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 87
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acres of good land which formed a part of the Otoe Indian Reservation, which he has improved by enl- tivation and upon which he erected the usual farm buildings and residence.
While a resident of Ohio our subject had made the acquaintance of a lady of most amiable disposi- tion and attractive womanly character, and upon the 13th of January, 1866, consummated this ac- quaintance by making her his wife. The lady of his choice was Miss Nancy A. Criss, who was born in Washington County, Pa., on the 1st of January, 1845. They became the parents of six children, three of whom survive. Those deceased were named Esther I., Alice and Dallas; those still living are Effie and Etta, who are twins, and Mattie. Our subject was called upon to part from his most esti- mable and faithful partner in life on the 20th of December, 1873, and has since that time never fully recovered the brightness that was previously his.
The parents of Mr. Brooks, Mathew and Lydia (Reeves) Brooks, were born in Athens County, Ohio, and continued to make their home in that county until 1853, when the father of our subject was called to his long home on the 18th of Septem - ber. Not long after this his widow removed to Warren County, and made her home with our sub- ject until her death, which occurred on the 28th of July, 1875. Their family included ten children, five of either sex ; of these our subject was the sixth child. Mrs. Brooks is the daughter of William and Hester (Gilmore) Criss, natives of Pennsylvania. Their family comprised seven children, all of whom are dead with the exception of the eldest daughter. The husband died in Athens County, Ohio, in the year 1885, and Mrs. Criss in Harrisonville, Meigs County, about the year 1883.
Mr. Brooks is most devoted to all that pertains to the religious life, and is one of the most respected members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which communion, also, his wife was a lifelong member. At the age of sixteen years he was ap- pointed Class-Leader, and has never since been long out of office. For several years he has been one of the Stewards of the church, and has at some time or other filled every office connected with the church. In the engagements incidental to his con- nection with this communion, our subject finds his
RESIDENCE OF J. W. BREUNSBACH, SEC 36. LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.
COUNSELLOR ON TRACK
COUNSELLOR .
RECORD 224.
COUNSELLOR
RECORD.224/
BREEDING BARN OF JAMES G. LADD & SON. FAIRGROUNDS, BEATRICE, NEB.
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greatest interest and pleasure, and has always been most devout. His political sympathies are with the Republican party, although they have always been adjudged a secondary place in his consideration and interest. At the same time he is most loyal to his responsibility as a citizen of this great Republice.
AMES G. LADD. The farmers and stock- growers of Gage County find one of their most energetic representatives in the subject of this sketch. He is especially devoted to the breeding of fine trotting horses, in which lie takes great pride and in which he has been uni- formly successful. An excellent judge of horse- flesh, he exhibits with pardonable pride some of the finest specimens of that noble animal in Southern Nebraska,
Our subject was born at the farm of his father, near the city of Utica, Herkimer Co., N. Y., May 10, 1826, and there his boyhood days were passed. Olney Ladd, the fatlier, owned a wide extent of land where he raised horses and cattle, and thus James G. acquired the experience and knowledge which have been invaluable to him in his later years. The mother, Mrs. Jane M. (Powell) Ladd, was a native of Wales, and emigrated to America with her parents when a young girl of twelve years. Her father was a sea captain for many years. After coming to the United States he settled on a farm in Herkimer County, N. Y., where both he and his faithful partner spent the remainder of their days. Olney Ladd and his wife are both deceased.
The subject of this sketeli received the advan- tages of a common-school education, and remained with his parents until reaching his majority, Soon afterward he and an elder brother assumed the management of the home farm, and during their two years' operations together netted a handsome sum as the reward of their labors. James G. con- tinued farming and soon began dealing in horses and cattle, selecting the most profitable breeds, which he exhibited at the various county fairs in that locality, sometimes to the extent of fifty head, and which he was enabled to sell at high prices. His
business increased rapidly, and even at that early date he soon began shipping by the carload,
A career which had been uniformly prosperous was unfortunately checked by the action of our subject in signing notes for a friend to the extent of $18,000, which, as is usually the case in such transactions, he was called upon to pay. To meet this he was obliged to sacrifice a large amount of property, and his feelings at that time can be better imagined than described. Determined, however, not to give way to discouragement, he resumed business as soon as possible, but this time west of the Mississippi, having secured a small amount of money with which he came to Nebraska.
Upon coming to this State Mr. Ladd began purchasing swine, which he fed and sold to good advantage. IIe then took up a section of wild land, of which he retained possession five years, then dis- posed of it for the snug sum of $14,000. With this money he purchased 480 acres. 200 of which . was improved, and the balance he devoted to past- ure, placing upon it 100 head of cattle. These he sold for $5,500, and thus completed the payments on his land.
In March of 1886 Mr. Ladd visited Kentucky. and purchased the noted horse "Counselor," which has since made a record of 2:24, and in consider- ation of which he gave his note for $6,000. This horse, a picture of which is shown in the view of Mr. Ladd's farm, Mr. Ladd brought with him to Gage County, and he is now without doubt the most valuable animal of his kind in the State of Nebraska. He has already made over $10,000. He was on ex- hibition at the State Breeders' Association, which met at Lincoln in August, 1888, and last spring Mr. Ladd refused an offer of $20,000 for him. "Counselor" was bred from the most noted of Ken- tucky stock, by Robert P. Pepper, of Frankfort, that State.
Mr. Ladd in the spring of 1888 removed from his farm to the city of Beatrice, where he has a comfortable residence in its northeastern portion. Hle was married in the twenty-first year of his age to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Hiram Burton, late of Ilerkimer County. N. Y., and who was killed by the kick of a horse, The mother of Mrs. Ladd is also deceased. This union resulted in the birth of
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five children, namely : Olney B., William M .; James A., now the partner of his father; Flora J. and Lizzie.
Mr. Ladd is a very stirring and industrious man, his busy brain always devising some project for the benefit of himself or his neighbors. He is a favorite in the social and business circles of Beatrice, a man genial and companionable, and one who has given a decided impetus to the agricultural and stock- breeding interests of this section. Politically, be supports the Republican party.
OIIN W. BREUNSBACH. Not many years ago Illinois was considered the Far West, but many of her sons have gone still further in the direction of the setting sun, and proved themselves to be among the most enterpris- ing, prosperous and useful citizens of the new Ter- ritories. Among these might be mentioned the subject of this biography, whose farm is situated on section 36 of Liberty Township, and comprises eighty acres of fertile land, devoted largely to the raising of such hay and grain as are required for his stock, marketing only the surplus.
Our subject was born in LaSalle County, Ill., Oct. 30, 1856, and is the son of Frank D. and Chris- tinia Breunsbach, also natives of Germany, but now residents of Pawnee County, Neb., where they settled in 1869. John W. received no education to speak of, but was brought up on the farm and formed an intimate acquaintance with all the details of farm work. His settlement in this county dates from the year 1879.
In January, 1883, Mr. Breunsbach united his life interests with those of Miss Marion Cameron, who has presented her husband with three children .. These received the names William D., Franeis D. and Robert R. Mrs. Breunsbach is the daughter of Robert Cameron, of Brown County, Neb., and was born in New York City, June 29, 1859.
Our subject and his family receive the respect of the community because of the high character always sustained by them, and their uniform readiness to interest themselves in the enterprises which promise to be of value to the community. The homestead,
as will be seen by the view on another page, forins one of the pleasant retreats for which Liberty Township is noted, and which has been built up by the exercise of the most persevering industry, econ- omy and good management.
ATHANIEL E. MILLER, contractor and builder, occupies a good position among the
V artisans of the city of Beatrice, and enjoys an ample share of the patronage of the business men. He is a Pennsylvanian by birth, his early home having been in the vicinity of Sporting IIill, Lancaster County, where he was born June 30, 1849. To his parents, George R. and Catherine (Eicholtz) Miller, there were born seven sons and two daughters, of whom our subject was the fifth child. Of these eight are still living, all married and with families of their own.
The parents of our subject were likewise natives of the Keystone State, where the father is still liv- ing. He was born in 1816. During his earlier years he was engaged in the butcher business, and made a good living for his family. The mother, who was born in 1813, died at the old homestead April 18, 1881. The family was one of the most highly respected in that region, possessing those high moral principles by which their own lives were uniformly guided, and which led them to rear their children in such a manner as to make of them useful and worthy members of society.
Nathaniel E. Miller remained on the old home- stead until sixteen years of age, acquiring but a limited education, attending sehool about two months each year. He then began an apprentiee- ship at the carpenter trade, of which be obtained a thorough knowledge in two years, and was then employed as a journeyman five years. At the ex- piration of this time he established in business on his own account as a contractor and builder, still continuing in his native county. In 1870 he migrated to Wayne County, Ohio, spending one year in the Buckeye State, and then took up his line of march toward Illinois. Locating in Decatur, he spent one summer there, then changed his residence to Sterling, where he met his future wife. Their
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wedding was celebrated Nov. 7, 1872. This lady, formerly Miss Fanny M. Penrod, was born Jan. 1, 1852, in Wayne County, Ohio, and is the daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Fouch) Penrod, who were both natives of Pennsylvania.
After his marriage our subject returned with his young wife to Ohio, sojourning for a time with his father, who was carrying on a store of general merchandise in Wayne County. N. E. continued a resident of the Buckeye State until 1880, then making his way westward across the Mississippi to Nebraska, took up his residence in Beatrice, and at once established himself as a builder and contractor, being successful from the start. A large propor- tion of the prominent business houses in the city were erected under his supervision, as well as many of its fine residences. Being a thorough and skilled workman himself, he consequently has the judg- ment and discretion to give employment to none but the same class of men.
To Mr. and Mrs. Miller there have been born two children only, a son and a daughter-Amanda L. and Arthur Laverne. Their pleasant and comforta- ble home is situated on the corner of Eleventh and Ella streets. Besides his town property Mr. Miller has a good farin of eighty acres in Midland Town- ship, and has three dwellings aside from the one he occupies, the rents of which assist in swelling his comfortable income. Politically, he is a stanch Republican, and while a resident of Paddock Town- ship was Moderator in his school district. Con- sidering the fact that he commenced in life without other resources than his own industry and resolu- tion, he has ample reason to be satisfied with the re- sults of his labors. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
W ILLIAM BEER Among the prosperous and well-to-do farmers of Barneston Town- ship is the gentleman whose life is herein sketched, who resides upon his farm, which is sit- uated on section 29. He was born in Allegheny County, Pa .. on the 26th of June, 1819, and is the son of William and Margaret Beer, natives of Pennsylvania, the former born in Beaver County.
They were married in that State, and became the parents of twelve children. The father is now deceased. The educational facilities were such that our subject could not do more than receive a rudi- mentary education, there being none but subscrip- tion schools, and these not of the best, besides which the terms were quite brief and it was easier to forget between the terms than to learn while they were in progress.
With the exception of perhaps about three years, farming has been the occupation of our subject since his youth. He removed to Fulton County, Ill., in 1836, and settled in Young Hickory Town- ship. In 1852 he started overland for California, driving an ox-team the entire distance. In cross- ing the forty-mile desert they took a supply of water and grass for the oxen, giving them one feed and one drink about midway. Their pathway was strewn to the right and left with the bodies of dead horses, mules and cattle, and although many of thein had lain there for three or four years they had not decayed, only dried hard.
Upon arriving in California our subject contin- ued mining gold for about three years, and then returned in 1855 and settled in Peoria County, Ill., where for twenty years he made his home and engaged in farming. At the end of that period. i. e, in 1875, he removed to Page County, Iowa, and in 1881 he came to this county and settled upon his present property. He is the owner of 200 acres of splendid agricultural land on section 29. which he operates as a grain and stock farm. His long experience has made him fully acquainted with all the minutia of such work, and his success. other things being equal, is quite good. He has been enabled year by year, slowly but surely, to accu- mulate a competence that will remove all fears from the future, wherein lahor will be an impossi- bility.
On the 23d of July, 1844, our subject was united in marriage with Adeline Belshee. This lady was born in Ohio, March 22, 1828, to Joseph and Hannah Belshee, the former of whom is deceased. Of the above union there have been born to our subject twelve children, eight of whom are still living. The names these have received are here subjoined, viz: John T., Angeline, William C.,
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Louisa, George M., Ella, Nellie and Paul. The five oldest of them are married, and have homes of their own not far from the old homestead.
Our subject has seen many ups and downs in life, and it has often seemed as though the difficulties presented were insurmountable, but courage and hard labor have presently devised a way and effected a method that left him the victor. He is connected with the membership of the United Brethren Church, and is considered by all worthy of entire confidence and respect. His life is an illustration of what may be done by those who will courageously utilize the powers they possess, and the opportunities that come within their reach, which are so many rounds in the ladder of success.
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ACOB UPLINGER bears the distinction of being one of the oldest settlers of Highland Township, to which he came in the fall of the year 1871. His early home was in Lu- zerne County, Pa., where his birth took place Feb. 17, 1845. His parents, John and Elizabeth (Wood) Uplinger, are still living, and residents of DeKalb County, Ill. This branch of the Uplinger family is traced back through eight generations, and believed to have been of German origin. The mother of our subject traced her forefathers back to England. Jacob was one of a family of thirteen children, all of whom lived to mature years, and with one ex- eeption still survive. Mary, the eldest danghter, is the wife of Samuel Krisinger, of Minnesota; Susan married Stephen Santee, of that State; Sarah is the wife of H. H. Silver, of Highland Township, this county ; Almina died at the age of twenty-five years; Amelia is the wife of P. Worthley, of Mar -. tin County, Minn. ; Maggie, Mrs. Ida Vanderburg, lives in DeKalb County, Ill., of which Elizabeth, Amanda, Martha, Charles, John and Benjamin are also residents.
The subject of our sketch was reared to man's es- tate in his native county amid the quiet surroundings of farm life, and acquired his education in the com- mon schools. When in the seventeenth year of his age he left home to learn the trade of harness-
maker, being thus occupied eighteen months at Ber- wick, Pa. He subsequently returned to the farm, worked for his father a year, then engaged in lum- bering on the west branch of the Susquehanna, in Center County. Eighteen months later he started with a team for Oil City, and continned traveling until reaching Sterling, Ill. There he disposed of his team, then proceeded across the Mississippi to Dubuque, Iowa. After a brief sojourn in the Hawkeye State he returned to the old homestead in Pennsylvania, and a few months later established himself as a butcher at the Lehigh mines in Luzerne County. This business he conducted about two years, and then moved to Illinois.
The marriage of Jacob Uplinger and Miss Sarah Woodring was celebrated at the home of the bride in Luzerne County, Pa., June 25, 1866. Mrs. Up- linger was born Dec. 2, 1844, in Luzerne County, Pa .. and of her union with our subject there have been born six children, namely: Charles was born April 3, 1868; Frank, Aug. 31, 1871 ; Edward, Nov. 9, 1873; William, Oct. 26, 1875; Rosa, Dee. 19, 1877, and Alfred. The latter died when six months old. Mr. and Mrs. U. after their marriage and the birth of one child, came in 1870 to Nemaha County, this State, wlience the year following they removed to their present homestead. The land upon which they settled bore little resemblance then to its pres- ent condition, being a wild and uncultivated tract with no improvements. Mr. Uplinger secured a homestead claim of eighty acres, and put up a very simple habitation, which they occupied until able to do better. They now possess a fine farm, 240 acres in extent, with admirable improvements and 'situated amid all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. Aside from having no capital Mr. Uplinger was obliged to run in debt at the com- mencement, but it was soon found that he was a man industrious and persevering, and one whose word was as good as his bond. His property is now without incumbrance, and he is in possession of one of the finest homes in this region, a view of which the publishers take pleasure in presenting elsewhere in this volume. The farm stock and machinery are of first-class quality and condition, and everything about the premises indicates the thrift and intelligence which have traveled hand in
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hand, and which have brought about such admira- ble results. Among the early pioneers of Highland Township none are more esteemed and honored, and none more deserving, than Jacob Uplinger.
R EV. JEDIDIAH R. HOAG. One of the earliest pioneers, in relation to both its ma- terial and religious condition and growth, is the gentleman whose biography is herein briefly epitomized. Lyman Hoag, the father of our subject, was born on Long Island, N. Y., in the year 1780, and received such education as was ob- tainable in the common schools of that time, after which he learned the trade of wheelwright, and throughout the greater part of his life followed the calling of a builder and contractor. When quite a young man he removed to Rensselaer County, and continned to make his home there for the greater part of his life, making one more removal quite late in life, and that to Lockport, Niagara County, where he purchased a farm and operated the same for about twenty years, and died at the age of seventy-eight years, in the month of September, 1858. Ilis wife, the mother of our subject, was Mary Robinson, who was born in Rensselaer County, N. Y., in the year 1775, and was the daughter of Jedidiah Robinson, a farmer in that county. This lady was married when twenty years of age, and lived until the year 1860. She became the mother of eleven children, of whom nine grew to mature years. Their religious connection was with the Society of Friends. William Hoag, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Quaker Hill, Dutch- ess Co., N. Y., and was very prominent among the Friends.
Our subject was born in Rensselaer County on the 26th of August, 1822. His education was received in the common schools of that place, until at the age of twelve years he removed with his parents to Orangeport, Niagara County, then considered the Far West. At twenty years of age he entered the Theological Seminary, of Meadville, Pa., and after taking the full course, was graduated, and entered tlie ministry, and followed it regularly for thirty-seven years, until his settlement in Wymore, in 1881. In
the discharge of his clerical duties he has held vari- ous charges in New York State, Canada, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana and Nebraska, coming to the latter State in 1880, and locating at Blue Springs. and the following year when Wymore was platted came to this city, and was identified with its founding. Ile was the owner of a homestead which was laid out in town lots. This circumstance associated him with prominent men engaged in the distribution and sale of real estate, and led to his connection, with the business. Since that time he has disposed of more than 530 lots in the city.
Our subjeet was a member of the first School Board, and before a school district was organized he, with his colleagues, ran a public school on their own credit, thus proving their faith in the future town by their works; our subject has always been enthusiastic in educational matters, and whatso- ever looks toward the advancement of the young people. Upon the 3d of September, 1848, Mr. Hoag was united in marriage with Electa E. Free- man, at Orangeport, and to them have been born eight children, five of whom are still living-Mary, Freeman, Eva, Clara and Olive. Mrs. E. E. Hoag is the daughter of William and Mary Freeman, na- tives of New York. Their daughter was born April 15, 1827.
Since Jan. 1, 1886, our subject has retired from active labor and business, and has now reached the advanced age of sixty-six years. He and his family enjoy the fullest confidence and respect of the com- munity at large, and are held in highest esteem.
NDREW KERR. The name of this gentle- man is prominently known throughout Sherman Township and vicinity as one of its enterprising and successful farmers, and a leader in those projects tending to the moral and financial advancement of this community. He has built up one of the finest farms in this part of Gage County, and is one of the self-made men who have been instrumental in bringing it to its present envi- able condition.
A native of the Dominion of Canada, our sub- ject was born near the city of Kingston, Oct. 8,
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1839. When about fourteen years of age he re- moved with his parents to Connecticut, they set- tling on a farm, where they remained about six years. Then, resolving to seck a home in the West, they emigrated to Ford Connty, Ill. From there six years later Andrew moved to Monroe County, lowa, taking up his residence in Albia, the county seat, where he lived three years. He saved what he could of his earnings, and his first invest- ment was in eighty acres of land in Ford County, Ill., upon which he brought about some improve- ments, then sold.
In the spring of 1869 Mr. Kerr came to Ne- braska, at a time when this county was practically unsettled. Young Kerr was without capital, having only his willing hands and stout heart, and secured employment in breaking prairie by the acre. He first rented land a year, then purchased eighty acres in Sherman Township, which he improved, and in due time added to it 120 acres adjoining. He was prospered in his labors, and his next purchase was 320 acres adjoining his previous purchases, so that he became the owner of 520 acres in one body. Also he began dealing largely in live stock, buying, feeding and shipping to the Chicago market, in- creasing his operations each year until they included 300 or 400 hogs and 100 cattle annually. This industry he still pursues to quite an extent, although not so largely as in years past. Ile also controls a section of land adjoining his farm. which is devoted to his stock interests.
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