USA > Nebraska > York County > York County, Nebraska and its people : together with a condensed history of the state, Vol. II > Part 54
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In the acquirement of an education W. II. Brooke attended the schools of York county and after putting his textbooks aside engaged in farming, which occupation he has followed throughout his life. For a number of years he farmed on rented land in York county and then purchased some land which he cultivated for two
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years. In 1917 he purchased a ranch in Holt county consisting of one thousand four hundred and eighty acres, a portion of which is put into hay. He has six hundred and fifty head of cattle on this ranch. For four years he has made his home in York where he is a representative citizen.
In 1887 occurred the marriage of Mr. Brooke to Miss Ida Heller, a native of York county and a daughter of Peter Heller. Her father was a pioneer home- steader of York. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Brooke three children have been born, namely: Carl, who is a traveling salesman; Clair, who is working with his father in the management of his land; and Florence, the wife of John Corcoran who is living in North Dakota.
Since age conferred upon Mr. Brooke the right of franchise he has given his allegiance to the republican party which has found in him a stanch advocate. For some time he served as town committee-man and he is always interested in the leading questions and issues of the day. He has never sought nor desired public office, preferring rather to devote his time to his ranching interests. Mrs. Brooke is an active member of the United Brethren church and he is fraternally affiliated with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Throughout York county Mr. Brooke is widely recognized as a most progressive and successful farmer and his farm in that county is numbered among the finest. His buildings are large and modern and represent the ideal country home. Mr. Brooke is of a kindly and generous disposi- tion, giving freely to various charitable organizations and assisting in the mainte- nance of York College.
E. W. RAIKES
E. W. Raikes, who for more than thirty-three years has been actively identified with the business life of Gresham where he is well known in the blacksmithing trade, is a native of Kentucky, born in Marion county, that state, September 17, 1845, a son of Benjamin and Martha ( Murrell) Raikes, the former of whom spent his life engaged in agricultural operations in Kentucky. Both he and his wife passed away many years ago and are buried in Kentucky, that state being also their birthplace.
E. W. Raikes was reared on his father's farm in Kentucky and was educated in the schools of his native county. In his early youth he helped on the home farm and later learned the blacksmith trade, which at that time was in a flourishing condition in and around his home district. He followed his trade for some years in Kentucky and in 1872 moved to the state of Illinois and settled near Petersburg, there resuming his trade of blacksmith and also engaged in farming, carrying on these dual occupations for twelve years. He was successful from the start and became financially prosperous. About 1884 he crossed the country to Nebraska and settled in Seward county, there putting up a blacksmith shop in the country district where he followed his business for two years. In 1886 when Gresham was being organized Mr. Raikes saw the possibilities of the new town and moved there, build- ing a blacksmith shop without delay and later established two more, and at the same time was a wood worker. He devotes all his time to his business interests and has country-wide reputation for prompt and excellent work. He was one of the
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first settlers in Gresham and has actually grown up with the town where he has numerous friends and well-wishers.
While living in Illinois Mr. Raikes was married to Mary Casteel, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1856 and who died in March, 1905. Three children were born to the union: Lizzie, deceased: Thomas, of Greeley county, Nebraska: and Emma, the wife of Swan Peterson of Polk county. Mr. Raikes attends the United Brethren church and is a stanch supporter of the republican party. He has been affiliated with the Royal Highlanders for many years. In matters pertaining to the welfare of Gresham he is practical and progressive and is a worthy citizen in every respect.
FRANK H. BALDWIN
Since about 1905 Frank H. Baldwin has been living retired in York in his modern home at 507 Thompson avenue. Mr. Baldwin was born in La Salle county, Illinois, on the 20th of December, 1856. a son of Franklin and Mary (Johnson ) Baldwin. His parents were natives of New York state and were married there. soon after removing to Illinois where they settled on government land. The father purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land at one dollar and twenty- five cents an aere. For a number of years they resided on the land and then removed to a farm in La Salle county, later removing to De Kalb county and subsequently to the little village of Sandwich where they resided for eight years. The mother's death occurred while living on the farm. Sometime after his wife's death Franklin Baldwin married Mary J. Carpenter. In 1880 he removed to York county, where he purchased some land. His land speculations had been very sue- cessful and at the time of his death he was in possession of one thousand acres of land. Five children were born to the first marriage, two of whom are living: Frank II., the subject of this review : and Mary, the wife of W. W. Wykoff of York. Two of the children died in childhood and Granville R. died in York in 1915. The members of the Baldwin family were consistent members of the Con- gregational church. Franklin Baldwin was a stanch supporter of the republican party and held various township offices. He was a son of Seth Baldwin who was born in Durham, Connecticut, in 1275, removed to New York in 1804 and died there on the 22d of February, 1832. The Baldwin family for generations were prominent in the east. the ancestors having come to the United States from England in the early part of the fourteenth century. A brother of Franklin Baldwin, Dwight, graduated from Yale, later settled in New York state where he married, and removed with his family to the Sandwich Islands. This trip he made around Cape Horn and became a missionary on these islands. The children are still living on the island and are holding positions of prominence, having become millionaires.
In the acquirement of an education Frank H. Baldwin attended the public schools of Sandwich, Illinois, and the district schools of La Salle county, the same state. At the age of nineteen years he quit school and started farming on a part of his father's land in Illinois and later rented land. living with an elder brother. On the 16th of December, 1880, Mr. Baldwin left for York county, coming through with some stock in a freight car. the trip requiring seven days and on the 23d of
FRANKLIN BALDWIN
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December, 1880, he arrived in York. His father had purehased some land in this eounty and Mr. Baldwin moved onto it, "baching" it for a period of eighteen months. Besides farming Mr. Baldwin fed and raised live stock in which oeeupa- tions he was very successful. About 1905 he decided to retire from active life and removed to York where he built a beautiful modern home at 507 Thompson avenue. He has rented all of his land, still retaining four hundred and eighty aeres of it. Although Mr. Baldwin is practically retired he takes an interest in the financial cireles of York, being a director in the City National Bank.
In 1888 Mr. Baldwin was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Graves. She was an orphan and had been reared to young womanhood by Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Graves. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin four children have been born, three of whom are living, namely: Harry D., who is a fireman on the Union Pacific railroad and resides at North Platte; Bernice L., the wife of Frank A. Peterson, residing six miles northwest of York ; and Florence Helen, who attended Monticello seminary at St. Louis, is at home. The third member of the family, Vernon G., died at the age of twenty-three years. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin are consistent mem- bers of the Congregational church and prominent in the affairs of the organization.
Mr. Baldwin has always given his allegiance to the republican party and it has always found in him a staneh advocate. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias. At all points in his career he has been aetuated by a landable ambition and his activity and even- paced energy have carried him steadily forward.
HEINRICH G. EPP.
Heinrich G. Epp, actively identified with farming and stoek raising in York county, his home being on section 4, Henderson township, belongs to an old and well known family of this section of the state that comes to Nebraska from southern Russia. It was there that Mr. Epp of this review was born June 5, 1863, his parents being Gerhard and Katherine (Dick) Epp, both of whom were natives of Russia, whence they came to the new world in 1875. They at once journeyed across the country to York county and took up their abode on section 3, Henderson township, where the father purchased railroad land and began the development of a farm. He resided thereon until his death, which occurred in 1893, while his widow sur- vived for eleven years and was then ealled to her final rest. In their family were sixteen children, four of whom are living.
Heinrich G. Epp obtained his education in the schools of Russia but never had the opportunity of attending school in York county, as they settled in a frontier district and his labors were needed in the development of the home farm. He con- tinued with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-eight years, his time and attention being given to the work of the fields from the time of early spring plant- ing until crops were harvested in the late autumn. On leaving home he took up his abode on the farm which he now occupies. Here he owns two hundred and forty aeres of rich and productive land, which he has brought under a high state of culti- vation, so that he annually gathers good harvests. He also owns one hundred and sixty acres in Oklahoma. He has always carried on general farming and stock
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raising and both branches of his business have proven profitable. He is now making a specialty of raising Duroe Jersey hogs.
In 1892 Mr. Epp was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Buller, a native of southern Russian, and to them have been born seventeen children: Sarah, the wife of Jacob Kreker: Gerhart, deceased : Katherine, Margaret, David, Dietrich, Isaac, Anna and Abraham H., all at home; Aaron and Benjamin, twins, both of whom have passed away: Agnes, at home; Eva, deceased: Jacob and Henry twins. the former now deceased : Helen : and Peter.
Mr. and Mrs. Epp are members of the Bethesda church. in the work of which Mr. Epp takes an active and helpful part. He is interested in all that pertains to the moral progress as well as the material development of the community in which he lives. For more than forty-five years he has been a resident of York county and therefore has witnessed practically its entire development and upbuilding. Great indeed have been the changes which have occurred during this period and in all the work of advancement Mr. Epp has been deeply interested, lending his aid and cooperation to every plan and movement for the general good.
HORTON M. DETRICK
While Horton M. Detrick is living retired he was for many years actively identified with agricultural interests in Nebraska and contributed much to the agricultural development of the state. He is now enjoying a well earned rest. the fruits of his former toil supplying him with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. He was born in Wilkes-Barre. Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, Octo- ber 26, 1835. so that he has now passed the eighty-fifth milestone on life's journey. His parents were of German lineage. During his boyhood days Horton M. Detrick devoted his time to school work and to assisting his father who was a contractor and builder, his time being thus passed until 1856. fle then went with his father to Towa where the latter purchased a farm and Horton MI. Detrick aided in the enltiva- tion of the land in addition to following his trade. In September, 1861, he enlisted in the Fourth Towa Cavalry, as a member of Company D. and in 1864 reenlisted at Vicksburg as a veteran of the same regiment, serving until the end of the war. He was wounded in the right shoulder at Cohunbus, Georgia, during the last battle in which his regiment participated. He made his home in Iowa until the spring of 1850 when he came to Nebraska and here homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land on sertion 30, township 11, range 2. west, just outside the city limits of York.
With characteristic energy Mr. Detrick began the improvement and development of his place and resided thereon until 1890, when he took up his abode in the city and retired from active business. His house on the farm was located in a beautiful grove and there was an excellent orchard upon the place.
In Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, on the 25th of October, 1865, Mr. Detrick was married to Miss Jennie C. Andrews, a native of Vermont. and they have become parents of five children: Effie E., who is a graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan University ; Jesse W., who was connected with the United States mail service for twenty-three years and is now deceased ; Estella N., who was city librarian at York for nine
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years and is now the wife of R. E. Lynds, their home being near Visalia, California ; Hiram. who was engaged in the drug business in York and is now deceased : and Lulu, who was deputy county superintendent of schools and is now the wife of M. S. Hargraves, of Alliance, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Detrick have four grand- children.
Mr. Detrick has always been interested in the cause of education and he served on the school board for a number of years, filling the office for fourteen consecutive years. Ile has labored untiringly for the welfare and upbuilding of this section of the state. In politics he is a republican and served for six consecutive years as a member of the York county board of supervisors, representing the city of York. Ile has also been a member of the city council and was postmaster of York from 1890 until 1895 through appointment of President Benjamin Harrison. In 1902 he was elected to the lower house of the state legislature from the thirty-eighth district and was reelected in 1904. During his first term he was chairman of the Soldiers' Home committee and was a member of the committee on publie lands, judiciary and county organization. During the second session he served as chairman of the com- mittee on claims and was a member of the Soldiers' Home committee. He took a most keen and active interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the state and gave the weight of his influence to every measure that he deemed of benefit to the commonwealth. He is a member of York Lodge, No. 35, I. O. O. F., and of Robert Anderson Post, No. 32, G. A. R., of York, thus maintaining pleasant rela- tions with his old army comrades. His life has been a busy and useful one, gaining for him the respect, confidence and goodwill of all, and his are now "the blest accompaniments of age-honor, riches, troops of friends."
LEWIS W. TROUTMAN
Lewis W. Troutman, who is now living retired at Benedict after many years of successful farming, was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, December 10, 1853, a son of John and Rebecca ( Hoyman) Troutman. His father was a farmer in the Keystone state for some years and died in 1854 at the very early age of twenty-five years, the subject of this sketch at that time being a mere infant. John Troutman was a member of the Lutheran church and in politics gave his support to democratic policies. Some time later his widow married for her second husband Nicholas Burket, also a native of Pennsylvania, and to this second union five children were born: Benjamin Franklin Burket, who died in Ohio; James P., deceased ; Charles W., living in Kansas: Emma, wife of Lee Smith, and Anna, who married a Mr. Frantz, and lives in Maryland. The mother of these children passed away in 1865, in her thirty-seventh year. She was an earnest member of the Lutheran church, which she assisted by her moral and financial support.
. Lewis W. Troutman, deprived of his father in the first year of his life, was taken to Iowa and Illinois by his mother after her second marriage, and in the schools of these states he secured his education. When fourteen years old he commenced his farming career in lowa and continued to work out on farms in lowa and illinois for about twelve years, later farming on his own account for twelve months. With the experience thus gained Mr. Troutman came to York county in the spring of
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1879 and resumed working on farms by the month. Later he bought one hundred and sixty aeres of land which he devoted to general farming and stock raising. ITis first house was a frame structure, fourteen by twenty feet, and he continued to occupy this for twelve years. His success in agriculture has been mainly through his own efforts and untiring energy. He retired in 1916 and went to reside in Benedict, where he built a fine residence in 1917.
On March 23, 1881, Mr. Troutman was married to Emma J. Troutman, who was born in Blackhawk county, Iowa. His political leanings are toward the repub- lican party, but he frequently votes an independent ticket. His wife is a member of the Lutheran church.
WILLIAM M. OVERSTREET
Since 1910 William M. Overstreet has engaged in the automobile business in York, handling Buiek and Cadillae cars and in addition conducting a general auto repair and accessory business. He was born in Galesburg, Illinois, February 11, 1868, a son of Robert and Charlotte (Bull) Overstreet, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Connecticut. Their marriage occurred in Galesburg where Robert Overstreet had come with his father, at the age of one year, the trip from Kentucky to Illinois being made by covered wagon and they settled in Gales- burg. Robert Overstreet received his education in Galesburg and spent his early life there. In 1884 he removed to York county, bought some land, which is still retained in the family, and became a farmer and stock man. In 1905 he retired from active life and returned to Galesburg. Ilis death occurred on the 1st of May, 1917. while visiting his son. The mother is still living at the advanced age of seventy-five years. Three children were born to this union, two of whom are living : William MI., the subject of this review; and Luther M., who attended the State University and the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, and is now a captain in the navy, in which service he has been for twenty-seven years. The family were reared in the faith of the Congregational church and Mr. Over- street was a stanch supporter of the republican party and a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He had one brother in the Civil war. The grandfather of the subject of this review, was Martin L. Overstreet, born in Kentucky but went to Galesburg early in life, becoming a farmer and stock feeder. The maternal grandfather, G. F. Bull, was a native of New Haven, Connecticut, but in 1855 removed to Illinois where he resided until his death. He was a broom manufacturer.
William MI. Overstreet was reared on a farm and received his education in the schools of York county. After putting his textbooks aside he engaged in farming and stock raising until 1910 when he removed to York. In connection with his farming he had carried on an automobile business in Polk and was so successful in this line that he determined to enlarge his facilities. On removing to York he immediately entered into the business in partnership with L. M. Lincoln and his son, Leigh Lincoln, and they handle Buick and Cadillae cars. They are the dis- tributors in this distriet which consists of seven counties. In connection with the agency for these ears he does a general anto and repair business. They own a
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
large brick garage, having one hundred and twenty feet square of floor space with room for one hundred cars. He takes a great interest in this business and devotes most of his time to it. However, he owns several farms in York county on which he raises Duroc hogs-about five hundred a year. This particular farm consists of three hundred and twenty acres. He obtained eighty acres of land from his father to begin with and has bought more land until he now owns six hundred and forty acres in York county. He recently refused an offer of one hundred thousand dollars for his home farm of three hundred and twenty acres.
In December, 1891, Mr. Overstreet was united in marriage to Miss Edith Grieves, a native of Burlington, Iowa, and to this union one daughter, Helen, has been born. She attended St. Mary's school in Illinois two years, attended the State University for one year, and also spent one year in Los Angeles, California. She is now in Chicago engaged in the settlement work of Northwestern University.
Mr. Overstreet gives his allegiance to the republican party in the interests of which he is very active. For four years he was a member of the city council, filling that position with ability. Fraternally he is allied with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Knights of Pythias, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Travelers Protective Association. In all of these orders he is an exemplary member. The Overstreet family are consistent members of the Congregational church and Mrs. Overstreet and daughter take an active interest in the various church activities. As a progressive business man Mr. Overstreet takes an interest in the betterment of all local conditions, and he is a member of the Rotary Club and one of the directors of the Commercial Club. Mr. and Mrs. Overstreet are prominent in the social circles of York and are members of the Country Club. There is no phase of the automobile business with which Mr. Overstreet in not familiar and the business success which he now enjoys is the result of his own diligence and industry.
LIMAN M. MILLER
Liman M. Miller, deceased, was for many years a prominent farmer in York county. He was born in Springfield, Ohio, in March, 1851, and died on the 8th of November, 1916, at York. The parents of Liman M. Miller were Amos and Sarah (Thompson) Miller, the former a native of Pennsylvania while the latter was born in Ohio. They removed to Iowa and thence to Nebraska in 1870, where he acquired a homestead and resided until his death. Four children were born to this union, all of whom are living with the exception of Liman M., the subject of this review. They were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he was a democrat in polities.
Liman M. Miller received his education in the common schools of Iowa and in 1870 removed to York county, two years later when he became of age, acquiring a homestead of eighty acres to which he later annexed an additional three hundred and twenty acres which he highly improved. He built a fine home on this land and many outbuildings and it was recognized as one of the finest farms in the county. For thirty-seven years he and his wife and family resided on this farm, at the termination of which time he removed to York but still retained possession of the
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farm which is now owned by the widow and children. He built a fine residence at 521 E. 6th street, in 1908, and here the widow resides alone.
In 1873 Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Alice Babcock who was born near Madison, Wisconsin, in 1855. a daughter of John and Sarah ( Martin) Bab- cock. Her parents were both born in the state of New York and at an early day settled in Wisconsin. From there they removed to Iowa where he engaged in farming for a time and in September, 1869, came to York county to live. Here they acquired a homestead where they spent the remainder of their lives. At the time the Babcocks settled in York county the settlement was very scattered and they suffered many inconveniences. In order to secure their mail it was necessary for them to go to the post office at McFadden, twelve miles away and their grain had to be taken to the mill at Milford. Lumber for the building of their houses and outbuildings had to be hanled from Lincoln. During the winter months Mr. Bab- cock went with his neighbors to hunt buffaloes which were very plentiful in that community. Only the hind quarters of the buffalo were used for food the remainder being left on the plains. Some of this meat was dried for use in the summer. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Miller three children were born: Clifford. who lives in Omaha : Bertha, who is the wife of Harvey Pickerell, a successful farmer of York county : and Dr. George R .. who is a veterinary surgeon at York. Clifford Miller, the eldest son, is married and has two daughters, Gladys and Marjorie. Both danghters are graduates of the York high school. Gladys being twenty years of age and Marjorie nineteen. Marjorie is teaching the school once attended by her grandmother,
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