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 55
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of this sketch, was next to the youngest born. Of these four are now living. The mother passed from earth at her home in Etna, Ohio, in 1871. The father died in 1865.
Young Grable acquired his early education in . the district school, but when of suitable years and acquirements became a student at the Wesleyan College in Delaware, Ohio, where he remained under an excellent course of instruction for a period of two years. Then, his father having died, he returned to the farm, where he remained until the death of his mother, which occurred when he was about twenty-one years of age. He was not long after- ward married, Oct. 10, 1871, to Miss Laura Mauger, the wedding taking place at Columbus, Ohio. Mrs. Grable was. born in May, 1854, in Licking County, Ohio, and is the daughter of Frederick and Hester Manger, who were natives of Pennsylvania. Her father is deceased, and her mother is living in Bea- trice.
After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Grable continued on the home farm until 1877, when Mr. Grable resolved to cast his lot among the people of Southern Ne- braska. Coming to this county he located first on a farm in Logan Township, and which was situated about four miles east of the city of Beatrice. Here he effected considerable improvement, bringing to a fair state of cultivation 320 acres of fertile land, and continuing a practical agriculturist until 1880, when he changed his location and occupation, leav- ing the farm to engage in the harness business in the city, becoming the successor of Charles Everet, and carrying on this business three years. In 1884 he became interested in real-estate and abstract business, associating himself with J. L. Tait, with whom he operated until the fall of 1887, when the latter disposed of his interest in the business to Mr. S. K. Davis. A short time since Mr. Grable bought out Mr. Davis' interest. He occupies con- venient offices and has all the facilities for the set- tlement of property matters, including a full set of abstract books, thus being able to adjust in a prompt and correct manner the various questions continu- ally arising in the transfer of lands and lots.
Mr. Grable deals largely in city property, of which he has secured some valuable ground and a good residence. His family includes six children,
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four boys and two girls: Ilarley C., Carlton F., Bertie M., Blanche, Ernest S. and Laura T. Mr. Grable has held the office of City Treasurer in Bea- trice, and is regarded as one of its most prompt and reliable business men. He is a Director and stockholder in the Beatrice Street Railway in both the northern and southern portions of the city, and is identified in a similar manner with the Masonic Temple Building and the Beatrice Paper Mill Com- pany. He is also one of the organizers of the Bea- trice Inter-State Chautauqua Association, and one of its five owners. Ile is public spirited and lib- eral, and to the enterprises calculated for the prog- ress and welfare of the city gives uniform and generous support.
W ILLIAM D. NICHOLLS, a worthy repre- sentative of the real-estate interests of the city of Beatrice and vicinity, is a native of the Dominion of Canada, having been born in the Province of Ontario, near the county seat of Peterborough, on the 15th of June, 1841. Ile was next to the youngest of the four children compris- ing the family of William C. and Ann (Davie) Nicholls, who were of English ancestry and natives of Bristol, England.
Walter B. Nicholls, the paternal grandfather of our subject and a native of London, England, was a chandler, and spent his last years in Peterboroughi, Canada. His son William C. followed farming, and is still living in Canada, having now arrived at the advanced age of eighty-one years. The mother died in 1859. William D., of our sketch, spent his early years upon the farm, and acquired his earliest lessons in the common school. Ile as- sisted his father in the development of a tract of land, and later, with his brother John B., cleared 200 aeres from heavy timber in his native Province. He continued a resident of the Dominion until twenty-six years of age, then coming over into the States, proceeded westward across the Mississippi, and changing his occupation, became a traveling salesman for the firm of Van Brunt & Sons. dealers in farm implements. In the pursuance of this
business he compassed a large portion of the State of Iowa, and withdrew from it on the Ist of Janu- ary, 1875.
Mr. Nicholls, while a resident of Atlantic, Iowa, was united in marriage, Dec. 18, 1874, to Miss Ada L. Pellett, who was born in Susquehanna County, Pa., July 21, 1851. She made her home with her brothers, and was the first lady teacher in Atlantic, Iowa. Her parents. Jason and Delia Pel- lett, took up their residence near Atlantic, Iowa, about 1888, where the father follows farming and both parents now reside. Mr. and Mrs. Nicholls in January, 1875, moved to Beatrice, and Mr. N. became general agent and traveling salesman in the interests of the McCormick Reaper Company, of Chicago. Ile was thus occupied three years, and until the 1st of January, 1878, when he es- tablished in business on his own account in the sale of farm implements, in which he built up a good trade, and continued until Jan. 1, 1884. Then selling out, he first treated himself to a visit to his old home in Canada, and upon his return to Bea- trice became interested in real estate, to which he has since devoted his time and attention. He las been largely interested in farming lands, having transactions throughout Nebraska, Kansas, Colo- rado and Dakota. llis office is over Begole & Van Arsdale's dry-goods store, No. 505 Court street. Mr. Nicholls owns a fine three-story brick, which oceupies No. 211 Court street, and in the trans- action of his business is supplied with the ab- stracts and all the other appliances necessary for the adjustment of titles and other questions con- stantly arising.
To our subject and his wife there have been born seven children, viz: Walter J., William A., Mary L., Clara M., Lee E., Marjorie E. and Mona. The eldest is thirteen years of age, and the young- est two. They occupy a snug home on the corner of Ames and Seventh streets, and a good position among the cultivated people of the city. Mr. Nicholls is a member of the Board of Trade. is prompt and reliable in his business transactions, and, beginning in life without means and other re- sources than his own industry and perseverance, is an admirable illustration of the self-made man. Besides his city property, which comprises seventy-
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three town lots and the business house already spoken of, he has about $8,000 worth of business and residence property in the city. In politics Mr. Nicholls is a member of the third party, or Prohibitionist.
SIIOMAS MAYBORN. The subject of this sketch, one of the most highly respected eitizens of Glenwood Township, an ex-sol- dier of the Union army, and a farmer in good cir- cumstances, is pleasantly located on section 31, where he has a fine homestead and is surrounded with all the comforts of life. A native of Dover, England, he was born Nov. 19, 1843, and emi- grated to America with his parents when but a child. They first settled in Oneida County, N. Y., but a year and a half later changed their location to Stark County, Ill., where Thomas acquired his early education in the common schools and devel- oped into manhood.
Young Mayborn was still in Illinois upon the ontbreak of the late war, and on the 25th of Sep- tember, 1861, while on a visit to New York State, enlisted in Company A, 14th New York Infantry. In the battle of Malvern Hill, Va., he was wounded in the right thigh by a minie ball, on account of which he was incapacitated from further service, and was compelled to accept his honorable dis- charge. In the meantime, while lying helpless, he was captured by the rebels, but fortunately re- leased on parole twenty-seven days later. He left the service in December, 1862, and returned to Stark County. Ill., remaining there unable to do any labor for more than a year. With the excep- tion of a year spent in the army. he was a resident of that part of the Prairie State until crossing the Mississippi into Page County, Iowa, where he was a sojourner until coming to Nebraska in the spring of 1881.
The homestead of our subject embraces 160 acres of land, upon which he has effected good im- provements, carefully cultivating the soil, setting out fruit and shade trees, and surrounding his fam- ily with the comforts and conveniences of modern life. He gives his attention largely to stock-rais-
ing, although the cereals form no unimportant part of the products of his labor.
The parents of our subject were Thomas and Caroline (Harding) Mayborn, also of English birth and parentage. The father was a farmer hy ocen- pation; his death took place in Stark County, III. The mother is yet living, and a resident of Wash- ington County, Kan. The household circle in- cluded six children, five sons and one daughter, of whom our subject was the eldest. He was married in Stark County, Ill., April 9, 1865, to Miss Re- becca, daughter of James and Ann (Carter) Jer- rems, who were natives of England, and emigrated to the United States about 1832. Mrs. Mayborn was born April 5, 1845, in Oneida Connty, N. Y., and was the fourth in a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters. Of these four are living, and residents of Nebraska. Kansas and Iowa. The mother died in Oneida County, N. Y., about 1850. The father is still living, and a resident of Washington County, Kan.
To Mr. and Mrs. Mayhorn there have been born four children-Thomas W .. James A., George H. and Charles H. The eldest is twenty-one years of age, and the youngest six. In politics Mr. Mayborn is a member of the Republican party, and has served in his township as School Treasurer and Road Supervisor.
b ENRY J. RANDALL, of the firm of Randall & Sons, carrying on a prosperous business in paper-hanging and house and sign paint- ing. has been established in the city of Bea- trice since the spring of 1880, and is now numbered among its well-to-do business men. He was born in Wiltshire, England, Feb. 14, 1840, and was the second child of Frederick and Ann (Rogers) Ran- dall, whose family included five sons and two daughters. Of these five are living, and residing mostly in the United States.
The parents of our subject, in 1851, when Henry J. was a lad of eleven years, emigrated to America with their little family and settled on a farm in Sullivan County, N. Y. There the father died twelve years later, in 1863. The mother is still living,.
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and makes her home with a daughter in the Empire State. Our subject spent his boyhood under the parental roof, acquiring a common-school education. At the age of seventeen he began his apprentice- ship as a painter, which he followed in New York State for a period of four years, and became thor- oughly acquainted with all branches of the business. Ile finally embarked in business for himself at Mid- dleton, Orange Co., N. Y., and was greatly pros- pered. Finally, however, desirons of a change of location, he came to Nebraska, locating in the city of Beatrice, where he has since remained. The headquarters of the firm are at No. 617 Court street, where they have a convenient location and all the appliances necessary for good work.
Mr. Randall, at the age of twenty-three, was mar- ried in Sullivan County, N. Y., Oct. 1, 1863, to Miss Polly, daughter of Bradley and Eliza (Burr) Sherwood, who were at that time residents of Sul- livan County. The mother of Mrs. Randall was a direct descendant of Aaron Burr, whose career is a matter of history. Mr. Randall's wife was born April 4, 1843, in Sullivan. N. Y. The parental household included eight children, and all are living.
To Mr. and Mrs. Randall there have been born five children, three sons and two danghters, namely : George F .. Frederick W., William F., Isabel and Carrie. Our subject, politically, affiliates with the Republican party. Socially, he belongs to the Mod- ern Woodman. A portion of his capital is invested in fifty acres of valuable land just outside the city limits, where he resides.
E DWARD C. LEIGII. The subject of this biography, a leading business man of Blakely Township, is also one of its most successful farmers and stock-growers, and makes a specialty of high-grade Durham cattle. At the head of his herd are "Drapo" and "Geneva George." registered animals, bred in Illinois by Col. Fulkerson. and which have already attained quite a reputation in the West. The former brings down the scales at 2,000 pounds, and is the largest of his kind in this county.
Mr. Leigh has been a stock-dealer for a period of
nine years, raising and feeding and shipping to the Eastern markets. He has a large traet of land, 840 heres, provided with suitable buildings and the other appliances necessary for the successful earry- ing on of this branch of agriculture. lle keeps abont 200 head of cattle all the year round, and usually about fifty to seventy-five head of calves, which are mostly full-bred. Hle supplies the cattle- men of this region with some of their best breeding stock.
Our subject has been a resident of this county since the fall of 1879, when he located on a part of the land comprising his present farm. He has given his attention mainly since that time to stock- raising. Ilis land lies on sections 29 and 30, and his home is on the former. Formerly he had been a resident of Jersey County, Ill., where he was born June 15, 1849, in the town of Jerseyville. His par- ents were natives respectively of England and Pennsylvania; the mother was born near Phila- delphia. Ilis father was a farmer by occupation, and the parents continued residents of the Keystone State until 1844. Then, resolving upon a change of location, they emigrated with their little family to Jersey County, Ill., where Thomas Leigh engaged in farming, and where with his excellent wife he still lives, both having arrived at an advanced age.
Thomas Leigh, the father of our subject, was born in Lancaster, England, and emigrated with his parents to the United States when a little lad six years of age. They located in Bucks County, Pa., where the paternal grandparents of our subject spent the remainder of their days and died when ripe in years. Thomas Leigh is now eighty years old, and has made for himself a record as an honest man and a good citizen. Ile was reared in a Quaker community and still holds to the religious belief of that peace-loving sect. The mother of our subject was in her girl- hood Miss Martha Van Horn, and, like her husband, is a Quaker in religious belief. She is seventy-eight years old, and has fulfilled her duties as wife and mother in the most praiseworthy manner, meriting the esteem and confidence of all who know her.
The subject of this sketch is the youngest of three sons and one daughter. One son. Augustus. died in Jerseyville when about twenty-one years old. The other son and the daughter are residents of
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Jerseyville. Edward C. remained with his parents in Jerseyville, Ill., until eighteen years of age, then going eastward to Trenton, N. J., completed his education later at the business college there. Upon leaving school be returned to Illinois, and on the 22d of February, 1871, was united in marriage with Miss Nettie J. Snell, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride in Jerseyville. Mrs. Leigh, like her husband, was also born in Jersey County, Ill., Feb. 12, 1851. Her parents, Asa and Priscilla (Landon) Snell, were natives of Vermont, where they were reared and married, and whence they emigrated afterward to Illinois. They settled in Jersey County about 1840, among the pioneers of that region. The father tilled the soil successfully the remainder of his life, built up a good home from the wilderness, and departed hence in January, 1876. The mother survives, and makes her home with her children at the old farm in Jersey County. Although quite aged. she is still active and indus- trious, and attends quite regularly the services of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which she has been a member for several years. The Snell family included fourteen children, six sons and eight daughters, eleven of whom are living. Mrs. Leigh received careful home training and a good educa- tion in the common schools of Jerseyville, where she remained until her marriage. Of her union with our subject there have been born six children, namely : Laura, Nettie, Augustus, Cora, Martha and Lucretia.
Mr. and Mrs. Leigh after their marriage lived in Jerseyville for a period of eight years, where Mr. L. was most of the time connected with the banking- house of Cross & Swollow, occupying a responsible position as confidential clerk, and enjoying in a more than ordinary degree the confidence and esteem of the firm. This experience proved invaluable to him, giving him a fine insight into the proper methods of transacting business, and in addition to his natural capacities, has been the secret of his suc- cess. His excellent wife is a member of the Con- gregational Church, at Blakely. Mr. L. has always been interested in Sunday-school work, and has proved himself very efficient in the establishment and maintenance of the schools wherever he has been. He takes an active part, officiating as teacher
and contributing in a substantial manner to its en- couragement and support. Politically, he votes the straight Republican ticket, and socially, belongs to the I. O. O. F. and K. of P.
E LI SCHOCK, a retired farmer, and at present engaged in the manufacture of sorghum, has been a resident of Blue Springs since the spring of 1887. His fine two-story residence on Sannders street invariably attracts the attention of the passer-by, and is indicative of the enterprise and ample means of the proprietor, while its sur- roundings are suggestive of the comforts and re- finements of the complete modern home. Mr. Schock has here three acres of land, which in time he proposes to divide into town lots which will net him a snug sum of money.
The subject of this sketch is the offspring of a good family, being the son of George Schock, who was born in Union County, Pa., in 1799. He ac- quired a good common-school education, and after- ward learned the carpenter trade, which he followed a number of years in Ohio, locating in Seneca County near the young town of Bellevue, and giving at that early day as high as $40 an acre. He owned and operated this until the spring of 1870, adding to the labors of general farming that of stock-raising, in which he met with fine success. In the year mentioned he sold his land at $100 per acre, which fact speaks well for the manner in which he had improved the land and cultivated the soil. The homestead was recognized as one of the most desirable in that part of the Buckeye State.
From Ohio the father of our subject migrated to St. Joseph County, Mich., settling on 160 acres of land three miles northeast of Three Rivers, and which he still owns. This also he brought to a fine state of cultivation, and has one of the most val- uable homesteads in that region. The elder Schock, as the result of a temperate life and correct habits, is still in the enjoyment of health and strength, and every two years visits his children in this State. The mother in her girlhood was Miss Lucy U. Ware, aud was born in Union County, Pa., in 1804. She removed with her parents to Ohio at
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the age of ten years, and continued a member of the household circle until her marriage. She is still living, and with her husband has passed be- yond the age nsually allotted mankind, being eighty- four years of age, while Mr. Schock is eighty-nine. They are devoted members of the German Reformed Church, and Mr. Schock in his younger years was particularly active in Sunday-school work, officiat- ing as Superintendent from the time he was a young man until the weight of years rendered this im- practicable.
John Schock, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was also a native of Union County, Pa., and was born about 1778. He acquired a good common-school education, and employed himself in farm pursuits, remaining in his native State until after his majority. He then, in 1815, migrated to Seneca County, Ohio, where he secured a tract of wild land, which in due time he transformed into one of the finest farms of that region. He was the father of eight children, all of whom lived to ma- ture years. After the death of his wife he made his home with his son George, in Ohio, where he spent the remainder of his days, dying about 1881. Grandfather Schock was a Lutheran in religion, and a man of good business capacity.
Eli Schock, our subject, was born in Seneca County, Ohio, May 14, 1856, and was a resident of his native State until a youth of sixteen years. He received a common-school education, and upon leaving home made his way to St. Joseph County, Mich., with his parents, and completed his studies in the school at Three Rivers. After attaining his majority he worked for his father one year, then making his way to this State, purchased 160 acres of land in Sicily Township, from which he im- proved a good farm, erected suitable buildings and met with fine success, adding to general agriculture : the business of stock-raising. He was thus em- ployed for a period of ten years, then selling out, changed his residence to Blue Springs, and estab- lished himself in the business where he may now be found. He is still a young man comparatively, with a prospect of many years yet before him, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of hosts of friends.
The marriage of our subject with Miss Susan Steinmetz, of St. Josepli, Mich., was celebrated at
the home of the bride, Aug. 16, 1877. The young people commenced the journey of life together in Gage County, Neh., and are now the parents of four children, viz : Elson L., Ora Sabilla, Jesse Jas- per and Olivia Oretta. They form a bright and interesting group, of whom the parents may well be proud, and are being given those advantages suited to their position in life.
Mrs. Schock was born in Northampton County, Pa., March 25, 1860, and is the daughter of Gideon Steinmetz, a native of Pennsylvania, and a farmer by occupation. The family left the Keystone State when their daughter Susan was young in years, emi- grating to St. Joseph County, Mich., and at once taking possession of a tract of land, where the father tilled the soil until the spring of 1878. The par- ents are still living, in Rice County, Kan. Their family consisted of thirteen children, four sons and three daughters still living, residents of Kansas, Col- orado and Nebraska. Susan, Mrs. Schock, in com- mon with her brothers and sisters was given a good, practical education and received careful home train- ing. Both she and her husband are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and active in Sunday-school work.
G ERD GERDES. Barneston Township has few more honorable, thoroughly practical and successful farmers or stock-raisers than the subject of this biographical sketch. Ile is a native of Germany, and was born on the 10th of November, 1852, in Hanover, to Gerd and Trantje Gerdes, both natives of the same country, and the former of whom is deceased. The family emigrated to the United States in the year 1869, and after some prospecting settled in Atchison County, Mo.
Our subject received a good education in his native country, and since coming to America has learned sufficient to form quite a good English edu- cation. lle came to this county in 1883, and set- tled where he now resides, upon section 32, where he owns 200 acres of land; he also owns eighty acres in Marshall County, Kan., both being op- erated as general grain and stock farms. Ilis prop- erty is quite valuable, well watered and unusually
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fertile; his harvests as a rule are quite large, and his stoek of the highest order.
The parents of our subject were the recipients of seven children, of whom Gard, our subject, is the youngest. His father died in 1874, in Atchison County, Mo., having lived to the age of seventy- three years. His mother, who has reached the ad- vanced age of seventy-four, makes her home with our subjeet at Barneston. Mr. Gerdes was reared in the faith of the Lutheran Church in his native country, and has continued in the same ever since, and is at present affiliated with the congregation in Barneston Township, and is among the most devout of the communion.
W ILLIAM O. LANGWORTHY. Abont thirteen years ago the subject of this sketch decided to cast his lot with the people of Southern Nebraska, and accordingly pitched his tent upon a portion of the land which he now oc- eupies, and which is eligibly located on section 32, in Blakely Township. Here he has effected the improvements naturally resulting from continued industry upon the spot which a man calls home, and where his interests most closely center.
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