USA > Nebraska > York County > York County, Nebraska and its people : together with a condensed history of the state, Vol. II > Part 51
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REV. PETER P. EPP
The student of history cannot carry his investigations far into the records of York county without learning of the close connection of the Epp family with the material, intellectual and moral progress of this section of the state. Rev. Peter P. Epp, well known as an honored citizen of Henderson township, is engaged in farm- ing and stock raising, a valuable tract of land of five hundred and twenty acres paying tribute to the care and labor which he bestows upon it. He was born in southern Russia, November 3, 1861, a son of Peter and Barbara (Isaak) Epp, both
Vol. II-32
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of whom were natives of Russia. They came to America in 1875 and crossing the continent to Nebraska settled on section 3, Henderson township, York county, where the father purchased railroad land. Upon this he built a little house of slab planks and the family occupied the pioneer dwelling for forty years. In 1879 the father died but the mother long survived, passing away in 1906. In their family were ten children, of whom five died in Russia, while the other five came with their parents to the new world.
Peter P. Epp was a lad of thirteen years at the time the family left Russia and came to the United States. His educational opportunities were largely received in his native country but throughout his life he has learned many valuable lessons in the school of experience. He continued upon the home farm until he reached the age of twenty-seven years and his training in all of the farm work was most · thorough and comprehensive. He then determined to engage in business on his own account and purchased a tract of land to which he has added from time to time, thus constantly extending the boundaries of his place until he now owns five hun- dred and twenty aeres, constituting one of the highly improved farms of Henderson township. Upon it are good buildings for the shelter of grain and stock and fine farm machinery enables him quickly and thoroughly to do the work of the fields. He has ever been a most energetic man and his labors are crowned with substantial success.
In 1885 Mr. Epp was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Wall, a native of Russia, who came to America with her parents in 1874, she being a daughter of C. M. and Helen (Dierksen ) Wall. Her father has now passed away but the mother is living and makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Epp. To Mr. and Mrs. Epp have been born eleven children : Jacob and Barbara. both of whom have passed away ; Peter E., now living in Montana : Helen, the wife of Jacob F. Penner; Cor- nelius, at home ; Barabara, the wife of David A. Regier, of Minnesota : Jacob and John, who have departed this life; Abraham E .; Tina E .; and Marie.
Mr. and Mrs. Epp are members of the Ebenezer church, of which he was deacon for five years, and they take a most active and helpful interest in all the church work. Mr. Epp was ordained a preacher and is now devoting a part of his time to the work of the ministry. He is one of the prominent men of the county, hon- ored and esteemed by all by reason of an upright life and the sterling worth of character which everywhere wins confidence and regard.
McLANE B. THOMPSON
For a number of years MeLane B. Thompson was a prominent and progressive farmer of York county. He was a self-made man, his success being the result of his own diligence and determination. For twenty-two years he lived retired in York and when his demise occurred on the 20th of September, 1919, it was the occasion of widespread grief in the community.
MeLane B. Thompson was born in Maryland in 1845, a son of Edward and Matilda Thompson, who are both now deceased and buried in Maryland. Mr. Thompson received his early education in the country schools in Maryland and some time after putting his textbooks aside removed to Illinois, subsequently com-
McLANE B. THOMPSON
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R
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ing to Nebraska and settling in York county in 1879. He purchased railroad land in this county and resided thereon for a number of years. He then removed to Lushton and engaged in the lumber business in which venture he won more than a substantial measure of success. In 1898 he removed to York and retired. In 1906 he built a fine modern residenee on his lot in York at 906 East Sixth street, and here resided until his death. The widow is now residing in the home alone, a highly respected citizen of the community.
In 1876 Mr. Thompson was united in marriage to Miss Emma Norton, who was a native of Marshall county, Illinois, and a daughter of John and Elanor ( Berry) Norton. The father was a native of Ohio, while the mother was born in England. They removed to Illinois at an early day where the father engaged in farming and here they resided until they passed away. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Norton, three of whom are living, namely: George, who is living retired at Varna, Illinois; Mrs. Thompson, the widow of the subject of this review; and John, who is also living retired at Varna, Illinois. No children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, but Mr. Thompson had two children by a previous marriage, namely: Carrie, now deceased; and Gertie, the wife of Charles McDonough, of York, who is in the mercantile business.
Mr. Thompson was a stanch supporter of the democratic party and was well informed on the questions and issues of the day. Fraternally he was a member of the Modern Woodmen and was likewise a consistent member of the Methodist Epis- copal church. Mrs. Thompson is also a member of that church and takes an active part in the various affairs of that organization. The life of Mr. Thompson was one of intense activity, intelligently directed, and during his residence in York made many friends.
LEWIS S. LOOMER
Lewis S. Loomer, who at one time was probably the largest cattle feeder in York eounty, is now making his home in the city of York, giving his attention largely to the supervision of his investments and business interests. Ile is con- nected financially and officially with several important business concerns and at the same time manifests a most helpful interest in many projeets which have been of the greatest worth and benefit to the community in which he lives. While sueeess has attended his efforts the attainment of prosperity has never been the sole end and aim of his life. He has ever recognized his duties to his fellowmen and in many ways is contributing to the work which is making the world better. Mr. Loomer was born in Walworth county, Wisconsin, February 22. 1855, a son of Timothy and Almira ( King) Loomer, the former a native of Nova Scotia, while the latter was born in Vermont. They were married in Wisconsin, having become pioneer residents of that state, and in 1855 they removed to Illinois. The father was extensively engaged in farming in McHenry county of the latter state for a number of years and eventually removed to York county, Nebraska, where he and his wife spent their last days in the home of their son Lewis. They had a family of six children, of whom five are yet living: Melvin, who is a retired jeweler making his home in Waterloo, Iowa; Mrs. Martha Graves, mentioned elsewhere in this
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work ; Timothy, a wealthy property owner of Leadville, Colorado; Lewis S., subject of this review, and Arthur, who is living on a farm in Wisconsin. The parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and lived consistent Christian lives. Mr. Loomer was a republican in his political views and was always helpfully interested in projects for the general good. Ile was widely recognized as a self- made man and one who deserved great eredit not only for the upbuilding of his own fortunes but for the development of a character which everywhere commanded confidence and respect.
Lewis S. Loomer largely obtained his education at Marengo, Illinois, and started out in the business world as a farmer. In 1877 he arrived in York county, Nebraska, which was still a frontier district, and took up a homestead claim of eighty acres, after which he proceeded to buy more land, adding to his holdings from time to time until he now has two thousand acres. He had no assistance at the outset of his career and his notable success is the direct outcome of his industry, perseverance and good business judgment. For years he drove oxen in developing his farm property and for seven years lived in a sod house. As time passed on all this condition changed as the result of his industry and unfaltering enterprise, and he became one of the most prosperous residents of this section of the state. He turned his attention to the feeding of cattle while on the farm and was probably the largest stock feeder in York county. His property holdings still return to him a most substantial annual income. In November, 1909, he removed to York, where he purchased a new and attractive home, and while residing in the city, gives his attention to the operation and direction of his business affairs. He has been closely associated with many business enterprises which have proven of great benefit to the city and county. He put an investment of six thousand dollars in the McCloud Hotel and purchased stock to the extent of ten thousand dollars in the York mill in 1919. He is now the vice president of the York Milling Company and has ten thousand dollars' worth of stock in the York brickyard, of which he is the vice president. He is also a director of the First National Bank of York and of the First National Bank of Bradshaw and is likewise a director of the Farmers' State Bank of Polk, Nebraska.
On the 3d of January, 1877, Mr. Loomer was married to Miss Mary W. Wild, who was born in Union, Illinois, and reared in Marengo, Illinois, and they have become parents of six children, of whom three are living: Earl, a resident farmer of Wolbach, Greeley county, Nebraska; Ruth, the wife of Roy N. Gilbert, of Nampa, Idaho, and the mother of two sons, Edward and George; and Ruby, twin sister' of Ruth, who is at home. The daughters are graduates of York College and of Doane College and both were teachers for two years.
Mr. Loomer holds membership in the Congregational church and he is also connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In politics he is a repub- lican but has never been an office seeker, preferring to discharge his publie duties in other connections. Ile has been most liberal with his means, giving to York Col- lege fifteen hundred dollars in 1918 and five thousand dollars in 1919. He also gave to York Hospital fifteen hundred dollars and has been most liberal in his support of the Young Men's Christian Association and other public institutions. As he has prospered his benefactions have increased and he is constantly extending aid where he believes the best results can be achieved. When he arrived in York county his cash capital was but fifty-five dollars. Today he is one of the wealthiest
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men of this section of the state and is now enjoying life with all of its comforts and many of its luxuries. The most envious cannot grudge him his success, so honor- ably has it been won and so worthily used. He has recognized and embraced oppor- tunities that others have passed heedlessly by and his sound judgment and diligence have been the basic elements in the attainment of his splendid success.
DENNIS MEEHAN
Among the prominent citizens of York is Dennis Meehan who has been engaged in the shoe business in that place for a period of thirty-two years. He was born in Morris, Illinois, on the 6th of August, 1863, a son of Dennis and Mary (O'Connor) Meehan, both of Irish birth. The father was born in County Leitrim, Ireland, in 1812 and the mother in 1813. Mr. and Mrs. Meehan were married in Ireland but later came to the United States, arriving in Chicago in 1859. On first coming to this country the father worked as a contractor and builder and by his own labor and diligence became financially so successful that he was soon able to purchase some land. This land was on what is now Blue Island avenue in Chicago. Cultivating and improving the land he grew fine grain and hay which he sold, thereby adding to his finances and in 1861 removed with his family to Morris, Illinois, where he soon after retired. Mr. and Mrs. Meehan were consistent members of the Catholic church and he was a stanch supporter of the democratic party. Eleven children were born to this union of whom the subject of this review, Dennis Meehan, was the youngest. Four are living, namely : Mrs. Frances Boyle, who is a widow and resides in Grand Island; P. W., a coal dealer in Galesburg ; Mrs. Maria Whalen, a widow residing in Wichita, Kansas; and Dennis, the subject of this sketch. Mr. Meehan's death occurred in 1874 and his wife died in 1875. In their passing the community lost two of its most progressive and prominent citizens.
Dennis Meehan received his education in the schools of Braidwood, Illinois, and after putting his textbooks aside he worked in the coal mines, later serving an apprenticeship to the shoemaker's trade and worked in general merchandise stores. For a number of years he worked at this trade in Illinois and in 1888 removed to York. When he arrived here his chief asset was a thorough knowledge of the shoe business. He immediately entered into the shoe business on his own account and has since continued. Beginning with but a small stock he has steadily increased his trade until he now has one of the largest stores of the kind in Nebraska and also owns the building. Aside from his shoe business he is well known in financial circles, being a director in the First National Bank and he also owns considerable land in York county. His two farms are among the best improved and most highly cultivated in the county.
In 1890 occurred the marriage of Mr. Meehan and Miss Mary E. Gallagher, a native of Canton, Illinois, and to them four children have been born, namely : Peter A .; Rose G .; Dennis, Jr., who is in business with his father; and Mary A. The oldest son, Peter A., entered the service of the United States in the World war in 1917, serving with Motor Truck Company, No. 414. Ile sailed for France on the 26th of May, 1918, remaining there until June 27, 1919, when he returned to this country, secured his discharge and came back to York. He participated in
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all the engagements from the Champagne-Marne to the Argonne. inclusive, having been moved to the front nine days after they landed. He has an interest in his father's business and spends all of his time in that connection.
The Mechan family are all members of the Catholic church and Mr. Meehan is a Knight of Columbus and an Elk. In politics he has always given his allegiance to the democratie party. He has always been active in the development and improvement of the community and for three years was president of the Commercial Club and a member of the Rotary Club. Mr. Mechan owns a beautiful home in York where hospitality abounds and here he and his family reside-highly respected, progressive and representative citizens.
WILLIAM A. JOHNSON
William A. Johnson, who is engaged in farming, was born in Lee county, Illi- nois, August 29, 1868, a son of C. B. and IIulda ( Holdren ) Johnson, both natives of Pennsylvania. The father, who started farming in Pennsylvania and remained in that line for several years, removed to Illinois in 1863 and settled on a tract of prairie land which he proceeded to get into a state of cultivation and on which he carried on general farming for about seven years. In 1879 he came to York county, when this part of the state was assuming definite shape, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Morton township. Ile worked his place and ultimately brought it to a good condition of improvement, raising fine crops which were dis- posed of in neighboring markets at remunerative prices. Mr. Johnson added to his land holdings and finally became the owner of three hundred and twenty aeres, which at the time of his death were in a state of excellent improvement. All his success was attributable to his own unaided efforts. Ile learned how best to con- serve time and effort and to make each movement tell in the accomplishment of his purpose. His work on the farm was done in a methodical manner and with the view to securing maximum results, and it is to his systematie habits a large part of his success may be traced. He died in 1916 in his seventy-second year. His wife predeceased him, passing away in 1901 at the age of fifty-seven years. They were the parents of three children : J. M., living in Benedict : Ida, now deceased, was the wife of C. II. Read ; and William A., the subject of this sketch. He was affiliated with the Elks and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and gave his political support to the republican party, of whose principles and policies he had always been a consistent adherent.
William A. Johnson was eleven years old when his parents came to York county from Illinois and he was educated in the public schools of the county. For several years he assisted his father in the operations of the home farm and thus acquired a sound working knowledge of agricultural affairs which proved valuable in his later career. When he had reached his twenty-second year he started farming on his own account and in the intervening years he has worked diligently and has gained a place among the substantial farmers of the county, his general farming operations, stock raising and feeding for the market being reckoned among the best in the distriet. Evidences of his personal supervision and attention to business are avail- able in the results which he has achieved, and his career has been notably sneeess-
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ful, owing to the steady application and persistent effort which he brought to bear on the details of agricultural affairs. He has a substantial and well built home and he and his family are very pleasantly and comfortably situated.
In 1891 Mr. Johnson was joined in wedlock to Esther Large, a native of Wis- consin and a daughter of Jonathan R. Large. The union has resulted in the birth of twins, both daughters: Jennie, who became the wife of Lawrence Sidwell; and Addie, wife of Irving Hardin, a farmer of York county. The mother of these children died in 1902, and Mr. Johnson married his present wife in 1904. Her maiden name was Clara Osborne, and she was born in Illinois. Mr. Jolinson is a member of the Elks order, in the work of which he is much interested. His polit- ical allegiance is given to the republican party but he has never sought nor desired office. His industry and perseverance are among his salient characteristics and upon these qualities he has builded his success.
JOHN W. PITTMAN
John W. Pittman, superintendent of the Odd Fellows Home at York was born in Harrison county, Indiana, July 9, 1872, a son of E. J. and Anna ( McBride) Pittman. Both Mr. and Mrs. Pittman were born in Harrison county and were married there. For a number of years Mr. Pittman engaged in farming in Indiana but in 1873 removed to Cass county, Nebraska, where he bought a claim on which he resided until 1897. In that year he removed to York and for some time engaged in the handling of horses, being a great lover of them. He is now practically retired but is serving as street commissioner of York, these duties taking up the time which would otherwise hang so heavily after a life of great activity. Mr. Pitt- man is now seventy-four years of age and his wife is seventy-two. They are con- sistent members of the Presbyterian church and he gives his allegiance to the republican party. Fraternally they are members of the order of Ben Hur. During the Civil war the father served in the home guard. To this union two children were born : Walter, a farmer in York county. Nebraska : and John W., the subject of this review. The paternal grandfather of John W. Pittman, David Pittman, was a native of Pennsylvania but later became a pioneer of Harrison county, Indiana, and of Cass county, Nebraska, in which latter place he died. The maternal grand- father was George MeBride an early pioneer of Indiana and Cass county, his death occurring at the home of his daughter in Lincoln.
In the acquirement of an education John W. Pittman attended the public schools of Nebraska City and later took a course in a business college in Lincoln. His first experience in the business world was in connection with the hardware, undertaking, and furniture business at Union where he remained for three years. Giving up this work he entered into the employ of the Farmers Bank at Nebraska City as assistant bookkeeper and served in that capacity for a period of one and one-half years. At the expiration of this time he went to Omaha and accepted a position with the firm of Rector & Wilhelm, wholesale grocers. In 1894 he resigned this position and for two years after his marriage, which occurred in this year, he engaged in farming in Cass county. In 1879 he came to York where he resided on rented land until he accepted the superintendency of the State I. O. O. F.
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Home in 1917. The duties connected with this institution are manifold and take his entire time. There are fifty-five children in the home and twelve old people. The institution has recently acquired a farm consisting of one hundred and sixty acres.
In 1894 Mr. Pittman was united in marriage to Miss Rose A. Smith who was born in Johnson county, Nebraska, and to them two daughters have been born : Winona, who is the wife of C. A. Hansen, an express agent at Seward ; and Pansy, who is the wife of Irvin Fiekes connected with the street railway in Lincoln. Mrs. Pittman is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and prominent in the activities of that organization.
Since age conferred upon Mr. Pittman the right of franchise he has been a stanch supporter of the republican party and is well informed on all the questions and issues of the day. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which order he has filled all of the chairs and is past grand patriarch of the state. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen.
CARSTEN STAEHR
A life of intense and well directed activity, together with persistent, earnest labor, brought to Carsten Staehr, now deceased, a position among the successful pioneer farmers of York county.
Carsten Staehr was a native of Germany, his birth having occurred in that country on the 28th of December, 1836. He was reared and educated in the city of his nativity and on putting his textbooks aside engaged in farming. In 1862 he was married and ten years later removed with his family to America, coming to Nebraska and settling in York county. Ile acquired a homestead of eighty acres on section 4, of what is now Beaver township and their first home on that land was a dugout and later a sod house. In 1883 he built a frame house and it is still stand- ing. He endured all the pioneer hardships and the destruction wrought by the grasshoppers, each obstacle in his path only seeming to spur him on to greater effort. Ife took his grain to Milford to the mill, using ox teams for transportation for the first few years. On arriving in York county Mr. Staehr had less than two hundred dollars but he soon became financially independent as the result of hard work and good management. When he came to this country he could not speak a word of English and much of his spare time was devoted to study. Previous to his death he was in possession of several hundred aeres of the finest land in the county and he helped each of his sons buy farms, one son Fred now residing on the old homestead. The death of Mr. Staehr, which oceurred on the home farm in 1917, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. Mrs. Staehr had died some years before, her health having been poor for over twenty years.
In 1862 Mr. Staehr was united in marriage to Miss Margaretta Hopkins, a native of Oldenburg, Germany, born there on the 4th of June, 1838. Nine children were born to this union, six of whom are living, namely: William, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work; Carsten, who is married and lives in North Dakota; Lillie, who is the wife of IIenry Naber, a farmer in York county ; and Henry, Charles and Fred, all residents of York county, and of whom further
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mention is made elsewhere in this work. One son, John, died about eight years ago and another son and a daughter passed away in early childhood.
The success which Mr. Staeger won came to him as the reward of persistent, earnest labor, and his life illustrates what can be accomplished through individual effort combined with persistency of purpose.
CLEMENT E. MERCHANT
A pioneer farmer of York county was Clement E. Merchant who is now living retired in York, enjoying the success which comes after a life of diligence and industry. Like many other prominent men of the county he is a native of another state, born in Pottawattamie county, Iowa, April 16, 1850. His parents were Lueius and Hortensia (Patrick) Merchant, both natives of Massachusetts, the father's birth having occurred in 1817. In 1842 the father removed to Hancock county, Illinois, and in 1851 took up his residence in Harrison county, Iowa. His death occurred there in 1895. He was married on the 15th of April, 1844, to Hortensia Patriek and they became the parents of seven children, five sons and two daughters, namely : Amasa, a retired farmer residing in Iowa; Clement E., the subject of this review; Mary, the wife of J. B. Hardy, a merchant residing in Logan, Iowa ; Joseph, who is engaged in farming in Iowa; and Charles, a farmer at Oneta. The other two children are deceased.
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