USA > Nebraska > York County > York County, Nebraska and its people : together with a condensed history of the state, Vol. II > Part 50
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
In 1824 Mr. Blender was united in marriage to Louise Blessman. a native of Germany who came to this country in the year of her marriage. accompanied by her sister, Elizabeth Bristol, now living near Waco. To their union nine children were born : John, a farmer, living in South Dakota; Edward, farming his father's place : Albert, who died at the age of thirty-six ; William, a farmer, of Arborville township; Charles, a farmer, of York county; Clara, wife of Pat Mulligan, of Newton, Kansas; Louise, who married Neil Deremus, and lives in Polk county, Nebraska ; Belle, wife of Guy Wildman, a farmer, of Morton township ; and Minnie, who married Russell Nixon, now deceased. Mrs. Blender is a member of the Lutheran church and in the social and cultural activities of her neighborhood she takes a prominent place. She lives amid pleasant surroundings in Benedict and has hosts of friends who admire her traits of character and cordiality of manner. Mr. Blender was a member of the G. A. R.
EDWIN MILLER, D. D. S.
Since November. 1916, Dr. Edwin Miller has been a resident of York and his thorough training and previous experiences as a dentist have gained for him the confidence of the publie and his fellow practitioners. He was born in Springfield, Illinois, on the 11th of March, 1874, a son of Joseph R. and Mary ( Buri) Miller, hoth of whom were natives of southern Germany. The father served in the German Revolution of 1848 and soon after that time removed to the United States, settling in St. Louis. It was here that he met and married his wife and in 1850 they went to Springfield, Illinois, to make their home. For thirty-four years they resided in that city and then removed to York where he purchased some land from one of the early pioneers of that place. Here Mr. and Mrs. Miller resided until their deaths, becoming well known and prominent citizens of the community. Mr. Miller was a stanch supporter of the republican party and the first presidential vote ever cast by him was for Abraham Lincoln. It is said of Mr. Miller that his features
JOSEPH R, MILLER
FROM A MEDALLION MADE BY HIS SON, DR. EDWIN MILLER
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R L
1095
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
were similar to Mr. Lincoln's and he was known throughout York county as "Old Abe." Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller, five of whom are living : Mrs. George Ragan, whose husband is a retired farmer of York ; Frank R., a bridge contractor residing in Springfield, Illinois; W. A., a real estate man in York who was at one time county clerk of York county; H. M., who resides near Bradshaw and is county supervisor and farmer; and Dr. Edwin Miller the subject of this sketch. The family were reared in the United Brethren faith.
In the acquirement of his education Dr. Miller attended the public schools of York county and later deciding upon a professional career entered the dental depart- ment of the Omaha University, in September, 1901, and was graduated from this university with his degree in 1904. He first located in Bradshaw for the practice of his profession, but in 1916 removed to York where he has since continued to practice. He has ever kept abreast with the advances made in his profession and in 1907 took a post-graduate course at Flaskall Post Graduate Dental College. Dr. Miller has gained a wide and favorable reputation as a dentist and has built up a large and representative patronage.
On the 24th of September, 1907, occurred the marriage of Dr. Miller and Miss Pearl Boles, a daughter of M. M. Boles, who is now residing in David City and is one of the high officers in the Royal Highlanders. Dr. and Mrs. Miller have become the parents of three children, namely: Joseph M., aged ten years ; Edwin, Jr., who is six years of age ; and Dan MeMullin, who is three years of age. Mrs. Miller is prominent in club and social circles and is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
As was his father before him Dr. Miller is a stanch supporter of the republican party and when he resided in Bradshaw served for two terms on the board of trustees of that village. He was also village treasurer for three years. Fraternally Dr. Miller is affiliated with the Masons, the Modern Woodmen, Woodmen of the World, the Royal Highlanders, and both he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star. Dr. Miller is fond of sculpturing and finds some recreation in this work, although most of his time is devoted to his duties at the office. He considers that his professional duties have the first claim upon his time and interest but is not indifferent to the progress of his city along various lines of endeavor. Ilis out- standing characteristics are such as commend him to the warm regard and con- fidence of his fellowmen, and he is held in high esteem in York and in the surrounding community.
DANIEL GRAVES
For many years Daniel Graves, now deceased, was an honored and respected citizen of York county being widely known as an agriculturist and business man of great ability. He was born in Rutland county, Vermont, June 22, 1844, a son of Daniel and Almira (Rogers) Graves, both natives of the same state. The Graves and Rogers families are among the representative families of New England and are of English ancestry. For nine generations the Graves family have resided in the United States, Thomas Graves who came from England in 1640 being the progenitor of the family in this country. Thomas Graves died in 1662, leaving a
1096
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
son John who was killed by the Indians in 1627 while defending his home in Hatfield, Massachusetts. John Graves, another ancestor, was born in 1652 and died in 1250 and his son John was born in 1682 and died in 1216. Nathan, the son of John, was born in March, 1:16, and died in 1286. The grandfather of Daniel Graves the subject of this review, was also named Daniel and was born in either Vermont or Massachusetts on the 25th of September, 1769. During the War of 1812. he was captain of a company of militia. For some time he conducted a hotel and tannery, also engaging, in the manufacture of potash. Ile had learned the hatter's trade when a young man but seldom followed it, devoting the latter part of his life to farming. When grandfather Graves was but a lad of fourteen years he played the fife and his brother the drum and they assisted in the enlist-
ment and mustering of a regiment in which their father was captain of a company. When the regiment started on the march Mr. Graves and his brother went with them to Crown Point, but when the battle commenced were sent to the rear and soon afterward sent home. The father of the subject of this review, Daniel Graves, removed to MelIenry county, illinois, in 1847 and engaged in farming until his death on the 21st of July, 1869. His wife was Almira Rogers and they became the parents of six children, four sons and two daughters, of whom the subject of this sketch is the youngest. One of the sons is Bishop Graves of Nebraska and California for the past ten years.
In the acquirement of his education Daniel Graves of this review attended the common schools of MeHenry county. Illinois, and having been reared on a farm followed that occupation his entire life. When but twenty-one years of age he started out in the world empty-handed but soon became owner of a small farm of fifty-six acres in Illinois, which he sold in 1822. He then came to York county where he purchased four hundred acres of railroad land near Arborville, subse- quently increasing his acreage until he owned one thousand and forty acres. This land at the time of purchase was nothing but a wild prairie but soon became some of the most highly cultivated land in the county. Ilis next step in improvements was to build a beautiful home and outbuildings in keeping with it. The timber for this house they shipped from Chicago as far as Clarks and hauled it across the Platte river the remainder of the way. Ile set out three thousand pine trees on his place and it was not long before they made a fine grove in which church and Sunday school picnics were held for many years. As a result of his diligence and labor he was soon recognized as one of the leading farmers in the county and was readily acknowledged the largest stock feeder in the county. For seventeen years before his death Mr. Graves suffered from paralysis and when he passed away on the 24th of July, 1917, it came as a sad blow to his many friends as well as to his devoted family.
In 1822 occurred the marriage of Mr. Graves and Miss Martha Loomer, a daughter of Timothy and Almira Loomer, the former a native of Nova Scotia, while the latter was born in Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Loomer settled in Illinois in an early day. To Mr. and Mrs. Graves, the following children were born : Almira who is teaching art in the United Brethren college is the wife of E. B. Koon, a real estate dealer and retired farmer of York. Mrs. Koon received her training in art in Chicago where she attended the Art Institute; Nora is the wife of H. J. Clarke of Lincoln, who is engaged in the monument business; Daniel is residing on the old homestead; Mabel P. is the wife of M. H. Kealiher, a farmer in
1097
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
2
York county; and Henry C. is mentioned on another page of this work. The family were reared in the Episcopalian faith.
Throughout his entire life Mr. Graves gave his allegiance to the democratie party and was always interested in the development and improvement of the eom- munity in which he lived. He was a member of the committee to build the court- house at York, and was also on the committee having in charge the building of a Congregational church at Arborville. Fraternally he was a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and of the Modern Woodmen. In church circles both Mr. and Mrs. Graves always took an active part. For many years he taught elasses in the Sunday school and for twenty-five years Mrs. Graves led the singing in both church and Sunday school. Mr. Graves was a man of unusual character, one inspiring the confidence and trust of every person with whom he came in contact. In all matters needing advice his neighbors appealed to him and he was always called upon to settle differences, both parties being assured fair judgment. During the seventeen years of his affliction he was ever cheerful and Mrs. Graves sacrificed everything for his comfort. For eleven years Mrs. Graves took Mr. Graves to Florida and two years to California. In fact for years she devoted her time night and day to Mr. Graves' comfort, sacrificing years of her life to that noble effort. In his passing York county lost an honorable, upright and successful citizen. Mrs. Graves is residing in her beautiful home at 916 East avenue, secure in the deep respect and regard held for her by her fellow citizens.
HARRY L. BLAIR
An excellent farm of one hundred and twenty acres pays tribute to the care and labor bestowed upon it by Harry L. Blair, whose place is located on section 32, Stewart township, York county. Moreover, he is a native son of the county, born March 14, 1872, a son of Cyrus and Emma (Bedell) Blair, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Ohio, who lived in Illinois until 1870 when they came to York county and homesteaded.
Cyrus Blair was a farmer in Illinois up to the outbreak of the Civil war and in response to President Lincoln's first call for volunteers he enlisted in April, 1861, becoming a member of the 60th Company, 11th Illinois Infantry and served with that command throughout the entire period of the war. IIe was in the famous battle of Gettysburg and at Shiloh and participated in other important engage- ments. In one of those battles his clothes were riddled with bullets but he escaped serious injury. During his war service he applied for and obtained a short furlough and while home on leave he was married, after which he returned to his regiment. At the close of the war Mr. Blair was mustered out, receiving an honorable dis- charge, and went back to Illinois where his wife was awaiting him, and in that state he engaged in farming for about five years. In 1820 he decided to go further afield and came to York county in that year. He took a homestead of one hundred and sixty aeres in Thayer township and there erected a dugout for a temporary home and also put up sod barns for the cattle, and it was in the dugout that his son, Harry L. Blair, was born. Lincoln was the nearest place from which supplies could be had and he had to do all the freighting from that town. He broke the land and
1098
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
opened it up to cultivation and things were going well with him until the grass- hopper invasion. when he lost all his erops and had to burn his corn. However, he renewed his efforts and in time his place had recovered from the ravages of the grasshopper plague and he finally had the satisfaction of seeing his place in first- class condition and well improved, the equal of any in the township. He disposed of the homestead in 1894 and retired to the Soldiers Home at Grand Island and there passed away in 1910, being in his seventy-fifth year. His wife predeceased him by several years, her death occurring in 1893, at the age of fifty-four. They were the parents of four children : Nellie, the wife of Charles Heaton, a farmer of Gothenburg, Nebraska : Ida, the wife of II. B. Mowery, of Greenfield, Massachu- setts ; Harry L., the subject of this sketch ; and Guy, living in Bayard, Nebraska. He was a stanch republican and an active and earnest member of the Grand Army of the Republic of York.
Harry L. Blair spent his youthful days under the parental roof and early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and earing for the erops, dividing his time between the acquirement of an education and the work of the fields. Later he started farming on his own account and bought a tract of land which he operated successfully in the early years of his occupation. He added to his holding as eir- eumstances permitted and is now the owner of a well kept farm of one hundred and twenty acres and is giving his undivided attention to general agricultural pur- suits, including the raising of a good grade of live stock. There are Substantial buildings on the land and he utilizes the latest improved machinery in carrying on the work of the fields. lle is a stockholder in the Farmers State Bank and in the elevator at Thayer.
In 1893 Mr. Blair was united in marriage to Charlotte E. Robertson, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Joseph Robertson who came to York county in the 80's. They are the parents of eight children : Nina, the wife of Perry Schwasinger, of Alliance; Utha, who married Charles Elrod, of Hazard, Nebraska : Emma, the wife of D. R. Kinney, of Lincoln; Florence, who died at the age of eighteen ; and Hosea, Homer, Marion and Joseph, all at home. Mr. Blair gives his political alle- giance to the republican party and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Those who know him esteem him highly, for his marked characteristics of manhood and citizenship are those which commend him to the warm regard, the confidence and the goodwill of those with whom he has been associated.
CHARLES A. CALKINS, D. D. S.
A native son of Nebraska is Charles A. Calkins who since 1903 has been engaged in the dental business in York. In his profession Dr. C'alkins has achieved a sub- stantial amount of success and his practice which is now one of the largest in the county is steadily increasing.
Dr. Charles A. Calkins was born in Polk county, Nebraska, December 25. 1881, a son of Kirkland and Lorilla V. ( Williams) Calkins, extended mention of whom is made elsewhere in this work. Dr. Calkins received his early education in Polk county and on the removal of his parents to York county attended the high school. Hle then entered York College and after completing a course there decided on
1099
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
dentistry as his life work. He began the study of this profession at the Omaha University and was graduated, D. D. S. in 1903. The same year he commenced practice in York and sometime later his brother Bert entered into practice with him, continuing in this connection for some time. Dr. Calkins is now practicing his profession alone, however, and is winning a name for himself among the members of his profession in the county. Dr. Calkins also maintains a great deal of interest in country life, and has purchased one thousand acres of land in Colorado, making trips there each year. This land is some of the finest in the state and is very productive.
In 1904 Dr. Calkins was united in marriage to Miss Olga Wiig, a native of Omaha and a daughter of Peter Wiig, a pioneer merchant of that place. He estab- lished the first Boston Store there and is still in the business owning the New York Department Store. To the union of Dr. and Mrs. Calkins two children have been born : Ardith and Kirkland Jack, both of whom are attending school.
Dr. Calkins aside from his work has devoted considerable time to the improve- ment and development of York and was for some time a member of the city council. Fraternally he is a member of the A. F. & A. M., the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Dr. Calkins is a member of the United Brethren church while his wife belongs to the Lutheran church. Dr. and Mrs. Calkins are likewise members of the York Country Club and are prominent in the social affairs of the community. Industry, energy and laudable ambition have carried Dr. Calkins steadily forward and he is today a representative citizen of York.
MILES WHOLSTENHOLM
For many years Miles Wholstenholm engaged in farming in York county and so ably managed his affairs that he gained financial independence and is now trying to content himself with a retired life. He was born in Peoria county, Illinois, October 25, 1855, a son of John Wholstenholm who is now deceased, and further mention of whom is made elsewhere in this work.
Miles Wholstenholm was a lad of sixteen years when the family came to Nebraska and for some time lived in a dugout on his father's land. His father had taken a tree claim to which our subject, Miles Wholstenholm, fell heir by purchasing a relinquishment and proving up under the homestead aet. Ile sold this land, however, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of slightly improved land in section 30, West Blue township. He has since greatly improved his land and his farm is now recognized as one of the finest in the community. In the intervening years he has also purchased more land and now owns a quarter section in Fillmore county and a half section in Kansas. Employing every opportunity for advance- ment Mr. Wholstenholm has made steady progress and is now regarded as one of the substantial farmers of York county.
In York county occurred the marriage of Mr. Wholstenhohn to Miss Sarah Ramsden who was born in England in 1857. She was a daughter of Edwin and Hannah (Perrin) Ramsden who came to the United States when their daughter was but one year old. They settled in Peoria county. Illinois, where Mr. Ramsden died. The mother died at the home of her daughter, June 25, 1917. Mrs. Wholsten-
1100
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
holm was a young woman of twenty when she removed to York county where she was married. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wholstenholm : Ruth, who is residing at home: Felix, who is a veteran of the World war and is now living at home; Freda, who is the wife of Henry Gillan, a farmer of West Blue township: and Alice, who is the wife of Bryan Tatman of Lincoln. The Wholstenholm family are all consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Since age conferred upon Mr. Wholstenholm the right of franchise he has been a stanch supporter of the republican party and of the principles for which it stands. He has always been active in the educative cireles of his community and has been a member of the school board for twenty-five years, with the exception of one termn. Mr. Wholstenholm is now living a retired life and is very prominent in West Blue township where he continues to make his home. In all of his business affairs he has displayed sound judgment and indefatigable energy, and these qualities have been the basis of his present success.
EZRA H. SMITHI
Business enterprise at York finds a worthy representative in Ezra HI. Smith who is manager as well as secretary and treasurer of the Harrison Nursery Com- pany. He is a native son of Nebraska born in Clay county on the 8th of January. 1873, a son of Neri and Esther ( Faires) Smith, the former a native of Pennsyl- vania and the latter of the state of Ohio. Their marriage occurred in Iowa where they had removed with their respective parents at an early day, and where they remained until 1821. then removing to Clay county, Nebraska. Mr. Smith was successful in acquiring a homestead in this county which was also the home of numerous Indians and big game. Hunting was not so much a sport as a necessity in those early days, and Mr. Smith brought in many elk, buffaloes and smaller game. Antelopes were especially plentiful. Mr. and Mrs. Smith resided on this farm until 1914 when they went to California, after three years returning to Nebraska. This time they settled in York and here they are now residing, retired. When the Civil war broke out Mr. Smith was among the first to enlist from Ohio, joining the Forty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry with which he served three years and seven months. He participated in some of the important battles of the war and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. Ezra II. Smith is the first in order of birth of a family of five children born to this union, four of whom are living : the subject of this review : Nona, who is married and living at Long Beach. California : Rollo N .. a contractor residing at Long Beach : and Rena. the wife of L. M. Swartz, a farmer near Kearney. The family were reared in the faith of the Christian church and Mr. and Mrs. Smith still take an active interest in that organization. Mr. Smith gives his allegiance to the republican party and is a prominent member of the G. A. R. Grandfather Martin Smith was a compara- tively young man at the time of his death which occurred at his home in Pennsyl- vania. The maternal grandfather was Thomas Faires who was born in Ohio but later removed to Missouri where he made his home and engaged in farming and fruit growing.
But little education was received by Ezra H. Smith, for at an early age he began
1101
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
to work for his father. Subsequently in 1894 he started to work on a railroad section for which he was paid the sum of one dollar and fifteen cents per day. From his home to his work was a distance of two miles, and this Mr. Smith covered on foot daily. While working on the section he learned telegraphy, studying it in his spare time, with the result that soon he was employed in that capacity on the Burlington road at various offices. At Havelock he was paid fifteen dollars per month and was soon transferred to Aurora where as night operator he received forty dollars per month. He was operator at Aurora and Ravenna, then agent at Cush- ing, Cairo, Pahner and York. lle was the youngest man to hold a competitive station when he came to York. For seven years he held the agency in York and then became connected with the Harrison Nursery Company, acting as sales man- ager for a period of two and one-half years. His devotion to his work soon won him the position of manager and he has served in this connection since. In addi- tion to his duties as manager he is secretary and treasurer of the company. In the financial circles of York he is also prominent, being a director in the American State Bank and secretary of the York Investment Company.
In 1897 Mr. Smith was married to Miss Myrtle E. Zook, a native of Clay county and a daughter of William Zook, who homesteaded in Clay county in 1872 and died on his farm in 1899. Mrs. Zook is also deceased. her death having occurred in York in 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of two children : Vivian, the daughter, graduated from the Cotner University at Lincoln in 1920 and is now teaching music in Gresham and York: and the son, Leslie R., is in high school.
Since age conferred upon Mr. Smith the right of franchise he has supported the republican party. Fraternally he is a York Rite Mason and Shriner and has passed through all the chairs of the blue lodge. He is a past patron of the O. E. S. and past generalissimo in the commandery. He is a charter member of the Rotary Club and one of its directors, and is vice president of the York County Commercial Club and a member of the board on which he has served since its organization. He is on the board of the Young Men's Christian Association and past president of the Business Men's Association, one of the trustees of the Cotner University of Lincoln and a member of the Sons of Veterans. Since his entrance into the horticultural business he has furthered his knowledge in this line by reading and studying and in connection with his work is vice president of the Western Association of Nursery- men and president of the State Horticultural Society. He is well known in social circles and is a member of the York Country Club.
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.