Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 30

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

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In about 1849 our subject's parents emigrated to America and were accompanied, of course, by Will- iam. Passage was taken in a sailing-vessel from Bremen, and after an ocean voyage of forty-six days they landed in New York City, thankful that the ceaseless motion, the sickness, the discomfort, the

cramped cabin, and the monotony of the voyage, were over. Almost immediately upon landing the family started for Iowa and took land in Clayton County, where they were among the first settlers. Here our subject was reared to manhood and re- ceived the finishing of his education, which had been begun about four years before in Germany. Our subject has two brothers and one sister living- Gotfried, Henry and Mary.

The chosen occupation of our subject, and the one which he has followed since his Clayton school- days. is that of husbandry, and his life has mostly been spent in pioneer districts of lowa and Ne- braska. Ile was married, on the 14th of June, 1860, to Amelia Kreuger, a lady who has brought into his daily experience the refining inspirations which were in the original design of the Great Creator to exist under those circumstances, and doubtless, to these are due, to more or less extent, the success which has crowned the effort and labor of our sub- ject.

Ten children have come to grace the home and augment the felicity of the life of our subject and wife. Of these seven are living, and exhibit those qualities and traits of character that promise an honorable and prosperous life. Their names are recorded as follows: William, Mary, Ernestine, Cecelia. Henry, Hubert and Amelia. Mrs. Frohn is the daughter of Frederick Kreuger, and was born in the town of Westfarland, on the 27th of March, 1841. Her parents were natives of West- farland, and were enabled to give to their daughter such education and home training as to fit her for her present sphere.

Our subject is the owner of 400 acres of excellent land, which he has brought to its present state of cultivation from its natural condition ; has erected thereon the pleasant and comfortable farm dwelling which is his home, and the usual other buildings. He is a man of restless energy, ambition and large general information, and has acquired much specific knowledge in the line of his chosen calling. IIe is just one of those German-American citizens who seek to understand and fully appreciate the institu- tions and government of the country, and devotes much careful thought to the questions of current interest, and regulates his voting. not so much by

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the question of party. as that of principle and re- quirement. Both our subject and family are deeply attached to the Roman Catholic Church, and are among its best members. The reputation of our subject for honor, candor and integrity, is of the very highest throughout the community. He is ac- cordingly esteemed and respected.

G ILBERT B. GARLOCK. The home sur- roundings and the daily life of the subjeet of this biography illustrate the pleasing feat- ures of a career which has been more than ordi- narily interesting and prosperous, and among the prominent features of which is his uniform charac- ter, comprising all the better elements of manhood, both as a citizen and the father of a family. Among the other good things which have fallen to his lot, he was particularly fortunate in the selection of a life companion, the lady who now bears his name having been the efficient helpmate of her husband in all his worthy undertakings, looking well to the ways of her household, and adding to the immediate preeinets of home those embellishments which have so much to do with its comfort and happiness. Both are genial, enterprising and public-spirited, taking a warm interest in whatever is calculated to advance the welfare of their neighbors and the community at large. As representatives of the pio- neer element of Southern Nebraska, Mr. and Mrs. Garlock stand in the front rank, and enjoy the es- teem and confidence of a large number of its people.

The Garlock family was represented in the Em- pire State several generations ago, and the father of our subject, Andrew by name, was born there in Seward County, where he was reared to manhood and married one of the maiden associates of his youth, Miss Mary France. The mother, also a na- tive of Seward County, there spent her entire life, and passed away in 1841, when her son, our subject, was a little lad eleven years of age. The father is still living, and was born Dec. 2, 1798. They were the parents of eight children, of whom Gilbert B. was the fifth in order of birth.

Onr subjeet, like his parents, was also a native of Seward County, N. Y., and began life on the 3d of

December, 1830. He was at an early age taught those habits of industry which have clung to him during a period of fifty years and which have been the secret of his success. Although acquiring but a common-school education, being bright and ob- servant he was more than ordinarily intelligent, and began at an early stage in his existence to lay his plans for the future. He remained with his father during his childhood and youth, assisting him on the farm, but at the age of twenty-two we find him at the head of a family consisting of a wife and child. Being ambitious for them as well as himself, he determined to seck a broader field for operation in some of the rising districts of the West.

Our subject upon leaving the Empire State pro- ceeded first to Chicago, Ill., where for a period of three years he was employed as engineer on the Galena & Chicago Railroad, now the Northwestern. His next residence was in Freeport, Stephenson County, where he was foreman of the roundhouse until 1866. In May, 1871, he made his way across the Father of Waters to this county, and being pleased with the face of the country, purchased 160 acres of land on section 12, in Grant Precinct. It was a wild, uncultivated tract and his neighbors were few and far between, but he had the good sense and judgment to recognize that in the near future Southern Nebraska was destined to be the resort of an intelligent and progressive class of peo- ple. lle therefore armed himself to brave the diffi- culties before him, and with somewhat limited means and other disadvantages commenced the improve- ment of his purchase, while at the same time having to provide for the wants of a growing family.

Mr. and Mrs. Garlock worked unitedly in the building up of their homestead, and in due time saw springing around them, one by one, the build- ings and other conveniences necessary for their comfort. In addition to general farming they set out fruit and shade trees, and in due time put up a neat and substantial dwelling. In addition to his farm of eighty acres, which comprises the home- stead, Mr. Garlock has other property in the county, and enjoys from the whole a comfortable income. Both he and his excellent wife are members in good standing of the United Brethren Church, and have always been noted for their hospitality, their home

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having been the resort in times gone by of many a wayfarer, thankful for a shelter.

The hearts and fortunes of Mr. and Mrs. Garlock were united for life in Seward County, N. Y., over thirty-seven years ago, on the 19th of February, 1851. Mrs. G. was in her girlhood Miss Lueinda Brazie, and she was born in Cherry Valley, Otsego County, that State, Oct. 23, 1830. Her parents, Francis and Hannah (Lowell) Brazie, were also na- tives of the Empire State, the father of French an- eestry and the mother of New England stock. They followed farming all their lives, the last years of which were spent in Otsego County, N. Y., the father passing away in 1848 and the mother in 1851. Their family consisted of nine children, Mrs. Gar- lock being the second born. She was carefully trained in all the household duties by a most ex- cellent mother, and acquired as good an education as the common schools of that time afforded, re- maining under the home roof until her marriage.

To our subject and his wife there were born three children, the eldest of whom, a bright little daughter, Mary E., died at Chicago at the age of four and one-half years. William D., the elder son, married Miss Addie Aldrich, and is now occupied making brick in Broken Bow, this State; Francis A., named after his maternal grandfather, married Miss Nettie Garten, and is now engaged in real-estate business in Cheyenne County. In 1868 our subject and his wife identified themselves with the United Brethren Church, in Harlem Center, Stephenson Co., Ill., to the support of which they have been cheerful and lib- eral contributors. Politically, Mr. Garlock affiliates with the Republican party, and for a period of five years has been Overseer of Highways.

C HARLES D. PITCHER, of the firm of Hardy & Pitcher, wholesale and retail dealers in furniture, one of the most reliable houses in the city, whose establishment is on Eleventh street, between M and N streets, is one of the most prom- ising and enterprising of the young business men of Lincoln, who have recently stepped in to aid their elders in the management of the great com- mercial interests which are every day becoming

more extensive in this growing and prosperous city.

Mr. Pitcher was born in Tioga County, N. Y., Oct. 30, 1861, and is a son of Daniel M. and Eliza- beth (Young) Pitcher, natives respectively of Con- necticut and New York. His father is a prominent citizen of Owego, N. Y., where he is extensively engaged in the wool business. Ile is widely known throughout that portion of New York, and is very influential in county affairs, being often called upon to hold some responsible office. IIe has been Super- visor of Owego for some years. and is President of the Owego National Bank of that town. He is a man of great financial ability, sound wisdom, and of unblemished reputation, his fellow-citizens plac- ing in him the most implicit trust. He is a pillar of strength in the Presbyterian Church, of the place where he resides, and for several years has been an Eller in that denomination. His wife, a woman whose charitable and sweet disposition has gained her many warm friends, is also an esteemed member of that church. Her marriage with Mr. Pitcher has been blessed to them by the birth of three children -Mary M., Lney and Charles D. Mary, who was educated at Cornell University, N. Y., is a teacher of Latin and Greek in the Lincoln High School, having been in that position for two years; Lucy is the wife of C. C. Van Kirk, a prominent lawyer of Ithaca, N. Y.

Charles D. Pitcher, of this sketch, was reared in his native State, receiving a substantial education. He early displayed a marked aptitude for business, which was fostered by a practical training in his father's wool business. The great Western State of Nebraska, "this paradise of possibilities," as it has been aptly termed, with its rapidly growing in- dustries, and its varied and wonderful resources, possessed for our subject a strong fascination, and in 1883 he resolved to make his home within its borders, and win for himself a name and place among the business men whose enterprise and en- ergy are carrying on the great commercial schemes that are enriching and developing the State. Soon after coming here Mr. Pitcher formed a partner- ship with Mr. Hardy, who succeeded his father, II. W. Hardy, in this business, which was established by him in 1870. Under the prestige of the old name

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of that well-known and honored merchant, our sub- jeet and his partner commenced under the most aus- picions circumstances, and by their honorable deal- ings, close attention to their business, and courteous and considerate treatment of their customers, they have not only retained the good-will of the old patrons of the house, but have greatly extended their trade so as to include all parts of the State, and they carry a large stock to meet all demands.

Mr. Pitcher was united in marriage to Miss Cora Kennard, March 23, 1887. She is a native of Ne- braska, born in 1863, and is a daughter of T. P. Kennard. The latter is one of the most prominent men of this State, has held the office of Secretary of State, and many other important and responsible positions.

Our subject is a member of the secret society, the Order of Elks, being one of the Trustees of that society. Mr. and Mrs. Pitcher move in the highest social circles of this city, and often entertain friends in their hospitable and pleasant home. Religiously, he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, con- tributes liberally to its support, and is an active worker within its fold; politically, he is an ardent Republican, and is a leader among the young men of that party in this city.

6 HOMAS BARRETT. The island which lies like a beautiful green emerald in the setting of the mighty Atlantic, which afforded the first refuge and offered the first hospitalities to the Christian missionaries who had journeyed far to bring their pure and holy religion to the untutored aborigines of the islands which now form the kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, has also given to the world many men whose nobleness of life and work, brillianey of intellect in things legal and literary, in affairs military and political, has given to this country many of her noblest sons, noble sons of a noble race.

In the present sketch are presented some features in the life of Thomas Barrett, a native of Ireland, now the owner and snecessful operator of the beau- tiful farm of 240 acres situated on section 21, West Oak Precinct. He is the son of James Barrett, who

was likewise born in Erin's Isle, about the beginning of the present century. He never left his native land, and was all his life a farmer. He married Miss Mary Brown, the daughter of Edmund Brown, who was born in 1805. and lived upon the home farm until her marriage. Their union was bright- ened by the birth of ten children, of whom eight are living, our subject being the only one who came to America. Mr. Barrett died in 1883, his wife pre- ceding him in the year 1878.

Our subject was born in County Cork, Aug. 15, 1824, receiving his education in the parish school. after which he worked with his father until the time he came to this country, in 1847, making his first home in Connecticut, where he continued for some years. While there he made the acquaintance of a lady who presented to him all the desirable charac- teristics of womanhood, and on Sunday, Nov. 25, 1853, he was married to Julia Hogan. They con- tinued to reside in that State until 1859, when they removed to Warren County, III., where our subject took land and continued in agricultural pursuits. Here be made his home until three years ago, and on the 1st of March, 1885, he, with his family, arrived in Lincoln, purchased the present property and started in their new home. It was at that time in its natural wild and undeveloped state, without stiek or shrub of any kind upon it. The prosperity of our subject in his former home and the reward of his previous efforts are shown in the fact that he immediately laid out for its improvement upward of $4,000, and has also erected a beautiful house, which is hardly equaled in the district. There is also to be found a large and commodious barn, con- veniently arranged and solidly built, to say noth- ing about the beautiful orchard, which promises to return richly all the labor bestowed upon it. Of shade trees there are an abundance; of maples alone our subject has set out over 2,000. By the aid of the accompanying engraving the reader will be the better enabled to realize some of these beau- ties, which are there so ably portrayed by the artist.

Although devoting much time and a large part of his farm to the growth of wheat and other ce- reals, our subject finds time also to give much care- ful study to the interest of stock-raising, and in his

RESIDENCE OF GEO. BAINBRIDGE , SEC.31. MILL PRECINCT.

GENERAL VIEW OF FARM - 240 ACRES.

A1 11

RESIDENCE OF THOMAS BARRETT, SEC. 21, WEST OAK PRECINCT.

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stables are found many high-grade horses, and in his pasture cattle of choice extraction, beside hogs and other stock too numerous to be particularized.

The marriage of our subject has been consum- mated by the happy addition to the family circle of sons and daughters to the number of ten, whose names are here appended in the order of their birth : Joseph, Mary. Michael, Elizabeth. William. Thomas, Anna, Edmund, John and Julia. The ellest son has become the husband of Miss Hannah Moran, . and lives west of Raymond; Elizabeth is the wife of John Cunningham, of West Oak, and is the mother of three children; Anna is the wife of Will- iam Moran, is the mother of one child, and re- sides in the same precinct; Michael is on a farm not far from the old homestead. The remainder of the family are still at home.

This deeply interesting family have within the short space of two years of residence in the pre- cinct been the recipients of the confidence and re- gard of their neighbors and the community, as they have also in their former connections, and it is a pleasure to present a sketch of any family or citi- zen who are recognized in their community as pa- triotically loyal, not simply to their country, whether native or, as in this case, adopted, but also and primarily to the noblest and highest teachings of their inner life, and to their neighbors and fel- low-citizens.

G EORGE BAINBRIDGE, of Mill Precinct, came to Nebraska with a cash capital of $500, which, by a course of prudence and economy, together with persevering industry, he has increased, like the wise man of Scripture, many- fold. He is now numbered among the substantial and well-to-do farmers of Lancaster County, hav- ing a fine estate on section 31, where he has oper- ated since the fall of 1872.

Our subject is of English birth and ancestry, hav- ing first opened his eyes to the light among the Yorkshire hills on the 8th of March, 1840. His parents, John and IIelen (Parker) Bainbridge, also natives of England, spent their entire lives upon their native soil. The father was a farmer by oc-

cupation. and the parental household consisted of six children, three of whom came to the United States, and three died in England. Our subject was the eldest of the family. His brother Robert is a resident of Ontario, Canada, and Matthew of this county.

Our subject grew to manhood on the farm, and in 1868 was married in his native shire to Miss Mary Thorpe, who was born there not far from the home of her husband; she is the daughter of John and Elizabeth Thorpe, who lived and died in En- gland. She is the only member of the family who came to the United States, accompanying her hus- band here in 1871. They first stopped in Chitten- den County, Vt., where our subject was employed by an uncle of his wife until the fall of 1872, then made his way to the West, and located on his pres- ent farm. The land had never been cultivated, and the improvements which the passing traveler ob- serves to-day with admiration are the result solely of the enterprise and industry of the present proprie- tor. The reader will readily form some idea of the beauty and extent of the home and property upon reference to the faithful picture which accompanies this sketch. He first purchased 137 aeres, to which he subsequently added, the farm now including 317 acres, and devoted extensively to stock-raising. Mr. Bainbridge also buys and sells largely, and is never so contented as when in the midst of active business life, employing both hands and brain.

The family of our subject includes four children, three daughters and one son, namely : Lizzie, Rhoda, Lorena and William Edgar. The eldest is eighteen years old, and the youngest eleven years. They are all at home with their parents. Mr. Bainbridge upon becoming a naturalized citizen cast his first Presidential vote for Hayes, and usually votes the Republican ticket, although not confining himself to party lines.

R EV. CONRAD H. HICKMAN. Among the names which will ever be recorded in the history of Nebraska and held in affection- ate remembrance by its pioneers, settlers and farmers, and also by business men, is the name

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of Conrad H. Hickman, whose early years of active service as a minister of our pure and holy religion, and Evangel of its Gospel in the day of the early life and history of the State, have happily resulted in the erection of houses of worship, and the carrying of the good news from his Divine Master to those who would otherwise have been left without its consolation, support and guidance.

The parents of our subject are natives of Ger- many. His father, Ilenry Casper Hickman, was born in Hanover, where he followed the occupation of farming. The mother of our subject was Mary Anna (Hokamiar) llickman, a native of the same place. llis parents came to Missouri with their family at an early date. and made their home with our subject, continuing with him until their death, the father in 1872, and the mother in 1860, their re- spective ages being seventy-four and seventy-three years. Their family circle included five children, of whom our subject was the only boy.

Conrad Hickman was born Dec. 12, 1810, at Osnabruck, Hanover. ITis education was one of the first matters to receive early attention, one also in which his parents were deeply interested. He at- tended the common school in order to obtain his early instruction, and after this had been obtained he went to Rotterdam in Holland, there to receive the more advanced and academic course of the High School.

While here engaged, and nearing the conclusion of his studies, word was received from the Ameri- can Bible Society that two German missionaries were wanted to go to Missouri to preach to their countrymen in that State. At the early age of eight years our subject had been impressed with the vitality and truth of the Christian religion, and the snblimity of its principles, and had stood before the worldi as a confessed admirer and follower of its founder. Hle had buckled on the armor of Chris- tianity, but when he stood face to face with this request and heard the call for missionaries in other lands he was not quite prepared to sacrifice every- thing in answering thereto. As a student he had made the acquaintance and had received the friend- ship of the Duke of K- and also the Duke of Fol- niestein, and had accompanied the latter upon his wedding trip. These friendships, which would be

of such value to him there could mean nothing to him as a missionary in other lands, and yet after mature consideration lie decided to go. Accom- panied by a Mr. Smith as a companion he started from Rotterdam in February, 1848, and after nine weeks of Atlantic voyage, in which he was sick the major part of the time, landed at New York and reported to the American Bible Society.

Mr. Smith, the companion of our subject, was sent to Wisconsin, and our subject to Missouri, under the direction of Prof. Walttier, of the St. Louis Theological Seminary, but he shortly found that it was impossible for him to do work with this gentleman. as they could not agree upon some im- portant details, and also upon certain points of doctrine ; therefore, our subject determined to work independent of any synod or society, and began preaching in Platte County, Mo., serving eight churches for a period of two years. In addition to his preaching services he was greatly interested in children, and combined the juvenile department of work with his own. After much study in regard to his doctrinal position and church governments he was led to affiliate with the Presbyterian com- munion, and ultimately engaged with their synod. Ile made the acquaintance and friendship of several eminent ministers of the church, among them Rev. Drs. Wright, Starr and Wood, By the Presbyter- ian Synod he was now sent upon his mission of or- ganizing churches throughout Missouri, and was very successful in the same. The churches of St. Joseph, Independence, Westport and Lime Creek were among the number. He also raised money sufficient to build five churches in Missouri.

About 1850 our subject was transferred to Ne- braska, and continued in the same department of labor until his sight prevented. When this much- to-be deplored misfortune and trial overtook him lie retired from active service. Upon leaving Missouri he gave up his beautiful home at St. Joseph, with all its comforts and conveniences, and went forth, he knew not whither, and took up the work for his Master in this State. Beginning at Mud Creek, his labor extended over a period of one year, and his only reason for discontinuing was that above mentioned. Until that time he had been an arduous laborer and intrepid Christian soldier, manful and

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vigorous in his presentation of what he believed to be the truth.

Mr. Hickman took a great liking to the country, and intended to make his home at Nebraska City, and with this in view purchased a lot and erected a house which cost 84,000, intending to make it his home, but the difficulties with his sight being about that time inclined to grow worse he was induced by former residents in Nebraska City to remove to C'enterville. He was delighted with the surround- ings, and purchased 320 acres of land, and removed to the same in the year 1866 with his family, and afterward added 160 acres more. Ile now retired from ministerial labors and devoted himself to agriculture.

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Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 30

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

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