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 35
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Our subject has been for many years a member of the Democratic party, but lias become one of the Union Labor party, and stands ready to help his colleagues in every way in his power. Socially, he is connected with the Masonic fraternity, and is a member of both the Blue Lodge and Chapter. He is also one of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engi- neers, and in each instance enjoys the entire confi-
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dence and respect of his brethren. The path of life has been to him as checkered as the temple floor; it has been marked by its ups and downs, its pros- perity and adversity, but of late years has been more even in its tenor, and remunerative in its re- turns.
The house Mr. Hutchinson moved into on quit- ting the dug-out is a good, commodious residence. In connection therewith, and powerful enough to supply his farm buildings, is a magnificent wind-mill pump, by which quite a system of water works is maintained. He has an excellent orchard, con- sisting of no less than 600 trees of excellent grade, and different varieties, also a grove of not less than 2,000 forest and shade trees. His specialty would seem to be to ineline to stock-raising. of which he has quite a large number of all kinds, more especially, however, cattle and hogs. At the present time his success in life permits him to enjoy in the esteem and confidence of his friends and the happy results of his labors, perhaps the most bright, peaceful and prosperous time of his whole life.
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OHN G. BURGER, late a highly respected resident and one of the most thrifty and successful farmers of Grant Township, de- parted this life at his home on section 6, June 3, 1884. He was born in one of the Rhine Provinces of Germany, June 24, 1838, being the offspring of one of the most excellent families of that region. His father died there in middle life, and the mother subsequently, in 1865, came to America with her little family, loeating in Grundy County, Ill. One of the elder sons had preceded the family to that section two years before. They settled upon a tract of land, and there the mother spent the remainder of her life, her death taking place in 1882 at the advanced age of eighty-three years. She became the wife of Michael Burger in their native Province.
The subject of this sketch was the fourth son of his parents, and accompanied his mother to the United States, settling with her in Grundy County, Ill. There also he was first married to Miss Marga- retta Rainensader, who died six years later, leaving
two children, who soon followed the mother to the silent land. In 1872 Mr. Burger was again mar- ried in Grundy County, Ill., to Miss Minnie Iluett- ner, a native of his own Province in Germany, and born Sept. 5, 1850. This lady came to the United States alone when a young woman, having been orphaned by the death of both her parents. She possessed great resolution and industry, and main- tained herself until her marriage. She proved in all respects the efficient helpmate of her Imsband, and since his death has carried on the operations of the farm with extraordinarily good judgment and discretion.
To John G. and Minnie Burger there were born four children-Barbara M., Mary M., John G., Jr., and George F. The eldest is fifteen years of age, and the youngest five. They are well developed in body and mind, hearty, healthy and intelligent, and there is every reason to believe will grow up an honor to their parental training.
Mr. and Mrs. Burger left Illinois in 1877, taking up their abode npon 160 acres of land in Grant Township, this county, which still remains the home of Mrs. B. To the improvement and upbuilding of this homestead they bent their energies, and the estate is now one of the most desirable in its loeal- ity. The death of Mr. Burger was the result of a cancer of the stomach, from which he suffered greatly for many months. In his character be com- prised all the elements of a worthy and relinble citi- zen, and in politics was a sound Republican. A man in whom the community possessed entire con- fidence, he has left to his family the heritage of a good name, one of which they need never be ashamed. Mrs. Burger and her children are mem- bers in good standing of the Lutheran Church.
AMUEL S. SANDERS. There is perhaps not within the bounds of Adams Township a more popular citizen or one who better deserves his standing among the people of this section of country. Of sturdy New England ancestry, he is the son of Caleb Sanders, a native of Vermont, whose grandfather carried a musket in the War of 1812. His great-grandfather was a
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Scotchman, and crossed the Atlantie in time to participate in the struggle of the Americans for freedom, doing good service under the famous Gen. Ethan Allen, in the Revolutionary War. He married, and reared a fine family of sons and danghters, and spent his last years in Vermont.
Caleb Sanders, the father of onr subject, was reared to manhood among the hills of the Green Mountain State, and finally migrated to Indiana, where he formed the acquaintance of and was mar- ried to a Miss Gregory. He was of a professional turn of mind, and in due time took up the practice of medicine, which he followed both in Indiana and Illinois, the scene of his operations in the latter State being mostly in Hancock County. He became well known to the profession in the two States, and was quite successful as a physician and surgeon. This experience of his life embraced a period of fifty years, twenty of which were spent in Hancock County, Ill. He, with his estimable wife, spent his last days in Nebraska.
The subject of this sketch was the youngest of nine children, six sons and three daughters, born to his parents, and first opened his eyes to the light in Shelby County, Ind., Dec. 26, 1849. He was abont one year old when his parents took up their resi- dence in Hancock County, Ill., and continued with them until a boy of twelve, and until the year . following the outbreak of the late Civil War. In February, 1862, a company of cavalry was organ- ized at Basco, Ill., and young Sanders enlisted as a Union soldier, becoming a member of Company G, as a regular cavalryman, being large for his age, which was twelve years, one month and fourteen days. He repaired with his comrades to Camp Butler, on the outskirts of Springfield, drilled regn- larly with the men, but was finally discharged on account of his youth, and sent home. Bound to be a soldier. however, and determined to assist in the preservation of the Union, our hero the year fol- lowing again enlisted, Feb. 1, 1863, in Company D, 7th Iowa Cavalry, and, as before, was the youngest man in his regiment. A year, however, had added materially to his growth, and little objection was raised to his position as a soldier. This company was drilled at Davenport, and after a time sent to Ft. Kearney, on the frontier, to do
battle with the Indians. Young Sanders partici- pated in several desperate fights with the savages, the first being at Mud Springs, where 3,000 red- skins were whipped by a force of ninety soldiers. The next engagement was at Rush Creek, where the United States troops left dead npon the field 175 savages and also suffered the loss of a large number of their own men. They now fell back to Ft. Laramie, where the forces were recruited, and set ont again for the further subjugation of the savage foe. At Horse Creek, in Wyoming Terri- tory, out of thirty-five men detailed from Company D, only nine came out unhurt. This was the last engagement of the troops in that region, although they remained there about a year afterward.
During his army experience in the Far West Mr. Sanders made the acquaintance of the famous scouts, Bridger and Bowman, and contracted with the former a warm friendship. His sojourn in that part of the country gave him a fine opportunity of visiting its most important places of interest, and proved a valuable experience. He traveled exten- sively over Colorado, Dakota, and the region of the Black Hills. He received his honorable discharge from the army May 17, 1866, at Leavenworth, Kan., at the age of sixteen years, and returning home, he applied himself to learning the trade of a carpenter during the summer, while he attended school during the winter season. This trade he took up readily, having much natural ability in this line, and became an expert artisan, taking much pride in the thoroughness and correctness of his work.
As a carpenter Mr. Sanders was engaged for some years in the cities of Ottumwa, Agency and Farragut. On the 2d of July, 1868, occurred one of the most important and interesting events of his life, namely, his marriage, the maiden of his choice being Miss Marsella, daughter of Samuel Park, of Ottumwa, one of the most prosperous merchants of that place. Mrs. Sanders was born in Alexan- dria, Lieking Co., Ohio, March 23, 1849, and re- moved with her parents to Iowa when a young child five or six years of age. Her mother, Mrs. Anna (Barrack) Park, died in Ohio abont 1852, and Mr. Park was again married, his wife only living a few years afterward. Mr. Park was married
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twice thereafter. Of his second union there were born six children, namely: an infant who died unnamed; Charles B., Leander, Horatio, Angelia and Marsella. Of the third three children, and of the fourth two. He came with his family to Davis County, Iowa, in the fall of 1854, making the journey overland with a wagon and a team of horses. He was a man of industry and energy, and battled successfully with the elements of a new country, building up a good homestead, and in- augurating various enterprises of importance, in- cluding the building and operation of a saw and grist mill, and at the same time carrying on his farm in a skillful and praiseworthy manner. In politics he was a strong Republican. His two sons, Horatio and Leander, served as soldiers in the Union army during the late war.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Sanders came to the homestead in Adams Township, which they now occupy, and which our subject had taken up previous to liis projected change in life. The young people commenced housekeeping in a "dug-out," and declare they spent some of the happiest days of their lives there. During the following winter Mr. S. constructed a log house, hewing every stick of timber himself and laying them in place. Ash and cottonwood trees furnished the material, some of them dressing twenty-six inches.
In 1874 our subject sold half of his land, leaving eighty acres for his own use. Upon coming to this county, in the fall of 1868, he was $400 in debt. He has prospered finely, clearing his property of incum- brance, building a tasteful and commodious two- story frame house, and adding from time to time the other structures necessary to his use and conveni- enec. The home is also embellished with a grove of beautiful trees, embracing maples, cottonwood, aslı and catalpa, and he has an acre planted to apple trees. He has also an acre of the smaller fruits. In connection with farming and carpentering Mr. Sanders has made a good record as a stock-raiser.
The family of our subject and his excellent wife includes six children, namely: Angelia, Albert, Nellie, Cora, Jennie and John. all at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. S. are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Adams, and our subject is prominently identi-
fied with the I. O. O. F., of Adams. having occu- pied important offices, being elected a delegate to the Grand Lodges at Lincoln and Omaha. Ile is also an Officer of the Day, and Past Commander in the G. A. R. He cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Grant, when he was elected to his second term, and has always been a firm supporter of Republican principles. Few people in this vicinity are more widely known than Mr. Sanders and his amiable wife, and none are more thoroughly re- spected. The lady who could make even a "dug- out" a place of comfort and pleasure, deserves more than a passing thoughit in connection with the his- tory of the pioneers of Nebraska.
W ILLIAM STEINMEYER, a representative farmer and stock-raiser of Clatonia Town- ship, is comfortably located on section 28, where he is pursuing the even tenor of his way. en- gaged in general agriculture. A native of the Ger- man Empire, he was born iu Hanover, in July, 1839, and is the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Fra- diker) Steinmeyer, who were also of German birth and parentage.
When a youth of eighteen years, and after com- pleting an excellent education in his native tongue, our subject emigrated with his parents to America, taking passage on a sailing-vessel at the port of Bremen. After an ocean voyage of about eiglit weeks they landed in the city of Baltimore, and thence proceeded to Scioto County, Ohio. Here our subject resided a number of years, but in the fall of 1865 resolved to see something of the farther West. Coming to Otoe County, this State, le tarried a brief time in Nebraska City, and thence came, in the spring of 1866, to this county. The land of this region impressed him favorably, and he accordingly homesteaded 160 acres, of which he has retained possession until the present time. It bore little resemblance to its condition to-day, the plowshare having never passed over it, and not a building erected for the shelter of either man or beast. Mr. Steinmeyer, however, was prepared for this state of things, and after seeking a temporary home, began to gather together implements for the
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cultivation of the soil and entered upon the task be- fore him. The farm which the passing traveler ob- serves to-day with interest indicates the success which has attended the labors of our subject. He has now a fine, productive tract of land, provided with good buildings and all the other conveniences suggested to the progressive agriculturist. His family consists of his wife and six interesting chil- dren, the latter named respectively : Sophia, born April 11, 1873; Henry, April 13, 1878; Annie, Feb. 5, 1881; Benjamin, Jan. 27, 1883; William, April 5, 1885; and Jennie, Feb. 16, 1887. A son and daughter, John and Ella, died when two and one-half months and two and one-half years old, respectively.
Mr. Steinmeyer was married, in February, 1870, to Miss Louise Schlick, a native of Prussia, who emigrated with her sister to the United States when about seventeen years old. Her parents were Henry and Mary (Teamann) Schlick, and are now deceased. Mr. Steinmeyer was one of the organizers of the Ger- man Methodist Episcopal Church in his township, and has always given to it a cordial and generous support. He votes the straight Republican ticket, and has been a member of the School Board of his district for a number of years. The native of an Empire having among its laws that of compulsory education, he believes in giving to the rising gen- eration the advantages which will make of them intelligent, honest, law-abiding citizens. In the spring of 1887 he was elected Treasurer of Clatonia Township, and re-elected in the spring of 1838. He is one of the most worthy representatives of that nationality which has done so much toward the de- velopment of the Great West.
D ALLISON MCHUGH was born in Mc- Lean County, Ill., a son of William and Margaret J. (Barton) McHugh. The father was a native of Monroe County, Ohio, hav- ing been born on the 26th of July, 1827, and re- maining in his native State until the year 1854, when he moved to Illinois. The mother was a native of Clarion County, Pa., from which place she went to Ohio with her parents, Joseph A. and Lavina
Barton, when a mere girl. They were married by the Rev. R. Armstrong, at the home of the bride's father, on the 15th of December, 1853. They were granted a family of four children, our subject the eldest, his birth occurring on the 8th of December, 1854; Anna L., M. Josephine and Mira E. These children were bereaved of a mother's kindly care and sympathy, her death occurring at their home in Illinois, on the 26th of March, 1868. She was a much esteemed member of the Presbyterian Church.
The father of our subject was again married, on the 29th of March, 1870, to Margaret J. Slone, and they had one child, W. Slone. Mrs. McHugh's father, John Slone, of Clarion County, Pa., rep- resented his district in the State Legislature of Pennsylvania, and was quite an active and distin- guished politican, though not an office-seeker. The father of our subject departed this life on the 28th of August, 1882, in Illinois, his death having been preceded by that of his second wife, which oc- curred on the 16th of October, 1879. He and his second wife were also members of the Presbyterian Church. Although very much of a politican and greatly interested in political affairs, he refused to accept any office placed at his disposal except that of County Supervisor, being in ill-health and un- willing to assume the responsibilities of office. He served as Superintendent of the Sabbath-school some nine years or more, the outgrowth of which Sabbath-school resulted in the organization of a flourishing church in his neighborhood. He and his two wives died triumphantly in the faith, hav- ing been devout and sincere Christians.
The sisters of our subject are living, with the exception of Mira E., who departed this life on the 15th of January, 1885. She, though young, being only about twenty years of age, was willing to go, feeling that such was the will of her Redeemer whom she had served faithfully, and that He had provided a home for her.
Our subject has a fine farm of 160 acres on sec- tion 15, Sicily Township, which is in a fine state of cultivation, adorned with buildings and modern improvements. His sister Josie and brother Slone are making their home with him on the farm, and there is no more pleasing sight than that afforded
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by the dwelling together in peace and harmony of brothers and sisters of a family. They are all members of the Presbyterian Church, the church of their parents, and politically, the family ranks with the Republican party. Our subject received his earlier education in the district schools, and after- ward he and his sisters attended the Normal Uni- versity of Illinois, and two terms at the Wesleyan University, of Bloomington.
For his example our subject has had that of a worthy and esteemed parent to follow, his religious counsel and consistent Christian life being alto- gether worthy of imitation, and the interest which he manifested in the welfare of his country, unstim- ulated by a desire for his own self-advancement or self-aggrandizement, are worthy of the highest en- comium that can be passed upon a liberal-minded man.
OHIN M. CHENEY is a son of John and Hannah (Valentine) Cheney, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of New Jersey. They were married in Ohio and moved to Logan County, that State, in which place they became the parents of eleven children. The father died in Logan County, when the subject of our sketch was but three years old, and he was de- prived of the devoted care of his mother in 1876. He was born on the 8th of April, 1833, and re- mained in his native county until he was fifteen years old, at which time he moved with his mother's family to Rock Island County, Ill., in which place his mother died.
Having so early been deprived of the protection and care of his father, our subject was early taught to depend upon himself, and thus those sterling qualities of manhood, self-reliance and industry, were early developed in his boyhood days and have since characterized his course through life. In 1876 he went to Nodaway County, Mo .. where he made his home until March of 1883, after which he spent one year in Pawnee County, and in 1884 he moved on his farm on section 11, Island Grove Township, this county. Ile purchased eighty acres of land not very well improved. He has recently
sold his farm and will move from it in a short time, but will not leave the county.
On the 16th of August, 1855, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Susan Long, the daughter of John and Susan (Shirley) Long, who were born in Armstrong County, Pa. They went to Rock Island County, Ill., in the year 1854, and the mother died in Island Grove Township on the 27th of March, 1888. The father still survives, and makes his home with our subject. Mrs. Cheney was born in Armstrong County, Pa., on the 6th of March, 1835, and was married to our subject in Rock Island County, Ill. They have six children, of whom Perry L. resides in Graham, Mo .; Elsie A. died on the 31st of July, 1887; Robert N., Ida M., Lula G. and Hannah B. are at home with their parents. Elsie A. was married to Junius Preston, of Illinois, July 23, 1884, and died July 31, 1887, at her home in Pawnee County, Neb. Perry L. was married to Miss Kate Young, in Missouri, May 28, 1881 ; they have no children, and reside at Graham, Mo.
Mr. Cheney favors the Democratic political or- ganization with his influence and his vote, and is a public-spirited and enterprising citizen. The public have shown their appreciation of his manly and sterling qualities by electing him to the office of Treasurer of the township; while a resident of Illinois he was Road Overseer and School Trustee.
ENRY BOLLER is a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Ilighland Township, residing on section 10. Ile was born in Holstein, Germany, July 13, 1842, and is a son of Henry and Louisa Boller, who were both natives of the same country. Of the ten children born to his parents he is the only one who came to this country. He was reared to manhood in Germany, and received a good German education, to which he has since added a fair knowledge of the English language. In the fall of 1868 he decided to come to America, for which purpose he took passage at Hamburg in a sailing-vessel, and after a voyage of ninety days, in which the vessel was delayed by severe storms, he landed in New York City. Ile
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went directly to Benton County, Iowa, where he rented a farm and lived for seven years, and in that place he was married, on the 23d of July, 1873, to Miss Louisa Muller, also a native of Ger- many, hy whom he has eight children, named: William, Emma, Herman, Sophia, Caroline, Henry, Carl and John.
In the spring of 1878, with his family, our sub- ject removed from Iowa to this county, where he has since made his home. He owns 160 acres of land, which he has greatly improved, and on which he has erected good and substantial buildings. When he landed in New York City after his long ocean voyage he had but $5, and from that small beginning he has made his present valuable prop- erty, having endured much hard labor, and exer- cised economy and the most careful management of his resources. He certainly deserves much credit, and has cause to feel gratified on account of his eminent success, it being made possible only by continued industry, self-reliance and much patience.
Mr. and Mrs. Boller are active members of the Lutheran Church, and their family is highly es- teemed as intelligent and progressive, our subject being classed among the German representative citizens of the township. He is a member of the Democratic political party, and is in favor of the institutions by which the country may be improved and the welfare of society secured. He is a mem- ber of the Agricultural Society of Buda Precinct, Lancaster County, and in his experience as a suc- cessful farmer he has been able to acquire quite a fund of knowledge concerning the most approved manner of conducting the labors of a farm, which makes 'him a valuable member of the society.
LMOND L. BURGESS is widely known through the county as a prosperous and enterprising general farmer, who has occu- pied his highly cultivated farm on section 27 of Grant Township for over twenty years, having settled upon it in 1867. It is 160 acres in extent, and is well improved, and upon it is a good, com- modious, pleasantly situated farm dwelling, and
also a substantial and complete set of the various farm buildings requisite to its successful operation.
Our subject is a native of Wisconsin, and was born in Racine County on the 23d of March, 1844. He is the eldest son and child of Nehemiah and Sophia (Woodman) Burgess, both natives of New York State, where they were educated and brought up. Both came to Wisconsin about the time they attained their majority, were married in Racine County in the year 1843, continued to reside there until 1868, and then came to Nebraska, where their son, our subject, had preceded them a few months, and established a home. The father went to reside upon his own farm, where he made his home until his death, in 1875, when he was fifty-nine years of age. His father was Robert Burgess, a native of New York State, but for many years owner of a sawmill in Wisconsin, where he died. The wife of Nehemiah Burgess is yet living with her children, and is sixty-five years of age. She has all her life been a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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