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 38
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Mr. Cruse became the husband of Sophia Clark on Sept 14, 1865, at his home in Indiana. This lady is the daughter of Thomas and Jane Clark, of Pawnee County, Neb., and was born on the 25th of December, 1843. Her parents were born in En- gland. There have come to the home of our subjeet six children, whose names are recorded as follows: Melinda I., Elnora, Charles M., Mary E., Lula M. and Henry E. Their eldest daughter has become the wife of Edward Bookwalter, of this township, and has two children ; Elnora is now Mrs. Jacob Patterson, also of this township, and is the mother of a little son.
Our subject came to this county in the year 1866, and settled upon a branch of the Mission Creek in the township of that name, and removed thence to Liberty Township in 1883, and to his present farm in the month of May, 1887. He is the owner of 160 acres of fine land, admirably adapted to his re-
quirements, and operated in the interests of grain and stock. Ile also holds a half-interest with William Garrison in a fine steam thrashing-machine, having a capacity of 2,000 bushels a day, and with this he has quite an extensive business outside his own farm work.
Somewhat removed from the more busy circles of city life, our subject finds sufficient to absorb the greater part of bis time and attention in the duties devolving upon him in connection with his chosen calling, and does not take any special part in political agitation. He is a gentleman of enter- prise, energy and exacting perseverance, and is regarded as a worthy and valued citizen.
ILLIAM J. MAXWELL. Lincoln Town- ship contained no more valued and re- spected citizen than the subject of this sketch, now deceased. Tbis sad event occurred on the 23d of March, 1883, and about eight months after he had come to the State, but in spite of his short residence here his life and character had so commended themselves that he possessed many" friends in the district. He was the owner of 320 acres of land on section II. This he had paid for before he died. He took up this land when partly improved.
Previous to living in this State Mr. Maxwell had been a resident of Lenox Township, Warren Co., Ill., where be bad lived for some twenty years, engaged in farming. and enjoyed unqualified success. He was born near Baltimore on the 10th of September, 1830, and is the son of Thomas and Margaret Maxwell, natives of Maryland. When his parents removed to Schuyler County, Ill., our subject was about six years of age; while living there the father of our subject died. William J. was reared to manhood, and from the time of re- ceiving his education gave his attention to learn- ing the blacksmith trade, but was compelled to leave work on account of weakness of the eyes, that was constantly irritated and made worse by the brightness and glare inseparable from forge work. While living in Peoria County, Ill., in the earlier settlement, they had complete knowledge of
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the trouble with the Mormons, then prevailing in that section of the country.
It was the pleasure of our subject to meet and form acquaintance with a lady living near Yates City, Knox Co., Ill. This acquaintance rapidly ripened into a more absorbing sentiment, and they were united in marriage on the 22d of March, 1855. This lady, Mahalia M. Sayler, was born on the 30th of April, 1832, and is the daughter of John and Margaret (Miller) Sayler, natives of Somerset County, Pa., and of Dutch ancestry. Mr. Sayler was married in Pennsylvania, and there settled, but removed shortly after the birth of the fourth child, to Stark County, Ohio, where their daughter Mahalia was born, as noted above; there also her mother died, in 1841, aged forty-five years. In 1848 the father removed with his family to Illinois, locating near what is now Yates City, but then entirely minus anything indicating the pres- ence of any such center. There the father died Sept. 1, 1849, aged about sixty-two years. Mr. Sayler and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church from childhood, in which they always con- tinued. In his political position Mr. Sayler was identified with the Democratie party, and had con- tinued so for many years.
Mrs. Maxwell. the wife of our subject, was the youngest of a family of twelve children, six of them being sons. Eight members of the family lived to come to years of maturity. Her parents afforded their daughter an opportunity of obtaining an English education in the common schools. She has presented her husband with six children, but two of them are deceased; viz: George M. and William J., Jr. Those still living are: Edwin J., a thrifty and successful young man engaged in farm- ing in Gage County: Lora M., now the wife of Lewis A. Maginnis, of Beatrice, who is by trade a plasterer; Charles G. and Cora B., at home.
Our subject entered the military service and continued for about nine months, and was in the battle of Nashville and all the engagements of that campaign. He was with Sherman in his march. For some time he lay in the hospital sick, and dur- ing that short time his health was completely under- mined, and possibly supplied the genesis of his last sickness. He was all his life a very stanch Repub-
liean, and cast his vote consistently for its candi- dates. In this example his sons are following him, planting their feet in the print of his footsteps, and seeking to fashion their lives after liis.
Since the death of the husband and father the bereaved wife has nobly stood by her children and provided everything really needed by them. She has conducted in a most able and intelligent man- ner every department of the farm work, has under- taken and perfected quite a number of improve- ments, and has been enabled to educate her children and provide for their start in life. During the blizzard of 1888 Mrs. Maxwell's home was nearly bereaved of two other of its inmates. Upon the 12th of January of the present year the weather was unusually warm and bright for the season, and there seemed to be no indication of any immediate change. Edwin and Charles G., sons of our sub- ject. were both away from home on business, the former having gone about six miles from home with a team and buggy, and on account of the mildness of temperature was not very heavily clad. The return journey was accomplished without acci- dent until he was within about two miles from home, but upon a road that had not been much used, and had no side fence. There the storm struck him, and for some time was so intense and fierce as to make it well-nigh impossible for him to get his breath ; blinded so that he could not see the team he was driving, he was forced to let them take their own way. Under these circumstances, and with every track obliterated by the falling, tossing, swiftly whirling snow, it is not to be won- dered at that they missed the road, and by-and-by found themselves in a very heavy drift in one of the frequent "draws" in the land. Here he left his vehicle and sought to lead his team out if possible ; but again he was baffled, and his team becoming frightened he became separated from them, and it was beyond his power to find them in that raging storm. He wandered on, plunging, stumbling, fall- ing through the snow, and presently by most provi- dential good fortune happened to strike a haystack. a small part of the top of which the wind had blown off. Under this he crept, damp and almost frozen, but it afforded shelter enough to retain the animal warmth, and he became comparatively con-
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fortable ; by this means he escaped, but very nar- rowly, with his life. which was despaired of for some time after his rescue the next day. Even then it was supposed he would have to lose his feet, but here again his pluck, determination and force of will saved him, and he is fully recovered, so far as that is concerned, but his constitution has been per- inanently weakened by the strain. His team, which was quite valuable, and to which he was deeply attached, was frozen in one of the many drifts.
Charles G., the other son, also had a very narrow but happy escape, which he owes to the fact that he was on a better road, and on horseback. He succeeded in getting home late in the night, but only by an exercise of will power entirely beyond what could be expected of one of his years. Com- ing finally to a school-house which he recognized, he left his horse and warmed himself there, and rested until he was cqual to a renewed effort; he then plunged once more into the midst of the storm, and by following the fence closely at last reached home and his mother's side. She was, of course, exceedingly anxious, well-nigh to despair, about her sons. Upon his arrival at home it was discovered that his clothing was frozen to him, and had to be literally cut from his almost frozen body. Only by strictest care, most careful nursing and medical attendance, was he saved from an awful death, but like his brother he recovered after a short sickness, but must many years, and perhaps for the remain- der of his life, feel the effects of this exposure.
C LAUS SIEMS. The subject of this sketch owns one of the most beautiful farms in Grant Township. lying on section 23, and comprising 240 acres of highly cultivated land. This he redeemed from a wild, unbroken tract, commencing operations thereon in the spring of 1881. Its appearance to-day indicates with what industry and energy he has labored, and is highly characteristic of the disposition and habits of the man. He came to this county in the spring of 1876, after a residence of ten years in Logan County, Ill., where he had been employed as a mechanic in the furniture house of Deming & Bree. He
first leased a tract of land in Grant Township be- fore purchasing, and thus gained a good insight into the general methods of agriculture.
Our subject was born in the then Kingdom of Han- over, Germany, Feb. 11, 1841, and in accordance with the laws and customs of the German Empire entered school when a little lad six years of age, and continued his studies until fourteen. He thus obtained a good education in his native tongue. Upon leaving school he served an apprenticeship at cabinet-making, and followed this occupation until emigrating to America. After crossing the Atlan- tic he proceeded westward to Fond du Lac, Wis., where he secured employment in a door factory, and continued thus occupied for three years. He left the Badger State with the intention of cstab- lishing a homestead of his own in the agricultural regions of Southern Nebraska.
While a resident of Lincoln, Ill., Mr. Siems was married, Feb. 19, 1873, to Miss Linie Weltzien, who was also of German birth and parentage, her early home having been in the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg, and the date of her birth Aug. 18, 1849. Her father died in Germany when compara- tively a young man, and she accompanied her mother to America when but a child five years of age. Like our subject they at once made their way to the young State of Wisconsin, whence they removed subsequently to Lincoln, Ill., where Mrs. S. made the acquaintance of her future husband. Of this union there have been born seven children, all living, namely : J. Henry, C. Lonis, W. F. Herman, Frank O., Anna M., Lonisa S. and E. William. They are growing up healthy in body and mind, and are being taught those habits of in- dustry and sound principles morally which will make of them reliable citizens, an honor to their parents and useful in the stations to which Provi- dence assigns them. Mr. Siems after becoming a naturalized citizen identified himself with the Demo- cratic party, whose principles he uniformly sup- ports at the general elections. During his five years' residence in this- county Mr. Siems has identi- fied himself with its agricultural interests in a most praiseworthy manner, and the farm on which he has effected marked improvements is the best monu- ment which can be reared to his industry and thrift,
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those elements of character transmitted to him from his excellent German ancestry. He has a comfort- able dwelling, ample and commodions outhouses, suitable for the shelter of stock and the storage of grain, and the machinery necessary for carrying on agriculture in the most profitable manner.
OLNEY S. WHITTEMORE is numbered among the early settlers of Nebraska, hav- ing made his advent into this county in 1860. just three years after it was organized as a county, with Beatrice for its county seat. He was born in the town of Rindge, Cheshire Co., N. H., on the 15th of March, 1838. His paternal ances- tors were natives of England, who had come to the United States soon after the landing of the Puri- tans on the rocky coast of Massachusetts. His maternal ancestors were from the celebrated High- lands of Scotland, and were also early settlers in America, the great-grandfather of our subject hav- ing served as an officer in the Revolutionary War. Among the engagements in which he participated we mention the following: The battle of Trenton, which occurred on the 26th of December, 1776, in which Washington captured 1,000 Hessians; the battle of Monmouth Court-House, on the 28th of June, 1778; and the siege of Yorktown, by Wash- ington and Count DeGrasse, which ended in the surrender of Cornwallis, with 7,000 men, on the 19th of October, 1781. The maternal grandfather of our subject was also in the Revolutionary War, serving as a waiter boy for his father. His name was Ebenezer S. Geer, and he is buried at Wor- cester, Mass., having died in the year 1818.
The father of our subjeet, Prescott Whittemore, was born in Massachusetts, in which State he spent his early years, and was married to Miss Lucy Re- becca Geer. They made their home in their native State and New Hampshire until 1838, when they came to the great undeveloped West, and settled on a farm in McHenry County, Ill., where they shared the hardships of pioneer life with the other early settlers. They resided in Illinois until 1861, at which time they came to Nebraska, and made . their home for the remainder of their days in this
county. Their family comprised thirteen children, of whom our subject is the youngest, and all were born either in Massachusetts or New Hampshire. Young Volney was but nine weeks old when his family moved to Illinois, but there he grew to man- hood and developed a splendid and healthy physique, as is generally the case with farm hoys.
In 1859 our subject went as assistant wagon- master with a company of men to Salt Lake City, and returned to his home in the fall of the same year. The year following this journey he came to Nebraska, and having friends in this county he naturally preferred to make his home among them rather than among strangers. For a time he en- gaged as a farm hand, then in freighiting, and for several years he had charge of a threshing-machine, in connection with which he fed the first bundle of wheat ever fed into a threshing-machine in this county. In 1864 he lost some of his friends in the Sioux massacre, on the Little Blue River, an event which will always be remembered in connection with the early settlement of this State. The same ycar he purchased some land, having previously pre- empted a piece, which he then began to improve. A portion of the land now owned by our subject was first claimed by a man named Joseph Proud, who was a peddler, and frequently received gold dust in exchange for his wares. llis "shanty" was burned in February, 1860, and in the spring of 1887, while a son of our subject was walking over a piece of plowed ground he picked up a piece of glass. He happened to drop it and it broke in two, and out of a fissure there came a piece of gold, which had been melted into the glass twenty-seven years previously, or at the burning of the shanty.
In 1868 Mr. Whittemore married Miss Susan M. Sherrill, who was born in Missouri on the 26th of August, 1847, and is a daughter of Thomas N. and Mary A. (Blodgett) Sherrill, who are natives of Kentucky and Massachusetts respectively. They moved to Missouri and thence to Nebraska in 1860, making their home in this county, of which they are still respected residents. After his marriage our subject settled on his farm, now consisting of 260 acres of well-improved land in Midland Town- ship, on which he has erected a good residence, but as yet no barns. Aside from the general produce
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of the fields. he gives attention to the raising of cattle, hogs and live stock in general.
Six children have come to brighten the home of onr subject and his wife, and they have received the names of Edna, Charles Henry, Lucy E., Ed- ward Herbert, Ernest and Ennice. Mr. Whittemore has served as Assessor of his township, and in all public affairs he is desirous that what is done shall be done for the benefit of the community in which he has long held an interest. He is a member of the Democratic political organization, but votes independently of his party when he finds a man of superior attainments or morality to be the candi- date of the opposing party. Recently the farm be- longing to our subject, situated on section 24. Midland Township, has given some evidence of being enriched by a bed of coal, but as yet it has not been found in paying quantities, though about the sum of $600 has been spent in prospecting for it.
W ILLIAM W. LEIGHTON. Section 15, Logan Township, is the property of the gentleman whose life is herein succinctly sketched, and is occupied by him in the interests of stock-raising and grain farming, and is one of the best cultivated and well-stocked farms in the county. Mr. Leighton has not spent his years in vain, and he is to-day enjoying in his beautiful home the results of former years of labor. His snecess in life must be attributed to the restless energy that was continually working out the plans conceived in the brain which had been by educa- tion, thought and meditation, rendered more acute, clear and forcible, and since his marriage this has been supplemented by the elevating, cheering and sustaining influence that has been brought into his life by his companion and life partner, a lady of more than usual education, culture, and innate re- finement.
The father of our subject, Enoch Leighton, was born in Narragansett, Me., in the year 1797. In 1814 he removed to New York State, where he fol- lowed farming until 1835, when he removed to La- grange County, Ind., where he died on the 5th of
November, 1856. The maiden name of his wife, the mother of our subject, was Phehe Cowan. who was born in Providence. R. I., in 1799. Her father. David Cowan, was a private in the Revolutionary War, and did his manly and honorable part in the establishment of the Republic of Liberty that en- lightens the world. Of this union there were born seven children, who are recorded as follows: David. Nelson and another child are deceased, Elisha, Will- iam W ., Nancy and John. Nelson enlisted in the 88th Indiana Infantry, in August, 1863, was mustered in at Lagrange, Ind., and served through the Civil War until the battle of Murfreesboro, immediately after which he was taken sick, and died in 1864.
In Lima, Ind., was born, upon the 15th of April, 1836, the subject of this sketch. The days of his boyhood and youth were devoted to the acquire- ment of knowledge, in order to a more successful life and brighter experience. His home being upon a farm, in the natural course of events he became quite intimate with its duties, responsibilities and work, and before he attained his majority he was competent to take charge and manage the entire farm. Upon attaining his majority he started in life for himself, continuing as his chosen occupation agricultural pursuits. In 1872 he started West, crossing the prairies of Illinois and Iowa with a small wagon and team, and continued his journey until he came to Beatrice, then a rising, but not very imposing, young city. He had previously purchased section 15, and proceeded to settle upon it. He has the distinguished honor of being one of the first actual settlers in Logan Township, and every settler since that time has recognized in our subject and his family friends to the incoming stranger about to begin life again in an unknown country, amid new surroundings and strange faces.
What a change has passed over the land since that day! How vastly more beautiful! How diverse its scenery! How filled is the smiling landscape with garden-like farms and flourishing, fruit-laden orchards! It seems incredible that so few years could have passed away, and everything be so altered. It is a monument of American vim and intelligent labor. What is true of the township as a whole is equally so of section 15, for our subject has erected a very beautiful residence, and has supplied his farm
EE
RESIDENCE OF THOMAS EDMAND5, 5EC. 23. HOLT TP.
RESIDENCE OF W. W. LEIGHTON, SEC.15 , LOGAN TP.
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with barns, stable. granary and other needed build- ings. to which has been added a magnificent windmill pump. Ile has also set out and carefully tended until they were sufficiently established to provide themselves with needed sustenance, extensive groves of choice shade and forest trees, besides quite a large orchard.
At LaPorte. Ind., upon the 6th of April. 1865. our subject became the husband of Julia M. Ste- vens. This lady was born at Lima. Ind., Jan. 29. 1838. Her parents spared neither time, trouble nor expense in her education, which was designed to fit her for the position of school mistress. She afterward taught school for two years, and having developed quite a passion for music, had made her- self competent to give instructions in the divine art. The father of Mrs. Leighton, Jonathan Stevens, was born in Montpelier, Vt .. in 1790, and served throughout the Revolutionary War as a private. The old musket then carried by him is still a highly prized heirloom in the possession of Mrs. Leighton. He died in the year 1840. Her mother, whose maiden name was Sophia Bass, was born in Con- neetieut in 1800, and died at the age of seventy- seven years. There were six children born of this union, whose names are as follows: Prudence, Mal- vina, Mary, Louisa, Sylvia and Julia. To Mr. and Mrs. Leighton has been born one child, who re- ceived the name Fay E., and was born Oct. 6, 1873. Besides this child they have adopted two others, viz: Alice Leighton, born Sept. 28, 1870, and Eddie, Feb. 1, 1878.
Our subject has been several times called upon to accept office, but has ouly consented in two in- stances, and upon these occasions was impelled to do so by his deep and continuous interest in educa- tional affairs. He was for six years in the office of School Treasurer and two as School Director. Both Mr. and Mrs. Leighton have for many years been members of the Baptist communion, and are affili- ated with the church at Filley. In the Sunday- school and church work, especially the former, they are among the most active and earnest workers. In society they are counted among the elite, and are respected as most honorable and valued citizens The political sentiments of Mr. Leighton lead him to an active membership in the Prohibition party,
and his influence in his township is quite large, and doubtless efficient work will be done by him to ad- vanee this great cause of larger liberty. A view of the home place of our subject may be seen on an adjoining page.
HOMAS EDMANDS, an aged and highly respected citizen of Oak Township, is one of its oldest living pioneers. Ile lives on his farm of 160 acres on section 23, but some time since retired from active lahor, the homestead being man- aged by his grandson, Clyde Edmands. Ile came to Nebraska during the period of its earliest settle- ment, and has been the privileged witness of its transformation from a wild and uncultivated coun- try to flourishing towns and valuable homesteads. He can tell many a thrilling tale of the scenes through which he has passed, and the changes which have occurred since the time when, a young man with brave and venturesome spirit, he sought this region with the intention of building up a home. Hle secured his present farm by a homestead claim, and experienced all the hardships and privations of pioneer life, laboring amid many disadvantages, but with that persistent industry which was one of the leading characteristics of the early settlers, and which almost invariably resulted in their ultimate success.
The subject of this sketch was born on the other side of the Atlantic, in the Principality of Wales, April 6, 1805. His parents were Thomas and Jane (Loyd) Edmands, who spent their entire lives upon their native soil. the father engaged in day labor. The family was in limited circumstances, and the household circle included three children, two sons and a daughter-Thomas, John and Jane. The brother and sister of our subject are now in Green County, Wis.
Mr. Edmands received but a limited education, and began life for himself at an early age, beginning to work out when eight years old. Two years later he was wholly thrown upon his own resources on account of circumstances. Thereafter he made his home with strangers, often receiving hard fare, and but few of the comforts of life. Ile employed
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