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 39
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himself mostly at day labor. Upon reaching man- hood he was married to Mi-s Mary Evans, one of his own countrywomen, who was born in 1804. In 1851 he determined to seek his fortune in the New World. and embarking on a sailing-vessel at Liver- pool, landed in New York four weeks later. Thence he proceeded directly westward, locating in Keno- sha County, Wis., where he rented a farm and con- tinued to live for a period of seventeen years.
In the fall of 1868 Mr. Edmands made his way to this State, and homesteaded the land comprising his present farm. He labored industriously in the cultivation of the soil, and in bringing about the improvements necessary to his convenience and comfort. His career has been that of an honest man and a good citizen, and one in which he has justly earned the esteem and confidence of his neighbors. He has been identified with the Republican party for many years, and to the enterprises calculated to benefit the community at large has given as he was able his cordial and generous support. He thor- oughly believes in the establishment of religious and educational institutions, and has assisted in the building of several churches in his county. As one of the oldest pioneers, he is accorded that tacit reverence and respect extended those who ventured into the uncultivated wilds, and never permitted themselves to withdraw from the task they had un- dertaken.
To Mr. and Mrs. Edmands there were born eight children, namely : Mary, Margaret, Jane, Ann, Jona- than, Edmund, Elizabeth and Sarah. Three of these are living, one in Wisconsin, and two in Ne- braska. Among the views presented on the pages of this volume may be found one belonging to Mr. Edmands.
AVID RICKARD. Our subject is one of those who have reached the goal after years of toil, labor, anxiety, and all the attendant incidents of a busy life, and now has retired from active service. He has let the mantle of his former intelligent industry fall upon the shoulders of his son, who has charge of the old farm and operates it in his own interest. Our-sub-
ject resides upon section 18 of Grant Township. and owns 230 acres of land on section 2, compris- ing the farm, which is finely improved and has good buildings, etc. This is the property that is now utilized by his son.
Mr. Rickard came to this county in the fall of 1870 and located on the farm on section 2, and entered upon the pioneer work connected with the bringing of raw prairie land to good farming land. In this work he was abundantly successful, and con- tinued until about ten years ago, when he came to his present residence and took up a retired life. Previous to living in Nebraska his home had been in Wayne County, Ohio, where he had farmed for four and a half years. Prior to that he had con- tinued to reside in his native State, that of Penn- sylvania, where he was born in Somerset County on the 13th of December, 1819. He is the third child and the second son of William and Sarah (Strose) Rickard, both of whom are now deceased, their death occurring in Westmoreland County of that State. When this last change came the father was over eighty, and the mother somewhat more than ninety years of age. They were both natives of the Keystone State. Mr. Rickard, Sr., was a hotel-keeper all his life. The family was well known throughout a large section of country and held everywhere in the highest regard. They were the parents of nine children, five of whom were sons. Of this family but one member, Elizabeth Miller, is deceased; she died at an advanced age, and all those living are over fifty years of age.
'The boyhood, youth and early manhood of our subject were spent in his native county ; his educa- tion was received in the usual institution of the times and was complete according to the curricu- lum of that day. It was with pleasurable pride that as a young man our subject deposited his first ballot, which was given in favor of Gen. "Tippe- canoe" Harrison, of glorious memory, and it is almost unnecessary to say that his grandson re- ceived the vote of our subject at the past election.
At the age of twenty-two years Mr. Rickard went to Westmoreland County, and there was united in holy matrimony with Catherine Harmon. This interesting event was celebrated on the 24th of December, 1846, and has been the means of com-
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pleting and brightening two lives at least. This lady was born on the 9th of August, 1825, in that county, and remained at the home of her parents until her marriage, receiving such education as was usual in the neighboring school-house, and at home trained in all the diversities of housewifery. She was the daughter of one of Pennsylvania's prosperous farmers. Philip Harmon, who was united in mar- riage with Miss Elizabeth Humm.
Mrs. Rickard, who was called to pass to her long home in September of 1881, was just such a one as King Solomon might have had in mind when he wrote "He that findeth a good wife findeth a good thing." ller memory will always be sacredly re- vered, for her life and character were most beauti- ful, presenting in the varied relations of life as wife and mother an idealistic maturity and beanty. Her eight children will ever hold her in mind as the one perfection of womanhood of their lives. The names of her children are as follows: William H., now of De Witt; Oscar, resident in the Rockies; Elizabeth A., now the wife of Finley Kinzey, and resident in Lincoln; David H., who operates the old home farm ; John, who lives upon a farm in Lane County, Kan. ; Lucius L., living in Lincoln; Mary D., now Mrs. George Randell, of Frontier County, Neb., and George G .. also a farmer in Lane County, Kan.
Mr. Rickard entered into a second matrimonial alliance upon the 2d of March, 1884, the lady of his choice being Mrs. Lucy B. Van Cleef, nee Tut- tle. This lady was born on the 4th of October, 1823, in Indiana, to Jolin A. and Mary (Tiney) Tuttle, natives of Long Island, who were then mar- ried, and later came to Ohio, and thence removed to Indiana, residing in the northern part of that State, where they died at a very advanced age. Their daughter Lucy was married to William W. Van Cleef, and shortly afterward came to Nebraska and lo- cated in this county, where he died in 1866, leaving his widowed wife with five children. one of whom is now deceased; her name was Phœbe A. Those who still survive are as follows : John A., a resident of Jefferson County; Betsey J., now the wife of Dow Taylor, a farmer in Saline County ; George, a successful farmer in the same county ; Mary Close, who with her husband resides upon her mother's farm, being the land taken by her late husband
when they came to the State in 1857. and from which at one time they had to flee to Beatrice to escape Indian cruelty or worse. Mrs. Rickard owns in her own right 240 acres which was left by her husband.
In the late war Mr. Rickard enlisted in the cav- alry as Corporal in a hatallion in Pennsylvania in 1863, and after six months re-enlisted in Company E, 211th Pennsylvania Infantry, and served in all the engagements of note until the close of the war, rising from the ranks to the position of Second Ser- geant. He was accounted a good soldier, and because thereof was promoted. He has continued from that time the support of the Republican cause, and will continue so to do. He is accorded by the entire community in which he resides the hearty respect and highest esteem because of his irre- proachable character and successful life. Ile has ever been forward in advancing the interest of re- ligious, social and educational affairs, and has rec- ognized the importance of the institutions having this in view.
G EORGE WRIGHT is well known as a suc- cessful farmer on section 22, Island Grove Township, where he has a fine farm of 160 acres. He was born in Knox County, Ill., on the 13th of September, 1844, and is the eldest of seven children who comprise the family of his father. His parents, William D. and Susan (Robertson) Wright, are natives of Kentucky, and after their marriage they made their home in Knox County, Ill. They remained in that place until 1883, in which year they removed to Oregon, and are now residing in that distant State engaged in the occu- pation of farming, which has been their vocation through life.
Our subject, as the eldest son, assisted his father in the work of his farm and the maintenance of the family until he reached the age of twenty-two years, after which time he began in business for himself, and having by this time a thorough under- standing of the work necessary for successful results in agriculture he continued in that work on his own behalf. In 1876 he moved to Adair County, Iowa,
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where he continued farming, and in 1886 he came to this county and purchased a quarter section of land at $22 per acre. The land was in a partly improved condition when it came into his hands, and he has since increased its value and added to its appearance by the improvements which he has made.
In 1866 Mr. Wright was united in marriage with Miss Errilla Linn, a daughter of John and Mary A. (Campbell) Linn, who were natives of Ohio. Mrs. Wright was born in Morrow County, Ohio, on the 14th of June, 1845, and remained in her native State until the year 1856. She received her educa- tion from the schools in Morrow "County, and from her mother she learned the domestic virtues which qualify her to make such a pleasant home for her own family. . By her kind advice, and the interest which she manifests in his labor, she has assisted our subject in the accumulation of his present property, and the work necessary for its improvement. They have gathered about them a family of four chil- dren, to whom they have given the names of Susan E., William Scott, Jefferson T. and Nora D.
Our subject is concerned in the welfare of his community as well as for that of the country at large, and as far as he is able he gives encourage- ment to the fostering and improvement of all the public institutions by which the best good can be secured. He has been an incumbent of the offices of Director and Treasurer, in which he served for ten years, with credit to himself and satisfaction to those who elected him to the office. In all matters relating to the political government of the country he affiliates with the Democratic party.
ALSEY COOK. The subject of the follow- ing notice took up his abode in Highland Township during the period of its early set- tlement, securing a tract of land 160 acres in extent on section 31. A native of Tompkins County, N. Y., he was born Sept. 29, 1822, and is the son of Jeremiah and Sarah Cook, the father born on Long Island, N. Y., and the mother in the same State.
Jeremiah Cook during his carly manhood served
as a soldier in the War of 1812. and was a strong supporter of Andrew Jackson for President. The household circle consisted of eight children, seven of whom are living, and located as follows: Frank- lin is in Steuben County, N. Y .; Samuel, in Brad- ford County, Pa .; Seth, in Kansas; Halsey is our subject, and was the fourth child; Amanda is the wife of L. G. Hastings, of Greene County, Iowa; Nancy, Mrs. Barlow, and Mary A., the wife of Alvah Butler, are residents of Steuben County, N. Y.
When the subject of this sketch was a little lad five years of age, his parents took up their residence in Bradford County, Pa., where they lived for a period of six years, the father engaged in farming. Thence they removed back to the Empire State, locating this time in Steuben County, where Hal- sey completed his education, and was reared to manhood. The school advantages of those days were far inferior to those of the present time, but our subject being fond of his books, pursued a thor- ough course of reading, and became well informed upon the important topics of the day. When twenty years of age, he set about the cstablishment of a home, by his marriage with Miss Lydia Clark, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride, Dec. 15, 1842. Mr. and Mrs. Cook continued resi- dents of New York State until 1845. There have been born to them six children, four of whom are living: Monroe is a resident of Ogle County, Ill. ; Eliza, the wife of Edward Atkinson, is a resident of Burlington, Iowa; Delphia married George Tuni- son, and lives in Saline County, this State; Halsey J. is also a resident of that county, engaged in farm- ing. The deceased daughters, Sarah C. and Mary A., died at the ages of twenty-eight and five, re- spectively. Sarah C. died in Kansas, May 10, 1874, and Mary A. in Illinois.
Our subject and his wife, a few months after their marriage, emigrated to Ogle County, Ill., taking up their abode among its early pioneers, and there lived a quarter of a century. Mrs. Lydia Cook de- parted this life at her home in Flagg Township, Ogle County, in 1862. Our subject was the second time married, Oct. 12, 1862, to Mrs. Emily Jewell, widow of Monroe Jewell, who died in California. Mr. Cook in 1871 left Illinois, and crossing the Mississippi, settled in Woodson County, Kan., where
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he lived three years, and in the fall of 1874 came to this county. He purchased eighty acres of land in Ilighland Township, at 87 per acre, from the Bur- lington & Missouri River Railroad Company. run- ning in debt for the amount. The energy and per- severance with which he labored are indicated from the fact that be not only cleared himself of his first indebtedness, but in due time purchased more land, and has now a fine farm of 240 aeres with first-class improvements. He commenced operations with one span of horses and an old wagon worth about $15, a breaking plow and a yoke of oxen, and less than $5 in cash. He practiced the most rigid economy, and has always made it a rule to live within his in- come. His career should be an encouragement to those starting out at the foot of the ladder, and is an example of the industry and perseverance which seldom fail to bring their legitimate reward
Mr. Cook during bis early voting days was a member of the old Whig party, but upon the organ- ization of the Republicans, cordially endorsed their principles, and has since supported them. He held several of the minor offices while a resident of Illinois, and is recognized as a liberal and publie- spirited eitizen, uniformly encouraging the enter- prises calculated for the advancement of the people. As one of the pioneer citizens of this county, who has made for himself a good record, he is in the en- joyment of that esteem and confidence which by a correct life he has most justly earned.
Z W. LYNK. Nothing is more delightful than to traverse the country throughout Southern Nebraska during its harvest season, and note the thrift and industry of a large majority of its people. From the abundance of its products may safely be augured the character of its people, for the soil, however rieb in its natural resources, must be judiciously tended, or man's expectations will come to naught. Prominent among the skill- ful agriculturists of this region may properly be named the subject of this sketch, who has been liberally endowed with the qualities which have assured his success both as a farmer, a business man, and a valuable member of the community. He has
extensive interests, being part owner of one and one-half sections of land, the whole of which he superintends, making a specialty of the raising of grain and stock. He gives employment to a large number of men the year round, and is thus no unimportant factor in the business and farming interests of Gage County.
The ancestry of an individual is next in impor- tance to his own personality, and can never prop- erly be omitted from the record of his life. The father of our subject was Stanton Lynk, a native of the Empire State, and born near the city of Rochester, in 1834. Ile lived there until a youth of eighteen years, and then migrating to Will County, Ill., engaged in farming, and there has since remained. There also he married Miss Isabel Doig, who was born in Washington, D. C.,. two years later than her busband, in 1836. She is still living with him at the old homestead. They are the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters, namely : Janet, the wife of Abel Bliss, a farmer of Will County, Ill .; Z. W., the subject of this sketch; Adella, who married Walter Rowley, a farmer of that county ; Everett, also farming in that locality ; Eva and Irwin, at home with their par- ents.
The subject of this sketch was born in Will County, III., April 3, 1860, and spent bis boyhood days there upon the farm, and in attendance at the district school until twenty-two years of age. Feb. 23, 1882, desirous of establishing a home of his own, he was united in marriage with Miss Corneliu, daughter of Charles and Hannah (Holly) Finch, who were born in Illinois. The father was a druggist by occupation, and departed this life at his home in Will County, Ill., in 1863. The mother is still living in the Prairie State. Mrs. Lynk was the younger of their two children, and was born Jan. 25, 1863, in Will County, Ill. She spent her early life under the home roof, continuing with her par- ents until her marriage.
Mr. and Mrs. Lynk began their wedded life in Iowa, where, in Wright County, our subject carried on farming eighteen months, then resolved to cast his lot with the people of Southern Nebraska. Com- ing to this county, he purchased 320 acres of land on section 35, in Sherman Township, where he has since
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operated with flattering sueccss. He ships his cattle to Chicago, and usually keeps on hand from 125 to 200 head. These consume the larger part of 200 acres of corn, which is raised on the land of Mr. L. and his partner, and besides this they gather in some years as many as 100 acres of oats and the same of flax.
Mr. Lynk has a very pleasant and comfortable home and an interesting family, the latter including two bright children, Mabel A. and Howard S., six and four years of age respectively. Mr. Lynk meddles very little with matters outside his busi- ness and his family, but upon occasions of impor- tant elections gives his support to the Republican party.
E ZEKIEL MCCORMACK is one of the pio- neer settlers of Highland Township, who has with pleasurable pride watched its pro- gression, settlement, development and growth. His residence and farmn are on section 14, where, in 1872, he homesteaded eighty acres of Government land and settled thereon. Our subject was born in County Antrim, Ireland, on the 15th of May, 1842, to James and Ellen MeCormack, natives of the same place. He was the second son born to his parents, whose family circle included four children. His education was received in his native county, and provided him with a fair foundation upon which to rear life's structure. From that time his attention was directed to the multifarious minutia of agricultural pursuits, in which he was engaged until he was about twenty-two years of age.
In the spring of 1864 our subject emigrated to this country, taking passage from Belfast to Liver- pool on a sailing-vessel, and thence to New York, the voyage consuming somewhat over four weeks. As soon as the first strangeness of the New World had worn off, he proceeded to Philadelphia, where he obtained employment with the wholesale grocery firm of McCann & Cooper, to drive one of their teams. This situation he held for five years, re- maining in the same occupation and city for about four years longer.
In 1872 our subject came to Gage County and settled, as above mentioned, on section 14, Highland
Township. There were very few settlers in the district and he was comparatively alone, and ex- perienced all the difficulty, inconvenience and loss attending frontier life, where long distances must be traversed to and from the markets, with all the attending disadvantageous circumstances of pio- neer life that have turned back so many who once bravely started to engage therein. IIe has brought his farm to its present high state of perfection in agriculture from a condition of nature that had been perhaps untouched by man from the day of the issuing of the creative fiat. That he has been successful is shown in the fact that he has more than doubled his farm acreage since his original settlement, which now contains 200 acres, while its financial value has very largely increased also, and in greater proportion. His farm buildings are good and substantial, his residence pleasant and commodious, and the farm well supplied with the necessaries of good farming. His previous history and life in Philadelphia, compared with his present position and prospects, reveal the fact that he has made what he has by his own efforts, and has not been reaping the harvest of another life, as is often the case in the acquisition of riches, when through the death of relatives their belongings, no longer usable by them, are passed on into other hands.
Our subject was happily married to Matilda Young, at Philadelphia, Sept. 29, 1871. This lady is the daughter of Edward and Jane Young, of Tyrone, Ireland. The former is deceased. The wife of our subject was the third child born to them, and that interesting event occurred at Ty- rone, on the 12th of August, 1846. She resided with her relatives until her marriage, which has proved to our subject to be one of the most im- portant, and at the same time happy, steps of his life. There have been four children born of this union, whose names are as follows: Sarah J., James E., Harry M. and Gertrude F.
Our subject affiliates with the Republican party in his position upon political questions, and has for years been one of its stout adherents and doughty friends. For three years he has served as Modera- tor of the school district. Both our subject and his wife are connected with the Presbyterian Church. and in that communion find that which is congenial
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to them in this respect. They are held in the highest regard as consistent and active members and supporters, and take great interest in the vari- ous departments of church and Sunday-school work, Mr. McCormack being Sunday-school Treasurer, having held that office continuously for several years.
Mr. and Mrs. McCormack are prominent in local society, and are gladly welcomed to the best circles thereof. They are identified with the various enter- prises and projects that have been formed for the benefit of the community and advancement of the surroundings. As regards honor, uprightness, pa- triotism, and every moral and social virtue, they occupy as high a place as any in the county. The social qualities that make our subject so popu- lar, his genial, affable manner, supported by his strong force of character and strict business integ- rity, combine to make him one of the most promi- nent and worthy representatives of Irish-American citizenship, and assure a continuance of the exten- sion of those sentiments on the part of his fellow- citizens that make his life at the present place of residence and in that community so eminently satis- factory and enjoyable.
SAAC J. FRANTZ has been eminently success- ful in his business and social career, and is prominently identified with the workings of the public institutions of this community, having done much to aid in their improvement. Ile is en- gaged in farming and stock-raising on his home farm, consisting of 320 acres, all on sections 5 and 8, Rockford Township. His father, William, was born in Maryland, and his mother, Nancy (Rush) Frantz, in Prairie County, Ohio. The parents were married in the latter State, then removed to Illinois, and made their home there until their death, the father dying in 1869 at the age of fifty-nine years, and the mother in 1875 at the age of sixty-three years. The nine children which comprise their family bear the fol- lowing names: James M., Horatio N., Catherine, Mary E., Maggie, Dallas, Isaac J., Ella E. and Ida B.
Our subject was born on the 14th of January, 1850, in Pike Township, Prairie Co., Ohio, and
spent his early years on his father's farm. There he attended the common schools, and having ap- plied himself with much diligence to the tasks assigned him, he was enabled to obtain a thorough education in the elementary branches of learning, Hle remained at home until he was fifteen years old, at which time he came with his parents to Mon- mouth, Ill., where he worked out on a farm during the summer and attended the academic depart- ment of Monmouth College during the winter. Ile then rented a farm and continued the vocation of agriculture on his own behalf.
On the 4th of March, 1875, Mr. Frantz was united in marriage with Miss Anna E. Sickmon, a daughter of George and Sarah (Green) Sickmon, the former of whom was born in Erie County, and the latter near Syracuse, N. 1. They were mar- ried in their native State, and three years later moved to Illinois, the husband purchasing a farm ncar Monmouth. Ile is now very comfortably situ- ated, and enjoys the fruits of his early industry in company with his faithful companion and helpmate, the respective milestones of their existence nun- bering sixty-nine and sixty-six. Their six children have grown to manhood and womanhood, and bear the names of Sallie M., Susan E., Winfield S., Anna E., Elizn and Charles. Anna E., the wife of our subject, was born on the 21st of June, 1853, near Monmouth, where she grew to girlhood's years and began a course of instruction in the common schools, After that was completed she attended the Mon- mouth College, and received an education in the accomplishments which have fitted her to adorn her home and the society in which she moves.
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