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 15

Author: Warner, M. M
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Lyons [Neb.] Mirror Job Office
Number of Pages: 394


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 15


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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24


M. M. BOYLE came to Dakota county in the fall 1857. Married to Maggie Connors March 5. 1878. She died September 27, 1887. There is one son and two daughters living. Lives three miles north of Jack- son. His brother, P. H. Boyle, also came at the same time. He was born at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania in 1855. Has been a justice of the peace at Jackson, where he also taught school. Post office address, Em- erson.


SIMON DEWITT came to Dakota county in 1857, and settled in Brushy Bend. Was justice of the peace in 1860. Died in 1874 at his home in Brushy Bend.


SAMUEL GRIM son of Andrew Grim, came to Dako- ta county in 1857, and settled in Brushy Bend. Mar- ried a second time to Mrs. Simon De Witt, she having come to the county March 29th, 1864. He died in 1872. Mrs. Grim lives at Dakota City. Has three children living.


HENRY O. GRIGGS, came to Dakota county in 1857, and owned the old Wright farm west of George Lea-


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mer's place Went into the cattle business and accum nlated $7,000 afterwards went to California, where he died.


L. C. VEETS came to Dakota county in 1857. Owned a farm north-east of George Leamer's farm. Af- terwards went to Connecticut.


SETTLERS OF 185S.


DR. G. W. WILKINSON, in the spring-time of his life sought a home in the great west, and hearing glowing accounts of the wonderful beanty and fertility of Dakota county, thitherward he bent his steps, land- ing here in the spring of 1858, in old Omadi, where he practiced medicine and tanght school. When the war clouds hovered over our land he joined the First Ne- braska Cavalry, and was commissioned surgeon. After serving to the close of the war he again chose Dakota county as his home. Was appointed physician for the Winnebago Indians, which position he held two years. Was appointed Register of the United States Land Office at Dakota City, in 1870, and held the office five years. In the fall of 1881, was appointed United States Indian Agent for the Omaha and Winnebago Agencies and served four years. Was county Treasurer eight years. Married to Hattie Matthewson in Nor- folk at the residence of her father, Col. Matthewson, on Thursday, October 15th, 1874, by Rev. Mr. Kidder. Has two children Lyle and Ned. In the spring of 1890 was appointed by Governor Thayer as Superinten- dent of the Norfolk Insane Asylum. He was born in Parke county. Indiana. and attended the Indiana As- bury University, After finishing a course there enter- ed Rush Medical College. of Chicago, where he gradu- ated in 1857. His career in Dakota county has indeed been marked with a spirit of enterprise. In all the years since pioneer times he has ever taken an active


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interest in the welfare of Dakota county. Looking backward over the years that have passed away we see his handiwork stamped upon the efforts of every pub- lic movement. Hand in hand down through the years he has marched with the progress and prosperity of our county. Is at present living at Norfolk.


HENRY W. Wood was born March 8, 1834, in Delaware county, New York, and came to Dakota cannty in 1858, where he purchased a one third interest in the Dakota City pottery. Afterwards went to Pikes' Peak, and returned and took a pre-emption sonth-west of Dakota City, which he sold to D. C. Dibble, and bought the old Matthewson place, situated exactly midway between Dakota City and Jackson, four miles and a half from each town, where he has resided to the present time. Was married to Sarah J. Abell in Franklin, Delaware county, New York, in 1855. Has two children living -- one son, Frederick, and one daughter, Mrs. L. W. White. Three children have died. His family is now living in New York.


CHARLES GOODFELLOW was born in Ireland and came to America in 1852. Settled in Dakota county in 1858. Lived to accumulate and build up a fine es- tate. Died at his home in Jackson. January 13, 1884. leaving a wife and five children to mourn his departure.


CONRAD ARMBRECHT began life in Dakota county on the 18th day of April, 1858, away down at the bot- tom of the financial ladder, but gradually he climbed up ronnd by round until to-day he has a very respect- able standing on that identical ladder. In early times he did all his farming with a yoke of oxen. Took a pre-emption about five miles dne west of Dakota City where he has ever since resided. and by his skill and hard labor to-day has accumulated some wealth in the world: has considerable stoek and 200 acres of land. Mr. Armbrecht was born at Kor Hassen, Germany, August 6, 1818; came to Wheeling, West Virginia,


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August 6, 1850; worked at different kinds of labor until he came to Dakota county in 1858. Was mar- ried in 1850 to Malesene Haase at Hanover; she died in the fall of 1877. He has lived a quiet, nuassuming life-has many friends and few enemies and deserves the richest rewards. He has four children- - two sons, William and Louis H .: two daughters. Mrs. Fred Beer- man and Mary .


JOHN GAUGHRAN was born in Ireland in 1838 and came to Dakota county April 25, 1858. Settled on Elk Creek. Afterwards lived in Covington and taught two terms of school there. Married to Catharine Brady in Sioux City, Iowa, October 13, 1868. She died and he was married a second time February 11, 1871. Has three children-two sons, Patrick and John C., and one danghter, Catharine. His brother. Hugh, came to the county in 1856; served four years and a half in the war, under Capt. Tripp. Died at Jackson, March 15, 1888.


ANTHONY J. MYERS "packed up" all his earthly possessions and started west, landing in Nebraska in the spring of 1858; located on a piece of land above the Col. Baird farm, afterwards moved to a tract of land north of where Mr. Taylor lives, eight miles south-west of Dakota City. He built the first brick house ever erected in Sioux City. Has been prominent in all po. litical affairs of the county from the earliest times and can tell as big stories about the exciting elections of "ye olden times" as any man living. Was elected county commissioner on the republican ticket November 3. 1885, which position he still holds, receiving a total of 666 votes and a majority of 168 over his opponent. Thomas C. Clapp. Mr. Myers was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. In 1855 came to Dubugne, Iowa; followed plastering and brick laying during the summer and was on the police force in the winter, for two years. Was married in 1852 to Catharine McGinley.


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SETTLERS OF 1858.


of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Has an excellent farm and a pleasant home at the foot of the high bluff in the western part of the county. Great changes have taken place since he settled in the county, when there was not a single house on the road from Dakota City to his place. A person could drive across the bottom in any direction without coming in contact with barbed wire fences or any other kind of fences; the wild geese went sailing along withont hearing the crack of a mus- ket every now and then, and he did not have to bother his head about going to old settlers' reunions and the days of base ball clubs were yet to come. Has nine chil- dren -- four sons and five daughters, John F .. William. Richard, George, Mrs. Charles Ford, Mary, Mrs. J. P. Twohig. Grace and Helen. Ilis son Hugh died in 1892.


GIDEON WARNER rode up to the banks of the Mis- souri river at Sioux City in the spring of 1858 at the head of a herd of cows that he had brought from eastern lowa. He crossed over to Dakota county June 20, 1858 and sold the cows to the settlers. In company with a number of friends took an elk huut on the then wild and unsettled valleys of the Logan and Elkhorn, there was not a solitary white man to be seen in all that country .. They hunted north of where Norfolk now stands. A tar different view now presents its self to the traveler to-day. On the high rocks near Coi. Baird's home is engraved "G. Warner. July 22, 1858." On the 4th of July of that year he joined an excursion party on the steam ferry "Dakota," commanded by Capt. Robinson, which steamed up through what is now known as Crystal lake. They passed on up the river far beyond the line of civilization and had a picnic, expecting at any moment to be fired upon by the red children of the woods. He moved his family to Dakota county on the 23rd day of April, 1867, and settled on a farm purchased of Wm. Cheney, situated on Omaha Creek, five miles directly south of Dakota City. In 1877 he started on


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WARNER'S HISTORY OF DAKOTA COUNTY.


a two years' journey into the "far west," stopping to take a glance at the Black Hills country, crossed over the Big Horn mountains and through Pryor's Pass, visited the National Park, Custer's battle ground, wintered at Ft. Custer, prospected for gold, passed on down the Yellowstone river to Ft. Keogh and Miles City, made lots of money, saw lots of sights and came home November 2. 1879, to rest from his long journey and tell wonderful tales about the far away golden land of Montana. Built a new and comfortable residence in 1886. Gideon Warner was born July 13, 1823, in Wooster. Wayne county, Ohio, and moved with his parents to Richland, Iowa, in October, 1842. The treaty with the Blackhawk and Sax and Fox was com- pleted the next May at Agency City and the country settled up very rapidly. Was married in 1848, but in about a year his wife was bitten by a rattlesnake and died, leaving a child, which also soon after died. Was married again in October, 1850, to Matilda Brubaker, of Eddyville, Iowa. In 1859 went to Colorado, in the great gold excitement, located on a mine where George- town is now situated. Hlas nine children living- four sons and five daughters, Daniel Webster, William P., George, Elmer, Mrs. Jane Ward, Mrs. Alice Bevins. Mrs. Ella Coburn, Mrs. Emma Rathbun and Lizzie. His daughter, Mrs. Julia Clapp, died in 1893.


AUGUSTUS T. HAASE was born May 5. 1835, in Hanover, Germany. Started for America May 5, 1848. landing at New York City, June 26th, making a journey of 49 days on the ocean. Went to Virginia and soon after turned his face to the great west to see what it had in store for him. Guided by some unseen power he found his way to Dakota City, Neb., on the 26th day of June, 1858-just ten years to a day from the time he landed in America-where he has resided ever since. Has worked at the carpenter trade' since 1850. and some of the oldest houses of the county were built


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SETTLERS OF 1858.


by him. Bought a farm four miles west of Dakota City in 1858 and it was there he built his first house in Ne- braska. Afterwards built a substantial residence and carpenter shop for himself, in Dakota City. Was con- tractor for the building of the court house. Previons to this time he had entered into another kind of a contract with Miss Louisa Eckhart, sister of J. P. and C. F. Eckhart, wherein it was stipulated that on and after the 8th day of December, 1864, they would thenceforward be equal partners in the proceeds which might be de- rived from the framing of houses as well as additions from other sources, and the building of hopes and plans and "castles in the air." The years passed on and for- tune "smiled upon them." They have three children- two sons and one daughter, George H., Frank and Lizzie. Mr. Haase was city treasurer for twelve years and has been a member of the school board for more than fifteen years. Was chosen as chairman of a committee ap- pointed to take charge of the Dakota county exhibits at the great Corn Palace held in Sioux City, Iowa. from September 20th to October 5th, 1889. Decem- ber 8, 1889, one hundred and sixty friends of Mr. and Mrs. Haase met at their residence in Dakota City to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of their marriage. among whom were four persons who witnessed the cere- mony twenty-five years before -- Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Adair, Col. B. Bates and Conrad Armbrecht.


RALPH GOODWIN was born May 27, 1937, in Darbysville, England. Crossed the ocean with his parents in 1847; landed at New York. Went to Dane county, Wisconsin, where he was engaged in farming. Crossed the Missouri river at Sioux City, July, 1858. and took a claim in Cedar county. Nebraska. Moved to Dakota county in 1861 and there enlisted in com- pany I, 2nd Nebraska Cavalry. Marched up the river with the army. Returned to Dakota City and was en- gaged in teaming and running a butcher shop. Mar-


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WARNER'S HISTORY OF DAKOTA COUNTY.


ried to Mary Whitehorn, daughter of Samuel White- horn, March 21, 1864, have one child. Bought a piece of land north of Dakota City of Philip Eckhart and be- gan to improve it; broke prairie with a home made breaking plow manufactured by John R. Sprague in his blacksmith shop at Dakota City. Here he lived to see the wild land all around him settled up with a thrifty class of farmers, built a substantial dwelling. barn and other buildings for his stock, planted a fine grove of black walnut trees which will be a credit an l an ornament to Dakota county long after the hands that planted them shall have mouldered to dust.


JAMES S. TELLER came to Dakota county, August, 1858, and took a homestead in "Todd's Point" north of Jackson. Married to Elizabeth Ford. Hlas eleven chil- dren -- five sons and six daughters. Is living in Jeffer- son, S. D. Three of his children-George W., Mrs. Margaret Edwards and Mrs. Dora Reninger are living in the connty.


E. F. MASON came to Dakota county in 1858, and was the first proprietor of the "Bates House." One day he was riding a fast horse, which stumbled and fell upon him, cansing injuries from which he died in seven days afterwards.


A. F. BERGER was born in Germany and landed in New York September 24, 1852. Settled in Dakota county July 15, 1858. and took a claim in the southern part of the county. Married to Lucy Murdick in 1857. Has two sons and five daughters-Mrs. Ed. Norris, Mrs. Sam Stewart, Mary J., Anna L., Margaret Ellen and Emma Rebecca. Enlisted in Company I. 2nd Nebraska cavalry in 1862. Farmer-six miles sonth- west of Dakota City.


JUDGE KELLY W. FRAZER pitched his tent and lighted his camp fire on the west bank of Perry creek, near its month, on Sunday. November 2, 1885, which


BUNDICHI


JUDGE KELLY W. FRAZER.


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SETTLERS OF 1858.


is the self same ground upon which Sioux City is now built. He shot three squirrels in some large elm trees then standing on the creek bank. Crossed over the Missouri river the next morning on the ferry "Rob- ert Burns," and stood for the first time upon the soil of Dakota county, November 3, 1858. Started for Knox county, November 7th and took squatter's claim, as the government had not yet surveyed this portion of the country. Opened up a farm and started a black- smith shop. At the general election of 1859 was chosen probate judge of Knox county. Appointed to the posi- tion of blacksmith on the Ponca reservation, twenty- two miles up the Niobrara river, February 1, 1861. Returned to Niobrara in 1865 and in 1866 was elected a member of the house of representatives of Nebraska's first state legislature from Dixon, Cedar and L'Eau Qui Court counties, which assembled at Omaha, July 4, 1866. Moved to Dakota county, arriving at Da- kota City, August 10, 1967. Bought a blacksmith shop of Jacob Van Ankin, where he worked until 1869. His wife died May 20th of that year.


course of reading law and was admitted to the bar. Married a second time to Miss Anna E. Culbertson in Henry county, Grand Rapids, Ohio, August 25, 1870. Was elected county judge on the democratic ticket five times-in 1869, 1871. 1873, 1879 and 1881; was defeated in the nomination in the convention of 1877 and 1883 and the office went into the hands of the republicans. Appointed September 1, 1885, by Iudiau Agent Chas. HI. Potter to the position of super- intendent of the industrial boarding school at the Win- nebago ageney, Nebraska, and held the office until Oc- tober 18, 1886. Was nominated on the democratic ticket for the office of county attorney October 23rd, of the same year and elected by a large majority November 2nd. Was the first person to fill this office in the county, the same having been established by the state legislature the previous year. Is the father of three sons:


Completed a


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WARNER'S HISTORY OF DAKOTA COUNTY.


Gustavus Allen, born June 15. 1856. in Iowa; William Kelly, born December 14, 1860, at Niobrara, Nebraska; and Douglas Yonng, born on Ponca Indian reservation. D. T., March 17, 1865. Kelly W. Frazer was born of Scottish and Irish parents, near Millersburg, Holmes county, Ohio, May 30, 1832; lived on a farm until eighteen years of age, when he learned the blacksmith trade in his native town with R. W. and John Coffey: was married to Miss Hettie Lonise Beam, February 29. 1855, in Millersburg; started for Iowa April 1. 1856; traveled by rail to Mississippi river and crossed at Burlington; took stage for Wintersett, ar- riving there at midnight April 5th. On the last days of October, 1858 an emigrant might have been seen wending his way over the primeval prairies of the west toward Nebraska with a yoke of oxen -- it was a forlorn looking outfit, but the daring pioneer was full of am- bition and enthusiasm wluch nerved him to the task of bidding farewell to old home and friends and plung- ing far beyond the line of civilization to lend his mite in opening up new roads and subjugating a new coun- try. This emigrant was Kelly W. Frazer,- who was afterwards destined to play such an important part in the general history of Dakota county and who little dreamed as he camped upon the banks of the Perry November 2, 1858, that after the lapse of just twenty- eight years to a day, he would be elected county at- torney for one of the brightest counties of the west.


SETTLERS OF 1859.


STEPHEN G. HALE was born in Tennessee in 1812, and came to Dakota county June 15th, 1859. Settled in Blyburg where he lived until his death, May 15th. 1876. Was married twice before coming to the county. llis second wife's maiden name was Mary D. Wright. who still survives him. There are two children living by his first wife, and eight by his second wife of whom six are at present living.


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SETTLERS OF 1859.


WILLIAM HIGGINBOTHAM was born October 2nd., 1838. in Wyota Lafayette county, Wis., and came to Da- kota county. June 15th. 1859. Located in Blyburg that fall, which was, indeed, a wild looking country at that time. Was married in Colorado, June, 1860. to Miss Lane, sister of Dutton and Caleb Lane. Went to Grand Island in 1865, and back to Dakota county, 1870. Have eight children. He is at present living in Sonth Sioux City, Nebraska.


PIUS NEFF was born in Baden, Germany, in 1848, and came with his parents to America when he was eight years of age. He learned the pottery trade in New York, and in the spring of 1859 came to Dakota county, making the journey from Omaha to Dakota City afoot. He had been engaged to work in the pot- tery at Dakota City, and at once began work. After years of careful management and hard work he has accumulated considerable property, and is held in the highest esteem by the people of this county. His noble wife died December 23, 1891, leaving one daughter, Mary.


ISAAC IIAZLEGROVE was born in 1838, in Indiana, and came to Dakota county, in 1859. Afterwards went to the Rocky mountains and is now living at Salt Lake City. Was married to Sarah Wilson and they have five children, all sons.


SETTLERS OF 1860.


JOSIAH W. DAVIS, long before Horace Greeley ever told the young men to "go west," bid his friends adien and crossed over the Missouri river to Dakota connty on the 18th day of April, 1860, with a deter- mination to settle down on the primeval prairies of Nebraska and grow up with the country,"-the fleeting years passed on and sure enough he kept pace with our county's march to prosperity. Leaving his family on the De Borde place he pushed on to the


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Rocky Mountains in quest of wealth. Returning in


the fall went to Wisconsin, sold property there and wintered in the old town of Omadi. Bought a piece of land some two miles south of the present town of Homer, of Jeremiah Braunt, father of John and Horatio Braunt, and moved his family there. In 1862 was elected to the legislature; was county commis- sioner three years, and run on the democratic ticket for state senator in the fall of 1892. Built the Sam Combs mill in 1868. His wife died in 1872. leaving six children. Was married to Mary O'Chander in 1873: have six children by this marriage. In 1886 sold his farm to Asa Rathbun and purchased a piece of land adjoining the Wm. Nixon farm and built a substantial residence. He was born June 2, 1826, in Guilford, Maine; went to Grant county, Wisconsin via Albany. Buffalo and Chicago; worked in the lead mines until 1850 when he went to California. This was indeed a wild journey as there were no settlements west of the Missouri river. Went back to Wisconsin in 1854 and on the 31st day of August of that year was married to Margaret A. DeBorde. Kept hotel until he started for Nebraska in 1860. Mr. Davis has always taken an active part in the politics of Dakota county, is consid- ered a good debator on all subjects that have from time to time agitated the minds of the people and has won the reputation of being an honest upright citizen.


GOODWIN TAYLOR was born 1806. in Virginia. Settled in Cedar county, Iowa, 1836, and came to Da- kota county, in 1870. Located on the old William Silence place at the bluffs eight miles south west of Dakota City, where he lived an honest upright life, honored and respected by all who knew him. Died at his home, July 11, 1881, his wife having preceeded him to the realms of eternity, January 8, 1879.


MICHAEL M. BEACOM Was born February 1848, in Ireland, Tyrone county. Moved to Wisconsin. then to


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SETTLERS OF 1860.


Iowa, and settled in Dakota county, April 29, 1860. Lived seven years on Elk Creek, when he located one mile and a half east of Hubbard, where he still resides. Married to Lizzie Melntyre in 1874, and has seven children living, five sons-James E., Michael T., John P., George T. and David P .; two daughters, Mary N. and Alice M. Was the last county assessor.


MICHAEL BEACOM, SR., came to Dakota county April 20, 1860, where he and his wife died, leaving three children, Mrs. Allice Sullivan and Michael M .; and Mrs. Susan Mitchell, the latter now dead.


DUTTON LANE came to Dakota county May 9, 1860. Was married to Adaline DeBorde March 22, 1875. She died, leaving two daughters. Hlad made himself famous by killing a mountain lion, an aligator and an enormous fish, all in Dakota county. He died in 1893, on Walker's Island.


JOSEPH SMITH was born June 1, 1845, in Erie county, Ohio, and came to Dakota county May 10, 1860, settling in Blyburg where he helped his father in the saw mill, which was established in 1864. Was married to Margaret J. DeBorde in 1868. Was one of the founders of Homer, where he lived until 1875 when he went to Oregon. Afterwards returned and is now engaged in the mercantile business in Emerson. Has eight children living -- seven sons and one daughter. One child is dead.


JOSEPH HARRIS Was Forn February 15, 1831, in Stalbridge, England, and came to Dakota county May 10, 1860, settling on a farm two miles south-east of Homer, where he still lives. Married in the fall of 1860 to Dorothy Smith. Has ten children-four sons. George, John, Joseph and Robert; six daughters, Mrs. Thomas McMahon, Mrs. Wm. Maney, Mrs. Joseph Johns, Amelia, Joanna and Rose.


HERBERT HARRIS was born in England in 1838, and came to Dakota county May 10, 1860. Married a


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WARNER'S HISTORY OF DAKOTA COUNTY.


second time to Elva Endsby. Has four sons, John Ed- ward, Tilden, Leonard and Daniel : three daughters, Mary E., Lydia and Dora A. Was a member of the first band of Dakota county, where he played the B claronet. Postoffice, Homer.


ROBERT SMITH was born in Erie county. Ohio. March 25. 1857, and came to Dakota county June 15. 1860. Was married to Eliza Retherford June 18, 1874. Hlas two sons, Robert Milton and Jefrey E .; two daugh- ters, Lillie Maud and Goldie Dott. One son and one daughter have died. Lives one-half mile south of Homer. "During my first years here" says Robert, "I saw some hard times, but still I think there is no place like home. in Dakota county."


GUSTAVE BERGER was born March 12, 1840, in Germany, and came to America, arriving in Dakota county December 5, 1860. Ilis father, mother, brother Gotleib, and sister, Mrs. Niggerman, came with him. Stopped a few days in Omadi, which he says: "Was at that time a dead town." Enlisted in Company I, 2nd Nebraska cavalry. Settled where he now resides, tive miles south-west of Dakota City, in 1867. Was mar- ried to Miss Minerva Taylor, October 20. 1879, and she died February 4, 1893, leaving a little daughter. Ilis father, Frederick Berger, died January 26, 1861.


GOTLEIB BERGER was born in Germany, and came to Dakota county December 5, 1860. Took a claim south-east of Dakota City. where he lived to accumulate considerable amount of property. Died in Sioux City, Jowa, February 3, 1890, from effects of "LaGrippe.'




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