USA > Nebraska > Seward County > History of Seward County, Nebraska, and reminiscenses of territorial history > Part 52
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Mr. Williams has for many years been engaged in buying and sell- ing horses. Has for a quarter of a century had an important part with our Agricultural Society and held many important positions in the so- ciety. He is now Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors.
Seal, as we all call him, is an all-around good and valuable citizen. Has a membership in the Modern Woodman.
PROF. GEORGE WELLER
Principal of the Lutheran Normal Seminary of Seward for ten yers. Was born in the city of New Orleans in 1860. Shortly after the
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war closed and during the re-construction period his parents moved to New York City and when George was a lad of seven summers they moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where the boy received training in the parochial school and at fourteen he entered Concordia College and grad- nated at twenty, then he took a thelogical course at the Lutheran The- ological College at St. Louis. Then the young man came to Seward County in 1882 and began his ministerial career at Marysville, where he served the Church twelve years and then was elected to the princi- palship of the new institution where he has done faithful and valuable work to this date. The Professor formed the acquaintance and married Miss Clara Eirick in 1882 and to their union have been born eight bright children all of whom make their home with their parents, although John follows teaching of late.
Their names are John, Hulda, George. Elsie, Helen, Annie, Paul and Raymond. They have a nice home in the college addition to Seward.
Hon. Henry H. Wilson
An Ohio lad that found the western trail at seventeen and when transplanted on the fertile soil of Nebraska began a vigorous growth and today he is one of Nebraska's prominent baristers. Henry was born in old Sandusky County, where the white caps of Lake Erie lash the shore, January 1, 1854.
In 1871 he was a farmer boy in Saunders County and in 1873 we find him at our state university, where he graduated in the class of 1878 with honors. When he became identified with the people of Seward as principal of the high school, where his good work for two years caused his name to be well remembered by a great host of friends. In 1881, he had completed his law studies sufficiently to be a lmitted to practice in all the courts of Nebraska. In 1895, he became Grand Master of
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the Masonic Fraternity in Nebraska. He is a thirty-third degree Mason. Has held the honored position as a lecturer on law in the university for fifteen years last past.
Found his helpmeet in Miss Emma Parks and was married, June 22, 1882, at Lincoln. She was an Iowa girl born at Agency City, June 23, 1856. They have five children, viz: Henry P., who died December 9, 1883, Helen, Edith, Ralph P. and Walter F. In 1902 Mr. Wilson was a prominent candidate before the Republican convention for Governor. Mr. Wilson is one of the presidential electors for Nebraska and was chosen president of the electoral college.
CHARLES H. WERTMAN
Was a native of Lee County, Illinois, born January 9, 1852. He was raised on the banks of that beautiful Rock river near Dixon and there he found Miss Sarah C., daughter of J. B. Courtright and they were married, June 13, 1876, at the old home of the Courtrights. She was a Dixon girl, born October 27, 1853. They have five children, viz : Harry J., a physician at Milford ; Thomas H., a pharmacist at Seward ; Clarence C., Mary C. and Willard L.
They came to the present home in section 13 in "N" town in March, 1884. Mr. Wertman is a farmer and stockman. Is a member of M. W. A. and Maccabees. Church home is with M. E. people at Milford.
JACOB A. WILSEY
Came from the land of milk and cheese in Columbia County, New York, where the boys are born with a milk bucket in one hand and milk stool in the other. Ile came to life and light August 21, 1828. He was raised among the rocky hills of two states New York and Pennsyl- vania. He and Miss Alia M. Kilmer were married at Hide Park, Pennsylvania, June 15, 1853, and June 15, 1903, there was a beautiful golden wedding at the Wilsey home in west "O" precinct. Mrs. Wil- sey was born, October 17, 1833, in the old Keystone state. They have eight children, viz: Donglass L., Walter A., Jerman L., Alia B., now dead ; Katy M., Walker, Minnie D., Connelly, Frank J. and Dallye B.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilsey came to the present home in the spring of 1868, and were among the first of the noble hand of pioneers to lay foundations in this wilderness and we rejoice with their host of friends that it is given them to yet live to see the waste places made glad and the wilderness transformed into a land of beautiful homes. Long live our old friends the Wilseys. Their church home is with the Evangel- ical people. On coming to Seward County he resided at Camden where he worked in both grist mill and saw mill. It was there he sawed the lumber for his house in "West O," out of native timber. After mov- ing there he worked at the carpenter trade, He helped build the mill at West Mills.
853
903
The J. A. Wilsey Golden Wedding
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
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HENRY WATSON
Born at Hilsdale, Michigan, December 2, 1854. Parents moved to Dubuque County, Iowa, when Henry was a babe. There he grew to manhood and received his education. In 1873, he came to Seward. Married Miss Mertie Darwin, a young lady from Michigan, where she was born in 1873. The marriage occurred in 1894. In 1897, she died leaving an infant child which in a few weeks followed her to the grave and the bereaved husband and father was left to "tread the wine press alone. "
Mr. Watson is an honored member of the Maccabees order and is sargeant. He is a man of industry and strict integrity and has the respect of all who know him.
ALLEN J. WEAVER
One of the go-ahead business men of Milford, who came there when a boy and worked for wages for years in the windmill and pump busi- ness and had the grit to stick close to his business until he became sole proprietor of the present flourishing windmill and pumphouse, in 1903. . Mr. Weaver was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. April 12, 1867. Edncated in the common schools of his native community, and married in 1890, to Miss Ruth A. Haverstock, of Milford, who came from Larporte, Indiana. in childhood with her parents. Two children bless the home, Daniel A. and Harriet E. Mr. Weaver came to Milford in 1886. Is a member of the Congregational church and belongs to the A. O. U. W. and is financier of the Maccabees.
HENRY C. WICKHAN
Here was a lad who took a curious road from his old Iowa home to reach Nebraksa. Born in Johnson County, in 1844, but the old folks went to Henderson County, Illinois while Henry was a babe, so he was not to blame. Was educated there and strange to say took the eastern trail and landed in the Hoosier state and remained four years, but soon caught sight of the star of Empire and the east could no longer hold him. Next we find the lad driving an ox team for the government on the Overland trail. Then he has all the exciting experiences of a range rider on the plains for twelve years. The story of his ventures is too long for us to write. In 1890, came to Milford and became an anc- tioneer of wide repute. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the Woodman of America.
Mr. Wickhan claims to have assisted in building the first bridge on the Loup river as he journeyed to Montana in 1886. Married Miss Mattie Bush in 1886. Three children were born to them, Charles, Jessie M., died August 17, 1891, and Mary G. at home.
BAYARD WICKERSHAM
One of om old soldier boys, born in Ohio, west township, Columbia County, September 21, 1839. He tread the blue clay hills till the war
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came on. In 1861, June 16th, he married Miss Elizabeth Orr, at East Rochester, Ohio. She was born August 3, 1844, at New Lynn township Chester County, Pennsylvania. They have six children, viz: Lewis B , Amelia H., Lydia C., Allen M., Walter B. and Ada M. Lewis B. died January 22, 1898.
Mr. Wickersham enlisted September 3, 1864, in Company I., 178 Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was in the last battle of Nashville. Was dis- charged at Charlotte, North Carolina, June 28, 1865. Came to Seward County, in 1889, and settled on southwest quarter section 14 in "G" town, where he has a very desirable and valuable farm.
JOHN A. WHITTER
Born in Fulton County, Pennsylvania, in 1868. When a babe in 1870, his parents came to Filmore County, Nebraska, where the child grew to manhood and received his education and learned his trade. In 1900, came to Beaver Crossing and bought the McWilliams shop, where he is conducting a general blacksmithing business .. We had the plea- sure of examining some very fine work done in his shop on the Evans well machine.
Mr. Whitter is a public spirited man of enterprise. He is Senior Deacon in the A. F. and A. M., is member of I. O. O. F. also Vice Grand, is member of Ben Hur order and has the character of "Ben Hur." Was a soldier in the Spanish American war. Was at Manilla sixteen months with Nebraska 1st regiment and helped to take the city. Was in many close quarters and in many engagements with the treacherous natives. Part of the time was in Moro Island and saw some tough times. Was promoted from the ranks to office of Corporal, in 1898. John came home with a good record. Is a member of the Christian church.
WILLIAM H. WHITENOCK
Happened to be born in the Hoosier state but did not stay there very long. Had somehow found his way to Buchannan County, Iowa, where he spent his youthful days. Was born February 21, 1855, and finally landed at Milford in 1887. On his thirty-first birthday February 21, 1886, he captured a Milford girl, Miss Emma Comberr, on her birth- day, February 2, 1866. She was born in cool Minnesota. There have been born to them six children, viz: Clara M., now Mrs. Wm. Hurt ; William H., John F., Etha, died in infancy, Maggie and Edith. Mr. Whitenock is at this time handling poultry and eggs and resides seven miles east of Seward.
JOHN WARDSBY
Born at North Burton in Yorkshire, England in 1844, March 6th. His ancestry was of the grand old Scottish blood. There he remained until middle age but as soon as possible he turned his face toward the new world and came with his family to Nebraska in 1882, where larger
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and better opportunities awaited him. He lived for a time in Seward, also Germantown and in 1886, he located in "K" precinct, where he still resides. Was married in his native home to Miss Anna Rivis in 1869. Six children were born to them, one an infant was laid away at the old home, Margaret, now Mrs. Ed Gibbs; Sarah, was Mrs. Boyes who died six years ago ; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Ribbilet ; Isabel, now Mrs. Aug. Miller, and Polly now Mrs. L. Fattien. The good old people have for many years belonged to the M. E. church. Mr. Wardsby has been a farmer and stock raiser about all his years in Nebraska. The old people have acted well their part in life and are fully entitled to the kindest regards of their many friends.
Henry Wortendyke
One of the earliest settlers near Milford and one of the leading and successful men of the county. Was born April 6, 1828, in Ontario County, New York. While a young lad his parents moved to Genesee County. In 1851 he got his eye fixed upon the Star of Empire and fol- lowed it to Chicago. While there he secured a position with the gov- ernment and was employed to help locate a national road in Minnesota Territory from St. Paul to Crow Wing, also one from St. Paul to Still- water. After this service he returned to Chicago and for several years was engaged in a merchantile house. Then we find him at Dixon, Illi- nois, selling goods for a couple of years, when that star again attracted his eye and this time it led him to Nebraska and he settled on a farm
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in Cass County near Weeping Water. Three years later, he caught the gold fever and went to the mountains where his efforts were well re- warded. He found some gold.
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In 1866, he returned to Nebraska and took a homestead near the new town of Milford. He helped to build the first mill at Milford and later the one at Wests Mills on the West Blue. Was fortunate in finding a brave young widow lady, who had the nerve to take Greeley's advice, "Come west and get a homestead." Mrs. Emely J. Badgley and he were married in 1867. To the union were born three children, two of whom yet live in Seward County, Mrs. Diantha Bacon of Ruby and John O. now of Ulysses. Henry J. died at the age of fifteen.
Mrs. Emely J. Wortendyke
Mr. Wortendyke was elected Probate judge in 1868, and was consid- ered a good. faithful officer. He was a wide-awake energetic business man, always ready and willing to help enterprises that would help his community or county and was very charitably inclined. He and his noble wife helped to organize the M. E. church at Milford and he re- inained a valuable member while he lived and his widowed wife is now a member of the official board of the church. About fifteen years ago Mr. and Mrs W. moved to Lincoln on account of some business rela- tions where they resided for nine years, but they finally returned to
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their first love and they have for many years made Milford the family home. During the awful heated term of 1901, Mr. Wortendyke was ov- ercome by the heat and this caused his death. In his death the church lost one of its best members, the community one of its noblest citizens. Mrs. Wortendyke still lives at the old home in Milford and spends her declining years in the Master's service.
Miss Emely J. Brown was born at Fayetteville, Brown County, Ohio, April 2, 1838. In 1851 with her parents she had a long pleasure ride overland to Pike Connty, Illinois. She was married in 1859 to David J. Badgley. One son was born to them, Willis. In 1861, Mr. Badgley enlisted and was killed in the service. In 1864 the young widow and little son came to Nebraska with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Brown and located temporarily near Nebraska City. In the spring the family all came to Seward County and Mrs. Badgley took a homestead just east of Milford. Her father took his homestead two miles north of Milford. Mrs. Badgley had a dugont built for her first residence where she and Willis lived happily, just like the rest of the neighbors. Octo- ber 26, 1867, she married Judge Henry Wortendyke. (See his biography preceding. ) She now lives in the village of Milford and spends her time pleasantly in church and charitable work.
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Stites Wooley
Came pretty near being an ancient Nebraskan as he came to Ne- braska City in 1855, from Cincinnati, where he was born in 1807. He learned the trade of brick mason and there worked on the walls of the
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city till his removal to Nebraska. Was married in 1839, to Miss Mary A. Stevenson, a lady of English birth. She was born at London in 1811. Mr. Wooley laid many of the first foundations of Nebraska City. His first work was on the walls of the First M. E. church there and when the walls were near completion a gale(such as we have occasionally ) blew the walls down and Mr. Wooley went with the brick and with a brick in one hand which struck him in the forehead, he was landed among the debris just by the gate of kingdom come, but he had more brick to lay and he didn't enter the gate although it was ajar for him. He returned to his native city got the wife and babies together and brought them west when he rebuilt those walls. He also built the first Presbyterian church, the Methodist Protestant and the Catholic churches.
Mrs. Stites Wooley
He took a homestead on section 15, town 11, range 3 east, near Sew- ard's future site in 1864, but could not occupy it till the year 1865. He laid the first bricks in the new town, the foundation of the First Pres- byterian church; next work was on the old printing office on Jackson Avenue, yet standing and occupied as a carpenter shop. Later he built a large store building for Joel Tishue.
To Mr. and Mrs. Wooley were born eight children, four boys and four daughters, viz: Alfred, died in infancy, another died in early in- fancy, Amelia, now Mrs. S. C. Ross, Oliver, Henry, and Frederic. Mr. and Mrs. Wooley were very efficient and worthy members of the Pres-
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byterian church and helped to organize the church at Seward. Mr. Wooley died December 10, 1887, and his good wife followed him Janu- ary 10, 1899. Full of labors and full of years they have gone to rest.
BIRNEY S. WISE
Who has lived in only thirteen states. Was a Michigan boy born at Oakland, December 3, 1846. Somehow in his rambles he found the right girl, Miss Ida Green, in old Stevenson County, Illinois, at the little old town of Davis, near the Pecatonica river. They were married at Freeport, July 14, 1875. They have two boys, Victor W. and Guy E.
Mr. Wise was wise enough to look up a home in Seward County, nine miles southeast of Seward, before his marriage, coming in 1873 and returned to Illinois after his bird in 1875. He belongs to the A. O. U. W. Has sold the old home and got a better one near Pleasant Dale, where happiness reigns supreme. Mr. Wise is a jolly good fellow, but not half so good as his noble partner. They are valuable citizens.
Horace Wolvin
A prominent farmer and stockman of "E" precinct. Was born, May 31, 1851, in St. Clair County, Michigan. Spent three of his young years in the state of New York, when he returned to his native state where he married Miss Francis M. Miller, November 28, 1876, in Oak-
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land County. The young folks caught sight of the bright star in the west and followed it in 1877 to Seward County. They bought rail road land at $? per acre and although they have used it all these years they think it might be sold for more money now. We think so to Four children now bless the home, viz: Arthur C., Grace, Nina and Ray- mond. Four died in infancy.
Mrs. Horace Wolvin
Mr. Wolvin is a great admirer of red pigs and has a fine herd of them. He is a Modern Woodman and also belongs to the Modern Bro- therhood and Royal Neighbors. Mrs. Wolvin is a member of the Bap- tist church. They have one of the Seward County beautiful homes on state road three miles east of Utica.
WILLIAM H. F. WORTHMAN
One of our most enterprising contractors and builders. Was born in Germany, Novemer 27, 1845. Landed in New York, May 6, 1862. Had learned the masons trade in the Fatherland. Located in Sioux County. Wisconsin. He spent much time at his trade in Chicago. Was married in June, 1867, to Miss Dora Kruse. She was born in Germany, June 20, 1851 and came to this country in 1863. Five children were born to them,
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viz: William, Augusta, Edward, Lewis and Henry. Mr. and Mrs. Worthman are members of the Lutheran church at Seward. He is a wide-awake business man, not only a contractor and builder, but is largely interested in the manufacture of brick a mile below Seward where he and his son have a large plant and do an extensive business.
Mrs. Worthman passed away in the winter of 1905. Worthman and Son have lately erected a new draw brick kiln described on another page.
FREDERICK RICE WOOLEY
A pioneer boy in Nebraska and also of Seward County. Was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1848. December 23d. His parents were among the very early settlers at Nebraska City, making their home there in 1856. There in that frontier town Fred spent his boyhood days. In 1863, while yet only a lad of fifteen, he drove a freight team to the mountains. In 1866, he helped cut and stack a great lot of hay on con- tract in Kansas. Made his first visit to this locality in the autumn of 1864 and participated in the first election held in the county. They would not let the kid vote but they let him sit in the front end of his father's covered wagon and hold the ballot box, (a cigar box), while the men did the voting. In 1865 the family located on section 15, G town, and this became the boy's home where he helped open the farm.
He homesteaded his farm, December 23, 1869, the day he became twenty-one. Married Miss Celia Burkman, February 25, 1873. They are the parents of nine children as follows: Phil, now of Bighorn val- ley, Ora, Clara, now deceased, Herbert, Iva, Ethel, Cecil, Floyd and Victor. Mr. Wooley improved his farm and made it his home for many years, later he became interested in the brick business with his father, and for the last eight years has been in the coal trade. Some years ago he put up a nice brick block on the west side of the square.
Mr. Wooley has seen all sides of pioneer life in Nebraska and on the plains. He has many a time chased cattle through the tall grass and weeds, bare footed, slept out on the prairie nights and cooked his dinner over a cow chip fire. He helped at the fording Blue river of the first train that ever crossed at Milford when the river was tollerably high and Fred had to ride a refractory steer over the current. The company had been met by that prince of frontiersman, J. L. Davison. who piloted them to his ranch and across the untrodden wilderness of prairie to the spot where Milford now stands. The ford is about half way beween the bridge and the mill. This was at the opening of the steam wagon road, which became noted as a cut off road across the plains.
JACOB WEBER
Down among the rocks and hills of old Erie County, New York, Jacob was born May 30, 1842. He played on the pebbly beach of Lake Erie, worked on the stumpy old farm and attended school in the little
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red school house. Jacob was an enterprising lad and at twenty-two he invaded Canada, and captured another prize for Uncle Sam.
At Fort Erie right under the frowning guns, he captured Miss Bar- bara Neff, September 13, 1864. She was a Canadian girl born in Wel- land County, October 3, 1845. They had nine children as follows, Otto T., Willard M., Charles F., Alonzo J., Sarah M., now Mrs. A. C. Bennett; Alice F., Fidella, now dead ; William C., and Cora I., now dead. The family came west in 1866 and settled in Marshall County, Iowa, and came to Seward County in 1884 and bought the Foreman farm in "J" precinct, which they have improved and made beautiful and valuable.
CALVIN J. WRIGHT
A large and enterprising stock farmer of "B" precinct, is one of Se- ward County's best builders. Was born in Portage County; Ohio, in 1834. Was in his early manhood a merchant and later a photographer. He, like so many bright young men of that period, canght the western fever mov- ing to Marshall County, Indiana in 1861. Here during the war he was a detective officer for the government. Married Miss Elizabeth Church, in Madison County, Iowa, in Winterset, January 1, 1856, and it the good old folks can come to an agreement there will be another wedding Jan- nary Ist next, provided the candidates live to see the happy day. There were born to them three children, viz: Edgar of Los Aangeles, Cali- fornia, Etta now Mrs. Terwilliger of Bee and G. M. Wright of Bee.
Mr. Wright came to Seward County in 1879, and has improved a large farm near the town of Bee, where he has taken great pains in the production of fine hogs and cattle. Mr. Wright is among our most thorough going farmers and has pushed his business very successfully. Takes great interest in the improvement and advancement of the county. Always generous and kindhearted, full of life and energy. One thing shows to the credit of Mr. Wright is that while he is an un- compromising democrat, yet this strong republican county gave him a handsome majority for the state senate in the fall of 1886 and he proved one of the most able members that we have ever had to represent us in that body. Mr. Wright is a member of long standing in the noble order of Free and Accepted Masonry and has held many honorable positions in that fraternity.
ABRAHAM C. WRIGHT
Came to Milford in 1883, and has built up a most pleasant home. He was an old timer in Nebraska having come to Rulo in 1860, and while sojourning there as a stranger his vote was badly wanted in a county seat contest and the proprietor of Rulo townsite was liberal and said. Abe, you go and vote with ns and a deed of that lot will be made to you. So Abe voted and took the deed, but went back east for ten years ; when he happened at Table Rock and a fellow came to him and offered sixty dollars for the lot, and of course Abe made him a deed to the lot he had never seen.
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Mr. Wright was born, May 1, 1838, at Quincy, Illinois, but grew up in Clinton County, Iowa. Married Miss Celinda L. Walrod a native of Iowa. She was born October 1, 1845. Five children were born to them. Their son John was killed at the Milford mill in 1900, November 8th, Riley, Eva, now Mrs. Chas. Crick ; Orr, who died in 1884 and Webb. Mr. Wright could have bought of the best land in Richardson County, in 1860, at one dollar per acre, but he had not yet much faith in Nebraska.
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