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 93
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immediately choosing the occupation of farming, he continued at that work in Illinois until 1850, when he sold and moved to Niagara County, N. Y. There he engaged in the same business for five years, and then selling his land he again turned his face toward the setting sun, and bought an exten- sive stock, dairy and wheat farm in Fayette County, Iowa.
This enterprise of our subject proved to be a very successful one, increasing the amount of real estate which he owned by the purchase of property in town. By the year 1865 he was amply able to begin in the mercantile business in Fayette, where he carried a stock of general merchandise. In this business he was financially snecessful, and in 1869 he took a railroad contract to build seventy-five miles of the Davenport & St. Paul (now called Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul) Railroad, begin- ning at Edgewood, in Clayton County, extending through Fayette and Winneshiek Counties to Cresco, Howard County. At the same time he was engaged in the mercantile business in Fayette and Straw- berry Point. The contract into which our subject had entered with the railroad company was finished in 1873, but about that time the company became insolvent, and our subject had to get a mechanic's lien on the railroad.
This Mr. Burch carried to the courts, first with the stockholders, and then with the bondholders, tak- ing the latter to the highest courts in the United States. This incident serves as an indication to the character and ability, as well as the financial means of our subject, being able to fight to the conquering end a large railroad corporation for his rights. This same principle through life has brought Mr. Burch to his present position of affluence, and won for him the esteem of the citizens of his town and the neighboring cities. His interest in the railroad was sold by our subject to the present owners. In 1874 he moved to Clay Center, Kan.
In the last-named place our subject engaged in farming and the mercantile business until 1877, when he moved to Creston, Iowa, and engaged in the grocery business. While in Creston he carried on an extensive real-estate business. In the year 1882 he came to Wymore when it was only six months old, and has since been established here, he
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and his son, with M. H. Southwick, having bought the Bank of Wymore, of which they are still the owners, and being interested in all of the improve- ments of the town. He has built several fine build- ings and one block of business houses, and he was also one of the building committee of the school- house and church just lately built.
Mr. Burch was united in marriage with Elizabeth Rafter in 1845. There were five children in this family, as follows: George F., Francis E., Hiram E .. John C. and Albert N. George F. was killed when he was four years old by being run over by a threshing-machine, and Francis died in Fayette at the age of nineteen years. Hiram E. married Miss Ada Bullock, of Fayette, and is now living in Montana, engaged in the hardware business; John C. was married to Miss Nell C: Tunison, of Fayette, and is the business partner of our subject; they have two children -- Ray and Benjamin. Albert N. is unmarried, and is at present located in California.
ON. JOSEPH R. BUFFINGTON, M. D. Among the disciples of Esculapius who in this century have graced the profession, few have been more successful than Dr. Buffing- ton, the popular physician of Liberty. He is a son of James and Eliza A. (Sleeth) Buffington, and was born on the 5th of January, 1840, six years pre- vious to the admission of Iowa as a State. His father was a native of Meigs County, Ohio, his mother of Jackson County, W. Va. The former was an Ohio River pilot for about five years, and after that removed to lowa, and became one of the most successful millwrights of the State, and erected quite a number of large mills in different parts thereof. In earlier days he had served an apprenticeship at cabinet-making, in Wheeling, W. Va., and found frequent occasion to use the knowledge thus ob- tained. From mill building he gradually drifted into and became extensively interested in the lum- ber trade. He is now deceased.
Our subject received his education in the more rudimentary branches in the common schools of his native State, and afterward supplemented this by a full course at Mt. Pleasant University, in Henry
County, Iowa, from which he was graduated in due course with honor. Shortly after this he began the study of medicine, being graduated in the year 1868, from the College of Physicians, at Keokuk. He began the practice of medicine in Liberty on the 3d of April, 1881, and has since that time enjoyed a very large and lucrative business.
Our subject's study of medicine was interrupted by the outbreak of the Civil War, and considerably delayed, but feeling that the welfare of the country was to be considered more than his as an individ- ual, he enlisted, May 16, 1862, in Company F, 25th Iowa Volunteers, and served for over three years. In that time he was in active conflict in sixty-four different engagements, and twenty-seven principal battles. Among these were Sherman's Landing, on Yazoo Bottom; Arkansas Post, Jackson, Black River, Grand Gulf, Atlanta (siege of forty-four days), Jackson (2d), Canton, Tuscumbia,' Ala .; Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Ringgold, Ga .; Lebanon, Ga .; Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain; Rome, Ga .; the battles of Atlanta, the march to the sea, Mill Creek, Goldsboro, and others.
The great step in the life of our subject, one that has perhaps influenced it more than any other, not excepting his choice of profession or enlist- ment, was that of his union in marriage with Cyn- thia A. Sargent. Their home was enriched by the birth of three children, who have received the names of Flora E., William Q. and George A. Nov. 22, 1881, Mr. B. became the husband of Josie E. Hickok, who is the daughter of Robert Mal- colin, of Moline, Ill. To them has been born one son, Fred R., Dec. 9, 1882.
By a very large majority Dr. Buffington was elected to the Legislature in 1884, and served for a period of two years. Although no measure of re- markable historic import was undertaken or passed in that term, sufficient opportunity was offered for him to manifest the many qualities possessed by which he is specially fitted for such work. He is a man of liberal thought, public spirit and quick in- telligence, and owing to these powers, his genial, affable disposition, his intimate knowledge and skill in his profession, combine to make him one of the prominent citizens of Liberty.
Socially, our subject is connected with the G. A.
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R. and also the Masonic fraternity, and in the latter has served for a period of six years in the Chair of the Worshipful Master. During that time the lodge over which he presided was noted because of its working efficiency and good discipline. The Doctor has also given much attention to the politi- cal questions of the day, and consistently supports and advocates the cause of the Republican party.
E BERHART ALBERT in the fall of 1874 set sail from his native Germany, and soon after reaching New York City made his way directly westward to this county. Here he has since remained. and is thus entitled to be numbered among its pioneer residents. He owns and occupies a fine farm of 240 acres on section 25, Clatonia Township, where he has erected good buildings, and in all ways distinguished himself as an enterprising and industrious citizen. He is known far and wide, and just as thoroughly esteemed as he is known.
Our subject was born in Germany, Oct. 23, 1847, and is the third son of David and Mary Albert. He received a good education in his native tongue, and was carefully trained in those habits of industry and economy which have been the secret of his success in life. Upon coming to this county he purchased eighty acres of land from the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Company, for which he paid $5 per acre. He met with success in his labors of tilling the soil, and invested his surplus capital in additional land, all of which he brought to a good state of cultivation. Six years before leaving his native country he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Elsha, and to them there have been born seven children, namely : Lena, the wife of William Brinkmeyer, of Clatonia Township; Charles, Louisa, Sophia, Ella, Emma and Henry, all at home with their parents. The land which Mr. Albert secured at that early day, it is hardly necessary to say, was in its primitive condition, and he began at first principles in the rearing of a homestead. He has now a goodly assortment of live stock, and the machinery nec- essary for his convenience and profit. Ile identified himself with the Republican party upon becoming a naturalized citizen, and is a member in good stand-
ing of the German Methodist Episcopal Church and Superintendent of the Sunday-school. In his dis- trict he has served as School Treasurer three years. As a typical representative of the sturdy, intelli- gent and fearless German pioneer, he takes a place in the front ranks. and has contributed in a marked degree to the development of Clatonia Township. He has watched its progress and prosperity with genuine interest, encouraging in a substantial man- ner those projects tending to the welfare of its people.
Mrs. Albert is in all respects the suitable com- panion of such a man as her husband, being ener- getic, intelligent and industrious, and to her is no small credit due for his success in life. She has stimulated him to his best efforts, and proved a most wise and affectionate mother to her children. In the respect and esteem of the community she stands equal to her husband, and there is no pleas- anter resort in this locality than the hospitable home of Mr. and Mrs. Albert.
Le M. SCHRODER is regarded by his neigh- bors as a man of sterling worth and exem- plary condnet, who may review his past life and feel gratified that it has been so well spent and so honorable. He was born in Prussia, near Bre- men, on the 1st of May, 1818, of which country his parents, Henry and Elizabeth, were also na- tives. His father was a shepherd, and the family circumstances were but lowly, so that our subject began to rely upon himself for his daily needs when only a boy of seven. He worked in the employ of neighboring farmers, and was able to receive but a limited education, because of the slender family resources. Ilis parents were devout members of the Lutheran Church:, and early instructed him in the truths of their religion, so that when he was four- teen years old he received his confirmation in the church.
Our subject had early made up his mind to come to America, but he did not allow his desires to in- terfere with the strict and careful performance of his labors, by his integrity and industry gaining .
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the confidence and good wishes of his employer, who became interested in his welfare. Finding that he wished to leave his native country to try his fortunes in a land which offered great induce- ments, his employer advanced sufficient money to pay his fare on the voyage, and on the 1st of An- gust, 1836, he boarded the "Paulina," which sailed from Bremerhaven, and was tossed about on the waves forty-two days. He landed at New York on the 11th of September, and having but fifty cents left after paying his fare, he at once engaged in work, choosing first to clerk in a mercantile house. His honesty and genial manner soon gained for him kind friends, who greatly relieved his social wants, and he remained in the mercantile house for two years, after which he started in business for him- self, but did not meet with good success.
Our subject next engaged as a drayman for a mahogany sawmill in Pittsburgh, Pa., where he re- mained for a long time, during which he was mar- ried to Miss Elvira Miller. Mrs. Schroder was born in New Jersey in 1823, and after her marriage with our subject they made their home in New York City until about the close of the war, when they removed to Bureau County, Ill. They rented a farm of 240 acres and prospered well, so that in 1871 they moved to Missouri and bought a farm. But there they met with financial reverses, and sickness overtook them, which wasted their means, and when they came to this State they had but $300 left of the snug little fortune which they had accumulated.
On arrival here our subject and wife took cighty acres of land on a school lease, and again the tide turned. They prospered well and have accumu- lated quite a competence, which enables them to surround themselves with comforts and luxuries. Our subject's son since purchased 160 acres on the Pawnee Reservation, and eighty acres on section 16, just north of his first claim. Mr. Schroder has done well, financially, and through his integrity and geniality has drawn around him a host of warm and lasting friends. He became naturalized as soon as the Constitution permitted, and has become one of the best citizens, seeking to advance the interests of his community socially, educationally and relig- iously. He and his wife are esteemed members of
the Presbyterian Church, of Beatrice, and he has helped to build the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Holmesville.
Mr. and Mrs. Schroder have become the parents of eight children, named George, Hester, Lemuel, Ella, Lottie, Freddie, Johnny and an infant, the three last named dying in infancy. George grew to manhood, and enlisted in the 61st Illinois Infantry, serving during the last year of the war.
While our subject is a member of the Republican party in politics, he strongly advocates the policy of the Prohibition party, and is in favor of tem- perance, or total abstinence from the use of intoxi- cating beverages. He has never regretted his com- ing to America, and the people of his community are proud to number him among their friends.
OHN N. STEELE. Lying on section 3, in Holt Township, is one of the model farms of this county, and one of its most attractive homes, the property of the subject of this sketch. It indicates in all its surroundings the ex- istence of cultivated tastes and ample means, and the residence of those whose lives have been good and useful, and who have exerted a refining and healthy influence upon those with whom they have been associated. The Steele family is one of the most widely and favorably known in this section, and the estate one of the most desirable in Gage County.
The subject of this sketch was born in South Salem, Ross Co., Ohio, Oct. 6, 1823, and acquired his education in the district school. In 1850 he married a lady who was born in Warren County, Ky., Oct. 29, 1828. The father of Mrs. Steele was a native of Virginia, and the mother of Blooming- burg, Fayette Co., Ohio. They migrated to Illi- nois in 1840, settling in Hennepin, Putnam County, where the father carried on general merchandising and also held the office of Sheriff a number of years. He was finally elected to the State Legislature, and for many years continued active in public affairs. The mother died when comparatively a young woman, in 1844, at the age of thirty-nine years. The housebold circle included seven children, namely :
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William, Fulton, Martha J., James, John, Mary and Artie.
Mrs. Steele was a young girl twelve years of age when her parents removed from Kentucky to Illi- nois. She for a time attended the common school and completed her studies in South Salem Acad- emy. She received careful home training. and re- mained with her parents until her marriage. Soon after their wedded life began Mr. and Mrs. Steele moved into a snug dwelling in South Salem, where Mr. S. engaged in the dry-goods trade until 1854, when he sold out, and removing to Illinois engaged in farming until after the outbreak of the Civil War. He watched the conflict until the year follow- ing, then laid aside his personal interests to proffer his services in support of the Union, enlisting in Company E, 4th Illinois Cavalry, for three years, or during the war. Such were the privations and hardships which he endured that his health began to fail, and at the end of two years he was obliged to accept his honorable discharge. The faithful wife and mother at home had in the meantime suffered the utmost anxiety, not only on account of her husband, but her four brothers who were fighting the battles of union and freedom. One brother was a Colonel and an officer held in high esteem on account of his bravery and fidelity to duty.
After his return from the army Mr. Steele resided in Ohio until the close of 1873. In January, 1874, resolving upon a change of location, he disposed of his property interests in the Buckeye State and came with his family to Nebraska. He purchased land in Holt Township, this county, and struggled through many difficulties and drawbacks in the development of his farin and the building up of a comfortable homestead. His labors were greatly prospered, as a glance at the handsome and com- fortable home of the Steeles at once indicates.
To our subject and his estimable wife there have been born seven children, namely: Artie, Alice, Annie, Harry, Wardlaw and Minnie (twins), and Pattie. The eldest daughter is the wife of Robert Henderson, a resident of this State, and they have five children; Alice married Charles Ilarnes, a car- penter by trade; she is the mother of twochildren- Ralph and Lyle. They are residents of Auburn, Nemaha County. Annie is the wife of John Mosler,
a mechanical engineer, and they reside in San Mateo County, Cal. ; they have one child, a daughter, Kit- tie. Harry is married, and is a prominent railroad man residing in Sacramento, Cal .; he has one child, a son, Eddie. Wardlaw is occupying a homestead claim in Kansas, and is unmarried; Minnie is the wife of George Jackson, of Ilolt Township, this county, and the mother of two children-Gertie and Edna; Pattie is at home with her parents.
The Steele property includes 160 acres of good land, with a comfortable frame house, a fine orchard, a goodly assortment of live stock, improved farm machinery, and the other appliances indicative of the progressive agriculturist. Both our subject and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the Congregational Church at Cortland. Mr. Steele, politically, is a stanch Republican. Mrs. S. is a lady of great refinement and intelligence, and became acquainted with her husband while they were attend- ing college. Their children form a bright and in- teresting group, who have been carefully educated and are well fitted for the honored stations which they will ever occupy in life.
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ON. ALBERT II. BABCOCK, ex-member of the Nebraska Legislature, one of the leading lawyers of Southeastern Nebraska, and a resi- dent of Beatrice, was born near the city of Bath, Steuben Co., N. Y., June 4, 1836. The family of his parents, John S. and Jane HI. (Flem- ing) Babcock, consisted of two sons and one dangh- ter, of whom Albert H. was the eldest, and all of whom are living. John S. Babcock is also a native of the Empire State, a blacksmith by trade, and with his excellent wife is still living, their home now being in Monroe County, Mich.
The subject of this sketch when an infant of six weeks was taken by his parents from his native State to Michigan, they settling among the pioneers of Monroe County. There he was reared to man- hood, pursuing his studies first at Dundee and later in the seminary at Ypsilanti, where he was prepared for college. He then entered the law department of the Michigan State University, at Ann Arbor, where he took a full course, and at the expiration
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of this time the outbreak of the Civil War furnished unlooked-for employment. Entering the service of his country, in Company H. 18th Michigan In- fantry, he was soon made First Lieutenant, and was subsequently promoted to Captain, his regi- ment being assigned to duty around the city of Covington, Ky., resisting the enemy under Gen. Kirby Smith. When the necessity for their pres- ence there had ceased the regiment received march- ing orders for Lexington, Ky., and at that point went into winter quarters. The following spring occurred the Morgan raid. and the regiment of Capt. Babcock was assigned to garrison duty for a time. Thence they proceeded to Nashville, Tenn., where our subject was on provost duty one year, and they were next assigned to Decatur, Ala., where they were attacked and repulsed by Hood's army in a siege of four days, the Union forces being under command of Gen. R. S. Granger. During the fight at Nashville Capt. Babcock was sent to hold Stevenson, Ala. Breckinridge was then at- tempting to ent off their supplies at Chattanooga, Leaving Nashville they were ordered to Huntsville, Ala., where Capt. B. was constituted Provost Mar- shal of the Northern District of Alabama, on the staff of Gen. Granger, and was thus occupied until the close of the war, being mustered out in July, 1865.
Our subject now returned to Ann Arbor, Mich., and in the State University completed his law course, being graduated in the class of '68. Soon afterward, coming to Nebraska, he located in Paw- nee City, where he commenced the practice of his profession. In the fall of 1873 he was elected a member of the Legislature from Pawnee County, serving the sessions of 1873-74. He continued his residence in Pawnee City until 1879, then re- moved to Beatrice, where he has since built up a good business, practicing in the District, State and Federal Courts.
Capt. Babcock was married, May 6, 1880, to Miss Jeanette DuBois, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride in Pawnee City. Mrs. B. was a resident of Atlanta, Ga .. and at the time of making acquaintance with our subject was visiting friends in Pawnee City. She was born in Madison, Fla., March 17, 1856, and is the daughter of Col. L.
W. and Lavina (Tarrant) DuBois. Of this union there have been horn a son and daughter-Laura E. and Eugene. Mr. B. is a member of Pawnee Lodge, A. F. & A. M., also of Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council. In politics he is a Republican.
ILAS L. MORRIS. In this sketch it will be endeavored succinctly to present to the reader some of the more salient features in the life of the present Supervisor of Grant Township, whose home is situated on section 24. where he owns and operates a farm of some eighty acres in extent, nearly the whole of which he has in a good state of cultivation, and which is provided with a fairly good set of the buildings needed in connection therewith.
Our subject has been a resident of Grant Town- ship for about thirteen years, and before making his home on section 24 resided on section 3, where he located in 1876. when the land was in its original wild and uncultivated condition. He made some improvements there, but finding a good purchaser sold it in order to transfer his interest to his present property.
Mr. Morris is a native of Ohio, and was born in Portage County, that State, on the 28th of January, 1829. He was a mere child when his father, John Morris, removed to Geanga County of the same State. The memory of his childhood, his school days and early manhood, is supplied from this source, for there he made his home until he came of age, acquiring somewhat thoroughly the branches of a practical English education, and then began at the lowest round of the ladder of farming, gradu- ally making his way to his present position.
In Munson, Geanga Co., Ohio, our subject was united in marriage with Annette Warner, who was a native of that place, and was born Dec. 13, 1837. Her father was a practical, well-read farmer, and her life was spent upon the farm, for she was brought up at home, and continued to reside with her par- ents until her marriage. This union has resulted in the birth of four children, viz: Charles L., now the husband of Alice Kinzie, and a farmer in Grant Township; Altha, the wife of Marion Gaston, and
Most Truly Yours Nathan Blakely
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residing near Beatrice; Sadie L., now Mrs. Henry Gill, whose home is. in Colorado, and Frank S .. married to Minna McClnre, of Indianapolis; they live in York County, this State, where this son has a lucrative practice as a physician and surgeon.
With the exception of about three years our sub- ject has been occupied as a farmer all his life. For about eight years prior to his settlement in Ne- braska he was a resident of Miller County, Mo. Mr. Morris has worthily filled the offices of Town- ship Treasurer and Justice of the Peace, in addition to that now held by him. He has been a stanch adherent of the Republican party for many years, and will doubtless so continne. His connection with the I. O. O. F. is at once lengthy and honor- able, and at present he is a member of Lodge No. 103, of De Witt, and has filled all the chairs, includ- ing that of the Noble Grand; he is also a member of the Grand Lodge of this State, and Deputy Grand Master of this district. He has been in all the relations of life a man worthy of the confidence and esteem of his fellows.
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