USA > Nebraska > York County > York County, Nebraska and its people : together with a condensed history of the state, Vol. II > Part 39
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
989
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
member of the board of directors. He has learned much in life through observation and experience and has become a well informed business man.
In 1891 Mr. Goossen was united in marriage to Miss Agnetha Kroeker, a native of southern Russia and a daughter of Jacob and Agnetha (Jensen) Kroeker, men- tioned elsewhere in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Goossen eleven children have been born, three of whom died in infancy, the others being as follows: Jacob K. married Grace Fisher, and is a farmer in York county; Helen, the wife of J. H. Friesen of York county; Agnes, who married P. L. Wiens of York county; Mary, who is training as a nurse in the Lutheran Hospital in York; J. M., who is now in the United States Army ; Kathrine; Daniel, and William. They are members of the Bethesda church at Henderson and cheerfully give moral and financial support to its work. Mr. Goossen's political endorsement is given to the democratic party and he has served very acceptably as a member of the local school board, his interest in educational matters being very pronounced. He has readily adapted himself to changing conditions in the business world and as he has progressed step by step has gained a broader outlook and wider opportunities.
SEDGWICK W. PETTIS
Sedgwick W. Pettis, deceased, was one of the pioneers of York county, having come here in 1870, and there were few experiences of pioneer life with which he was not familiar. He was born in Wyoming, New York, July 3, 1844, a son of Zina H. and Amanda (Sedgwick) Pettis, natives of New York. In the later 50's, the father removed to Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, and there engaged in general farming.
Sedgwick W. Pettis received his education in the schools of New York and at the age of fourteen years removed with his parents to Wisconsin. At the age of eighteen years he commenced farming on his own account, but on the outbreak of the Civil war put aside his agricultural pursuits and entered the service. He joined Co. F, Twenty-Seventh Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, his company being second of the regiment to arrive at Camp Washburn, Milwaukee, where they were mustered into the United States service. They were not ordered south, however, until the 30th of the following March, when they went to Columbus, Kentucky. From this time on Mr. Pettis was in active service and while in the Camden expedition in Arkansas, April 10, 1864, received a wound in the left leg which was not con- sidered serious at the time. However, the wound cansed him constant pain and later in life it was necessary to have the leg amputated above the knee. His death, which occurred on the 27th of December, 1894, was attributed to the effects of the wound. After the war he returned to Wisconsin, farming his forty acres of land which he had acquired at the age of eighteen years. This land was thiekly studded with timber, mostly maple trees which were the source of a plentiful supply of sugar. In 1870 he came to York county where he acquired a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres in Leroy township. He drove from Wisconsin to York county in a prairie schooner, it taking him four weeks to make the trip, crossing the Missouri river at Plattsmouth, Nebraska, on a ferry boat. There were only two small buildings in this county when Mr. Pettis first settled here, and his land was
Vol. 11-25
990
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
in a wild and uncultivated state. His first home was part sod and part dugout, having a dirt floor and roof, and two half windows which aided in lighting the otherwise dark interior. The barn was also a primitive structure of sod with a straw roof. The first year he broke thirty acres which he planted in sod corn, this crop yielding three hundred bushels. He also put out an orchard and a grove, the first venture proving unsuccessful. He took his grain to the grist-mill at Milford, thirty miles away, and his buckwheat for flour had to be ground in a coffee mill. Mr. Pettis had a cash capital of but fifty cents when he came to York and one team, a cow and a pig. He sold his wheat for twenty-five cents a bushel and used his cornstalks for fuel. Mrs. Pettis remembers many meals which she prepared over the cornstalks. During '93 and '94 he was burned out by the hot winds. Mr. Pettis worked under difficulties which would have overpowered most men but he was of the brave, red-blooded pioneer stock that allowed no obstacle to remain in his way. His wounded leg caused him much trouble and he underwent three operations, finally having the leg amputated above the knee. His farm, however, soon reached a high state of cultivation, and he later purchased one hundred and sixty acres of well improved railroad land which he disposed of, realizing a sub- stantial sum on the sale.
In Wisconsin Mr. Pettis was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Townsend, a native of Monroe county, New York, and to them six children were born ; the two oldest, Lewis and Harry, are deceased ; Eliza, the wife of J. P. Uart, of Cald- well, Idaho; Aliee, who died at the age of two years; Martin, who is deceased ; and Ruth, who is the wife of George Page. Mr. and Mrs. Page are the parents of two children, May and Effie, who are now attending grade school, and they all make their home with Mrs. Pettis. Mrs. Pettis is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church in the activities of which organization she takes an active part.
Politically Mr. Pettis gave his allegiance to the republican party, and for some time served as justice of the peace of Leroy township. He was also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was for many years a trustee in the church. Ile was likewise a member of the G. A. R. of York. Mr. Pettis saw the work of progress and development carried steadily forward and at all times bore his part, especially along the line of agricultural improvement. He never hesitated to take a forward step and he gradually advanced until he was ranked among the most successful farmers in York county. The sterling traits of his character were many and all who knew him speak of him in terms of high regard.
HERBERT R. BLUM
Herbert R. Blum is one of the native sons of York county who is successfully engaged in the occupation of farming. He was born on the farm which he now owns and operates, January 5, 1892, a son of Julius Blum, a record of whom appears on another page of this work.
Reared under the parental roof, acquiring an education in the public schools and learning the best methods of planting and harvesting under the guidance of his father, he wisely chose the occupation with which he was familiar. Ile assisted in
991
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
the conduet of the home farm and later became a farmer on his own account. He has come into possession of the old homestead by purchase from his father and owns a well improved tract of one hundred and sixty acres devoted to general farming.
Herbert R. Blum was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Burhoop, a native of York county and they have become the parents of four children: Roy, Verna, Erwin and Clarence.
CHARLES N. CARPENTER
Charles N. Carpenter, who is engaged in the retail coal business, is one of the prominent citizens of York. His birth oceurred on the 14th of October, 1862, in Wisconsin, the son of Horatio Nelson and Sarah Elizabeth (White) Carpenter, the former born in Onondaga county, New York, in 1833 and died in 1912, and the latter born in Missouri in 1839, and now residing in Chicago. Their marriage took place in Wisconsin where they resided for a number of years. On the first of March, 1878, Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter removed to Nebraska and settled in Syracuse where Mr. Carpenter conducted a lumber-yard for a number of years, and about four years prior to his death retired to Wymore, at which place his death occurred. In the conduet of his lumber business he was very successful and in addition to his yard at Syracuse he had purchased two yards in York which he consolidated and put in charge of his son, Charles N. Carpenter. Upon the outbreak of the Civil war Mr. Carpenter immediately volunteered his services and served for some time in a Wisconsin regiment. His father was a native of New York state and a shoe- maker by trade. He followed his trade in Wisconsin for some years and his death occurred while at work on the bench. Mr. and Mrs. Horatio N. Carpenter were the parents of five children, four of whom are still living, namely: Charles N., the subject of this review; Berdina, who is employed with the Burlington Railway at Wymore and has been with them for years; Dr. Alden Carpenter ; and Rubie, who is the wife of Leon Murdock, one of the prominent men connected with the Bur- lington Railroad. Dr. Alden Carpenter was the first dental surgeon in government service from Nebraska. He has been in service since the Spanish-American war, when he was the first to be sent from the state of Nebraska. During the World war he was chief surgeon at Fort Sam Houston, and he is now located at Wash- ington, D. C.
In the acquirement of an education Charles N. Carpenter attended the high school at Darlington, Wisconsin, and later entered the University of Nebraska where he remained for a short time. He then went to Jacksonville, Illinois, where he took a course in a business college, at the completion of which he entered into the employ of his father for a year. At the termination of this time his father placed him in charge of the yard, which he condneted from 1882 until 1893. He met with much competition in this business, but by his fair and honorable methods built up a large trade and made many friends. In 1893 he sold his lumber-yard and for twenty years traveled on the road in the capacity of general eastern agent for the Wyoming Coal Company. He traveled throughout the state selling coal and handled all of the coal shipments to the east. During this time he made his home in York. In 1910 he quit the road and started into the retail coal business in
992
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
which he is still successfully engaged. Although most of his time has been spent furthering the development of his eoal business he served York as city clerk for three terms and has always been interested in the growth and improvement of his community.
In 1884 Mr. Carpenter was married to Miss Eva I. Bray, a native of Michigan, and to them two daughters were born, namely: Pearl, who was first married to Gray Bemis, who was on the staff of the World-Herald for a number of years to the time of his death; she later became the wife of a Mr. Leonard, a wholesale druggist, and makes her home in Omaha: and Cecile, who is the wife of Orson Sovereign, an employe of the Burlington Railroad at Lincoln. Mrs. Carpenter's death occurred in 1887, and in March, 1888, Mr. Carpenter was again wedded, this time to Miss Elaine Barnes, a native of Nebraska. To this last union two children have been born: Elaine, who is married and resides in Newcastle, Wyoming ; and Charles, who resides on a claim in Medicine Bow. Charles Carpenter is an expert horseman. He entered the World war in 1917 and went to France where he was engaged in active service for one and one-half years. The death of the second Mrs. Carpenter occurred in 1916. She was an active member of the Episcopal church.
Politically Mr. Carpenter is a republican and fraternally he belongs to the Masons and to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Not only has Mr. Car- penter aided in the development and growth of York but he was also influential in the development of the oil business in Wyoming at an early day. Hle is still actively engaged in the coal business and is recognized by his fellowmen as one of the most successful business men in York county.
WILLIAM HOHNBAUM
William Hohnbaum, formerly connected with the agricultural development of York county and in more recent years associated with the business life of Waco where he lived up to the time of his death, December 29, 1919, was a native of Germany, born March 15, 1847, a son of Conrad Hohnbaum and wife. The parents immigrated to America about 1852, the voyage being made on an old sailing vessel and about six weeks were occupied in crossing the Atlantic. Follow- ing his arrival in New York harbor the father went on to Pennsylvania. where he worked for some years and in that state his last days were spent.
William Hohnbaum, when a little lad of five years, accompanied his father to this country in 1852 and received a limited education in the common schools of Pennsylvania. He was reared in his father's home and when he had reached his seventeenth year volunteered for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of Battery L, Third Pennsylvania Artillery, serving for a time as a colonel's orderly. Later he was appointed one of the guard placed over Jefferson Davis, president of the Southern Confederacy, when Davis was captured at Ft. Monroe. His war service extended over a period of one year and eight months and at the end of hostilities he was honorably discharged and returned to Pennsylvania where he began the life of a farmer, in which line he continued for about six years in that state.
MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM HOHNBAUM
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R L
995
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
On December 26, 1867, Mr. Hohnbaum was united in marriage to Catherine Girton and to this union one ehild was born: Mrs. Sadie Stroup, now residing in Burke, South Dakota. About four years after his marriage, or in October, 1871, Mr. Hohnbaum eame to Nebraska, making the journey to Lincoln by train, and took a homestead within one-half mile of Waco. His place consisted of one hun- dred and sixty acres of land on which he put up a small shanty built of lumber which he hauled from Lincoln and a barn constructed of sods. He proved up on the holding and commenced to prepare the ground for cultivation, breaking the sod with a team composed of a cow and an ox and in a short time had a large part of the open prairie under control and in produetive condition. As things progressed with him he improved and developed the farm on which he planted large numbers of trees, but in bad seasons he was compelled to burn corn-stalks for fuel and also chopped wood along the banks of the Blue river, which he hauled home for the same purpose. Finally Mr. Hohnbaum succeeded in getting his entire holding into a condition of profitable agricultural operation and continued to reside on the place for several years, when he sold the homestead and bought a home in Waco. On taking up his residence in Waeo he bought and sold grain and handled live stock, in addition to these activities managing a general mercantile store and at the same time gave attention to farming. His business energy was practically without bounds and his indefatigable efforts produced splendid results. He was exceedingly popular and his death on December 29, 1919, was the oeea- sion for widespread expressions of regret and "sympathy to his widow and family.
Sometime after the death of his first wife Mr. Hohnbaum married Elizabeth Knorr, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of John and Miranda (Skaden) Knorr, who settled in York county and bought a tract of railroad land which they operated for many years, finally moving to Waco, where their last days were spent. To Mr. Hohnbaum's second marriage the following children were born: Dora, who was married and subsequently died, after which her father reared her family; John W., a farmer of York county; Carrie Ellen, the wife of Gene Roland of Havelock; Harry S., living at Friend, Nebraska ; and William C., deceased. For years Mr. Hohnbaum was active in the affairs of the Grand Army of the Republic and also held membership in the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His religious affiliation was with the Methodist Episcopal church, to the teachings of which he was ever loyal, modeling his life by the Golden Rule. In politieal matters he supported the republican party but had never been a seeker after publie office, preferring to devote his time and efforts to his business interests.
WARREN F. ECKLES, M. D.
Dr. Warren F. Eckles, eye, ear, nose and throat specialist of York, has by reason of broad study and wide experience gained distinetion as one of the most eminent physicians west of Omaha in the state of Nebraska. He performs most of the surgical operations of the kind in York and is one of the most successful physicians in the state.
In the acquirement of his education Dr. Eekles attended the Carthage College, at Carthage, Illinois, for a period of four years, at the termination of which time,
996
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
deciding upon a professional career. he entered the College of Physicians and Sur- geons at Keokuk. Iowa. now the University of Iowa. In 1898 he was graduated from this college and commenced practice at Carthage. Illinois, remaining there for two years. In 1900 he removed to York where he engaged in a general practice for thirteen years, when he decided to specialize. As a result of this decision Dr. Eekles discontinued his general practice and devotes his time and practice exclusively to the diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. He has built up a practice and does most of the surgical work of this kind in the county. In keeping abreast with the advances being made in his profession Dr. Eckles has taken a number of post-graduate courses, attending the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat College of Chicago, taking a course under A. It. Andrews of Chicago, and under Dr. Ketcham of Los Angeles, California. He has made a study of the eye alone under J. E. Vallee of New York, and also in Chicago and Kansas City, and at the Knapp Memorial Hospital in New York.
In 1898 Dr. Eckles was united in marriage to Miss Dora Bower, who was a native of Kansas. One son. Robert, has been born to this union, and is now a sturdy lad of ten years. Mrs. Eckles was also educated in medicine and while attending the College of Physicians and Surgeons she met her husband. For ten years following their marriage she practiced with Dr. Eckles, but has now given up her profession. Dr. and Mrs. Eckles attend the Congregational church.
Politically Dr. Eckles is a republican, well versed on the questions and issues of the day but without ambition in the line of office holding. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masons and the Knights of Pythias, and professionally he is a member of the York County, Nebraska State and the American Medical Associa- tions. Dr. Eckles stands very high in professional circles and has one of the largest practices west of Omaha in the state of Nebraska.
F. O. PRICE
Among the native sons of York county who have elected to continue residents thereof is F. O. Price, who is engaged in farming on section 2, New York township. Ile was born in 1882, a son of Thomas Price and wife, well known residents of this part of Nebraska and further and extended reference to whom is made elsewhere in this work.
F. O. Price was reared in his father's home and received his early education in the public schools of the county, later entering the York Business College at York, from which institution he emerged well equipped with a business education, the advantages of which have been apparent in the results of his farming operations. Believing that a farming career offered inducements the equal of any other that a man starting in life may select, Mr. Price commenced the operation of a farm on his own account in 1906, and his well directed etforts have brought him a substan- tial competence, enabling him and his family to enjoy some of the solid comforts of life. His sphere of farm activities covers general farming and stock raising, at the same time feeding a choice strain of live stock which find ready markets at good prices. The farm is maintained in good condition and a substantial and well-built residence houses the family.
997
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
In 1907 Mr. Price was united in marriage to Nora Bowesock, a native of Thayer, daughter of S. H. Bowesock. a sketch of whose life is given elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Price are the parents of two children : Sheldon and Reginald, both attending school. The Price family are earnest members of the Presbyterian church, in all the good works of which they take a deep interest. He gives political allegiance to the republican party and in local affairs stands for progressiveness and clean public life. For years he has been serving as a member of the county board, to the duties of which he brings a sound intelligence and practical common sense. Men who know him speak of him in terms of the highest regard both as to rela- tionship with business affairs and in matters of citizenship.
THOMAS J. HATFIELD, D. D. S.
For forty years Dr. Thomas J. Hatfield has practiced dentistry in York and he is now the oldest representative of his profession in that place and one of the oldest in eastern Nebraska. He was born in Greene county, Indiana, on the 11th of Octo- ber, 1851, the son of Armisted and Mary (Richison) Hatfield, both of whom were natives of Tennessee and removed to Indiana in 1830. The grandfather of Dr. Hatfield, Ale Hatfield was a native of Virginia and was descended from the Hatfields of England who were among the Roundheads. When he grew to manhood he was married to Miss Nancy Young. During early life they removed to eastern Tennessee, and located in the midst of the beauty and grandeur of the Cumberland mountains, on the last fork of the Cumberland river where the inhabitants were very few. Here nature was found in her wildest forms, and this isolated spot held a great attraction for Mr. Hatfield. Bear, deer and other game were in abundance and he was a strong devotee of the chase. His little valley farm he cultivated with great care and pride, and the products of this little farm together with the deer and bear meat kept his table plentifully supplied. The greater part of their lives was passed on this farm which contained not more than thirty acres. During their early residence here the nearest cabin was a distance of fifteen miles and no wagon could be driven within twenty miles of this "hunter's paradise." It was amid these beautiful natural surroundings that Mr. and Mrs. Hatfield reared their family. Some of them reached manhood and womanhood unable to read or write, and none of them had ever seen a newspaper or book until they reached middle life. The boys became experts in the use of the rifle, and also with the hoe, the only agricul- tural implement in nse at that time. The girls of the family were taught to grow and spin flax and they wove all of the eloth used in making the garments worn by the family. It was in this mountain home that Armisted Hatfield grew to man- hood. His birth occurred in Fentress county, March 9, 1809, and on reaching man's estate he was married to Mary Richison, who was a native of eastern Tennessee. After their marriage they left the mountains and removed to southern Indiana set- tling on a farm in Greene county, in 1828. Here they resided for thirty-two years and cultivated and developed their land. Dr. Thomas J. Hatfield, whose name heads this review, was the youngest of a family of twelve children born to this union, ten of whom grew to maturity.
998
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
Dr. Thomas J. Hatfield is indebted to the public schools of Greene county. Indi- ana, for his education, and at the age of twenty years he was married. He eon- tinned to work with and for his father until he reached the age of twenty-five years, when having aided his father in securing considerable property he felt that he was free to seek another means of livelihood. He then commenced the study of den- tistry in the office of Dr. Driscoll where he remained for one year, at the termina- tion of which time he entered the dental department of the Indiana University. On completing his dental education he returned to his old home in Owensburg and opened an office where he practiced successfully for a period of four years. In 1882 he decided to remove to Nebraska and as a result located in York. He opened an office here and immediately established a very large practice, which he still enjoys at the age of sixty-nine years.
In 1871 Dr. Hatfield was united in marriage to Miss Martha Rush and they have become parents of one son, Homer R. Homer R. has followed in the footsteps of his father and is now a successful dentist at. Grand Island. He was prepared for his professional career at the Northwestern Dental School of Chicago and later was graduated from the Omaha Dental College.
Since age conferred upon Dr. Hatfield the right of franchise he has been a stanch supporter of the republican party, and fraternally he is a Mason and a Knight of Pythias.
C. MASON ALBIN
C. Mason Albin, a prominent and well-to-do farmer living on section 33, Lock- ridge township, is generally regarded as one of the representative agriculturists of York county. Mr. Albin is a native of West Virginia, born in that state January 26, 1867, a son of John A. and Betty (Allison) Albin, also natives of West Vir- ginia, where for many years John A. Albin was in the milling business, conducting a flour mill at Kabletown and carrying on others under lease. Mr. Albin was one of the prominent millers in the section of West Virginia in which he resided and in that place his family was reared. Mr. Albin and his wife were earnest members of the Methodist church, in the good works of which they were active participants, and he was a member of the Masonie order. His political affiliation was with the democratic party but he had never been a seeker after public office, and at all times gave a good citizen's attention to development and progress along sane lines. Mr. and Mrs. John Albin became the parents of twelve children, those besides the subject of this sketch being: Alice, wife of Horace Hoffmaster of Benedict ; John A., of Osceola, Nebraska, in former years living at Washington, D. C .; Mary, deceased, who married Joe Jackson of Osceola : Nanny, wife of William Lewis of Springfield. Missouri: Maggie, widow of James Langdon of Charlestown, West Virginia; Ida, wife of Edgar Konklin, also of Charlestown; Bessie, living in Charlestown : James, living in Charlestown ; Abner, an M. D. of Charlestown ; Lewis, cashier in the Farmers and Merchants Bank. Charlestown : and William, deceased. The members of the family are all well circumstanced and owe their success in large degree to the worthy example set by their parents.
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.