USA > Nebraska > York County > York County, Nebraska and its people : together with a condensed history of the state, Vol. II > Part 42
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In his political views Mr. Epp has been a stalwart republican since age con- ferred upon him the right of franchise and for several years he served as school
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director. He has always been interested in everything pertaining to public welfare and progress and his cooperation has been an important clement in advancing many interests for the public good. He has long been a most active worker in the Bethesda church, served as deacon for eleven years and in 1895 was ordained as a minister of the church in which he is now also serving as elder. He has always stood for those forces which make for the material, intellectual, social and moral progress of the community and has long been recognized as one of the valued and representative citizens of York county.
FRANCIS M. BRABHAM
A man of well balanced capacities and powers is always a strong character and one who inspires confidence in others: he may not have genius or any phe- nomenal characteristics, yet he is capable of mature judgment of bis own capacities and of the people and circumstances that make up his life's contacts and ex- periences. What a man does and what he attains depend largely upon his oppor- tunities, and even-paced energy will generally carry him forward to the goal of success. These thoughts are reflected in the life and work of Francis M. Brabham, born in Washington county, Ohio, June 17, 1846, now in his seventy-fifth year, living retired after the strenuous activity of a life on the farm.
His parents were Jolin P. and Docia (Webster) Brabham, the former a native of the state of Virginia and the latter of Connecticut. Early in life they found themselves in Ohio, were married in that state and there brought up their family. In 1867 they moved to Illinois and secured a tract of land for which John P. Brabham paid eighteen dollars per acre and there, assisted by his sons, he broke the sod and cultivated the fields, finally bringing the place to a condition of excellent improvement and he and his wife there spent the remained of their lives. Before taking to farming he had been following the trade of a cooper. Mr. and Mrs. Brabham were the parents of five children: Walter and Leonidas, both de- ceased ; David, living in Decatur, Illinois, employed as salesman by a wholesale house ; Dianthy, deceased, and Francis M., subject of this sketch. The parents were Methodists and loyal to the teachings of their denomination. He had always been an active adherent of the republican party and displayed a progressive spirit in community affairs.
Francis M. Brabham attended the public school of Ohio in the acquirement of an education and in his early youth he learned the cooper trade and also worked at farming. In 1867, being then in his twenty-first year, he accompanied his parents to Illinois and worked at farming, receiving, as he asserts. fifty cents per day for his labor. In 1871 he purchased a tract of land which he operated for some time and finally sold out, realizing a handsome profit on the investment. It was in 1882 that Mr. Brabham came to Nebraska and purchased two hundred and forty aeres of school land located in Morton township, York county. He paid seven dollars per acre for the holding, proceeded to set it out to cultivation, im- proved and developed the tract as he went along, finally making it one of the best kept places in the township or county. His practical methods and his in- dustry were rewarded by large crops and he gave careful attention to markets,
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and thus was able to dispose of his crops and stock to good advantage. He has had numerous offers made for the farm and has refused as high as three hundred dollars an acre for it. In 1910, feeling that he had earned a period of repose, he retired from active participation in the agricultural affairs of his place, and since that date has been living in comfortable retirement in Benedict. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company at Benedict.
Mr. Brabham's marriage took place in Illinois, his bride being Rebecca Dieter, a native of Akron lleights, Ohio, and to their union two children were born: Carrie, who died at the age of three years; and Ella, wife of Fred Grobe, a York county farmer. The family are members of the Methodist church and Mr. Brab- ham is a stanch republican. Interested in the advancement of education, he served on the local school board for some years. He is a man of genuine worth and occupies a high place as a citizen, unstinted esteem being extended to him on all sides.
HENRY H. SHRIGLEY
For a number of years Henry H. Shrigley engaged in farming in Nebraska, and in 1914 when his death occurred in York widespread grief was experienced by his many friends. He was an Englishman by birth, born on the 14th day of February, 1862, in London, England, the son of English parents who died in his early manhood.
Henry H. Shrigley received his education in England where he resided until he was twenty years of age at which time he came to the United States, settling in Galena, Illinois. For one year he remained there working on a farm and in 1885, removed to York county and worked as a farm hand near Arborville for several months. This farm which consisted of one hundred and sixty acres he later pur- chased and operated for a period of years. He sold this farm but purchased a farm in South Dakota and one in western Nebraska, removing to the former where he remained for only six months, at the termination of which time he re- turned to York and retired from active farm life. He had bought a nice home on Blackburn avenue in 1911 and here he resided until his death which occurred on the 18th of August, 1914. At the time of his death he had acquired three hundred and twenty acres of land and was considered one of the progressive far- mers of his community.
In 1889 Mr. Shrigley was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Jane Moore, a native of Hanover, Jo Daviess county, Illinois, and a daughter of William and Jane Moore, who were born in Ireland of Scotch-Irish ancestry. They came to this country in their early life and settled in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, where they died. Mrs. Shrigley was one of ten children born to them : the others living being : Mrs. Lynn, who resides in South Dakota ; Mrs. Wilson of Davenport, Iowa ; Mrs. Woodward of York, Nebraska; and Josiah, a farmer of Jo Daviess county, Illinois. Five other children are deceased. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Shrigley three children were born: Joseph Edward, who is assistant cashier of the City National Bank of York; Margaret Katherine, who died at the age of seven years; and Muriel, who died in infancy.
Mr. Shrigley gave his political allegiance to the republican party, and frater-
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nally he was an Odd Fellow and a Woodman. He also belonged to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Mr. Shrigley was a consistent member of the Con- gregational church and his widow is still active in the various activities of this church. Mrs. Shrigley is residing in the home place with her son, Edward. All that Mr. Shrigley acquired during his life was the result of his own diligence and industry and for three years prior to his death he lived in York, retired, enjoying the fruits of a successful life.
ROBERT E. BYERS
Robert E. Byers, a well known and well-to-do retired farmer and business man. who for more than forty years has been a resident of York county and in that period has been a witness to and a participant in its growth and development. is a native of Illinois, born in Putnam county, that state, in 1853. lle is a son of William and Lydia Ann ( Plank ) Byers, both natives of Pennsylvania who later moved to Illinois, where the father followed the occupations of farming and black- smithing. In addition to the subject of this sketch, the other members of his family were: Oella Ham, a daughter. who lived for three years in Polk county and then returned to Illinois: Emma Hilton, who lived in York county for three years and then moved to Iowa: and William, who lived in York where he taught school and is now living in Salt Lake City. The parents of these children passed away many years ago.
R. E. Byers was educated in the schools of Illinois and helped on his father's farm for some years. In 1878, being then in his twenty-fifth year, he came to Nebraska and bought land in York county on the county line, also buying a tract in Polk county two years later. His first purchase consisted of two hundred and forty acres of land, to which he later added eighty acres of railroad land, the price of the latter being seven dollars an acre. One of the holdings had a small frame house upon it and he erected another of the same deseription, hauling the lumber from York. As he progressed with his agricultural operations Mr. Byers added valuable improvements in the way of buildings and planted trees and set out orchards, thereby bringing his place into the front rank among farming lands in the county. For about eight years he carried on general farming and stock raising, his success being assured from the very beginning. as he brought keen judgment and business-like methods to bear upon all of his operations. At the time of his retirement from the farm in 1886 he was the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of excellent land, all of which is still his property.
When Mr. Byers retired from the farm he moved to Gresham which in that year was being organized and settled. He brought a little house from the farm to the town and placed it in a cornfield and was one of the very first settlers to reside in Gresham. From the commencement of his residence in the town he saw the great possibilities for commercial development which it offered. He established the first hardware store in Gresham, styled the Byers & Dullum Hardware Company, which was under his management for ten years. This was followed by the open- ing up of general merchandise stores and a drug store. Two years after starting the store he was in the elevator business with Mr. Davidson and his son. He also
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for a time was a director of and a stockholder in the First National Bank of Gresham, this being an institution which he helped to organize. He retired from active participation in commercial affairs in 1910 and has since been living amid the most pleasant surroundings, honored and respected by all who know him.
In 1875, in Iowa, Mr. Byers was united in marriage to Carrie Graff, a daughter of John Graff, who immigrated to American and settled in Iowa, where his last days were spent. For many years Mr. Byers has been an active supporter of the prohibitionist cause and has lived to see his desires in that connection become a legislative fact. He served as mayor of Gresham for some years and in that representative capacity lent much dignity to the good name of the town. His religious affiliation is with the Presbyterian church, to the upkeep of which he is a liberal contributor. At different points in his career difficulties have barred his path and he has had many obstacles to overcome, but presistent energy has enabled him to work his way upward and his life proves the eternal principle that industry wins.
WILLIAM A. CHORN
William A. Chorn, deceased, was for many years a prominent farmer in Nebraska, owning land in Saline, Jefferson and York counties. He was born near Kansas City, Missouri, on the 20th of March, 1852, and died in York in Angust, 1909. His parents were James K. and Sarah (Russell) Chorn, the former a native of Kentneky, while the latter was born in Kansas City, Missouri. Seven children were born to this union, among them the subject of this review.
William A. Chorn was reared and received his education in Indiana, but on reaching young manhood removed to Iowa settling near llamburg. Here he engaged in farming for some time and in 1881 was married. In 1886 he and his wife came to Nebraska and settled in Saline county where they rented land for one year. The following year he bought a farm in Jefferson county and moved on to it. The original land consisted of one hundred and sixty acres, but he soon added another one hundred and sixty acres and subsequently one hundred and twenty acres more. This farm was highly cultivated and one of the finest in the connty. Mr. and Mrs. Chorn made their home here until February, 1909, when they removed to York and purchased a home. Mr. Chorn did not live long to enjoy his home, however, for he passed away in August of that year. His widow still resides there enjoying a substantial income from two hundred and forty acres of the original farm in Jefferson county.
Mr. Chorn's marriage took place in Iowa, in 1881. Ile was wedded to Miss Viola E. Snyder, a native of Lee county, Iowa, and the daughter of Henry and Pauline Snyder, the former born in Pennsylvania and the latter in Columbus, Ohio. For a number of years they resided in Illinois but later removed to Iowa where they died. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Chorn three sons were born : Sidney R., a ranchman in Idaho; Wallace S., antomobile agent for the Paige car, in Los Angeles; and Miller HI., who is engaged in the clothing business in San Francisco.
Throughout his life Mr. Chorn was a stanch supporter of the democratic party and well versed on the issues and questions of the day. Ile did not lightly shoulder
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the responsibility of his citizenship and was ever active in the interest of his party, although he never desired nor sought publie office. He was a member of the United Brethren church and a strong prohibitionist. During the early married life of Mr. and Mrs. Chorn they experienced many hardships, but later enjoyed the snecess of their courage and labors. Although Mr. Chorn resided in York but a short time before his death he made many and fast friends who felt a great bereave- ment at his demise.
SEBASTIAN GILMORE
It has been said that when a boy or a man has a nickname it is a good sign that he has friends. This is certainly true in the case of Sebastian Gilmore, familiarly known as "Boss," who was one of the pioneer homesteaders of York county. . Mr. Gilmore had an unele in Pennsylvania who was called "Boss" and this is probably where his name originated. "Boss" Gilmore was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, March 2, 1847, the son of Elias Gilmore of Virginia, who married Hulda Rush, a native of Pennsylvania, and became a resident of Living- ston county, Illinois, in 1858. In 1865, accompanied by his oldest son, John Rush Gilmore, and William Taylor, Elias Gilmore left Livingston county for Nebraska, traveling overland with a team and wagon. They were delayed at Sidney, Iowa, for some weeks waiting for the ice on the Missouri river to become sufficiently strong to permit them to drive across and consequently did not arrive in York county until the latter part of December. Leaving the old freight road at the Fouse ranch they followed a dim wagon track westward along the Blue river, finding John Anderson, who was the first homesteader in York county, already located near the eastern line of the county on what is now the southwest one quarter of seetion two of West. Blue township. Coming west they ate their Christmas dinner in camp on section six, just north of where the Knights of Pythias camp is now located.
After looking over their land they returned to Nebraska City and homesteaded their claim, January 1, 1866. Driving back to the land they made preparations for their new home. The winter was spent in a small dugout which was situated near the river and completely surrounded by Indians. They went back to Illinois the next summer and November 3, 1866, Elias Gilmore returned to Nebraska with his family, and made a permanent settlement. Their home was built by digging a cave in the side of a hill and the front built up with logs. A huge fireplace in one end of the ten by twenty-four feet dwelling was built of sod, plastered with mud and the rough boards overhead were covered with dirt. It was a wet summer, unfortunately, and the dirt roof failed to keep out the rain, so it was necessary to build a new home. Mr. Gilmore raised a good erop of barley and buckwheat, taking the latter to Camden Mills, thirty miles distant, to be ground into flour which he took to Nebraska City and sold for eleven dollars per hundred pounds. The barley was also sold there for one dollar and seventy-five cents per bushel. Lumber was purchased and brought back and the first frame house was built in York county. The building was twenty-four by fourteen with a sixteen-foot ell and the fact that it is still standing proves that it was well built. It was here that Elias Gilmore resided and successfully engaged in farming until he passed away twenty-
SEBASTIAN GILMORE
THE NEW YCI.6 PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R L
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two years ago after he had passed his eightieth milestone. Mr. and Mrs. Gihnore were the parents of the following children, and two who died in Pennsylvania : Arminda J., who resides in California; Mary C., the wife of A. J. Corey, of Fairfield, Nebraska; Sabina, the widow of Nelson Creech, of Portland, Oregon ; Margaret, the widow of Asahiel Beckwith, of Livingston county, Illinois; W. C., born in Illinois, who resides in Shenandoah, Iowa; J. W., who passed away in California, where he lived with his sister, Arminda; Sebastian, of this review ; and J. R., who formerly conducted a store at Blue Valley and is now a resident of California. Elias Gilmore was a member of and helped to organize the first Chris- tian church in the county. In politics his endorsement was given to the democratie party and he was a man who kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day. It is to such men as Mr. Gilmore, men who have displayed a spirit of undaunted enterprise, that York county owes her development and progress, for they have utilized her natural resources to the best possible advantage, overcoming the hardships that must. needs be theirs who make easier the way for others who are to come to a new country.
Sebastian Gilmore was a lad of nineteen years when the family came to York connty and at the age of twenty-one he took up a homestead of eighty acres where he built a log house in which he lived for ten years. Later he built a large frame honse and is now the owner of over four hundred acres of rich farm land. "Boss" Gilmore was a young man when the first post-office was established in that neighbor- hood in 1869 and he became a mail carrier, riding on a pony from Lincoln to Milford, Camden, West Mills, Beaver Crossing, Blue Valley and MeFadden. "Boss" Gilmore was very successful in general farming and devoted his time to feeding cattle for several years. He was one of the very first residents in the county, there being not more than two or three who preceded him here. The privations and hardships of the pioneer are all familiar to him and he well remembers the year of the grasshopper pestilence.
Mr. Gilmore was married to Lura Randall, a native of Wisconsin, who passed away seven years ago leaving eight children, three of whom are living: Odin S., an attorney of York, Nebraska ; Robert L., who practices law in Omaha, Nebraska ; and Blanche, the wife of Charles Bucy, who is operating Mr. Gilmore's farm. 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 his community. His interests are thoroughly identified with farming and he is at all times ready to lend his aid and cooperation to any movement calculated to benefit this section of the country or advance its development.
WINFIELD SCOTT FREEMAN
A life of industry and thrift brought to Winfield Scott Freeman a substantial measure of success, while the sterling worth of his character gained for him warm friendships and high regard. He resided for a number of years in York county and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of all who knew him. He was born in Genoa, Wisconsin, July 18, 1854, and his life record covered the intervening years to the 14th of November, 1919. He was reared and educated in Wisconsin and
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when twenty-three years of age left that state and removed to Nebraska, settling in York county in 1876. Here he purchased railroad land twelve miles south- west of the city of York and this he improved and developed. There was a tiny house on this place when he bought it, and he occupied it for some time, but later built a larger residenee, the lumber for which was hauled from Nebraska City. In 1911 he moved to York.
In 1878 Mr. Freeman was united in marriage in York to Miss Sophia Spindell, who was born in New Orleans, La., a daughter of William and Myra (Long) Spindell, both of whom were born and reared in Germany. Following the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Spindell they sailed for New Orleans in 1846 and there Mr. Spindell became connected with the French market, selling poultry. His death occurred in the Crescent City and there he was buried. The mother afterward came with her daughter to York eounty in 1876. She purchased land which she turned over to Mr. Freeman to take care of, and for a long period he was closely associated with the agricultural interests of the state. He became the owner of two hundred and forty acres, constituting a valuable and highly developed property. Mrs. Freeman still owns the same farm. He was a hard worker, his industry and capable management constituting the basis of his success.
Mr. Freeman held membership in the Christian church. His political support was given to the republican party and he took a deep interest in all matters of progressive citizenship. While he was active in politics he never sought nor de- sired office. He and his wife left their old home in 1911 and removed to the city of York, where he passed away, while his widow resides in a pleasant home at No. 101 Lincoln avenue. He was in very limited cireumstanees when he came to the west and had but fifty cents left after his marriage. His courage and determination, however, carried him steadily forward to success and he was thus able to leave his widow in very comfortable financial eireumstanees. He was also survived by two brothers and a sister: Adolph and Earl, both of whom live at Maywood, Nebraska : and Mrs. Ella Faling, a resident of Oregon. Coming to York county in early manhood Mr. Freeman was well known, gaining many friends during the long years of his residence in this state, so that his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret.
GEORGE A. FRIESEN
It is said that few men possess the ability to attain success along both commer- cial and agricultural lines but George A. Friesen, a well known merchant of Hen- derson, York county, has made a creditable record in both connections. He was born in Hamilton county, Nebraska, March 28, 1888, a son of Peter B. and Magrata (Abrahams) Friesen, both natives of the southern part of Russia and who immigrated to America in 1875. Shortly after arriving in this country the parents came to Nebraska and located on a farm in Hamilton county which they operated for several years, making a splendid success of their holding. In 1912 they retired from the active labors of the farm and moved to Henderson where they are very comfortably and pleasantly situated, enjoying the esteem and regard of a wide cirele of friends to whom they have endeared themselves by their simplicity of life
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and unquestioned integrity. To their marriage six children were born, five of whom are living and doing well in the world's work.
George A. Friesen was reared on his father's farm in Hamilton county and was educated in the common schools of the county, later entering college in which he spent one term. He then turned his attention to farming and for several years was engaged in agricultural pursuits, applying himself with elose attention to its many details and operating his holding to considerable advantage, gradually taking a front place among the younger group of successful farmers in the county. In 1916 Mr. Friesen forsook the fields for mercantile life and became associated first with the clothing business, remaining in that line for four years. He then formed a part- nership with Mr. P. J. Ratzlaff in the general mercantile and clothing business in Henderson, and their combined efforts and industry have met with results of a most encouraging and satisfactory character. A reputation for integrity and straight dealing has been no small factor in their success and an increased volume of trade is constantly being accorded them. In addition to his interest in the mercantile store Mr. Friesen is the owner of forty acres of prime land located in Hamilton county, from which he derives a gratifying annual income.
Mr. Friesen was united in marriage to Miss Katie A. Friesen, a namesake but no relation and she is a daughter of John W. Friesen, of Henderson, where he is widely and popularly known. To this union four children have been born: Elsie, Lenora, Richard and Carolina. The family are members of the Batarta church at Henderson, in the work of which they take an active and helpful part. In politics he votes for progress without regard to party and his efforts are always directed toward the advancement of all projects calculated to improve the material and social welfare of the community, and in these movements he is ably supported by his wife. Mr. Friesen is chief of the fire department in Henderson and is always in readiness to do his duty in connection with this work. His name is virtually a household word and his influence on the life of the district in which he lives is far-reaching and useful in all its pliases.
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