Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 15

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

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Both Mr. and Mrs. Denman are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which communion by their unremitting labors, exemplary lives and strong Christian charity, they are held in very high esteem, Our subject is also a prominent advocate in behalf of the Y. M. C. A., of which organization he is also a member. He is ever found ready to answer a call for service, and to bear a hand to advance any of its multitudinous manly and Chris- tian enterprises. Politically, Mr. Denman. perhaps owing to his experience in church life and work, by reason of the close contact in which he is necessa- rily brought in his work among young men, with the disastrous effects attending them, and in fact society generally, from the unrestrained and care- less indulgence in intoxicants, is a Prohibitionist.

RANK R. DENTON, a son of D. M. Denton, of whom a sketch appears in this ALBUM, al- though but a young man, is entitled by court- esy to the name of pioneer, having come to this section in the year 1866. He resides on the north- east quarter of section 21, adjoining his father's

estate. Before Mr. Denton came here he was a resident of Lake County, in Northern Ohio, the date of his birth being March 26, 1854. Although but a young lad aged about thirteen when with other members of the family he came here, he realized that he was not too young to put his hand to the plow, and with the energy of youth he assisted his father in the toilsome labors of the farm and the care of some of the young cattle, in the raising of which his father was engaged. No doubt there were many times when he sighed for the comforts and the companions of his childhood days in his old

home, but with a stont heart, encouraged by his father's word and example, he followed the fortune that was his, determined, if possible, to make it a successful one.

Deprived of the privilege of attending college, our subject received but a common-school education, making good use, however, of all the means that were afforded him to that end. Inheriting from his re- speeted father a love for reading, he spent his leisure hours, when the cares of the day were ended, in that most delightful of entertainments. Thus he acquired a good general knowledge, and is conver- sant upon all topics of interest of the day. The children of the present generation, having about them all the means for acquiring good educations -the best of schools, numberless books, and the daily papers-can scarcely realize the position in which the children of the early pioneers were placed as regards the advantages just named; nor could they imagine with what avidity a new book or paper was seized upon and readily perused by those so far away from friends, who perhaps had sent them these welcome tokens of their remembrance.

On the 11th of November, 1880, Mr. Denton was married to Mary J. Robinson, formerly of Minne- sota, she being a danghter of David and Margaret Robinson, who afterward went to Illinois, where the daughter grew up to young womanhood. To this new household have been born three children : Roy, who might be considered the parents' Christ- mas gift, since he came to them on the 24th of De- cember, 1881; Earl, who was born Oct. 29, 1885; and Mary, the little daughter, on the 5th of Febru- ary, 1888. To the eyes of this little one what a very different scene is presented from that upon which her father gazed on his advent to this coun- try ! What was years ago unattractive and uncul- tivated land is now showing forth the plants and grains and fruits with which Nature rewards the husbandmen who successfully woo and win her by tilling the soil.

Having as a boy contributed his share of labor toward the securing of a family home, the subject of our sketch then turned his attention to the amass- ing of property for himself and his own family. He is the owner of 220 acres of good land, and is meet- ing with success in its cultivation. By his manly

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and upright bearing and honest business transac- tions he has won the esteem and confidence of the community in which he lives, and is ably qualified to fill the honorable position in society which is granted him. Ile and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and their daily lives show to the world that religion is not only a profession, but it is a tangible substance which we may always carry with us to lighten our way and lend its beams to cheer the paths of others.

G EORGE II. EXLEY. In Yorkshire, England, in the home of the Rev. Henry and Mary (Hartley) Exley, was born May 9, 1847, their son George H. In the pure, elevating atmos- phere of this Christian home he was reared, and its influences have been primary factors in the shaping of his life and character. While he was still a child his parents emigrated to America and settled in Massachusetts, but after two years the failing health of his mother, whom the climate seriously affected, caused their return to England, where they remained a short time and then returned to America. They first located in Wisconsin, afterward proceeding to Iowa.

Upon leaving school our subject, then thirteen years of age, commenced to learn the trade of wor- sted-making, and began to work in the factory. In this he continued until eighteen years of age. Ile then learned harness-making at Dubuque, Iowa, and continued to work at the same with good success for two years. In 1871 he removed to this county, and settled on his present farm in 1872. On Jan- uary 14 of that year he was happily married to Esther McGinnis, daughter of William and Mary McGinnis. The former is deceased. This lady was born in Scott County, Iowa. Nov. 9, 1846. Her mother is still a resident of that county. As the name would imply, her father was a native of Ireland, but of Seotch de- scent, while her mother is a native of Pennsyl- vania. The McGinnis family circle was quite large, numbering twelve children, of which number, how- ever, but eight are living-John C., Esther M., Martha J., William H., Eliza L. (wife of Alexander

Brownley), James B., Isaphenia (wife of Seymour Carpenter) and Preston.

For several years Mr. and Mrs. Exley have been members in good standing of the Christian Church, and have ever been found ready to take upon them- selves any labor and activity which this relation would seem to demand of them, although a personal inconvenience and self-sacrifice. Their four children are being brought up in the same faith. Their eld- est son, William II., was born Jan. 14, 1873. On Dee. 9, 1874, was born Charles A., then Mary E., born Oct. 10, 1876; George, born May 11, 1879. Mr. Exley has for some time past filled his present office of School Director, the duties of which he has performed with great credit to himself and to the great satisfaction of the community. His conscientious convietions have led him, and have given him courage, to leave his former politieal connections and take his place in what he deems to be the right; he now, therefore, stands in the ranks of the Prohibitionists, and has lent his influence to the advancement of their principles. His farm com- prises 160 acres of good land on section 17, Yankee Hill Precinct. The financial aid which his father could give him in a start in life was very small, and whatever he has become in education and stand- ing in the community, the increase of his wealth, the high state of cultivation and improvement of his farm, is all the result of heroic effort, hard labor, honesty and perseverance.

G EORGE DESCHIER. The quarter-section of land on section 4, in Denton Precinct, which presents, perhaps, the most pleasing picture and most clearly indicative of unremitting labor, intelligently directed and well performed, is that belonging to the subject of this sketch. Mr. Descher is a native of the land of the Blue Danube, and was born on the 29th of October. 1831, in the Empire of Austria. He is a son of Antone and Alney Descher, and is the youngest son in his family. ITis early years were spent in his native country, and he received a somewhat complete education in the schools of the same land, but the difficulty which forced itself upon him was that of utilizing the edu-

GERMANTOWI!

MALCOLM.

VIEW FROM HOMEPASTURE - LOOKING N. W.

FARM BRIDGE OVER ELK CREEK.

CATTLE PASTURE

" COTTAGE H

VIEW'S ON COTTAGE HILL FARM. RESIDENCE OF

LOOKING SOUTH FROM NORTH BOUNDERY.

HAY=MAKING IN NEBRASKA, COTTAGE HILL FARM.

HORSE PASTURE

LINCOLN .

ODLAWN

BIRDS- EYE VIEW, LOOKING EAST.

R. J. N. CONVERSE, SEC. 27. ELK TOWNSHIP, LANCASTER CO.

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cation which was received in his native town, and applying it in the English language.

Our subject was eighteen years old when he be- gan to learn the trade of shoemaker, which, having learned, he continued to follow for a few years. At the age of twenty-one he entered the Austrian army, and served in the ranks for a period of ten years. Ile went through the war between France, Italy and Austria, was in the battle of Solferino, and continued until the close of the war. In 1866 he emigrated to America, took passage from Bremen in a sailing-vessel, and after a voyage of thirty- nine days, landed in New York City. From there he proceeded to Kentucky, and lived there several years, renting a farm. IIe was so far successful in his new occupation, and so generously did the carth return of her treasures, that in 1874 he came to Nebraska and located in Cass County, and after about twelve months came to this county, and set- tled in 1881.

Besides the attractions which are found in the fields and pastures, in the shade and forest trees, or in the orchard of our subject, mention must be made of his house, which is a most comfortable and beautiful home, and in common with the other buildings upon his farm, is the result of his own handiwork. In addition to the farm referred to in our opening sentence, he is the owner of another of eighty acres situated on section 4 of Denton Pre- cinct, making in all 200 acres.

Previous to his coming to this country our sub- ject was happily married, Feb. 28, 1864, to Bridget Y, Jussell. who is a daughter of Christian and Mary Jussell, and was born Oct. 8. 1837. Eleven children, of whom six are living, have come to their home, making it to them a very paradise with their inno- cent prattle, fun and laughter. Their names are here appended as in the family record : Joseph, George, Henry, Mary, Louisa and Sensa. Our subject and family are exceedingly devout in their attendance upon the services of the Roman Catholic Church, and the various religious duties connected there- witlı.

The political opinions and sympathies of our sub- ject are with the Democratic party, and although he is solid and steadfast as a partisan, his political acts are always backed by his best judgment and con-

scientious opinion. He has fallen naturally into the ways and customs of his adopted country, and fully appreciates the nobility of her Government and the unrivaled grandeur of her institutions, and enjoys the hearty appreciation and regard of the entire community.

RS. SARAH A. JESSUP. This highly es- teemed lady, the relict of the late llenry Jessup, continues to conduct the farming enterprises established and so successfully carried on by her husband for a number of years. Her residence and farm are on section 4 of Grant Precinct. She is an Eastern lady, and born of par- ents, the one a native of New York State, and the other of Vermont. Her father, Alexander Law, died in the town of North East, Erie Co., Pa., when Sarah was a little girl five years of age. Her mother, Elizabeth (Lewis) Law, lived until the year 1876, when she passed away in Wesleyville, in the county above mentioned. To this couple were born five children, to whom were given the follow- ing names: Hiram, Joseph, Sarah A., George and Oscar.

Mrs. Jessup was born in North East, Erie Co., Pa., March 25, 1837. She remained a member of the little family circle at the home until her mar- riage, which event occurred in Wesleyville, Pa., Feb. 13, 1861. She had previously met Mr. Henry Gilbert Jessup, and the attachment springing from their acquaintance and friendship led to the matri- monial alliance which for over twenty years proved a most congenial and happy one. Mr. Jessup was a native of Michigan, having been born in Wash- tenaw County, Oct. 12, 1834. Ilis parents, Philes- ter and Matilda (Pinckney) Jessup, were natives of the Empire State, the birth of the former occurring Sept. 29, 1804, in Palmyra, Wayne County, and that of the latter in Sullivan County, one month later, Oct. 29, 1804. Mrs. Jessup, the mother of Henry G., died in Howell, Livingston Co., Mich., when fifty years of age. Mr. Jessup came to Ne- braska as early as 1866, and settled in Grant Pre- cinct. this county, where he still lives. Ile reared

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a family of eight children, of whom Henry G., above mentioned, was the eldest son.

To Mr. and Mrs. Henry G. Jessup were born six children, a brief record of whom is given as fol- lows: Carrie E., the oldest, is the wife of William E. Grant, of Denver, Col .; Hattie L. died in Nebraska when fourteen years of age; Minnie A. died when only ten years of age; the death of these two sisters occurred within six weeks of each other, and was caused by typhoid fever; Zennie B., Charles H. L. and Verta M. are living at home with their mother. The late Mr. Jessup was a highly respected citizen of the community, which had grown up around him, knew him well and held him in high respect. lle was called upon to serve in various official positions in the precinct, always performing the duties thus imposed upon him in the most manly and satis- factory manner. His father served the township as Assessor for eleven years. He is one of the prominent men of the precinet, an influential mem- ber of the First Congregational Church, of Lincoln, being one of the organizers of that congregation.

Mr. Jessup had accumulated a good property near Lincoln, being only six miles from the city, and in his daily walk had commanded the respect of every member of the community, and his death, which occurred Dec. 31, 1882, was not only a loss to his family, but the community felt that they were also being bereft of an influential and enterprising citizen. Mrs. Jessup is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is a lady who, by her kindly disposition, enjoys in an exceptional degree the re- spect of a large circle of friends.

ANIEL M. DENTON is among the number of early pioneers of Lancaster County, re- siding on section 22 of Denton Precinct. Ile is a native of Schoharie County, N. Y., the date of his birth being the 17th of March, 1823. Ile is a son of Edward J. and Charlotte Denton, both of New York State. His paternal ancestors were of Welsh extraction, and the maternal ances- tors were German. The Denton family emigrated to America previous to the Revolutionary War, and it is said that some of them participated in that

war, having a desire to see their adopted country relieved from the oppression of the English ruler, George III. This family settled in New York, which has been the home and birthplace of many of their descendants.

At the age of ten years our subject lost his father, after which bereavement he went to live with a Scotch minister, with whom he remained for some eight months, and then he went to make his home with Mr. Atkin, of Ashtabula County, in Northern Ohio. He remained with Mr. Atkin some three years, and subsequently, nntil he reached the age of twenty-three years, he was in the employment of different parties in Ohio. He received but a lim- ited education in his youth, but having a great fondness for reading, he has read extensively, and in that way has become well informed on general topics of the day. His educational acquirements may be said to be wholly the result of his own ap- plication and his own love and searching after knowledge.

Mr. Denton was first married in Ohio, in 1846. to Rebecca Adams, by this marriage having one daughter, Rebecca, now residing in Lincoln, Neb. He married his second wife in Ohio, she being Amelia Adams, and by this marriage he had four children, viz: Henry P., in Valley County, Neb .; Frank R., living in this precinct; Jane, wife of Mr. Sheklon, of Cherry County, and John, living in Sidney, this State. Our subject came to this county in 1866, to see what field was offered for the estab- lishment of a home here. Finding that it offered good inducements, he brought his family here in the following year, settling at once in Denton Pre- cinct. At one time he was the possessor of 1,200 acres of land, but disposing of part of it, he still owns 795 acres of good land, well cultivated, also a number of lots in Denton Village.

When Mr. Denton settled in Denton Township there were but two other families living here, one of whom was Ellis Shane, of whom a sketch ap- pears in this ALBUM, the other, Hamilton Queen. our subject being the third settler in this precinct. On its organization as a precinct it was honored with the name of our subject. He has served honor- ably as Assessor of this precinct for some three terms, and for a number of years has filled an

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office on the School Board. With his neighbor, Mr. Shane, he has seen the development of the country from its primitive state into the fine and well-cultivated farms of to-day. Coming here with but little available means, he engaged in the busi- ness of cattle raising, by which he has secured large receipts, enabling him to amass by careful manage- ment his present wealth. His diligence and pros- perity are but the natural and rightful reward that should follow the continued efforts of an honest and earnest man.

An esteemed member of the Christian Church, Mr. Denton has so conducted himself in a business and social way as to win the respect of his fellow- men and associates in business. He is liberal-minded and public-spirited, and lends his influence to the advancement and improvement of society and State, and in politics he lends his voice in favor of the Republican party. Too much cannot be said of the influence for good which the conduet of these earlier members of the community has upon that of the younger portion of society. Their example is altogether worthy of imitation and their loyalty gains for them universal esteem. For over twenty years Mr. Denton has lived in this community, in- deed the community has grown up around him. As one who has done much hard work and given much valuable aid to the county and the molding of the character of the people, his memory should be cherished and preserved. It will live in the minds of those who know him personally as long as they live, but the generations to come will know nothing of his labors, his trials and good works, unless some means are taken to hand down to them a record of his life.

C HARLES BUNCE, M. D., is pleasantly lo- cated on section 27, Waverly Precinct, which has been his home since 1862. He is the owner of 320 acres of good land, containing valua- ble improvements, to which he devotes much of his time and attention, as his health does not permit the practice of his profession.

Our subject was born in Middlesex County, Mass., Oct. 13, 1835, and is the son of Elisha and Priscilla

(Wright) Bunee, also natives of the Bay State. He traces his paternal ancestry to a clergyman named Robinson, who died in Holland, and whose family one year later came to America, and settled in Massachusetts one year after the arrival of the Pilgrim Fathers. and our subject can be traced in direct descent from this gentleman. The father of Dr. Bunce was engaged in the nursery busi- ness in his native State, and the mother worked for many years in a cotton factory at Waltham, and then went to Lowell and superintended the adjust- ment of the spinning machinery in the first cotton factory of that city. She died in her native State, while the father of our subject, who was born in 1801, died Aug. 13, 1888, in Middlesex County. There were born to them eight children, of whom six still survive, as follows: Louis is a teacher at Anna, III. ; Augustus is engaged in farming in Mas- sachusetts, on the old homestead; Charles; William resides at Worcester, Mass., and is disabled for life, the injury being received in the attack on Ft. Don- elson; Maria and Caroline are book-keepers at Lowell, Mass.

Charles Bunce resided in his native State until 1850. and received such education as was obtaina- ble at the district schools. He then came to the West, and entering Knox College, Galesburg, Ill., in 1853, was graduated fromn that institution four years later. IIe then engaged in the study of medi- cine with his unele, Dr. James Bunce, of Gales- burg, and in 1861 was graduated from the Rush Medical College, Chicago. He then started out in life for himself as a physician in Henderson, Knox Co., Ill., but in October, 1862, entered the United States service as Assistant Surgeon of the 59th Illinois Infantry. In September of the next year he was promoted to the office of Surgeon of the regi- ment, and served until the 59th was mustered out at San Antonio, Tex., Dec. 8, 1865. Returning to Illinois, Dr. Bunce located in Woodhull, Henry County, where he resided until he came to this State, and he then settled on the farm upon which he has since bestowed his energies.

Dr. Bunce was united in marriage, in October. 1871, with Miss Amanda, daughter of Orson H. Patterson, and their union has been blessed by the birth of four children, two of whom. William O, and

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Grace, still survive. In politics, the Doctor is a stanch Republican, though he has avoided the duties of office, as during his period of good health he had no time to spare from the practice of his profession. He is a ripe scholar and a man of good judgment. honored and respected by all the families with whom his professional career has brought him into intimate relationship. He and Mrs. Bunce are active mem- bers of the Congregational Church, while socially, the Doctor is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

Le QUIS FAULHABER. one of the most thrifty German farmers of Stockton Precinct, owns and occupies a fine estate, embracing 320 acres of land on sections 3 and 4, his residence being on the latter. The homestead is noticeable for its good improvements, and especially the large nun- ber of fruit and ornamental trees, which he has planted to the extent of about 700. besides a large quantity of grapes. Like most of the enterprising men about him, he makes a specialty of stock-rais- ing, and has acquired a fine property, besides sur- rounding himself and family with all the comforts of life.

The first years of our subject were passed on the other side of the Atlantic, in the little Kingdom of Bavaria, where his birth took place Nov. 18, 1826. When a child five years of age his parents emigrated to America and settled in Seneca County, Ohio, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Louis remained on the farm until a youth of fourteen years, and was then apprenticed to learn the shoe- maker's trade, which he followed for a period of nine years. In the meantime he had been married. and in June, 1850. turned his face toward the farther West, and crossing the Mississippi, accompanied by his wife, took up a tract of land in Manitowoc, Wis .. where he lived until the spring of 1875. His next removal was to this county, when he took up the land which he still occupies.

The wife of our subject, to whom he was married in Tiffin, Seneca Co .. Ohio, March 1, 1848, was in her girlhood Miss Helen Sauter, a native of the same country as her husband, and born April 1. 1830. She was a little child three years of age

when she came to America with her parents, and they settled first in Tiffin, Ohio. Later they re- moved to Wood County, that State, where the father died ahout 1856. The mother still survives. and is living at Perrysburg, Wood Co .. Ohio.

Of the thirteen children born to Mr. and Mrs. Faulhaber, the record is as follows: Their eldest son, John, died when one and one-half years old, in 1849; Louis is on the police force of the city of Lincoln ; William is farming in Stockton Precinct. this county ; Mary is the wife of John Lemke, and lives in Stockton Preeinet; John is traveling sales- man for a firm in Milwaukee; Theodore is farming in Brown County, this State; Charles and Henry are residents of Cherry County ; Phillip, the youngest, is engaged in farming for himself in Stockton Pre- cinct; Frederick and Emma are at home with their parents, and Clara is the wife of Frederick Retzlaff, of Stevens Creek Precinet.

Mr. Faulhaber. politically, is a conscientious Dem- ocrat, and a man who keeps himself well posted npon matters of general interest. He was particu- larly fortunate in his choice of a wife and helpmate, having a lady who looks well to the ways of her household and those little matters which have so great an influence in the happiness of a home. They have labored industriously in aequiring their fine property, and are now in the enjoyment of the fruits of their early toils, while surrounded by hosts of friends who have learned to value them at their true worth. They were reared in the precepts of the German Lutheran Church, to which they still loyally adhere, together with their children.

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Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 15

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

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