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 61
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The farm belonging to our subject is crossed by Bear Creek, on whose banks are beautiful groves of native timber, which augment both the value and appearance of the place, while from the stream an abundant supply of water is secured for the stock, as it has its natural course near the stock barns. The house, of which a view is given in this connec- tion, is a neat looking and commodious building, and under its roof is gathered a happy family, presided over by a loving and devoted mother, and in every respect an estimable lady.
After the Indian massacre occurred on the Little Blue River, Mr. Jones was among the first to wit- ness the horrors of that awful scene, and help to bury the unfortunate dead. As an old resident of this
county he is acquainted with its history and the progress of its development, and perhaps no one has taken a greater satisfaction in witnessing the changes that have come about from year to year than has he. lle is interested in all matters per- taining to church, school and State, and his voice may be heard among those of active men in approv- ing of all measures by which the good of the com- munity can be secured. Politically, he affiliates with the Democratic party. . Socially, he is con- nected with the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 19, Bea- trice Encampment No. 16, and Canton No. 5.
HERMAN P. LESTER. Few citizens of Beatrice are better known than the gentle- man whose history forms the basis of the article here offered. He is a native of Con- necticut, and was born at Deep River, in Middlesex County, on the 28th of February, 1844. His parents, Elijah T. and Lucy (Wolcott-Pratt) Lester, removed to DeKalb County, Ill., when our subject was about eleven years of age. His father was by trade a plasterer, stonemason and bricklayer; he located in the town of Sandwich, where, in September, 1871, he was killed by the cars. The widowed mother and her two children continued their residence in the same place for some time, and Mrs. Lester still resides there. Iler son James II. is a resident of Brown County, Dak., where he is a successful farmer. Grandfather James Lester, now in his ninety-eighth year, is of Irish descent, and was born in Hamburg, Conn., where at present he makes his home.
The subject of our sketch was reared in Sand- wich, Ill., and educated in the public schools. At the age of eighteen he entered the Union Army, enlisting in August, 1862, in Company A, 127th Illinois Infantry. The regiment was sent South, and attached to the 15th Army Corps, with Gen. Sherman in command. It took part in seven- teen of what might be called the decisive battles of the war, chiefly those that led up to the capture of Vicksburg. Among the more worthy of mention
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are: Arkansas Post, Chickasaw Bayou, near Larkins- ville, Ala., and many others. He received upon the 16th of June, 1865, an honorable discharge, after a service of three years lacking two months. Upon returning to Sandwich our subject engaged in business at transferring, which he continued to follow for several years.
In 1872 Mr. Lester removed to Beatrice, and the following year began business in a small way as a liveryman. This he has continuously ex- tended, and has supplemented at times by the pur- chase and shipment of stock; necessarily, and as a legitimate part of his business, he has handled a large number of horses, and has made considerable profit thereby. The points to which his consign- ments are mostly made would be included in the following States : Illinois, Kansas and Colorado, and Dakota Territory.
In 1883 the business of our subject had so in- creased as to necessitate larger and better quarters ; he accordingly built a fine brick stable, which is 50x100 feet, and 27 feet in height. It has been designed with special reference to its adaptability for its purpose, and is one of the best in the county. Upon an average he uses in his business twenty horses and buggies daily. In addition to the above well-established business our subject owns 320 acres of excellent farming land, about four and a half miles north of Beatrice, the greater part of which he keeps in pasture for his horses and stock, having fifty head of the former, and twenty-five to thirty head of cattle. Upon this property he has a very excellent, commodious barn, 40x100 feet, ground measurement.
Mr. Lester was married, on the 16th of June, 1868, to Miss Agnes Blodgett, of LaSalle County, Ill., and the daughter of John C. and Nancy (Gillett) Blodgett. This lady was born at Gallip- olis, Ohio, in January, 1846, and until her mar- riage resided with her parents and received her education at the public schools. At the time of her marriage she was a teacher. There have been born to this union three children, to whom have been given the names here subjoined: Marion, Violet L. and John E.
For two years Mr. Lester has had a seat in the City Council, and in that time made the most of
every opportunity afforded him to serve his con- stituents. He is a stanch Republican, and is gen- erally recognized as a tried and true friend of his party. A view of Mr. Lester's property is pre- sented on an adjoining page.
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G EORGE THUMANN. This energetic and enterprising member of the farming com- munity of Clatonia Township, owns and oc- cupies a desirable estate on section 9, to which he has given his time and attention since the spring of 1882. He is one of the most worthy representa- tives of his reliable German nationality, and was born in what was then the Kingdom of Hanover, Jan. 6, 1844. His parents, Henry and Henrietta Thumann, were natives of the same Province as their son, and are now both deceased.
Our subject received a good education in his na- tive tongue, and remained with his parents until reaching his majority. Then, desirous of better opportunities than the Fatherland afforded, he crossed the Atlantic, taking passage at Bremen on a sailing-vessel, and landing in New York City after a voyage of forty-two days. He was there em- ployed in a brewery nearly one year, then mi- grated westward to Chicago, Ill., where he was engaged as a butcher two and one-half years. At the expiration of that time, longing for a sight of the old faces, he recrossed the Atlantic, and shortly afterward was married to one of the playmates of his childhood, Miss Anne Bear, the wedding tak- ing place in March, 1869.
Mr. and Mrs. Thumann immediately after their marriage boarded a steamer bound for America, and our subject now with his young wife took up his abode in Tazewell County, Ill., where he rented a tract of land and began raising vegetables for the market at Mackinaw. He was thus occupied success- fully a number of years, but in the spring of 1882 decided upon a change of location, and accordingly crossing the Mississippi came to this county, and located on the land which he now occupies in Cla- tonia Township. He here has 160 acres, and con- sidering the fact that he landed in America the first time with $6 in his pocket, which constituted
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his only capital when beginning life for himself in the New World, his present condition is indicative of something more than ordinary perseverance and industry. In the building up of his homestead he has reared one of the best monuments to his enter- prise and perseveranee which could be erected. Ile is a man who attends strictly to his own concerns, and stands high in the opinion of his neighbors. Politically, he votes the Democratic ticket. He has served as School Treasurer of his district three years, is public-spirited and liberal, believes in edu- cating the young, and is in favor of everything tending toward the moral and intellectual progress of the people. He was reared a Lutheran, and loy- ally adheres to the faith of his childhood.
To Mr. and Mrs. Thumann there have been born six children, all living, namely : Henry, George. Matilda, Peter, Mary and Minnie. The eldest is eighteen years of age, the youngest three, and they are all at home with their parents. forming a family group of which the latter may well be proud.
OHN WILLIAM CALLAN. In the world's great hive of industry some are leaders and some are followers. Some are only fitted for followers, while some will be found in the front ranks, despite the drawbacks which may assail them. To the latter element is the world indebted for its progress, for no man can labor and contrive successfully without his operations having a material bearing upon the condition of those around him. His very example proves an impetus to many who would otherwise be slothful, while the products of his hand and brain are often wide- reaching in their material effects upon the people whom he may never see or know.
These thoughts were involuntarily produced in reviewing the career of the subject of this history, who is one of the go-ahead men of Gage County, one of those not to be kept under as long as there is a top to gain. It is found that on his father's side he is of Irish ancestry, although John Callan was born in Maryland, where he was reared and married a lady whose birthplace was probably not far from that of her husband. She was in her girl-
hood Miss Harriet E. Hoffman, and after uniting their lives and fortunes they settled in their native State, where the death of the father occurred while he was yet a young man.
After the death of her first husband the mother of our subject contracted a second marriage, with Mr. Samuel Stanton, and is now living in Lec County, Ill. Of her first marriage there were born five children, of whom John William was the eldest. Of the others two are living, one in Odell. this county, and one in Chicago. Our subject was born in Alleghany County, Md., May 22, 1852, and came to the West with his mother and step- father when he was about sixteen years old. Ile received the education commonly acquired by the farmer boy in the district school, and at an early age became familiar with the various pursuits of rural life. He lived in Lee County, Ill., until 1873, then migrating to Page County, Iowa, purchased a farm, and carried on agriculture there until the fall of 1882, when he came with his family to this county, and settled on section 32, in Glenwood Township, where he still lives. IIere he has 120 acres of fertile land, which yields bounteously the rich crops of Southern Nebraska, and is rapidly in- stituting those improvements essential to the eon- venience and comfort of the modern and progressive farmer. His buildings are substantial, the fences, live stock and machinery in good condition. Among the embellishments of the place is a fine array of shade and fruit trees, planted by the hand of the present proprietor, and adding not only to the beauty but the value of his property.
Mr. Callan was married, in Page County, Iowa, Sept. 13, 1877, to Miss Eveline, daughter of John T. and Elizabeth (St. Clair) Calhoun, who were na- tives of Pennsylvania, but are now residents of Jewell County, Kan. Mrs. Callan was born in Cedar County, Iowa, Jan. 15, 1854, and lived there until she was three years old, when she was taken by her parents to Page County, Iowa. She was reared under the home roof, receiving a fair cdu- cation, and continued at home until her marriage. Of her union with our subject there have been horn four children-Floyd W., Addie M., Lizzie B. and Lois E. The eldest is ten years of age and the youngest tive. They form a bright and interesting
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family, in whom the parents entertain a pardonable pride.
Mr. Callan upon becoming a voter cast his first Presidential ballot for Seymour in 1867. Since that time he has been a uniform supporter of Dem- ocratie principles. He has held various local offices, among them that of Road Overseer, and School Director in Glenwood Township. Mrs. Callan is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
UGUST WOLF, a citizen of Paddock Town- ship, post-office address Wymore, well rep- resents the class of enterprising and capa- ble young men who within the past few years have come to the front to aid the older far- mers in developing the wonderful agricultural re- sources of Nebraska. Mr. Wolf is a general farmer, raising both grain and stock, and he has already made a success of his agricultural ventures, as is shown by the fine condition of the farm that he owns on section 4, with its comfortable dwelling and many other good improvements.
Our subject was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Jan. 18, 1857, a son of Adolph and Wilhelmina (Beer- henke) Wolf. When August was three years old his parents took him to Freeport, Ill., and there he was reared to manhood, receiving meanwhile an excellent education in the public schools. He ac- companied his parents to Nebraska in 1879, and has since been a resident here. He is an energetic and spirited young man, and desirous of becoming the owner of a farm on this rich and productive soil, he set to work with a will to earn the necessary money with which to buy it. In a few years he had labored to such purpose that he was enabled to purchase the eighty acres on section 4, Paddock Township, comprising his present well-cultivated farm. He immediately commenced its cultivation, and he has since erected a good and comfortable dwelling, and made many other substantial im- provements, thus greatly increasing its original value.
Our subject has not been unaided in his arduous toils, for early in 1883 he returned to his old home in Illinois to claim as his bride Miss Wilhelmina
Kracht, to whom he was united in marriage on the 8th of March, and to her he is greatly indebted for cheerful counsel and ever ready assistance in build- ing up their cozy home; she was born in Germany. Her parents, Frederic and Fredricka Kracht, still reside in Freeport, Ill., where they are attendants of the Evangelical branch of the Lutheran Church, of which they are devoted members. Two weeks after his marriage Mr. Wolf returned with his young wife to this place, and that year le bonght and lo- cated on his farm. In their pleasant home three sons have been born to them, who complete the household circle, of whom the following is the rec- ord: Albert E. was born Jan. 22, 1884; Frederic A. June 24, 1885, and Edward A., Nov. 15, 1886.
Mr. and Mrs. Wolf are members in good stand- ing of the German Reformed Church, and they are highly esteemed in this community as kind and trusty neighbors, friends to be relied upon in an emergency. Mr. Wolf, while doing all that he can to promote the best interests of this township, does not aspire to office; politically, he strongly favors the policy of the Republican party.
S AMUEL RINAKER, junior member of the law firm of Griggs & Rinaker, at Beatrice, was born in the city of Carlinville, Ill., Sept. 14, 1860, and is therefore still a young man. His father, Gen. John I. Rinaker, Chairman of the Illinois Railroad and Warehouse Commission, is a prominent attorney of Macoupin County, Ill., and was born in the city of Baltimore, Md. He emigrated to Illinois early in life and married Miss Clarissa Keplinger, who was born in Morgan County, Ill. The parents are still living. Samuel was the second of their family of four sons, all of whom are still living.
Our subject pursued his early studies in the pub- lic schools of his native city, and upon approaching manhood became a student of Blackburn Univer- sity at Carlinville, from which he was graduated in the class of '80, receiving the title of B. A. He entered upon the study of law under the instruction of his father and an elder brother, in their office at Carlinville, and after becoming duly prepared was
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admitted to the law department of Yale College, New Haven, Conn., where he pursued his studies in 1882 and 1883. After examination in Chicago by the Appellate Court, he was admitted to practice in the fall of 1883 by the Supreme Court of the State of Illinois. and in January, 1884, coming to Nebraska, he chose the city of Beatrice as his future scene of operations. Soon afterward he formed a part- nership with Hon. N. K. Griggs, and the firm is now in the enjoyment of an extensive and lucrative practice in all the courts of Southern Nebraska.
In 1886 Mr. Rinaker entered into a still closer partnership with one of the most estimable young ladies of the city of Carlinville, Miss Carrie Mayo, who was born and reared there. Her parents, Sam- uel T. and Elizabeth (Palmer) Mayo, were natives, the former of Virginia, the latter of Kentucky, and both are now living at Carlinville. Their family included eight children, four of whom are living.
To Mr. and Mrs. Kinaker there has been born one child, a son, Samuel M., Sept. 25, 1887. They own and occupy a neat and substantial residence in Fairview Addition in the eastern part of the city, and enjoy the society and friendship of its best people. Mr. Rinaker is a general favorite in social and business circles, and belongs to the K. of P. Politically, he is a Republican.
Le IND NELSON. In the present sketch it is our pleasure to offer a succinct compendium of the more prominent features in the life of the well-known and popular Supervisor of Glen- wood Township, a man of remarkable versatility, business energy and enterprise, possessing in a large measure the magnetism which attracts and holds many friends. He was born in Sweden on the 12th of July, 1849, and is a son of Mons Nelson, a na- tive of the above country (see sketch).
Our subject lived in his native country until in the spring of 1868, when he emigrated to America. The nineteen years of his life had been spent in ac- quiring in the schools of his native place the more indispensable foundation subjects of an education, supplemented later by such instruction and work as would make him a first-class farmer. Upon his
arrival in America our subject went almost at once to Chicago, and after some time spent in that city proceeded to Champaign County of the same State, where he was employed for about six months, and then went to Paxton, Ford Co., Ill., which was his home for about a year. The two years following he spent in Springfield of the same State, and at the close of that period he came to Nebraska in the year 1872, and continued to make his home in Nemaha County for six years, and then came to Gage County and settled in Glenwood Township, and has continued his residence here ever since.
The farm of our subject is some 240 acres in ex- tent and well situated; the soil is admirably adapted to farming purposes, and owing to the good work bestowed, and attention given to it, is one of the most productive and well-cultivated in the township. In addition to the improvement in the state of the ground itself, our subject has added others in the shape of a complete and well-built set of farm buildings and a pleasant, comfortable dwelling, also the various shade and fruit-bearing trees that go so far in this section of country to make the summer pleasant.
At Tecumseh, Johnson County, of this State, Mr. Nelson became the husband of Anna Miller upon the 6th of March, 1875. This lady was born in Bedford County, Pa., on the 13th of August, 1850, and is the daughter of Simon and Elizabeth (Fos- ter) Miller. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson are the parents of six children, whose names are recorded as fol- lows: Bessie, Offie C., Linus E., John W., Austin H. and George W.
In beginning life our subject began with practi- cally nothing, and whatever has been attained is the result of his earnest, manly efforts, which have, however, been supplemented by the faithful affec- tion, counsel, sympathy and aid of his devoted wife. In the fall of 1887 the people of the township, recognizing the worth of our subject, elected hin Supervisor, and are gratified to notice the efficiency with which he fills the position.
In addition to the work of the farm our subject has an extensive business as buyer and shipper of cattle and hogs. Socially, he is connected with the A. O. U. W., the I. O. O. F. and the Masonic fra- ternity, and in each is always welcomed as a true
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and faithful brother. He takes a deep interest in political matters, and votes for and works with the Republican party. He is a friend to every project and enterprise of a practical nature that looks to the upbuilding and advancement of the county and community, and in every such matter is among the most energetic workers.
W ILLIAM A. WAGNER, City Clerk of Bea- trice, became a resident of Nebraska in July, 1867, settling with his parents on a farm in Midland Township, this county. He remained with them until 1868, in the meantime occupied in teach- ing. He took up his residence in Beatrice in April of 1868, entering the store of Blakely, Reynolds & Co., as clerk, and remained with them one year. At the expiration of that time he went into the law office of J. B. Weston, with whom, however, he re- mained but a short time. He was Deputy until 1876, a part of the time in the office of the County Treasurer and the balance of the time in the office of the County Clerk.
Upon leaving the Clerk's office our subject en- tered into partnership with L. T. Griggs, and en- gaged in the sale of farm implements until 1881, when he disposed of his interest in the business to his partner. He then opened a coal and wood yard and also dealt in baled hay until 1887, then sold out, having been elected for the second term to his present office.
Mr. Wagner was born at St. John, New Bruns- wick, Jan. 6, 1845, and is the eldest son of a family of eleven children, the offspring of John W. and Ellen (Lane) Wagner, natives of the same Province. They came to Wisconsin in 1858, and to Nebraska in 1867, and both are still living, making their home on a farm two miles north of Beatrice. Of their large family of children eight are still living, six in Nebraska, one in Dakota and one in Missouri.
The subject of this sketeli was a lad of thirteen years upon the removal of the family to Kenosha County, Wis., and lived with his parents on the farm there until reaching manhood. He was given a practical education in the common schools, com- pleting his studies at Racine, and commenced his
duties as instructor in Howard's Commercial Col- lege at Racine. He accompanied his parents to this county, settling with them on a farm in what is now Midland Township, and his subsequent course we have already indicated.
The marriage of our subject and Miss Mary L. Blodgett, of Somonauk, Ill., took place Oct. 27, 1870. Mrs. Wagner was born in 1844, in Ohio, and is the daughter of John E. and Nancy (Gillette) Blodgett, who were natives of New York, and are now deceased. Mr. Wagner was the first elected City Clerk of Beatrice under the new organization, which went into effect in October, 1871. He was re-elected the following year, holding the office un- til 1873, and in 1877 was again selected to fill the position, serving this term also acceptably. In 1885 he was again brought before the people for the office of City Clerk, and has sinee held it without opposition, running the last year far ahead of his ticket.
. Mr. Wagner, in May, 1886, was appointed Water Commissioner, and still holds this office. Politically, he is conservative in his views, aiming to support the men whom he considers best qualified to serve the people. Socially, he is a member in good stand- ing of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Beatrice Lodge No. 26, and Chapter No. 10.
AMUEL N. TOBYNE is engaged in farm- ing on his land on section 10, Blue Springs Township, in which vicinity he has made his home for about twenty years. He was born in Ogle County, Ill., on the 2d of October, 1859, and is a son of James N. Tobyne, a native of Canada, who came to Illinois when he was a young man, and thence brought his family to this county in April, 1868. He made his home on section 19, near the present home of onr subject, and in the early day of his arrival there were but few settlers here, though Indians and wild animals were quite plentiful. Our subject has always lived on a farm, his father having been engaged in agricultural pur- suits, and thus he has a thorough understanding of the vocation which is so essential to the country.
In his younger days our subject experienced in
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common with the sons of other carly settlers all the hardships and privations of pioneer life, being taught to work at an early age, that he might as- sist in the improvement of the family circumstances, and receiving but a limited education because of the absence of educational advantages. He has also, in common with the inhabitants of this section who have grown to manhood here, witnessed the vast changes that have been made in the past two decades, in religions and educational advantages, in the breaking and cultivating of wild prairie land, which has been transformed into smiling fields bear- ing abundant harvests, and in the organization and building of various towns and cities which have sprung up in an incredibly short time.
On the 29th of April, 1882, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Adelia S. Knapp, a daughter of Albert H. Knapp, of Thayer County, six miles from North Alexandria. She was born in Wyoming County, Pa., on the 27th of February, 1866, her father also being a native of the same State, whence he had moved to this State in the year 1880. By their marriage our subject and his wife are the parents of three children, named Wil- son E., Roe A. and an infant daughter. Mr. Tobyne has been prominently identified with the educational affairs of his township, having served as School Treasurer for a period of four years, and being now the worthy incumbent of that office. lle never seeks official honors, but his ability has been recognized and appreciated by the people of his community, who have conferred upon him un- sought the public honors. Hle possesses the full confidence and esteem of his fellowmen, and is very popular in the township.
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