USA > Nebraska > York County > York County, Nebraska and its people : together with a condensed history of the state, Vol. II > Part 31
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68
ARTHUR W. THOMPSON
Arthur W. Thompson of York is readily conceded to be the best auctioneer in the state of Nebraska and one of the best in the United States. Ile was born in Bradshaw, York county, on the 21st of Angust, 1886, the son of Elwood and Sarah (Wiemer) Thompson, the former born in Morgan county, Ohio, in 1849,, while the latter was born in Germany. They were married in Clark county, Ohio, and for a number of years engaged in farming in that state. In 1881 they removed to York county, where Mr. Thompson purchased a farm west of Bradshaw and they resided thereon for a number of years, bringing up their family of three children. Mrs. Thompson passed away in 1902 and shortly after that Mr. Thomp- son sold the farm and made his home with his children. His last days were spent at the home of his son, Arthur W. His death occurred in March, 1917. In their youth Mr. and Mrs. Thompson had been members of the Quaker church and the
ARTHUR W. THOMPSON
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIB ARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R
915
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
former was an ardent republican. Four children were born to them, three of whom are living: Abbie L., who is the wife of C. M. Anderson and resides on a farm near York: Edgar, who is residing in York and is a large ranch owner in both York and Cherry counties: and Arthur W., the subject of this review. The grandfather of Arthur W. Thompson, William Thompson, was born and reared in Ohio, but came to Nebraska in later life, passing his last years at the home of his son, Elwood. The maternal grandfather was born in Germany and served some time in the German army. lle later removed to the United States and settled at New Orleans, where his death occurred.
Arthur W. Thompson attended the country schools of York county and the York high school, receiving honors in his school work and a scholarship in the Lincoln Business College. Besides the course which he completed in this college he has taken several correspondence school courses with the result that he is excellently fitted for his life's work. His first occupation on leaving school was on the farm and it was here that he laid the foundation for the work in which he is now engaged. He frequently attended sale's with T. W. Smith, who was one of the best auctioneers in that part of the country, and after Mr. Smith was appointed warden of the state penitentiary Mr. Thompson succeeded to his place. He has studied every phase of the business and there is no part of it with which he is not familiar. ITis success in this line has been remarkable and he is considered the best auctioneer in the state of Nebraska and one of the best in the United States. Mr. Thompson makes a specialty of selling realestate and full blooded stock and has conducted large sales in Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minne- sota, North and South Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming, and Oregon. He has broken several records in his live stock sales because of his expert knowledge. In the conduct of his business he comes in contact with some of the most prominent breeders of blooded stock in the county, and by his honorable and fair business methods has won the respect and regard of all of them. Ile owns some land in the county and is also well known in the financial circles of his community, being director of the York Milling Company and of the First National Bank of York. Mr. Thompson wrote life insurance for some time for the Northwestern Life Insurance Company and was also successful in this line.
On the 15th of December, 1909, Mr. Thompson was united in marriage to Miss Viola N. Swanson, a daughter of N. B. Swanson, who is a native of Sweden. Mr. Swanson came to this country in an early day and homesteaded in York county, where he reared his family. He was financially successful and is now residing retired in York. Mrs. Thompson is a graduate of York College. After having finished her education she became one of York county's most successful teachers. She also was assistant county superintendent for some time. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson one child, Elwood N., has been born. He is now a sturdy lad of seven years. The Thompson family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and prominent in the activities and charities of that organization.
Since age conferred upon Mr. Thompson the right of franchise he has been a stanch supporter of the republican party. Fraternally he is a thirty-second degree Mason and a Shriner and is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. Both Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are members of the Order of the Eastern Star. In the business career of Mr. Thompson his achievements have been the direct result
916
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
of enterprise, determination and persisteney of purpose. Ile is a well known and popular citizen and as a business man has made for himself a ereditable place in the regard of his fellow townsmen in York.
THOMAS WILLIAM SMITH
Thomas William Smith now a retired resident of York, has been a prominent figure in business eireles in York county for a period of forty-six years and is thoroughly familiar with the history of business advancement here. He was born in Ormstown, Province of Quebec, Canada, on the 12th of November, 1853, a son of Patrick and Catherine (Canghlin) Smith, both natives of Ireland. At the age of fifteen years Patriek Smith came to Canada with his parents, while his wife came with her parents at the age of three years. Their marriage took place in Canada and there they resided throughout their lives. His death occurred in 1863. and Mrs. Smith died in 1904. Patrick Smith was a suceessful farmer and lumberman and active in polities, being a member of the liberal party. He was a faithful member of the Roman Catholic church. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Smith eight children were born, but the only one now living is the subject of this review, Thomas W. Smith. The paternal grandfather, Francis Smith, was a native of Ireland but later removed to Canada where his death occurred.
Thomas W. Smith acquired his education in the common schools of Canada and learned the harness maker's trade. In April of the year 1869 he removed to Illinois and settled on a farm in Grundy county where he remained for five years, during which time his marriage took place. On the 18th of April, 1874, he removed to York county where he purchased some land from the B. & M. Railroad Company and became one of the pioneers of that country. He built a house on this land which he cultivated with the aid of a yoke of oxen and today he not only owns this original farm but five hundred aeres of improved land in the county, besides one of the most beautiful residences in York. In 1887 Mr. Smith, in company with G. W. Post and Lee Love, bought the Blue River Bank at MeCool, becoming vice president, in which position he is still serving. Ile has also been a director of the First National Bank of York for the past fourteen years. In 1887 he was engaged by the Kansas City & Omaha Railroad to purchase the right of way through York county and it was through his influence that the road was built from Henderson. east to MeCool, it having been first surveyed from Henderson to York. He also secured the location of the village known as McCool Junction. For some time he was engaged in this work. settling claims and other disputes, and he was the first to place town lots on the market. ITe then removed his family to MeCool and was for seventeen years engaged in the grain business, managing the T. W. Smith Grain Company, which had thirteen elevators situated along the line of the railroad. This business venture proved to be very prosperous and in addition he acted as live stock auctioneer for twenty-two years. In 1885 and 1886 he had served as county super- visor, and was chairman of the board in the latter year. In 1905 Mr. Smith and his family removed to York and in that same year he was elected a member of the city council, serving for a term of two years. In 1906 he was influential in obtain- ing for York its first pavement. Mr. Smith was appointed to his next office of
917
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
importance by Governor Shallenberger. This office was that of warden of the state penitentiary in which position he was so efficient and successful that at the end of his administration he was warmly commended by both parties. For the first time in the history of the institution it was put on a paying basis and when Mr. Smith made his final report the successful management of the institution was so manifest that it awakened an interest in other states and a second issue of the report was made to supply the demand. He served York as mayor in 1917-1918, and in addi- tion to his other financial connections is a director of the First Trust Company and vice president of the First Savings Bank at York.
In 1873 Mr. Smith was united in marriage at Morris, Illinois, to Miss Francila Lincoln, a native of Canton, Illinois, and a daughter of Myron Lincoln who was a farmer and stock dealer of that state. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Smith nine children have been born, six boys and three girls: Gertrude, who resides at home : Myron, of Crawford, who is a prominent horse dealer; O. M., the manager of the Updyke Grain Company of Omaha; T. L., a rancher in Arthur county: Leo, a ranchman : Mary, who is manager of a large department store in Long Beach, Cali- fornia : Clifford, who runs the Updyke Grain Elevator at Council Bluffs, lowa : O. A., who is a veterinary surgeon residing in York county, and during the World war served as instructor at Camp Lee, Virginia, with the rank of captain ; and Louise, the wife of floward Mansfield.
In politics Mr. Smith is a democrat and on coming to this county when a young man organized the party here. He is active in his party and is well versed on the questions and issues of the day. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, a charter member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and was one of the first trustees of the lodge. During the World war Mr. Smith was chairman of the council of defense and government agent.
JOHN DORAN
Through the steps of an orderly progression John Doran has reached a con- spicuous and enviable position as one of the most prominent business men of York county. He has been identified with various lines of activity, beeame one of the extensive landowners of this section of the state and for a number of years has been the president of the Farmers' State Bank of York. He was born in New York, his parents being Patrick and Kathryn ( Keeley) Doran, both of whom were natives of County Carlow, Ireland. The father who was born in 1811, passed away in 1865. The parents came to the United States about 1848, settling in New York and afterward they removed to Illinois, the father devoting his remaining days to the development and improvement of a farm in LaSalle county, although his death occurred in Livingston county. They were members of the Catholic church and in politics Mr. Doran was a Douglas democrat. To him and his wife were born six children, of whom three are living: T. H., who for the past thirty years has resided at Burwell, Nebraska ; Justin R., a resident farmer of Beaver, Boone county, Iowa, who has figured prominently in connection with public affairs of that state, serving as a member of the house of representatives and of the state senate for fifteen years; and John, of this review.
918
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
The last named acquired a common school edneation in Illinois and took up the occupation of farming, to which he had been reared. He had early become familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops and he concen- trated his efforts and attention upon agricultural pursuits until 1889. He was also engaged in the grain business at Grand Junction and at Beaver, Towa, for a time and later removed to Burwell, Nebraska, where he established the first bank of Burwell in partnership with his brother, T. H. This association was maintained for ten years. They also purchased the Garfield County Bank while living at Burwell and consolidated the two institutions. On account of poor health, John Doran disposed of his bank there in 1899 and removed to Bradshaw, taking up his abode on a farm. He became the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of land in that locality and concentrated his efforts and attention upon its development and improvement for nine years. He is still the owner of this tract of land, which is now very valuable. In 1908 he took up his abode in York and for some time gave his supervision to his extensive landed interests, for he has owned property in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Kansas. Ile inherited very little from his father and his possessions have all been acquired through his own labors. His life has been crowned with a notable and gratifying measure of success. In all things he has manifested sound judgment and keen enterprise and his sagacity and determination have been salient features in winning his present prosperity. He has never allowed anything to discourage or dishearten him and he has ever realized the fact that when one avenne of opportunity has seemed closed he could carve out other paths whereby to reach the desired goal. In May, 1916, he became president of the Farmers State Bank of York, which was capitalized for fifty thousand dollars and which has a surphis and undivided profits of five thousand dollars, while its average deposits now amount to two hundred and forty thousand dollars. This is the youngest bank in York and is growing rapidly. It has back of it as its officers and stockholders men of well known reliability and of the most substantial business qualities, and the spirit of enterprise back of the institution is leading to its rapid expansion.
In 1879 Mr. Doran was married to Miss Mamie E. Lafferty, who was born in Monroe, Wisconsin, a daughter of George Lafferty, one of the early settlers of lowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Doran have been born four sous and two daughters: George MI., who is a ranchman of Pierre, South Dakota : John T. M., a banker and stockman of Erieson, Nebraska, who has won substantial success; Bert, a farmer and stockman of Platte, South Dakota ; Mabel, the wife of C. P. Hildebrand, a druggist of York; Justin Roland, a stock feeder of Platte, South Dakota; and Kathryn, the wife of H. C. Van Decar, who is connected with the State Journal of Lincoln. All of the family with the exception of Mr. Doran are members of the Congregational church. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity. in which he has taken the degrees of the York Rite, and is also a member of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise belongs to the Knights of Pythias. His service in behalf of Masonry has been far-reaching and effective. He assisted in organizing two Masonic lodges in the state, one at Hamp- ton and one at Bradshaw, and he has ever been a most faithful follower of the craft.
In his political views Mr. Doran has always been an earnest republican sinee age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He was a candidate for the state senate in 1908 but was defeated, for the party had endorsed the local option issue. He carried his own county, where he is most widely and favorably known, but was
919
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
defeated in Fillmore county by reason of the fact that the fourteen saloons worked against him and used their influence in favor of his opponent. Mr. Doran, how- ever, would never sacrifice principle to place or power. He has always been a stanch prohibitionist, doing everything possible to promote the cause of temperance, and he rejoices that he has lived to see a prohibition statute placed among the laws of the nation. He is now devoting most of his time and attention to the bank but also has large landed interests and is half owner of an extensive cattle ranch near Ericson, in Garfield county, Nebraska. His success is the direct outcome of his labors, his perseverance and his capable management. He is indeed a self-made man and the most envious cannot grudge him his prosperity, for it has been most honorably won and worthily used.
CHARLES R. DEFFENBAUGH
Charles R. Deffenbaugh, one of the prosperous farmers of York county was born in Illinois in 1870, a son of S. S. and Arminda (Rush) Deffenbaugh, a record of whom will be found elsewhere in this work. Their son was four years old when the home was established in York county and here among the pioneer conditions which existed at the time he grew to manhood and no man in the county is more familiar with the early events and the location of the historical spots than he. He attended the first school established in York county and later was a pupil in the village school at MeCool Junction. At the age of twenty he went to Alliance, Nebraska, and after spending one year there, went to Denver, Colorado, where he was employed by the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad, working the last six years as air brakeman for that company at Tennessee Pass, the highest point of the road over the Rocky Mountains. In 1906 he returned to York county and took up farming. His splen- did farm of two hundred and forty acres is in the neighborhood of his boyhood home.
In October, 1900, Mr. Deffenbaugh was married to Miss Minnie E. Fouse, a native of Nebraska, who formerly taught school in York county and in Colorado. Her father, John Fouse, was a native of Pennsylvania and located in Seward county in 1865, one mile east of the York county line. He was on his way to Denver or Fort Laramie with three wagons loaded with lard, when he learned that the Indians west of here were on the warpath. He traded his cargo of lard for the ranch, and the former owner of the ranch went on west with the lard. From that time the place was always known as "Fouse's Ranch." It was a stage station on the Nebraska City cut-off, a part of the famous Oregon Trail, joining the main line west of here near the Platte river. John Fouse was married in Pennsylvania to Miss Isabelle McMichael, a native of Ireland. She had been advised to go west for her health. She is now living in Wyoming, and at the age of eighty-seven is keeping house for two of her grandsons, her husband having died in 1898. She came to America on the sailing vessel "Tonawanda," and arrived in this country after a voyage of six weeks. During the early days of the "Ranch" in Seward county she worked very hard, helping to run the store, prepare food for the travelers and cook meals for the men employed by the stage company. This company of the early days was the origin of Wells Fargo Express Company of today. The quarter section of land where Beaver Crossing now stands she owned at one time. inheriting it from a rela-
920
IHISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
tive. In the deed to that place it was stipulated that there should never be a saloon on the land, and there never has been.
A brother of John Fouse, Nerva Fouse, was the fourth man to take a homestead in York county where he resided the rest of his life. The history of York county would be incomplete without mention of these people, who from the early settle- ments in this community played an important part in its development and improve- ment.
Mr. and Mrs. Deffenbaugh are the parents of two children: Isabel, aged thir- teen, and Helen, nine years old. Mr. Deffenbaugh is one of the prosperous and influential men of the county and takes a keen interest in the affairs of the eom- munity. In politics he is a democrat and has served as township clerk, treasurer and has held other offiees.
HENRY REETZ
Henry Reetz is a resident and representative farmer of York county. his home being on section 31, Stewart township. He was born in Sterns county, Minnesota, October 24. 1859. a son of Martin Reetz, a native of Germany who immigrated to America in 1855 and following his arrival went to Illinois. He spent the first sum- mer at work in the City of Chicago and found employment in the humber yards of Michigan and Wisconsin during the winter months, continuing in that line for two years. In 1857 he went to Minnesota and bought forty acres of government land near Sauk Center and there carried on agricultural operations for several years. In the fall of 1868 Mr. Reetz set out for Nebraska from Minnesota, making the jour- ney by ox team through lowa and Kansas, driving a yoke of oxen and two cows and accompanied by his wife and five children. On coming to York county he took a homestead of eighty acres on section 30. Stewart township, and for two years lived in a dugout, but later built a log house containing two rooms below and two above. In the spring of 1869 he succeeded in breaking a few acres of his ground and planted sod corn and potatoes. in the next few years increasing the tillable area and as he opened the land he put it into cultivation without delay. In common with all his neighbors he felt the effects of the grasshopper plagne, but by a stroke of good luck fifteen acres of corn that was surrounded by timber escaped. Martin Reetz was married to Mary Mueller, who is still living on the old homestead, being now in her eighty-second year. He passed away in 1904, when he was eighty-three years old. Ife is numbered among the honored pioneer settlers of this part of Nebraska and during his thirty-six years of residence did his full share in the development and progress of York county.
Henry Reetz was a lad of nine years when he accompanied his parents to York county. lle relates that while on the journey from Minnesota they were forced to ford a stream in lowa and the water went over the wagon-box and practically every- thing in the wagon was lost. The first school he attended was more than two miles distant from his home and was built of sod, the school term being only for three months of the winter. He spent his youth and young manhood working on his father's farm and hauled grain to Lincoln for marketing, returning with necessary supplies. Ile bought the first cookstove used in his district at Nebraska City.
921
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
Mr. Reetz remained in his father's home up to the time of his marriage in 1884, when he wed Miss Otilia Bulgrin, a native of Germany who was brought by her parents to America when she was six weeks old. Her parents settled in Wisconsin, where she lived for several years and came to York county two years before her marriage. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Reetz: Martha, who married J. L. Meixel and passed away on November 1, 1918, her parents taking her boy Donald to rear : Helen, who became the wife of J. P. Cambridge, of California, November 28, 1920; George, at home with his parents; and Martin, who attends college at Winfield, Kansas, and is studying for the ministry.
Some time after his marriage Mr. Reetz moved to the farm where he now lives, located on section 31, Stewart township, across the road from the old homestead. He is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of prime land, all in a state of excellent improvement, in which work he was assisted by his wife who planted all the trees on the place. He devotes a large part of his ground to grain farming and also gives special attention to the feeding of hogs, these two branches of his agricul- tural pursuits bringing him most satisfactory results. He has one of the best kept places in the county and is acknowledged on all hands to be a progressive and capable farmer, his success being largely attributable to his business-like methods of handling his affairs. The Reetz family are members of the Lutheran church at Thayer, in which he has been serving as a trustee for a number of years. In poli- ties he generally takes an independent attitude and has always placed the public welfare before all other considerations. Hlis interest in the cause of education is very prononneed and for thirty-three years he served as a member of the local school board, resigning at the end of that long period of public service which was well and faithfully rendered.
JOHN W. MYERS
Since 1910 John W. Myers has engaged in the real estate and live stock business in York and in these connections is enjoying a large amount of success. His birth occurred on the 8th of October, 1873, in MeDonough county, Illinois, a son of S. A. and Eliza (Kost) Myers, the father a native of Indiana and the mother born in Illinois. Mr. S. A. Myers was married in Illinois and removed to York at the time when there were no railroads and when the village consisted of but three stores and a sprinkling of houses. This move was made in the spring of 1875, and he settled on a homestead ten miles north of York where he resided until 1901, when he came into town. He then engaged in the real estate business in which he still continues, dealing mostly in local estates although he has done some immigration land business. He is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a member of the Masonie fraternity and the Knights of Pythias. In politics he has always stanchly supported the republican party and is chairman of the York county republican central committee. He is a prominent man in his community and has many friends, having won them by his honesty and upright dealings. Four children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Myers: William A., a physician and sur- geon of Caspar : John W., the subject of this review; Frank, who died at the age of seventeen years; and James Clarence. After the death of his first wife, Mr. S. A.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.