USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska > Part 47
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R OSWELL D. COOLEY, engaged in agricult- ural pursuits, resides on section 22, Waverly Precinet, where he settled in 1867, home- steading the west half of the south west quar- ter. In 1879 he sold this property and settled on the northeast quarter of the same section, while he also owns eighty acres of land on section 36. Here he pursues the even tenor of his way, making a comfort- able living and comparatively free from cares. Mr.
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Cooley first saw the light in Trumbull County, Ohio, Feb. 21, 1838, and is the son of Sherman and Diana (Day) Cooley, natives respectively of Massachusetts and Vermont. After their umion, which took place in Connecticut, the parents removed to Ohio, and, in 1857, to Grant County, Wis., where they located near Platteville. The father died in February, 1888, at the ripe old age of eighty-two years, and his was the first death in the family ; the mother and their eight children still survive.
Roswell D. Cooley is the fourth in order of birth in the parental family, and was reared to farm pur- suits, at the same time receiving a common-school education. He accompanied the family to Wiscon- sin, and continued a resident of the Badger State until he came to this State in 1867. Ile was united in marriage, in 1874. with Miss Mary, daughter of Leonard and Susan (Thompson) Kile, natives of New York. The parents of Mrs. Cooley were re- siding in Canada at the time of her birth, which oc- curred Feb. 18, 1843, and they removed from that country to the State of Ohio in 1847 and settled in Ashtabula County, where they resided until their decease, and left a family of eleven children, of whom eight are still living, and the wife of our sub- jeet is next to the youngest.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Cooley has been blessed by the birth of two children-Carrie and Edward L. Carrie was born Dee. 17, 1876, and the son was born June 11, 1880. In politics, our subject is found in the ranks of the Republican party, and is ever ready to promote its interests.
G ILBERT D. ROBERTSON is a son of John and Jane (Watson) Robertson, who were born in Ilamilton, Scotland. His father was a butler, and in that capacity he served the Duke of Hamilton from the time he was a boy until he became a young man. Then, until old age was ap- proaching, he served as butler to Sir James Stewart, Baronet of Coldness. Ile died at the age of sev- enty-five years, and his wife died at the age of sev- enty-nine years. There were seven children . of this family, all of whom lived to enjoy a good age, but one by one they have passed away in the order
in which they were born into the world, excepting one, our subject, who is the youngest child, none having attained less than seventy years.
Our subject, an honorable, elderly gentleman, was born on the 19th of May, 1813, at Douglass Park. Bothwell Parish, Lennoxshire, Scotland. lle enjoyed a good common-school education, and at the age of fifteen he left home to serve an apprentice- ship as stone-cutter and builder. He served in that capacity for three years, and then continued to work at the trade in Scotland, and there he was married to Miss Elizabeth Davidson, a daugh- ter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Calhoun) Davidson.
The parents of Mrs. Robertson were natives of Lennoxshire, Scotland, the father being engaged in agricultural pursuits. He died at the age of sev- enty-five years, and the mother at the age of sev- enty-nine years. There were seven children in this family, one boy and six girls, the wife of our sub- ject being the youngest, her birth occurring on the 17th of June, 1817, at Wusha, Lennoxshire, Scot- land. She also enjoyed the advantages of the com- mon schools in the place in which she was brought up, until the time of her marriage.
After his marriage Mr. Robertson continued to work at stone-cutting and building until January of the year 1849, when he decided to come to America. Together they sailed from Glasgow, ar- riving at the harbor of New York in safety, after which he worked at his trade in the navy yard for one year; then he moved to Indiana and assisted in the building of a factory at Cannelton, at which place he continued for three years, and then go- ing to Iowa, he purchased some land in Clayton County.
Then our subject took leave of his wife and went to Nashville, Tenn., where he was engaged in stone- cutting for the State capitol. There he worked for one season, and in the following spring he went to Aleade, where he resided for three years, hiring men to carry on the farm work during his absence. The farm continued to prosper, and our subject worked abroad at his trade most of his time. In May of 1872 Mr. Robertson and his family came to Ne- braska, where they bought a great deal of land. lle now owns 120 acres of well-improved land in Panama Precinct, which he has beautified and utilized
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by setting ont with his own hands groves and fruit orchards. In common with the other older settlers of the community he has experienced the different phases of pioneer life.
To Mr. and Mrs. Robertson have been born seven children-Elizabeth, Jeanie, John, Margeret, Bar- bara, Agnes and Isabella. Elizabeth marrried Brooks Flannigan, residing at Elkhorn, Neb., and is the mother of seven children, as follows: John Gilbert, Alice M., Bruce, Valina, Ralph, Frank and Maggie J .; Jeanie is the wife of O. S. Hazleton; John resides in Panama Precinct, having been mar- ried to Miss Isabella Dickson, and having one child, Gilbert D. ; Margaret married David McPher- son, a prosperous farmer living in Otoe County. They have three children-John G., Elizabeth and Isabella J. : Barbara died in Iowa at the age of sev- enteen years; Agnes, the wife of Thomas Dickson, is the mother of three children-Lizzie M., Edward and Clinton D. Isabella, the wife of Thomas Iledges, also has three children-Ira, Gilbert D. and Elizabeth.
Our subject and his wife are devoted Christian people, but they have not joined any religious de- nomination. While it is often an advantage to a Christian to be identified with one of the religious denominations it is not absolutely necessary to the living of an exemplary life, and sometimes, as is the case at present, we find those who make the least profession to be the busiest workers in the Master's cause, proving by their every-day lives that "actions speak louder than words," and that the real merit lies not in words but in deeds.
ILLARD RULIFFSON has for nearly a dec- ade been prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Lancaster County, and as the result of his toil and superior manage- ment he is now the owner of one of the most pro- ductive of the many valuable farms for which Eastern Nebraska is so noted. It is very finely located on section 15, Lancaster Precinct, is well tilled, and is amply supplied with substantial farm buildings, and with machinery of the most ap- proved manufacture, and everything about the place
indicates that the possessor is a man of more than average ability and practical knowledge as a farmer.
Our subject is a son of Harmon Ruliffson, and was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., in 1798, and there made his home until he was sixty-five years old, when he moved to Chenango County, from whenee he afterward removed to Monroe County, where his death occurred in 1886. He was reared to the life of a farmer, and always prosperously en- gaged in that calling. At an early age he married Susanna Wellman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ariah Wellman. She was born in Chautauqua County, where she now lives. Her parents reared their family in Schoharie County, and her father died about 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Ruliffson had eleven children, five sons and six daughters, of whom the following is recorded : Hannah is the wife of Ste- phen Clark, a farmer of Schoharie County; Phile- tus is a farmer, living in Monroe County, N. Y .; Willard ; Mariette is the wife of Seth Wells, a farmer of Monroe County, N. Y .; Eugene is a lumber and oil dealer, of Portville, N. Y .; Harmon W. is a farmer of Steele County, Minn. ; John M., who served in the late war as a member of the 13th New York Cavalry, was promoted to the rank of Captain, and transferred to the 15th New York Cavalry: he is now a nurseryman in Mobile, Ala.
Our subject spent his early life in Schoharie County, N. Y., where he was born June 17, 1829. Ile obtained a sound education in the public schools, and remained under the parental roof, assisting in the farm labors until he was twenty-one. At that age he commenced to work on a farm by the month, and after a few years' steady employment in that line he had accumulated enough property to war- rant his marrying and establishing himself in life, and on the 16th of January, 1855, his wedding with Miss Ellen M. Morgan was celebrated. She is a daughter of the late Joseph and Talatha (De- lano) Morgan. Her father was born Oct. 28, 1791, in Monroe County, N. Y., and her mother was born April 5, 1795. Mr. Joseph Morgan was the first male white child born west of the Genesee River. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan died in Monroe County, where their entire lives had been passed, he dying Dec. 31. 1869, and she March 7, 1876. They had a family of twelve children, five of whom wer
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sons and the remaining seven were daughters; five of the children are now living, as follows: Bradford is a farmer in Smith County, Kan .; Mary A. mar- ried Jeremiah Knapp, a mason, of Centreville, Mich. ; Harriet married James E. Tunison, a farmer, of Monroe County, N. Y .; Ellen M. is the wife of our subject; Lucy lives at Scottsville, Monroe Co .. N. Y. Mrs. Ruliffson was born Sept. 4, 1830, and remained at home with her parents until she was married, receiving a careful training from her good mother in the management of a household.
After marriage Mr. Ruliffson carried on a farm in New York for a number of years, and he subse- quently bought a farm in Monroe County, which he managed very successfully for some time. In 1876 he sold his property in New York, and in April, 1879, removed with his family to Lincoln, Neb., having been very favorably impressed with the glowing accounts that he had heard concerning the wonderful agricultural resources of the State, and wishing to take advantage of its rich soil and fine climate. He brought all of his household goods and farm machinery with him, having char- tered a car for that purpose. Ile purchased a farm of 160 acres in Lancaster Precinct, paying $12.50 an acre for it, and at once commenced its improve- ment, doing his first day's work upon it June 17, 1879. Ile immediately erected suitable build- ings, and has in many other ways greatly increased the value of the place. until now he has one of the pleasantest homes in Lancaster Precinct, replete with all that is cheerful, attractive and pleasing, and the lawns are beautifully laid out and orna- mented with an abundance of forest and fruit trees.
The wedded life of our subject and his amiable wife has been blessed to them by the birth of six children, three sons and three daughters, only four of whom are living, and the following is their record : Etta, born Dec. 13, 1855, is the wife of Charles F. Adams, of Riga, Monroe Co., N. Y .: Emily E., who married George W. Mckinnon, of Lincoln, Neb., died Aug. 10, 1887; Willie M., born June 7, 1859, died July 28, 1882; Joseph II. was born Ang. 11. 1866; Ilattie V. was born Sept. 18, 1868; Selden J. was born April 9, 1870. The three youngest children make their home with their par- ents. The members of this happy household are
people of true refinement, and their cosy home is the center of a warm and generous hospitality, which is extended not only to those of their large circle of friends who may chance to cross the threshold, but also to the stranger within their gates, their cor- dial welcome making him feel that he has indeed found friends. All of the family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Lincoln.
In all the relations of life in which he has been placed our subject has shown himself to be a manly, trustworthy, strictly honorable man. In his family he is a devoted husband and affectionate father; toward his neighbors he is always genial and help- ful. Ile is a clear-headed thinker, is firm in his re- ligious views, and in his political opinions is a strong advocate of the Prohibition party.
C ORNELIUS H. STUTHEIT is an admira- ble young farmer and stock-raiser of Cen- terville Precinct, residing on section 33. ITe is a native of Clayton County, lowa, the date of his birth being June 29, 1857. He is a son of Henry and Caroline Stutheit, who were carly set- tlers of this county, and of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this ALBUM. When he was quite young our subject came with his parents to Nebraska, living for perhaps two years in Johnson County before coming to Lancaster County. Ile has been reared to manhood in this county, having received the advantages of education that were afforded by the district schools in his younger days.
The young men of a generation or two ago in a newly settled country, enjoyed so few of the educational privileges and advantages which are now offered to the young of their communities, that it becomes a matter of wonder how they can so successfully compete with younger men in their business, We have but one answer to give to such an inquirer, and that is, the school of experience in which the earlier settlers were taught might have been a very hard one but it was a thorough one, and from its walls were sent out men not always proficient in the sciences and languages of our modern colleges, but thoroughly well acquainted with the laws of social, moral and mental develop-
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ment, and with a good fund of sound common sense, which enabled them to meet the requirements of a business life.
Our subject was engaged in farming from his boyhood days, and thus he became thoroughly well acquainted with the art of tilling the soil, so that when he became the owner of 160 acres of land, he knew just what was required for its improvement, as is quite evident to an observer who visits his place. On the 26th of April, 1885, he was united in marriage with Mary Duehming, a native of Wis- consin, her parents now living in Seward County, Neb. Mrs. Stutheit is a daughter of Ferdinand and Ilenrietta Dnehming, the date of her birth be- ing the 13th of August, 1864. When she was nine years old she came with her parents to Nebraska, remaining with them in Seward County, where her parents were early settlers, until she became a young woman. Her parents have had a large family of children, of whom the following seven survive: Otelia, Amelia, Anne, Theresa, Frank, William, and Mary, the wife of our subject.
Our subject and his wife are the parents of two children : Walter C., who was born on the 27th of January, 1886; and Alma, who was born on the 21st of May, 1887. Mr. Stutheit is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and leads a con- sistent, Christian life, while in matters of political interest he is identified with the Republican party, advocating and supporting the institutions by which the general good and welfare .of the country and the community in which he lives are secured.
AMUEL WALKER, dealer in grain and live stock, in the village of Waverly, settled in Lancaster County near the above-men- tioned village in 1865. Mr. Walker is a native of Albion, where he first saw the light Nov. 2, 1844, in Lancashire. Ile is a son of Samuel and Christian (Hayes) Walker, of English birth and ancestry.
The parents of our subject were people of am- bition and enterprise, and feeling circumscribed in their sea-girt home, concluded to try their fortune in a foreign land, and their choice fell upon this
country. Putting their design into execution, they embarked for the United States about 1852, and first settled in the State of Rhode Island. In his native land the father had been engaged in the mercantile business, and had also followed dyeing cotton goods, and upon his arrival in this country he found employment in the bleaching department of a muslin factory, and remained thus employed until 1857. Ile then removed to Manitowoc County, Wis., which became his home for eight years, after which he joined the procession moving toward the setting sun, and finally reaching this State, settled in Lancaster County. Here the par- ents found scope for their best energies. and they remained diligently employed in making a com- fortable home for their family until their decease. Their children, seven in number, were born in En- gland, and their record is as follows: Solomon resides in Lewiston, Me .; James, in California; Thomas, in Janesville, Wis .; Alfred, in California ; Peter HI., in Waverly, while Alice is the wife of Lewis Loder, and Samuel is the youngest of the family.
In early life the services of young Walker were utilized in the bleaching department of the muslin factory with his father, while he secured a fair edu- cation in the excellent schools of Rhode Island. In 1865 he came to this State, and turning his at- tention to agricultural pursuits, was pleasantly em- ployed as a tiller of the soil for about twelve years, at which time he established his present business. He owns a tract of 280 acres of well-improved land, besides some good town property, and considering that his residence in this county has been little more than twenty years, he may look with pardon- able pride on what he has achieved in two decades by industry, integrity and good judgment.
In Lincoln, Lancaster Co., Neb., 1878, our sub- ject entered into a matrimonial alliance with Miss Mahala Reed, who was born in Knox, Ill., and is the daughter of William and Mary Ann Reed. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Walker has been brightened by the advent of four interesting children : Cora, Samuel Hayes, Allison R. and an infant unnamed, and they have a good prospect of entering upon the arena of life for themselves with more favorable environments than those with which their parents
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were surrounded. In polities, our subject yields an intelligent allegiance to the Republican party, and he loses no opportunity to assist and encourage all measures looking toward the betterment of the con- dition of the country, intellectually or financially.
LBERT DE VRIES. Many sections of the Great West have been colonized by people from the older settled States, or by those from countries over the sea, or, as is fre- quently the ease, many of the same nationality have been attracted to a given place, where they have settled, forming practically a colony. Such may be said of the people residing in Buda Precinct, for nearly all of the best people living here are of a kin- dred tongue. A well-known gentleman among this number is Mr. De Vries, who has a good farm on seetion 34, where he is prosecuting his calling with diligence, and enjoying a fair degree of success.
Mr. De Vries was born in Ilolland, May 25, 1851, and is the son of John and Wellmuth De Vries, both also natives of Holland, but now re- siding in Allegan County, Mich. When our subject was an ambitious youth of seventeen he came with his parents across the ocean to America, going on a steamer to England, and at Liverpool taking pas- sage on an ocean vessel, spending fourteen days on the bosom of the mighty deep. Ile accompanied his parents, who went direct to Allegan County, where they have since resided. Mr. De Vries is well educated in his native tongue, and has a fair knowledge of English, which he has picked up him- self, not enjoying the advantages of any instruction in this direction.
Our subject has thus far in life been a farmer, and came from Michigan in the spring of 1886 to Lancaster County, and was employed as a farm hand for four months near Roca. Ile settled on his present farm in the spring of 1887. Here he owns eighty acres of good land, which' he has developed himself, and where his well-directed efforts are plainly seen by the valuable improvements already made. The owner is a self-made man, has been fairly successful in life so far, and will undoubtedly
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be one of the well-to-do farmers in the county be- fore many years pass by.
Mr. De Vries was married, March 8, 1887, to Susan Okdlemeyer. This lady is a native of Allegan County, Mich., where she was born Aug. 31, 1855. She is the daughter of Henry and Henrietta Olde- meyer, both natives of Holland, but who settled in that county in an early day. Mr. Okdlemeyer died in 1875, but his widow is living in Lancaster County, where they had come as early as 1872, being among the pioneers here.
Mr. De Vries is a member of the Congregational Church, and politically, a Republican. Ile enjoys the confidence of his neighbors, being regarded as an upright, hard-working, honest man, and no higher tribute can be paid to any eitizen.
P ETER TALBOT. The homestead of this well-to-do resident of Grant Precinct is finely located on a gentle rise of ground on section 26, and commands a fine view of the surrounding country. The farm embraces 173 aeres of fertile land, with good improvements, and of which he took possession in 1880. Ile is reckoned among the responsible citizens of Lancaster County, one who without making any great stir in the world has gained for himself a good position socially and financially.
Our subject is of pure English ancestry, his par- ents, Nathan and Harriet (Mann) Talbot, having been born in Manchester, England, where they were reared and married. They came to America while still young people, settling first in Baltimore, Md., whence they removed later to Pennsylvania, and from there to Marshall County, IHl. IIere the death of the mother took place, and Nathan Talbot subsequently became a resident of Livingston County, Ill., where his death took place about 1873. Their family comprised ten children, six sons and four daughters, who lived to mature years. Of these six are now living and residents of Nebraska.
Peter Talbot was born in Baltimore, Md., Jan. 17, 1831, and was a lad of thirteen years when his parents became residents of Illinois. From Putnam County, that State, he removed to Marshall County,
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thence to Woodford and finally to Livingston, where he made his home until July, 1880, when he came with his family to this county. He was reared to farming pursuits and followed these all his life. While a resident of Marshall County, Ill., he was united in marriage with Miss Mary A., daughter of James and Eunice (Morris) Allen, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride, Sept. 27, 1853. Mrs. Talbot was the second of the five chil- dren born to her parents, and a native of Schuyler County, Ill., her birth taking place June 30, 1834. IIer father died in Livingston County about 1872. The mother subsequently removed to Iowa, and spent her last days at her home in that State, her death occurring in 1874.
To Mr. and Mrs. Talbot have been born eight children : William died when twenty-eight years old; Emery and Nettie died in childhood; Amanda S. is the wife of Isaae Hoge, of Grant Precinet; Emma A. married Thomas Sturdy, of Grant Pre- cinet; Ellen V., Mrs. John Morton, lives in Cali- fornia; Ira M. and Ida B. are at home with their parents. Mr. Talbot uniformly votes the straight Republican ticket, and with his estimable wife is a member in good standing of the United Brethren Church. They are highly respected among their neighbors, and in their well-ordered home are sur- rounded with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.
ERMAN M. REEVES, one of the early set- tlers of Elk Precinet, was born in Lansing, Tompkins Co., N. Y., Ang. 18, 1828, and is the son of Elias Reeves, a native of New Jersey, whose father, Moses Reeves, was a native of the same State, where he was reared and married, and about the year 1807 removed with his family to York State, which was then in the condition of some of our Western Territories to-day, and pre- sented all the difficulties and hardships of an unde- veloped pioneer country. However strange it may seem to ns, who to-day have traveled over the same ground easily and speedily by means of the locomotive and Pullman ear, this journey was per- formed in the truly primitive fashion by means of
team and wagon, along a road which for the most part was but a track through the wilderness. Mr. Reeves settled in Lansing, and was among the earliest to do so. He took up a tract of land. and began to clear away the giants of the forest, and in their places to raise the various grains of the farm. IIe made this his home until his death, when his son took charge of the property; and even so late as this period, deer, bears, and such wild game were found in abundance in York State, and not a few Indians also, in larger or smaller bands, making their home by the streams, following their usual nomadic life.
The father of our subject removed from this place to Ohio in the year 1836, going by team to the Erie Canal, thence by it to Erie, Pa., and from there around the lake to Cleveland. Journeying from that eity, he finally settled in Hinckley Town- ship, Medina County, where he bought a tract of land, and gave himself to the clearing and opening up of the same. He continued to make this his home for several years, and then removed to Iluron County, where he bought a small farm, which he continued to make his home until his death.
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