Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 40

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

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A native of Licking County, Ohio, Mr. Belt was born on the 1st of March, 1832, and went with his parents when a little lad five years of age to Kos- ciusko County, Ind. There his father purchased a tract of land, and Carlton L. busied himself with farm pursuits and in attendance at the common schools until a youth of eighteen years. Then the family removed across the Mississippi into Linn County, Iowa, whence our subjeet went two years later into the northern part of the Hawkeye State, where he sojourned until reaching his majority.

Young Mr. Belt, about 1853, purchased a farm in Fayette County, lowa, which he operated until 1865, then sold out and moved to Iowa County, that State, where he secured another traet of land, and lived from the spring of 1865 until 1873. In the early part of the latter year he made his way to this county, and for two years cultivated rented land in Stockton Precinct. Finally he purchased 240 aeres on section 22, and has sinee given to this the time and attention not required in his minis- terial labors. He has erected a comfortable dwell- ing, set out fruit and shade trees, and gathered about himself and those nearest to him those little comforts and conveniences which have so much to do with the happiness of life. Ilis farm embraces 160 acres of good land, all in productive condition and devoted to general agriculture.

Mr. Belt was married, Oet. 25, 1857. in Buchanan County, Iowa, to Miss Mary J. Hayes, who was born in New Brunswick, Dec. 24, 1838. Iler par- ents, Thomas B. and Elener (Colpitts) Hayes,

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were natives of New Brunswick, and are now de- ceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Belt there have been born nine children, the record of whom is as fol- lows: Luella, the eldest daughter. in 1881 became the wife of Alonzo Monk, and is a resident of Litchfield, Sherman Co .. Neb .; Herbert married Miss Belle Wheeler, and is occupied at farming in Lancaster County ; Fred, Gussie and Carl are at home with their parents; Harlan, Clarence L., Ar- thur and Earl, all died in infancy.

Our subject, while a resident of Iowa, was Town- ship Clerk and School Director, and has held the latter oflice in his present school district for a num- ber of years. He and his estimable wife for a long period have been devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. B. was made a licensed minister in 1855. For two years he was a member of the Iowa Conference. He commeneed his labors in the ministry in 1855, and gave much of his time to church work until 1881. He cast his first Presidential vote for J. C. Fremont, and was a lifelong member of the Republican party until 1884, when his warm interest in the suc- cess of the temperance movement led him to iden- tify himself with the Prohibitionists.

The father of our subject, Aquilla Belt, was a native of Newark. Ohio, and the mother, in her girlhood Miss Henrietta E. Lewis, was born in Vir- ginia. They are still living in Buchanan County, Iowa, having arrived at an advanced age.

IRAM POLLEY. Kentucky has long been known internationally because of its blooded stock interests as restricted chiefly to the breeding of horses of high grade through- out its magnificent blue grass region. Its stock- raisers have put into this branch of business an enormous capital in the aggregate, have imported famous horses from Arabia and elsewhere, and have produced some of the finest animals in the world. But Kentucky can no longer claim exclusively this renown. Other districts in the United States vie with her in that regard. Nebraska. for instance, with its boundless plains, its bright, clear atnios- phere, is every year coming more to the front in

this line of business. This State possesses among its best citizens men who have given much time and thought to this subject, and to whom, also, it is an infatuation, who have launched into it very exten- sively and employ large capital toward a success. Among this number might be classed the subject of this writing, who owns a splendid tract of land comprising 320 acres on section 17, Oak Precinct.

William Dennis Polley, the father of our subject, was born in Canaan, N. Y., in 1777, where he re- ceived his early education and training. settled and continned to reside until 1811, when he emigrated to Russia, IIerkimer Co., N. Y., where he continued to make his home until his death. He was twice married, first to Deborah Eggleston, Feb. 15, 1802. His family by his first wife was as follows: James W., William H., Louisa, Ilaekley, Williard and Sophia. Ilis wife died Nov. 19, 1813. The following August he celebrated his second marriage. The name of the lady was Elizabeth Smith, a native of Norway, in the same county. To them were born ten children-Isaac P., Eliza, Nancy, Harriet, Daniel, James, Hiram (our subject), Waitie, Henry (who died in infancy ), and Henry P., all of whom, with the exception of the first Henry, came to ma- turity.

Iliram, our subject, was born on the 31st of March, 1837, in Russia, N. Y. Ile received his education in the schools of the same town, and upon graduation taught for some time in that in- stitution, and so continued until his marriage. In his native town there lived a young lady of high character and aptitude for the responsibilities of home, family and social life, and to her he was united in marriage. IIer name was Mrs. Abbie G. Gillett, nee Cooper. Their wedding was celebrated Jan. 19, 1854, and they continued to make their home in Russia for a period of three years, in which interval one daughter was born to them. At the expiration of this time they removed to Chagrin Falls, Cuyahoga Co., N. Y. In this home their family was increased by the birth of a son, named Frank J., who is now upon the farm with his father. Ilis sister's name is Minnie; she became the wife of O. C. Bell, and resides in Lincoln, her husband being the County Clerk.

The wife of our subject was born Feb. 26, 1826,

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in Boonville, Oneida Co., N. Y. There she re- ceived her early education, and continued to live with her parents until they removed to Herkimer County. For a short period previous to becoming the wife of our subjeet she occupied the same re- lation to Mr. Ezra Gillett, to whom she was mar- ried Aug. 10, 1847, but who died shortly after celebrating that event. Her father was Thomas Cooper, whose native town was Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where he was born about the year 1795. He made it his residenee until the War of 1812, and received his education in its schools. Ile enlisted and served throughout the various campaigns of the above war. after which he returned home. He was married to Eva Rarriek. To them were born seven children, of whom Mrs. Polley was the fourth. With the exception of a few years' residence in Ohio, where his wife died, he was a resident of New York State until the year 1878, when he came to this State, and died four years later, at the age of eighty-seven years.

Our subject, Mr. Polley, occupied the position of Postmaster of McFarland, the only post-office in that part of the county, and continued in the same for four years, when the office was discontinued, owing to the establishment of that at Orlando, now Raymond. Mr. Polley was the first and only Post- master of McFarland. He is now the Assessor, which office he has continued to hold through two consecutive terms, and has now entered upon his third. He has also held in a most worthy manner the office of Justice of the Peace. In the commu- nity Mr. Polley and family are held in very high esteem, and their efforts toward the elevation of society and the advancement of the city and county interests receive the fullest appreciation. It is a family that every true and honorable citizen is proud to know and to be received within its circle as a friend. They are members of the Christian Church, and among its most exemplary, consistent and energetic supporters. Society and mankind generally, whatever may be said to the contrary, must and will always respeet and honor the man or woman whose constant honest effort it is to approx- imate the character and life of the founder of our pure and holy religion. In political relations our subjeet has always, since the breaking out of the

late Civil War, been a stanch Republican, out- spoken in support of his party and energetic in its behalf.

Mr. Polley was one who assisted in establishing on the 4th of July, 1886, a society under the name of "The Old People's Pioneer Society of Lancaster County." It takes in all who settled before the year 1880. Our subject, who was elected the first President of the society, continues to hold the position.

There has come down to us from the Pharaohonic era the account of a terrible plague of locusts and another of flies. However extensive and however terrible the results accruing from them, we doubt if they were more terrible in their results to the people of Egypt than the devastating plague of grasshoppers which swept over this section of coun- try in the years 1874 and 1875 was to the compara- tively few pioneer settlers and farmers at that time. Among the number who suffered in and went bravely through that dark period and heavy trial was our subject. Not very long after. and while he was suffering from its effects, a new trouble was upon him. The day dawned bright and fair, became hotter and stiller, until presently, in the distance there could be seen the effects of a slight breeze. This rapidly approached, and in a very few moments it was realized that this slight, rust- ling breeze was but the advance of a terrible wind- storm. When the hurricance had passed, among the rest of the damage it had caused, it was found that his barn had been torn down and scattered by the wind. Nothing daunted, he set to work again and has met with his reward, for his property is one of the most valuable in the district. He is the owner of a veryklelightful home, and the old barn above referred to is still used, and last year he erected a large one.

As a stock-raiser onr subject must rank among the first, and is quite successful. Ilis special atten- tion is given to the higher grade of horses and thoroughbred Short-horns. He is the owner of an exceptionally fine registered bull, and several cows, descendants of old "Richmond." Among his horses may be seen five exceptionally fine horses, also the Norman-Morgan stallion, "Sam." He is a beauti- ful creature, finely formed, perfect in all his points,

A.B. Stuart)

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a stylish stepper of 1450 pounds weight and sixteen and one-half hands high. In color he is a lustrous coal black. He was brought to this State by Van Norman & Irvine, stock farmers. Mr. Polley has a farm of which any one might be proud. In the agricultural department, or upon the stock farm, in the stables or barns, among the machinery or implements and tools used in the various depart- ments, all reveal in a most positive manner that the owner and head of the establishment is one who has spared no pains and begrudged no effort; one who possesses an intelligent grasp of his occupation, and who has made it a study to be posted upon all points. It further reveals a man of sufficient liber- ality to introduce new inventions and experiments, and push enough to turn all to success. Sneh a man, in energy, generous thought and intellect, and high character, is our subject.

ROF. AMBROSE P. S. STUART. Occu- pying a prominent place in the literary and scientific world is the subject of this bio- graphical sketch, who is an influential eiti- zen of Lancaster County, and an esteemed resident of Lincoln. He is a cultured man, of broad and progressive views, having studied in some of the best universities in this country and abroad, and aside from the knowledge derived from books, he has a vast fund of practical information gleaned from visits made to various parts of the United States and the important countries of Europe.

Prof. Stuart is a native of Massachusetts, born in the town of Sterling, Worcester County, Nov. 22, 1820, that town having been also the place of the birth and death of several of his ancestors. He is of Scotch descent, Donald Stuart, one of his pater- nal ancestors, having emigrated from Scotland in the early part of the eighteenth century, and set- tled in Rowley. Essex Co., Mass., where he died when nearly one hundred years of age. Charles Stuart, the great-grandfather of our subject, it is believed, from the best information at hand, was born in Sterling, Mass., where he died when quite a young man. His son Solomon, grandfather of our subject, was also a native of Sterling, and there

spent the whole eighty-four years of his life. He was a farmer by occupation, and married Miss Elizabeth Moore, who bore him several children. Their son Levi, father of our subject, was also born, reared, married and died in Sterling. Ile was brought up on his father's farm, and in addition to that branch of industry, learned the chairmaker's trade, at which he worked a part of every year, devoting the remainder of the time to agriculture. Ile was a mueh respected citizen, and lived a long and useful life, dying in the spring of 1875 at an advanced age. In religion he was a worthy mem- ber of the Baptist Church, of which he was Deacon for many years. The maiden name of his wife was Jane Ames, also a native of Massachusetts, being the daughter of Phineas Ames, and a niece of Adam Howe, proprietor of the "wayside inn" immortal- ized by Longfellow in his poem bearing that name- She died at the old homestead in Sterling in 1855. To her and her husband had been born nine chil- dren, namely : Alexander, Ambrose P. S., Susan, Addison (who died in youth), Eliza, Addison A., Marietta, Washington and Charles Wesley. Am- brose and Addison A. are the only ones now living, the first Addison having died when five years of age and Alexander when an infant. Addison A. served in the late Civil War as a Captain in the 17th lowa Infantry, and is now a resident of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Ile has great mechanical genius, and is an inventor of repute, having taken out several useful patents. He is also of a literary turn of mind, and is the author of a book entitled, "Iowa Colonels and Regiments," giving a history of the Iowa regiments of the war.

The subject of our sketch received his prelimi- nary education in the district sehools of his native town, and at the age of thirteen years was sent to the academy at Templeton. Later he attended Westminster and New Ipswich Academies, and at the age of twenty years entered the Worcester Manual Labor Institute, where he was prepared to enter Brown's University, at Providence, R. I., matriculating there in September, 1843, and being graduated from that institution in 1847, with the degree of A. B. From the age of seventeen years until his entrance to Brown's University, when his studies engrossed his whole time, our subject taught

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during the winter season, thus partly defraying the expenses of his education. After graduation Prof. Stuart received an appointment in Acadia College, Nova Scotia, where he taught successfully two years, going from there to Providenee, R. I., where he remained until 1852. as Principal of the Elm street grammar school. The following two years our subject spent in Danvers, Mass., having been selected as Principal of the Holten High School. In the fall of 1853 he returned to Nova Scotia, and was again connected with Acadia College, remain- ing as one of its faculty until 1858. In June of that year, being desirous of perfecting his knowl- edge of the sciences, Prof. Stuart went to Europe and attended the universities of Heidelberg and Gottingen, making a special study of chemistry. During the three years that he was absent from home he visited Italy, Switzerland, Holland, Bel- gium, France. England and Scotland, and, return- ing home in 1861, arrived in New York soon after the battle of Bull Run. In 1862 he accepted a po- sition in the academy at Worcester, Mass, which he retained until 1865, when he was appointed As- sistant Instructor of Chemistry in the Lawrence Scientifie School at Harvard College, Cambridge, Mass. After his acceptance of this position our subject was called to Brown's University, but did not feel at liberty to accept, being already engaged at Harvard College, where he remained until 1868, when he resigned to accept the Chair of Chemistry in the Pennsylvania Agricultural College. Soon afterward the Professor was offered the Chair of Chemistry at the Illinois State University, at Cham- paign, which he accepted. He organized the chemi- cal department of that institution, and remained there for six years as Professor, when he resigned and took a vacation for one year. At the time of his father's death, in the spring of 1875, our sub- ject was selected to administer upon his estate, and in December of that year he came to Lincoln, and has been a resident here the greater part of the time since. With characteristic energy he at once iden- tified himself with the best interests of the city, and has been a potent factor in assisting its mar- velous growth. Hle has bought real estate and erected a handsome dwelling, where he now resides. Prof. Stuart has fine business talent, and is as

great a financier as he is scientist, and is a Director in the Capitol National Bank of Lincoln. He is well acquainted with the topography of his native eoun- try, having visited nearly every section of it, and has crossed the Atlantic Ocean to Europe three times, his second visit having been made in 1867, when he visited the World's Exposition at Paris. In 1874 he made another trip to Europe, visiting the principal cities of England and the continent, in the interest of the Illinois University, buying books and apparatus for its chemical department.

Among his literary brethren Prof. Stuart holds a high position, and is a fellow of the American As- sociation for the advancement of science, and cor- responding member of the New York Academy of Seience, besides being a member of the German Chemical Society of Berlin.

Prof. Stuart has been twice married. The maiden name of his first wife, to whom he was united in marriage in 1849, was Mary Wheeler. She was a native of Rhode Island and died in 1850, her married life having been of brief duration. Our subject was again married, June 6, 1876, taking for a wife Miss Martha E. Downing, a native of Kennebunk, Me. She is of English extraction, her grandfather, John Downing, a native of En- gland, having emigrated to America accompanied by his brother George. The latter soon returned to his native country, but the former settled in Kennebunk, where he took up a traet of timbered land, from which he cleared a farm, and there spent the remainder of his years. After becoming set- tled in life. he married Miss Mary Clarke, a daugh- ter of Adam Clarke, who was a native of England, and emigrated with his family to America. He held an office under the King. and had charge of the town records. Samuel Downing, the father of Mrs. Stuart, was born, reared, and spent his entire life in Kennebunk, dying in 1871. Ile owned a farm which he carried on, and was also extensively engaged in getting out ship timber. The maiden name of his wife, the mother of Mrs. Stuart, was Rachel Tarbox. daughter of James and Keziah (Hooper) Tarbox. She died at the old homestead in Maine. Mrs. Stuart is a member of the Method- ist Episcopal Church, as were her parents also.

Prof. Stuart is, and always has been, a stanch Re-

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publican. Since becoming a resident of this county he has devoted his attention to business, and has acquired a competency. The portrait of Prof. Stuart in this volume will be of interest to all, whether personally acquainted with him or other- wise, for doubtless even the casual reader will be interested to know the features of this worthy dev- otee of science and art.

ILLIAM HEDGES. When Longfellow wrote his world-renowned poem " Excel- sior," he presented in the idealistic youth not so much a person as a principle, which might be translated as desired, and applied to the individ- ual, community, or even nation. The banner with its motto " Excelsior," is simply the Latin Excelsus, meaning "still higher" or "upward and onward." In all probability the poet liad pressing upon his mind that which is brought forcibly before every intelligence which contemplates the movement of the best of Eastern citizens and families, in order to the development of the more western country. Every move is of national importance and is one step upward and onward. Like the youth in the poem, there are difficulties, dangers and enticements, seeking either to lure or dash the intrepid traveler from his purpose. The only unfortunate thing about the poem is that the poet did not finish it. The banner still waves; the traveler still presses on; the voice is still heard, and victory, not death, is the result to the intrepid pioneers who have been developing the Far West. Among the number who have bravely borne aloft the banner device "Ex- celsior" is the subject of this sketeh, an old pioneer and prominent citizen, having his farm upon see- tions 2 and 12 of West Oak Precinct.

Our subject is the son of Benjamin Hedges, who was born in the State of Ohio. What education could be obtained in those early days in the little pioneer school-house was afforded him by his par- ents. After this foundation had been laid he began to work upon the farm of his father. L'pon com- ing of age he started to work upon a farm for him- self, and saw as the result of his efforts continued prosperity. He was twice married; his first wife

was only spared to him a few months, and he was afterward united to Miss Melissa Bennett, and their happy union was made increasingly so by their children, of whom there were nine. Our subject was the eldest child, and was born in Cumberland County, Ill., May 25, 1842.

Very soon after his marriage with Miss Bennett the father of our subject removed to Indiana, and thence to Illinois, continuing his occupation as a farmer in the latter State until 1868, when removal was made to Saunders County, Neb., where a tract of land was taken, and the wild prairie soon be- came within his borders a farm fair to look upon and profitable in its harvests. This continued to be his home until his death, Oct. 12, 1884. For many years previous to his death the property had presented an appearance of beauty, thrift and pros- perity. The broad acres were well tilled and kept, the house and barn with the other farm buildings were substantially built, the residence being always attraetive because of its air of home and happiness, and as it stood surrounded by the broad spreading shade and lofty forest trees, seemed always to offer the blessing sought by the tired toiler at the close of the day, seeking a place where " the weary may find rest."

Phillip Hedges, grandfather of our subject, was a native of Virginia, and was one of the men who left the comparative comforts for the pioneer life of Indiana, and was one of those who helped to lay the foundation of the present State with all its huge possibilities and incalculable wealth. Mr. Hedges farmed, and in addition kept hotel, also for some years of his life ran a mill. Ile died at Lafayette, Ind., of cholera, in the year 1849. Ile, with his son Benjamin, was a member of the Christian Church for many years, Mrs. Benjamin Hedges was the daughter of William Bennett. Until her marriage she made her home with her parents, and after a happy wedded life of many years, died Aug. 17, 1882.

Our subject, as also his father before him, re- ceived in the common school of his native district all his education, and from that gave his attention to farming. At this work he continued untit he en- listed in the defense of his country, on the 12th of October, 1862, in Company E, 5th Ilinois Cavalry.

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Going out to the front he went through Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee, seeing some active service, taking part in a large number of skirmishes and minor engagements. lle was dis- charged, owing to disability, Feb. 24, 1863, at JIelena, Ark. Thence he returned to Illinois and recommenced farming, continuing for about three years.

In 1869 our subject came to Nebraska City, where he made his home for one year. At the end of that time he entered his present home farm un- der the Homestead Law. At that time it was in its virgin state, and only occupied by its original deni- zens. Now it is transformed and become one of the best, richest and most fertile farms in the dis- trict, as a result of his continued perseverance, en- ergy and care. Whether we turn to the house, as before remarked, the fields or orchard, we are con- vinced that the owner knows what he wants and what is best adapted to meet these wants, and more- over is a success in what he undertakes.

Among the blessings of life which Kentucky perhaps rightly elaims have been given to the world especially by her, stands at the head of the list that blessing, good and beautiful women. In Green Castle, Ky., was born June 12, 1847, to William and Mary (Potts) Wilson, a daughter Sarah. As she grew up her parents watched with pleasurable pride the development of those charms and graces which distinguished her, and made her so attractive afterward to our subject. She made her home with her parents in Kentucky, and also in Iola, Kan., when her parents removed there. This lady and our subject were felicitously united in the closest and most holy of all relations, July 4, 1867. Her father died in Kansas in 1867. Ilis wife was Miss Mary Potts, of Kansas, and their family comprised seven children, of whom four brothers and Mrs. Iledges still live. The marriage of our subject has been happily fruitful in the birth of six children- John Frank, Adelia, George, Estella, William and Lillie.

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Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 40

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

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