KANSAS COLLECTION BOOKS


Andreas' History of the State of Nebraska

Johnson County
Produced by Karen Elliott.



PART 1:

Location, Natural Features, etc. | Early History
Organization and Political History

PART 2:

Educational | Railroads | Population | Financial
General Statistics | County Societies

PART 3:


Tecumseh:   Early Settlement | Local Matters
The Press | Churches | Societies | Hotels
Swartville

PART 4:

Tecumseh (cont.):
Biographical Sketches - AUSTIN~HOWARTH

PART 5:

Tecumseh (cont.):
Biographical Sketches - JOLLY~YOUNG

PART 6:

Sterling:   Biographical Sketches
Elk Creek:   Biographical Sketches

PART 7:





Helena:   Biographical Sketches
Vesta:   Biographical Sketches
Spring Creek:   Biographical Sketches
Lincoln Precinct (Biographical Sketches only)

List of Illustrations in Johnson County Chapter



PART 7


HELENA.

A settlement at this point has existed almost from the organization of the country. In early days it was regarded as a promising point, and the surrounding country was rapidly settled up. The town site was surveyed and laid off by W. L. Dunlap in 1867. George P. Tucker, B. F. Lushbaugh and Charles Dorsey were the proprietors of the town, and strong efforts were made to build it up--numerous Brownville citizens interesting themselves in it. The Presbyterians built a good church here in 1870, and were followed by the Lutherans, who put up one the same year. The construction of the railroad through the county, leaving Helena six miles out in the cold, proved a coup de grace to the hopes of the thriving community, and a hegira from the neighborhood followed, leaving the town in 1873 almost deserted. The present settlement comprises perhaps fifty persons, supporting two country stores and a blacksmith shop. The Baptists erected a small church in 1881, near Helena, which is liberally attended by the settlers.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

PALMER BLAKE, farmer and stock-raiser, Section 28, Tecumseh P. O., was born and reared in Orange County, Vt., and came to Nebraska in 1857, and has been actively connected with his present industry here since. In 1856 he was married in Iowa to Miss Angie Smith, who was born and reared in Republic, Seneca Co., Ohio. They have a family of two sons and four daughters--S. Edward, Nina B., Fannie B., Laura H., Birdie J. and Joseph G. Mr. Blake has been an active worker in the development of the social life of his locality since coming here.

JACOB C. CUMMINS, farmer, stock-raiser and horticulturist, Section 33, Tecumseh P. O. Mr. Cummins was born and reared in Ohio. Followed farming in Ohio and Iowa until 1868, when he came here and has been actively connected with his present industry since. In 1859 he was married to Miss Hattie E. Wightman, who was born and reared in Vermont. They have a family of three sons and two daughters living--William T., Wilson J., George H., Clara E. and Lura. In 1879, October 26, Arthur W., aged six years, passed from this life, and is buried in the cemetery at Tecumseh. Mr. Cummins served in the Twentieth Iowa Volunteers, Company H. from 1862 till the end of the war, and was honorably discharged.

B. F. DORSEY, ex-Senator, Eighteenth District of Nebraska, farmer and stock-raiser, Section 25, Tecumseh P. O. Mr. D. was born in Jefferson County, Ky., and reared in Dearborn County, Ind. In 1840 he moved to Indianapolis, and engaged in the business of contracting and building until 1858, when he came to Nebraska and located at Brownville, and prosecuted his profession there until 1865, when he came here, and has followed the agricultural and stock industry here since. In 1844 he was married at Indianapolis, Ind., to Miss Esther Ramsey, who was born in Ohio and reared in Indiana. They have a family of two sons and three daughters. Mr. D. has been an active member in the development of the social life in his locality, besides filling the senatorial chair for his district, and has filled many minor municipal offices.

FRANK B. FOSTER, farmer and stock-raiser, Section 22, Sterling P. O. Mr. F. was born and reared in Plainfield, Will Co., Ill., where he was identified with the agricultural and teaching industries. In 1864 he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Thirty-second Illinois Volunteers; and after a service of about seven months he was mustered out and honorably discharged. In 1869 he came here, and has been actively connected with the present industry of his locality since. In 1868 he was married to Miss Mary E. Nimmons, who was born and reared in Seneca County, N. Y. They have a family of one son and four daughters--Electa F., David J., May F., Anna A. and Beatrice. Mr. F. has been an active worker in the development of the social life of his locality. He has been kept in the official harness as Justice of the Peace ten years since his coming here.

GEORGE B. FOSTER, farmer and stock-raiser, Section 22, Sterling P. O. Mr. Foster was born and reared in Lewis County, N. Y. At the age of eighteen, in 1860, he took up a course of instruction in the North Western University, of Will County, Ill., for the purpose of qualifying himself for the professional life, but gave it up and followed the teaching profession in that State until 1867, when he came here, and has been actively connected with his present vocation since. In 1875, he was elected to the incumbency of County Superintendent of Schools, for Johnson County, and has continued three terms, or until the present year. Has also been a regular correspondent for the Tecumseh Chieftain for a number of years.

P. M. FITHIAN, farmer and stock raiser, Section 15, Helena P. O., Helena, was born in Indiana and reared in Missouri, where he remained in connection with farming till 1862, when he enlisted his services in Company C, First Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, and remained in the service till 1863, when he was honorably discharged. After his war services, he came west and located here, where he has been actively connected with the present industry since. In 1858, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Estes, who was born and reared in Missouri. They have a family of six sons and two daughters--William, Mary J., Thomas, Henry, Rosa, George, Elva and Marion. Mr. Fithian has been an active worker in the development of the social and business life of his locality since coming here.

GEORGE W. HILL, farmer and stock raiser, Section 26, Smartville P. O., was born and reared in Will County, Ill., and followed farming there till 1862, when he enlisted in Company D, One Hundredth Illinois Volunteers, and remained in active service till the battle of Chickamauga, when he was captured, and remained in rebel prisons for seventeen months, when he was released. After the war he located in Livingston County, where he followed his vocation till 1876, when he came here, and has been successfully connected with the present industry here since. In 1867, he was married to Miss Frances E. Rose, who was born and reared in Bennington, Vt. They have a family of three sons and one daughter--Orval B., Cora B., Clarence E., and Elon E.

HENRY W. JONES, farmer and stock raiser, Section 2, Tecumseh P. O., was born and reared in Ross County, Ohio and removed to Illinois in 1853, at the age of sixteen, and followed farming there until 1866, when he came here, and has been actively connected with the stock and agricultural industries of this locality since. Mr. J. makes a specialty of the half breed Clydesdale and Hambletonian horses. In 1858, he was married to Miss Theresa Shasteen, who was born and reared in Ross County, Ohio. They have a family of two sons and two daughters--Mary (now Mrs. John Stollard, of Johnson County), Annie (now Mrs. Henry Wakeman, of Johnson County), Edward and James.

JAMES Y. McDOUGAL, farmer and stock raiser, Section 34, Tecumseh P. O., was born in Johnstown, Montgomery Co., N. Y., and removed to Michigan in 1838, where he followed farming till 1867, when he came here, and has been actively connected with his present industry here since. In 1878, he was married to Mrs. Luana Townsend, who was born in Covington, Ind. They have a family of two sons and two daughters--Jessie May and Ernest Clarence McDougal, and George W. and Eva E. Townsend. Mr. McDougal has been an active worker in the development of the social life of the locality.

PURDY PLATT, farmer and stock raiser, Section 21, Tecumseh P. O., was born and reared in Dearborn County, Ind. In 1872, he came here, and has been actively connected with the present industry since. In 1869, he was married to Miss Mary Alexander, who was born and reared in his native county. They have a family of two sons and one daughter--Alma L., Owen D., and Roy C. Mr. P's profession was that of a brickmason previous to his coming here. In 1862, he enlisted in Company E, Sixteenth Indiana Mounted Infantry and remained in active service until 1864, when he was honorably discharged, and pensioned for disability received during his active service.

MADISON WADDELL, farmer and stock raiser, Section 14, P. O., Helena, was born and reared in Giles County, Va., and came to Nebraska in 1860, and has been actively connected with his present industry here since. In 1855, he was married in Missouri to Miss Helen Nay, who was born in New York State. Mrs. Waddell passed from this life in 1867, and is buried in the cemetery in Helena Precinct, leaving one daughter, Sarah (now Mrs. Harman Butterfield, of Phillips County, Kan.) In 1868, Mr. Waddell married Mrs. Mary A. McLellan, formerly Cathcart, who was born and reared in Pennsylvania. They have a family of one son and two daughters--Helen May, Jesse C., and Alta. Mr. Waddell has been active in the work of pioneer life here since his arrival.

JOHN WILSON, farmer and stock raiser, Section 25, Tecumseh P. O., was born in Paisley, Scotland, in 1824, and came to America in 1851, and prosecuted his trade of carpentering at Albany, N. Y., for a year, after which he went to Illinois; remained in that State till the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted his services in Company F, Twelfth Illinois Volunteers, and remained in active service till 1864, when he was honorably discharged. In February, 1862, he was captured at the first battle of Donelson, and remained in the rebel prisons for eight months and two days, when he was paroled, and shortly after joined his command. After his war services he came here and located in 1864, and has been actively connected with the agricultural and stock industry of this locality since. In 1845, he was married in Glasgow, Scotland, to Miss Ellen Black, of Rismore, Argyleshire. They have one son, John. Mr. Wilson has been an active worker in the development of the social life of his locality since coming here. He has represented his county in the State Legislative Assembly, and has filled many minor public offices.

VESTA.

A small settlement in Vesta Precinct has been known by the name "Vesta" for the past fifteen years. The town, if it can be so characterized, comprises about ten families. The community is entirely a farming one, there being but one general store at this point. The post office at Vesta is in charge of A. B. Noble.

The Baptists of Vesta Precinct have a small church organization and building.

The post office of Crab Orchard is five miles southwest of Tecumseh. W. S. Dilworth is Postmaster. There is no village.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

JAMES W. BEATTY, farmer and stock raiser, Section 29, P. O. Vesta, was born in Crawford County, Pa., and came to Nebraska in 1868 and has been actively connected with the present industries since. In 1868, he was married in Pennsylvania to Miss Mary A. Turner, who was born in Mercer County, Pa. He has two daughters by his first wife, Lillie A. and Emma, and two sons and two daughters by his present wife, Harland U., Waldo H., Lulu I., Jennie and Chatty Pearl.

JOHN L. COOK, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Vesta, Section 6, was born and reared in Knox County, Ohio, and came to Nebraska in 1867, and has been actively connected with his present industry since. In 1861, he was married to Miss Sarah M. Borland, who was born and reared in Hardin County, Ohio. They have a family of four daughters, Olive, now Mrs. Volney Noyes of Johnson County; Jennie, Clara B. and Lillian H. Mr. C. has been actively connected with the social development of the locality.

W. S. DILWORTH, P. M., Crab Orchard, was born and reared in Kentucky, and removed to Illinois in 1857, where he remained until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in Company G, Eighth Illinois Volunteers, and remained in the service until 1862, when he was honorably discharged and pensioned. After the war he came West and settled here, where he has been actively connected with the agricultural and stock industry of the locality since. In 1862, he was married to Miss T. A. Walker, who was born and reared in Morgan County, Ill. They have one son, James M., and one adopted daughter, Ida E. Clawson. Mr. D. has been an incumbent of the present position almost continuously since 1864, and has been an active worker in the development of the Methodist Episcopal Church in his locality of which he has been an ardent and able official.

B. P. ELLIS, farmer and stock raiser, Section 28, P. O. Vesta, was born and reared in Dearborn County, Ind., and followed farming in Illinois from 1856 to 1868, when he came here and has very successfully followed his present industry here since. In 1856, he was married in Illinois to Miss E. S. Roberts, who was born and reared in his native county. They have a family of one son and two daughters, Carrie L., now Mrs. C. B. Strong, of Tecumseh; Fernandez H. and Mary E. Mr. Ellis has been prominently identified with the development of the social life of the locality since coming here.

HENRY D. HARDENBERG, farmer and stock raiser, Section 25, P. O. Vesta, was born in Schenectady County, N. Y., and entered upon his practical life as teacher, which followed successfully, principally in Illinois, after which he engaged at the mercantile business in Elmwood, Ill., and after prosecuting that business for several years, he came to Nebraska and engaged at his present industry, which he has very successfully followed since. In 1872, he was married to Miss Annie Coe, who was born in Virginia and reared in Ohio. They have a family of three daughters, Berth E., M. Edna and Alora.

OSCAR HOTALING, farmer and stock raiser, Section 12, P. O. Vesta, was born and reared in Schoharie County, N. Y. In 1854, and at the age of eighteen, he removed to Illinois, where he engaged at the mercantile and agricultural industries, which he alternately followed till 1860. In 1861 he went to Ohio and subsequently enlisted in the services of his country, in Company E, Thirty-ninth Ohio Volunteers. August, 1861, and remained in active service till 1864, when he was honorably discharged, but re-enlisted again as veteran, and remained in the service till the end of the war; was honorably discharged as non-commissioned officer. In 1867, he came here and has been actively connected with the present industry since. In 1869 he was married to Miss Addie Holmes, who was born in Ontario, Canada. They have a family of three sons and two daughters, Robert C., Jacob L., Irwin O., Ethie I., and Lelia B. Mr. Hotaling has been an active worker in the development of the social and church life of his locality.

PHINEAS JONES, farmer and stock raiser, Section 14, P. O. Vesta, was born and reared in Cayuga County, N. Y., and came to Nebraska in 1858, and has been actively connected with the present industry of his locality since. In 1856, he was married to Miss Agnes Tolleth, who was born and reared in Kilmarnock, Scotland. They have a family of four sons and one daughter, James, Eddie, Willie, Franklin and Annie. Mr. Jones did service for his country in the Second Nebraska Volunteers, from 1862 to 1863, when he was honorably discharged. He has been an active and zealous pioneer and ardent worker in the development of the social life of his locality.

GEORGE LECK, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Vesta, was born in Armstrong County, Pa., and followed farming in Pennsylvania and Iowa till 1867, and has successfully followed his present industry since. In 1861, he was married to Miss Sarah Henry, who was born in Westmoreland County, Pa. They have a family of three sons and three daughters--Annie C., now Mrs. Hiram Row, of Johnson County; William H., Allen F., Elenora, Celesta and the baby.

WILLIAM LECK, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Vesta, was born and reared in Armstrong County, Pa., and followed carpentering in Pennsylvania and Iowa till 1867, when he came to Nebraska, and after prosecuting his trade here till 1870, he took up his present industry, which he has successfully followed since. In 1870, he was married to Miss Mary Jane Clark, who was born in Armstrong County, Pa. They have two sons and two daughters--Uphia, Robert Alexander, James Burton and Cora Mozana. Mr. Leck served in the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry from 1863 till the end of the war; was honorably discharged. He has been active in the social life of his locality.

GEORGE LINFORD, farmer and stock raiser, Section 31, P. O. Vesta, was born in England, 1826, and came to America in 1835, and followed the milling business in Ohio, Illinois and Indiana until 1866, when he came here, and has very successfully conducted the present business since. In 1852, he was married to Miss Hannah Scott; who was born in Indiana and who passed away from this life in 1863, and is buried in the Prairie City Cemetery, Jasper County, Iowa, leaving a family of one son, Jonathan, and two daughters--Mary Ann, now Mrs. Truman Akerson, of Oregon Territory, and Martha Ellen. In 1864, Mr. Linford married Miss Harriet Scott, sister to his former wife. Mr. Linford has been one of the active pioneer men of this locality.

ADOLPHUS MEYER, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Vesta, was born in Orange County, N. Y., and identified himself with the farming industry. In 1876, he came to Nebraska, and has successfully conducted his present industry since. In 1869, he was married to Elizabeth R. Howland, who was born in Richland County, Ohio. They have a family of three sons and two daughters--Elisa A., John A., Carrie M., Asa C., Androlus L. Mr. Meyer enlisted in Company G, Twenty-fifth Ohio Volunteers, 1861, and remained in active service till 1866, when he was honorably discharged as a veteran Company G.

T. C. McGEE, M. D., P. O. Vesta, was born and reared in Maryland, and graduated in his profession from the Rush Medical College of Chicago, Ill., 1856. After practicing in Iowa for a few years, he returned to Maryland. Upon the breaking out of the war, he enlisted his services as Surgeon to the First Maryland Volunteers, and remained in active service till 1862, when he was honorably discharged, on account of disabilities received in the service. He then returned to Baltimore, Md., and prosecuted his practice successfully there till 1873, when he went to Dallas, Tex., but returned to Cascade, Iowa, 1875, and followed it there till 1881, when he came here. In 1852, he was married to Miss Mary E. Long, who was born in Virginia. They have a family of two sons and two daughters--Francis T., Edwin M., Mary L. and Augusta Virginia.

A. B. NOBLE, merchant and Postmaster, P. O. Vesta, was born and reared in Wayne County, N. Y., and removed to Whiteside County, Ill., where he remained in connection with the farming industry till the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted his services in Company E, Forty-six Illinois Volunteers, and remained in active service till 1864, when he was honorably discharged, on account of disability. After the war, he came west, and settled in Nebraska, 1866, and has been actively identified with the agricultural and mercantile industries of this locality since. In 1865, he was married to Miss Belmina Cline, who was born in Ohio and reared in Illinois. In 1875, he married again, M. Theresa, sister of his former wife. He has a family of four children--Iola Belmina, Victor A., Flora and Freddie. Mr. Noble has been the incumbent of his present office since January, 1873.

ELIAS PARRISH, farmer and stock raiser, Section 25, P. O. Vesta, was born in Dyer County, Tenn., and was reared in Illinois. He followed farming here until April 19, 1854. He was married in 1856, to Miss Ann Kite, who was born in Canada and reared in Illinois. They removed to Johnson County in the year 1868, and resumed the farming and stock raising. They have three sons and six daughters--William Parrish; Ellen, now Mrs. J. Pearsley; Matilda, now Mrs. F. Kessler, of Gage County; Charlo T., Alice L., Fannie A., Lucy A., Mary J., George W. Mr. P. has been active as the pioneer agriculturist of his locality.

MRS. B. E. PRESSON, farming and stock raising, Section 35, P. O. Vesta. Mrs. P. was born in Ohio and moved to Bureau County, Ill., with her people where she was reared and educated. In 1856 she was married to Mr. Joseph B. Holbrook, who was born in Rhode Island, in 1825. Mr. and Ms. H., formerly Nickols, moved here and took an active pioneer course of life which they very ably carried through until 1879, when Mr. H. passed away from this life, leaving a family of six sons and two daughters--Enos, Scott, Taylor, Heman, Ida, Ruth, Wellington and Sherman. Mr. H. is buried in the cemetery at Vesta. In April , 1879, Mrs. H. was married to Captain R. B. Presson, a native of Ohio, who came to this State about 1865.

J. M. ROSS, farmer and stock raiser, Section 28, Johnson County, Tecumseh P. O., was born and reared in Macoupin County, Ill., and identified himself with the agricultural industry there until 1865, when he came to Nebraska, and has been actively engaged in the agricultural and stock industry of this locality since. In 1853 he was married to Miss Elizabeth A. Sanders, who was born in Kentucky, and there reared until attaining her twelfth year, when she immigrated with her parents to Macoupin County, Ill. They have a family of seven sons and four daughters--Wm. H., Sarah E., (now Mrs. D. R. Bush, of Tecumseh), T. J., Laura A. (now Mrs. A. J. Conlee, of Dixon, Ill.), James H., Celia F., Samuel, Walter, Effie M., Charles and Warren P. Mr. R. has been active in the social and political and educational life of his locality since coming here. He has filed a number of the local offices in his county.

EZEKIEL H. ROSS, farmer and stock raiser, Section 21, P. O. Vesta, was born and reared in Macoupin County, Ill., where he was identified with the present industry until 1878, when he came to Nebraska, and has successfully followed it here since. In 1858 he was married to Miss Elizabeth A. Range, who was born in Tennessee and reared in Illinois, and who passed away from this life in 1873, and is buried in the Range Cemetery, Macoupin County, Ill. Mr. R. has a family of three sons and two daughters--Robert O., William O., Mary A. (now Mrs. Ellmer, Marshall County, Ill.), Charles J. and Ida P.

T. J. ROSS, farmer and stock raiser, Vesta P. O., was born and reared in Macoupin County, Ill., and came to Nebraska in 1865, where he has been actively connected with his present Industry since. In 1879 he was married to Miss Virginia Conlee, who was born and reared in Jo Daviess County, Ill. They have one son--Harry V.

N. SAMPSON, farmer and stock raiser, Section 18, Vesta P. O., was born and reared in Erie County, Ohio, and followed farming there till 1853, when he removed to Iowa, and successfully prosecuted his vocation there till 1867, when he came here and has been actively connected with the present industry since. In 1862 he was married to Miss Mary A. James, who was born and reared in Pottsville, Penn. They have a family of three sons, Albert, Franklin and Reuben. Mr. Sampson has been an active worker in the social life of his locality since coming here.

RICHARD SAMSON, farmer and stock raiser, Section 7, P. O. Vesta, was born and reared in Erie County, Ohio and followed the farming business until 1855, when he removed to Wisconsin. In 1863 he went to Colorado and followed milling in connection with the mines until 1867, when he came here and has been actively connected with his present industry here since. In 1860 he was married to Miss Ann E. Jones, who was born in Ohio and who passed away from this life in 1863, is buried in the Presbyterian Cemetery in Iowa County, Wis., leaving one daughter, Elnora. In 1868 he was married to Mrs. Maria Mooney, formerly Hunter, who was born and reared in Onondaga County, N. Y. Mr. S. has been an active worker in the development of the social and school life of this locality since coming here.

W. GOLDSMITH STONE, farmer and stock raiser, Section 33, Crab Orchard P. O. Mr. Stone was born in Indiana, reared in Illinois and Iowa. Entered college in 1858 and when President Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers in 1861, he returned home, enlisted in Company C, First Iowa Volunteer Infantry, distinguished himself for bravery, and was wounded at the battle of Wilson's Creek, was honorably discharged at the expiration of his term of service. Afterward helped to recruit and was elected Second Lieutenant of Company K, Eighteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, but was compelled, on account of ill health, contracted in former service, to abandon his command. Was married in 1863, to Miss Mary Blackstone, who was born in Ohio. In 1864, moved to Nebraska, has a family of five sons and one daughter, all born in Nebraska except the eldest, Ulric, who was born in Iowa. Elva the next, followed by Ralph, Darwin, De Robigue Bennett and W. Goldsmith. Mr. Stone is engaged in the agricultural and stock industry, is strictly temperate in all his habits, and active worker in the social life of his locality, a warm advocate of the laboring man's rights, politically, a reformer, religiously, an agnostic, and a correspondent of both county and State papers.

W. H. STRONG, farmer and stock raiser, Section 34, P. O. Vesta was born and reared in Connecticut, and came to Nebraska. In 1856, settled in Johnson County, and has been actively connected with his present industry since. In 1847, he was married to Miss Julia A. Benedict, who was born and reared in Massachusetts. They have a family of three sons and three daughters living, Charles B., Mary E., (now Mrs. Omer G. Roberts of Red Cloud, Neb.), William D., Eunice (now Mrs. William Ross of Tecumseh), Lydia J. (now Mrs. Seth Hodges of Johnson County), and George E. In 1866, John Henry, the oldest son passed from this life and is buried in the Vesta Cemetery, aged seventeen years. Mr. S. has been an active worker in the social and public life of his locality since coming here. Is at present County Commissioner, has filled nearly every office of trust in his municipality.

WILLIAM SNYDER, farmer and stock raiser, Tecumseh P. O. Mr. Snyder was born and reared in Schuyler County, Ill., and identified himself with the agricultural and stock industry there until 1873, when he came here and has successfully conducted it since. In 1866, he was married to Miss Margaret E. Greer, who was born and reared in Schuyler County, Ill. They have three sons and two daughters, Charles H., Freddie, Jennie, Clara and Willie. Mr. Snyder enlisted in Company A, Tenth Missouri Volunteers, 1861, and remained in active service till the evacuation of Corinth, when he was so severely wounded as to disable him from further service, and he was accordingly honorably discharged and pensioned. He has been very active in the development of his present industries since his arrival here.

WILLIAM TAGART, farmer and stock raiser, Section 26, P. O. Vesta, was born in Country Antrim, Ireland, and came to America in 1835, and settled in the Eastern States, where he remained till 1853, when he removed to Iowa, where he stayed four years, when he came here and has been actively connected with the present industry since. In 1857, he was married to Miss Sarah Pearson, who was born and reared in Pennsylvania. They have a family of four sons and six daughters, Robert, James, George, William, Mary, now Mrs. Thomas Tobia of Nemaha County; Ellen, now Mrs. Lawrence Murphy of Johnson County; Nancy, now Mrs. Bernard Minick of Nemaha County; Rose Ann, now Mrs. Charles Kavanagh of Johnson County; Catherine, now Mrs. James Higgins of Nemaha County, and Jane. Mr. Tagart has been prominently identified in connection with the pioneer element of this locality.

SPRING CREEK.

There is a post office in Spring Creek Precinct, near the Nemaha County line. N. B. Yarwood is Postmaster. There is no settlement here bearing any resemblance to a town. The Methodists have just completed a creditable church structure in December, 1881, at this point, and a good country school is situated here.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

EDWARD COOK, farmer and stock raiser, Section 14, P. O. Spring Creek, was born in Wisconsin and removed to Nebraska in 1857 with his people who subsequently located in Johnson County and where he has been prominently identified with the present industry since. In 1878 he was married to Miss Susie Durham who was born and reared in De Kalb County, Mo. They have a family of three daughters, Minnie A., Nettie H., and Jessie. Mr. Cook has been an active worker in the development of the social life of his locality.

THOMAS GOODMAN, farmer and stock raiser, Section 35, Tecumseh P. O., was born and reared in Sussex County, England, and came to America in 1858 and located in Wisconsin. Enlisted in the Sixth Wisconsin Battery, Light Artillery and remained in active service until 1864, when he was honorably discharged. He then returned to Wisconsin and followed bakery and broom making in that State also in Indiana until 1875 when he came here and took up the present industry which he has successfully conducted since. In 1865 he was married to Miss Phoebe A. Phippin, who was born and reared in Waukesha County, Wis. They have a family of four sons and two daughters, George T., Esther A. and Arthur J., twins, Worthy E., Joseph B. and Pearl S.

GUSTUS NELSON, farmer and stock raiser, Section 25, P. O. Spring Creek, was born in Sweden in 1825 and came to America in 1851 and settled in Illinois. In 1869 he came here and has conducted his present industry since. In 1848 he was married to Miss Louisa Carlsen. They have ten children, Josephine W., Augusta L., Francis E., Jennie A., Charles A., Eda S., Emily C., Frank A., Olivia, William L. Mrs. Nelson passed from this life May 6, 1874, and is buried in the Spring Creek cemetery. In 1877 he was married to Mrs. Mary Charlotta Johnson, who was born in Sweden.

E. M. SHAW, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Spring Creek. Was born and reared in Medina County, Ohio, and followed the farming profession there until the breaking out of the war when he enlisted in Company E, Sixty-eighth Ohio Volunteers and remained in active service until the end of the war. Was honorably discharged. After the war he was engaged in the mercantile business in Cameron, Mo., which he successfully followed until 1874, when he came here and has been actively connected with his present industry since. In 1864 he was married to Miss Sarah J. Ford, who was born in Massachusetts and reared in Ohio. They have a family of one son and one daughter, Annie A. and Charles E. Mr. S. has been active in the social life of his locality. He is at present Justice of the Peace for this precinct.

JOSEPH WHITHAM, farmer and stock raiser, Section 25, P. O. Spring Creek, was born in Broome County, N. Y., and reared in Jo Daviess County, Ill. In 1873 he came here and has been actively connected with his present industry since. In 1876 he was married to Miss Sophia Haden, who was born and reared in Cumberland County, Ky. They have a family of two daughters, Carrie and Hattie.

LINCOLN PRECINCT.

ANDREW BUSH, farmer and stock raiser, Tecumseh P. O. was born and reared in Leeds County, Canada, and came to Nebraska in 1866 and has been actively connected with the present industry since. In 1863 he was married to Miss Susan Emery, of Leeds County, Canada. They have one son and one daughter, Azubah S. and Chauncey A. Mr. B. has been an active worker in the social life of his locality since coming here.

E. A. ELLSWORTH, farmer and stock raiser, Tecumseh P. O. Mr. Ellsworth is a native New Englander, but was born in Fort George, Canada, his parents being there on a visit at the time of his birth. He was reared in Erie County, Penn. After following mercantile business in Knox County, Ill. from 1848 to 1866 he came to Nebraska and located here and has been actively identified with the agricultural and stock industry since. In January, 1846, he was married to Miss Jane King, who was born and reared in Richland County, Ohio. They have a family of two sons, L. S. and D. C.

GEORGE EMERY, farmer and stock raiser, Tecumseh P. O., was born and reared in Leeds County, Canada, and came to Nebraska 1866, and has been actively identified with his present industry since. In 1843 he was married to Miss Sarah Robbins, of Leeds County, Canada. They have a family of one son and five daughters, Robert G., married in 1881 to Miss Rose Borland, who was born in Ohio and reared in Nebraska; Susan, now Mrs. Andrew Bush; Sarah, now Mrs. W. H. H. Cassel, of Cass County, Nebr.; Lucy Ann, now Mrs. John Casselman, of Otoe County, Neb.; Frances E., now Mrs. William Fuller; Elva O., now Mrs. Frank J. Sharrett.

JONATHAN GRIM, farmer and stock raiser, Section 25, Tecumseh P. O. Mr. G. was born in Highland County, Ohio, in 1829, and reared in Knox County, Ill., where he followed the blacksmithing industry until the breaking out of the war, when he volunteered his service and enlisted in Company G., Eighty-third Illinois Volunteers in 1862, and remained in active service until the end of the war. After the war he came West and settled here in 1867, and has been principally identified with his present vocation since. In 1857 he was married to Mrs. Anna Youngman, formerly Bomberger, who was born in Maryland in 1835, and reared in Ohio. They have a family of three sons, John W. Youngman (the son of Mrs. Grim by her previous marriage), and David and George W. Grim. Mr. G. has been active in the social development of the agricultural and stock industries of his locality.

ANDREW SALZMAN, farmer and stock raiser, Tecumseh P. O., was born and reared in Butler County, Ohio, and settled in Woodford County, Ill., where he prosecuted his present industry until 1868, when he came here and has been actively identified with it ever since. In 1859 he was married to Miss M. E. Pogue, who was born in Pennsylvania and reared in Woodford County, Ill. They have one daughter, Nellie J., and one adopted, Katie Pogue. In 1862 Mr. Salzman enlisted in Co. K. One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Illinois Volunteers, and remained in active service until the end of the war when he was honorably discharged and pensioned for wounds received in the service. He has been an active worker in the development of the agricultural and stock industries of this locality, and is now holding the office of Justice of the Peace for the second term.

J. B. SHARRETT, farmer and stock raiser, Section 18, Tecumseh P. O., was born and reared in Fayette County, Ohio, and followed the trade of mason there until 1856, when he came here and has been actively connected with the present industry since. In 1850 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Straley, who was born in his native county. They have a family of three sons and one daughter, Francis M., Lafayette L., Ella, now Mrs. William A. Bennett, of Johnson County, and George P. Mr. S. has been very active in the development of the social life of this locality; has served for thirteen years as Commissioner of his county and in many smaller offices.




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