Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 9

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

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Upon retiring from public life Mr. Butler re- turned to his mercantile pursuits with renewed ardor and prosperity, and he has continued to live in Pawnee City or its immediate vicinity since.

Gov. Butler was, in January, 1860, united in marriage to Miss Lydia Storey, of Bloomington, Ind., and who is the daughter of Harrison Storey, Esq. Of this happy union there have been born four children, to whom were given the names: Violet E., Seth D., Durias and Paul.

Gov. Butler is a genial, affable gentleman of large intelligence, high character and undoubted popularity. Upon the 4th of September, 1888, he was nominated for Governor on the Union Labor ticket, and is now stumping the State in behalf of that movement. In the special order of Odd Fellow- ship Gov. Butler is prominent and also very highly esteemed. He is affiliated with Interior Lodge No. 9, at Pawnee City.

Roll. W.furnas

ROBERT W. FURNAS?

ON. ROBERT WILKIN- SON FURNAS was the second gentleman to re- ceive from the people of the State the high honor of being elected Gover- nor. He was chosen to fill this po- sition in the year 1873, and retired at the close of his term, having earned the good-will, respect and admiration of the whole people by reason of his excellent administra- tion. lle was born in Troy, Miami Co., Ohio, on the 5th of May, 1824. Ilis parents were natives of South Carolina, in which State also the grandfather had been born. His great-grandfather was a member of a good old English family, and was born at Stand- ing Stone, in the county of Cumberland, England. Ile was brought up and edneated in his native place, and when a young man was there married, and then started with his wife for the New World. They landed in South Carolina about the year 1762. Thomas Furnas, the third child of John and Mary Furnas, was born in 1768, six years after the settle- ment of his parents in America, as above noted. William Furnas was the fifth child and only son of Thomas and Esther Furnas. The chosen oceupa- tion of this interesting family for several genera- tions has been that of farming. The chief institu- tion, at that time, of the South, in connection with all labor, especially field work, was that of slavery, and the members of the early generations of this

family were most conscientious members of the Quaker Church, which looked upon it as an abomi- nation. This was the occasion finally of their re- moval to Ohio, which they did in 1804, settling in the Miami Valley. It was in the home there estab- lished that the subject of this sketch was born. He is the eldest of a family of three children, and the only one now living. His twin brother died in in- fancy, and his younger sister at the age of fifteen.

In 1832 the parents of our subject were stricken down by the ravages of that dreaded plagne, the cholera, which swept over the country at that time, taking in its course, old and young, rich and poor, without distinction. In this trying time the natural guardians of the life of our subject, the directors of his footsteps, the instructors of his life, were re- moved, and he was left to struggle and battle in the conflict of life unaided by them. Then, when the clouds seemed darkest and thickest, his grand- father stepped forward in order to supply, at least in some measure, the place thus left vacant, and with him he remained until he reached his seven- teenth year, working on the farm during the sum- mer, and during the winter attending school. He seized every opportunity afforded for the increase of knowledge, and has ever continned to add to his store, and his reputation is that of a well-read, thoroughly educated gentleman.

As soon as our subject attained the above-men- tioned age, he went to Covington, Ky., and there served an apprenticeship to the printing business, in the office of the Licking Valley Register, published by Richard C. Langdon. It was at that time one

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of the most noted newspapers, and its editor, one of the first newspaper men in the West or South. Young Furnas remained in this office until 1843, and acquired a large store of practical knowledge of trade, general business, and life, as well as con- siderable information upon all ordinary topics, be- sides the specific attainment desired in the knowl- edge of the business. The benefit of this schooling is perhaps clearly traceable even in the present, and the immediate past. Leaving Covington he pro- ceeded to Cincinnati, opened a book and job office, and continued in the printing business at that place for two years with good success.

Near the close of that time, and in the year 1845, our subject was united in marriage with Mary S. McComas, a native of Ohio, and a most excellent lady, one who has the power and ability to assist him in life, and fitted to grace any position in so- ciety, however high. There have been born of this union five children.

One of the first public engagements entered into by our subject when he became a voter was when, in company with several other young men, he felt the necessity of education as the means necessary to power in this life in any of its relations. They bound themselves to advocate the building of the school-house in Troy, and a lot was reserved for that purpose. Older citizens, perhaps not so well alive to the progressive spirit of the age, thought it unnecessary, and threw in the way a thousand ob- jections. The young men were defeated at the poles the first year, but nothing daunted continued the contest, and the next year carried their point by a small majority, with the result that a $17,000 school-house was erected, and has stood a monu- ment to the enterprise and foresight of these young men. Upon the success of the above undertaking, Mr. Furnas was elected one of the School Directors, which he continued to be until his removal to Ne- braska, when he resigned.

Our subject was only twenty-three years of age when he became proprietor of the Troy Times, an organ of the Whig party, of which also he was the editor and publisher, and by his trenchant articles did much service in the Taylor campaign. In 1852 he sold this paper, and was engaged first as Freight and Ticket Agent, afterward as conductor for the

Dayton & Michigan Railroad, continuing until 1856. In March of that year he emigrated to this State, established himself at Brownville, and in July of the same year established the Brownville Advertiser, and entered the arena of political life. He became a very zealous advocate of the agricultural and edu- cational interests of the State, and in the fall of that year was elected to the Territorial Legislature. Here the masterly qualities that have since distin- guished him before the State were made manifest.

During his term of office, as noted in the foregoing paragraph, our subject originated the school system of the Territory, which was modeled in its general features after the system of Ohio. In the year 1858 he was re-elected and again took his seat in the Legislature. In 1861 he was elected Chief Clerk, and early in the spring was commissioned Colonel in the United States Regular Army, and received orders from the Secretary of War to organize the loyal Indians and have them mustered into the serv- ice. He was successful in his mission and raised three regiments. These were fully equipped, and Col. Furnas commanded them in the Southern ex- pedition under Gen. Blunt, which took in the bor- ders of Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and the Indian Territory. Resigning his commission after having done splendid work with his command, he returned and went to work to recruit, and established the 2d Nebraska Cavalry, and added fresh glories to the already brilliant record of military achieve- ment. With this command he served under Gen. Sully in the now renowned "Sully expedition" against the Sioux Indians, wherein they were pursued to British Columbia.

The next four years our subject was employed as Indian Agent for the Omaha and Winnebago Indians, which he resigned to take his place at the helm of the State as already recorded. Among the many honors worn so gracefully, and in such manly spirit, are: Regent of the State University, Presi- dent of the State Board of Agriculture, President of the State Agricultural Society, President of the State Soldiers' Union, Vice President of the National Pomological Association, Past Grand Master of the I. O. O. F., Past Grand High Priest, and Past Grand Commander of the Masonic bodies of the State of Nebraska.

Silas Garber

SILAS

GARBER.

ILAS GARBER. This dis- tinguished and well-known eit- izen of Nebraska served the State most acceptably as its Governor for the two terms, from 1874 to 1878. He was born in Logan County, Ohio, Sept: 21, 1833. There he passed his boyhood days, attending the common schools and developing into a sturdy and promising young man. At the early age of seven- teen years he was determined to

strike out for himself and see what he could do toward making his own living. He was ambitious, yet we very much doubt whether the beard-

less young man who turned his face Westward in 1850 ever had the remotest idea that he would himself some day be at the head of a great com- monwealth, that would be created still further toward the setting sun. At that time he came into lowa, which was receiving such floods of emigrants from the older settled States. He located in Clay- ton County and engaged in agricultural pursuits, the occupation which has done so much toward de- veloping some of the best men our Nation has produced. ITis life for some years was uneventful,

| yet he was being disciplined and prepared for the honorable and useful positions he was to fill in after years. Ile took an active interest in all pub- lie matters, and was a well-informed, hard-working young man.

When the stars and stripes which had so long floated above Ft. Sumter were fired upon and the little garrison compelled to surrender, the patriot- ism of the North was aroused as never before in the history of the country. Thousands of the best men of the Nation immediately volunteered their services to aid in suppressing the monstrous rebell- ion, which had replaced the American banner with the stars and bars. Among this vast army of pa- triotic men might have been found Silas Garber. Ile was mustered into the 3d Missouri Infantry, which was known as the famous Lyon Regiment. Ile served with this regiment for one year, when he was mustered out and returned to Clayton County. lle, however, did not long remain in the quiet of that peaceful section, for we soon again find him at the front. Now he is First Lieutenant of Company D, 27th Iowa Infantry, which he raised. His valiant services soon received recogni- tion, and he was promoted to be Captain of the company, which position he faithfully and ably filled until the close of the war. Ile participated in all the battles of the Red River campaign, and

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Pleasant Ilill., La., the battles of Old Oaks, Miss., Nashville, Tenn., and others uner the command of Gen. A. J. Smith.

Upon being mustered out of military service C'apt. Garber returned to Clayton County, but soon thereafter went to California, where he passed the next four years. He came to Nebraska in the early part of 1870, and found a suitable location in Web- ster County, where he still resides, being the oldest resident in Red Cloud. He was indeed a pioneer of the Great West, for when he located in Webster County there were but two settlers in the county.

Upon loeating in Red Cloud and ever since Mr. Garber has taken a most important part in both her business and political affairs. Ile engaged in farming and merchandising, and is to-day Presi- dent of the Farmers' & Merchants' Banking Com-

pany of that city, and also largely identified with its material interests. He was chosen the first Probate Judge of the county, and also represented his district in the Legislature, and served for one year as Register of the United States Land Oflice at Lincoln.

Capt. Garber became popular both with the peo- ple and the politicians, and was nominated for Governor by the Republican Convention, which assembled at Lincoln Sept. 3, 1874, and was elected by a handsome majority. He served so acceptably that he was renominated by the convention which met Sept. 26, 1876. Ile was again endorsed at the polls in November, and served until the close of his term in 1878. He then retired to his home at Red Cloud, where he has since resided, a highly respected and useful citizen.

ALBINUS NANCE.

PON. ALBINUS NANCE. Fourth Governor of the State of Nebraska, and in that connection the recip- ient of the confidence, ad- miration and highest es- teem of the people, not simply of Nebraska, but wherever his most ex- cellent administration is known. If, however, it be but borne in mind that Gov. Nance is a descendant of a long line of noble representatives of a certain Huguenot family, whose members were of the stamp and stuff of which martyrs and heroes are made, and therefore persons of thought, con- viction and strength of character, it is not surpris- ing that he should possess the same, which under the more happy regime of present government and liberality of opinion, should bring him into promi- nence and enable him in his high station to sustain a reputation most brilliant.

The ancestors of Gov. Nance on his father's side were of that number driven from France by the religious intolerance and persecution that followed the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. With many others similarly situated they came to the New World and formed what became a very prosperous community in the State of North Carolina, their descendants moving North and Westward, ever

in the vanguard of progress, as section after sec- tion and district after district were located.

The subject of our sketch was born on the 30th of March, 1848, at Lafayette, Stark Co., Ill., and he is the oldest son of Dr. ITiram Nance, for many years one of the most successful physicians and able surgeons in Central Illinois. Ilis settlement in that State dates back to 1836. It was the Far West of that period, and was filled with far more of danger, difficulty and hardship, and demanded more spirit, bravery and self-denial than is con- ceivable in these days, when the bands of steel pass by the door of the Western pioneer, and thus bring him into almost immediate contact with the great world of civilization. The ancestry of Gov. Nanee upon the maternal side of the family was English. The maiden name of his mother was Sarah R. Smith, who was born in the State of Ohio.

At the outbreak of the Civil War Albinus was but a lad of thirteen, but his patriotic soul was fired with loyal enthusiasm, and he chafed severely at the restraint of years that prevented him taking a more able stand in defense of the Union. At a later period of the struggle and when just sixteen years of age, he enlisted in the 9th Illinois Cavalry. The youthful defender and intrepid young soldier was mustered in contrary to both the wishes and continued earnest protests of his parents and friends. But he could know no restraint in this matter, and was determined to follow the stars and stripes,

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and to defend them if so needed until the death.

Ile continued in the service until the close of the war, and participated as an active combatant in the battles of Guntown, Hurricane Creek, Franklin, Nashville, Tupelo, Spring Hill and Columbia, Tenn. lle was one in the line that made one of the most daring and gallant charges at the battle of Nash- ville, and was slightly wounded in the same.

The necessity for war being passed, Cavalryman Nance returned his saber to its sheath, and when the regiment disbanded returned to his home and became a student at Knox College, Galesburg, Ill., where he took part of the elassie course. Soon after leaving college he commeneed the study of law, and in 1870 was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of Illinois, after passing in the best possible manner a very rigid examination.

Standing upon the threshold of life, the future stretching before him, animated by the grandeur of the prospect supplied by hope and ambition, the subject of our sketch was more fascinated and im- pressed by the opportunities and inducements held out by the newer country, and pursuant thereto he decided to come to Nebraska, as the most promis- ing of all the States and Territories of that mag- nificent field. This was in 1871. He secured a homestead in Polk County, devoting part of his time to farming, but the larger part to the practice of his chosen profession; but his experience was such as almost invariably follows-his ability was speedily recognized and his legal work rapidly grew upon his hands, and before long he left his farm to sow and reap in other fields, at once more congenial and lucrative.

In accordance with the decision referred to in the above paragraph, Mr. Nance removed to Osce- ola, the county seat of Polk County, where before very long he was fully established in legal practice. In 1873 his friends submitted his name to the Republican Convention of the Thirteenth Dis- trict for Representative in the State Legislature. The counties of Adams, Butler, Clay, Fillmore, Hamilton, Platte, Polk and York sent their dele- gates, and these gentlemen thus representing the interests of a large body of citizens in those coun- ties, comprised the convention to which his name was presented. There were seven candidates in

all, and each candidate had his circle of friends; these were diligent in season and out of season to advance the interests of the several candidates. Naturally a long and exciting contest was speedily commeneed, and watched with deep interest by all. In order that the reader may appreciate the posi- tion occupied by the young lawyer in the estima- tion of the people, and the impress his character and ability had already made, we would notiee that after several ballots had been taken the an- nouneement was made that Albinus Nance had received the nomination, and thus began his po- litieal career with a clear sun and a fair sky.

The principal opponent of our subject in the convention, urged by his friends, and spurred on by his own, doubtless, laudable ambition, determined to enter the field as an independent candidate, and the most strenuous efforts were made to defeat the regular candidate of the convention, but without success. The election showed a majority of about 2,000 in favor of the subject of this writing.

In 1876 Mr. Nance was one of the six delegates chosen by the Republican State Convention to represent this State at the National Convention at Cincinnati, and was by his fellows elected Chair- man of the delegation. During that year he was renominated for the Legislature, indeed, almost without opposition, and at the opening session of the Legislative body he was elected Speaker of the House. If he had made a reputation and record as a member, he more than established it, and added fresh luster in his more advanced position, thus necessarily bringing himself before the people, who at once recognized in him one worthy of additional honors. In 1878 the Republican State Convention nominated him for Governor, and he was elected by a large majority. In 1880 he was renominated by acclamation and with wild enthusiasm, and re- elected by a majority greatly in excess of any other candidate on the State ticket.

One of the happiest steps ever taken by Gov. Nanee was that of his union in matrimony in 1875, when he became the husband of Miss Sarah White, daughter of Egbert and Mary White, of Farragut, Iowa, who presented her husband with a bright and beautiful little daughter, who bears the name of Nellie.

James W. James

JAMES W. DAWES.

JAMES W. DAWES. This gentle- man was elected Governor in the 9 year 1883, and such was his of- ficial deportment that he was renominated with enthusiasm, and re-elected by an apprecia- tive people. He continued to occupy his high position in the service of the State until the year 1887, and during the time gave every evidence that the confidence of those who had elected him in his honor, man- hood and ability, was indeed well founded. He was the fifth Governor of the State. Gov. Dawes was born at McConnelsville, Morgan Co., Ohio, on the 8th of January, 1845. He went with his parents when they removed to Wisconsin in 1856. The rudiments and foundation work of his education were received in Ohio, but in the Wiscon- sin schools the major part of the work was done, and from them our subject was graduated with a good practical English education, such as would serve in the daily affairs of life. As he advanced in years and was capable of doing more service upon the farm, he attended school only in the winters, devoting the summers to husbandry. In October, 1864, he was engaged in clerking for G. J. Hansen & Co., who were engaged as-general merchants at Kilbourn

City, Wis., where he continued until October, 1868, and in these four years gained invaluable experience of men and business, adding materially to his store of information, and, unknown to himself, but none the less really, preparing for days of larger oppor- tunity and more important engagements.

The next employment taken up by our subject was that of the study of law, which he began and carried on with his cousin, Julius II. Dawes, Esq., of Fox Lake, Wis., a prominent and successful lawyer. Here our subject devoted every atten- tion, and became a careful, persevering and diligent student, so much so that his examination, which de- termined his admission to the bar, was unusually brilliant, and he was accordingly admitted with congratulations upon the 10th of January, 1871, and began the practice of his chosen profession, which, from its being eminently congenial and pe- culiarly well adapted to one of his ability and mental cast, was that in which success in life was more completely assured him.

Not long after the admission of our subject to the bar another, and if anything more important, event occurred. It was that of his marriage. In- stances are far too common where an error of judg- ment or a misplaced confidence at such time has been fraught with disastrous results to both con- tracting parties; results all the more serious because of the nature and faults of the contract. It was the

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happiness of Mr. Dawes and the lady of his choice to be mutually compatible in disposition, tastes, desires, and in faet all the varied points where dif- ference of sentiment would in all probability lead, sooner or later, to a breach of confidence or worse. This union, therefore, has brought a more complete happiness, a more perfect felicity, into both lives, and has made the home all that could be desired. This interesting event occurred at Fox Lake, and was celebrated on the 11th of May, 1871.

Our subject located in Crete, of this State, on the 5th of September, 1871, with the intention of engaging for a time in mercantile pursuits. For some years he continued in this line of business with an ever-growing success and enlarging patron- age. In March of 1877 he transferred his energies from commercial pursuits to the legal profession, opening a law office at Crete, and has since been one of the leading lights ot the Nebraska bar. IIe became a member of the Nebraska Constitutional Convention of 1875, and the following year was eleeted State Senator. During his term of office he won from all golden opinions of his ability and power, and his sojourn in Senatorial halls was, if anything, more pleasant than usual, owing to his genial, affable and courteous manner, which won and retained many much valued friendships, and which was the means of affording him larger oppor- tunities than might have otherwise been possible. His record in this connection is upon the books of the session, and is well known, and does not there- fore call for detailed mention in such a writing as the present ; suflice it here to remark that it was such as to ultimately lead to his election to the highest official chair in the State ..

From May, 1876, to September, 1882, inelusive, the subject of this sketch continued to hold the po- sition as Chairman of the Republican State Central Committee of Nebraska. The long continuance and the number of consecutive terms embraced within the above dates speak more clearly and emphatically his ability and power than anything that might be said in addition. Mr. Dawes was further honored by being elected delegate to the Republican Na- tional Convention at Chicago, in June of 1880. This it will be remembered was the convention that nominated the noble, but ill-fated, James A. Gar-

field. The delegation of which he was a member at this time unanimously named him as a member of the National Republican Committee for Nebraska for a term of four years, which it was his privilege to serve with every satisfaction to all parties con- cerned for that period.

Few men ever felt more the need of education for a people who governed themselves than Gov. Dawes. The absolute necessity of universal educa- tion, wide in scope, complete in curriculum, ex- haustive in detail, praetieal in its aim and general utility, was evident to him, and he was therefore deeply interested in educational matters, and his sympathies were always assured for matters con- nected therewith. He has served in several offices connected with this department, the most important, perhaps, being those of Trustee and Secretary of the Doane College, which is situated at Crete. The duties of these offices have engaged his attention since the year 1875.

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Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 9

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

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