USA > Nebraska > York County > York County, Nebraska and its people : together with a condensed history of the state, Vol. II > Part 28
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In 1883, when Hiram S. Plessinger was but five years old, he accompanied his parents to York county, was reared on his father's place and was educated in the village schools of Arborville. On the completion of his school course he began to work at farming and commenced by renting land in Arborville township, con- tinning to operate in this way for three years. He then purchased farm land securing eighty acres in Lockridge township, which he held for a time and subse- quently sold at a good price, then bought another place of eighty acres in the same township. Mr. Plessinger secured his present holding containing one hundred and sixty-six acres in 1918. It is a well developed farm where he carries on general farming and stoek raising, the entire holding being under his own immediate supervision, thus entailing a large outlay of physical energy on his part. He raises pure-blooded Shorthorn cattle, the quality being unsurpassed in the district, and in all of his agricultural operations he is primarily progressive.
In 1900 Mr. Plessinger was united in marriage to Sylvia Darling, born in Arborville township, a daughter of David Darling, a well-known homesteader in that township where his last days were spent. One son has been born to the union, Roy David, now eleven years old. The Plessinger family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of York and take a praiseworthy interest in its work. He sup- ports the republican party in political affairs and for a time served the cause of education as a member of the local school board, his activity in this line being commendable. He has a wide acquaintance in the county in which practically all of his life has been spent and his sterling worth is indicated in the fact that his stanchest friends are those who have known him intimately sinee boyhood.
WILLIAM W. WYCKOFF
William W. Wyekoff, an attorney of York who is also engaged in the abstract business, was born in La Salle county, Illinois, July 15, 1858, his parents being Alfonso and Lovina (Beresford) Wyckoff, the former a native of Brown county. Ohio, while the latter was one of the first white children born in La Salle county, Illinois, her natal year being 1828. Her father was one of the first settlers of La Salle county, while William Wyckoff, the grandfather in the paternal line, arrived in 1838, Tle was born in Ohio and died a few years after reaching Illinois, The father was but eight years of age when, in 1838, he accompanied his parents to
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Illinois where he was reared on a farm. When a young man he went to California in 1851 making the trip largely by boat. He was a carpenter by trade, and after reaching the Pacific coast engaged in the building of mining machinery, remaining for three years in the far west when he returned with a capital of three thousand dollars saved from his earnings. After rejoining his family in Illinois he removed with them to York county, Nebraska, in 1880, and purchased a frame building at the northwest corner of the square in the city of York. Tearing down this store he erected a brick building upon the lot and also put up a second brick business block. He opened a drug store which he conducted successfully until 1887 and then sold out. In 1895 he removed to southern California where his last days were spent, his death occurring in 1915 when he was eighty-five years of age. His wife died in York in 1890. Their family numbered four children of whom three are living. Hlelen L .: was a teacher in the schools of Omaha for thirty-five years. but has now retired from the profession and is living in Berkeley, California. William W. is the second of the family; Florence deceased, became the wife of M. D. Cameron ; Rilla L., twin sister of Florence, is the wife of Charles ME. Boynton of Berkeley, California, who is manager of the coast branch of the Kawneer Manu- facturing Company of Niles, Michigan, The religious faith of the family was that of the Congregational church and the father was a minister of this church, taking a most helpful part in church work in addition to his various activities along other lines. lle did much for York and her upbuilding, at all times supporting those interests and activities which were of greatest benefit to the community. Ile was mayor during the time the city hall was built and the city waterworks installed. and he gave his political allegiance to the republican party at all times, believing in its principles most thoroughly. He was chaplain of the Sixty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war, serving for three years, and he was afterward a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
William W. Wyckoff, after attending the common schools, was graduated from a college of pharmacy in Chicago. in 1880, and then joined his father in the conduct of the drug store in York, with which he was associated until 1887 when the business was sold. He then turned his attention to the abstract business in which he is still engaged. At the same time he took up the study of law, was admitted to practice in 1895, and has since followed his profession, He was admitted to practice in all of the courts and throughout the intervening years has tried all kinds of cases and tried them well, being a strong, resourceful lawyer. He is also associate judge of the county court and has held the position for four years. He has the only set of abstract books in York county, and aside from his activity in this field he has for the past thirty years, or since its organization, been a director of the York Mutual Building & Loan Association.
In 1887 occurred the marriage of William W. Wyckoff and Miss Mary L. Baldwin, who was born in Sandwich, Illinois, a daughter of Franklin Baldwin. who came to Nebraska in 1883, settling in York county. The father was a real estate and abstraet man and both he and his wife passed away in York. Mr. and Mrs. Wyckoff have one child, Marjorie, the wife of Brown C. Woodbury, who is connected with the Liggett Lumber Company of York. Mr. and Mrs. Wyckoff are members of the Congregational church, and he is well known in fraternal eireles being connected with Masonie lodge, Knights of Pythias and Elks, and in the last named he has been exalted ruler. He is likewise a member of the United Work-
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men. The Woodmen of the World and the Royal Highlanders. Hle belongs to the Commercial Club, and to the Country Club and Rotary Club and he is keenly appreciative of the social amenities of life. In politics he has been a republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. For sixteen years he served as city attorney and for three years was a member of the board of supervisors. serving as its chairman for one year. He is now for the fourth year a member of the board of education and is its secretary, and he manifests the keenest interest. in everything pertaining to the welfare and progress of city and county, his aid and influence being at all times on the side of advancement.
FRANK L. PROPST
County treasurer Frank L. Propst who resides in York, was born on the 1st of December. 1885, in Rowan county, North Carolina. the son of Lawson E. and Diana (Goodman ) Propst. The father was a North Carolinian, born in that state on the 19th of January, 1861, and later removed to Illinois where he was married. Hle and his wife settled in North Carolina and there he engaged in farming and contracting. lle is still enjoying the best of health and continues to reside on his farm. The mother, who was a native of Illinois, died in 1916. Twelve children were born of this union: Paul E., whose birth occurred on the 4th of December, 1883, is engaged as government civil engineer at Martha, Texas; Frank L., the subject of this sketch: Willie Elmer, whose birth occurred April 3, 1887, is a rail- road conductor and resides in Illinois : Elhe May, born January 3, 1889, is the wife of William F. Flinekinger, a station agent, and they reside at St. Michael; Viola, born on the 11th of September. 1890. is the wife of A. J. Renneker of Memphis, Tennessee, who is engaged in the tailoring business: Charles H., whose natal day was August 22, 1891, is engaged in farming in Young county ; Bessie Ruth, born on the 28th of December, 1894 .. is holding a position as bookkeeper in Waco, Texas, as is also Bertha Marie, who was born on the 23rd of August, 1897; Johnnie V., born March 30, 1900, died in infancy : George Lee. born in 1902. is working on the farm of his brother in York county ; Glen Arthur, born on the 29th of July, 1905, resides with his father; and Dorris Lawson, born July 22, 1908, is at home. They are all faithful members of the Evangelical Lutheran church. The maternal grandfather, Moses Goodman, was one of the pioneers of Illinois having driven overland with his parents at an early day with ox teams. When the Civil war broke out he entered the southern army and served in the position of general until he received injuries which retired him from active service, and from the results of which he soon after died.
Few were the educational advantages offered. but Frank L. Propst was not to be deterred in his effort to obtain knowledge and he faithfully attended the little log cabin schoolhouse with its boards for seats. When the family removed to Illinois he attended the country and village schools and it was only after he had completed every course of study offered that he put his textbooks aside. He then worked for his father on the farm until he was twenty-one years of age, at which time he left the parental roof and went to Jonesboro, Arkansas, where he worked on a lumber farm for eighteen months. In 1907 he went to Nebraska on a visit and
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being much impressed with the progressiveness of the country and the many oppor- tunities offered, decided to make the state his home and here he has resided ever since. Mr. Propst had practically nothing when he settled in York county and for three years he engaged as a farm laborer. His next venture was in the restaurant and confectionery business at Waco, which he successfully conducted for eighteen months, and at the termination of that period he entered the service of the Farmers and Traders Bank at Waco as assistant cashier. For four years he served in that capacity and then for another four years served as deputy county treasurer. In 1918 he was elected to the office of treasurer and is still holding this position.
In 1913 Mr. Propst was united in marriage to Miss Ella M. Beckord, a daugh- ter of Robert Beckord whose sketch appears on another page of this work. Of this union two children have been born : Margaret Lucille, aged four years; and Robert Lawson, thirteen months old. Mr. and Mrs. Propst are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he is president of the Methodist Brotherhood. Fraternally he is a member of the Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Since age conferred upon Mr. Propst the right of franchise he has been a stanch sup- porter of the republican party. llis success is due to his persistent effort, and determination and energy have enabled him to overcome obstacles and difficulties in his path. Those who know him and have watched his course in every relation of life entertain for him warm respect and high regard.
HENRY SCHLECHTE
Henry Schlechte whose death occurred in 1917 at the age of seventy years, was one of York county's earliest pioneers. He was born in Germany a son of Carl Schlechte, and in 1845 came to the United States, crossing in an old sailing vessel and being several weeks on the water. On landing in this country he went to St. Louis and for a month was employed on a farm in that vicinity. In 1872 he came to Nebraska, settling in York county where he homesteaded on section 2, Beaver township. Ilis home on this place was of sod with a board floor and his barn and other outbuildings were of sod. He set out an orchard and put his land in cultiva- tion but in 1874 his crops were entirely destroyed by grasshoppers. He was forced to burn cornstalks during the winter months and when the severe blizzards came he brought his cattle into the house to keep them from freezing. There were few pioneer hardships he did not experience, but his courage and grim determination overcame all obstacles. At the time of his death he was in possession of six hundred and eighty acres in York county besides owning some Kansas and Idaho land.
In York county in 1875 occurred the marriage of Mr. Schlechte to Miss Ann Tieken, also a native of Germany, and to them sixteen children were born : C. G. L., who is farming in York county; Katie, the wife of Henry Wiese, a farmer in Seward county; Lena, the wife of Charles Stachr, a farmer of Waco township; Anna, the wife of Carl Uffelman, engaged in farming in York county: Ernest, a York county farmer ; Rieke, the wife of Antone Wiemken of Canada who is engaged in farming ; William, engaged in the garage business at Waco: George, who is farm- ing in Canada : Mary, the wife of Max Keller. a farmer in Canada; Louis, who is living at home: Henry and Alex who are residing at home; Eva and Lawrence
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of Canada; Sophia, the wife of Traugot Wunderlich, a teacher in Chicago; and Bertha, the wife of Louis Wenz, who is engaged in farming in Colorado. The first member of the family, C. G. L., was born in York county in 1876. He received his education in the county of his birth and later attended the State Agricultural school at Lincoln. In 1901 he started into general farming and stock raising, in which line of work he is very successful.
Mr. Schlechte was a man of sterling characteristics that endeared him to all with whom he came in contact. He never had occasion to regret his determination to leave his native land and he lived to prosper in his undertakings and witness the marvelous growth and development of this great state. Ile was familiar with every phase of pioneer life and with the complete story of the early develop- ment of York county, and in his passing the community mourned the loss of one of its representative pioneer citizens.
FREDERICK MARONDE
In the front rank of those who have advanced the civilization of York county Frederick Maronde has led the way to the substantial development, progress and upbuilding of this community where he still makes his home. Ile was born in Germany, December 14, 1844, the son of John Maronde. His childhood was spent in his native country where he received his education, but when he grew to man- hood and learned of the opportunities for a young man in the United States he determined to come to this country to seek his fortune. In 1869 he came to America and secured work in Chicago where he remained until 1885, when he settled in York county.
In 1872 he bought railroad land in New York township, and when he came here in 1885 he built a frame shack and began to cultivate the land that is now considered one of the finest farms in the county. There were many hardships to be endured but he met them bravely and overcame them one by one, emerging from the drought period of 1893 and 1894 with very little to show for his years of toil, but courageous, none the less. His success is shown by the fact that he is now the owner of four hundred and sixty-five acres of rich farm land, where there are three well improved sets of farm buildings, In 1913 Mr. Maronde retired from active farming and moved to York, where he has a comfortable home.
He was married in 1874 to Miss Caroline Sansig, a native of Germany, and to this union have been born nine children : Anna, who is the wife of August Keating, resides on a farm in York county : Bertha, the wife of Godfrey Keating, lives on a farm in York county; Ernest, is a farmer in York county; Emma, the wife of William Stover, resides on the old home place; Louis is engaged in agricultural pursuits in York county ; Martha is the wife of August Craig of York county; Ida is the wife of Paul Wise, who lives on a farm in York county: Lena is the wife of Otto Young, and living on a farm in York county ; and Lizzie, who is married to Carl Schroeder, is residing on a farm in York county.
Mr. Maronde and his family are members of the Lutheran church and in polities Mr. Maronde gives his support to the republican party. His life has been one of continuous activity in which has been accorded due recognition of labor and
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today he is numbered among the substantial citizens of the county. His interests are thoroughly identified with those of agriculture and stock raising and at all times he is ready to lend his aid and cooperation to any movement calculated to benefit this section of the country or advance its development.
THOMAS HENAHAN
Thomas Henahan, one of the most prosperous residents of York county, has made his home in McCool for many years, giving his attention largely to the supervision of his investments and business interests. Mr. Henahan is widely recognized as a self-made man and one who deserves great credit for his success and constant progress which are the result of individual merit. He was born in County Mayo, Ireland, Dec. 21, 1847, the son of Thomas and Delila (Welch) Henahan, natives of Ireland who have since passed away in that country. He was one of eight children, all of whom have passed away except one sister, Mary, who is living in Cleveland, Ohio.
The early youth of Thomas Henahan was spent in Ireland, where at the age of fifteen he was apprenticed as a clerk in a dry goods store, his father having payed thirty pounds as a guarantee of the boy's honesty. After three years employment in this place he joined the Royal Trish constabulary, a semi-military organization, remaining with them for three years, when he left Ireland and came to America to seek his fortune in the land that promised so much to the ambitious youth. His first employment was secured with A. T. Stewart, of New York city, who at his death was reputed to be the richest individual in the world. Mr. Henahan cast his first presidential vote for Horace Greeley, and he took that gentleman's advice and came west to Lincoln, Nebraska, and then to York county where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land from a Civil war soldier who had not made a success of farming. This property was in the vicinity of what is now known as MeFadden township, York county, where he resided seven years. When the town of McCool was in its infancy he purchased a store built by Vander- hoof, and became one of the first merchants of the town, where he conducted his business for twenty years. The original store was an old frame building which was replaced by the second brick building in the town. Mr. Henahan ean remember the days when he came to York by team, when the curling smoke emerging from the ground pointed out the dugout homes of the pioneers, and he has reason to be proud that he was one of those who braved the hardships of the pioneer settler, deserving great eredit for what he has accomplished since coming to the new world.
Mr. Henahan was married to Hannah Rea, a native of Illinois, and they have reared three nieces of Mr. Henahan, having no children of their own. The children who are all married now, are: Mrs. J. A. Dinsmore, of McCool, Nebraska ; Mrs. Earl House, of Haxton, Colorado : and Mrs. J. T. Burns, who lives at Holyoke, Colorado.
Mr. Henahan is a public spirited man and has always recognized his duties to his fellowmen, in many ways contributing to the benefit of the community. In politics Mr. Henahan is a democrat, and has held various offices in the county
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having been a member of the school board, the village board and for six years was on the board of supervisors of the county. Mr. Henahan was an early day post- master in MheCool. Ite now enjoys prosperity and as a result of his diligence and untiring efforts is the owner of valuable property including four hundred and eighty acres of rich farm land in the county. Mr. Henahan has carefully and successfully managed his work, and now in splendid health at the age of seventy- three he enjoys the fruit of his years of well directed effort.
ORVILLE M. MOORE, M. D.
Dr. Orville M. Moore, who since 1896 has been a representative of the medical profession at York, his ability and fidelity to the highest standards of the profes- sion gaining him distinction as one of the representative physicians of the state, was born at Ripley, Brown county, Illinois, July 30, 1859, his parents being S. V. and Laura A. ( Morris) Moore. The family comes of English and Scotch ancestry. John Moore, the great-grandfather of Dr. Moore, went from England to Scotland, where he married Annie MacNair. John Moore was an officer in the British army and came to America to take part in the French and Indian war. He settled in this country, and when the War for Independence broke out, joined the American forces and was made a captain. Three months after the death of John Moore, a son was born to his widow and soon afterward her death occurred, while her brother, Archie MacNair, returned to Scotland. John and Annie ( MaeNair) Moore were also the parents of two daughters, Mary, called Polly, and Jane, called Jinnie. John Moore, the son born affer his father's death, became identified with agricul- tural interests in Ohio during pioneer times and there maintained his home and reared his family, his death occurring in that state. His son, S. V. Moore, was born in the Buckeye state but removed to Illinois, and it was at Ripley that he met and married Laura A. Morris, a native of Virginia. She was a daughter of D. D. Morris, who was born in New York city but died in Illinois. He was a tailor by trade. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. S. V. Moore lived in Illinois until 1869 when they came to York county. He took a homestead north of the present site of Bradshaw and built a sod house upon a hill overlooking the valley of Lincoln creek. He had studied and practised medicine in his Illinois home but had not intended to follow the profession in Nebraska. But the need of his neighbors was so great and the demand for the help he could give so urgent, that he gradually yielded and soon found himself with a practise extending over the most of York county and parts of Polk and Hamilton. If a call to a sick bed came in plowing time the plow must be left in the furrow till the sick were visited ; if a winter storm was brewing the wife and children must be left to care for themselves and the stock as best they could until the doctor-father could reach home again. In many cases the only compensation Dr. Moore received was the deep gratitude of his patients. There was little to pay with, and it was not unwillingness but lack of means which left him unrewarded.
In addition to his services to the community as a physician Dr. Moore was active in the organization of the county and in assisting in the establishment of religious and educational opportunities for the settlers. He was a member of the
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R L
Vol. II-19
DR. S. V. MOORE
DR. ORVILLE M. MOORE
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONA R
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first county board of supervisors and his advice on all important matters was eagerly sought.
He engaged in the hardware business at Bradshaw from 1884 until 1898 and then removed to York, making his home with his son, Dr. Moore, until his death. To Mr. and Mrs. Moore were born four children, but only two are living, the younger being Alice, the wife of C. S. Byrnes, a dentist of York. Mr. Moore was a member of the Congregational church and was also a faithful follower of the Masonic order. His political allegiance was given to the republican party, but in later life he maintained a somewhat independent political course. For two terms, from 1875 until 1877, he served in the state legislature and was defeated for congress by James Laird in 1882. He took keen interest in political questions, was a forceful and earnest speaker and the strength and validity of his arguments were widely acknowledged.
Orville M. Moore was educated in the common schools of Illinois and Nebraska and for one term attended the York Seminary. He was reared to the occupation of farming, which he followed until 1880 when he began preparation for a pro- fessional career by entering the Bennett Medical College of Chicago. lle was graduated from the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1884, and located for practice at Bradshaw, Nebraska. There he built up a good practice, enjoying liberal support from the first. There were four physicians in Bradshaw when he located there and only one remaining when he left. In 1896 he removed to York and established general practice in connection with Dr. G. W. Shidler, which association was maintained until Dr. Shidler's death. Dr. Moore then became associated with the son of his former partner. G. P. Shidler, and the firm name is now Moore, Shifller & King. They are recognized as eminent physicians of this part of the state. They engage in clinical work and also con- duet a well equipped hospital 2 Dr. Moore devotes much of his time to surgery and has taken post-graduate work in the New York Post-Graduate Medical School, which he attended in 1891, and also in the Chicago Post-Graduate School and at Mayo Brothers Hospital at Rochester, Minnesota. In fact, he has embraced every opportunity to broaden his knowledge and promote his efficiency and his professional interests and activities have long been of an important character. He is a member of the York County and Nebraska State Medical Societies and at one time was president of the State Eclectic Society. He likewise belongs to the American Medical Association and has served as the president of the county organization. He is now devoting practically all of his time to his professional duties and interests and is one of the oldest physicians of the county. His practice is now very large and important.
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