Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 46

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

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The early years of James C. were spent in his native county, Sullivan, and after schooling was completed he learned the trade of carpenter and builder. He was just finishing and preparing to start in life when the bugle sounded for men to go to the front to protect the Union. IIe enlisted Feb. II, 1862, in Company C, 59th Indiana In- fantry, with which he marched and fought for two years, and after having veteranized received a short furlough, then returned and served until the close of the war. He was an active participant in the battles of New Madrid, Corinth, Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson (Miss.), Champion Hills, siege and capture of Vicksburg, and Missionary Ridge. After furlough he rejoined the regiment at Hunts- ville, Ala., in April, and on the 24th of that month he received a wound which laid him up for nine months, and on recovery, about four months there- after, he was detailed as clerk in the general hos- pital, at lIuntsville, for twelve months, after which he rejoined his regiment at Washington, D. C., in 1865, and was promoted to Sergeant Major, and was ordered to join the Army of the Tennes- see, with which he remained until he was mastered out July 17; he received his final discharge and pay in Indianapolis, July 21, 1865.

From 1865 our subject continued in Indianapolis for five years as agent for a transfer company, and then went back to Sullivan County, and gave his attention to farming until 1882, when he came to this State. Coming to Lincoln he engaged in business, but a visit to this precinct led him to buy

a tract of wild prairie land upon section 17, town 11, range 5. In 1883 he located thereon, and commenced in the lumber business in 1884 as man- ager for S. A. Brown & Co. Ile continued the management of this business until 1888, when he bought the yard and started for himself, and still continues in the same. The farm he also owns, but rents to the person working it. lle is also still en- gaged in the hardware business, which he bought at the time indicated above.

In September, 1857, our subject was married to Mary E. Hughes, of Nelson County, Ky., daughter of IIampton and Nancy (Patton) Hughes, both na- tives of the same State. Mrs. Mahan's parents moved to Sullivan County, Ind., from their Ken- tucky home in the year 1844, and engaged in farm- ing. The first fall and winter of his residence in Indiana, he killed in hunting thirty-four deer, be- sides numerous other animals and small game. This union has been fruitful in the birth of four children, whose names are as follows: Winfield S., Dora, Fanny F. and Dilla. There were four other children, who died in infancy. Our subject is a very active member of Farragut Post No. 25, G. A. R. Ile has been appointed and still contin- ues a Notary Public. In political matters he is act- ively in sympathy with the Republican party, and bas given careful study to the questions before the nation. In campaigns he is energetic in behalf of his party, and is very efficient in its service. Among his comrades and fellow-citizens he is esteemed as a man and citizen, as is due to one who has so heartily the interests and advancement of his vil- lage and State before him.

ILLIAM HI. WOODWARD, the well-known and successful lawyer of Lincoln, whose por. trait is given on the opposite page, is one of the leading members of his profession in Nebraska, and a member of the law firm of Billingsby & Woodward, office No. 210 South Eleventh street, Rooms from 1 to 4, inclusive. Ile is a native of Pulaski County, IN., born Dec. 27, 1816, and is a

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son of Capt. William C. Woodward, a native of Tennessee, and one of the heroes of the Mexican War. Our subject is the sole survivor of the Woodward family, the other members having fallen on the battle-field while bravely defending the stars and stripes that now wave over a free and undi- vided country.

The father of our subject enlisted in the Mexi- can War as a private in Company A, 2d Illinois Infantry, which formed part of Gen. Wool's divis- ion, and on the arrival of his company in Mex- ico, by the unanimous vote of his comrades, who readily recognized his ability and trustworthiness, he was elected to be their Captain. His brilliant service was brought to a close Sept. 15, 1847, at the battle of Buena Vista, as while he was leading his company to the charge, he was killed by the fero- cious Mexican lancers, and his body was cut to pieces. Ile was a gallant soldier and a good officer, and his premature death was greatly mourned by his fellow-soldiers and superior officers.

Being thus left fatherless when he was too young to realize the great loss that he had sustained, our subject was still further bereaved in his childhood, when he was ten years of age, of the tender care of the best of mothers, her death occurring in 1857. Her maiden name was Tabitha A. Metcalf, and she was a native of Tennessee. To her and her hus- band had been born one other son besides our sub- jeet, Richard M., who, in life's morn, when the prospects of a glorious and honorable career were the brightest, gladly yielded up his young being to his country. In the early part of the late war he had enlisted for a period of three months, and at the expiration of that term had again enrolled him- self as a soldier for a term of three years Just before going into the battle of Ft. Donelson he was promoted to be Captain of Company G, 11th Illi- nois Regiment, and bravely did he meet the foe. Three times he was wounded, the last time unto death, first in the fleshy part of the thigh, the see- ond time through the lungs, and the third time in the groin. The last night of the battle, the 14th of February, 1862, was bitterly cold, and the wounded lay on the battle-field slowly stiffening and freezing as the life current ebbed away. He lay thus un- protected all night at the mercy of the rebels, and

when he was found in the morning lifeless, his body was frozen to the ground, and had to be cut away before it could be buried. His frank and noble qualities made him the idol of his comrades; he was an exemplary young man, and a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; he was but twenty-one years of age at the time of his death.

William II. Woodward, of whom we write, being early deprived of his parents, as we have before noted, was placed in charge of a guardian. The same patriotic spirit that had animated the breast of his sire and only brother characterized him, and he ran away from his guardian to enter the army. HIe took part in the battles of Corinth and Iuka be- fore he enlisted, and he was then allowed to enter the service as a drummer. But it was found that he had more fight in him than music, and he was permitted to exchange the drum for the rifle, and to take his place in the ranks as a soldier, becoming in 1863 a member of Company D, 56th Illinois Infantry, and subsequently took part in all the gen- eral engagements of the Western Army, including Sherman's march from Atlanta to the sea, and thence to Washington.

After the war our subject set himself earnestly about the task of completing his education, and in 1868, while teaching school, began to read law. He attended the Southern Illinois College, at Car- bondale, from which he was graduated, after pur- suing a thorough course, in 1869, with honors. He afterward entered the excellent law school at the University of Indiana, at Bloomington, from which he was also graduated at the head of the class. He was admitted to the bar March 26, 1873, at Mt. Vernon, Ill., before the Supreme Court. Ile immediately established himself in prac- tice at Carbondale, III., where he remained until 1885. He soon began to be regarded as a young lawyer of great promise, and in a few years his talents and attainments had placed him among the foremost of the legal luminaries of Southern Illi- nois, and had gained him prominence in public affairs. He was first elected to the thirtieth session of the Illinois Legislature in 1876, and for five years ably and satisfactorily represented his con- stituency in that body, having been elected on

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the Republican ticket in a strongly Democratic county. He was for several years City Clerk, and also held the office of attorney for the city of Carbondale. In his public life he became intimate with that illustrious citizen, soldier and statesman, Gen. Logan, and assisted him in all his political campaigns. In 1880 our subject received a sun- stroke, and was for some time incapacitated for his publie or private duties. In 1884 he went to Chicago to take the eivil service examination, and was the first appointee of those then examined in the classified service, Mr. Lyman giving him the position of special examiner in the pension office, at a salary of $1,600 a year and $3 a day additional while in the field, which was the largest salary in the classified service. Ilis record as examiner was of the very best, as he was as- sured by Gen. Dudley, Commissioner of Pensions, in a letter. Our subject was discharged without cause from his office as examiner by Commissioner Black, with no reason assigned, though it is sup- posed on account of "offensive partisanship," that is for being loyal to the Republican party, under whose banner he had fought in the late Civil War, an'd of whose principles he has been a stanch sup- porter ever since. In October, 1885, Mr. Wood- ward removed to Lincoln with his family, formed a partnership with Capt. Billingsby, an eminent lawyer of this place, which has proved of mutual advantage, and they enjoy a large practice in this State.

Mr. Woodward was married, Dec. 25, 1870, to Miss Melissa J. Ilindman, a native of Illinois, and a daughter of Silas G. Hindman, a native of Illinois. Her father was formerly a prominent merchant of Carbondale, Ill., of which town he was a pioneer. He has made a success of his life, and is now living in retirement at Augusta, Kan. Ile was for many years a companion of Gen. Logan, He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and does mueh toward supporting it. The marriage of our subject and his wife has been blessed to them by the birth of four children, namely : Frank, Fred, Dollie and William R. Dollie is deceased; the others are at home.

Mr. 'and Mrs. Woodward are prominent mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and, so-

cially, our subject belongs to the following-named organizations: The I. O. O. F., the G. A. R. and the A. O. U. W. Ile is an orator of recognized ability, and his eloquent voice is often heard from the platform at social meetings, or political gather- ings, urging on his party to new victories.

W ILLIAM H. STUBBLEFIELD, formerly one of the most prosperous farmers of Den- ton Precinet, is now retired from active labor and occupies a well-appointed home in Lincoln. During all the years of his working life he employed himself in farm pursuits, and is essentially a self-made man, one who started out dependent upon his own resources, and who owes his accumulations simply to his own industry and perseverance. Ile has been prominent among the business men as well as the agriculturists of Southern Nebraska since the time of his coming here, when he was at once recognized as a valued addition to the community.

Fifty-six years ago, Jan. 11, 1832, our subjeet was born near the little village of White Hall, Greene Co., Ill., under the modest rooftree of his parents, Fielding L. and Martha (Lorton) Stubblefield, na- tives respectively of Tennessee and Kentucky. The father was born in Gallatin, Sumner County, Aug. 3, 1809, and left his native State prior to his mar- riage, settling in Randolph County, Ill., as early as 1827, not far from Kaskaskia. Ilere the two chil- dren of the family were born, and survived to ma- ture years, our subject and his sister Frances, who died in 1862 at the age of twenty-five. She mar- ried A. M. Eckes, and left one child.

John Lorton, a maternal unele of our subject, was prominent in the early settlement of Nebraska, and was the first agent of the Otoe Reservation. Thomas Lorton, his maternal grandfather, spent his last years in Greene County, on Lorton's Prairie, east of White Hall, Ill., where he died at an advanced age. The Lorton family was noted for longevity. The mother of our subject is still living, having now reached the advanced age of seventy-seven years, and makes her home at the old place in Green- field, Ill. She traces her ancestry back to England, and the family history as far as is known indicates that

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it was represented in America during the Colonial days. Fielding Stubblefield departed this life at his home in Greene County, Oct. 1, 1875.

The maiden name of the grandmother on the father's side was Henry, and she was a lineal de- scendant of Patrick Henry, of Revolutionary fame, The subject of this sketch attended first the district schools in his neighborhood and later received in- struction in a select school, and lived with his par- ents until reaching his majority. Ile then engaged in farming on his own account, and soon after reach- ing his twenty-first birthday was married, Oct. 25, 1853, to Miss Harriet C. Bright, a native of Bel- mont County, Ohio, and who was born near the city of Wheeling, Va., March 3, 1837. Her parents, John H. and Louisa (Rector) Bright, were natives of Virginia. The father spent his last years in Ohio, and the mother in California.

Mr. and Mrs. Stubblefield after their marriage settled on the old homestead in Greene County, Ill .. where they lived until coming to Nebraska in 1867, soon after the Territory had been transformed into a State. Their residence during the first year was in the embryo town of Lincoln, where our subject engaged in dairying on land now occupied by the Home of the Friendless. The soil here underwent its first cultivation at his hands, and he continued upon this farm until 1876, when he removed to a point three and one-half miles west of the present Insane Asylum, where he purchased land and car- ried on farming until 1884. He had in the mean- time accumulated 320 acres, and now sold two of his farms and took up his residence in Lincoln. In 1882 he invested a part of his capital in the Stub- blefield Block, which now comprises one of the architectural ornaments of the city. Ile has since been considerably engaged in the real-estate busi- ness.

To our subject and his worthy partner there have been born three children : Alice, who lives at home ; Minnie W. is the wife of William Brigman, a large ranchman in Texas and Mexico; and Louis resides with his parents. Mr. Stubblefield while farming also officiated as Justice of the Peace in Denton Precinct, which office he held two terms in succes- sion. He was also Assessor. Politically, he gives his support usually to the Democratic party. So-

cially, he has been considerably interested in the I. O. O. F., being a charter member of Capita Lodge No. 11, and is now Secretary. He is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of this lodge, which is one of the wealthiest in the State. Mr. S. is one of the solid men of Lincoln, whose judgment is frequently appealed to in important matters, and who invari- ably obtains a respectful hearing.

ON. GEORGE W. EGGLESTON, Vice President of the Citizens' Bank, at Bennet, and dealer in grain and coal, is numbered among the energetic business men of this part of the county, of which he became a resident in 1873. A native of Lincolnshire, England, he was born Feb. 23, 1850, and is the son of William and Sarah (Bavan) Eggleston, who were natives of the same county as their son, and of pure English descent.

A few months after the birth of our subject his parents crossed the Atlantic, and settled first in Summit County, Ohio, whence they removed later to Peoria, Ill. There the mother died in 1863. The father followed the occupation of a mason and plasterer. and is still living, being now a resident of Elk Precinct, in the northwestern part of this county. Their family included three children, two besides our subject, viz: A sister who resides in Cedar County, Iowa, and a brother who lives in this county.

Mr. Eggleston spent his boyhood and youth mostly upon the farm, and acquired his education in the common schools. He also worked for a time in a pottery, and was a bright and industrious lad, who kept his eyes open to what was going on around him in the world, and at an early age gave promise of being a man among men. Ile left the parental roof when twenty years of age, and for the first two years after coming to this county carried on farming, and subsequently engaged in general merchandising about six months.

Mr. Eggleston about 1876 became interested in grain and coal, and in 1881 erected the elevator at Bennet, which has a capacity of 10,000 bushels, and does a thriving business. His natural energy

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and progressive ideas at once commended him to the people of this section as a man worthy of dis- tinction, and after filling other positions of trust and responsibility, he was selected as the candidate of the Republican party to represent the Thirtieth Distriet in the State Legislature. Ile served his term with credit, and has also discharged the duties of various local offices in the village. Ile became identified with the Masonic fraternity in 1876. is also a member of the I. O. O. F. and A. O. U. W. In these he has held about all the offices, and in the latter is a Master Workman. He has been Vice President of the Citizens' Bank since its organi- zation. Hle cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Grant, and uniformly supports the principles of the Republican party. To the various enterprises which have for their object the advancement of the people, he lends a substantial support. He is a man looked up to in his community as one of the con- servators of its interests, and closely identified with its progress, socially, morally and financially!

The home of Mr. Eggleston comprises a neat and substantial dwelling, with attractive surroundings, and his family consists of an accomplished wife and four bright children, the latter named George W., Jr., Frank, Howard and Charles. The eldest is eleven years of age and the youngest three. The wife of our subject was formerly Miss Edith Gor- ham, and they were married in Bennet, Oct. 10, 1870. Mrs. Eggleston is the daughter of George W. Gorham, who is now a resident of Kansas. Our subject and his family occupy a good position socially, and are surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.

G EORGE W. HEADRICK, a prominent far- mer and representative citizen of Lancaster County, has resided within its borders since 1865. He secured his land under the Homestead Act, and located on section 10, Waverly Precinct, claiming the southeast quarter of said section. IIe has brought his land to a high degree of improve- ment, but he has reduced its area to 100 acres, having given the remainder to his son. Ile is now in the enjoyment of a life of comfort, as the result

of well-directed effort, and has before him the pros- pect of a long and happy life.

The subject of this biographical notice is a na- tive of Brown County, Ind., where he was born Oct. 4, 1829, and is the son of Daniel and Mary (Harris) Headrick, natives of Kentucky. The par- ents were married about 1827, and migrating to Indiana, settled in Brown County and resided there until 1847. They then removed to Davis County, Iowa, and there passed the remainder of their days, and died esteemed and respected by all who knew them. Their family included ten children, all of whom attained their majority, and the following is their record: Nancy became the wife of James Ilillman; John, George W., Charles; Sarah became the wife of Jacob Barnhart, and died in Illinois, while Lovina, Mrs. Amos Burton, died in this State; Daniel; Joseph died in lowa; Mary Ann is de- ceased ; Elizabeth J. became the wife of James Tar- rence and is now deceased.

The boyhood days of our subject were spent uneventfully, alternating between the district school and the farm, and he reached a vigorous manhood. Ile accompanied the family to Iowa, and there made the acquaintance, that finally ripened into more intimate relations, of Miss Diana Bunnell, the ceremony that united their destiny taking place in 1849. Mrs. Headriek was born in Indiana, and is the daughter of Stephen and Lucinda (Ward) Bun- nell. She was reared to womanhood with her par- ents, and while receiving an education in the public schools of her township was instructed by her ju- dicious mother in those duties which have made her such a valuable helpmate to her husband in their life work. During the first six years of married life Mr. Headrick engaged in the manufacture of brick, and for a short time acted in the capacity of "mine host," while he also operated a steam saw- mill, and was engaged in merchandising for one year. In 1865 our subject came to Nebraska, and has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits, with the exception of three years, during which he resided in Waverly and conducted a general store. In addition to his farm property Mr. Headriek also owns two houses and three lots in Waverly, and is classed among the solid men of Lancaster County. Our subject and his excellent wife have had

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born to them six children, one of whom died in in- faney. The names of the survivors are as follows: Charles, James, Mary, Sarah and Frank. In poli- ties our subject was formerly a Republican, but his feelings on the subject of temperanee are of such a nature that he considers it should be made a National question, and following the dictates of his con- science he has had the courage to cut loose from his party and unite with the Prohibitionists. His upright life and good practical sense have not gone unnoticed by his fellow-townsmen, and he has been elected to several of the local offices, including that of Justice of the Peace, in which his decisions show good judicial ability. He and his good wife are consistent members of the Christian Church, and no movement looking toward the well-being of Wa- verly Precinet lacks the support and encouragement of this worthy family. Mr. Headrick is the father of the first twins born in this State; they are both young ladies and living at home.

OHIN C. SEVERIN, JR., is a well-known far- mer and stock-raiser of Buda Precinet, resid- ing on section 26. lle was born on the 3d of May, 1843, in Prussia, Germany, and is a son of John C. and Elizabeth Severin, also residing in this precinet. They were early pioneers of Lan- caster County, and further mention will be made of them in the sketch of F. Charles Severin, a brother of our subject. The gentleman of whom we write came to America with his parents in the fifties, and located with them in Clayton County, Iowa, where he reached the years of manhood. When he was about sixteen years old he began to learn the trade of a cooper and followed that business for about six years, afterward learning the trade of a machinist. For a short time he engaged in the lat- ter oeeupation, and the remainder of his time has been spent in farming.

On the 17th of October, 1865, our subject was united in marriage, in Ft. Wayne, Ind., with Miss Mary Siedschlag, and they gathered about them a family of thirteen children, eleven of whom are liv- ing, as follows: Henry, Frank (both of Chicago, Ill.), Anne, Augusta, Alexander, Bertha, Christian,

Harmon, John, Arnold and Otto. With the excep- tion of Henry and Frank, the children are at pres- ent all at home.

Our subject with his family came to Lancaster County in the year 1869, and homesteaded eighty acres and pre-empted eighty acres, making him the owner of 160 acres of land, on which he has made substantial improvements. There has been a great deal of hard work necessary to bring this amount of uncultivated land to a state of usefulness, and it was only by perseverance and untiring energy that its present cultivated condition was secured. Mr. Severin can well afford to gaze upon his fine fields and indulge in a feeling of gratification, knowing that by his own labors he has brought about their fine appearance and utility.

Mrs. Severin was born on the 1st of April, 1848, in Prussia, and is a daughter of Herman and Au- gusta Siedschlag, with whom she came to America when she was fifteen years old. For a time she lived in Chicago, Ill., and then moved to Ft. Wayne, Ind., at which place she was married. Her father died in 1864, and her mother now lives in Ashland, Neh., with Prof. A. S. Mansfield, of Omaha College, he being ber son by a former marriage. Mr. Sev- erin finds time aside from his duties on the farm which he can devote to the interests of his com- munity, having served as School Treasurer for sev- eral terms, and as Road Supervisor for a number of years. Ile takes an active interest in public affairs, and is glad to see the improvements which have been brought about in the past few years. In poli- ties he has joined himself to the Republican organi- zation, and enjoys the esteem of those whom he is socially called to meet.

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Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 46

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

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