USA > Nebraska > York County > York County, Nebraska and its people : together with a condensed history of the state, Vol. II > Part 24
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John B. Dey received his early education in a subscription log schoolhouse. for the floor, and seats of which he split the logs. The school was located on a corner of his grandmother's farm and the school term was for three months of the winter season, his time during the fine weather being occupied in the work of the farm. There was little to vary the monotony of the daily existence at that period. When the Civil war was in its second year he decided to try the life of a soldier and in December. 1862. enlisted in Company F. Eighth Iowa Cavalry. but was not mustered into the service until June, 1863. He was sent into Kentucky and then to Nashville, Tennessee, and immediately began to see active service in the engage- ment at Red Clay Station and at Resaca, Marietta and Kenesaw Mountain. Ile was seriously wounded in the latter battle and was sent to the field hospital. where he was detained from the middle of July until September. After he left the hospital he rejoined his regiment at Franklin, Tennessee, and was in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, later being in Wilson's raid through Alabama. Mississippi and Georgia. Ile saw service with General Sherman during one of his campaigns and served in the command led by General Thomas. His brigade was noted as being one of the few to fight in the last engagement of the war. He was in the cavalry nearly all of his term of his service in the war and when getting about the country had to ford and swim rivers and take other risks incident to war. Ile was honorably discharged in September, 1865, at Clinton, Iowa.
At the close of his military service Mr. Dey returned to Wayne county, Iowa, and there lived for a brief period, later going to Lucas in the same state. In 1870 he moved to Taylor county, lowa, and in the fall of that year came to Stewart, Nebraska, and took a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres of land on which he erected a sod house containing two rooms and remained on that place until 1828. In the latter year he went to Polk county and there took up carpenter work and continued to reside in that county until 1890. At David City where he next sojourned he became associated with the Tribune newspaper, of which he was editor and when that connection ceased he went to York and conducted a job printing business, remaining in that line until 1896. Mr. Dey then settled in Bradshaw and started the Bradshaw Republican which he conducted up to 1911, in which year he sold the paper and retired from active business life. His busi- ness affairs were wisely and carefully controlled, his investments most judiciously made and his enterprise brought him a substantial measure of success.
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In 1866 Mr. Dey was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Hall and to that union eight children were born: Laura and Flora, twins, the latter of whom is deceased; Viola, deceased ; Adeline; Lillian ; Alta; Iva, deceased ; and Pearl. After nearly fifty years of married life Mrs. Dey passed away on June 21, 1916, leaving a void in the family circle and among numbers of friends that will endure for many years. Mr. Dey east his first vote for Abraham Lincoln and ever since has been a stanch supporter of the republican party. He has filled the office of justice of the peace and served as assistant postmaster of Stromsburg for a time. Ile was elected to the state legislature on the party ticket and while serving in that representative capacity gave general satisfaction, placing the public welfare before any other consideration. He is a member of Post 32, Grand Army of the Republie, at York, and has been actively connected with that patriotie organiza- tion since it was established in the state. From time to time in past years he acted as an organizer and helped to form posts at different points throughout the state. He is alliliated with the Masonie order at Bradshaw and has membership in the order since 1884. Mr. Dey is now in his seventy-sixth year and in the enjoyment of good health. His life has been a busy and useful one and by unfaltering industry and determination he advanced steadily on the highroad to success. Bradshaw numbers him among her foremost citizens and accords him a high measure of respect and good will.
JUDGE HARRY G. HOPKINS
No higher testimonial of faithful and able judicial service could be given than in the fact that Harry G. Hopkins has three times been elected county judge. Born in Lucas county, Iowa, on the 16th of August, 1861, he is a son of George W. and Laura ( White) Hopkins, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Indiana. They were married in Lucas county, Iowa, to which place Mr. Hopkins removed in 1853. He was a farmer and stock raiser, devoting his life to agrieul- tural pursuits and passing away in Iowa in 1885. In politics he was a republican and was sheriff of Lucas county during the Civil war. He took a keen interest in everything pertaining to the general welfare and at the same time so carefully managed his business affairs that he won substantial success and gained the proud American title of a self-made man. To him and his wife were born nine children, of whom four are yet living ; Mary, now the widow of J. B. Enslow of Chariton, Iowa: Louina, the wife of E. B. Crownover, who is living retired in Lincoln, Nebraska : Nettie, the widow of F. Il. Reid, and a resident of Perry, Iowa ; and Judge Hopkins of this review. The last named was reared on a farm with the usual experiences of the country bred boy who works in the fields throughout the summer seasons and attends the country schools in the winter months, thus laying the foundation for future success in the lessons which he learns in the schoolroom. For a few years he followed farm work in lowa before removing to York county, Nebraska, in 1887. Here he rented land and in connection with the cultivation of the soil taught school until 1896. Ile then went to Benedict where he studied law in addition to teaching until admitted to the bar in 1899. He then opened a law office in Benedict and engaged in practice there until coming to York in 1901.
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He at once entered upon the active work of the profession in this city and was soon accorded a liberal clientage by reason of the ability which he displayed. In 1914 he was elected to the bench for a two years' term and has twice been reelected since that time, his judicial service reflecting credit and honor upon those who have thus honored him.
On the 12th of January, 1893, Judge Hopkins was married to Miss Ella Myers. who was born in Illinois, January 16, 1870, a daughter of B. F. and Marietta (Crownover ) Myers, who are natives of Indiana and Pennsylvania respectively. They came to York county in 1875 and here Mr. Myers homesteaded and still continues a resident of the county, but his wife has passed away.
To Judge and Mrs. Hopkins were born two children : George B., who is engaged in the abstract and insurance business in York and is now with the Fisher Perry Insurance Company. After acquiring a high school education here he studied civil engineering independently and has made a creditable place for himself in the business circles of the city ; and Ruth M., the daughter, who is still in school.
Judge Hopkins gives his political support to the republican party and served as county assessor of York county before being elected to the bench. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America, and his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. His life is at all times actuated by high ideals and his cooperation has ever been counted upon as a factor in the development of those interests which make for upright manhood and honorable citizenship.
F. C. WILLIAMS
F. C. Williams, the present popular mayor of Gresham, to which responsible oflice he was elected largely because of his military service, is a native of Kentucky, born in Bath county, that state, January 3, 1874, a son of Joseph G. and Nancy (Alley) Williams, also natives of Kentucky, where their last days were spent. During his active life the father was engaged in general farming and stock raising in his native state and in these lines of work he was very successful. To his marriage with Nancy Alley the following children were born : Miller, who died some years ago: Betty, also deceased; F. C., subjeet of this sketch; Henry, a farmer, living in Kentucky: Willie, who lives in Neweastle, Indiana; Ollie, also in Newcastle; and Blanche, living in Kentucky. The parents were earnest mem- bers of the Christian church and faithful attendants on its services. He gave his politieal allegiance to the republican party and was well informed concerning the questions and issues of his day. He died in Kentucky in 1902, being then in his sixty-second year. His widow survived until 1919, when she passed away, having reached sixty-nine years of age.
F. C. Williams was educated in the public schools of Ohio and later spent one year in the Normal College at Lebanon, Ohio, from which he emerged well equipped in all educational essentials. In 1898, at the outbreak of the Spanish-American war, he enlisted in Company M, Third Kentucky United States Volunteers and entered the service at Lexington, Kentucky. Ile was sent to Cuba and there was in active military service for six months, or until the termination of the war.
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Following his discharge he re-enlisted in Company B, 31st United States Volun- teers and was ordered to the Philippines, where at that time a revolution was raging, and he participated in several skirmishes but escaped without injury. At the elose of hostilities he returned to San Francisco and was there discharged in March, 1900. Prior to his military service he had been helping with the work on his father's farm in Kentucky.
It was in 1894 that Mr. Williams first came to York county and worked for a time on a farm owned by an uncle, later returning to Kentucky and subsequently entering the military service. In 1901 he returned to York county and settled in Gresham and assisted in the work of the Moorehouse elevator for four years, his connection there giving him a keen insight into the grain business. The next two years were spent on a farm, from which he moved to Gresham and entered the confectionery business, the results which he obtained from this line proving satis- factory. A desire for more military life eame to him when the great World war was in progress and after America had become a participant in it. Mr. Williams enlisted at Omaha as a member of Company A, 2nd Battalion United States Guards and was sent to Camp Travis, San Antonio, Texas, and was in the service for eleven months, when he was discharged at Camp Funston and returned to Gresham, making the latter his home ever since.
In 1902 Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Gertrude Walford, a native of Seward county, Nebraska, and a daughter of John Walford, of that county, and they have become the parents of one ehild, Unice, who lives at home. The family are members of the Presbyterian church and endeavor to follow closely the Golden Rule. They are influenced by high principles of conduct and their genuine worth has commended them to the friendship and regard of all with whom they have been associated. Evidence of this feeling was shown when Mr. Williams was elected to fill the office of mayor of Gresham, the duties of which office he has been worthily discharging and he has been untiring in his efforts to make Gresham a bigger and better place in which to live. His political support is always with the republican party, whose policies he consistently advocates. He holds fraternal affiliation with the Masonic order and is a member of the Knights Tem- plars, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Workmen of the World, in all of which he takes a warm interest, as he does in every movement designed to promote the moral and material welfare of the community in which he resides.
JACOB M. STOUT
Jacob M. Stout, who departed this life after he had passed his seventieth year, was one of the pioneer farmers of York county, Nebraska. He was born in Butler county, Ohio, the son of John and Elizabeth (Freeman) Stout, the latter a native of Vermont. They resided in Pennsylvania, then in Ohio and still later in Indiana where they passed away. Jacob M. Stout grew to manhood on his father's farm in Indiana and in 1874 eame to Nebraska where he settled in Arborville township, York county. He bought eighty aeres of unimproved rail- road land at five dollars per acre and by saving and careful managing he added one hundred and sixty acres to this farm. He came by railroad to Seward,
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Nebraska, and took a stage coach to York, where he secured another hired con- veyance to take him to the farm.
His brother-in-law. James II. Tyson, who had acquired a homestead, lived here and his sod house sheltered Mr. Stout until he built his house, a structure made of plank and covered with thin boards like the roof of a box-car, which was his home until later years when he erected the frame house still standing on the farm. The life of the early settler was one of numerons and trying hardships and it required ambition and perseverance to win even a mediocre success. When Mr. Stout first began farming in this new locality he met with more than ordinary hardships as this was the time when the grasshopper pestilence was so trying to farmers. However, he overcame all his difficulties accepting each trial that put strength, patience and faith to the test, and emerged victorious with a splendid home, a fine family, substantial wealth and the esteem of all who knew him as a reward for his years of toil.
On March 8, 1855, he was married to Isabelle Jane Primrose, the daughter of Allen Primrose. a native of Scotland, and Mary ( MeKain) Primrose, a native of South Carolina. They were early settlers in Indiana where they both passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Stout had four children, all of whom are living: John A. Stout. the oldest, was a boy of seventeen when the family came to York county, and with his sisters Anna and Mary. now owns the old homestead farm of his father. In addition to this he is the owner of four hundred acres of land in Arborville township and a beautiful home which he shares with his sister Anna, as they are both unmarried. Another daughter, Mary, is the wife of A. A. Peter- son who resides in Arborville township, and a son. Sanford Benton. is married and lives in Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Stout were members of the Methodist church and in politics Mr. Stout was a republican. He passed away on the farm in Arborville township. York county. in his seventy-first year, leaving to mourn his demise many friends and his devoted children.
RICHARD O. ALLEN
Among the prominent men of York. York county. is Richard O. Allen, clerk of the district court of that county. Ile was born in Casey county, Kentucky. Febru- ary 2. 1879, a son of William S. and Mary ( Miller) Allen, the latter a native of Kentucky. The father was a native of Indiana, having been born in Daviess county, that state, but in carly manhood he removed to Kentucky. The was a phy- sician of some note and had secured his medical education in the Indiana Medical College and the Medical College at Lexington, Kentucky. Hle practiced in Knox and Casey counties. Kentucky, and Cookeville, Tennessee. Ile began the practice of his profession in Daviess county. Indiana, and later returned there where his death occurred in 1889. His wife and the mother of Richard O. Allen is still living and resides in Knox county, Kentucky. They were the parents of five children, namely : Richard O., subject of this sketch ; William S., who lives in Knox county, Kentucky, where he is engaged in farming and is a minister of the Christian church : James E., who is engaged in railroading in Chicago: Charlotte, who is the wife of William Bailey and lives in southern Kentucky, and Benjamin, who resides
RICHARD O. ALLEN
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC !TR ARY
ASTOR, LANIX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
at Pineville, Kentucky, where he engages in farming. The father was a member of the Christian church and a member of the Masons and Odd Fellows, in which fraternal organizations he was very active. In polities he was a stanch republican.
In the acquirement of an education Richard O. Allen attended the public schools of Knox county, Kentucky, and was graduated from the Pineville high schools in 1897. He then took a business course and at Williamsburg made his initial step into the business world. He worked as printer and newspaper man for several years and for three years served in the Spanish-American war and the Philippine insurrection. Just prior to his enlistment he was employed by the master commissioner of Clay county, Kentucky.
In 1906 Mr. Allen settled in York, being employed by the different newspapers of York and York county until 1916, when he made the race for elerk of the district court. In 1916 Mr. Allen was elected to the office of clerk of the district court and has served the county since 1917. Ile was nominated for his second term without opposition from either party and was re-elected in November, 1920, with the highest vote of any man on his party tieket. He has given his entire time to the duties of his office, systematized the work, formulated a new system of financial accounting, revised record forms and written new ones, copied and transferred old index records that went back to 1890 of all cases filed, since that time and which had been in continuons use all these many years; he also made a summary of all cases filed and money collected for the past thirty years, and has brought the office up to the highest standards of efficiency.
During the World war Mr. Allen. was busy in all activities, made ont bonus, compensation and clothing applications for York county's soldiers and sailors who served in the World war and helped them in every possible way. He has secured a number of pensions for soldiers of other wars.
On the 1st of October, 1901, Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Miss Maud E. Putman, a native of Merrick county, and a daughter of George W. and Rosa Putman. They were pioneers of Nebraska. The father died in November, 1916, at York, a retired farmer, and the mother still resides in York. Mr. and Mrs. Allen are the parents of three children: Richard T., who is fifteen years of age ; Aubrey K., ten years of age, and Charlsey F., aged eight years.
Politically Mr. Allen is a republican and fraternally an Odd Fellow and both Mr. and Mrs. Allen are members of the Congregational church. He was adjutant of the Spanish-American War Veterans at York and was active in the state eneampments. In 1918 he was department chief of staff and in 1919 held the position of junior vice department commander of Nebraska. In his service to the publie Mr. Allen has well demonstrated his ability and efficiency and he is a man and citizen of whom York and York county may well be proud.
JUDGE GEORGE F. CORCORAN
George F. Corcoran, judge of the fifth judicial district of Nebraska to which office he was called after three years' service as assistant attorney general, is reeog- nized as one of the distinguished members of the York county bar. He was born in Rockford, Winnebago county, Illinois, January 13, 1862, a son of Patrick
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and Julia ( Moran) Corcoran, both of whom were natives of Ireland, whence they came to the United States in the fifties, and settled in Rockford, Illinois, in March, 1860. The father was a farmer and veterinary surgeon who devoted his entire life to those activities. In the fall of 1878 he removed to York county, settling on a farm, purchasing railroad land, and in connection with its cultivation engaged in the practice of his profession. being one of the pioneers in that field of activity in Nebraska. To him and his wife were born nine children, of whom five are living. Judge Corcoran is the eldest and a sister Mary is the only other member of the family now living in York county, she being employed as proofreader in the office of The News-Times. The father was a democrat in his political views and a Catholie in his religions faith. He sold his farm some time prior to his death, spending his last days in the city of York.
Judge Corcoran came to this county in February. 1879. when a youth of seventeen years and took up his abode on the old homestead on section twenty- seven, in what is now Leroy township. He had previously attended the common schools of his native state and a business college in Rockford, Illinois, and one in Omaha, Nebraska. He assisted his father on the farm and also engaged in teach- ing a district school. During the busy season he assisted in the office of the county treasurer. Soon afterward he became interested in the York Democrat of which he became owner in 1886, and has since been proprietor of the paper. His initial step toward a professional career was made as court reporter. a posi- tion which he occupied for twelve years, and during that period entered upon the study of law, carefully pursuing his reading until admitted to the bar in 1894. For a short time he engaged in the practice of law but has been in state offices altogether for about twenty-nine years. first as court reporter for thirteen years then as assistant attorney general for three years and since 1902 as judge of the district court of the fifth judicial district which comprises six counties. He was appointed court reporter by District Judge Robert Wheeler, in January, 1892, serving for a four year term and then in 1896 entered upon the private practice of law. becoming in the following year an active worker in connection with the first presidential campaign of William Jennings Bryan. In 1892 he was appointed stenographer to Attorney General C. J. Smyth, and afterwards was made assistant attorney general. a position he resigned in 1900 to become court reporter under Judge B. F. Good, remaining in that position for eight years. He was elected district judge in 1902 and has remained upon the bench for thirteen years, having thus through the steps of an orderly progression reached the place which he now fills. Ilis decisions bear the stamp of broad knowledge of the law, of clear insight into situations and of the utmost fairness. his rulings being ever characterized by impartiality that is acknowledged by all. Nor have Judge Corcoran's activities been confined only to professional lines. He served as a member of the city council of York and was active in the organization of the volunteer fire department, of which he served for many years as chief. In fact throughout his years of resi- dence in Nebraska his cooperation could always be counted upon for the public good along all lines of material, political and moral progress.
In 1886 Judge Corcoran was married to Miss Margaret Neville, who was born in Canada and passed away October 6, 1893, leaving two children: Rose, the wife of Miles Duffy, who is engaged in the produce business at Hordville, Nebraska ; and Margaret, who is a Sister of Mercy at Omaha, known as Sister Mary Kevin.
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Judge Corcoran was married a second time when Miss Christine Walla became his wife. She was born in Saunders county, Nebraska, a daughter of Mathias Walla, one of the pioneer settlers of that county who is of Bohemian birth and served in the Austrian army. Two children have been born of this marriage: Francis Dorothy and Maurice William.
Judge Corcoran and his family are communicants of the Catholic church and he is a member of the Knights of Columbus, having been head officer in the order in Nebraska for several years. He is now master of the fourth degree in the state. He also belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, of which he has been exalted ruler, and is now district deputy. Hle likewise has membership with the Highlanders and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is secretary of the Old Settler's Association of the county, in which he has been deeply interested for years. He also takes active part in the annual Chautauqua, assisted in building the pavilion in which it is held and has been an earnest supporter thereof from the beginning. In politics he is a democrat but not an active party worker at the present devoting his entire time to his judicial duties.
FRANK A. PETERSON
Of Swedish descent, Frank A. Peterson, a well known and prosperous farmer owning an excellent holding located on section 35, Bradshaw township, York county. has all the attributes of thrift and industrial energy for which the Swedes are noted, and these qualities he has brought into operation in the handling of his farming affairs. He was born in Henry county, Iowa, October 22, 1845, a son of Nels and Anna (Christenson ) Peterson, both natives of Sweden, and who on coming to this country first settled in Minnesota where the father worked at railroad construction. From Minnesota he removed to lowa and in that state worked at farm labor and rented land in Henry county, remaining thus engaged for some years. Nels Peterson was married in Iowa and in the early 20s he and his wife came to York county and here he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land which was devoid of all improvements. Ile built a small frame house and a small sod barn, both of those serving until more substantial struc- tures were erected. About that time the Burlington Railroad was under con- struction and in the building of that line he assisted, going west as far as possible without inconvenience to his family. Later he broke the sod on his homestead and commenced farming operations, gradually bringing the farm to a condition of excellent improvement, and as time went on he added to his holding and at the date of his death was the owner of a valuable place containing two hundred and eighty acres. His passing away in 1916 at the age of seventy years was regretted by many friends. His wife predeceased him in 1900. They were members of the Swedish Lutheran church and he gave his political support to the republican party. They had three children: Frank A. of this review; Joe, a farmer of York county ; and Emma, the wife of E. L. Gustafson of Omaha. Rightly re- garded as a pioneer farmer in the county his work and efforts during the thirty- eight years of residence here were always directed toward the well-being of the community, in the affairs of which he was an important factor.
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