Portrait and biographical album of Gage County, Nebraska : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 82

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 82


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advanced age, their home now being in the city of Beatrice.


Mrs. Blakely had grown to womanhood when her parents came to this county, and has had her full experience of life in a new country. She is the mother of three children, the eldest of whom, Jessie L., followed teaching in the schools of this county, but is now married. George A. and Albert C. con- tinue at home with their parents. Mrs. B. and her daughter are members of the Congregational Church, of Blakely Township. Mr. Blakely, politically, votes independently, and has held other offices be- sides his present one, to which he was elected in the fall of 1885.


Mr. Blakely has been a prominent and useful inan in his county, beginning his public services as early as 1858, when he was appointed Probate Judge for a term of two years. Fromn 1862 to 1865 he was Government Assessor for the South Platte Dis- trict, and in 1870 served as Deputy Marshal, and likewise took the census of Gage County. Ile was also one year the Assessor of Gage County. He was one of the organizers of the Republican party in Southern Nebraska, and has never felt that he had reason to depart from the principles to which he then gave his cordial support. During the Grange move- ment in 1872 and 1873, he was appointed Deputy Grand Master, and also served on the Executive Committee for the State from 1873 to 1876. He in the meantime organized a number of Grange Lodges in this part of the State, and distinguished himself bere as elsewhere by his industry and usefulness, On the 28th of July, 1886, he was appointed and com- missioned by James W. Dawes, Governor of Ne- braska, as a delegate to the National Farmers' Congress, which met in St. Paul, Minn., and was in session three days, August 25, 26 and 27.


The Old Settlers' Association finds in Mr. Blakely one of its most efficient members. In the I. O. O. F. he has been actively interested for forty years, being Grand Master of the State in 1885-86, and a member of Subordinate Lodge No. 19, and Encamp- ment No. 16, both of Beatrice. As one of those who looked upon this section of the Great West in its primitive days, he is held in due consideration and respect, and has built up the record of an honest man and a good citizen. In a short time he will have


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reached his threescore years and ten. He has gathered from a varied experience of men and things those lessons by which he has been enabled to performn well his part, and leave to his children a name of which they need never be ashamed. The ALBUM of Gage County is greatly enhanced by giv- ing the portrait of William Blakely, which has been made from a recent picture.


OSEPH K. LANGDON, one of the most en- terprising and successful merchants of Pad- dock Township. of which he is a pioneer, is conducting a large business as a dealer in all kids of implements in Odell. He is a native of Lu- zerne County, Pa., born Ang. 9, 1852, to Samnel P. and Nancy (Emory ) Langdon, natives of Pennsylva- nia. In 1854 his parents removed to Wisconsin, and continued to reside in that State for many years. the father engaged in the hotel business. Mr. Lang- don died May 29, 1886, having attained the ripe old age of nearly eighty years. He was a man of sound principles, and of much decision of character, readily commanding the respect of all with whom he came in contact. The mother of our subjeet makes ber home with him, surrounded by all the comforts that loving hands can provide to make her deelining years pleasant.


The subject of this sketch was reared in Wiseon- sin, and received the preliminaries of his education in her pubhe schools. He subsequently entered the Normal School of White Water, where he re- ceived a thorough practical training, fitting him for any career that he might choose to adopt in after life. Upon leaving school, being desirons to become master of some luerative trade. he set himself to work to learn that of wheelwright, and was thus employed in Wisconsin until the spring of 1880, when he determined to try life in the West beyond the Mississippi, and we soon find him located in what is now Paddock Township. As this township was not laid ont until the following fall, he thus became one of its early settlers. He soon found work at his trade, and was engaged in a wagon- shop for two years. In the spring of 1882 Mr. Langdon, with characteristic enterprise and fore-


sight, saw a fine opportunity in this new and rapidly growing country to establish himself in his present business, immediately availing himself of it, and has sinee carried it on with gratifying success. He eame here a poor man, but by industry and good management he has made money, and has inereased his sales from $300 the first year to from $12,000 to $15,000 per annum. He has besides acquired eon- siderable property by judieions investments ; he owns two pieces of desirable resident property, has his business house and lot, and also owns some stock in the county, horses, cattle and hogs.


Mr. Langdon was married in Wisconsin, July 3, 1877, to Miss Emma Thompson, a daughter of Ed- win and Alma (Folsom) Thompson. Iler mother died in Wisconsin in February, 1869. Iler father is still a resident of that State. To Mr. and Mrs. Langdon have been born two children: Fay, their only son, and a daughter, Lona, who died Sept. 23, 1884.


Mr, Langdon is a young man of edneation and fine business talents, that promise to place him among the moneyed men of Gage County within a few years. His geniality and ready tact make him well liked by all who have the pleasure of knowing him, and he has secured many warm friends since coming to Nebraska. In his political views, he is an unswerving Republican; he does not aspire to office, although he takes deeided interest in pro- moting the prosperity of his township.


M ORRIS JONES. It is quite common to re- mark among the prominent men of a eom- munity in almost every department and circle, that they who are looked upon and spoken of as the successful men have come up through trial and difficulty from the lower plane to the higher level in life, the fact being, that by just such processes of disappointment, difficulty and adverse circumstances is the man developed, and abilities and powers that would otherwise have remained unknown, although possessed, have been brought into action, and thus every opposing force has become a blessing and a benedietion. This is true throughout the whole realm of nature.


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GAGE COUNTY.


The biography of Mr. Morris Jones might well serve as a case in point, and illustration of the ahove. He is the son of David and Margaret Jones, the former of whom is now deceased. They were natives of Wales, in which country our subject was horn in July, 1849. He accompanied his parents to the United States in 1870; settling in Wisconsin lie engaged in day labor until 1879, when he came to this county, and rented some land and began farm- ing. In this good fortune continued to attend him, so that to-day he is the owner of 160 acres of good land for purposes of agriculture and stock- raising, which he follows exclusively, devoting more especial attention to the latter, finding the breeding of higher grades of stock very remunera- tive in a rapidly developing country such as Ne- braska.


While living in Wisconsin our subject made the acquaintance of a very excellent young lady, Ann, daughter of Thomas J. and Margaret Jones, of LaFayette County, Wis. She was born in said county, Dec. 9, 1858, On the 22d of February, 1875, this lady, Ann Jones, and our subject plighted their troth and sealed their marriage vows. Their union was fruitful in the birth of five children, whose names are as follows: Margaret, Miriam, James. Thomas O. and William L.


The wife of our subject is a member of the Welsh Methodist Church, with which she has continued since childhood .. Our subject is affiliated with the Republican party, and has for many years been an active worker in behalf of the same.


G EORGE W. KIERSEY, of Glenwood Town- ship, is spoken of as one of its solid and re- liable men, steady-going and thorough in lis farming operations, prompt to meet his business obligations, peaceable and law-abiding as a citizen. He cast his lot with the people of this county in the spring of 1879, and has since been numbered among the most highly respected members of the con- . munity.


The property of our subject embraces 160 acres of land ou section 20 in the western part of Glenwood Township, where for a period of nearly eleven years


he has labored industriously in the cultivation of the soil and the production of the crops best adapted to the region of Southern Nebraska. For this task he was well fitted both by experience and carly training, having spent the greater part of his days amid the peaceful employments of country life. In his young manhood he became a soldier of the Union Army, and for a period of four years de- voted himself to fighting successfully the battles of freedom and Union.


A native of Licking County, Ohio, Mr. Kiersey was born June 29, 1846, and there lived until the death of his mother, which occurred when he was eight years of age. He was then taken into the home of his uncle in Allegany County, N. Y., where he spent several years, and then moved with the latter to Pennsylvania. After eighteen months spent in the Keystone State, young Kiersey moved to Licking County, Ohio, making his home this time with a sister of his. Later lie migrated to his native county in Ohio, and from there in a few months proceeded to Ogle County, Ill., where he was ell- gaged on a farm until the outbreak of the late Civil War.


Soon after the first call for troops Mr. Kiersey enlisted, Nov. 5, 1861, in Company HI, 46th Illinois Infantry, and followed the fortunes of war until its close. Hle endured the hardships and privations incident to the life of a soldier, meeting the enemy in many important battles, and gathering from his army experiences a fund of practical knowledge with which he would not willingly part. He fort- unately escaped wounds and other injury, with the exception of the often severe strain upon strength and endurance, and at the close received his hon- orable discharge at Baton Rouge, La.


Upon retiring from the service Mr. Kiersey re- turned to Illinois, and located upon a farm in White Rock Township, in the vicinity of Rochelle. Ogle County, where he carried on agriculture most of the time until the beginning of 1868. Then, disposing of his interests in the Prairie State, he erossed the Mississippi and located in Story County, Iowa, and worked on a farm there and in Washington County about three years. From the former he came to Nebraska in April, 1879, and in 1884 secured the quarter-section of land which he has since owned


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GAGE COUNTY.


and ocenpied. In the meantime he visited Kansas, spending three years in Washington County.


In Washington County, Kan., Mr. Kiersey married Miss Harriet B. Atwood, Feb, 19, 1882. Mrs. Kiersey is the daughter of Moses and Mary Atwood, and was born in Georgetown. Mass., Feb. 1, 1850. Her parents were natives of New Hampshire, and came west to Iowa about 1855, and to Kansas in 1878. The mother passed away at their liome in Washington County, Kan., in September, 1880. The father is still living. Their family consisted of eight children, five of whom are living.


To our subject and his wife there has been born one child only. William L., Nov. 15, 1883. Mr. Kiersey carries on general farming, and has a fair assortment of live stock. He has planted a goodly array of fruit and shade trees, and with his little family is surrounded with all the comforts of life, besides having a prospect of something to fall back upon on a rainy day. Politically, he is a Repub- lican.


L EROY PAYNE. The subject of this sketch came to this State in the fall of 1868, tak- ing up his abode first in Saunders County. He had moved to that region from LaSalle County, Ill .. where he had carried on farming. In Saun- ders County be took up a homestead claim of eighty acres, and resided there until the spring of 1878, when he came to this connty and bought of the Government 160 acres of land on section 10, in Glenwood Township, to the improvement and cultivation of which he has since given his time and attention. The present condition of his property would indicate that he has labored to ex- cellent advantage, for he has substantial buildings and the other appliances necessary for the comfort of his family and the carrying on of agriculture in a successful and profitable manner.


A native of Wayne County, Pa., our subject was born March 12, 1842, was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. His father, Homer Payne, was a native of the same county as his son, and married Miss Louisa Greeley, also a native of the Keystone State. They lived there


for a time after their marriage, then changed their residence to Luzerne County, and from there emi- grated to LaSalle County. IH., where the father engaged in farming, and where the death of the mother took place in April, 1855. Homer Payne, after the death of his wife, went to Smith County, Kan., where he still resides.


To the parents of our subject there were born six children, five sons and one daughter, of whom Leroy was the second child. He was eleven years old when his parents left his native State, and he resided with them until a youth of twenty years. He was thereafter a resident of LaSalle County most of the time until his marriage. This most im- portant and interesting event of his life took place in Ottawa, Ill., on the 28th of September, 1865, his bride being Miss Almira White, who went with her parents to LaSalle County, Ill., when abont ten years old. Mrs. Payne was born in Schenectady County, N. Y., Sept. 16, 1846, and is the daughter of Wilbur and Catherine (Leevey) White, who were both natives of New York State and lived there until going to Illinois. They are now residents of Saunders County, Neb. Their family consisted of five children, of whom Mrs. P. was the eldest. She acquired her education in the district school, and remained with her parents until becoming mis- tress of a home of her own by her marriage with onr subject.


Mr. and Mrs. Payne spent the first few years of their wedded life in LaSalle County, INI., and there their first child was born. They are now the parents of four sons and four daughters, seven liv- ing, namely : Charles, Alice L., Ada, Nellie, Almira May, Leroy and Glenn. Elmer died when one year old. They are being properly trained and edu- cated, and there is every reason to suppose will do honor to their parents as good and worthy citizens of the future.


Mr. Payne was reared in the principles of De- mocracy, and to this party has given his honest adherence since becoming a voter. He has been prominent in local affairs, holding the office of Township Assessor nine years, four years in Saun- ders County and five years in Glenwood Township, this connty. He has also served as Commissioner of Highways. Socially, he belongs to the I. O. O. F.,


GAGE COUNTY.


being Past Grand, and a delegate to the meeting of the Grand Lodge at Omaha in the fall of 1888.


Mr. Payne, when a lad of thirteen years, while driving a team of spirited horses which ran away, was thrown out of the wagon and suffered the breaking of his right arm. It was improperly set and never recovered its former strength. In some respects this has proved quite a drawback and con- siderably interfered with his strength and efficiency in the often arduous labors of the farm. His boys, however, are growing up, and will soon be able to take his place, and the industry with which he has labored in former years has secured to him the fair prospect of something for his ease and comfort in his declining years.


AMUEL ECCLES,, one of the highly re- spected and valued citizens of Riverside Township, and whose residence is situated upon section 3, was born in Chantanqua County, N. Y., on the 19th of September, 1847. When about three years old, his parents, John and Mary (Whitehead) Eccles, removed across the State line into Warren County, Pa., which adjoins Chautauqua County. Our subject was abont three years of age when this removal was made. There he was brought up and educated, continuing thus employed until he was in his sixteenth year.


Not long after passing his fifteenth birthday our subject enlisted in Company M, 21st Pennsyl- vania Cavalry, and served about seven months, then was honorably discharged. His regiment was in the battle of Gettysburg, and saw considerable service in conflicts of lesser note. Ilis army expe- rience, while no less dangerous, though perhaps somewhat briefer than that of many of his com- rades, left him unwounded, although the horrors of war will always present to his memory a picture aglow with terrors, cruelties, sorrows, pain and carnage.


When twenty years of age Mr. Eccles removed to Henry County, Ill., and there made his home for two years, when he removed to Guthrie County, Iowa, and staid for one year. Thence he removed to Michigan, and there made his home for another


year. Ilis health then failed him, and he went to Tennessee, and resided at Pomona in that State for about two years, and was rewarded by a complete recovery of vigorous, rugged health.


Upon the 24th of September, 1872, about the time our subject left Tennessee, he was united in marriage with Miss Alzada Howd. After a happy wedded life of about seven years this lady died, on the 17th of September, 1879, leaving two children, viz: James F., who was born on the 17th of September, 1877; and Esther M., who was born Feb. 22, 1876, and died April 14, 1881. Our subject was married a second time, on the 7th of June, 1881, to Mary E. Cole, of Plattsmouth, Neb., and there have been born to them two children, whose names are Grace and William L.


Mr. Eccles lias a fine farm of 114 acres upon sce- tion 3, and upon this he has erected a pretty, sub- stantial dwelling, well situated, and in the midst of attractive surroundings. He has made ample pro- vision for the comfort and welfare of his stock, his stables being well constructed and arranged. The date of his entrance to this county was March, 1874, and at that time what is now a well-cultivated farm was then native prairie in all its wildness. By far the greater part of the life of our subject has been spent in farming, and he is thoroughly conversant with the varions phases and parts of this work. During the time spent in Michigan he was engaged in handling lumber, and in Iowa was en- gaged in railroading. With these exceptions and that of his army experience, he has followed agri- cultural pursuits.


On coming to this State our subject had in his possession some 8700 as the foundation of his fort- une. The first year was an entire failure, owing to the grasshoppers, and by them his crops were entirely destroyed, leaving him to start the next year with one team, a cow and a few implements. That year he was more fortunate, and has been in- creasingly so from that on ; patience, perseverance and industry brought him through that time of trial, and have carried him on to prosperity. The pleasant home which he to-day enjoys, and his well- stocked farm, are the harvests these have produced for him. He has had all the trials and difficulties that crowd upon one in beginning life in a new coun-


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try, hut has horne them all, has earned the confi- dence and esteem of all his neighbors, and attracted to himself many friends by his most praiseworthy conduct throughout. The farm lies chiefly in the valley of the Big Blue River, and is. therefore, superior to the higher land, which is liable to suf. fer from drouth, besides not being so rich in soil, and this is one of the best farms in the county.


In 1886 our subject was elected Justice of the Peace, and the following year Supervisor of the township, and re-elected in 1888, which office he still holds. Religionsly, our subject and wife are connected with the United Brethren Church, of Beatrice. and are among its most devout members. Mr. Eccles is also a member of the G. A. R., Raw- lins Post No. 35, and Beatrice Lodge No. 19, of the I. O. O. F. Politically, he is a Republican. There are few families more appreciated in the com- munity than this of our subject, few more highly esteemed, and none more worthy.


AMES W. BRIDENTHAL. Of the count- less numbers who have gone to settle up the new West, few have been more enthusiastic, more thoroughly absorbed with the thought that they were working for the future as well as for their own interests, and therefore, more public- spirited and liberal-minded, and better prepared to undertake the hardships and trials of frontier life, than many of those who came into this county. The gentleman of whose life an epitome is herc- with presented affords a happy illustration of the above fact.


In Sicily Township, on section 23, is a beautiful farm of 320 acres, in an excellent state of cultiva- tion, the property of our subject, whose residence thereon is one of the most pleasant homes in the county. Mr. Bridenthal is a native of Pennsyl- vania, and was born at Chambersburg, in that State, on the 28th of April, 1836, and there spent the first nine years of his life. In 1845 his parents removed to Wayne County, Ohio, he of course accompanying them, and in that place the greater part of his education was received, both that ob- tained in the common schools, and that which gave


him a knowledge of the work and management of the farm.


Subsequently Mr. Bridenthal removed to Indi- ana, and located successively in Iluntington, Whit- ley and Marshall Counties. From the latter. about the year 1855, he removed to Woodford County, Ill., where he remained until the fall of the same year, then moved to Peoria County, Ill., where he remained until 1860, then went to Warren County. During this time he had been laying broad and deep a solid foundation for other days, and making pro- vision for the success and prosperity that have since come to him. The removal of our subject from Illinois to Gage County was made in April, 1884, when. after prospecting for some time, he concluded arrangements which led to his present settlement. Every year has seen his property increasing in valne, and the harvests more abundant.


While in Warren County, Ill., our subject made the acquaintance of Miss Ella S. Butler, who is a daughter of Isaac and Ann L. (Jones) Butler, who were natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania respect- ively, but were married in Ohio, and in that State made their home for several years, afterward re- moving to Indiana, from there to Illinois in 1864, settling in Warren County. . In the latter State her father died, in 1875, aged seventy-one years, and her mother, who is in her eightieth year, is still living. In early life both became members of the Christian Church, and to this communion Mrs. Butler is still devoted.


The marriage of our subject was celebrated at Plymouth, Marshall Co., Ind., on the 26th of Oc- tober, 1860, and there were six children born to them, whose names are recorded as follows: Ken- neth D., Lake, Mande, Mac, Charley W. and Dick. All these are living except Mande. who passed through "the valley of the shadow of death" upon the 1st of July, 1887, having reached the age of twenty-two years. Her death was as peaceful as her life had been beautiful, and the mortograph "So He giveth His beloved sleep" is most happily fitting in her case. Kenneth was married, Feb. 5, 1884, to Miss Lizzie Rankin, of Warren County. Ill., and Lake is cashier of the Wymore Citizens' Bank.


The parents of our subject, John and Lydia


"SUNNYSIDE "= RESIDENCE OF J. W. BRIDENTHAL, SEC . 23, SICILY TOWNSHIP.


T


RESIDENCE OF A. E . KING , SEC. 2 , FILLEY TOWNSHIP.


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GAGE COUNTY.


(Leighty) Bridenthal, were natives of Pennsyl- vania, where they were married, and lived until their removal to Ohio in 1845. Their family com- prised eleven children. of whom six survive. The father of our subjeet departed this life in the year 1858, the mother in 1877, both at their home in Indiana. The names of the surviving children are: Sarah, Ellen, Lydia, David and George.


Mr. and Mrs. Bridenthal, with their daughter Mae, are very devoted members of the Christian Church, of Wymore, and are most highly esteemed in that communion. For a number of years our subject held the office of Township Supervisor in Warren County, Ill .. and also several other town- ship offices. In matters of political economy he is deeply interested. and although usually voting the Democratic ticket, is more concerned to lend his in- fluence to the elevation to office of a good and able man than a mere partisan.


Accompanying the bicgraphies of many of the leading men of Gage County presented in this volume are their portraits, while of others views of their residence or farm property are given. Among the latter class is Mr. Bridenthal, and the view referred to is presented on an accompanying page.


S AMUEL KING. JR. Among the men who have had the forethought to discern the great possibilities of the State of Nebraska is the subject of this sketeh, who has been willing to labor and to wait, and who has suffered no diseouragements to dismay him. He has had his battles to fight, having met with bitter reverses, but has now found the open sea, and, with the comforts of the complete modern home, is enjoying a large measure of the good things of life.




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