USA > Nebraska > York County > York County, Nebraska and its people : together with a condensed history of the state, Vol. II > Part 57
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MRS. ELIZA JANE HITCHCOCK
Mrs. Eliza Jane Hitchcock, widow of the late Arnold Hitchcock, was born in Clay county, Indiana, a daughter of Thomas E. and Chloe (Adkins) Eads. Her parents were both natives of Kentucky and in their later life removed to Indiana, Iowa, and thence to Nebraska in 1871, where the father acquired a homestead on which he resided until his death. To this union thirteen children were born, three of whom are living: Mrs. Hitchcock, the subject of this review ; William, who is a retired farmer of Dickinson county, Iowa; Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Dixon, a widow, residing in Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Eads were consistent members of the Baptist church and he was a stanch supporter of the democratic party.
In March, 1886, their danghter Eliza was united in marriage to William Kyle Atkison. Mr. Atkison was born in Ohio on the 2nd of December, 1840, a son of William Atkison also a native of Ohio. William K. Atkison received his education in the schools of Ohio, and spent all of his early life on a farm. In 1871 he came to York county and engaged in farming until 1893 when he removed to York where he retired. He was quite well-to-do, having made the greater part of his money in raising hogs. Politically Mr. Atkison was a staneh supporter of the democratie party and was fraternally affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His death occurred on the 24th of August, 1906, and in his passing York lost one of her representative citizens. On the 19th of October, 1909, his widow became
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the wife of Arnold Hitchcock. Mr. Hitchcock was born in Ohio, March 23, 1850. and died March 3, 1915. His early life was spent on a farm and his education was obtained in Ohio and Indiana in the country schools. In the early eighties he removed to York county and purchased a farm whereon he resided for some time and then sold it, and engaged in the grocery business in Scotia, Nebraska. Through- out his life he gave his allegiance to the democratic party and although he neither sought nor desired public office, was always active in the interests of his party. The religion of Mr. Hitchcock was of the Methodist Episcopal church. He retired from active business a short time before his death. Both Mr. Atkison and Mr. Hitchcock were successful men and when they passed on York county suffered the loss of two prominent and progressive citizens.
Mrs. Hitchcock was the mother of four children by her first marriage, all of whom are deceased : Oscar, who died at the age of nine years; Cornelia, who was one year of age when her death occurred: Hattie, who was two years and four months old at the time of her death : and Bertha. who died at the age of thirteen years.
Mrs. Ilitchcock suffered all the privation of early pioneer life, having come to York county with her husband at an early day. She is now residing in York in comfortable financial circumstances, at :15 Burlington avenue, and is most active in the affairs of the Methodist church of which she is a member.
LAWRENCE C. VAN ALEN
A brief record of the life and activities of Lawrence C. Van Alen, who for years was identified with the agricultural development of York county, disclose- a character worthy of esteem and emulation. He was born in Fulton county, New York, near Amsterdam, December 5, 1828, and his death occurred on April 26. 1899, when his passing was the occasion for very general and deep-felt regret, for he was a progressive business man, a loyal and patriotic citizen, a faithful friend and a devoted husband and father. Ile was a son of Cornelius Van Alen and wife, the former a native of New York state, where he was engaged in farming and there spent all his life.
Lawrence (. Van Alen graduated from the high school at Johnstown, New York, and at the age of twenty-one went to California, making the voyage around Cape Horn. and finished his education at Stockton, a well known educational center in the Golden state. Some time later he opened a book and stationery store at Stockton and also served as county superintendent of schools in that place. After the termination of his official connection with the schools Mr. Van Alen returned to New York and was married to Felicia Harris, a native of Philadelphia. The couple took up residence on his father's farm, where they lived for a time and where he assisted in carrying on the farming operations.
It was in 1870 that Mr. Van Alen came to York county and secured a home- stead of eighty acres in Stewart township, upon which he erected a frame cabin which served as a home until better days ensued. To reach his homestead he made the journey from Lincoln by wagon. He broke the ground and commenced to put
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up improvements, at the same time planting trees and setting out an orchard. He hauled lumber from Seward and built the first house erected in the immediate neighborhood, and gradually by persistent efforts he succeeded in his farming operations which were yielding satisfactory returns. Finding his financial condi- tion to be sound he purchased a tract of railroad land in Polk county and on that place also carried on general farming and stock raising. At the time of his death he was the owner of two hundred and forty acres of excellent land on which he had put up two sets of improvements. During a prairie fire he lost a barn and was himself seriously injured, it being necessary to have one of his legs amputated above the knee.
To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Van Alen the following children were born : Clary K., deceased ; Russell, who operates one of the old farms: Mande, the wife of Rev. J. W. Campbell, a minister now in California; Ardell, the wife of Gilbert Goudy, a York county farmer ; Olive, who married Lincoln W. Pigeon, of Sumner, Nebraska: Eunice, a missionary, who served twelve years in Africa and is now among the Sioux Indians at Santee, Nebraska ; and Ethel, now deceased, who mar- ried Rev. Herbert Course. Following the death of her husband Mrs. Van Alen moved into Gresham. They were members of the Presbyterian church, guiding their lives by its teachings and conforming their actions to its principles. He was a Mason and affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in both of which he took a deep interest. He was a stanch democrat and served as township treasurer, in this office giving faithful and efficient service. He was a man of sound judgment, unassuming disposition and of genuine worth, and his energy and unquestioned integrity gained for him the respect of his fellowmen.
JOHN ADAM BARTH
A life of intense and well directed activity brought John Adam Barth, now deceased, to a position among the successful farmers of York county. He was born in Newark, Ohio, March 14, 1858, and died in York county on the 6th of December, 1911. His parents were Michael and Mary Ann Barth, both natives of Württemberg, Germany. In 1849 the father went to California but was not successful there and subsequently removed to Ohio. He engaged in the milling business in that state but during one of the floods his mill was destroyed. He then removed to Illinois and here he and his wife resided until their deaths. For two years Michael Barth served in the Civil war.
In the acquirement of an education John Adam Barth attended the country schools of Illinois and after putting his textbooks aside engaged in farming. For some time he farmed in llinois and in that state his marriage occurred. In 1892 be removed to Seward county where he purchased land which he later traded for a mill in Silver Creek. For five years he remained in the milling business and in 1901 removed to York county. Itere he bought a farm consisting of one hundred and sixty acres in Leroy township, on which he resided until his death. Mrs. Barth is still in possession of the farm. In 1915 she removed to York and bought a piece of property at 314 College avenue, where she is now residing.
While farming in Illinois Mr. Barth was united in marriage to Miss Julia Schall,
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a native of Germany and a daughter of Franz and Mary (Sekler) Schall, both of whom were born and died in Germany. The father was a successful merchant in the old country. Mrs. Barth came to the United States with a brother, Charles, who was for some time a professor of music in St. Louis. Mrs. Barth is one of a family of five children, three of whom are living. She was a twin, her twin brother Joe Schall having been a successful farmer of York county. The Schall family were reared in the faith of the Catholic church. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Barth six children were born: Emma, the wife of G. U. Evans, who is a farmer in Wyoming ; Carl, residing on a farm in Waco township, York county: Louise, the wife of George Snyder, a farmer in York county : Harry, who is living on the old homestead: Bertha, the wife of Fred HI. Meyer, who is engaged in the music business in York : and Albert, who is on a homestead in Wyoming.
Mr. Barth was an independent in polities, voting for the man rather than for the party. Ile held the office of township treasurer for some time and was likewise on the school board for a number of years. He was a consistent member of the German Lutheran church and was one of the organizers of that church in the county. Mrs. Barth is a prominent member of the church and active in the inter- ests of that organization. The success which Mr. Barth won came as the reward of persistent, earnest labor, and his life illustrates what can be accomplished through individual effort combined with persistency of purpose.
ABNER E. WILCOX
A. E. Wilcox, for upwards of forty years identified with the agricultural life of York county, prior to which he had established a fine record for military service during the Civil war, is now living retired on his farm on section 4, Arborville township. He was born in Lenawee county, Michigan, February 17. 1846, a son of William C. and Mary Ann ( Southard) Wilcox, the former a native of New York state and the latter born in Pennsylvania. The father for some years was an evangelist in Michigan and also worked at his trade of a millwright, while for a time he farmed and he also located several mills of Michigan. The parents passed away many years ago in Michigan.
Bereft of his parents when he was thirteen years old Abner E. Wilcox had but slight opportunities for securing an education. When he was eighteen years of age he enlisted in Company G. Eighth Michigan Cavalry, which later was consolidated with Company H, and his entire service covered a period of seventeen months. He served as a scout for a time and later was with General Sherman on the march to the sea. He lost his horse at Macon Ridge but obtained a remount in Kentucky and then became a member of the command led by General Thomas. He was one of two men left out of a company of sixty-three which went on a raiding expedition in Tennessee. This was in 1865 when raiding parties descended on almost every county seat in Tennessee. Toward the end of the war he worked with detectives attached to the Pinkerton service and at the close of hostilities was honorably discharged and returned to the more peaceful pursuits of Civil life.
After his military service Mr. Wilcox learned the trade of a blacksmith in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, and in 1871 went to Iowa and there resumed working at
ABNER E. WILCOX
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R
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his trade as a millwright and for a time was employed in a sawmill close to the Missouri line. In the following year, 1872, he came to York county and took a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres in Arborville township. All freighting had to be done from Lincoln and Seward, these places being the nearest market towns. His first house on the homestead was of the dugont variety and he also put up a smithy constructed of sod. Hle worked at his trade as a blacksmith for some years and made his own first plow with which to turn the sod of his holding. Finally, in 1884, he abandoned his trade and from that date forward devoted all his energies to the work of the farm. He engaged in general farming and stock raising, at the same time feeding live stock for the markets, in this latter line meeting with much success. He gradually improved and developed his holding, put up good buildings and made the place the equal of any in the district. He is now the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land which is well improved and from which he derives splendid financial results. During the years of the grass- hopper visitation he lost heavily, all his corn being destroyed. He has ever been possessed of sufficient courage to venture where favoring opportunity is presented and his judgment and even-paced energy have carried him forward to the goal of success. It was the exercise of these qualities that brought him through his early trials and difficulties.
In January, 1878, Mr. Wilcox was united in marriage to Nettie A. Coon, a native of Wisconsin, and to their union nine children have been born: William J., an engineer on a United States battleship, now in Spain; Grace, who lives in Exeter, Nebraska ; Maude, a trained nurse, now in Colorado; Howard, who operates the old home farm; Walter, who runs a store in Idaho, also in service; Mary, a trained nurse in Omaha: Frank, who served in the United States army ; Lemuel, a machine gunner, who was killed in Belleau Woods ; and Edson, who lives in York county. Mr. Wilcox had five children in the United States service at one time. Mr. Wilcox is a member of the Congregational church and in fraternal affiliation has been actively identified with the Masonic order for more than forty-four years in the state of Nebraska. His political support has ever been given to the republican party. He attended the first election in Arborville township and has never missed one in all the intervening period. As a member of the Grand Army of the Republic he has always displayed a warm interest in the work of his encampment and is now one of the few surviving "boys in blue" in this part of the state. Nearly fifty years have passed since Mr. Wilcox arrived in York county and he can look back over that period without regret and to the future without fear. for his has ever been an honorable life.
CHARLES F. SMITH
Charles F. Smith, now deceased, was born in Germany July 10, 1856, the son of Adam and Frederica Smith, natives of Germany, who came to this country when their son Charles was four years old and settled in Carroll county, Illinois, where they engaged in agricultural pursuits until they passed away.
Charles F. Smith was one of eight children, and spent his youth on his father's farm. In 1882 he moved to Audubon county, Iowa, and purchased one
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hundred and twenty acres of land which he cultivated until 1891 when he came to York county, Nebraska, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land and made his home here until he passed away November 23, 1897.
He was married in Carroll county, Illinois, to Dorothea Daehler, the daughter of Henry and Eliza Daehler, natives of Germany who came to Carroll county and settled on a farm. After the death of her husband Mrs. Smith continued the management of the farm until eight years ago when she moved to McCool Junction. She has managed the property carefully and has shown herself to be a shrewd business woman, for she now owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in West Blue township, in addition to the old home place. Their marriage was blessed with four children : Adam, who is married, is a farmer in West Blue township; Louis, who is a resident of California, is married : Louisa B., who is the wife of H. P. Smith of MeCool Junction; and Clara, who is married to R. W. Young, who is farming the old home place in McFadden township. ,
Mr. Smith was a member of the English Lutheran church to which his widow and family belongs. In polities he was a democrat and was always ready to give his support to worthy projects undertaken in behalf of the public. Mr. Smith was assessor of McFadden township two terms, and was on the school board several years. He was also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at McCool Junction. All who knew him had the highest regard for him and esteemed him an honest and honorable man whose word was as good as his bond. Ilis death was a great loss to his family, who lost in him a beloved husband and father who always held at heart the welfare of those dear to him.
ELIJAH JEFFERSON UNDERWOOD
Elijah Jefferson Underwood is one of the pioneer men of York county and makes his home in West Blue township, where he has a valuable and highly productive property that responds readily to the care and labor which he bestows upon it.
Mr. Underwood is a native of Appanoose county, Iowa, having been born in that state on the 15th of April, 1850, a son of Preston and Cassie Underwood. The father was born in Tennessee and when but a young man went to Missouri where he engaged in farming in Mereer county, and later in Harrison county, where his death occurred. The mother was killed by lightning when the subject of our review was but six weeks old. Mr. Underwood was then reared in the home of a family in Appanoose county, Iowa, and when eighteen years of age began working on farms in the neighborhood of his home. Mr. Underwood lived in Iowa until 1877 and then came to Nebraska, settling in York county. He bought a relinquishment of eighty acres on section 30. West Blue township, and this has been his home sinec. For four years he lived in a primitive sod house but today his farm, which now consists of six hundred acres, is one of the finest improved throughout the county. When Mr. Underwood first came to this county from lowa he had a capital eon- sisting of forty dollars and a team of mules. Throughout the intervening years he has transformed his land from a wilderness of sagebrush to fertile fields and his enterprise has enabled him to overcome all obstacles and difficulties.
Mr. Underwood was married in lowa to Miss Mary Baldridge, a native of Appa-
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moose county, that state, and a daughter of William Carrol and Harriet Jane ( Miller) Baldridge. Her parents were natives of Tennessee and came to Iowa in 1849, where they were among the early settlers of Appanoose county. Her father died there. Mrs. Baldridge is still living at the advanced age of ninety-four years and resides with Mr. and Mrs. Underwood. Besides Mrs. Underwood, Mrs. Baldridge has another daughter living, Mrs. S. L. Smith, who also resides in the neighbor- hood and assists her sister in caring for and administering to the wants of their aged mother. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Underwood seven children have been born : Fred, who is engaged in farming in West Blue township; Ed, a farmer of McFadden township; George, who is residing on the home place; Frank, whose death occurred two years ago and who is survived by a widow and four children; Mande, who is the wife of Julian Peterson of West Blue township; and Annie, who is residing at home. One died in childhood.
Mr. Underwood gives his allegiance to the republican party which finds in him a stanch advocate. Mrs. Underwood is a consistent member of the Methodist church. It has been forty-three years since Mr. Underwood came to York county, and during all of these years he has proved to be a good neighbor and friend and throughout the community he is familiarly known as "Jeff." Pioneer hardships and privations drew men together in the old days and the nickname was an out- ward token of the deep affection these hardy men had for one another. Not only has Mr. Underwood seen York county grow from a wild country with only a few white inhabitants to a rich agricultural country containing thousands of good homes and acres of growing towns, inhabited by an industrious, prosperous, enlightened and progressive people, but he has participated in and assisted the slow, persistent work of development which was necessary to produce a change which is so complete that it has come to be popularly referred to as magical.
ROBERT G. GALE
Since 1916 Robert G. Gale has been in the photographie business in York and in this short time has acquired the reputation of being one of the finest photogra- phers in the county. He is a native son of Nebraska, born in Beatrice, in November, 1891, a son of Charles F. and Aldula (Garrison) Gale, both natives of the state of Illinois. Their marriage took place near Adams, Nebraska. The father came to Gage county in the seventies with his parents and settled on a farm near Adams. For two or three years hie engaged in school-teaching and then for a period of sixteen years served as editor of the Express, a newspaper at Beatrice. Ile was active in all of the affairs of the community and for sixteen years before his death was secretary of the State Building & Loan Association. He also served on the city council of Beatrice for a number of years and was one of the leading prohibitionists of that place. His death occurred in 1917. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Gale, five children were born: Clarence, who is in the photographie business in Beatrice ; Laura, a school-teacher, who was principal of a school at Harvard, Nebraska, last year; Robert G., the subject of this review ; Margaret Marie, a teacher of home economics in Tucson, Arizona: and Dorothy who works for her brother. The family were reared in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church and the father
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was a Woodman, a Highlander, and a stanch supporter of the republican party. At the time of his death he was quite well-to-do. The grandfather of Robert G. Gale. George Gale, engaged in farming near Adams for many years until his death. The maternal grandfather, G. F. Garrison, was also a successful farmer and was one of the pioneer settlers of Gage county.
Robert G. Gale obtained his education in the schools of Beatrice and was gradu- ated from the high school there in 1911. At an early age he took up the study of photography and for four years engaged in this line of business with his brother in Beatrice. He then decided to go into business on his own account with the result that in 1916 he came to York and opened a studio .. It was not long before he had established a large patronage, his work being of such character as to attract favorable comment.
In 1912 Mr. Gale was united in marriage to Miss Pearl Monismith, a native of Glenville, Nebraska, and a daughter of William Monismith who was among the pioneer settlers of Adams county. Mr. and Mrs. Monismith are now residing on a farm in Clay county. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Gale, two children have been born : Evelyn, who is attending school ; and Robert, aged three years.
Mr. and Mrs. Gale are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and fraternally he is affiliated with the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and the Highlanders. Although most of his time is devoted to his business he is always interested in any local activity or improvement, as is manifested by his membership in the Rotary Club and the Commercial Club. He is also a member of the Country ('lub and a devotee of golf, which is his favorite form of recreation.
HOLLAND R. WILDMAN, D. D. S.
Dr. Holland R. Wildman, a prominent dentist of York, was born on a farm four miles northwest of that place on the 1st of April, 1882, the son of M. M. and Martha A. (Valentine) Wildman, the former born in Piatt county, Illinois, while the Jater was born in Ohio. Further mention of Mr. and Mrs. M. M. Wildman is made elsewhere in this work.
Dr. Wildman received his early education in the schools of York and was graduated from the York high school in 1904. Then deciding on a professional career he entered the college of dentistry of the University of Nebraska, from which he was graduated in 1907. While in the university he was active in student affairs and was a member of the Glee Club, making several trips. Following his gradua- tion he entered into practice with J. A. Diffenbacher, a pioneer dentist of York, and remained in this connection for two years. At the termination of this time he decided to enter into practice on his own account and has sinee practiced alone.
On the 10th of October, 1907, Dr. Wildman was united in marriage to Miss Myrta L. Worrell. a native of Kansas. She came to York at an early age with her parents, attended the schools of that place and graduated from the York high school. She taught school two years in York county country schools, two years at Waco, and two years in York. She is a member of the women's department of the Y. M. C. A. and active in Woman's club work. To the union of Dr. and Mrs. Wild-
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man four children have been born, one girl and three boys, namely: Josephine LeNore ; Leonard Roscoe; Edwin Worrell ; and Harry Blaine.
The Wildman family are all consistent members of the Congregational church and for some time Dr. Wildman conducted the Glee Club and choir of that church. Fraternally he belongs to A. F. & A. M., No. 56, the Royal Arch Masons, Knights Templars, No. 17, and Sesostris Temple, of Lincoln. He is also a Knight of Pythias and a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In each of these orders he is an exemplary member. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise he has given his allegiance to the republican party, in the interests of which he has always taken an active part. As a prominent member of the dental profession he is a member of the Xi Psi Phi dental fraternity and of the Nebraska State Dental Society. He still devotes some of his time to a deeper study of his profes- sion, taking post-graduate work under Dr. Arthur Smith of Chicago, Dr. D. D. Campbell of Kansas City, and Dr. H. H. Waite at the University of Nebraska. In the social circles of York Dr. and Mrs. Wildman also take an active part, being members of the Country Club and Mrs. Wildman takes a great interest in church affairs. She belongs to a number of church societies. For one term Dr. Wildman did lycemmn work in York College in the Harmonie Male Quartet. Although Dr. Wildman engages in general practice for the most part he also specializes in sur- gery in which line he has been very successful. As a professional man, business man or citizen, there is no more progressive man in York than Dr. Wildman and he is highly respected throughout the community.
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