Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 82

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

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Emma, wife of Sylvester Franklin, a farmer of Hayes County, Neb .; James, who is farming in Layton. Lancaster Co., Neb. ; Jesse, who is a farmer of Hayes County, Neb., and Rufus of the same county, also a farmer.

Mrs. Shotwell was born in Carroll County, Ohio, July 3, 1840, where she lived until her third year. She then moved with her father to Burlington, lowa, where she lived until 1869. Her mother, Mrs. Mintling, now lives in Hayes County with her children. Mr. and Mrs. Shotwell bave two children, a son and a daughter. Of these the ekler is Kate, born at Burlington, Iowa, Sept. 13, 1861, and mar- ried, April 23, 1881, to J. 11. Wilcox, of Rock Creek. The son, William M., was born Dec. 23, 1863, at Burlington, lowa; he lives at home with his parents. Mr. Shotwell, who has a farm of eighty acres in Lancaster County, and another of 320 acres in Hayes County, Neb., makes grain a specialty in farming. Ilis son William also has 320 acres in Hayes County, Neh.

Mr. Shotwell, who is now a Republican, has been Assessor for three years, and a member of the School and Elective Boards for about eight years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Shotwell are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Shotwell is a prominent mem- ber of the Rock Creek Church and an active Sah- bath-school worker. Ile ranks as one of the pioneers of the county. He has now retired from active life, and his only son, who is unmarried, works the farm. On settling in Lancaster County. Mr. Shot- well found no church of his denomination with which to unite, and so helped the Congregational body to build and support a church, although still maintaining his connection with the Baptist denom- ination. During his whole life his pride has been in his church and in Sunday-school work.

OSEPH C. McBRIDE. The Board of Trade of Lincoln has in the person of our subject a President who is no ordinary man. one, in fact, who has come to his present position in life by the force of unusual application and ability. Ile is prominently identified with the various busi- ness interests of this progressive city, and holds a

Wm H. Foster

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very high place in the esteem of his fellow-citizens. Ile is an Ohio man, and was born in Champaign County on the 2d of May, 1854. He spent his boy- hood and youth among the healthful hills of the Buckeye State, then about 1859 removed with his parents to South Bend, Ind., where he became a student of Notre Dame University, from which institution he was gradnated in time to enter the army when seventeen years old as fifer of Company B, 48th Indiana Infantry.

Young McBride continued in the service, and owing to his force of character and general effi- ciency he received the commission of First Lieuten- ant, and the year following was promoted Captain for gallantry in the field. In the meantime his par- ents had removed across the Mississippi into Iowa, and in August, 1865, he joined them there upon receiving a furlough of eighteen months. Later he was commissioned a First Lieutenant in the regu- lar army, and was presented with a Captain's com- mission by President Johnson "for gallant and meritorious service during the war." In 1870, by Act of Congress reducing the army, those officers who were willing to surrender their commission re- ceived one year's pay in advance. Among those who accepted these terms was Capt. McBride.

Upon retiring from the service our subject came to Nebraska, locating in Sehnyler, the county seat of Colfax County, where he founded the Schuyler Register, which soon became a leading weekly. The paper is still published, but under the new name of the Schuyler Sun, and lightens the path of its readers in things political, besides shining clearly in all matters of general interest.

Capt. McBride, in 1873, was elected Clerk of Colfax County, and about the same time was ap- pointed by Gov. Furnas, Adjutant General of the State of Nebraska, with the rank of Brigadier Gen- eral, and a year later was elected State Treasurer, serving the two years for which he was then chosen in an eminently satisfactory manner. lIe was re- elected in 1876, filling this responsible and impor- tant office in all four years. In 1881 he was appointed Postmaster at Lincoln by President Gar- field. and re-appointed by President Arthur after the death of the martyred Garfield. This office he continued to hold until 1885, retiring upon the in-

coming of the Democratic administration. after which he became interested in real estate, in which he has since operated with most gratifying and profitable results.

While a resident of Iowa the subject of this writing was united in marriage with Miss Dorcas M., daughter of Judge Miller, of Marengo. To them there have been born two children, who bear the names of Alberta and Jolin A., respectively. The former is at home, and the latter a student of the military school at Fairibault, Minn. Capt. Mc- Bride has always been a stanch Republican, and received the nomination for Representative to the Legislature from the Republican Convention which assembled in August, 1888.

W ILLIAM II. FOSTER. The name of Fos- ter is not unknown in the East in connec- tion with the first settlement of the States and the earlier wars of American history. It is that of an old family of Scotch-Irish extraction, who in the early records uniformly appear upon the side of right, liberty and justice. Our subject is a lineal descendant of the Vermont branch of the Foster family, and the son of Wilder and Mary Foster, the father a native of the Green Mountain State, and the mother of New York State. The paternal an- cestry is traced to Ireland, the maternal to Scotland. Thomas Foster, an uncle of the subject of this sketch, served through the War of 1812, and was somewhat distinguished. His parents were among the pioneer settlers of Erie County, Ohio.

The representative of the Foster family whose farm property is situated upon section 2, in Center- ville Precinct, was the eldest living son and fifth child of his parents, his natal day being Dec. 12, 1834, and the place of his birth Erie County, Ohio. There were thirteen children in the family of Mr. Wilder Foster, his father, of whom five are living : Harriet, now Mrs. Ball, of Jamaica Station, Neb .; William H .; Frederick L., of Roca, Neb .; Eunice, the wife of Van Buren Mills. of Muscatine County, Iowa, and George, of the same place.

At the age of twelve years our subject was left motherless, and five years later went to Johnson

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County, Iowa, and made his home. His opportun- ity of education, beyond what could be picked up in the intercourse of daily life, was exceedingly meager, and after the death of his mother he began to work for his living. In the Hawkeye State our subject for twelve years followed the trade of car- penter and joiner, and was fairly fortunate in this business. During the progress of the Rebellion he enlisted. in August, 1862, in Company B, 22d łowa Infantry, and after the usual preparatory drills his regiment was ordered to the front, and there took part in the siege of Vicksburg, the battles of Ft. Gib- son. Champion Hills and Black River, besides sev- eral other engagements of less importance. On ac- count of disability he was compelled to accept his honorable discharge on the Ist of February, 1864, at New Orleans.

Returning from the war our subject resumed his residence in Johnson County, Iowa, for a period of two years. Then he removed to Washington County, continuing there until 1878. Ile then came to Ne- braska, and for five years thereafter farmed as a renter in Centerville Precinct, this county. He was not long in saving sufficient to become the owner of 160 aeres in his own right, and this he continued to cultivate, in spite of some reverses, with steadily growing success.

The wedded life of William II. Foster and Isa- bella D. Cambridge began in September, 1854. With the exception of an adopted son, who has been named Willie, they have no family. The position held by our subject and his estimable wife in the community at large is eminently indicative of their sterling qualities, which have seenred them the most cordial and hearty esteen.

In political matters our subject is not prominent, although fulfilling his duty fully as a citizen. Ile is an old and tried supporter of the Republican party, and uniformly votes its ticket. He has served as School Moderater and Road Overseer with satis- faction, and is one who has the welfare of the com- munity ever in mind. His military experience makes him a very warm and enthusiastic member of Farragut Post No. 25, G. A. R., of Lincoln.

The intelligent individual usually regards with interest the pictured features of the self- made man, who, from the foot of the ladder in life. has climbed

up to a good position socially and financially among men, and the portrait of William H. Foster, which is given in connection with this sketeb, will thus be looked upon with interest, not only by his host of friends, but by others perusing this volume, botli at the present time and in years to come.

G EORGE KING, one of Nebraska's pioneer farmers, is at present occupying a snug homestead on section 1, in Panana Preeinct. He traces his aneestry to the illustrious Hollanders who settled in Southeastern Pennsylvania in Colo- nial times, both his paternal and maternal grand- fathers having served in the Revolutionary War. He is a son of John and Naney (Brown) King. Lieut. John King, one of his ancestors, served under Gen. Wayne on the frontier at Ft. Meigs.

The father of our subjeet was a farmer, who emi- grated from Pennsylvania to Ohio as early as 1813, and lived in the Buckeye State until 1865. During that year he moved to Illinois, settling near Lin- eoln, where he died at the age of eighty-eight years and eleven months. The mother was born in Hol; land. Grandfather Brown. her father, came alone to America, previous to the birth of his daughter Naney, and after fighting through the Revolution- ary War, his family joined him.

In the family of our subject's parents there were eleven children, seven boys and four girls, George being the seventh child. He was born on the 29th of December, 1829, at Bucyrus, Crawford Co., Ohio, and was brought up on the farm. At an early age he was taught to swing an ax, handle the reaping cradle, and engage in all kinds of farm work. His first harvesting was done with a sickle, and unfortu- nately, not having handled it in a dexterous manner, he still carries to this day a sear on his left leg made by one of those old sickles. Ilaving to assist in the labors of the farm, and the educational advan- tages of those days being limited, his schooling aside from what he gained in experience with the world was limited to three months. In 1850, at the age of twenty-one years, Mr. King was mar- ried to Miss Samantha Wine, also of Crawford County, Ohio. He remained in Ohio, and was be-

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reaved of his wife after the space of three years, her death occurring on the 7th of January, 1853, at the age of twenty-two years. By that union Mr. King became the father of one child, a daughter Nancy, who is now the wife of Henry King, residing in Lincoln; the latter is a railroad man, and they have two children-John and Florence. Our sub- ject was a second time married, to Miss Elizabeth Wine, a daughter of John and Sarah (Chambers) Wine. The parents of this lady settled in Guern- sey County, Ohio, after their marriage. There were seven children in their family, four boys and three girls.

Mrs. King, the second child of her parents, was born on the 21st of May, 1834, and enjoyed the advantages of the common schools in the place of her birth. After his second marriage our subject remained in the State of Ohio, working at carpen- tering, threshing, etc. In the spring of the year 1865 he started with his family and worldly ef- fects for the West, by emigrant wagons. They were one mile east of Indianapolis when the sad news of the assassination of President Lincoln was announced. Pursuing their course westward, they finally reached Lineoln. Ill., where they stopped for one summer, and in the fall they started for the "Thirty-Mile Strip." But the Southerners would not sell them any corn or food for their cattle, so in order to keep from starving they came to Nebraska, settling in Otoe County on the 1st of October.

In Otoe County Mr. King bought a farm, but he . met with many discouragements during the first few years. They had settled among the "Jay-hawkers" and it was necessary to carry weapons every day for five or six years in order to protect themselves from the incursions of the enemy. From 1870 to 1875 they fared better and prospered. They, how- ever, encountered the grasshoppers in 1875, and be- coming somewhat dissatisfied with the location, Mr. King sold his claim in Otoe County, and came to his present place. lle now owns 160 acres, on which he has a good house, barns, ete., together with fine groves and orchards set out by his own hands.

In the family of our subject there were eleven children, four of whom were born in Ohio, and one in Illinois. Mary E. died at the age of six months;

Jacob and Joseph W. are also deceased; John N. resides in Lancaster County; he married Lyle Charlton for his first wife, and after her death mar- ried Annie Axe, having two children, Rosa and Elizabeth A .; for his third wife he married Minnie Coyne, by whom he has four children-Ilenry, William, Edward and Viola Belle. Martha C. resides in Seward County, and is the wife of Elias Brewer, having one child, Evalina; Andrew W. is a rail- road contractor residing in Kansas: George E. married Miss Maria J. Hall, and resides in Otoe County ; Charles, Joe II., Cora and Christina are at home.

In Otoe County our subject was Constable for five or six years, and a very good one; he was also Deputy Sheriff in that county for the space of three years. Ile has been elected School Director, and is an active member of the Knights of Pythias of Bennet, having served as Master of Exchequer, Treasurer, Keeper of the Inner Door, and in nearly all of the offices of the Masonie Lodge. Ile is a member of the Democratic party, a well-to-do, en- terprising man, and may well be proud to have his family history preserved.

The homestead of Mr. King will stand long after he has departed hence as the monument of his thrift and industry, and one to which his posterity may point with pride. It is not at all impossible they may, years hence, exhibit to their children its pict- ured semblance herein contained, while they recall with pride the record of George King as one wor- thy of imitation.

LFRED R. EXLEY. This is a name fa- miliar to the citizens of Yankee Hill, and is borne by one of its representative eiti- zens, whose farm on section 29 reveals evidences of thrift, industry and prosperity. The ancestry of Mr. Exley is traced to Yorkshire, where he also was born, Aug 22, 1855. Ile is the second son of the Rev. Henry and Mary Exley. His father, now a venerable veteran in Christian service, was reared in Yorkshire, and early caught the fire of those somewhat rugged but whole-souled English- men, and soon after his fifteenthi birthday began to

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speak and teach in religious meetings. Ile received a fairly liberal education, and at the age of thirty years gave himself to the work of the Christian ministry, in which he has continued ever since. ITis ministrations, which have been most acceptable and successful, have extended through his native shire, different parts of the United States, and for some years past in New Zealand, where he is still laboring under the Foreign Missionary Society of the Christian Church, of which denomination he is a most worthy member. The Rev. Dr. Exley, who is now sixty-four years of age, contemplates retir- ing from active service and returning to this country during the course of the present year, realizing the need of rest after the arduous labors which have been demanded by the necessities of and his un- flagging zeal in his life work.

When the subject of this writing was about eleven years of age, he accompanied bis parents to this country. Their first home was in Grant County, Wis., where they continued to reside some two years, when a removal was made to Scott County, lowa. For eight years they continued their resi- dence in that State, years perhaps the most impor- tant in the whole of the life of any young man ; years wherein he has arrived at sufficient discretion and mental strength to grasp to some extent, at least, the problem of life. It was the good fortune of Mr. Exley to be brought up in a home which was so decidedly dominated by the principles of justice, truth and right, and ruled in the spirit of Christian liberality and affection. The position and profession of his father were such as to put within his grasp the means of education and mental growth, and we may justly believe that the success which has hitherto crowned his life is attributable to the in- fluences and teachings of this period. The home circle of Rev. Henry Exley included George HI., the eldest son; Alfred R., our subject, and Emma, wife of William Battson.

Ohio has produced many noble women whose names are written in the histories of the country, or who are known most favorably within somewhat narrower limits, and yet we are safe in saying that there are many whose names will never be known outside the circle of home and its immediate con- nections, who are no less worthy of similar honors.

Feb. 27, 1878, Ella J., daughter of Albert and Mary Small, originally from Ohio, was united to our subject in matrimony, and has since been the guiding star of his home. They own a very fine farm of 160 aeres, with substantial residence and farm buildings, presenting a picture more eloquently expressive than any mere words could be, of the success which has attended their efforts, and of the peace and harmony of their lives. They are both members of the Christian Church, and find delight in all that pertains to the welfare of that communion. They are at all times anxious to engage in well- balanced undertakings, which promise, either di- rectly or indirectly, to promote the best and highest interests of the community and their church. Al- though strictly conscientious in their desire for the right, as they ean apprehend it, they are found with liberality sufficient to embrace the friendships, the thoughts and projects of those who differ from them in opinion; only when such projects and plans are positively wrong, are they unyielding and unflinchingly opposed to them.

An instance which will illustrate the above is given in the political position occupied by our sub- jeet. Being convinced that the position is demanded by the condition of society, he is an unflinching opponent of the whisky traffic, and a stanch Pro- hibitionist.

HARLES ELFELDT, whose farm and resi- dence are on section 9 of Buda Precinct, is one of the pioneers of the county. He was born in Germany on the Ist of October. 1832, and is the son of Frederick and Sophia Elfeldt. He was edu- cated and reared to man's estate in his native place, remaining with his parents until 1857, in which year he took passage in a sailing-vessel at Hamburg and came to this country, landing in New York City after an ocean voyage of four weeks. Almost im- mediately upon arrival he started West, and made his home in Clayton County, Iowa, where he re- mained for six years; the subsequent four years were spent in Steele County, Minn.

Our subjeet came to Lancaster County in 1868, and settled upon his present property, which was then entirely devoid of any improvements. He bas

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been very careful, hard working and thrifty, and has, thereby, been enabled to add to his original farm, until to-day he is the owner of 560 acres, all well improved. Prior to leaving his native country, our subject became the husband of Sophia Schultz, who las presented him with eight cluldren, seven of whom are living, and whose names are as follows: Will- iam, Herman, Louisa ( wife of Edward Lauterboch), Otto, August, Matilda and Emile,

The religious connection of our subject and fam - ily is with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which they are prominent and consistent members. Our subject has been an adherent of the Republican party ever since he came to the country, and is a great admirer of its principles. IIe has served with much satisfaction to all in the office of School Di- rector for several years, in business he has been suc- cessful, and it is his pleasure to enjoy a reputation for strength of character and honor that is irre- proachable.

S MITII W. WHILOCK. The name of this gentleman has been familiar in the north- western part of this county for the last seventeen years or thereabouts, he having in 1871 crossed over to this country from his native England. and after a two-years sojourn in Nebraska City, made his way to this county and purchased the land which he now ocenpies. It was then a tract of wild prairie, without improvements, and he saw at once that there lay before him an arduous task. He, however, had sprung from a race of hardy people who never allowed themselves to be dismayed over small difficulties, and he at once set to work to cultivate the soil and build up a home- stead, llis first business was to provide a shelter for his family, and the next to put in the erops which would yield the quickest and surest returns.

Mr. Whilock labored after the manner of the pioneer farmer a number of years, and in due time began to reap the reward of his toils. Ile now has one of the best regulated farms on the western line of Lancaster County, the land of which he has brought to a good state of cultivation, and upon which he has made those improvements in the way

of buildings and fences, and the planting of fruit trees, which are indispensable to the comfort of a rural home. As a citizen, he has lived honestly and uprightly, and is well spoken of by his neighbors.

A native of the city of Birmingham in Warwick- shire, England, our subject was born Feb. 11, 1815, and is the son of Smith Whilock, a native of Staf- fordshire. His paternal grandfather and his great- grandfather were also natives of Staffordshire, the latter spending most of his life in the town of Cheadle, where his death took place. He owned a good property there, which was inherited by his eldest son, Thomas, and where the latter spent his entire life. ITis son Smith, the father of our sub- ject, was reared and educated in Cheadle, but upon reaching manhood. took up his abode in the city of Birmingham, where he engaged in general merchan- dising, and there spent the remainder of his life.

Mr. Whilock was educated at the famous public schools at Rugby, and is a man of fine culture, The mother of our subject was in her girlhood Miss Sarah Walters. She was born in Leek, a town in Staffordshire, and died at the parental home in Bir- mingham, about 1846. The family included origin- ally five children, three of whom grew to mature years. Thomas S. emigrated to America and died in the city of Lincoln. this county, about 1878; Luey Mary still resides there; Smith W., our sub- jeet, acquired a very good practical education, attending school quite steadily until a youth of eighteen years. He then went to sea as a midship- man in the Government transport service, spend- ing in the meantime two years or thereabouts in the Argentine Republic and other portions of South America.

Our subject, returning to England in 1871, ocen- pied himself for a few months, and in December following started for the New World. One of his brothers had preceded him to Nebraska City, and our subject joined him, remaining an inmate of his home about one year. Ile then came to this county and purchased the land where he now resides.

Mr. Whilock, on the 3d of August, 1874, was united in marriage withi Miss Emily Maria Hoff, at the home of the bride in Nebraska City. Mrs. Wilock is the daughter of Benjamin and Charlotte (Mabb) Hoff, and was born July 14, 1847, in Lon-

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don, England. Her parents were natives of England. and are now deceased. Of this union there are two chil Iren, a son and daughter, Thomas J. and Edith Emily. Mr. and Mrs. W. were reared in the faith of the Episcopal Church, to which they still loyally adhere, belonging to the society at Lincoln. Polit- ically, Mr. Whilock has voted the straight Repub- lican ticket hitherto, but proposes to vote the Demo- cratie ticket.

HIOMAS MARTIN. Freedom is a precious jewel, which, having been once possessed, is appreciated so that if it be lost or wrested, there is no rest or contentment until it has been recovered. It is the lawful and pround boast of the descendants of brave Wallace, and Robert Bruce, that they have never been conquered, and although their neighbors of Erin cannot say the same thing, they can point back to a National his- tory when they were recognized as a free people, generous, brave and noble. The jewel of liberty has been lost to them, and their country has become a part of the British Empire, but the old fire still burns, the race characteristics are still prominent before the world, and more especially so when the environment is such as to assist the development of the people. The restlessness which characterizes the people must continue until freedom, the lost jewel, is again possessed. In the meantime many of her sons have left their native land, and in the New World enjoy those institutions and that lib- erty which are so ardently desired for the whole race. Among this number is George Martin, who was born in Ireland in 1828.

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Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 82

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

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