USA > Nebraska > York County > York County, Nebraska and its people : together with a condensed history of the state, Vol. II > Part 53
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During all the years of Mr. Foster's life he gave his allegiance to the democratic party and he was always well versed on the questions and issues of the day. He was also active in fraternal circles being a member of the Modern Woodmen and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In the fourteen years of his residence in York he made many friends. He was known to have employed only the most honorable and fair methods in his business affairs and at his demise both town and county lost a progressive and representative citizen.
HENRY STAEHR
Among the prominent farmers of York county is Henry Staehr, who is a native of Beaver township, this county, his birth having occurred on the old home- stead of his father, May 12, 1873. He is a son of Carsten Staehr, mention of whom is made elsewhere in this work.
The boyhood days of Henry Staehr were spent on the homestead and he well remembers the pioneer conditions that in this day of luxury and ease would seem hardships indeed. Ile worked with his father on the home place until he was twenty-three years of age at which time his father assisted him in purchasing a farm on which he still resides. There were only small buildings on the land when he came into possession of it but it is now considered one of the finest farms in the county and has first-elass improvements. This one hundred and twenty acres is located on the west section, the home place, one hundred and fifty-nine acres, being the southwest quarter of section 35, Beaver township.
Mr Staehr has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Johanna Backhus, a native of York county. She died leaving four children: Kathrina, the wife of Carl Wellman ; William ; Hanna, who is the wife of Ed Noller ; and Amanda. Mr. Staehr's second wife was Minnie Brackhan, a native of York county. Two children have been born to this union, namely : Mary and Alfred.
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Mr. and Mrs. Staehr are consistent members of the Lutheran church in the activities of which organization they take a prominent part. The ability of Mr. Staehr is readily recognized throughout the community and he is happy in the esteem and respect of his fellow citizens.
JAMES F. CONWAY
In pioneer days James F. Conway came to York county and experienced all of the hardships and privations of frontier life while engaged in the arduous task of developing a new farm. After years passed on, however, he was fortunate in his undertaking and became one of the prosperous agriculturists of his section of the state. Ile was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, February 29, 1852. and was therefore fifty-six years of age when he passed away in 1908. He was but a year old when his parents removed with their family to Allamakee county, lowa. He com- pleted his education in Prairie du Chien College of Wisconsin, and for a year was engaged in teaching in Iowa. In 1824, when twenty-two years of age, he removed to Nebraska and for a year taught in Seward county.
In 1878 in York county Mr. Conway was married to Miss Hattie E. Martin, who was born in Dodge county, Wisconsin, a daughter of Noah and Hannah Jane (Prest ) Martin. The mother was born in Monmouth county, New Jersey. in 1816 and died November 28, 1894. The father was born in the state of New Jersey in 1818, and passed away in 1877. They were married in New Jersey and in 1856 removed to Wisconsin, whence they came to York county in March, 1868. The father homesteaded near what is now McCool, where his death occurred. In the Martin family were twelve children but only four are living : John P., a miller now at Big Fork, Montana : Asa W., a contractor and builder of mills, in Nebraska, traveling all over the state in the performance of his work; Richard R .. a farmer of Litchfield, and Mrs. Conway.
To Mr. and Mrs. Conway were born nine children: Rose J .; the wife of O. E. Tilden, a farmer living near Thayer; Cora E., at home: John W., residing on a farm east of York ; Thomas O., who occupies a farm in Madison county, Nebraska ; Pearl II., at home; Delia M., the wife of George Bremer of Jerome, Idaho, who for one term was a member of the state senate, and is now overseer of the South Side Irrigation System ; Effie B., the wife of Paul A. Steinberg, living on a farm near Bradshaw; James F., who for three years followed farming, but is now living at York : and Asa B., at home.
For three years after coming to York county Mr. Conway taught school. He had homesteaded prior to his marriage but traded that property and he and his wife lived on another farm, occupying a sod house for one year, at the end of which time they took up their abode in a frame house. Later they returned to the old homestead which they occupied for seven years, and on the expiration of the period removed to the village of Thayer, where they remained nutil 1900, and then went to York that their children might enjoy the opportunities accorded by the school system of this city. While at Thayer Mr. Conway engaged in merchandising and was also assessor and justice of the peace. He had but four hundred dollars when he came to Nebraska but as the years passed his financial resources increased
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JAMES F. CONWAY
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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
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and he became the owner of a large amount of land and was also interested in the Farmers Bank at York. He left an estate of nine hundred and twenty acres in York, and Mrs. Conway has since purchased six hundred and ten acres, also in York county. She also owns a beautiful residence which Mr. Conway had pur- chased in York. She has ably managed the estate, displaying excellent business ability in her care and improvement of the property. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and also of the Danghters of Rebekah. Mr. Conway belonged to the Modern Woodmen and was well known in the order and by many with whom business and social relations brought him into contact, while the sterling worth of his character gained for him the high regard of all who knew him. Therefore his death was the occasion of deep regret to many who had learned to value him as a most substantial citizen and true friend.
W. II. NEWCOMER
For thirty-three years W. H. Newcomer now deceased was a successful farmer in York county. He was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, on the 30th of July, 1846, a son of Daniel and Abigail (Leckrone) Newcomer. His parents were both natives of Pennsylvania-where they spent their lives. Mr. Newcomer was a successful farmer and followed that occupation until his death in 1869. Ilis widow survived him for several years. Seven children were born to this union, five sons and two daughters. W. Il. Newcomer, the subject of this review, is the only member of the family residing in the west.
W. H. Newcomer was reared on a farm in his native county and received his education there. He continued to farm in this county until 1875, at which time he removed to Illinois and settled in Knox county. For two years he farmed there successfully, at the termination of which time he located in Henry county, that state. In 1879 he came to Nebraska and settled in York county. He purchased a farm in Thayer township and there made his home until 1900. The farm had no improvements and he made his home in a sod honse for a nminber of years. He later built a fine residence and ontbuildings. In the cultivation of the land, which had but eighty acres under cultivation at the time he purchased it, he was gratifyingly successful. In 1900 Mr. Newcomer removed to York and purchased a nice home at 813 Elmer avenue. Here he lived practically retired until his death but still maintained an interest in his land which consisted of six hundred and forty acres in York county and one hundred and sixty acres in Lincoln county, to which he would make frequent visits. For the twelve years that Mr. New- comer resided in York he made many and fast friends and at his loss a feeling of widespread bereavement swept the community.
In 1868 in Pennsylvania occurred the marriage of Mr. Newcomer and Miss Catherine Henderson, a daughter of Stewart and Elizabeth A. Henderson, both natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Henderson later removed to Illinois where the father died. His widow survived him a number of years. Five children were born to that union, three of whom are living. Mrs. Newcomer was the second in order of birth. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Newcomer eight children have been born, six of whom are living, namely : Mary, the wife of Fred Conant, a retired
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farmer of York : Dora, who is the widow of William Myers, and resides in Lincoln ; William H., who is residing on the old homestead in York county: Cora, the wife of George Werner, who resides in Laporte, Indiana; Carrie, who is the wife of Harry Johns, a farmer in York county; and Blanche, who is the wife of Wallace Lloyd who is engaged in farming in York county. The Newcomer family were reared in the faith of the Lutheran church and Mrs. Newcomer is still active in the affairs of that organization.
Throughout his entire life Mr. Newcomer gave his support to the republican party which found in him a stalwart advocate. Although he devoted the greater part of his time to his farming interests he was always well informed on the questions and issues of the day. Fraternally he was a Mason and an exemplary member of the order. Mrs. Newcomer is still living and is residing in the home at York, a highly respected citizen. She is now in possession of a half section of land from which she derives a substantial income.
HENRY W. BOLTON
Henry W. Bolton now occupies an attractive home in Benedict to which he retired in 1916, where he is surrounded with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. For many years he was prominently and actively identified with farming, taking up that work in York county in 1891, prior to which he had been similarly engaged in Iowa. He was born near Richmond, Virginia, December 25, 1859, a son of David and Martha ( Fisher) Bolton, both natives of Virginia, where the father followed his trade of millwright.
David Bolton left Virginia in 1862 and went to Cedar county, lowa, and there he built a frame house and resumed his occupation as a millwright. About that time he was called on to serve with the Federal army and participated in inany of the engagements of the Civil war, finally being honorably discharged. when he returned to civil life and took up his ordinary occupation. He passed away in 1910, having lived to the advanced age of eighty-six, and left behind him a name for probity and manly worth to which all the actions of his long life entitled hin. Ile was a faithful member of the Presbyterian church and a practical supporter of its teachings. In politics he gave his allegiance for a considerable time to the republican party but later supported democratie policies, the change in his party atliliations being the outcome of conviction. His wife survived until 1917 when she passed away amid the sorrow of all her friends, being then eighty-nine years old. They were the parents of the following children : Mary, widow of J. H. Bolton, of Council Bluffs, Iowa ; Armetta, deceased ; James, living at Council Bluffs ; Tosh, of Milford, Nebraska; Anna, wife of A. H. Garrett, of Brush, Colorado; Sarah, wife of Lee Johnson, of Sargent. Nebraska; Henry W .; Edward; Charles, living in Iowa: and Lloyd, a retired farmer, of York county.
Henry W. Bolton was reared in his father's home in Iowa and was educated in the common schools of that state. Selecting the career of a farmer for his life work, he rented land in Iowa and continued to work along that line for several years. In 1888 he came to Nebraska, settled in Saunders county and rented a tract of land which he operated for about two years. He carefully husbanded his
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resources and saved money with the object of buying a farm. In this he was successful and in 1891 he removed to York county, renting for a time and finally purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Morton township, later increasing his holdings to four hundred and eighty acres, in two farms. having two sets of buildings, the ownership of which he still retains. Apart from the general farming and stock raising he specialized in feeding cattle for the market and in this latter department of his agricultural activities he achieved a remarkable success. Before retiring in 1916 Mr. Bolton had brought his properties to a well improved con- dition, and he is now living in well earned comfort at Benedict. He continues to be interested in business affairs, is a stockholder in the York Milling Company, in the Farmers Elevator at Benedict and in Farmers Elevator at Mapp, from all of these investments deriving a nice income. Ile is a man of determined purpose and resolute will and whatever he undertakes he carries forward to successful completion.
In 1886 Mr. Bolton was joined in marriage to Sarah J. Wilkinson, a native of Mills county, Iowa, whom he met and married while living in that state. She accompanied him to York county in 1891 and in all the intervening years she has been a faithful wife and practical helpmeet, which. no one is more ready to acknowledge than her husband. To their union eight children were born, six of whom are living: Ray, who operates his father's farm in York county: Edith, deceased, who became the wife of Miles Shaw ; Tua, wife of Edgar Farley, of York county ; Floyd, a farmer, of York county ; Frank, residing in Miller, South Dakota ; Lottie, deceased ; and Carl and Cecil, living at home. Mrs. Bolton is a member of the Lutheran church and is prominent socially in the community where she resides. Ile supports the democratic party and is a member of the township board, to the work of which he gives diligent service. His many admirable qualities are generally recognized and there is no resident of the county more highly esteemed than he.
NELSON PETER RONNE
Nelson Peter Ronne, a retired farmer, now a resident of York, was born in Denmark, September 29, 1857, the son of Lorenzen Peter and Bergetta Malgaalr Ronne. His father was a jeweler and worked at his trade in the old country until he passed away. The mother also died in Germany.
Nelson Peter Ronne was reared in his native land, educated in the common schools there, and was apprenticed to the butcher trade which it required about four or five years to learn. Before he completed his apprenticeship, however, he came to America and found employment on a farm near Yorkville, Kendal county. Illinois, where he worked for one man for seven years, and then rented land for his own use. In 1883 he moved to Nebraska and bought eighty acres of unimproved land in Baker township, York county. These were days when there were many sod houses to be seen and the farmer had many difficulties to overcome, requiring more than ordinary courage and perseverance. His first home was a sixteen by twenty frame house which burned down and had to be rebuilt. Four years later he sold this land and bought one hundred and sixty aeres in Henderson township, and during the following ten years he and his wife and sons tore down and rebuilt
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all the farm buildings, thus advancing the value of the property. Ile now owns four hundred and eighty acres well improved with two complete sets of farm build- ings, which shows that he has indeed been successful, as he had but one hundred dollars to pay on his land when he arrived in this country. His faithfulness to his first employer was rewarded, as that man became his friend and provided financial backing whenever Mr. Ronne needed it after coming to York county.
Mr. Ronne was married in Kendall county, Ilinois, in 1881, to Mary Jane Kerr, a native of Belfast, Ireland. They are the parents of five boys: Lorenzo Peter, who is a dentist in Lincoln, Nebraska ; Harry, who has been blind since he was twenty years old, now operates a telephone switchboard, at Lushton, Nebraska : John N., assistant chief elerk in the Frisco Railroad freight office, in Kansas City ; Clyde, who operates a part of his father's farm; and Carey A., who also is engaged in farming. All of the sons are married, and there are eight grandchildren.
Mr. Ronne has always spelled his name the way it was spelled in the old country, although in English it should be spelled Runne. He has always been a credit to his name and his record is that of a pioneer farmer who has not only built up his own fortunes in a frontier community but has aided materially in developing the district. Mr. Roune is a member of the Methodist church and in polities is a republican and has steadfastly supported the candidates and measures of that party although he is in no sense a politician, prefering to devote his whole time to the attention of his private affairs.
J. EDWIN SMITH
For about eighteen years J. Edwin Smith has been engaged in the undertaking business in York and as a result of his diligence and industry is enjoying a sub- stantial amount of success. Ile is a native of Iowa, born in Washington county that state on the 23rd of December, 1866, a son of W. A and Sarah (Singer) Smith. The father was born in Ohio in 1836. and the mother in New York state in 1844. Removing to Iowa with their parents in their early youth, they met and were married and spent the remainder of their lives there. Mr. Smith engaged in blacksmithing for a number of years and was very successful in this business. On the outbreak of the Civil war he was among the first to enlist, joining Company A of the Nineteenth Jowa Infantry, with which he served nearly four years. He participated in many of the most important battles of the war and was discharged with the rank of color-bearer. Mr. Smith died in 1919, his wife having passed away forty-four years ago. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Smith six children were born, three of whom are living, namely: J. Edwin, the subject of this review; T. E., overseer in a chair factory at Fort Madison, lowa; and IT. A., who is state agent for an insurance company. The family were reared in the Methodist Episcopal faith and Mr. Smith was a stanch republican and Mason. The paternal grand- father, John R. Smith, was a native of Ohio but in later life removed to Iowa where he engaged in farming until his death. He was very active in the work of the Methodist Episcopal church of which he was a member.
In the acquirement of his education J. Edwin Smith attended the schools of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and in due time entered the Methodist College at York. In
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1880 he came to York county with his unele, T. N. Smith, and commenced work on a farm. Some time later his uncle removed to York and bought a grocery store and Mr. J. E. Smith gave up his farm work and came to work for him, continuing in this line of business for eight years. For the next eight years he elerked in a clothing store and then engaged in farming for a period of three years. In 1902 he determined to start in business on his own account and deeiding to take up under- taking as his particular line, entered the Barnes School of Anatomy and Science of Embalming in 1903, becoming thoroughly familiar with all phases of the work.
In 1892 Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Winnifred Ferguson, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Nelson E. Ferguson who came to York county at an early day, acquired a homestead and lived thereon until his death. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Smith five children have been born: Enid, the wife of J. B. Ever- hardt, advertising manager for the Dempster Manufacturing Company, and she having charge of the first aid department in the mill; Mildred, who is residing at home: and Raymond, Leland and Josephine, all in school. The family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Smith gives his allegianee to the republican party and is an active worker in politics. For two terms he served the county of York as coroner, which position he filled to the best of his ability. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the A. F. & A. M. and is also a Royal Arch Mason. Ile is a past chancellor in the Knights of Pythias and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Starting out in life with nothing but the grim determination to win out he has advanced step by step until he is now recognized as one of the leading undertakers of the county.
J. A. RUDDOCK
The press of a city or town is usually regarded as an index whereby may be ganged the material and social progress which a locality is making. This is exem- plified in the life work of J. A. Ruddock, a well known printer and publisher of Gresham, who has spent all the active years of his life engaged in newspaper work and at present is the owner of the Gresham Gazette. He was born in Sergeant Bluff, Woodbury county, Iowa, September 20, 1880, a son of Thomas .and Vira (Scovell) Ruddock, the former a railroad man who came to Gresham in February, 1892, as section foreman and remained here until 1896, when he returned to Iowa and had been in that state but four weeks when his death occurred at the age of sixty-two years. Ilis widow is still living and is in her seventieth year.
J. A. Ruddock accompanied his parents to York county in 1892 and completed his education in the public schools of Gresham. On quitting school he learned the trade of a printer under the guidance of H. M. MeGaffin of the Gresham Gazette and was employed on the paper for four years, during this period having acquired a practical knowledge of the business. On leaving the Gazette he went to Valparaiso and worked for a time on the Valparaiso Visitor, from which place he went to David City and there beeame foreman of the Butler County Press, remaining in that capacity for one year. In October, 1919, he entered into arrangements for the purchase of the Gresham Gazette, and immediately took it over as publisher and
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owner. The Gazette is an independent weekly publication with a steadily growing circulation and is devoted to the task of upholding the progressive spirit which has brought Gresham and the surrounding district to their status. The paper is equipped with the most modern machinery and type and in conjunction therewith a job printing department is operated in which all classes of general printing are pro- duced. The composing and publication room of a newspaper is sometimes alluded to as "the poor man's college," in view of the immense opportunities that are offered the novice for self-advancement. Mr. Ruddock was not slow to take advantage of his opportunities and this has been amply demonstrated in his career, but more especially since he became a publisher in his own right.
In 1905 Mr. Ruddock was united in marriage to Ruth Pogue, a native of Seward county and a daughter of J. W. Pogne, an early settler and well known resident. Mr. and Mrs. Ruddock are the parents of one son, Donald. Mrs. Ruddock is a member of the Presbyterian church and all movements for the moral and eivic as well as for the material upbuilding of Gresham receive her hearty support. Mr. Ruddock favors the principles of the republican party and has been village clerk for some time. He is affiliated with the Royal Highlanders.
W. Il. BROOKE
W. HI. Brooke of York is one of the most prominent men in the agricultural line throughout the county. He not only owns land in York county but has an extensive farm in Holt county on which he has six hundred and fifty head of the finest breed cattle. He is residing in York, however, where he has made his home for four years, during which time he has taken an active interest in the development of the community and has made many friends who recognize his true worth.
W. H. Brooke was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, December 7, 1866, a son of Richard and Agnes (Dean) Brooke, both natives of Pennsylvania. The father had traveled extensively and was a well educated man. At the age of seventeen years he had left his home and crossed the plains to California, making this trip seven times. In carly life he engaged in the cattle business and during the Civil war purchased a number of sheep which he took to Texas and sold. From this sale he realized a substantial amount of money and in 1874 came to York county as one of the pioneer settlers. He acquired a homestead in LeRoy township and for a number of years resided in a sod house on this land. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Brooke two children were born, namely: W. H., the subject of this review ; and Richard F., a prominent farmer in York county, who is now making his home in York. The Brooke family were consistent members of the United Brethren church and the father was a stanch supporter of the republican party. Mr. Brooke's death occurred in 1916 and Mrs. Brooke is making her home with her son, W. H. The maternal grandfather was Levi Dean, and further mention of the Dean family is made in the sketch of Nathaniel A. Dean to be found elsewhere in this work.
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