USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Lincoln > Lincoln, the capital city and Lancaster County, Nebraska, Volume II > Part 25
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On the 25th of June, 1906, Mr. Quantock was married to Miss Pearl Blocher, of Sedalia, Missouri, and they became the parents of a daughter, Mabel, who was born in May, 1908, and died in the same month. Mr. Quantock supports the democratic party by his ballot and keeps well informed as to the questions before the public. Hle has served as a member of the town board for three years and for a similar period of time has been a member of the public library board and for six years served on the school board. He is a member of the Seventh Day Adventist church and is a member of the Christian Record Board. He has gained a large measure of financial prosperity, owns a comfortable resi- dence here and also holds title to a business block, from the rent of which he derives a gratifying addition to his income. He is well and favorably known not only in College View but throughout the county and those who have been closely associated with him hold him in warm regard.
ROBERT A. HUSTON.
Robert A. Huston, who is successfully engaged in farming on section 36, Grant precinct, was born in Ohio on the 25th of May, 1860, a son of James and Elizabeth Huston, also natives of Ohio. The father farmed in that state and in Missouri until 1876, when he came to Lancaster county. where he followed agricultural pursuits for many years but in foof retired and is now living in
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Cheney, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. The mother, who also sur- vives, is eighty-six years old.
Robert A. Iluston accompanied his parents to Missouri when ten years of age and a few years later came with them to Lancaster county, where he grew to manhood. He received a public school education and, assisting his father, became familiar with practical agricultural methods, this training well fitting him to farm on his own account. When twenty-five years old he left home and began operating a tract of land which he had previously purchased and which comprises his present home. He also farmed a rented place. lle was so occupied until 1904, when he removed to his farin of eighty acres which is located on section 36, Grant precinct. He has since lived there and has brought the place to a high state of development, crecting practically every building upon the farm and making many other improvements which have added to its value and attractiveness. He raises grain and stock and his well directed labors are rewarded by a good return.
In 1886 Mr. Huston was united in marriage to Miss Mary Johnson, a daughter of Lacy and Lydia (Curson) Johnson. Her parents were born in England but in 1851 came to America and located in New York, whence in 1879 they came to Lancaster county. They lived retired with their children from that time until they were called by death, the mother's demise occurring in Feb- ruary, 1893, and the father's in 1910. Mrs. Iluston was born in Orleans county, New York, on the 24th of April, 1865, and by her marriage has become the mother of four children, namely: Beulah, the wife of C. E. Cummings, a farmer of Grant precinct; Waldo, at home; Rachel, the wife of A. J. Peterson, a farmer of Grant precinct : and Lucy, at home.
Mr. Huston exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and has held local offices, having served for six years as precinct assessor, for twelve years as director of the school board, and also as constable. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Work- men and his religious faith is that of the United Brethren church. He has won a substantial measure of prosperity and has also gained the unqualified respect of all who have been brought in contact with him, for his life has been guided by the highest moral standards.
W. BELDEN WILLIAMS.
Seventy-five years have been added to the cycle of the centuries since W. Belden Williams started upon life's journey. Ile belongs to that class, however, who may be said to be not "seventy-five years old" but "seventy-five years young." He is a member of a little company known as the "Jolly Eight," a company com- prised of four veterans of the Civil war who were members of the Twentieth lowa Infantry and their wives, and the name which they have chosen, well expresses the good times which they have at their various "reunions." MIr. Williams is also numbered among the pioneer settlers of Nebraska.
His birth occurred in Yewark, New Jersey iu 1840. His parents being Charles C. and Eliza (Miller ) Willianis, also natives Bf eg. ny. HIGHQSQft Gorier of Welsh
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descent and the latter of German lineage. In 1843 they settled at Davenport, Iowa, where the father died during the cholera epidemic of 1852. His wife sur- vived for more than a quarter of a century and passed away in Creston, Nebraska, in 1878.
W. Belden Williams was taken to lowa during his early childhood and was reared in Scott county, there remaining until August 25, 1862, when his patriotic spirit was aroused by the continued attempt of the south to overthrow the Union and on that date he joined the boys in blue of Company D, Twentieth Iowa Vol- unteer Infantry, with which he served continuously, except from fall of 1863 to fall of 1864, when he was on detached service, until honorably discharged at Mobile, Alabama, July 8, 1865, following the close of hostilities. He participated in the battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, in the siege of Vicksburg and the charge on Fort Blakeley. When the war ended he returned to Iowa.
In 1872 Mr. Williams came to Nebraska and secured a homestead in Colfax county, where he engaged in farming for many years. Later he carried on farming in Platte county and afterward in Polk county, and in 1896 he retired to Lincoln, since which time he has been variously employed. He was one of the pioneer settlers who experienced the hardships wrought by prairie fires, by the grasshopper scourge, by rains and drouths.
Mr. Williams was married at Creston, Nebraska, in 1879, to Miss Mary Steele, who was born at Lewiston, Illinois, and when ten years of age removed to Pennsylvania. She homesteaded land in Platte county, Nebraska, as did her brother, and her marriage was celebrated in the little sodhouse on her claim, which they occupied a few weeks thereafter. Mr. and Mrs. Williams became parents of two daughters: Clella, who married Henry Bartels, and Eliza, but both now lie buried in Wyuka cemetery in Lincoln.
Mr. Williams cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln when at the front in 1864 and has always been a stanch advocate of the republican party. He and his wife are members of the Second Presbyterian church, and he belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic. He looks to be a man of about fifty years more than one who has passed the seventy-fifth milestone, for his hair is but slightly sprinkled with gray and he is well preserved. He deserves all the honor and credit which are due the old soldiers who fought for the supremacy of the national government and preserved the Union intact.
SAMUEL HENRY HECKMAN.
Samuel Henry Heckman, who is living retired in Hickman, Saltillo precinct, is a representative of one of the earliest pioneer families of the county and has witnessed the greater part of the development of this region from a pioneer district to the prosperous and highly developed farming section that it is today. His birth occurred in Brunswick, Chariton county, Missouri, on the 6th of September, 1851, and he is a son of Conrad and Mary ( Dierking) Heckman. His father was born in Osnabrück, Hanover. Germany, on the 12th of December, 1810, and after completing his education followed agricultural pursu'ts in his native country. After farming for a time he went to Rotterdam, Holland,
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where he took an academic course, and while there the American Bible Society sent a call for two German ministers to preach to Germans who had settled in Missouri and he came to this country to fill that need. He had not only acquired a thorough education in the schools but he had also traveled extensively over Europe, thus gaining much valuable knowledge and broadening his sympathies. It was in 1848 that he emigrated to America with his family and settled at Brunswick, Missouri. He preached there and at many other points in the state, traveling up and down the Missouri river until 1861. Hle then removed 10 Nemaha county, Nebraska, where he continued his work as a minister, first locating on Big Muddy creek near the site of the town of Auburn. In 1865 he took up his residence at Plattsmouth and later lived at Nebraska City, where he remained until the spring of 1867, when he came to Lancaster county on account of failing eyesight. Here he purchased a half section of land lying on sections 33 and 34, Saltillo precinct. Although his farm had no improvements and had not even been broken he at once set about to bring it to a high state of cultivation and as the years passed it increased steadily in value. Later in 1867 he purchased for six hundred dollars an additional one hundred an sixty acres on section 34 from a Mr. Brown, who had homesteaded the place. On removing to this county the family had taken up their residence in a little log house which stood on land adjoining Mr. Heckman's farm, intending to live there only until he could erect a better dwelling. Mr. Brown had built. quite a comfortable house on his place and after purchasing it Mr. Heckman removed with his family to that house. Later he built an addition to his residence, his son Samnel H. felling trees and hauling the logs to Lancaster, now Lincoln, where they were made into boards, and then hauling the lumber back to the farm and aiding in the erection of the addition. Conrad II. Heckman was very successful as a farmer and as the result of his careful management and industry he gained a substantial competence. In 1880 he erected a fine frame residence upon his farm, in which he lived until 1888, when he retired from active life. removing to Hickman. He purchased a home in the town and passed his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned leisure, dying in 1892. Ilis remains are interred in the cemetery at Hickman. In 1872, when the Atchison & Nebraska Railroad was building a line through Lancaster county, he gave the company forty acres of land for a townsite and the corporation platted this tract and developed the town. In return for Mr. Heckman's gift they deeded him every other lot and intended to name the place in his honor, but through some mistake it was called Hickman instead of Heckman. Mrs. Heckman, who bore the maiden name of Mary Dierking, was born in Hanover, Germany, a daughter of Henry Dierking, who later migrated to America.
Samuel H. Heckman attended the common schools of Nebraska City in the acquirement of his education and after putting aside his textbooks worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-one years of age. lle then homesteaded eighty acres of land on section 32, precinct 7, range 7. in what is now South Pass precinct, Lancaster county. He devoted his time to the improvement of his land and later purchased three adjoining eighty acre tracts and also one hundred and sixty acres in Gage county, Nebraska, and four hundred and eighty acres in Hand county, South Dakota, near Wessington. He has made excellent improve- ments upon all of his right odgryMicrosofa@ation, deriving
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therefrom a handsome income. He resided upon his homestead here from 1872 until the Ist of January, 1915, when he bought a fine modern home in Hickman, where he is now living retired.
Mr. Heckman was married at Hickman on the toth of March, 1878, to Miss Louisa Augusta Philipsen, a daughter of Moldt and Henrietta ( Henningsen ) Philipsen, natives of Germany. They resided in that country until 1874, when they crossed the Atlantic to America and making their way to the middle west, located upon a farm near Hickman, where they still live. Mr. and Mrs. Ileckman have become the parents of nine children : Conrad Henry, who died in infancy ; Cecelia, the wife of Alexander Balderson, a farmer of Gage county, Nebraska ; George Edward, who is also farming in Gage county : Marie, the wife of Edward Wehrli, a farmer of Lancaster county; Carl, cashier of the First State Bank of Ilickman ; Albert, who is farming in this county; Henry Frederick, who is also farming in Lancaster county; Edmund Lawrence, a high school student ; and Lillian, also in school.
Mr. Heckman is a stanch advocate of republican principles and since attaining his majority has supported that party at the polls. For thirty years he served as school director of district No. 48, South Pass precinct, and during that time worked constantly for educational advancement. He is a consistent member of the Lutheran church and his many fine qualities have gained him a high place in the esteem of those who know him. As a farmer he was thoroughly practical and energetic, and the financial independence which he now enjoys is but the merited reward of his well directed efforts. He is also identified with banking circles, being president of the First State Bank of Hickman.
CHARLES P. ANDERSON.
Charles P. Anderson, who owns and manages a shoe store in Waverly, has the distinction of being the oldest business man in the town and has secured a large and lucrative patronage. His birth occurred in Sweden on the 23d of January, 1854, and his parents were Andreas and Christina ( Nelson) Peterson, who were lifelong residents of that country, where the father engaged in farming.
Charles P. Anderson, who is the second in order of birth in a family of six children, received his education in the schools of his native land and remained at home until he was nineteen years of age, when he began learning the shoe- maker's trade. On attaining his majority he entered the Swedish army, where he received military training for two years. After he completed his term of service he again turned his attention to shoemaking and conducted quite a large business, employing five men. In 1883, however, when about twenty-nine years of age, he emigrated to America and after working for three months in a brickyard, engaged in the shoe business at Jacksonville, Illinois, where he remained for three years. At the end of that time, he removed to Waverly, Nebraska, where he has since remained. He has witnessed practically the entire development of the town and has always been found among the leaders in movements seeking the public advancement. owns the property in which
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his store is located and his business represents a considerable investment as he carries a large and up-to-date stock of high class shoes. He has been very suc- cessful as a merchant and is in excellent circumstances. Aside from his business property he owns an attractive residence in Waverly.
Mr. Anderson was united in marriage in October, 1881, to Miss Christina Swanson, who was born in the same section of Sweden as her husband. Her father passed his entire life in Sweden and after his demise the mother came to America and spent her last days with her son-in-law. Alfred Peterson, dying at the venerable age of ninety-three years, about 1911. Mrs. Anderson passed away in 1894, leaving four children : Ella and Carl, both of whom are at home; Anna, the wife of John Betts, a railroad man living in Lincoln : and Eloff. In 1896 Mr. Anderson married Miss Anna Louisa Carlson, who was also born in Sweden. Five daughters have been born to Mr. Anderson's second marriage, namely: Esther, Ollie, Ruth, Effie and Helen, all of whom are at home.
Mr. Anderson is an adherent of the republican party and loyally supports its candidates at the polls but has never sought office as a reward for his fealty. He holds membership in the Congregational church and gives his influence to the side of righteousness and moral progress.
RALPHI M. BEALE.
Ralph M. Beale, who is president of the Bank of Waverly and is also engaged in the insurance business, ranks among the leading citizens of Waverly. Hle was born at Farmington, Illinois, on the 28th of May, 1883, and is a son of Thomas J. and Maggie ( Marshall ) Beale. His ancestry has been traced back to the year 1700 and representatives of the name have been prominent in the various localities in which they have lived. His father's birth occurred in Penn- sylvania on the 4th of March, 1851, but in early manhood he removed to Farm- ington, Illinois, and there engaged in merchandising. Later he turned his attention to the theatrical business, which he followed in various places, but in 1870 he located at Greenwood, Nebraska, and in partnership with a Mr. Meeker estab- lished a grain business, which they conducted for two years. At the end of that time he returned to Illinois on account of his father's ill health but following the latter's demise in 1883 Thomas J. Beale again came to Nebraska. Four years later he purchased an interest in the Bank of Waverly and was cashier of that institution for twenty-four years, or until his death, which occurred in November, 1911. He was also at one time a stockholder in a number of other banks but shortly before his death disposed of his interests therein. His wife was born near Farmington. Illinois, and died in Waverly, Nebraska. in 1891. To them were born two children, of whom Ralph M. is the elder. the other being Zella K., the wife of Percy M. Beach, who is living in Arena, Colorado, and is engaged in farming and in installing irrigation systems.
Ralph M. Beale was reared under the parental roof and received a good education. After he had completed the high school course at Waverly he entered the State University at Lincoln, where he remained during the year 1002-3. About 1900, however, he had entered the KhudoKOSWAR. of which his
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father was cashier, and after leaving school he turned his entire attention to mastering the banking business. Ile became thoroughly familiar with the routine of banking practice and also gained an understanding of the principles of finance which underlie the banking system, and subsequent to the death of his father in 1911 he was chosen cashier of the institution. In July. 1913, he was made president of the bank and he has since served in that capacity, ably directing its policy. The institution has the full confidence of the community and has been a factor in the legitimate business expansion of Waverly since it was founded in 1885 by Hugh Leal and H. Meeker. Mr. Beale gives much of his time to his duties as president of the bank but is also engaged in the insurance business and has likewise gained success in that connection. He holds title to residence property in Waverly and also owns land in Texas.
On the Ist of August, 1907, occurred the marriage of Mr. Beale and Miss Henrietta Loder. a daughter of William A. and Margaret ( Landon ) Loder. Her father was born in Coshocton, Ohio, on the 17th of October, 1846, and her mother in Liberty, Pennsylvania, on the 28th of June, 1854. For many years Mr. Loder followed farming in the vicinity of Ashland, Nebraska, where he located about 1870. He passed away on the 14th of March, 1899, but is survived by his wife, who resides with her daughter, Mrs. Beale. The latter is the youngest of three children, the others being: Ira, who is now residing on a farm near Waverly : and Ila, the wife of G. C. Pennington.
THOMAS J. DICKSON.
Thomas J. Dickson of Panama, Lancaster county, was formerly engaged in farming and merchandising but is now living retired. He owns land in the county and is one of its substantial and leading citizens. He has taken a promi- nent part in church work and has also become well known in fraternal circles, and in all that he has done has proved capable and public-spirited.
His birth occurred in Hamilton. Lanarkshire, Scotland, on the 14th of March, 1847, and his parents were Thomas and Hannah (Fleming) Dickson. The father was born in Hamilton on the 2d of February, 1818, and after attending the common schools became apprenticed to the stone-cutter's and builder's trades, serving a term of seven years. At the end of that time he began following this line of work independently and was so employed in various parts of Scotland until 1850, when he emigrated to the United States. He landed at New Orleans, Louisiana, and made his way up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers to Cannelton, Indiana, where he secured work on the construction of a cotton factory. In the spring of 1851 he removed to St. Louis, Missouri, and thence to Dubuque, Iowa, from which point he proceeded by wagon to Colony township, Delaware county, Iowa, where he purchased three forty-acre tracts of land on section 2, from the government. at one dollar and a quarter per acre. He was one of the very first settlers of that locality, and it was some time before the homestead law went into effect. He built a small log cabin upon his farm and there all of his chil- dren were born with the exception of our subject, and his sister, Agnes, both natives of Scotland. In-1865 the father purchased eighty acres of raw prairie
MR. AND MRS. THOMAS J. DICKSON
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land in Colony township and at once began its cultivation. Ile made many im- provements thereon, erecting a good farm house and substantial barns, and there he resided until 1873, when he came to Lancaster county, Nebraska, settling on section 14, Panama precinct, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres. After the arrival of his father, our subject bought an additional one hundred and sixty acres on section 15, the same precinct, which became the family homestead. The father passed the remainder of his life upon that farm but did not do much of the work connected with its operation as he left that to his sons. His death occurred on the 21st of August, 1883, and he was buried in Panama cemetery. His wife, who was, in her maidenhood, Miss Hannah Fleming, was also a native of Hamilton, Scotland, born on the 15th of June, 1825. Her parents, Edward and Agnes Fleming, were also born in that place and passed their entire lives there, dying when she was a girl. She received her education in the common schools and grew to womanhood in Hamilton, where her marriage occurred. She passed away at Panama on the 4th of June, 1913, and was buried there. She was the mother of eleven children of whom two died in infancy, those who survive being: Thomas J., of this review; Mrs. Agnes Hulbert; John 11 .; James; Robert G. ; William F .; Presley H. ; Andrew L .; and Frances W.
Thomas J. Dickson was but three years of age when brought by his parents to the United States and the greater part of his boyhood and youth was spent upon the home farm in Delaware county, Iowa, where he remained until 1870. In that year he took up his residence near Vermilion, South Dakota, and home- steaded one hundred and sixty acres of land which he operated for a few months. He then went back to Iowa with the intention of returning to South Dakota, but in the spring of 1871 he came to Lancaster county, Nebraska, to look over the country and was so well pleased that he decided to make his home here rather than in South Dakota. On the 26th of May, 1871, Mr. Dickson bought one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land on section 11, Panama precinct, and there he at once erected a small frame house, which remained his residence for some time, although it was later replaced by a large and attractive dwelling. He , operated that farm successfully until 1899, when he rented the place and removed to Panama, where he built a fine home. In January, 1898, he purchased lots in Panama, and following the construction of the railroad through the town, he erected a store building which he rented, thus securing a gratifying addition to his income. While still on the farm, or in 1805, he bought a third interest in a grocery and general store in Panama and was interested in that business until 1906. During part of the time he was associated with others in the conduct of the store, but at length became sole owner of the business, which he gave to his son, Clinton D., and his daughter. Mrs. May Elizabeth Steeves, in 1906, the firm name being Dickson & Steeves. In addition to his home farm he holds title to a fine tract of one hundred and sixty acres on section to, Panama pre- cinct, which is a well improved place and is operated by his son Edward.
Mr. Dickson was united in marriage in Panama township, on the 4th of November. 1874. to Miss Agnes Robertson, who was born in Dubuque county, Iowa. on the 7th of September, 1854. a daughter of Douglas and Elizabeth (Davison) Robertson, both born near Ilamilton, Scotland, the former in 1814 and the latter on the 17th of June, 1816. Mlr. Robertson passed away at Panama, Nebraska, on the roth of februdiz odi li Microsoft ® wife for two Fol 11 13
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