USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska > Part 92
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The army experiences of our subject being over, he returned to Iowa, where he was united in mar- riage with Dimerous L. Seott, in March, 1868; they have one child, Maud A. Not long after his mar- riage he removed to this State, and early in the following year entered a tract of land.
Our subject has given considerable attention to stock-raising in addition to his general farm- ing, but is rapidly working toward making a spe- cialty of breeding high-grade and blooded horses. He has quite a number of superior animals, and is the owner of an exceptionally fine, large and vigorous Percheron horse. To these he is adding
from time to time such as will best serve his inter- ests and advance the reputation of his farm in this department. Mr. Main has not figured largely in civic affairs, although he has for some time held the office of Supervisor of Roads, but he has no special inclination to office, although a good, earnest and energetic Republican, and the recipient, by his party in the community generally, of the highest esteem and regard, not so much on account of what he possesses as what he is.
IMOTIIY J. CHARLES. In Erie County, N. Y., was born, on Feb. 5, 1841, in the home of David J. and Ann Charles, one who has since become worthy of a place in this ALBUM as being one of the early pioneers of Yankee Hill Precinct. He is the owner of an elegant farm, situated on section 16. The family of which our subject is a member are of Welsh extraction, and seemed to have in their characters an indomitability partaking somewhat of the characteristics of their native mountain ranges, which through the centuries have resisted every element and force, and would not remove, but still stand with heads towering to the clouds in calm but stern defiance, as proudly as the day when they first sheltered the fleeing hordes of Briton's Aborigines and Druids, in the days of Roman assault.
Our subject was reared to manhood in his native State, and received in its schools the foundation for his future work and experience. Early in life he began to work upon the farm, and from his father received his introduction to that department of labor, and learned the many diverse and con- fusing details connected with that occupation. He went to Illinois in 1865, and between five and six years followed with a fair measure of good fortune his chosen calling. In 1871 he left his Illinois home, came to this county, and took up 160 acres of land. The ground was having its own way, and following the bent of its own sweet will; if it wanted to produce wild grass it grew; if flowers or thistles, they found root and sustenance, but now they are under the domination of a master intel- lect, a will overpowering, an industry determined
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to succeed. The result was soon apparent to the most casual observer; acre after acre was brought into subjection, and was taught to produce what was required, and not what chanced or happened to be there, and our subject was not long in bringing his whole farm into a high state of perfection in husbandry.
In the year 1873 Mr. Charles led to the altar of matrimony Mary M. Horn, the daughter of Rev. W. S. Horn, late of Lancaster County. This lady has ever since the day of her nupitals stood by her husband in the most noble and disinterested man- ner, through cloud and sunshine, prosperity and ad- versity, storm and calm, and his success is perhaps largely due to the elevating influences and inspira- tion she has brought into his life. She has presented him with four children-Artimo J., Herbert H., Ernest II. and Edward.
Our subject is now in the third term of office as Road Supervisor, and has for many years been School Treasurer of his district. He is by no means an office-seeker, however, and what distinc- tion has come to him along that line has been thrust upon him than otherwise. He is a conscientious worker in any office filled by him, and even at some self-sacrifice will worthily attend to the due performance of such duties as fall to him. He is a Republican of many years standing, an acknowl- edged friend and supporter of the party, and at all times to be depended upon to do all in his power to advance the interests of his party by any legiti- mate measure.
E ARL B. SLAWSON. The casiest thing in the world to do is to float with the tide; the difficulty begins when the effort is made to breast the waves and to combat the strength of the tide, overcome its force and make prog- ress against it. This is true, metaphorically, as applied to a country, as well as, literally, to the in- dividual. This metaphor is well illustrated in the history of our own beloved land, and also in the life of the subject of this sketch, who has from a comparatively humble beginning labored on until he occupies a position such as is not only worthy
of but demands mention in any history which treats of Denton Precinct or Lancaster County.
Earl B. Slawson, whose farm is situated on sec- tion 3 of the above precinct, was born Oct. 26, 1841, in Whiteside County, Ill., and is a son of Jesse and Rachel M. Slawson, both of whom were natives of New York State, and the latter of whom is now deceased. His family is of English extraction, and his ancestors were among the number who made their way to America in Colonial days, and after participating in the struggles of the Revolutionary War had the satisfaction of seeing the ship of State progress upon its voyage with her sails all set to the fair breeze, and the new-formed flag, which has grown so dear to every American heart, nailed to the mast never to be struck down.
The grandfather of our subject was a soldier in the War of 1812, and received his death wound in the battle of Sackett's Harbor, from which he died shortly after in the hospital at Utica, N. Y. His father, David Slawson, was a soldier in the Revo- lutionary War, and took part in nearly every cam- paign. The family have for several generations been residents of New York State, but about fifty years since the father of our subject removed to Whiteside County, Ill., where he was among the earliest settlers. Seven children of the eight born to them are still living, our subject being the fourth. Their names are here subjoined accor ling to their birth: Andrew E. II. and Jesse D., both of Sherman County, this State; Charles H., a far- mer of Crawford County, Kan .; Earl, our subject; Howard, a prosperous farmer in Utica, N. Y .; Al- bert R., deceased; Seth II., of Sherman County, and Mary L., the beloved wife of Merritt Clifton, of Cook County, Ill.
In 1856 the parents of our subject came to Ne- braska, and the family settled in Otoe County at a time when their nearest neighbors were five miles distant. Mrs. Slawson, Sr., died April 12, 1884, and the father shortly after removed to Kansas, where he still resides with his son Charles, whom, we might here take occasion to remark, had an ex- tensive military experience during the recent strug- gle, and served as Captain of Company D, 8th Kansas Infantry. His education was very meager, but has been supplemented by a course of reading
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that has left him well posted upon all general topics. Our subject returned to Illinois for the ex- press purpose of enlisting, which he did in Com- pany B, 34th Illinois Infantry, in March, 1863. This company became part of the army of Gen. Sherman in the 2d Brigade, 2d Division, 14th Army Corps. His company was engaged at the battle of Lookout Mountain, the siege of Atlanta, Buz- zard's Roost and Crab Orchard, and he was in his place with them in that mareh to the sea, which has become a household word, and lastly, at the grand review at Washington, on the 24th of May, 1865, after which he received an honorable discharge on the 16th of July following. He then returned to Otoe County, Neb., and took up a homestead claim and made it his residence about fifteen years, then went to Palmyra, Neb., and engaged in the grocery business for about twelve months, subsequently en- gaging in mercantile pursuits at Utica, Neb., for three years. After this he returned to Palmyra, and for two years renewed his old life and occupa- tion. At the close of that period be sold out and returned to his Otoe farm, and in 1884 came to Lancaster County and settled on his present farm, which contains some of the best land in the county, and includes eighty acres, all in an excellent state of cultivation.
August 24, 1862, was a red letter day in the his- tory of our subject, for he was then united in wed- lock with Cordelia M. Brown, who was the daughter of Vivalda and Aura T. Brown, and was born Dec. 27. 1812. The felicity of their married life has been more closely secured and enhanced by the birth of five children, whose names are recorded as follows: Viletta L., Loretta L., Carrie B., Earl R. and Ro- sella.
The following brothers of our subject served in the War of the Rebellion: Jesse, who was in the 8th Kansas Volunteers; Charles, in the same regiment; Howard, who served in the 75th Illinois, and two half-brothers, Iliram and Ira G. W. Chase, the former of whom served in the 55th New York, and the latter in the 55th Illinois Infantry. These were sons of Mrs. Slawson by her first husband, Mr. Chase.
Mr. Slawson is a warm supporter and enthusi- astic member of the G. A. R., Farragut Post No.
25, at Lincoln. In politics he is a strong Repub- lican. Ile has not been very prominent as an office-holder, but has served three years as a con- stable. Our subject and wife hold a very high place in local society, and are the recipients of the sincerest respect and esteem of their neighbors and friends. Our subject is among that number of our citizens who had to struggle in the early days with- out much assistance in getting a start. He was op- posed by a tide of adverse circumstances, but his position in the community and the record of his service in behalf of his country speak more than mere words could do of the success of his efforts.
E EDWARD T. HUDSON, Receiver for the United States Land Office at Lincoln, a gen- tleman of fine abilities and a highly esteemed citizen, was born in Yorkshire, England, in January, 1832. IIis parents were William and Mary Hudson, the descendants of excellent families, and who spent their entire lives in their native land.
The subject of this sketch passed his boyhood near the place of his birth, acquiring a practical education in the common schools. About the time of reaching his majority he decided to emigrate to the United States, and in 1853 first set foot upon American soil in the city of New York. From there he proceeded soon afterward to Des Moines County, Iowa, and secured employment on a farm in the vicinity of Burlington. He was thus occupied for a number of years, and acquired a good knowledge of agriculture and stock-raising as conducted in America.
Mr. Hudson came to this State in 1868, locating upon a farm in Lancaster County, and industriously applied himself to the tilling of the soil. He fol- lowed farming continuously until his appointment to his present position. He took up his residence at Lincoln in October, 1886, and on the 1st of De- cember following entered upon the discharge of his duties. He has since held his position, aequitting himself in a most praiseworthy manner and with satisfaction to all concerned.
The wife of our subject was in her girlhood Miss Hannah Holgate, also a native of England. Of this
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union there have been born two children: Edward S., who is on the farm, and Walter W., a student in the Commercial College at Lincoln. Mr. Hud- son while a resident of Denton Precinet was elected Justice of the Peace, which position he held for a period of fifteen years. He also officiated as School Director seventeen years and still holds the position. His farm embraces 160 aeres, which he has brought to a good state of cultivation and upon which he has erected all necessary buildings. It is well stocked with eattle, hogs and horses.
Mr. Hudson, politically, is an active Democrat, and thoroughly in accord with the present adminis- tration. As a boy, he was thoughtful and studious and piously inclined. When a youth of eighteen years he began preaching in the Wesleyan Method- ist Church, and filled the pulpit in his native shire from that time until emigrating to America. For a period of two years he partially abandoned his pious labors. then resumed them and preached al- most continuously until his appointment to his pres- ent office. Ile was President of the Nebraska Methodist Protestant Conference for eleven years. and President of the Board of Church Extension and the Board of Trustees. He was Chaplain of the State Senate at one time, and is President of the Lancaster County Old Settlers' Association. For a period of two years he was Vice President of Lancaster County Grange. It will thus be seen that his has been an active and useful career, in which he has distinguished himself as a liberal and publie-spirited citizen, ever willing to contribute of his time and means to the advancement, so- cially and morally, of his fellowmen. He counts his friends by the score among the people where he has lived and labored and built up the record of an honest man and a good citizen.
IIILLIER, an intelligent and industrious member of the farmning community of Lan- caster County, is managing his farm in Sal- tillo Precinct with good success, has a neat and cozy home, and is in comfortable circumstances. Our subject began life at a disadvantage, being early left an orphan, and thrown on the charities of a great
city. Born in St. Louis, his parents dying when he was a small child, he has no recollections of his father, and ean scarcely remember his mother, who died when he was six or seven years old, leaving him and his little sister Mary (now Mrs. Bartow, of Piasa, Ill.,) alone and friendless in the world. and they fell into the hands of the city authorities. Fort- unately they were adopted by kind people, Mr. and Mrs. E. Hillier, of Shipman, Ill .. taking our subject, and his sister going to live with Mr. and Mrs. II. Kendall, of Piasa, III. Mr. and Mrs. Ifil- lier not only took our subject to their home, but to their hearts, as he proved to be a child of a sunny, tractable disposition, and after he went to them he never laeked a parent's care, they bringing bim up as one of their own, although they had ten children in their household. He was educated in the com- mon schools, and carefully reared to industrious and good habits. Ile remained with his foster-par- ents until he was twenty-five years old, and by bis ready and active assistance partly repaid them for the care that they had bestowed upon him in his childhood. He only left their roof to enter a home of his own, being married at that time to Miss Mary Deahl. daughter of the late Andrew Deahl (for pa- rental history see sketch of her brother, George Deahl).
After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hillier continued to reside in Shipman, Ill., for two years. Although he worked very hard while farming in Illinois, yet Mr. HIillier was unfortunate, and at one time, through bad erops, etc., he lost $700 to $800, but he coped with his ill-luck, and manfully paid dollar for dol- lar of his indebtedness. On the 5th of November, 1878, he came with his family to Nebraska, hoping to do better in this rich agricultural region than he could do in his old home. Hle bought 160 acres of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad land, and began again at the foot of the ladder to make his way to the desired competence. Ilis land was all wild prairie, of which a sod had never been turned. He has already brought it under good tillage, and has erected necessary farm buildings, putting up a comfortable dwelling the following February after his arrival. Notwithstanding the fact that he has met with some serious reverses, having lost three valuable horses, some cattle and other stock, yet he
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is in a fair way to become prosperous. Ile has dis- posed of a part of his land at a good profit, and thus reduced the acreage of his farm to eighty acres, on which he carries on general or mixed farm- ing and dairying.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hillier have been born five chil- dren, namely: Nellie, Bertha, Earl, Walter and George. Nellie and Bertha were born in Illinois. The three oldest are in attendance at school, as their father is anxious to give his children good educa- tions, and other advantages of which he was de- prived in his youth. Mr. II. is a valued member of the Lutheran Church, of Roca, and as a man and a citizen, he commands the respect and esteem of all who know him. In his political beliefs he is a stanch Democrat.
AMUEL R. JACOBY. The name of this gentleman is familiar throughont Stevens Creek Precinct and the country adjacent as being one of the most careful, prosper- ous and thrifty farmers in this region. He has a fine estate on section 4, eighty acres of which he homesteaded in 1869. Later he added to his real estate, until he is now the owner of 400 acres, in the cultivation of which he has been very success- ful, producing some of the richest crops of South- ern Nebraska, and realizing a handsome income. Liberal-minded and public-spirited, he has been no unimportant factor in the development of Lancaster County, and has given his encouragement to every worthy enterprise. It has been the rule the world over, that a city or section of country owes its development principally to a few enterprising and courageous men who have risked their capital and labor in the hope of future good, not only to them- selves but to the people around them. Among this class Mr. Jacoby has been a lealing spirit of this county, and his name will be held in remembrance by generations to come.
A modest home in White County, Ill., sheltered the infant head of our subject, and there his birth took place Nov. 8, 1823. Ile is of substantial stock, his great-grandfather. John Jacoby, having emigrated from Germany during the early settle-
ment of this country, taking up his location in Northampton County, Pa., fifty miles from the then unimportant city of Philadelphia. Ile spent the remainder of his life in that vicinity, passing away after rearing a family of sons and daughters, who lived to do honor to his name.
Among the above mentioned was Peter Jacoby, the grandfather of our subject, who was born, reared and married in Northampton County, Pa. Ile reared a family of fifteen sons and four daugh- ters, speut his entire life in agricultural pursuits, and passed away amid years and honors. Ilis son Henry, the father of our subject, was also born and reared to manhood in Northampton County. In common with his brothers, with the exception of Peter, who became a carpenter, he chose farming for his vocation, and when twenty-two years of age left the parental roof and emigrated to Pickaway County, Ohio. There he made the acquaintance of Miss Julia Ann, the daughter of John and Nellie (Green) Clark, and in due time they were made husband and wife. This branch of the Green fam- ily was of excellent stock, and lineal descendants of Gen. Green, of Revolutionary fame.
After their marriage llenry Jacoby and his young wife settled on a farm in Pickaway County, Ohio, but in 1819 emigrated to White County, Ill. They were among the earliest pioneers of that region, but five years later removed to Morgan County, and about 1830 to McLean County. There the father died in 1851. The mother subsequently crossed the Mississippi, and, surviving her husband a period of thirty years, passed from earth at the home of her daughter, in Lyon County, Kan. Nine children of the parental family grew to mature years: Rebecca became the wife of William Creel, and died in MeLean County, IH .; Margaret, twin sister of our subject, and the wife of J. M. Gates, died in Livingston County, Ill., about 1866; Mary, Mrs. D. A. Dryer, died in Bloomington, Ill., in 1879; William C. died in Lyon County, Kan .; John died in Springfield, Mo., where he had been engaged in the Union army.
Samuel R. Jacoby, our subject, developed into manhood on the farm in Illinois, and when ready to establish a home and domestic ties of his own, was united in marriage with Miss Julia A. Ball, the
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wedding taking place Nov. 26, 1846. Mrs. Jacoby is the daughter of Benjamin and Clarissa (Dim- mick) Ball, and was born in Henry County, Ind., Oct. 14, 1828. Her father was a native of Garrard County, Ky .. and her mother was born in Con- necticut. Hler paternal grandfather first saw light in Culpeper County, Va. He emigrated to Ken- tueky with Daniel Boone, on horseback, and there spent his last days. The grandmother of Mrs. Jacoby was a native of Scotland.
Mr. and Mrs. Jacoby, in 1857, moved across the Mississippi into Ringgold County, Iowa, where our subject purchased a tract of land and carried on farming until after the outbreak of the Rebellion. Soon after the first call for troops he enlisted as a Union soldier, July 4, 1861, in Company G, 4th lowa Infantry, and with his regiment proceeded to the front. Ile first encountered the fire of the enemy at Pea Ridge, and subsequently was in the battles of Jackson, Miss., Champion Hills, and the siege of Vicksburg, battles of Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, and all the engagements in which his regiment participated. until the expira- tion of his term of enlistment in 1864.
After a brief rest Mr. Jacoby, determined to see the end, veteranized in his okl company, and thereafter went with it through the Atlanta cam- paign, and with Gen. Sherman to the sea. After the surrender of Lee at Appomattox, he passed with the troops up through the Carolinas to Wash- ington, being present at the grand review. He re- ceived his honorable discharge in August, 1865, being mustered out with the rank of Sergeant. He had been with his company in the smoke of twenty- two battles, besides the minor engagements always occurring, and the march to the sea. Like thous- ands of other soldiers whose history has been un- written, he endured uncomplainingly his share of hardship and privation, and his greatest reward is in the knowledge that he did his duty as a man, without fear or favor, and in no expectation of reward.
Upon laying down the accontrements of war, Mr. Jacoby returned to the peaceful pursuits of farm life, and continued a resident of Ringgold County, Iowa, until 1869, when we find him look- ing around for a location in Southern Nebraska.
Ile has had little reason to regret the removal from the Hawkeye State to one of the most fertile tracts of country on the face of the globe, and to the people of Lancaster County he has been a valued addition.
To our subject and his estimable wife there have been born five sons, namely : Henry F., A. Lincoln. Peter C., Orin B. and Iretus W. The eldest of these is thirty-eight years old, the youngest twenty, and they are now all living. Having no daughter of their own, Mr. and Mrs. Jacoby took into their home a little motherless girl by the name of Mary M. Sherrow, whom they reared from the age of five years to womanhood, and who is now the wife of Frank Spencer, of MeLean County, III. Mr. Jacoby cast his first Presidential vote for Clay, and re- mained a member of the old Whig party until the organization of the Republicans, whose principles he has from that time supported. In religion he is a Baptist, and his excellent wife has been a mem- ber of that denomination nearly half a century. On the 26th of November, 1886, they celebrated the fortieth anniversary of their wedding, upon which occasion there were present a large company of friends and relatives, who testified to their ap- preciation of the excellent pair by presenting them with many tokens of affection and esteem, among them two finely upholstered rocking-chairs, given by the members of the G. A. R., of Mitchell Post No. 38, Waverly. Mirth and jollity prevailed amid the many recollections of olden times, and the contrast between the past and present was often referred to. The company upon retiring left be- bind them hosts of good wisnes and sentiments of friendship and affection for those whose faces and forms had been among them so many years, with the hope that they might be spared for years to come.
In addition to general agriculture our subject has made a specialty of stock-raising, and has been able to exhibit some of the finest animals in this part of the country. IIe commenced in Nebraska with a capital of about $2,000, and is now compara- tively independent. While having a reasonable and creditable solicitude for the welfare of himself and his family, he has always taken a lively interest in the development of Lancaster County, and was one of
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the men instrumental in securing the right of way of the Atchison & Nebraska Railroad and the Mis- souri Pacific Railroad through Lancaster County and the city of Lincoln. These roads gave an im- petus to the business and agricultural interests of this section, and proved at once a public blessing. No man has watched with warmer interest the development of his adopted county, and in having built up one of its finest estates, he has added largely to its prestige, socially, as well as financially.
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