Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 94

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

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C ARLOS C. BURR was born Ang. 15, 1846, in Kane County, Ill. His parents, Benjamin F. and Adelia S. (Barber) Burr, were na- tives of New York State, and of English extraction. The father was born Dec. 4, 1821. The curriculum of his education was that of a common school, which, however, he used to the best advantage. He went to Kane County, Ill., in June, 1836, with his parents, who made their home near St. Charles, upon what he afterward made a fine farm compris- ing 320 acres.

The grandfather of our subject was Atwell Burr. and the grandmother. Betsey A. (Wheeler) Burr, likewise of New York State. By occupation he was a farmer, and in theology a Universalist. He was born Ang. 26, 1791, and died in Illinois, in March of the year 1852. His wife, who was five years his junior, departed this life Dec. 13, 1881, at the good old age of eighty-five years. They were the par- ents of nine children-Lucianda B., Mary L., James

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O., Martha B .. Benjamin F., Elsie A., Olivia, Betsey and Gendensie. Mary L., wife of George P. Har- vey. resides in Elgin; Olivia has become Mrs. John Warren; Elsie A. died in the year 1858 or 1859, and Betsy, who became the wife of Dr. John Morse, was laid in her last sleep in 1886. The father of our subject, Benjamin F. Burr, was married Jan. 1, 1844. The home circle contained seven children-Amanzel D., Carlos C., Lionel C., Atwell L., Clara, Lizzie and Marshall.

At Dixon, Ill., Jnne 28, 1868, Mary E. Smith united her life and interests with those of the sub- ject of this sketeh. A simple but impressive serv- ice was conducted by the Rev. George Strowbridge, of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The lady was of German extraction and was born in Pennsyl- vania, July 16, 1851. Her father was a farmer, and in 1856, while driving, met with a deplorable acci- dent which resulted in his death, he receiving fatal injuries, following the running away of his team.

Our subjeet came here in 1868, for the purpose of practicing law, but the first eight months was oeeu- pied sawing wood and doing farm and carpenter work. Upon arrival he was the possessor of about $270, and soon after made arrangements with a car- penter for a house, 16x20 feet, to be built, which was to cost $320; 8260 of this was to be eash pay- ment, leaving $60 to be worked out. The furniture, including bedstead, table and stools, was shaped by his own hand. His house being finished he assisted in the erection of a one and a half story frame build- ing where the Lindell Hotel now stands. This building was known as the Townley House. The first Catholic Church ereeted in Lincoln was another of the buildings upon which he worked while fol- lowing his trade. For three years he read law in the office of llon. James K. Edsall, who has served for two terms as Attorney General of Illinois. By the time he had thus far progressed in his studies, the country was in the midst of the turmoil of civil war. He entered the army as a 100-days man, en- listing in Company E, 140th Illinois Regiment. His term expired, and he was honorably discharged Oct. 29, 1864. He had endeavored to enlist several times before, but being too small to pass muster was not received. In May, 1865, in answer to another call for defenders of the old flag, he re-enlisted, and

served in Company D, 15th Ilinois Regiment, from which he was discharged at the close of the war.

The war being over our subject turned to more peaceful occupations. Ile was admitted to the bar in September, 1867. Early in the following year he was married as stated, moved to Lincoln, and was called to attend his first lawsuit. The difficulties of starting in a new profession common to all were not omitted in his case, accordingly we find him during the winter supporting himself by chopping wood by the cord as a means of support. At one time he was called upon to prepare the wood for the land-office; this was the means of an introduc- tion, as soon as the spring opened, to a position in that office, which remunerated him some 86 per week. In this he continued about twelve months. From that time until the present his skies have brightened, and in his professional life, official and social career, he has made an exceptionally splendid record. He has always been a man of activity. He was elected Councilman of the First Ward of Lin- coln, being the first to occupy that seat under city government. In August, 1874, he was elected to the Senate from the Eleventh District, and returned to the Chamber a second time in the year 1884. Largely through his influence what is known as the Saline Land Bill was passed. This measure pro- vided for the development of certain salt springs of the city. Again, when the question relative to the removal of the capital was under discussion, the weight of his influence materially aided in its being retained as at present. Also, at various times, by weight of argument and appeal, he has been the means of obtaining needed appropriations for the erection and maintenance of the State buildings in Lincoln.

In the year 1885 our subject was elected Mayor of the city of Lincoln. In addition to the block which bears his name, situated on the corner of O and Twelfth streets, erected at a cost of over $125,- 000, he has built and still owns twelve other business blocks. His own residence is one of the ornaments of the city. Ile, with others, induced the proprietors to extend the Missouri Pacific Railroad to this city.

There are in the family of our subjeet four chil- dren-Frank S., Bertie O., Grace and Helen I. Frank is now a promising student at the military

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school at Faribault, Minn. Ilis sister Bertie is also at school in Minnesota. Mr. Burr affiliates with the Republican party. He believes firmly in the prin- eiples of protection.

h IRAM DULING. It is a pleasure at all times to present a biographical compendium of one who has been a success morally as well as financially, and whose influence, hotlı at home and abroad, is for the highest good. Such is our subjeet, Iliram Duling, whose standing in the community is above question, whose fine stock farm is situated on seetion 29, West Oak Precinct, and comprises 160 acres of first-class land.

Edmund H. Duling, father of our subjeet, was born Dee. 17, 1825, in Ohio, and in due time was pro- moted to take his place on the benchies of the com- mon school of his native place, there to lay the foundation of his more advanced years. When a young man he went to Indiana, during the summer was active upon his farm, and during the winter engaged in teaching school. He became the hus- band of Miss Sabina Cole, and they became the parents of eleven children, of whom nine attained their majority. Mr. and Mrs. Duling, Sr., are still living in Owen County, Ind., where they settled on removal from Ohio. Both are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Duhing is a daughter of Hiram Cole. and was born in the year 1831, in Ohio, and lived npon her father's farm until her marriage.

Iliram Duling, the subject of this sketch, was born Oct. 11, 1854, in Owen County, Ind., and re- ceived such practical education as was obtainable in that which might well be called a peculiarly national institution, a common school. From that he took his place upon the farm, and under his father's instruction began to understand and dis- criminate the multifarious details of farm work, and continued to work for his father until he was about twenty-one years of age, with the exception of the years from nine to sixteen, when he herded cattle. In the month of February, 1580, our sub- ject landed in Nebraska.

In beginning his life in this county Mr. Duling

was assisted somewhat by his uncle, who provided him with stabling room for his cattle, and storage for his other belongings, until the following summer, when the buildings upon his farm were ready for their reception. All the improvements, trees, or- chard, grove, stock barn, extensive stabling, grana- ries and dwelling are the execution of his own thought and labor, and it is difficult to know where to begin in speaking of points more especially worthy of mention. If we turn to the house, whichi is most pleasant and comfortable, pervaded by an atmosphere of cheery brightness, which of itself makes life worth living; if we pass out among the shade trees and forest giants, or visit our friends in the orchard, we are equally assured of proseprity and thrift. The same is true of the stock in the stables and pastures, while every field speaks of thought and labor bestowed upon it, the whole comprising one of the best situated and most pleas- ant farms in the entire district. Our subject has given special attention to the raising of stock, and is the owner of some super-excellent animals.

The year 1876 saw in its latter months the begin- ning of a new era of things as regards the life of our subject. Largely the old things have passed away and life is seen with rosier tints and in more glowing colors, and the future is all perfumed with the sweetness of affection and thrilled with the harmonies of childish voices. On the 5th of No- vember, that year, the marriage of our subject with Miss Laura A. Bush, of Owen County, Ind., was celebrated. This union was made more com- pletely happy by the birth of five children, who are all living. Miss Bush is a daughter of Thomas Bush, and was born Nov. 4, 1857, and continued to reside at home until her marriage. Her father was by occupation a farmer, but died when his daughter was three years old. After some time her mother married again. Mr. and Mrs. Duling are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are held in high Christian regard by their fellow-members, because of their works of faith and labors of love.

Our subjeet is one of the members of the School Board, and has held the position for a long time, performing all the duties of his office in a most conscientious manner. Ilis political principles are

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those which form the basis of the Republican party. and his influence and suffrage are given in their support. Whether we shall consider our subject as a youthful student or citizen, or inspect his career in the domestic relations, it would only be with pleasure that we should arise from the inspection, and with the testimony that in every relation and department he has been successful, and will leave the world better because he has lived in it.

ILTON MCKINNON, overseer of the Roca Stone Quarry, owned by Messrs. Keys & Bullock, has ocenpied this position for sev- eral years, has become a well-to-do citizen, and is greatly respected wherever known for the true manliness and unquestioned integrity of his character. Mr. Mckinnon is also engaged in the stone business on his own account, having opened a quarry on his own premises. Amid the pressure of business he finds time to look after his agricult- ural interests, and his fine farm, which he purchased in 1887, amply rewards his care and attention. Our subject has risen from the depths of poverty by his own hard struggles, and through years of unceasing toil and noble perseverance, when "Excelsior" seems to have been his motto, he at last conquered the difficulties and disadvantages that beset his youth and early manhood, and has come out on the heights of influence and comparative wealth.

Cornelius and Elizabeth (Hance) Mckinnon. the parents of our subject, were natives respectively of Argyleshire, Scotland, and Morris County, N. J., his mother's people being of Scandinavian origin, she being descended from the Swedes and Finns who first settled Delaware. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. McKinnon settled in Morris County, where he was engaged in the iron mines, acting as foreman for ex-Gov. Dickerson for thirty years. In 1847 he removed with his family to Sheboygan County, Wis., where he interested himself in agricultural pursuits. In 1870 he and his wife came to Nebraska to spend their declining years with their children, and he died in the home of his son Angus in 1873. at the age of seventy-four. The mother lived to be seventy-nine years old, dying in 1886. They were

upright, good and true people in every sense of the words, and richly deserved the respect in which they were held. Following are the names of the nine children born to them : Mary A., Isaac, Angus. Margaret, Milton, Marning, Alexander, Cornelius and George W.

The subject of this sketch was the fifth child born to these good people, and his birth occurred Dee. 7, 1836, in Randolph Township, Morris Co., N. J. Ile was eleven years old when his parents removed to Wisconsin, and his education after that was limited, as he lived three and one-half miles from a school, and his services were needed at home. Wisconsin was at the time of his father's settlement there a Territory, and was in a very wild condition. excepting where towns and villages had been planted, and our subject doubtless had to assist his father in clearing away the trees of the primeval forest from his land before it could be cultivated. As he grew toward manhood he became employed as a sawyer in the winter, and worked in the lumber camps in the Green Bay country from the time he was twenty until he was twenty-five. During that time, in 1859, Mr. Mckinnon was married to Miss Rachel J. Jones, daughter of William and Martha (Copland) Jones, both of whom were natives of Michigan, who had removed to Wisconsin at an early date. Mr, Jones was a carpenter and a mechanic, and was very successful in both capacities. Mrs. McKinnon was born in Michigan, Sept. 7, 1840, and was a young girl when her parents took up their abode in Wisconsin, where her chances for a good education were limited in those pioneer days. Mr. and Mrs. McKinnon made their home in Kewannee County after marriage, and were liv- ing there when the war broke out, he being engaged as a lumberman. He offered his services to assist in defending his country's flag, five of his brothers having already enlisted, and his brother Isaac and himself, on the same day, became members of the same regiment. joining Company A, 27th Wiscon- sin Infantry, were mustered into service at Mil- waukee, and then left for Columbus, Ky. Our subject distinguished himself in camp and battle for efficiency and bravery, and received deserved promotion to the rank of Orderly Sergeant. His first encounter with the rebels was at Cape Girard;

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afterward he took part in the siege of Vicksburg; was at Ilelena, Ark .; Little Rock, Pine Bluff, back to Little Rock, and was finally sent back to Wis- consin on detached duty. There, with characteristic energy, he set about recruiting a regiment, the 27th Wisconsin, and as soon as possible departed for the seat of war in the South. Ilis regiment was placed under Gen. Steele, and dispatched to Shreveport to intercept Banks on the Red River, and under that leader they engaged in skirmishing and lost heavily. Our subject continued in the south western division of the army until 1865, when it had crossed into Alabama, and had succeeded in taking Mobile. About this time there was danger of foreign inter- vention, so that the regiment in which our subject was an officer was sent to Point Isabel. Tex., where many of the Federal forces were concentrated. From thence they marched to Rio Grande, and thence to Brownsville, where Mr. Mckinnon was honorably discharged in 1865, having faithfully served his country for more than three years. He was mustered out at Camp Randall, and, returning to Wisconsin, resumed his work as a lumberman. Ile continued to reside in that State until 1867, when he came with his wife and children to Ne- braska City, Neb., and took up a homestead of eighty acres, one mile from Ilickman, thus becom- ing a pioneer of Lancaster. He had to experience all the trials that the early settlers passed through. figliting poverty, prairie fires, grasshoppers, and the elements. But roughing it in the lumber camps of Wisconsin, and on the battle-fields of the South, experiencing all the privations and hardships of a soldier's life, had toughened his fibre and strength- ened his powers of endurance, morally as well as physically, and he was not the man to yield the battle without a hard fight, although the odds were against him. What he has accomplished needs no further comment than what we have already given. In 1870 Mr. Mckinnon sold his farm, and went to contracting on the Burlington & Missouri River Railway. He next contracted with Mr. Keys to excavate a bank for the opening of a quarry. That gentleman was pleased with his work, and he offered him the position of overseer of the quarry, which position he has held since 1887, and by his efficiency and honesty he has rendered

his employer invaluable service. This quarry is widely known to contain some of the finest stone for building purposes to be found in the State, and has furnished material for many of the important public institutions, among which are the State Uni- versity, asylum for the insane, penitentiary, all at Lincoln, and many other buildings. About 200 carloads a monthi are taken out of the quarry. The stone is a variety of limestone, which will stand more pressure to the square inch than any other stone in the State.

Mr. and Mrs. McKinnon are the parents of seven children-Anna, Emmett, Zora, Ethel, Gertrude. Viva and Lora. Anna is the wife of John Howard, of Lincoln. and they have two children-Jeanette and Harry. Emmett helps to operate the quarry, and the remaining children are at home with their parents.

Our subject has taken an active part in advance- ing the educational facilities of the community, and is now serving as School Moderator. He has been Justice of the Peace for eight years, and has also served as Constable. He has been a firm Republican since the formation of the party, when he cast his vote for John C. Fremont. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and as true Christians are always laboring for the good of others.

ICHIAEL A. DE PEEL, an extensive far- mer and stock-breeder of Lancaster County, owning one of the largest farms in Nemaha Precinct, on section 21, has met with more than ordinary success in his career as an agricultur- ist. Our subject is quite proud of his ancestry, which dates back in this country to the time of the old French and Indian War, and to the days of Gen. Montcalm. Farther back than that it is shrouded in mystery, as his great-grandfather, who was a soldier in the French army, under the heroic Gen. Montcalm, and was present at the battle of Quebec, fell on the Plains of Abraham while bravely fighting the English. The shock of his death when revealed to his devoted wife was so intense as to cause her immediate death after giving birth to a

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child, which afterward became the grandfather of our subject. The little stranger, who was thus so sadly ushered into this world and left without father or mother, was given to Monsieur De Peel, a brave and noble French officer, who adopted and reared him as one of his own, and from whom he took his name. Nothing definite was ever learned con- cerning the child's parents, but it was thought that the father was a man of rank in the French army and in his native France, as the clothing for the child was of more than ordinary value. Thus the name and history of that gallant soldier who yielded up his life on the Plains of Abraham, so far from his beloved France, on that cool September morning, in 1759, have been lost, and his posterity to this very day bear the honored name of De Peel.

The grandfather of our subject on his mother's side was a resident of Canada, and when the War of 1812 broke out, he entered the British army. lle was in the battle of Lundy's Lane, and was detailed to guard some cattle. For his loyalty to the Brit- ish Crown he received a grant of 200 acres of land near Queenston, and resided there until his death. The parents of our subject, Alexander and Keziah De Peel, after marriage settled in Bayham, about three-quarters of a mile from Corinth, in the Prov- ince of Ontario. They subsequently removed to Yar- month, where Mr. De Peel rented a farm for several years. In 1850 he left Canada with his family, and crossed over the border into Michigan, where he embarked in the hotel business at Jackson, in which venture he meet with great success. When the Civil War broke out, he offered his services to his adopted country with all the patriotism and fervor of a na- tive-born citizen. As he had passed beyond the age which was the prescribed limitation for enlist- ment, his services were not available in the army, but he was gladly accepted as an assistant in the hospitals, where he did great good, and was an in- valuable aid in caring for the sick and wounded. When his services were no longer required he re- turned to his home in Jackson, Mich., and there re- mained an honored and respected citizen until his death in 1882, at the age of eighty years. He was twice married. His first wife, mother of our sub- ject, died in 1853, at the age of forty-five years, while on a visit to Canada, leaving a large circle of

friends to mourn her untimely death. llis second marriage was to Mary Brothers, and by their union four children were born. Mr. De Peel had the fol- lowing children by his first marriage: Maria (de- ceased), Edward, Alexander, Martha, Michael A., Elizabeth, Althea, Melissa, and an infant who died.

Michael A. De Peel, of this sketch, was born in Bayham Township, Middlesex County, Ontaria, Can- ada, Nov. 8, 1840, and he still has a faint recollection of his early home in that town, although he was but five years old when his parents took him to Yar- mouth to live. He received a common-school edu- cation in the latter town, and when not attending school, assisted his father in the labors of the farm as he grew to manhood. He began to make his own way in the world by working out by the month, Mr. Isaac Mills, by whom he was employed seven years. being his last employer. During that time he inet and became acquainted with Miss Catherine Pound, to whom he was afterward united in mar- riage, the date of their wedding being the 26th of October, 1868. She is the daughter of James and Rebecca (Zavitz) Pound, natives of Canada, her father born in Humberstone, Welland County, and her mother in Bertie. Iler father was a farmer in comfortable cirenmstances. Mrs. De Peel traces her ancestry back to Germany on her mother's side, and to England on her father's side. The ancestry of Mrs. De Peel on the paternal side were named Haycock, and were of pure English stoek. IIer forefathers were Presbyterians, and her grand- father was an officer in the War of 1812. Subse- quently he joined the Quakers and came to believe war to be wrong. For this reason, when he and likewise each of his children would have been given a large donation from the English Government, he would not accept it or allow them to do so. Mrs. De Peel was born at Yarmouth, Canada, March I, 1846, being the second in a family of seven chil- dren, all of whom were brought up together and at- tended the same school a part of the time. She was twenty-two at the time of her marriage. To her and her husband have been born six children, namely : Rebecca, James (died in infancy), James A., Irena M., Belva A. and Mabel E., all living at home with their parents. The first four children were born in Canada.

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After marriage Mr. De Peel rented a farm in Canada, and also had charge of a cheese factory for one year. lle continued to reside in his native country until the fall of 1881. when, in the month of November. he came with his family to the States to make his home here in the future. He now owns a valuable farm of 320 aeres in Nemaha Precinet, and has been more than successful in his under- takings since becoming a resident of this State. He has paid much attention to stock-raising with good results, as he has thirty-three cattle, of good breed, 100 hogs, and some fine horses, among which is a fine stallion. It is three-quarter Norman-Per- cheron, and took the first premium at the Nebraska State Fair, and also at the Lancaster County Fair in 1887.

Mr. and Mrs. De Peel occupy a warm place in the hearts of the people in this community, to whom they have endeared themselves by their never-fail- ing kindness and geniality, and their carefulness and consideration where others are concerned. The quiet beauty and peacefulness of their daily lives seem to be a true exemplification of the doctrines of the Quaker sect, to which they belong. Mr. De Peel is a man of large, clear thought, and is always prompt in coming to the support of any good work ; he is especially interested in the temperance move- ment, and is a radical Prohibitionist.

OHN HARLEY. Among the farmers of Denton Precinct who are entirely worthy of remark, as a pioneer and representative American citizen, is the subject of this sketeh, one most favorably known as a man and farmer, whose beautiful farm is situated on section 3. He is a native of England, and was there born Oet. 10, 1841, in the county of Leicester.

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Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 94

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

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