Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 67

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

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Metaphorically speaking, our subject's sword has become the pruning-hook, and the vocation of war has been exchanged for the employments of peace. For five years he is found working as a farm hand in Clinton County. During this time he became acquainted with a charming and most estimable lady, Miss Martha Kingsolver, a native of the same county, with the result that in due course of time they were united in the closest of all earthly rela- tionships, in October, 1869. Mr. Latture now pur- chased a farm in Boone County, and for two years was prosperous on that place. It was at that home- stead that their only danghter was born, Dora. In the autumn of 1871 he removed with his family, and purchased a farm in the southern part of this

county. After a residence of about two years another removal was made, this time to Little Salt Creek. For four years he continued to make this his home. and was quite prosperous upon the farm. Having a good opportunity he sold out, and pur- chased his present property in the year 1879. Since that time he has built a large two-story frame house. and in addition, for stock purposes, a com- fortable barn and the usual farm buildings. Nearly the whole of his splendid farm is under the plow or in plain grass. The view is very commanding from his residence over a vast expanse of fertile farms.

The family circle of our subject has grown to include four sons and one daughter, viz: Dora, Samuel, Robert, James Lewis and Oliver, all of whom are living. His wife is the daughter of James and Mary Kingsolver, and was born in Sulli- van County, Tenn., March 5, 1848, but with her parents removed to Indiana while very young. Her education was received in Indiana, which was to all intents and purposes, if not in actual fact, her native State, for her earliest recollections were sup- plied by its seenes, and she continued to make it her home until some years after her marriage. Her parents at present reside in Smith County, Kan., and although qnite aged preserve good health and the enjoyment of every faculty.

Mr. Latture and family are honored members of the Presbyterian Church, and among its most hearty supporters. Mr. Latture dates his membership in this communion from about his eighteenth birth- day. The family is now connected with the church at Raymond. In politics he is somewhat inclined to be radical rather than conservative, and is a strong supporter of the Prohibition cause,

Our subject is very particularly careful in regard to his stock, and has expended much thought, capi- tal and labor in this department, and is the owner of good blooded stock in the county. He owns a very fine herd of Short-horn Durhams of super-excellent grade, and with Mr. Batten is the owner of a reg- istered Durham bull. He is the possessor of a Norman stallion, a magnificent creature, which weighed 1,110 pounds the day he was two years old. Mr. Latture is exceedingly exact in all things that appertain to stock, and especially in the selec-

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tion and the maintenance of Short-horns. He was among the first to enter into high-grade stock- raising in this county. Now the best part of his beautiful farm of 160 acres is devoted to this enter- prise. The property is most admirably situated on section 8.

Mr. Latture necessarily ranks among the promi- nent farmers, not so much on account of his general - farming as in his stock interests, in which he has invested considerable capital. Although there is little to be observed in reference to his position in political affairs, too much cannot be said regard- ing him as a man in any of his relations in life, whether domestic, social or otherwise. He is emi- nently worthy to be called a typical man and citi- zen, as he represents a high type of manly character, and illustrates the fact that intelligent, well-directed effort, sustained with persistent perseverance, will meet with due reward and prosperity in life.

C HARLES L. GUMAER. The farming com- munity of Yankee IIill Precinct numbers among her best men the subject of this biog- raphy. Ile is now approaching his threescore years and ten, having been born Dec. 3, 1820, in Onondaga County, N. Y., and was one of the ear- liest pioneers of this county, coming within its borders in 1870. He has watched the face of the country during its transformation from an unculti- vated tract to productive farms and beautiful home- steads, and as far as in him lay has performed his part worthily as a useful member of the commu- nity.

Elias and Mary (Lewis) Gumaer, the parents of our subject, were also natives of the Empire State, and, like their son, born in Onondaga County. The paternal ancestors were direct descendants of the French Huguenots who fled from their native coun- try to escape religious persecution. Elias Gumaer settled with his family in Onondaga County about 1799, and there spent the remainder of his life, passing away about 1838. The mother later, with her family, migrated to Wisconsin, and died in Oshkosh, in 1863. Of the ten children comprising the household circle but three are now living,

namely : Jane, Mrs. Holdsworth, a widow, of Penn Yan, N. Y .; Elizabeth, the wife of Jerome Crocker, of Weyauwega. Wis., and Charles L., our subject.

The elder Gumaer was a contractor on the Chesa- peake and Ohio Canals, between Harper's Ferry and Washington, for a number of years, and during which time his family resided in the latter city probably a period of twenty years. Charles L. pursued his early studies in the schools of the Na- tional capital until about thirteen years of age, and was then made a page of the Senate Chamber dur- ing the times of Henry Clay and Daniel Webster, Tom Bluton, Lewis Cass and other eminent men, with whom he became familiarly acquainted. The old hero, Gen. Jackson, often had a kindly word for the boy, and was an intimate friend of his father.

Upon approaching manhood our subject employed himself at book-keeping, and when ready to estab- lish a home and domestic ties of his own, was united in marriage, Sept. 15, 1848, with Miss Martha E. Mc Alister, whose father, John McAlister, was then a resident of Waterloo, N. Y. Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Gumaer located in Wiscon- sin, where our subject carried on various kinds of business until 1861, then went eastward as far as Chicago with a Mr. Pollard, and from there came to this county in 1870. Two years later he se- cured eighty acres of land in Yankee Hill Precinct, where he has since lived and labored to good ad- vantage, building up his comfortable home and securing a competency for his declining years. He is a stanch defender of Democratie principles. He has been quite prominent in local affairs, and served as Clerk of the United States Land Oflice at Lincoln for a period of five years.

Mrs. Martha E. Gumaer was born Sept. 28, 1829, in Seneca County, N. Y. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania and of Scotch descent. Her mother, Eunice D. (Tousley) McAlister, was born in Ver- mont. The parents spent their last years in New York, the father passing away about 1853, and the mother in 1884. IJer paternal grandfather, Ros- well Tousley, did good service in the Revolution- ary War, and was the close friend of Gen. LaFayette. The family of her parents included seven children, five of whom are living, namely: Laura, the wife

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of James N. Eckman, of Pawnee City, this State, and President of the First National Bank there; Elizabeth, the wife of C. C. Waldo, of Lincoln; Jessie, Mrs. B. G. Safford, of Yankee Hill Precinct; Helen B. and Fanny ; Ella B. and John M. died in Wisconsin and Chicago respectively.

The father of our subject was a Colonel in the War of 1812, and he had a paternal uncle, Peter E. Gumaer, in the Revolutionary War.

C IIAUNCEY DEAHL, one of the youngest representatives of the agricultural commu- nity of Lancaster County, is regarded as a farmer of more than ordinary promise, as he is al- ready well established in life, owing a valuable farm on section 16, Saltillo Precinct, and a beautiful home. Ile is a son of the late Andrew and Matilda (Schultz) Deahl, and was born July 22, 1864, in Alleghany County, Md. He did not, however, re- main in his native State a great while, as in 1865, when he was but a year old, his parents removed with their children to Illinois, and there his boy- hood was passed until he was sixteen years old, when his parents made another move and came to Nebraska, to spend the remaining years of their lives. He was a bright, studious lad, and having fine opportunities for attending school in Illinois, he received an excellent education, and, besides, a good training in agriculture under the experienced eye of his father. Ile early displayed an ambitious, self-reliant spirit, and a desire to be independent. He purchased his present farm in 1885, and imme- diately entered upon the task of improving it. The land is under good tillage, and he has erected suita- ble and conveniently arranged farm buildings. His neat and commodious two-story dwelling is tastily fitted up within, and is surrounded by a beautiful lawn, ornamented by shade trees and a great variety of shrubbery, as well as a thrifty orchard of apples, cherries and plums. He lias besides plenty of strawberries of the choicest kinds, in their season.

Mr. Deahl remained in the home of his parents until his marriage, Sept. 29, 1885, to Miss Flora Bitinger, daughter of Simeon and Sarah ( Wiland) Bitinger. She is, like himself, a native of Alle-

ghany County, Md., her birth occurring there Jan. 11, 1867. When she was twelve years old she came to Illinois with her parents. She received the rudiments of her education in the common schools of Maryland and Illinois, and later completed it by a course at the High School of Shipman, in the latter State. She possesses many charms both of person and of mind, and presides with grace over the lovely home provided for her by her husband's care. Before inviting her to leave her parents' sheltering roof, to share life's responsibilities, pleas- ures and sorrows with him, he had his house all ready for occupancy, believing in getting the cage before capturing the bird. Their marriage has been blessed by the birth of two children-Allen A. and Winne E.

This brief record of the life of our subject will show that he is gifted with great enterprise, perse- verance, and a keen, resolute nature that will in the end accomplish everything that in reason he may desire. His strict integrity of character and high sense of honor tend to keep him in the path of right. Religiously, he is a member of the Lutheran Church ; politically, he is, like his brothers, an en- thusiastic Democrat. In the homestead which he brought to its present state by his enterprise and industry, is illustrated his innate force of character, and it speaks for him in a more impressive manner than words can. The fine lithographie view of this, which we present on an accompanying page of this work, will be regarded with interest by others than the immediate friends of Mr. Deahl.

OHN A. DEAHL is a young man whose un- tiring industry and shrewd management have already made him successful in his career as an agriculturist of no mean skill, as is at- tested hy the fine condition of his farm, which is beautifully located on sections 16 and 21, of Sal- tillo Precinct, in a region noted for the fertility and productiveness of its soil, and for its numerous higlily cultivated and valuable farms. He is a son of the late Andrew and Matilda (Schultz) Deahl, and was born Aug. 9, 1855, in Alleghany County, Md., where he passed the opening years of his

RESIDENCE OF J.A. DEAHL, SEC.16, SALTILLO PRECINCT.

RESIDENCE OF C.F. DEAHL, SEC. 16. SALTILLO. PRECINCT,

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boyhood, being ten years of age when his parents removed to Illinois. His first attendance at school was one term in his native Maryland, and he com- pleted his education in Macoupin County, Ill. He remained under the parental roof until establishing a home of his own, and in the meantime gained a thorough knowledge of farming under his father's instructions.

In early manhood, before he had attained his majority, Mr. Deahl assumed domestic ties in his marriage, April 30, 1876, to Miss Susan Boger, a young lady of rare excellence and capacity, and they may well be proud of the cozy home which is the joint product of their labors. Mrs. Deahl is a daughter of Peter and Sally (Peck) Boger. natives of Germany, who settled in Preston County, W. Va., where they still make their home. They are the parents of six children, three daughters and three sons. Mrs. Deahl is the oldest daughter and the fourth child in order of birth. She was born Oct. 3, 1854, in Preston County, W. Va., grew to womanhood with her uncle, and enjoyed the ad- vantages of a good education in the common schools. When a young lady she went to Illinois to visit some friends, and there met her future husband. They were mutually pleased with each other, and the warm friendship that sprang up be- tween them soon ripened into the deeper and stronger attachment that resulted in their uniting their lives for better or for worse, to travel the thorny path of life together.

After marriage Mr. Deahl still continued to live in Illinois a few years, but in 1879 he settled up his affairs in that State, and with his wife accom- panied his father's family to Nebraska. Our sub- ject soon bought forty acres of school land and forty acres of railroad land, which he has since im- proved into a valuable farm, having completed the payment on it in a short time after purchase. fle has many good improvements, in the way of a sub- stantial house, commodious barns and other farm buildings. He has also a beautiful young grove of shade and ornamental trees, as well as a thrifty or- chard. Everything about the place evidences a tasty and dexterous owner.

The happy household circle of our subject and his amiable wife is completed by the four children

who have blessed their marriage: Edwin and Laura, who were born in Illinois, and Cora and Jessie, born in Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Deahl are prominently connected with the Lutheran Church, of Roca, of which he is a charter member, has been a Trustee, and was also active in helping to build the church. He is a true Christian gentleman, as all who have the honor of knowing him testify, and he is zealons in promoting every good work with heart and hand. In his political views he is an earnest Democrat.

The homestead of Mr. John A. Deahl stands the best monument to his industry and enterprise, and we know of no better method of illustrating these qualities of his character than by placing the pic- tured result of his industry before our readers in the view which will be found on an accompany- ing page.

H. SUDDUTHI came to Waverly Precinct, this county, in June, 1866, and homesteaded the southeast quarter of section 20, where he has since operated with excellent re- sults, and has fully established himself in the es- teem and confidence of his community. His land is in a highly productive condition, and the build- ings, put up by himself, are all that are required for the comfort and convenience of the modern agri- culturist. As a man and a citizen. Mr. Sudduth is straightforward and upright in his transactions, prompt to meet his obligations, and in all respects a leading representative of the respectable portion of this county.

The early tramping ground of our subject was in Harrison County, Ohio, where his birth took place Nov. 14, 1837. His parents, Elias and Mar- garet (Garrett) Sudduth, were natives of Virginia, but emigrated to Ohio early in life, where it is probable their marriage took place. Isaac Sudduth, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was one of the earliest settlers of Harrison County, Ohio, re- moving thither after he had done good service as a soldier of the Revolutionary War.

The father of our subject, after his first marriage, settled on a farm in Harrison County, Ohio, and of this union there were born four children-Dorcas,

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Bashbe, Nancy and Ellen. The first wife died while a young woman, and he was then married to the mother of our subjeet, of which union there were born ten children: Susan is the wife of John Carpenter, of Indiana; Iliram died when about ten years old; Patrick H., of our sketch, was the second son and third ehild; Tacey Jane married Lafayette Murphy, and is living in Ohio; William II, is in Indiana; Amanda is the wife of Isaae Sudduth, of Lancaster County ; Debora J. married Daniel Min- nie, and lives in Nebraska; Emma I., Mrs. Marian Fowler, is a resident of Lincoln, Neb.

Our subjeet spent his early years on the farm, and attended the district school, but when a lad of fourteen began an apprenticeship at the shoemaker's trade, which he followed until 1862. The Civil War being then in progress, he enlisted as a Union soldier in Company K, 69th Ohio Infantry, of which he became Second Lieutenant and served one year, then resigned and returned home. The year following, however, he re-enlisted as a private, in the 98th Ohio Infantry, and participated in many of the important battles of the war, going through the Atlanta campaign and marching with Sherman to the sea. Later, he went with the troops to Wash- ington, and was present at the grand review. While in Washington he had been transferred to the 74th Regiment, and was innstered out at Louis- ville, Ky., in July, 1865.

Mr. Sudduth now returned to his old haunts in the Buckeye State, and resumed his work at the shoemaker's bench, following his trade until Octo- ber of that year, when he sold out and started for Nebraska Territory. On his way hither, however, his wife was taken ill, and he was obliged to spend the winter in Knox County, Ill., resuming his jour- ney across the Mississippi in the spring. Not long thereafter he homesteaded the land which he now occupies, and to which he has given his undivided attention.

The wife of our subjeet, who was formerly Miss Mary A. Haines, and whom he married Feb. 11, 1858, was a native of his own county, and the daughter of Hiram and Mary A. ( Maston) llaines, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and are now dead. This union resulted in the birth of six chil- dren, of whom one, a boy named Garfield, died in

childhood. The five surviving are Lenora, Hattie, Lewis S., Mamie and Maggie. Two of these are married, Lenora and Hattie.

Mr. Sudduth east his first Presidential vote for Lineoln, and has always supported the principles of the Republican party. He has served as Justice of the Peace and County Commissioner, and socially, belongs to Mitehell Post No. 38, G. A. R., at Waverly. In religious matters he is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

OHN SCHMIDT. Early in 1847 there arrived in New York a family from Germany, Frederick Schmidt, his wife and four chil- dren. Of these the youngest was born Feb. 9, 1846, and is the subject of this writing. Fred- erick Schmidt was by trade a shoemaker, having served his apprenticeship and followed this business in Germany. On arrival in this country the family proceeded to Ohio, and settled in Dayton, where Mr. Schmidt worked at his trade.

After about one year Mr. Schmidt left Dayton and settled in Clayton County, Iowa, where he was one of the earliest settlers. Then began a new life ; subdu- ing nature, clearing the giant forest, taming the wild ground, making it to do his bidding and yield the rich harvest of its hidden wealth. In common with all pioneers of similar distriets his home was now a log house, the result of his own ingenuity and toil. Though always plain, often inconvenient, these pio- neer homes were made elegant and bright by the charm of true domesticity of life, lived in harmony with the environment of nature.

Clayton, on the Mississippi River, was the nearest market to this farm, which was Mr. Schmidt's home until 1869, when he sold it and went still farther west until he came to Middle Creek, Neb., where he bought land and remained until the spring of 1875, when he removed to Lincoln. Soon after a cloud gathered over this new home; the wife and mother, who had so long and so bravely borne her share of the burdens, eares and hardships ineident to life on the confines of civilization, after a brief illness was laid away to her rest. This was the cause of another removal, and the bereaved husband re-

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turned to Clayton, where he resided with his sons until his death. There were eight children in all, four, as noted above, having been born in Germany. They are recorded as follows : J. B., Wolfgang, Bar- bara, John (our subject), Christopher, Fred, Henry and Amelia.

Being so young when he left his birthplace, the earliest recollections of our subject elnster around the Clayton County farm, where he was reared. Ilis education was obtained in the common schools of the same district, and although not collegiate in its curriculum, served as a broad and firm founda- tion whereon to rear a superstructure of his life work. He resided with his parents until 1864, when he enlisted in Company I, 27th Iowa Vol- unteers. Although entering toward the close of the war he saw considerable service in Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. When the danger which had threatened the Union had passed, and his services were no longer needed in actual conflict, he was transferred to the 12th lowa Volunteers, and did garrison duty in Montgomery and Jacksonville. Mr. Schmidt was engaged at Ft. Derusa, Mansfield, La., the big battle at Memphis, besides numerons minor engagements.

In January, 1866, Mr. Schmidt was discharged, and laid down the musket and bayonet for the implements of a more peaceful avocation. Returning to Iowa, he found profitable employment in teaming in the city of Elkader, Clayton County, where he re- mained until 1868, when he removed to Nebraska and settled in Otoe County. Here he purchased land, and was very successful as a farmer until his removal to Lancaster County, in 1871, when he took a homestead claim in Middle Creek Precinct. This county was still sparsely settled, and the prairie was still occupied by such of its original denizens as deer, antelope, prairie chiekens and jack-rabbits. The railroad was about this time completed to Lin- coln, bringing them nearer to Eastern civilization. In 1866 he again sold out, and bought the land upon which he now resides. He has 160 acres of land, about eighty of which are under the plow. Ilis honse and farm buildings are substantially built and conveniently arranged.

Mr. Schmidt married, in 1868, Sophia Honroth, and has eight children in his family, viz: Frederick

A., Katy, Carrie, Lucy, Clara, Henry, Mary and Willie. He has remained a stanch adherent of the religious faith in which he was reared-the faith established in Germany by the great Reformer, Luther. Politically, his principles have been the principles of Republicanism. Ilis influence and suffrage have been given to the support of this party.

Mrs. Schmidt is a native of Ohio, being born in the city of Cincinnati, Nov. 28. 1849. Her father, Frederick Adolph Honroth, was a native of Ger- many. Ile came to America when sixteen years of age and settled in Cincinnati. There also he mar- ried and made his residence until 1852, when he removed to Clayton County, Iowa. The journey was long, difficult and dangerous. They had to traverse the waterways of the Ohio and Mississippi. Arriving in Clayton County, he bought land and followed agricultural pursuits until 1868, when he came to Nebraska and bought a tract of nntamed prairie near Nebraska City. By unremitting dili- gence and constant care his farm was brought to a high state of cultivation, orchards were set out, a substantial residence and farm buildings erected. From there he removed to Sheridan County, Kan., and bought 320 acres of land, where he now resides.

The maiden name of his wife, the mother of Mrs. Schmidt, was Elizabeth Tetetohine. The famn- ily comprised nine children, of whom three are liv- ing-Mrs. Schmidt, Lizzie and Adolph.

RTHUR D. KING. One of the most inter- esting, romantic periods of English history, one filled with exciting events, often dra- matic and far-reaching in their effects, was that comprised within the history of the " Wars of the Roses," during which the Red Rose of Lancaster and the White Rose of York struggled for the throne. The city of York, the chiefest of Yorkshire, the largest county in England, situated in the north- eastern portion of the country, was the headquarters of the latter party, and its history is full of histori- cal reminiscences connected therewith. The city is

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also notable because it is the second ecclesiastical eity of the Kingdom, containing the venerable and magnificent pile known to all arehæologists as the York minister or cathedral, also the palace of the Archbishop, who is the second in religious authority in the State Church.

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Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 67

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

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