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 52
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and his wife have not united themselves with any religious denomination, but attend the Christian Church regularly, and are highly respected and es- teemed members of the community.
- REDERICK SCHENBECK was born in the northern part of Germany, where he grew to manhood's estate and received his edu- cation. There he was married, on the 10th of .July, 1865, to Miss Johanne Kanffman. and in the spring of 1870 he brought his family to America. They made the voyage on the sailing-vessel "Les- cadea," and for seven weeks they were intrusted to the care of the ship's crew, landing in New York on the 29th of May. On the Ist of June they ar- rived at Rochester, N. Y., where they lived for eight years, and then came to Beatrice, Neh., on the 15th of March, 1878. For five years our sub- ject worked by the month, but in 1883 he began farming for himself on a piece of land near Bea- trice. He continued farming in that place until the fall of 1887, when he traded his property in ยท the city for the farm which he now owns on sec- tion 18, Sicily Township. Besides eighty acres of well-improved land which he owns on section 18, he also has eighty acres on section 17.
The parents of our subject. John and Louisa Schenbeck, came to America from Germany in the year 1872, and are now living in this county. They had a family of eight children, of whom only three survive. When our subject came to America he had no money left after paying for the passage of his family on board the vessel, and it was neces- sary for him to work steadily and manage his in- come in the most careful and frugal manner in order to make it meet the requirements of a grow- ing family. This he was enabled to do, and not only this, but much more, for by careful manage- ment and industry he has succeeded in placing him- self in a comfortable position on a fine farm, of which he is the owner.
A family of eight children have been gathered about the home of our subject and his wife, all of whom have been spared to them to lighten their burdens and console by their companionship the
later days of those who cared for them in infancy. The names of the children are as follows: Ilerman, John, William, Anna, Edward, Frank, Paul and Matilda. Mr. and Mrs. Schenbeck are esteemed members of the Lutheran Church, of which their parents were also members. Our subject is so much interested in the carrying on of his farm work, and gives such close attention to his busi- ness, that he does not take a very active part in politics, but he usually votes for the nominces of the Republican party.
Only those men who have begun as our subject began-at the lowest round of the ladder, and mounted, step by step, toward the top, with some struggles and difficulties perhaps, and some encour- agements-can fully appreciate the sense of com- fort and rest which pervades the lives of those who have gathered about them in later life a com- petency, as a reward for their early industry and strict integrity.
G EORGE W. MCKAY. The business industry of a city may be said to be incomplete un- less it includes a representative from each of the many occupations in which men engage. The minister of the Gospel must be present to point out the path of righteousness; the physician must he present to insure the perfect physical life; brick- layers, carpenters and artisans of every trade are necessary for the establishing of convenient homes and adorning them with the beauties of art; there is a place for every occupation, and not only a place for it if it chances to be represented, but an inheritance by right which it is urged to receive. Our subject is engaged in the livery business, with- out which vocation many other occupations would lack their present enterprise and flourishing con- dition. Business of all kinds is facilitated by rapid transit from place to place, and there is no pleasanter method of covering short distances than by mak- ing use of that tractable and docile animal, the horse.
So well does the Arab love his trained and swift steed that rather than part with it he would first part with his children, so essential does it seem to
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his happiness; and when on the desert, both horse and rider are swayed by ore and the same impulse. Of all domestic animals the horse is to the greatest extent capable of the highest training, its understanding sometimes seeming almost human, and its sympathy with man, its best friend, ena- bling it to follow his guidance in the most minute particulars. For the care and management of these useful animals our subject is admirably situ- ated, having about $3.400 invested in his business, including convenient stables and vehicles. He is doing a thriving business. and his stables furnish excellent driving steeds, and handsome and luxu- rious road vehicles.
Mr. Mckay was born on the 18th of April, 1860, in Atchison County, Mo., and is a son of Wallace Mckay, of this county. He was reared on a farm, and received his education in the common schools of his native county, coming with his parents to Wymore in 1883. In 1884 he went to Sheridan County, Kan., returning to Barnston in 1886, and in March of the following year he engaged in his present business. On the 6th of May, 1888, he was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Stonehocker, a daughter of William Stonehocker, of this place.
Le EVI SHAFFER. The present sketch is de- signed to offer in brief compendium an out- line of the life of the able Superintendent of Gage County Poor Farm. This gentleman is a native of Somerset County, Pa., and was born on the 16th of March, 1834. His parents, Andrew and Sarah (Cain) Shaffer, are also natives of Pennsyl- vania, but are of German parentage. The father of our subject was by trade a blacksmith, but later in life took up land, became a farmer, and still re- sides in Cambria County, Pa., superintending his farm. His wife, who is also in the enjoyment of good health, considering her age, has presented her husband with five children, who have been named as follows: Samuel, George and William (twins), Hannah, who is the wife of Edward Wright, and our subject.
Our subject is the oldest of the family, and re- ceived his education while in attendance upon the
district school of his native county, but as the home of the family was situated in the backwoods, he be- came better acquainted with the forge and anvil than the school, and could "strike" a shoe for his father better than he could read and cipher for his teacher. At the age of cighteen our subject en- tered a factory where all manner of woodwork, such as fork and shovel handles, was manufactured, and served with one firm for a period of fourteen years, and received excellent wages for that time. When the first rolling-mill at Johnstown, Pa., was set up, our subject helped to saw the timber and lumber of which it was built.
In 1866 onr subject migrated to Black Hawk County, Iowa, and took land and commenced to fol- low farming as a regular occupation. In 1876 he removed to Montgomery County ; four years later there was formed in that county a colony of Ger- man Baptists or Dunkards, which became known as Maple Grove. Later the colonists removed to Nor- ton County, Kan., and our subject united his fort- une and prospects with theirs, and remained there three years, but his family being sick the greater part of the time, he came to Nebraska, and located first in Pawnee County, and later, in 1884, in Gage County, and rented land in Paddock Township, making his home there for three years. In March, 1887, he was appointed to the position he occupies at present, and took charge of the Poor Farm the following month.
The Poor Farm of Gage County, as may be sur- mised, is well situated; it is 160 acres in extent, contains some of the best land for agricultural and pastoral purposes, and is devoted chiefly to stock- raising and farming. There are upon an average two men engaged upon it. There are fifteen head of cattle, and also three horses, besides a large number of hogs raised yearly.
Our subject was married, in 1856, to Catherine J. Carell, who is a native of Bedford, Pa., and the daughter of George and Catherine Carell, natives of Pennsylvania, of Irish and German ancestry, re- spectively, and residing in Johnstown, Pa. ; they are the parents of ten children; eight are now living, and residents of Pennsylvania. The father is sev- enty-eight years of age, and the mother seventy - nine. Mrs. Shaffer has presented her husband with
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ten children, nine of whom are living. Their names are recorded as follows: Elizabeth, now the wife of Paul Strayer; Catharine M., now Mrs. William Miller; Francis A .; George; Ella, who is happily married to Walter Kelso; Amanda, the wife of George Beer; Adeline, Marietta and Charlie. Al- though our subject has been appointed to his pres- ent position, and is a member of the Republican party, he is by no means what is understood by the term politician. His interest in such matters con- fines itself more especially to the more local matters, he is greatly interested in his work, and has the satisfaction of knowing that his efforts are appre- ciated by those who placed him there. His religious interests are in the Dunkard Church, of which he is an Elder and active minister. The unobtrusive but manly character and bearing of our subject, coupled with his abilities as a farmer, have won for him the general respect of the community at large. Mrs. Shaffer is also a member of the same church as her husband.
2 ERMAN KRACKE, of Clatonia Township, is the proprietor of a valuable farm on sec- tion 31, where he has the finest residence in this part of the county. A man of intelli- gence and good business capacity, he holds a lead- ing position in his community, where his thrift and enterprise have ever received a most cheerful ac- knowledgment. Like scores of the men about him, he is of German birth and parentage, helong- ing to the nationality which has labored so ndmir- ably in the development of the Great West.
Our subject was born in what is now the Prussian Province of Hanover, Germany, Aug. 28, 1851, and is the third son of Frederick and Sophia (Olt- man) Kracke, who still continue upon their native soil. He was placed in school at an early age, where he continued until a lad of fourteen years, and when quite young assisted in the lighter duties of his father's farm. Nearly his whole life has been spent in the pursuit of agriculture. When a youth of twenty years, being ambitious to achieve something beyond what there seemed a probability of his accomplishing in his native land, he resolved upon
emigrating to America. Accordingly in the spring of 1871 he took passage on an ocean steamer bound from Bremen to New York City, and after a voy- age of twelve days landed in the latter metropolis. Thence he proceeded at once to Defiance County, Ohio, where he was employed on a farin six months. Leaving the Buckeye State hie crossed the Missis- sippi into Dubuque County, Iowa, where he was employed on a farm two years. From Dubuque he went into Jackson County, of which he was a resi- dent a number of years. In Jackson County he was married, Feb. 27, 1879, to Miss Lizzie Felderman, a native of the Hawkeye State, and the daughter of John and Rebecca Felderman, natives of Germany, and still residents of Dubuque County, Iowa.
Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Kracke came to this county, and settled among the pioneers of Clatonia Township. Mr. K. first secured 160 acres of land, and was prospered in his labors as a tiller of the soil. Later he added to his real estate, and is now the owner of 210 acres, which yields abundantly the products of Southern Nebraska. Ilis career from the first has been onward and upward, although he has had his difficulties to con- tend with, and from which few men are exempt. Ile gave his first best efforts to the cultivation of his land, and then began making the improvements which are now viewed with admiration by the trav- eler passing through this region. The handsome and substantial buildings, the neatly kept fences, the live stock and the farm machinery, are all most creditable to the industry and enterprise of the proprietor.
Mr. Kracke, politically, sympathizes with and supports the principles of the Republican party. He has served as School Director in his district, and is a member in good standing of the Lutheran Church. To him and his estimable wife there have been born five children, one of whom, John F., was born Aug. 17. 1881, and died on the 23d of that month. The survivors are: George, horn March 1, 1880; Amelia, July 6, 1882; Rose, Dec. 13, 1884, and August, Oct. 8, 1886.
Mrs. Kracke was born in Dubuque County, Iowa, May 4, 1856. Her parents were among the earliest settlers of that section, and are still living, being well advanced in years. They are most excellent
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and worthy people, consistent members of the Lutheran Church. Their family included eight children, six of whom are living. namely: John, Frederic. Mary, Lizzie, Rosa and Rebecca.
R OBERT G. GILMORE, Postmaster of Bar- key, and one of the earliest settlers of Gage County, owns and occupies one of the best farms in this section of country, to which he came in 1875. A native of Pennsylva- nia, he was born in Venango County, July 28, 1839, and is the son of William and Jane (Tede) Gil- more, who were also natives of the Keystone State, and the father of Irish ancestry. The mother, who traced her forefathers back to Germany, is still liv- ing in Venango County. The paternal grandfather of our subject emigrated from Ireland when young in years. and settled in Venango County. Pa., where he married and reared his family, and where with his excellent wife he spent the remainder of his days.
To the parents of our subject there were born eight children, five sons and three daughters, of whom the following survive: Robert G., of this sketch; Ira B., of Butler County. Pa .; Quinton B., of Mercer County, Pa .; Sarah J., the wife of J. R. Adams, of Venango County, Pa. ; Agnes I., Mrs. P. MeCracken, of Venango County, Pa .; William W .; and Aune, the wife of W. Whitman, who still abide in their native county in the Keystone State. Will- iam Gilmore departed this life at his home in Penn- sylvania in February, 1861. The mother, although now over seventy years old, is still hale and hearty, enjoying the fruits of a well-spent life and the es- teem of hosts of friends; she lives in Utica, Pa., near her former home.
Robert G. Gilmore was reared to man's estate in his native county, and at an early age was tanght those habits of industry which have been the secret of his success later in life. He received the advan- tages of a common-school education, and being fond of his books improved his opportunities for read- ing and study, becoming well informed npon the general topics of the day. His life passed thus uneventfully until after the outbreak of the late
Civil War, and in August. 1861, he enlisted as a soldier in the Union Army, becoming a mem- ber of Company D, 83d Pennsylvania Infantry. Ilis regiment was assigned to the Army of the Po- tomac. and Robert Gilmore participated in many of the important battles which followed, namely : the seige of Yorktown, the fight of Hanover Court House, and the seven-days fight before Richmond. the second engagement at Bull Run, and the bat- tles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and Rappahannock Station. Later he was at the battle of the Wilderness, and in the bat- tle of Spottsylvania, in which he received serious wounds, and still carries a rifle ball in his left thigh. At Spottsylvania he was captured by the Con- federates and conveyed to Libby Prison, where he remained three and one-half months, enduring the horrors and sufferings incident to the confinement in that terrible pen, and which is a matter of his- tory. In due time he was paroled and exchanged, and three years from the time of his enlistment re- ceived his honorable discharge, Sept. 20, 1864.
Mr. Gilmore upon retiring from the service re- turned to his native county in Pennsylvania, where he engaged in farming until the spring of 1875. In the meantime he had been married, that important event transpiring on the 24th of September, 1867, the maiden of his choice being Miss Lucy M. Clongh. born July 21, 1841, and daughter of Hor- ace and Ann (Brown) Clough. Her parents were natives of New York and Pennsylvania respect- ively. Then with his family, which comprised his wife and two children, William B., born June 4, 1870, and Flora, Nov. 18, 1872, he determined to seek a home in the West. Accordingly, cross- ing the Mississippi he came to this county, and homesteaded eighty acres of land on section 28 in Highland Township. where he settled and has since remained. His land at the time of the purchase was in comparatively an uncultivated state, and the improvements which the passing traveler beholds to-day are the result of his own industry and per- severance. He lived economically, and from time to time added one improvement after another, and has now one of the most desirable homesteads in this section. His farm comprises 160 acres, which he has brought to an exceedingly fertile condition,
RESIDENCE OF JAMES W. SHELLEY, SEC. 30. ROCKFORD TOWNSHIP.
RESIDENCE OF JAMES PACKER, SEC, 2. ELM TOWNSHIP.
RESIDENCE OF S. S. GRAVES, SEC. 27. GLENWOOD TOWNSHIP
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and he has planted fruit and shade trees, erected the buildings necessary for his comfort and conven- ience, and surrounded himself and his family with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. Since locating in Nebraska there have been added to his family two more children to gladden their home: Leonard B., born June 18, 1875. and Ilor- ace C., Jan. 5. 1880; they are all at home. Mr. Gilmore's career as a man and citizen has been such as to commend him to the esteem and confidence of the people of this section, and he has been no unimportant factor in the encouragement of those projects which have tended for the best good of his community. lle received the appointment of Postmaster in the spring of 1884, under the ad- ministration of President Arthur, and has conducted the affairs of the office in a manner creditable to himself and satisfactory to all concerned.
The first Presidential vote of our subject was cast for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and he has uni- formly been a supporter of Republican principles. He is serving his third term as School Director in his district, and is in favor of everything to im- prove the county and clevate society.
We present a view of Mr. Gilmore's farm resi- dence on another page of this ALBUM.
G EORGE T. MITCHELL is widely and favor- ably known as one of the successful farmers of Barneston Township. Ilis property is situated on section 33, and is 160 acres in extent; it is utilized for the purpose of general farming, supplemented by the raising of stock. This gentle- man is a native of Michigan, and was born on the 30th of June, 1856. He is the son of Elisha and Elizabeth Mitchell, natives respectively of New York and England. The former is deceased.
The parents of our subject removed in 1862 to Guthrie County, Iowa, and continued there to en- gage in farm and dairy work. In that place our subject spent the days of boyhood and youth, and in its schools received his education, which, al- though not so extensive as might have been desired, covered the more common branches, and in these was thorough. From the time of leaving school
our subject was employed in farming until 1880, when he came to this county, and settled upon his present farm.
In September, 1881, our subject was joined in wedlock to Martha With, who was born in Illinois, Oct. 8, 1860, to John W. and Sarah With, resi- dents of Paddock Township. this county, and na- tives of Maryland. The felicity of this union has been more assured and completed by the birth of four children, to whom have been given the names here subjoined : Bertie, George, Ora and Clara E.
Our subject has for many years been a member of the United Brethren Church, in which commun- ion he. with his family, is held in high regard as a worthy and consistent adherent.
E DWARD LEONARD is a successful general farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 14, Lincoln Township, where he has a well- improved farm of 160 aeres. Hle purchased it and made his home on it in 1884. since which time he has changed it from rough, unenltivated prairie land to the fertile and attractive fields of a well. regulated farm, and has it well stocked with a good grade of cattle. horses and hogs. Ile was born in France on the 19th of July, 1861, and when he wns about four years old his parents came to the United States and made their home in Illinois. The father, Francis Leonard, was born in France, and there spent all his life previous to his coming to America; there he was educated and taught the agricultural arts, and there he married his wife, Margaret Spade, who is, like her husband, of pure French ancestry. When they left their native country they had a family of seven children, and with them they settled in Effingham County, III .. where one child was born to them. They remained in that place until 1871, when they came to this county, and the father se- cured a tract of unbroken prairie land in Blakely Township, on which they lived until quite recently, The parents are now retired from active business life, and make their home in the city of Beatrice.
In company with his parents our subject came to this county in 1871, where he continued the pur- suit of his education, and grew up to young man-
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hood. On the 19th of January, 1887, he was united in marriage, in Beatrice, to Miss Kate McHugh, who was born in Warren County, Ohio, on the 21st of December, 1868. She is the daughter of Daniel and Anna (Guckian) McHugh, who were natives of Ire- land, but had early come to the United States, and were married in Ohio. They came to Nebraska in 1881, since which time they made their home near Filley, where the mother is yet living, aged about forty-four years, the father having died on the 22d of December, 1884, at the age of forty-six years. Mr. and Mrs. Leonard are devout members of the Catholic Church, and are esteemed as highly intelligent and respected citizens of Lincoln Town- ship. The former affiliates with the Republican party in politics, and is spoken of among his fel- lowmen as an honest and honorable business man, possessing the confidence of those with whom he is brought in contact in a business and social way.
F6 REDERICK W. KASSING. A goodly pro- portion of the pioneer settlers of Gage County have been those who trace their ori- gin to a foreign land, principally the Empire of Germany. Of that great nation the ancestors of our subject were a portion, and he also was born in what is now the Prussian Province of Hanover, on the 20th of May, 1838. His parents, Joseph and Elizabeth (Evermann) Kassing, spent their en- tire lives on their native soil. Frederick W. re- mained a member of the parental household until a youth of eighteen years, and then, not satisfied with the outlook for the future, made arrangements with his brother, Joseph K., to emigrate to America. In the summer of 1856, bidding adieu to the friends and associations of their childhood, they embarked on a sailing-vessel at Bremen, and after a tedious ocean voyage of about seven weeks and three days, landed in the city of Baltimore, Md. Thence they soon proceeded to Scioto County, Ohio, where our subject followed cabinet-making several years, a trade he had learned when but a boy in his native town. Upon the outbreak of the Cival War he enlisted. in August, 1861, in Com- pany F, 33d Ohio Infantry, and participated in
many of the important battles which followed. At Perryville he was wounded in the jaw, and con- fined in the Marine Hospital from the 8th of Octo- ber until the 12th of April, 1863. He then accepted his honorable discharge, and is now the recipient of a pension of $12 per month from the Govern- ment.
Upon leaving the army Mr. Kassing sought his old haunts in Scioto County, Ohio, and occu- pied himself at wagon-making in both Scioto and Lawrence Counties a number of years. In the meantime he was married, Sept. 14, 1864. to Miss Mary Freye, a native of the Buckeye State, and who by her union with our subject has become the mother of nine children. Of these the record is as follows: Emma E. is the wife of Charles Kurtzer, of Lancaster County, this State; the others, Will- iam, John, Sarah, Louisa, Frank, David, Alice and George, are at home with their parents.
Mr. Kassing in the spring of 1868 left the Buck- eye State, and coming to this county, homesteaded eighty acres of land in Clatonia Township, and on account of his military services secured still further real estate upon a land warrant. He is now the owner of 240 acres, which he has brought to a good state of cultivation, and upon which he has erected substantial frame buildings. The present dwelling hardly meets his requirements, and in the near fu- ture he expects to put up a residence which will be more in keeping with his means and station. He has planted a fine assortment of shade trees adja- cent to the residence, comprising walnut, ash and cottonwood, which are already of sufficient size to ward off the heat of summer and the storms of winter. The career of Mr. Kassing has been one of great industry and perseverance, and in the pos- session of a fine estate he is enjoying ample re- ward for his toil and sacrifices.
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