Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 83

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

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The surroundings of Mr. Martin in early life were not among the most favorable. Ile made his acquaintance with the proverbial three "R's" at the parish school, and having completed the round of learning afforded by this institution, began the life of a farmer, which he continued in his native coun- try until he was about forty years of age. In the year 1858 he led to the hymeneal altar Miss Sarah Ilill, and their union has been consummated by the birth of nine children, all of whom are living. Their names are recorded in the family genealogy as fol-

lows: William J., Thomas (our subject), Maria, Elizabeth. Jennie, Samnel, Anna, Joseph and ller- bert. The eldest son is on a farm near our sub- ject; Maria is now Mrs. J. Culbertson, and resides in Wisconsin; her sister Elizabeth makes her home in Illinois, and is the wife of Jesse Bailey; Jennie is united to Mr. Theodore Beal, of Colby. Kan. ; Anna is now Mrs. Frank Gosling, and is residing in Illinois; Samuel is unmarried, and the two youngest are still at home.

In 1868 George Martin left his native country and settled in Livingston County, Ill., near Fair- bury. There he entered land and still followed his life occupation, farming, continuing to make that his home until 1884, when he came to Jefferson County, Neb., bought 160 acres of land, and set about the task of making such a home as would be most congenial to him at the time when the weight of years weigh upon him, and the snows of winter have left their hoary mark upon his head. In this he has been more than successful, and has made for himself an excellent name in the community, and also a sufficient competency for his latter days. Both he and Mrs. Martin still live, and enjoy the recom- pense of previous years of labor and toil.

The grandfather of our subject, Ilugh Martin, was likewise a native of Ireland, where he was born in County Antrin. Ilis life was spent in the pur- suit of husbandry, and at his death, in 1861, he had numbered ten years beyond the allotted time of man. His family included three children-William J., Samuel and George.

Thomas Martin, subject of this sketch, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, on the 17th of March, 1853, and received a practical education, although possibly somewhat limited, in the extent of its sub- jeets, in the parish school, and when his parents came to America accompanied them to the Illinois home, and completed his education in the common school. After that he began to learn the mysteries of farming and agriculture, assisting his father upon the home farm. How far he was successful in this is plainly told by the fact that, upon the removal to Lincoln, in 1877, he was almost immediately ap- pointed foreman of the Agricultural College Farmn. At the time of his appointment he was twenty-five years of age, and he continued to hold it until he

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was in his thirty-first year. Comment upon this is hardly necessary, and yet we would remind the reader that this position meant not simply the physi- cal effort required in farming, but that much mental effort was required also, with the addition of an aptitude to communicate instruction.

Upon leaving the Agricultural College in 1882, our subject purchased his present farm of 160 acres, and began to lay the foundation for his future. The property was but slightly improved when he took possession. His first work was the erection of his present home, a substantially built two-story frame house, making a very comfortable and pleas- ant farm dwelling. At the same time he was at work upon his orchard, of which two full acres are devoted to carefully selected apple trees of various assortment, besides quite an extensive cherry or- chard, and in addition to plum and other fruit trees there is also found a very richly productive vinery and abundance of small fruits. In the vicinity of the house our subject has well-placed shade trees, forming a splendid grove, while close by is a col- lection of forest trees, covering between two and three acres. Not solely for his own benefit is this attention given to tree culture, but also for that of the State, it being a recognized fact that our sub- ject and those like him in this regard are making the climate of Nebraska more desirable as an agri- cultural belt.

Mr. Martin has devoted much study to the im- provement of stock, and is well posted on the sub- ject of Durhams, Herefords and other varieties; Percheron, Normandy or Flemish, in the line of horseflesh, their adaptability or otherwise to the uses of the Nebraska farmer, with the multitudi- nous technical intricacies, which sound to the unini- tiated as intelligible as ancient Sanscrit. He is the owner of a super-excellent herd of Short-horns, and also a splendid registered animal of full blood, besides other stock, large and small, too numerous to particularize.

In the year 1883, onr subject having come to the conclusion that "It is not well for man to be alone," undertook to remedy that matter, and having made the acquaintance of a most womanly woman, in every way fitted to make his life the complete and bright existence his most happy thoughts had pict-

ured, they proceeded after the necessary prelimi- naries had been arranged, to plight their faith and seal their vows in the usual form, on January 1 of that year, 1883. The lady of his choice was Miss Emma Dishong, of Lincoln, Neb., daughter of Jacob Dishong, and was born on the 6th of April, 1862, in Cass County, Pa., where she was reared and received her education in rudimentary branches, completing the same in Cass County, Neb., upon the removal of her father to that place in 1869, when he took a homestead and continued to reside thereon until 1879, when he removed to Lincoln. Ile is now the owner of a farm at Valparaiso, but resides about five miles northeast of Lincoln, and is operating the farm at Christian University. IIis wife was Miss Nancy Crawford, a native of Penn- sylvania, whom he married in 1860. The marriage of our subject has been blessed, and its bonds more firmly united, by the birth of a son, whom they have named Edgar.

Thomas Martin has been for several terms School Director of his district, and is also Supervisor. His political sentiments accord with those of the Re- publican party, and the weight of his influence, with his more active efforts, is at all times at the command of his political friends. Although a young man he occupies a prominent place in the community, and, all things being equal, has doubt- less a future before him brighter than anything here recorded, excepting only that of the establishment of his home in the early dawn of 1883. Ilis char- acter and manliness command and receive the re- gard of his fellow-citizens, his intelligence and success enjoin their sincerest respect.

F6 REDERICK HAASE, as his name would indicate, is a native of Germany, and was born upon the 2d of January, 1828, to Fred- erick and Louisa Ilaase, of whom the latter is de- ceased. He received his early education in his na- tive place and language, and continued to make his home in his native place until the year 1854, when he emigrated to this country, taking passage at Ham- burg. After seven weeks upon the Atlantic he landed in New York, and went at once to Carbon

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County, Pa .. and there resided until the fall of 1877, when he came to this county, taking up land upon section 7 of Yankee Ilill Preeinct, where he has continued to reside since that time.

Our subject was married while in Pennsylvania, the Indy of his choice being Dora Leist; nine chil- dren have come to brighten their home, who benr the following names, viz: John, Henry, Frederick, Aaron, Frank, William, Louisa, Minnie and Dora, all of whom it is their pleasure to see growing up, and one by one taking their places in honorable positions in life.

Mr. Haase is owner of 160 acres of fine farming land, well improved and very fertile. Ile has al- ways continued his membership in the church of his youth, the Lutheran. From his first settlement in the country he has been a warm friend and supporter of the " grand old party."

OSEPII J. IMHOFF, Vice President of the State National Bank at Lincoln. first looked upon Nebraska Territory in 1856, but at that time was not ready to locate here. Two years later he took up his residence in Nebraska City, where he engaged in general merchandising, which he carried on successfully until 1872. Sell- ing out in May of that year he came to Lincoln and established himself as " mine host " of the Com- mercial Ilotel, which he conducted thirteen years successfully. In 1873 he purchased the Douglas House, changed the name to Commercial, and in due time added to its proportions until it assumed a frontage of 108x150 feet, and was three stories in height. It is now called the Capitol. As the city grew in size this house attained a correspond- ing popularity, and was acknowledged as the princi- pal hotel. With this property Mr. Imhoff parted after a period of thirteen years for the snug sum of $80,000, and since then has been variously en- gaged among the enterprises in which the leading men of Southern Nebraska have been interested.

The Keystone State owns the subject of this sketch as one of her sons, he having been born in Somerset County, May 8, 1835. In this section of country also his parents, Joseph and Catherine

(Ileffley) Imhoff, were born and spent their entire lives. The former was also a hotel-keeper, with which he combined agriculture, and was a solid, up- right and reliable citizen, who stood well in his community. The family is of German ancestry, possessing all the enterprising and industrious char- acteristics of that nationality.

The subject of this sketch was the sixth in a family of eight children born to his parents, and passed his boyhood and youth among the hills of his native county, becoming familiar with agriculture and acquiring a common-sebool education. When a youth of seventeen he began his mercantile ex- perience as clerk in a store of general merchandise, but two years later took up the carpenter trade, which he followed five years. At the expiration of this time, desirous of seeing something of the world, be set out from his native county, and a few days later found himself in Urbana, Ill., where he sojourned two years and engaged as a carpenter and builder. Thence he migrated to Nebraska, and en- tered upon the career which we have already indi- eated.

Mr. Imhoff was one of the originators and movers in the organization of the Union Savings Bank of Lincoln, and a principal stockholder and Director. The Nebraska Stockyards also owe largely their existence to his enterprise and encouragement. Of this company he was at onee made Vice President, which position he still holds. Later, in the organi- zation of the Lincoln Driving Park Association, he was a moving spirit, acting as President until dis- posing of his interests in it. He then purchased the park, and fitting it up at a cost of $7,500, sold it less than three years later for the sum of $75,000. Ile was one of the incorporators of the Lincoln Street Railway Company, being also made President of this, and remained its executive officer until the time of its sale to the city corporation. In the or- ganization of the Lincoln Rapid Transit Street Railway Company, he also beld a like prominent post. lle was one of the organizers of the Electric Light Company, with a capital of $100,000, and has always been its President. He has been called to innumerable positions of trust and responsibility among the various interests inseparable from the growth and development of one of the most rapidly

RESIDENCE OF J. J. IMHOFF, COR.J & 12TH ST'S. LINCOLN, NEB.

RESIDENCE AND PROPERTY OF GEO. GARLAND , SEC. 4 , STEVENS CREEK PRECINCT.

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growing cities of the West. ITis energy and in- dustry and his unimpeachable integrity have con- stituted him one of the most useful citizens of Lincoln, and one whose name will go down to pos- terity when his labors shall have ended.

The marriage of Joseph J. Imhoff and Miss Mary E., daughter of Sanford S. Rector, of Ne- braska City, was celebrated at the home of the bride Nov. 5, 1862. Mrs. Imhoff was born in Pickaway County. Ohio; her parents now live in Nebraska City. Of her union with our subject there are four children living, namely: Charles II., Cashier of the Union Savings Bank; Joseph B., Superintend- ent of the Lincoln Electric Light Company ; Ono May and Hattie J., at home with their parents. The palatial residence of the Imhoff family, erected in- 1886, is a fine brick structure situated at the inter- section of J and Twelfth streets, finely finished and furnished, and with its surroundings forms one of the most attractive homes in the city. In the view of this, which appears on the adjoining page, it will be seen that it forms not only a monument to the taste and means of its projector, but ar or- nament to the city. Mr. Imhoff began in life with- out other resources than his own indomitable energy, and his career has been one of phenomenal success.

G EORGE GARLAND, of Stevens Creek Pre- cinct, is very pleasantly located on section 4, where he has a beautiful set of farm buildings, as will be acknowledged by a glance at the copy of them in miniature observable on another page in this volume. Here he settled in 1869, homesteading eighty acres of land, and here has put forth the crowning efforts of a well-spent life, building up not only one of the most valuable home- steads in Lancaster County, but also the record of an honest man and a good citizen. The subject of this narative was born on the other side of the At- lantic in Dorchestershire, England, Jan. 24, 1838, and is the son of Thomas and Jane ( Marsh) Gar-

land, who were also of English birth and parentage. Thomas Garland followed dairying, having charge of a large number of cows until 1846, when the family emigrated to the United States and settled in Kenosha County, Wis. George was a little lad eiglit years of age when his parents emigrated to America. The father only lived two years after- ward, his death taking place in Kenosha County, Wis., in 1848. By his decease eight children were left fatherless, namely : Charles, Mary, Ann, George, William, Thomas. Harriet and Frank. They are all living, three of them being residents of this county. The mother contracted a second marriage, with James Cronk. of Wisconsin. and resided there until her death, which occurred at her home Sept. 1,1880.

Young Garland acquired a district-school educa- tion, very limited, his school days being over upon the death of his father, which left the family in straightened circumstances. Ile became familiar with farming pursuits and remained unmarried until a man of twenty-six years. He then, Feb. 22, 1864, took unto himself a wife and helpmate, Miss Kate Healey, the wedding being celebrated at the home of the bride, in Kenosha County, Wis. Mrs. Garland was born there July 4, 1847, and is the daughter of John and Jane (Bishop) Healey, who were natives of Canada; the mother spent her last days in Kenosha County, Wis .; the father died in California.

Mr. and Mrs. Garland, after their marriage, set- tled on a farm in Kenosha County, where they lived until coming to Nebraska. Ilere our subject has been very successful, owning now 400 acres of good land, where he carries on mixed agriculture, and has surrounded himself and his family with all the comforts of life. The latter included two chil- dren until a few months since, when Charles E., the elder son, a bright and promising young man and the idol of the family, was seized with fatal illness, and died at the age of twenty-three years and twenty-three days. Ralph W., who was born April 21, 1875, continues with his parents. Mr. Garland is a Republican, politieally, although mixing very little with public affairs, preferring to give his time and attention to his farming interests.

The parents of Mrs. Garland had a family of five

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children-Edward, Thomas, Mary, Harriet and Kate-the wife of our subject being the youngest. Her brothers and sisters are residents mostly of Nebraska.

LEXANDER G. WILSON, who is promi- nent among the well-to-do residents of Middle Creek Precinct, is comfortably lo- cated on section 9, and carrying on agri- culture after the most modern and approved methods. lle is the offspring of a good family, and was born in that part of Green which is now Tay- lor County, Ky., July 14, 1831.

James Wilson, the father of our subjeet, was a native of Virginia, in which State his paternal grandfather, William Wilson, was also born. The latter was there reared to manhood, where he lived until 1820, then removed to Kentucky, making the journey with teams across the mountains. He set- tled in what is now Taylor County, purchasing a tract of timber land, from which he improved a farm, and there spent the remainder of his days. James Wilson was a youth of eighteen years when his parents left the Old Dominion, and he grew to man- hood in Taylor County, Ky., where he married one of its most estimable young women, Miss Betsy, daugh- ter of John and Polly Spears. The father of our sub- ject after his marriage purchased a tract of land seven miles from the parental homestead, a few acres of which had been cleared and where stood a log cabin. This rude structure served as a shelter for the young people until they were able to build a more commodious residence, and under this lowly roof our subject was born. It had been constructed after the fashion of that time, when nails were almost a thing unknown in that region. The chimney was built outside of earth and stieks, and the mother carried on her cooking by the fireplace. She also in the meantime spun and wove both wool and flax, manufacturing the cloth for her family for many years and also some to sell. The father industri- ously tilled the soil, and after the lapse of years gathered around himself and his family the more modern comforts essential to their well-being and happiness. His death took place at the old farm on the 14th of February, 1865, when he was sixty-three

years old, the mother having died when our subject was quite small.

Our subject continued under the parental roof until twenty-two years of age, then leaving the farm started out for himself, engaging as a teamster from Taylor County to Louisville, 100 miles distant. Ile had served a complete apprenticeship at this employment, driving a team for his father from the time he was a youth of fifteen years. Now he pur- chased an outfit of his own, and was occupied in this manner until a man of twenty-eight years. Ile then rented a tract of land in Taylor County, where he followed farming until 1865 upon the soil of the Blue Grass regions. In the spring of that year he made his way to Logan County, Ill., and carried on agriculture there and in Mason County for the fol- lowing sixteen years.

Mr. Wilson, in January, 1881, crossed the Missis- sippi, and making his way to this county secured the property which he now occupies and where he has since resided. This comprises 160 acres of good land, which yields bountifully the richest prod- ucts of Southern Nebraska. He repaired the old buildings and added the new ones necessary for his comfort and convenience, and has now a good as- sortment of live stock and the machinery essential for the operations of the modern and successful agriculturist.

Our subject chose for his wife one of the most estimable young women of Green County, Ky., being married, in November, 1857, to Miss Eliza Kirtly, who was born in that county, and is the daughter of Jefferson and Frances Kirtly, who were natives of Virginia, and who spent their last days in Kentucky. Of this union there were born nine children-William R., James T., Robert F., Henry, Charles, Nannie, Daisy, Rufus and Arthur. Mrs. Eliza Wilson departed this life at her home in Mid- dle Creek Precinct, Feb. 29, 1884. Mr. Wilson contracted a second marriage, Nov. 11, 1885, with Miss Johanna Wright, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride in Lincoln Precinct.

The present wife of our subject was born in Henry County, Ind., Nov. 18, 1836, and is the daughter of James Wright, who was a native of Virginia, and the son of Rev. Reuben Wright, who was also born and reared to manhood in the Old

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Dominion. The latter emigrated to Henry County, Ind., during its pioneer days, where he purchased a tract of land and engaged in farming, spending there the remainder of his days. Ilis son James, the father of Mrs. Wilson, although reared to farm- ing pursuits, entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church when a young man, and preached in the State of Illinois many years. He took up his residence in Jasper County, Ill., in 1840, and labored in various places in that section of the State, traveling his circuit on horseback after the manner of the pioneer preachers. He rested from his labors in 1859. The mother was formerly Miss Lucinda MeCormis. a native of Virginia, and who is still living in Missouri. Their family consisted of nine children.

E LLIOTT F. JACKSON, a resident of Elk Precinet, was born in Benton Township, Des Moines Co., Iowa, Jan. 14, 1849, and is the son of Nehemiah Jackson, a native of Ver- mont. The latter was reared to manhood among the hills of the Green Mountain State, and after his marriage migrated westward to Greene County, Ill., where he settled among its early pioneers. This was prior to the Black Hawk War, Indians still roamed over the country, and the great chief of this name was a frequent visitor to the cabin of Nehemiah Jackson.

About 1835 the father of our subject removed to that part of the Territory of Wisconsin which is now included in the Hawkeye State. The journey was made overland with teams, and Mr. Jackson entered a tract of Government land in what is now Benton Township, Des Moines County. There also he was one of the earliest settlers, and put up a log house after the fashion of those times, with a chim- ney built of earth and sticks outside, and the huge fireplace occupying ample space within. The struc- ture was chinked with chips and plastered with mud, and the mother performed her cooking opera- tions by the fireplace. She also spun and wove wool and flax, and manufactured the cloth used by the family. The father performed his farming opera-

tions, his marketing and his milling, with the aid of oxen, not having horses for a number of years.

The parents of our subject labored industriously for a number of years, and succeeded in building up a comfortable home, where they spent the remain- der of their lives, the father passing away in 1854, the mother some years later, May 16, 1878, at the age of sixty-nine. The latter in her girlhood was Miss Lucy Pond, and was born in Vermont.

Mr. Jackson was a little lad six years of age at the time of his father's death, but continued with his mother and elder brothers on the home- stead, becoming familiar with farm pursuits and acquiring a common-school education. Upon the outbreak of the late war he was still a mere boy, and by the enlistment of his brothers in the Union army was left in charge of the farm. He resided under the parental roof until his marriage, and then settled on that part of the homestead which fell to him by inheritance. In 1881 he decided upon a change of location, desiring more land, and con- cluded that the great West furnished better facili- ties for carrying out his projects. Ile accordingly wended his way to Nebraska, making Lincoln his objective point, and in the meantime began looking around for a spot of ground which would be within reach of his means and suitable for the carrying on of agriculture. The following year, not having yet found what he sought, he rented a farm in Elk Precinct, upon which he lived a year, and then pur- chased the land of his present homestead. This comprises eighty acres of land, and is pleasantly lo- cated on section 11. Mr. Jackson has effected a remarkable change in its condition, building it up almost from first principles, putting up a good house, barn, and all the other out-buildings neces- sary, and supplying himself gradually with im- proved machinery and a goodly assortment of live stock.

Mr. Jackson seventeen years ago was married in the fall of 1871, to Miss Mary Allen, one of the most estimable young ladies of Franklin Town- ship, Des Moines Co., Iowa. Her parents, Robert and Nancy ( Wassom) Allen, were natives of Ten- nessee; the father is living, and the mother died in 1861. Mrs. Jackson was born May 22, 1849, in Des Moines County, Iowa, and remained with her

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parents during her childhood and youth, acquiring a common-school education and a knowledge of all useful household duties. She is now the mother of seven children-Nettie, Jesse, Mattie, Robert, Katie, Hubert and Arpine. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson about the year 1872 became identified with the Bap- tist Church, in Des Moines County, Iowa, of which they remained members until their removal from the Ilawkeye State. Mr. J. is a stanch Republican politically, and a man thoroughly respected by his fellow-citizens.

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Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 83

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

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