USA > Nebraska > Adams County > Past and present of Adams County, Nebraska, Vol. II > Part 11
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At the age of twenty-seven years Mr. Pedersen was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Boulton, a sister of Edward J. Boulton, of whom a sketch appears on another page of this work. To them have been born four children, namely: Charles, Orta, Marcella and Walde- mar. all at home.
In his political views Mr. Pedersen is a democrat yet does not feel himself bound by party ties and casts an independent ballot if his judgment so dictates. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern
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Woodmen of America at Juniata and he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church. They have many warm friends in the com- munity where they reside, for their fidelity to duty and their sociability have gained for them the warm regard of those whom they have met.
HENRY AUGUST DAMKROEGER.
Henry August Damkroeger has devoted his life to farming and is recognized as one of the capable and successful agriculturists of Highland township. He owns two hundred and forty acres of good land on section 26 and keeps everything about the place in excellent condition. He was born in Westphalia, Germany, on the 29th of July, 1876, and is a son of Henry and Charlotte (Grenemeyer) Damkroeger, who in 1888 removed with their family to the United States and settled in Jefferson county, Nebraska. After farming there for seventeen years they went to Clay county, Nebraska, where the father engaged in agricultural pursuits for fifteen years. At the end of that time he retired and he and his wife are now living at Hast- ings. They are the parents of the following living children, namely: Louisa, who is residing in Adams county; Katie, now Mrs. H. H. Mahling, of Highland township; Henry August; Mary, the wife of Frank Selko, of Clay county; Charlotte, who married Henry Meyer, of Jefferson county, Nebraska; Emma, the wife of Fred Selko, of Clay county ; and Ida, the wife of Ferdinand Dieck, of Clay county.
Henry A. Damkroeger accompanied his parents to the United States in childhood and received his education in Jefferson county, Nebraska. He early began to assist his father with the farm work and remained on the home place until he was thirty years of age, during part of which time he was engaged in the operation of the farm on his own account. At length he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in Clay county but after operating that place for five years sold and came to Adams county. He purchased his present farm, which comprises two hundred and forty acres on section 26, Highland township, and in the intervening years has made a number of improvements thereon. He raises wheat, corn, alfalfa and oats and also some stock. He has a number of good dairy cows and derives a gratifying profit from the sale of his cream. He understands thor- oughly all phases of farming and his labors are efficient and are rewarded by a good income.
On the 15th of February, 1901, Mr. Damkroeger was united in
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marriage to Miss Dora Papenhaden, a daughter of Fred and Augusta (Schmidt) Papenhaden, of Hamburg, Germany. Mr. Damkroeger was born in that country but when sixteen years of age emigrated to the United States. By her marriage she has become the mother of eight children, namely: Martha, who was born on the 10th of Jan- uary, 1902; Ernest, born August 31, 1903; Henry, November 22, 1905; Tabitha, September 28, 1907; Helmuth, July 24, 1909; Amanda, February 13, 1911; Alfred, December 30, 1912; and Fred- erick C., September 26, 1914.
Mr. Damkroeger votes the republican ticket as he believes in its policies and he takes the interest of a good citizen in public affairs. He and his family attend the German Lutheran church, to the sup- port of which he contributes, and the uprightness of his life has gained him the sincere respect of all who have come into contact with him. The gratifying measure of success which he has gained is due entirely to his own industry and good management and he is one of the valued citizens of his township.
ORVILLE BUTLER.
Orville Butler, connected with the Farmers Cooperative Grain & Live Stock Company at Juniata, is also actively identified with agri- cultural interests in this county and has farm property elsewhere. He has ever depended entirely upon his own resources and labors for advancement in the business world and his progress has been the merited reward of his effort. He was born in Lee county, Illinois, November 14, 1852, a son of Albert and Olive (Rodgers) Butler. The father was born in the state of New York but was married in Illinois and in the year 1854 removed to Marshall county, lowa, where he and his wife spent their remaining days. The father fol- lowed the occupation of farming but died there prior to the Civil war. In the family were five children: Franklin, now living in Marshall county, Iowa; Martha J., whose home is in Holt county, Nebraska; Rachel, who was a twin sister of Martha and is now deceased; and Mrs. Estella Scott, of Ida Grove, Iowa.
The other member of the family is Orville Butler, who was but two years of age at the time his parents removed to Iowa, where he pursued a conimon school education. He was reared to farm life and remained at home until about nineteen years of age, when he began farming on his own account in Iowa. In 1882 he came to Nebraska,
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where he carried on general agricultural pursuits for a few years. He later began work at the grain trade, with which he has since been con- nected save for a period of three and one-half years when he held the position of head engineer at the State Hospital. He was the first man hired by the month when that institution was opened. He is now connected with the Farmers Cooperative Grain & Live Stock Com- pany, in which connection he is conducting an important and growing business. He thoroughly understands every phase of the trade and is therefore well qualified to carry on the interests under his direction. He now owns a pleasant home in Juniata, together with sixteen acres of land adjoining the town, and he is likewise the owner of one hun- dred and sixty acres in Wichita county, Kansas, together with ten acres and a town lot at Sheridan, Colorado county, Texas. All that he possesses has been acquired entirely through his own efforts and his energy and laudable ambition have been the basis of his growing success.
In 1874 Mr. Butler was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Livering- house, by whom he has eight children, as follows: Faye F., who is a resident of Eldorado, Nebraska; Frank, at home, who spent about a year in Cuba as a member of the Third Nebraska; Cora, who is the wife of Paul Walker, of Minden, Nebraska; Fred, living in Abilene, Kansas; Ross, a resident of Germantown, Nebraska; Ralph, at home; Vida, who is the wife of A. L. Dominy, of Hastings; and Nettie, the wife of A. Stull, residing on her father's farm near Juniata.
In politics Mr. Butler is a republican and has filled the office of road overseer. His wife is a member of the Dunkard church and he holds membership in the Modern Woodmen camp at Juniata, in which he has filled all of the chairs, serving at the present time as banker. His has been an active and well spent life and devotion to duty is the keynote of his character. He has based his success upon persistency of purpose, indefatigable energy and unfaltering business integrity and has steadily progressed toward the goal of prosperity.
CHARLES H. HUDSON.
Charles H. Hudson, recognized as one of the leaders of the repub- lican party in Adams county, is now filling the position of county clerk and makes his home in Hastings, where he has a wide and favor- able acquaintance. His record is one which makes Adams county proud to number him among her native sons. His birth occurred on
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the 19th of February, 1879, his parents being Orlando and Minerva J. (Gilmore) Hudson. The family came to Nebraska in 1878 from Vandalia, Illinois, and settled a mile north of Hastings, where they took up their abode upon a farm. There they resided for eight years or more, when the farm was sold and the family removed to western Nebraska, where the father continued business as a general mechanic. It was a period of drought, however, when crop failures brought on hard times, and Mr. Hudson accordingly sold his interests in that part of the state and went to Utah. Still later he became a resident of Idaho and is now living in Palma, that state.
Charles H. Hudson is the eldest surviving member of a family of five children. He was educated in the country schools and the public schools, in which he pursued his studies to the ninth grade. His youth- ful training was that of the home farm and he early became familiar with all of the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. When but a young lad he took his place in the fields and continued to assist in the work of plowing, planting and harvesting until he attained his majority, when he secured a clerkship in a general store at Prosser. He afterward became a partner in a drug store and continued in that business until he entered the campaign for county clerk in 1911. He made an excellent run for the office, was elected and entered upon the discharge of his duties. During his first term he was only absent from his office one day and on that occasion-a day in 1912-he went with other officials to Lincoln and there was instrumental with them in pre- venting the state board of equalization from making the threatened ten per cent increase in the assessment of real estate in Adams county. He discharged the duties of his position promptly and faithfully and as economically as conditions would warrant. He was most painstak- ing in all that he undertook and the excellent record of his first term led to his reelection, so that he is now serving for a second term.
In religious faith Mr. Hudson is a Methodist and fraternally is connected with the Odd Fellows, Elks, the Woodmen and the Eagles. He also belongs to the Commercial Club and cooperates in every plan and movement of that organization for the benefit and upbuilding of the city along lines leading to permanent good. He is fond of camp life, of hunting and in fact all phases of outdoor life and is interested in baseball and tennis. In a word, his is a well rounded development. He can work well and play well and knows that the even balance of these things develops the strongest men and the best characters. He has social manly qualities which render him popular and which have gained for him the esteem of all with whom he has come in contact. Moreover, he is a self-made man, for from the age of twelve years he
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has been dependent upon his own resources. His father was the first blacksmith of Hastings and when his parents left this district Charles H. Hudson largely earned his living bý farm work, which he followed through the summer months, attending school as opportunity offered in the winter seasons. Thus gradually he worked his way upward and in the course of years reached the position which he now occupies as a representative citizen of his native county.
JESSE LEW TEMPLETON.
Jesse Lew Templeton, a well known real estate and insurance dealer of Kenesaw, was born on the 12th of May, 1870, in Butler county, Pennsylvania. His father, Thomas Templeton, who was born also in that state October 6, 1839, received the education common at the time of his boyhood and on beginning his business career devoted some time to clerking and later worked in the oil fields. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Thirty- ninth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and participated in a number of engagements, including the battles of Bull Run, Antie- tam, Fredericksburg, Mary's Heights, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and Mine Run. After the close of hostilities he went to Illinois, where he clerked for a time and then returned to Pennsylvania, where he served as county clerk of Butler county. Subsequently he engaged in merchandising there but in 1881 he removed to Topeka, Kansas, and after clerking there for two years came to Kenesaw, Nebraska. He purchased a quarter section of fine land three miles north of the town and devoted eleven months to its cultivation, after which he sold the place. He then went again to Topeka but a year later returned to Kenesaw and again purchased land in this county. For four years he served as postmaster of Kenesaw but at length he removed westward, settling at Hood River, Oregon, where for two years he operated a fruit ranch. Subsequently he engaged in the real estate business at Long Beach, California, and there he passed away on the 18th of August, 1915. His friends were many and there was sincere grief at his demise. He was a republican in politics, was connected with Kenesaw Lodge, No. 144, A. F. & A. M., and with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and his religious faith was that of the Presby- terian church. He never ceased to enjoy meeting his comrades of the war and was a loyal member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He was married October 6, 1868, to Miss Maria Ann Hutchison, also a
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native of Pennsylvania, and they became the parents of four children, of whom our subject is the only one surviving.
Jesse L. Templeton received a good education and was graduated from the Topeka, Kansas, high school in 1888, after which he engaged in farming in this county for a considerable period. For a number of years, however, he has resided in Kenesaw and has won a place among the leading business men of the town, being very active in the real estate and insurance field. He studies the various phases of those lines of business carefully, keeps in close touch with local business condi- tions and has gained a large clientage.
Mr. Templeton was married in 1891 to Miss Lettie Latta, by whom he has three children, namely: Robert Bruce, Faye and Fern. Mr. Templeton casts his ballot in support of the men and measures of the republican party and is well known fraternally, belonging to Ken- esaw Lodge, No. 29, K. P., Kenesaw Lodge, No. 231, I. O. O. F., and the Royal Highlanders. He has not only gained a gratifying measure of prosperity but he also holds in full degree the respect of those who have been associated with him.
C. D. HOFF.
C. D. Hoff, who is engaged in the cleaning and dyeing business at Hastings, building up a good trade by reason of excellence of work and straightforward dealing, was born in Russia on the 18th of August, 1879, of German parentage, being a son of Conrad and Made- line Hoff. His father followed the occupation of farming in Russia until the year 1903, when he brought his family to the United States. He made his way at once into the interior of the country, settling at Hastings, where both he and his wife now reside. In the family were eight children, five sons and three daughters.
C. D. Hoff, the fourth in order of birth, was educated in the schools of his native land and after coming to the new world learned the cleaning and dyeing business. He embarked in business on his own account at the age of twenty-one years, starting in a very modest way and gradually increasing his trade and his facilities until he now has the largest establishment of the kind in the county, employing five people and utilizing an automobile for the collection and delivery of goods. He has the patronage of Hastings' leading people and the establishment is a valuable asset to the business interests of the city. He occupies both the lower and upper floors of the building at 806
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West Second street, with a cleaning department in the rear supplied with all modern improvements. He has made excellence of work the basis of his growing trade and is meeting with gratifying success.
On the 21st of April, 1900, Mr. Hoff was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Burngard, a daughter of Henry Burngard. They have two children, Robert and Neoma. Mr. Hoff belongs to the German Congregational church and fraternally is a chapter Mason, exemplifying in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft. In politics he regards the capability of the man rather than his party affiliation. He turns to fishing and hunting for recreation, but the major part of his time is given to his business affairs and his concentration and energy constitute the salient factors in his growing trade. He has worked hard, his labors have been intelligently directed and his efforts are now bringing to him gratifying success.
JAMES D. McFERREN.
Among the retired farmers of Juniata is James D. McFerren, who was born at Mount Alton, Pennsylvania, March 24, 1845, a son of James and Lena (Kuhn) McFerren, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state, where they were reared and married. The father was a teacher in the public schools and remained a resident of Pennsylvania until his death, which occurred in 1849. In the family were but two children, James and Clara, the latter now deceased.
In the schools of Pennsylvania, James D. McFerren pursued his education and when quite young began to earn his own livelihood. He is a self-made man in the truest and best sense of the term, having depended entirely upon his own resources for material advancement from his early youth. He was but seventeen years of age when on the 8th of August, 1862, he responded to the country's call for troops and went to the front for nine months' service. At the end of that time he was honorably discharged July 14, 1863. Later he again joined the army, becoming a member of Company D, Twenty-first Pennsyl- vania Cavalry, with which he remained for six months, being dis- charged July 8, 1865. He was captured at Farmville but was released three days later on account of the close of the war. He was on duty with the Army of the Potomac, serving as corporal a part of the time, and he participated in the battles of Fredericksburg and Antie- tam, together with others of lesser importance.
When his military service was ended Mr. McFerren returned to
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Pennsylvania, where he remained for about two years, when he re- moved to Goshen, Indiana, there spending three years. In 1870 he became a resident of Marshalltown, Iowa, and in that locality was engaged in farming until 1883. Later he came to Nebraska, settling on section 11, Juniata township, Adams county, where he continued to engage in farming until he took up his abode in the town about twenty-one years ago. Here he owns a fine residence and he is also the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of good land in Perkins county. His business affairs have ever been carefully managed and while upon the farm he was regarded as a very progressive agricul- turist, wide-awake, alert and enterprising. He brought his fields to a high state of cultivation and carefully and persistently carried on his work, his labors bringing to him a gratifying measure of success.
In 1867 Mr. McFerren was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Liveringhouse, by whom he has seven children, as follows: William, who is a resident of Kenesaw, Nebraska; Louie, living in Juniata, this state; Frank, who was killed by lightning; Charles, a resident of Grand Island, Nebraska; May, who is the wife of R. L. Workman, of Holdredge, Nebraska; Belle, living in Denver, Colorado; and Winnie, at home.
The parents are members of the Brethren or Dunkard church and were among the organizers of the congregation. They are people of the highest respectability and they enjoy the goodwill and confidence of all who know them. For a third of a century they have been resi- dents of this county and have therefore been witnesses of much of its growth and improvement.
WILLIAM I. MAYS.
William I. Mays, a well known and efficient farmer, is now assist- ing his brother David with the operation of his farm a half mile south- west of Trumbull. Our subject was born in Kosciusko county, In- diana, on the 4th of March, 1866, a son of G. W. and Julia M. (Kearns) Mays, further mention of whom appears in the sketch of David Mays. He received good educational advantages, graduating from the high school at Warsaw, Indiana, and during his youth he also learned much concerning the various phases of farm work. He remained on the home place until he was nineteen years of age and then hired out to others, continuing as a farm hand for three years. In March, 1890, in company with his mother, brother and sister, he
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came to Adams county and all made their home with David Mays, who had taken up his residence in this county two years previously. Mr. Mays of this review worked by the month for three years, after which he was married and began farming for himself, renting land nine miles northeast of Hastings. After operating that place for two years he removed to his brother's farm a half mile south of Trum- bull and remained there for five years. Following the demise of his wife in 1901 he went east, where he worked for a year, but in 1902 he returned to Adams county and for six years followed the barber's trade. At the end of that time he again turned his attention to agri- cultural pursuits and is now aiding his brother in farming his place near Trumbull.
Mr. Mays was married on the 7th of March, 1894, to Grace F. Randall, a daughter of F. R. Randall, who resided near Trumbull. Mrs. Mays passed away on the 20th of March, 1901. She was the mother of four children, as follows: Claude E., who was born on the 11th of September, 1896, and is now attending high school at Trum- bull; Leo C., who was born October 25, 1897, and is also a high-school student; Leslie Ward, who was born in February, 1899, and died in infancy; and David William, whose birth occurred on the 5th of February, 1901, and who, following the death of his mother when he was six weeks old, was adopted by William Randall, a real-estate agent of Trenton, Nebraska.
Mr. Mays gives his political allegiance to the democratic party where national issues are at stake, but at local elections votes inde- pendently. He holds membership in the Christian church. He is well known throughout the county and is recognized as an able farmer, a good citizen and a man of high moral principles.
JOSEPH W. PLUMMER.
There are many successful farmers in Adams county, among whom is numbered Joseph W. Plummer, of West Blue township. He was born near Sterling, in Whiteside county, Illinois, on the 10th of February, 1855, but when two years of age was taken by his parents to Marshall county, Iowa, where he attended the common schools. Subsequently he was a student in Friend's Academy at Marshalltown and he remained upon the home farm with his parents until he was twenty-seven years of age. In 1880 the family removed to Burt county, Nebraska, and there his parents passed away. After
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MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH W. PLUMMER
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farming for nine years in that county Mr. Plummer of this review removed to Dawes county and resided on a ranch there until 1901. In that year he came to Adams county and purchased the John Owens homestead about three miles northeast of Hastings, where he now lives. He is a practical and up-to-date farmer, and his industry has enabled him to accumulate more than a competence. In 1910 he rented his farm and removed to Hastings, but in the spring of 1915 he returned to the farm.
Mr. Plummer was married in Iowa in 1880 to Miss Rhoda Mote, of Marshall county, Iowa, whose parents subsequently removed to Dawes county, Nebraska. Five children have been born to this union as follows: Mae C., who was born in 1882, is now the wife of Charles A. Smith, an insurance agent of Sioux City, Iowa, and has two chil- dren. Harry M., born in 1883, is a plumber of Chadron, Nebraska, and he married Mae Hart, of Edgar, Nebraska. Ada L., whose birth occurred in 1886, married George M. Drollinger, a son of M. H. Drollinger, a pioneer settler of Adams county. George M. Drollinger is a collection agent in Spokane, Washington, and on the 2d of July, 1915, was called upon to mourn the death of his wife. They were the parents of four children. Norman C., born in 1888, is engaged in farming at Hinton, Iowa. Roy, born in 1890, is farm- ing at Meckling, South Dakota. He married Grace Kohlman, of Hastings, Nebraska, a daughter of L. H. Kohlman, a pioneer of this county, and they have two children.
Mr. Plummer supports the democratic party at the polls, as he believes in its principles, and his religious faith is that of the Methodist church. In 1911 he took an extensive trip through Europe, the Holy Land and Egypt and derived much pleasure and profit from his travels. He is a man of keen intelligence and keeps well informed on all questions and issues of the day. He has won financial success and has also gained a high place in the regard of his fellow citizens and ranks as a substantial resident of his township.
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