Portrait and biographical album of Gage County, Nebraska : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 70

Author: Chapman Brothers (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Brothers
Number of Pages: 794


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 70


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99


he moved to this State and began the work of cnl- tivating a farm of 480 acres in Elm Township, which was originally a part of the Otoe and Missonri Reservations. Much hard work and constant dili- gence were necessary in order to bring the farm to its present condition, and it is now the source of a lucrative income. Our subject has made many improvements, and has beautified and adorned his home with groves of trees and rows of beantifnl hedge fences, which are kept well trimmed and add very much to the attractiveness of the place. He is engaged in general farining and stock-raising, and of the grains he makes a specialty of raising corn extensively.


Mr. Cully was married in Marion County, Iowa, on the 4th of April, 1850, to Miss Ellen Ives, a daughter of Josiah and Mary (Coughlin) Ives, the former of whom was a native of New Jersey and the latter of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Cully was born in Plymouth, Pa., on the 23d of December, 1833, and when she was but a child her parents moved to Sunbury, Ohio; from there they moved to Mendota, Ill. After residing there a few years they went to Marion County, Iowa, and about 1874 to Des Moines, the same State, where the father is now living a retired life; the mother died Jan. 26, 1878.


Mr. Cully made the acquaintance of the lady whom he made his wife in Iowa, and by their mar- riage they have had a family of ten children, five of whom are deceased. The surviving members are: James P., John A., William S., Charles T. and Jo- siah S. James P. married Miss Florence Pickering, and they now live in Elm Township, and have two children in their home, whose names are Ralph H. and Inez; William S. married Miss Lora Brandt, and they also live in Elm Township, and have one child, Clarence; John A. married Ada Gear; they also live in this township. The other two children are living at home on the farm.


The gentleman of whom we write has served as School Treasurer for five years, and has been at the head of many of the important improvements in the educational advantages of this township. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1881, and after serving for four years he was re-elected. He has been a member of the I. O. O. F., and he and


his wife are honored members of the Baptist Church, at Steele City. Our subject has no small amount of inventive genins, of which he makes use in facilitating the labor on the farm, as an illustra- tion of which he has had made a large force mill about 1,250 feet from the house, which forces water to the kitchen for general purposes, having to make a rise of thirty-five feet.


Mr. Cnlly has reached the age at which he can afford to cease his ardnous labors, and as he has been prosperous in his vocation, and has a pleasant home with conveniencies and luxuries abounding, he is well situated to enjoy the remainder of his life in happy contentment. He is a Republican in poli- tics, though originally a Whig; his first vote for President was for Gen. Fremont, and during the war he was a stanch Union man. He has lived long enough to see the evil effects of the use of spiritu- ous liquors, therefore he is a strong temperance advocate. Mrs. Cully is a very hospitable and estimable lady, and unsurpassed in domestic virtues.


OEL C. WILLIAMS, President of the Blue Springs Bank, and ex-Mayor of the city, is a gentleman widely and favorably known throughont this region, having been closely identified with its business interests for the last nine years. He represents valuable property, owning a fine residence with handsome grounds, and other real estate in the city. He transacts a general bank- ing business, and from his prompt and straightfor- ward methods has gained the esteem and confidence of a large circle of friends and patrons. The Blue Springs Bank was established in 1880, and has be- come one of the indispensable institutions of the county.


The main points in the parental history of our subject are substantially as follows: His father, John Williams by name, was born in New Jersey about 1823, and was there reared to manhood. There also he was married to Miss Elmira Ran- dolph, who became the mother of our subject, and who died when he was a small child. He was then taken into the home of his grandparents, by whom he was reared until eighteen years of age.


557


GAGE COUNTY.


Joel C. Williams was born in Jerseyville, III., Oct. 6, 1848, and is consequently a man in the prime of life and the midst of his usefulness. He remained a resident of his native city until reaching his majority, receiving a good education, and em- ploying himself when not in school at farming. In April of 1869, desirous of trying his fortune in one of the rising communities of the West, he came to this county, and purchased an unimproved farm on section 26, in Sherman Township, which he lived upon and cultivated for a period of ten years. In the meantime he effected the various improvements suggested to the modern and pro- gressive farmer, putting up a dwelling, and erecting the other buildings necessary for his comfort and convenience. He planted an orchard, set out frnit and shade trees, enclosed the fields with hedge, and in fact built up one of the best farms in the county. He sold it in 1881, soon after coming to the city of Blue Springs.


Mr. Williams is a man of more than ordinary ability, and has been uniformly successful in his business and farming operations. While having much to engross his mind besides the ordinary rou- tine of office cares, he has ever kept in mind the matters pertaining to the general welfare of his community, and has signalized himself as a liberal- minded and public-spirited citizen, giving his sub- stantial support to the enterprises calculated to advance the common interest, and enhance the reputation of the city, both as a business point and a desirable place for residence. These qualities of his character have been generously recognized by the people of this county and city, by whom he has been chosen to fill important offices. Ile was Treasurer of the city schools for a period of six years, and was elected to the Mayoralty on the Republican ticket in the spring of 1887. He has fulfilled the duties of his office in a manner credit- able to himself and acceptable to the people. He was a member of the School Board for several terms. and has been foremost in the establishment and maintenance of the institutions calculated to advance the rising generation in the manner which should make of them useful and worthy citizens.


The marriage of Joel Williams and Miss Carrie Donnalley was celebrated at the home of the bride


in Jersey County, Ill., Jan. 29, 1870, and the young people begun the journey of life together in Gage Connty, where Mr. Williams was engaged in farm- ing. In due time they became the parents of two children, a daughter and son, Nettie and Thomas, who are now attending school. Mrs. Williams was born in Pennsylvania, Ang. 18, 1849, and is the daughter of Thomas K. and Susan Donnalley, who were born and reared in the Keystone State. A few years after their marriage they immigrated to Illinois, locating near the then young town of Jerseyville, where Miss Carrie was reared to woman- hood, and acquired her education in the public schools. There also she became acquainted with her future husband. She continued a member of the parental household until her marriage.


Thomas K. Donnalley was a farmer by occupa- tion, and with his excellent wife a member in good standing of the Presbyterian Church. They are still living at the homestead near Jerseyville. Mr. and Mrs. Williams upon coming to Nebraska found themselves comparatively pioneer settlers, there being very few neighbors near them, and only a small portion of the land around them under culti- vation. Mr. Williams first purchased a half-section, to which he added as his capital allowed, and finally became the owner of 400 acres, all of which he brought to a productive condition.


John Williams. the father of our subject, was married to a Miss Randolph, daughter of Lewis Randolph, of Delhi, Ill. She also was a native of New Jersey, where she lived with ber parents until her marriage, and departed this life at her home near Verdon, in 1851. Lewis Randolph was born in New Jersey, where he was reared to manhood, and thence emigrated to Illinois during its pioneer days. He purchased a traet of wild land in Jersey County, and which now lies near the town of Delhi. From this he built up a fine farm, which is now valuable, and from which he receives an income amply sufficient for his declining years. Ile has been prominent in the affairs of his community, and is a member in good standing of the Baptist Church. Ilis birth having taken place in 1804. he has now arrived at the advanced age of eighty-four years. His wife in her girlhood was Miss Mary Compton, also a native of New Jersey, and they


558


GAGE COUNTY.


became the parents of seven children, all of whom lived to years of maturity. Lewis Williams, the only living brother of our subject, is a resident of Fairmont, Neb, where he is engaged as engincer in the railroad shops of that place. Socially, Mr. Williams is a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 85, of Blue Springs. Politically, he is a stalwart Re- publican.


h ON. OLIVER TOWNSEND, dealer in cloth- ing, boots and shoes, at Beatrice, and enjoy- ing a prosperous trade, came to Beatrice in 1867, and is recognized as one of the lead- ing business men of the city. A native of Ulster County, N. Y., he was born Oct. 4, 1834, and was the youngest son of a family of nine children, born to Joseph and Nancy (Tomkins) Townsend. The mother died when our subject was thirteen years old ; the father died about 1867.


Joseph Townsend was born in Connecticut, whence he emigrated early in life to Ulster County, N. Y., where he spent the remainder of his days en- gaged extensively in farming and stock-raising. He was one of the earliest, pioneers of that region, and departed hence in 1867. This branch of the Townsend family traces its ancestry back to En- gland, the first representatives crossing the Atlantic during the Colonial days. They were people gen- erally well-to-do, honest, industrious and upright, and uniformly held a good position in the com- munity where they settled. The mother of our subject was a native of the State of New York, and died at the old homestead in Ulster County, abont 1847. The household circle included seven sons and two daughters, four of whom are living, three sons and one daughter.


The subject of this sketch was reared as a farmer boy, and acquired his education in the district school of his neighborhood. Upon approaching manhood he left the parental roof, and repaired to Knights- ton, N. Y., where he began his business career, first as a clerk in a hotel and afterward occupied the same position at Hudson in Columbia County ; later he resumed his studies in the High School at Claverack, and afterward attended school at Ellen- ville, his native State. In the spring of 1856, be-


ing a young man twenty-two years of age, and desirous of seeing something more of the world, he migrated west into Huron County, Ohio, where he was employed at farming until the winter season. In January following he proceeded still farther westward to Sioux City, Iowa, and in the fall of 1857 sought the region of Southern Nebraska, and was not long in making up his mind to remain here.


In the fall of 1857 Mr. Townsend staked a claim of 160 acres, which land now forms part of the town site of Beatrice. Building a post and rail fence he commenced operations as an agriculturist, operating thus four years. Mr. Townsend has a very fine orchard of thirty acres adjoining the city limits on the northeast. In 1865 he formed a partnership in the merchandise business with H. M. Reynolds, and at that time was located at the intersection of Court and Third streets, before the time of rail- roads. They operated together until 1867. Dur- ing that year Hon. Nathan Blakely was admitted into the firm, which then assumed the style of Blakely, Reynolds & Co. Four years later Mr. Blakely sold out his interest, and the firm of Rey- nolds & Townsend continued until 1872, when Mr. Reynolds purchased the entire stock and Mr. Town- send retired from the business.


Mr. Townsend now became interested in the furniture business, and two years later in the cloth- ing trade. To the latter since 1877 he has devoted his entire time and attention, with most excellent results. He established himself at his present quarters, No. 419 Court street, in November, 1887. He carries a full stock of clothing, hats, caps, boots, shoes, etc., and by the exercise of honesty and in- tegrity receives an extended patronage from the leading citizens of the county. Politically, he is a stanch Republican, and has served as a member of the School Board several terms. He had pre- vionsly served under Mr. Blakely a short time as Deputy. In 1858 he was elected County Clerk, of which office he was the incumbent for a period of ten years, and at the same time officiated as Register of Deeds. In 1867 he was elected a member of the first session of the State Legislature, served acceptably two years, and took an active part in the removal of the capital from Omaha to Lincoln.


SELF HAY FEEDER & MOW


HOME, BARNS


GRASS. 40.


COR


CORN.40.


SEC 8.


GRASS 40.


OATS. GO.


SELF - FEEDING CORN BINS.


GRASS. 1G0.


GRASS:160


SEC


GRAS


GRASS. 160


GRASS.40.


"


PLEASANT-VIEW-FARM. RESIDENCE OF JOSEPI


CORN & HAY SELF-FEEDERS


FEED LOTS.


QAT$ 160


ASTURE.40.


SEC. 9.


RN. 100.


CORN. 130.


OATS. 30


TENANT HOUSE.SEC. 17.


P


GRASS. 320.


SEC.IG


TENANT HOUSE. SEC. 9.


.80.


CORN.40.


CORN.30.


TENANT HOUSE. SEC. 8.


ELLIS, SEC'S. 8. 9. 16 & 17. GRANT TOWNSHIP, GAGE COUNTY, NEB.


563


GAGE COUNTY.


Mr. Townsend was married, in the spring of 1878. to Miss Kate Monce, who was born in Ohio in 1860, and is the daughter of Samuel Monce, Esq., one of the early residents of Nebraska City. Her father is deceased ; her mother, Mrs. Monce, is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Townsend have had born to them three children, only one girl now living, Jeane Beatrice.


R OBERT J. SMITH, dealer in lumber. wood and coal at Beatrice, and having his head- quarters on West Court street, is a native of the Dominion of Canada, and was born near Woodstock, the county seat of Oxford County, Feb. 6, 1849. Ile was the fourth in a family of eight children. five sons and three daughters, the offspring of James W. and Margaret (McAvoy) Smith. the former born in the county of Kent, En- gland, and the latter in Ireland. The parents were brought by their parents to Canada when children. The father of our subject was a farmer by occupa- tion, and carried on agriculture in the Dominion until coming to the States in the fall of 1866. At that time they located in the vicinity of Grand Rapids, Mich., upon a tract of land where the father labored until his death, which took place in July, 1874. The mother is still living there.


All of the brothers and sisters of our subject grew to mature years. Robert J. spent his boy- hood days in Canada, attending school and work- ing on his father's farm. After the removal of the family to Michigan he became interested in the lumber trade, and was for a period of seven years connected with the prominent business established by David Fisher. Upon withdrawing from this he resumed farming, at which he was occupied a num- ber of years, and also worked considerably as a carpenter.


The fall of 1882 found our subject making his way to this State, and after his arrival in Beatrice he engaged as a salesman for the extensive lumber firm of Washburn & Co., remaining with them four years. At the expiration of this time his large experience in this business seemed to justify him in establishing on his own account and taking a partner, John R. McKim. \ He opened an office at No. 324


West Court street, Beatrice, and they continued a few months. Mr. Smith then disposed of his interest in the business to his partner, and established a new yard, which he has since conducted with flattering success. He keeps a full stock of everything in his line, sash, doors, blinds, and all the building material required for the construction of both dwellings and business houses. His promptness in serving bis patrons, and his correct methods of doing business, have secured for him an extensive patronage throughout Gage County.


Robert J. Smith and Miss Addie Corbin, of Grand Rapids, were united in marriage Aug. 2, 1879, at the home of the bride in that city. Mrs. Smith is the daughter of Charles and Elsie (Inman) Corbin, who were natives of New York, and who went to Michigan in 1848. She was born in New York. Jan. 20, 1847. Her parents are now residents of Beatrice. Of this union there have been born seven children, viz: Jennie M., Mary E., Margaret E .. Charles E., James W., Maude C. and Edna. Mr. Smith, politically, is quite conservative, but usually casts his vote in support of Democratic principles. The family residence, a neat and substantial struc- ture, is located in the western part of the city, and forins a home in keeping with the means and stand- ing of the proprietor.


W ILLIAM C. STROHIM, manager of the firm of Kilpatrick Bros. & Collins, well known among the business interests of Beatrice, is a native of Dauphin County. Pa., having been born near the city of Harrisburg, Oct. 8, 1854. Ile is the only son of Thomas and Mary (Hicks) Strohm. whose family consisted, besides himself, of five daughters. They also were natives of the Key- stone State, and the father during the younger years of his life was occupied in agricultural pur- suits. Upon retiring from active labor he took up his abode with his excellent wife in the village of Linglestown, where they now live.


The boyhood of our subject was passed in his native county, where he attended the common school. Ile began teaching at the age of fifteen years, and was thus employed several winters, at-


564


GAGE COUNTY.


tending school in the meantime during the summer season. In due time he became a student of the State Normal School, at Millersville, Pa., and upon emerging from this, not yet satisfied with his store of knowledge, entered Heidelberg College, at Tif- fin, Ohio. Here he pursued his studies until in June, 1876, when he was graduated.


In October of the year mentioned young Strohm made his way to Utah Territory, and settling at Ogden was given a position with the banking firm of J. E. Dooly & Co., which was afterward merged into the Utah National Bank. ' At the same time he was employed by the United States Govern- ment, as local agent for the post-office department. In 1878, returning to Ohio, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Augusta Randall, of Tiffin, who was born Sept. 10, 1856, in Henry County, Ohio, and is the daughter of Edwin and Ellen (Palmner) Randall. Her parents were natives of Maine and New York respectively, and are now living in Seneca County, Ohio, on their farm.


In October, 1881, Mr. Strohm entered the em- ploy of Collins & Stevens, who held the contract for the construction of the Oregon Short Line Rail- way. With them he remained until the fall of 1885, then accepted a position with Kilpatrick Bros., large railroad contractors, with headquarters at Beatrice. Mr. Collins was subsequently made a partner in the business. To Mr. and Mrs. Strohm there have been born three children- Edwin, Leah and Gusta. In politics Mr. Strohm is a stanch Republican of the old school.


OHN H. REYNOLDS, of Wymore, is a mem- ber of the firm of E. P. Reynolds & Co., well known from ocean to ocean, and from the Lakes to the Gulf, as railroad contract- ors and bridge builders. The firm comprises E. P. Reynolds, Sr., of Rock Island, our subject, and his brothers, Benjamin and E. P., Jr., all residing at Wymore. They have built over 1,000 miles of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad, in- cluding that from Table Rock to Red Cloud and Beatrice; also from MeCook to Denver. They have built about the same amount for the Rock Island


system, besides a number of other railways of les- ser extent. There are quite a number of large bridges both for railway and general traffic pur- poses, many of them across large and important streams, several of them being considered quite triumphs of engineering skill. The majority of their larger works have been constructed since 1880. The firm located its Wymore branch on the Ist of June, 1882, at a cost of $30,000. In 1885 they built the Wymore Street Railway, which extends out as far as Blue Springs. In this enterprise our subject and his brother Benjamin own two-thirds of the stock; E. P., Jr., Samuel Wymore, P. A. Managan, Alexander Stewart and I. Liberman carry the remainder. The line is built of the best steel rails on a rock ballast road-bed, and is traversed by modern cars of excellent construction, which are drawn by as fine horses as could be procured for the purpose. It is one of the best equipped and operated lines in the State. Our subject is its President, his brother Benjamin Vice-President and general manager, and E. P., Jr., Secretary and Treasurer. Our subject and his brother Benjamin are the owners of the Wymore Citizens' Bank, which has a paid-up capital of $30,000, and is one of the strongest banks in Gage County, and under the efficient management of Mr. J. K. Lee is doing a very large business. Its cashier is Mr. Lake Bridenthall.


Another enterprise in which our subject 'is in- terested is the Touzalin Hotel, being a member of the company which built and owns it. It is con- sidered by all its guests as the finest hotel, out- side of Omaha, in the State. It is owned by a stock company, of which the Reynolds Bros. are principal holders, and E. P., Jr., is President. It is a fine brick structure, covering about 160x150 feet, and erected by the Reynolds Bros. at a cost of $60,000. They also ereeted the first hotel built in Wymore-the Potter House. Both J. H. and B. Reynolds own very fine residences in the city, and also considerable town property and land adjacent thereto, besides about sixty acres between Wy- more and Blue Springs, all of which will shortly be covered by surburban residences.


Our subjeet takes great interest in his farm, which is situated on Indian Creek, seven miles west


1.0.


J26 Reynolds


565


GAGE COUNTY.


of the city, on the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad, with a private side track running upon it. The farm comprises 1,440 acres, well fenced and in excellent condition. It is supplied with first-class buildings of various kinds, and is well stocked with cattle, bogs and brood mares. The principal business in the line of stock-raising car- ried on at this farm by our subject is that of inule- raising. This farm is most excellently situated, and includes some of the finest land in the county. In addition to the above our subject is the owner of a quarter-section in Sherman County.


E. P. Reynolds, Sr., the father of our subject, is a native of Vermont, and was born on the 13th of February, 1817, and was there reared to manhood. In 1837 he went to Rock Island, Ill., which has since continued to be bis home, and where he has built up a large business as contractor, etc., as in- dicated in the opening paragraph. He has twice been elected Mayor of Rock Island, and has the name of being, perhaps, the best Mayor Rock Isl- and has ever had. He was married to Miss Eliza Young, in Rock Island, Ill., in 1847 : she died after a happy wedded life of eleven years. Her children were four-our subject, Benjamin and two sisters. In 1859 Mr. Reynolds married a second time, his wife being Amanda Ogden, and to them was born one child, E. P., Jr. His residence is one of the finest in Rock Island, and his farm is likewise very fine. It is devoted to stock-raising of the higher and blooded grades. In addition to these he is the owner of several pieces of city property. So- cially, be is connected with the 1. O. O. F., and politically, with the Republican party.


Our subject, Jobn H., was born in Rock Island, Ill., Feb. 9, 1848, and there remained until 1880. Upon his graduation from the High School he en- tered the employ of his father, remaining with him until the fall of 1879. Upon the establishment of the Wymore branch about that time he took his present position in connection therewith, purchased bis farm, and entered upon the life that has been in every way prosperous and successful since that time.


Mr. Reynolds has, in the interests of business and sometimes of pleasure, traveled largely through- out the continent, and bas covered the greater part


of the ground between Portland, New Orleans, and the Eastern seaboard. During the summer our subject is nearly always away from home, super- intending the execution of various contracts, but nominally his home is in this city. The companion of his life is Miss Mary Claiborne, to whom he was united in marriage at Glenwood, Iowa, Dec. 25, 1879, who has presented him with one daughter. Bessie. Mrs. Reynolds was born on the 12th of January, 1853, in France, and is the daughter of C. B. E. and Mary , Claiborne, of French and En- glish ancestry. The mother is deceased; the father resides at Glenwood, Iowa. Mrs. Reynolds attends the Episcopal Church, but is not a member. Mr. Reynolds is liberal on the subject of religion, and gives his support to all churches. Socially, he is a Mason and Knight Templar; politically, a stalwart Republican. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds is the center of the best society in the city.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.