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 26
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in the summer of 1858, pre-empted land on Turkey Creek and the Big Blue River, and upon it estab- lished his home, thus becoming perhaps the first prominent settler, and in his honor the township was named. At various times he held all the offices of the township, and was one of the first County Com- missioners, and so mueh had his official conduct commended itself to the people that he, as the say- ing is, "Carried the votes of the township in his pocket." He was one of the most active and pub- lic-spirited citizens the county possessed, and withal, unselfish and disinterested. From his first vote to the last he was a firm and ardent supporter of the Republican cause, believed heartily in its principles, and supported its candidates.
For the greater part of his life our subject had lived in pioneer settlements and had developed a large-hearted, genial, beneficent character, npon the basic principle of the Golden Rule, and found large opportunity for the full exercise of the same; every man was a friend until he proved himself so utterly devoid of principle and manliness as to make him unworthy the name. What he was to his neighbors he was to the State and country-self-forgetful, generous to a fault, and true as compass needle is to pole, loving truth and justice as he did his life. It is not surprising that at his death he was mourned by all who knew him, as they mourn who lose a dear and personal friend.
Prior to making his home in this State Mr. Grant had lived in Sauk County, Wis., where he had resided for over twelve years. He was one of a number of emigrants from Somersetshire, England, where he was born on the 14th of February, 1819, and in the same county his family had lived, married, set- tled and died, for many generations. By trade he was a carpenter and wheelwright, and had learned and followed that calling in his native country. While still in England he was married to Margaret Avery, of his own shire. This lady accompanied him on his journey to the States, and landed in New York prior to the birth of . the first child. Shortly after this event had transpired they came on to Wisconsin, and in August of 1858 the family re- moved to Nebraska and located in what is now Grant Township, where his wife died in the year 1861. This removal was made in the interest of
the young people of the family, in order that they might have a better start in life than otherwise could be, and it was the happiness of our subject to see them all make a most desirable beginning, with every prospect of continued and ultimate success.
At the time of her death Mrs. Margaret Avery Grant was past middle life. She was the mother of seven children, and of these five are yet living, whose names are as follows: James A., John B., George E., Isabelle M. and Ann U. James is the owner of a farm in the same township; his brother John is the husband of Amelia Carey, and is also one of the successful farmers in the same neighbor- hood; George, who is married to Ellen Buss, lives in Superior of this State, and is a wholesale liquor dealer; Isabelle, now Mrs. John Woodhouse, is a resident of De Witt, where her husband follows the trade of a carpenter and builder, while the youngest daughter is the wife of Jolin McCabe, a stone-cutter of Beatrice.
Our subject was married a second time, at Crete, Saline Co., Neb., upon the 2d of September, 1872, the lady of his choice being Miss Annie Mas- ters, who was born in Devonshire, England, on the 30th of June, 1831. This lady is the danghter of William and Martha (IIodge) Masters, both of whom are now deceased. Her father was a farmer and blacksmith, and lived in Devonshire most of his life. Their danghter Annie was the ninth of the thirteen children born in this family. She was edu- cated in her native county, and there made ler home until the years of young womanhood were reached. She is happy in being the mother of a daughter, who is a pledge of her husband's affection and a link that will ever hold her memory to him. This child has received the name Eleanor, and is now thirteen years of age.
Mrs. Grant and family have all been brought up and remained in the Episcopal Church, of which our subject was also a member, and are among its most ardent adherents. Mrs. Grant, who enjoys the most complete confidence, respect and sympathy of the community, has throughont all her bereavement and trouble manifested a spirit of Christian resignation, patience and hope, that reflects most highly upon her devotion to not ouly her husband and family, but also her religious faith.
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Her education, character and disposition combine to make her worthy and fit to grace any position in the home or in society. Our subject went back to his old home in England in 1867, and brought over one sister, three nephews and two nieces; he made a second visit in 1871.
OHN E. KELLY. About half way between England and Ireland, and somewhat to the northwest of the Welsh Cape, Holy Head, lies a small but exceedingly beautiful island, the legendary law of its people being filled with countless historic, tragic and romantic incidents. It is chiefly inhabited by farmer fishermen, who in their little world are happy, peaceful and prosper- ous. They largely speak in their native tongue, the Manx, a relic of the ancient Celtic tribal lan- guage. Upon this island was born, March 16, 1845, the subject of this sketch. There also be was reared to manhood and received his education.
In the steamer " The City of London" our sub- ject came to the United States shortly after his twenty-third birthday, starting upon the 6th of April, and landing in New York on the 21st of the same month. He made his way soon after his arrival to Ford County, Ill. There he engaged in farming and was quite prosperous. This property is situated on section 22 of Sicily Precinct, and comprises 240 acres of excellent land, splendidly adapted for purposes of husbandry, well improved and highly cultivated.
Withont circnmlocution it is safe to say that the most happy decision in the history of our subject was that which culminated in the connubial felicity resultant from his union in marriage ties with Miss Esther A. Taylor, which event occurred upon the 23d of March, 1873. This lady is a daughter of Jacob and Alice Taylor, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Their daughter was born in Lancashire, England, July 31, 1851, and con- tinucd to make her home with her parents until her marriage, and in the pure atmosphere of that home the seeds of that noble character sprang forth and throve, and since her establishment in her own home have yielded results without which the life of her
husband would have been possibly desolate and destitnte of the prosperity which has crowned it, for when they joined their hands and hearts before the hymeneal altar they became one in the true sense of the word, and their interests have been unified from that honr.
There have come to consummate the happiness of the home of our subject seven children, whose names are here appended in the order of their birth : Lewis E., born on the 13th of August, 1874; William J., April 21, 1876; Bertha M., June 3, 1878; Fred- erick J., Sept. 7, 1880; Cora A., Nov. 21, 1882; James A., Feb. 15, 1885; and Pearl E., July 23, 1887.
With the exception of a few local matters our subject has voted the straight Republican ticket from the time when he cast his first vote for the martyred President, James A. Garfield. IIe is, however, a careful and earnest student of questions of the Government and political economy, and dis- tingnishes clearly between a quasi loyalty and true patriotism, and governs himself in regard to political questions accordingly.
AMES CRAIG is a young man who takes a prominent rank among the business men of Barnston, having by his own activity and industry raised himself to a position of influ- ence as banker, real-estate and loan agent. He was born in Grundy County, Ill., on the 5th of March, 1850, and is a son of William Craig, who was a native of Ireland, having his birthplace near the city of Belfast. He emigrated to the United States when but a boy, and in this country he grew up to manhood and gathered about him a family and a circle of friends and acquaintances. He is now deceased.
Our subject received his elementary education from the common schools, and then took a course of study at the college in Wheaton, DuPage Co., Ill., which fitted him for active business life. After his course at college he taught school for a short time, but having spent his earlier years on a farm he preferred to engage in agriculture until Novem- ber of 1885, when he came to Barnston and
Ull Dr L.B. Boggs
Len L.B Boggi
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engaged in his present business. He was early ree- ognized as an enterprising young man, bearing a good character, and he at once received the hand of good-fellowship from the prominent residents here. He his entered heartily into the public affairs of this place, supporting the movements which tend to the advancement and improvement of the public welfare. and in every way has distinguished himself as a good and loyal citizen.
On the 9th of February, 1886, our subject, real- izing the fact that it is not good for man to be alone, was joined in marriage with Miss Emma C. Wait, a daughter of Phillip Wait, of Sedan, Kan. Mr. and Mrs. Craig are prominent and influential members of society, and in the short time they have made their residence in this city they have gathered about them a circle of friends and acquaintances from the best families. The business in which our subject is engaged naturally brings him in contact with a large number of the most prominent citizens of the community, and he is becoming well estab- lished here. In this office he makes use of the im- proved time lock and burglar-proof safe.
ON. L. B. BOGGS. Prominent among those who have assisted in building up the town of Filley is the subject of this sketch, a man of wealth and influence, and one whose nat- ural abilities have won for him a high place among the financiers and business men of this part of the county. His portrait may be seen on the opposite page. He traces his ancestry back to Ireland, where his paternal grandfather, Andrew Boggs, was born, in 1759. Upon emigrating to America he settled in Virginia, and spent the remainder of his life there.
James Boggs. the father of our subject, was born in Virginia, where he lived until a young man twenty years of age. Upon leaving home he mi- grated to the embryo town of Newcastle, Ind., where shortly afterward he was married to Miss Martha Stinson, who was born in East Tennessee, Oct. 26, 1806. Her father, John Stinson, with his wife, was also a native of that State, and they spent their last years in Henry County, Ind.
The parents of our subject continued residents of Indiana, where the father carried on farming until his death, which occurred Nov. 7, 1842. The mother survived a period of ten years, and died at the old homestead, March 6, 1852. Their family included seven children, six sons and one daughter, of whom the following are living. namely: L. B., the subject of this sketeli: Milton M., a physician of Lincoln, Ind .; Anthony, a farmer of Argus, Mar- shall Co., Ind .; Joel L., a merchant of Argus, Ind., and William J., who is farming in the vicinity of Saline, Kan.
Hon. L. B. Boggs was born Sept. 3, 1828, at New- castle, Ind., and was but fourteen years of age at the time of his father's death. He was thus thrown upon his own resources, and for two years follow- ing worked for his board and clothes, and attended school three months in the winter. He was always recognized as a bright and ambitious lad, and de- termined to have an education. He followed farm- ing in the manner already described until twenty years old, and was then so fortunate as to be able to enter Wabash Valley College, in his native State, where he took a full classical course, including three years of Latin, and one year of Greek, besides the common English branches, and natural science.
At the close of his college course young Boggs was employed in an elevator one year in Michigan City, and then took up the study of medicine, at Leesburg. Ind. Three years later he entered upon the practice of his profession at North Manchester, where he was located until the fall of 1858. He then changed the scene of his labors to Neponset, Ill., where he operated until 1565. From there he removed to Argus, Ind., where he followed his pro- fession until 1870, and then on account of failing health turned over his practice to his brother, and for a year served as Deputy Marshal of the Third District of Marshall County. At the expiration of the year he resumed practice, and continued in In- diana until September, 1871, when he traced his steps to this county.
Dr. Boggs, soon after landing in Southern Ne- braska, purchased 185 acres of land in what is now Filley Township, but what was then designated as "Mud Creek." For this he paid $4.50 per acre, intending to commence stock-raising, but as soon as
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it became known that he was a physician he was in- duced to resume his profession. He, however, did not abandon his stock operations, in which he was ably assisted by his sons. His practice in a short time extended for twenty miles in different direc- tions, his farm being his office and headquarters.
Dr. Boggs, in 1887, feeling that he had done am- ple service in the professional field, and having edu- vated one of his sons to succeed him, retired from active practice, and is now for the most part giving bimself up to the enjoyment of the ample fortune . which he has secured by his energy and persever- ance. He has given his children a liberal educa- tion, and finds great pleasure in establishing them in business, and watching their careers, which there is every reason to believe will be but the reflex of his own. He has not been witbont his reverses, having like his neighbors fought the grasshopper scourge, and upon the occasion of one of the severe storms frequently visiting this region suffered the loss of a fine barn, which was struck by lightning and burned.
Our subject has dealt considerably in real estate, and besides giving a farm to each of his six sons has 265 acres of good land in Filley Township. He usually keeps a herd of fifty cattle and thirty head of horses and colts. In August, 1884, Dr. Boggs and a number of other gentlemen interested in the temperance work organized a publishing company, of which the Doctor was made Vice President, and began the publication of the New Republic, with which our subject remained associated until 1887. He then retired from its management, although not from any lack of interest in the work, which he be- lieves to be one of the most important on the face of the globe. He was born and reared a Democrat, and continued one until after the election of Pierce. From that time until the organization of the Re- publican party he was an Abolitionist until this party had accomplished its objeet by the extinction of slavery. In 1880 he identified himself with the Prohibition party, and in 1884 was one of the Presi- dential electors on the Prohibition ticket. In 1876 he was elected by the people of Gage County as their Representative to the Nebraska Legislature, and assisted in that most important measure, the adoption of the new constitution. In the House of
Representatives he was the same industrious and energetic spirit that he has been always, and served on the Judicial Committee, besides being called upon for aid in the settlement of various vexed questions outside the province of this committee.
During the term of Dr. Boggs as a member of the House occurred the Senatorial contest, which resulted in the election finally of Alvin Saunders, and in which contest the Doctor bore no nnimpor- tant part. In his township and county there have always been offices at his command, but he has pre- ferred the quiet of home surroundings, and to give his attention to his farm and his family. Socially, he belongs to the Masonie fraternity. He is a stock- holder and one of the directors in the bank at Fil- ley, and to various enterprises intended for the advancement of the people around him has ever lent a cordial and generous support.
The marriage of L. B. Boggs and Miss Virginia R. Fraser was celebrated at the home of the bride in Indiana, Oet. 26, 1854. Mrs. Boggs is the daugh- ter of James and Sarah (Campbell) Fraser, who were natives of Washington, D. C., and are de- ceased. Mr. Fraser was born in Alexandria, Va., July 3, 1798, and died July 4, 1884, in Indiana. His wife, Sarah, was born in Washington, D. C., in 1808. They were married in Washington, and in the year 1834 emigrated to the vicinity of the em- bryo town of LaPorte, Ind., where Mr. F. followed farming. There the mother died in October, 1866. They had a family of eight children, of whom Mrs. B. was the third in order of birth. Six only of these children are now living: Catherine is the wife of Thomas K. Armstrong, a farmer of Johnson, Mo .; Noval W. is superintendent of the broom depart- ment of the penitentiary at Lincoln, Neb .; Virginia R., Mrs. Boggs; Mary, Mrs. William Shumaker, is the wife of a well-to-do farmer and merchant of Chilhowee. Mo .; Joseph R., of LaPorte, is engaged in merchandising, and Cornelia, who lives there also, is unmarried.
Mrs. Virginia Boggs was born in LaPorte County, Ind., March 28, 1836, where she was reared and educated, and remained under the parental roof until her marriage. Of her union with our subject there have been born thirteen children, eleven of whom are now living, namely: James F., born
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Jan. 7, 1856, and now carrying on farming in Filley Township, this county ; Charles S., born June 19, 1857, and practicing medicine in Filley ; Eva L., born Nov. 19, 1858, and now the wife of P. E. Plumb, a telegraph operator of Drummond, Wis .; Mary Ellen, born Aug. 5, 1860, and the wife of William H. Andrew, a lumberman of Table Rock, this State; Luther H .. born April 16, 1862, a livery- man of Filley ; Thomas W., born March 8, 1864, and farming in Filley Township: Benjamin F., born March 16, 1866, and assisting on the home farm; Alice C., born March 4, 1868; Virginia Belle, Dec. 20, 1870; Lewis W., Nov. 4, 1875, and Midge, Feb. 11, 1881. The younger children are all at home with their parents. The fine family of chil- dren, the beautiful and comfortable home where plenty reigns, the standing of a capable and ener- getic man in his community, form a picture pleas- ing to contemplate, and suggest the trne object of man's creation, namely, to glorify the Author of all good, and benefit the world around as opportunity occurs.
B. ESSEX. Prominent among progressive, intelligent and industrious citizens, and one who has distinguished himself by honorable service in behalf of his country, is the gentleman in whose honor we have commenced this sketch. He is the owner and manager of 400 acres of land on sec- tions 1 and 2, in Rockford, and thirty-five in Logan Township. His parents, Isaac B. and Isabella D. (Williams) Essex, were born in Albemarle County, Va., the former tracing his ancestry to the Essex family of Maryland. The father was a nurseryman and fruit-grower, and for a time after his marriage he was engaged in horticulture in his native State, removing to Ohio in 1825. In the latter place he devoted his attention to farming until he moved to Peoria, Ill., where he had charge of the first school ever taught there. He next changed his residence to Princess Grove, Putnam County, where he re- mained three years, afterward making his home in Stark County for several years.
The father of our subject then moved to Rock Island County, where he conducted an extensive nursery and fruit business for thirty years. Ile then
moved to Union County, beginning in the same business, in which he prospered very well. Unfort- unately he met with an accident which caused his death, Nov. 7, 1877, at the age of seventy-seven years. The mother of our subject died in Rock Island County in 1859, aged sixty-two years, after having reared a family of seven children, who bear the names of Elizabeth J., Elijah, Elisha J., Simcon E., Ira B., Mary S. and Truman B. The father married a second time, in 1860, a lady from Ar- kansas, named Mrs. Carver, by whom he had five children-Levi, Isabella, Ida and two infants un- named.
Our subject was born in Drury Township, Rock Island Co., Ill., on the 12th of July, 1837, and as he grew to an age in which he could be of help to his father he really took charge of the farm while his father attended to the nursery. In this way he received many valuable lessons in the latter busi- ness which have aided him in the improvement of his own place. IIe also had a fondness for domes- tie animals and took care of those on his father's farm, now giving special attention to stock-raising on his own behalf. Ilis education was limited to the common district schools, but in his acquaint- ance with the world he has gamed a large amount of general and useful information, which is of more value than the elementary learning from text-books.
On the 11th of September, 1862, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Louisa J. Sev- erns, a daughter of Nye and Magdalene (Quick) Severns, who were natives of the Empire State, but were early settlers in Rock Island County, Ill. The mother died in 1876, at the age of sixty years, and the father died in December. 1877, at the age of sixty-five years, having eleven children in their family, of whom the wife of our subject is the ninth. She was born on the 24th of November, 1845, in Drury Township, Rock Island County, and when she became of age to attend the district schools she received her early education therein. Our subject had become the owner of a farm, on which they resided for three years after their mar- riage, part of which time was spent in the service of the country, it being the time of the late civil disturbance.
Our subject enlisted for 100 days' service with
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Company K. 140th Illinois Infantry, and was placed on duty, guarding the Memphis & Charleston Rail- road, and was in Missouri at the time of Price's raid. After honorably serving for the time of his enlistment he returned home and went on his fa- ther's place, taking charge of the old homestead until the fall of 1873. He then came to Nebraska and purchased his present 400 acres on sections 1. 2, and also 35 in Logan Township, having been very suc- cessful in his farming and giving special attention to the raising of live stock. He feeds cattle largely and ships two carloads of beef cattle and a car- load of logs every year. His herd of cattle num- bers about sixty, exclusive of the breeding stock and feeders. He makes use of his knowledge of horticulture to beautify his own farm, and on it he has a splendid orchard of 150 apple trees. plenty of small fruits, vines, etc., and a splendid grove containing several acres of cottonwood, maple and box elder trees. He has erected a very fine honse, excellent barns and out-buildings, which greatly augment the value of his possessions.
By his marriage with Miss Severns our subject became the father of five children now living, named Elmer, Omer, Myrtie, Lelah D., Truman B., Jr., and a daughter, Alma, now deceased. His wife died in April, 1883, and he was married a second time in Rock Island County, Ill., to Miss Augusta P. Davis, a native of that county, who was born on the 2d of July. 1847. She had received an ex- cellent education in her early years, and for twenty- three years she adorned the profession of teaching, than which there is none more noble. Since her marriage with our subject she is the mother of one child, an infant, deceased. The parents of Mrs. Essex were Joseph S. and Amanda (Johnson) Davis, natives of New York State, and were married there in 1832. The mother died Sept. 18, 1880; the father died May 2, 1882, in Rock Island County, Ill. Our subject and his wife are honored members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Summit Class, of the Holmesville charge. The service in behalf of his country entitles our subject to a mem- bership in the G. A. R., Rollins Post No. 35, of Beatrice, and he is also a member of the social order of I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 19, in the same city, in which he has attained the degree of Past
Grand. Politically, he is connected with the Re- publican party, and was elected to the office of County Commissioner, in which he served from 1881 to 1885; in 1886 he was Supervisor, being the first to occupy that office in Rockford Township. In the Judiciary Courts he has served on the Grand and Petit Juries, and is prominently identified with the educational work of the township, now serving as Director of School District No. 49. His ability and service in behalf of the public institutions en- title him to an honorable mention among the most worthy of the township.
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