Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 87

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

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The subject of this sketch is a native of Dela- ware County, Iowa, and was born at or near Coles- burg, Dee, 29, 1855. He is the son of Edward and Harriet Griffin, who were natives of New York and

Vermont. Ilis father was born about the year 1828, and was a farmer by occupation. The maiden name of his wife, the mother of our subject, was Ilarriet Lewis, and after her marriage she exper- ieneed the happiness of the wedded state for a pe- riod of eight years, and departed this life about 1857, leaving a memory of affection, faithfulness and true womanhood seldom, if ever, surpassed.

In the year 1865 our subject's parents removed to Nodaway County, Mo., he of course accom- panying them. In that county our subject received his education, began to work at the calling he had chosen, and was subsequently married. This im- portant and happy event took place in Worth County, Mo., upon the 30th of January, 1876. The maiden of his choice was Laura E. Crenshaw, a daughter of W. T. and Sarah E. Crenshaw, who were natives of Ohio and Tennessee, Their daughter was born at Terre Haute, Ill., Jan. 8, 1861. They are the happy parents of four children, whose names are recorded as follows: Cora B., who was born on the 6th of January, 1877 ; William T., May 6, 1878; Samuel F., Jan, 4, 1880; and Laura A., July 7, 1884.

In the spring of 1884 Mr. Griffin, with his family, removed to this eounty, and after prospecting, pur- chased the farm upon which he now resides, which was at the time of purchase in its original untamed condition, at the same time possessed of all the rich, undeveloped wealth of fertility and product- iveness, only waiting for the same to be turned into proper channels, under direction of that mysterious unseen and indefinable principle, power or clement, that is the difference between the living and the dead, which we call the soul, or mind, of man. When this intelligence was brought to bear in its clear, forceful power, supplemented by well-directed effort, then the earth yielded of her increase in rich harvests.

Our subject is a man who enjoys the confidence and respect of his neighbors, friends, and the com- munity at large. Ile has the heartiest regard for the elevation of society, and the predominating in- fluence of higher morals, and is public-spirited enough to heartily join in any enterprise which promises to aid in effecting this much desired end, or the improvement of the natural surroundings

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in the county. Ile is one of whom it may be truly said, that his word is of equal value with his bond, and he is proportionately held in regard in the com- munity, and this respect is shared in by his family.

ENRY STEIN. In the district of Cassel, part of the Western Province of Hesse-Nas- sau, one of the incorporated Provinees of the German Empire, was born Nov. 12, 1840, the subject of this sketch. IIis father owned a farm in this land-graviate, which is one of the most fertile and richly productive of the German Prov- inces, a very garden, watered by the Wesser and Rhine, a richly agricultural and wine district. The town of Cassel is noted chiefly as being the center of manufacturing and commercial interests, and pos- sessing a polytechnie or military school of National renown.

Mr. Stein, whose farm is situated on section 5, of Oak Precinct, and includes 160 acres of ele- gant farming land, is most favorably known, and highly respected by his friends and neighbors as a farmer and raiser of select stock. llis father was Conrad Stein, who was born near Cassel, in 1811, and afterward owned the property upon which he first opened his eyes. The farm was one of the best and most fertile of the district, and our subject also received his earlier lessons in husbandry upon the same broad aeres. Mr. Stein, Sr., became the hus- band of Elizabeth Seiber, and their union was fruit- ful in a family which included ten children. Five of these are in America, and two in the Fatherland; the remainder of the family are deceased : Nicholas is a resident of Peoria County, Ill .: Frank, in Champaign County, of the same State; Richard is a resident near his brother Nicholas; Sophia, now Mrs. Nabor, is a resident of Fillmore County, Neb.

As noted above, our subject is a native of Ger- many, and received his education in the private schools of Cassel, and from the time of completing his studies he worked with his father for a period of four years, after which he came to America. His first home was in the beautiful town of Hamilton, situated in that most charming section of Southern Ohio, the Miami Valley, and in Butler County.

After a period of about four years he removed to Illinois, making his home in Peoria County for six- teen years, during which time he had been grow- ing prosperous. His next removal was in the year 1880, to his present property, which he had pur- chased two years previously. At the time of set- tlement the farm was only in the mind of the owner, and upon the map of the land agent. It was for our subject to mark out its boundaries, and redeem from the wild, virgin prairie the aeres he had pur- chased, and create the farm. A never-failing stream of water meanders through the farm. This work he immediately set about and speedily accomplished. The house which was put up is the same now or- eupied, and was by far the finest in the district at the time of its erection, and is still for all practical purposes most comfortable, convenient and pleas- ant. The other out-buildings were added in time, and the work of breaking and harrowing, sowing and cultivating, was proceeded with until the whole was brought to a high standing of efficiency for agricultural purposes. He has one of the finest barus in the preeinet. Though four and a half miles from Lincoln, the city is in plain view. We may not dis- miss this section of our sketch withont mention of the tree culture upon the farm, but especially in the vicinity of the house, where during the hot season the most delicious, cooling shade is provided by the tall forest and shade trees planted in the earlier days of settlement. An equal pleasure awaits us if we proceed to the orchard, where over 160 apple trees of the choicest varieties extend invitations in- numerable to a more intimate acquaintance, besides plum and other trees, and a bewildering array of small fruits. In the stock department our subject is the possessor of a large herd of Short-horns, be- sides also a number of most excellent horses, which he keeps for breeding purposes.

Upon the 2d of March, 1870, while a resident of Illinois, perhaps the most important step in the life of Mr. Stein was taken, when he became the husband of Catherine Kuefner, who is the daughter of George A. Kuefner. If, as some malcontents would have us believe, "marriage is a lottery," then the fickle goddess Fortune, usually worshiped under the sign of the horseshoe, was most propitious. The felicity of this union has been augmented

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by the birth of three sons and three daughter's, whose names are here appended : William II., George C., Tillie, Emma Elizabeth, Carrie Sophia and IIenry Elmer, all of whom are still living. The wife of our subject, who has proved to him a true help- mate, was born in Butler County, Ohio, Jan. 5, 1849, was educated in the public schools, and con- tinued to live with her parents until her marriage. Her father is a native of Germany, who emigrated to this country, and is now working his farm in Peoria County, Ill., and is in the enjoyment of ex- cellent health, considering his advanced age.

Mr. Stein has not put himself forward as an office- seeker, but has rather refrained himself and re- strained his friends in that particular. Ile has, however, been School Director for a period of six years, and Supervisor for two. Among his fellow- citizens he holds a place of highest appreciation and respect on account of his social position and high moral character, also by reason of his well-known efforts for the advancement of the community and the county. In political affairs he is prominent in Democratic circles, and is quite a loyal student of the questions which are before the country, and ready, not only to give a reason for his position, but stands firmly in defense of the principles of his party.

NDREW SIPP. Baden-Baden is by far the most beautiful of German watering- places, and is situated in the surpassingly grand and romantic valley of Schwarzwald, about six miles from the Rhine. During the months of July and August, which constitute the season, it is at its best. Besides possessing the medicinal waters so far famed, there are to be seen the ruins of its ancient castle dating from the tenth century, which are most magnificent and vast, the extensive tombs of its margraves, and the modern library and art gallery, to say nothing of its beautiful groves and gardens, and the bewitching music which en- traneingly captivates every lover of harmony.

The subject of this writing, who is one of the old and most respected of the residents of Oak Precinet, and is the owner of a farm and residence on sections 5 and 6, is a native of Germany and was born in

the above town, as was also his father before him. His paternal parent was born the latter part of the last century, and resided in Baden-Baden until 1846. He was by trade a weaver, by which he supported his family, which besides his wife included ten chil- dren, of whom seven are living. In the year 1846, accompanied by his seven children, William Henry Sipp left the Fatherland and came to this country, settling in Butler County, Ohio, where, with his sons, he farmed until his death. in 1860. at the age of seventy-six years. Our subject, Andrew, was born on the 2d of October, 1834, and was twelve years of age, therefore, when the family removed to Ohio. There he finished bis education in the common school and afterward did his full share of the farm work. When about eighteen years of age he went to Mar- shall County, Ill., and still continued farming until the year 1879, when he sold his property and re- moved to Lancaster County, and after prospecting for some time purchased his present exceptionally fine property, which, however, at that time was in all the glory of the untamed wildness of its vir- gin state. All the improvements to be seen are due to him.

In a new country-as this then was, a good, com- modious and convenient house was a first essential. This, therefore, he proceeded to construct, which was followed soon by barn and stables, granary and corn crib, and such buildings. The next thing was the ground, and he set to work with a right hearty good will and with the smile of hope bright upon him, so that the work undertaken was speedily and well per- formed, and it is difficult to find a better farin to- day than his.

The marriage of our subject occurred in the city of Peoria, in May, 1860, the lady of his choice being Miss Nancy Essex, of Peoria County, Ill., who is the daughter of Thomas and Ellen Essex, born in the year 1830, in Virginia, and continued to make her home with her parents until her marriage. Her father was by occupation a farmer, and removed from Virginia to Illinois, and five years ago went to Kansas, and took up a farm, upon which he lived until his death, which occurred March 20, 1887.

Our subject has been privileged in being able to give his children, of whom there are six, a good education. William, the eldest son, is a resident of

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Seward County, Neb .; the daughter, Nancy Jane, . learned the trade of blacksmith, which became his has become the wife of Herman Switzer, and lives upon a farm in the northern part of the county in West Oak Precinct; the remaining children, George, Charles, John and Norman, are still at home.

The high character which our subject has always sustained, coupled with his excellent qualities as a citizen, patriot, business man, husband and father, have caused him to receive the high appreciation and regard of his fellows, and they have expressed the same by electing Mr. Sipp to, and retaining him in the office of Supervisor, now serving his fifth term. He has also been for several terms School Director of his district. Socially, he is a member in good standing of the local lodge of the A. F. & A. M. Just how far the trinity of illumination has affected his life it is impossible to say, but the re- sults are sufficiently plain to lead us to believe that the precepts of the one and the circumscribing of another, have shaped and molded his life to its present approximation to that of the Grand Master. He has evidently learned to use his working tools with the hand of a master workman. In politics he is a Democrat.

S ILAS W. TILMAN. It is our pleasure to present in this sketch some of the more salient features in the life of one of the prominent farmers of West Oak Precinct, and the owner of about 200 acres of exceptionally fine first-bottom farming land-Silas W. Tilnan, who was born Feb. 22, 1839, in Orange County, Ind. In due time he took his place in the institu- tion which is one of the great blessings provided for the youth of our beloved country, one which marks her as most wise and careful of her best in- terests, viz : the common seboot. When our subject left his studies he was in some measure prepared by them for the business of life.

The parents of our subject were Kentuckians. His father, Silas Tilman, was born in the year 1828, and when he was quite young his parents removed to Indiana, where he was reared and educated. By his father he was then taught farm work, and con- tinued at the same until he came of age, when he

chosen occupation for the remainder of life. Ilav- ing mastered his calling he started in business for himself in Crawford County, Ind. His wife was Priscilla Redden, a lady beloved by husband, family and friends, because of the many virtues and excel- lencies which constituted her life and character. To this family there came three children, who lived to mature years. Mr. Tilman died in 1854, having survived his wife about five years.

Our subjeet was fortunate in becoming acquainted with Miss Susan Barnett, one who could bring into his life that zest, and place before him that healthful stimulus, which come from the affectionate unself- ishness of bringing brightness into the lives of those who are bound to us by the tender ties of affection. This union was celebrated on the 11th of August, 1859, and has been still further cemented, and its joys augmented, by the birth of three children- Laura E., Joel W. and Osear W., all of whom are living. The daughter has become the wife of Will- iam Martin, and resides on section 9 of this pre- cinet, where they own a farm, and our subject re- joices in the visits of five grandchildren; Joel is on his farm, which is situated on section 6, and Oscar continues at home with his father.

The removal to Lineoln by our subject was made in 1874. He purchased forty aeres of land, which he worked successfully for seven years. This he did that his children might have the advantage of a more complete education there to be obtained. In the year 1881 that farm was sold, and by this trans- action our subject realized a handsome profit for his labor. He then purchased his present farm, which was partially improved. All the farm buildings, however, have been erected by our subject, and also his handsome residence, while the ground itself has been brought to a highly improved condition. Over 100 aeres are planted in corn, and considerable ground is devoted to the production of small fruits. Our subject is at present devoting much time and care to the setting out of an orchard comprised of specially selected fruit trees.

The wife of Mr. Tilman was born in Marion County, Ind., in the year 1841, and made her home with her parents until her marriage. IIer father was James V. Barnett, a prosperous farmer of that

Edmano warnes

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county. Ile was called to join the silent majority in about 1865, having lived a little over sixty-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Tilman find in the communion of the Baptist Church, of which they are members, that which is in accord with their religious senti- ments, and endeavor to make their lives eloquent with their consistent devotion. This fact, coupled with that of their deep interest in the affairs of their neighborhood and county, and their readiness at all times to sustain any well-directed effort for the well-being of the community, has given them a warm place in the hearts of the community at large, by which they are most highly esteemed.

E DWARD WARNES. The county of Nor- folk, England, was the birthplace of the sub- jeet of this sketch, who has the distinguished honor of being the first settler of Lincoln. IIe lo- cated, in the latter part of March, 1862, on the present site of the city, and has continued his resi- dence within its limits since that time. A Mr. Lev- ender and Jacob Dawson had previously selected land in that vicinity, but did not settle upon it un- til the following year, residing in the meantime in Nebraska City. Each was assisted by Mr. Warnes in the building of his house.

Our subject began life April 20, 1822, and is the son of William and Mary ( Dawlinan) Warnes, being the third of their nine children and the only one emigrating to the United States. Of this compara- tively large family there are only three living: A brother, Jolin, resides in London, and the sister, Miss Mary Ann Warnes, at Kings Lyun, Norfolk County.

Mr. Warnes was reared and educated in his na- tive county, and afterward was employed in team- ing there. Not infrequently while thus engaged he drove four, six, eight, ten, and sometimes even thirty-six horses, as his load demanded, frequently transporting railway engines from one point to an- other. These journeyings often encompassed long distances, the trips frequently involving several days and nights upon the road. The largest num- ber of horses driven by Mr. Warnes at one time was probably when he assisted in the transportation of

the first locomotive which ran from the city of Lynn to London at the head of a construction train. This was conveyed from Peterboro to Downhamn, a dis- tance of fifty miles, with thirty-six horses, and the engine placed upon the track ; the tender was drawn by eight horses.

Always wide-awake and ambitious, young Warnes at an early stage in his life had set his mark high. but it was not until he was a man of forty-four years that it appeared desirable for him to change his residence from the Eastern to the Western Hem- isphere. In the spring of 1866 be set sail from Liverpool, and after a voyage of six weeks' dura- tion landed at Castle Garden. Thence he made his way to Chicago by way of the lakes, there expecting to meet an old friend. Failing, however, to find him, he proceeded to Peoria, and there worked in a brick yard for a Mr, Peacock. Later, crossing the Mis- sissippi, he spent two years in Wyoming, Neb., em- ployed as a farm laborer, and upon his next change of residence located in Nebraska City. From there he came to the present site of Lincoln and home- steaded 160 acres of land on section 35, all of which now lies within the city limits.

Our sturdy pioneer immediately erected a log cabin upon his new property and otherwise set him- self to work to open up a farm. Not being the pos- sessor of a horse or plow. he spaded up one aere for a garden and truck patch, and at the end of that summer rejoiced in the products of a good garden, from which he sold, among other things, $70 worth of onions, destined for Ft. Kearney. When the capital was located at Lincoln, Mr. Dawson, referred to above, gave a tract of land to the city, and Mr. Warnes replaced this by giving eighty aeres of his land to Mr. Dawson, thus giving, though indirectly, that amount to the State. Our subject had followed agricultural pursuits until the capital was located ; then he platted nearly all his land and sold the same for town lots. reserving for his own use one of those most pleasantly situated. Upon this he erected a very handsome dwelling, commanding an excellent view of a large portion of the city and surroundings.

The matrimonial experiences of Mr. Warnes are necessarily a recital in three chapters, for he has had the sorrowful trial of bereavement twice repeated in his history. He was first married to Miss Anna

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Crockett, who died before he left his native En- gland. Subsequently he became the husband of Charlotte Jeckell, of Norfolk, and after a happy union of twenty-five years she too was removed by death at her home in Lincoln, in 1876. The year following Mr. Warnes led to the altar Miss Hannah Hubbard, a native of England, and the daughter of .James and Lydia Hubbard,

Mrs. Hannah Warnes came to the United States in May, 1876, and resided with her brother, John Hubbard, at his farm, just south of the city limits of Lincoln. Mr. Hubbard is now a resident of Ger- mantown. Mr. and Mrs. Warnes are the parents of one beautiful daughter, who bears the name of Mary Ann, and was born Aug. 16, 1880. She is the light of the household in one of the most beautiful homes of the city, whose hospitable doors open for the entertainment of hosts of friends whom our subject and his excellent wife have gathered around them,

The Christian religion found in Lincoln's first set- tler one of its bravest defenders. The first prayer meeting, the first regular service and the first Sun- day-school which marked an epoch in its career. was at the instance of and in the house of Mr. Warnes. He was never more pleased than when opportunity offered to serve the cause which lay very near his heart. Ile has for many years been a devoted mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, contribut- ing freely of his time, means and influence for its advancement in the hearts of the people. At an carly period he set aside one of his lots for church purposes, and erected at his own expense, about seventeen years ago, a neat frame edifice, in which services are now held by the Episcopalians. Ile has perhaps derived more genuine comfort from his benefactions to religious and educational institu- tions than all his efforts in other directions. Con- sidering his whole career, it is hardly necessary to say that he is respected alike by young and old, by rich and poor. lle has filled many positions of trust and responsibility and those where great prin- ciples were at stake. Ile has never swerved from what he believed to be right, and has been brave in the expression of his opinions, while careful of giv- ing offense.

The ALBUM of Lancaster County would by no means be esteemed complete were the pictured feat-

ures of this pioneer settler, and now venerated citi- zen, excluded from its pages; we therefore take pleasure in giving his portrait, which will be looked upon with unfeigned interest by those who have been in any way identified with the early history of Lancaster County,

h ERMAN MAY. The subject of this writ- ing is a native of the Fatherland, where he was born May 27, 1830. He continued to do battle most manfully in his native conn- try, but the conditions were such that while his heart remained closely knit to the old associations, he finally determined to launch out to where the possibilities of success to well-directed energies were greater than they could ever be in his native land. Hence, in the year 1870 he came to America, landing in New York, and went at once to Minonk, Woodford Co., Ill., engaging at different times in various occupations for some five years in the en- deavor to make a start. At this time he was enabled to rent a farm in Woodford County, and so contin- ued for four years. In January, 1879, he gave up his farm and went west to Lancaster County, Neb., where he rented a farm in Nemaha Precinct, and continued to reside there until the year 1885.

Onr subject now began to realize that " nothing succeeds like success." He had purchased some four years previous 160 acres in the neighborhood, but now he was enabled to cease renting and pur- chase the same farm he had been working under rental, and has since continued to make it his home. He to-day owns over 880 acres of good land, and is engaged in stock-raising. In this he is very suc- cessful and takes great pride. He seldom has less than 100 head of cattle, besides teams and from 200 to 300 hogs.

Mr. May was married while in Germany to Minnie Ricketts, who was born Oct. 20, 1834. Their fam- ily comprises six children, living: Frank, Henry, Gustave, Lena, Otto and Emma, They have buried in all five children, three boys and two girls, Both Mr. and Mrs. May are members of the Presbyterian Church, In politics our subject affiliates with the Republican party. Although not prominently be-

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fore the public in this connection, or an office- holder, he is stanchly adherent to the principles of and votes the Republican ticket.

Our subject has found that the struggles of the first thirty-five or forty years of life were not with- out their use in giving him the ambition and the experience for the advancement which has been his under the new condition of things. Until his emi- gration he was not his own master, and probably never could have been. To-day, as he looks over his broad acres, fine stock, home and farm buildings, he may be justly proud of his efforts and work, as he is eminently grateful to the country and the in- stitutions which made it possible for him to attain them.

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Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 87

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

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