Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 29

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

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On the 1st of August, 1862, Mr. Rhykert en- listed as a private in Company D, 102d Illinois Infantry, which became a part of the Army of the West under command of Gen. Sherman. He par- ticipated in the engagements at Frankfort, Ky., Mumfordsville and Snake Creek Gap, and after the last-named battle he was placed among the mounted infantry, with which he served for nearly two years as a scont, in reconnoitering and protecting railroad property, trains, etc. While he was in South Caro- lina he was a member of a detached troup that was attacked by the Confederate soldiers, and he was unfortunately hit by a spent musket ball, which broke two of his ribs. At Chattanooga, Tenn., during the performance of his duties, his horse fell on him, the force of the fall causing his shoulder to be thrown out of place, dislocating his right hip and breaking two ribs on the right side. Fortu- nately, however, none of the injuries proved fatal to our subject, and in June, 1865, he was honorably discharged, and returned to Illinois.

In the fall of 1867 our subject came to Lancaster County, and received eighty acres of land in fee simple from the Government, situated on section

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24. Buda Precinct. By subsequent purchase he has added to the first amount, and now owns 280 acres of land as a result of his own hard labor. He be- gan as a young man with the knowledge that he must depend upon himself to secure whatever he was to enjoy, as he had received no great start in life. He is a Republican in politics, and is gratified at the improvements that have been made since he came to this county, having watched the progress of development and aided it as much as he was ahle. As one who has honorably served as a Union soldier, and assisted in the development of the country's resources, Mr. Rhykert merits a grateful remembrance. Our subject was the first Postmaster in Buda Precinct, and Mrs. Rhykert has the honor of naming this precinct.

SAAC JOHNSON, one of the leading breeders of Short-horn cattle in the eastern part of Lan- caster County, also represents a portion of its wealth and prosperity, he being in possession of a fine homestead on section 4, Grant Precinct, where he has built one of the handsomest residences in the precinct. A man enterprising, industrious, and of more than ordinary intelligence, he has the true conception of rural life and agricultural pursuits, and has been engaged largely in farming and stock- raising for the last eleven years in this county. Ilis present farm, which is familiarly known as " Wal- nut Park Stock Farm," forms one of the most at- tractive spots in the landscape of this region. The buildings are of modern style of architecture, con- veniently arranged, and adapted to the necessities of the modern agriculturist, and surrounding them are those numberless features which none but the sys tematic and thorough-going farmer will bring about, and which to him are absolutely indispensable.

In reflecting upon the career of a successful citi- zen, whose prosperity has been the result of his own perseverance and industry, it is but natural to re- vert to those from whom he drew his origin. Lewis Johnson, the father of our subject, was a native of Oswego County. N. Y., where he grew to manhood, and married a lady of his own State, Miss Julia Parmalee, also of an excellent family. They com-

menced life together upon a farm in Oswego County, and there became the parents of two sons and three daughters, Isaac, of our sketch, being the fourth child. The latter was born in Palermo Township, Oct. 11. 1827, was reared upon a farm, and until a lad of thirteen years pursued his studies in the common school. Later he attended Mexico Acad- emy, and finally entered the New York State Nor- mal School, from which he was graduated in 1847, and where he had qualified himself for a teacher.

Mr. Johnson followed teaching two years in his native county, and served two years as Superin- tendent of Schools in his native town. At the ex- piration of this time, wishing for a change of occupation, he engaged in mercantile business in Oswego County for two or three years, and about 1850 changed his residence to Waupun, Wis. lle taught school at that place a year and another year at Janesville, his work as a teacher probably cover- ing a period of twelve years. He subsequently moved to Dixon, Ill., afterward to the city of Chi- cago, where he engaged in the wholesale trade for ten years. Finally he purchased a tract of land near Lake Geneva, Ill., where he carried on farming a few seasons, and in 1877 made his way to Nebraska.

Our subject, upon coming to this county, was employed in purchasing stock for about six months, and then purchased a large stock farm in Oak Pre- cinct, where he lived a number of years and until coming to Grant Precinct. He was then a resident of Lincoln two years, and at the expiration of this time purchased the " Walnut Park Stock Farm." which takes its name from the 3,000 fine walnnt trees which grace its broad acres. In his stock operations he handles mostly registered animals, having a fine herd of sixty-five Short-horn cattle. The labor involved in the care and keeping of these is mostly accomplished by subordinates, Mr. Johnson giving general attention to the whole.

To our subject and his estimable wife there have been born three sons and two daughters, the eld- est of whom, Isaac II., is junior member of the firm of Cook & Johnson. who represent the grocery trade in the city of Lincoln ; Ernest E. is an insur- ance agent, representing his company for the States of Tennessee and Kentucky, having the man- agement of the agency in the two States, with head-

Respectfully yours CH Willard

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quarters at Lexington; Minnie is the wife of Dr. O. F. Lambertson, of Lincoln; May and Grace con- tinue at home with their parents. Mrs. Johnson is a very intelligent and amiable Indy, admirably fitted for the position which she occupies in the com- munity. Their children have been well reared and educated, and like their parents are highly re- spected members of society. Our subject, politically, votes the straight Republican ticket, having abun- dant faith in the principles of the party, and. when less engrossed with the details of an extensive business, took an active part in political affairs. Socially, he belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Friendship Lodge No. 7, at Cortland, 111.

h ON. CHARLES H. WILLARD, a distin- guished citizen of Nebraska, of which he is State Treasurer, is a native of New York, where, in the town of Trenton. he was born March 25, 1843. He is the only child of Charles A. W. and Abbie (Hall) Willard. His father is also a native of Trenton, was born in 1816, and is still making his home in that town. Ile is a lineal de- scendant of the famous Col. Simon Willard, of Massachusetts, who came to this country from En- gland, and was one of the first settlers of the Colony of Massachusetts.

The father of our subject was reared on a farm, and was engaged in agriculture in the early part of his life. He was also a stone contractor for many years, being the proprietor of the Blue Limestone Quarries, of Trenton, N. Y., and furnished building material for many of the noted charitable and pub- lic institutions of New York. He was very success- ful in his business career, and is living in retire- ment in a pleasant home in his native town. in the enjoy ment of an ample income. He is widely known through his business connections, and has always commanded thorough confidence in all with whom he came in contact; he is a man of unblemished honor, charitable disposition, and is broad-minded and progressive in his views, When a young man he belonged to the Whig party, but since the organi- zation of the Republican party he has been one of its firmest supporters. Religiously, he is a Unitarian.

and is, indeed, a pillar of strength to that church, his heart, hand and mind, ever being open to any calls that may be made upon him for the good of a liberal faith. His wife, likewise a native of Fren- ton, was born in 1816, and was educated and grew to womanhood in her native town, and lived in the home of her parents until her marriage in 1841. Since that time, for nearly half a century, she has heen the light and blessing of her husband's home, respected and loved by all who have come under her benign influence.

The early days of our subject were passed in the parental home until he was eighteen years old. He received the advantages of a liberal education at the Whitestown Institute. In March, 1865, he went to Titusville, Pa., as a mechanical engineer in the employ of the Granite State Oil Company, under the superintendency of A. H. Hatch, of New York. He retained that position for about a year, and was then appointed to a clerkship in the County Clerk's office, where he remained through two administra- tions, covering a period of four and a half years. In September, 1869, Mr. Willard became connected with Michael P. O'Brien, of Richmond, Staten Isl- and, who was a contractor on public works. Mr. Willard was general manager for three years. Ile threw up his business in the East, and came to Ne- braska in the winter of 1870, and purchased some Government land in Thayer County. He soon es- tablished himself in the real-estate business at Bea- trice, Neb., and in January, 1873, he received the appointment as Deputy Auditor of State, under Jefferson B. Weston, and held that position for six years. After that he was appointed Deputy State Treasurer, under Ilon. G. M. Bartlett, and held that office for four years. Mr. Willard was subsequently admitted to the bar, having read law with Hon. C. J. Dilworth, ex-Attorney General. He then retired from public life to Ilebron, Neb., where he engaged in the banking business for two years. In the November election of 1884 he was elected State Treasurer, was re-elected to that position in 1886, and is still an incumbent of that responsible office. His wide experience in public life and in business, his acknowledged superiority as a financier, his great practical sagacity, and his undo .ed integrity, rarely qualify him for the performance of the re-

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sponsible duties of the important office that has been intrusted to him by the suffrage of his fellow-eiti- zens. His genial and pleasant disposition. and his kind and courteous treatment of all with whom he has to deal, render him very popular.

Politically, Mr. Willard is a stanch Republican. He is prominently identified with a number of so- cial organizations, as follows: Ile is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Lancaster Lodge No. 54, of which he has held the office of W. M. for two terms; he belongs to Lineoln Chapter No. 6, R. A. M .; and is a member of the Council of Royal and Select Master Masons; he is Past Eminent Commander of Mt. Moriah Commandery, No. 4, K. T .; he is Secre- tary of the Scottish Rite Lodge, A. & A. S. R .; the Most Wise of the Scottish Rite. Rose Croix; he is a member of the Sesostris Temple of Mystic Shrine; is Chief of Pilgrim Knight Masons, and is a mem- ber of the K. of P.

Among the portraits of leading and representa- tive men given in this volume, may be tound that of Mr. Willard, given in connection with this sketch.

ENRY FREYE, deceased. In Hanover, Ger- many, upon the 8th of April, 1828, there was born to Ernest H. Frye and his wife a son, who was christened by the name Henry, and a sketch of the more salient features of his life are herein offered. Our subjeet was reared in his native country until he reached his eight- eenth year, receiving his education in its schools, and afterward being employed as a farmer, and continued in the same until he reached his eight- eenth year, when he came to this country and lo- cated for a time in Jackson and Seioto Counties, Ohio, and followed the pursuits of agriculture upon land which he took up from the Government.

Our subject was married, in March, 1844, to Eleanor Shaffer; she, like himself, was a native of llanover, and was born in that country in the month of March, 1832, and was the daughter of Adam and Gertrude Shaffer; she came to this country with her parents in the year 1843, and settled in Ohio, remaining in the home of her parents until ber mar- riage. She was the fifth child of six children born

to her parents, of whom two are living-Mrs. Freye and her brother. Joseph H.

To our subject and wife there were born ten children. who are recorded as follows: Catherine. the wife of Lewis Willman; Mary, the wife of Frederick Steinmyer, of Gage County ; Eliza, the wife of William Wessel; Ilenry, William, Frank, Matilda, Lena, Emma and Ida, all at home.

In the spring of 1868 our subject emigrated to Lancaster County with his family, and settled upon the farm which is situated on seetion 22, in Center- ville Precinct, and which, since his death, has been operated by his wife. Our subject departed this life Dec. 31, 1873, after a long illness, from typhoid and lung fever, and left behind him many friends to mourn their loss, for his life and character had been such that he was everywhere held in the high- est estimation, and greatly respected. He did not leave much of worldly goods beyond his actual property, by which is meant the farm buildings, residence and farm, which was well cultivated, till- able land, well stocked, and provided with the nec- essary implements and much of the machinery required for the proper working of a property of that size.

Our subject was a large-hearted, public-spirited man, inclined to lend his influence and energies in any and every enterprise calculated to help forward the community of which he was a resident. He was, as a citizen, true and loyal to the responsibilities in- cident thereto, patriotic and loyal; his home was the scene of true domesticity, and in the relations of husband and father he was most faithful, affee- tionate and true. He was a member for many years of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which communion his family continue. For many years prior to his demise our subject was Steward of the church, and was devoted to the interests of the so- ciety. In politieal questions he usually gave his support to the Republican party, although he was swayed in his decisions rather by principle than poliey, as became his general character.

Mrs. Freye. despite the trials ineident to life un- der the most favorable circumstances, and the great affliction that is hers in the loss of her husband, has always met these difficulties and troubles with womanly spirit and Christian heroism and resigna-

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tion. Throughout the years of wedded life she was linked with her husband so truly that she was a sharer in more than name in all the happenings and events of his life, rejoicing in his successes, cheering and sustaining in the time of threatened defeat and actual trial, and throughout his sickness her presence was a necessity to him, a source of support and renewed strength, by which he was the better enabled to bear the pain and weakness of this last trial.

G EORGE W. LEE, merchant and Postmaster at Emerald, in Middle Creek Township, came to the latter in 1874 and purchased 320 acres of land comprising the north half of section 16. Of this, seventy acres were broken, and upon it stood a small shanty which served as an excuse for a dwelling, and which our subject occupied with his family until he could do better. Here he lived and labored until 1883, effecting a radical change in the condition of the soil, building fences, putting up a residence, a barn and other structures required for the successful prosecution of his calling, and re- mained there until changing his residence to the village of Emerald. He then purchased ground, erected a set of frame buildings, including a residence and a store, and has since carried on mercantile business.

Like a large portion of the solid men about him, Mr. Lee is an emanation of the Empire State, hav- ing been born in Florence Township, Stephenson County, Aug. 10, 1840. His father, Lorenzo Lee, was a native of Barre, Worcester Co., Mass., as also was his paternal grandfather, Seth Lee, and his great- grandfather, Gen. Samuel Lee. The latter held a commission in the Continental army during the Revolutionary War, and was an expert in military tactics. At the close of that memorable struggle, he still remained connected with the State Militia, and spent the remainder of his life in Massachusetts.

This branch of the Lee family was first repre- sented in America by one John Lee, who was born in England, and crossed the Atlantic in 1635. Settling at Ipswich, he there carried on farming, married, and reared a family. Among his sons was

Seth, who, in addition to the pursuit of agriculture. read law, was admitted to the bar, and practiced his profession in his native State of Massachusetts, where he spent his entire life. Ile had married in early manhood Miss Annie Patrick, a native of Brimfield, Mass., who spent her last years at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Thurston, of Worcester.

Lorenzo Lee, the father of our subject, was reared to farm pursuits in Massachusetts, whence he migrated when a young man to New York State, and became a clerk in the mercantile establishment of his elder brother, where he continued several years. In 1835 he emigrated to Illinois, spending one year at Rockford, among its earliest settlers, and being occupied at milling. He had been in Illinois but a few months when he purchased the water power near Freeport, put up a sawmill, and operated this until 1847. Then selling out, he located a farm in Florence Township, and carried on agri- culture until his death, which occurred Jan. 2, 1860.

The father of our subject in journeying to the West procceded by the Hudson River route to the Erie Canal, thence to Buffalo, and by a lake vessel to Chicago. The present great metropolis of the West was then but a trading-post composed of a few clumsily built wooden houses, and here Lorenzo Lee hired a team and drove to Rockford. There were then no railroads west of New York State, and none built as far as Freeport for many years thereafter. The marketing of the people of that section was done around the lead mines at Galena and at Chi- cago. Lorenzo Lee lived to see the country well developed, and the section of country over which he traveled when a wilderness transformed into productive fields and beautiful homesteads. These changes he noted with the satisfaction felt by every intelligent man who takes pride in the land of his nativity, and as far as in him lay, contributed his share in bringing about this happy condition of affairs.

The parental household of our subject included four children-Harriet, George W., Lorenzo II. and John T .- all of whom are living, and residents of Illinois and Nebraska. Our subject, in common with his brothers, was carly in life taught habits of industry and economy, and acquired a fair educa- tion at the district school. He continued under the

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home roof until the death of his father, then rented a farm in Stephenson County, Ill., where he carried on agriculture until 1865. Then, becoming somewhat wearied of the monotony of farm life, he abandoned it for a time to take up carpentering, and after pursuing this trade seven years resumed farming in Stephenson County until 1874. The spring of this year witnessed his advent in this county.

Mr. Lee, while a resident of Illinois, was united in marriage with Miss Addie M. Spencer, the wed- ding taking place at the home of the bride in Flor- ence, Stephenson Co., Ill., Oet. 11, 1871. Of this union there is one child only, a daughter, Mary W., who was born March 4, 1873, in Illinois. Mrs. Addie M. Lee is a native of Newport, Herkimer Co., N. Y., and was born Oct. 23, 1842. Her parents, James D. and Agnes (Berry) Spencer, were natives of New York State, and are now living in Nebraska. Our subject, politically, votes the straight Repub- lican tieket.

D OUGLAS HOWARD. The subject of this notiee is of Southern birth, having first opened his eyes to the light in White County, Tenn., April 14, 1831. His father, Ignatius Howard, was born in Cumberland Gap, that State, where he was reared to manhood and lived until his son Douglas was a little lad five years of age. Then, with his wife and ten children he started for the new State of Illinois, making the journey overland with ox-teams.

The father of our subject located in McDonough County, the Prairie State, where be purchased a claim and lived upon it for a period of eighteen months. The results not being satisfactory he again gathered together his family and his earthly posses- sions, and pushed his way westward across the Mis- sissippi into the Territory of Iowa. There he settled in Benton Township, Des Moines County, at a time when the cabins of the pioneers were few and far between. As before he purchased a claim from the Government, upon which no improve- ments had been made, and his first business was to put up a shelter for his family. This was eon- structed of logs after the primitive fashion of those

times, and being a stonemason. it was provided with a pretentious stone chimney and fireplace.

This was before the days of stoves, and the mother performed her cooking operations for a num- ber of years before the fireplace. Like the other matrons of those times she also spun and wove wool and flax, and thus manufactured the cloth required for the family. Ignatius Howard labored with sturdy industry to build up a home from the wil- derness, and succeeded in his laudable ambition, surrounding himself and his family with many com- forts. Finally. however, becoming dissatisfied he returned to Illinois and located in Henderson County, where his death took place in May, 1871.

After the death of her husband Mrs. Mary (Dun- ean) Howard moved to California, and makes her home in Sacramento County with her son and daughter. She also is a native of Tennessee. She has attained the advanced age of eighty-five years.

Douglas Howard was five years of age when his parents removed from Tennessee to Illinois, and went with them to Iowa eighteen months later. He remembers distinctly many of the incidents of pio- neer life, when deer, wolves and wild turkeys were plentiful, roaming unrestrained over the country which has now been transformed into cultivated fields and valuable homesteads. He attended the pioneer schools, which were conducted on the sub- scription plan in the typical log school-house. Amid those wild scenes he developed into a strong and sturdy manhood, and was well fitted for the future struggle of life.

Mr. Howard resided with his parents until 1859, then crossed the plains to the present site of Den- ver, when there was not a single house upon the ground which is now occupied by one of the most flourishing cities of the West. He engaged in min- ing from May until October, then returned over- land, spent the winter in Iowa, and in the spring of 1860 went back to the mountains and worked in the mines until fall. The year following he re- peated the experiment of the former. In the fall of 1864 he returned to Iowa, spending the winter following, and in the spring rented a farm in Fre- mont County. After gathering in the crops he repaired to Illinois and located upon his father's

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farm in Ilenderson County, where he lived three years, then purchased a farm in Haneock County. Of the latter he remained a resident until October, 1881. then coming to Southern Nebraska purchased the farm of 160 acres which he now owns and oc- cupies.

The property of our subject includes the south- west quarter of section 14, which he has brought to a good state of cultivation. He has good build- ings and machinery, with live stock, fruit and shade trees, and all the other appurtenances to complete the comfort of the rural citizen. A little over twenty years ago. April 11, 1868, he was united in marriage with Miss Melissa A. Jackson, who was born in Benton Township, Des Moines Co., Iowa, Sept. 21, 1838. The parents of Mrs. Howard were Nehemiah and Lucy (Pond) Jackson, natives of Vermont, and now deceased. Her brother. E. F. Jackson, is represented elsewhere in this work. She is a lady attentive to all her duties as a mother and housewife, and of her union with our subject there have been born five children, namely : Ira D., Lucy A., Hattie M .. Luther W. and Russell P. The eldest of these is seventeen years of age and the youngest eight. Mr. and Mrs. Howard were mem- bers of the Baptist Church, in Illinois. Mr. H., politically, is a stanch Democrat.

W ILLIAM FROHN, whose farm is situated on section 22, Centerville Precinet, is a na- tive of the Kingdom of Prussia, and was born in that country in the town of Muggen- hansen, in the vicinity of Cullen, Nov. 29, 1839. His father was Gotfried Frohn, a native of North Germany, who was by occupation a blacksmith. His wife, the mother of our subject. to whom he was married in the year 1838, was Cecelia Klank, of the town of Muggenhausen. The family in- cluded five children.

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Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 29

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

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