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 27
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W ILLIS F. HAMMOND ranks among the intelligent and prosperous young farmers of Highland Township, of which he has been a resident for four years. He is a native of Jo Daviess County, Ill., and was born on the 2d of May, 1859. His parents, Merwin K. and Samantha A. Hammond, are natives of Ohio and Pennsylva- nia respectively, and are now residing in the place in which our subject was born, having moved there from their native States in the year 1830, or about that time. Of the children who comprised their family eight are now living, and are named as fol- lows: Willis F., Charles A., Alice E .; Anna Sophro- nia, the wife of William Koch, of Jo Daviess County, Ill .; Frank N., Royal K., Freddie E. and Nellie A. Riley; one other child died in infancy. The parents are now in their prime, enjoying the fruits of a life spent in usefulness and well-doing, and are surrounded by relatives and friends who rally round them from long acquaintance, they hav- ing been among the early settlers of Jo Daviess County.
Our subject, being the eldest of a large family of children, was early called upon to assume part of the labor necessary for their maintenance, and thus from his boyhood days he has led an active, busy life. His father lived on a farm and he was early tanght all the duties pertaining to farm life. not obliged, however. to neglect his education, as has been the case with some less fortunate elder sons. He at- tended the public schools in his county until he was thoroughly posted in the elementary branches of
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learning, after which he for a time attended college at Galena, supplementing his course of instruction in the latter place by a partial course in the com - mercial department of the Normal School at Val- paraiso, Ind. Thus he was well equipped to start out in business for himself with a thorough educa- tion as the basis of whatever vocation he might choose, and since he had spent many years in farm labor he decided to continue in the same occupa- tion.
On the 21st of September, 1882, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie Campbell. who was also born in his native county on the 28thi of March, 1860, and is a daughter of John and Mary J. Campbell, the former of whom is deceased, and the latter is now making her home in Jo Daviess County. By their marriage they are parents of one son, named Charles II .. who was born on the 28th of January, 1884. In the spring of that year our subject came to this county and settled ou his pres- ent farm in Highland Township, section 17, consist- ing of 160 acres of well-improved and valuable land. Besides being extensively engaged in raising grain and general farm produce he gives considera- ble attention to buying and feeding cattle for the market, and by successful management and close attention to his business he receives a lucrative in- come, which has placed him in very good and comfortable circumstances, with well-improved sur- roundings.
Mrs. Hammond's father was a native of Canada and her mother of the Empire State, and of the seven children born to them the following-named are living: Robert H., in Jo Daviess County, Ill. ; David G. and John M. are deceased; the former was a physician. John W. resides in Humboldt County, łowa; Lizzie J., the wife of our subject; Anne C., in Illinois; George E. M., in Illinois. Mrs. Hammond's mother is a member of the Pres- byterian Church of the city in which she now makes her home. Both our subject and his wife are influential members of the Congrega- tional Church, in Cortland, and are highly es- teemed and active members of the society. The former is stoutly in favor of prohibition and has therefore joined the party which advocates the principles of total abstinence from intoxicating
drinks, and is always ready to lend a hand to the advancement of the public welfare and the improve- ment of the institutions of education and religion. He is everywhere spoken of as a straightforward, conscientious business man, and a pleasant, accom- modating neighbor.
F. DEWEY takes rank as a prominent citizen of Island Grove Township, having for many years been actively engaged as an assistant in the management of public institu- tions. Ile is also an enterprising and successful farmer, and owns 280 acres of splendid land on sec- tion 24, eiglity on section 13 and also eighty on sec- tion 7. His father, Eliakin Dewey, was born in Massachusetts in 1788, and moved to Portage County, Ohio, in 1816, where he followed the oc- cupation of a farmer, and died in 1884. His mother was Lydia (Wolford) Dewey, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1808 and died in 1870, after hav- ing seen a family of nine children grown to man- hood and womanhood.
Our subject was the fifth child of his father's family, and was born in Portage County, Ohio, on the 26th of December, 1834, where he made his home until he was twenty-one years old. He then went to Wisconsin, and in March, 1858, came to this county, pre-empted a quarter-section of land, and prepared to make his home. In 1863 he was united in marriage with Miss Susan Perkins, who is a daughter of Solomon and Martha (King) Perkins, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Ohio. Mrs. Perkins died in 1882, and Mr. Perkins is now a resident of Pawnee County. They had a family of eight children, of whom Mrs. Dewey is the fifth, and was born on the 15th of February, 1844, in Bureau County. III.
In the same year as that in which he was married our subject took up a homestead of 160 acres in Island Grove Township, but in 1885 he bought 120 acres adjoining that on section 24. where he now makes his home and gives especial attention to the raising of live stock. But while he is indus- triously engaged on his farm it does not in the least disqualify him from participating in the manage-
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ment of public affairs, and he has a number of times filled the offices of his township with much credit to himself and satisfaction to the community. For two years he has been Supervisor of his town- ship, and for twelve years he has served as Road Overseer. For a period of twenty years he has been closely connected with the educational affairs, having for that length of time served as a school officer.
The family of our subject and his wife comprises nine children, on whom have been bestowed the names of 'Timothy, Mary, William, Henry, Edwin, Carrie, Eliza, Dora and Louis. Timothy married Miss Ida Alexander, Feb. 27, 1887, and resides in Pawnee County. Mr. and Mrs. Dewey are influen- tial members of the Christian Church, and are also well-known and active members of the Farmer's Grange. Their farm has been nicely improved and is the source of a lucrative income, while it is adorned with neat and well-arranged buildings, and is separated into fields of convenient size by rows of good fencing. Our subject is entitled to his share of public honors, which is the just due of all early settlers, they having endured the hardships and trials incident to pioneer life, and prepared the way that those who came afterward might enjoy the fruits of their industry.
G ERD ALBERS, a native of Oldenburg, emi- grated with his parents to America when a little lad eight years of age, they settling first in Clayton County, Iowa. There our subject lived until 1869, then made his way to Nebraska, settling first in Lancaster County, where he lived until the spring of 1875, then changed his residence to this county. Starting out for himself early in life, he had two years previously secured a tract of land from the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Company, on section 7, in Highland Township, upon which he soon settled and which is included in his present farm. In due time he added to his first purchase, and is now the owner of 160 acres, all of which he has brought to a good state of culti- vation. A fine illustration of the self-made man,
he has worked his way upward from the foot of the ladder, and is now numbered among the representa- tive pioneers of this county.
Mr. Albers was born Feb. 4, 1853, and is the eldest son of Gerhard and Lena Albers, who were of pure German ancestry. They are still living and making their home in Lancaster County. Their family included eight sons and three daughters, all of whom are living and mostly residents of Ne- braska, with the exception of one, who resides in Colorado.
Our subject a few days after his twenty-second birthday was married, on the 7th of February, 1875, to Miss Maggie Dey, a native of Oldenburg, Ger- many, and whose parents were John and Maggie (Wilkin) Dey. Her mother is dead; her father is in Nebraska. The young people began the jour- ney of life together in Gage County, Neb., and Mrs. Albers has proved a most efficient and worthy helpmate to one of the most industrious pioneers of his time. Of their union there have been born nine children, who were named respectively : George, Lena, Fernando, Emma, Arnold, Mary, Melinda, Atie and Milly.
The land of Mr. Albers when it first came into his possession was simply raw prairie, upon which a furrow had not been turned. He was the very first settler on seetion 7, and it is hardly necessary to say his neighbors were few and far between. As he looked out over the lonely country he fully realized the magnitude of the task which lay be- fore him, but he was not one of those to be dis- couraged by any ordinary circumstance. He put his shoulder to the wheel, labored early and late, practiced the most rigid economy, and made it a rule to live within his income. Such a course sel- dom fails to bring its legitimate reward. He is now well-to-do, with the prospect of a full compe- tenee for his declining years.
Mr. Albers cast his first Presidential vote for Hayes, and exercises the right of the free American citizen to support the man whom he considers the best qualified to serve the interests of the people. He takes a genuine interest in the various enter- prises which generally interest the farming commu- nity, and is one of the most efficient members of Buda Township Agricultural Society. He is serving
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his second term as Moderator in his school district. A self-made man in every respect, he forms one of those independent and reliable characters which are so essential in upholding the moral and financial structure of all good society.
HEODORE CARPENTER is extensively engaged in farming and stock-raising on his land, consisting of about 400 acres in Lincoln Township, which he has conducted for four years, and has it well stocked with a good grade of cattle, horses and hogs. He is a practical and progressive farmer, and takes rank with the best in the county. He first came to the county in 1878, from Polo, Ill., and secured land in Holt Township on which he made many improvements, and lived for several years, after which he sold it to his father and came to his present farm. Previous to his coming to this county he had lived for eight years on a farm near Polo, Ill. He was born near Hagerstown in Wash- ington County, Md., on the 16th of August, 1844, his mother, Susan (Cross) Carpenter, also being a native of that county, and his father, Jeremiah, a native of Lancaster County, Pa. The parents were married in Washington County, and there made their home, gathering about them a family of seven sons and two daughters. In 1874 the parents and younger members of the family moved to Illinois, where our subject had gone four years previously. They were engaged in farming, and made their home near Polo until they came to this State, now making their home in Holt Township, the father aged seventy and the mother sixty-eight years. They are members of the Church of God, and are highly respected citi- zens of their community.
Our subject, the fourth child of his father's family, grew to manhood in his native county, re- ceived his education, and was there married to Miss Missouri Burk, who was born in Greencastle, Frank- lin Co., Pa., on the 29th of May, 1846. She is the oldest child of the family born to Michael and Mary A. (Wingart) Burk, who were both natives of the same county as that in which Mrs. Carpenter was born. In 1881 they came to this county, and are now living on a farm in Holt Township, being com-
fortably situated and surrounded by many friends. Mrs. Carpenter received a thorough education, and when a young woman went with her parents to Washington County, Md., in which place she married our subject. By their marriage they have become the parents of seven children, who are named Harry B., Mamie A., Viola Dell, Albert M., Addie G., Wyley and Charles M.
Although our subject has been a resident of Lincoln Township for about four years, his progress- ive and enterprising spirit has been recognized by the people of his community, and he has been called to fill the offices of Supervisor and School Director. He is an ardent Democrat in politics, and has in every way proved himself a thoroughly good citizen. He is particularly to be congratulated upon the successful manner in which he manages his large farm and supplies it with modern conveni- ences which so facilitate the labor. His house, barns and stock buildings, are all in a good condition and well calculated to afford abundant room for the storage of the lucrative yields from the fertile ground and protection to the stock. Where active industry has been able to make improvements they have been made, and have well repaid our subject for his trouble. He and his wife are prominent society people, and are well liked for their genial and pleasant dispositions, their courteous and hos- pitable manners, and their thoughtful consideration for the comfort and happiness of others.
h ERBERT HILL. Some of the most glow- ing pages of our National history are those which have been provided by the Quaker State, and its sons who have gone into newer countries have carried with them the characteristics of their people, and have made their way to the front ranks, advancing not simply their own inter- ests, but those of the present and future of the dis- trict in which they have settled. Onr subject was born in Erie County, Pa., on the 27th of May, 1856, and was there reared and educated, receiv- ing such instruction in books as supplied by the dis- trict schools of his native county.
The parents of our subject, Arthur and Mary
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A. (Hale) Ilill, were natives of Vermont and Mas- sachusetts respectively. The parents of Mrs. Ilill had migrated to Pennsylvania while she was in her youth, and there the acquaintance had been formed which resulted in the above union, which was fruit- ful in the birth of eight children, our subject being the fourth child. There is no greater mistake than to imagine that the interests of the individual, the State and the country. are better served by celi- bacy than otherwise. The Creator, in the arrange- ment of these matters, has been proved to be "too wise to err," and he is the truest citizen, and more mindful of his country's interests, who adopts the course taken by Mr. Hill in regard to this matter. His life has been more complete, more successful and brighter because of his marriage. This impor- tant event was celebrated in his native county on the 18th of December, 1879, the lady of his choice being Miss Ettie Gardner, a daughter of Hammond and Elmira (Webster) Gardner, natives of Penn- sylvania. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Hill in- elndes three sons, who have been named Harry E., Clyde E. and Herbert.
The chosen occupation of our subject has been that of husbandry, and he now owns a very fine farm, comprising eighty acres of excellent, arable land on section 34, Sicily Township. His property is all well improved, and brought to a high state of agri- cultural efficiency. The farm is usually operated with a view to supplying sufficient grain, etc., to feed his stock, only selling what he may have over and above that supply. He takes special interest in stock-raising, and is the owner of a fine herd of cattle and a large number of Poland-China hogs. Our subject is a man of large energy and what might be called a tireless worker, and by his efforts has brought his farm to a condition seldom sur- passed.
Few men are there who are constituted so as to enjoy their home more than our subject, and his chief delight is found in the society of his excel- lent wife and his three sons, who are developing such mental power and manly traits of character as to warrant the belief that there is a large future be- fore them, and that they will prove, as the years pass, a continuous source of legitimate parental pride to our subject and their mother. - Political
matters do not absorb the attention of our subject so much as they perhaps would if he were living other than on his farm; not that he is careless of the interests of the people or is disloyal in any re- gard, per contra, there are few who have more of true patriotic fire than he. Although usnally numbered with the Democratic party and voting its ticket in the larger issues, in more local matters attention is given first to the candidate's ability and character, his party being a secondary consideration. He is- ever a consistent friend of good order and higher morals, and is regarded among the most sterling citizens of the township.
E RNST BUTE came to Nebraska in the spring of 1874, and purchased eighty acres of rail- road land on section 1 in Clatonia Town- ship, which land is now included in his present farm. Since that time, however, he has added forty acres, and has brought the whole to a good state of cultivation. He commenced in life empty-handed, having nothing but his own resources to depend upon, and thus may be properly numbered among the self-made men of this county who have cm- ployed their time to good advantage, and are now classed among its well-to-do and reliable citizens.
The German element of Gage County comprises a large proportion of its substantial men. The sub- ject of our sketch was born in the Kingdom of Prussia, Aug. 3, 1851, and is the son of Frederick and Henrietta (Lucte) Bute, the former of whom died when Ernst was a mere child. When a lad of thirteen he lost his only remaining parent, and was thus an orphan indeed. He was then taken into the home of a brother, and remained in his native Province until a youth of seventeen years. In the meantime he attended school considerably, and now determined to seek his fortunes on the other side of the Atlantic.
Our subject, in the spring of 1868, engaged pass- age in a steamer bound from the port of Bremen to New York City, and after an ocean voyage of more than two weeks set foot upon American soil. After looking about him for a short time in the great metropolis, he proceeded directly westward to
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Stephenson County, Ill., where he worked on a farm three years. and then changed his residence to Ogle County. From there he came. in the spring of 1874. to Nebraska.
Our subject, while a resident of Illinois, was mar- ried, in 1876, to Miss Mary Gake, a native of that State, who was born Aug. 16, 1851. Her parents were natives of Germany. The father is now de- ceased; the mother resides in Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Bnte began the journey of life together in Gage County, and of their union there have been born seven children, namely: Sophia, Elsie, Fred- ricka. John, Cora, Dora and an infant unnamed. The eldest is twelve years of age, and they all con- tinue under the home roof.
Mr. Bute is not a member of any religious or- ganization, but he believes in church institutions, and gives his support to every enterprise calculated to benefit the people morally and financially. Po- litically, he is a Democrat, is one of the School Directors of his distriet, and one of the three ap- praisers of the Clatonia Mutual Insurance Associ- ation. Ile is recognized as a leader among his fellow-citizens, is a man straightforward in his busi- ness transactions, and prompt to meet his obliga- lions. These qualities of character will furnish any man a passport to the esteem and confidence of his fellowmen.
M ARTIN V. ELLIS is a young gentleman in excellent standing, who is engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 25, Elm Township. His father, Thomas H. Ellis, was born in Kentucky, and married for his first wife Miss Fuller, who was born in Tennessee. There was a family of three children as the result of this marriage-Sarah J., Serenah D. and James M. At the age of nineteen years the son, James M., enlisted, in the fall of 1861, in Company G, 130th Illinois Infantry, and was present during the siege of Vicksburg, and the encounter at Jackson, Miss. He was among the large number of brave men who enlisted in the war, and never again was permitted to see his home and friends, having been killed at Shreveport, La., in the spring of 1864.
The father of our subject was a second time mar- ried, to Miss Malinda Phillips, who is the mother of our subject. She was born in Tennessee, and after their marriage they moved to Coles County, Ill., where the father died in 1861, at the age of forty- nine years. By this second marriage there was a family of six children, the names of whom are: May A., Martin V., Margaret L., John C., Matilda A. and McKajie. After the death of the father the mother of our subject was married again, to J. W. Vanghan, who was also a native of Tennessee, and a minister in the Baptist Church. At present they are living in Mattoon, Ill., and have one child, Thomas M., who is traveling for a music house.
Our subject was born on the 8th of May, 1850, in Coles County, Ill., where he received a common- school education, and remained at home on the farm until 1878. Ile then came to Seward County, this State, and staid one year, after which he removed to Glenwood Township, this county, and bought a farm, on which he lived for four years, making the necessary improvements. After four years he sold his land and came to Elm Township, in which he bought eighty acres of land, and has since made his home here. He has made a great many improve- ments, among which are the setting out of a fine fruit orehard and a grove of shade trees.
On the 21st of September, 1871, our subjeet was married, in Coles County, Ill., to Miss Mary A. Layton, who is a daughter of Henry C. and Martha J. (Logan) Layton, both of whom were natives of Kentneky. They moved to Macon County, Ill., in 1854, and in 1869 to Coles County, where they are still living. They are the parents of eight children, as follows: Elizabeth, William T., Mary A. J., Hugh, Laura B., Francis M., Andrew I. and Charles. Mrs. Ellis was born in Kentucky, on the 19th of January, 1850, and by her marriage she has become the mother of seven children, whose names are: Gilbert T. (deceased), Thomas II., Jesse L., Ora P., Gertie A., Henry C. (deceased) and Hattie F.
Mr. Ellis was elected Treasurer of the School Board in 1883, which office he still holds, and in various other ways does he share the labors of pub- lic enterprise. He has joined Company C of the State Militia, at Beatrice, and in politics he favors the Republican party. He and his wife are men-
A. PLOWHOUSER
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bers of the Church of God, and are most consistent Christians at home and abroad. They are deeply in- terested in the future welfare of their family, hav- ing a wealth of affection, and a desire to secure them every advantage, that they may grow up to he use- ful men and women. In her home Mrs. Ellis pos- sesses the charm of true Southern hospitality toward her guests, and entertains her friends in a royal manner.
ARTIN L. CARPENTER has by industry and perseverance acquired valnable prop- erty during his four years' residence in Lin- coln Township, having risen from moderate circumstances since his arrival in this county, in the spring of 1884. Previous to his residence here he lived in Beatrice for a few months, to which place he had come from Eagle Point, Ogle Co., III. He was born near Hagerstown, Washington Co., Md., on the 22d of August, 1854, and is a son of Jere- miah and Susan (Cross) Carpenter, the former of whom was a native of Lancaster County, Pa., and the latter of Washington County, Md. The par- ents were married in the latter-named place, and there made their home, a family of seven sons and two daughters growing up around them. In 1874 they came to Illinois, and made their home near Polo until they came to this State, and they are now making their home in Holt Township. The father is aged seventy, and the mother sixty-eight years, and they are members of the Church of God, enjoying in their later days the fruits of their carly industry, and the esteem and friendship of the people of their community.
Our subject spent the early years of his life in his native county, where he was educated in the public schools, and instructed in the duties pertaining to an agricultural life, after which he was united in marriage, near Greencastle, Franklin Co., Pa., on the 27th of April, 1872, to Miss Anna Osbaugh. She was born in the above-named city on the 14th of February, 1855, and is a daughter of William and Harriet (Ruthrauff) Osbaugh, the former of whom is now living near Springfield, Ill., aged about threescore years. He is a cooper by trade, and in connection with that business he owns and has
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