USA > Nebraska > York County > York County, Nebraska and its people : together with a condensed history of the state, Vol. II > Part 33
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Mr. Deffenbaugh established his first home on section eight of this township, where he bought railroad land. In 1889 he sold this property and engaged in the cattle business in Box Butte county, Nebraska, remaining there a few years, after which he returned to York county and purchased the farm where he now resides on section five, West Blue township.
He was married at Ancona, Livingston county, Illinois, to Arminda Rush, the daughter of John and Susan (Stanton) Rush. John Rush was one of the first settlers to take a homestead in the county where he lived until he had passed the ninetieth milestone. Mr. and Mrs. Deffenbaugh have become the parents of seven children, six of whom are living: Charles R., who is engaged in farming in York county, and is mentioned elsewhere in this work; Louie, the wife of Smith Hutch- ins, who resides in Philipsburg, Montana ; J. C., who is at home; Ella, the wife of John Hiner, of York; Maude, who is married to Louis Cook, a resident of York ; and Marie, who is married to Sam Williams, of Omaha, Nebraska.
Years have passed since Mr. Deffenbaugh east in his lot with the pioneers of York county. People of the present day can hardly realize the struggles and dan- gers which attended the early settlers, the heroism and self-sacrifice of lives passed on the borders of civilization, the hardships endured and the difficulties which had to be overcome. He experienced all of the privations and hardships of the times and recalls the terrible grasshopper pestilence which sorely tried the courage and patience of so many of the farmers at that time. He has eighty acres of well culti- vated land and splendid buildings on his farm which stand forth as proof of his victory over the storms and trials of the years.
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In politics Mr. Deffenbaugh gives his political allegiance to the democratie party but does not seek nor desire office, his attention being concentrated upon his business affairs. Mrs. Deffenbaugh is a member of the Christian church. Mr. Def- fenbaugh has brought his farm under a high state of cultivation and the many improvements which he has added thereto make it one of the valuable properties of the district.
GEORGE S. COOK
George S. Cook, engaged in the abstract business in York, is one of the sub- stantial residents of the city who yet remains active in business, although he has passed the seventy-seventh milestone on life's journey. He was born in Province- town, Massachusetts, June 4, 1843, a son of Ephraim and Rebecca (Wiley) Cook. The father was born in Massachusetts November 4, 1806, and passed away Feb- ruary 22. 1891, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. The mother was born in New England in 1816, and her death occurred December 27, 1850. Their marriage was celebrated in Massachusetts. The father was on a fishing and whaling vessel for a number of years, after which he took up his abode at Provincetown, where he engaged in fitting out vessels, conducting his business very successfully. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and his early political support was given to the whig party, but upon its dissolution he joined the ranks of the new republican party. He represented one of the old New England families, his father Ephraim Cook having also been a native of Massachusetts and a fisherman of that state. The maternal grandfather of George S. Cook, however, was a Methodist min- ister, devoting his entire life to the work of preaching the gospel. George S. Cook was one of a family of four children. of whom three are living: Phoebe, the wife of W. E. Morgan, of Vienna, Virginia, who is doorkeeper in the United States senate: E. Parker, who is living retired in Boston, Massachusetts; and George S.
The last named obtained his education in the schools of his native city and then entered his father's store as soon as he had put aside his textbooks. He aeted as bookkeeper and did other work in the store and there remained until 1871, save for the period of his service in the Civil war. He enlisted in 186? as a member of Company 1, Forty-seventh Massachusetts Infantry, with which he served for nine months, taking part in the Red river expedition. He was an orderly at General Banks' headquarters, and had not yet reached his twenties when he enlisted and saw active service in defense of the Union.
In April, 1821, Mr. Cook removed to York county, where he homesteaded. There was not a dwelling in the city of York at the time of his arrival. All around was the broad open prairie starred with a million wild flowers in June, and in the winter covered with a dazzling, unbroken sheet of snow. Ile at once began the development of his land and resided thereon until 1828, when he built a nice home in the village of York and afterward sold his farm property. When he erected his dwelling he regarded it as a long distance from the business street. He paid fifty dollars for the lot and twenty-five dollars down and with a year's time to make the remaining payments. The home is just three blocks from the public square, so that today it is in the very heart of the city and is a comfortable, modern
GEORGE S. COOK
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R L
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residence in which he has enjoyed many of the best things that life has to offer. During most of the intervening period he has been engaged in the abstract business to which he still gives his attention.
On the 5th of December, 1866, Mr. Cook was married to Miss Julia M. Smith, who was born in Massachusetts, and passed away June 12, 1896, leaving one child, Lydia Smith, who is now the wife of F. R. Clarke, a miner of Spokane, Washington. Mr. Cook was again married November 21, 1899, his second union being with Martha Ellen Hitchcock, who was born in Indiana.
Mr. Cook is a member of the Congregational church and has ever guided his life according to its teachings. Fraternally he is a Mason and was secretary of his lodge for a number of years. lle also served for a considerable period as secretary for the Knights of Pythias, and has discharged the secretarial duties in the Grand Army Post, to which he belongs. In politics he has always been a republican and has served as city treasurer for thirty years, deputy county treasurer under two administrations and deputy county clerk for three years.
He has served as secretary of the cemetery for a number of years and at all times has been interested in every project and plan for the city's benefit and im- provement. He passed through all of the hardships and privations incident to the pioneer development of this section of the country, and is now largely enjoying rest from business, the fruits of his former toil supplying him with all of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life.
H. BLUM, SR.
II. Blum, Sr., one of the prosperous residents of York county, was born in Posen, Germany, in 1855, the son of Michael and Augusta (Warnek) Blum, natives of the province of Posen, who passed away when their son was a child. His boyhood was spent in Germany, and at the age of seventeen he came to America, and made his way to York county where he had a brother Julius, who had settled on a home- stead there a year before. He worked on his brother's farm for more than a year and at the end of that time found employment on a railroad south of Lincoln, where he worked in 1873 and 1874, later working on a railroad in Iowa.
He then came to York county and bought out a homestead from a man who had occupied it but a short time. He paid for the improvements on it and lived the required five years on the eighty acres, that it might become his property. This has been his home ever since and he is now the owner of six hundred and eighty acres of valuable land, with four sets of farm buildings. When Mr. Blum came to York county he was without capital and was two hundred dollars in debt, so it is easily seen to what success he has attained.
He was married to Miss Otillia Snekschewsky who came from the same province in Germany as did her husband, when she was twenty-one years of age. They are the parents of seven children: Ludwig, who is married to Tillie Schleuter, is a farmer in York county, and has four children : Gustav lives at home; Herman, Jr., who is married to Anna Fuss, is engaged in agricultural pursuits in York county, and has two children; Julius, who is the husband of Esther Wightman, is a banker in California; Otto, who is married to Alta Gradosky, is a farmer in York county ; Walter lives at home; and Mary is the wife of Dick Wessel, Jr., of York county.
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Mr. Bhim is a member of St. John's Lutheran church in Beaver township. In politics he is independent, preferring to use his judgment in casting his vote. Ile displays a keen interest in the affairs of the community and has been assessor of the township for many years and a member of the school board. His life has been one of continuous activity in which has been accorded due recognition of labor and today he is numbered among the substantial citizens of the county. His interests are thoroughly identified with those of farming and he is always ready to lend his aid and co-operation to advance the development of his county and community.
GEORGE P. SHIDLER, M. D.
Dr. George P. Shidler, of York, ranks among the progressive and successful physicians and surgeons of the city and is held in high esteem by both the general public and his professional brethren. He was born in York, February 3, 1882, the son of Dr. George W. and Alice J. (Shirey) Shidler. The mother was a native of Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, her birth having occurred in that state in 1855. She was married to Dr. George W. Shidler in 1880, and of this union two children were born, namely: the subject of this review; and Bertha who is the wife of George H. Edwards. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards reside in San Francisco, California, where Mr. Edwards is engaged in the wholesale hat business. Dr. George W. Shid- ler was born in Pennsylvania in 1849 and received his medical education at An Arbor and Keokuk, łowa, graduating in 1875. He commenced the practice of his profession at Swedesburg, lowa, and in 1879 removed to York where he formed a partnership with Dr. Porter, under the name of Porter & Shidler. For ten years this partnership continued, at the termination of which time the doctor practiced alone until 1897 when he entered practice in connection with Dr. O. M. Moore. In 1909 the son of Dr. George W. Shidler, Dr. George P. Shidler, joined the partner- ship and the firm name became Shidler, Moore & Shidler. After the death of the elder Dr. Shidler, Dr. King became a member of the firm but in 1917 entered the service of the United States in the World war. Upon his return to York in 1919 he immediately resumed his connection with the firm, and it is now known as Moore, Shidler & King, or the York Clinic. Dr. George W. Shidler and his wife attended the Presbyterian church and he was a democrat in politics. Ile was one of the first surgeons west of the Mississippi river and was also among the first to use a local anaesthetic. The first appendix operation in York county was performed by Dr. Shidler, and in order to keep up with the advance in knowledge of the profes- sion he took a post-graduate course every year. In fact so widely known did Dr. Shidler become that he received a request from Germany for a picture of himself to be placed with the noted physicians and surgeons of their own country. Mrs. Shidler was a typical American woman. She was a leader in social affairs and an excellent housewife. She was also quite talented, and painted a number of charming pictures. After a life of usefulness and unselfish devotion to her family she passed away in 1908.
In the acquirement of his education Dr. George P. Shidler attended the public schools of York and was graduated from the high school in 1899. IFe then entered the State University and was graduated therefrom, A. B., in 1903. For two years
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he pursued a course in the Ann Arbor Medical College and was graduated from Northwestern University in 1907. He commenced his professional career as interne in the Cook County Institution where he remained for six months, and then spent one year and three months in St. Luke's Hospital, both institutions being located in Chicago. In 1908 he returned to York and entered into practice with his father and Dr. Moore and he is now connected with Drs. Moore and King. These three men are known as the York Clinic and have established a private hospital, the Clinie Hospital, which they have conducted since June 20, 1910, where all of their operations are performed. In addition to his duties at the hospital and his general practice Dr. Shidler is an attendant at the York convent and at the Odd Fellows home. He is thoroughly conseientious in the performance of his duties as a physician and surgeon and his skill is generally recognized. He performed, and with great success, the first Caesarean operation in York county.
Dr. Shidler was married in 1909 in Michigan City, Indiana, to Miss Mina Ashton of that place, whose father was a wholesale groeer there for fifty years. To the union of Dr. and Mrs. Shidler four boys have been born : George, ten years of age ; John, aged nine years ; Fred, six years of age : and James, aged three years. Dr. Shidler and family are members of the Presbyterian church and are active in the work of that organization. Fraternally he is a Scottish Rite Mason, a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and a Knight of Pythias. Dr. Shidler and his wife are well known in the social circles of the town being members of the York Country Club of which Dr. Shidler is director, and his interest in the public progress and welfare of his community is manifest in his membership in the Rotary Club.
CHARLES J. RUSLER
A pioneer farmer of York county is Charles J. Rusler, who was born in Germany on the 10th of August, 1849, a son of Joseph and Mary Rusler, both natives of that country. In 1850 Joseph Rusler came to the United States, locating at Oregon, Illinois. He worked out on farms, being with one man for a period of four years, and later rented land which he farmed successfully. Joseph Rusler managed to save enough money to purchase some land on which he built a log house and soon after he sent to Germany for his wife and family. For some time they resided on the farm and then retired to the town of Oregon, Illinois, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. Rusler was married twice, three children being born to the first union, namely: Michael, whose death occurred in Custer county, Nebraska; Sophia, who died in Illinois; and Charles J., whose name initiates this review. The second wife of Mr. Rusler was Elizabeth Rusler, and to them four children were born, namely: Susan, who is deceased : Anna, residing in Chicago: Daniel. who lives in Canada; and George, a resident of Oklahoma. Joseph Rusler was a stanch supporter of the democratic party and a consistent member of the Catholic church.
Charles J. Rusler came to the United States from his native land in 1852, the journey taking a period of three months. He settled with his parents in Oregon, Illinois, and was educated in the country schools in the vicinity of his home. After putting his textbooks aside he assisted his father on the farm until he was
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twenty-two years of age. when he hired out to other farmers, breaking land and running threshing machines. On the 6th of April, 1874, Mr. Rusler came to Nebraska, settling in York county where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land for which he paid seven dollars an acre. Hle purchased the first threshing machine ever used in the county and set about to cultivate his land. Ile built a one room sod house with a dirt floor and roof and there he resided, breaking his own land, sixty acres the first year, which he put out in sod corn. He also set out an orchard but this later mostly died ont. The hardships passed through by Mr. Rusler were many and in the year 1874 the grasshoppers destroyed every one of his crops. Supplies had to be hauled from Fairmont, and wood from the Blue River. During the winter he often had to burn cornstalks. Game was plenti- ful in that section of the county and he remembers seeing many antelopes. The Indians on their season hunts would pass his place and often stop for food and warmth. Mr. Rusler allowed no obstacle, however great, to obstruct his path, and his determination and energy have been rewarded with a substantial amount of success. Ile is now in possession of eight hundred and forty acres, the land all adjoining, on which he has three sets of fine improvements.
It was while residing in Illinois that Mr. Rusler was united in marriage to Miss Diana Calkins, a native of that state. A niece of Mr. Rusler's, Minnie Burton, makes her home with them.
Mr. Rusler has always maintained an independent course in politics, voting for the man rather than for any particular party. He has taken an active interest in the development and improvement of the community in which he makes his home and has served both as road overseer and assessor. The greater part of his time, however, he has devoted to his agricultural interests. The religious faith of Mr. Rusler is that of the Catholic church. Mr. Rusler is in every sense of the word a self-made man, having reached his present day success only as the result of his own etforts. He is recognized as such a man by his fellow-citizens, and is conceded the confidence, goodwill and respect of all with whom he comes in contact.
GEORGE W. ROSSITER
George W. Rossiter, one of the early settlers in York county, was born near Utica, New York, March 7, 1845, When he was very young his mother passed away and he went to live with an uncle in Flinois, where he spent his boyhood and received his education.
When Lincoln called for troops George Rossiter was among the first of the gallant young men who responded, enlisting in an Illinois Infantry, Seventh Regi- ment. He received a gunshot wound in his left foot but nothing daunted and determined to do not less than his utmost for his country, he reenlisted in the One Hundred and Sixth Regiment where he was detailed on secret service work until the close of the war. He then returned to Lincoln, Illinois, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1870 he came to York county where he took up a home- stead of one hundred and sixty acres, in LeRoy township. For the ten following years he lived in a sod house, consisting of two little rooms, which was improved as the years passed until it became a very comfortable dwelling.
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George Rossiter was married to Colista Rinehart in 1875, and they have become the parents of five children : Roland R., who lives in Montana; Mary, the wife of D. W. Smith, who lives with her mother; Fanny G., the wife of E. E. Bird, who resides in Grand Island; Warren L., of York, Nebraska; and Virna E., who is married to P. J. Ilessler, of York, and resides with her mother.
Mr. Rossiter was always deeply interested in the Grand Army of the Republic, and belonged to the Robert Anderson Post No. 32. He gave his political endorse- ment to the republican party and always kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day. On March 7, 1909, Mr. Rossiter passed away, leaving his sorrowing wife and children, who feel that their loss is irreparable, and many friends and relatives. Mr. Rossiter is justly accorded a place among the prominent and representative citizens of York county, for he belonged to that class of men whose enterprising spirit is used not alone for their own benefit ; he also advanced the general good and promoted public prosperity by his ably managed individual interests, thus placing this section of the county on a par with the older east.
GEORGE W. FRIESEN
Among the representative residents of York county is George W. Friesen, for many years identified with banking and farming and at present serving as president of the Bank of Henderson. He was born in Southern Russia, Angust 24, 1870, a son of John and Mary ( Klassen) Friesen, also natives of that part of Russia. These parents immigrated to America in 1875 and in that year came out to Nebraska, locating in Hamilton county, where John Friesen took up a homestead on which he erected a sod house in which he lived for a considerable time. Later he improved the holding with a frame building and carried out other useful projects, all of which served to increase the value of the place. He broke the ground, planted crops and as he prospered in his agricultural operations built fences and effected other worth-while improvements, gradually bringing his holding to the front rank among the best kept farms of the county. He and his wife became the parents of six children, five of whom are living. His wife passed away in 1911 to the deep regret of her relatives and numerous friends, and he survived until 1919 being then in his seventy-ninth year. Coming to this part of Nebraska when it was virtually in the pioneer stage he experienced many of the hardships and disad- vantages of that time but lived to see a wonderful transformation and the face of the country changed from a prairie state to one of well cultivated fields and established government prevailing throughout, and in the bringing about of these results he played a conspicuous part.
George W. Friesen was a lad of five years when he accompanied his parents to the new world and he was educated in the public schools of the county, later attending the Fremont Normal School. finishing his educational course in that institution. Upon the completion of his school work he served for four years as deputy county clerk of Hamilton county, giving much satisfaction. Mr. Friesen then turned his attention to banking and entered the Bank of Henderson, of which he later became cashier, filling that responsible position with fidelity and distinction for ten years, meriting alike the warm approval and esteem of the bank officers
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and the public. Later Mr. Friesen became president of the bank and under his guidance the bank's business is in a prosperous and flourishing condition, carry- ing a substantial surplus to its credit, keen business acumen and sagacity being responsible for its present sound financial position. Apart from his banking inter- ests Mr. Friesen is giving close attention to the management of a quarter section of land which he owns in Hamilton county, all of which is in an excellent state of improvement, operated along modern agricultural lines and yielding annually most gratifying returns.
Mr. Friesen has been twice married, His first wife was Miss Hannah Stark, a daughter of William L. and Gertrude ( Elworth) Stark, both of whom are still living in Aurora, Nebraska. Mrs. Friesen passed away in 1901, some six months after her marriage. In 1917 Mr. Friesen took for his second wife Miss Marie A. Koss, a native of Lee county, Iowa, and a daughter of Anthony and Anna (Ketterer) Koss, also natives of Iowa and still living in Lee county, that state. To this second union a son was born, George A., whose birth occurred on March 27,1918.
In his political affiliation Mr. Friesen gives undivided support to the progressive party and in local affairs has given of his time and ability to the public interest. He served on the city council for a time, taking a prominent part in the shaping and formulating of conditions necessary to the well-being of the community. His interest in the advancement of educational atfairs has been not less practical and he served as a member of the school board for several years. His life has been a busy and useful one, divided between his banking and farming interests and by unfal- tering industry and determination he has advanced steadily on the high road to success. He is one of the leading men of the county in which he resides and is enjoying a prosperity which is the merited reward of his labors, being in the highest sense of the term a self-made man.
SAMUEL R. LICHTENBERGER
Samuel R. Lichtenberger, proprietor of the Cottonwood Stock Farm and a prosperous and well known resident of York county, having come to this part of Nebraska in 1872, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Somerset county, Jannary 8, 1847, a son of Josiah and Eliza (Schneider) Lichtenberger, both of whom were born in that same county. Josiah was a son of Jolin J. Lichtenberger, and the latter with one of his brothers assisted their grandfather in laying out the town of Somerset in the Keystone state. When that town was being organized the Schneider family just mentioned presented the first courthouse building, the jail, seminary and Lutheran church buildings to the people of Somerset, and in many other directions they were benefactors to the well-being of the town and their names are gratefully remembered to this day in the locality.
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