USA > Nebraska > York County > York County, Nebraska and its people : together with a condensed history of the state, Vol. II > Part 27
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constructed of sod with a board roof and in this the family lived for six years, later replacing it with a more substantial and commodious building. There were twelve children born to John and Kathrine Abrahams, of whom seven are living and doing well in their various lines of activity.
In his boyhood John Abrahams had but little opportunity for acquiring an education but attended the schools of his native country for a time. He was four- teen years old when he accompanied his mother to the new world and remained with her, working on the home farm, until he had attained his majority. He then engaged in farming on his own account, continuing in that line for one year at the end of which time he entered a general store at Bradshaw where he acquired a full knowledge of business methods and the buying and selling of goods and followed this line of activity for thirteen years. He then turned his attention to farming again and has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits now operating a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres devoted to general farming and stock raising. It is a well improved property and in the conduct of his agricultural interests he has met with gratifying success, being energetie, enterprising and progressive. He has kept in touch with all modern methods and farming machinery and has utilized both to the fullest extent in the carrying on of his affairs, thus securing maximum results from his investments.
In 1882 Mr. Abrahams was united in marriage to Miss Kathrine Kroeker, who was born in Russia, a daughter of Heinrich Kroeker and wife, the former of whom died some years ago. They have no children. Mr. Abrahams and his wife are active members of the Mennonite church, to the teachings of which they consistently adhere and their influence is always on the side of right, progress and improvement. He is a preacher of the church and by self-education, wide reading and close study is amply qualified for the duties which the work of a preacher entails, his efforts for the moral and social uplift of the community being worthy of special commenda- tion. His political support is given to the republican party and while not an office seeker he served years ago on the township school board as a director, his interest in the advancement of educational facilities being on a par with his other efforts for the welfare of the community. His honorable principles have won him many friends and all who know him hold him in the highest esteem.
OTTO B. LIEDTKE
Otto B. Liedtke is a well known representative of farming interests in York county, where prior to his retirement to Thayer in 1916 he had been actively engaged in the cultivation of two hundred and eighty acres of prime land, the ownership of which he still retains. He is a native of Charleston, South Carolina, born August 20, 1867, a son of F. W. and Ann (Chemfaren) Liedtke, the latter born in Philadelphia.
The father was a captain in the Union army during the Civil war and at the close of his service with the Federal forces he joined the United States regular army, with which he remained for several years, his last place of service being at Detroit. In 1872 he migrated to York county and took a homestead of one hundred and sixty aeres located in Thayer township, that holding being now in the possession of
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his son Otto B. Liedtke. In the winter of 1872 he built a shack on the homestead and in the following year brought his family to reside on the place. Being a man of considerable education he taught school for a time, and having shown himself possessed of the necessary ability he was elected county clerk in 1873, retaining that office until 1879, when he was further honored hy election to the office of state auditor, serving one term in that responsible capacity. In the meantime he had been attending to his land which he improved and developed and brought to an excellent state of cultivation. Shortly after his retirement from the office of auditor Mr. Liedtke went to Texas and there bought a cattle ranch which he operated for several years with excellent results. He was one of the leading men in the ranch country in which he resided and enjoyed a prosperity which was the merited reward of his labors. He passed away in 1914, being then seventy-eight years old.
Otto B. Liedtke accompanied his father to Lincoln when the latter was filling the office of state auditor. A portion of his education was obtained in the public schools of York and he completed his school course at Lincoln, after which he moved to Kansas City and worked at his trade as a harness-maker for about three years. At the end of that period he returned to York and worked at his trade for a year. IIe then accepted an appointment in the office of the elerk of the district court and served for one year, after which he returned to the old homestead and there pursued agricultural operations up to 1916, when he retired to Thayer. During his active years on the farm he had been engaged in general farming and stock raising, adding gradually to his holdings as he prospered in his work and he is now the owner of two hundred and eighty acres which he brought to an excellent state of improvement. Ile employed modern methods and utilized modern machin- ery in the conduet of his agricultural operations, with the result that he converted it into a most valuable and productive farming property.
On February 26, 1887, Mr. Liedtke was united in marriage to Miss Anna A. Fewins and to that union three children were born: Frederick, a farmer, of York county ; Frank, who operates the home farm ; and Vesta, the wife of Castle Brewer, of York. Mr. Liedtke has given his consistent support to the principles of the republican party and has been actively identified with the public affairs of York county for several years. He served as county supervisor for four years. He has been township clerk and is now filling the office of township assessor, the duties of which office he is performing with fidelity and ability. He is affiliated with the Masonie order at Gresham. The county is fortunate in having his services in connection with its important growth and development and is proud to number him among its citizens.
BURWELL SPURLOCK
Burwell Spurlock has been a resident of Nebraska for sixty-five years and his active life has been one of service and usefulness to his fellowmen.
Burwell Spurlock was born in Wayne county, Virginia, June 28, 1835, where his parents were also born, and while the son was too young to remember the
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family home was established in Illinois and later in Iowa. In the latter state the subject of this review was reared on a pioneer farm, obtaining his early education by the light of the old-fashioned fireplace. At the age of eighteen he found employ- ment in a store at Glenwood, Iowa, where he worked one year and with the wages thus earned attended Iowa Wesleyan University for a term of six months. April 1, 1856, before he had reached his majority, he arrived at Plattsmouth, Nebraska, and entered the employ of a business firm which had recently located there. Having become a Christian in early boyhood and having formed a strong aversion to the use of intoxicating beverages, for a time in the mixed population he seemed an anomaly. But he had been taught at home to be respectful and courteous to all, irrespective of class, color or station. Observing these rules he safely passed through the crucial test, and won the respect and friendship of all classes, without making a single compromise to their ways. His parents became residents of Nebraska City in 1858, and here they both passed away, the father at the age of eighty-one and the mother in her nineties.
November 1, 1860, Burwell Spurlock was married to Miss Isabella S. Davis, who was born in Nodaway county, Missouri, January 21, 1843. Her father, William II. Davis, became a pioneer settler of Cass county, Nebraska, coming here before the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill and bought from the Indians the privilege of selecting his claim. He joined with a few friends in hiring private teachers to instruct their children and in 1855 erected on his own land probably the first schoolhouse built in Cass county. In 1858 his daughter was engaged to teach the neighborhood school, which she did in an acceptable manner, and although but fifteen years old had grown boys and girls for her pupils. After her marriage she became active in the social and religious life of the young city of Plattsmouth, and soon after was selected as corresponding secretary of the Christian Commission. In this position she rendered excellent service and aided materially in gathering sup- plies for the wounded and dying in southern hospitals. In the early temperance work of the state she took an active part as editor of the Olive Branch, and of a temperance column in the Plattsmouth Herald. About this time she organized a corps of eighty boys known as the Cold Water Army. Many of these became promi- nent in the civic and commercial life of the state. She was prominent in the organ- ization of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, was chosen corresponding sec- retary of the state department, and sent as the first delegate from Nebraska to the national executive meeting at Cincinnati, Ohio. For many years she was prominent in the work of the Woman's Home Missionary Society of the Methodist church and this work led to the establishment of a home and industrial school for boys and girls located at York, Nebraska, known as "Mothers' Jewels' Home," in the man- agement of which she assisted her husband until her death, which occurred October 14, 1906.
After his marriage Mr. Spurlock continued in mercantile pursuits in one form or another until elected county clerk and recorder in the fall of 1860. After the expiration of his first term-two years-he was renominated and elected for a second term. Then afterwards two other terms, in each succeeding convention receiving the nomination by acclamation. In his last election, after the famous election contest over the Rockbluff matter, his majority was greater than at any previous election. Many democrats voted for him. He was importuned by the leading and best men in the republican party to become a candidate for the fifth
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term, but positively declined. Also after this he was urged by prominent and influential men in the state to become a candidate for secretary of state, but he declined this also.
To show the character of the man and his loyalty to his convictions, mention must be made of the Rockbluff affair. Of this affair it may be said that, as relating to Spurlock it has the distinction of being the only time in his life that his integrity or purity of motive was ever questioned. As related to the interest and progress of Nebraska it is one of the most important events in its history. The following brief facts are taken from an extensive account of the affair, prepared by Rev. David Marquette, a pioneer Methodist minister in Nebraska.
"There was an election held June 2, 1866. Primarily, the issue was the admis- sion of Nebraska as a state ; incidentally, the election of state officers, legislators, and congressmen were involved. the legislature to select two United States senators. The election was held under great excitement and bitter feeling. A class of people then known as Missouri refugees, that is, people whose sympathies were with the South during the war, but who, being too cowardly to fight for the Confederate flag, had run away from the scene of war and had settled at Rockbluff and other places in Nebraska. They were not only considered rebels, by the Unionists, but were a tough set. They had settled in Rockbluff in such numbers that they had complete control of the election machinery, having elected their own judges and clerks of election. Spurlock was county clerk and shared in the general distrust in which these people were held and before the election expected some crookedness. To guard against it as far as possible he had sent them written instructions regarding the law. lle was not surprised the next morning to find that his pre-election suspicions were confirmed with rumors of gross irregularities at the polls in Rock- bluff precinct. When old-time residents of the precinct came to him and protested against having the vote counted he became convinced that the vote should be thrown out. But later when it became apparent, through the slowly incoming returns from the county and territory, that the result in the territory depended upon the vote in Cass county, and that in Cass county it depended upon the vote in Rockblutť precinct, and further that the official action of the board of canvassers of which he was ex-officio a member, and his own action as county clerk in giving certificates of election to members of the legislature, which in turn would determine the question of the admission of the state into the union and the political complexion of the legislature which would determine who would be the United States senators, Bur- well Spurlock had pressing upon him a responsibility that comes to few men, and which few men would feel more keenly than he. Upon consulting legal advice he was told that he would have to act as his own judgment and conscience dictated. The result was that the vote of Rockbluff precinct was thrown out and certificates of election given to the republican candidates. A contest was called for. the matter placed in the proper committees in the legislature, and some of the ablest attorneys of the state were employed. Mr. Spurlock's action was sustained by the legislative committee and further proof of his vindication is attested by the fact that at the next election he was given a larger majority than had ever before been accorded him."
After his term of office expired he again entered upon mercantile pursuits and for twenty years continued to reside at Plattsmouth. In 1891 he was made superin- tendent of "Mothers' Jewels' Home" in York and for twenty-seven years conducted
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the affairs of this institution in a very able manner. He is still a resident of York and is one of the few remaining Territorial Pioneers of Nebraska.
Mr. and Mrs. Spurlock became the parents of two children: William Wesley, who died in childhood ; and George M., an attorney of York, Nebraska.
DANIEL W. BAKER
Farming interests of York county find a worthy representative in the person of Daniel W. Baker, who is living on section 29, Morton township, where he has an excellent farm of two hundred acres. In former years he was an active member of the state legislature, serving the people of his district and of the state with fidelity and ability. He was born in Fulton county, Pennsylvania, September 25, 1854, a son of Jacob and Maria ( Bergstresser) Baker, natives of Pennsylvania ; the former was born November 2, 1814. and died September 16, 1879. The mother was born March 4, 1819, and passed away December 13, 1886. Jacob Baker taught school in the Keystone state during his early years and also farmed for a time. In 1874 the trend of migration being headed for the west, he set out for Nebraska and settled in York county, later buying a tract of railroad land, doing his trading at Seward. He built a frame house twelve by sixteen feet, and it is claimed that it was the first of its kind put up in the district. He proceeded to develop and improve the railroad land which he had acquired and soon had the place in a state of cultiva- tion, doing general farming and raising stock. It was on this holding that he and his wife spent their last days. They were the parents of two children: Francis A., a York county farmer, and Daniel W., the subject of this sketch. His wife was an ardent supporter of the activities of the Methodist church, on whose services she was a constant attendant. His political allegiance was extended to the republican party, but he never sought public office.
Daniel W. Baker, an eastern man by birth and training, displays in his life the spirit of enterprise and progress which have ever been a dominant factor in the upbuilding of that section of the country. He was educated in the common schools of Pennsylvania and later attended the Juniata Institute Academy of that state. Hle accompanied his parents to York county in 1874 and in that year taught school in the district schools of what is now Thayer township and also in Morton township. He helped his father in the farming operations on the home place and later decided to make the life of an agriculturist his ultimate goal. He began on his present place in 1880, applied himself diligently to learning the best and most profitable methods of condueting agricultural affairs, progressed as time went on, and is now the owner of a fine place of two hundred acres on which gen- eral farming and stock raising is carried on. He has brought the fields under a high state of cultivation and upon the farm there are substantial buildings which indicate the care and supervision of the owner. He seems to lose sight of nothing that should be accomplished in the work of further developing his place and his labors have brought substantial results.
April 13, 1829, Mr. Baker was united in marriage to Esther A. Black, a native of Pennsylvania, and of that union the following children have been born: Ray, living in Keensburg, Colorado; Frank, a farmer in York county ; Edward A., living
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in Kimball county, Nebraska ; Charles A., of Big Springs; Grant, of Enumclaw, Washington ; Ella, wife of H. P. Harrington; Tra L., of Washington : Clyde, of York county : Oliver P., Pearl, William M., Earl, Floyd and Wayne, all at home. Mr. Baker is a member of the Masonic order and a Knight Templar. He has been active and influential in republican polities for many years and has held office in the state legislature for three terms-1907-09-11. his successive re-elections to the house at once proclaiming his legislative ability and popularity. He made an excellent record while serving his district and in 1913 was appointed to the office of sergeant-at-arms in the state senate, his services in this highly important position being fully appreciated by the members of the senate. the officials and the public. He served as a member of the county board for four years and a further mark of favor was conferred upon him when he became precinct assessor, an office of which he was the incumbent for five terms. He discharged the duties of these various offices with great efficiency and faithfulness and is spoken of by his friends and contemporaries as a man of well rounded character and finely balanced mind.
WILLIAM J. LANYON
The son of William J. Lanyon, residing in Stewart township, York county, pays fitting tribute to his memory in preserving the record of his life in this history of the county and district. He was born in Linden, Iowa county, Wisconsin, February 2, 1843, a son of Simon and Mary ( Batten) Lanyon, both natives of the parish of St. Alban, Cornwall, England, where they were married in 1838. A short time after their marriage they immigrated to America and later located in Iowa county, Wisconsin, and at Linden, that state, the father followed his trade of blacksmith, continuing to reside there until 1853. Later he moved to Mineral Point, Wisconsin, and there his last days were spent. Mr. and Mrs. Simon Lanyon were the parents of six children, all of whom are now dead.
William J. Lanyon was educated in the schools of Linden and at Mineral Point, Wisconsin, and lived in the home of his parents until reaching young man- hood. When he was twenty-nine years old he started out for himself, and in April, 1822, came to York county and looked over the district with a view to set- tling here. He preempted a tract of land but lost the place in consequence of his absence while making the return journey to Wisconsin for his family. However. in the spring of the same year he started with his family from Wisconsin and drove through to York county, bringing three horses as part of his equipment. He settled on section 24 in Stewart township, selecting the northeast quarter of the section for his holding. He improved and developed the farm and was doing splendidly until the grasshoppers destroyed his crops. He held this place for thirty-three months under squatter's rights and then homesteaded one eighty acres and timber claimed the other eighty acres, and later homesteaded and proved up. He erected a frame house, fourteen feet by twenty-two feet, hauling the lumber from Columbus and Lincoln and he continued to reside there until 1883 when he sold out to advantage. Mr. Lanyon then bought a half section of land in the southwest quarter of section 22. and on this there were some small improvements in the form of frame honses.
During his active years in agricultural life, Mr. Lanyon specialized in the
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breeding of Shorthorn eattle and Percheron horses. He bought imported mares from France and in this way developed a line of business from which he derived handsome returns, and he was one of the first breeders of Percheron horses in this part of the state to see great possibilities in using imported animals for breeding purposes. His son, Irving IL., is following his father's work on the farm and in every respect is proving a worthy representative. He is largely engaged in the breeding of blooded horses and cattle, in which he has considerable investments, and his enterprise, as in the case of his father, is being substantially rewarded. He is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Gresham and in the Farmers State Bank of Thayer. The extent and importance of his business interests have made him widely and favorably known and his life record should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, indicating what may be accomplished by honorable effort. Ile is prominent in Masonie cireles and is a Knight Templar, while in other directions he gives of his time and ability to the furtherance of all projects intended to advance the moral and material welfare of the community.
On March 8, 1866, Mr. Lanyon was united in marriage to Elizabeth J. James, a native of Camhorne, Cornwall, England, born on October 26, 1843, a daughter of Joseph and Jane ( Rogers) James, also natives of Cornwall. They came to the United States in 1848 and settled at Dodgeville, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Lanyon became the parents of the following children: Mary L., of Gresham; Irving H., now operating his father's place; Morris S., of Pittsburg, Kansas; Reuben J., of Harra, Oklahoma ; William J., of Oklahoma City Emily J., of Gresham, and Carrie B., who died in infancy. The parents were members of the Methodist Epis- copal church and in social life occupied a very prominent position. He was a member of the Masonic order and in politics supported the republican party and for a time served as township treasurer. . In 1917 he retired from the farm and moved to Gresham where he passed away in June, 1918, being then in his seventy- fifth year. His wife predeceased him by five years, her death taking place in June, 1913. Mr. Lanyon, as one of the pioneers of the county, as a man who performed many good deeds in his day, will always be remembered and held in the highest respect.
IHRAM S. PLESSINGER
Hiram S. Plessinger is now and has been for years a representative agriculturist of York county, owning and cultivating a compact and well-kept farm of one hundred and sixty-six acres of valuable land on seetion 18, New York township. HIe was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, June 16, 1878, a son of Joseph and Jane (MeDaniel) Plessinger, natives of the Keystone State, near to the borders of which they spent their last days.
Joseph Plessinger was for many years engaged in farming operations in Penn- sylvania and continued in that line up to 1883 when he came to York county. On settling here he bought and operated land in Arborville township but lived in the village of Arborville, which at that time was beginning to come into some promi- nence as a business and residence neighborhood. After working the place for some years he sold out and moved to Box Butte county, Nebraska, where he remained for
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two years, at the end of that period returning to Arborville where he passed away at the old home. Mr. Plessinger and his wife became the parents of ten children, nine of whom are living. three of the latter being residents of York county : Mrs. F. L. Bedient, of Bradshaw: Mrs. John Blair, of Arborville, and Hiram S. J. N. and Mrs. A. W. Shaffer are residents of Polk county. Mr. and Mrs. Plessin- ger were members of the Christian church, in the good works of which they were active participants and were ever ready to assist in promoting all movements caleu- lated to advance the moral progress of their adopted county. Ile was a republican in politics and was a consistent supporter of the principles and policies of the party. Coming to York county as he did in humble circumstances he attained a fair measure of success and left behind him a good name and character worthy of emulation.
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