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 15
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The subject of this sketch was born in Buffalo, N. Y., Nov. 11, 1837. He was but one year old when his parents moved to Ohio, settling in Brace- ville Township. His education was continued in the schools of Akron, Summit County, and after their removal to the farm be became familiar with its various labors. He remained with his parents until the spring of 1859, then coming West, crossed the Missouri River at Nebraska City on the 20th of April of that year. He took up his location in this county on the 24th of May following, thus being one of the earliest pioneers of Southern Nebraska. In Blue Springs Township there were then only Henry Elliot, with his father and brother, a family by the name of Eavener, and another by the name of Poff. His nearest neighbor was two miles dis- tant from the tract of land which he secured from the Government.
The Indians had not then left this section of conntry, being settled on a reservation, and caused the settlers much apprehension on account of their depredations and hostility to the whites. Wild ani- mals also were abundant. For fifteen years Mr. Barnum contended with the elements of the soil and other inconveniences attendant upon pioneer life, then began to realize the fruits of his labors. By careful cultivation his land yielded abundantly, and he erected the buildings necessary for his eon- venience and comfort. He occupied this home un- til 1871. In the meantime, after the outbreak of the late Civil War, he enlisted on the 1st of Septem- ber, 1861, in the 1st Battalion of Nebraska Cavalry,
afterward transferred to the 5th lowa Cavalry. and did good service as a soldier in the States of Ken- tucky and Tennessee until Nov. 11, 1862, when he was compelled to accept his discharge on account of disability. Two brothers of Mr. Barnum were also in the late war. One, Samuel H., was wounded at the battle of Chancellorsville, and died soon after from his wounds. The daughter Kate is a teacher in the grammar school at Blue Springs.
Mr. Barnum was married April 19, 1863, to one of the most estimable ladies of Blue Springs, Mrs. Myra HI. Rappleye, and of this union there were born four children, one of whom died in in- fancy ; those surviving are Kate, Eli H. and Roza. The family in the winter of 1871 left the farm and removed to Blue Springs, where Mr. Barnum put up a small house and a hay stable, and thus inau- gurated the business from which he now derives a bandsome income. He went to Bloomington, Neb., in 1873, laid the foundations for the second build- ing in the town, and also established a livery stable there later. which he operated three years. He deals largely in Clyde, Norman and Percheron horses, and exhibits some of the finest animals in Southern Nebraska, of immense size and great beauty. Ilis farm furnishes fine pasturage for these animals, and he also has convenient stables, and all the other appliances necessary for the successful prosecution of his calling. His stables contain some high-bred trotting stock, in the care and training of which he exercises the most excellent judgment, and has gained for himself an enviable reputation throughout the State. His brood mare stands sec- ond to none in the country.
Mr. Barnum in addition to bis extensive private interests has held the various township offices, and is everywhere spoken of as one of the liberal and public-spirited men of Gage County. Quiet and unassuming in his manners, he is one of the few who gain hosts of friends who respect him for his good qualities alone. He still bas in his possession a cer- tificate of election to the office of the Register of Deeds in Gage County, before its organization, and which had to be acknowleged in Pawnee County. This bears the date July 16, 1859, and was signed by Julius Tyler, Clerk. It is a document carefully preserved, and one with which he would not part
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for considerable money. In Blue Springs Town- ship he has served as Assessor, Supervisor and Treasurer of the School Board.
Mrs. Barnum was born in Derbyshire, England. Her mother was Frances (Hollingworth) Shelley, and the parents emigrated to America when she was a young girl of fourteen years. They settled on a tract of land in Portage County, Wis., and Myra remained under the parental roof until her marriage to L. C. Rappleye, who died in 1861. Her father followed farming until his death, which occurred about 1884. The mother resides with her son, R. E. Shelley, in Holmesville, Gage Co., Neb., and has arrived at the ripe old age of seventy-two years.
C HRISTIAN C. MOWRY was early identified with the pioneers of Gage County, coming here in the very prime of early manhood, and devoting his energies to assist in the develop- ment of the wonderful agricultural resources of this exceedingly fertile and productive region. He is an intelligent, enterprising man, of honorable character and good business habits, and is well de- serving of the good fortune that has come to him through his persistent toil. He now owns a good farm on section 12, Paddock Township, that in cult- ure and productiveness compares favorably with any other farm in the township.
Our subject was born in Darke County, Ohio, Oct. 17, 1844, to Jacob and Susanna (Cring) Mowry. His father was a man of good standing in his com- munity, both as a man and as a citizen, and his death, in 1857, was felt to be a loss beyond the home circle. The mother of our subject, an esti- mable, capable woman, now lives in Blue Springs, this county. Christian C. was twelve years old when his parents removed from the place of his birth to make their home in Sandusky County, Ohio, and there the remaining years of his boyhood were passed. There he was living quietly when the Rebellion broke out, a youth of sixteen years, too young to enlist, but he watched with intense in- terest the course of the contending armies, and at length the longed-for opportunity to take an active
part in the conflict offered, and he gladly seized the chance to go as a substitute, becoming a member of the Ohio National Guards, May 2. 1864, and served with the regiment about 100 days. In Feb- ruary, 1865, he enlisted in Company B, 195th Ohio Infantry, and was a member of that company until the close of the war. He was on guard duty until about Christmas, 1865, and proved himself to be a capable, trusty soldier.
Mr. Mowry was united in marriage to Miss Lu- cinda Haupster, Feb. 27, 1868, and he owes much of his present prosperity to her wise and ready help. Her parents, Thomas and Catherine Haupster, of Richardson County, Neb., came to Gage County the next spring after she and her husband settled here, and her father died here in 1884. Her mother now makes her home in Falls City, Neb. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Mowry has been blessed to them by the birth of seven children, namely : William H., Charles A., Effa E., Sarah L., twins who died in infancy, and John F. Mrs. Mowry is a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Blue Springs.
In the fall of 1868 Mr. Mowry decided to make his home in Nebraska, where he thought he could establish a comfortable home for himself and his young wife in this new and rapidly growing State, and be able sooner to gain a competence than in the older and more densely populated States in the East. After his arrival he located about three miles north of Blue Springs, in this county. Ne- braska was not then what it is now; it had but re- cently been admitted into the Union, and gave but little indications of its present wealth and high standing among its sister States. Gage County was then but sparsely inhabited, there were but few houses in Blue Springs, and Beatrice was but a village; its pioneers had scarcely more than entered upon the development of its resources; the sur- rounding country was in a very wild condition; In- dians were here in great numbers, and wild game, such as deer, antelope, wild turkey, etc., was abun- dant. In March, 1880, Mr. Mowry came to Pad- dock Township and purchased his present farm. and he thus became one of the early settlers of this township. His farm comprises 120 acres of land, on which but few improvements had been made
NEBRASKA FARM & IMPROVEMENT COS. FEEDING FARM (3220 ACRES,) IN GAGE & JEFFERSON CO. NEBRASKA. KILPATRICK BROS PROPRIETORS PRODUCED IN 1888. 90000 BU. CORN & OATS.
CORN.
CORN
OAT
SEC.35.
CORN.
SEC. 26.
CORN.
CORN
CORN
CORN.
SEC. 25.
SEC. 36.
CORN.
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SEC. 30
TENANT HOUSE ON SCHOOL-LAND SEC.36.
CENTRE OF - SEC. 26.
FEEDING FARM OF . NEBRASKA FARM & IMPROVEMENT .CO .= KILPATRICK BRO'S, PROPI
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OATS.
CORN.
LECIDE, 431G.( 664)
TENANT HOUSES
SEC .26
SEC'S. 25. 26. 35. 36.(T.4.R.4) JEFFERSON CO,& SEC'S. 19. 30.&31. GAGE CO, NEBRASKA.
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when he became the possessor of it. He now has it under a high state of cultivation, and his patient labors are rewarded by abundant harvests. A part of his farm is devoted to pastorage and mowing land, as he pays much attention to raising stock.
K' ILPATRICK BROS. As a firm of railroad contractors, that of Kilpatrick Bros, is one of the largest in the country, and has an unsullied reputation for business. integrity, honor, efficiency and promptness. These qualities have brought them after eighteen years of bnsi- ness life to the front rank in their line. The firm consists of four brothers, sons of Samuel and Rachael Kilpatrick, who came originally from Ohio, and set- tled in the western part of Gage County in June, 1859. Here they resided upon the home farm pur- chased at the time of settlement until February. 1873, when Samuel Kilpatrick died ; since that time his widow has continued to make her home there. They were the parents of six sons, viz: John D., Ilenry C .. William H., Robert J., Samuel D. and Joseph M. The first four sons were born in Jasper County, Mo .; Samuel in Iowa, and the youngest in this county. They have followed continuously, and with splendid success, stock farming and railroad construction.
The originator of the firm was the eldest son, who began his life as a railroad contractor in 1867, by working on the Union Pacific Railroad for two years. This was followed in 1869 by a contract to build part of the Texas & El Paso Pacific, thence he went to work on the New Orleans, Mobile & Chattanooga. The following year found him at work under contract on the International & Great Northern Railroad, and after two years he began to build sixty-three miles of the Galveston, Colorado & Santa Fe, and 1879 found him back in Nebraska laying the steel bands from Marysville to Beatrice. Thus the business grew continuously with the widen- ing circle of its influence, and enriching its circula- tion.
The partnership was arranged, and work begun under its provisions in 1881, and without doubt there is not a more united and mutually loyal firm
in the country. From April, 1882, to the close of 1883, the firm was engaged in constructing the railroad in Idaho and Oregon; in 1883 they began to work on what is known as the High Line of the Denver & South Park Railroad, between Frisco and Leadville. During 1884 and 1885 contracts were filled in the States of Wisconsin, Dakota and Kan- sas, and from that on they have been constantly and fully employed in Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington Territory and Ore- gon. The commercial standing of this firm with the chief railroad corporations of the country is the very highest, and they are now at work upon contracts for some of the largest and wealthiest of these. Since the firm was established they have constrneted not less than 3,000 miles of railway. beside erecting a large number of buildings, and carrying on their extensive real-estate interests. They are the owners of a farm in Gage County, con- sisting of over 3,000 acres in pasture and under cul- tivation. This property is a veritable model farm, complete in all points of its equipment. One corn field is of the modest extent of 1,200 acres. Upon their farm they fatten from 300 to 500 head of steers for the Eastern market every year, and dur- ing the winter months take care of from 200 to 300 mules; these and some 300 horses are at other sea- sons kept fully employed in their railroad work. The brothers also own an extensive horse and cattle ranch in Chase County, Neb., known as "the quar- ter circle W.", It comprises a large tract of land. and much of it has been cultivated, and crops of millet, cane and corn, successfully raised. Upon the ranch are between 3,000 and 4,000 head of cattle, and about 350 head of well-bred horses. They are breeding largely of the Norman stock. In this re- speet they are pioneers in the western part of tlie State, in that they are opening up and developing a new country, thereby encouraging emigration to that part of the State.
Several years ago the brothers erected a very comfortable modern residence, pleasant in situation and convenient in arrangement, which was designed for the especial use of their mother, who is held in most affectionate veneration by hier sons, who con- sider nothing too good or too beantiful for her use. Athough aged, she is still a bright, active and
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healthful lady, retaining possession of all her pow- ers and faculties, and justly proud of her sons, to whose interests she is entirely devoted, and whose confidant she has been for so many years. John D., Henry and Robert are each married, and have families of their own; Joseph makes his home upon the farm, which is under his care and supervision.
The homes of John and Robert Kilpatrick are among the finest in the city of Beatrice, and their architectural elegance is well set off by the ex- tensive well-kept lawns that surround them. The firm is at present erecting a three-story brick build- ing in one of the best business localities of the city, their own offices being situated in a fine stone build- ing on the corner of Courtand Fifth streets. These are splendidly arranged and well fitted, no conveni- ence or healthful arrangement seemingly having been omitted. The Kilpatrick brothers are Repub- licans in politics.
We invite the reader's attention to the splendid double-page engraving of the fine stock farm be- longing to these gentlemen. Some specimens of the fine stock they own arc also shown.
AMUEL D. WRIGHT, A. M., LL. B., one of the most cultured men of Gage County, endowed with more than ordinary capabili- ties and a fine intellect, has been identified with the business interests of Blue Springs since the winter of 1887-88. He is engaged in the grocery trade, having a large and fine store building, and carrying a full assortment of everything pertaining to this line of merchandise, including queensware and the other articles most extensively used, both in the farm and village household. In addition to his store and stock he has a neat and tasteful farm residence situated on a fine tract of land three miles northeast of Blue Springs, and comprising eighty acres under a thorough state of cultivation. Here he lives with his family, driving to and from the city morning and evening.
Mr. Wright is a native of Van Buren County, Iowa, where he was born Jan. 9, 1847, and where he lived until 1865. Then, a youth of eighteen years, and his father having sold the farm, he re-
paired to Mt. Pleasant, and entering the Iowa Wesleyan University, was a student of that institu- tion for a period of five years, at the expiration of which he was graduated with the degree of A. B. Soon afterward he was tendered the position of teacher in the High School of that place and was thus occupied one year; then, entering the Iowa State University at Iowa City, he was graduated a year later with the title of LL. B.
The year following, 1872, Mr. Wright left his native place and repaired to Osage County, Kan., locating in Burlingame, where he commenced the practice of his profession, and was thus occupied there for a period of eight years. In the mean- time he was made Prosecuting Attorney for that county a number of terms and held various city offices. In 1880 he came to this State, sojourning two years in the city of Lincoln, and in the mean- time looking about for a different location. He finally drifted into the stock business, having his headquarters in Richardson County. At the time of the sale of the Indian Reservation he purchased a quarter-section of land in Barneston Township, and since that time he has been a resident of this county. He has brought his land to a fine state of cultivation, erected neat 'and substantial buildings, and has a residence which, with its surroundings, forms one of the finest homes in this region. At present his stock consists mostly of draft horses, to which he pays particular attention, and has some of the choicest animals in Southern Nebraska.
In January. 1888, Mr. Wright invested a portion of his capital in a stock of groceries, from which he has built up a profitable and extensive trade. His promptness in meeting his obligations and his straightforward methods of doing business have secured him the esteem and confidence of the best people of the county, who are his warm friends as well as being his generous patrons. Amid the mutiplicity of his business cares he has always found time to keep himself posted upon current events, and has followed a thorough and instructive course of reading, and as a conversationalist is more than ordinarily intelligent and interesting. In 1882 he was chosen as a candidate of the Republican party to represent Richardson County in the Nebraska Legislature, but was defeated on account of his
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strong Prohibition principles, principally by the German element.
At the age of twenty-seven years Mr. Wright established domestic ties of his own by his marriage, Sept. 10, 1873, with Miss Ella Johnson, of Henry County, Iowa. Of this union there were born four children, three living, viz: Carrie B., Dillon E. and Joseph G. Lewis, a bright boy nine years of age, died March 12, 1883. The other children still re- main under the home roof, receiving the advan- tages of a good education and careful parental training. Mrs. Wright was born in Pennsylvania, June 9, 1850, and when quite young removed with her parents to Iowa, where she was reared to womanhood, acquiring a fair education in the com- mon schools. Her father, Lewis Johnson, was also a native of the Keystone State, and a farmer by oc- cupation. He is now retired. The mother, Mrs. Mary A. (Patterson) Johnson, is still living. The parental household included five children, two only of whom are living.
The father of our subject, William S. Wright, was born in Washington County, Pa., Feb. 8, 1809, where he was reared and educated in the common schools. Upon approaching manhood he served an apprenticeship as a brickmason and later operated as a contractor. Finally abandoning his trade he engaged in mercantile business at Bloomington, Ind., of which he became a resident at an early day. He sold out in 1840, and crossing the Missis- sippi cast his lot among the pioneers of Van Buren County, Iowa, during its Territorial days. Taking up a tract of land he superintended the cultivation of the soil, from which was built up an extensive farm, the latter being managed mostly by his sons. He became interested in stock-raising, and also bought and shipped large numbers of cattle to the Eastern market. This latter business he followed until his death, which occurred in Iowa in June, 1865. His last illness was contracted while on his journey to Garden Grove, Iowa, for the purpose of looking after an extra large herd of cattle.
The mother of our subject, who in her girlhood was Miss Margaret S. Hite, was born in Kentucky, April 14, 1814, and removed with her parents to Indiana about 1824. Of her marriage with Will- iam S. Wright there were born thirteen children,
seven sons and six daughters, and twelve of them lived to mature years. The mother is now deceased. The subject of this sketch, always a thoughtful and serious lad, at the age of eighteen years identified himself with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and transferred his membership to the Blue Springs Society in 1884. He is now accounted one of its most prominent and useful members, serving as Steward, and ever laboring earnestly in the building up of its best interests. Near his residence he has established a Sunday-school, in which he officiates as Superintendent, and is a general favorite with both young and old. Socially, he belongs to the Masonie fraternity, and was formerly a Knight of Honor.
The maternal grandfather of our subject spent the last years of his life with the latter, dying at the advanced age of ninety-three years. He had served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and pos- sessed many excellent qualities. Grandmother Hite was a lineal descendant of Chancellor Kent, whose name is familiar to all readers of history and theology. Joseph A. Wright, a paternal uncle of our subject, was during the late Civil War Gover- nor of Indiana, and did efficient service in promot- ing the principles of union and freedom throughout that State, probably more than any other man in the State at that time, although during his early manhood he had been a supporter of the Democratic party. He was at one time appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to the court of Russia, by Presi- dent Buchanan, and re-appointed by President Lincoln. George G. Wright, another uncle, was a Judge for a long period of the Supreme Court of Iowa, and United States Senator. He is now a resident of Des Moines, Iowa, where he is often visited by his nephew, Samuel D., of this sketch.
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AMES E. POWELL. In the present bio- graphical sketch it will be the endeavor suc- cinctly to present an outline of the life of the genial and popular Clerk of Nemaha Township, who is also the owner of a fine farm on section 11, where in general farming and stock- raising he is rapidly becoming one of the leading
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farmers. He is the son of Henry and Margaret (Austin) Powell, natives of Virginia and Maryland respectively. Horatio Powell, the grandfather of our subject, was likewise a Virginian. The parents of our subject were married at Moline, Ill., in the year 1854, where Mr. Powell was interested in the lumber trade, being part owner of one of the saw- mills on the banks of the Mississippi, and was also engaged as a sawyer. His death was the result of an unfortunate, and to his family terrible, accident, and occurred as the result of a severe blow upon the thigh, received from a bounding scantling. He only lingered two or three days, and then died, being at the age of about thirty-four years.' This sad event occurred in 1858, leaving his widow with three children, who were named as follows: James E., Mary E. and Sarah B. His widow, the mother of our subject, still lives at Grand Island, Neb., and is aged fifty-five years.
Our subject was born at Moline, and his early recollections gather round that place, although, be- ing but four years of age when his father met his death, his memory supplies no entableture of him. After the death of his father our subject lived for a short time with his grandparents, and when his mother married again he returned home. From the age of eighteen he resided with his grandparents until 1880. During this time he had received a practical, common-school education. Upon leaving them he went to Bedford, Iowa, and farmed for one year, and from there went to Conway, where his mother came to keep house for him, her second husband having died. She was accompanied by the four children born of her second marriage, whose names are as here recorded: Anna R. Goldsberry, Romance, John and Flora.
At Conway, Iowa. Mr. Powell purchased a farm, which was afterward sold and another purchased. This process was repeated two or three times dur- ing his residence in that place. In September, 1883, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Chiles, a daughter of Henry and Dica (Kennedy) Chiles, both of whom were natives of the Eastern States. Mr. Chiles was assassinated in Texas by political opponents, he being a strong Republican and anti-slavery man, neither of which would serve as favorable credentials there at that time. His
widow is still living at Conway, and is aged sixty years. She became the mother of eight children, five of whom are living, Mrs. Powell being the youngest. She was born Sept. 14, 1862, at Paris, Tex. ; her father's death occurring so soon after, she has no recollection of him whatever. Shortly after the death of her husband Mrs. Chiles returned with her children to Illinois, and settled in Knox and Mercer Counties. and in 1881 removed to Iowa. Mrs. Powell, who received a good education in the Illinois schools, made the acquaintance of our sub- ject there ; this friendship was renewed subsequently in Illinois, and under such circumstances that its rapid growth demanded satisfaction in the more complete union of wedded life. They have one son, Claude, born in the year 1884.
Shortly after his marriage our subject came with his wife to this county, and took up 120 acres of land on section 11 of Nemaha Township. This removal has been shown by the results to have been the right step, for success has smiled upon them from the first. Additional purchases have been made from time to time, of 200 acres. The atten- tion of our subject is chiefly given to stock-raising, and besides his regular stock and herds he has a half- interest in the well-known stallion, "Westland Chief," of English shire strain.
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