Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 76

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

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The father of Mrs. Jones was by trade a brick- maker, and was prosperous in his business. He also worked his own farm most successfully. He was a prominent member and energetic worker with the Masonic fraternity, in which he held a high office. Mr. Jones makes his residence in Lincoln on the corner of Band Ninth streets, which valuable prop- erty he owns. In politics he is a stanch Republican.

As a prominent and useful citizen of Lancaster County, it is eminently proper that the portrait of Mr. Jones should be added to the list of those the originals of which this region delights to honor, and we herewith present it to our readers.

OSEPH RAWSON WEBSTER, attorney-at- law, and a resident of Lancaster County since October, 1869, was born at Bombay, India, under American passport, May 5, 1839, and is a native of Vietor, N. Y. Ilis parents became residents of Indiana in 1848, settling in Lagrange County during its pioneer days and soon after it began to be the resort of the white element. The common schools of the backwoods afforded him all the advantages for education which he received un- til he was fifteen years oldl.

A short time previously to this there had been es- tablished the Lagrange Collegiate Institute, of which young Webster now became a student, and in 1858 entered Wabash College, at Crawfordsville, Ind., from which he was graduated at the head of his

class in June, 1862. Clearing the forest, general farm work and labor in the sawmill of his father, were the employments of his youth, relieved with the frontier sports of the rifle and fishing rod or rowing the canoe in the streams and lakes. Read- ing by the generous fireplace in the log cabin sup- plemented the education of the common school.

On the evening of President Lincoln's first call for three-months volunteers by which it was hoped to quell the Rebellion, young Webster enlisted in Company 1, 11th Indiana Infantry, under the com- mand of Gen. Lew Wallace, and spent his time as a volunteer soldier in the valley of Virginia. At the expiration of that service he returned to college, and in July, 1862, re-enlisted. and was elected Cap- tain of Company G, 88th Indiana Infantry, in which he subsequently was commissioned Major. In 1864 he was made a Lieutenant Colonel of the 44th United States Colored Infantry, which he had raised, and served with that regiment until January, 1866.

Col. Webster now resigned his commission, and taking up his residence in Bolivar County, Miss., engaged in cotton planting until the spring of 1869. That year he returned to the North, intending to locate at Council Bluffs, Iowa, but in the fall took up his abode in Lincoln instead, where he embarked in the practice of law. A few months previously, as the result of elose application to his law books between the campaigns of his army life, he had been admitted to the bar at Glenwood, Iowa, and now entered upon the professional course which brought him subsequently both reputation and gain.

After becoming fully established in business with a fair prospect of a competency, Mr. Webster con- tracted a matrimonial alliance, June 12, 1873, with Miss Sarah Cooper Thompson, who was born in Lagrange County, Ind., Oct. 14. 1837, and was the daughter of Col. Aaron Thompson, of Lima at that time, but formerly of Newark, N. J. The only child of this union is Miss Joy Louisa, who was born March 14, 1874.

In his military service, besides many minor en- gagements, Col. Webster participated in the general actions of Chaplin Hill, Ky., Oct. 8, 1862; Stone River, Tenn., December 31 to Jan. 3. 1863; Chicka- mauga, Sept. 25, 1863; the siege of Chattanooga, ad- vance on Atlanta, and the siege and battle of Nash-

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ville. During the years 1873-74 Col. Webster was Attorney General of Nebraska, and County Judge in 1878-79, retiring from the latter office in Janu- ary, 1880. Since that time he has been engaged in a general law practice with successful results, ac- quiring a fair competence. Although mixing very little with politics, he supports the Republican party. He identified himself with the G. A. R. during the early days of its organization, being now a member of the Farragut Post, at Lincoln.

Elijah Ashley Webster, the father of our subject, was of the seventh generation in descent from John Webster, who emigrated from Warwickshire, En- gland, in 1630, settling first near Boston, Mass. Subsequently he removed to Hartford, Conn., and was Governor of the colony during 1656 and until 1659. He was born at Whitesboro, N. Y., Feb. 20, 1813, and was the son of Uri and Mercy (Ashley) Webster, who removed to the vicinity of Honeoye, that State, and in early life began his apprenticeship at the printer's trade. Ile was married, April 12, 1835, to Mariette, daughter of Joseph Rawson and wife, the latter having been a Miss Arnold.

Mrs. Mariette Webster was born in West Stock- bridge, Mass., in 1811, and with her family subse- quently removed to Vieter, N. Y. Immediately after their marriage our subject and his bride sailed for Bombay, India, where Mr. Webster took charge of the publishing house of the American Board of Foreign Missions, and himself cut the matrices for casting the type for the Mahratta translation of the Bible. This he did so excellently that he pro- duced a font of type more clear, neat and legible than that then in use at the Mission Press, and so reduced from the former clumsy character in use that the Scriptures were reduced in bulk to one- fourth the size of the former volume. Ile was a man of great personal courage, and at the peril of his life, being taken entirely exhausted from the water, assisted in the rescue of troops from two transports wrecked at the entrance of the harbor during the monsoon. He was highly mentioned for that service in the Bombay Gazette, the official organ of the East India Government.

A man of prominence and influence wherever his Jot was cast, the father of our subject was active mentally and physically, with remarkable powers of

memory, a poetic imagination, decided literary tastes and progressive ideas. He was a close ob- server, a clear reasoner, fluent and versatile in lan- guage, an instructive companion, a welcome ally, and a respected opponent in debate. He was always active in educational, religious, Sunday-school and social work, both from inclination and as a matter of patriotic duty, believing this to be for the safety of the Republic of social order and of progress, in all of which he was ably seconded and aided by his estimable wife.

From Bombay, in 1842, the parents of our sub- ject returned to Victor, N. Y., and four years later emigrated to Indiana, where the father opened up a farm. He also instituted and operated a sawmill, served as County Surveyor, and was engaged in civil engineering upon roads to develop the north- ern portion of the State. In 1848 he was elected to the Indiana Legislature, being the first successful Whig candidate from his district. In 1850 he took the census for the county, and was proposed for nom- ination as a Member of Congress, but died suddenly of pneumonia, Feb. 19, 1855, at the age of forty- two years. His wife, Marietta R., survived until Feb. 8, 1879, when her death took place at Gales- burg, Ill., to which place the remains of her husband were afterward removed, and they repose together. Their children are Eunice M., who was born March 4, 1837, and is now the wife of George Fisherdick, of Palmer, Mass,; Josepl: R., of Lincoln, this State, and Charles Arnold, President of the Frost Manu- facturing Company, at Galesburg, III.

Z ACHARIAH WELLS. The gentleman whose history is herein sketched has the honor of being the oldest actual settler now living in Olive Branch Precinct, and has watched with pleasur- able pride the vast waste of prairie land trans- formed to a veritable garden. Ilis residence is upon the homestead originally taken by him upon sections 11 and 12, and consists of 280 acres, less what was given to the Nebraska & Pacific Rail- road, which has recently laid its bands of steel through that section of the country. At the time of settlement upon this farm the town of Beatrice

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was hardly worthy the dignified name of a hamlet, and there he had quarters for marketing, and in order to reach the same must perform a journey of thirty miles or more. The chief trading point was Nebraska City, distant seventy miles. Omaha was in its early infancy, and Lincoln was not thought of. Upon taking his land he had everything to do; if he had a home, he must be the 'architect and builder; breaking, sowing, cultivating, harvesting and threshing, he must perform them all.

Mr. Wells is a native of Tennessee, and was born near the city of Knoxville, in that State, on the 16th of March, 1808. When he was quite a small child his parents removed to Knox County, Ky., and there he was reared and received such education as was obtainable, and began to work upon the farm. The grandfather of our subject, after whom he was named, served as a private in the Revolutionary War, and obtained therein a very honorable record. Ilis son William, the father of our subject, fol- lowed the occupation of farming, and in his chosen occupation was more than usually successful. Ile was married in the State of Georgia, in 1806, to Miss Juda Murray, a lady of Southern parentage. Upon his marriage Mr. William Wells purchased a farm in Tennessee, upon which he continued until he removed to Kentucky, and this was his home until his death, in the year 1881, at the advanced age of sixty years, having survived his wife about eight years. Their family comprised nine children.

Mr. Wells was married in Mercer County, Mo., in 1848, to Miss Mary Wilson, a native of Ken- tucky, a lady whom it is only possible to remember with most perfect esteem and affection for her many virtues. She died in the year 1861, leaving two children, Mary and William, both of whom are living.

Our subject was married a second time, in Mercer County, Mo., to Elva Ilobbs, a native of Indiana, who came to Missouri when a young woman. Their faunily was increased by the birth of four children -James B., Jane, Mary and George. Mary, Mrs. Edward Parson, is deceased. Mrs. Wells died at the age of forty years, in July, 1863. Mr. Wells was married a third time, and again in Mercer County, Mo., to Miss Sarah llobbs, a sister of his former wife, both daughters of Job and Amanda

(Clue) Hobbs. Mr. and Mrs. Hobbs lived for many years in Missouri, afterward came to Ne- braska, and died in this State at a very advanced age. Mr. and Mrs. Wells are the parents of eight chil- dren, whose names are here subjoined. The eldest child of our subject is Nancy, now the wife of John S. Burtwell, and their home is in Gage County ; Matilda is the wife of H. P. Poland; they make their residence upon the homestead of Mr. Wells; Ann married Samuel Anguer, a prosperous farmer near Princeton, this county ; Rachel is happily mar- ried to Mr. Stephen George, a carpenter and builder at Spriggs Station; Margaret is united to Andrew Polston, a successful farmer at the same place; Gen- eral is the husband of Delia Rader, and is resident upon the home farm ; John and Norman, the young- est, are still at home.

Our subject and family, by reason of their long experience in Nebraska and many years of settle- ment, are accorded most heartily that peculiar ven- eration and respect which are universally voted due to those who have helped to bring the new country to its present state of development; who have as- sisted in the framing of its farms, the building of its houses, the improvement of its stock, and the establishment of its enterprises. Mr. Wells has for many years been a solid Republican, and is looked up to as one of the old veterans of the party. Every- thing that he is or has, is, humanly speaking, due to his own energies, thrift, ambition and labor.

ARL BERGMANN, who resides upon his beautiful farm on section 12, in Stockton Precinct, is another of those thrifty, diligent, hard-working natives of the Fatherland, who may be found in the fertile valleys and on the broad prairies all over this continent. These have gath- ered of this world's goods slowly but surely, year by year, until they have at last arrived at that time when there is no longer need to fear either the pro- verbial " rainy day" or that other time, when the weight of years prevents the usual activities of younger days. Our subject was born in Germany, on the 11th of May, 1835, which was his home until he was about thirty-three years of age. llis

Casper Hornung.

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early memories cluster around the school days of that country, and in after years his work was hus- bandry and other pursuits.

It was in the year 1868 when Mr. Bergmann de- termined to leave his native country, and the pro- tection of its flag for the experiment of life amid new scenes and surroundings on this continent. He landed in the month of April, that year, accompa- nied by his wife and three children, also by his father. His mother was left at rest in the grave- yard near the old home, having been removed from mortal scenes some years before. The vessel landed the family at the city of New York, and presently they proceeded to Nebraska, where the richness of Lancaster County prompted them to settle. They accordingly made their home in Stockton Precinct, where our subject took up a farm under the Home- stead Law. As soon as the family were settled in their new quarters, they set to work to improve their land by cultivation and building, adding to the original quarter-section from time to time, until to-day Mr. Bergmann possesses 240 acres of fine land. Ile has taken great interest in tree culture, and his farm exhibits his success in this direction.

In November, 1862, while yet in Germany, Mr. Bergmann was married to Minnie Sangbush, who was born Dec. 10, 1836, and is the daughter of John and Dora Sangbush. The home circle com- prises a family of six children-William, Otto, Anna, Minnie, Amanda and August.

We are continually reminded that some of the smallest events in life become in their turn, causes, the effects whereof attract the attention, and oft- times the amazement and admiration of the world. Little did the despised, solitary and frail child, Martin Luther, who sang in the streets of a great city for the pittance required in order to keep him at the school of the monks, think that we to-day, in free America, would be conversant with his history and feel the effects of his life. Little did he dream as in after days he toiled painfully up the stairs of St. Peter's at Rome, that the thought that fired his brain while thus engaged, and which caused him to rush madly from the scene, would to-day affect countless thousands of the citizens of this Republic. Nevertheless the mental training which he acquired in that school, and the key to Christian liberty ob-

tained in that one thought at Rome, have been forceful and yet more forceful as the days have passed by. This great reformer, Luther, the hero of his times, left such an impression upon the relig- ious thought of his countrymen as has never been eradicated. It still lives in spirit in the whole of Christendom, in name, and in part spirit, in the German Lutheran Church, of which our subject and his wife are members. Although not prominent in political circles Mr. Bergmann lends his sympathies and gives his vote to the Republican party.

The homestead of Carl Bergmann, as will be ob- served by a glance at the view appearing on another page, is the silent but forcible witness of the achieve- ments of the determined and self-made man, and compares favorably with those of the thrifty ele- ment about him. In time to come his descendants will point with pride to his record and his labors, as those of an honest man and a good citizen.

RS. LOUISA HIORNUNG, the owner of a fine farm of highly productive land, em- bracing eighty acres on section 4 in Little Salt Precinct, is the widow of the late Cas- per Hornung, who departed this life June 6, 1877. The family residence is a neat and substantial structure, flanked by a good barn and all the other necessary buildings, while a fine orchard and a choice assortment of fruit trees forms not only a protection from the suns of summer and the cold winds of winter, but adds alike to the value and beauty of the property. On all sides is indicated the hand of thrift and industry, together with cultivated tastes and ample means.

Casper Hornung was born in the Prussian Prov- ince of Saxony, May 26, 1821. He was carefully educated at a private school and reared to agri- cultural pursuits, his father being the owner of a fine and large estate. When twenty-seven years of age he was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Burckart, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride in Saxony, July 21, 1846. The young people settled on one of the little farms belonging to the father, and lived there for a period of ten years.

In 1866 Casper Hornung, believing that there

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were better opportunities for an ambitious and en- terprising man on the other side of the Atlantic, embarked with his wife and six children (paying $60 apieee for their tickets) for a voyage across the Atlantic. The little family included two sons and four daughters, who were named respectively : Er- nest H., Eliza, Frederick, Rosa, Christiana and Bertha.

The Hornung family arrived in New York City with funds nearly exhausted, but the father soon secured work on a farm in Niagara County, where they lived for a period of five years. Then, in the spring of 1871, learning of the advantages proffered to the homesteader of Nebraska, they migrated hither and settled upon the land which has since been transformed into a valuable farm. Many were the trials and hardships they encountered with the elements of a new soil and country, also a strange people, and for a period of five years they lived in a dug-out. This finally caved in, and the father put up a sod house. Under the roof of this humble dwelling Mr. Hornung died of consumption, June 6, 1877.

After the death of the husband the sod house also caved in, and Mrs. Hornung and her children for three months lived in the open air without a shelter. During these days of trial the innate noble- ness of this excellent woman asserted itself, and without giving way to discouragement she taught her children to be of assistance, so that in time their circumstances altered for the better, and they were enabled, in 1887, to put up a substantial frame dwelling. To the right of this stands a beautiful little grove of box elders and walnut trees, the seed of which Mrs. Hornung planted with her own hands. She also has an orchard of 100 apple trees, besides pears, cherries, grapes, and all kinds of the smaller fruits. She is justly proud of her annual vegetable garden, which she plants and cares for with her own hands. She keeps a fine herd of cattle and swine. The land is all enclosed with good fences, the barn is one of the most conveniently arranged and sub- stantial in this part of the precinct, and near the house is one of the finest wells in the country, very deep, and walled up with stone.

Mrs. Hornung was born, like her husband, in the Province of Saxony, July 22, 1825. She was also

tutored in a private school, being under the in- struction of one teacher for a period of eight years. HIer father, Christopher Burckart, was a miller by occupation, and the owner of a large gristmill, be- sides a fine estate in Saxony. He was for many years Treasurer of the village, and a man of promi- nence and influence. To Mr. and Mrs. Hornung there were born six children, the eldest of whom, Ernest by name, married Miss Ida South, of Niag- ara County, N. Y., and is now farming in Little Salt Precinet, where he has a fine family of four children; Eliza was married, and died leaving one child; Frederick was married, and died leaving three children; his widow afterward became the wife of his brother Ernest. Rose, Mrs. James Da- vey, is living in Malcolm Precinct, where her hus- band owns a fine farm; he also has two houses in the city of Lincoln; they are the parents of five chil- dren. Christiana became the wife of George Neff, of Little Salt Precinct, and they have four chil- dren; Bertha, Mrs. Charles Lindholm, of Little Salt Precinct, is the mother of four children.

Mrs. Hornung is therefore the prond grandmother of twenty-one grandchildren. She lives alone on her farm with one granddaughter, her daughter's child. She is a lady held in the highest esteem by her neighbors, who with one accord acknowledge her extraordinary qualities as a business woman, and also as the mother of a fine family of children, who have lived to grow up around her respected by all who know them. She is kindly and genial in her manner, and a lady whose equal is seldom met.

EONIDAS K. HOLMES is one of the prominent citizens of Lincoln, proprietor of the Lincoln City Brick Works, and the Mohawk Valley Dairy, and owner of an excep- tionally fine dairy farm, situated on section 22, Gar- field Precinct, and also considerable city property. Ile has grown up with the city and district, and from the first has lent his best endeavors to the progress of his adopted city and State.

Our subject is the son and fifth child of Alva and Sophronia (Ellis) Holmes. His father was born at Litchfield, Conn., about the year 1790. He re-

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ceived his education in the institutions of his native town, and, having passed through the classes of the same, settled in Bridgewater, N. Y., in the year 1800. His early home was with his parents, which was continued until he arrived at manhood. He then became the owner of a very fine farm, which he operated successfully for several years. While resident here he was elected Supervisor of his town- ship, and Justice of the Peace, continuing in the same for many years. Ilis correct judgment and impartial decisions and courteous bearing received the full approbation of the community. The partner of his life was Miss Saphronia Ellis, a lady of culture and charming manner, of Vernon, N. Y. Their family cirele consisted of five sons and two daugh- ters, whose names are recorded as follows: Olive, Albert, Clinton, Lavantia, L. K. (our subject). Asahel B. and Augustus S., all of whom are still living.

Mrs. Holmes was the daughter of A. G. Ellis, and was ushered into life about the year 1802, at Ver- non, N. Y. She continued her residence at home through the years of childhood, her school days and early womanhood, until her marriage with Mr. Holmes, when about eighteen years of age. She departed this life about 1842; her husband, died at West Winfield, N. Y., about 1879, at the age of seventy-four years.

Our subject began his life at Babcock Hill, Oneida Co., N. Y. His education was liberal, and after pass- ing through the common school of his native town he entered the class of '56, of Hamilton College, at Clinton. Here he found opportunity to lay broad and deep the foundation of his life work, and re- ceived the mental discipline which has been, perhaps. the cause of his success in business life. After leav- ing school he went to Kansas, formed the acquaint- ance of Albert D. Richardson, and became his private secretary ; this was during the excitement and trouble between the slave States and Kansas and Nebraska, regarding slavery.

The first vote of our subject was cast in favor of S. A. Douglas, in the year 1860, upon returning to his New York home from Kansas. Early in the following year Mr. Holmes entered the army, and served in the Quartermaster's department during the entire war, was stationed at Washington until

1864, and then with Gen. Butler at Bermuda Hun- dred until the cessation of hostilities, going to Rielimond on the day of its evacuation. In that city he continued in Government service until 1868, when he resigned and returned home.

A new era in the life of Mr. Holmes is now en- tered upon. We find him working upon a farm which he purchased upon return, and was en- abled to stock efficiently. But only a short time elapsed before he grew discontented with the out- look, sold his property, and turned his face toward the land of the setting sun. It was June, 1869, when he first came to Lincoln. He was, therefore, among the very earliest settlers, and found in the infant eity abundant scope for all his efforts and ambi- tions. He gave himself heartily to the work of the extension and upbuilding of the eity, and also of the surrounding district, realizing the importance, more especially at such an early stage, of having a large and prosperous environment of agriculturists around the city, as by this means a large market was created, not simply for their products, but to supply their many requirements for the home and farm, including stock, feed, miscellaneous farm im- plements and machinery, in addition to household goods of all kinds.

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Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 76

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

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