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 51
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Mr. and Mrs. Wardlaw are the parents of seven children, who have received the names here ap- pended : Carrie, now the wife of George Weiser, of Cortland, Neb .; John J., James G., Philena D., William II., J. Vivian and Emma. The younger members of the family are still making their home with their parents. This interesting family are every- where respected and admired, which is probably due to the faet of their high sense of moral duty and opportunity, which is developing in the mem- bers of their family circle those characteristics which make men and women honored, beloved and trusted.
Our subject is a member of the local body of the G. A. R. and Knights of Pythias, in both circles being received with that respect which, as Ameri- cans, his fellow-citizens give to one they admire and esteem. In political matters he has always been deeply interested and earnestly active. Ile has served as Justice of the Peace for ten years, and has also represented his district in the Legisla- ture. Besides this he has been several times called upon to assist in the township elections, more es- pecially at the election of Hon. A. S. Paddock to
the United States Senate. During his term of office our subject succeeded in securing an appro- priation of $22,000 for a public building at Beatrice. Snch deeds make their own mark, and are indelible in the hearts and minds of the people who are in- terested, for by it unknown thousands will be helped and interested for good.
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6 HOMAS MAGUIRE is an enterprising young farmer, residing ou section 15, Island Grove Township, where he has a fine farm of eighty acres. He was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., on the 19th of November, 1854, and remained at home until he was twenty-four years of age. Ilis father, John Maguire, was born in Ireland, in the year 1819, and in June, 1845, he came to New York. He remained in that State for ten years, after which he went to DeKalb County, IN., and there engaged in farming, making his home in DeKalb and Boone Counties for ten years. In 1868 he came to this State, and took a homestead of 160 acres on sec- tion 26, Island Grove Township, this county. Ile has made many improvements on his land, and is now comfortably situated.
The mother of our subject was Alice (Talon) Maguire, who was born in Ireland in 1830, and came to America in the year 1845. In 1846 she was united in marriage with the father of our sub- ject. by which union they have a family of seven children, all of whom are now living, and are named John, William. Thomas, James, Albert. Frances and Charles. The children are married, and two of them make their homes in this county. Our subject is the third child of the family, and came to this county with his parents, buying his present farm in the year 1883. Ile now has it all in a finely improved condition, with a neat and at- tractive dwelling. and the necessary farm buildings and fences. When he purchased his farm he paid $5 an acre, but his improvements have increased its valne to many times that amount. Ile makes a specialty of raising grain, and the breeding of live stock.
In 1878 our subject was united in marriage with Miss Anna McVey, who is a daughter of Reuben
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and Mary (Hansbury) McVey, and was born on the 20th of January, 1864, in Iowa. Her parents were natives of Ohio, who removed to Iowa, but are now residing in Pawnee County, Neb. By their mar- riage our subject and his wife are now the parents of three bright and interesting children, to whom they have given the names of Delbert, Lula and Nellie. Mrs. Maguire is an amiable and attractive lady, and by her cheerful and inspiring presence, and the careful management of her home, she proves herself a faithful and devoted helpmate to our subject, and assists him by her kindly advice in the successful management of his farm labor. He is energetic and industrions, and has made a fair start toward accumulating an ample fortune for the maintenance of his family. While Mr. Ma- guire affiliates with the Republican organization, he is sufficiently non-partisan to vote for the candidates whom he believes best qualified for office, no matter to which party they belong.
ON. HENRY H. SILVER. The name of this gentleman is universally recognized throughout Highland Township and vicinity as that of one of its representative citizens, and one closely identified with its farming and busi- ness interests. Ile makes a specialty of stock-rais- ing, and operates successfully a fine farm. 400 acres in extent, pleasantly located on section 6, range 6. A native of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, he was born July 29, 1838, and is the son of Amos and Matilda (Spencer) Silver, who were also natives of the Buckeye State.
The branch of the Silver family to which our subject belongs originated in England, and his later ancestors were for generations residents there. John Silver, one of its later representatives and the first of the family in this country, crossed the At- lantic prior to the Revolutionary War, and settled in Virginia, where he became prominent and in- fluential, and assisted in the framing of the State Constitution. Another relative of Henry H. later served as a soldier in the War of 1812.
To the parents of our subject there were born seven children, three only of whom are living,
namely : David, of Jennings County, Ind. ; Ruth A., the wife of Russell Hunt, of Summit County, Ohio, and Henry II., our subject. The deceased, who all grew to maturity but one who died in infancy, were John, Martin and Wright. The mother de- parted this life thirty years ago at the homestead in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, in the year 1858. Ainos Silver survived his partner many years, and died at a ripe old age. in December, 1886. He had been a resident of Cuyahoga County for over half a century, and during that time had thoroughly es- tablished himself in the esteem and confidence of its people.
Henry H. Silver was reared to manliood in his native county, which at the time of his birth was undergoing its transformation from a wilderness to a civilized community. IIis education was accord- ingly somewhat limited, but being fond of reading he became thoroughly well informed upon the general topics of the day, and grew into a youth of more than ordinary intelligence. At the age of seventeen he began an apprenticeship as a machinist, but this not being entirely in consonance with his tastes and inclinations, he returned home a year later, and embarked in business with his father, who, besides operating a farm, was also engaged in black- smithing, and attended school.
Young Silver was thus employed until the out- break of the late war, and soon after the first call for troops enlisted, April 17, 1861, in Company G, 6th Indiana Infantry. His regiment was assigned to the army of Gen. McClellan in West Virginia, and young Silver fought in the battles of Phillipi, and otherwise gained an insight into the perils of war. He was subsequently put on detached duty, and had charge of the Government shops at Grafton in West Virginia under a Quartermaster. At the expiration of the three months for which he had enlisted, he was duly discharged and returned home. His inclinations, however, drew him again within the boundaries of the army lines, and returning to the vicinity of Grafton, W. Va., he resumed charge of the Government shops there, where he remained nearly one year. Then he was employed first in Alabama, and then for a time in Kentucky and Ten- nessee.
Our subject retired from the Government service
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in 1865, but continued in the vicinity of IInnts- ville, Ala., where he rented 550 acres of land with the view of raising cotton. This venture, however, proved a disastrous undertaking financially, and he was obliged to abandon the enterprise. Ile then entered the employ of Joseph Conner at Hunts- ville, at repairing and selling firearms, and was thus employed for some time. He finally resumed his old trade in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and in 1869 we find him crossing the plains to California. During the journey, however, his plan of operation was changed, and after reaching Omaha he was induced to become agent for the Wheeler & Wilson Sewing Machine in that locality. Ile finally drifted to Nebraska City, and was variously employed until the spring of 1871.
, Our subject now concluded to settle down, and accordingly homesteaded 160 acres of land on section 6 in Highland Township, this county. The land was in a wild, uncultivated state, but he went to work with a will, and soon began inaugurating improvements which have transformed his property into one of the most desirable estates in this region. As soon as he could see his way to the maintenance of a family, he was married, Jan. 28, 1874, to Miss Sarah Uplinger. This lady was born in Luzerne County, Pa., May 25, 1850, and is the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Wood) Uplinger, of whom further mention is made in the sketch of Jacob Uplinger, found elsewhere in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Silver there have been born eight chil- dren, six of whom are living, namely : John B., Clara L., Henry L., James A., Flora P. and Mabel. The deceased, Arthur and Frank, died at the ages of twenty-two and nine months respectively.
For the past four years Mr. Silver has served as Postmaster at Silver post-office, which he was in- strumental in establishing, which is a great conven- ience to the people in that vicinity. In the year 1879 he was elected by the voters of this county as their representative in the Lower House of the Ne- braska Legislature, and in the discharge of his duties acquitted himself so creditably that he was re-elected. In his political affiliations he is a Re- publican, and votes the straight ticket, and socially, belongs to the G. A. R. Post at Cortland. His real estate embraces 400 acres of valuable land and
property interests elsewhere. Both he and his es- timable wife occupy a leading position in society, and their pleasant home is the resort of hosts of friends, whom they have gathered around them and to whom they ever extend a generous hospitality. Mr. Silver is one of those' men whose word is as good as his bond, and whose credit is unlimited.
A view of the fine farm of Mr. Silver, together with its environments will be found on another page.
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ETER C. THIOM is the son of Charles Thom, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, on the 24th of March, 1809. His education in the ordinary branches was thorough, and from school he went to the counting-house, and continued employed therein until he came to the United States in 1837, and settled in Seneca County, Ohio. Upon taking his land in the above State he gave all his attention to farming, and became un- usually successful in the same.
In the year 1837 Mr. Thom was united in mar- riage to Mary E. Weber, daughter of Michael and Catherina Weber, natives of Bavaria, who had come to this country two years previous. They made their home in Seneca County from that time until their death. Their daughter Mary, who was born in Bavaria on the 15th of September. 1816, had made her home with her parents until their emi- gration, and continued to do so until her marriage as above. With her husband she afterward lived a quiet, busy, useful life, and brought up a family of thirteen children, of whom eleven are now living.
Six members of the family of Mr. Charles Thom were sons, and have entered into useful and honor- able walks in life. The names of the children of this family are as follows: Peter Charles (our subject), Catherine, wife of Martin Reinhart; Eliza- beth, who is happily married to Adam Simonis; Jacob, who is successful as a farrier, and, like his two brothers-in-law, is a farmer and resident of Sen- eca County, Ohio; Michael, of Wyandot County, Ohio; Charles II., a successful farmer; Mary, the wife of Charles Kirvan, both of Seneca County ; John, a resident near Delphos, Ohio; Ann, now
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Mrs. Jacob Rinebolt, of Seneca County; George, engaged in agriculture in Somner County of the same State; and Rosa, the wife of Philip Schalk, of Seneca County. All the sons except our subject have been engaged from childhood in brickmaking, learning the trade from their father, who carried on that business with unusual success.
It has already been noted, doubtless, that our subject is the eldest of this large family. He was born near Tiffin, in Seneca County, upon the 4th of May, 1838, and continued to make his home with his parents until he was fifteen years of age, up to which time he had been in attendance at the publie school of the township. Then he went to Union County of that State, and learned the blacksmith trade in a shop situated near Darby Plain. Ilav- ing learned this trade he continued to work at it steadily and successfully for a period of about fif- teen years.
When he arrived at the age of twenty-one our subject was united in marriage with Delilah Dailey, a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Feeler) Dailey. Mr. Dailey was born on the Atkin River, in North Carolina, in 1808. When a child, his father removed to Kentucky, and after a few years to Indiana. His wife was born in West Virginia in 1810. They were married in 1836, and settled in Washington County, Ind., about fourteen years, and then went to Clay- ton County, where they made their home until their death, which came first to Mrs. Dailey, in 1854, and later, in the year 1879, to Mr. Dailey. Their family included five children, three of whom are still living. These are Delilah. the wife of our sub- ject; Mary, the wife of Thomas M. Martin, of Sherman Township, in this county ; and Rhoda, who is happily married to Mr. Asa Anderson. Of this family Mrs. Thom was the eldest, and was born in Washington County, Ind., on the 24th of August, 1838, and continued at home with her parents until her marriage.
On the 16th of August, 1862. our subject en- listed in Company H, 86th Indiana Infantry. Upon taking his place at the front he and his companions were ordered to Kentucky with Burnside, and con- tinued until Crab Orchard was reached. Here he was taken sick. sent to the barracks, and admitted to the hospital, where upon recovery he was ap-
pointed Steward of Hospital No. 6, at Bowling Green, Ky., and remained there until it was closed, when he was transferred to Nashville, and served in Hospital No. 5, in the same capacity. From the hospital he returned to the ranks a short time be- fore the battle of Missionary Ridge, ju which en- gagement he took part. In the spring of 1864 he was detailed to a pioneer brigade, and remained in the same until he was mustered out on the 6th of June, 1865.
The military experience of our subject being finished. lie opened a blacksmith-shop at Lexington, Ind., continuing until the year 1868. Upon the 10th of August of that year he started West with his family, and arrived about the 1st of September in this county, making the whole journey by team. He shortly located a homestead claim of 160 acres, on section 20, Sherman Township, and the same fall had finished a dug-out, in which the family lived for about nine years. He worked one weck in Nebraska City at blacksmithing, and two months for the Otoe Indians in the same way ; the remainder of his time he spent upon his farm.
In 1869 our subject had good crops, and by patient continuance in labor has had continued suc- cess. It was not long before he had set out 15,000 forest trees of various kinds, and had planted a fine orchard, and year after year has seen only a con- tinuance of prosperity. Nevertheless, in the earlier. part of his pioneer life he had to endure many hard and severe trials; at one time he was so reduced and straitened that the only provisions in the house were a single sack of corn meal and a little coffee. Upon another all they could obtain was some bran bread and a few potatoes. During the winter of 1868-69 he trapped mink and sold the fur, thus providing for his family; but his success dates from that time, and now that it has come to him he fully appreciates it.
Mr. and Mrs. Thom are the parents of three chil- dren. all of whom reside at home and are in at- tendance upon the classes of the University of Nebraska. They have received the names here ap- pended, viz: Saralı A., Charles and James A. The young people are bright, intelligent and vivacious, taking full advantage of the exceptionally fine educational system and institution of the State, and
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their future is full of radiant hope and brilliant prospects. Our subject and wife are justly proud of their family, and will, it is hoped, be spared to see them enter and progress in honorable and use- ful careers. There is that in the State, its organi- zations, institutions, and, as some enthusiasts would have us believe, in the very atmosphere, that which inspires the desire, rouses the ambition and spurs the effort to obtain and sustain a home, and that with most gratifying results; that of our subject is but a sample of many that could be found if it were desired.
In his political aspirations and sentiments our subject is in harmony with the Republican party, and has for many years been energetic and constant in bis advocacy of its principles. He is not an office-seeker, but in his hands have been reposed the official trusts of Township Treasurer, Supervisor of the township, and member of the School Board. As an old soldier he is quite a friend of the G. A. R. and a member of that order, having affiliated with the Scott Post, of Blue Springs. It is hardly necessary to add anything concerning the character of such a man, his whole life is a testimony, his early struggle and subsequent success a eulogy. that both command and receive the admiration and es- teem of the community at large.
W ILLIAM MANGUS is a worthy representa- tive of the enterprising, intelligent and prosperous farmers of Sherman Township. His father, Michael Mangus, was born in Central Virginia in 1808, and bas all his life followed agri- culture as bis chosen avocation, and still lives in his native State. The maiden name of his wife, the mother of our subject, was Sarah Showalter, who was born about 1810. in the same place as her hus- band. Their childhood and youth had been spent largely together, and in 1831 their lives were united in the intimate relation of husband and wife. From that time until ber death Mrs. Mangus was a thorough companion and ideal helpmate. Their family included five sons and three daughters, of whom but four are now living.
Our subject was the eldest of the family, and
was born on the 20th of October, 1832, in Bote- tourt County, Va. He continued to live at home until he was twenty-two years of age. By that time he had become quite an expert farmer, besides having laid the foundation of a practical education. On Nov. 6, 1859, he became the husband of Cath- erine Garst, daughter of George and Catherine (Marka) Garst, natives of Pennsylvania. Iler father was born in the year 1797, and died in 1885, in Roanoke County, Va .; his wife died in 1839. She presented her husband with a family which com- prised thirteen children, eleven of whom are now living. Of these the wife of our subject was the eightlı child, and was ushered into life on the 9th of December, 1840.
After marriage our subject commenced farming in Roanoke County, and continued in the same until he enlisted, in 1862, in Company E, 42d Vir- ginia Infantry, with Gen. Stonewall Jackson, and served under him until his death. Our subject fonght in the battles of Chancellorsville, McDowell Mountain, Middletown and Petersburg. At the battle of the Wilderness he was severely wounded, and lay in the hospital for two months, then went back to duty with his regiment. He was taken prisoner in the valley of the Shenandoah, and lan- guished in confinement for three months, until he was exchanged at Vicksburg. but having contracted the typhoid fever, was sick for two months longer, and was unable to rejoin his regiment until the following year. Then he remained in active serv- ice until two weeks before the fall of Petersburg, when he returned to his family, his time of service having expired. He now set about his farm work with renewed activity, though during his absence his family had done their best to keep everything moving as well as they were able.
In 1866 our subject removed to Macoupin County, Ill., and for four years followed agricultural pur- suits in that place. At the end of that period he removed to Christian County, in the same State, and there made his home until the year 1881, then came to this county and purchased eighty acres of land in Sherman Township, valued at that time at $10 per acre, it being but partly improved. It was not long, however, before it responded to his efforts and yielded year by year abundantly of its
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increase. Of course there were times when reasons and circumstances beyond human control prevented unqualified success, but these occasions were largely in the minority, and looking at the period as a whole, the result has been of most gratifying suc- cessful prosperity.
Mr. and Mrs. Mangus became the parents of twelve children, ten of whom are living. These have been named as follows: Sarah E., who is the wife of Enos Rishel, of Sherman Township; Rebecca Jane, who is happily married to J. W. Martin, of the same township; George W., like his brothers- in-law, engaged in farming ; Jeremiah Thomas, Elias Benjamin, Joseph, Mary E .. Kate, Charles E. and William, all of whom are still at home. It is a pleasure to our subject and his wife to be enabled to give their children the opportunity of a good" education, so that as they step out to take their places in the world they will be somewhat prepared for its experiences.
Although at all times anxious to bear his full share of all the responsibilities that come to him as a citizen, Mr. Mangus is not a politician nor an office-seeker, but his excellent character and manly bearing, with his deep interest in educational mat- ters, commended him to the judgment of the elect- ors, and he is now serving as a member of the School Board, and has also been upon the Board of Election. He is an affiliate of the Democratic party, and one of its firm friends and supporters.
C HARLES W. MCCULLOUGH was born in Clarke County, Ohio, on the 10th of Au- gust, 1848, where he grew to manhood, and was educated in the common schools. He was there married to Miss Lydia Jones, a daughter of Stephen and Elizabeth Jones, who died in the above-named county. Mrs. McCullough was born in Greene County, Ohio, on the 14th of June, 1836, and remained with her parents until the time of her marriage, having received her education in the common schools and under the supervision of a thoughtful and careful mother, who taught ber the womanly virtues and accomplishments which
have made her so estimable a lady. Our subject moved to this county in 1873, and after a two- years residence here he returned to Ohio, where he made his abode until 1883. but having again a desire to look upon the fertile West, he again came to this county and bought his present farm, consisting of 160 acres in the northeastern part of section 3, Sicily Township.
When our subject took possession of his land there had been no improvements made on it, so that he was obliged to begin at the very beginning, breaking the prairie land and getting it in a condi- tion to produce sufficient food for their mainten- ance, and,in time bringing it all under cultivation and to a condition of lucrative fertility. He has erected a good house and other buildings, has a windmill pump which furnishes an abundant sup- ply of water, and in various other ways has made improvements and increased the value as well as improved the appearance of his farm. He raises a great deal of live stock, chiefly cattle and hogs, to feed which he uses all the corn produced by his fields, and last year he bought about 3,000 bushels extra. Ilis thriving condition is due solely to his unceasing industry and excellent management, for he has been obliged to make his own way in life, and is indebted to no man for his success, there- fore he may well feel gratified because of his achievements.
Our subject and his wife are the parents of two children, named Bessie and Guy, the former of whom was born on the 3d of January, 1872, and the latter on the 15th of November, 1875. George Mccullough, a brother of our subject, was en- gaged for nearly four years in the service of his country during the late war, and in company with his comrades of Company F, 1st Ohio Artillery, he participated in a number of heavy engagements, but fortunately was never wounded. The father of our subject died in Ohio, on the 15th of Au- gust, 1882, but his mother still makes her home on the old homestead. Mrs. McCullough's father died on the 20th of January, 1879, and her mother on the 6th of December, 1875. Our subject is a mem- ber in good standing of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 172, of Yellow Springs, Ohio, and politically, he advocates the policy of the Republican party. llc
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