USA > Nebraska > Gage County > Portrait and biographical album of Gage County, Nebraska : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 11
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This lesson is still a necessity, as the causes that produced the alienation have not yet been removed, although somewhat lessened in degree of antipathy. His conservatism may be more readily under- stood by the following extract from the same mes- sage. He says:
"Unhappily the Nation has not yet experienced the full fruition of perfect peace. True, the armies of rebellion were long since disbanded, and the
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old flag floats over all, the same glorious ensign of one Government and one Union, but fraternal love does not return to the people of the two sec- tions so recently arrayed against each other in civil strife. The kind offices of the peace-maker avail not, and the olive branch is cast aside, a withered and useless thing. How can our beloved country be reunited in fact as well as in form? How can the Union be securely re-established in the hearts. and affections of the people of all sections? For the patriotic love of the people is the soul of the Union, its preservation is essential to the very life of the Nation itself. I do not think this ean be done by indulging the spirit of crimination and recrimination for the errors, the weaknesses, or the crimes of the past. I do not believe it can be done by depriving eleven States of loyal representation in the National Congress, when representation is the very germ and essence of union. It certainly cannot be done by extreme and irritating demands on the one side, which are sure to be followed by increased contu- macy on the other. I fear it will never be done by constitutional amendments containing what are con- sidered impossible requirements by those most deeply interested. But, whichever way it is to be done, it must be done speedily. Evils, disasters and ruin wait not for the termination of long con- tentions in a house divided against itself. The energies, the productive industries of the South, are paralyzed by the incertitude of its political situa- tion. This unsettled condition of affairs not only intensifies the feeling of hatred for the Govern- . ment and for the Union there, but it seriously affects the commercial prosperity of the whole country. Every motive of patriotism, and every consideration of political economy, demand an immediate termination of this unhappy condition of things. If the constitutional amendment will not accomplish this, but if, on the contrary, it threatens to perpetuate hatreds, strife and dis- cord, it should be abandoned at once, whatever sacrifice of cherished politieal dogmas or partisan prejudices are involved. However wise, just and necessary the guaranties sought to be obtained by this amendment may now appear to be, if they can only be secured by the entailment upon the Union of the eternal hostility of cleven States, they will
certainly prove a source of sorrow and trouble to the Nation. Only that which will win back the hearts of the Southern people will give stability and enduring peace to the Republic. If the constitu- tional amendment will do this, and do it speedily, I will cheerfully unite with you in giving to it a cordial and earnest endorsement."
At the close of the session the council recognized the efficiency of a faithful officer in the following resolution passed unanimously :
"Resolved, That the thanks of this council be, and the same are hereby tendered to the Hon. A. S. Paddock, Secretary of the Territory, for his uniform courtesy and kindness extended to the members of this body in his official communications with the members thereof.
"O. B. HEWETT, Chief Clerk."
Mr. Paddoek was married to Miss Emma L. Mack, formerly of St. Lawrence County, N. Y., Dec. 22, 1869, daughter of Daniel Mack, of Can- ton, N. Y., who was a prominent citizen and an eminent Mason; an intimate, personal and politi- cal friend of Silas Wright, and a man of great worth and intelligence.
G EORGE GALE, of Adams Township, de- serves special mention as one of the pioneer settlers of this county, having come here as early as 1858, at the very commencement of its development. His has been the eareer of an honest, upright, self-reliant man, who, all his life dependent upon his own resources, learned at an early age the art of " paddling his own canot," and also to be of material service to those less gifted by nature for battling with the elements of the world.
Mr. Gale is the offspring of a substantial family of the Empire State, his parents, Alonzo and Phebe (Peck) Gale, having been born in Dutchess County, the former in time to take an active hand in settling the troubles of 1812. He was of Irish descent, while the mother traced her ancestry to England and Holland. Alonzo Gale was a farmer by oc- cupation, and only lived to be middle-aged, his death occurring in Salisbury, Conn., when he was forty-four years old. The mother only survived a
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few years, her death taking place in Eaton County, Mich., in 1854, at the age of fifty-two. They were the parents of seven children, all of whom lived to mature years, four sons and three daughters. Of these three are now living, and are residents of Ne- braska and Michigan.
The subject of this biography was the eldest child of his parents, and was born May 27, 1828, in Columbia County, N. Y., twelve miles from the beautiful Hudson. When about six years of age his parents removed to Connecticut, where he was reared and educated. lle was a youth of sixteen years at the time of his father's death, and remained thereafter the support of his widowed mother until his marriage at the age of twenty-two. Soon after this event he emigrated with his young wife to Eaton County, Mich., where he rented a tract of land, and cultivated it for a term of years. The death of his mother ocenrred at Delta, Eaton Co., Mich., in 1854, and George thereafter provided a home for his brothers and sisters, who removed with him to Kenosha County, Wis., in 1854.
In what is now the Badger State Mr. Gale oper- ated a small farm for a party there four years, but believing he could do better upon the soil of Ne- braska he disposed of his interests in , Wisconsin, and, with his wife and three children, crossed the Mississippi and landed in Nebraska City on the 14th of November, 1858. He made his home with his brother a part of the time that winter, chopping wood, and earned $13 and his board. The people of this region had suffered with others the results of the panic of 1857, and many were the shifts and turns they were obliged to make to keep their heads above water; but perseverance with our subject met its legitimate reward, and he made sure, if slow, progress toward the goal of his ain- bition, which was to establish in earnest the basis of a future home and competence.
In the fall of 1860 Mr. Gale made his first pur- chase of land-forty acres at 81.25 per acre. The Homestead Law going into effect about this time allowed him an additional 120 acres, the patent being signed by Abraham Lincoln. There was, however, with this stroke of fortune the great draw- back of the war, which kept the pioneers of South- ern Nebraska in constant dread of being surprised
or overrun by rebels or Indians, one to be dreaded about as much as the other. This period passed, however, without the disasters they apprehended, and in 1865, besides effecting many improvements on the property already seenred, Mr. Gale added forty acres to that which he had already, and thus gradually enlarged the sphere of his labors, to- gether with his income.
The farm of Mr. Gale lies along Nemaha Creek, thus being well watered, and producing in abun- dance the rich crops of Southern Nebraska. At the time of his taking possession there were only a few small trees, which have now developed into valua- ble timber, and besides these he has planted quite a large number which have become an item of value on the farm. Besides the family residence Mr. Gale has erected a tenement house, barns, sheds, and the other structures necessary for the carrying on of the modern and well-regulated farm. A fine orchard of about seventy trees in good bearing condition adds to the enjoyment of the family pro- visions, and leaves something over for the market. He has also instituted a vineyard of probably 150 vines.
One of the most interesting and important events in the life of our subject was his marriage, which was celebrated in Salisbury Township, March 26, 1850, with Miss Margaret A. Shaw, who was born Oct. 16, 1827, and is the daughter of the well- known Stephen P. Shaw, one of the honored pio- neers of this county, whose history appears elsewhere in this work.
The 200-acre farm of Mr. Gale, situated in a region which at one time was looked upon as lack- ing the elements of the fertility of the land of Illi- nois and Iowa, now yields its full quota of the products of either region. Much is due to the careful and judicious manner in which it has been operated, and the perseverance of Mr. Gale in fighting drouth, prairie fires, and the other little diversions generously furnished the farming com- munity. The harvests of 1862-63 brought in ex- ceptionally heavy yields, and their proportionate encouragement to the agriculturists of the Nemaha Valley.
Mr. Gale, aside from distinguishing himself as a thorough and skillful farmer, has kept pace with the
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world's progress, and perhaps has collected the best array of facts in regard to the early settlement of this county in existence. In 1876 he prepared an extensive history of Clay County, in the shape of an address delivered by him at the cen- tennial celebration, July 4 of that year. This em- bodied many incidents of great interest and not commonly known. He states that his first experience with grasshoppers was in 1866, and they visited this region also the following year. In 1874 they repeated their ravages, and were also accompanied by a drouth, which incurred great loss to the far- mers, and had its effect upon business generally.
The Indians, also, during the early settlement of Mr. Gale in this county, frequently relieved the monotony by their thievery and general mischief. Seven representatives of the Otoe tribe came upon one occasion to his farm with the intention of carry- ing off something valuable, but their reception by our subject was such that they decided discretion was the better part of valor, and quietly retired before his leveled musket.
Mr. Gale in 1856 voted for John C. Fremont, and since that time has been a stanch supporter of Republican principles, although now identified with the Prohibitionists. No man has been more warmly interested in the establishment of schools, churches, and the various other institutions calculated for the moral and intellectual welfare of the people. He has been a member of the School Board of his district for a period of twenty years. He was the . second County Assessor of Gage County, being elected to the office in 1869; he has held the same office in Adams Township. The result of his up- right life and his arduous labors in the community, who have known him to his eredit so long and well, will shape the course of those who shall come after, long after the mortal semblance of this excellent man shall have crumbled into dust.
W ILLIAM C. HILL. In the early years there resided in Eastern Pennsylvania Mr. Nathan Hill, who for the benefit of his family moved westward to the then developing Ter- ritory of Ohio; he settled finally in what is now
Miami County. Here he was one of the first of the pioneers and settlers. In the Miami County home- stead of this gentleman there was born to him a son, who received also the name Nathaniel. As this son grew to years of manhood he took his place with his fellows, and became a prosperous farmer and merchant. He was united in marriage with a most estimable lady, Martha Jones, a native of Nashville, Tenn. To them was born a son, who received the name William C., and in this sketch it will be the endeavor succinctly to state some of the inore prominent points in his life.
Our subject was born in the above-named county on the 21st of November, 1849. He was educated in the usual institution of his native county, and continued with his father in farming until about 1869, then started in life for himself. In 1873 he came to this county, and settled in Blue Springs Township, taking up 160 acres on section 18, where he engaged in general farming. and has so continued until the present. In August of 1888 he began business as a coal merchant, and later also launched into the business of a real-estate and loan agent. In his coal trade, which has become quite extensive, he supplies all kinds of anthracite and bituminous coal, and also the usual varieties of wood handled in connection therewith.
Our subject was elected County Supervisor in 1885 and served one year; then, in 1887, was again elected. For the past three years he has been School Treasurer of Blue Springs, and is at present before the people as candidate for their suffrage for the office of Representative to the Legislature from Gage County, and it is confidently expected that he will be elected by a very large majority, as he is the Republican candidate, which party is very strong in the district.
Our subject entered into a matrimonial alliance with Lula B. McCurdy, the amiable, refined and estimable daughter of James (deceased) and Mary McCurdy. This lady was born in Miami County, Ohio, Feb. 18, 1852, and made her home with her parents until her marriage. Of this union there have been born three children, two of whom sur- vive, viz: Harry L., aged seventeen years, and Leafie F., aged nine. Harry, who has developed somewhat of an inclination for commercial life,
yours truly 8.14. brang
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usually clerks in the bank during his vacations, and has also remained there for one year.
Besides the 230 aeres of land in Blue Springs Mr. Ilill has a half-interest in eighty more, and is the owner of 320 acres in Kansas. Mrs. Ilill has for many years been a member of the Methodist Epis- eopal communion, and still continues an active member of the same. She is affiliated with the church at Blue Springs, and is held in highest esteem as a most ardent friend and earnest sup- porter. Our subjeet is a member of the I. O. O. F. and also of the Masonie fraternity. In the various relations of life he is held in high regard as a man of honor, and a friend of good morals. He is quite popular in the community, and with his family moves in the best circles of society.
ON. SETHI H. CRAIG, M. D. The gentle- man whose biography is herein briefly sketched, and whose portrait we present, is too well known to need an introduction to any student of Nebraska's history, or one at all ac- quainted with her politics, he being one of the early settlers in and most prominent men of the city of Wymore. He is the son of James Craig, who was born in Washington County, Pa., in February, 1793, and coming to proper age received a common- school education, and then was apprentieed to learn the trade of a tailor, which he continued to fol- low until he was abont twenty-five years of age, when he removed to Ohio, and began the study of law in the town of Millersburg, in the office of Gen. Glasgow. He was diligent and careful in his studies, passed a good examination, was admitted to the bar before his thirtieth birthday, began the practice of his profession in the same town, con- tinning until 1842, and for many years had en- joyed a very lucrative practice. In that year he visited Iowa, and taking quite a fancy to the Ter- ritory removed there with his family, and engaged in the practice of law at Farmington, Van Buren County, and there remained until the death of his wife in 1855, when he removed to Louisville, Ky., and St. Joseph, Mo., and lived with our subject and an elder brother, spending the major portion of
his time with his son Seth, and died in St. Joseph in the month of August, 1874.
James Craig was married to Miss Margaret Sla- ter, in the year 1814. Their family circle included sixteen children, of whom ten came to years of maturity, and our subject was the eighthi son. Mrs. Craig died in the month of June, 1855, as noted above. She was the daughter of Joseph and Mar- garet Slater, and was born near West Alexander, Washington Co., Pa., about 1794. Her father, who was quite prosperous as a farmer, was unfort- unately removed from his family by death while still a young man.
The grandfather of our subject, Alexander Craig, was born in the North of Ireland, but was of Scottish deseent. He was married to Miss Hannah Murry, and they became the parents of seven boys and one girl. Ile came to America while quite a young man, and all his children were born in this country, but it was their misfortune to lose their father when he was about thirty-six years of age.
Our subjeet was born in Millersburg, IIolmes Co., Ohio, on the 14th of February, 1825, and there remained until he was about eighteen years of age, received his education in the common school, and afterward was initiated into the technique of farm- ing. About 1843 he removed with his parents to Farmington, Iowa, where his education was finished in the common school. Our subject enlisted in the army July 4, 1847, as a private, but it was not long before he was promoted, and received the commission of Lieutenant for exceptional ability and distinguished bravery. Ile served chiefly in the Northwest among the Indians, and remained in the service until November 12 of the following year, when he was mustered out at Ft. Leaven- worth.
While our subject was residing in Farmington, Iowa, previous to his military life, he had studied medieine in the office of Dr. J. F. Sanford, and to these studies he returned when mustered out, and remained until the opening of lectures at Rock Island, where he attended the course of 1848-49. During the vacation he returned to his preceptor, and spent the next season in the medical college at Davenport, Iowa, from which he was graduated in 1850. He then returned to Farmington, legally en-
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titled to commence the practice of medicine, and soon settled in St. Francisville, Mo.
Before beginning the practice of medicine Dr. Craig was united in marriage with Miss Susan M. Dunning, upon the 28th of March, 1850. The lady of his choiee was the daughter of Festes and Caro- line Dunning. Their family cirele was extended at various times until it ineluded six children, five of whom are still living. Their names are recorded as follows: Clarenee F., Herbert D., Charles S., Willard C., Frank B., and Edgar L., who died aged two years, about 1859. Clarenee is the husband of Maggie Winther, of Madison, and is the father of four children; he is engaged in the hardware business at Wymore. His brother Herbert mar- ried Miss Katy Wilcox, but has no family ; the other children are still at home. Mrs. Susan Craig departed this life on the 15th of November, 1872, and nearly ten months afterward, upon the 19th of August, 1873, our subjeet beeame the husband of Mrs. Sarah A. Winther, by whom there have been born three children-Sadie L., Clara M. and Hugh C. All the older children have received a good practical education, and have given every evidence of beeoming successful business men and honorable eitizens, following in the footsteps of their father.
The practice of medicine established by our sub- ject at St. Francisville speedily became both ex- tended and lucrative, owing to his skill, more especially, perhaps, in surgery, as he was the only surgeon of marked talent for many miles around St. Francisville, but he only remained a little over twelve months, when he removed to Van Buren County, Iowa, and settled upon the farm that he had purchased in that distriet. The farm was al- ready improved, and provided with suitable build- ings and residenee. Leaving his family here. in the year 1852 he started upon an exeursion to Califor- nia, traveling by means of an ox-team, and oeeupy- ing a little over four months in the journey, which was undisturbed by any hostile advances on the part of Indians or other persons. Sacramento was reached on the 1st of September, 1852, and much time was spent in the Yuba country, which is be- tween the Middle and North Yuba. at Smith's Flat, where he was very successful in mining operations, coupled with the practice of his profession, which
was very remunerative, he being the only physi- eian and surgeon within a eireuit of many miles. He continued thus suecessfully engaged until the summer of 1853, when he returned to his family in Iowa, via the Niearagua route, of Central America. The following year he removed to Keokuk, and en- tered into partnership with his former preceptor until the fall of 1855, when he gave up the practice of medieine.
Upon retiring from his profession our subjeet re- moved to Council Bluffs and engaged in real-estate and mercantile transactions, which resulted very favorably to him. Here he was appointed to fill a vaeaney in the Sheriff's office, being afterward elected in due form to the same. This was at the time of Lincoln's first campaign in 1860, and our subjeet held this office until he resigned in order to enlist in defense of the Union. He joined the 4th Iowa Regiment and was commissioned Captain of Company B, and served as such until he was trans- ferred to staff duty, and was ordered to the North- west, with his headquarters at Ft. Laramie. During this time there was considerable trouble'among the Indians. He remained at this post until Novem- ber of 1863, when he returned to St. Louis, resigned his eommission, and returned to his family, who in the meantime had been at Farmington, Iowa. At that place he rejoined them and stopped for a short time.
Our subjeet now purchased a farm in that county, and engaged in general farming with abundant suecess for about three years, when he sold out and purehased a paper-mill at Bentonsport, Iowa, and operated this until 1868, during which time the business largely increased. In 1867 our subjeet was elected by the Republican party to the Legisla- ture. The election aroused unusual interest, and such was his character and popularity that he ran far ahead of his ticket and had an overwhelming majority. He was in the session of 1867-68, which was one of the most important and exciting, be- cause of the subject under diseussion being the re- suming of land grants and reletting of the land. The Legislature finally settled the matter by resum- ing the land and reletting it under additional con- ditions. These were accepted by the railroads and since fulfilled. Also, because this was the first
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Legislature to take cognizance of railroad freight, transportation and rates, fixing the maximum of the rate. Our subject by the same powers which had made him a successful army officer soon became a recognized leader of his body. as many of his col- leagues still testify. The above matters, with the bills naturally springing from them, made this ses- sion exceedingly important in the history of the State.
Upon returning from the Legislature our subject went to Council Bluffs, and engaged in obtaining right of way, depot privileges, subscriptions, etc., for the St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad Company, following this by a similar position for what is now the Wabash Railroad, to the Iowa and Missouri State line. The trains of that railroad are at present running over the ground thus secured by our subject. This had brought him on to the year 1870, and for about two years he confined his work more especially within the usual boundaries of the real-estate business. In 1872 he was elected Warden of the Iowa Penitentiary at Ft. Madison, and continued to hold the same for three terms, each of two years, and is held by all to have been the best disciplinarian with the minimum of punish- ment up to that period of the history of the insti- tution. His government was in excellent favor among the inmates, and gained for him quite a large and favorable reputation throughout the State and elsewhere, so much so that many promi- nent men consulted him regarding his methods; among the States thus consulting him were South Carolina, Texas, California, Missouri and Indiana.
The term of our subject as Warden expired in the spring of 1878. He then purchased a farm of 240 acres in Fremont County, Iowa, and engaged in general farming, but also gave much thought and attention to the higher grades of stock, including horses, cattle and hogs. The horses were chiefly those adapted for general road purposes, and were of the Hambletonian order. His cattle were upon the line of the Short-horns and Jerseys, the rest of them being registered. This he followed until 1883, when he sold out and came to this place to live. He had visited it in 1882 and was much pleased with the country. Since the above time he has made his residence here continuously, and is held
by the citizens as one of the most prominent and honorable citizens. Ile is often selected to repre- sent Wymore in conventions and other gatherings. He is at present serving as Supervisor of Wymore Township, being eleeted in 1886 and re-elected in 1887.
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