USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska > Part 81
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After marriage Mr. Norcross continued farming for six years, and he then moved into the town of Monmouth, and engaged in the mercantile business for two years. He afterward went back to farm- ing for the next four years. He bought a 240-acre stock farm, and was extensively engaged in breed- ing, raising, feeding and shipping stock until 1882, when he came with his family to Nebraska and settled in Firth, where he has since resided. IIe engaged in the stock business here for one year, and then, in 1883, became a partner in the bank, and has ever since been connected with it, becoming the sole owner and proprietor of the institution in 1886. In the fall of that year he sold a part interest in the bank to E. R. Spencer, and they are now conduct- ing the business together. The present bank build- ing, of a modern style of architecture well adapted to its purpose, was erected in 1885. Besides at- tending to his banking business, Mr. Norcross deals largely in real estate in Lancaster and Gage Coun-
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ties, where he owns 1,500 acres of land. Ile also owns valuable landed property in the States of Missouri and Iowa. He and his wife are very com- fortably located in their beautiful home in Firth. Their only son and child, Frank, is soon to enter the University of Nebraska as a member of the class of '92.
Mr. Norcross is very public spirited, and gener- ously contributes to all schemes for promoting the material interests of the village. He has always in- terested himself greatly in the education of the youth of Firth, and as a member of the Board of Education has done incalculable service by the as- sistance that he has rendered in perfecting the present school system, procuring suitable teachers, proper accommodations for the pupils, and in many other ways. Politically, our subject is a Republican, fully believing in the policy of that party, and giving it his cordial support whenever occasion offers.
ENRY SCHMUTTE is one of those gentle- men who have come to the broad prairies of our country with the experience, educa- tion and ability obtained elsewhere, who are attracted by the institutions of the free Repub- lic, and realize that upon its shores are found opportunities surpassing anything to be found un- der any other Government, and an outlook more promising than in any other land. Our subject, at present one of Centerville's successful farmers, whose property is situated on section 36, was born Jan. 9, 1854, in the city of Hanover, Prussia. He is the son of Henry and Christina Schmutte, both natives of the same country. It was his misfortune to lose his mother by death about the year 1866.
Our subject emigrated to America in 1871, when about seventeen years of age. His early life was withont special incident, and was simply marked by the usual phases of the process of education, and subsequent introduction to the sterner duties, tasks and lessons of life. His first introduction to the business world occurred about the year 1868, when he learned the occupation of farming. The voyage from Bremen occupied sixteen days of strange and various new experiences, not always of the most
gentle nature. Ile landed at Baltimore, proceeded immediately to Lancaster County, and began to work by the month on different farms, among the number being those of H. Hlousen and David E. Prey.
In the year 1876 our subject took up 160 acres of land and began the improvement of the same, turning to good account the experience obtained in his native land, and also since coming to this country, and putting into it all the strength of his manhood, indefatigable and exhaustive labor. Hav- ing now a farm and a home built, he must needs have someone to share the same with him, and in Anne Mayer, a native of his own country, he found one in every way fitted for that station. They were accordingly married in the month of May, 1877, and for about eight years lived a life of un- alloyed brightness and happiness. Their marriage was consummated by the birth of four children : William, who was born Aug. 3. 1879; Heury, Feb. 6, 1881 ; Eddie, Aug. 15, 1882, and Herman, May 5, 1885. After the death of his first wife, which occurred in October, 1885, he was a second time married, May 17, 1887, to Minnie Meyer, who was born on the 23d of June, 1860. She is every day proving herself to be a true and faithful wife, and bestowes a wealth of affection upon the children of her husband.
Our subject and family are members of the Ger- man Lutheran Church, and are among its most hearty supporters and devout members. For some time past he has been holding the office of School Trustee in connection therewith. He is one of the large class of citizens who, appreciating the institu- tions and privileges of America and its citizenship, endeavor to understand them and govern them- selves accordingly. In political matters he is unob- trusive, simply seeking to do his duty as a true and loyal citizen, governing his suffrage by what he believes to be for the best interest of all, although, being associated with the Republican party, he usually votes its ticket.
Mr. Schmutte, Sr., became the parent of three children by his first wife: August, who is residing in Colorado; Dora, now Mrs. C. Hanson, of Lincoln, and our subjeet. The mother died when our sub- ject was about twelve years of age, leaving him at
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a tender age minus the dearest friend and perhaps the most important relation of his life, for however true and conscientious may be the father, under such circumstances it is impossible in the nature of things that he or anyone else can fill the mother's place. The loss of his mother was perhaps the greatest trial that came into his young life. He was further handicapped in the genesis of his ex- . perience by a very limited opportunity for obtain- ing an education, and also a not over-abundant supply of funds, for upon his arrival at Omaha he found himself compelled to borrow $5, with which to make his way to Lincoln, so that he is in every sense a self-made man, his prosperity, public spirit and exceptionally high character reflecting the high- est honor upon the efforts of his life.
ILLIAM ROWERDINK. In contrasting the lives and surroundings of some per- sons with the circumstances in which, at a similar age, their parents were placed, we cannot refrain from the exclamation : "What a vast differ- ence! What forces have brought it about?" Here is one enjoying every advantage of business and society and culture, while his parents had to endure privations and discomforts, their situations alto- gether dissimilar, and although they exerted the most strenuous efforts, their attainments fell far short of what, under other circumstances, they might have been. We can only offer in explana- tion of this obvious state, beyond that for which reason may account, that the ways of Providence are inscrutable and past finding out. By toilsome step and with slow and weary feet are some des- tined to pass through the world, never enjoying to the fullest extent the things which they anticipate, while others mount by rapid and springing step to the very zenith of their ambitions.
It is an undeniable fact that circumstances have much to do with the formation of character, and it is just as evident a truth that self-development and will have a great bearing on the condition of cir- cumstances; but that either can become absolutely independent and uninfluenced by the other cannot be proved. Perhaps by the experience of others
some are to profit, and the sacrifices that the former make, in some respects. will be atoned for by due compensation in other respects. We have spoken of the difference in the position of the father and son at the same period of their respective lives, and just such a contrast will be noticed in the perusal of this sketch.
Mr. Rowerdink is a young man possessing all the qualifications of a good, live business man, and is senior partner in the firm of Rowerdink & Wismer, dealers in clothing, dry-goods, boots and shoes, hats and caps, groceries and general merchandise, in the city of Hickman. IIis father, Gerret J., and mother, Teressa (Boalkens) Rowerdiuk, were na- tives of Ilolland, the father of Winterswyk, and the mother of Oosterdyke. Being for awhile en- gaged in farming, he decided to come to America, and with his wife and two children he started across the great water, little thinking that on this adven- ture he.should lose what was so very dear to hini during the passage. The dread disease, cholera, broke out on board the ship, and, attacking his wife and children, proved fatal to them, all three sinking to a watery grave. This sad bereavement left him homeless and alone in a new land. His destination being Sheboygan, Wis., to that place he repaired, engaging in general work. After two years he was married again.
This lady, the mother of our subject, had come from Holland the wife of Mr. Poort, who soon died leaving her with five children to care for, the first, and one of the only two Ilollandish families in She- boygan. For one or two years she battled alone most nobly with the world, keeping the wolf from the door by the labor and industry of her own hands. Making the acquaintance of the father of our subject, they were married and engaged in farming, at which they prospered fairly well. They continued near Sheboygan until the spring of 1874, wiren they came to Lancaster County, and bought 160 acres of land in South Pass. It was their mnis- fortune to encounter several reverses, one of which was the loss encountered during the grasshopper era, but they have been mainly successful, and are comfortably located on their homestead, the father aged sixty-eight, and the mother sixty-six years. They have had four children by the last union :
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William, Ellen, Jane and Cornelius, all married. Cornelius resides in Adams, and Jane and Ellen are wives of prosperous farmers in South Pass Precinct.
William, our subject, was born in Sheboygan County, Wis., June 17, 1857, at which place he grew up on the farm, attending the common school when opportunity was afforded. Ile was a boy of fifteen when he came to Nebraska, having persuaded his parents to make the change, and afterward hav- ing abundant opportunity to regret his venture, Ilis ambition and pride would not allow him to acknowledge having made a mistake, and he strove to rectify it by earnest labor, passing through the plague of the grasshoppers, and having an experi- ence in common with the rest of the pioneers. lle followed the breaking-plow for many and many a day, the first five or six years being a struggle for existence. Then the tide turned, success came smiling toward him, and in the midst of it he was married, on the 29th of February, 1880, to Miss Anna Gringhuis, a daughter of Ilarm and Anna (Bymolt) Gringhuis. Mrs. Rowerdink is the fourth of a family of two boys and three girls, the date of her birth being Feb. 25, 1863. Her father was a gardener at Grand Haven, Mich., at which place she was born. and was one of the first settlers in that country. Her parents came to Nebraska in the fall of 1878, and are now residing in Hickman, both having come to America from the old country, and having attained to prosperity and honor. The father is sixty-seven and the mother sixty-two years old.
Mrs. Rowerdink came to Nebraska a girl of four- teen, in 1878, with her parents, She had enjoyed very good educational advantages in Michigan, and continued attending the public schools after her arrival in Nebraska, Our subject soon made her acquaintance, which ended in a happy marriage, after which the young couple continued for one year on the farm, and then the husband entered into partnership with his brother-in-law, Mr. Emmett Gringhuis, The new firm was engaged in general merchandise at Roca for two and a half years, when they sold out, and came to Hickman in 1883. Our subject built his present store, forming a part- nership with Mr. Wismer. Ile has been very suc- cessful, his trade has steadily increased, and the
people of Hickman have learned to know and respect him as a business man of striet integrity, who is always ready to wait npon the public in a gentlemanly way. Ilis business is second to that of no mercantile establishment in llickman, an ap- propriate testimonial to his worth and integrity.
Our subject and his wife have been the happy parents of three children : Teressa and Jennie, who are living at home, and Minnie, whose death when she was four years old was a sad bereavement to them, They are members of the German Reformed Church, of Holland, Neb., and are members of the Iliekman Library Association. Our subject votes with the Republican party, having been a delegate to the Republican County Convention of Lancas- ter County in 1886. Ile has built a commodious frame dwelling, and also owns property in llick- man and Lincoln, besides a farm of 160 acres in Colorado. Ilis sterling qualities have won for him a host of friends, and the surroundings of his happy home, so forcibly in contrast with those of his father at about the same age, are a testimonial to his unusual ability and success in life.
OEL W. TILMAN. Among the young men of Nebraska who are laying a foundation which will yieldl results incalculable in days to come, results fraught with interest and importance to his family, and possibly to the State, should be mentioned the name of Joel W. Tilman, who is destined to be as representative a stock far- mer and raiser as he is already respected. Ile is the owner of 120 acres of very choice farming land, situated on sections 5 and 6, West Oak Pre- cinct, his residence being situated upon the latter section.
Silas W. Tilman (see sketch) was born in 1846, in Marion County, Ohio, and is the father of our subject. Schooling having become a thing of the past in his experience, he gave his attention to farm work, continuing therein until he had mas- tered its details, when he bought a farm and went to work for himself. His struggles in life began at an early age, for he was left an orphan when he was five years old; nevertheless, he worked and strug-
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gled and labored. In due time he took to himself a partner and life companion, Miss Susan Barnett, and to them were given three children.
Mr. Tilman continued his residence in Indiana until 1872, when he came to Nebraska, and in order that his children might receive the advantages of a good education, took up his residence upon the outskirts of the city of Lincoln, where he pur- chased a small farm, and continued to make it his home for seven years. At the close of that period be purchased his present property, and took up his residence thereon.
Our subject was born npon the farm in Marion County, Ind .. on the 9th of October, 1860, and was in his twelfth year when his parents removed to Lincoln, where he finished his education, passing, after he had finished with the common school. through the various classes which comprised the full course in the Iligh School, from which institution he was graduated, after passing rigid examination, in the year 1879. Then our subject came with his father to the farm now owned by him, continuing with him for two years, when he married. His wife was Miss Melita Dawson, a most admirable lady in every regard, whether in her home or in society, but after a brief married life of two years she died, leaving one child, Leola, since deceased.
After three years our subject was again married. The alliance was entered into April 15, 1886, and he became the husband of Mrs. Rosa McLean, a native of Pennsylvania. This lady was born in Washington County, in that State, March 1, 1861, and continued to live there until she was three years old, when her parents came west to Nebraska City, at which place her father homesteaded a tract of Government land. She continued to reside with her parents until she was twenty years of age, when she was married to her first husband, Alexan- der MeLean, with whom she continued to live in Otoe County, in the same State; this marriage was dissolved by the death of her husband in 1883. To our subject by this second marriage have been born two children, named Howard and Flora May ; the latter died Aug. 16. 1888.
In 1883 our subject homesteaded his present farm, and all the improvements that have been made are his own work, including the house and
other buildings, which are most excellent in con- struction and arrangement, more especially the residence, which is handsomely and artistically fitted up. His pleasant home is made even more pleasant by the improvement without, which include, besides 1,000 forest trees and 300 maples, over 3,000 black walnut trees. all in excellent condition. Not far off is the orchard, which is found to be stocked with a large number of apple, cherry, plum and other trees, besides small fruits, all carefully selected by our subject; and last, but not least, the vinery, where is found an abundance of choice grapes of different varieties.
Our subject and wife are among the strongest members of the Baptist Church at Valparaiso, where they are highly esteemed for their "work's sake," and because they believe Christianity to be some- thing more than a profession. Our subject is not prominent in political or civic affairs, although loy- ally studying and clearly grasping the issues and governmental questions which are before the coun- try, and has probably yet to be heard from along this line of activity. He affiliates with the Prohi- bition party, and sympathizes strongly with the sentiments and principles of the same.
C HANDLER E. BLANCHARD, a most wor- thy representative of his upright and sub- stantial New England ancestry, pitched bis tent among the people of Southeastern Nebraska in the latter part of 1882, settling on section 21, Grant Precinct, where he has since been a resident. Ilis property represents 200 acres of prime land, where he has erected a substantial dwelling, and brought about the other improvements essential to the comfort and contentment of the progressive farmer. Ile takes a lively interest in the matters pertaining to the welfare of his community, being the friend and encourager of education, and all the other enterprises which tend to elevate society and result in general good to the people. In politics he is a solid Republican, although never caring to take upon himself the responsibilities of office, and keeps himself well posted in regard to State and National affairs. A man of genial disposition, and one with
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whom it is a pleasure to converse, he is popular among his neighbors. and regarded as a valuable member of his community.
HIazen Blanchard, the father of our subjeet, was born in Caledonia County, Vt., and in early man- hood married Miss Sarah Burbank, a native of Massachusetts. They first settled in Peacham, that county, where they spent the remainder of their lives, the father passing away about 1870, and the mother ten years later. The elder Blanchard was a farmer by oeeupation, and the parental household consisted of seven children, namely : Eliza, Merey, Mark, Harriet, Sarah, Chandler E. and Isabella. Six of these are living and residents mostly of Iowa, Minnesota and Vermont.
The subject of this sketch was born in Peacham, Caledonia Co., Vt., Nov. 2, 1829, and was the next to the youngest child of the family. He spent his life upon the farm until reaching his majority, and a year later being seized with the gold fever, sought the Pacific Slope, making his way to California, via the Isthmus. He engaged in farming and mining, being moderately successful, and remained in that region for a period of four years. Then returning to his native place, he lingered among the scenes of his childhood and youth for a period of seven years, in the meantime taking to himself a wife and help- mate, Miss Hannah J. Stevens, with whom he was united in marriage at the home of the bride in Hard- wiek, Caledonia County, Feb. 6, 1856. Thence he removed to Osceola, Stark Co., Ill., where he pur- chased a farm, and carried on agriculture twelve or fifteen years, then changing his location to Nepon- set, Bureau Co., Ill., sojourned there until coming to this State.
Mrs. Blanchard was the daughter of Joslina and Abigail (Walker) Stevens, who were natives of Bath, N. H., where their daughter, Hannah J., was also born, April 11, 1835. After marriage they removed to Hardwick, Vt., where the father spent his last days with his family, his death taking place in 1864. The mother died about 1886, at the home of her daughter in Lisbon, N. H.
To Mr. and Mrs. Blanchard there were born ten children, namely : Joshua S. ; Mary, who died in early childhood; Carrie, Charles H .; Chandler, who died in infancy; Willie C., Frank E., May, Hannah J.
and Herbert II. The eldest son, Joshua, a gentle- man of fine abilities, acquired an excellent educa- tion, and is now a professor in Michigan State University at Ann Arbor; Carrie married George II. Stevenson, a banker of Platte County, this State; Charles is connected with the Nebraska State Jour- nal in the city of Lincoln. The other children are at home with their father. The mother departed this life at Neponset, Ill., April 27, 1879. She was a very estimable lady, and a member in good stand- ing of the Congregational Church, in which our subjeet also holds membership, at Neponset.
The Blanchard homestead is one of the most noticeable examples of the thrift and industry which have characterized the farming community of Lan- caster County. Recognizing this, we are greatly pleased in having secured a view of it, which will assist in the embellishment of this work. As the abiding-place of the typical country gentleman, it is one which meets the requirements of any reasonable man, and will be to the proprietor the source of a comfortable income when he shall see fit to retire from active labor.
E. SHOTWELL. William Shotwell. the father of the subject of this sketch, was born Jan. 18, 1811, in Clermont County, Ohio, where he spent his life. IIe was a farmer and blacksmith, and died Oct. 10, 1872. llis wife was Julia Ann Moyen, who was born in Pennsyl- vania, Sept. 29, 1816. They were married May 3, 1833, in Ohio, and Mr. Shotwell died Dee. 23, 1854. They had a family of thirteen children, seven of whom were sons and six daughters. Only four of these are now living.
The second son, John, who resides in Brown County, Ohio, is a carpenter; Ruth, the oldest daughter, is the wife of R. Chatterton, a prosperous farmer residing in the same county; Conner, of Frontier County, Neb., was formerly a school teacher. but is now engaged in farming; Jesse E. Shotwell was born Sept. 19, 1834, in Clermont County, Ohio. He lived there until he was five years of age, when with his father he removed to Brown County, Ohio. Here he resided until he
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was twenty-three years old. At the age of sixteen he took up the blacksmith's trade, and worked at it for twelve years at different points in Brown County. In 1858 he went to Des Moines County, lowa, where he worked a short time at blacksmith- ing, but eventually purchased some twenty acres of land and commenced farming. Ilere he lived until 1869, when he removed to Lancaster County, Neb. Ilis brother had made a selection of land for him before he came. Soon after he arrived he home- steaded eighty acres of land and built a dug-out, in which he lived for five years. He brought a horse team with him from Iowa, and commenced breaking his land the same year. He was at this time poor, and used to secure what meat he required with his shot- gun, shooting wild game, which was very abundant at that time. The first pigs he owned after he came here he bought for $5 apiece and brought them home in a flour sack. Four years after he came to this place Mr. Shotwell brought 160 acres more of land from the railway company. After five years in the homely shelter of the dug-out he built a frame house, the first dwelling of the kind on Garr Creek.
Mr. Shotwell has been a heavy dealer in cattle. Ile continued his farm operations until 1886, when he sold his stock, and with his wife took a trip West, into Colorado and the western part of Ne- braska. He returned in the spring of 1888, and is now located on his farm again.
In December, 1860, Mr. Shotwell married Eliza Mintling, daughter of William L. and Lizzie ( Welty) Mintling. Mr. Mintling was born in Pennsylvania, March 29, 1812. In his boyhood he went to Carroll County, Ohio, where he lived about eighteen years. While there he married, in 1839, and died Oct. 16, 1887, in Ilayes County, Neb. During his life he fol- lowed the vocation of farming. Mrs. Mintling was born March 20, 1820, in Carroll County, Ohio, where she lived until she was married. They had a fam - ily of eleven children, four sons and seven daugh- ters, eight of whom are now living. These are: Eliza, wife of Mr. Shotwell, of Rock Creek, Neb .; Mary, wife of Samuel Cocayne, of Yarmouth County, Iowa, a section foreman on the railway ; Rebecca, wife of William Roe, of Hayes Center. Hayes Co., Neb., farmer; Sarah, wife of Alonzo Cocayne, of Minneapolis, Des Moines Co., lowa;
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