Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 100

Author:
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman brothers
Number of Pages: 812

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The parents of our subject had a family of two sons and six daughters, of whom Amos was the eldest. lle was born in Milton, Mahoning Co., Ohio, March 17, 1810, received a good practical education in the common schools, and became familiar with farm

pursnits. He lived at home with his parents until twenty-four years old, in the meantime removing with them to Bureau County, Ill., and from there, in 1880, made his way to this county and rented a tract of land on section 34 in Grant Precinet, a part of which he subsequently became owner of. While in Illinois he formed the acquaintance of Miss Mar- garet Sisler, and they were married in Princeton, Aug. 25, 1864.

The wife of our subject is the daughter of George and Nancy (Perkius) Sisler, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter born near Saratoga Springs, N. Y. After marriage they settled in Bu- rean County, Ill., among its earliest pioneers, and there the mother died in 1853. The father is still living in Bureau County, residing near Princeton. Their family consisted of four daughters and one son, and Margaret was the second child. She was born near Princeton, June 11, 1845, and continued a member of the parental household until ber mar- riage, acquiring a fair education in the common schools, and becoming familiar with all useful do- mestie employments. After the model mother of Seripture, she looks well to the ways of her house- bold and the comfort of her family, and thus fills the admirable position of a faithful and praisewor- thy wife and mother.

To Mr. and Mrs. Greenamyre there have been born twelve children, one of whom, Mary, died when three months old, in August, 1869. The eleven surviving are George W., Maggie, Myrtle, Howard, Daisy, Lilly, Solomon, Kittie, Rose, Susie and Harold. The eldest of these is twenty-three years of age and the youngest one. On the twen- tieth anniversary of their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Greenamyre received at their beantiful home num- bers of their friends and relatives, and the occasion was made one of general rejoicing, during which they received many substantial testimonials of the estimation in which they are held by the community.

The extensive business and farming interests of our subject prevent him from mixing very much in political affairs, but he keeps himself posted upon matters of general interest and is a strong sup- porter of Republican principles. Both he and his estimable wife are regular attendants of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. and take much interest in

BIRD

RESIDENCE AND FARM OF J. J . STEIN, SEC. 21. SALTILLO PRECINCT.

"SOUTH SIDE " FRUIT AND STOCK FARM. PROPERTY OF AMOS GREENAMYRE , SEC. 34. GRANT PRECINCT.

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educational matters. Their children are being well reared and given the advantages suitable to their position as the offspring of one of the first families of Lancaster County. No man has been better pleased than Mr. G. in noting the progress and de- velopment of this section of the State. IIe has held the office of Precinet Assessor, and officiated several years as a member of the School Board in his dis- triet.

OIIN J. STEIN. In far-off Egypt, in Heliop- olis, the "City of the Sun," stands the mag. nificent temple which was thousands of years ago consecrated to that luminary, and re- puted the home of the fabulous Phoenix. This noble bird, the only one of its kind, with its shining and beautiful crest, its feathers of purple and gold, its eyes sparkling like stars, after living for several hun- dred years, finds its end approaching, and building a nest of aromatie woods and spices, places itself therein to die. From its remains a new Phoenix is formed, which not only partakes of the characteris- ties of the one preceding it, but, if possible, ex- ceeds it in beauty and grandeur.

Not alone to amuse children, and while away the idle moments, do men give ear and repeat this pleas- ing tale, but because, when rightly unfolded, it evolves a principle which forms the basis of many of the grandest achievements of the hand of man. From the ashes of its parent springs the new won- dler, and often from the ashes of a lost hope springs a new and determined purpose, which, put into exe- cution, far exceeds any that has heretofore been conceived. The man who will listlessly sit down and repine because of a misfortune, instead of be- ginning with renewed vigor to build a more excel- lent structure than the first, will know nothing of the pride and gratification of him who conquers fate and molds circumstances to his will.

As an illustration of what may be accomplished by manfully battling against reverses, winning his way bit by bit until he reaches the goal of success at which he aims, and at the same time fulfilling the duties of the position in which he is placed, we give this sketch of Mr. Stein, a very prosperous farmer of Saltillo Precinct, residing on section 21. IIe is

a son of John and Catherine (Diehl) Stein, who both have their nativity in Ilesse-Darmstadt, Ger- many. The father was a cutler, a manufacturer of edged tools, and he came to America with his wife and two children in the year 1810, when our sub- ject waseight years old. Bidding farewell to friends and the home that had sheltered them, they left their Fatherland in August, and after a journey of seven weeks on board the sailing-vessel "Neptune," they arrived at Baltimore. So impressed was our subjeet with the incidents which occurred during this long journey, that he remembers them all quite distinctly, though at the time but a child, and they present a vivid mental picture when the journey is recalled.

The father of our subject, with his family, went to Somerset County, Pa., where he engaged for thirteen years in farming. Thence he went to Alle- ghany County, Md., in 1853, where he farmed in company with our subject, who had taken charge of the homestead, continuing there until the year 1870. Together they removed to Illinois, and in 1879 they once more removed to Nebraska, settling in Saltillo Precinet, Lancaster County. John J. Stein rented a house and began operations on his own land, which he had purchased in 1878.

The gentleman in whose honor this sketch is writ- ten was born on the 9th of May, 1834, in the town of Oberahmen, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. 1Ie began attending school at the age of six years, and coming to America shortly afterward he continued the pursuit of his education, distinguishing himself as a student of more than ordinary brilliancy, in Pennsylvania, and although a foreigner, he soon mastered the English language, and gained the title of "Banner Scholar." By devoting himself assidu- ously to his studies, he succeeded in obtaining a good education, being twenty-one years old when his parents moved to Maryland. He had taught school in Pennsylvania at the age of nineteen, and the winter following his removal from that State, he was engaged in drawing and sawing lumber in the pineries, after which he again resumed the occupa- tion of teaching, which he continued successfully for four consecutive winters.

Mr. Stein was married, in December of 1854, to Miss Matilda Royer, a daughter of John and Eliza

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(Schultz) Royer, living on a farm in Maryland, the father having been born in Germany, and the mother in Pennsylvania. The birthplace of Mrs. Stein was near Grantsville, Alleghany Co., Md., and the date thereof the 27th of November, 1837. For twelve years our subject and his wife prospered in business, surrounding themselves with the comforts of a luxurious home, having about them a family of six children. Then came that ruthless destroyer, fire, and with scorching tongues madly devoured their entire possessions, not ceasing until there re- mained nothing but the glowing embers to mark the spot where had been the happy home. House, barn, granary, hay barns, horses, cattle, hogs, all the accumulated wealth of the preceding years, swept away in one short hour, completely ruining our sub- ject financially, as he had carried no insurance on his property.

Then it was the strength of Mr. Stein's character was so forcibly and strikingly manifested. Instead of resigning himself to the misfortune which fate had thrust upon him, and losing all hope, actuated by a noble motive in behalf of his family, he suffered not his ambition to diminish, but summoning up a new energy, he at once began the arrangements for build- ing a new home and repairing his lost fortune. Such indomitable perseverance and will are worthy of the highest encomium. Always keeping hard at work, caring for his family with a father's devotion, he toiled steadily upward toward the goal he had in view, when some friends of his, who had moved to Illinois, hearing of his misfortunes, wrote to him with the request that he should come out and join them. Influenced by their request, he went out West and settled in Shipman. Macoupin Co., Ill., where he rented a farm, on which he labored for six years, being only partially successful.

Then our subjeet was induced to try his fortunes in the "Garden Spot" of the West, the State of Ne- braska. Ile purchased 160 acres of land of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Company, paying one-fifth of the cost in cash, the remainder to be paid in five years, and having left but $34.15 after making his first payment. Ile at once set about to improve and cultivate his land, breaking one-half of it the first year, from the proceeds of which he received ten per cent premium. All the

land is now free from incumbrance, and the owner has erected on it a good one and a half story frame house and cattle barns. There is also a splendid young orchard containing 200 apple trees, sixty cherry, and about the same number of plum trees, etc. There is also a windmill and wind-pump on the place, and a creamery with a capacity of sixty pounds per week. The illustration on an adjoin- ing page affords a very clear representation of the commodious residence, farm buildings, etc., besides giving a birds-eye view of the property generally, which, we believe, cannot fail to be appreciated by the reader.

Mr. and Mrs. Stein have six children. their names as follows: Kate, Marshall, Albert, John, Emma and Nettie. The daughter Kate was married to Morris Kates, who had two children, Charles and Walter. George Marshall Marsh Stein, second child of our subject, resides on section 29 in Saltillo Pre- cinct, and is the owner of 160 acres of land on sec- tions 28 and 29. Ile was first married to Miss Emma Trabue, from Illinois, and has one danghter by that marriage, named Alphoretta. When this child was six weeks old her mother died, leaving a request that Alphoretta should be left to the care of her grandfather, our subject. Marshall then married Miss Emma Ruth Kohlman, in 1887, by whom he has one daughter, Winnifred. Albert Stein married in 1888 Miss Vesta Alexander, of Saltillo, and resides on section 16. John and Emma are at home, and Nettie was married to Henry E. Grimm, residing at Council Bluffs, for- merly Principal of the Roca village school. At pres- ent he is the Iowa correspondent for the Omaha World. They have one child, Edith Annetta.

Our subject is very much occupied with farm work, for besides his own 160 acres, he rents thirty acres on section 20, but with all this to engage his attention, he still finds time to take an active part in society, being much concerned in the welfare of the community, politically, educationally and re- ligiously. Ile and his wife are active members of the Lutheran Church, at Roca, which church our subject played an important part in establishing. He was one of the building committee, and spent three months' time in superintending its erection, besides donating the sum of $250. He was instru-

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mental in obtaining the location of the church at Roca, the first serviees having been held in a hall over a blacksmith-shop, the Rev. M. S. Melick offici- ating by request of our subject and a few other early settlers. Mr. Stein is at present the Superin- tendent of a Sunday-school of fifty pupils, and is one of the Church Trustees.

Besides his interest in religious works our subject ranks high in political standing, belonging to the Democratic party, and having been the Judge of Elections in Saltillo Preeinet ever sinee his ar- rival in Nebraska. Having successfully combated misfortune, and raised himself to a position of in- fluenee among his fellowmen by his own energy and unfailing courage, he is entitled by right to the universal esteem in which he is held.

E LGIN E. MOTT, of Middle Creek Precinct, is a descendant of an okl and representative family of the Empire State. IIe was born in Oxford County, in the Province of Ontario, Canada, on the 30th of June, 1849. Ilis father, Aden Mott, was born in the same place, and Moses Mott, the father of Aden, was a native of Dutchess County, N. Y., while his father, Scars Mott, the great-grandfather of our subject, was also a native of the Empire State, from which he removed in 1811 with his wife and six children to the Dominion.

The journey of Scars Mott on his way to Canada was made throughout the entire distance by means of a wagon and teams, which provided them with a means of locomotion by day, and served the pur- pose of hotel and chamber at night. They took with them one of their eows, and it was noted that while en route the cream that had been preserved, was, by the motion of the wagon as it rolled and jolted on its way, fully churned into the usual oleo- ginous compound. Upon arrival in Oxford County he found the common wild animals, and game of every variety in almost limitless profusion. He proceeded at once to enter a tract of timber land, and from it to hew for himself a farm and establish a homestead. He was a veritable pioneer, and his farm was 100 miles from Little York, the nearest market, where all business must needs be transacted.

Journeying to and from this point was possible only by teams, and a week was consumed in every round trip made. Upon this property he continued to reside until his death.

The maiden name of Mrs. Sears Mott was Mariam Tompkins. This brave lady, who so nobly shared the pioneer life of her husband in the above- mentioned locality, was a native of New York. The son, Moses Mott, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was twelve years of age when his parents re- moved to Oxford County. Ile remained upon the farm with them, and as he grew in years, strength and experience, entered with zest into all the varied engagements of their daily life. Upon the death of his father he inherited the property, and so attached was he to the ohl home that he continued to reside there until his death, which occurred on the 21st of December, 1885, when he was seventy-two years of age. Elizabeth Emigh, who was a native of New York State, became his wife, and presented him with a son, to whom was given the name of Aden.

The father of our subjeet, Aden Mott, was reared in his native county. In its schools he received his education, and became fully conversant with all the various details and minutia of farm work. At twenty-one years of age he commenced to teach school, and continued so to do for a period of about seven years. In the year 1849 he was united in wedlock with Paulina Lossing, a native of Oxford County, who was born upon the 5th of April, 1830. The young couple settled upon a farm given them by Mr. Mott, father of the groom, and there they continued to make their home. The fate of Aden Mott is shrowded in mystery; about the year 1861 he came to the States and went South; it is supposed he enlisted, and met with the fate of war, but he has never been heard from, nor could any news regard- ing him be obtained.

The father of Mrs. Aden Mott, Mr. Edmund Lossing, was a native of Dutchess County, N. Y., and was the son of Peter Lossing, who was born in the same county and State, while the father of this gentleman, John Lossing, who stands in the relation of great-great-grandfather to our subjeet, was born in Ilolland, Europe. He came to America, and settled in Dutehess County, N. Y., where the family remained until the emigration of Peter Lossing to

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Canada in the year 1810; there he took a tract of Government land, made his clearing, built a log cabin, and went on with his agricultural pursuits, continuing till his death. Ile was a thoroughly well- educated man, and was frequently called upon by his neighbors in council upon knotty points, re- ligious, socially and legally ; papers such as con- tracts, deeds and wills, were usually drawn up by him on their behalf. He was a member of the Society of Friends, and a preacher of acknowledged power in that church, and enjoyed the respect and affection of all his neighbors.

The grandfather of our subject, Edmund Loss- ing, was sixteen years of age when his parents moved to Oxford County. He settled upon a piece of timber land, and followed the usual course of clearing a farm, making it his home till his death. Like his parents he was a member of the Quaker community, and one of its most devout members. Hle was married to Sarah English, a na- tive of Ireland, and daughter of Thomas and Abigail (Watts) English. This lady died on the home- stead in 1837. The mother of our subject knew no home but her parents' residence until her mar- riage. At present she lives with 'our subject in Middle Creek Precinct; she has been a lifelong member of the Society of Friends.

Our subject early gave evidence of the large mental and moral power he possessed, which in the Christian atmosphere of his home and the discipline and study of the public school were carefully developed in him. In 1872 he opened a cheese fac- tory, and in this business continued very success- fully for about eight seasons. He then embarked in the manufacture of crackers, starting a factory, which he operated for one year, and at the end of that period entered into the general mercantile business in Norwich. He came to Lancaster County in 1880, and purchased 330 acres of land in Middle Creek Precinct. In 1883 be settled on his present property, to which he has since devoted his time and attention.

Mr. Elgin Mott has been twice married, first in 1871 while living in Canada, when he was united with Maria Harris, daughter of Alvin and Margaret Harris, all natives of the Dominion. This lady died in March, 1878, leaving a daughter Jessie. The

second alliance was entered into in January, 1884, the lady of his choice being Jane Murdy, who was born in Welland County, Ontario. This union has been blessed by the birth of one child, to whom has been given the name of Florence.

For many years Mr. and Mrs. Mott have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which communion their conscientious living has gained for them a large circle of friends. Until re- cently our subject has been a devoted admirer of the principles of the Republican party, and has always been active and outspoken in its support. Feeling the weight, however, of the arguments of the Prohibition party, and realizing the innumerable evils caused by the use of intoxicants, he has with- drawn from the former, and is now actively en- gaged with the Prohibitionists.

HOMAS JENKINS. The Buckeye State has produced many remarkable men who have helped to make the history of their country, and in some instances possibly change the course of the "stream of time," in regard to some points of local, and even National history. Among these will doubtless come to mind the name of Chief Jus- tice Waite, in the judiciary world, Hancock, of military fame, and the beloved James A. Garfield, the dutiful son, earnest scholar, enthusiastic teacher, eloquent preacher, intrepid soldier, able lawyer and martyred President.

It were an honor, indeed, to any man to be born in a State where such men have been reared. The subject of this biography is a native of Ohio, and has done his part to the retaining of an honorable name for his State by his life, character and success. Thomas Jenkins, whose life is here sketched, was born in Miami County, Ohio, Oct. 14, 1829, and is one of the very early settlers of West Oak Precinct, where he owns upon section 21 a beautiful and well-cultivated farm. comprising 160 acres. Our subject is the son of Eli Jenkins, likewise a native of Ohio, where he was born in 1785. The usual institution provided the material for his early in- struction, and after he had finished school he was sent to learn the trade of millwright, which, with

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milling, became his principal occupation. Among the work done by him that may be noted is the mill at Vermilion River, TH., which was the first mill in that district; another one built by him is that situ- ated between Danville and Eugene. The last mill that he owned and operated, also the work of his own hand, is that between Georgetown, Ill., and Perrysville, Ind., which continued to be his home until his death, at the age of fifty-six, in the year 1841. Hle was married to Ruth Mendenhall, and their happiness was greatly enhanced by ten chil- dren, all of whom it was their privilege to see grow up to years of man and womanhood, and of whom three are still living. The wife, mother of our sub- ject, died in the year 1859, at the home of our subject.

Thomas Jenkins, the subject of this writing, while still an infant in his mother's arms, accompanied his parents upon their removal to Vermilion County, Ill., where they were among the first settlers. Their method of locomotion was somewhat primitive, but at that time quite usual. All their goods were put into two wagons, which the team pulled as best they were able over road and prairie, now smooth and now rough, and thus the journey proceeded, and with its difficulties and dangers, sunshine and shower, brightness and shadow, somewhat suggest- ive of the longer journey, in which we are all par- ticipants, across the level prairie of time, toward that undiscovered country, the other side the River, where, as Dante suggests, there waits a boatman to carry ns o'er.

In education our subject was somewhat more fortunate than many of his contemporaries, for he received a practical and somewhat liberal academic education at Georgetown, after be had completed the curriculum in the little log school-house, with its large open fireplace, oiled paper window, slab seats and mud floor. Schooling finished, our sub- ject took up the profession of teaching, and from his recent experience was abundantly capable of teaching the young ideas the true method of vege- tating. From this he turned his attention to the trade of wagon-maker, in company with his brother, and continued at the same until his marriage, in 1855.

Our subject was united in marriage on the 12th

of July, 1855. Their family circle comprised three children, of whom two grew to years of discretion, Charles and John C .; neither of them is married. The maiden name of the wife of our subject was Martha Caraway, who was born Nov. 17, 1824. in Greenbrier County, W. Va., and was the daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth Caraway. The family removed to Ilinois in 1833, their daugh- ter residing with them until her marriage. Mrs. Jenkins was called to leave her husband and family by death on the 6th of August, 1885.

For about two years after marriage our subject continued the manufacture of wagons with his brother, then removed to Mattoon, Ill., and for a time went on with the same business, but in 1862 gave his attention to the manufacture of woolen goods at Mattoon, and also at Palestine. In this business he was very successful for a time, but the War of the Rebellion proved quite a blow to his business, and shortly before its close he had to sell out at a loss.

In the year 1874 our subject moved West, and came to this farm, which he had purchased two years previously at $6 per acre. This was an en- tirely new departure from the never-ceasing clatter of machinery, and the rush of commercial life; out amid the eternal silence of the wild, unbroken prairie he began his labor; first, in the erection of a sod house, which must suffice the bold pioneer until a more substantial building can be erected. In after days, when the farm had been somewhat improved, when he had reaped the golden reward of the harvest home, lie erected the substantial and withal pretty frame building which is now his home, adding from time to time the other out-build- ings of the farm. Our subject is giving consider- able attention to the department of stock-raising, and is the owner of a very fine berd of Short-horns, and other stock in keeping.

Recognizing the worth of our subject as a man and citizen, the people elected him Alderman while a resident of Mattoon. He has also for nine years been School Director in this place. Mr. Jenkins was recently a candidate for the Legislature upon the Prohibition ticket, and the high regard in which he is held by the community is most eloquently told in the recorded fact that at the time of the

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Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 100

Author: Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Chicago, Chapman brothers Number of Pages: 812

Author:
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman brothers
Number of Pages: 812