USA > Nebraska > York County > York County, Nebraska and its people : together with a condensed history of the state, Vol. II > Part 63
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68
On the 25th of February, 1885, occurred the marriage of Mr. Warner to Miss Mary Gormley, a native of Virginia, Illinois, and a daughter of James and Mariah Gormley. They came to Polk county in 1872 and there the father secured a homestead and spent the remainder of his life. He was born in southern Ireland and the mother in northern Ireland. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Warner four children have been born: Ethel May, the wife of William R. Robson, who is engaged in farming in Kimball county ; Kate, at home; Earl, who is an osteopath physician at Caldwell, Idaho; and Ruth, who is residing at home. Mrs. Warner passed away in 1915, her death coming as a severe loss to her devoted family and friends. She was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the interests of which she always took an active part.
Sinee age conferred upon Mr. Warner the right of franchise he has been a stanch supporter of the republican party and is well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He is a member of the York city council from the first ward and was assessor of the Stromsburg precinct while residing in Polk county. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Warner started out in life with no capital but a strong determination, the ability to work hard and laudable ambition, and as a result of these characteristics has won for himself a high position in the community in which he resides.
W. EDGAR THOMPSON
One of the most progressive men of York county is W. Edgar Thompson, who is the owner of a large ranch in the sand-hills of Cherry county on which he raises full blooded stock. He was born in Clark county, Ohio, January 3, 1881, a son of Elwood and Sarah (Wilmar) Thompson extended mention of whom is made in the sketch of another son, Arthur W. Thompson, to be found elsewhere in this work.
In the acquirement of an education W. Edgar Thompson attended the schools of York where he had come in 1883 when but three years of age. On putting his textbooks aside he engaged in farming which occupation he has followed the greater part of his life. He is now the possessor of a large ranch in the sand-hills of Cherry county on which he raises a number of full blooded cattle and last spring he made some very successful sales. Mr. Thompson also has an interest in the West Side Meat Market in York and is recognized as one of the leading business men of that place.
On the 5th of October, 1904. Mr. Thompson was united in marriage to Miss Elsie Weir, a native of Illinois, and a daughter of William and Mary Weir. Her parents came to York county in 1898 and the father engaged in farming until his death. Mrs. Weir is now residing at the home of her daughter. To the union
1216
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson three children have been born, two of whom are living, namely: Howard, fourteen years of age; and Glenn. Laurence died at the age of one and one-half years. The Thompson family are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church in the various activities of which Mrs. Thompson takes a prominent part.
Since age conferred upon Mr. Thompson the right of franchise he has given his allegiance to the republican party which has found in him a stalwart advocate. For four years he was a member of the city council and when residing on his farm served as township treasurer. Fraternally he belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and Woodmen. In 1918 he built a beautiful home in York at 720 Hutchinson avenue and here he resides. The greater part of Mr. Thompson's time is devoted to his farming and stock raising and his life work has been crowned with successful achievement, making him today one of the most prosperous residents of his section of the state.
DAVID KUNS
David Kuns, a pioneer farmer of York county, Nebraska, now residing in Cali- fornia, was born in Clinton county, Indiana, November 23, 1850, the son of Henry and Caroline ( Spidle) Kuns, who were born near Dayton, Ohio. Henry Kuns moved to Indiana when he was a young man, locating on a farm near Delphi. Hle was one of the pioneer farmers of that region and after cultivating and clearing a woodland farm soll it and moved to Clinton county, Indiana, and later to Piatt county. Illinois. He became a prosperons agriculturalist in that state and in 1890 removed to California where he passed away in 1892. Ilis wife's demise occurred two years previous.
David Kuns was reared on the farm in Indiana and later in Illinois, and was educated in the common schools there. When he reached manhood he was put in charge of one of his father's farms where he was very successful. In 1877 he came to York county. Nebraska. and bought a section of railroad land in McFadden township, where he established his home the following year. Interested in new and better methods of farming and alert to suggestions that might lead to the improvement of agricultural pursuits, he was a very successful farmer and stock- man, when he retired about ten years ago having to his credit eight hundred acres of good land in York county, and a ranch of twenty-five hundred acres in Greeley county, Nebraska. Mr. Kuns is now a resident of California.
He was married in 1875 to Miss Catherine Klinzman, a native of Pennsylvania, who was brought by her parents to Livingston county, Illinois, when a child. She is the daughter of Christian and Minnie ( Kratz) Klinzman, natives of Germany who came to the United States in 1853 and after moving to Towa, located in Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Kuns are the parents of ten children : C. F., a farmer who resides in York county, Nebraska : Harvey A., who is engaged in the insurance business in lowa: Jesse, who passed away: John, who resides in lowa; Dorothy, who lives with her parents in California : Ray, who is superintendent of schools in Superior. Nebraska: Esther. the wife of Peter Dayton, who resides in California : Roy, who is engaged in farming in Imperial Valley, California : Nellie, who lives
1217
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
with her parents; and Eva, who is the wife of Don Diebert, of San Diego, California.
Mr. Kuns exercises his right of franchise in support of men and measures of the republican party, believing firmly in its principles. He is a man who stands for progressiveness in public affairs of the community wherein he is a resident, and gives his aid and influence to all measures and projects which he believes to be of public worth.
JOSEPH WALKER
A retired farmer and representative citizen of York is Joseph Walker, who forty-nine years ago came to this country acquiring a homestead. His success may be attributed to his persistent effort, and determination and energy have enabled him to overcome obstacles and difficulties in his path. Those who know him and have watched his course in every relation of life entertain for him warm respect and high regard.
Joseph Walker was born in Pennsylvania August 18, 1849, a son of John and Jane (Miller) Walker, both natives of the same state in which they were also married. The father entered the Civil war, joining Company F, Fifty-third Illinois Regiment, having removed to Illinois from Ohio, where he had lived for a number of years, preeeding the outbreak of the war. For four years he served in the Union army and was neither captured nor wounded. His death oecurred during the war in a hospital at Quincy, Illinois. Nine children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Walker, five of whom are living: Phoebe is the widow of Isaac T. Smith and she is at present residing in Kansas; Sarah E. is the widow of John H. Haney and resides in York. Her husband's death occurred some years ago in York. He had seen active service during the Civil war and received the commission of lientenant ; Joseph is another son: John is a retired farmer living in York; and Rebecca Ann is the wife of George Foltz, an old soldier, and they reside in York. The four children who are deceased are Mary Ann, who died in Ohio at the age of eighteen ; James, whose death occurred as the result of wounds received at Pittsburgh Landing; Christ, who died when nineteen years of age in Illinois ; and David, whose death occurred in 1915. He had served three years in the Civil war. David and Phoebe were twins. The Walker family were brought up in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church.
In the aequirement of an education Joseph Walker attended the district schools of Illinois and after putting his textbooks aside engaged in farming. This oeenpa- tion he has followed throughout his life. In 1871 he came to York county and acquired a homestead. He immediately set about to improve his land, allowing no obstaeles, however great, to obstruct his path. His first house was built of sod but some time later he ereeted a frame house and later built a larger and more modern residence. He devoted a measure of his time to raising full blooded hogs and other live stock and in this line was particularly snecessful. He is now the owner of five hundred and sixty aeres of land in York county and considered one of the most progressive farmers of the vicinity.
Mr. Walker was united in marriage to Elizabeth Klone on the old homestead of her father. She was born in New York state, a daughter of Albert and Annie
1218
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
E. Klone, both natives of Germany. They removed to York county in 1821, where the father acquired a homestead on which they resided until their deaths. Mrs. Walker was the fifth in order of birth of a family of seven children born to this union. Mr. and Mrs. Walker have become parents of five children, four of whom are living : William, who is managing one of his father's farms in York county ; Ida, the wife of James Bergin who owns a farm in York county; Ambrose, a real estate dealer in Denver, Colorado; and Edward, who resides on his father's home- stead. Brunson, the third member of the family, died at the age of twenty-nine years.
Since age conferred upon Mr. Walker the right of franchise he has been a stanch supporter of the republican party and the principles for which it stands. Mr. and Mrs. Walker are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and prominent in the affairs of that organization. In 1913 Mr. Walker purchased a nice home in York and here he is now residing retired. He is in every sense of the word a self-made man.
JOHN LINDQUIST
After a useful and well spent life John Lindquist, who for many years had been identified with agricultural and public affairs of York county, passed away in 1916, honored and respected by all who knew him. He was born in Sweden, February 26, 1837, and in that country acquired a knowledge of farming opera- tions. When he was thirty-two years old, in 1869, he immigrated to America and landed in New York, going thenee to Prineeton, Illinois, where he worked on farms for a time. Later he rented a traet of land and worked it on his own account for about nine years, in the meantime saving his money with a view to purchasing a holding for himself.
It was in 1880 when York county was being slowly developed that John Lind- quist came here and bought one hundred and sixty aeres of railroad land. For a brief period after taking over the holding he lived in the homes of neighbors and later built himself a small frame bouse. Ile broke the land and divided it into fields of convenient size by well kept fences, put up substantial buildings as he prospered and utilized the best improved machinery in carrying on the work of the farm. He planted trees and set out orchards, but most of the latter died out. He burned corn and cornstalks for fuel and chopped wood on the creek for the same purpose. His general farming and stock raising gave him satisfactory results, and these results were secured only by his unremitting attention to the work. His success in York county induced him to purchase one hundred and sixty aeres in South Dakota, and this in time proved a sound investment. He also owned city property in Gresham. After many years on the home farm he retired to Gresham and there passed away July 6, 1916, leaving behind him a good name and a char- acter worthy of emulation. While his business interests were extensive and impor- tant he always found time to co-operate in plans and measures intended to advance the public good.
While living in Princeton, Illinois, he was married in 1887 to Emma Anderson. a native of Sweden, and that union resulted in the birth of the following children :
1219
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
Anna J., the wife of Clarence Thompson, a York county farmer; Ida C., who married John Brittell of Woodbine, Iowa ; Harry, who farms the old home place ; John E .. a farmer of York county who was in the United States service during the World war, belonging to Company H, S. A. T. C .; Frank A., who lives in Gresham, and was in United States service, Company G, S. A. T. C., at University Farm. Lincoln, Nebraska : and Jennie, who lives with her mother.
Mr. Lindquist adhered to the teachings of the Methodist Episcopal church in the faith of which he was brought up. He gave his political allegiance to the republican party and served as treasurer of school district No. 35 for nine years, the cause of education having always found in him a stalwart champion. He was one of the influential men of his community, his opinions carrying weight regard- ing public affairs. His life record should serve to inspire and encourage others.
CHRISTIAN H. KOLLING, SR.
Christian H. Kolling is a retired farmer of York, who in the course of an active life acquired a very substantial competence that now enables him to rest from further labors in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. He was born in Mayenfeld, Hanover, Germany, October 7, 1841, a son of Frederick and Dorothy (Bosman) Kolling, who were natives of Germany. The father was a well-to-do farmer who died in his native land about 1870. The mother followed her son to America in 1881 and spent her last days in his home in this country, where her death occurred when she had reached the advanced age of ninety-three years. They were the parents of four children of whom only two are living, the elder being Mrs. Sophia Seegers, who was still living in Germany when word was last received from her. The religious faith of the family was that of the Lutheran church.
Christian H. Kolling obtained a liberal education in the schools of his native country. On coming to York county November 8, 1880, he purchased two hundred and forty acres of land in Lockridge township and afterward purchased another one hundred and sixty acre tract. On this farm he reared his family and for many years carried on the work of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. His labors greatly promoted the productiveness of the land. He also engaged in raising hogs, cattle and other live stock, raising and feeding from one hundred and fifty to two hundred head of hogs annually, and from fifty to one hundred head of cattle. He sold his land in York county a few years ago but still owns a half scetion in Kansas. In 1894 he purchased a nice home at 524 Thompson avenne and in 1895 he retired from the farm, removing to York. Mr. Kolling was more fortunate than most of the pioneer farmers of the county for he had made a splendid start when he came to Nebraska. Through hard work and close applica- tion he has constantly increased his fortunes and has become one of the prosperous citizens of this section of the country. Before leaving his native country Mr. Kolling served for five years in the German army and participated in the Franco- Prussian war of 1870.
On the 26th of July. 1867, at Hoist, Germany, Mr. Kolling was married to Sophia Dorothe Marie Bremer, a daughter of Henry Christian and Catherine
1220
THISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
Elizabeth ( Miller) Bremer. She was born October 12, 1844, and died in York county.
To Mr. and Mrs. Kolling have been born four children of whom three are living : Henry Frederick Christian, born April 26, 1868, has for thirty years been cashier of the City National Bank of York. He is married and has two children, Henry and Delia; Dorotha Wilhelmena Lonisa Catherine Sophie, the second of the family, is the wife of Sherman Bensen of York, who is engaged in the real estate business, and they have two children, Howard and Olive; Christian Conrad Frederick died in infancy; Doras Dorotha Sophia Frieda, twin of Christian, is at home and acts as housekeeper for her father. She is a graduate of the York high school. Mr. Kolling was originally a Lutheran but is now a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church. For many years the family has resided in Nebraska, and here Mr. Kolling has enjoyed excellent business opportunities which he has improved, thus advancing step by step toward the goal of success until he is now numbered among the more substantial retired farmers of York county.
HERMAN ZIEMKE
Herman Ziemke is practically a self-made man who has gained a ereditable position among the representative and prosperous farmers of York county. He arrived in this section of the state almost empty-handed but saw the opportunities here offered and has utilized them to good advantage. He is now the owner of a valuable farm property of four hundred and forty acres on section 33, Stewart township. He was born in Germany, January 27, 1870, a son of John and Wil- helmina (Stroschin) Ziemke, also natives of Germany and in that country both passed their last days.
It was in 1894 that Herman Ziemke came to Baltimore, Maryland, and in April of the same year he reached York county. During the droughts of that year he worked on a thrasher and stacked straw for seventy-five cents per day. In the next year he worked for sixty-five cents a day and in 1896 shucked corn at a dollar a day, from these meager earnings managing to save something with which to realize his ambition to acquire a farm of his own. He started farming on his own account by renting land and carried on general farming and stock raising, in these two branches of agricultural activity meeting with considerable success. He continued renting until 1899 when he purchased eighty acres located in New York township, the place at that time having but a small frame house on it and here he and his family lived for about eight years and then sold out to advantage. In 1907 Mr. Ziemke bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Stewart township, the holding at the time he acquired it having but small improvements. Upon that place he has since resided and has made many valuable improvements, its splendid appearance being indicative of the care and labor which he has bestowed upon it. His entire property consists of four hundred and forty acres and on this, in addi- tion to the successful cultivation of general erops, he raises a good grade of live stock and feeds large numbers of cattle and hogs for the markets. He is now one of the substantial farmers of this seetion of the state and the result achieved is due to his industry, his perseverance and his determination.
1221
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
Before leaving Germany in 1894 Mr. Ziemke was united in marriage to Sophia Wiese, also a native of Germany, and to their union five children have been born : John, Ida. Otto and Helen, all at home with their parents, and Fred, who died when two years old. In addition to his farming interests Mr. Ziemke is a stock- holder in the Farmers Elevator at Thayer. The family are members of the Lutheran church, to the upkeep of which they are liberal subscribers. He votes an independent ticket in political affairs and in matters of local import lends his aid and influence to such movements as are calculated to improve the moral and material welfare of the community in which he and his wife have large numbers of sincere friends.
ORSENUS M. DOTY
A long life of usefulness and service was brought to an end on the 19th of July, 1918, when Orsenus M. Doty, a veteran of the Civil war, died at his home in York. Ilis death was the occasion of widespread grief in the community, for during his residence in York he had made many friends.
Orsenus M. Doty was born in Lenawee county, Michigan, February 19, 1841, a son of Isaac and Lucretia (Bruce) Doty, both natives of Massachusetts. At an early day they removed to Michigan where the father engaged in farming. He was a dyer in the textile mills in Massachusetts. The ancestry of the family is one to be proud of for the line is traceable to Edward Doty, who came to this country on the Mayflower.
In the acquirement of his education O. M. Doty attended the schools of Michi- gan and when in early manhood the Civil war threw its shadow over the land Mr. Doty was among the first to enlist in the service of the Union. He joined the old Fourth Michigan Infantry and served until after the battle of Gettysburg. In this battle he was severely wounded in the hip and shoulder which caused him to be a eripple for the remainder of his life. At the close of the war he returned to his home in Michigan. He was a decorator and painter by trade and at times was able to do a little of this kind of work. In 1870 he removed to Illinois where he was married and in 1882 he and his wife came to York county, where they con- tinued to live until his death. Mr. Doty owned eighty aeres of land in New York township, the income from which, together with a large pension, enabled him to be financially independent in his last years. He bought a house on Lincoln avenue where they lived for thirty-five years, and where Mrs. Doty still resides and she is still in possession of the land. For a number of years Mr. Doty was paralyzed, being unable to feed himself, but throughout all of his suffering he remained cheer- ful and on his demise a keen loss was felt by all of his friends and acquaintances in the community.
On March 10, 1870, soon after coming to Illinois, Mr. Doty was united in mar- riage to Miss Nellie A. Gibler who was born in Stephenson county, Illinois, in 1849. Her parents were John and Elizabeth (Wagner) Gibler, the former a native of Maryland. They were married in Pennsylvania and removed to Ohio where they resided for some time, coming to Illinois in 1844 where they remained the rest of their lives. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gibler, of whom Mrs. Doty was the seventh in order of birth. The death of Mr. Gibler occurred in 1872
1222
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
at the age of sixty-nine years and his wife died in the same year at the age of fifty-nine. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Doty two children were born, namely : Mark, who for twenty years traveled for the Broadhead Woolen Mills, is now traveling for a large silk company in New York city, and who now makes his home in Jamestown, New York : and Jennie, who is the wife of Ora Tucker who is in the stockyards at Omaha, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Tucker are the parents of four girls: Jessie, twenty years of age; Louise, aged nineteen years: Mary, who is three years of age: and Jacquelin, one year old.
Throughout his life Mr. Doty gave his allegiance to the republican party and was well informed on the questions and issues of the day, and he was a member of the Masonic order. He was badly disabled by the wounds received in the Civil war and which unfitted him for work, but he was a man of strong character, of firm purpose and of high ideals and he lived to see his life crowned with successful achievement. Mrs. Doty, for many years his stanch and devoted helpmeet, is a highly esteemed citizen of the community.
G. C. NORQUEST
G. C. Norquest, who is actively engaged in farming in MeFadden township. York county, is a native of Sweden, coming to this country at the age of seven with his parents. His father was John Norquest, who was born in Sweden, coming to America in 1869 where he worked on the railroad in Iowa and Nebraska, later taking up a homestead in 1871 on the southwest quarter of section thirty-two, in what is now LeRoy township. His first home was the primitive dugout which was rather more of a hole in the ground than a house. Later this property was traded to his cousin for a farm of eighty acres where he made his home the rest of his life, passing away at the age of sixty-eight. His wife, who is now eighty-two years of age, still lives on the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Norquest are the parents of seven children, five of whom were born in Sweden, and two born in America. They are: John, who is employed at the Moline Plow Company, and resides in Moline, Illinois; Peter, who lives in Kansas; C. C., who is engaged in farming in York county: Emma, the wife of Oscar Swanson, who lives in Brad- shaw, York county : Ingrid, the wife of Nels Nelson, of York county ; Gus G., who died, leaving a widow and family : and a daughter who passed away in 1898.
When his father came to York county C. C. Norquest was ten years old. He remembers very well the trip from Sweden, when they went from thir native town to Malma, Sweden, thence to Copenhagen, to Hull, England, overland to Liverpool where they boarded a vessel bound for the United States, landing at Castle Garden, where they took a train for Lincoln, and went from there to Fairmont. Here it was that a man named Ellis took them to their new home in a wagon, with a little hay in the bottom of the box. The conveyance was not very comfortable and it was midnight when they arrived at the little hut that was to be their new home. York was but a small village at that time, having two stores and a black- smith shop, and Mr. Norquest remembers roaming over the prairies as a barefoot boy and seeing oxen and horses hitched to the same plow. During the day the farmer unyoked the oxen and let them feed on the prairies grass which was
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.