Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 95

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

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Mr. Harley is a son of Christopher and Epsibbey Harley, both of English parentage. Ile was the second son born to his parents. His father is de- ceased; his mother still survives. The education of our subject was received in the parish schools of his native county, and fairly complete in the more common branches of knowledge. From school. with its books and lessons, he went to the

farm and became his father's helper. Always deeply interested in stock of all kinds he would get away to the stables, stalls and pastures where they were, and get thoroughly acquainted with them, studying their ailments and difficulties until he became quite proficient as a veterinary surgeon, although he had no opportunity of becoming so excepting the above.

In the year 1869 our subject determined to leave Leicester, and to launch out in the great world of opportunity on this side of the Atlantic. Accord- ingly, he proceeded to Liverpool and made arrange- ments for a passage in a sailing-vessel, which was preparing to leave for the United States. Those who have traveled across the Atlantic in one of the floating palaces of the Cunard or White Star Line would hardly care, unless passionately fond of the liquid Empire of King Neptune, for the voyage undertaken by our subject. When sung by a chorus of well-trained voices, there is a fascination about the song, " Sailing away. o'er the deep blue sea," but the actual experience is quite another tune, especially when the storm clouds lash the billows in their fury; rolling, pitching, tumbling, tossing ; never ceasing for a single instant, waking or sleep- ing, to say nothing of the horrors of the mal-de- mer. It is an experience which, lengthened as was this voyage to a period extending over three months, is sufficient to last a lifetime. But all things have an end, and this moving experience of our subject had its end when he landed in New York City. He remained for several weeks in the city, and then proceeded to Lake County, Ill., where he resided until 1877, and followed his old occupation of farming, each year growing more and more prosperous.

In the fall of 1877 our subject came to this county and purchased his present farm, then in all the beauty of its original condition ; but he has always been an inveterate worker and careful to labor intelligently, being attentive to understand the why and the wherefore of the task undertaken. llis eighty aeres of land, therefore, speedily began to take on a different appearance, and were brought rapidly under the plow. The house which he has erected has been designed rather to give the great- est comfort and pleasure to the occupants than to make a show for outsiders, although the ex-

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terior is not without its attractions. Naturally Mr. Harley is giving much attention to the raising of stock, for, as we have noticed, he has made many friendships with the four-footed companions of his toil and farm life, and would consider his property incomplete without their presence, a fact that they seem to know and appreciate as well as he.

Previous to coming to the States our subject had met with a lady whose many womanly virtues and charms compelled his admiration and respect, which were not long in ripening into an ardent affection. Apropos to this condition of things, her consent was obtained, and they were united in marriage, and their union, which has proved an unalloyed happiness, has been strengthened and consummated by the birth of five children-Elizabeth, Louisa, Eliza, Abbie A. and Robert. When coming to this country our subject was compelled, and thought it wise, to take the journey alone, and afterward to make arrangements for the reunion of the family at such time as he had provided a home. It was about one year after his departure that this happy event occurred, and his wife rejoined him in this country.

In political matters our subject finds in the Republican party that which is most congenial to him, and gives his support and suffrage to its ticket. In these advanced days of the nineteenth century civilization it is a pleasure to be able to speak of citizens as representatives, as it is possible to do of our subject. He is this because he is in every regard a self-made man, and has worked his way perseveringly and undauntedly from the lowest step of the ladder; and again, because among those who know him in the social and business world, his word is as good as his bond, and he is the recipient, therefore, of their heartiest confidence and respect.

R RANKLIN F. ROOSE. Next, perhaps, to the profession of the minister of the Gospel in its importance as bearing upon the inter- ests of the world and civilization, is that of the educator. Accepting the statement of Moses, Prince of Egypt, that man has been made in the Divine image, those who devote themselves to the strength-

ening, development and manifestation of that higher and spiritual part of man, by which he is distin- guished from the animal world, and is most proba- bly that wherein the likeness above referred to is found, are shaping the history of the future and molding the characters, and therefore largely the destinies of man, and through them the future of the world at large.

In the present sketch we shall aim to present a few of the most salient features in the life of one of Nebraska's best-known and popular educators. The sketch must necessarily be brief and therefore incomplete, and as a result more or less unsatisfac- tory. To make it otherwise would require a vol- ume in itself. The father of our subject, Samuel Roose, was born at Mt. Union, Ohio, Feb. 17, 1829, and was reared to manhood in his native place, and upon arriving at years of maturity married and commenced life in that relation in the same county. He left Ohio and settled in Rock Island County, Ill., in 1854, and engaged in the lumber business, continuing his residence there most of the time until 1882, when he removed to Victor, Iowa, where he purchased a farm, which he has since operated. Samuel Roose was happily united in marriage to Amanda Berger, a native of Pennsylvania. Our subject's grandfather was also born at Mt. Union, Ohio.

Our subject was ushered into terrestrial scenes at Moline, 111., on the 3d of July, 1855. The exper- iences of his early years have. perhaps, nothing to distinguish them from some others. His earlier edu- eation was received in the Rock Island common school. At the early age of nine years he left the classes of that institution and began to work in a sawmill in Rock Island, and there remained for six years, when his parents removed to a farm a few miles distant. It was here he was first impressed with the need of a better education. He then be- gan to save sufficient money to carry him through a course of study at the Wesleyan University, at Bloomington, Ill., where he remained two years. Ile then engaged as a teacher in Chaddock College, at Quincy of the same State, where, as one of the faculty, he became a member of the Board of Trus- tees, and Secretary of the Executive Board. Shortly after this he graduated from the Gem City Business

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College. and upon leaving the same took charge of the commercial department of the MeKendree Uni- versity. where he pursued privately the regular scientific course, and in due time was honored with the usual degree. Ile taught two years in this in- stitution with perfect satisfaction to himself and pupils.

Upon the 7th of September, 1881, our subject became the husband of Miss Elizabeth Morrison, a lady of education, culture. refinement and womanly grace. thereby effecting a union most happy and beyond regret. Their home has from that time proved the fact that their marriage was a union of kindred and congenial spirits, and is one of those instances where there is left nothing of purest unal- loyed happiness to be desired, a manifestation of that complete and perfection of union which this relation was originally designed to embrace. Mrs. Roose is the daughter of HI. B. and Margaret Mor- rison, of Quincy, and was born Oet. 21, 1859.

In 1882 our subject removed with his wife to Brazil, South America, to fill a twofold engage- ment for six months as a teacher in the Collegio Americano, at Pernambuca, and the following six months as Secretary to the United States Consul, in the same city. At the conclusion of this engage- ment he accepted the position of Auditor of the Recife a Caxanga Railway Company, and occupied the position for nearly one year, when he was com- pelled to resign and return North, owing to the in- roads being made upon his health by the continued heat of the tropical climate. Upon leaving Brazil he received from the Railway Executive Board the following letter, which speaks more than any com- plimeutary eulogium : "Mr. F. F. Roose filled the vacancy of accountant for this railway, and I have much pleasure in stating that he has acquitted him- self satisfactorily, displaying marked ability in mas- tering the details of the accountant's duties, and in matters requiring careful auditing has proved him- self thoroughly reliable.

W. W. OSTLER, "President of Trilhos Urbanos de Reeife a Cax- anga Railway, Pernambuco, Brazil, South America."

Upon arrival at home Mr. Roose decided to make his abode in Nebraska, whither he made his way, and located in 1884 at Lincoln, where he founded the Lincoln Business College, one of the most suc-

cessful institutions of its kind in the Northwest. Its popularity was such that after a period of ten months our subject found it necessary to have as- sistance, and received as a partner Prof. D. R. Lilli- bridge, an experienced and practical educator. Our subject is the author of a well-known and valued book on "Modern Book-keeping," which has from the date of issue been recognized with increasing popularity as a standard text-book in this most im- portant department of commercial education.

In the year 1886 Mr. Roose was honored by the lowa Wesleyan University conferring upon him the degree of A. M. In the same year he was selected by the Camp, of which he was a member, as a dele- gate to the Head Camp of the Modern Woodmen of America, where he was elected assistant clerk, and before the session was over, Ilead Adviser, which is the second highest office in the fraternity. He is also connected with the Northern Relief As- sociation, as Secretary and Treasurer. Ile is the editor and publisher of a monthly paper, the West- ern Workman, the official organ for the well-known fraternity, Ancient Order of United Workmen. Subjoined is a list of offices held by our subjeet in different societies and business interests, which will convey some idea of the popularity, recognized talent, large business capacity, manhood, rectitude and high character of Mr. Roose: Principal of the Commercial Department of the Nebraska Wesleyan University ; member of the Lincoln Press Club; publisher of the Western Workman. A. O. U. W., and Lincoln Monthly; Secretary and Treasurer of the Western Railway Company ; Head Adviser of the Modern Woodmen of America; Secretary and Treasurer of the National Union of Business Col- leges; Secretary and Treasurer of the Northern Relief Association, A. O. U. W .; Lieutenant Com- mander of Legion No. 8, S. K .; Chancellor Com- mander of Capital City Lodge No. 68, K. of P .; Past Master Workman of Upchurch Lodge No. 15, A. O. U. W .; Trustee of Capital City Camp No. 190, M. W. A .; Vice President of the A. O. U. W. Improvement Association; Corresponding Member of the Phi Delta Theta.

From the above it will be seen that Mr. Roose is an active, enterprising, liberal and patriotic gentle- man, of the highest type of manhood, and in every

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regard worthy the name of a representative Ameri- enn citizen. Ilis intelligent and careful study of the questions before the country has led him to associate himself with the Republican party, but in every case his suffrage is dictated by principle and not party.

ILLIAM W. W. JONES. This gentleman is a resident of Lincoln, although a native of Illinois, having been born in Jackson- ville, Morgan County, of that State. His father, John G. Jones, was a native of Pennsylvania, where he was born in the year 1795, and Joshua Jones, his father, and grandfather of our subject, was born in 1760, also in the Keystone State, and for the greater part of his life followed the occupation of farming about ten miles from the city of Philadelphia. On this homestead the father of our subject was reared, and learned to operate the farm.

As a young man Mr. Jones, Sr., joined the Bap- tist Church, and followed closely the teachings thereof, but after a few years he transferred his membership to the Christian or Disciple Church, and became a preacher of bis denomination. He labored in the duties of the sacred office in his native State, at Cincinnati, and Jacksonville, III., and then for some years was engaged as Cashier in Ayers' Bank in that city. Returning to the pulpit, he served at Eureka of that State. The maiden name of his wife, the mother of our subject, was Emma Woodward, who was born in Philadelphia, and died in Jacksonville, leaving behind her the memory of a life literally crowded with words and deeds of kindness. and purest Christian living.

The subject of our sketch received his education in the halls of Eureka College, graduating from that institution with the class of '66. Ile engaged in teaching at Tremont, Tazewell Co., Ill., continuing for two years. Ile then emigrated to Nebraska City, where he arrived on the 4th of August, 1868. It was not long before he obtained a position as teacher, and by his marked ability soon became Superintendent of City Schools, which position he retained for six years. In 1874 he came to Lin- coln. and filled a similar position, continuing until 1880, when he was elected Superintendent of Public

Instruction for the State of Nebraska, and served six years, that is, for three consecutive terms, a fact that speaks eloquently, both in regard to his ability and the esteem in which he is held.

In the year 1871 our subject was united with Anna Cinnamond in marriage, the event being cele- brated on the 28th of December. They have be- come the parents of two children, to whom have been given the names Woodward and Edith L., respectively. The wife of our subject was born in St. Louis; her father, however, David Cinnamond, who was a native of Ireland, was born near Dublin, accompanied his parents to this country in his boyhood, and lived with them upon the farm in Allegheny County, Pa. He was apprenticed to a machinist, and afterward went to St. Louis, where he became acquainted with the lady who afterward became his life companion. In 1859 he settled in Nebraska City, and engaged in the lumber busi- ness, where he resided until his death in 1877, at the age of sixty-nine years.

Mr. and Mrs. Jones are very devout and con- sistent members of the Christian Church. Socially, our subject is connected with the G. A. R. and the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Lin- coln Lodge, and also of the Delta Lodge of Per- fection, 14th degree.

OIIN B. STEFFENS. Buda Precinct has many true and worthy citizens within its borders, among whom should be mentioned the subject of this writing, residing on section G. Ile is a native of Germany, and was born in that country on the 27th of December, 1842. Ile is the only child born to Bernard and IIelen Steffens, who are also natives of the Father- land, where they have always lived.

The subject of our sketch emigrated to America in 1870, landing in Baltimore fifteen days after leaving the port of Bremen. He came on direct to Nebraska, and spent two years in farming in Otoe County ; he removed to this county and homesteaded eighty acres of land, upon which he settled and de- voted his energies to its improvement. That he has been successful is established beyond dispute,

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by the fact that he now owns 280 acres of highly cultivated agricultural and pastoral land.

Mr. Steffens joined the " benedicts" March 5, 1875, when he was united in marriage with Eliza Dittmer, a compatriot. There have been given to them eight children, six of whom are living, namely : John 11 .. Herman L., William F .. Louisa M., Helen and Bernard. Mr. and Mrs. Steffens are members of the Lutheran Church, in which they were brought up from the time of their baptism and confirmation, and have never left. In political matters our sub- ject, ever since becoming a eitizen, has been an affiliate of the Republican party.

OHIN W. CASTOR. Among the few who eame to this section of country in its early days and at onee recognized the possibilities which would spring from a proper cultiva- tion of the soil, and the encouragement of those elements tending to elevate society, the subject of this sketch stands prominent, and his career has been such that he is held in universal respeet and esteem. For years he has been recognized as one of the most extensive farmers and stock-raisers in Laneaster County, operating on its western line, in Middle Creek Preeinct. IIe eame to Nebraska in 1873, and since that time has been closely identi- fied with the interests of this section of country.

The Castor family is of an old and honorable line of descent of Irish ancestry. the first represent- ative of which crossed the Atlantie prior to the Revolutionary War. In this conflict the great- grandfather of our subject actively engaged, and after the independence of the Colonists had been established, he settled in Virginia, where Indians were more plentiful than white men. Many were the shifts and turns he made to evade the treacherous foe, and secrete from them his wife and children, at times when their lives and property were threat- ened, He had twenty-six sons, and each of these sons had a sister. As far as known he spent his last days in the Old Dominion.

John Castor, the paternal grandfather of our sub- ject, was born in Virginia, whence he removed to Pennsylvania, and from there to Ohio, being one of

the earliest pioneers of Wayne County, in the latter State. The removal was made before there were either canals or railroads, they going across the country with ox-teams. The wife and mother died in what was then Wayne, but is now llolmes County, in 1819. John Castor subsequently re- moved to Richland County, where he sojourned until 1834. then changed his residence to Hardin County, where he was one of the early settlers of Pleasant Township. At the time of his arrival there were but three or four log cabins on the present site of Kenton, now the county seat, and the last four miles of the way he had to cut a path with his ax through the heavy timber. Ile entered three quarter-sections of land from the Govern- ment, and put up first a temporary log cabin, building later a substantial log house.

The grandfather of our subject was a man of brave and courageous spirit, and labored undaunted by the terrors of the wilderness, which abounded in savage beasts, panthers, wolves and bears, while with his trusty rifle he brought down numbers of deer and wild turkey's, so that whatever else the family larder lacked, it was always supplied with choice wild meats. He lived to see the country settled up about him by a prosperous class of people, who developed the wilderness into product- ive farms and prosperous villages. After reaching the advanced age of ninety-four years he passed quietly away at his home in Ohio, in December. 1881.

Paul Castor, the father of our subject, was quite young when his parents removed from Pennsyl- vania to Ohio, and upon reaching manhood pur- chased a tract of timber land on section 14 of Pleasant Township, Hardin County, where he put up a log house without nails, the roof being kept in place with weight poles. In that humble dwelling the subject of this sketch was born, Oct. 19, 1837. Ile grew up amid the wild scenes of pioneer life, when the embryo cities of Columbus and Cleve- land were the nearest markets to which the produce of the farmer was laboriously transported, more often by ox-teams than by horses. Flour was a luxury in those days, and the nearest mill was at Kenton, four miles away.

After improving eighty acres of his land Paul

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Castor sold out and moved to his other eighty acres, which, after improving, he also sold, then retired from active labor, taking up his residence in Kenton, where he passed to his final rest in July, 1886. The parents of our subjeet were married in Ohio, Dec. 27, 1836, the mother being Miss Elea- nor, daughter of Reading and Nancy (Bergen) Ilin- line. Her father's family consisted of ten children.

To Paul and Eleanor Castor there were born ten children, four of whom are living, namely : John W., our subject; George B., William P., and Mary J., the wife of II. L. Holmes. The father was a good man in the broadest sense of the term, a de- vout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a Democrat in politics. He was a Director of the County Infirmary three years, and beld various other offices of trustand responsibility. The mother was in all respects the suitable companion and help- mate of such a man, and is still living at the ad- vanced age of seventy-two years, in Kenton, Ohio.

The early education of our subject was carried on in the primitive log school-house, with the slab benches and puncheon floor, its huge old-fashioned fireplace, and its chimney built outside of earth and sticks. Hle assisted in the development of the new farm, and upon reaching his majority pur- chased forty acres of land from his father, and which was a part of the grandfather's old homestead. Ile did not settle there then, but worked his father's farm two years after his marriage. Ile then pur- chased a farm in Montgomery Township, Marion County, where he took up his abode with his family, residing there until 1868. In the spring of that year he sold out his possessions in the Buckeye State, and removing to Dodge County, Minn., settled upon a tract of prairie land near the little town of Mantorville. Fifty acres of his purchase had been cleared, and he continued there, making some improvements, until 1873. In the spring of that year he came to Southern Nebraska and pur- chased 160 acres of land on section 16, in Middle Creek Precinct, this county, and which is included in his present farm. Forty acres of this were in a productive condition, and after bringing the bal- ance to the same state, he purchased eighty acres additional, and in the summer of 1886 erected the present dwelling. In addition to general agricult-

ure he makes a specialty of fine stock, breeding Short-horn cattle, Percheron horses and Poland- China swine.

Mr. Castor was united in marriage with Miss Sophronia E. Potter over twenty-seven years ago, April 4, 1861. Mrs. C. was born in Manlius, Onon- daga Co., N. Y., in May, 1842. Her father, Jo- siah Potter, a native of Montgomery County, that State, was born near the town of Johnstown, where he was reared to manhood, and whence he removed to Onondaga County, and from there to Ohio, dur- ing its pioneer days. The journey was made via canal and lake to Sandusky, and thenee overland by teams to Wyandotte County, where he lived a few years, then purchased 160 acres of land in Hardin County, fifty of which were improved. There he built up a good homestead and still resides. The mother, formerly Miss Mary A. Mills, was born in the State of New York, and was the daughter of William and Anna (Powell) Mills, who spent their last years in New York State. She departed this life in Hardin County, Ohio, about 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Castor are the parents of two children- Rosetta N. and Curtis H.

Mr. Castor identified himself with the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1858, in which he has served as Class-Leader, Steward, Trustee and Superintend- ent of the Sunday-school. He assisted in organiz- ing the society and building the church at Pleasant Dale, also the church at Emerald, and has been foremost in the various enterprises calculated for the general advancement of the people. The County Agricultural Society has found in him one of its chief supporters, he having been a member of the Board of Directors six years, and standing by it through storm and sunshine. In 1882 he was the candidate of the Anti-Monoply Society for the State Legislature, and, although expecting defeat, made a fine showing, coming within 100 votes of being elected. Upon the two occasions when the county voted on the question of township organi- zation, he was elected to represent Middle Creek Precinet in the County Board of Supervisors, and in 1887 was elected Justice of the Peace, the duties of which office he is discharging in a creditable and satisfactory manner. He also filled the same office for one term some ten years ago.

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The parents of our subject had a family of ten children, six of whom grew to mature years. Of these John W. was the oldest; George B. is a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, con- nected with the Northern Ohio Conference; Jacob during the late war was a member of the 64th Ohio Infantry, being under command of Gen, Sherman, with whom he marched to the sea. Just before the close of the war he was detailed to take a company of prisoners to Rock Island, Ill., and while guarding them at Governor's Island, was seized with fatal ill- ness and died at his post of duty. ITis was the first tombstone erected to a soldier in the Rock Island Cemetery. Mary E. became the wife of II. L. Holmes, and lives in Hardin County, Ohio; Alice is deceased, and W. P. resides on the old home- stead in Hardin County, Ohio, which was made from the wilderness by the paternal grandfather, and is a man prominent in the affairs of his county, having filled the various local offices.

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Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 95

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

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