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 84
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Mr. and Mrs. Lohmeyer aremembers of the Lutheran Church, in the doctrines of which they had been trained from childhood. Mr. L. believes in progress and reform, and politically, is a decided Republican.
S TEPHEN S. JONES, editor and proprietor of the Blue Springs Motor, comes of excel- lent Welsh ancestry. His father, Edward S. Jones, was born in Wales in 1818, and emigrated to America when a young man twenty- two years of age. Locating in Pittsburgh, Pa., he followed his trade of stair-builder, finally becoming a contractor, and was a resident of the Smoky City for a period of twenty years.
Upon leaving Pennsylvania the father of our subject took up his abode in Thurman, Ohio, where he has resided since 1855. He followed his busi- ness of contractor a number of years, then retired, and is spending his last days in peace and comfort. The mother, Mrs. Eliza (Evans) Jones, was born in Wales also, and emigrated to America when a young lady of eighteen years. She subsequently lived in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Youngstown, Ohio, and departed this life at her home in Thurman, Ohio, April 21, 1888. The family included eight children, five sons and three danghters, six of whom are living, and are now residents mostly of Ohio.
The subject of our sketch was born at Pittsburglı, Pa., Oct. 8, 1850, and when five years of age re- moved to Thurman, Ohio, with his parents. He received a common-school education, completing his studies at the academy in Gallipolis, and the Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, in 1870. He afterward was employed as a teacher in the schools of Thurman until 1872, and in May of that year started for the West. His first residence in this
State was in Rulo, where he officiated as Principal of the schools of that place two years, and from there went to Galipolis, Ohio. and for a year was in the teachers' department of the academy there. Later he returned to Thurman, where he taught school and studied law. Ile was admitted to the bar, and returned to Rulo in 1876. There he was again made Principal of the city schools, and in due time was elected County Superintendent, serving as such two years. Next he had charge of the Ster- ling schools, with which he was connected for one year, and in 1880 was called to Liberty, the schools of which he was connected with one year. Then becoming interested in newspaper work, he purchased the Liberty Journal, which he con- ducted a year, then sold, and invested his capital in the Blue Springs Motor, Feb. 1, 1883. This paper he also sold a year later, and for two years follow- ing was editor of the Beatrice Republican. At the expiration of this time he returned to Blne Springs, repurchased the Motor, and is now giving his at- tention to the business connected therewith.
Mr. Jones was married, May 14, 1873, to Miss Alberta R. Easley, of Rulo, and they have become the parents of two children-Blanche and Easley. Mrs. Jones was born in Halifax County, Va., July 11, 1855, and is the daughter of Albert and Eliza- beth Easley, who were natives of Virginia, and are now residents of Falls City, this State. The father is retired from active business. Mrs. Jones was care- fully reared and educated, and lived at home with her parents until her marriage.
OHN S. JONES, a late resident of Barnes- ton Township, having spent many years in well-doing, has gone to receive the reward which is promised to those who lead con- sistent and Christian lives on earth. He was born in Wales, in September, 1844, and was a son of Thomas Jones (deceased), who was a native of the same country. When he was about twenty-seven years old he made up his mind to come to America, and in 1872 he departed from his native land, and after enduring the voyage across the water arrived safely in the harbor for which he was bound. He
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made his home in Shenandoah County, Pa., and for five years worked in the coal mines, after which, in 1877, he went to Williamsburg, Iowa, and began farming. For four years he continued the pur- suit of agriculture in that place, and in the spring of 1881 he brought his family to this county, making his home where the family now live.
On the 18th of August, 1869, our subject was united in marriage in his native country to Miss Ann S. Lloyd, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Lloyd, who were natives of the same country. She was born in September, 1842, and came with our subject to the United States in 1872. By their marriage they have become the parents of eight children, whose names and the dates of whose births are noted as follows; Lizzie was born on the 15th of August, 1870; Sarah, on the 4th of October, 1872; Maggie, on the 31st of March, 1875; John T., on the 3d of August, 1877 ; Mary E., ou the 10th of October, 1880; Robert V., on the 10th of November, 1882; Edith, on the 16th of April, 1885; and Lu- ther E., on the 1st of March, 1887. At the time when this growing family so much needed the care and protection of a kind father he was taken from them, leaving to his bereaved wife the burden of caring for a family whose oldest son was about eleven years old. He died on the 10th of July, 1888, and his family was not only deprived of an affectionate husband and a tender father, but their loss was mourned by the community.
Our subject was one of the pillars in the Welsh Presbyterian Church of Blue Valley, a good Chris- tian man, respected and loved by all. He was a friend to the poor man, sympathizing with him, and as far as he was able assisting him in the accumula- tion of this world's goods, and in the preparation for a useful life. He had provided well for his family, showing in that respect his love for them, to the end that if he were taken from them they might not be left in destitute circumstances. His farm of 160 acres on section 18, Barneston Town- ship, is managed by Mrs. Jones, who has assumed the responsibilities from which ber sons may soon be able to relieve her. When our subject died he regretted to leave his loved family, but knowing that he could not be with them always, and con- scious of having led a useful and Christian life, he
was ready to answer the summons and submit his life to the hands of Him who gave it. None knew him but to love him, and his memory will long be cherished in the hearts of his warm and ad- miring friends, who have much sympathy for the widow and family so early bereaved of his tender care. He has gone to receive his reward, having left an example worthy to be followed by his sons, and worthy of the admiration of all. He was forty-four years, nine months and twenty-seven days old at his demise.
ENRY THEASMAEIR, of Clatonia Town- ship, is numbered among its leading farmers, and is considerably interested in stock- raising. His homestead, a view of which is given in this work, is pleasantly located on sec- tion 15, and indicates the manner in which he has labored during the years of his residence here, which commenced in the spring of the year 1875. A native of Germany, our subject was born in Dat- mold, Feb. 21, 1850, and is the son of Henry and Amelia (Talle) Theasmaeir, who left him an orphan at an early age, the mother passing from earth when he was two years old and the father four years later.
Our subject was reared by relatives, and when ten years of age began the struggle of life by work- ing out on a farm, and was thus occupied four years. He then engaged in a brickyard, where he . remained until 1869, then resolved to emigrate to America. In the spring of that year he secured passage on a sailing-vessel bound from the port of Bremen to New York City, and after an ocean voyage of twelve days landed upon American soil. Proceeding directly to Stephenson County, Ill., he hired out on a farm, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits in that region for a period of seven years, working for only three different parties during that entire time. His first wages were $11 per month and board, but he was soon promoted, and during the last four years of his labors as an employe re- ceived the creditable salary of $225 and his board.
Mr. Theasmaeir in the spring of 1875 crossed the Mississippi, and coming into this county purchased
I. A. FUNKHOUSER
Jacob Taylor
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eighty acres of railroad land on section 15 in Cle- tonia Township. This, it is hardly necessary to say. had been undisturbed by the plowshare, and there was neither shelter for man nor beast, but he soon erected a humble dwelling. He was married to Miss Susie Lauber, in Gage County, April 21, 1875, and they took possession of their first abode with hearts strong and hopeful for the future. In dne time the little household embraced five children : Henry, born Nov. 23, 1876; Anne, Aug. 28, 1878; Emma, Oct. 23, 1880; George, July 26, 1882, and Nana, Aug. 5, 1857. They are all living and con- tinue under the home roof.
Mrs. Theasmaeir was born July 30, 1852, in Ste- phenson County, Ill., and is the daughter of Jacob and Doretha (Ruby) Lauber, the former now de- ceased and the mother a resident of Clatonia Town- ship. Mr. T., politically, votes the straight Repub- lican ticket, and in religious matters is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, being one of its chief pillars and most liberal sup- porters. He represents a fine property, accumulated by his own industry and energy, and is one of the thrifty and reliable citizens who have assisted in bringing this county to its present condition.
ACOB TAYLOR, one of the leading farmers and land-owners of Sicily Township, was born on the 3d of September, 1827, in England, and at the age of thirty-one years he left his native country to come to America. Starting from Liverpool on the 15th of October, 1858, he endured a voyage of six weeks and two days, land- ing at the end of that time in New Orleans. Go- ing at once to Peoria, Ill., he stopped for six weeks with his unele, John Greenhalgh, and thence mi- grated to Wyoming, Stark Co., Ill., where he re- mained for twenty-four years. At that place he had a farm of 170 acres of land. He came to his present home in March, 1883, where he has since lived, having a fine farm of 551 acres splendidly improved on section 36, Sicily Township. He also has 480 acres on sections 35, 2 and 7. on one of which farms his son Sherman and daughter Eliza- beth, now Mrs. John L. Dawson, reside. Our sub-
ject gives attention to the raising of grain and live stock.
On the 20th of August, 1850, Mr. Taylor was married, near Hay wood, England, to Miss Alice Ho- worth, and they have a family of seven children: Elizabeth, who was married on the 20th of August. 1879. to Mr. John Dawson; Esther Ann, now Mrs. John Kelly ; James, John J., Edwin J., Sherman and Albert D. The three eldest children are mar- ried and live in this vicinity.
When Mr. and Mrs. Taylor arrived in Wyoming, Ill., they had about the sum of $60 in money, and by industry and strict application to business, they have since accumulated the valuable property men- tioned. The farm is one of the best and finest im- proved in the neighborhood, being well stocked, and having all the modern conveniences for the pursuit of agriculture. The fine horse-teams draw- ing the riding or buggy-plow, now seen in the fields. present a great contrast to the teams of the carlier settlers, they very often consisting of the slow and harmless oxen, drawing the rude and primitive breaking-płow.
The father of our subject, John Taylor, was also a native of England, in which country he married Miss Ann Greenhalgh (our subject's mother). There were ten children of this family, all of whom, with the exception of our subject, remained in England, and there the father and mother died. Jacob re- ceived a common-school education in his own coun- try, and at about the age of seventeen years he began learning the carpenter's trade with his father, who then carried on that business; but later he took a fancy to machinery, and then learned the machinist's trade, at which he worked until he came to America. The wages which he received as a machinist were twenty-five shillings per week, being the highest wages he ever received there.
Having adopted America as his country and future place of residence, our subject made himself ac- quainted with the form of government and general political information, that he might be enabled to enjoy the privileges of an American citizen and voter, and the policy of the Republican party hav- ing met his approval. he joined himself to that organization. He takes an active interest in the welfare of the country, in her educational and politi-
J. A. FUNKHOUSER (
668
GAGE COUNTY.
cal advancement and prosperity, and in every way he has striven to make himself an honorable resi- dent of his community, winning by his own quali- fications of worth the highest esteem and the entire approval of his fellowmen and associates in busi- ness.
The portrait of Mr. Taylor, which will be found on an accompanying page, occupies its rightful posi- tion among those of the men of wealth and influence in Gage County, to the progress and development of which he has contributed his full quota.
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B ENJAMIN F. MOORE is entitled to honor- able mention in this collection of biogra- phies, because of his illustrious ancestors, and their connection with the American struggle for independence, and subsequent wars; of his own war record. which has been most gratify- ing; of his early connection with this State, and the subsequent manner in which he distinguished him- self in its behalf, as well as the present position which he so ably fills. His parents, James and Harriet (Barton) Moore, were natives of Pennsyl- vania, the former being born in Juniata County, and the latter in Union County. The grandfather of our subject. John Moore, was a Major in the Revolutionary War, and had two brothers killed in the same war, one at Brandywine and one at Ben- nington. The grandfather was born in Ringgold's Manor, in Maryland, but the inhabitants were driven out by the Indians to Juniata County, Pa. The great-grandfather of our subject was of Scotch- Irish descent, a Protestant in religion, and came to Maryland with Lord Baltimore, being one of the colony which settled in that State. They were molested by the Indians, and they removed to Pennsylvania, where they were among the first permanent settlers. This illustrions ancestor of our subject assisted William Penn in surveying the boundary line for the State which bears his name.
The father of our subject was a physician, and for fifty-eight years he practiced his profession in Juniata Valley, Pa., living to the advanced age of eighty six years, longevity being a characteristic of
this family. Some of the ancestors attained the remarkable age of one hundred and five years, others ninety-five, and thus transmitted the vigor of advanced years to their descendants. Maj. Moore . was at one time a slave-holder, but becoming con- vinced of the curse of slavery, he liberated his own servants and became a very strong Whig. There is not a battle-field of the Union that is not stained by the blood of this illustrious family, unless it be that of the Seminole War. The father was an examining surgeon in the War of 1812, and in the late civil unpleasantness eight of his sons, including our subject, enlisted and served through- out the war, all returning home alive, an incident not duplicated in the history of the war. The mother of our subject died on the 14th of Septem- ber, 1864, in Fulton County, Pa., when she was sixty-three years old, and had been a loving and devoted mother to a family of twelve children. Her death was an irreparable loss, not only to her family, who deeply mourned the bereavement, but to a large circle of friends and acquaintances, who understood and appreciated her true worth and Christian character. Of her children we have the following record: Kinebar A. resides in Adams; Ellen died at the age of three years; Rebecca is now Mrs. J. B. Alexander; John C. makes his home in Harrisburg, Pa .; Dr. C. W. is in Sterling, Neb .; Julia is now Mrs. Gray, of Adams; Harriet, now Mrs. Kennedy, of Sterling; Maj. Joseph A., of Harrisburg, Pa .; James M., of Adams; Lieut. Ben- jamin Franklin (our subject) : William H., deceased, and Curran E., in Cropsey.
Our subjeet was born on the 30th of January, 1838, at Shirleysburg, Huntingdon Co., Pa., under the rafters of the old homestead. When he was three years of age his father sold the homestead in Huntingdon County, and went to Fulton County, where he built a woolen factory and sawmills on a large tract of land, thus the earliest scenes of our subject's recollection were in the latter county. He began to work when he was but a young lad of eleven years, lending his assistance in lum- bering and farming, and attended the subscrip- tion schools, although the educational advantages were not great. The first school which he at- tended was held in a log house that he had helped
IS A. FUNKHOUSER
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to build, and all the surroundings were of the most primitive fashion. His father was a strong Whig aud a personal friend of Henry Clay, thus our sub- ject was early imbued with ideas of - freedom and liberty, as were liis seven brothers, and as he grew to manhood his strength of character and intellect- ual faculties were developed from the association with the greatest minds of the age. He served a regular apprenticeship by which he learned the plasterer's trade, which he followed for some time. From his earliest recollections he has had a fond- ness for collecting and preserving relics and bric-a- brac, and has now quite a large collection of old and interesting articles, many of which savor of startling reminiscences of Colonial and Revolution- ary times.
Having the patriotism thus inborn and iunate in a manly breast, at the breaking out of the Rebell- ion our subject at once enlisted in Battery A. 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery, for three months' service, and participated in the engagements at Sir Jolm's Run and Bath. He then re-enlisted in the United States service for three years, or during the war, in the same battery, and fought at Cedar Mountain. Chancellorsville, South Mountain and Antietam, when he was transferred, in September, 1862, to Company K of the 6th United States Cavalry. He next served at Sulphur Springs, Fred- ericksburg, Stoneman's raid and Beverly Ford, where they met the enemy in a hand-to-hand en- gagement which was the largest and hardest fought cavalry fight in the war. In this engagement his horse was shot under him, the bullet passing through the unfortunate animal's body, and it fell dead to the ground, pinning underneath it our subject's left Jeg, in trying to extricate which he was severely and permanently injured. lle next fought at Mid- dleburg, then Upperville, and at Gettysburg he was one of Gen. Meade's special detached officers. He was in the center of the fight, and when the illus- trious Hancock was shot our subject was right be- side him. He was also at Brandy Station, and in May, 1864, the time of his enlistment having ex- pired, he re-enlisted as Second Lieutenant in Com- pany 4, 12th Maryland Infantry. for services of bravery and valor being afterward promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant. IIe was then appointed
aide on the staff of Gen. Lew Wallace, in the cam- paign at Monocacy, against Gen. Early.
Our subject was under fire in thirty-seven skir- mishes and battles, and he assisted at the unloading of the Andersonville prisoners at Annapolis, being retained six months longer in the special service of the United States, from which he obtained his final discharge after the close of the war. Ilis seven brothers also fought long and valiantly, and it seems almost due to the special protection of a kind Providence that while they were in some of the hottest engagements of the Rebellion they all came home alive. From a letter written by our subject after the battle of Cedar Mountain, and one written in reply by his loving mother, we take the following extracts :
"ARTILLERY CAMP. near CULPEPER "COURT HOUSE, Aug. 17, 1862.
"DEAR BROTHER AND HOME :- Again having leis- ure to write I thought it prudent to keep my pen moving and not forget home. We are again get- ting fixed up and settled after the fight. I know by this time what the reality of war is, and if I should never happen in another engagement I should be perfectly satisfied. But if I am called into other engagements I will try to do the best I can for the canse for which we are all battling. The old flag is more precious to me than ever it was before. Just to see the rebels carrying their motto before them and trying to put down the old National colors, I tell you it does stir up the so-called .Yankee' blood within me. You can see none of the Southern boldness at home in the North, here plenty of it can be seen; however, we boys under Gen. Pope make it hot for them when we get hold of them. Yesterday a number of us went out to the battle-field to get the body of the man that was killed on our gun. We buried him on Monday right on the battle-field, but having made a coffin for him we raised his body out of the first grave and gave him a burial in the Soldiers' Cemetery. It was a disagreeable and disheartening job, but we thought it was right to give him a proper burial. I was nearly all over the field and found where many a brave fellow struck the dust for the last time, both 'boys of the blue' and -boy's of the gray.' The graves are large and many, and mark the
GAGE COUNTY.
battle-field of Cedar Mountain. It is no job to find many trophies of the battle-field, but I felt I could not touch anything that belonged to the poor un- fortunate ones who fell. The dying groans and last struggles of the dying ones can never be de- picted by the pen ; it is a sight those present alone can behold, a sight which never can be expressed.
* Now write often to your affectionate brother. Direct as before. Do your best for the old folks, and I will try to partly compensate you for your trouble. I sent $5 to Ellen for a dress, and when I draw my next pay I will send you some more if you want it. Good-by.
"B. FRANK MOORE."
The following letter was written by the mother of our subject in reply to his of the 17th. above noted :
"NEW GRANADA, Angust, 1862.
"DEAR FRANK :- You do not know what comfort your letter gave ns; as long as you are able to hold a pen do not forget to write. *
* * My son, while you are rallying around the flag of the Union, do not forget to rally around the standard of King Jesus. You may soon be ushered into His presence; go in His fear. your cause is just. Pray that you may be saved and restored to us; we pray unceas- ingly for your preservation, and that you may be guarded from all evil. Act as if every moment were your last. Be careful of your diet; your crackers may be hard, yet they are wholesome. Avoid all evil companions; be subject to your superiors. Give our respects to your Captain. The Lord bless and take care of you is the prayer of your mother, HARRIET MOORE."
Who can say that it was not in answer to the prayers of this loving and devoted mother, who could send out her eight boys, not knowing that she should ever again look upon one of their faces, and yet so bravely encourage them to do their duty in behalf of their country ? Who can say that it was not because of her devotion and sacrifice that her sons were permitted to return to their home? Having served for four years, two months and three days, our subject was honorably discharged, and returned to his home in Fulton County, Pa., on the 18th of August, 1866. In the following year he started from Pittsburgh and came to Omaha, engaging at
his trade for a few months, and in the same year, on the 16th of October, he took up a homestead on which the Cropsey post-office, in Adams Township, is now located, where he was one of the first set- tlers. He started for St. Joseph, stopped at Brown- ville until December 24, and in company with two of his brothers came to his own homestead. His patent on the homestead was signed by Ulysses S. Grant, and was among the first homesteads issued. In the spring of 1868, after Lincoln was located, our subject worked in that city and through the summer at plastering. He had the contract for plastering the old capitol building, and with eight men did the work, completing it on December 8, with five men.
On the 13th of January. 1869, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Amazetta K. McCord, daughter of Mitchell K. and Amanda (Howell) McCord, the former of whom was born in Monon- gahela County, Pa., and the latter in Louisville, Ky. The father's parents died when he was very young, and he was for a time engaged in working on flat- boats on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, where he made the acquaintance of young Abraham Lincoln, who was engaged in the same work in his early struggles with the world. The father of Mrs. Moore went to Kentucky on a flatboat, and stopped for awhile at Louisville, where he went into busi- ness, and became a friend of Daniel Boone. While there he also made the acquaintance of Peter Cart- wright, and was himself widely known as a fron- tiersman. He was a stock-trader, but he would have no slaves, and in this respect he sympathized with his friends James Lane and John Brown. He went to Madison, Wis .. when there was but one traders' post there, about the year 1834, and kept the hotel known as the "American House" for some time. In 1856, in company with Harry Gil- mar, "the raider," he started on an expedition tour through the West, and in the course of their journey they came to the Big Nemaha, which was much swollen. In order to cross the stream Mr. Gilmar took Mr. McCord on his back and swam the stream near its mouth. There they formed the acquaint- ance of John Brown and James Lane, of Kansas. Mr. McCord purchased a section of land in Rich- ardson County and engaged in farming, and he
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