CUSTER COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES
ROBERT FARLEY
Robert Farley has witnessed the western empire's growth from the Missouri river to the Rocky mountains and has had many exciting and interesting experiences during his years in various parts of the west. He is one of the early settlers of Custer County and has been identified with its various interests since 1878. Mr. Farley was born in Platte County Missouri, February 14, 1844, next to the oldest child of Josiah and Nancy (Mason) Farley, who had five sons and three daughters. The father was a native of Tennessee and the mother of Kentucky. He died in Kansas in 1857 and she in Missouri in 1872. The only two of the family who survive are Robert and James both living near Milburn postoffice, Custer County.
About the time he reached his eighteenth year, Mr. Farley started out in life for himself, and in the fall of 1862 took a position as teamster in a freighting outfit from Leavenworth, Kansas, across the plains to Denver, driving ox teams. In the winter of 1862-63 he returned home by the "overland trail" and in the spring of 1863 drove an ox team from Leavenworth to Fort Union, New Mexico, with government freight. Returning to Fort Leavenworth early in the fall of the same year, he soon afterward made a trip with freight for the government post at Denver. He continued in the freighting business until the spring of 1865, when he returned to Platte County, Missouri, and remained there until 1868. He then went to Texas and engaged in driving Texas cattle up the trail to various government posts, several of these trips being made to Spotted Tail agency in South Dakota. He continued on the cattle trail until 1877, then returned to Kansas, and engaged in the cattle business with the Smith & Tee outfit in Russell County. He came to Custer County with this cattle outfit in October, 1878, and located a ranch on the Middle Loup river. In 1880 Mr. Farley took a homestead on the southwest quarter of section ten, township twenty, range twenty-one, which has been his farm and ranch since then. He was the first man in the neighborhood to take up a homestead, another man being located some four or five miles south of him. All his supplies were freighted in from Kearney, North Loup and Ord. He had been in the saddle as cattleman most of the time for fifteen years and has seen Custer County progress from the ranch and cattle days to its present state of development and prosperity. He is one of the most widely-known among the early settlers and has been closely identified with various public movements. During the first administration of President Cleveland, Jeanette postoffice was established in Mr. Farley's house and he was its first postmaster, serving until the removal of the office. Prior to 1890 he had served five or six years as County supervisor. He has also served as notary public and deputy County assessor and for a number of years was justice of the peace. He is known as a progressive and enterprising citizen and has been active in Custer County's affairs since 1878. In politics he is a staunch democrat, and a member of the grange. He was identified with the "Church of God" while it maintained an organization at New Helena.
On March 30, 1880, Mr. Farley was married at Grand Island, by County Judge Harrison, to Mrs. Ellen (Sweet) Carpenter, a native of Illinois, who was reared in Iowa and came to Nebraska in 1878. Mrs. Farley died at the home ranch April 6, 1901, a pioneer woman who had passed through the various periods of Custer County's history from its cattle days, and who had endeared herself to a large circle of friends. She had borne her husband six children, two of whom died in infancy; four now survive, namely: Nina, wife of F. R. Snyder, who lives in Blaine County, two and one-half miles northwest of Milburn postoffice, has six children; Mary, wife of John T. Huffman, living on the old Farley homestead, has three children; Gertie D., wife of M. S. Dailey, living south of Milburn postoffice, has six children; Ellen Frances, wife of John Barton, lives on a Kincaid homestead in Blaine County, and has two children. There is one adopted son, Arthur Farley, living two and one-half miles northeast of Anselmo, has three children. Mr. Farley has one stepdaughter, Rosa, now Mrs. J. T. Leep, living near Milburn postoffice, has five children. Mrs. Leep has one daughter married, who has a daughter, making the last-named Mr. Farley's great grandchild. He has twenty-five grandchildren.
JOHN FINCH
Among the men who were influential in securing the railroad which has recently been constructed through Arnold, Nebraska, John Finch deserves special mention. Mr. Finch is a native of Cedar County, Iowa, born September 6, 1860, third of nine children born to Thomas and Mary Ann Finch, natives of Ohio, who were married in Iowa. The family moved from Iowa to Kansas in 1871, and in the spring of 1873, the father and the eldest son took a trip overland to Lincoln County, Nebraska, taking with them four yoke of oxen and a span of mules, taking up land two miles west of Brady. They had put in a crop in Kansas before starting, returned and harvested it, then with the family came back to the homestead and claim in Lincoln County, being the first white settlers on Pawnee creek. In the fall of 1876 the father, the eldest daughter and eldest son, besides one younger daughter, died of typhoid fever. The mother now lives at Crooks, Idaho; William, lives on the Finch ranch in Custer County; Ephraim, lives in Colfax, Washington; Ira G., and Dennis G., live at Crooks, Idaho; Nancy, Mrs. Walter James, lives at Landore, Idaho; John, lives at Arnold.
Mr. Finch lived in Lincoln County until his father's death. Early in the fall of 1875 the father and two brothers, Ephraim S. and David F., had come to the country eight miles below what is now known as Arnold, and established the first ranch, that far up the South Loup river, and the cattle were moved from the Lincoln County place to this ranch during the same year. Since that time this has been known as the Finch ranch, and was the home of E. S. Finch, one of its original owners, until the time of his death, July 25, 1905. The ranch, which contains two thousand four hundred and forty acres of land, belongs to the widow, Mrs. Sarah A., and a nephew, John Finch. William Finch, brother of the subject of this sketch, lives on it.
Mr. Finch has been a resident of Custer County since 1875, and has had much to do with the growth and development of the locality. Since his fifteenth year he has been active in cattle and ranch interests which were owned by his father, and well remembers the time when the County was organized. He has continued to make home on the South Loup river, with the exception of one year in Wyoming and one at Cozad. He has diversified business interests in Custer County and since 1886 has been a resident of Arnold, where he engaged in the drug business in 1887, being the pioneer druggist of the town. He owns large farming and ranch land interests and has dealt extensively in real estate.
Mr. Finch was married in Cozad, November 28, 1883, to Miss May Kelley, daughter of William Kelley and wife. She is a native of Booneville, Indiana, her father being County sheriff there at the time of her birth. Two children were born to this union, one of whom survives, Fay G., in business with his father in Arnold. In 1883, Mr. Finch was appointed postmaster of Cozad, where for one year he was engaged in the mercantile business. He was active in securing the extension of the Union Pacific railroad from Callaway to Gandy, taking in the business part of Arnold, which has been such a factor in insuring the prosperity of the town. He is one of the best known business men in central Nebraska, and is prominent in many circles. He has taken thirty-two degrees in Free Masonry and is also an Odd Fellow.
JAMES D. FINLEY
James D. Finley, an early settler of Custer County, has passed through the many trying experiences of pioneer life and has always taken his part in promoting the general progress and development of the region. He is well and favorably known as an enterprising and useful citizen and has a large circle of friends. He is a native of Monroe County, Indiana, born July 24, 1838, youngest of the sixteen children of George and Frances (Hancock) Finley, and the only member of the family now surviving. The father was born in Kentucky and the mother in South Carolina, she being a niece of John Hancock, the first signer of the Declaration of Independence. Both died in Indiana, he November 3, 1851, and she in 1875. They were married in Tennessee March 1, 1812.
Mr. Finley reached manhood on an Indiana farm and received his education in local subscription schools, later engaging in farming. He was married in Indiana in 1858 to Miss Mattie Nichols, who died ten months later. On July 10, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, Twenty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving until the close of the war and receiving his final discharge in Indianapolis August 15, 1865. He participated in many decisive battles, among them: Pea Ridge, Arkansas, March 7 and 8, 1862; Perryville, Kentucky, where he was color bearer; Stone River, Tennessee; Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Rome, Dallas, Siege of Atlanta and Jonesboro. He also took part in many minor battles and in the grand review in the city of Washington in May, 1865.
At the close of the war Mr. Finley returned to his Indiana home and on December 5, 1866, married Miss Lucy A. Mathers, a native of Indiana, who died in February, 1878, being survived by her husband and six children: Edgar, married and living in western Nebraska, has two children: Mattie, died at the age of fourteen years; Mary J., married B. F. Morse, and they live in Iowa and have seven children; George, of Custer County, is married and has five children; Fred, married and living in Custer County, has three children; James, of Fairbury, is married and has one child.
In the fall of 1879 Mr. Finley came to Custer County and took up a one hundred and sixty acre homestead three and one-half miles east of Sargent, which was his home for a number of years. He was instrumental in organizing school district number thirty-six, and served as the first director of the same. He has also held various township offices and has served as justice of the peace.
On March 15, 1882, at Grand Island, Nebraska, Mr. Finley was united in marriage with Mrs. Julia (Dillman) Butcher, who was born in Monroe County, Indiana. In 1893 they left the farm and moved to Sargent, which has since been their home, with the exception of one year spent in Lucus County, Iowa. They have traveled extensively through the United States and in 1910 spent seven months in Florida and other states along the Atlantic coast. They are well known in social circles and have a pleasant home in Sargent.
JOHN A. FISCUS, JR
John A. Fiscus, Jr., one of the younger self-made men of central Nebraska, began life for himself at an early age, and has been successful as a farmer and stockman. He is known as a man of strict integrity and public spirit, and is held in high esteem by all who know him. Mr. Fiscus was born near Aledo, Mercer County, Illinois, July 17, 1870, fifth child of John and Eliza (Latham) Fiscus, who had four sons and four daughters. Both parents were natives of Indiana, where they were reared. He was born and reared on a farm, receiving the usual district school advantages given a farmer's son. The mother died in Mercer County, June 30, 1880, and in September, 1884, the father, having remarried, brought his family to Furnas County, Nebraska, making the trip with a team and wagon camping along the wayside in a tent for seven weeks. The eldest son had preceded him to Nebraska, and was living in Clay County. From this time, the son, John, began to look out for himself, and, being a boy of ambition and self-reliance, was able to provide for himself with but little assistance. The father was born March 15, 1833. He lived at Ansley until February, 1911, when he returned to Freedom, Indiana, to spend his remaining days. The mother was born February 10, 1833. They were married in Boone County, Iowa, October 18, 1855, and moved to Illinois in 1869. Six of the children of this family now survive, namely: Mrs. Lottie Bivens, of Mercer County, Illinois; Mary, wife of George Brown, lives in Oklahoma; Jane married William McCulley, and lives in Mercer County, Illinois; John A., of this sketch; Della married Nearest Sperry, and lives in Missouri; Elisha J. is married, and lives in Yarmouth, Iowa.
John A. Fiscus first came to Custer County in 1888. He was married at Grand Island, Nebraska, September 6, 1895, to Lizzie Ochsner, daughter of Chris and Catherine (Engelhardt) Ochsner, old settlers in Nebraska. They are Germans, who moved from Bavaria to the village of Worms, in Russia, when Christian was twelve years of age. Here he married, and lived until July, 1874, when, with his family and his parents, he sailed from Hamburg to New York on the "Schiller," the voyage lasting over ten days. They came direct to Sutton, Nebraska, reaching their destination September 6, and have since resided there. Mr. Fiscus brought his family to Custer County in 1897, and they live on the Lee farm, on section thirty-one, township sixteen, range eighteen, a tract comprising two hundred and eighty acres of farm and grazing land. He and his wife have five children: Edna Olefa, Ella Elizabeth, Edgar A., May Irene and Della Loene. The first two were born in Clay County, and the last three in Custer County. Mr. and Mrs. Fiscus are well regarded in the community, and have, many friends. Mr. Fiscus is a populist in politics, and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
JAMES A. FISK
James A. Fisk, one of Custer County's earliest settlers, is well known as a successful man of affairs, and has been able to retire from active life with a well-earned competency. Mr. Fisk is a native of St. Lawrence County, New York, born November 27, 1849, son of James and Betsey (Pool) Fisk, the, only one of their three children now living. Both parents were natives of New York, where the father died in 1849, and the mother died in Wisconsin in 1893. At the age of ten years, James A. Fisk accompanied his mother to Wisconsin, where he completed his education in the public schools. Upon reaching manhood, he engaged in farming and lumber business.
November 13, 1887, Mr. Fisk married Mrs. Viola (Wood) Gaylord, a native of Wisconsin, and in the spring of 1889, they removed to Custer County, where they have since resided. They pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres of land near Westerville, and, after living for a time on each of several farms, purchased a stock and grain farm of one hundred and sixty acres, three miles from Ansley, their home for several years. Since 1905, they have lived in Ansley, where Mr. Fisk purchased twenty acres of land adjoining the city limits, and he has retired from active work. He took an intelligent interest in local affairs while living on his farm, and served some time as clerk of school district number ninety-six, also promoting every measure for the good of the community.
Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fisk: Alberta M., who married Sidney Hughes, lives at Alliance, Nebraska, and Etta L., at home. By her former marriage, Mrs. Fisk has two children: Grace A., wife of W. D. Bonner, lives in Canada, and has one child; and Floyd Gaylord, of Seattle, is married, and has one child. Mrs. Fisk has always been actively interested in educational matters. She formerly served as treasurer of school district number ninety-six, and is now a teacher in the Ansley schools. Her father, Hiram Wood, a native of Connecticut, served in the Civil war, and died in Iowa in 1880. Her mother, whose maiden name was Priscilla Hugoboom, was born in New York, and died in Wisconsin. Mrs. Fisk has three brothers and a sister living in Wisconsin, and a brother in Idaho, and two of her brothers served in the Civil war. She is a woman of culture and taste, takes an intelligent interest in all matters affecting the future and well-being of the region, where she has spent so large a part of her life, and is one of the most efficient teachers in the County.
JOHN FLYNN
John Flynn, who owns a comfortable home and well-equipped farm on Elk creek, is the only one of the early settlers of his part of Custer County who have held continuous residence there since coming to the County. At the time he came the nearest trading point was Kearney, and he has passed through the various trials and privations incident to pioneer life. His earliest days in the neighborhood were the times of the sod shanty and the grinding of corn in a coffee mill. Mr. Flynn was born in Red Mills, Putnam County, New York, August 6, 1851, the eldest child of the seven sons and two daughters born to Michael and Catherine (Leary) Flynn. The parents are deceased but all the children survive, one being a resident of California, one of Nebraska, and the remainder of Iowa. When John Flynn was a small child his parents removed to Scott County, Iowa, near Dixon, and his father entered a homestead, which he developed and improved into a good farm. John Flynn remained on the home farm in Iowa until his twenty-sixth year, and was there married, November 27, 1876, to Sarah E., daughter of John and Emily (Eggleston) Omstead, and fifteenth in order of birth of their seventeen children. The Omstead family moved from Canada to Illinois, where Mrs. Flynn was born, in 1857, and ten years later came on into Iowa. Her parents are deceased, but she has three brothers and one sister surviving In 1878 Mr. and Mrs. Flynn came with their small son, William, to Rush County, Kansas, where they remained one winter, then went on to the Pan Handle of Texas, on the south side of the Canadian river. In the fall of 1883 they came to Custer County, Nebraska, with their three children. They settled on the southwest quarter of section thirty-five, township thirteen, range eighteen, on which Mr. Flynn filed an entry in the spring of 1884. Of the settlers who had located in the neighborhood prior to Mr. Flynn none now reside there. Mr. Flynn has been closely identified with the growth and development of his portion of Custer County and has been especially helpful along educational lines. In politics he is independent. He helped organize school district number nineteen, serving several years as a member of its board, and helped in building the school house. He has always done his part to advance the best interests of the community and he and the other members of his family are well and favorably known and have many friends and acquaintances. Mr. Flynn and his wife now reside on the southwest quarter of section twenty-three, township thirteen, range eighteen, which has been their home since the fall of 1900.
Eleven children have been born to Mr. Flynn and wife: William W., born in Iowa, a pioneer of Custer County, married and living on the homestead farm, has one child; Albertis S., born In Kansas, married and living on a Kincaid homestead in Logan County, has three children; Mary M., born in Texas, wife of Oliver Trumbull, living on a Kincaid homestead in Logan County, has three children; Ervin M., born in Custer County, still resides there, and is married; John R., married and living in Custer County; Sadie R., wife of Carl Holster, of Custer County, has one child; Lawrence O., Nellie Belle, Sylvia Irene, and Cyril Leonard, born in Custer County, live at home; one child is deceased.
WILLIAM J. FORBES
Among the prominent and successful farmers of central Nebraska should be mentioned William J. Forbes, who in his early years there passed through the usual discouraging experiences of the pioneer in that region a quarter of a century ago. Mr. Forbes is a native of Will County, Illinois, born March, 29, 1862, younger of the two sons (Charlie and William) of James and Mary Forbes, the former of whom died in Will County about 1865. The mother still survives and is living in Arcadia, Nebraska. She married a Mr. Strathdee as her second husband. The son, Charles Forbes, lives in Omaha, Nebraska. Both sons were reared to manhood in their native state and after the father's death the mother and stepfather, George Strathdee, lived for a time in Joliet and later at Willmington, where both boys received their education. William J. Forbes remained in Willmington until his twenty-first year and in the fall of 1882 came to Custer County, Nebraska, his brother having for some time been a resident of that state. The two brothers purchased the south half of section thirty-six, township seventeen, range seventeen, in March, 1883.
On April 25, 1886, Mr. Forbes married Miss Nettie Brody, a daughter of Jesse and Annie Brody. The Brody family came to the state in July, 1882, and bought land in Sherman County. Mr. Brody died in 1887 and his widow is now living in Michigan. After marriage Mr. Forbes and wife lived on the farm he and his brother owned until 1894, then sold out to purchase eighty acres of the northwest quarter of section three, township sixteen, range seventeen, and two hundred and forty acres on section thirty-four, township seventeen, range seventeen, in Clear creek valley. Mr. Forbes has developed a fine estate there, which has been the family home since the autumn of 1894. He removed to this place during what was known as the "dry year" and well remembers the trials through which he passed.
Four children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Forbes, namely: George, at home; Florence, Mrs. Sperry; Myrtle and Ralph, at home. The son-in-law, Ray Sperry, was born January 9, 1884, on the homestead farm on the southeast quarter of township sixteen, range seventeen, a son of Amos and Mary Sperry, and was married at Broken Bow, Nebraska, August 20, 1906, to Florence Forbes, and they have one child, Ethel Irene. They live on the Sperry farm, where he was born. Mr. Forbes has always taken an active interest in every public movement for the welfare or progress of the County or state, find is recognized as an upright, public-spirited citizen. He is now a member of the school board of district. number ninety-one.
WILLIAM G. FORWOOD
William G. Forwood, a prosperous and successful farmer of Custer County, is well and favorably known as a progressive and enterprising citizen, who is interested in the welfare and devlopment [sic] of his community. He has a well equipped stock and grain farm, and in 1908 erected a modern residence. He has good substantial barns and other buildings and is progressive, in his ideas and methods. He was born in Macoupin County, lllinois, January 20, 1874, fourth of six children born to Gideon and Melissa (Armour) Forwood, the father a native or Delaware and the mother of Kentucky and both now living in Macoupin County. Several of the children are deceased, one daughter, Mrs. Anna Haycroft lives near Mason, and two sons live in Illinois.
Mr. Forwood reached manhood in his native state and was educated in the public schools and Shurtleff College. In 1892 he came to Custer County, Nebraska., where his father had come a short time prior, and purchased a half-section of land, which is now the home place of William G.
On May 1, 1895, Mr. Forwood was married at the Copsey home in Custer County, to Miss Clara E. Copsey, a native of Wisconsin, who came to Nebraska in 1882 and became a teacher in the public schools. She is a daughter of Alonzo H. and Anna (Wallin) Copsey, early settlers of Custer County, and the latter a native of New York City. The father came near losing his life in the blizzard of January 12, 1888, an Indian pony he was riding bringing him to the house through the blinding storm. The parents now live in Lincoln and of their children besides Mrs. Forwood, three daughters live in Nebraska, one son, Vernon R., is in the United States Navy, and four sons-Herbert A., Milton F., Harvey and Robert-live in Nebraska. Seven children have been born to Mr. Forwood and wife, six of whom survive, namely; Gideon A., died in April, 1902; Esther M., Anna., Richard, Harry, Mabel M. and Elmer L., at home.
In 1902 Mr. and Mrs. Forwood purchased his father's farm, comprising three hundred and twenty acres in section twenty-two township seventeen, range eighteen, and he has since devoted his attention to its improvement and cultivation. Mr. Forwood is one of the younger men among the early settlers of Custer County, and he and his wife have a large number of warm friends. He is independent of party lines in local politics, voting for the man he considers best fitted for the office.
He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America. In Illinois Mr. Forwood was a member of the Baptist church, but in Nebraska he became identified with the Methodist Episcopal church of Westerville.
ROBERT J. FOX
Another prominent citizen of this section of Nebraska is Mr. Robert J. Fox, now a resident of Myrtle precinct, but one of the early settlers. He comes of a large family, most all of the members of which have been or are residents of the state. He came early enough to experience some of the hardships of the pioneer's life and now after many years of hard and unceasing toil, is preparing to take his ease.
Mr. Fox was born in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, on September 25, 1858, and was the second of seven children born to Michael and Elizabeth (Summers) Fox.
The subscriber was born on a farm, and remained on the farm in Pennsylvania, receiving his education in the little district school, and working on a farm during his spare time. When he was nineteen years old, just a year or two after the death of his father, he came to Nebraska. His aunt, Mrs. George Walker, an early settler of Fillmore County, Nebraska, came back to Pennsylvania on a visit, and when she returned, our subscriber came west with her. He arrived at the Fillmore County farm in February, 1877, and worked there for three years. He was married here also to Miss Alice Burnett, daughter of John and Lucinda (Watkins) Burnett, two of the early settlers of the County. Mr. Fox was born in Cedar County, Iowa. Her parents were natives of Ohio.
After his marriage, Mr. Fox remained for five years in this County, and in 1886, with his family, consisting of his wife and little son, Clyde, came to Custer County to take up their residence here. Mr. Fox himself had been here in the fall of 1882, and taken up a tree claim, and he now took out pre-emption papers on the timber claim in section twenty, township sixteen, range seventeen, making the place his home for several years. In 1901, Mr. Fox exercised his homestead privileges, and, after purchasing the relinquishment, filed on a homestead on the northeast quarter of section nineteen, township sixteen, range seventeen, on which he proved up, and he has lived here ever since. Since his occupancy, he has added many improvements, so that now the farm, numbering about four hundred and eighty acres, is one of the best-equipped stock and grain farms in this section of the country. In the management of both of these branches of agriculture, Mr. Fox is equally proficient. The place is known as Pleasant View Stock Farm, and is illustrated on another page of our work, making one of the finest hill views in the volume.
As has been said before, most of Mr. Fox's people have become residents of the state. His sister, Maggie, now Mrs. Frank Phillips, came to Custer County in 1885, and is now living near Alliance. His mother took up a homestead in 1890 in Cheyenne County, Nebraska, and her death occurred eight years later, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Phillips. A brother, Thomas Fox, was an early settler, and is now living near Ansley.
Mr. and Mrs. Fox have been blessed with eight children, six of whom are living. The two eldest, born in Fillmore County, died in infancy. The children are named as follows: Clyde C., Mable, Charles E., Robert G., Gladys, Ralph, Lawrence and Myrtle. The family is well known in social and educational circles, and have the respect and esteem of all who know them. Mr. Fox is independent in polities in local elections, supporting the democratic candidates in national affairs. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
During the dry year, Mr. Fox, more fortunate than his neighbors, raised a few potatoes and seventy-five bushels of wheat, and thus did not need aid from the public. His first residence the timber claim was a "soddy," in which he lived a number of years. The lumber for this was hauled from Kearney, sixty miles distant. On the return trip with his lumber, Mr. Fox brought a number of boxes of crackers as freight. It was a rainy season, and six times he was compelled to pile the crackers under his wagon, and protect them by unloading part of the lumber to shield them from the storm. The day of the blizzard of January 12, 1888, he started to a sale, leaving his wife at a near neighbor's. The storm overtook him, and through it he made his way home to care for the stock, but Mrs. Fox remained at the neighbor's until the next day.
CHARLES D. FRASER
Charles D. Fraser, now owning a fine farm in section twenty-nine, township seventeen, range seventeen, Custer County, was one of the earliest settlers in his part of the County and when he first came there the pioneers were mostly occupying sod shanties. Their nearest trading point for supplies of all kinds was Grand Island, seventy-five miles distant, and they were obliged to spend six days on the round trip. Mr. Fraser is one of the few men who have remained on their original homestead and he and his family passed through years of drouth and panic and fought against the usual trials and adversities of frontier life. He and his family have been influential in the upbuilding and advancement of that part of the state and are among the most highly respected families there.
Mr. Fraser was born in North Adams, Massachusetts, February 23, 1838, the eldest of five children born to Freegrace and Lyda (Wilcox) Fraser, who had two sons and three daughters. When he was about seven years old his parents brought him to Fort Edward, Washington County, New York, and after spending three years there, in 1848 moved to Warren County, in the same state. The father was a carpenter by trade but had a small farm in Washington County and when he went to Warren County moved on a larger farm, for which he traded in his former place. At that time Warren County was unsettled and the family were pioneers there. The father died there in the fall of 1849 and the mother's death occurred in the same place about 1868. Two of their children were born in Massachusetts and three in the state of New York, and the only two now surviving are Charles G. and his sister, Mrs. Sarah Jane Fuller, living in Warren County, New York.
Mr. Fraser was reared to manhood on the farm in Warren County, and there married in the latter part of November, 1865, Lorinda Hayes, daughter of George and Emeline (Combs) Hayes. The young couple settled in Warren County and Mr. Fraser engaged in lumbering. In March, 1878, he brought his wife and their four children by rail to Grand Island, Nebraska, and they lived there until May 14, 1881, when they came to Custer County. Mr. Fraser took up a homestead there in the fall of 1880, and traveled with a horse to get a sod house ready for occupancy by his family. He returned for the others and, with his wife and their five children, came on to their new home. In this they lived for a time and then built a second "soddy," which was their residence for twenty years. Recently, a neat frame cottage was built, of which we give a view in our illustrated pages, together with barns and other buildings comprising the plate.
Six children were born to Mr. Fraser and wife, of whom three now survive: Hudson J., born in New York, lives two miles west of the home farm of his father; Clara, also born in New York, lives with her brother Hudson; Nellie, born in Grand Island, married Reuben P. Moore, and they live on their farm on section twenty-nine, township seventeen, range seventeen, Custer County, and have four children. Those deceased are: Lewis M. and Jennie, born in New York, and Ida, who was born in Custer County. Mr. Fraser is a member of the M. E. church and in politics is a democrat.
Mr. Fraser had a notable experience on January 12, 1888, returning from a sale with a neighbor through the fearful blizzard of that date. It was the worst he ever saw and in it many human beings perished and thousands of head of stock.
JOHN FREDERICK
John Frederick, prominent in Custer County's financial circles, as president of the Farmers' State Bank, of Callaway, has helped build up one of the sound and reliable institutions of central Nebraska. It was organized November 27, 1906, with a capital of forty thousand dollars and a surplus of eight thousand dollars, and does a general banking business, having deposits aggregating over eighty thousand dollars. Its officers are: John Frederick, president; vice president, T. H. Fonda, and cashier, John Frederick, Junior.
Mr. Frederick was born in Richardson County, Nebraska, June 13, 1865, sixth child of Peter and Mary (Portrey) Frederick, who had eight sons and five daughters. The father, a native of France, came with his parents to America in 1849, being then about thirteen years of age. The mother was of German descent, and a native of Allen County, Ohio, born in 1837. They were married in Allen County in 1857. In 1861, Peter Richardson with his wife and two children, came to Richardson County, Nebraska, and both parents now live at Falls City, retaining ownership of the original homestead farm in Richardson County. He established the first pork packing business in Nebraska, in 1862, transportation of its products being carried on entirely by boat. They were one of the very early pioneer families of the state, and closely identified with the history of the development of the eastern part of the state. They were connected with the business life of their region as well, being there before Nebraska was admitted as a state, and remaining until the present time. They are active and robust in their old age, and enjoy the esteem and regard of a large circle of friends. Of the thirteen children born to them, eight are now living: Joseph, of Richardson County; Carrie, Mrs. John Schulenberger, of Richardson County; Charles, of St. Louis, Missouri; John, of Callaway; Mary, Mrs. Bladen, of Denver, Colorado; Peter, junior, of Richardson County; Edward and Lucy, Mrs. Louis Shawang, also of Richardson County. John Frederick reached manhood on the old Nebraska homestead of his father, and was married in Richardson County, December 25, 1884, to Amanda Sellers. He had made a trip to Custer County in July of that year, and looked over the country, and, after marriage, he and his wife came at once to Custer County, taking a pre-emption in the southwestern part of the County, their home for many years. He paid up his pre-emption, and in the spring of 1886 took a homestead in the same neighborhood, and carried on farming until 1891. He then moved to a farm four miles north of Callaway, and in 1893 came to Callaway, and engaged in buying, feeding and shipping stock, which has practically been his chief business since 1891. He still carries on this enterprise in connection with his other business interests. For many years he has been one of the most prominent business men in the vicinity of Callaway, and is well known as a stockman in the central part of Nebraska. He and his family are widely known, and are active in social and educational circles. Besides his interests in Callaway, Mr. Frederick is president of the Peoples State Bank of Arnold, Nebraska. He has been the friend of progress throughout the years of his residence in Custer County, and has done his share to help along various measures for the general welfare and prosperity.
Mr. and Mrs. Frederick have eight children: John, junior, cashier of the Farmers' State Bank, is married, and lives in Callaway; Lilly, wife of Albert Ogden, of Seward; Charles W., married, and living in Arnold, is cashier of the People's State Bank there; Hazel, Edward, Ida, William and George. All were born in Callaway, except John, who was born on the homestead farm.
HARLOW H. FREEMAN
Harlow H. Freeman, of Custer County, a progressive farmer and prominent citizen of central Nebraska, is a member of a family that has been very influential in developing that section of the state. He was born in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, July 16, 1858, son of Parish Moses and Mary A. (Davis) Freeman. The parents and other members of the family are given fuller mention in connection with the sketch of the father, which appears in this work. He is still living in Valley County, where he located in 1878.
Harlow H. Freeman came with his parents to Lancaster County, Nebraska, in the spring of 1878 and in August of that year removed to Valley County, where he secured a homestead. He was married December 23, 1882, to Fannie A. Hall, their union taking place at Grand Island, Nebraska. Her parents, William and Almira (Raner) Hall natives of New York, came from Kalamazoo County, Michigan, to Nebraska, and took a homestead on section fourteen, township seventeen, range sixteen, where they located in September, 1878. They were natives of New York and were married at Oswego, that state, in 1850. They had two sons and two daughters, and two of their children are now living: Julia A., wife of Charlie Freeman, and Mrs. Harlow Freeman. Mr. Hall died on the homestead farm December 26, 1907, aged eighty-two years, and his widow died January 30, 1910, aged eighty-one years. They. were among the earliest pioneers of Custer County and were well known throughout the County.
Mr. and Mrs. Freeman have three children: Roy R., who married Etta L. Young, March 29, 1906, and lives in Johnson County, Wyoming, has two children; Walter N., unmarried, and living in Wyoming, and Nellie B., wife of Richard R. Lea, of Wyoming. Two children are deceased, and all five were born on the home farm in Custer County.
In 1894, Mr. Freeman and his wife left their farm in Valley County, Nebraska, and took up land in Johnson County, Wyoming, so far from railroads that their nearest trading point was Buffalo, the County seat, seventy-five miles distant. In October, 1907, they returned to Nebraska and located on the old Hall homestead. They improved the farm by new buildings and in other ways, and in March, 1909, again went to Wyoming, and disposing of most of their interests there, made a trip through the southern states for pleasure, and at the same time looking for a more desirable location than they had in Nebraska, but not finding anything to their liking, they returned to Custer County, which seemed more desirable than ever after their wanderings. They now reside on the old Hall homestead, half of which lies in Valley County, now a well improved and equipped grain and stock farm. Mr. Freeman is a successful farmer and is interested in all that pertains to the general welfare. In national politics he is a democrat, but in local affairs votes for the man regardless of party lines.
Mr. Freeman was on the road from Grand Island at the time of the blizzard of October 15 to 17, 1880, and nearly froze. There were three wagons in the train which had to be left and returned for later. They broke camp one morning, at three o'clock, and reached the house of a Mr. Brown, where they remained until the storm abated. The dry year, 1894, found them with little produce; forty bushels of wheat and ten or twelve bushels of potatoes were their entire crops that year. Hail had destroyed their crops the year before, which made a period of great hard ship. Mrs. Freeman was born in a dugout and lived many years in a "soddy." While living in Wyoming their dwelling was a log house. In this state Mr. Freeman found big game plentiful. With a brother and brother-in-law he killed eleven deer, their first hunting trip.
PARISH MOSES FREEMAN
Parish Moses Freeman was born in Monroe County, New York, November 23, 1832, son of Amos and Dorcas (Parish) Freeman, who had six sons and six daughters, the father being a native of Connecticut and the mother of New York. Parish M. was the ninth child and the only one of the family now surviving. He was born and reared on a farm and when about seventeen years old left home to learn the trade of stone mason, at which he worked about six years. He was married November 14, 1850, to Miss Mary A. Davis, and in the spring of 1855 they removed to Kalamazoo County, Michigan, where he worked a farm on shares. He and his wife had one son when they came to Michigan. He enlisted in the fourteenth regiment Michigan Volunteer light artillery, October 21, 1862, serving with his company in the army of the Potomac under McClellan and Grant until their discharge, July 1, 1865; participating in the principal engagements in which his regiment took part including the thirteen days in the wilderness and the siege of Petersburg. He was present at Appomattox at the time of the surrender, and in Washington at the time of Lincoln's assassination. He participated in the first day's parade of the grand review and received his discharge at Jackson, Michigan. After his discharge he returned to his farm in Kalamazoo County. In the spring of 1878 Mr. Freeman brought his entire family, with the exception of his sons Charles and Harlow, to Lancaster County, Nebraska, the trip being made in a prairie schooner, along the overland route in eighteen days. They arrived in Lancaster County about June 10th. Charlie and Harlow had come by train April 14th and had prepared for the family by the time they arrived. In August of the same year Mr. Freeman and his two sons mentioned above went on to Valley and Custer counties and took up homesteads, the father filing on the northwest quarter of section nineteen, township seventeen, range sixteen, Valley County; Charlie on the northeast quarter of section twenty-four, township seventeen, range seventeen, Custer County, and Harlow taking a homestead just south of his father in Valley County. The family moved to Valley and Custer counties the following year, reaching the homestead March 3rd. The family were original homesteaders and passed through many years of trials and adversities. Their nearest market at first was Grand Island and often they used a coffee mill to grind meal for bread. In those times a dollar looked to them the size of a cartwheel.
Mr. Freeman has continuously lived on his homestead farm since first coming there and is now in his seventy-ninth year. The large trees that now surround the house were set out by himself and wife, some of them nearly three feet in diameter. He and his wife were parents of eight children, all of them born in Michigan except the oldest son. To such families as the Freemans ventral Nebraska owes its present agricultural and mercantile prosperty and the work of the pioneers in developing and improving farm has paved the way for a broader civilization in the state. They suffered from drouth and other adverse conditions and some years had hardly any crops. The mother died on the old homestead November 22, 1909, in her seventy-sixth year. She was a noble pioneer mother, who had many endearing qualities and was always ready to do her full duty as wife, mother and friend. Both she and her husband were well known in central Nebraska and won many warm friends in their neighborhood.
The oldest child of this family, Charlie Freeman, was born in New York state January 6, 1852, and was married in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, November 18, 1874, to Miss Julia A. Hall, daughter of William and Almira Hall, who came to the County with her parents in 1855. As mentioned above, Mr. Freeman took his family to Lancaster County in the spring of 1878, and in August of the same year came to Custer County. He still resides on his original homestead on the northeast quarter of section twenty-four, township seventeen, range seventeen, and is a representative, public-spirited citizen. He has a well equipped farm and a pleasant home. He and his wife have two children: Hattie E. and Clifford C., both at home.
Another son, Harlow Freeman, is menntioned [sic] elsewhere in this work. Frankie A., a daughter of Parish M. Freeman, was born in Kalamazoo County, April 2, 1862, married Harry Thompson of Box, Butte County, Nebraska, and they have four children. Edward E. Freeman, born in Kalamazoo County, March 8, 1866, came to Valley County with his parents in 1878, and December 25, 1887, married Hattie Brody, daughter of Jesse and Annie Brody. They live on a farm one mile west of Arcadia and have six children: Willis R. Freeman, born in Kalamazoo County, September 14, 1869, was married at Ord, Nebraska, November 24, 1898, to Mary J. Shanks, and they live on his father's farm and have three children. Emma E., Freddy A. and Alice M. Freeman, all born in Michigan, died in infancy.
After supporting the republican party many years Mr. Freeman has of late given his support to the democrats; in local elections, he is independent of party lines.
He lives in a cemented sod house which has the appearence of a stone or concrete dwelling and nestled among the big trees it presents a pretty picture. We give an illustration of it on another page. Besides killing many deer Mr. Freeman had at one time a pet fawn which grew to be a nuisance. When pursued by dogs it at times would plunge through a window into the house. It was necessary, finally to make way with it. In 1894 practically nothing was raised and, feed being scare, stock was low in price. Mr. Freeman drove eighty hogs to market and got only one cent a pound.
During the blizzard of January, 1888, Mr. and Mrs. Freeman visited a sick neighbor one and a half miles away and returned through the storm.
CHARLES S. ELISON
Charles S. Elison, a retired farmer of Ansley, Nebraska, is honored as a veteran of the Civil war, and has been prominent in prompting the progress and advancement of Custer County, for many years. A portrait of him will be found on another page. He was born in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, August 3, 1832, a son of Samuel and Catherine (Stout) Elison, the father of English extraction and a native of New Jersey, and the mother born in Pennsylvania. He died in Summit County, Ohio, September 7, 1866, and she died in Pennsylvania, September 20, 1841.
Mr. Elison was reared in his native state, received his education in the local schools and worked for a time on the home farm. When about eighteen years of age he went to Philadelphia and learned the trade of painter. In 1855 he enlisted in the United States regular army, and served five years on the frontier. In the summer of 1861 he enlisted in the Federal service of the Civil war, in battery K, Fifth United States Artillery, serving until October, 1863, and receiving his discharge at Frederick City, Maryland. He participated in the battles of Antietam, second Bull Run, and Gettysburg, losing a thumb in the last-named. He also took part in various minor engagements. After the war he returned to Pennsylvania, and on March 19, 1864, married Charlotte J. Wolverton, also a native of that state.
In 1872 Mr. Elison brought his wife and three children to Hall County, Nebraska, and homesteaded on one hundred and sixty acres of land near Grand Island, where they remained about eight years. They then came on to Custer County and he pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres of land on section twenty-three, township fifteen, range eighteen, which was the home place many years. In 1880 he laid out forty acres of his farm land into village lots, erected store buildings and started the town of Algernon, of which he served some time as postmaster, and which grew to be a prosperous and thriving village. However, when the burlington & Missouri railway was built through the County the inhabitants of that place removed to MisIey or Mason City, and the life of the village was gone.
Mrs. Elison died on the home farm February 8, 1888, survived by her husband and the following seven children: Emma, wife of W. A. Beard, of California, has nine children; Agnes, wife of John Daily, of Custer County, has three children; O. Howard, married and living near Mason, has three children; Florence is a teacher in Colorado schools; as also is Alice; Laura and Bertha, at home.
In 1889 Mr. Elison was appointed postmaster of Ansley, in which office he served four years. He has filled various public offices besides, such as justice of the peace, was for three terms County supervisor, was also constable, and helped very materially in organizing school district number thirty. About four years ago he sold his farming interests and retired from business life. He is well known as a successful man of affairs and is recognized as a public spirited, useful citizen who has been closely identified with the best interests of his community. He has many friends and is highly esteemed. He has been a member of the Odd Fellows, fraternally, for the past forty-six years, and also is one of the early members of Steadman Post, number one hundred and eighty, Department of Nebraska, Grand Army of the Republic.
FREDERICK C. EMBREE
Frederick C. Embree is one of the best known men of Custer County and has passed through many stages of Nebraska history. He has long been closely identified with the best interests and development of the County and had many interesting experiences of frontier life. In early days he did freighting between Kearney and Merna and in this way had an opportunity to study the possibilities of various parts of the state. He has always had faith in the future prospects of Nebraska and believes there will be wonderful opportunities for his children there. He was born in Washington County, Iowa, August 23, 1864, and has spent most of his life in Nebraska. He is a son of Noah Embree, who is mentioned at length in the succeeding paragraph of this article.
Noah Embree was born in Vermillion County, Illinois, February 22, 1833, a son of Jesse Embree, who was a native of Preble County, Ohio, and came to Illinois as a young man. He was married in Vermillion County to Mary Hollingsworth, and both he and his wife were of Quaker parentage, although the Embree family came from England to America and were originally of French descent. Jesse Embree carried on a farm in Illinois until 1840, then moved to Washington County, Iowa, where he became owner of five hundred acres of land. He added to his holdings from time to time and became well known for his prosperity and success. His wife died in 1851 and he in 1858. He had six children. Noah Embree remained on the home farm until after his father's death, receiving his education in the public schools and becoming well acquainted with farm methods. After the death of his father he carried on the farm until the spring of 1870, then disposed of his interests in Iowa and went by wagon to Nemaha County, Kansas. Not being pleased with the outlook there, he went on to Otoe County, Nebraska.
Mr. Embree was married in Keokuk, Iowa, June 17, 1858, to Miss Margaret Lyon. She was born in Jefferson County, Iowa, July 25, 1841, a daughter of Frank and Rachel (Harris) Lyon. The mother was a native of Illinois, and the father of New York, but the family soon after removed to Nashville, Tennessee. Six hundred acres of the town site rightfully belongs to them - the papers left for record were neglected and the title thus lost.
Noah Embree lived in Otoe County until 1893, then came with his wife and daughter to Custer County, where he purchased the Penn ranch near Callaway; five sons had preceded him and were then well established in Custer County. Mrs. Embree died on this place June 21, 1898, and Mr. Embree remained there until 1907, when he came to live with his son Frederick, in Merna, where he died March 24, 1909. He and his wife had eight children, two of whom died in infancy; he was survived by five sons and a daughter: Allen L., lives in Sunnyside, Washington; Oliver H., in Fullerton, California; Frederick C., in Merna; Jelin W., presiding elder in the Methodist Episcopal church, of the Nebraska City District, is located at University Place, Lincoln, Nebraska, where his children attend the school; Noah M., is in Athens, Georgia, and Mary married George A. Shaw, and died in Seattle, Washington, July 6, 1910. The father was a man of strong character, active along business, educational and religious lines and highly respected by all. In advising his young sons he displayed his usual good judgment and acumen by telling them when they saw him smoke or chew tobacco, they could do the same; when they saw him use liquor they could also do it, and that they would be privileged to swear when they heard him do so.
Frederick C. Embree came with his parents to Otoe County in 1870, receiving his education in the schools near his father's home there. He was reared to agricultural pursuits and was married in Nebraska City, April 9, 1884, to Miss Altana Myers, a native of Sheffield, Illinois, who came to Nebraska with her parents in the fall of 1882. The father, Samuel Myers, was born in Newark, New Jersey; the mother in the state of New York. She died in Bedford, Iowa, while the family was living there. The father after living successively in Nebraska, Oregon, Iowa, and Nebraska again, now lives in Portland, Oregon, with his two daughters.
Upon his marriage Mr. Embree came overland to Ortello Valley and engaged in farming and stock raising there. During the dry years, in the early nineties, when crops were total failures, he gave his attention to stock raising, making a specialty of fine cattle and horses. From time to time purchased more land in Ortello Valley until his ranch farm comprised eight hundred and forty acres. In March, 1905, he purchased two hundred and twenty-two acres of land adjoining the city limits of Merna, and developed it into a well improved stock and grain farm, a beautiful place, having about three hundred cedar trees and known, as Cedar View Stock Farm. He is a successful pioneer of Nebraska, being of the younger men who have passed through so many years of life in Nebraska. He has traveled rather extensively but prefers life in Nebraska to a residence in any other state. He is well-known in the stock markets and has often topped the market with his cattle, being an enthusiast on the business of stock raising. He and his wife have a fine family and all are well-known in social, educational and religious circles. He is a stockholder in the Farmers' Bank of Merna, also in the Farmers' Elevator Company there, and is a member of the Masonic order, being treasurer of the local lodge.
Eight children have been born to Mr. Embree and wife: Jesse S., a graduate of the Palm School of Chiropracty, at Davenport, Iowa, is successfully practicing his profession at Fremont, Nebraska; Ernest N., Wilbur M., Maud and Mable (twins), and Mattie, reside at home; a son and daughter, twins, died in infancy.
Mr. Embree was formerly a republican, but of late years supports whom he considers the most capable man, no matter on what ticket his name appears. During the years the populist party was active, Mr. Embree was delegated by his County to represent them in the state convention to nominate delegates to the National convention. With his wife, Mr. Embree is a member of the United Brethren church; he fraternizes with the Masons, the Odd Fellows, the Workmen, and the Woodmen; and the Rebekahs and Royal Neighbors, as does Mrs. Embree.
EDDIE WARREN EMERSON
Among the few old residents of Custer County who have retained possession of their original homesteads since first locating there is the enterprising farmer and stockman whose name heads this article. Mr. Emerson is a native of Alton, Illinois, born May 23, 1855, eldest child of Richard and Mary (Ellis) Emerson, who were parents of seven children. He has a brother and a sister in Minneapolis, Minnesota; a sister in Montana, a brother in Boston, the others of the children being deceased. Both parents were born in Massachusetts, the father of English parentage and the mother of English and Scotch descent. He died in Alton, August 5, 1872, and she in Minneapolis, August 23, 1910. The coat of arms formerly used by the Emerson family in England is in the possession of E. W. Emerson.
Mr. Emerson was reared in Alton and there received the educational advantages afforded in the public school. As a young man he engaged in farming and in the spring of 1882 decided to seek the larger opportunities offered in the west and went to St. Paul, Nebraska, where he remained one year.
Mr. Emerson was married at Hastings, March 7, 1883, to Miss Lou Edwards, who was born in London, England, and came to America in infancy. She had been a teacher in Illinois before coming to Nebraska. The young couple made their first home in Custer County, securing a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres of land on the northeast quarter of section twenty-seven, township eighteen, range eighteen, which has been their home throughout all the years since. Mr. Emerson has made all possible improvements and has brought his land to a state of large productiveness. He is one of the older settlers of his neighborhood and in early days met with many discouragements and trying experiences, but has met them with unflagging energy and ambition, never losing faith in the future of Nebraska. In his early years there he did freighting between Westerville and Grand Island, during this time enduring the hardships of Nebraska's severe winters. He is well known in, his part of Custer County as an upright and useful citizen and is regarded with respect and esteem by all.
Mrs. Emerson died on the home farm in Custer County, March 17, 1894, being survived by her husband and five of her six children: Myra, wife of Henry Snyder, of Custer County, has two children; Ralph W., married and has one child, living in Lewellen, Nebraska; Roscoe, died in July, 1887; Daisy M. and Richard R., twins, the former deceased and the latter living at home; George E., in Massachusetts, and Mina Alice. Mrs. Emerson was deeply mourned by her family as a devoted wife and mother and her loss was a grief to her many friends.
Mr. Emerson was married (second) at the home of the bride's parents, March 5, 1905, to Miss Melissa Irwin, who was born in Cass County, Iowa, and two children have blessed this union: Mary E. and Ada Mae, both at home. Ernest T. Irwin, a son of Mrs. Emerson, resides east of Comstock, is married and has one daughter.
ROBERT H. ENGLISH.
Robert H. English is one of the well known and successful stock and grain farmers of Custer County who made their start by taking up homestead land. He was born in Collingwood, Canada, February 16, 1858, eldest of the six children of Samuel and Mary (Hickey) English, natives of Ireland. Of the other children, one son, James lives in Mason City and two sons in Wyoming, while others are deceased. The fattier came to Canada is a young man and passed his last days in Mason City, Nebraska, where he died in 1908, and his widow still lives there.
In 1877 Robert H. English came to Sarpy County, Nebraska, where he carried on farming six years, and he was married at Gretna September 17, 1882, to Lillian Miles, a native of Pennsylvania, whose parents, Adam and Elizabeth (Booze) Miles, were early settlers of Sarpy County. Ten children were born of this union, nine of whom survive: Samuel P., of South Dakota; Angeline, wife of Wallace Pringle, of Portland, Oregon, has one child; Hattie, wife of Levi Patrick of Mason City, has three children; William H., James R., Hazel V., Timothy, Charles W. and Albert J., at home.
In the spring of 1884 Mr. English brought his wife and one son to Custer County where he took up a homestead on the southwest quarter of section three, township fourteen, range seventeen, which is still the home place. He has improved and developed his farm, which is well equipped for stock and grain raising. He is one of the earliest settlers of the state kind has spent nearly thirty years in Custer County, where he is widely known and has a large number of friends. He has prospered through energy and enterprise to a gratifying degree and is accounted one of the substantial, public-spirited citizens of the County. In politics he is independent of party ties and fraternally is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America
JOSHUA H. EVANS
Joshua H. Evans, a prominent citizen of Callaway, Nebraska, is a veteran of the Civil war, and highly respected in his community. He was born in Lawrence County, Indiana, June 12, 1847, fourth child of Ransom and Anna (Morris) Evans, who had three sons and four daughters. The father was a native of Tennessee, and the mother of Alabama, and they were married in Indiana. The family moved to Effingham County, Illinois, about 1845, but later returned to Indiana, and in 1848 again came to Illinois, locating on a farm. The father died in that state, January 1, 1862, and the mother, January 18, 1863. At that time all their seven children survived them. Those now surviving are: Joshua H.; Robert, of Illinois; Ruhama, Mrs. James Rentfrow, of Oklahoma; Mrs. Jane McGee, living in Clay County, Illinois; Mrs. Amanda McNelly, of Clay County, Illinois.
Most of Mr. Evans childhood was spent in Effingham County, Illinois, and he there received a common-school education. February 26, 1864, he enlisted in Company C, Ninety-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee, December 26, 1865. He served in the Atlanta campaign, being in the brigade of Colonel Wilder, under General Sherman, and participated in many important battles. He was taken prisoner at Columbia, Tennessee, but escaped the same day. In the fall of 1864, his company came back to Louisville, Kentucky, and on Christmas day started for Eastport, Mississippi, via Nashville, then went on to Selma, Alabama, taking part in a battle at the latter place. In the battle of Selma, he was wounded by a ball that sruck [sic] his gun and exploded, the shock knocking him down, and rendering him unconscious for some time, so that he was numbered, among the slain. Upon recovering consciousness, he returned to his command. After this battle, they went to Montgomery, Alabama, and on to Columbus. They were out of communication with the north, and did not hear of the surrender of Lee, or the assassination of President Lincoln, until they reached Macon, Georgia.
After his discharge, Mr. Evans returned to Effingham County, and during the summer of 1867, worked on a farm, after which he learned the blacksmith trade, following the same until 1904. He has practically made his own way in the world since he was thirteen years of age, and early learned the lesson of self-reliance. He was married in Effingham County, December 2, 1869, to Samantha J. Gibson, daughter of John and Fanny Gibson. He brought his family to Iowa in 1881, and thence to North Platte, Nebraska, September 20, 1886. He there engaged in work at his trade, and on April 26, 1887, came to Callaway, making the trip with horses from Cozad to their destination. He engaged in blacksmithing at Callaway, and continued in active business life until 1904, on January 29, of that year, receiving the appointment of postmaster at Callaway, which official position he has since held. He is one of the oldest settlers of Callaway, still making that town his home, and has been closely identified with its growth and development, being well known in the surrounding country. He has served as a member of the village board, and of the school board. A portrait of Mr. Evans will be found on another page.
Mr. and Mrs. Evans have two children, Launa L. and Henry C., the former the wife of George H. LaFleur, of Callaway, was born in Illinois, and she and her husband have four children. Henry C., married, and living in Callaway, is in business at the old stand, where his father worked from 1886 to 1904, and built up a good trade, which has since been successfully cared for by the son.
JOHN NELSON NEWMAN
Contributed by, Sandra Sanchez
John Newman was born September 1, 1848 in Hendricks County, Indiana In 1868 he moved to Iowa. On July 15, 1869 he was united in Marriage to Miss Mary Mc Donald and unto this union were born three children. John Newman of Sioux City Iowa, Frank Newman of Arnold and Mrs Delia Hesry of Table, Nebraska all of whom survive the father.
In 1877 Mr. Newman with his family moved from Iowa to Missouri residing there until 1894 when they came to Nebraska making this place their home until the present time.
Mr. Newman united with the Christian Church in 1883 retaining his membership all through his life.
He has been ill for several months and medical skill was called upon in all its knowledge but was unable to succeed and on August 14, 1924 at the end of the day the death Angel claimed him at the age of 75 years 11 months and 13 days.
He leaves to mourn him his true and faithful wife, three children, four granddaughters, one great grandchild , two brothers and two sisters besides other relatives and friends without number.
MARY ANN MARRS NEE BUSHONG
Contributed by, Sandra Sanchez
Mary A. Bushong daugher of John Bushong and Elizabeth Noel was born at Shelbyville, Indiana May 19, 1851, and passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs Greg Alexander near Arnold, Nebraska on March 7, 1923, age 71 years, 9 months, 16 days.
Miss Bushong was united in marriage to R.R. Marrs July 2, 1871. to this union were born four girls and one boy. Millie E., Quin M., Lucy A., Augusta C. and Emma M.. These all survive if their mother except Quinn who died April 18, 1919.
Mr. and Mrs. Marrs came to Nebraska in the Spring of 1885. For many years they made their home in and around Arnold. Mr. Marrs died October 18, 1917 after which Grandma lived on her property in the south part of Arnold. She had been an untiring worker all her life.
WILLIAM EDWARD NEWMAN
Arnold Sentinel, August 24, 1927Contributed by, Sandra Sanchez<
W.E. Newman of Overton, father of Jesse and Tom Newman and Uncle of Frank Newman of this City passed away at the family home in Overton, friday August 12, 1927at the age of 84 years. Mr. Newman was a former resident of Arnold here until about a year ago when he moved to Overton.
William Edward Newman was born April 28, 1843 at Bridgeport Indiana. At the age of 19 he moved from Indiana to Iowa. When 23 years of age he united in marriage with Miss Martha Ellen Harvey to this union were born eight children three having preceeded him in death. At about this time he moved from Iowa to Missouri. This wife having preceeded him in death he united in marriage with Orpha Jane Watts Febuary 9, 1886 to this union were born four children, one preceeding him in death. Mr. and Mrs. Newman with their family moved from Missouri to Mc Phearson County, Nebraska in the year of 1889 where they endured many of the hardships of the pioneer life always with the determination to succeed.
He united with the Christian Church when a young man and lived strong in his faith until death. He helped build three church buildings was a charter memberr of the Christian church in North Platte and a teacher of the Bible class for a number of years. He spent many hours in the stucy of the Bible and history and was a good student of both.