Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 68

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

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In the above city was born, about the year 1817, Thomas King, father of our subjeet, who is, there- fore, now about seventy years of age and in the en- joyment of good health and every faculty, a resi- dent of London, England, and until recent years always actively engaged in husbandry. His wife, the mother of our subject, is a native of the same place, and was born about two years previous to her husband, and is still resident with him. Their family, which comprised four children, they have been privileged to see live and take positions of honor and trust in life. Our subject is the first- born of this interesting family. His sister Eliza is now the wife of the Rev. Thomas S. Smith, M. A., a clergyman of the Church of England, in the diocese of York. Ilis second sister is residing in London, the widow of John Mattinson. The youngest of the family, William Henry, after pass- ing a rigid and most searching examination before the Civil Service Commissioners of England, re- ceived the appointment of Civil Engineer from the British Government, which he has held for twenty years, which faet speaks more for his character and ability than any verbose eulogy. He is at present serving in India.

Our subjeet was born in York on the 5th of August, 1842. Ilis parents were very careful that he should receive what is frequently of more real value than a fortune in coin and bank note, viz: a good education. After passing through the classes of the more primary institution he spent three years in a private school in London, and thence pro- ceeded to take a full course in the collegiate school, which, owing to his previous training, he completed in one year. From the time of leaving school he was engaged with his father upon the farm until that property was sold and his father retired from active life. The next two years were spent in prospecting for some business or other engagement, but nothing very satisfactory was met with. Ile came to Lin- col, Neb., in 1872, and worked for one year be-

fore investing his money, but being abundantly satisfied that mistake in that line was impossible, he purchased a quarter-section of land from the Bur- lington & Missouri River Railroad Company, at $8 per acre, which figure. however, was discounted, payment being made the same year.

For two years after this our subjeet lived on an adjoining farm, and then commenced breaking upon his own place. His house was built in 1874, and is a pleasantly situated building, of very cheerful ont- look and convenient arrangement internally. He continued to live alone until the year 1878, when the brightness and solitary joys of single blessed- ness paled like the waning moon before the rising sun, and he joined the ranks of the benediets. The name of the lady who came to the heart and home of our subject in the closest of all earth's relation- ships was Mahala Ellen Thomas, a daughter of Phineas F. and Malvina (Gray) Thomas. The father of this lady was born in Wayne County, Ind., and her mother in Parke County, Ind., where they lived for ten years, and in 1877 removed to Lan- caster County, Neb., where he has a very good farm. Their home cirele ineludes six children, of whom two are sons. Their names are here recorded in the order of birth: Mahala, the first-born, is the wife of our subject; her brother, William R., is a farmer in Oak Precinet; Frank is also a farmer in the same preeinet; May Ivy, now Mrs. William Jones, resides upon their farm in Little Salt Pre- cinet, near her sisters; Antha J., the wife of Charles J. Crow; also Ida G. Mrs. King was born on the 17th of June, 1857, and made her home with her parents until her marriage.

The subsequent years have abundantly shown that, the life of our subjeet has been a success so far as it affects his business and financial interests. But this is even more true of his domestic relations, and as the months have passed into years, so the tide of domestie felicity and current of home joy has broadened, deepened and strengthened. Five chil- dren have appeared at different times by the fire- side, making the home bright with their presence, and its rooms to ring with their merry. gleeful hilar- ity. Their names are recorded in the family gen- ealogy as subjoined : William E. was born Oet. 23, 1878; Bernard E., Aug. 17, 1880; Dosey G.,

Elles Shame

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Sept. 6, 1882; Arthur M., May 29, 1884, and Mary B., Oet. 6, 1886.

Mr. King since his residence in Nebraska has suffered considerable loss from the Rocky Mountain fly, or grasshopper, but not as some of his neigh- bors, from hailstorms. Mr. King and his wife are enterprising and active Christian workers in the Presbyterian Church, and among its most devoted members. Politically, our subject has always been a very strong supporter and ardent admirer of the Republican party. and although not prominent in civic affairs, realizes and discharges his duty as a citizen. Ile commands the hearty respect of the community as a man established and reliable ; hon- orable in every transaction of business life, and in every other relation worthy of admiration and imitation. Elsewhere in this volume is given a view of the home of our subject and its surroundings. which will greatly assist the mind of the reader to conceive the pleasantness and comfort thereof.

E LLES SHANE. Of the inventions and im- provements by the hand of man in the years gone by, we can think of none that has required so much self-sacrifice, enduring of hardships and unmitigated labor, none that affords so great a source of pride and gratification to the American heart, as the unparalleled achievements accomplished by the men who were the early set- tlers, the pioneers, of this new. vast and fertile Ter- ritory. To pave the way for those who followed them, to secure advantages to the coming genera- tion, they willingly deprived themselves of pleasant surroundings, left home and kindred, willing to sow that others might reap.

Among the foremost in rank of the early settlers of Denton Precinct stands Elles Shane, the subject of this sketch. He is a native of Pennsylvania, the date of his birth being the 16th of November, 1833. Ile is a son of Michael and Sarah Shane, also natives of the same State, the latter still living. Mr. Shane's great-grandfather on his father's side was a German who early conceived a love for the new country, and came to America before the Revo- lutionary War, before she had attained her freedom

and independence. The maternal ancestors were also Germans, who left the Fatherland for the in- ducements offered by their adopted country.

For the companions and playmates of his youth- ful days Mr. Shane had ten brothers and sisters, four of whom are now deceased. Those of the family who survive are Elles, our subject ; Mathias, Thomas and John, in Iowa; William, who is re- siding in Nebraska; Clark, who is also in Iowa, and Mary, residing in Chamberlain, Dak. In the carly days of 1848, when the previously undisputed monarchs of the Territory, the American red men, were losing their hokl on these possessions, the sub- jeet of this sketch removed with his parents to Stephenson County, Ill., where they were early set- tlers. In this undeveloped country he was reared to manhood, lending his time and strength to the improvement of this western wild, consequently he received but a rudimentary education in the early schools of his time, the greater part of which was acquired during the winter months, the only time in which the sons of the soil were permitted to at- tend school.

Ilis father then engaging in the lumber and saw- mill business, for a number of years our subject assisted him in the mill. At the age of nineteen he began the blacksmith trade in Illinois, which occupation he continued until the year 1862. Then came the cry for men in defense of the country- not puny. weak. irresolute men. buy those strong, stout of heart, willing to face shot and shell-for to such an extremity had this fair land come! With self-sacrificing devotion thousands and tens of thousands answered the call, and enlisted in the service, Among these brave men was Mr. Shane, who first entered Company B, 38th Iowa Infantry. Ile was stationed at New Madrid, Mo., for a time, thence going to Vicksburg, where he assisted in the siege of that city until the surrender to Grant. July 4, 1863, after a siege of forty-one days. While the loss of human life at this encounter was estimated to be 60.000 men, our subject escaped uninjured, and from there he went with his company to Port Hudson for a short time. After this he was in camp at New Orleans for a time, then he went to Brownsville, Tex., where he remained for several months. Returning afterward to Alabama, he as-

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sisted in the siege of Ft. Morgan in that State until its surrender, and thence to Donelsonville, La., for a short time. He was transferred to various points after this, and was mustered out at Houston, Tex., receiving a final discharge at Davenport, Iowa, in September, 1865. After the war he came to Lancaster County, Neb., and homesteaded 160 acres of land on section 20 of Denton Precinct.

In the spring of 1866 Mr. Shane settled on his land, and he is one among those who have seen with interest their country developed from a primitive condition to the cultivated fields and farms which present such a fine appearance to-day. Ile now owns 280 acres of land, having added to his original homestead, and by the labor of his own hands, and his own careful management, he has attained to emi- nent success.

On the 3d of September, 1862, our subject was united in marriage with Angeline Cummings, a resident of Ohio, and about them grew up a family of six children, being deprived of but one other child by its death. The members of his family are : Ulysses G., Sadie, James, May, Adelbert and Leonard, the little daughter Angie being deceased. On the 10th of December. 1885, the mother of these children was taken from them by the providence of God, leaving a wealth of affection and love in the hearts of her husband and children.

In politics Mr. Shane is a Republican, and hav- ing seen and enjoyed the progress and develop- ment of his country, he still wishes to see it go on to higher things and greater perfection. He is now serving as School Director, and has creditably filled that position since the year 1872.

Among the portraits of representative men of Lancaster County, given in this volume, may be found Mr. Shane's, which the publishers present in connection with this brief sketch of his life.

B ENJAMIN F. MUNDORFF. The solid and reliable element of the community of Yan- kee Hill Precinct finds a most worthy repre- sentative in the subject of this biography, who operates a productive farm of eighty acres on section 33. When he took possession of this

land it was in a wild and uncultivated state, and he generously acknowledges that his own industrious efforts were ably seconded by his excellent and amiable wife and helpmate, who has stood by him in storm and sunshine, lo, these many years, and has amply illustrated the amount of influence which a good woman will have upon the home and fireside. This worthy pair are now able to rest, as it were, on their oars, looking back over well-spent lives, and they experience much eomfort as the result of their united toils and sacrifices.

A native of the Keystone State, our subjeet was born in Laneaster County, June 23, 1835, and spent the most of his childhood happily and peacefully among the quiet scenes of his early home. His father, David Mundorff, was born in Lancaster County, Pa., and departed this life at his home in Dallas County, Iowa, in 1884. The mother, Mrs. Sarah (Stailey) Mundorff, is still living, and a resi- dent of Madison County, Iowa. The paternal great-grandfather of our subject was born in Ger- many, and emigrated when a young man to the United States, settling in New Orleans. Later he migrated into Pennsylvania, locating on the Sus- quehanna River, in Lancaster County, where he reared a family of sons and daughters, and it is sup- posed spent the remainder of his days.

Another David Mundorff, a distant relative of the father of our subject, served as an officer in the American army during the War of 1812, and was given a warrant for land in Illinois, where he settled and probably spent the remainder of his days. The parents of our subject, in 1845, when he was a lad ten years of age, left Pennsylvania and moved to Henderson County, Ill., where they set- tled among its earliest pioneers. After a residence there of twenty-five years they disposed of their possessions, and erossing the Mississippi, settled in Dallas County, Iowa, where the death of the father took place in 1884. The parental household in- cluded seven children, only three of whom are liv- ing, viz: Aaron T., a resident of Council Grove, Kan .; Mary, the wife of William Coats, of Madison County, lowa. and Benjamin F .. our subjeet.

Mr. Mundorff lived with his parents on the farm until nineteen years of age, receiving limited school advantages, but being fond of his books made such

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good use of his time that he became qualified for a teacher, and pursued this calling for a time, and later was in the employ of a publishing house as their agent at New York. Soon after the outbreak of the late war he enlisted, in July, 1861, in Com- pany E, 10th Illinois Infantry, as a private, going first to Cairo, Ill., and later to the South with his regiment. They were assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, under command first of Gen. Grant and afterward under Gen. Pope. Mr. Mundorff saw much active service, being present at the siege of New Madrid and Island No. 10, besides meeting the enemy in various other important battles and skirmishes. Ile fought at the siege of Corinth, and after being transferred to the Army of the Cumber- land, was at the battles of Mission Ridge and Stone River, although not actively participating in the latter, his corps being held in reserve. He did not receive any wound in battle, but was hurt in the left foot while returning to Chattanooga from the Knoxville campaign, and was confined in the hospi- tal from December, 1863, to April, 1864. Ilis term of enlistment now having expired, he received his honorable discharge, and returning to Henderson County, Ill., engaged in the lumber business until the spring of 1869.

Our subject now resolved to cross the Mississippi, and took up his abode on a farm in Madison County, lowa, where he continued three years. In 1872 he homesteaded a tract of land in Osceola County, that State. which he occupied five years, then came to Nebraska and settled on his present farm, in Yan- kee Hill Precinct. He made the journey hither from lowa with his family in a wagon drawn by one team of horses and two ox-teams, the journey consuming twenty-six days. Rain fell the greater portion of this time and they camped out wherever night overtook them. Upon their arrival here they slept in their covered wagon until October, when Mr. Mundorff put up a small house.

Mr. Mundorff, upon coming to this county, pur- chased eighty acres of land from the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Company, for which he paid $10 per acre. Some discouraged settler had broken a few acres and then abandoned it. Aside from this there had been no attempt at improve- ment. Our subject before leaving Illinois had been

married in Henderson County, Oct. 26, 1865, to Miss Sarah J. Graham, who was born there Sept. 3, 1840. Her parents, William M. and Jane (Popham) Graham, were among the earliest pioneers of that region. They were natives of Kentucky, and the father, by two marriages, was head of a family of twelve children, ten of whom are living: Andrew R., in Illinois; Robert C. and Thomas, in Kansas; William and Joseph, in Iowa ; John. in Kansas ; Mary, Mrs. William Graham, in California; Samuel, in Kansas; Sarah J. and Martha A .. in Warren County, Ill. William M. Graham departed this life at his home in Iowa, in 1882, and the mother is still living in that State.

Mr. and Mrs. Mundorff began the journey of life together in Illinois. The birth of their four chil- dren is as follows: Florence C., Nov. 15, 1866; David F., July 28, 1869; William M., Nov. 15, 1871, and Arthur A., June 23, 1873. They all, with their parents, are identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and respected members of society. Mr. Mundorff, politically, is a stanch Republican, which party he has supported since its organization, casting his first vote for Gen. John C. Fremont. in 1856. He has held the various local offices, serving as School Director in his district, and while in Iowa was County Commissioner. Ile deservedly ranks among the honored pioneers of this county, and al- though many men in this region commenced poor in purse, there are few who can recount the trials through which he passed, and out of which he came master of the situation.

AJOR GILBERT BOHANAN, senior mem- ber of the firm of Bobanan Bros., occupies a good position among the business men of the city of Lincoln, carrying on a lively trade in fresh and salt meats, fish, poultry, etc. He is a gentleman in the prime of life, having been born March 14, 1842, and a native of Peoria. III. ITis parents, Edward and Mahala T. (Wilber) Bohanan, were natives respectively of New York State and Massachusetts.

The father of our subject was born Jan. 2, 1809, and emigrated to llinois when a young man twenty-

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three years of age. For many years he was engaged as a butcher, meeting with success, and is now liv- ing in retirement in Peoria, III. The lady to whom he was first married became the mother of seven children, and died at her home in Peoria, Feb. 17, 1865, at the age of fifty years. Their fourth and fifth born died in infancy; Major G., our subject, was the first child ; Franklin II., Walter G. and Ed- ward G. are residents of Lincoln, Neb; Lavinia M., Mrs. Gatewood Lock, is a resident of Kansas City.

Mr. Bohanan spent his boyhood and youth in his native city, attending first the common schools and later took a course at the Coles Commercial Col- lege, from which he emerged reasonably well fitted for his future career. He came to this county in April, 1868, and in June following established him- self in business, in which he has met with success. He became associated with his brother in 1865. He was married, on the 29th of October, 1872, to Miss Lydia S. Rakestraw, who was born in Coles County, Ill., Oct. 7, 1855, and is the danghter of Isaac and Diey Rakestraw, who were natives of Ohio. The father is now a resident of Kansas and the mother is deceased. Of this union there have been born four children, namely : Edward 1., Myrtle A., Clarence O. and Franklin Leroy. The family residence is pleasantly located at No. 927 M street, Lincoln, and is in all respeets the home of comfort and refine- ment. Mrs. B. is a lady greatly respected in her community, and a member in good standing of the First Baptist Church.

Bchanan Bros. represent a large amount of prop- erty in this county, including farm lands and eity lots. They put up the business house which they now occupy in 1872. It is a substantial two-story brick building, and the portion devoted to their market operations is finely equipped and fitted up with every convenience and they give employment to seven men. In addition to this they erected a fine block at the intersection of Tenth and N streets, which occupies an area of 100x106 feet, and is also three stories in height. It contains the largest pub- lic hall in the State and two smaller ones. They have also a livery barn of ample dimensions, a fine brick and stone structure 36x130, which is an orna- ment to the business part of the city. The business of this they also conduet in addition to their mar-

ket operations, having a fine lot of vehicles and horses, the latter including some of the best driving stock in the State. The stables were established in 1876, and command a fine patronage.

Bohanan Bros. have also invested a large amount of capital in a number of residence buildings in the eity. Considering the fact that they commenced business with $89 and a few tools, their career is something remarkable. Major G., socially, is a member of the I. O. O. F., while his estimable wife is identified with the Danghters of Rebecca. She is a member of the society of the Home of the Friend- less ; she is a member of the Baptist Church, and also of the society for the benefit of the poor of the church. Mr. B., politically, is an uncompromising Democrat, and an active member of the Board of Trade in the city of Lincoln. The brothers pur- chased, in 1882, the first omnibus line in the city, which had been established a short time before, and have also facilities for undertaking, including ten double teams of fine gray horses and all the requisite paraphernalia for funerals and weddings alike. They are connoisseurs in horseflesh, and their stables in- clude two valuable imported Clyde stallions, be- sides other valuable stock.

Mrs. Bohanan is an artist of fine talent and has produced some very fine oil paintings. Their hand- somely furnished residence bears upon its walls many specimens of her taste and skill, and which evidence a love of and rare adaptability to this art. The family have a large cirele of friends and acquaint- anees among the cultivated people of the city, where they occupy a leading position and command the influence which always goes hand in hand with in- telligenee, mental capacities and business talent.

6 IJEODORE C. MILLER is a native of Fay- ette County, Pa., and was born Feb. 5, 1830. He is a son of Nicholas and Franees Miller. natives of the same State. The family is of Scotch-Irish extraction. His father has been twice married, and has had seven children, although five only are living-Theodore, John T., Sophronia, Elvira and Clarinda. Of these our subject is the eldest. John T. is a resident of Rock Island. Ill .;

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Clarinda is the wife of Henry Shuster, of Beaver Falls, Pa .; Sophronia married Elijah Starrett, of the same place, and Elvira is now Mrs. 11. M. Myers, also of Beaver Falls.

Until manhood our subject remained at home, and was educated in the public school of the dis- trict. In it he received an education which, al- though not so extensive and erudite as might have been obtained in larger institutions, was sufficient for all practical purposes until he should enter the school of experience. He has always been a care- ful, extensive and retentive reader, so that he is well versed in a large range of subjects, and is en- abled to grasp not simply the outline but very many of the details of the more stirring questions of the times. He has devoted much time to travel- ing in the following States: New York, Pennsyl- vania, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Colorado, Minnesota and Dakota Territory. These journey- ings, while usually originating in some business cause, have been made to yield much pleasure and instruction.

When thirteen years of age our subject engaged as a clerk in a store, and by business tact, diligence, and attention to the details of business, he won the confidence of his employer, and passed from one position to another until he was eligible to enter into mercantile life upon his own account. If we could have seen him as he performed the duties of his first clerkship, and could have fol- lowed him in the various positions he was called upon to fill, have accompanied him through the years when he was the employer instead of em- ploye, we should naturally expect that whatever he might undertake and however be employed, it would be his business to succeed.

In the spring of 1879 Mr. Miller left the store and desk for the farm. Ile began to use the plow, the harrow and the cultivator instead of the pen, the balance and the measure. He settled in this county, where he continues to reside. He is the owner of 160 acres of fine land, which has become, under his good management and untiring industry, one of the best farms in this section. He was mar- ried, May 20, 1853, to Asenithi Stantz, a native of Fayette County, Pa. She was the daughter of Thomas

and Susan Stantz, who were also natives of the same State. Their marriage has been blessed by four children, although the eldest, Alvin, is de- ceased. The others are John C., Arthur M. and Ilarry W. Our subjeet has for many years been recognized as a true and worthy brother and men- ber of the A. F. & A. M., and, doubtless, the les- sons learned in the blaze of the great light before the Masonic altar have enabled him, with more honor to himself and charity toward all others, to walk along the level of time, and will continue so to do until he shall cross the "bourne from which no traveler returns."

Mr. Miller, from the time when he cast his first ballot until the present, has been an enthusiastic Republican, and is a firm adherent to the principles of that party. Mr. Miller's wife died on the home- stead Dec. 29, 1884.

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Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 68

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

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