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 59
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Becoming acquainted with the daughter of Ben- jamin F. Hotchkiss, of Odell, Livingston County,, Mr. Brinkworth was united in marriage to her Dec. 25. 1874. There have been born to them three children: Bennie, who was born in Illinois and died at Beatrice, aged seventeen months ; James Edwin and Edith Beatrice, whose presence in the home have made it more attractive and felicitons.
Miss Hattie Hotchkiss, the wife of our subject, was born at Ottawa, Ill., on the 21st of May, 1853. Her father is deceased. The maiden name of his wife was Delia Baldwin. Their residence in this State dates from March, 1877. They were the parents of five children, of whom their daughter Ilattie is the youngest. The mother resides in Beatrice.
Mr. and Mrs. Brinkworth came to Nebraska in March, 1877, and with their one child settled in Beatrice, which even at that time gave promise of a noteworthy future although then very small, and, owing to the undeveloped surroundings, some- what dull. At this time our subject was compara- tively poor in purse and possessions of that nature, but rich in having sound health, a clear mind, and a thorough knowledge of a good trade and of agri- culture.
Immediately establishing his family in as nice a home as he could, our subject set to work and in- vested all his ready money in lands. city property, etc., buying rather with a view of holding than of
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selling, but conducting that feature of his busi- ness somewhat according to circumstances. From this beginning he has steadily progressed until he has attained his present position, which is one in- dicative of unqualified success. Besides his excep- tionally good residence on South Seventh street, he is the owner of various valuable city properties.
The growth of the city of Beatrice necessitated the organization of a Board of Public Works, of which it is the honor of our subject to be the first Chair- man, to which position he was appointed by Mayor E. O. Kretsinger for a term of two years. Every duty devolving upon him in the execution of the functions of his office has been so performed as to win the heartiest congratulation and apprecia- tion of the citizens. Owing to his careful super- vision, the city sewerage is almost perfect-a most important matter from the standpoint of health. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Brink- worth are respected citizens.
OHN R. HIGGINS, in the spring of 1882, settled upon a tract of wild land on section 26, in Grant Township, which by the exer- cise of constant industry he has transformed into a valuable farm. It is 160 acres in extent, al- ready fairly well supplied with good buildings, and each year adds something to the attractiveness and value of the property. Not the least among the surroundings conducive to the comfort of the family is a fine young orchard of choice apple trees, and Mr. H. has also planted shade trees, having in view the comfort of his live stock and the general embellishment of the farm.
Peoria. Ill., had formerly been the home of our subject, where he lived from the time he first drew breath until reaching manhood. He was born Aug. 22, 1854, and is the son of James and Mary (Burns) Higgins, who settled in Peoria County during its pioneer days. James Higgins was born in Ireland, and crossed the Atlantic when a mere boy, settling with his parents at Peoria, Ill .. during the days when it was known as Ft. Clark. There he was reared to manhood, receiving a limited education, and married Miss Burns, whose parents had likewise
emigrated to the West about the same time that the parents of Mr. Higgins settled in Peoria County. His father, James Higgins, was a marble cutter by trade, and at this employment spent the greater part of his active life. He was a man of many excellent qualities and became one of the most highly re- spected citizens of Peoria, where he spent many years, and where his death occurred when his son, our subject, was but a lad of tender years. The mother had previously passed away, and thus young John R. was orphaned at an early age. He had two brothers and one sister, and upon the death of the father the family was scattered, the brothers hav- ing to take care of themselves, and the sister died in Peoria in infancy. James Higgins, the younger brother of our subject, is a resident of Virginia, and engaged in the hardware business.
John R. Higgins, thrown upon his own resources early in life, made his way through many difficulties and secured a practical education. This experience, however, proved of essential benefit, making him independent and self-reliant, and fitting him admira- bly for the difficulties which are the common lot of man. He suffered no discouragement to overcome him, and in dne time began to see his way toward the establishment of a home of his own. On the 1st of March, 1877, he was united in marriage with Miss Melissa, daughter of Peter and Melissa (Rob- inson) Sheen, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride in Woodford County, Ill. Peter Sheen was formerly one of the most prominent residents of Peoria, whence he came to Nebraska about 1882. He is now an extensive land-owner in Grant Town- ship. He settled in Peoria when it was a mere hamlet containing but one store. He married his wife there, and she is yet spared to her home and family.
Mrs. Higgins was born in Peoria, Ill., April 22, 1857, and was reared to womanhood in her native town, acquiring a common-school education. She was carefully trained by an excellent mother to those habits of industry and economy which have fitted her to preside properly over the home which has been built up solely by honest labor. Of her union with our subject there have been born four children, two of whom, Arthur and Jessie, are liv- ing. Herbert and an infant died at the age of
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about twenty days. Mr. Higgins has very little time to devote to political matters but keeps him- self informed upon current events, and uniformly votes the Democratic ticket. Both he and his ex- cellent wife stand well among their neighbors, and their home forms the resort of a large circle of warm friends.
SAAC O. BRACE. Among the farmers of Glenwood Township whose intimate knowledge of their calling and success in the same are worthy of mention in connection with any volume treating of the township, is the subject of the pres- ent writing. whose farm is situated upon section 9, and is 160 acres in extent. He is the son of Isaac and Avey (Rippberger) Brace. The father of our subject was born in Spencer. N. Y., March 17, 1823; his mother in Germany.
Our subject, the only child of his parents, was born in Silver Creek Township, Stephenson Co., Ill., Nov. 27, 1855, and was left motherless when about two years of age. The years of his childhood and youth were spent upon the farm and in the common school of the township, and as a young man he worked upon his father's farm, continuing to do so until the year 1876, when he went to California, remaining for two years. The first was spent upon a ranch, the second in the mountains, and was not altogether wanting in success. He then returned to Stephenson County, and remained until 1879, when he came to this county with his father, and settled in Midland Township, where they made their home until 1886. Then our subject removed to his pres- ent property in Glenwood. Into the work of im- proving his farm in this county our subject has entered with intelligent enthusiasm, concentrating his energies, and bestowing much hard labor upon it, with results that must be gratifying.
While a resident in Midland Township Mr. Brace became the husband of Miss Maggie McCune, on the 25th of February, 1885. This lady is the daughter of David and Sarah (Linheart) MeCune, who are natives of Pennsylvania. Their daughter was born near Rochelle, Ogle Co., Ill., June 14, 1856. There have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Brace two children, who bear the names Mand E. and. Harry.
The father of our subject was one of the early pioneers of Stephenson County, and took great pride in watching its rapid development, and was second to none in his anxiety and efforts to that end. lle settled there while yet unmarried in the year 1842, and at the age of nineteen years. ITis home previ- ous to this settlement had been in Madison County N. Y., where he had lived for several years. IIe was married in Stephenson County, and resided in Silver Creek and Ridott Townships until he re- moved to this State.
On all matters of political interest our subject is inclined to take his stand with the Republican party, but never at the expense of principle. He is a friend to good morals, and anxious to do all in his power as a citizen to forward the highest inter- ests of the Republic.
HOMAS BARRY is an extensive and pros- perous farmer of Gage County, owning and managing a fine large farm which is classed as one of the best in Paddock Township. Mr. Barry is a native of Ireland, and thence he emi- grated to the United States in the year 1850, landing in New York City March 1, friendless. homeless and penniless. Notwithstanding these discouraging facts he was not disheartened, but immediately souglit work, anything that his hands might find to do, that he might earn an honorable living and not be dependent on strangers for what he ate. He soon found employment as a porter in Barker's IIotel, and thus engaged for three years. At length he left the great metropolis of the Empire State and went to Philadelphia, where he hoped to obtain more Incrative employment. He staid there but a few weeks, however, and then proceeded to Cleveland, Ohio, where he passed the ensuing three years. From there he then went to St. Louis, and spent a like period of time in that city. We subsequently find him located in Pike County, Ill., where he began farming on his own account, he having been often employed as a farm hand since his arrival in the United States. He rented a farm
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in that county, and carried it on with good financial results for some years. It was in this period of his life that our subject obtained his war record, for while a resident of Illinois he volunteered to serve his adopted country in the fall of 1864, and was mustered into the ranks of the Federal ariny as a member of Company C, 99th Illinois Infantry, and did good service as a brave and loyal soldier until the close of the war.
On his retirement from the army Mr. Barry re- moved to Peoria County, Ill., and after staying there nearly seven years, he went to Livingston County, in the same State, where he resided about ten years. At the expiration of that time he came to Gage County, Neb., attracted hither by the re- ports of the richness and productiveness of the soil. With admirable judgment he selected a tract of 160 acres of wild prairie land on section 27, Paddock Township, which is still included in his present farm. He now has it all under a fine state of tillage; he has erected a fine house, a handsome, large structure, a good barn, granaries, corn cribs, and has made all the needed improvements to make it one of the show places of the township. Ile has also increased the acreage of his farm by purchases of other land from time to time; he bought eighty acres on seetion 34, joining the home place on the south, and he also owns 160 acres in Barneston Township. We have seen that Mr. Barry arrived in this country without money, and in all his pros- perity he has not forgotten that many a day he has toiled hard for the paltry sum of fifty cents. Indeed, it is his pride that he is a self-made man, and that he owes his present financial standing solely to his own exertions. He now proposes to live at ease during his declining years, surrounded by all the comforts that money can buy, and he will be en- abled to leave a legacy to his children.
During all these years of struggle and toil Mr. Barry has had the efficient aid of a capable wife, to whom he was married in New York City in 1853. Mrs. Barry is likewise a native of Ireland, and her maiden name was Catherine O'Brien. Their marriage has been blessed to our subject and his wife by the birth of ten children, eight of whom survive, namely : John W., William H., Dennis, Thomas S., George D., Mary E .. Jane and James.
Three of their children are married; the remainder live at home with their parents. John married Anna Sheron; William married Lettie A. MeAllis- ter; Dennis married Hattie A., danghter of Marquis Spencer, whose biography appears in this work. The family are all members of the Roman Catholic Church, of Odell. Mr. Barry is a strong Democrat in his political views, but his sons are sturdy Re- publicans and Prohibitionists. Mr. Barry .is a genial, generous, whole-souled gentleman, liberal and public-spirited, and is liked and respected throughout the community.
ON. ISAAC W. FUNCK. The subject of this sketch is the oldest resident dentist of the city of Beatrice, and a man holding a high position in the community. Intelli- gent, of good education, and self-made in the broad- est sense of the term, his career has been one upon which he can reflect with pardonable satisfaction. At the county Republican Convention, held in Beatrice in August, 1888, he was chosen the can- didate of his party for State Senator, and was elected by a handsome majority.
Dr. Funck was born in Huntingdon County, Pa .. April 25, 1848, and was the third child in a family of three sons and one daughter,. of whom only three are living. The parents, Abraham and Catherine (Winters) Funck, were born and reared in the State of Pennsylvania, where the father learned the trade of blacksmith, which he followed during early manhood. Later he engaged in farm- ing, and spent his entire life in his native State, his death taking place in Huntingdon County, in Au- gust, 1883. The mother is still living, and con- tinues at the old homestead. The parents on both sides of the house were of German descent.
The subject of this sketch was reared as a far- mer's boy, and pursued his early studies first in the district school, later attended a select school, and finally entered upon an academic course at Kisha- coquillas. Upon approaching manhood he began teaching during the winter season, and worked, on the farm in summer. He commenced the study of dentistry at Huntingdon, under the instruction of
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Dr. Thomas J. Gibson. lle left his native State in 1871, crossing the Mississippi and coming to Nebraska, taking up his abode first in Falls City. In 1873 he became a resident of Beatrice. Ile now occupies offices in the Gage County National Bank Block, where he has all the modern appliances for his work, and of the latter has sufficient to keep him constantly employed. He has been quite prominent in public affairs, having been Road Supervisor of the city of Beatrice.
The Doctor was married, April 16, 1872, to Miss Susan Stump, of Falls City. Mrs. Funck was born March 3, 1853, in Wells County, Ind., and is the daughter of Samuel and Sarah (McFaddin) Stump, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia respectively. The father is now deceased, but the mother is still living. Of this union there are four children, viz: Alice, Albert, Edith and Warren. Dr. Funck, politically, votes the Repub- lican ticket, and socially, belongs to the I. O. O. F., being a member of Beatrice Lodge No. 19, in which he has passed all the Chairs.
C HESTER H. CALKINS, an extensive land- owner and breeder of blooded borses. has his headquarters in the city of Beatrice, to which he came in 1879. He is a man very capable and enterprising, one who is never idle, and his in- dustry has been rewarded in the possession of a fine property accumulated mostly through his own efforts. He was born near the city of Springfield, in Sangamon County, Ill., April 24, 1841, being tlie second child of Daniel A. and Lavina (Innman) Calkins, who were the parents of three sons and one daughter.
Daniel A. Calkins was born in Vermont, and before his marriage left his native hills, settling in the State of New York. The mother was a native of the latter State, and there the parents were mar- ried. They took up their residence in that State for a time, and then Mr. Calkins, desirous of a larger field of operation, emigrated to Sangamon County, Ill., and engaged quite extensively in stock- raising. He is still living, and has arrived at the advanced age of eighty-five years; the mother is
seventy-eight years old. Years ago they left San- gamon County, removing to Will County, Ill., and about 1874 to Iroqouis County, where they now live.
When the subject of this sketch was a lad about twelve years of age his parents removed from San- gamon County to Will County, Ill., where he com- pleted his education in the district school, and developed into manhood. He continued with his parents, occupied mostly in farming pursuits, and left Will County in 1879, coming directly to Bea- trice, this State. Shortly afterward he purchased a tract of new land in Filley Township. upon which he spent one year, effecting considerable improve- ments, then removed to Beatrice, where he has since lived. He added from time to time to his first purchase, and is now the owner of 640 acres, the greater part in a productive condition, provided with suitable farm buildings. Since coming to this county he has improved seven farms, one of them having been land upon which the town of Ellis now stands; another lies in Sicily Township. The farm in Filley Township is mainly devoted to his stock operations. Noticeable among his horses are three magnificent draft animals of Norman, Clydesdale and Morgan stock, respectively, and one of them, "Black Traveler," is in the habit of carrying off the blue ribbons, having taken first premium at the State Fair in Lincoln, where he was in competition with twenty-six others.
Mr. Calkins is also interested in the breeding of Holstein cattle and Poland-China hogs. and in this line also exhibits some of the finest animals to be found in the county. His career has been essen- tially that of a self-made man. He started out for himself at the age of thirteen years, with no capital but a pair of willing hands, and worked six years for one man on a farm in Will County. He was married, Oct. 7, 1867. to Miss Emma Boot, of Kane County, Ill., by whom he had three children -Ida, Cora and Alice. The present wife of our subject, to whom he was married Sept. 10, 1887, was formerly Mrs. Hattie L. Martin, nee Adams, daughter of Benjamin and Ilelen (Purcel) Adams; her parents are deceased. Of this union there has been born one child, a son, Chester II., Jr.
Mr. Calkins, politically, votes the straight Repub-
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lican ticket. In addition to his landed interests he is the owner of valuable city property, including a good residence in Beatrice, which, with its sur- roundings, forms one of its most pleasant and at- tractive homes.
ENRY RICE. Among the intelligent and well-educated gentlemen who are identified with the farming interests of Gage County, the subject of this sketch occupies a promi- nent position, as he is the owner of one of the finest farms in Paddock Township. It comprises 240 acres of well fenced and highly cultivated land, pleasantly located on sections 20 and 29, Paddock Township, and with its handsome residence, com- modious barn and other farm buildings, adds much to the scenic features of this locality.
Mr. Rice was born in Maryland, Sept. 20, 1842. He was early left an orphan, as his parents, Henry and Hannah (Friedly) Rice, natives of Maryland, died. the former before the birth of our subject, and the latter when he was but three years old. He then fell to the kindly care of his aunt, Catherine Rice, a sister-in-law of his father, and by her he was taken to Ogle County. Ill. He was there reared by his aunt and given the benefit of a superior education in Mt. Morris College, which excellent institution of learning is located in that county. He can scarcely have completed his col- legiate education when he went forth as an untried and youthtul soldier, to learn on Southern battle- fields the bitter lessons of the hardships and dan- gers of war, as he was but twenty-one years old when he enlisted, Dec. 12, 1863, in Company D, 4th Illinois Cavalry. He served nearly three years with his company, taking part in fifty-eight engage- ments, among which were Vicksburg, Red River, etc., winning a record for coolness and efficiency in the hour of battle of which he may well be proud. In June, 1866, he was honorably discharged. Notwithstanding the many times he had been under fire he returned home unhurt and without a wound, except by a horse falling on him in a charge. He is now a member of the G. A. R., Reserve Post No. 148, of Odell.
When Mr. Rice began life for himself he had no
money, but his education was his capital, and he adopted the profession of a teacher. He was en- gaged as a schoolmaster for eight years with marked success, and thus obtained the means to enable him to become a farmer. He first turned his attention to agriculture in 1874, and for some time farmed in the summer and in the winter season resumed his pedagogical duties. In March, 1883, Mr. Rice came to Gage County, and purchased his present farm, on which then stood a small house and barn. The replacement of these, and the numerous other splendid improvements that he has brought about, testify to his arduous labors and to the money that he has so judiciously expended in order to accom- plish so much in a comparatively short time. Mr. Rice undoubtedly owes his success to his indomit- able will, close attention to the details of his busi- ness, and to his financial ability.
Our subject was married in Ogle County, Ill., March 25, 1874, to Miss Mary J., daughter of Samuel and Janet Hitt. Their pleasant home circle is completed by the three children who have been born to them-Charles E .; George and Andrew, twins.
M ARVIN F. WESTON. Among the most worthy citizens of Barneston Township is the subject of the present writing, whose residence and farming property is situated on section 5. He is the son of Charles and Delana (Brimmer) Weston, and was born at their home in Washington County, N. Y., on the 19th of April, 1843. His father was a native of Massachusetts, and prior to his removal to LaSalle County, Ill., in 1847, he followed the trade of a shoemaker, but from that time until his death he operated his farm in that place. He died at the age of seventy-five years, in 1875.
Of the seven children born to the parents of our subject, only he and his sister Lydia survive. This lady is now the wife of William Evans, of Chicago, in which city they reside. Our subject received a fair education in the common branches in the usual institution of learning in LaSalle County, where he was brought up, and from earliest boy- hood worked upon the farm, and has continued to
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make husbandry the occupation of his life. Al- though but about four years of age when his parents removed from New York, the journey made such an impression upon the mental retina as to be retained, at least in outline, until the present. There were but two methods of travel used in that trip; from the East to Chicago they journeyed via the Lakes, and thence to Peru, their destination, by wagon.
In the late war our subject served for three monthis in Company G, 139th Illinois Infantry, and at the conclusion of that period for another three months in Company B, 68th Illinois Infantry. His military experience was not so startling, dangerous or terrible as many, because for the greater part of the time his regiment was either performing guard duty or was held in reserve. At the close of the war he returned to his home at LaSalle, and en- gaged in farming. In 1882 Mr. Weston came to this county, and settled where he now resides, and where he has been continuously engaged in farming and stock-raising.
In the Masonic fraternity our subject is recog- nized as a member in good standing; he is also con- nected with the Knights of Pythias, and usually meets with them in Wymore. In his political opin- ions and principles he is in harmony with the Re- publican party, of which for many years he has been a stanch friend and ardent supporter. In the com- munity at large our subject is a recognized friend of good morals and every enterprise and organiza- tion that looks to that end, and is proportionately respected by his fellow-citizens.
L EWIS E. WALKER, insurance and loan agent, has his office at the corner of Court and Sixth streets, in Beatrice, and occupies a good position among the business men of his com- munity. Ilis earliest recollections are of a modest home, comprising a log house on a farm in West Point, in the vicinity of Lodi, Wis., where he first opened his eyes to the liglit. June 28, 1854. The eldest of four children, two sons and two daughters, he is the son of Isaac V. N. and Mary E. (Davis)
Walker, who were natives of New York State, the father born in the town of Chatham, and the mother in the now flourishing eity of Troy. After marriage they emigrated to Wisconsin, settling on a farm among the pioneers of Columbia County, where they still live.
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