Miss Sarah A. Rhodes. July 4, 1863, in Calaway County. Mrs. Taylor was born in Albemarle County, Virginia in 1848, date not known. They are the parents of ten children, two of which died in infancy, and Ed- ward died at fifteen, Nathaniel, Daseman, Otis R., Russel S., now a minister at Big Stone Gap, Virginia. being thoroughly educated for the profession, gradnating at Seward with high honors, then at Belevue, Nebraska, and then taking a two years course at Cincinnati Ohio. He is one of the bright Seward boys that has gone out in the world to do some good. (No disgrace for a white man to eat at the table with Russel Taylor. ) Next is Alice R., Rosa A., now Mis. S. D. Jones; Catherine L., William F., and Joseph T. E.
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
The family came to Seward in 1884. Mr. Taylor enlisted in the Union army soon after his liberation but his company was not called into active service The church home of the family is with the M. E. people.
FERGUSON F. TIMBLIN
Was born July 25, 1830, among the mountains of old Pennsylvania in Jefferson County and there he piled brush and gathered stone until of age. Some how he found his way to Jones County, Iowa, where he found Miss Eve J. Colman and was married August 28, 1858. She was a Hoosier girl born in Noble County, June 16, 1835. They are parents of six children, viz: Alva L .. V. I. Weeks, Margaret E. Welch, Levi E., Elvi L. and Myrtle H.
The family came to Seward County in 1869 and homesteaded in "B" precinct, where they remained many years then moved to Hamil- ton County and now reside at Weeping Water, Nebraska. Read Mr. Timblin's historic letter.
WILLIAM R. TRIMBLE
Was a Pennsylvania boy, born in Cumberland County in 1862. He climbed the rocky hills and walked among the stumps and stones of that rough region until he was nineteen, when he struck the western trail and it of course landed him in Nebraska, where he helped in the building of bridges for the A. N. R. R. Next we find him as ship- ping clerk for the Milford mills.
Married Miss Gillie Clark of Columbus, Indiana, in 1884. Two children were born to them, Cleve, now a lad in his teens; and Nellie, a little four year old girl that was drowned in Blue river, in 1894.
Mrs. Trimble died in-1902 and September 17, 1903. Mr. Trimble married Miss Louisa Bradford of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. One son, Wm. Jan was born to them. Mr. Trimble runs a restaurant at Milford and is doing a good business. He has been a member of the school board of Milford for nine consecutive years. Was charter member of I. O. O. F. of Beaver Crossing.
GEO. D. THOMAS
A Seward born boy that is forging to the front, came to the light of life December, 6 1873. Educated in the Seward Schools. George like all the family is an expert in instrumental music and hundreds of times has the people of Seward enjoyed the sweet strains of music of the Thomas band. George was married April 2, 1901, to Miss Emma S. Wetz, an Illinois girl that was born June 23, 1875. They have one little daughter, Thelma Olline.
Mr. Thomas is engaged in the manufacture of soda water and is doing a large business. He controls and runs the Opera house and is owner of a large business block at Madison, Nebraska, including the Opera house there.
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
WILLIAM J. THOMPSON
One of the very early pioneers of the county and a man of mark in the development of this region. Was born in the County Donegal north of Ireland, of Scotch ancestry in 1824. He came to Philadelphia in 1846, and enlisted in our navy for service in the Mexican war, and served nearly four years. He served on the Princeton and the ship pa- trolled the seas, capturing privateers and smugglers. There were no naval battles during that war.
He married Miss Hilliard also of Scotch parentage from his native home, in 1850, at Alleghany City, Pennsylvania. The young people naturally drifted westward and in 1854, we find them at Galena, Illinois, and at Nebraska City, in 1859, where the anthor formed his acquaint- ance in 1850. Mr. Thompson took a claim on Wilson creek eight miles west of the city, where he resided until the removal to Seward county, in 1863. In 1862 he opened his ranch on Walnut creek in the western part of what is now "K" precinct. Could we follow all the incidents of the ranch life for ten years it would fill a volume of most interesting matter, many things tragic, many things ludicrons and others pathetic. That old ranch where so many thousands of pilgrims and freighters camped and passed would make an ideal spot to fonnd a romance of thrilling interest. When the great U. P. R. R. had reached out as far as Grand Island, Mr. Thompson found his occupation gone, and in 1873 he honght the mill property at Beaver Crossing.
There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Thompson six children. Two died in infancy ; one being laid to rest in the Illinois home and one at Walnut creek. Letitia, the oldest child to reach mature years, mar- ried in 1887 and died in 1890. B. Franklin, now at Beaver Crossing ; Margaret E. of Crete and William J. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson were both brought up in the Presbyterian church and remained members of it until they united with the Congregational church at Beaver Cross- ing. Mr. Thompson was a very energetic and enterprising man and did much in building up this county. He made many valuable im- provements at the home place and at other points in the west. Was elected in 1865 one of the county commissioners and assisted in the county organization and did his work so well that he was again elected withont opposition in 1867. In 1872 he was elected member of the leg- islature but resigned on account of other pressing duties. Mr. Thomp- son was rather eratic in his make-up but was whole souled, genial and kind, a good true friend and good neighbor. His good wife has just passed the four score years. From childhood, Mrs. Thompson has been a most faithful Christian lady and during all the trying years of fron- tier life, she chung close to the cross and with all the energy and zeal of a noble and true Christian mother, she taught her children the valne of christian Character. Mr. Thompson died, July 26, 1895, at his home in Beaver Crossing.
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
PROFESSOR MARGARET E. THOMPSON
This "child of the prairies, " as she calls herself, was born upon our own rich Nebraska soil, June 4, 1861, near Nebraska City. She was truly a child of the wilderness, and her childhood days were spent amidst the exciting environments of the old ranch home, at Walnnt creek in Seward county, where her parents came when she was less than two years old. Here at an outpost of civilization the child grew to womanhood. In the earlier years there were no schools, but it chanced that an intelligent young lady came to the wilderness as an advance guard of education and civilization, and her services were en- gaged by Mr. Thompson to teach his children in the erude frontier home. This was Miss Agnes Henderson, now Mrs. Rollin Shepard, of York County. Here Maggie (as we all loved to call her) received her first ideas of the great world in which she was destined to act such an important part as an educator. If her educational opportunities seemed small and poor. there was one great book open to her. Her young life was in the midst of a moving panorama. There were countless thous- ands of emigrants and freighters passing her home and her keen eyes could scrutinize humanity in all its phases and her plastic mind no doubt received impressions that helped her on to victory. The crude frontier schools soon came and gave her some opportunities and in 1877 she began her career as teacher in the Warner district near the Filmore county line.
In the autumn of 1877, she commenced her course of study at Crete in the preparatory department of Doane college. By perserverance and determined industry, working her way by teaching in the country schools, she graduated from Doane college in the Class of 1886, with high honors, when she was immediately elected Principal of the women's department and instructor in mathematics. In 1892 she was granted a leave of absence, to visit eastern colleges. She spent the summer in study at Harvard university and the four succeeding months in visiting other New England colleges. During these years she was taking post-graduate work in the University of Nebraska. where she received the degree of A. M. in 1897. She also studied in the Chicago university during the summers of 1897, 1898 and 1899. In 1897, she was appointed Professor of English literature in Doane college. She has been connected with that institution as Principal Instructor and Professor during the past eighteen years. Young men and women of Nebraska please learn from Miss Thompson what you may accomplish if you will but try.
FRANK B. TIPTON
An Illinois boy horn at Augusta, September 1, 1857, where he grew np, and became a stenographer. He came to Seward county in 1885, and we find the young man driving the quill as court reporter for Judge Norval. He married Miss Harriette L. Jones May 18. 1887. at Seward, Nebraska. She was a daughter of Claudins Jones, born May
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15, 1866, at Chicago, Illinois. They have three children, viz: Clandius, Frank B., Jr., and Harriette E.
Mr. Tipton spent some years at Seattle, Washington, but has re- turned to his first love, where he interests himself in caring for his flock of fine blooded chickens. White Leghorns is his specialty and his henery shows some of the best specimens in the country. He sold one young cockerel at the St. Lonis Exposition for one hundred dollars.
JOHN D. TROYER
A gentleman who is largely interested in the honey bee, being the owner of quite a respectable apiary in Milford, was an Ohio boy. Was born September 7, 1933, in Holmes county, where he grew to manhood. At twenty-four after his marriage to Miss Catherine Egly, he moved to Indiana. Miss Egly was a native of Stark County, Ohio, born in 1837.
They are the parents of eleven children. nine yet living, viz : Daniel J., Mary, now Mrs. A. M. Garber; Annie, now Mrs. C. J. Mizer, Lydia, now Mrs. Chas. Brown ; Joseph, Emma, now Mrs. E. B. Whitney, who died August 4, 1888, David, Alice, now Mrs. J. Yonng ; (the wife and husband killed by the Boxers in China. They were missionaries, and were killed July 16, 1900). Ellen, now Mrs. C. J. Shaw ; Martha, and John E., yet at home with the old people. Mr. Troyer came to Plattsmouth in 1886, where he worked in the R. R. shops two years and then in 1888 came to Milford where he has followed his trade as carpenter and builder. `Their church relations are with the Amish Menonites.
FRANKLIN J. UNDERHILL
Is one of the lads that just missed being a Nebraska born boy, but it was no fault of his. He got here just as soon as possible. He was born at Ognaka, Illinois, February 16, 1874, and was brought to Se- ward in 1876. Frank took to medicine as a dnek takes to water and commenced to learn the profession as Pharmacist when sixteen and has been engaged in that line during all his active life. We take it for granted that Frank understands his business.
The young man in his perambulations strayed away to Falls City and found Miss Lena Miller and she consented to be his bride and they were married May 26, 1897, at Lincoln, Nebraska. She was born July 19, 1874, at Falls City, Nebraska. Frank belongs to the Highlanders. The church home is with the Missionary Baptists. Mr. Underhill lo- cated in Tamora in 1902. and established a neat and tasty drug store that the village and community should feel proud of.
PHILIP UNITT
The fat and jolly Englishman who had just one English sovereign in his pocket when he landed at New York and who has grown to be a man of affairs. Was born in merry old England, Doudley Staffordshire, September 3, 1849. He saw the bright star in the west, in 1868, and
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
there was no use talking, Phil was coming to America and he got here, whether in one ship or two he did not say. He sought work and found it in Pennsylvania, but soon drifted to Baltimore, where he engaged in business for fifteen months when he fonnd Miss Mary A. Gill, an En- glish girl and they were married. February 13. 1870. Soon the young
Residence of Phillip Unitt
couple were siezed with a violent attack of western fever and in March 1873, they found Lincoln and as the new railroad had just reached Seward, Phil had to go as far as the cars would take him and thus Seward county gained her greatest stockman. Mr. Unitt commenced his Seward career in a little seven by nine meat market.
Mr. and Mrs. Unitt have five living children, viz: Charles, Ar- thur. Vincent, W. Garfield and Mattie. He is a member of A. F. and A. M. and I. O. O. F. and member of the encampment. He now owns nine hundred and twenty acres of well improved farms. He owns one of the finest residences in Seward County, and a barn that is like a palace. He frequently has a thousand head of cattle and so many hogs that he can't count them. Is always good natured and full of life .
HENRY VANDERHOOF
A Michigan boy, born among the stumps of the old pine tree state
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
in Berion County, May 2. 1848. He spent his youth in school and dig- ging among the stumps nntil between fifteen and sixteen years he enlisted in the 12th Michigan Volunteer Infantry. He did not get a chance to smell much burnt powder, as his enlistment was in 1864. Hemy found his way to Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1872. He spent three years traveling
Henry Vanderhoof
for water supplies. He located in Seward, in 1875, where he engaged in the grain, stock and windmill trade. Then he was in the hardware trade for a time. In 1878, Jannary 28th, he married Miss Mercy A. Derby, at Utica. She was a daughter of Hon. Geo. A. Derby and was born March 25, 1851, in Licking County, Ohio. Four children were born to them, viz: Hallie D., now deceased ; Thomas J., Don W., and Vesta M.
Mr. Vanderhoof was in the general merchandise business in York in 1886, but soon returned to Seward and opened a land office where he has taken a leading part in that business. He belongs to the I. O. O. F. and encampment, is also a member of the G. A. R.
SYRENUS VANANDEL
Was born in Ulster County, New York, where they raise a full crop of stone every year for the boys to harvest. He came to light July 14, 1848. The old folks took the lad to Ohio to try the blue clay hills, but they halted but a short time and in 1856, we find the boy in
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
St. Joseph, Missouri. Next he tried "bleeding" Kansas, but not yet satisfied we find him on the trail to Nebraska in 1868, where he tried Richardson County. But after a while he strayed up to the right place and located a homestead on section 20, in "I" precinct, April 12, 1870.
Mrs. Henry Vanderhoof
In 1884, he had tired of single blessedness and down at Lincoln he espied Miss Ida Schamp and they were married July 15th. She was born in Iowa, but came to Nebraska in 1862, piloted by the venerable Rev. Peter Schamp, her father, when a yearling. She was born June 3, 1861.
They have five children, viz: Blanche, Cabe S., George W., John R. and Ida C. Since his removal here he rambled around in Wyoming for seven years but returned to his first love and is now fairly content and well he may be. He has a splendid home in a good locality. He is a member of the Knights of Maccabees. Church home is with the M. E. folks at Pleasant Dale.
JAMES S. VRIENDERS
Our marble cutter and general dealer in monuments, was born in Denmark, December 21, 1859, and came to Omaha in 1885, where he worked at his trade for seventeen years. June 27, 1887, he married Miss Henriette W. Humburg at Omaha. She was also born in Den- mark, June 6, 1860. They had five sons born to them. Victor died
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
in infancy ; Alfred, Albert, Einar and Victor, the latter being named for the dead son.
Mr. Vrienders came to Seward in 1902, and opened a shop and is carrying on the marble business. He is a member of the M. W. A. Church home is with the Lutheran people. 1
WM. L. WATTS
Away up in cold Minnesota, William was born March 15, 1868, in Steele County, but went to Indiana in infancy and was pretty good on the tramp when young so we find the lad in Seward County at five. Came to "N" precinct in 1873. Was fortunate enough to make a bar- gain with Miss Jennie Kenedy and was married at York, Nebraska, June 25, 1901. Jennie was born at Omaha, March 4, 1869. She is one of the best products of our Nebraska. The young couple have a nice home in Goehner, where Mr. Watts is engaged in the windmill and pump business.
JOHN H. WATERMAN
Born in Hubard, Ohio, March 8, 1846. Remained at the old home until June, 1863, when only a lad of seventeen he enlisted in the 2nd Ohio heavy artillery in the 23rd Army Corps, under General Cox. Was through Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. The command was on duty guarding supply lines principally, served to the end of the war. When discharged the environments of the old home had lost their charms and the restless youth pushed for the west, and in 1866 we find him on the wild prairies of Harrison County, Iowa, yet the western star shone so brightly in his path he followed on and in 1870 he became a home- steader at Beaver Crossing. Here he married Miss Lydia M. Salnave. This marriage was performed by old Uncle Dan Millspaw and the li- cense was issued by Judge Henry Wortendyke, March 26, 1870.
There were four children, viz: Grace, died at fourteen ; Royal D., now a minister of the gospel and Rena and Lena twins, yet at home. Mr. Waterman farmed on the homestead twelve years, when in 1892 he started the publication of the Review. In April, 1897, he sold it to De- wit Egar and it was under the editorial management of E. M. Overman for three years when Mr. Waterman bought it and it has run under his inanagement until he sold it the winter of 1905. Mr. Waterman was appointed postmaster in 1898. Mr. Waterman has been through all these years a much respected and worthy citizen and performed well his part in laying these foundations.
WILLIAM H. WAIT
An Ohio boy that got tired of the blue clay hills and took Greeley's advice and struck for the west. Mr. Wait was born in Clermont County September 29, 1845. He not only found a good county in Sep- tember, 1873, but he soon found a wife, married Mrs. Elsie S. Pitt,
-
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
July 24, 1876, in Seward. She was an Indiana girl that came to this frontier with her parents in 1863. She was born May 10, 1850. They have seven children, viz: Frederick H., Lovina, now Mrs. J. Lunney ; Simon A., Rhoda L., now Mrs. H. Davis; Thomas Z., Elisabeth M. and Edward W.
Mr. Wait served in the 53d Ohio Regiment in Company H and also in Company F 195th Ohio and was in the struggles at Harpers Ferry, Winchester and Old Town and many skirmishes. He ate plenty of hard ' tack and smelled powder but got no scratch. He is now employed at the Ruby elevator. Mr. Wait is a stone mason by trade and helped lay many of the first foundations at Seward. One among them being the first old brick school house and the old Tishue block and others.
WILSON S. WALLICK
Another Ohio lad horn among the blue clay hills of Franklin County October 31, 1841. When two years old his parents thought they would try the land of muddy roads and located in old Fulton County. Illinois, where Wilson grubbed, piled and burnt brush and went to school and in due time he found Miss Mary E. Yates and January 30, 1880, they were married at Independence, Kansas. She was a Fulton County girl born July 11, 1859.
They have five children, viz: Ada M., now Mrs. H. Wimberley ; Flora B., Alta E., Albert R., and Elgin S. The family came to "F" precinct in 1876 and bought school land on section 16. For some years they have rented the farm and reside in Tamora. Mr. Wallick belongs to the M. W. A. and W. O. W. Church home is with the Presbyterians.
MYRON W. WARNER
Was another of those New York lads that found his way to Ne- braska while both he and the state were young. Born in Onondaga County. March 14, 1847. Was educated at Hamilton, New York, and came to Seward County in 1870. In 1871 he began teaching and fol- lowed that vocation in Seward and Saline Counties
In 1883 was elected superintendent of Public Instruction, was re- elected for the second term and made a good record. While at Seward he captured Miss Susie Jobs. They were married in 1886. They have four children all yet at home, viz: Gertrude, Charles, Ada and Esther. Some years ago Mr. Warner moved to California but he tired of the land of flowers and tourists and returned to his first love and has for over sixteen years held the honorable position of cashier of the bank at Beaver Crossing, Nebraska.
WILLIAM A. WALTER
One of Seward's carpenters and builders for the past twenty years. Was born January 31, 1852, in Columbia County in the old Keystone state where they raise coal, pump oil and melt iron and raise good boys and girls. The lad went to the western prairies at seven and landed at
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
Alledo, Illinois, where he grew to manhood. In 1883, he landed at Seward, and January 16th was married to Miss Olive Purdam, an Illinois girl that was born in Mercer county, July 18, 1861.
They have one little daughter, Dorothy Vivian, born at Corning, Iowa. Mr. Walter is a member of the M. W. A. and of the Court of Honor. Church home is with the M. E. people.
PROF. FRED C. WILLIAMS
A Hoosier boy, born at Rochester, Indiana. He went through the public schools at Franklin. He came to Nebraska while yet a lad and gradnated in the High schools of Columbus, Nebraska, in the class of 1896 and in the University in the class of 1900 and received the degree of B. C. Then taught in the High School of Columbus one year, was Principal of Syracuse, Nebraska, schools one year, taught one year at Seward and was elected Superintendent of our City schools in 1902 which position he yet holds.
The Professor married a Nebraska girl, Miss A. I. Whiting, June 10, 1903, at Lincoln. She is a native of Fairbury. He is a member of a College fraternity of Beta Theta Pa. Is a member of the Baptist church but now affiliates with the Congregational church of Seward.
Since the above was written Professor and Mrs. Williams have had come to bless their home, a daughter, Rosanna Brackett, born Jannary 6, 1905. The Professor is a member of the I. O. O. F.
WILLIAM S. WILLIAMS
One of the most familiar figures among the business men of Seward for nearly thirty years, was English born. He first saw the light at Summersetshire, England, April 1, 1850, and was transplanted to our soil when a lad of eight. He lived in Wisconsin with his parents until he was twenty, when he landed at Lincoln and at Seward in 1875, and was in the employ of Keefer and Lindly in the implement trade. Some- time later he became partner with Ole Whitcomb in the livery business and was interested in that business for twelve years.
It took him a long time to find his girl, but he found her and was married to Miss Edith Purdam of Seward, June 12, 1901. Mrs. Wil- liams was an Illinois girl that came to Seward County with her parents about twenty years ago. Born in 1869.
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