USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska > Part 93
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Henry F. Jacoby, the eldest son of our subject, and a man of more than ordinary intelligence and business capacity, was born April 9, 1850, in Mc- Lean County, Ill. Upon the outbreak of the Rebell- ion he was but a lad not twelve years of age, and though wide-awake and earnest, a boy having his own ideas upon matters and things, he was obliged to curb his ineipient patriotism and wait until he was thirteen years old before he could become a soldier as he wished. In July, 1863, he enlisted with the 100-days men, and was sent to Tennessee with his comrades. The year following he enlisted for three years, or during the war, and served until the close. Not yet satisfied with his experience of army life, he again enlisted in the United States service, and was stationed in the South, mostly in the State of Tennessee.
The soldiers now had little to do besides oc- casional drill, and young Jacoby employed his leisure time at his books, and, by the aid of some of the officers, who took a kindly interest in the ambitious lad, acquired a good education. After receiving his honorable discharge he was engaged as a clerk in the custom house at Savannah, Ga., two years, then was with Gen. Hancock as Clerk of the Engineer Corps for four years. Upon the recom- mendation of the late lamented Gen. Hancock he was subsequently made a member of the police force of New York City, and after six months' service in that capacity, embarked on an ocean voyage with Gens. Smith and Baldy, officiating as Steward of the vessel, and was in Constantinople during the Turk- ish War. This was a fine experience which he greatly enjoyed, and which was of much benefit to him. Upon returning to New York City he re- sumed his old position in the Police Department, where he still remains. lle makes a brave and
efficient offieer. possessing courage and cool judg- ment, traits which are absolutely essential in such a position. The other boys are all farmers. Peter, when seventeen years old, enlisted with Gen. Custer for three years, and during that time he was en- gaged on the frontier fighting the Indians.
OHN S. TEMPLE. The subject of this biog- raphy occupies a leading position among the representative men of Lancaster County, he being progressive, enterprising and pub- lic-spirited, and has built up one of the pleasantest homes within its borders. He is of excellent New England ancestry, his father having been William HI. C. Temple, who was born in Claremont, N. H., and his mother, in her girlhood Miss Elmira Ten- ney, a native of the same place. There they set- tled after their marriage, remaining in the Old , Granite State until about 1835, when they emigrated to Ohio and located among the pioneers of Hamil- ton County. After a residence there of ten years they removed to Cineinnati, where the death of the father took place in 1857. The mother later he- came a resident of Delhi, and passed away at the home of her niece, on the 9th of January, 1887. The parental household of our subjeet included nine children, of whom two by the name of Will- iam, and one, a daughter, Frances, died in child- hood. The survivors were named respectively : Charles W., Ilenry C., Amelia, John S. [(our sub- ject), Sarah L. and Albert G. Five of these now survive. One lives in Dakota, two in Ohio, and one in Jowa.
Our subject was born while his parents were residents of Oxford, Ohio, Oct. 17, 1837, and was six years of age when the family removed to Cin- cinnati. He was there reared and educated, and re- mained a resident of that city until a youth of nineteen years. Ile commenced his business ca- reer at the age of sixteen, being employed as a clerk in a wholesale paper store, and upon leaving the Buckeye State made his way to Mercer County, Ill., where he was in the employ of his uncle on a farm about four years. Thence he migrated east- ward to Vincennes, Ind., and for two years was a
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clerk in the employ of the O. & M. R. R. Later he purchased an eating-house at the depot in that city. and in connection with it operated a public house and restaurant (the latter known as the Depot Hotel) three years.
While a resident of Vincennes, Ind., Mr. Temple formed the acquaintance of one of the most estima- ble young ladies of that city. Miss Cassandra, daugh- ter of Thomas and Catherine (Heizer) Goudy, to whom he was married Nov. 27, 1866. The father of Mrs. Temple was born in Ashland County, Ohio, and the mother was a native of Pennsylvania. After marriage they settled in Jeromeville, in Ash- land County, where they lived until their removal to Vincennes, Ind. The father was a miller by occupation, and died in the latter place about 1857. The mother is still living, being now well advanced in years, and makes her home with her daughter in Vincennes, Ind.
The parents of Mrs. Temple had a family of eight children, three of whom-Thomas, William and Mary E .- died in childhood. Those surviving are Susannah, Martha J., John F., Elijah, and Cassan- dra, Mrs. Temple. The latter, the youngest of the family, was, like her father, born in Ashland County. Ohio, May 4, 1848. She received careful home training from an excellent mother, and a fair edu- cation in the common school, and remained a mem- ber of the parental household until her marriage.
Mr. Temple in 1868, with his wife and one chikl, left Vincennes for Knox County. Ill., locating on a farm in Knox Township, where he carried on agri- culture until the spring of 1883. Then setting his face still further westward, he crossed the Missis- sippi, and coming to this county located at once in Grant Precinct, purchasing 160 acres of good land on section 13. He has now a neat and substantial residence, and good improvements generally, the farm buildings and machinery being fully in keep- ing with the requirements of the modern and pro- gressive agriculturist. Ile is a man who takes pride in his farm and his family, and has an equal interest in the growth and prosperity of his com- munity, giving liberally to worthy enterprises, and contributing his quota to those projects having for their object the general welfare of the people. The home is a model one in all its appointments, and its
inmates are surrounded by all the comforts of life and many of its luxuries, enjoying also the friend- ship and esteem of the people about them.
To Mr. and Mrs. Temple there have been born three children-William J., Catherine N. and Frank. The latter died in Knox County, Ill., when an inter- esting child of seven years. Mr. Temple is a strong temperance man, and in 1887 identified himself with the Prohibition party. Both he and his ex- cellent wife are members in good standing of the Presbyterian Church. An idea of their home sur- rounding's may be obtained by a glance at the view of the well-ordered homestead which will be found on another page.
ON. GEORGE BYRON LANE, Super- intendent of Public Instruction of the State of Nebraska, a distinguished citizen of Lin- coln, is one of the leading educators of the day in the West. A graduate of one of the colleges in the East, where he attained high rank in scholarship, his rare talents. profound learning and great ex- ecutive ability, amply quality him for the im- portant office that he is filling with credit to himself and satisfaction to the public, and he has made a marked improvement in the educational system of this State since he entered upon the dis- charge of the duties of this position.
Mr. Lane is a native of New Hampshire, born April 2, 1843, in the town of Epping, Rockingham County, to Winthrop M. and Frances ( Morrison) Lane, being the "third child in order of birth of a family of ten children. He is a lineal descendant of Ralph Lane, one of three brothers who came to America from England in early Colonial times, and were among the prominent men of the day, taking an active part in political and publie matters. The father of our subject was a native of New Ilampshire, and the mother of Maine, both being of Euglish ancestry.
The boyhood and early youth of our subject were passed amid the pleasant scenes of his birth- place, where he obtained the foundation of his edu- cation in the district school. Ile learned the car- penter's trade of his father, and worked at it until
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the breaking out of the Rebellion. At that time he had scarcely attained manhood, and, with the ardor and patriotism of youth, he was among the first to respond to the call of his country for aid in sus- taining the honor of the old flag. In the spring of 1861, in company with two younger brothers, Joshua and Marcena, he enlisted in Company E, 11th New Hampshire Infantry, but was afterward transferred to the 5th New Hampshire Regiment, and was assigned to the Department of the Gulf under Gen. Banks. His brother Joshua was killed in the battle of Fredericksburg. His youngest brother, Marcena, was rejected on account of his youthful- ness, but he managed to enlist, however, and was mustered into the same regiment with our subject, becoming a member of Company I, and did valiant service in many a hardly contested field, having part of his hand shot off in the second battle of the Wilderness. The rendezvous of the regiment was at Long Island, where it remained for about four weeks. The men were then placed on board of a transport and sailed for New Oleans, but encounter- ing rough and stormy weather, the fleet was driven out to sea for many days; finally it touched at Key West, Fla., and later landed at New Orleans late in the fall. The regiment subsequently spent the winter in camp at Carrollton, La. It was then ordered up the Mississippi River to Port Hudson, and took an active part in that siege until the fall of the fort. July 5, 1863. After that the command was dispatched to Vicksburg, and thence to Cairo, Ill., where they were honorably ' discharged, their term of service having expired. While bravely fighting the battles of his country Mr. Lane was twice wounded; once in the neck when his regi- ment was gallantly leading the charge on Ft. IIudson, another time in the foot by a spent can- non ball.
After returning to his old home from his exeit- ing experiences on Southern battle-fields Mr. Lane entered Dartmouth College to complete his edu- cation, and was graduated from that institution in the class of '67, receiving the degree of B. A. After graduation he went to Wisconsin, and entered upon his career as an educator by accepting the principal- ship of the schools at Burlington. A year and a half later he went to Van Wert, Ohio, to assume
the duties of Superintendent of Schools in that place, and retained that position until 1872. In that year he was invited to St. Louis, Mo., to be- come Principal of the city schools. There, as else- where, his services were very highly appreciated, and he left the lasting impress of his work and genius on the public school system of that city, by his introduction of superior methods of instruction. Hlis fame as an educator had spread throughout the West, and in 1880 he was called to Omaha, Neb., as Superintendent of the city schools, which posi- tion he filled with marked ability until 1882. In 1885 he was appointed Superintendent of the State Census. Ile finished the duties devolving upon him while in that office in about a year, and in the fall of 1886 he was elected to his present position as State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Ile has proved a faithful and efficient public officer, devoting all the energies of the best years of his life to the accomplishment of the work that lies before him, and bringing a wide experience and careful and thoughtful study to bear upon the im- portant educational problems of the day.
Mr. Lane was married, Aug. 24, 1882, to Miss Nellie P. Wood, of Omaha, Neb., the daughter of E. B. and Nellie (Parmenter) Wood. She was edu- cated in the public schools of her native city, and her culture and rare intelligence enable her to sym- pathize with her husband in his work. She is a member of the Congregational Church, and is highly esteemed by a large circle of friends. To this union have been born two children-Frances and Gene. Religiously, our subjeet is a member of the Congregational Church; politically, he is a sound Republican.
C APT. THOMAS SEWELL, formerly en- gaged in the mercantile business in Lincoln, where he still resides, is a man universally respected, not only for his fine military record, but as an honest man and a faithful citizen. Ile is of English origin, his grandfather, Thomas Sewell, having emigrated from England with his family to America, and settled at Niagara-on-the-Lake, where his last years were spent. He had served many
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years as an officer in the English army. His son Thomas, the father of our subject, was a young man when he came to America from his birthplace in Lancaster, England. Ile had learned the "art preservative" in England, and after he came to this country he published the Niagara Reporter, a weekly paper, and in addition published numerous books and did general job printing, and continued that business until his death. At the time of the Mackenzie's rebellion, he volunteered his services and received an officer's commission, and while crossing Queenston Ileights he received severe injuries, and erysipelas setting in, he died soon afterward, and his remains lie buried in the village churchyard at Niagara-on-the-Lake. The maiden name of his wife, the mother of our subject, was Caroline Mastin, a native of Lincolnshire, England. She died at her home in Canada, and her remains now repose by the side of her husband's. To them had been born four children, three of whom grew to maturity, namely : Charles HI., Thomas and Jane Bishop.
The subject of our sketch was the second child born to his parents. Ile was six years old when the death of his father occurred, and three years later he went to Utica, N. Y., where he served an ap- prenticeship to learn the trade of printer. He re- mained there until 1854, when he removed to Cincinnati, and worked at his trade on the Enquirer until the following year. He then proceeded west- ward as far as Chicago, where he procured work on the Democrat, which was then owned by the lIon. John Wentworth, and he continued to work on that paper most of the time until the breaking out of the Rebellion. Being filled with the same patri- otic zeal that inspired all loyal hearts, he enlisted in 1861. in Company A, 19th Illinois Infantry, for a term of three months, and went with his regiment to Springfield. Returning to Chicago he re-enlisted for the three-years service, but was taken sick, and the regiment was mustered in during the time of his illness and left for the seat of war. The patri- otic ardor of our subject was not lessened, however, and in 1862 he again re-enlisted, in Company G. 127th Illinois Infantry, and was commissioned See- ond Lieutenant. He went South with his regiment. and took an active part in the battles in and near
Vicksburg and Arkansas Post, until May 19, 1863, when he was severely wounded. As soon as he was able to travel he was sent home on a furlough, but again joined his regiment near Vicksburg, August 15 of the same year, and accompanied his comrades to Chattanooga, going via Memphis, and taking part in various engagements and skirmishes, and then pro- ceeding to Knoxville to raise the siege. Going from the latter place to Larkinsville, Ala., his regi- ment went into winter quarters, remaining there until the spring of 1864. In the month of May they started on the Atlanta campaign, forming a part of the 15th Army Corps, and participated in the battle of Resaca and all the other battles from there to Atlanta, and in the siege and capture of that city. Meantime he had been acting as Captain of his company for some time; he received his pro- motion to that rank, and proved a wise and judi- cious officer. From Atlanta he marched to the sea. and then went by way of the Carolinas to Rich- mond and on to Washington, reaching there the night before the grand review, in which he was a participant. Capt. Sewell was discharged with his regiment at Washington, and returned to Chi- eago, where he resumed his former employment, remaining there until 1870. At that time much was being said of the unusual advantages offered to energetie men of good business ability in the rapidly growing towns of the far Western prairies, and Capt. Sewell decided to avail himself of the opportunity to increase his finances. He fixed upon Lincoln as a desirable place for location, and started for this eity, coming by rail to within eight miles of the place and the remaining distance by stage. Ile entered into the mercantile business, opening a grocery store on the south side of O street, be- tween Ninth and Tenth streets. Subsequently he removed to the southeast corner of O and Eleventh streets, where he remained until his retirement from business in April, 1887. At that time he had been in the grocery trade seventeen consecutive years, and was one of the four or five merchants who went into business when he did, or were already estab- lished when be settled here. During his residence here Capt. Sewell has taken pride as well as pleas- ure in seeing the city develop from a village con- taining about 2,500 people to a populous city of
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50,000 inhabitants, with handsome buildings, fine churches and schools, and one whose literary, social and religious advantages compare most favorably with any other city of like size in the Union. The surrounding country, where deer and antelope then sported, and only occasionally was a solitary dwell- ing to be found, is now converted into a beautiful farming region, whose well-tilled fields and com- modious farmhouses please the eye and are a source of enjoyment to the owners.
Capt. Sewell was married, in 1865, to Florence A. Brewster, a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., and they are the parents of one child, Agnes C. Mrs. Sewell is a valuable member of St. Paul's Methodist Epis- copal Church. Our subject is prominently identified with the following social organizations: IIe belongs to Appomattox Post No. 214, G. A. R. : is a mem- ber of the Loyal Legion; he is Past Grand Com- mander of K. T .; a member of Delta Lodge of Perfection No. 4, A. & A. Scottish Rite, and is Venerable Master of the same, and Knight of the Court of Honor. In politics the Republican party has always found in him one of its most earnest champions.
C HARLES D. JEWETT is the son of Thomas J. Jewett, who was born in December, 1807, in Utica, Oneida Co., N. Y., in which State he always made his home until his death, which oc- curred in June, 1880, His wife was Caroline Rus- sell, who entered into that relation in the year 1832, and became the mother of eight children, four of whom were sous. Only three children of this family are now living: Our subject; his sister Pau- lina, the wife of John Putnam, a farmer in Jeffer- son County, N. Y., and William M .. a farmer at Sanford's Corner, Jefferson Co., N. Y.
Our subject was born Oct. 20, 1840, in Jefferson County. N. Y., and continued with his parents until he was about twenty-six years of age, largely owing to the fact that his father, a Captain in the State Militia, was compelled to make frequent and long absences from home. and at such times our subject took his place upon the farm and in the family as far as he was able. Capt. Jewett was engaged in
the late war, and took a prominent part in many of the engagements and battles. Ilis services as an organizer of companies and raiser of troops led to special mention. He raised and drilled the first company of infantry of Jefferson County, which was afterward attached to the 35th New York Regiment. When he first enlisted he proceeded as far as Washington, and was compelled to return home on account of trouble with his eyes. He again enlisted and proceeded as far as Albany, and was sent back again for the same reason. He after- ward enlisted in the 10th Heavy Artillery, and with his company went to Washington and remained one year, when he was taken with a severe attack of pneumonia and on that account discharged from the service.
Upon recovery from his sickness the father of our subject was offered a commission but refused, preferring to do active service, for which, however, he was never strong enough after this sickness. During this time our subject was busy with the cares of the home and farm, and in the fall of 1865 he went through Iowa and Missouri prospect- ing for a desirable situation to locate and make a home, as he had decided to unite his life's interest with that of Jane C. Wiley, the maiden of his choice, a lady of education, culture and careful home training, calculated to fit her most admirably to be a true companion and helpmate. This lady was the daughter of Ezra C. and Clarissa J. (Gordonier) Wiley ; their daughter Jane was born in Water- town. N. Y., in 1840. She made her home with her parents until her marriage, and their careful re- straint and intelligent tuition, supplemented by the discipline of her school days and the polish received in her experience in society, all combined to pro- duce the innumerable graces and womanly traits which made her so attractive to our subject, and which made her life sneh as he would always re- member her with loving respect and devotion.
In 1865 our subject went into partnership with his brother, in the flour and milling trade, and continued in the same for about six years with much success. He then proceeded to Iowa, but after looking over the country did not feel satisfied and came on to this county, and before thirty days had passed, in which he had prospected in several counties, he de-
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cided to locate in Lancaster County, and bought a quarter-section of land at a cost of $12 per acre. At the time there was only a small dwelling, 12x14 feet, upon it, and a very few acres under cultivation. Hle therefore had everything to do in the line of improvement. In the year 1875 he had a very promising outlook for a large harvest, when the pest so much dreaded made its appearance, and he, like his neighbors, lost every particle there was above ground. Every stalk in the field was stripped clean, and even the flower-beds and trees did not escape. Upon the second visitation of the grasshopper, by an ingenious arrangement he was enabled to pre- vent their incursion and to sustain but slight dam- age. In order to do this he drew a wind-row be- tween his wheat fields and where they had laid their eggs in the prairie grass, and by the aid of fire placed a barrier between himself and them, and by this means saved his crops. In the year 1878 he sustained another heavy loss; in sixty days over 350 of his hogs died of cholera. But he has not al- lowed either grasshopper or cholera to come be- tween him and success, and has battled bravely against every adversity until he has achieved the magnificent results patent to the most casual ob- server. Our subject was called upon in October of 1886 to sustain the heaviest calamity and to bear the hardest blow that can possibly come to a man of his character and disposition. On the 12th of the above month, his wife, who through all the years of their union had stood by him so nobly and en- couraged and helped him in every trial and time of darkness and difficulty, was taken from him by death, leaving a family of four children, all of them, however, having attained to years of youth or manhood. The eldest son, Erwin R., was born at Black River, N. Y., June 28, 1869; Dexter T., Nov. 21, 1875; Pearl C., Sept. 1, 1877, and Perry W., Nov. 25, 1878.
Mr. Jewett is well known in political circles and affiliates with the Republican party. We have al- ready referred in this sketch to the eminently satis- factory and honorable career of Capt. Jewett, the father of our subject, in the War of the Rebellion, and before we close must advert to the service of his brother in the same war. This gentleman was born on the 17th of January, 1842, and enlisted in
Company A, 94th New York Infantry, at Sackett's Harbor, N. Y., and in March of the same year was ordered to Washington. From there he was sent with his company to join the Army of the Potomac, and took part in many engagements until the second battle of Bull Run, when he was taken prisoner, and for the space of a little over one month " lay in durance vile." He was then paroled and liber- ated until he could be exchanged.
On being exchanged Mr. Jewett re-enlisted, in Company M, 5th Regular United States Cavalry, and in that regiment served out his time, acting as Sec- ond Sergeant in both instances. Ile participated in thirty-three battles, part of the time under Gen. Sheridan, and saw many exciting seenes in different skirmishes. Ile was wounded near the left ear by a ball which penetrated nearly half way through the head, destroying the hearing and seriously injur- ing the sight. Owing to this accident he was com- pelled to go to the hospital and necessarily kept from active service. At the close of the war he was discharged, broken down in health, which he never recovered, and survived his return home only four years.
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