Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 71

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

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Our subject came on to Lancaster County in the fall of 1878, and purchased eighty acres of land, where he still resides, and which he has brought to a very perfect state of agricultural efficiency. While a resident of New York State, Mr. Fink became the husband of Sarah E. Priest. They are the par- ents of four children, whose names we record as follows: Fayett, Mattie, Gertrude and William.

Mr. Fink has accorded to himself and family the esteem and confidence of the community. He is now serving his second term as School Moderator with much satisfaction to all parties concerned. In the United Brethren Church, of which they are old and active members, they find that which is con- genial to their religious principles, and are held in high esteem.

E DWARD R. SIZER, Clerk of the District Court of the Second Judicial District, in and for Lancaster County, Neb., came to Lin- coln in 1874, and soon afterward was employed as Deputy District Clerk under R. M. Vedder, now deceased. Filling that position acceptably until 1879, he, in 1883, was nominated by acclamation by the

Republican party for his present office, and elected by a majority of over 3,000. In 1887 he was re- nominated by acclamation, elected by an increased majority, and has discharged the responsible duties of his office in a manner highly creditable to him- self and satisfactory to his constituents. llis pres- ent term expires Jan. 1, 1891.

The city of Ottawa, Ill., was the early home of our subject, where his birth took place thirty-eight years ago, on the 25th of August, 1850. The eldest son of a family of four children, he is the offspring of Randolph and Marinda (Root) Sizer, who were natives of Massachusetts, and who emi- grated to Illinois in 1833, being thus among its pioneer settlers. His father carried on an exten- sive business as a lumber merchant of Ottawa, and for many years operated as a contractor and builder, continuing there actively in business until his death, which occurred Sept. 28, 1856. The mother con- tinned a resident of Ottawa, surviving her husband until Dec. 16, 1869, when she too passed to the land of the hereafter.

Young Sizer spent his boyhood and school days in Ottawa, Ill., and was graduated from the High School of that city. Ile commenced his business career at Princeton. Bureau County, in a mercan- tile house, where he continued fifteen months. Ilis next removal was to this State. He was accom- panied hither by his wife and one child, having been married in Ottawa, Ill., May 10, 1871, to Miss Elizabeth. daughter of David and Mary II. (Armstrong) Atkinson, who were natives of West Virginia. The father died in 1858; the mother is now living in Lincoln. To our subject and his estimable wife there have been born five children, three sons and two daughters: Maud V. (now de- ceased). Edward R., Jr., Bessie L., William A. and John A.

The tasteful home of our subject is pleasantly located at No. 1740 D street. and, presided over by a pleasing and intelligent wife, is the resort of a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Mr. Sizer has taken a genuine interest in the development of his adopted city, and socially, belongs to Lincoln Lodge No. 138, I. O. O. F. He is also a Knight of Pyth- ias, a member of A. D, Marshall Lodge No. 141, and Marshall Division No. 10, U. R. K. P., also

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Colonel and Aide-de-Camp on the staff of Maj. Gen. Carnahan, of the U. R. K. P., and Colonel on the staff of Hon. John M. Thayer, Governor of Nebraska.

It is eminently proper that the portrait of Mr. Sizer be given among those of other prominent men of Lancaster County, and as that of a man having in charge interests of importance to a large number of individuals, it will be looked upon with corresponding interest.

ILLIAM F. STUTHEIT is one of the old settlers of Centerville Precinct, residing on section 29. He is a native of Clayton County, Iowa, and was born on the 16th of August, in the year 1855. He is a son of Henry and Caro- line Stutheit, his parents both natives of Germany. When they were quite young both the father and mother of our subject were brought to America by their parents, who were among the number of emigrants at that time. The father lived in Ohio until he reached the years of manhood, when he removed to Iowa. To the parents of our subject there were born eleven children, of whom the fol- lowing survive: Maggie, wife of Herman Spellman, residing in Sprague, Neb .; Lucy, the wife of George Beckman, residing in Kansas; August. in Lincoln, Neb .; William F., Cornelius and Louis, in Center- ville Precinct. Mary, Edward, John, Matilda and Louisa are deceased.

When our subject was but a boy he came with his parents to Lancaster County, the family settling in the southern part of Centerville Precinct, at which place he resided a number of years. His father is muong the German representative pioneers of the precinct in which the family reside, and was able to give his children a fair district-school education. On the 26th of September, 1878, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Magdalena Spellman, a daughter of Hon. Ilenry Spellman, now residing in Cortland, Neb. By this union there have been six children : Arthur, Earl; Clara and William, deceased ; and Mabel.

In the year 1878 our subject settled on his pres- ent farm. being now the owner of 160 acres of good

land, having been able to purchase it and free it from indebtedness by his own perseverance, indus- try, and the labor of his own hands. He has taken an important part in political, educational and relig- ious matters, having served as School Moderator in his district for two years, and being a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In the church he has honorably served as Steward, and by his consistent Christian life he was eminently qualified to assume the responsible position of Class-Leader, joining in sympathy with the aged who had nearly run their Christian race, in con- gratulations to the middle-aged that the religious advantages were so great, and in earnest advice to the young. that they might continue their religious experience, and grow up to be exemplary men and women.

When we speak of a man as being "public- spirited," we do not mean that he is willing and ready to participate in public matters only when solicited, but that he is a man of sufficient energy and thoughtfulness to devise new means by which the public in general may be benefited, taking upon himself the responsibility of introducing a new theory or reform. A man is public-spirited when he is awake to the necessities of the times, who looks abroad and sees what the great world is doing, and then, with ever landable emulation, he strives to imitate, and perhaps to surpass, in his own community the improvements and progress which he has noted abroad. Such a man is our subject, to whom the above term is appropriately applied, and whose educational and religious zeal is much to be admired.

E LDER JAMES H. RING, who has recently purchased a farm in Grant Township, and expects soon to take up his residence herc, is a son of George Ring, and has officiated as a min- ister of the Baptist Church for a period of over thirty years, and has labored to good advantage in the Master's vineyard. A native of Fairfield County, Ohio, he was born July 27, 1840, where he was reared to manhood, and was married in 1861, in Gratiot, Muskingum County, to Miss Mary J.

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Simpson, who was born there Nov. 30, 1838. Soon after they settled in Logan County, Ill., which has been their residence now for a period of nearly twenty-five years. There their ten children were born, all but two of whom, Susie and Bessie, are living. These two died, one when one year and a half old, and one in infancy.

The eight living children of our subject and his wife are named respectively : Charles M., George S., William F., Thomas E., Frances M., Samuel C., Emma G. and Penelope P. They are living with their parents. Mr. Ring began his ministerial labors in Fairfield County, Ohio, and later preached in different places in Hlinois. His labors have been attended with success, he being a clear and forcible speaker, and having labored with that conscientious industry which has always been a guarantee of his warm interest in his pious work, and his endeavor to so present the truths of the Christian religion as should convince the skeptical, and result in the prosperity of the cause. Politically, he has been a supporter of the Republican party for many years, and his removal to this county will be wel- comed as an accession to the number of its capa- ble men.

R EUBEN W. HYERS. Life has its two sides; the one light and the other dark, and ever since the entrance into the world of wrong, of " that which ought not to be," of trans- gression, there has arisen a necessity in human society for some system of regulation and repression. This has evolved to the present super-excellent prison system. The gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch is officially connected with this system, as Warden of the State's Prison at Lin- coln.

Mr. IIyers was born at West Point, Lee Co., Iowa, on the 17th of September, 1843. His father, William Hyers, was a native of New York; his mother, Eleanor Wagner, of Ocean County, N. J. They were early pioneer settlers in Lee County, where his father was engaged as stage driver from West Point to Ft. Madison, continuing the same until his death, at West Point, in 1847. After this mournful event and terrible affliction. the

mother of our subject removed with her five chil- dren to Illinois and located in Tazewell County, and there spent the last years of her life.

As will be noted above our subject was but four years of age when his father was taken from them, so that he has never practically known a father's care. His mother filled the breach as far as she was able. Ile attended the public schools of Illinois, and at a very early age began to assist in the farm work. When there came the call for men to go to the defense of the flag and eagle, our subject re- sponded heartily, and enlisted in Company B, 108th Illinois Infantry, commanded by Col. Charles Tur- ner, and in due time took his place at the front. Ile took part in the battles of Vicksburg, Ft. Hin- man. Guntown, Miss., and several other engage- ments. Ile was taken prisoner on the 10th of June, 1864, and confined in Andersonville Prison until April, 1865, when he was paroled, after suffering all the horrors, privations and hardships of that abom- inable institution for a a period of ten months; when released his healthi was shattered, and his constitu- tion undermined. Ile was honorably discharged at Springfield, Il., July 25, 1865, and returned to Tazewell County, Il.

After farming with continued success for about five years in the above county, Mr. Hyers removed in 1870 to Cass County, Neb., and settled near Weeping Water, upon 160 acres of fine land, only twenty acres of which were broken. There were no buildings of any description on it at the time of his settlement, and his first employment was in this direction. Ile erected a set of good, stout and comfortable farm buildings and frame house, and continued his residence until 1877, when he was elected Sheriff of Cass County, and was re-elected in 1879, 1881 and 1885. He was sent to the Senate as a representative from Cass County, and served from 1885 to 1887, when he was appointed to his present position by Gov. Thayer, which he holds and fills with exceptional ability and unqualified satisfaction.

Upon March 13, 1866, Mr. Hyers was married to Martha King, a lady of culture, refinement and womanly grace. She is the daughter of Mrs. J. M. King, and was born in Jerseyville, Ill. They have had six children, four of whom are now living.

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Mr. Hyers is a gentleman of character, kindly firmness, a striet disciplinarian, and yet withal gen- erous and affable. In political matters he has al- ways been a stanch friend and supporter of the Republican party. Socially, he is connected both with the I. O. O. F., holding his membership in Prairie Lodge No. 25, Weeping Water, and with the Farragut Post, G. A. R., at Lincoln.

LBERT WATKINS, Postmaster of Lincoln. is a man whose natural ability, business tact, and fine education, have brought him into deserved prominence among the emi- nent citizens of Lancaster County. Ile was born in the city of Worcester, England, Nov. 16, 1848, to James and Mary A. (Crockett) Watkins, but he was reared and educated in the United States.

Both our subjeet's paternal and maternal ancestry for many generations had been born and reared in that English city where he first saw the light. His father was born there Dec. 16, 1816, and remained an inmate of the old home until he was twenty- one, attending school, where he received a sound education, and assisting his father in the manufact- uring business. When he attained his majority he married, taking as his wife the second child and eldest daughter of Thomas Crockett, a representa- tive of an old Worcester family, in which city she was also born in 1815. After the birth of four children, of whom our subject was the youngest, Mr. Watkins determined to abandon the dwelling- place of his forefathers, and in the Western wilds of America found anew a home for himself and fam- ily, his parents, James and Elizabeth Watkins, hav- ing come to this country the year before, with their only daughter, Amelia E. Cotterell, and two of our subject's uncles, JJames and Edwin Crockett, all being early pioneers of Mineral Point, Iowa Co., Wis.

Mr. Watkins and his family set sail from Liver- pool in the good ship " Guy Mannering," and after landing in New York City, went directly to Wiscon- sin by way of the Hudson River, Eric Canal and lakes to Milwaukee, and thenee by wagons to Mineral Point. Mr. Watkins purchased a large tract of land

in Dodgeville, Iowa County, and afterward in Linden in the same county, successfully engaged in farming until his death on the homestead, June 9, 1868. He occupied an honorable position in the history of Iowa County, as one of its early pioneers who took a conspicuous part in its develop- ment, and as a citizen. He was a prominent mem- ber of the Druid Society, and religiously, was a member of the Church of England. Politically, he affiliated with the Democratic party. He took a lively interest in politics and public affairs. He took out naturalization papers on coming here, and cast his first vote for Buchanan in 1856.

Mrs. Watkins was a very energetic, industrious, persevering and pious woman, well fitted by nature for the hardships of a pioneer life. She was a de- vout member of the Church of England, but when she went to her wilderness home in Wisconsin, she joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, which was the only religious organization in the county at that time. She did not long survive the death of her husband, but died in 1870. She was the mother of six children, of whom the following is recorded: Mary A., born May 11, 1843, married Stephen De Yoe; James was born April 14, 1845; Amelia was born Jan. 3, 1847, and married D. H. Baker; Al- bert, our subject; George was born June 20, 1852; Eliza C., born July 28, 1855, married Elwood Pike.

The early days of our subject were spent in Wis- consin, following the usual routine of boys at that time, working on the farm in summer and attending school in winter, up to the time when he was nearly seventeen years of age. He was an ambitious youth, and being anxious to secure an education, then en- tered a private academy at Linden, in the same county where his home was, his father, who took a lively interest in the cause of education, being one of the incorporators and founders of that academy. He was prepared for college in that institution, and entered the State University at Madison in 1867. lle was afterward graduated from the literary de- partment of the university. He then became a student in the law department, and was graduated in the class of '72, receiving the degrees of Ph. B. and LL. B. After completing his collegiate course, Mr. Watkins entered the law office of Alex Wilson,

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Esq., afterward Attorney General of the State, who was at that time practicing his profession in Mineral Point. After remaining there nearly a year, he formed a law partnership with the County Attorney, under the firm name of Reed & Watkins. Being finally obliged to abandon the practice of law on account of poor health, Mr. Watkins, having a natural taste for literary work, bought an interest in the Mineral Point Democrat in 1874, and became its editor, conducting the paper for nearly three years in partnership with George Crawford. He was appointed County Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1874, to which office he was subse- quently elected for the full term on the Democratic ticket, in the fall of 1875. In the fall of 1877, his term of office expiring, Mr. Watkins sold out his interest in the Mineral Point Democrat, and went to Sioux City, hought an interest in the Sioux City Tribune, and was its editor for three years. Ile then sold out and bought an interest in the Daily State Democrat, of Lincoln, Neb., of which he was one of the editors until he received his appoint- ment in November, 1885, as Postmaster of Lincoln, the onerous duties of which office he has since dis- charged with great satisfaction to the citizens of the city.

Mr. Watkins was married, Dec. 31, 1875, to Miss Margaret Anna Baker, daughter of John U. and Elizabeth (Dale) Baker, who was born near Mineral Point, Iowa Co., Wis., Aug. 6, 1851, being the fourth in a family of twelve children. The names of these children, all of whom are living but one, are as follows: Edward Dale, John Turner; Eliza- beth Ann, wife of John Osborne, of Scranton, Iowa; Margaret Anna, wife of our subject; Clarkson, who died in infancy; Joseph Uglow, Nicholas Dale, Osmon Cleander; Alına Louisa, wife of Rev. Sam- uel Trousdale, of Eau Claire, Wis .; Clara D., wife of W. H. Flett, of Merrill, Wis .; Carrie, Lillie Dale.

Mrs. Watkins' father was a native of England, born Feb. 6, 1815, in Devonshire, which had been the home of his ancestors for many generations. In 1837 he emigrated to this country in company with five brothers, and settled in Wisconsin in 1838. They were early pioneers of Iowa County, where they all purchased large adjoining tracts of land,

and improved fine farms. Mr. Baker remained a resident of that county, extensively and prosper- ously engaged in farming, until 1877, when he moved with his family to Madison, where he now lives, that he might educate his children in the State University. He affiliates with the Democratic party, and is a stanch supporter of its principles. Ile was in his early days a member of the Church of England, but since coming to the United States has, for nearly fifty years, been a leading member and local minister of the Methodist Episcopal Chnel. Socially, he is identified with the A. F. & A. M. Ile is a man honored and respected wher- ever known, and has been successful in all his busi- ness career. IIis wife, who is a native of Cornwall, England, also belongs to the Methodist Church, and is a true Christian. She is a woman of remarkable personal energy and great executive ability. While her husband is, and always has been, a Democrat, she was, in ante-bellum times, an outspoken Aboli- tionist, but is now an ardent Prohibitionist. To our subject and his wife three children have been born: Clara Anna, born Nov. 12, 1876; Albert Vilas, March 23, 1879; and Margaret, Jan. 10, 1887. Mrs. Watkins is a woman of culture, having been educated in the State Normal School, at Platte- ville, Wis. She is a member of the Congregational Church, of Lincoln. She occupies, with her husband, a prominent social position, and her rare gift as a singer often brings her before the public, where her rich contralto voice is heard with pleasure by lovers of music.

OHN L. HIERMANCE is another of those who rightly deserve the name representative, as applied either to their position as citizens or referring to their occupation. Our subject is a prominent farmer and stock-raiser, devoting his special attention to the higher orders of pedigree and blooded stock. His extensive and well-ordered farm is situated on section 20, Oak Precinct.

The father of our subject, Jolin S. Ilermance, was born about the year 1806, in New York State, and in due time received his education in the common schools of his native town, after which he was en- gaged in farming and in the lumber trade and gen-

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eral traffic. New York State was always his home. About the year 1825 he was married to Miss Marion Bristol, of Columbia County, N. Y. Of their lam- ily five are still living, the remaining two having died in early years. The eldest daughter was named Elizabeth ; the next child James, and then John L. (our subject), Robert and Catherine. Elizabeth mar- ried Edwin Annis. of Cattaraugus County, N. Y .; her brother James lives in Allegany County, N. Y .; Robert is a resident of Pittsfield, Mass .; and Cath- erine is the wife of Lewis Stanley, and is a resident of Wellsville, N. Y.

The father died in December, 1885, at Cuba, N. Y., at the ripe age of seventy-nine years. His wife, Marion Bristol, was the daughter of John Bristol, a clergyman of the Baptist denomination in Columbia County, N. Y. She was about the same age as her husband, and died in the year 1862.

Our subject, John L., was born in 1832, on the 16th day of January, in Rensselaer County, N. Y. In the schools of Columbia County he received his education, spending some time latterly in those of Canaan. After finishing his schooling our sub- ject went to work upon his father's farm, in which occupation he remained until his marriage, This important event transpired March 28, 1852; the lady of his choice was Miss Esther Hawkins, a most amiable and excellent lady. To them have been born three children, two of whom are living-a son, Ernest, and Helen, now the wife of Mr. Luther Batten, of Oak Precinct. (See sketch.) After mar- riage our subject continued farming, and extended his connection in the lumber business until the year 1861. when the bugle note of war's alarm sounded throughout the country, and in response he enlisted in Company C, 67th New York Volunteers, as a private, May 9, 1861. Ile continued service in the ranks until 1862, when he was detached and sent to Douglas Hospital, Washington, D. C. Upon recovery he became Ward Master in the same in- stitution until July of the same year, when he was mustered out on account of ill-health. Nothing daunted, with the return to health he again enlisted, this time in Company A, 188th New York Volun- teers, and was appointed color-bearer for the regi- ment. Ile remained in this position until the surrender of Lee to Grant, At this deeply impres-

sive scene our subject was present in charge of the colors of his regiment, which was then in the 5th Army Corps. He was engaged in quite a number of battles and minor fights. At the close of the struggle he returned with his regiment to Washing- ton, and was mustered out after the grand review, from thence returning to his home in Allegany County, N. Y.

Nebraska was visited in the year 1872, and upon April 24 of that year Mr. Hermance took up a home- stead nine miles north of Lincoln, which he pro- cecded to improve, and subsequently obtained the title. Shortly after this he was appointed Super- intendent of the Poor Farm, and so satisfactory was the manner in which the duties of this office were discharged that he retained it for six consecutive years. He then purchased a farm of 160 acres somewhat nearer to Lincoln, and this he has brought into a very perfect state of cultivation. The build- ings for farm use are commodious and well arranged, with a view to the uses to which they are required to be put. The residence is a substantially built house, pleasantly situated, and although not pretentious in its architecture, offers the more satisfactory feat- ures of a home. The care and expenditure which have been put into the orchard are apparent, and it is a most profitable investment, being quite large, and the various trees of high grade and well selected. The yield, other things being equal, is unusually good, both in point of quality and quantity.

This farm and residence were after a few years sold at a high price, which was commanded by their merits, and a removal was effected to his pres- ent home, which was then purchased. The new residence is most pleasantly situated on the Oak Creek Valley road, upon 100 acres of exceptionally fine land, on which he has expended much time and labor, and has been rewarded, as in the previous case, by Dame Nature, who seems to differ from her sister, Fortune, in that she is less capricious, and will reward only the earnest and diligent, whereas Dame Fortune scatters her smiles and favors appar- ently without method or reason, letting them fall to whoever may happen to please this coquettish dam- sel at the moment.

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Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 71

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

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