USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska > Part 39
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RESIDENCE OF T. F. CANON, SEC. 18. ELK PRECINCT.
RESIDENCE OF D. W. BOWERS SEC, 31, YANKEE HILL PRECINCT.
THIS PLACE FOR SALE
RES. OF EDWARD HEALEY, SEC. 12. LITTLE SALT PRECINCT.
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ness; he also bid off a number of stage routes, usually, however, selling them to some other oper- ator.
In the spring of 1883 our subject found himself comparatively well-to-do, as a result of the above efforts, and determined with his family to see some- what of Western life. They proceeded to Nebraska, where our subject purchased a farm near Lincoln, which was in all its native wildness, and proceeded immediately to tame it by those arts which his ex- perience in his native State and the Michigan home had furnished him. The house which he began to erect almost at first is situated in the most con- venient part of his farm that could be found for such a purpose, and has a very pleasant outlook. Its internal arrangements and decorations are in keeping with the position which our subject is ena- bled to take in the social world. The various out- buildings needed upon a farm are also provided upon a similar scale, large, commodious and substantial. During the building and furnishing of the residence the family resided at Lincoln. To our subject and wife has been born a daughter, now Mrs. O. J. King, of Lincoln, who has become the mother of two beautiful children.
The wife of our subject was born on the 22d of October, 1827, at Otisco, and is the daughter of Hiram and Edith Fellows, of the same city. Her days of childhood, youth and womanhood, until her marriage, were spent in the home of her parents. Her father and mother both lived to enjoy a good old age, and had reached at the time of decease the ages of seventy-six and seventy-seven respectively. The father of our subject, John Outt, was born in Onondaga County, April 5, 1805. He passed the usual studies of the common school, and until manhood was his father's assistant on the farm. Upon reaching his majority he purchased a farm and began life for himself, and realized more and more the truth which Longfellow published to the world, when he wrote " Life is real, life is earnest." His first property was in his native county, and comprised 200 acres. He was quite prosperous, and after a few years added an additional 100 acres, and thus he proceeded from time to time until, before he retired from the activities of farm life, he was one of the largest farmers in his district. He
continued to reside in his native county all his days, and, as the infirmities of age made themselves more and more felt, he added to his help upon the farm, and restricted his labor to superintending the same.
Mr. John Outt was most happily married to a lady like himself a native of Otisco, and their home was gladdened by the advent of a family of three sons and three daughters, all of whom they were privileged to rear. The family record their names as follows: The eldest, William II., our subject; Marcia A., James F., Nelson, Cordelia and Fran- celia. Ilis wife was the daughter of Benjamin and Rachael Carter, of Tully. Mr. Outt lived to reach the very ripe age of seventy-six years, and departed this life on the 30th of September, 1881. His life from the earliest days to its last hour was one of the strongest proofs that could be given of a higher life. Those who knew him in early days cannot remember the time when he was not striving to follow the teachings and mold his life according to that of the Great Exemplar. He was deeply in- terested in Sunday-school work, and was for many years Superintendent of the Sunday-school of the Baptist Church, of which communion he was a prominent member and active supporter. For more than fifty years he filled the important office of Deacon of the Tully Church, in all that period reflect- ing the highest honor and dignity upon his sacred office. He was always chosen as the church rep- resentative to any meeting, council or association to which it was necessary to send a delegate. He was one of a class-alas that it should be so limited -who follow the much-to-be-commended example of the Syrian prince Naaman, who, recognizing the value of the health miraculously restored to him upon his obedience to the divine direction given to the prophet of Jehovah, immediately pressed upon the prophet for his reception and use in the divine service, the wealth of gold, silver and other precious gifts which he had brought in a train of chariots from the Syrian capital. Mr. Outt was one whose pocket-book was as much Christian as himself, and they helped each other in the advance- ment of every noble, philanthropic, beneficent and Christian endeavor.
Our subject has not been to any great extent prominent in political or official circles, but has
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always been a very stanch adherent of the Repub- lican party, which received in its support his active efforts and influence. Both in Otisco, and likewise in Michigan, he filled in a most commendable man- ner the office of Highway Commissioner. Both in Otisco and in his Nebraska home our subject's high order of manly character and honor have won for him in the community the highest respect and regard, and it is due to him to say that he appre- ciates to the fullest extent the esteem of his fellow- citizens.
SAAC DULING. One of the great and im- portant uses of our large, undeveloped West is that it allows scope for growth. A nation may be cramped and confined in such a manner that growth is a practical impossibility, just as the foot of the Chinese girl is cramped and confined until growth is imperiled if not paralyzed. The same would apply to the physical or mental development of a child, or to the expansion and increase of vegetation. Here we have the secret cause of the principles of colonization, followed by some of the governments of the Old World. They realize their need of some outlet to the over-crowded popu- lation. It is at once the good fortune and strength of " the greatest nation on earth," that she does not have to go hunting from pole to pole for some little island to attach or protect and colonize, that within her own borders she has range and scope enough for the onward march of centuries.
Nothing is more clearly shown in biographies similar to that of this writing, than the fact that citizens like our subject who pass out into the Far West in order to the development of the country, themselves expand in all that goes to make the noblest manhood, and amplify in intellect and character as well as that which is of less importance, perhaps, namely, the enlargement of Wesi Oak Precinct, actual possessions. Our subject, whose farm com- prises 320 acres, being one-half of scetion 34, is the son of John Duling, who was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, about the year 1835, and there spent his early days, but removed with his parents to Tuscarawas County, where he received his early education and began farming with his father.
Striking out for himself, however, as a young man, he moved to Indiana and went to farming. While there he became enamored with the many virtues and womanly graces of Miss Sarah Germain, of the same State. Their union has been blessed by the birth of four children, who still live: Our subject, and his sisters Fanny, Eva and Clara.
About the year 1860 John Duling removed with his family to Edgar County, Ill., where he bought a farm and continued to reside for fourteen years, being withal successful and prosperous. In 1874 he came here, and purchased the farm now occupied by our subject, which at that time was wild prairie land. The family took up their residence at Lincoln until a house should be built on the prop- erty, upon which work was begun at once. The house then erected is still a good and comfortable farm dwelling, but at the time it was put up was the finest in the northwest part of the county. The honse being finished, and the family comfortably in it. work upon the farm was pushed; rod by rod and acre by acre, the taming and improving went on, until the whole was brought under enltivation, and even then, not satisfied, our subject wrote upon his banners the old Spanish motto, plus ultra, believing that indeed there was " more beyond " in the improvement possible.
In the year 1885 Mr. Duling, with his wife. again removed to Lincoln, taking a new tract of unbroken prairie, and having the means at command con- stantly improved this also. It is now one of the finest farms of the section, being possessed of a magnificent grove containing several thousand trees, also a very extensive orchard, containing all manner of fruits that can be grown in the country. He has received the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens, which they have expressed at the hallot. Mr. Duling was for a long time Supervisor and Assessor, several times Justice of the Peace, besides filling numerous other town offices, and serving as School Director.
The general character and beneficent spirit of Mr. Duling find a eulogy more eloquent than any word picture could present, and have a monument more lasting than that of marble, from the fact that, after the terrible devastation of the grass- hopper plague, when the whole community were
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suffering terribly from the destruction of their seed corn and the immediate provision for their teams, he and his brother Edmund (see sketch) at their own expense shipped in three carloads from Plattsmouth, Iowa, and distributed the same freely but judiciously to the needy. To many this meant a new start, and was the saving hand which snatched them from the madly rushing stream of ruin. It is no wonder that the brothers hold the warmest place in the hearts of their fellows, many of whom, now wealthy, were then driven to despair.
Mrs. Duling is the daughter of Isaac Germain, and was born in New York about the year 1831, but when quite a little girl her parents removed to Ohio. The long years which have passed since she first united her life with Mr. Duling have proved that he was wise in his choice, and she none less so in her decision. The old legend that " marriages are made in heaven " is sometimes found fault with by denizens of certain courts of justice, but never- theless, wherever the true union of heart and life is found, as in the present instance, there are not wanting those who ean disprove the old aphorism, and those most interested are the least inclined to undertake the task.
Our subject, Isaac Duling, was born in Owen County, Ind., Jan. 16, 1860, but when a few months old the family removed to Edgar County, Ill., where he was brought up. In the schools of that distriet he was educated, and when this process was completed, so far as the school-house and text books were concerned, he graduated to the second department of his education, and, with his father as teacher, was introduced to the intricacies of farm work. In the year 1874 the removal was made to Lincoln, and our subject continued with his father upon the farm until he was twenty-two years of age. At that time he began to work the farm for himself.
In West Oak Precinet there resided a prosper- ous farmer and his family. One member of the same must at this time be introduced into this sketeh. Our subject had grown to appreciate the sterling qualities of character and womanly graces of Miss Lottie Sutton, daughter of Schuyler Sutton, referred to above. His admiration and regard being reciprocated, their marriage was celebrated
Dec. 24, 1882, and subsequent years have gone to prove that the union was right and happy. There have come to their fireside at various times three children, who make the home bright with their childish glee, and bear the names respectively : Ger- trude, Mattie and Earl.
Since the year 1885 our subject has been upon the present farm, his father having removed to Lincoln. In the meantime his course has been marked by care, intelligence and energy, and suc- cess has been accorded. Although a young man, and the son of the man who did so much for the salvation of the district, he is not respected upon that ground, but because of his own sterling worth and manliness. He is held in the highest esti- mation by his neighbors and fellow-citizens, as is also his family. His wife was born in Iowa, Sept. 7, 1866. Her parents removed to Lincoln when she was about two years of age, thenee to Saline County. In Lancaster, Neb., July 2, 1882. her father died, leaving his widow with her family to struggle alone.
Our subject is giving much thought to stock- raising, and owns about eighty head of superior high- grade Short-horns, besides horses and other stock, Politically, he is an honored member of the Repub- lican party, and religionsly, with his wife, is devoted to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and both are held in the highest esteem.
OHN ABERNATHY. Among the popular writers and novelists, we often note England's farmers depicted as round-faced, jovial, happy men, with large, generous hearts, suc- cessful in their chosen vocation, these three ele- ments being presented as though intimately con- nected. It may be true and is in fact so stated, at least in one of the ancient llebrew classies. The man who by his happy disposition is enabled to carry the burdens and cares of life lightly, and has a heart to sympathize and a generous hand open to aid the needy, in thus giving is simply sowing the seed of a harvest rich in returns. Such character- istics and description are not alone the property of our English friends; they have no monopoly upon
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them. They are to be found this side the Atlantic, and are just as true of our Hoosier farmers, if not indeed more so, than the British.
William Abernathy, the father of our subject, was born in Ross County, Ohio, June 19, 1819. Here he received his early education, and was initiated into the many details of farm life, with all the in- tricacies of soil and seed and stock, continuing with his father until he was of age. He then removed to Indiana, and after farming for a time went on to Iowa and bought a farm. He at present resides in Clarke County of that State. IIe was married to Miss Ellen Clark, in Clark County, Ind., and their union has been happily cemented by the birth of twelve children, of whom ten are still living. HIe was bereaved of his wife in the year 1880. Through all the years of their union she had been in the truest sense a wife and mother. Her father was a native of Kentucky, went through the War of 1812, and late in life removed to Illinois, where he spent his last days.
Our subject was born in Clark County, Ind., on the 3d of July, 1842. At the usual age he was intro- duced to the interior of the school-house, and for some time was a regular attendant at the same. Hav- ing passed through its elasses and grades he gradu- ated to the larger school of experience, and began work upon the farm with his father, which he con- tinned until he was about twenty years of age. At that time, in answer to the bugle of war, he rushed to arms. Ile enlisted in the 78th Indiana Infantry, Company C, and later served in Company G, 133d Indiana Regiment. lle saw considerable service, and was taken prisoner in a skirmish at Uniontown, Ky. His actual term of service was six months, when, his time having expired, he was discharged.
Upon leaving the army our subjeet returned to farming, taking up property in Iowa. In this he was quite successful, prospering year by year until the spring of 1871, when he came to Little Salt Pre- cinet, purchasing his present property, then in an un- improved condition. The orchard which he has set out is noteworthy both because of the quality and quantity of its trees. The house, which is sur- rounded, and yet not buried by shade trees, is by that means made exceedingly pleasant as a resi- dence. The grove of our subject is as fine as any
in the precinct. He has been careful also in the ereetion of his dwelling, making it a most delight- ful and comfortable home.
Mr. Abernathy married Miss Mary E. Hiskey. Jan. 2, 1867. This lady was a native of Iowa, was the daughter of James ITiskey, and was born on the 17th of July, 1848. He was called to part from her by death in the year 1874. Our subject was a second time married, to Miss Sarah Tothill, in 1881. She is a native of England, born in 1846, and came with her parents to America when nine years old.
Mr. Abernathy has for twelve years been School Director of his district, and indeed was one of the primary organizers of the same, and has always continued to feel the deepest interest in all matters relative to the education and training of youth. He has also been Supervisor for two terms. The ap- preciation of his fellow-citizens of his official acts. and the high esteem in which he is held by them by reason of his manliness, conscientious regard of right, and moral courage of his convictions, what- ever they may be, is expressed in that whenever a delegate is required from this precinct to any con- vention, association or society, our subjeet is looked to and usually selected. He has always been a straight Republican and strong in his attachment to the principles of the party.
LMON W. ENSIGN, an intelligent and progressive pioneer citizen of this section of country, is located at present just across the line, in Precinct I, Seward County, but he was formerly located in Middle Creek Precinct, this county. Mr. Ensign was born in Charleston, S. C., Dec. 14, 1829, while his father, Ira Ensign, was born in Massachusetts, and was one of twelve sons comprising the parental family.
Ira Ensign, the father of our subject, was reared to manhood in his native State, and learned the trade of a hatter, after which he removed to York State, and subsequently to Ohio. After a few years he migrated to Charleston, S. C., and opening a store for the sale of gents' furnishing goods, resided in that eity until 1836. IIe then removed to Michi- gan and located at Detroit, when that place was
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but a small village. The migration from Charles- ton was effected by steamer from that place to New Orleans, thence up the Mississippi River to Illinois, and on by stage to Chicago, which was then but a mere hamlet. In Detroit he opened a gents' furnishing goods store, and remained there until about 1850, when he closed up his interests in that business, and removing to the west line of Wayne County, bought a tract of land, on which he resided until the death of his wife in 1855. The maiden name of this lady, the mother of our sub- ject, was Ruth Ellis, and she was a native of Ver- mont.
Almon W. Ensign was the youngest child of a family of eight born to his parents, and was a little lad of seven years when the family removed to the Territory of Michigan. He attended the primitive schools of Detroit, and when he was fifteen years of age he engaged in his own town to learn the trade of carriage-maker. At the end of one year, however, he removed to Belleville, Mich .. where he spent two years, and then migrated to Rochester, N. Y., and served an apprenticeship of one year, which made him a skillful workman. He then re- turned to Belleville, and, starting out in the same business for himself, remained until 1851, when he went to Cincinnati and worked at the trade there, and in New Orleans three years. He then engaged in business for himself in Cincinnati, but at the end of two years he lost all that he had by fire. Ile next migrated to Rockport, Ind., and was foreman in a shop for six months, after which he bought the shop and remained in the business until 1861.
When the call arose for troops to defend the Union our subject was not slow to respond, and in the first year of the war lie enlisted in Company F. 1st Indiana Cavalry, and went to St. Louis. IIe was mustered into the service as Orderly Sergeant, and served in the Trans-Mississippi army. His soldierly qualities did not escape the notice of his superior officers, and in 1863 Mr. Ensign was pro- moted to the rank of Second Lieutenant, and soon afterward he became First Lieutenant, and served in that capacity until after the cessation of hostili- ties, receiving his honorable discharge in August, 1865. Lieut. Ensign never had leave of absence during his long term of service, and participated in
many of the sanguinary battles of the struggle, in- cluding those of Frederickstown, Pea Ridge, Ilelena, Little Rock and Marks' Mills. At the last-named battle he had two horses shot under him, but es- caped capture with fourteen of the ninety men of that regiment who took part; the others were either killed or wounded.
Returning his sword to its scabbard, Lieut. En- sign was again seen in his early haunts, but in the autumn of 1865 he started from Rockport, Ind., with a pair of horses and wagon, and drove to Otoe County, Neb., where he opened up a shop and did a general repair business. lle visited Lancaster County in 1867, on the 22d of June, the same day in which it was decided to locate the capital at Lin- coln, and he homesteaded a tract of land on section 22. Middle Creek Precinct. IIe at once set about. improving his purchase with his characteristic en- ergy, and he soon had a valuable farm, containing good frame buildings, with orchards of fine fruit trees. In 1881 he sold this property and bought 160 acres where he now resides, in Precinct I, town 10, range 4 east, Seward County. The fact that in this short time the greater part of his land is under a good state of cultivation, and is provided with a good set of frame buildings, with the machinery re- quired for the successful proseention of farming, attests to the enterprise and practical ability of our subject.
Our subject was united in marriage, Dee. 7, 1856, with Miss Julia Barkwell, who was born in Troy, Ind., in 1840, and was the daughter of Hon. Har- mon Barkwell, who was born in Virginia, and was an early settler of Indiana. Ile was a lawyer by profession, and was for some time Prosecuting At- torney, while he also served in the capacity of Cir- cuit Judge. Ile was also elected to the State Legislature, and was a member of the State Consti- tutional Convention ; he now resides at Rockport, Ind. His wife, whose maiden name was llermelia Osgood, is now dead. Mrs. Ensign departed this life in September, 1871, leaving four children- Richard, Harry, Joseph and Ida. Our subject was a second time united in marriage, in 1873, with Miss Hattie Coulter. Of this union there have been born six children-Ollie, Floyd W., Charles C., Maud, and Alice and Ruth, twins. Mrs. Ensign
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was born in Randolph County, Ill., and is the daugh- ter of John W. Coulter, who was born in Washing- ton County, in the same State, while his father, Stew- art Coulter, was, it is thought, a native of Kentucky. The great-grandparents of Mrs. Ensign settled in Illinois before it was a State, and her grandparents spent their last years on a farm in Washington County, Ill., which they had cleared from the wil- derness, and upon which they had erected the first brick residence in the county. The father of Mrs. Ensign removed from Washington County, Ill., and traveling westward finally reached Nebraska, and purchased a homestead three miles from the present site of lastings, and has resided there sinee. Hast- ings was not yet started. The maiden name of the mother of Mrs. Ensign was Margaret MeDill. She was born in Randolph County, Ill., and was the daughter of John and Harriet (Armour) MeDill. Harriet Armour MeDill was born in South Carolina, and accompanied her parents to Illinois in 1818, the removal being effected by means of teams. They settled in Randolph County on a tract of timber land which the great-grandfather of Mrs. Ensign purchased, and they improved their purchase to a fine farm. John Armour was a Presbyterian in be- lief, and being opposed to slavery was obliged to leave South Carolina. Mr. Ensign came of an an- cient and honorable family, it is believed is ulti- mately descended from three brothers who came from England and settled in New England during the period of its earliest history. Mrs. Ensign is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, and is a woman greatly respected for her many sterling virtues by all who know her. Lieut. Ensign affiliates with the Republican party, and besides being well informed on the current topics of the day, is thoroughly acquainted with the early history of this county, of which he is one of the most worthy pioneers.
R EV. CARLTON L. BELT. By a happy dispensation of Providence, there are "many men of many minds," and in looking over the world at large it would seem to the con- templative mind that it is really admirably balanced.
Some must necessarily be expert in the marts of trade, while at the same time it is important that others interest themselves in uphokling those moral principles which lie at the basis of law and order. To the latter elass the subject of this sketch has sinee a youth been inclined, and has built up for himself a good record as a man and a citizen. He has labored long and faithfully in the church, and in both his public and private life has exhibited the kindly disposition and generous mind, together with charity, the noblest of all traits, which have gained him the esteem and confidenee of those among whom he has lived, thus establishing his influence and making him the instrument of much good.
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