USA > Nebraska > Dakota County > Warner's history of Dakota County, Nebraska, from the days of the pioneers and first settlers to the present time, with biographical sketches, and anecdotes of ye olden times > Part 12
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WILLIAM PILGRIM stepped not from the Mayflower upon Plymouth rock, but from a flatboat upon the river bank at Covington, on the morning of May 14, 1856, with his father, the Uncle Henry Pilgrim, who, until his death, was honored and respected throughout all this region. They bought a claim eight miles south of Dakota City, the Warner place, now known as Pil- grim Hill. Here he built a substantial house, barn and other ont buildings, which decaying time has com- pletely razed to the earth, and not a single vestige of
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the buildings remain. At this time Col. Sites was grading down the military road, making times quite lively for a while. When the road was completed there was a great deal of travel, and William took in many a dollar by "giving the teams a pull up the hill," which was very steep indeed, as many of the old pio- meers know from experience. When the war broke ont he joined a company of cavalry and marched to battle against the red forces of the upper country. He was born October 18, 1839, in Illinois, and after set- tling in Nebraska, was married to Diana Corwin June 1, 1865. Has eight children-four sons and four daughters.
HENRY PILGRIM WAS born in 1820, in North Caro- lina. Afterwards resided in Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and worked two years in the mines of Colo- rado. Came to Dakota county in May 14, 1856, and settled on the place now known as the Col. Warner farm. Afterwards moved to Blyburg, where he died January 11, 1880. His widow still survives him, and is now residing in Homer.
JOHN RYAN drove off of John Feenan's flatboat at Covington with a yoke of oxen and a wagon containing all he had in the world, May 15, 1856. Took a claim two miles west of Jackson, where he lived until his death. He was born in 1820, in Ireland, and was mar- ried in 1855 to Margaret DeWire. Had nine child- ren, five of whom are dead. Those living are John, Mrs. Kate Clark, Mrs. Julia Waters and Annie. He died at his home, near Jackson, in 1892.
JAMES RYAN came to Dakota county May 15, 1856, and took a claim two miles west of Jackson. Died in the fall of 1863. His wife and two children-James and Catharine-live on the old place.
JOIN NAFFZIGER found his way to Dakota county in the spring of 1856, and opened up the first store
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ever established at Dakota City. Served as county judge one term and as commissioner two terms. Rep- resented Dakota connty in the 5th, 6th and 7th sessions of the state legislature, and has held other minor offices. Married to Miss Lurinda Packard. Has two sons and four danghters-William and Frank; Mrs. George Niebuhr, Mrs. Henry Niebuhr, Mrs. Harriet Wanhoz and Mrs. John Grimm. John Naffziger was born in Bavaria, and came to America in 1826. Has always been a prominent and energetic citizen since he settled in Dakota county. His wife died July 5, 1891.
WILLIAM ADAIR. as conductor of a "prairie schooner" loaded with provisions and drawn by three yoke of oxen, with D. W. Lowry as assistant, wended his way over the uninhabited prairies of northwestern Iowa, until the 22d day of May, 1856, when he beheld the beantiful Missouri valley, but it was a different sight from that which we behold in 1893. No beanti- fnl farms and pleasant homes, no towns or villages dotted its surface-all was wild jungles and lonely prairies. He crossed the Missouri river at Sergeant Bluffs and landed upon Nebraska soil in what he sap- posed from previous reports was the thriving town of Dakota City, but no town was to be seen. No sign of habitation. Nothing but willows as far as the eye could penetrate. He started westward along a path. and going over a mile, he came to one lonesome look- ing house, which constituted the town of Dakota City. It consisted of four log walls, dirt roof, no floor, one hole for a door and another for a window. The build- ing was occupied by B. F. Chambers, John McQuilkin and Samnel McCartney, and afterwards became the "Chihuahua Honse," under the management of Dr. J. D. M. Crockwell. Took a claim adjoining Dakota City on the west, a portion of it now being the Cheney farm. Built a log honse and spent the remainder of the season breaking ou his own land and others, doing
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his cooking all summer on a log fire in front of his cabin, utilizing it at night to drive away mosquitoes. Next year sold his claim and bonght another one half a mile farther west, a portion of which he owns at the present time. Farmed during 1857, '58 and '59. Moved to Sioux City in the fall of 1859, and taught school till July, 1860, when he resigned and came to Dakota City to sell goods for C. F. Eckhart, with whom he remained until 1870, when he went into the real estate business, and continued there until the spring of 1877, when he was appointed clerk at Ft. Peck agency, Montana, which place he left in the fall of 1880, owing to the failing health of one of his children, Was ap- pointed postal clerk on the Sionx City and Omaha raul- road in the spring of 1881, which position he now holds. Was appointed treasurer of Dakota county by the board of commissioners, to fill an nnexpired terin, in 1863, and at the next election was chosen for another term. Was a member of the board of regents of the State University for nine years, being elected by the state legislature for a term of three years, and at its close was elected by the people for a term of six years. Has been a prominent member of the Methodist church for a number of years, and an active Sabbath school worker in Dakota City, where his family has resided continu- ously since July, 1860. Was married, the second time, to Martha F. Ford, of Grinnell. Iowa, November 11, 1857. Hlas ten children livins. six sons and four daughters. His two oldest daughters are resting in
the cemetery at Dakota City. He was born in West-
moreland county, Pa., April 17, 1832. Spent his earlier years on a farm, until at the age of 16 years, when he went to West Lebanon, Indiana county, Pa .. and was engaged in teaching school and in the mercan- tile business. Was married to Isabella McCartney, of South Bend, September 15, 1853. She died April 12. 1855. In June, 1855, he shipped a stock of goods from
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Pittsburg, Pa., by river to Muscatine, Iowa. Went to Grinnell, Iowa, in a hack drawn by four horses, which were driven by himself. Opened up a general store, and the next spring sold out and, as we have stated be- fore, launched his "prairie schooner" upon the wild prairies of the west, and came to Nebraska to "grow up with the country" and to be numbered among her np- right and honorable citizens. Here he has watched the march of civilization; the settlement of a wild conn- try; the work of the ax and breaking plow; the rise of towns and villages, and every industry that helps to make a rich and prosperous country. Thirty-six years ago he plodded along behind two yoke of oxen and a breaking plow on his claim west of Dakota City, to- day he rides over the self same ground on the cars as a postal clerk.
DAVID BOALS was born in Center county, Pa., and after learning the carpenter trade, came to Dakota county in April, 1856. Married in his native state in 1847, to Hannah J. Boyd, who was one of the first white women to arrive at Dakota City. Took a claim about five miles west of Dakota City, where they lived to endure the hardships of pioneer life, and to witness the storms and the sunshine of the years to the present time. Has been a member of the school board of his distriet for many years. Has two sons and two dangh- ters-William H., George L., Mrs. Marenda Plank and Lizzie. Sarah A. died July 4, 1856, and was either the first or second white child buried in the county.
WILLIA : BOUTON was born in Delaware county. N. Y., and came to Dakota county in the spring of 1856. Took a claim about four miles northwest of Da- kota City, where he has resided to the present time. witnessing the transformation of the wild prairies into rich and prosperous farms. Was married to Rose Bates, sister of Leonard Bates, April 4. 1861, by Rev. Brown. She died, and he was married a second time,
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to Sasan Biggerstaff. Has five children, two sons and three daughters.
G. HATTENBACH came to Dakota county and opened up a grocery store in Omadi, in the spring of 1856. Was one of the founders of Covington. Died in Sioux City, where five children now live-Nathan, Ludwig, Mitchel, David and Mrs. D. A. Magee. Two of his children are in Deadwood, S. D .- Joseph and Aaron.
PATRICK O'NEIL was born in Ireland in March, 1825. Married there to Bridget MeNamara, April 12, 1847. and arrived in America June 17, of the same year. On the 10th day of May, 1856, he found his way to Da- kota county, where he has lived to the present time, on a farm near Jackson. Has three sons and three daughters --- Stephen. Michael, Henry, Mary, Margaret and Alice. Mr. O'Neil has lived to see Dakota county changed from "one vast wilderness" to a rich and pros- perons land, as we behold it to-day. In 1883 he took a trip back to old Ireland, and enjoyed himself very much.
DANIEL DUGGAN, guided by the invisible hand of Destiny, found his way to Dakota county, June 1, 1856. and located on a claim above the present town of Jack- Son Here he lived to see the once wild country around him bedecked with comfortable homes and en- terprising towns and villages. Was at one time a mem- ber of the legislature. representing Dakota county: held several offices of responsibility in the connty, such as county commissioner, etc. Was one of the three commissioners appointed by the secretary of the interior to appraise the Omaha Indian lands in 1883, Took a deep interest in all public movements; was a life long Democrat, and from the earliest times was an active participant in all political campaigns, which en- titled him to be known as a leader of his party. Was always outspoken in his views, a good and energetie
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citizen, and accumulated considerable property. He was born in Canavee, County Cork, Ireland, February 20, 1822. Was married to Catharine Lucy, February 18, 1846. Came to America in 1852, arriving at Bos- ton in May of that year, and proceeded to the "far west." Died at his home in Summit precinct, Dakota county, Neb., on Saturday, August 14, 1886, at 9 p. m .. aged 64 years, 5 months and 24 days. His disease was dropsey. Had been complaining for some six months, but was confined to his bed but two months. The funeral, which was on Monday, August 16, 1886, was very large, friends from all parts of the county and many from Sioux City, being in attendance. The services were conducted by Rev. Father Clements, of Hubbard, under the rites of the Catholic church, of which the deceased had been a member for many years. It will be remembered that the very day on which he died the pioneers and old settlers of Dakota county were holding their fifth annual reunion in Hileman's grove. He had been their vice president for two years. and the greatest sympathy was expressed for their ab- sent member. Resolutions to this effect were nnani. monsly adopted by the association, with a rising vote -- honors such as no other old settler had ever received from the society. It was a touching and fitting token of remembrance kindly paid to one of the oldest pio- neers. His wife and seven children survive him, six sons and one daughter-Dennis, Jerry F., Cornelius H., Daniel E., John C., Michael J. and Katie L.
DANIEL DUGGAN.
Behold that man upon the bier A noble, honest pioneer! On Nebraska's virgin soil He began with pluck to toil.
And with pluck and wisdom mixed He launched his plow betwixt, Where coyote and savage trod And broke the maiden sod ..
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With iron will and manly strength He saw himself at length
Surrounded with kine and golden grain, Ilis noble work of hand and brain.
But alas! for human strife, Man is doomed to part from life, Whether rich or poor, Death knocks at his hall and door.
Friend and patron of my muse, These feeble lines of mine excuse, Accept and not decline As they are sent to thee and thine.
Hubbard, Aug. 16, 1886, L. E.
FRANCIS A. ROBINSON was born January 12, 1825. in Manchester, Indiana. Came to Dakota City, May 28, 1856. Took a claim one-half mile north of that town, and saw the first paper ever printed in Dakota City taken from the press. Married to Zernah Fisher. January 12, 1839, in Whiteside county, Illinois. His wife died, leaving one son, C. Elmer.
MICHAEL McKIVERGAN was born in 1827,in Ireland and came to America November. 1848, remaining in New York six years. Came to Dakota county June 1. 1856, with Father Trecy's colony. His wife died that winter in Omadi. Took a claim in the spring of 1857, but on account of extreme hard times he failed to pay for it, and it went into other hinds. Took a homestead, where he now lives, six miles due west of Jackson, which is a good, comfortable home. Was married a second time, in 1863, and his ten children living.
SAMUEL SHULL was born in Ohio, in 1832, and moved with his parents to Indiana in 1837, thence to Iowa in the fall of 1855. In the spring of 1856 crossed over the Missouri river to take a look at Nebraska, and finding it to be an excellent country, located that fall on Fiddlers' creek, where he lived to see the wild coun- try around him settle up with thrifty farmers. Moved to Montana in 1879, where he is at present residing.
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PATRICK TWOHIG crossed the Missouri river at Sioux City on John Feenan's flatboat on Saturday, June 1, 1856, in company with Father Trecy's colony. As he slowly wended his way along behind his ox team, he gazed out npon the wild and uninhabited prairies of the Missouri bottom, little dreaming what vast changes the fleeting years would bring about. That night the entire colony camped on the banks of what is now Crystal lake, then the Missouri river, and just as the sun was peeping over the eastern hills on Sunday morning, June 2, 1856, they broke camp and moved on to St. Johns. He took a trip up Elk Creek valley that evening, and selected the claim where he lived until his death, March 5, 1891, four miles west of Jackson. In the winter of '56 and '57 chopped 210 cords of wood at 50 cents a cord, in the timber south of Dakota City. Times were hard, and he was forced to sell his work cattle for $52 to get money to prove up on his elaim. Having borrowed $500 to pay his expenses on his journey west, and expending it all, he was in embarassing circumstances. but the pioneers were not easily baffled. He went to work with a de- termination to succeed, and to-day his financial stand- ing shows what pluck and courage will do. Was mar- ried to Katharine Jones, September 7, 1862, in Jack- son. Enlisted soon after in Company I, First Ne- braska Cavalry. His son, James P., heid the office of county clerk three terms.
MICHAEL MCCORMICK came to Dakota county June 1. 1856, and took a claim, which is part of the present. site of Jackson. Was one of the founders of that town. Died September 28, 1880. There are two sons and two daughters -Michael J., Robert II., Mrs. Sarah Erlach and Mrs. Mary Davey.
JAMES KELEHAN Was born December 26, 1834, in Ireland, and came to Dakota county June 1, 1856, with Father Trecy's colony. Was one of the founders of
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Covington. Married in the fall of 1855 to Bridget Manning. She died October 11, 1881. There are two children living-Matthew and Delia. Four children have died.
JAMES MCHENRY was born September 13,1837, in St. Louis, Mo., where he lived until 1856, when he was employed by the Northwestern Fur company, and took pissage on a steamer for the upper Missouri river, landing in Dakota county at old Omadı, June 9, 1856. The boat then proceeded to Ft. Randall, where he worked for the fur company at their trading post at that place. In 1861 he established a store in Vermil- Ile went into the army in the
lion, Dakota Territory.
fall of the same year. Again settled at Vermillion in 1835, where he was engaged in the mercantile and mill- ing business. Was married to Mary F. Jones, one of the early school teachers of the county, in May, 1865. at Jackson, Neb. In 1877 located in Jackson, and run a saw mill there; moved to the Logan valley in 1879. where he was proprietor of a grist mill near Wakefield. Moved to the farm along the northern boundary of the Winnebago reservation, where he now resides, in 1883. since which time he has been engaged in farming, and in the milling business in Blyburg and south of Dakota City, two miles. Has six children living-two . sons and four daughters.
THOMAS B. JONES was born April 16, 1842, in New York, and came with Father Trecy's colony to Dakota county, June 1, 1956. Married in 1868 to Catharine Ryan. Has ten children-James J., John F., Thomas D., Mary Ellen, Sarah B., Katie, Maggie. Laura. Hattie and Lucy. Lives on his father's old place, four miles west of Jackson.
CHARLES BOYLE was born in 1808, in Belfast, Ire- land, and at the age of 22 years, came across the ocean to Philadelphia, Pa. Lived five years a few miles southwest of Dubuque. Iowa. In the summer of 1856
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WARNER'S HISTORY OF DAKOTA COUNTY.
came with a colony of Catholics from the latter place and settled on a tract of land adjoining old St. Johns. A portion of the colony came a month before, under the charge of Father Trecy. He had ten children, six of whou are living- Mrs. Maggie Holtam, of Rey- nolds, Indiana; Mrs. John B. Myers, Homer; Mrs. Ella Burd, H. S. and Patrick H., of Emerson; Michael M., Jackson.
CHARLES C. BLIVEN was born October 30, 1811, in Washington county, Rhode Island. At about the age of ten years he came with his parents to Allega- ny county, New York, where he learned the carpenter trade. In about 1832 came to Tioga county, Pa., and followed the carpenter trade. In 1842 came to Rock county, Wis., and worked at his trade. In 1850 re- moved to Fayette county, Iowa. Also worked at his trade in Davenport, Iowa, building the first frame building there. Was married a second time, February 20. 1867. In 1853 came to Minnesota. Two years later returned to Davenport. In 1856 came to Dakota county, and worked at his trade until 1862, when he removed to Henry county, Ill; in 1866 to Washington connty Ill., and returned to Dakota county in 1870, where he located on a farm six miles due south of Da- kota City, built a substantial dwelling, good barn, and improved his farm in general. Mr. Bliven was always a quiet, peaceable and upright citizen, with a large cir- cle of friends and few enemies. In 1883 his wife died. Mr. Bliven then lived with his daughter, Mrs. Anna Bougus, until his death, August 17, 1884.
L. M. HUFFMAN was born in 1843, and came to Dakota county with his step-father, Isaac Monroe, June 20, 1856. Married to Fidela Shook. Has three sons and three daughters. Two children have died. Lives in Blyburg.
ISAAC MONROE came to Dakota county June 20. 1856, and settled on a farm south of Homer. Died in
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.
Kansas July 4, 1880. There are two of his own child- ren and one step-son living-John, Mary Monroe and L. M. Huffman.
ROBERT COLLINGWOOD came to Dakota county June, 1856. Died in western Nebraska, leaving eight children, two of whom reside in Dakota county-Mrs. Woods Hileman and Le Roy- Mrs. John Brassfield, Mrs. Will Crosby and Bird live in Woodbury county, Iowa.
JOHN BRAUNT crossed the Missouri river into Da- kota county with his father, Jeremiah Braunt, June 26. 1956, and settled on the old Josiah Davis place. Was married to Mary E. Pilgrim. Has one son and two daughters-John H., Julia and Lillie. Lives on the old Spencer Moore place, one mile north of Homer.
JAMES GARNER was born in 1815, and celebrated the 4th of July, 1856, by settling in Dakota county, where he remained until 1865, when he removed to Waterloo, Neb. Hle died at that place Friday, March 21, 1890. leaving two sons -- Aleck and Leander; four daughters-Mrs. Wm. Armour, Mrs. Hattie Boden- bender, Mrs. James Ashley and Mrs. John Paige.
COL. CHARLES D. MARTIN, stood upon the deck of the "Arabia" on the evening of July 8, 1856, and as she passed around the high bluffs below Blyburg his eves for the first time rested upon Dakota county. In those days Col. Martin was young and in his prime seeking a home in the "far west " The steamer landed at Omadi and unloaded a steam saw mill for A. H. Baker & Co., and while this was being done he went ashore and took in the town. It was night when the boat landed at Covington, and the next morning found him on an exploring journey in search of a home. After looking over the country thoroughly, he located on a pre-emption near Covington and east of the lake. He was looking ahead in the years to come. Purchas- ing another piece of land further down the river, he
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said to his friends: "Now I have two pieces of land and as the country grows in wealth and prosperity there is certain to be a railroad built across the river at Sioux City and thence sonthward, and it is bound to cross one or the other of these tracts of land." We will now follow him down through the years and see how far sighted he was. Ile set to work building a log cabin, lived in a tent, used water of Covington lake and found it healthy. In October, 1856, went down to Omadi in company with Alonzo Moses, and pur- chased a keg of nails of Win. C. MeBeath, paying therefor 10 cents per pound, while at the same time Sioux City merebants were selling them at 123 cents per pound. They passed over the ground on which now stands Dakota City and found but one log house, covered with dirt for a roof, which was owned by J. D. M. Crockwell, who was the founder of Dakota City. September 11, 1856, moved his family into the pre- emtion cabin which after the lapse of more than thirty years of changing scenes is still standing-a time honored land mark of the early settlement of our county and a relie of the years that have passed away. Purchased a shingle mill in November and mannfact- ured shingles all through that cold and stormy winter of '56 and $7, which will ever be remembered for its forty days of continuons freezing weather. Was ap- appointed postmaster at Covington in 1858; was also
justice of the peace. May 1851. appointed clerk of the U. S. district court for the Third judicial district of the territory of Nebraska and held that office six years. In 1864 was appointed receiver of the U. S. land office for Dakota City land district and held that office four years and seven months, and ou settlement of accounts was found short two cents, which amount was at once forwarded to the First National Bank of Omaha. In October, 1877, Col. Martin bought one- half of the Nebraska Eagle: afterwards sold his in- terest and founded the Argus in May, 1880. During
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his journalistic life he had written a continued story -- "The Conflict; Love or Money"-and published in the Eagle and the Argus, which is remarkable for its great number of chapters and the liberal comments it receiv- ed at the hands of the Nebraska newspaper men. His wife died April 16, 1987, of congestive chills, leaving three daughters and one son. In the fall of 1886 South Sioux City was laid out along the east banks of Silver Lake, adjoining his old pre-emption. Land rapidly increased in valuation and in the spring of '87 the town began to boom. The first of June, 1887, Col. Martin laid out his pre-emption land. What a contrast be- tween the two scenes-that of settling on his pre-emp- tion in 1856 and laying it out in town lots in 1887! A life time often embraces a period of many wonderful changes. Was married a second time to Louisa Hansen of Jackson county, Minn., July 18, 1888. He died at South Sioux City in 1891. Col. Martin was born March 26. 1817. in Bath, Grafton county, New Hampshire. At- tended the public schools ten years and remembered when Rev. David Sutherland was paid his salary as minister by taxing all property holders. At 18 years of age attended a Literary Institute in Loraine county, Ohio, and there studied the languages four years. Taught school in Miami county, Ohio, in 1839 and traveled as a missionary in Ohio up to 1844. Then became postmaster in Athens county, Ohio, and was married at that place to Nancy Dunlap, May 6, 1843. Moved to western Pennsylvania and then to New Orleans, December. 1849. Spent the year of 1850 in sonthern Arkansas near the Louisana line; moved to southern Illinois in 1855, and then to Leavenworth. Kansas, where he took passage on the steamer, "Ara- bia," for Covington, Nebraska. This completes the story of a busy life.
WILLIAM FRAZIER was born in York county, Penn- sylvania, November 7, 1820. Came from Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Dakota county on the steamer Arabia
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landing here June 8th' 1856. IIe settled near Coving- ton where he has resided to the present time. witness- ing the transformation of a wild and uninhabited land to a rich and thickly settled community, as we behold it today. Married to Catharine Donlen at Dakota City, by Prof. Samuel Aughey, May 2, 1867. Post- office, South Sioux City.
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