History of western Nebraska and its people, Vol. III, Part 50

Author: Shumway, Grant Lee, 1865-
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., The Western publishing & engraving co.
Number of Pages: 1056

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Mr. Kellums was born in Clay county, Illi- nois, October 29, 1859, being the son of John W. and Margaret (Henry) Kellum, the former was a Hoosier by birth, the latter was born in Ohio. They were reared in their native states,

received the educational advantages there in the public schools and later met and married. To then eight children were born, of whom three survive : John; Ferdinand, living in Illi- nois, and Elizabeth, the wife of John Frazier, a resident of Crosby, North Dakota. The mother, a Baptist in faith, died in 1878. Mr. Kellums was a general farmer in Illinois, and also engaged in stock-raising, an occupation he followed all his active business life. He was a Republican in his political views while his fraternal affiliations were with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. He passed from life at a hale old age in 1915, in Illinois.

John Kellums grew up on his father's farm, received his educational training in the public schools of his district, thus laying the founda- tion for his subsequent business career, as he learned farming from his father at the same time he was under academic discipline. Fol- lowing in the footsteps of his sire he engaged in farming independently upon attaining his majority as this was a business with which he was familiar and one toward which he was nclined by temperament. Hearing of the many opportunities a young man had to obtain good farms in the newer states west of the Mis- souri river he learned all he could about dif- ferent sections of the country and then in 1887 decided to locate in Nebraska. Coming to the Panhandle he filed on a claim in town- ship 22-R 58, section 12, Scottsbluff county, also a homestead in section 2, land which has since come within the irrigated district of this section of the valley. Mr. Kellums was fortunate in the selection of his homestead as practically all his land is now under water rights and he is insured crops every season. Being young and full of vigor and inured to hard work, the young man soon had his land under cultivation, made good and permanent improvements on the place and before his marriage had built a good, comfortable home. As money came in from the sale of his pro- duce and capital permitted, Mr. Kellums bought other tracts near the home place, so that he now owns a full section of land.

On Christmas day, 1889, occurred the mar- riage of Mr. Kellums and Miss Mattie E. Par- ish, a native of Iowa, and to them were born eleven children : Felix Lockwell and Roy W., both at home ; Hazel, married ; Roy Shultz, liv- ing in California ; Clarence, at home : Blanche, the wife of James Robertson, living near home ; Floyd, Ena Frances, Maude, John H., Arthur Temple, Hugh, all at home with their parents. Mr. Kellum is an independent voter, being bound by no close party lines, casting

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his influence in the scale for the man best qualified for office. With his wife he attends the Seventh Day Adventist church while his fraternal affiliations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Kellums can truly be called a self-made man who has made good use of his oppotunities and today is rated as one of the substantial and public spirited men of Scottsbluff county.

CHARLES H. GATLIFF. - As a living example of what resolute work, earnest en- deavor, and perseverance will accomplish, Charles Gatliff stands prominent among the worthy citizens of Scottsbluff county, coming here in 1887, with little capital save that repre- sented by his personal qualities and characteris- tics, he has worked his way uninterruptedly to a position of independence, and his status to- day is that of a substantial citizen and pros- perous agriculturist, though now the sunset years are casting shadows from the crimson west he has disposed of most of his holdings and is living in semi-retirement enjoying the fruits of his long and arduous labors.

Mr. Gatliff was born in Missouri, Septem- ber 21, 1856, being the son of Joseph and Rebeccah (Wakefield) Gatliff, the former a native of the Blue Grass state, while the mother was born and reared in Illinois. Four children were born to them : Charles ; William, living in Custer county, Nebraska; George, who went to Brazil, South America some years ago, and Flossie, deceased. The father was a farmer in Missouri where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life, passing away in 1869, leaving the mother to shoulder the responsibilities of the family and rear her children. She was a worthy woman who died in 1906, whose good deeds were as the num- ber of her days. The family were members of the United Brethren church while the father was a Republican in his political views.

Charles grew up a sturdy lad on his father's farm, received his elementary educational train- ing in the common schools of that state and after the family removed to Iowa finished his schooling there. When old enough he chose farming as his vocation and engaged in that business in Iowa until 1887, but he was ambi- tious to get ahead in the world and desired land of his own and to obtain what he wanted decided to come west and take up government land where there was an opportunity of doing better for himself and his children. Coming to Scottsbluff county he filed on a claim in township 23-58, section 21, where the family was established as soon as a house could be

constructed and the necessary shelter provided for the stock. Those were primitive days in the valley, settlers were few and far apart, distances to trading centers many miles away, but these people of true pioneer stock were not daunted by the hardships and privations that they were forced to endure for a few years and with high courage wintered the bliz- zards and withstood the droughts and insect pests of the early eighties and nineties, and fortune finally smiled upon their efforts. Ir- rigation, the great salvation of this semi-arid climate was established in the Morrill valley, crops were assured, railroads were built up the Platte, money came easier and prosperity was assured to the Gatliffs, who well deserved whatever they had accumulated in a material way, and today this excellent family is highly respected by their neighbors and friends, who regard them as examples of true American citizens.

In 1878, Mr. Gatliff married Miss Elizabeth Phillips, a native of Ohio, who has been a worthy helpmate to her husband during the many years they have been taking a prominent part in the development of this rich valley country. Mr. and Mrs. Gatliff reared an adopt- ed son named Carl Sears, who is now a stock- man in Wyoming. He married Estella Gat- liff. Mr. Gatliff is a staunch adherent of the Republican party. Mrs. Gatliff is a member of the Christian church.

GEORGE A. MUNROE, is a resident of Sioux county where he is well known as a representative citizen and prosperous agricul- turist who is developing large interests.

Mr. Munroe was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada, in 1887, being the son of John and Ann (Nixon) Munroe, the former born in Scotland, while the mother was a na- tive of Ireland. To them were born eight children, five of whom survive: Edward, of Fort Collins, Colorado: John, living in the Province of Quebec ; George; Clarence, also residing at Fort Collins, and Hubert, a farmer of Sioux county. The father of the family was a farmer in Canada all his life, he carried on general farming enterprises and also con- ducted a dairy business. The mother died in 1904, being survived by her husband until 1911, when he was called to the last long rest. They were members of the Presbyterian church while the father was a liberal in his political views.

George was reared on the farm in Canada, attended the common schools near his home, and when old enough began farming on his

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own account. He heard golden tales of the opportunities in the United States and as he felt the lure of the west as well as a spirit of adventure that called loudly, came to Colo- rado in 1905, but remained there only three years as he learned of the fine land to be ob- tained under the homestead act in the Pan- handle and came to Sioux county, filing on a claim in townshin 22, 24-57. The first quarter he soon had under cultivation, made good and permanent improvements that have stood the test of time, though the buildings have been added to since and before his marriage Mr. Munroe built a fine comfortable home. He bought other land near the homestead and today is the owner of a landed estate of two hundred and forty acres of dry land and a quarter section all under irrigation. This makes an excellent combination for general farming and the raising of cattle, a line in which Mr. Munroe has specialized, as he raises nothing but high bred white faces, the best beef stock in the opinion of experts. The high land makes excellent pasture, while that un- der ditch raises grains and the necessary forage crops. Having an abundance of feed, Mr. Munroe has branched out in another line of agricultural industry and buying lambs and sheep from the western growers, feeds them in the winter for from sixty to ninety days, then ships them to eastern markets, making a quick turnover of his money which he has found exceedingly profitable, especially since the war when meat prices advanced to such a high figure. He is not only an advocate of intensive modern farming but is rated as one of the most successful stock-men of the Mor- rill district which has already become well known for its able business men.

Mr. Munroe is a Republican in politics and though he takes no active part in political life, is a man who stands behind every movement that tends to the development of the county and has a high reputation for his integrity and the fulfillment of business obligations.

On December 23, 1913, Mr. Munroe mar- red Miss Lena Huffman, and to them three children have been born: Everett, Grace and George Edward, all at home.

ROBERT G. WALSH, whose standing as a prominent business man of Morrill and lead- ing citizen of Scottsbluff county is high and who has been intimately identified with the material growth and industrial and financial development of the county for many years is now one of the partners of the most popular and largest automobile houses in the valley.

Mr. Walsh was born in Kankakee county, It- linois, April 20, 1886, the only child of Robert and Harriet E. (Richardson) Walsh, the former born in Ireland, while the mother was a native of Illinois. Robert Walsh, Sr. was a farmer in Illinois, also engaging in business as a railroad contractor. In 1879 he came west to Colorado and later removed to Lingle, Wyom- where he became established as a railroad con- tractor, building a part of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad from Chashon to Har- rison in 1886, he was a shrewd man, studied his business opportunities and became one of the rarely successful men of his section at that time. As that was the period when great herds of cattle ranged over the prairies Mr. Walsh became interested in the live-stock business as a side line and achieved a wide reputation as a man able to handle cattle in- dustries as carried on along what was then . the frontier. Now that the sunset years have come and the shadows begin to lengthen from the west, he has retired from active participa- tion in commercial activities and is now spend- ing the later days in retirement, quietly enjoy- ing at Fort Collins, Colorado, the fruits of his earlier endeavors. Mr. Walsh was one of Illinois' gallant adopted sons who responded to President Lincoln's call at the outbreak of the Civil War, serving through some of the hardest campaigns of that memorable con- flict as a member of Company G, Twenty-fifth Illinois infantry and after the war was over returned to the pursuits of peace literally ex- changing the sword for the plough-share. He is a member of the Republican party in his po- litical views, belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic while his fraternal affiliations are with the Masonic order and with the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks. With his wife he attends the Methodist church of which she is a member.

Robert attended the public schools of Illi- nois and after the days of educational disci- pline were over became a farmer, as that was a vocation which appealed to him. In 1886, when a youth of twenty he also came west, to Fort Laramie, as he had become ambitious to be a land owner and learn the cattle busi- ness first hand. With this end in view he joined one of the cattle camps of the great baronial cattle companies and rode range for several years, becoming well acquainted with the livestock business, seeing much of the country and broadening his outlook on life. Like many another man of vision, when settle- ment began to creep up the fertile valleys of the Platte and other great rivers of the prairie

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states, he read the doom of the great cattle firms and realized that the future of this busi- ness was to lie in the hands of the farmer with his smaller holdings who would produce a better grade of beef animal. Reared to farm- ing he now determined to engage in the cattle business on an extensive scale and the first step toward this end was taking up a homested in the Morrill valley in 1891, and this original grant has never passed from his ownership. Farming was a side line, as he specialized in horses and cattle exclusively, raising forage mostly on the arable land. Mr. Walsh became known in the upper valley as one of the phenomenally successful men of his profes- sion ; he made money and today is one of the most substantial men of the district. With the pasing of the horse as a means of trans- portation Mr. Walsh was too progressive to hold to the old ways and old days, and early realized that a great future was before the men who early entered the automobile busi- ness and while he still holds considerable land and raises stock he devotes much of his time to this line as he has formed a partnership with a Mr. Williams and they own the largest garage in Morrill, carrying a fine line of acces- sories and maintaining a fine service, not only for the town but all the surrounding coun- try. Unfailing courtesy, prompt fulfillment of business obligations and integrity have won for the garage and its owners a most gratify- ing clientelle, so that it is a money making proposition. The family are members of the Methodist church while Mr. Walsh votes the Republican ticket and is a member of the Ma- sons.

In January, 1892, Mr. Walsh married Miss Cora M. Akers, of Iowa, and to them seven children have been born: Irene G., the wife of Everett Barclay of Seattle; John G., of Morrill, is an aviator ; Margaret, a teacher at home ; Mildred, at home ; William, a student at the State University; Esther and Ruth, at home.

ELTON GARRETT, is distincly a Nebras- ka product as he was born in Red Willow county in 1883, and today is representative of the best element of the younger generation of progressive farmers who are today making his- tory in the Panhandle and demonstrating that intensive agricultural pursuits under irrigation together with modern methods and equipment is a paying business in this favored section.

Mr. Garrett is the son of Samuel and Esther (Bodwell) Garrett, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume devoted to the

life histories of prominent settlers of the Pan- handle. Elton received his early educational advantages in the public schools of this state, he grew up sturdy and self-reliant as most farm boys do and early learned the lessons of in- dustry and thrift as demonstrated on the home place. When his father went to Fort Collins, Colorado, the youth accompanied him, remain- ing there until 1906, when he came to Sioux county and filed on a quarter section of land in section 20, township 24-57, as he had de- cided to take up farming permanently as a life vocation. Mr. Garrett made improvements on his land, erected necessary buildings and within a short period had his land under culti- vation. Subsequently he found it necessary to relinquish eighty acres but this gave him time to devote more attention to the remainder which was all under irrigation and upon which he has most successfully tried out and proved that intensive farming, as advocated by the farm experts, pays. Mr. Garrett entered into partnership with his brothers to specialize in raising potatoes, under the firm name of Gar- rett Bros., and they have become known widely for their success in this enterprise. Though young in years the brothers are old in ex- perience and their rise in the world as pro- ducers of the second great food product of our land has been due to their devotion to business, keen foresight and executive ability. During the one season of 1917-1918 they ship- ped more than three hundred carload lots of the tuber out of the valley, easily giving them first place as potato men, and today their products vie with the famous Wausau county potatoes of Wisconsin, that have hardly a rival in the field. With the passing years bet- ter buildings have been erected on Mr. Gar- rett's farm, a comfortable, modern home is enjoyed by the family and in addition to his general crops and potatoes he raises pure bred Percheron draft horses and has a good grade of other stock on the place including Duroc Jersey hogs. Mr. Garrett's mother makes her home with her son, being a woman well ad- vanced in years as she has passed her sixty- fifth birthday but is still keen mentally and no one would believe she was not many years younger due to her body vigor, which is that of a much younger woman.

Mr. Garrett is a member of a well known and highly respected family of Sioux county which has contributed liberally to civic and material progress and prosperity and is what may be called the true type of American farm- er, a class that leads the world in production as demonstrated when America was called

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upon to feed the hungry world during the World War. Independent in his views of life it is but natural that Mr. Garrett should be independent as a voter and he is bound by no party lines when he casts his vote but gives his influence for the man best fitted to serve the people, whether county, state or nation.

LAWSON E. MEREDITH, is a represen- tative Sioux county farmer who came of Hoosier stock. He lives in the Morrill district, where since 1905 he has been conducting farm- ing operations on a more or less extensive scale and where he lias made an enviable reputa- tion as a substantial citizen and successful farmer.

Mr. Meredith was born in Indiana in 1865, and is a son of William and Haney (Fansler) Meredith, both natives of the Hoosier state, where they were reared, educated, later met and were married. They are both living to- day in Atlantic, Iowa, at the advanced age of seventy-eight years, having passed that allotted span of the psalmist, three score years and ten, but are mentally as vigorous as people years their junior. William Meredith owned land in Indiana, where he engaged in general agri- cultural pursuits and stock-raising, being suc- cessful along both lines and there was regarded as a successful man. During the Indian troubles on the frontier he enlisted in the service of the government, serving a part of this time in North Dakota, at the time of the uprising there on the reservation.

Lawson E. Meredith was reared on his father's farm, attended the public school near his home and thus gained a good practical edu- cation for his later life. After the school days were over he began independent business life as a farmer in Iowa. In February, 1905 he came to Nebraska and located on a homestead· in section 31, township 23-57, Scottsbluff coun- ty, where the family resided until he moved to Mitchell and disposed of his farm. He is now operating a farm in Sioux county, which he rents and is meeting with good success.

In 1891 Mr. Meredith married Miss Mattie Chizum, of Iowa and to them one child was born, Frank, in the government shops at Mitch- ell. Mr. Meredith is a Republican in his political views, attends the Methodist church of which his wife is a member and his fra- ternal affiliations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

SAMUEL BARTON, one of the substantial and progressive farmers of the Gering district is a native of England, the tight little island

from which the first settlers came and which has furnished the greatest proportion of the best elements of our population, and while he has been a resident of Scottsbluff county more than fifteen years and of the United States since 1872, he retains all the excellent qualities of the English which has made them the col- onizing race of the world.

Mr. Barton was born in 1864, being the son of Frederick and Mary (Tomlinson) Barton, both of whom were born, reared, educated, met and married in the Island of Great Britain. Frederick Barton was an ambitious man, and having a large family he saw no future for them in the mother country ; he read and also heard of the fine opportunities to secure land for the taking in America, determined that both for himself and his children he would emigrate. Breaking all the dear associations that bound them to the land of their birth Mr. and Mrs. Barton accompanied by the children sailed for the United States, then the land of promise to so many people of European birth who desired land of their own. After reach- ing our shores the Barton family came west, locating in Iowa, where the father bought land and established himself in general farm industries. In addition to raising diversified crops he engaged in stock-raising as conducted at that period and became a man of substance and weight in his community, passing the remainder of his days there, as did the mother, both are now deceased. There were eighteen children in the Barton family, seven of whom are living today, so that young Samuel grew up on his father's farm sturdy and self reliant, used to the give and take of a large family and at an early age was well qualified to hold his own against anyone not his senior or stronger. He attended the public schools of his district, thus gaining a good practical education of ines- timable value to him in later life. Having worked on the home place he acquired a prac- tical knowledge of agricultural business meth- ods and when he was old enough to establish himself independently in business chose farm- ing as a vocation with which he was acquaint- ed and also one compatible with his tastes. Mr. Barton became a well known and substantial representative of the farming element of Iowa where he remained until 1903. In the mean- time, he had .kept abreast of the progress be- ing made in agriculture all over the country and when a satisfactory offer was made him for his home place disposed of it and came to the Panhandle, as he had become convinced that irrigation was to establish farming upon a stable basis, not possible when rain was de-

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pended upon for water. Mr. Barton purchased one hundred and sixty-four acres of land in section one, township five, Scottsbluff county, where the family were soon established and he himself engaged in general farming opera- tions and the rearing of high bred stock, as he believed the greatest returns were obtained from thoroughbreds. He has specialized in Holstein cattle, owning the grandson of Ragap- pe, the bull famous among registered stock and also the daughter of King of Pontiac, who sold a short time ago for $100,000. As a side line he raises hogs of Duroc Jersey breed, so that all his animals are either of pure strain or else very high grades. Mr. Barton has been markedly successful since coming to the Pan- handle and today is one of the largest raisers and shippers of this section. His farm is modern in every way as he uses modern meth- ods and the last and most improved machinery for lightening labor and increasing production. Mr. Barton is a Democrat in politics while his fraternal affiliations are with the Ancient Or- der of United Workmen.

On June 17, 1888, Mr. Barton married Miss Mary Heft, and to them nine children have been born: Harry Clay, with his father, work- ed for a time in the First National Bank ; Mary, the wife of L. R. Wright of Scotts- bluff county ; Eunice, married R. G. Neely, register of deeds of Scottsbluff county ; Daisy, the wife of Ray Irley; Chester, on the home place; Ruth in the county treasurer's office ; Samuel, Robert and Helen, all at home.

CYRUS D. COOPER has proved himself the possessor of a large amount of that excel- lent manhood and that self-reliance, which united with perseverence and industry, have enabled him to become one of the valued men of Scottsbluff county.

Mr. Cooper was born in Union county, Iowa, in 1856, the some of Amos C. and Ruth Aman- da (Thurlow) Cooper, the former a Buckeye by birth, being reared and educated in the ex- cellent public schools of Ohio, where he en- gaged in farming after his academic career closed. Subsequently Mr. Cooper removed to Missouri and later still to Iowa, where he bought land and became one of the prosperous and progressive farmers of his locality, being engaged in raising general farm products and a good grade of cattle. There was a good stream of water on his land and he soon realiz- ed that this could be turned to profit in water power, with this end in view he constructed a dam across the stream, erected a mill and after the initial outlay had a good paying business

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History of western Nebraska and its people, Vol. III, Part 50

Author: Shumway, Grant Lee, 1865- Publication date: 1921 Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., The Western publishing & engraving co. Number of Pages: 1056

Author: Shumway, Grant Lee, 1865-
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., The Western publishing & engraving co.
Number of Pages: 1056