USA > Nebraska > York County > York County, Nebraska and its people : together with a condensed history of the state, Vol. II > Part 58
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JOHN REETZ
John Reetz, now living retired in York county after many years devoted to agri- cultural pursuits, having come here with his parents in 1868, is a native of Minne- sota, born June 24, 1861, a son of Martin Reetz, who was born in Germany where he spent his early manhood. In 1855 he immigrated to America and settled in Chicago. working in that city during the summer and in the winter in the lumber camps of Michigan and Wisconsin. Two years later Martin Reetz went to Minne- sota and there his son John Reetz was born. He experienced all the vicissitudes of the pioneer immigrant and moved around the country a great deal, finally coming to Nebraska in 1868 and taking a homestead in York county. An extended refer- ence to the life of Martin Reetz will be found under the name of Henry Reetz elsewhere in this work.
John Reetz accompanied his parents to York county in 1868 and was educated in the common schools of the county, the school conditions at that time being in a very primitive state. the period of tuition covering but three months and the schoolhouse itself being constructed of sod and minus desks for the use of the pupils. Ite lived with his parents and in early life started farming on his father's place, under his guidance soon developing into a skilled agriculturist. He is now the owner of eighty acres of excellent land and the entire place is in a fine state of improvement. A grove of cedar trees from the Platte river has been placed around the land and an orchard which his father set out is in a healthy condition. Mr. Reetz carried on general farming and stock raising for a number of years, but
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feeling the need of a well earned rest he retired from active farm labor in 1918 though he still lives on the holding.
Apart from his eighty acre farm Mr. Reetz is the owner of considerable property in Thayer, in which city he also is identified with the Farmers Elevator. He was one of the organizers and is now a director of the Farmers State Bank of Thayer. He is a member of the Lutheran church and independent in politics. He relates that a party of Indians camped on his place some time ago as they were passing through the district and begged bread from him, which he readily supplied.
R. S. CARSCADDEN
One of the best known and most prominent bankers of York county is R. S. Carscadden who was born in Wisconsin, March 15, 1877, a son of Richard and Clara (Sedgwick) Carscadden. The father was born in Canada in 1840 and died in York in 1890, while the mother was born in Illinois in 1845 and passed away in 1918. Richard Carscadden was a physician of much ability and was a graduate of the Rush Medical College and the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago. After the marriage of Dr. and Mrs. Carscadden, which took place in Illinois, they removed to Wisconsin and Dr. Carseadden began his praetice at Sharon. He later practiced in De Pere for some time and then in 1879 eame to York where he practiced until his death. Four children were born to this union of whom three are living: Mrs. E. G. Felton, whose husband is a prominent druggist in York; Mrs. J. E. Wilson, of Los Angeles, California : and R. S., the subject of this review. The family were reared in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church and Dr. Carscadden was a member of the Knights Templars. He was also a stanch prohibitionist. The grandfather of R. S. Carscadden, the subject of this review, was Robert Carseadden who was of Irish birth and later emigrated to Canada where he engaged in farming throughout his life.
When two years of age R. S. Carscadden removed from Wisconsin to York with his parents and received his edneation in the common schools of that place, graduat- ing from the York high school in 1892. For two years he attended the University of Nebraska, until he was forced because of financial reverses to leave school and start to work. Hle secured a position in a drug store at York and remained in that capacity for a period of two years, at the termination of which time he entered into the service of the First National Bank in 1898. For three years he resided in Waco where he had bought an interest in the bank and then returned to York, organizing the German American Bank of which be became first cashier. In 1918 he was made vice president of the bank, a position which he still holds, and in the same year the name of the bank was changed to the American State Bank. The bank has a capital of fifty thousand dollars, a surplus profit of twenty-five thousand dollars and an average deposit of eight hundred and fifty thousand dollars. In 1914 the stockholders erected a large stone building which is not included in the capital stock. Besides Mr. Carseadden's interest in the bank as its vice president he also has interest in the American Trust Company and the American Bank Building Association.
In 1914 occurred the marriage of Mr. Carscadden and Miss Elva Barber, a
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native of York county and a daughter of Thomas Barber, a pioneer farmer of that county.
Mr. and Mrs. Carscadden are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and take an active part in the various affairs of that organization. Since age conferred upon Mr. Carscadden the right of franchise he has been a stanch supporter of the republican party in the interests of which he has always taken an active part. Fraternally he is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. The success of Mr. Carscadden is the result of his own diligence and labor, for he has gradually advanced until he is now one of the best known bankers in York county.
CHARLES M. CARPENTER
Charles M. Carpenter, who has been a resident of York county for nearly thirty- nine years, is the owner of a fine farm on section 4, Morton township, this being the place on which he originally settled. He was born in Sandwich, DeKalb county, Illinois, May 13, 1856, a son of Mrylin and Fidelia (Bliss) Carpenter, the former a blacksmith who followed that occupation during all the active years of his life.
Charles M. Carpenter was reared in his father's home and was educated in the public schools of his native town, where his father condueted a blacksmith shop in which the subject of this sketch worked until he was seventeen years old. When he was about nineteen he started on his own account and became a clerk in a country store, which line of activity he followed for three years. He then turned his atten- tion to farm life and rented a tract of land in DeKalb county, Illinois, and there was engaged in agricultural operations for a further period of three years. It was in 1882 that Mr. Carpenter came to York county and settled on the farm on which he has been residing ever since, purchasing one hundred and sixty-five acres for which he paid twenty-six hundred dollars. When he took over the holding there was but one small frame house on it and some sixty acres of the ground was broken. He made extensive improvements, fenced the farm and erected substantial buildings and has since given his undivided attention to the management of his farm. He passed through bad times and experienced the hardships of dry seasons; however, he weathered all obstacles to success and is now enjoying the fruits of his industry and skill.
While living in Illinois Mr. Carpenter was united in marriage to Miss Lucy C. Dickenson, the ceremony taking place September 12, 1877, and to their union two children were born: Harriet, who became the wife of Henry Nelson ; and Myrlin, who married Annie Williamson, and they have three children ; Lucy, Ellen and Corinne. now deceased. The Nelson family live with her parents and Myrlin Car- penter resides on a part of the old home place. Mr. Charles Carpenter gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is a consistent supporter of its policies and principles. For years he gave close attention to the development of educational facilities in his home district and for fifteen years served as a member of the school board, during that period much progress having been made for which he is justly entitled to claim much credit. His interest in good roads was no less marked and he served as road overseer for two years. He is a member of the Wood-
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men and of the Degree of Honor, in the affairs of these organizations displaying much interest. The greater part of his life has been spent in this section of the state and he has become imbued with the spirit and enterprise that have led to the rapid and substantial upbuilding of this county and district.
ROBERT BROWN
Robert Brown is a prosperous resident farmer of York county, owning and eulti- vating four hundred acres of well improved land on sections 15 and 22 in Stewart township. Ile is a native of Ireland, born in County Tyrone. October 31. 1860, a son of Robert and Mary (Cousins) Brown, also natives of the same county. where the former was born in 1817 and died May 22, 1892. The mother died in 1822 at the age of forty-seven.
While living in Ireland the elder Robert Brown studied with the view to enter- ing the Baptist ministry. but he was never ordained. In 1865 he immigrated to the United States, accompanied by his family, the voyage being made in a sailing vessel from Liverpool, the entire journey to New York occupying four weeks. His first location was in Connecticut and there he took up gardening, in which he had early training. as a means of livelihood, working at the time at Southport, Con- nectieut. After spending about two years in this line he went to Iowa in 1867 and settled in Cedar county, where he remained until 1871. In September. 1871, he made the overland trip from Iowa to Nebraska, came to York county and took a homestead of eighty acres in section 22, Stewart township, and on this he put up a sod house in which he resided for some time. His family did not come until the spring of 1873. All provisions and other goods had to be hauled from Columbus and Lincoln, and with roads in bad condition or in the entire absence of roads of any kind the hauling of goods was not exactly a pleasure. But the pioneer had to endure hardships of which the present generation has no conception and Mr. Brown went about the breaking of his ground and the cultivation of erops as if conditions were ideal. Some two years later when success was beginning to attend his industry, the grasshopper plague visited York county and took all of his corn: thus at one fell swoop the fruits of his labor were destroyed. This disaster led to renewed activity and he ultimately had the satisfaction of having his homestead in excellent shape, bringing forth profitable crops, while at the same time cattle and hogs were successfully raised on the holding. Mr. and Mrs. Brown were the parents of the following children : John A., who died twenty years ago in Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania; Alexander, who died in Iowa in 1869: Charles, living in Clinton, łowa; Thomas, who passed away in York county in 1883: Robert, the subject of this sketch; Margaret, who died in 1868 in Towa: Catherine Patterson, who died in York county in 1880; and Mary, living in York. Mr. Brown supported the democratic party.
Robert Brown was but a lad of five years when his father came to America and he was edueated in the common schools of lowa. Ile accompanied the family across the country from Iowa to Nebraska, the journey being made in a covered wagon. or "prairie schooner," while he followed behind driving six head of cattle. The party crossed the Missouri river on a ferry boat, the crossing being effected near where
ROBERT BROWN
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R L
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the Douglas street bridge of Omaha now stands, and there for the first time he saw a group of Indians who were engaged in cooking a meal on the sand bar. When the family settled in York county Mr. Brown lived with his parents and helped in the work of the farm and after his father's death in 1892 he took over the operation of the place, applied himself vigorously to its development and carried on general farming and feeding of live stock, in which branches he is still actively engaged. He feeds between two and three carloads of cattle and about the same amount of hogs each year, the financial results being of the most substan- tial character. He now operates four hundred acres of land, all well improved, on which he has a fine home around which he has planted a range of cedar trees which present a handsome appearance and testify to his excellent taste. His agricultural life has been an unbroken suecess, he is rightly regarded as one of the foremost farmers and is one of the best citizens of the county. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the democratic party but has never sought office for himself. Ile is a Shriner and a popular Mason and is a liberal con- tributor to all chureh work. During the World war he served on the local couneil of defense and assisted in other war activities.
FRED M. BOST
One of the most successful and enterprising business men of York, is Fred M. Bost, who for nine years has conducted the York Laundry at that place. He is a native of Ohio, born in Henry county, that state, in 1880, the son of Joseph and Ella (Brillhart) Bost, the former a native of Pennsylvania, while the latter was born in Virginia. Their marriage occurred in Ohio and Joseph Bost followed farming until his death in 1881. One child, Fred M., the subject of this review, was born to this union. Sometime after the death of her husband, Mrs. Bost was united in marriage to J. T. Turner. One daughter, Doris, has been born to this union. Mr. and Mrs. Bost were consistent members of the Christian church and throughout his life he gave his allegiance to the republican party. Joseph Bost, the paternal grandfather, was born in Virginia. He was among the first to volunteer his services on the outbreak of the Civil war and his death occurred during his imprisonment in Libby prison. The maternal grandfather was John Brillhart, a native of Pennsylvania, and one of the early pioneers of Ohio.
In the acquirement of an education Fred M. Bost attended the common schools of Ohio and in due time entered college for a period of one year, at Angola, Indiana. After putting his textbooks aside he engaged in farming for a short time and in 1905 came to Nebraska, settling in Lincoln. He secured a position as foreman in a laundry there and for the three years he remained in that capacity he learned every phase of the business with the result that he went to Galva, Illinois, where he purchased a laundry, running it for a year. At the termination of this time he returned to Lincoln, but in 1911 came to York, again entering the laundry business on his own account. At first he conducted his laundry on a small seale but this venture proved so successful that he gradually increased his facilities until he now occupies a building in the downtown district.
In 1906 Mr. Bost was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Wilson, who is a native
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of Canada. Her parents are now residing in Michigan, where her father is engaged in carriage-making. One child, Wilson, aged ten years, has been born to this union. Mrs. Bost is prominent in the club circles of York and is a member of the Christian Science church.
Mr. Bost is an independent in politics and fraternally is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias. Like other sue- cessful business men Mr. Bost takes an interest in the development and improve- ment of his community and to this end is an active member of the Rotary Club. Mr. Bost is in every sense of the word a self-made man, having started into the business world with nothing more than a grim determination to win out. No ob- stacle, however great, was allowed to remain in his path and he is now sole owner and operator of one of the representative business interests of York.
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WILLIAM PIEPER
William Pieper, deceased. was for many years one of the leading farmers of York county. his home being on section 23. Beaver township. He was born in Prussia. November 10, 1840, and in 1844 came to America with his wife and their nine-months-old child. They came to York county, settling in Blue Vale, for Mrs. Pieper had an older brother who was already located in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Pieper had eighty dollars in cash when they came to York county and they pur- chased eighty acres of unimproved land on section 23, Beaver township. For one year they resided in the sod house belonging to Mrs. Pieper's brother but at the end of that time made a dugout on their own place. Sometime later they built a sod house and then the frame house which is still standing and in good condition although it was built thirty years ago. Both Mr. and Mrs. Pieper were hard workers. Ile would commence work in the fields as soon as dawn began to break and would quit only when darkness compelled him to do so. Mrs. Pieper took care of the house and did the chores around the farm so her husband could spend all of his time in the fields. He had purchased a cow and a yoke of steers and the first fall broke sixty acres of his land. He took his grain to the mill at Mil- ford where he found a ready market. Mr. Pieper displayed good judgment in the cultivation of his land and his practical and progressive farm methods resulted in the harvesting of large crops annually. At the time of his death which took place on the 5th of March, 1901, he was in possession of a section of some of the finest land in the county. His death was a great shock to his family and friends, for it came as the result of injuries sustained when his team of horses ran away.
In 18:2 in Prussia occurred the marriage of Mr. Pieper and Miss Wilhelmina Wellman, and they became the parents of ten children: Henry, who is residing on the old homestead; Fred, who is married and lives in Utica : Johanna, who is the wife of J. II. Harms, a merchant at Utica ; William, who is married and resides in Colorado: Adolph, who is married and is farming in York county: Martin, who is married and is managing the home farm for his mother; and Edwin, who is mar- ried and is engaged in farming in Seward county. Three other children died in early life. Mrs. Pieper is residing on the old home place and is enjoying good health.
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Mr. Pieper always gave his allegiance to the democratic party but neither sought nor desired public office. He was a consistent member of the Lutheran church. A life of intense and well directed energy brought to Mr. Pieper a substantial amount of success and as a man of upright character and sterling worth he contributed much to the agricultural development of the county.
ALFRED T. GLAUQUE
For forty years Alfred T. Gianque has been actively connected with farming and other interests of York county and is now residing practically retired at his home, 322 West 10th street, enjoying the fruits of a long life of diligence and labor.
Alfred T. Giauque was born April 3, 1842, at Berlin, Ohio, a son of Charles F. and Abigail (Anderson) Giauque. The father was born in Switzerland in 1813 and died in Birmingham, Iowa, on the 23rd of September, 1898, where he was buried. The mother was a native of Pennsylvania, born in that state February 17, 1821, and her death occurred on the 21st of July, 1909, at Birmingham, Iowa, where she is buried. Both parents came to Ohio at an early day and there met and were married, the marriage taking place in Berlin. In 1836 Charles F. Giauque came to America with his parents who settled in Buffalo, New York. Some time later Charles F. Gianque removed to Ohio where he engaged in carpentering and con- tracting. He was very proficient in his work and in 1853 removed to Birmingham, lowa, where he continued in his trade, retiring at the advanced age of seventy-two years. Ten children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Gianque, five boys and five girls, five of whom are living: Alfred T., the subject of this review ; Ulric F., who is residing retired at Tacoma, Washington ; Alonzo G., who is residing at Detroit where he is freight agent on the Michigan Central : and Enla, a widow who is residing on a homestead in Colorado. James D., is now residing in Cleveland, Ohio, a retired railroad man. For many years he was a conductor on the Michigan Central and was also chief clerk for the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern, at. Cleveland. Mr. and Mrs. Gianque were consistent members of the Methodist Epis- copal church and the father was a member of the democratie party until after the Civil war when he became an adherent of the republican party. The grandfather of Alfred T. Giauque, John David Gianque, brought his family from Switzerland to America and settled in Buffalo, New York, where he spent the remainder of his life. The maternal grandfather, Stoddard Anderson, was born in County Downe, Treland, was a well educated man and a fine weaver by trade. Inspired by the stories which he heard concerning America and her opportunities he came to the new world when a young man. He was married in Pennsylvania and then removed to Ohio, where he engaged in his trade and resided until his death.
In the acquirement of an education Alfred T. Giauque attended the district schools of Iowa and the Birmingham Collegiate Institute where he remained until the outbreak of the Civil war. He immediately answered the call of his country and entered into the service of the Union on the 13th of September, 1861, joining Co. II. Fifth lowa Infantry, with which he served for seven months. At the con- pletion of this time his health became impaired from exposure and long marches
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and he returned home receiving his honorable discharge on the 7th of April, 1862. Ile was an ardent believer in the preservation of the Union and deeply regretted that the condition of his health obliged him to resign ere the close of the war. Recovering his health Mr. Giauque taught school during the winter months and during the summer months engaged in farming. For seven years he taught school and then decided to devote his entire time to farming. On the 16th of March, 1880, he came to York county where he purchased a farm on which he resided for nine years. He had a mortgage on this farm to the amount of sixteen hundred dollars and as a result of repeated crop failures due to hail, he sold the farm in 1889 and removed to York. He remained in York for just one year when he again com- menced farming, buying a farm located two miles out of the town. For one year he lived on this farm, at the termination of that time removing to Benedict where he rented a farm on which he remained for four years. Hle then farmed for one year at Thayer, and eight years on a farm in Polk county, both being rented land, and subsequently removed to a farm near York. By this time his sons were mar- ried and desired to go into business for themselves. This resulted in Mr. Gianque's again taking up residence in York. He had no idea of retiring from active life, however, and obtained a position as mail carrier on Route 6, out of York. He held this position from January 16, 1905, to August 20, 1920, at which time he was retired on a pension. During the years of his service in this capacity he won the confidence and respect of all with whom he came in contact and the people along his route miss his cheery greetings and timely conversations. In 1906 he purchased a nice home at 322 West 10th street and here he now resides.
Mr. Gianque has also been efficient in another line of work, in which he is still active. For many years he has been a correspondent for various papers, starting this work during his early teens. One of his first articles, written for the Keokuk, Iowa, paper, was highly commended. This article dealt with the formation of the republican party. He has been correspondent for the Keosanqua, Iowa, Republican ; the Van Buren Democrat of Bonaparte, Iowa; the Birmingham Enterprise; the Orange Judd Farmer ; the Clarks, Nebraska, Enterprise ; the Osceola Record; the Stromsburg News; and the New Teller and Republican paper of York. For over thirteen and one-half years he has been connected with the Republican and for two years with the Teller. He wrote an article each week called the Rural Rattle and he now writes a letter each week. In addition to the newspaper correspondence in which he has been so successful he has been working for the government as volun- teer or cooperative weather observer for over twenty years.
In 1864 occurred the marriage of Mr. Giauque to Miss Sallie Simmons, who was born near Mount Pleasant, Iowa, on the 7th of June, 1844. Her parents were Andrew F. and Maria E. (Graham) Simmons. The mother was born in Indiana, January 11, 1809, and her death occurred in Iowa. The father's birth occurred on the ocean when his parents were crossing from Ireland. His natal day was the 29th of March, 1804, and his death occurred at the home of his daughter in Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Simmons settled in lowa at an early day and there engaged in farming. Mr. Simmons had been a miner in California in the early days and he was a well informed man. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Giauque, seven children have been born, five of whom are living: Bertha, the wife of J. S. Pruett of York: Ada, the wife of John M. Johnson who condnets an art store in York : Charles E., who is engaged in farming at Fort Morgan, Colorado: James A.,
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