USA > Nebraska > York County > York County, Nebraska and its people : together with a condensed history of the state, Vol. II > Part 60
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Iterman Diers secured his preliminary education in the country schools of Iowa and later took a business course at Decorah, that state. When he was twenty years old he went to Denver, Colorado, and there spent some time working. later returning to Ulysses, Nebraska, where he worked for a brother who conducted a general store, the results from which were very satisfactory. It was in 1890 that Mr. Diers and his brother William settled in Gresham and immediately became identified with the mercantile business. From the very beginning of his connection with the business life of Gresham Herman Diers gave every evidence of his com-
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mercial sagacity and enterprise and so managed his large interests that after the lapse of ten years he was carrying on what was probably the largest mercantile business in York county and it is asserted that he was the largest taxpayer on stocks of general merchandise in the county for several years. He built a new store in 1900 and continued developing his trade along all legitimate lines. Finally he decided to take a rest from business eares and disposed of the store in November, 1919. For thirty years a resident of Gresham he made himself an enviable position in its business and social circles and those who know him speak of him in terms of high regard.
In 1885 Herman Diers was united in marriage to Mattie Barnes, a native of Indiana. Their union was blessed with four children: Harry, who was born in 1887, died in 1913. He graduated from Gresham and York high schools, 1905-07, and from the Northwestern University of Medicine, 1911. The second child is William H. Diers, born in 1890, a graduate of Gresham, 1907, and of York, 1909; he was in business with his father until 1919, when he became connected with the real estate business. He was married November 29, 1916, to Marjorie Berryhill, and they are the parents of one son, William, Jr. Mr. Diers' third child is II. K. Diers, born in 1896, a graduate of Gresham high school, 1914, and now employed in the Gresham State Bank. He was married in June, 1918, to Fay Bond and they are the parents of one son, Harry Stanton Diers. The fourth child is Margaret Diers, who was born in January, 1901. She graduated from the Gresham high school and is now in the State University at Lincoln. H. K. Diers was in the United States military service during the World war, but was not overseas. He was discharged in February, 1919, and returned to Gresham and resumed his activities in the bank.
Mr. Diers is a demoerat and was elected in 1900 to the house of representatives and in 1910 was sent to the senate; he ran for office of lieutenant-governor on the same tieket with Governor Morehead. Since November, 1919, he has been making his home at Lincoln. He is active in the Masonic order and is a Shriner. He is a director of the Gresham State Bank. During his many years of residence in York county he has been a witness to and an energetic participant in its growth and development and his association with its commercial life has been one of the most noted events in the history of the county, being for nearly one-third of a century one of its most conspicuous figures.
CHARLES BROEHL
A prominent and representative citizen of York is Charles Broehl, who since 1911 has lived retired at 415 Blackburn avenne. The greater part of his life has been spent in farming and he is now enjoying the success which he acquired in that oeenpation.
Charles Broehl is a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Logan connty on the 26th of June, 1860. His parents were Gottlieb and Anna ( Meischke) Broehl, both natives of Germany, who after their marriage emigrated to the United States, settling at Brownsville, Texas. Fifty-two days were spent in the crossing. For about one year they remained in Texas and then removed to Pekin, Illinois,
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where the father worked as a day laborer. He soon saved enough money to buy a farm near Lincoln, Illinois, and here he resided until 1887 when he removed to York eounty, having purchased a fine farm near Bradshaw. The mother had died while residing in Illinois, and some time later Mr. Broehl married a second time. Five children were born to the first marriage, four of whom are living : Amelia, the widow of Ed. Duginer, who resides in Middletown, Illinois; Louis, a farmer at Elkhart, Illinois ; Julius, a retired miner, residing at Pana, Illinois ; and Charles, whose name heads this review. Three children were born to the second marriage, only one of whom is living: Herman, who is a farmer in North Dakota. The family were reared in the faith of the Lutheran church and Mr. Broehl was a stanch supporter of the republican party in the interests of which he took an active part.
Charles Broehl received his education in the schools of Lincoln. Illinois, and after putting his textbooks aside engaged in farming. In 1884 he came to York county where he rented a farm, raising good erops which were destroyed by hail in the latter part of the same year. He was not discouraged by this misfortune. however, and six years later bought eighty aeres, which he traded for a quarter section near Bradshaw and which he still owns. In 1911 he removed to York and purchased a nice home at 415 Blackburn avenue in which he is now residing. retired. Mr. Broehl started farming as a renter in York county and it took four years of grim determination and perseverance to acquire enough money to buy his first land.
In 1886 Mr. Broehl was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Askew, a native of Jacksonville, Illinois, and a daughter of William and Sarah (Senior) Askew, the former a native of England, while the latter was born in Illinois. Her parents lived in Illinois for a number of years and then removed to Iowa where they both died. Three children have been born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Broehl, namely : Chester, born in 1888, who is now engaged in farming near Lushton : Mabel, the wife of Carl Ferree, a farmer near Bradshaw; and Myrtle Frances, who teaches school in Wood River.
Mr. Broehl gives his allegiance to the republican party and is well informed on all the questions and issues of the day. For four years he has held the position of eounty supervisor of the fourth ward. He is interested in the development and improvement of his community and as a result is a member of the Commercial Club, serving that organization as treasurer. Fraternally he is a member of the A. F. & A. M. Mr. Broehl is a man in whom the call of opportunity or of duty found ready response and his has been a well spent life fraught with usefulness and good work. He well deserves the proud American title of self-made man. for the sueeess which he now enjoys is attributable entirely to his own efforts and perseverance.
S. L. SMITH
S. L. Smith, deceased, was numbered among the pioneers of York county, having come to this county in 1820. He was born in Tennessee and at an early age came to Nebraska. . He acquired a homestead of eighty acres of wild uncultivated land on section 2. West Blue township, and his first home on this land was the primitive
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dugout. He followed agricultural pursuits his entire life and when in December of the year 1901 he passed away his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for his many traits of sterling character had endeared him to those with whom he had come in contact.
Mr. Smith married Miss Sarah Baldridge of Appanoose county, Iowa, and she is still living, residing on the old home place. Five children born of this union are living : Flora, who is the wife of Ward Norris of Ord; Hattie, the wife of Lando Larkin, who is engaged in farming at Beaver Crossing; Earl, who is living at Ord, Valley county ; Arthur, who is residing on the old home place ; and Maggie, the wife of Ed Kennedy who is engaged in farming.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith were among the earliest pioneers of York county and she is one of the few old settlers still living on the homestead. While Mr. Smith experienced many of the hardships and privations of pioneer life here he lived to prosper in his undertakings and to witness the marvelous growth and development of this great state.
NICK GUIDINGER
Nick Guidinger, who was for many years a prominent farmer in York county, is now living retired in York, enjoying the fruits of a life of diligence and industry.
Nick Guidinger was born in Ozaukee county, Wisconsin, on the 24th of March, 1854, a son of Perry and Annie (Neners) Guidinger, the former a native of France while the latter was born in Luxemburg. The father came to the United States when but sixteen years of age but later returned to his native land where his mar- riage took place. For some time he resided in Dubuque, Iowa, where he worked for the Illinois Central, but after his marriage removed to Wisconsin, settling in the woods. Here he built a log honse in which he and his wife resided until they passed away. Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Guidinger, eight of whom are living, the subject of this sketch, Nick Guidinger, being the third in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Guidinger were members of the Catholic church and the father was independent in politics. The paternal grandfather was John Guidinger who was born and died in France. For some time he was in the French army and was with Napoleon at the battle of Leipsic, in which engagement he received a wound. He was granted a pension of one hundred francs per month and served as a gendarme until his death.
In the acquirement of an education Niek Guidinger attended the schools of Wisconsin but his educational advantages were limited. He worked on the parental farm until he was sixteen years of age, at which time he began to work out. In 1877 he came to Nebraska and settled in Colfax county the following year. He bought a timber claim of eighty acres whereon he built a house and resided until 1902. In 1901 he purchased three hundred and twenty acres in Arborville township but did not move there until 1902, and in 1916 he removed to York, retiring from active life. He rents his farm to his son-in-law.
In 1878 at Schuyler occurred the marriage of Mr. Guidinger and Miss Mary HIobel and to them five children were born: Louis Litehfield. a retired farmer residing in Nebraska: Edgar, who is a rancher at Downey, Idaho; Benjamin, who
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is engaged in farming at Coffee Creek, Montana: Gilbert, who is engaged in ranching in Majors, Canada; and Mrs. Schall of York. Mrs. Guidinger died in 1889 and in 1890 Mr. Guidinger was again wed, this time to Antonio Balata, a native of Austria and a daughter of Joseph and Katie ( Moravitz) Balata. The father spent two years in the United States but returned to Austria where his death occurred. The mother also passed away in that country. Five children were born to the second marriage, four of whom are living: Lydia, who is the wife of Cyril Sterner, a farmer in York county ; Harry, who is engaged in farming : George and Albert, both of whom are attending high school. Mrs. Guidinger is a con- sistent member of the Catholic church. The family home is at 915 York avenue.
Mr. Guidinger follows an independent course in politics, supporting the man rather than the party. He is in every sense of the word a self-made man and his life has been erowned with the successful achievement which comes from persistent and earnest labor.
WILLIAM V. POWELL
Honored and respected by all there is no man who occupies a more favorable position in publie regard in York county than does William V. Powell, who for many years was a prominent agriculturist in the county and retired in 1906 to spend the evening of his life in repose. An added reason for the generous esteem in which he is held is to be found in the fact that he served with the Federal army in the dark days of the Civil war and had been through some of its severest engagements. Mr. Powell was born in Fayette county, Ohio, March 20, 1836, a son of John and Polly (Miller) Powell, well known and respected residents of that part of Ohio. The father tanght school for a number of years and also was engaged in agricultural pursuits for practically the whole of his active life. Six children were born to these parents, all of whom have passed away, with the excep- tion of William V., subject of this sketch. They were: Sarah, Mary, Elizabeth, Neoma and Christina. John Powell and his wife died many years ago in Ohio. The father married the second time, and two sons were born of this union : Thomas and Uriah, both of whom served in the Civil war.
William V. Powell received his education in the public schools of his native state and was reared in his father's home. At an early age he started working on a farm and also was engaged in running a stationary engine. Lincoln's call for an army found in him a ready response and he enlisted in Company A. Thirty-ninth Indiana Infantry, August 28, 1861. The company in which he served was later consolidated with the Eighth Indiana Cavalry. He participated in the battle of Shiloh and in the battle of Stone River, and following the latter engagement was honorably discharged. At the close of his military service Mr. Powell returned to farm work in Indiana, remaining in that state for some time, later moving to Jefferson county, Iowa, where he also engaged at farming, spending about nine years in that territory.
In 1872 Mr. Powell came to Nebraska, where opportunities for agricultural development were then numerous. Ile took a homestead on section 6, Thayer township, York county, and there began his farm life in real earnest, remaining
MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM V. POWELL
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBTAR:
ASTOR, LENOX AN: TILDEN FOUNDA
1
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actively identified with farm work until 1906, when he retired. He erected the first house put up in the district in which he settled, and hauled provisions over bad country roads from Seward and Fairmont, thus experiencing all the dis- advantages of pioneer life in that day. He carried many and valuable improve- ments on his holding and is still the owner of the land of one hundred and seventy acres which is now operated by his son James. In his aetive life Mr. Powell recognized the principle that industry wins, and he has lived to see the district in which he first located grow from comparative obscurity to a place of prominence and business status, and it is entirely to his eredit that he gave of his time and ability to that end.
At Fairfield, Iowa, in September, 1864, Mr. Powell was united in marriage to Sarah Fansher, a native of Fayette county, Ohio, and to that union nine children were born: Edith, wife of Edward Radley, of British Columbia ; Mary E., wife of G. W. Young, of Lincoln ; Charles, a farmer, living in Idaho ; Jennie, wife of A. N. Hurd, a retired farmer of Stromsburg; Fred W., of York county : W. F .. a farmer, living in South Dakota: Stella, wife of Marion Fellows who lives in Colorado; James, now managing the old homestead : and Maggie, wife of John Turner, of Colorado. A stepdaughter also was reared as one of the family. Mrs. Powell is affiliated with the Presbyterian church and. is a consistent attendant on its services. Mr. Powell is a strenuous adherent of the republican party and always active in support of its principles and policies. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which he joined while living in Iowa in 1867 and is probably one of the oldest members of that popular order in this part of the country. Ever ready to extend a helping hand where aid is needed, his character and work have been such as to shed around him much of life's sunshine. He is a member of York Post. G. A. R.
AMI D. SPERRY
Ami D. Sperry, now living retired at Gresham, is another of the farmers who persevered in spite of early hardships and is now reaping the reward of his faith and untiring industry. He was born in Plattville, Grant county, Wisconsin, Novem- ber 15, 1846, a son of Alfred W. and Sophrona A. (Palmer) Sperry, the former a native of the state of New York and the latter of Pennsylvania. Some time after their marriage the parents went to the state of Ohio and there engaged in farming, going to Wisconsin in 1843, making the journey by boat. He settled on the edge of the timber country and there acquired a tract of land which he began to clear and set out to cultivation, making some improvements as he went along, among other things putting up a log house, using greased paper as a substitute for glass in the windows. He continued to reside there for several years, during the greater part of the time laboring under serious disabilities. Isolation was one of the great hardships with which he had to contend, but he settled down to existing conditions and his efforts were rewarded in time by a substantial measure of success. In 1871 he came to Nebraska and settled on a homestead in Seward county, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 1872, aged fifty-six. He was twice mar- ried. To his first marriage four children were born, all of whom are dead. To his second marriage the following children were born: George, Orley N., Frank,
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Enoch, all deceased; A. D., a miner, living in Washington: Evelyn, the wife of Robert Knouse, of Gresham; Lorene, the widow of Henry Lawer of Gresham : Ami D., the subject of this sketch. and Gilina, the wife of Christopher Walick, of Lincoln : Ambrose died in Missouri. Alfred W. Sperry was a man of many sterling traits of character, genial and affable, and enjoyed the high esteem of those with whom he associated. He was a member of the Methodist church and in politics gave his undivided support to the republican party.
Ami D. Sperry was educated in a log schoolhouse in Wisconsin and helped his father in the work of the farm for some years. When he was seventeen years old, in 1863, he enlisted with the Federal forces for service in the Civil war and was mustered in at Darlington, Wisconsin, as a member of Company I. Second Wis- consin Volunteer Cavalry. Ile saw considerable service and was in several engage- ments during the war, including the battles of Champion Ilill and of King Creek. Mississippi, where he received a gunshot wound in the left arm which disabled him for the time being. On November 15, 1865, he received his honorable discharge at Austin, Texas, after serving more than two years in the army and returned to Wisconsin, where he resumed working out on farms. His ambition being to secure a traet of land for himself he made every effort to accumulate as much money as would enable him to accomplish his laudable desire, and he continued to work on farms in the neighborhood of his father's place for about two years after his dis- charge from the army. He started auctioneering at the age of twenty years and was successful at it for forty years.
In 1867 Mr. Sperry was married to Lonisa Knouse and shortly after they came to Lincoln, Nebraska, by train and from Lincoln the journey was completed in a lumber wagon to a homestead in Seward county. the trip from Lincoln costing him thirty-five dollars. The homestead. which consisted of one hundred and sixty acres, was located on the southeast quarter of section 4, township 12, range 1, east. Seward county, and there he put up a sod house in which the family lived for five years. His barns were constructed in the same manner. About this time he was prac- tically penniless, having but two dollars in money. He had a family of three children and was withont credit, withont friends and without work, except as shucking corn at fifty cents a day could be termed work. However, he had a stout heart and the neighbors helped by loaning him a team to work the farm and from that time forward things began to take an upward turn. In the third year of his residence on the homestead he bought a yoke of oxen and hauled his first wheat to Lincoln, that city being the nearest market. In common with others he suffered from the effects of the grasshopper siege, during the ravages of which all growing crops were destroyed and as a substitute for fuel he had to burn cornstalks and buffalo chips. He was fortunate, however. in having his cattle housed during the big blizzard, the damage from which was felt all over the entire district. Gradually Mr. Sperry surmounted all obstacles and his general farming and stock raising was placed on a firm footing as the result of his perseverance and practical industry. He added to his land holdings as circumstances permitted and at one time was the owner of ten hundred and forty acres of prime land, all of which he brought to a state of splendid improvement and some of which at a later time he divided among his children, and is still the owner of six hundred and forty acres. In 1913 he retired from active life on the farm and moved to Gresham where he is very comfortably circumstanced.
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By his marriage to Louisa Knouse the following children were born: Robert, living in Gresham ; Wade, a farmer in Butler county ; Benjamin, now living retired in Gresham ; Seott, Essie, Sophrona and John, all of whom are deceased; Arthur, who farms the old home place; two children who died unnamed in infancy ; Mary, deceased ; Rhoda, the wife of Joe Phillips of Seward ; and Sabra, the wife of Harry Stephenson of Seward county. Mrs. Sperry passed away April 12, 1914, being then in her sixty-third year. Some time later Mr. Sperry married for his second wife Mrs. Sanders. He has always been a stanch advocate of the principles of the republican party and served as supervisor of Seward county for two terms. He is a stockholder and director of the First National Bank of Gresham, and is an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic, in the affairs of which he takes an active interest. In Masonie circles he is prominently known, and to all movements designed for the welfare of the community he gives practical support and advice. He is now entering his seventy-fifth year and is in the enjoyment of excellent health.
JOHN W. BALLENGER
John W. Ballenger is one of the self-made men of York, his success in life being due entirely to his own unaided efforts. He is connected with the theatre interests in York, owning and running the Sun Theatre and having charge of the opera house.
John W. Ballenger is a native of Iowa, born in Mahaska county, that state, on the 2nd of January, 1856, a son of Samuel W. and Harriett (Stewart ) Ballenger, both natives of Illinois. His parents eame to Iowa with their parents at an early day and were married in that state. The father engaged in farming and the mother died when John W. Ballenger was but six days old, and he was then taken into the home of his maternal grandparents. The grandfather, John Stewart, was born in the north of Ireland. He and John W. Ballenger farmed two hundred and twenty acres of land in Polk county, Nebraska, in 1880. The grandfather was then eighty years of age and was unusually aetive for his age. When John Stewart came to Polk county, Nebraska, he had about fifteen hundred dollars. He pur- chased railroad land which he was fortunate in cultivating and became very pros- perous, and he resided on this land until his death. John W. Ballenger was one of two children born to his parents and the only one living. The father, Samuel Ballenger, went to Pikes Peak during the gold rush, coming back as far as Douglas county where he acquired a homestead and resided until his death. He had mar- ried a second time becoming the father of six children. Both Samuel Ballenger and John Stewart were stanch supporters of the democratic party.
In the acquirement of an education John W. Ballenger attended the country schools of Iowa, and after putting his textbooks aside engaged with his grandfather in farming. They purchased land in Polk county and Mr. Ballenger said that when he first came to Nebraska the grasshoppers were so thick he could not see the sun. From 1874 until 1893 he farmed in this county and then selling the land removed to Shelby where he engaged in the hardware business. He conducted this business until 1898 when he traded it for some land in Polk county and subse- quently engaged in the confectionery business. While a resident of Shelby he was
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appointed to the position of postmaster by President Mckinley and served in this capacity to the satisfaction of the community for over four years. In 1912 he sold out the confectionery business and in November of that year came to York where he purchased the Dean Theatre. For about five years he ran the Dean Theatre at the termination of which time he estabilshed the Sun Theatre. This business ven- ture has proved to be more than successful and he has a large and steadily inereasing patronage. Since 1915 Mr. Ballenger has also had charge of the opera house. His business connections indicate the keenness of his sagacity and the soundness of his business opinions and his investments which have been wisely and judiciously made are bringing to him a substantial financial return. Besides his home property and another piece of town property occupied by his son he owns considerable land in Colorado.
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