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 14
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business in Canandagua, Ontario county, New York. for fourteen years. Was married to Lizzie Stacy in 1846 at Canandagua. She died in June, 1848, leaving one daughter, Helen. Came west to DesMoines, Iowa, in June, 1855, and remained there and worked at his trade until April. 1857, when summoned by the unseen power that guides the minds of men, he started on the wisest journey of his life-that journey to Dakota county in April, 1857.
JOHN SNYDER was born December 2, 1831. in Pennsylvania, and landed in Omadi, April 26, 1857. He was the first constable in that precinct. Married to Emily Pilgrim. They have three sons and two daughters, and live in Blyburg.
JAMES MCKENNA crossed over the river from Sioux City to Covington, on Sunday April 28, 1857, and found the pioneers all at work, sawing lumber, rolling logs and chopping down trees. There were some pious people among them, but the April showers were com- ing on and they must havelumber for shelter. Settled in the town, afterwards lived in Sionx City nine years when he again located in Covington where he remain- ed until his death, May 22, 1891. Mr. McKenna was born in Tyrone Co. Ireland in 1819, and married in his native land. His wife died in Sioux City, Iowa. in 1870. Was married a second time June 1873 to Mrs. William Leach.
JAMES ASHLEY was born in England and came to New York in 1852. In the spring of 1857 located in Dakota county, in the town of Logan, where he en- gaged in the blacksmithing business. Moved to Da- kota City in the fall of 1858 where he carried on the same trade until 1860, when he removed to the Omaha Reservation, and is at present living in Decatur, Burt county, Nebraska. Is a brother to Robert T. Ashley, who was appointed U. S. Indian Agent for the Omahas and Winnebagoes, in 1889. Has four child-
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ren living, John, Jennie, wife of Charles Maryott. Frederick and Charles. His son George is dead.
MICHAEL KENNELLY packed his family and all his earthly effects into a wagon at Omaha, in 1857, and on the 7th of May -- what a beautiful day it was, when he halted npon the summit of old Pilgrim Hill, in the sonthern part of the county, and gazed out upon the broad Missouri valley. He beheld Omadi in all its glory. "and then" says Mr. Kennelly, "I thought I had indeed, found the land of 'milk and honey' of which I had heard so much, but later on I learned that it was only whisky and molasses, and that soon played out- and the people on the verge of starvation climbed to the top of the highest hills to see if there were any boats coming with supplies." He then proceeded down the old Military road from Pilgrim Hill, and landed in Omadi, where he engaged in blacksmithing until 1860 when he established the first blacksmith shop in Jackson. Was elected county commissioner in October, 1865; served as justice of the peace for St. Johns precinct for many years, which office he holds at the present time, was also assessor for Omadi precinct in 1862. Mr. Kennelly was born in Ireland, Septem- ber 10th. 1826, and came to America in February, 1849, settling in Hartford, Connecticut, where he re- mained until his journey to the land of "milk and honey." Was married a second time to Mrs. Finnell, September 6th, 1852. They have eight children living.
JAMES WESCOTT was born in 1819, and came to Dakota county in 1857. settling on a tract of land about five miles west of Dakota City which to this day is known as the old Wescott place. He was an honest, hard working man and built for himself and family a good comfortable home. Planted one of the first orchards in the county. Died at his residence west of Dakota City. June 14th, 1877, and his remains were interred in the Sionx City cemetery. Ilis wife and two
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sons-Charles T. and Geo. T. are now living in Sioux City, Iowa.
JOHN BLESSING began his career in Dakota county in the spring of 1857 and by hard labor and living an honest and upright life has furnished us with another example of what pluck will do. Ile was willing to work and wait-"Rome was not built in one day" --- and lived on corn bread with the hope that a better day was coming and as the years went by it came, just as it always does to those endowed with courage and energy. The young man who sits on a dry goods box today wondering why he is not better fixed in the world should study the lives of our pioneers. lle located in Omadi precinct. In 1862 enlisted in Com- pany I, Second Nebraska Cavalry, served thirteen months, then returned and located in Dakota precinct. settled on his present farm in Brushy Bend in 1864. Mr. Blessing was born April 14, 1832, in Wurtemberg. Germany. In 1850 came to Erie county, New York, there learned the carpenter trade where he worked about five years and then came west. Was married in 1856 to Mary Willyoung, of Elsace, New York. They have ten children --- four sons and six daughters. HIas a good farm-over 300 acres of land and quite a large amount of stock.
JOHN FINNERTY was born in Ireland July 11. 1916. Came to America in 1851. Went to Cincin- hatti where he married Katie Smith, June 27. 1851. On the 12th day of May, 1857, crossed the Missouri river into Dakota connty and located on a piece of land along the south bank of Crystal Lake, about two miles northwest of Dakota City. Here he lived for many years farming his land, building a substantial dwelling and other houses for stock and grain. Planted a good orchard and was an eye witness to every stroke of improvement for miles around him. Has three child- ren --- Dennis D., married to Hattie McKinney, Mrs.
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John Clinton and Mrs. Morgan Heafey. His wife died in Sonth Omaha September 24th 1893.
PATRICK MONAHAN was born in Ireland in 1826 and crossed the ocean to America in 1849, landing at New York City. Moved to Ohio and lived seven years in Sandusky and Dayton. Was fireman on a railroad. Was married at Dayton in 1854, to Miss Bridge: Smith. Has six children, two of whom are dead. Three daugh- ters, Katie, Mary and Bridie, and one son, Thomas, are living. Mr. Monahan had heard wonderful stories about the rich and fertile prairies of the west and determined to seek a home there. In May 1857 he bid farewell to his Ohio home and turned his face toward the western land, and the 21-t day of May found him on board of a steamer, with all his worldly possessions, winding along up the Big Muddy through what is to-day Crystal lake. Hle informed the captain of the boat that his destination was St. Johns. But the captain said the landing was unsafe at that place and he would have to either get off at Logan or Ponca and he chose the former,and so he was left at Logan among strangers in a strange land, except John Finnerty and family who had come with him. Alfred Elam agreed to take him to St. Johns for $7.50. His hired hand, J. O. Fisher, was called in and told to hitch up the driving team (a good steady yoke of oxen) and the outfit was soon wind- ing their way toward their long looked for home. They had not proceeded far until they ran into a mud hole and the oxen "got stuck" and all hands had to climb ont into the mud and water and wade to the shore. Mrs. Finnerty had to carry her son Dennis and get to the shore with him the best she could. Mr. Monahan took a claim on Pigeon creek, joining John Howard on the southwest. He got some breaking done at the rate of $10.00 per acre and raised a small crop that year. Moved down to Covington that fall, and he and John Finnerty bought two lots of John Feenan and
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built a house to live in. In the spring of 1858 he bought the place where he is now living and when South Sioux City took its boom sold all his farm ex- cept five acres to be laid out in town lots. How vast are the changing scenes which Mr. Monahan has wi; - nessed since his advent to the wild primeval lands of
Dakota county. He has lived to see towns and vil- lages rise up and flourish and crumble and decay until they are known today only in history. He has lived to see a once wild and uninhabited land transformed into a rich and prosperous community. He saw the rise and fall of Pacific City, which was situated on the present site of South Sioux City, in township 29, range 9 east.
WILLIAM CUNNINGHAM came to Dakota county. May 12, 1857, and took a claim which is now a portion of South Sioux City, where he was drowned in 1881, in the high water of that year. Ilis wife and one daughter survive him. The daughter is married to Tim Shanahan. Mr. and Mrs. Shanahan have six children.
PETER MYERS joined the great army of emi- grants, and found his way into Dakota county May 12, 1857. Took a claim on the bluffs near William Tay- lor's farm. His wife died in 1859 leaving three child- ren-two sons and one daughter, John E., Geo. W. and Mrs. Emma Rice. Lives in Sions City, Iowa, was a Union Soldier in the Rebellion,
COL. JESSE F. WARNER, piloting a "prairie schoon- er" over the wild and desolate prairies of the west, found a landing place -- named Dakota county --- May 17, 1857, and probably no pilot while sailing upon the deep, or along the inland rivers was ever more pleased with a landing than he was with the place that was henceforth to be his home. Ile located on what is now known as the George Leamer farm, lived in a house which he moved from the town of Logan, situated one
BENZOÁT 86CHI
COL. JESSE F. WARNER.
MRS. HANNAH M. WARNER, (Wife of Col. Jesse F. Warner.)
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half inile north of his land. Opened up a farm and made other substantial improvements. In company with pioneers took many hunts beyond the settlement for deer, elk. etc., and therefore had an opportunity of seeing North Nebraska in its wildest state. Passed over the country where Emerson, Wakefield, Wayne. Norfolk, Madison, Wisner and Coleridge are situated. years before there was a single settler in all that re- gion. In fall of '57 went to eastern Iowa and brought back a herd of cows and in summer of '58 drove 200 hogs from central Iowa, from which cows and hogs origi- nated a large portion of the stock of early days of Dakota
county. Was admitted to the bar before Judge Eleazer Wakly at the District Court held in Dakota City in 1857. From early manhood he took an active interest in politics and when the break up in parties came and the old Whig party was dissolved he threw all his talents and energies into the struggle over the slav- ery question ont of which the Republican party was born. In '54 and '56 was quite prominent on the stump which grew into more than local prominence. In 1860 was a delegate from Nebraska to the ever memor- able convention at Chicago which nominated Abraham Lincoln. He leaves to the fannly his certificate signed by "John M. Thayer, chairman Republican Territorial Committee," which he preserved as one of his choicest treasures. When the great war cloud burst with all its fnry over our land he started on the day the news of the fall of Sumpter reached him for his old home in Iowa to raise men for the service, entering the army at once as 2nd lieutenent, 7th Iowa Infantry, without waiting tor an offer of a better position, was promoted to the captaincy and after more than three long years of fierce battles and weary marches was compelled to resign on account of injuries and broken health. Soon after his return to Iowa was chosen colonel of one of the "Border State Regiments" for home defense but as the enemy was driven so far from the Iowa border the regiment
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WARNER'S HISTORY OF DAKOTA COUNTY.
was not called on for duty. Col. Warner was with Grant, Logan, McClernard and others who rose to prominence afterwards, in their first baptism of fire at Belmont. Commanded his company in the charge that carried the works at Donaldson where he received se- vere injury which caused him many years of suffering and finally carried him away to his eternal home, Wed- nesdav, March 26, 1890, at Dakota City, Nebraska, leaving a wife and six children-Nellie, wife of Dr. E. J. DeBell, who died at Lyons. Nebraska, September 8th 1892; Lee M., Homer, Nebraska; Clema, wife of R. C. Bauer; Mary M., wife of D. W. Parmelee; Ern- est J .. Rosebud Agency S. D., and Moses M., Lyons, Nebraska. Located in Dakota City in 1867 and estab. lished a land office for the purpose of surveying land and locating homesteaders. Selected claims for many of the old settlers of Dakota, Dixon, Cedar, Wayne, Madison and Stanton counties. His familiarity with this country from hunting over it in its wild state en- abled him to carry on this business with much success. Practiced law in Dakota City most of the time from 1868 to 1878. In 1869 purchased the old Pilgrim place known as "Pilgrim Hill," eight miles south of Dakota City, and in connection with the farm raised fruit and burned lime-furnished the lime for nearly all the houses that were built in the county at that time, including the court house, Methodist churches at Dakota City and Covington and the industrial school building at the Winnebago Agency, also furnished the rock for the foundation for the latter. Was a presi- dential elector in 1868 and cast Nebraska's maiden vote for Gen. Grant; represented Dakota county in the state legislature in 1879 -- '80. Took charge as U. S. Indian Agent of the Omaha and Winnebago agencies November 1st, 1886, which position he held until September 16th, 1889. The Indians under his administration did remarkably well with their farming and general behavior. August 30, 1889, was presented
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with a gold headed cane by the employes of the ()maha and Winnebago agencies. Col. J. F. Warner was born at Wooster, Ohio, September 26, 1826. In 1842 his parents moved to Keokuk county, Iowa, and lived on a farm. Was married to Hannah M. Wood- ward, September 7th, 1849, at Richland, Iowa, by Rev. Frederick Lyons, a Methodist minister. The spirit of energy turned his face to the great west where he could "grow up with the eonntry." So ends the story of another of our pioneers, who being considered an able orator, was often called upon to appear before the people at important public gatherings.
JAMES CONNOR was born in Ireland in 1823, in Wicklow county and came to Dakota connty, May 18, 1857. He took a claim in St. Johns precinct. At present living at Jackson.
CAPT. CORNELIUS ()'CONNOR was born September 17, 1821 in the county of Cork, Ireland, and came with his parents to America in 1829. Lived in Bos- ton until he was twenty-eight years of age. Went to New York where he remained five years. Was mar- ried to Catharine Duggan, April 3, 1852. In 1857 came west and took a steamer at Omaha for Dakota county. landing at St. Johns May 18th. Took a claim on Elk Creek where he lived several years, when he moved to where he lives at the present time two miles east of Homer. Here he and his noble wife lived to experience the hardships and trials of frontier life. Ile represented Dakota county in the 8th and 11th sessions of the Territorial legislature, and has been Director in his school district for more than twenty years. Enlisted in the Mexican War. Has four
children living-two sons and two daughters, Corne- lins J., County Treasurer, and Timothy, Mrs. Helena Green and Charlottie G. His daughter Mary died in 1887, and in 1889 Daniel and Julia followed her to eternal rest. Ilis youngest son Frank died July 5,
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1890, and within two years Katie and Maggie died. In 1851 Governor Richardson commissioned Mr. ('Connor as Captain of a Company, which was formed to resist attacks from the Indians.
JOHN C. GRIBBLE crossed the river at Dakota City, May 18, 1857, with all his earthly possessions-a set of carpenter tools. Took a claim in Brushy Bend, and was married in 1860 to Mary Conroy. Has six children-three sons, Barney, John and Thomas; three daughters. Mrs. Lizzie Herwig, Mrs. Josephine Stinson and Olive, Settled on a farm four miles and a half west of Dakota City in 1870, where he has resided to the present time. Was county commissioner six year's.
EASTON RUSH was born in Somerset county, Penn- sylvania, and came to Dakota county in the spring of 1857. Took a claim two miles west of Dakota City where he lived many years. Built the first house cov- ered with shingles in Dakota precinct. Married March 17, 1844 to Mary Ann Wirsing. Has six children- one son William, and five daughters. Ile is living at Wakefield, Nebraska.
ALBERT II. BLIVEN was born June 8, 1833, in Pennsylvania, and came to Dakota county, June 1st, 1857, on a steamboat, landing at the old town of Oma- di. Went down to Missouri in 1867 and was married to Adella Hayes. Took a homestead in 1868 on the site where Wm. C. Orr afterwards operated a sawmill. in the southern part of the county. Afterwards moved to where he now lives seven miles southwest of Da- kota City. Was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, enlisted at Omaha, August. 1863, in Co. I., 1st Neb. Cavalry, and served two years. Has eight children.
EDWARD ARNOLD was born in Ireland May 1,1822. and settled in Ponca, which was then a part of Dakota county, in the spring of 1857. Elected County Su-
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perintendent August 2, 1858, was also appointed Justice of the Peace for St. Johns precinct, October 20, 1857. and served in the 2nd. Neb. Cavalry. Was Dixon county's first clerk, and resides there at present time.
JOHN TwonIG was born in the county of Cork, Ireland. and came to America in 1853. Located in Dakota county in 1857, having traveled by boat from St. Joseph. Took a claim on Elk Creek, adjoining his brother Patrick, on the south. Died in 1889.
C. D. RYAN was born in 1854 in New York, and came with his parents to Dakota county, on a steam- boat in May 1857. Located in St. Johns and then moved to Jackson where he opened up a general store in 1873, which he is conducting at the present time. Married to Mary E. Brannan at Jackson in 1876. Ilas three daughters.
JOHN HEFFERNAN Was born in 1821, and came to Dakota county in June 1857. Was well known throughout the county asa shrewd business man. a good citizen and a firm friend. Died at his home in Jack- son September 8, 1880. There are ten children living -six sons, Daniel C., John C., Geo. A., Maurice P .. Cornelius K., Michael F .; four daughters. Mrs. Mary MeGonigal, Mrs. Agnes McCormick, Norah and Liz zie. His son, John Heffernan, died June 28. 1881.
JAMES HARVEY BLIVEN was born May 10, 1846, in Tiogne county, Pennsylvania. Went to Wisconsin in 1854, then to Iowa, Minnesota and came to Dakota county, Nebraska, June 1, 1857. Came up the river on a steamboat. Entered the war of the rebellion in 1861, enlisting in the Ninth Hancock Veteran Reserve corps, and fought in the terrible battles of Fredericks- burg, Antietam, Gettysburg, Golden Farm and many others. Was mustered out February 5, 1865, and married to Elizabeth Hayes, of Indianapolis, Indiana. in 1865. Afterwards came back to Dakota county,
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where he has lived a quiet and peaceful life. Moved to Homer in 1885, and built a substantial residence. Built two tenement houses in South Sionx City in 1887 where he now resides. He is a son of Charles C. Bliven.
NoIs E. BLIVEN was born June 26, 1844, in Pennsylvania, and came to Dakota connty, June 1, 1857. Was married to Mary Corwin in Blyburg in 1864. Has five sons, Frederick V., Win. Henry, Arthur, Birdie and Benjamin; two danghters, Katie and Rosa. 3 P. (). Homer.
WILLIAM LEACH was born in Hadnmm, England and came to America, settling in Illinois, and located in Dakota county June 7, 1857. Took a claim on the present site of South Sioux City. Run ferry boat two years, ard carried the mail between Covington ard Sioux City. Married in England in 1848 to Sasan Edwards. He died in 1870, leaving a wife and three children, Joseph, William and Mrs. Mary Cave, of Chi- cago, Illinois. Seven children have died. Mrs Leach was married a second time to James McKenna, in 1874.
HENRY YOUNG was born in Washington county, Indiana, March 15, 1827. Was married at Columbus in October, 1850 and nine years later crossed the west- ern plains to Oregan, Washington and Montana. He embarked on the steamer "Uncle Sam" at San Fran- cisco for the Isthmus of Panama where he went a dis- tance of twenty three miles and paid twenty four dol- lars to go that distance, and took the "North Star" for the United States. Ile went to St. Louis and came by steamboat to Omaha and from there he came on to Dakota county on the old time buckboard, arriving here June 11, 1857. He took a homestead where he has resided to the present time, about five miles north - west of Homer. Here he has spent a quiet unassuming life, honored and respected by all who has ever had any dealings with him. This year he visited his old home in Indiana for the first time since he settled here.
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B. Gribble traversed the soil of Dakota county for the first, June 12. 1857, and although he was not a tramp, he had very much the appearance of one, with a knapsack on his back containing all his earthly possess- ions except a rifle, watch and $15.00 in money. But he was energetic and ambitions and after the enduring hardships of pioneer life accumulated considerable prop- erty. He was married to Nellie Walden March 29th 1864. Has six children. Emmett, John W., George, Emma, Maggie and Nettie. His wife and two children are dead. Post office address, Dakota City.
MICHAEL BEACOM was born in Ireland in 184C and came to Dakota county June 13th 1857. Bought the Edward C. Jones fann four miles and a half north- west of Jackson, where he still resides. Enlisted in 2ud Colorado Cavalry, Co. B. and served three years. Was married in 1869 to Mary Goodfellow. Has five sons and four daughters. Was elected county commissioner November 5th 1889.
THOMAS BEACOM came to Dakota county June 13. 1857 and settled four miles and a half north-west of Jackson. He died in 1888 leaving five sons and one daughter -- Michael, John, Dennis, Timothy, Martin and Ellen.
MICHAEL DELOUGHERY was born in Ireland in 1824. Came to America and settled in Dakota county in 1857, on a claim in Dixon county. Located in St. John's presinet in 1860 where he has resided to the present time. Married in Ohio to Julia MeMarra, has six children five sons and one daughter-Joseph, James, Michael, Patrick, Cornelius and Mary.
DANIEL C. HEFFERNAN was born in Jamestown Pennsylvania in 1851, and came with his parents to Dakota county June, 1857. Married May 16, 1883 to Katie Kelly. Have three children-two sons and Lives in Jackson, and is postmaster three daughters. at that place.
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D. F. McDONALD was born in 1835, and came to Dakota county, July 10, 1857. Married in 1858 to Catharine Dillon. Has three children living-Alex- ander, Dillon and Sarah. Two children have died. Has lived twenty-five years on his farm south of Jack- son.
BRITTON WILLIS was born in Kentucky, and married in Clark county, Missouri, in 1854. Came to Dakota county, August 28, 1857, and settled on a farm five miles north-west of Dakota City, where he remain- ed until the war of the Rebellion broke out, when he en- listed and served in the Union army one year, after which he lived in Dakota City. His wife died Octo- ber 24, 1874 and seven years later he moved to Cald- well, Kansas, where he now resides. Has four children living, James, William B., Charles M. and Mona, wife of L. M. Warner.
ASA RATHBUN Was born June 14. 1829. in Wash- ington county, Ohio. Moved to Henry county, Illinois in 1843 where he farmed two years and went to Peoria. He was married to Caroline A. Wright, March 15, 1854, and three years later took a trip to the great west to look up a home for himself and family, landing in Ser- geant Bluffs, Iowa, October 15, 1857. Crossing the river to Dakota county he soon made up his mind that he had found the land of his choice, and purchased a tract of land north of the Capt. O'Connor farm. On the 14th day of May 1858 he arrived in Dakota county with his family and all his earthly possessions in two wagons, each drawn by two yokes of oxen. He lived in Omadi until September 29th, when he moved to his farm on Omaha Creek near old Omadi where he resid- ed until April 18, 1886, then moving to the old Josiah Davis farm two miles south of Homer, where he now resides. Hlas three sons and four daughters, William Pitt, John A., Charley W., Anna, wife of Thomas Baird, Mary E., Francis O. and Irene L. Mr Rathbun in company with Col. H. Baird owned the first thresh-
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i :: machine ever seen in the Elkhorn and Logan val- loys, west of Dakota county.
JOHN HARTNETT was born in the county of Limer- ick, Ireland, in 1823 and came to America at the age of twenty five years, locating in Dakota county in the spring of 1857. He settled on Pigeon creek where he resided until his death. caused by the cars running over him, October 5th 1893. He left four sons and one daughter to mourn his departure, Daniel, James, Jolm, William and Mrs. T. W. McGee. He was married to Margaret Fitzpatrick, at Alta, Illinois, in 1853, but she died February 10th, 1864. In the winter of 1862-3 he was caught ont in a blizzard and froze his hands so bad- ly that it was necessary to amputate all of his fingers. He was a "pioneer among pioneers"-jovial and whole- soul.
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