Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 43

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

USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska > Part 43

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

C HARLES E. HERDMAN. The Emerald Isle has from among her sons given to the world many of its best men. Whether we study her native history or watch the career of her chil- dren in other lands; read the story of their heroism under the English flag, in the Peninsula War; with the Iron Duke in the later days of Waterloo; their bravery in the early settlement of the New En- gland and Eastern States, or in the political and military arena of our own beloved country in

370

LANCASTER COUNTY.

later days, we must give her credit for giving the world one of the most noble and brilliant class of men produced by any nation. The subject of this sketch is a descendant from an Irish family.

Charles E. Herdman, whose splendid farm is situ- ated on section 16, Garfield Precinct, includes some 240 acres, which he operates in the interests of general farming and stock-raising, and is also the proprietor of the West Lincoln gristmill. He was born in Ottawa, East Canada, on the 31st of March, 1839. In due time he received his education in the district school, from which he passed to work with his father on the farm, in which he continued until about twenty-one years of age, at which time he left home, working in various places as a car- penter, until in 1855, when he met Miss Fanny Stevens, a native of Ottawa, East Canada. Their marriage took place at Ottawa in November, 1856. After this important event he purchased a farm in Canada and went to work. Until the year 1870 he continued with much success, growing more pros- perous every year.

The household circle of Mr. and Mrs. Herdman has increased from time to time, until it numbers seven children : Elizabeth; George, who married Jessie Fox ; William, James, Thomas, Fred, and Amelia, wife of David Martin, all of whom are still living. In 1870 Mr. Ilerdman sold his place in Canada and came here, being one of the very early settlers, and with his family fought bravely against the opposing forces of pioneer life. He purchased a farm in West Oak Precinct, which he improved, and upon which he built, and continued to reside until 1874. Selling this to advantage, Mr. Herd- man and family removed to California, but after a seven months' residence found the place far too sickly and unhealthy. and therefore returned to Nebraska, where he had a large amount of money invested in loans. Ilis purpose upon returning was to enter into mercantile pursuits, and he therefore went to Denver, Col., and for six months was en- gaged in the grocery business, but at the end of that period he turned his face once more toward this State, and located upon his present farm.

At the time of settlement upon his present prop- erty, our subject ascertained that it was out on lease, but after considerable trouble he was enabled

to get a title from the State. Then he began making improvements; the comfortable residence which he now occupies was erected, also his fine large barn and other out-buildings, and shortly after a gristmill on Oak Creek, which gives him magnificent water power. In addition to this enter- prise our subject is the owner of an excellent dairy, with quite an extensive business in that line. He makes a specialty of his creamery trade, and fur- nishes much of the cream used in the town for ice cream purposes.

Miss Fanny Stevens, wife of our subject, was born in 1840. in Ottawa County, Canada, where she was educated and brought up. and continued to reside with her parents until her marriage. Her father, George Stevens, was born in Ireland, and there owned a large estate. IIe came to Canada to live, but still retained his estate in Ireland. In 1875 he died at his home in Canada.

The father of our subject, Henry Herdman, was also born in Ireland, and in the same country re- ceived his early education. With his parents he emigrated to this country, landing in New York, afterward proceeding to Canada. Here he pur- chased a farm upon which he continued for some years. He was united in matrimonial relations with Elizabeth Maxwell, who was a native of Ireland, and their union was brightened by the birth of twelve children, of whom our subject was the eleventh. Henry Ilerdman continued to make his home in the Dominion until the time of his death, in 1883, at the ripe age of ninety-three years.

The eldest daughter of our subject has continued to make her home with her father. Her brother George was united in marriage with Miss Jessie Fox, a native of Lincoln, in 1884; he makes his residence in the town, and is engaged with his brother William in the ice business, and they own the largest enterprise in that line in the town. Ilis brother William continues to live at home, also Frederic, James and Thomas. Amelia is the wife of David Martin, and makes her home at Ft. Wal- lace, Kan., her husband having large interests in an extensive cattle ranch in that district. Both our subject and his sons are deeply interested in stock farming, and are the owners of large herds of cattle, besides a large number of horses and other

RESIDENCE OF J. H. BIERSTEDT , SEC. 12. BUDA PRECINCT.

RESIDENCE OF JOHN MARTIN, SEC. 21. SALTILLO PRECINCT.

RESIDENCE OF H. J. BUHMANN, SEC. 1. BUDA PRECINCT.

371

LANCASTER COUNTY.

stock. The farm land of Mr. Herdman's farm is very valuable, worth at least $600 per aere.

The Methodist Episcopal Church has in our sub- ject and his family, all of whom are members of the church, very strong supporters and warm friends. They are among its most earnest and consistent members, and are accorded its most entire confi- dence. As a family, and also as individuals, their place is in the front rank of our citizens. Polit- ically their sentiments lead them to affiliate with the Democratic party, to the principles of which they are attached. The candidates of that party always find in this family warm friends and earnest advocates.

S P. BENADOM. Our subject is a descend- ant of the Rev. John Benadom, the revered founder of the United Brethren Church. He was a native of Germany, was quite a learned man, and took pains to edueate all of his children. He came to the United States and set- tled in Ohio, and there, it is supposed, his son George, the father of our subject, was born. Hle was reared and educated in that State. and became prominently identified with the educational inter- ests of his native State, being one of the best mathematicians of his day, and at the time of his death was Professor of Mathematics in Mt. Vernon College, Lancaster, Ohio. He was also an active business man, and at the time of his death in 1834, was a contraetor on the Ohio Canal. His partner made way with the funds and left his family in im- poverished circumstances. His wife, whose maiden name was Hannah Myers, was a native of Ohio, and spent her last years in Fairfield, that State, dying in 1838. She was a woman who filled in every re- speet the perfect measure of wife, mother, friend. Of her marriage ten children were born, nine of whom grew to maturity.

He of whom we write was born near Lancaster, Fairfield Co., Ohio, Nov. 13, 1826, and was only eight years old when his father died, and twelve years old when his mother's death made him an orphan, and from that time he has made his own way in the world. If his father had lived our sub-

jeet would doubtless have received the education that he eraved, but the bright, manly lad was forced instead to earn his own bread by working on a farm. He married in his eighteenth year, and in 1846, accompanied by his wife, he started for the West, taking all his effects in a wagon drawn by a blind horse, having in his pocket but 852, all the cash that he owned. He located in Jones County, lowa, and was one of the pioneers there, from that time taking an active part in developing the re- sourees of Iowa, and was prominently connected with the organization of the State. Ile states that at the time he crossed the Mississippi River he could count every building in Davenport. It was some years before a railway connected Olin, the town where he located, with the outside world. and Museatine, forty miles distant, was the nearest market and depot for supplies. When he first Io- cated there the country was so sparsely settled that his patrons came from fifteen to twenty miles to his smithy. He continued prosperously engaged as a blacksmith, having entered into partnership with another man when he first located in Olin, for a number of years. In 1856 he took the contract to carry the mails from Olin to Davenport, and was appointed Postmaster by Buchanan, which office he resigned in 1862. Ile resided in lowa until 1868, and during that time had witnessed the develop- ment of Jones County from a wild, uncultivated country to a well settled, wealthy county. In the year just mentioned Mr. Benadom sold out there and came to Lincoln, to begin life anew as a pio- neer. He came as far as East Nebraska City, then the western terminus of the railway, and per- formed the rest of the journey to Lincoln on a stage. Lincoln was then but a small hamlet, con- sisting mostly of log buildings, and the greater part of the surrounding country was wild prairie land owned by the Government and State. Elk, ante- lopes and deer were plenty, and our subject being a good shot and fond of hunting, killed a great many wild animals. In three nights he killed twenty-one wolves inside of the incorporated limits of the city, a startling illustration of the wild and unsettled condition of the country that can scarcely be credited to-day, twenty years later, by one who passes through these broad avenues of commerce

372

LANCASTER COUNTY.

and sees on every hand indications of wealth and prosperity in the busy traffic going, in the fine busi- ness buildings, and in the stately, beautiful dwell- ings on every side. When he first came here Mr. Benadom commenced dealing in furs, and for twelve years handled all the furs sold in Lincoln. In 1869 he entered into the business of building dams, and in six years' time had constructed thirty-nine dams in different parts of Nebraska. Some years after coming to Lincoln he bought wild land, which he improved, and he is now the owner of 320 acres of well-improved land in Thayer County, and also owns other land there. He erected two blocks in the city of Carleton, one of which he still owns, and he has erected several houses in Lincoln.

Mr. Benadom has been twice married. Fidelia Burroughs, his first wife, was born in Vermont, and died in Iowa in 1866, leaving eight children-Al- mina, Emma, Mary, George W., Alice, Wilfred, and two who died in infancy. The second marriage of our subject, which occurred in 1867, was to Miss Hannah Jones, and to them two children have been born, but they are now dead. Mr. Benadom is a man of sound principles, is trustworthy as a citizen, and his character in private life is unassailable. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, and at the same time a strong Prohibitionist.

C ORNELIUS WISMER is a partner in the firm of Rowerdink & Wismer, dealers in general merchandise, at Hickman, Neb. Ilis parents, John and Frona (Boelkens) Wismer, were natives of Ilolland, in which country they were married. The husband was a farmer, and they emigrated to America in 1852, settling in She- boygan County, Wis., where he bought a farm, and continued until his death, at the age of fifty-four years, in 1876. The mother still resides in She- boygan County, aged sixty years, having been the mother of ten children, four boys and six girls.

Our subject, the second child, was born on the 14th of September, 1848, in Holland. He has but a faint remembrance of his Fatherland, having been but four years old when he was brought to America, and the long voyage of seven weeks on the sailing

vessel has left but little impression on his mind. He grew up at Sheboygan on the farm, and his par- ents being in moderate circumstances he began to work out at an early age, the acquiring of an edu- cation being limited to a few months in the winter time. Realizing the importance of an education, and denied many of the privileges of securing it, he spent his leisure time in general reading, and thus acquired a splendid stock of information on general topics.

In 1869, in company with his cousin, N. Poort, Mr. Wismer came to Nebraska, stopping for a time in Lincoln, and thence going out in search of land, he took a homestead of 160 acres in South Pass Pre- cinet, clearing it of all incumbrance by 1874. Previous to this time, in 1873, he was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Wissink, a daughter of Martin and Emma Wissink. Mrs. Wismer was the third of a family of seven children born in Sheboy- gan County, Wis., the date of her birth being in

1855. She enjoyed the advantages of the common schools, and came to Nebraska a miss of thirteen with her parents, who had come to Wisconsin from Holland, afterward moving to Nebraska, in 1869. The father took up a homestead, and is now very comfortably situated, residing with his son in South Pass, being sixty-two years old. The mother of Mrs. Wismer died in 1874, which loss was much mourned by her family.

After marriage our subject continued on his farm until 1883, when he went into partnership with Mr. Rowerdink in general merchandise. Ile still owns his farm, which he has well cultivated, and improved with good buildings. There is an orchard of 200 trees, containing apple, plum, cherry and other fruit trees. He built the store in which the firm is now doing business, and his trade steadily increased until now it is second to none in Hickman, the public appreciating the fair manner in which it has been treated by the firm as a house of strict integrity. The firm of Rowerdink & Wis- mer will always be remembered by its apprecia- tive and numerous customers.

The subject of our sketch is the father of seven children, all living at home; their names are as fol- lows: Martha, Jennie, Tilda, Frank, John, Daniel and Oscar. The father is a member of the Dutch

373

LANCASTER COUNTY.

Reformed Church, of Holland, Lancaster County, and is also an active member of the Young Men's Christian Association, of llickman. He votes with the Republican party, and has been a delegate to the County Convention at Lincoln. As a testi- mony to his strict business integrity and honorable conduct he has been elected Assessor of South Pass Precinct for three years, and has served as a mem- ber of the Highway Committee for six years. At present he is filling the honorable position of Chair- man of the Village Board, and is also the School Moderator of Hickman, having been instrumental in the advancement of the educational facilities of the place.

OHN E. B. GRAHAM. About twenty miles from the city of Lincoln, upon section 23, West Oak Precinct, lies one of the finest farms in the precinct. The house also, is perhaps, the most pleasantly situated. It is the home and property of the subject of this sketch. The house stands upon an elevation which com- mands a very fine view of the surrounding country, and. standing in its open doorway upon a clear day, the sun can be seen gilding the dome of the capitol at Lincoln. Turning from the glories which Nature has scattered with lavish hand all around this delightful residence, we are most agreeably surprised to find that the old pioneer home is a thing of the past. Its internal decorations and fur- nishing are suggestive of refinement and culture, and indicative of the true home, with all the wealth of meaning with which that word is endowed.

The owner of the above delightful property and residence was born June 25, 1826, in Juniata County, Pa., in which place he also received the rudiments of his education, which was afterward somewhat more completed in Cumberland County, where his father moved when he was about fonr- teen years of age. When he had finished with the school books he passed immediately to learn the du- ties and work of the farm, under the tuition of his father, whom he continued to assist until his mar- riage.

It was on the 1st of March, 1855, that the hopes and desires of our subject and Miss Kate Hemmin-

ger were consummated in plighted faith and re- corded vows, which bound them as one until death should separate. Their union has been gladdened by the advent of eleven children, of whoin six sons and two daughters are still living-John A. S., Thomas T., Jacob II., Mary N., Samuel L., Ed- mond B., Fannie E. and George II.

From the time of marriage until the year 1869, our subject continued to reside on the old home- stead and to work the home farm, but at that time he turned westward, settled at Lincoln, and contin- ued to reside there for three years, after which, in 1872, he purchased his present property, now one of the finest in the district, but then a barren waste of untamed prairie, which has only been subdued by unremitting effort, persistent energy, judicious ex- penditure, and intelligent, careful planning. Our subject is a general farmer, and very prosperous in that line, but finds time for the improvement of stock, to which he is devoting more attention, with the purpose of going into stock farming. He is the owner of a herd of sixty Short-horns, several beau- tiful brood mares, beside other stock. He has also set ont an extensive and well-selected orchard of apple and other fruit trees, while those of the shade and forest variety have not been forgotten.

The wife of our subject was born in Cumberland County, Pa., May 13, 1829. Her education was obtained in the usual institution of her native town. She continued to live at home until her marriage. This most estimable lady is the daughter of John and Eliza Hemminger. Her father was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1788, and died June 12. 1878, having, with the exception of one decade completed the century's cycle. While in his youth he removed with his parents to Cumberland County, Pa., and there he continued to work a large farm through the greater part of his active days, when he removed to Carlisle, and enjoyed the rest and quiet which he had so well earned. ITis wife was Eliza Heagy, who, after having borne the responsi- bilities and trials of life, and having the joy of sce- ing her twelve children started in life, went to her long home Sept. 1, 1884.

The father of our subject was John Graham, born in Juniata County, Pa., about the year 1780, re- moving to Cumberland County, same State, in 1840,

374

LANCASTER COUNTY.

where he continued to reside until 1866, when he went to his rest, at the age of eighty-seven years. His lifelong occupation was that of farming, in which he had been fairly prosperous. The partner of his life was Miss Polly Turbett, who was born about the year 1788, and died Sept. 1, 1861. Their home circle comprised twelve children, and it was their privilege to bring all but one of them to ma- turity.

Of the children of our subject, the eldest was united in marriage with Mary Griffith, who has borne him three children; their home is in Oak Precinet. The second son has become the husband of Josie Lineback; Mary is now the wife of Mr. James Griffith, and has become the mother of two children ; their residence is in Colorado. Mrs. Gra- ham is a very consistent and most highly esteemed member of the Raymond Presbyterian Church.

Politically, our subject is a strong adherent of Republican principles, and is a firm supporter of the "grand old party." He has for some time past held the office of School Director. As a citizen, he receives the highest regard of the community, both on account of his character as an individual and citizen, and also in recognition of his efforts in be- half of the community generally.

OHN D. MULVANE. The traveler in Switzerland, as he stands at the foot of the mountain prepared for the ascent, frequently looks up among the peaks and crags in ad- miration and surprise, but as he ascends, and reaches some point far above the valley, one of the many and tortuous windings of the path suddenly reveals to him a platean, where a far greater surprise is his than that experienced at the foot of the mountain, for here he sees a prosperous village with fields, flocks and pasture. lle asks himself, how came those here? and is still more surprised when told that the happiness and prosperity before him is the result of the labor of generations, as year after year has passed, and the cottagers have brought, basket by basket, the rich soil from the valley to the plateau.

How truly the above represents and explains the

prosperity and happiness of some whom we meet upon the plateau of life ; they have toiled, and gen- erations before them have toiled, to deposit upon the hard rock, basket by basket, until what had been hard and repellant in life has been made to blos- som like a garden, and has been wreathed with the smiles of happy prosperity. In the biography of John D. Mulvane, owner of a fine farm on section 25, West Oak Precinct, comprising 1 60 acres of first- class bottom land, we have, perhaps, a case in point.

The grandfather of our subject, John Mulvane, was born in Virginia, but removed to what is now Oxford Township, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, which was then a very wilderness, given over to the occu- pancy of such animals as the bear, wolf, deer, ante- lope, and many others of the same ilk. He here took several hundred acres of land, and went to work steadily and heartily, improved and cultivated a farm, raised large quantities of stock of various kinds, and was considered at that time a very large operator. His family numbered six children, com- prising five sons and one daughter, and when New- comerstown was established, he was the first one to open a place of business in the same, which was given to his two eldest sons to conduct. During the War of 1812 he served his country in the ranks.

The second son of John Mulvane was born in 1809, and was reared upon the homestead in Oxford Township, and received his education in the old pioneer log school-house. As soon as he was through with schooling he was put to farm work, which he continued, with the exception of the time taken in the construction of the Ohio Canal, upon which he was employed with his two brothers, and was appointed overseer of the work. This over, he went back to the farm of his father until his marriage, in 1834. The lady of his choice was Sarah Ann Dean, the daughter of Col. John Dean, a native of Virginia, but resident of Coshocton County, Ohio. Their union has been blessed by the birth of five children, three of whom still survive. Shortly after his marriage he received of his father 160 acres, and purchased an additional 100 acres, covered with heavy timber, situated m Coshocton County, upon the Tuscarawas River. Here he pro- ceeded with the arduous work of hewing from the domain of the forest a home for himself and bride.

375

LANCASTER COUNTY.

It was of the usual material and form, and its furnishing comprised what was necessary for their use, luxuries being very seldom found in the log cabins of that day.

Col. John Dean, father of Mrs. Mulvane, was born in Virginia, and in 1818 purchased a farm in Ohio and removed to it. At this time his daughter Sarah Ann was in her third year, having been born on the 24th of December. 1815. In the new home he set to work, and speedily had 400 aeres under enltivation, and afterward erected a very comfort- able farm dwelling, a large frame barn, beside other needed buildings for the farm and stock. He con- tinned his residence upon this property until his death, in 1852. He was intensely devoted to the welfare of Methodism, and his house was the head- quarters for the preachers and other workers of that communion. and not infrequently did the home do duty for meeting-house and church.

John D. Mulvane, our subject, was born in Co- shoeton County, Dec. 26, 1835, and was the eldest child of John M. Mulvane, and was seventeen years of age at the death of his father. Ile was the recipient-thanks to his parents-of a first-class school education, and upon its completion worked upon his father's farm until he became of age, about which time he was married. The lady to whom he was united, and who has stood with him through the subsequent years, was Matilda F. Mardis, a daughter of William Mardis, a school and music teacher and farmer. To them have been given six children, five of whom are living, and are named as follows: Casius M., Ozro H., Orin E., Frank E .. William and Emma I.

After his marriage our subjeet took his father's farm until 1866, when he removed to Edgar County, Ill., and bought a farm, which was at that time slightly improved. With this work our subjeet progressed until the whole had been brought into good condition, and in 1875 he sold his property, came to Nebraska and bought his present farm, at that time in a state of native wildness. Ile set to work, and speedily had made quite a change in the appearance of things. llis house and farm build- ings were put up substantially, and with more regard for comfort and convenience than to the tricks and fashions of the professional architect.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 43

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

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