USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska > Part 50
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To our subject, as to the other early pioneers of this county, are its present residents indebted for a share of the advantages and privileges which they now enjoy, the earliest settlers paving the way for those who came after, that they might enjoy fewer trials and hardships and more of convenience and elegance; that they might have books and the aids and incentives to culture and refinement, and pleasant society in lieu of the everyday hard toils of the earlier settlers and their families.
ONATHAN REITZ, who is numbered among the prominent, substantial and representa- tive citizens of this county, is pleasantly located on section 29. Waverly Precinct, of which he has been a resident since 1874. Coming to Nebraska at that time, he purchased the east half of section 29, which was then unbroken prairie, and as soon as he could erect a shanty he settled on his property, and engaged in earnest in its improve- ment. Ilis industry and good judgment have been rewarded, and he has now a well-improved farm, containing suitable frame buildings, conveniently arranged. A view of these premises may be seen in this connection.
The subject of this biographical notice was born in Northumberland County, Pa., Oct. 29, 1824.
and is the son of Samuel and Rebecca (Burrell) Reitz, of German extraction, though two genera- tions of the family have spent their lives in the Keystone State. Jonathan Reitz is the eldest in the parental family of five children, of whom the others are: Soloma (deceased) ; Moses. who resides in Pennsylvania; Mary (also deceased) ; and Katy, the wife of Jerie Heilman. Jonathan was reared on a farm. and received but a limited education in the common schools of his native township, as his services were required on the farm as soon as he became able to assist.
In 1845 Mr. Reitz was united in marriage with Esther Reeser, who was born in Northumberland County, Pa., Feb. 17, 1817. After marriage our subject remained a resident of his native State, en- gaged in the cultivation of a farm, which he owned, but from early life he had a desire to go West, and in 1874 he resolved to make the change of resi- dence. He has never had any cause to regret his removal, and is now in the enjoyment of a compe- tency that will free his declining years from any anxiety respecting pecuniary matters. Just as they had begun to reap the reward of their decade of toil on a prairie farm, Mrs. Reitz was removed by death, April 16, 1885, leaving three children- Samnel, David and Jonathan. Our subject was a second time married, choosing Kate L. Wolverton, and the ceremony took place in August, 1887. Mrs. Reitz is a native of Pennsylvania, and re- ceived her education in the public schools, residing in her native State until her marriage. In 1856 our subject engaged in a general merchandise busi- ness at Fisher's Ferry, Pa., and was thins successfully employed during the next ten years. He next op- erated a ferry across the Susquehanna River, at Selin's Grove, for two years, and then ran a steam- boat for a short time, after which he resumed farming.
Samuel Reitz, the eldest son of our subject, was born in Northumberland County, Pa., Feb. 19, 1846, and was reared to farm life while receiv- ing his education in the common schools. He re- sided at home until his marriage, which took place in 1872, with Mary J. Malick, who was born in the same county, Sept. 11, 1850, and is the daughter of Peter and Mary Malick, natives of Pennsylvania,
ADAMS
RESIDENCE OF F. CHARLES SEVERIN , SEC. 26. BUDA PRECINCT.
RESIDENCE OF JONATHAN REITZ SEC. 29. WAVERLY PRECINCT.
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and now deceased. The father died when Mrs. Reitz was quite young, and her mother passed away soon after her marriage with Mr. Keitz. In March, 1878, Mr. Reitz came to Nebraska, and in the autumn of that year settled on section 27, Waverly Precinet, which has been his home ever since. He owns a well-improved farm of 120 acres of good land, and though only a young man is al- ready prominent among the agriculturists of Lan- caster County. He is in love with his vocation, pre- ferring it to any other, and his farm, which is in many respects a model one, is a silent but forcible wit- ness of the fact. When a young man he taught school for some time, while he has also followed railroading, and just previous to coming to Ne- braska he operated a grocery store at Fisher's Ferry, and was also Postmaster at that place. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Reitz has been blessed by the birth of three children, two of whom, Clinton B, and Rollin E., still survive. In poli- tics Mr. Reitz is a Republican, but does not con- fine himself strictly to party lines, but votes as his judgment dietates.
David Reitz, the second son of our subject, was born in Northumberland County, Pa., June 11, 1848, and was reared to farm pursuits, at the same time receiving a common-school education. IIe was united in marriage, in 1872, with Lydia Bailey, who was born in Potter County, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Reitz came to Nebraska in 1874, and finally settled on section 33, Waverly Precinct, where they purchased a tract of eighty acres of unim- proved land. They have no children of their own, but are rearing an adopted daughter, Orlie Dicker. In politics, David Reitz affiliates with the Repub- lican party, and supports it on all vital questions. Mr. Reitz, our subject, has always voted the straight Democratic ticket, and was Postmaster four years at Fisher's Ferry, Pa.
Le EWIS WILLMAN. The Queen City is situ- ated in one of the prettiest and most pro- ductive counties of Ohio. Hamilton County may well be proud of the enterprise, commercial importance, wealth and distinguished citizenship of
Cincinnati, and the city proud of the surpassingly beautiful county in which it is situated, containing as it does the greater part of the magnificent Miami Valley, being composed of some of the most fertile and highly productive soil in the country, and com- prising that particularly happy variety of scenery, where hill and dale, hillock and glen, interspersed by velvety glade and shady park-land, are con- stantly blending.
Upon one of the beautiful farms of the above county was born, Feb. 5, 1852, he whose biography is here presented in suceinet form, and whose fine property npon section 17, Centerville Precinct, and his well-known prosperity, character, and public spirit, demand mention in these pages. Our sub- jeet is the son of Charles and Ihenrietta Willman. After his father's death his mother became the wife of Mr. Rudolph Fishwood, a resident of Indiana, now residing at Swanton, in this State.
Until about fifteen years of age our subject con- tinued at home with the rest of the family and his step-father, and then removed to Ripley County, Ind., and engaged with a farmer. Here he received some education in the district school. From Rip- ley he came to this county in the spring of 1874, and took up a tract of eighty acres, upon which he still resides, and has improved it from its original prairie state until it is to-day one of the best cultivated farms of the entire district.
Four years after his settlement upon his farm, Mr. Willman was married to Catherine Freye, daugh- ter of Henry and Eleanor Freye, of whom a sketch appears upon another page. The former is de- ceased. Their children numbered five, and are re- corded as here appended : Agnes, Edwin, Irvin, Alma and Alice. The wife of our subject has proved in every relation and happening of wedded life, faithful, true and competent, and has nobly stood by the side of her husband during every time of trial, adversity or success, sharing them with him in every point, cheering, encouraging and inspiring him. She is one whose children will rise up in the day of their maturity of experience, and call blessed.
Remembering the Latin proverb, Vincit qui pu- titur, "He conquers who endures," our subject is most praiseworthy, because the success which marks his life is solely the result of his own effort and
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ambition, excepting only the foundation work, which was provided by the schooling given him by his mother, and the constant assistance rendered by his faithful wife. Mr. and Mrs. Willman are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in good standing, and our subject has been School Treasurer for a period of two years, also Clerk of the Election Board. He is widely known in the county as worthy of the esteem and regard which are freely accorded to him, and also to his family. His politi- cal sympathies, loyalty, and study of governmental questions, have led him to give his support and in- fluence to the Republican party.
R EV. S. H. D. VAUGHAN. There is, perhaps, no profession that has more affected the world than that of the ministry, instilling as it does thoughts of the highest moral and spiritual import, and presenting as the object of life the most perfect human, yet Godlike, char- acter, linked with a hope that reaches beyond the confines of the terrestrial, and brings into the otherwise faulty, cheerless and incomplete life the hope of larger and better things in the life that is to be, without which hope the question of the mor- alist and sage, "Is life worth living?" would neces- sarily be answered in the negative.
In presenting this sketch it is the endeavor to set before the reader in suceinet form the leading inci- dents in the life of one who needs no introduction to the citizens of Lincoln, being well known by reason of his high Christian character and effective- ness as a worker in the profession he has chosen. Mr. Vaughan is a native of Cato, Cayuga Co., N. Y., born on the 12th of May, 1824. His father, Isaac Vanghan, was a farmer by occupation, and a native of Washington County, N. Y., where he was also reared to manhood, removing to Cayuga County in the days of its early settlement. There he took a tract of timber land. and clearing for himself a farm, erected his log cabin. and so on, after the order of the pioneer. Here he died in 1813.
The maiden name of the wife of Isaac Vaughan. and the mother of our subject, was Betsey Ann
Ferris, a native of the same State as her husband. She became the mother of six children, of whom two were daughters, both of whom died in early life. It was her privilege to bring to years of maturity her four sons, and to see them enter honorable positions in life. The death of this lady occurred in Michigan, at the home of her son, the subject of this biography, in the month of May, 1851.
Our subject was the youngest of the family, and was reared upon the farm. His education was obtained in the usual institutions, where he devel- oped an aptitude for study and a quickness of in- tellect above the average. The religious experience of our subject dates from his twelfth year. At that time he was brought under conviction regarding the truth of those things, and was received into the communion of the Baptist Church. When he had reached about twenty years of age he came west to Michigan, via the Erie Canal and the lakes to Mon- roe, thenee by rail to Hillsdale, where he com- menced teaching in Reading Township, continuing there for a period of three years. He then became a student of theology in the seminary at Kalamazoo.
Mr. Vaughan was ordained as preacher of the Baptist Church, at Dowagiac, Cass Co .. Mich., upon his graduation in July, 1851. His pastorate in that place extended over a period of twelve years, when he resigned and took charge of the church at Lacon, Ill., for which he preached three years, and then returned to Michigan, and, after a like period, was in pastoral charge at Plymouth. From there he went to Minnesota, and became the pastor of a church at Hastings. In this place he built a resi- dence and continued his ministrations for another three years. The next period of the same duration was spent with the church at DeWitt, Iowa, whence he removed to Prairie City, MeDonough Co., Ill., where he remained the same length of time, remov- ing in 1878 to Lincoln, where, on account of ill- health, he has latterly lived a retired life.
In February, 1853, Mr. Vaughan was united in marriage with Mary B. Dodsley, who departed this life on the 25th of May, 1869, leaving our subject with three children, viz: Carrie, who afterward married the Rev. JJ. H. Scott; Ceron and Mamie I ... both of whom are single and reside at home.
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The second marriage of our subject was with Mrs. Harriet ( Maynard) Chase, who was born in Enos- burg, Franklin Co., Vt. Her father, Charles B. May- mard, is a native of Bakersville, in the same county. His father, Stephen Maynard, was born in Massa- chusetts, and was one of the first settlers to remove from that State to Vermont, and did so at a time when the only road for the pack horses then used was that marked by the blazing of the trees.
The wife of Stephen, the grandfather of Mrs. Vaughan, was Martha Baker. Her great-grand- father was one of the earliest settlers of Bakersfield, which was so named in his honor. In and around this town the family continued to make their home, and in its vicinity she was reared and finally married, at her home in West Enosburg, which was situated upon the outskirts of the town. To this place her father had removed after many years of residence in Bakersfield, purchased a tract of timber land, and began the clearing of the same, and so indus- trious was he that a good farm before very long took shape. In addition to the farming interests he established quite a large business as a cattle dealer. Hle continued to make this his home until his death in 1864. He was married to Eunice Sawyer, a native of Massachusetts, and daughter of Solomon and Abigail ( Wheeler) Sawyer. She died upon the same homestead in the year 1847. Mr. Sawyer was a Whig until the formation of the Republican party, of which he became a member. For a period of thirty years he continued to occupy the seat of Justice of the Peace, and for two years represented Enosburg in the State Legislature. Ile was not identified with any religious denomination, though always a friend to such organizations. His wife was a devout and highly respected member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mrs. Vanghan taught school for some years be- fore her marriage, and continued to make her home with her parents until her marriage in 1861 with Royal B. Chase, who was a native of Westford, Chittenden Co., Vt. Shortly after their marriage they removed to Maquoketa, Jackson Co., Iowa, where Mr. Chase had previously purchased prop- erty. His death occurred in the year 1869, at that place, leaving his widow and one child, to whom had been given the name Hattie F., who afterward
married the Rev. Isaiah W. Reed, a minister of the Regular Baptist Church, at present located in the State of Illinois.
Mr. Royal B. Chase, the first husband of Mrs. Vaughan, was married previous to her union with him. Ilis first wife was Effigeen Bishop, daughter of Rufus Bishop, of Jericho, Vt. Her father was a prominent and influential man in the community where he resided. By this lady Mr. Chase be- came the parent of two daughters: Rogene E., who became the wife of Alison A. Herrick, of West Milton, Vt., and Rocelia A., who married Judge A. L. Palmer, formerly of Lincoln, but at present of Seattle, W. T.
Mr. Vaughan has been eminently successful in the profession which he chose, both as a pastor and a preacher, a combination by no means necessarily identieal. Ile has won to himself many friends, and is most sincerely respected and esteemed in the community.
AMES J. ARMSTRONG, engaged in general merchandising at Waverly, is well entitled to the distinction of a pioneer of Lancaster County, as he settled here under the Home- stead Act on section 32, Mill Precinct, in 1866. His acquaintance with prairie farming has been extensive, as he has owned five different farms in this county. and improved them all. Ile seems at length to have found the ne plus ultra, as his home in Wa- verly is the finest and best located in the town. Ile is a judicious buyer, and his promptness in meet- ing his obligations and his integrity have given him standing with all with whom his business relations bring him into contact. He has built up a patron- age which is of mutual advantage to all concerned, and is regarded as one of the solid men of the county.
The subject of this biographical notice is a na- tive of West Virginia, and was born in Randolph County, Feb. 25, 1827. He is a son of Daniel and Mary (Bowman) Armstrong, natives of okl Vir- ginia, and is the fourth in order of birth in their family of six children. He grew to manhood in his native State, receiving a common-school education.
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and as soon as he was able assisted on the farm. He became well instructed in agricultural duties. and resided at the homestead until twenty-five years of age, at which time he migrated to Macon County, Mo., and worked on the construction of the Ilannibal & St. Joseph Railroad. He then re- moved to Ottumwa, Iowa, where he followed team- ing, and also worked in the livery business, in the capacity of foreman. From Ottumwa he went across the plains to Colorado, but after a stay of two years he returned to Ottumwa. lle soon after- ward came to Nebraska, and located on a home- stead, which he proved up and improved, giving his attention to agricultural pursuits. In 1878 he pur- chased another farm at North Mound, and subse- quently was engaged in his vocation on different farms until 1882. During this time he owned and operated for two years a store in Saline County, this State, whenee he finally removed to Waverly Village and engaged in his present business. Besides his fine residence. he also owns the store property in which his business is conducted.
Mr. Armstrong was united in marriage, in 1867, with Miss Clara J., daughter of John and Sarah Parker, and born in Ohio. Their union has re- sulted in the birth of five children-William Lee, Gilbert Parker, Mary Ellen, Robert P. and Minnie Alice. While in Colorado our subject owned and operated some gold mines, and was successful in his enterprise. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, strong in his advocacy of the principles of the party.
C HARLES BURKE. Among the institutions of this county, and one which is offered to every citizen, but for various reasons almost an impossibility to natives of the Old World. is that of a home of their own, ereeted upon ground to which they hold the title. This possibility attracts countless numbers of the best citizens of European countries, where, despite a lifetime of toil, compara- tively few can own such a property. Buda Pre- cinet has received a large number of such, and to-day they are the possessors of cosy, comfort- able farm buildings and homes in the midst of their own broad acres. Among those who have estab-
lished themselves in the above precinct, whose home is one of the pleasantest, and whose farm is one of the most flourishing, is the subject of the present sketch, who resides upon section 22.
Mr. Burke was born in Semlow, Prussia, on the 4th of August, 1835, and is the son of John and Mary Burke, both natives of the same country. He was reared to the estate of manhood there, receiv- ing a good education in his native tongue, and has since acquired quite a good understanding of En- glish. From the time of leaving school he gave his attention to farming, in order that in later years he might have the means of supporting himself and those who might be dependent upon him.
Our subject, in October, 1862, was united in mar- riage with Mary Knuek. To them have been born four children, whose names are recorded as follows: Reaca, born on the 20th of November, 1865; Lizzie, June 1, 1867; Bessie, Nov. 10, 1869; and Frank, Dec. 7, 1871. The two elder children of our sub- ject were born in Germany, and accompanied their parents to America in the summer of 1868. The Atlantic passage was made in one of the Hamburg steamers, and occupied seventeen days, landing them in the city of New York.
Life in the New World began in Cook County, IHl., whither the family proceeded immediately upon their arrival, and remained for two years, during which time our subject was occupied in day labor. At the end of the two years a removal was made to McHenry County, which was their home until the spring of 1883, when they removed to Lancaster County, and settled upon their present farm. The change from MeHenry brought with it a change of occupation. At MelIenry our subject had been em- ployed by the Northwestern Railway Company, as switchman, and was placed in charge of the engine water tank. Now he is fully occupied with his farm, and has seen a very large measure of success resulting from his efforts. The eighty acres which comprise the farm of our subject have been brought to the very perfection of husbandry, and are well provided with all necessary stock and farming im- plements. Whatever Mr. Burke has acquired has been solely the reward of his indefatigable persever- ance, and the ambition resulting from the exuber- ance of pleasure and delight in the prospect of
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being the sole possessor of a home wherein he may bring happiness to those who form an integral part of his life.
Mr. Burke is a member of the Congregational Church, where also his wife finds that which is con- genial to her religious sentiment. Our subject has been too busily occupied with home matters to give much attention to political matters, but has sought to understand the institutions of his adopted coun- try, and usually votes with the Republican party.
OHN N. TIGER, a worthy representative of the intelligent men of Waverly Precinct. came to this section of the country with his par- ents in 1867, from Kane County, Ill. They had been residents there for a period of thirteen years, having removed to the Prairie State from the early home of our subject, in Hunterdon County, N. J., where his birth took place Feb. 27, 1852.
William and Catherine (Hummner) Tiger, the parents of our subject, were also natives of New Jersey, and upon coming to Nebraska homesteaded eighty acres of land on section 30. in Waverly Pre- cinet, adjoining the farm now occupied by our subject. The father died the following year, 1869. He was a man kind to his family, provident and in- dustrious, a good neighbor, and an upright citizen, Republican in politics, and Methodist in religion. The mother is still living, and makes her home in Lincoln. The six children of the parental family were: Sarah, now the wife of George Denham, of Lincoln: Emma, Mrs. John P. Loder, of Waverly Precinct; John N., our subject; William S., Isaac J. and Lambert O. The latter three are residents of Lancaster County.
Our subject was a little lad three years of age when his parents removed from New Jersey to Illinois, and he acquired his early education in the common schools of Kane County. Later he assisted in the various employments of the farm, and after coming to Nebraska, worked upon the new home- stend until reaching his majority.
Upon becoming his own man, Mr. Tiger traveled over a goodly portion of the western country a few years, and in the meantime took up a homestead
claim in Furnas County, this State, and subsequently pre-empted what is now the site of Beaver City, where he remained two years, then made the mistake of selling out. After deciding upon his permanent location and the establishment of a home of his own, Mr. Tiger, Dee. 25, 1882, was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Melick, who was born in Pennsyl- vania, and is the daughter of Henry HI. and Lydia (Heilman) Melick, who were natives of Pennsyl- vania. The father is now deceased, but the mother is still living.
Mr. and Mrs. Tiger after their marriage settled upon the farm where they now live, but which, how- ever, at that time was but an uncultivated tract of land. It is 160 acres in extent, and our subjeet has brought the soil to a good state of cultivation, grad- ually adding the improvements which the enterpris- ing and progressive farmer finds essential to his calling. In 1886 he established, in company with his brother-in-law, a lumber-yard at Waverly, but soon disposed of his interests, finding agriculture more congenial and profitable.
Mr. Tiger cast his first Presidential vote for Grant, while a resident of Nebraska, and is a striet Republican. He has held the various local offices, and in religious matters conforms to the doctrines of the Lutheran Church.
OIIN MORRISON, a well-to-do and highly respected citizen of Lincoln, where he is en- gaged in business as a merchant tailor, has been prominently identified with the indus- trial and social interests of this city for many years. Thus he has witnessed its marvelous growth from a small town to a large and thriving metrop- olis, and has in no small degree aided in its de- velopment. Our subject was born on a farm amid the wild scenery of Northern Scotland, Dec. 17, 1824, being the date of his birth. Ilis parents. William and Margaret ( MeKay) Morrison, were likewise of Scotch birth and ancestry. In 1841 they crossed the Atlantic Ocean to take up their abode in Canada, and located near London, in the Province of Ontario, and there the remainder of their days were passed in peace and prosperity.
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