York County, Nebraska - Biographical sketches, 1921 (part 11 of 13)

In 1886, in Illinois, Mr. Bradwell was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Martin, a daughter of George W. and Angeline (Conway) Martin. Previous to her marriage Mrs. Bradwell had taught school in Fairfield, Nebraska, since 1879. Her father had served in the Civil war, being Captain of Co. H, One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Illinois Volunteer Regiment. He participated in two of the most important battles of that war but was soon afterwards honorably discharged because of disability. At the close of the war Mr. Martin returned to Winchester, Illinois, and was soon afterward elected to the position of county clerk. Subsequently he was elected sheriff. Mr. Martin was a stanch republican in a strong democratic county but his popularity was plainly manifested in his election to these offices. In 1886 Mr. and Mrs. Martin removed to Harvard, Nebraska, and in that same year the father was appointed to the office of postmaster in which he served one term. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Bradwell two children were born : Pauline, who is a graduate of the York high school and York College* taught school for a number of years and is now employed in the drug store; and Charles, who received his education in the York schools and is now running the store for his mother. Charles Bradwell entered into service in the World war, on the 1st of December, 1917, and was in the medical department. He spent his entire time at Kelly Field, Texas, and received his discharge December 16, 1918.

Throughout his entire life Mr. Bradwell had been a stanch supporter of the republican jjarty and he was always well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He was well read and spent much of his spare time in this manner. Only one vacation was indulged in by Mr. Bradwell and that was in 1910 when he and Mrs. Bradwell went to England for a visit, remaining there for a period of two months. As a representative of one of York's most important business interests he took a prominent .part in county and civic affairs and was acknowledged a most progressive and representative citizen. In 1905 Mr. Bradwell purchased a home at 135 West Ninth street and here Mrs. Bradwell resides with her son and daughter. Mrs. Bradwell has always taken a prominent part in the development and improvement of York and for three years served on the board of education. She is very active in church affairs and has been superintendent of the Sunday school for the past fifteen years.

J. E. Finney, manager of the Farmers Cooperative Association of McCool Junction, was born in Rock county, Wisconsin, December 6, 1873. His father, Joseph Finney, a native of New York, married Mary J. Conry and came to Nebraska in 1873, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of unimproved Hayes township land and built one of the first frame houses in that locality. He was one of the first settlers in Hayes township and was a very successful farmer, owning two hundred and forty acres of valuable land. His death occurred April 29, 1919, at the home of his daughter in Chicago, where he was visiting. His wife was born August 19, 1845, and passed away October 17, 1895. Mr. Finney was a public spirited man and served as a member of the county board. His religion was that of the Catholic church and in politics he was a democrat. Mr. Finney was a good father and left to mourn his death eight children: Frank, residing at the old home place in Hayes township ; J. E. Finney, manager of the Farmers Cooperative Association of McCool ; Catherine, who died in childhood ; Agnes, the wife of Myron J. Smith, of Crawford, Nebraska ; Lawrence, who died in childhood ; Mary, the wife of Stanley P. Driscoll, residing at Chicago, Illinois; twins, Hubert, of Lockridge township, York county, and Homer, who lives on a ranch in Cherry county, Nebraska.

J. E. Finney was reared on his father's farm and for a time was engaged in agricultural pursuits, later becoming a grain buyer for the T. W. Smith Grain

Company. At thu time of the organization of the Farmers Cooperative Association four years ago he was chosen as its manager and has held that position since. The association handles grain, coal and farm implements and is one of the most flourishing enterprises in the county. Mr. Finney's career has always been straightforward, upright and honorable, winning for him the esteem and high regard of all with whom business and social relations have brought him in contact.

Kirkland J. Calkins

In the history of agricultural development in York county tlie name of Kirklaud J. Calkins must find a place, for through a long period he was an active representative of agricultural interests and became the owner of a large farm and extensively engaged in raising stock. He was born in Watertown, Xew York, October 37, 1840, and died February 14, 1920, when in the eightieth year of his age. His parents were Samuel and Malissa (Jaqiia) Calkins, the former a native of New York and for some years a member of the state militia there. He had an uncle who was at one time governor of the Empire state. His family numbered four children of whom but one is living, De Wayne, who served in the Civil war as a member of the Thirty-fourth Illinois Infantrj' and now lives at Wymore, Nebraska, where he is filling the office of mayor.

Kirkland J. Calkins pursued his education in the schools of New York and was eighteen years of age when he removed with his parents to Illinois. In 1860 he became a resident of Iowa, making his home upon a farm in that state until he enlisted in defense of the Union on the 30th of July, 1862. He was at Camp Strong and became a member of Company K, Twenty-fourth Iowa Infantry, with which he served until the close of hositilities. His command was known as the "Fighting Regiment." On the lOth of October, 1862, the company marched to the Levee at Muscatine and there embarked on transports, proceeding to St. Louis and thence to Helena, Arkansas. The troops endured severe hardships and privations during the years 1863 and 1864 when near Helena. Mr. Calkins participated in the Coldwater and White River expeditions, also at Du Vails Bluff, and aided in cutting the Levee at Loon Lake. He participated in the battle of Magnolia Church, of Port Gibson, Willow Springs, Bolton and Raymond and was also at Champion Hill, at Bayou Teche and the Red River campaign. He was one day at Pleasant Hill and Sabine Cross Roads, and at the last place was taken prisoner but escaped that night and rejoined his regiment. He arrived at New Orleans on the 24th and was sent to Washington by steamer, after which he participated, iinder command of General Sheridan, in the battle of Winchester, Fisher Hill and Cedar Creek. The regiment was then sent to Moorhead City and marched to Goldsboro, North Carolina, and on to Raleigh, proceeding thence to Savannah, afterward returning to Raleigh, and later being mustered out at Savannah.

When the war was over Mr. Calkins settled in Wyoming, Iowa. Before he went to the front he was married September 27, 1862, to Lorilla Y. Williams, who was born in Great Valley, New York, December 12, 1845, a daughter of Royal S. and Lucy Fidelia (Baker) Williams, who were natives of New York, whence they removed to Iowa. The father was born in Chesterfield, Massachusetts, October 1,

1824, and was married October 9, 1844, in Wyoming county, Xew York, to Lucy F. Baker, whose birth occurred October 8, 1825, and who was a daughter of Chauncey and Esther (Greenleaf) Baker, the latter a representative of the family in which belonged the New England poet, John Greenleaf Whittier. Mr. Williams was first lieutenant in the Twenty-fourth Iowa Infantry, having removed to Iowa about 1850. There he resided throughout his remaining days and was recognized as a leading business man of hi.s locality, being owner of a lumber yard, a brick yard and a store, and he contributed much to the upbuilding of Wyoming.

To Mr. and Mrs. Calkins were born six children of whom five are living: Fred, a practicing physician of Fremont, Nebraska; Royal, who is engaged in the practice of medicine at Cortez, Colorado, who was elected to the State Legislature in tlie fall of 1920, and who was engaged in Indian work for the government for a number of years; Lucy M.. the wife of J. M. Ravenscroft, a stone mason of York; Albert E., mentioned elsewhere in this work : and Charles A., a dentist of York, who is also the owner of a large farm in Colorado.

On coming to Nebraska in 1873 Mr. and Mrs. Calkins settled in Polk county where he homesteaded and there resided until about 1896 when they removed to York. Mr. Calkins was very successful in his business affairs, accumulating a large estate as the result of his extensive farming and stock raising operations. For a long period he was one of the leading farmers of Polk county and was also the owner of a large amount of land in North Dakota at the time of his death. His investments were most carefully and wisely made and his success was well merited. He was a democrat in his political views and belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic. He possessed many sterling traits of character that gained him high regard and made him a valued resident of York. Mrs. Calkins survives and occupies a beautiful home in York, where she has many friends.

A prominent young dentist in York is Dr. Vincent J. Morgan, who has engaged in the practice of his profession there for a period of two years. During this time he has demonstrated his ability and this, together with his strong personality, have won for him a large and lucrative practice.

Dr. Vincent J. Morgan was born in York county on the 17th of July, 1895, a son of John and Catherine (Long) Morgan, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of York county. The parents make their home on a farm west of York. At the age of sixteen years John Morgan came to York county with his parents and here has remained since. He has engaged in farming, being very successful in this line of occupation and now owns two hundred and eighty acres of the finest improved land in the county. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Morgan six children were born : William, a farmer in York county ; Dr. Vincent J., the subject of this review ; Frank, a student of medicine at the State University, and one of the best men on the football te;im : Earey, who is attending York College; Lloyd, in the convent school; and Ella, who is attending the convent. The family have all been reared in the faith of the Catholic church. Mr. Morgan has always given his allegiance to the democratic party and is now holding the position of county com- missioner. Fraternally he is a member of tlie Knights of Columbus. The paternal grandfather of Dr. Vincent J. Morgan, William Morgan, was born in Ireland, later emigrating to the United States and settling first in Illinois. He finally removed to Nebraska and resided there until his death. Maternal Grandfather Long was of German descent but a native of Indiana and served in the Civil war. He is now residing in Los Angeles.

Dr. Vincent J. Morgan received his education in the country schools and later attended the convent and high school, graduating from the latter institution in 1915. He then entered Creighton College in Omaha and was graduated with the degree of D. D. S., in 1918. For one year he taught in the dental college and then in 1919 removed to York where he started the practice of his profession on his own account. During the short time of his practice in York he has built up a large practice and gives promise of becoming eminent in his profession.

Dr. Morgan has always been a great lover of outdoor sports and during his college days was captain of the football team. He is now also active in sports, being assistant football coach for the higli school team. Fraternally he is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and of the Knights of Columbus. He is also a member of the Delta Sigma Delta college fraternity. Dr. Morgan while a young man is one on whom the duties of citizenship do not lightly devolve and he is a man any community would be glad to have as a citizen.

Herman Diers

Herman Diers, now living retired from the activities of business life with which he was prominently and successfully identified for thirty years in York county, is a native of Iowa, born in Clayton county, that state, November 22, 1860, a son of Fredrick and Caroline Diers, both natives of (lermany. The parents innnigrated to America in 1849, making the ocean voyage on an old sailing vessel, which took seven weeks to make the passage, and following their arrival in this country they went to Iowa, where they resided for some forty years. To their marriage the following children were born: John, a retired merchant liviiii; at Fullerton; Henry, living at Lincoln; Herman, subject of this sketch; Fred, living in Madison, Nebraska; Anna, the wife of Henry Tangeman of Gretna, Nebraska, Louis, a rancher in JFontana ; William, of Louisville, Nebraska ; and Carrie, the wife of William Towner who runs a store in Lincoln. Fredrick Diers and his wife continued to reside in Iowa up to about 1890 and then moved to Nebraska and mad,.' their home with their children. They lived to good ages and it is only within the past six years that tlieir deaths occurred.

Herman Diers secured his preliminary education in the country schools of Iowa and later took a business course at Decorah, that state. When he was twenty years old he went to Denver, Colorado, and there spent some time working, later returning to Ulysses, Nebraska, where he worked for a brother who conducted a general store, the results from which were very satisfactory. It was in 1S90 that Mr. Diers and his brother \\'illiniii settled in Gresham and immediately became identified with the mercantile business. From the very beginning of his connection with the business life of Gresham Herman Diers gave every evidence of his com- mereial sagacity and eiiterprisu and so managed his largu interests that after the lapse of ten years he was carrying on what was probably the largest mercantile business in York county and it is asserted that he was the largest taxpayer on stocks of general mercliandise in the county for several years. He built a new store in 1900 and continued developing his trade along all legitimate lines. Finally he decided to take a rest from business cares and disposed of the store in November, 1919. For thirty years a resident of Gresham he made himself an enviable position in its business and social circles and those who know him speak of him in terms of high regard.

In 1885 Herman Diers was united in marriage to Mattie Barnes, a native of Indiana. Their union was blessed with four children: Harry, who was born in 1887, died in 1913. He graduated from Gresham and York high schools, 1905-07, and from the Northwestern University of Medicine, 1911. The second child is William H. Diers, born in 1890, a graduate of Gresham, 1907, and of York, 1909; he was in business with his father until 1919, when he became connected with the real estate business. He was married November 29, 191(5, to Marjorie Berryhill, and they are the parents of one son, William, Jr. Mr. Diers" third child is H. K. Diers, born in 1896, a graduate of Gresham high school, 191-1, and now employed in the Gresham State Bank. He was married in June, 1918, to Fay Bond and they are the parents of one son, Harry Stanton Diers. The fourth child is Margaret Diers, who was born in January, 1901. She graduated from the Gresham high school and is now in the State University at Lincoln. H. K. Diers was in the United States military service during the World war, but was not overseas. He was discharged in February, 1919, and returned to Gresham and resumed his activities in the bank.

Mr. Diers is a democrat and was elected in 1900 to the house of representatives and in 1910 was sent to the senate ; he ran for office of lieutenant-governor on the same ticket with Governor Morehead. Since November, 1919, he has been making his home at Lincoln. He is active in the Masonic order and is a Shriner. He is a director of the Gresham State Bank. During his many years of residence in York county he has been a witness to and an energetic participant in its growth and development and his association with its commercial life has been one of the most noted events in the history of the county, being for nearly one-third of a century one of its most conspicuous figures.

Charles Broehl

A prominent and representative citizen of York is Charles Broehl, who since 1911 has lived retired at 415 Blackburn avenue. The greater part of his life has been spent in farming and he is now enjoying the success which he acquired in that occupation.

Charles Broehl is a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Logan county on the 26tli of June, 1860. His parents were Gottlieb and Anna (Meischke) Broehl, both natives of Germany, who after their marriage emigrated to the United States, settling at Bro\vnsvillc, Texas. Fifty-two days were spent in the crossing. I'"(>r about one year they remained in Texas and then removed to Pekin, Illinois, where the father worked as a day hiborer. He soon saved enough money to buv a farm near Lincoln, Illinois, and here he resided until 188? when he removed to York county, having purchased a fine farm near Bradshaw. The mother had died while residing in Illinois, and some time later Mr. Broehl married a second time. Five children were born to the first marriage, four of whom are living: Amelia, the widow of Ed. Duginer, who resides in Middletown, Illinois; Louis, a farmer at Elkhart, Illinois; Julius, a retired miner, residing at Pana, Illinois; and Charles, whose name heads this review. Three children were born to the second marriage, only one of whom is living; Herman, who is a farmer in North Dakota. The family were reared in the faith of the Lutheran churcli and Mr. Broehl was a stanch supporter of the republican party in the interests of which he took an active part.

Charles Broehl received his education in the schools of Lincoln. Illinois, and after putting his textbooks aside engaged in farming. In 1884 he came to York county where he rented a farm, raising good crops which were destroyed bv hail in the latter part of the same year. He was not discouraged by this misfortune, however, and six years later bought eighty acres, which he traded for a quarter section near Bradshaw and which he still owns. In 1911 he removed to York and purchased a nice home at 41.5 Blackburn avenue in which he is now residing, retired. Mr. Broehl started farming as a renter in York county and it took four years of grim determination and perseverance to acquire enough money to buy his first land.

In 1886 Jlr. Broehl was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Askew, a native of Jacksonville, Illinois, and a daughter of William and Sarah (Senior) Askew, the former a native of England, while the latter was born in Illinois. Her parents lived in Illinois for a number of years and then removed to Iowa where they both died. Three children have been born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Broehl, namely: Chester, born in 1888, who is now engaged in farming near Lushton; Mabel, the wife of Carl Ferree, a farmer near Bradshaw; and Myrtle Frances, who teaches school in Wood River.

Mr. Broehl gives his allegiance to the republican party and is well informed on all the questions and issues of the day. For four years he has held the position of county supervisor of the fourth ward. He is interested in the development and improvement of his community and as a result is a member of the Commercial Club, serving that organization as treasurer. Fraternally he is a member of the A. F. & A. M. Mr. Broehl is a man in whom the call of opportunity or of duty found ready response and his has been a well spent life fraught with \tsefulness and good work. He well deserves the proud .\merican title of self-made man, for the success which he now enjoys is attributable entirely to his own efforts and perseverance.

S. L. Smith

S. L. Smith, deceased, was numbered among the pioneers of York county, having come to this county in 1870. He was born in Tennessee and at an early age came to Nebraska. . He acfpiired a homestead of eiglity acres of wild uncultivated lainl on section 2, West Blue township, and his first home on this land was the luimitive dugout. He followed agricultural pursuits his entire life and when in December of the year 1901 he passed away his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for his many traits of sterling character had endeared him to those with whom he had come in contact.

Mr. Smith married Miss Sarah Baldridge of Appanoose county, Iowa, and she is still living, residing on the old home place. Five children horn of this union are living: Flora, who is the wife of Ward Korris of Ord; Hattie, the wife of Lando Larkin, who is engaged in farming at Beaver Crossing: Earl, who is living at Ord, Valley county ; Arthur, who is residing on the old home place ; and Maggie, the wife of Ed Kennedy who is engaged in farming.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith were among the earliest pioneers of York county and she is one of the few old settlers still living on the homestead. While Mr. Smith experienced many of the hardships and privations of pioneer life here he lived to prosper in his imdertakings and to witness the marvelous growth and development of this great state.

Xick Gfidixger

Nick Guidinger, who was for many years a prominent farmer in York county, is now living retired in York, enjoying the fruits of a life of diligence and industry.

Nick Guidinger was born in Ozaukee county, Wisconsin, on the 21th of March, 1854, a son of Perry and iVnnie (Neuers) Guidinger, the former a native of France while the latter was born in Luxemburg. The father came to the United States when but sixteen years of age but later returned to his native land where his marriage took place. For some time he resided in Dubuqiae, Iowa, where he worked for the Illinois Central, but after his marriage removed to Wisconsin, settling in the woods. Here he built a log house in which he and his wife resided until they passed away. Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Guidinger, eight of whom are living, the subject of this sketch, Xick Guidinger, being the third in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Guidinger were members of the Catholic church and the father was independent in politics. The paternal grandfather was John Guidinger who was born and died in France. For some time he was in the French army and was with Napoleon at the battle of Leipsic, in which engagement he received a wound. He was granted a pension of one hundred francs per month and served as a gendarme until his death.

In the acquirement of an education Nick Guidinger attended the schools of Wisconsin but his educational advantages were limited. He worked on the parental farm until he was sixteen years of age, at w'hich time he began to work out. In 1877 he came to Nebraska and settled in Colfax county the following year. He bought a timber claim of eighty acres whereon he built a house and resided until 1902. In 1901 he purchased three hundred and twenty acres in Arborville township but did not move there until 1902, and in 1910 he removed to York, retiring from active life. He rents his farm to his son-in-law.

In 1878 at Schuyler occurred the marriage of Mr. Guidinger and Miss Mary Hobel and to them five children were born : Louis Litchfield, a retired farmer residing in Nebraska: Edgar, who is a rancher at Downey, Idaho; Benjamin, who is engaged in fanning at Coffee Creek, Montana; Gilbert, wlio is engaged in ranching in Majors, Canada; and Mrs. Sehall of York. Mrs. Guidinger died in 1889 and in 1890 Mr. Guidinger was again wed, this time to Antonio Balata, a native of Austria and a daughter of Joseph and Katie (Moravitz) Balata. The father spent two years in the United States but returned to Austria where his death occurred. The mother also passed away in that country. Five children were born to the second marriage, four of wliom are living: I^ydia, who is the wife of Cyril Sterner, a farmer in Y'ork county: Hari'y, who is engaged in farming; George and Albert, both of whom are attending high school. Mrs. Guidinger is a consistent member of the Catholic church. The family home is at 915 Y^ork avenue. Mr. Guidinger follows an independent course in politics, supporting the man rather than the party. He is in every sense of the word a self-made man and his life has been crowned with the successful achievement which comes from persistent and earnest labor.

William V. Powell

Honored and respected by all there is no man who occupies a more favorable position in public regard in Y^ork county than does William V. Powell, who for many years was a prominent agriculturist in the county and retired in 1906 to spend the evening of his life in repose. An added reason for the generous esteem in which he is held is to be found in the fact that he served with the Federal army in the dark days of the Civil war and had been througli some of its severest engagements. Mr. Powell was born in Fayette county, Ohio, March 20, 1836, a son of John and Polly (Miller) Powell, well known and respected residents of that part of Ohio. The father taught school for a number of years and also was engaged in agricultural pursuits for practically the whole of his active life. Six children were born to these parents, all of whom have passed away, with the exception of William V., subject of this sketch. They were: Sarah, Mary, Elizabeth, Neoma and Christina. John Powell and his wife died many years ago in Ohio. The father married the second time, and two sons were born of this union : Thomas and Uriah, both of whom served in the Civil war.

William V. Powell received his education in the public schools of his native state and was reared in his father's home. At an early age he started working on a farm and also was engaged in running a stationary engine. Lincoln's call for an army found in him a ready response and he enlisted in Company A, Thirty-ninth Indiana Infantry, August 28, 1861. The company in which he served was later consolidated with the Eighth Indiana Cavalry. He participated in the battle of Shiloh and in the battle of Stone River, and following the latter engagement was honorably discharged. At the close of his military service Mr. Powell returned to farm work in Indiana, remaining in that state for some time, later moving to Jefferson county, Iowa, where he also engaged at farming, spending about nine years in that territory.

In 1872 Mr. Powell came to Nebraska, where opportunities for agricultural development were then nunicrnus. He took a homestead on section 6, Thayer township, York county, and there licgau his I'anii life in real earnest, remaining actively identified witli farm work until lilClG, when he retired. He erected the first house put up in the district in which he settled, and hauled provisions over bad country roads from Seward and Fairmont, thus experiencing all the disadvantages of pioneer life in that day. He carried many and valuable improvements on his holding and is still the owner of the land of one hundred and seventy acres which is now operated by his son James. In his active life Mr. Powell recognized the principle that industry wins, and he has lived to see the district in which he first located grow from comparative obscurity to a place of prominence and business status, and it is entirely to his credit that he gave of his time and ability to that end.

At Fairfield, Iowa, in September, 1864, Mr. Powell was united in marriage to Sarah Fansher, a native of Fayette county, Ohio, and to that union nine children -were born: Edith, wife of Edward Radley, of British Columbia; Mary E., wife of Ct. W. Young, of Lincoln ; Charles, a farmer, living in Idaho ; Jennie, wife of A. N. Hurd, a retired farmer of Stromsburg ; Fred W., of York county ; W. F., a farmer, living in South Dakota; Stella, wife of Marion Fellows who lives in Colorado; James, now managing the old homestead; and Maggie, wife of John Turner, of Colorado. A stepdaughter also was reared as one of the family. Mrs. Powell is affiliated with the Presljytorian church and. is a consistent attendant on its services. Mr. Powell is a strenuous adherent of the republican party and always active in support of its principles and policies. He is ^a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which he joined while living in Iowa in 1867 and is prol)ably one of the oldest members of that popular order in this part of the country. Ever ready to extend a helping hand where aid is needed, his character and work have been such as to shed around him much of life's sunshine. He is a member of York Post, G. A. E.

Ami D. Speeey

Ami D. Sperry, now living retired at Gresham, is another of the farmers who persevered in spite of early hardships and is now reaping the reward of his faith and untiring industry. He was born in Plattville, Grant county, Wisconsin. }^ovember 15, 1846, a son of Alfred W. and Sophrona A. (Palmer) Sperry, the former a native of the state of New York and the latter of Pennsylvania. Some time after their marriage the parents went to the state of Ohio and there engaged in farming, going to Wisconsin in 1843, making the journey by boat. He settled on the edge of the timber country and there acquired a tract of land which he began to clear and set out to cultivation, making some improvements as he went along, among other things putting up a log house, using greased paper as a substitute for glass in the windows. He continued to reside there for several years, during the greater part of the time laboring under serious disabilities. Isolation was one of the great hardships with which he had to contend, but he settled down to existing conditions and his efforts were rewarded in time by a substantial measure of success. In 1871 he came to Xebraska and settled on a homestead in Seward county, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 1872, aged fifty-six. He was twice married. To his first marriage four children were born, all of whom are dead. To his second marriage the following children were born : George, Orley N., Frank,

Enoch, all deceased; A. D., a miner, living in Washington; Evelyn, the wife of Robert Knoiise, of Gresham; Lorene, the widow of Henry Lawer of Gresham; Ami D., the subject of this sketch, and Gilina, the wife of Christopher Walick, of Lincohi; Ambrose died in Missouri. Alfred W. Sperry was a man of many sterling traits of character, genial and affable, and enjoyed the high esteem of those with whom he associated. He was a member of the Methodist church and in politics gave his undivided support to the republican party.

Ami D. Sperry was educated in a log schoolhouse in Wisconsin and helped his father in the work of the farm for some years. When he was seventeen years old, in 1863, he enlisted with the Federal forces for service in the Civil war and was mustered in at Darlington, Wisconsin, as a member of Company I, Second Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry. He saw considerable service and was in several engagements during the war, including the battles of Champion Hill and of King Creek, Mississippi, where he received a gunshot wound in the left arm which disabled him for the time being. On Xovember 15, 1865, he received his honorable discharge at Austin, Texas, after serving more than two years in the army and returned to Wisconsin, where he resumed working out on farms. His ambition being to secure a tract of land for himself he made every effort to accumulate as much money as would enable him to accomplish his laudable desire, and he continued to work on farms in the neighborhood of his father's place for about two years after his discharge from the army. He started auctioneering at the age of twenty years and was successful at it for forty years.

In 1867 Mr. Sperry was married to Louisa Knouse and shortly after they came to Lincoln, Nebraska, by train and from Lincoln the journey was completed in a lumber wagon to a liomestead in Seward county, the trip from Lincoln costing him thirty-five dollars. The homestead, which consisted of one hundred and sixty acres, was located on the southeast quarter of section 4, township 13, range 1, east, Seward county, and there he put up a sod house in which the family lived for five years. His barns were constructed in the same manner. About this time he was practically penniless, having but two ilollars in money. He had a family of three children and was without credit, without friends and without work, except as shucking corn at fifty cents a day could be termed work. However, he had a stout heart and the neighbors helped by loaning him a team to work the farm and from tliiit time forward things began to take an upward turn. In the third year of his lesiilence on the homestead he bought a yoke of oxen and hauled his first wheat to Lincoln, that city being the nearest market. In conmion with others he suffered from the effects of the grasshopper siege, during the ravages of which all growing crops were destroyed and as a substitute for fuel he had to burn cornstalks and Iniffalo chips. He was fortunate, however, in having his cattle housed during the big blizzard, the damage from which was felt all over the entire district. Gradually Mr. Sperry surmounted all obstacles and his general farming and stock raising was placed on a firm footing as the result of his perseverance and practical industry. He added to his land holdings as circumstances permitted and at one time was the owner of ten hundred and forty acres of prime land, all of which he brought to a state of splendid improvement and some of which at a later time he divided among his children, and is still the owner of six luiudred and forty acres. In 1913 he retired from active life on the farm and moved to (Jresham where he is very comfortablv circumstanced.

By his marriage to Louisa Kuouse the following children were born : Robert, living in Gresham; Wade, a farmer in Butler county; Benjamin, now living retired in Gresham; Scott, Essie, Soj^hrona and John, all of whom are deceased; Arthur, who farms the old home place; two children who died unnamed in infancy; Mary, deceased; Ehoda, the wife of Joe Phillips of Seward; and Sabra, the wife of Harry Stephenson of Seward county. Mrs. Sperry passed away April 12, 1914, being then in her sixty-third year. Some time later Mr. Sperry married for his second wife Mrs. Sanders. He has always been a stanch advocate of the principles of the republican party and served as supervisor of Seward county for two terms. He is a stockholder and director of the First National Bank of Gresham, and is an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic, in the affairs of which he takes an active interest. In Masonic circles he is prominently known, and to all movements designed for the welfare of the community he gives practical support and advice. He is now entering his seventy-fifth year and is in the enjoyment of excellent health.

John W. Ballenger

John W. Ballenger is one of the self-made men of York, his success in life being due entirely to his own unaided efforts. He is connected with the theatre interests in York, owning and running the Sun Theatre and having charge of the opera house.

John W. Ballenger is a native of Iowa, born in Mahaska county, that state, on the 2nd of January, 1856, a son of Samuel W. and Harriett (Stewart) Ballenger, both natives of Illinois. His parents came to Iowa with their parents at an early day and were married in that state. The father engaged in farming and the mother died when John W. Ballenger was but six days old, and he was then taken into the home of his maternal grandparents. The grandfather, John Stewart, was born in the north of Ireland. He and John W. Ballenger farmed two hundred and twenty acres of land in Polk county, Nebraska, in 1880. The grandfather was then eighty years of age and was unusually active for his age. AVhen John Stewart came to Polk county, Nebraska, he had about fifteen hundred dollars. He purchased railroad land which he was fortunate in cultivating and became very prosperous, and he resided on this land until his death. John W. Ballenger was one of two children born to his parents and the only one living. The father, Samuel Ballenger, went to Pikes Peak during the gold rush, coming back as far as Douglas county where he acquired a homestead and resided until his death. He had married a second time becoming the father of six children. Both Samuel Ballenger and John Stewart were stanch supporters of the democratic party.

In the acquirement of an education John AV. Ballenger attended the country schools of Iowa, and after putting his textbooks aside engaged with his grandfather in farming. They purchased land in Polk county and Mr. Ballenger said that when he first came to Nebraska the grasshoppers were so thick he could not see the sun. From 1874 until 1893 he farmed in this county and then selling the land removed to Shelby where he engaged in the hardware business. He conducted this business until 1898 when he traded it for some land in Polk county and subsequently engaged in the confectionery business. While a resident of Shelby he was appointed to the position of postmaster by President McKinley and served in this capacity to the satisfaction of the community for over four years. In 1912 he sold out the confectionery business and in November of that year came to York where he purchased the Dean Theatre. For about five years he ran the Dean Theatre at the termination of which time he estabilshed the Sun Theatre. This business venture has proved to be more than successful and he has a large and steadily increasing patronage. Since 1915 Mr. Ballenger has also had charge of the opera house. His business connections indicate the keenness of his sagacity and the soundness of his business opinions and his investments which have been wisely and judiciously made are bringing to him a substantial financial return. Besides his home property and another piece of town property occupied by his son he owns considerable land in Colorado.

On the 12th of October, 1879, Mr. Ballenger was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Bull, who was born near Meaford, Ontario, Canada, and a daughter of Stephen Bull. Her father came to Polk county in 1871 and secured a homestead on which he resided until his death. Mr. and Mrs. Ballenger have become the parents of one son, Albert W., who is thirty-two years of age. In 1912 he was united in marriage to Miss Eita Eunyon and to them two children have been born : Dean W. and Bettie Claire. Albert W. is associated with his father in the theatre business and is secretary of the Commercial Club of York.

Mr. Ballenger has always given his allegiance to the republican party in the interests of which he takes an active part. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen and is likewise an active member of the Eotary Club. Mr. Ballenger well deserves the proud American title of self-made man, for his present enviable position as a representative and prosperous business man has been won by untiring industry, indefatigable energy' and careful management.

Nathaniel A. Dean

A prominent and representative citizen of York, is Nathaniel A. Dean, who since pioneer days has taken an active part in the development and improvement of the county. He was born in Allegany county, Maryland, in 1850, and when two years of age removed with his parents to Somerset county, Pennsylvania. He received his education in that county, attending the schools until 1866, the close of the Civil war. The following year in company with his brother-in-law, E. Brooke, he made a trip over the greater part of Kansas, stopping for the winter at Maryville, Nodaway county, Missouri. Here Mr. Brooke purchased a farm on which he made his home. In 1868 Nathaniel A. Dean, then but eighteen years of age, started out for the great American desert. He rode his pony and carried his lariat. On the 2nd day of October, 1868, he crossed the line into York county and his first stop was at John Anderson's. Mr. Anderson was the first homesteader in York county. Mr. Dean wintered with Elias Gilmore on the "Blue." During his residence here a petition was gotten up for the permanent organization of York county to be presented to Governor Butler and the name of Mr. Dean lieaded the list of signers. In 1870 the first election was held, there being three precincts in the county, one nn the "Blue," one where York now stands, and one in the north part of the county. The election was to decide tiie location of the county seat and it was decided in favor of York. The first two years of Mr. Dean's life in this new county were full of excitement. He hunted buffaloes, elk and antelopes and part of the time he was brought into association with the Indians who for the most part proved of friendly disposition. The fall of '79 he passed at old Fort Kearney and there spent a great deal of his time poring over the adventures of Buffalo Bill, Kit Carson and Cahimity Jane. In 1871 Mr. Dean was married and he and his wife acquired a homestead, successfully passing through all of the jDioneer hardships, including the destructive grasshopper storms in 1873 and 1888. The homestead was located on Beaver Creek nine miles east of York. In 1886 Mr. Dean decided to retire from active farm life and as a result removed to York where he engaged in several different kinds of business, being successful in all of them. In 1889 Mr. Dean and a number of other people in the community banded together for the organization of the United Brethren church and in 1890 he was also instrumental in the organization of York College. He was elected treasurer of the college in that year and has held the position since. He assisted in the building of the First jSTational Bank, which organization he served as director from 1893 until 1913, at which time he resigned. He has lieen active in the interests of the Chautauqua since its organization in the county and has been director for a period of seventeen years. For the last few years he has also been manager of the grounds. He is the owner of considerable real estate in York. He is likewise a member of the cemetery board and was superintendent of the cemetery for seventeen years.

In 1870 Mr. Dean was united in marriage to the daughter of Peter Hellei', also a pioneer of this country, and to them eight children have been born : William H., who is manager of the Bell Telephone Company at Grand Island ; Ida May, the wife of Harry Shilling, who is engaged in the telephone business at Lincoln; Lula A., the wife of Albert Jess, a merchant of York; Elmer, whose death occurred in 1909 at the age of thirty-one; Eachael Annie, who is conducting a store in York with another member of the family ; Eichard J., who is manager of the Ellar Auto concern at Lincoln ; Earl J., who is manager of a store in York ; and Doris E., the wife of Harold Myers, who is engaged in the shoe business at York. At the time of his marriage Mr. Dean was in possession of but five dollars, and two dollars and fifty cents of that amount went to the minister. He was, however, blessed with perseverance of purpose and strong determination and no obstacle, however great, was allowed to obstruct his path. Those who know him esteem him highly and his worth as a business man and citizen is widely acknowledged as well as his success as a pioneer farmer. He is well deserving of the proud American title of self-made man.

Feed Schaefenbeeg

The story of the life of Fred Scharfenberg will convince the reader that he is a self-made man and that he had good material with which to work. Mr. Scharfenberg is a retired farmer and one of the prosperous citizens of York, Nebraska. He was born in Saxony, Germany, July 6, 1842, the son of William and Clara (Eopsem) Scharfenberg, both natives of Germany. His father was a weaver and worked at his trade in the old country until he passed away.

Fred Seharl'fiibt'i'g was reared and educated iu his native land, attending the jiublic schools until he was fourteen years of age, when he was drafted to serve in the army, in 18G3. He was drilled as a soldier preparatory for war with Denmark, and in 1866 when the war between Germany and Austria came on, was considered an old soldier and was called upon to fight. Army life did not appeal to him, however, and having heard of America he borrowed one hundred dollars from a friend and determined to seek his fortune in a new country. With tlie help of a kindly hotel-keeper and a conductor on the railroad from Bremen to Bremerhaven he succeeded in getting aboard a vessel bound for the United States. All this was unknown to his parents and the officers in the army and when he was one day out at sea he learned that the oflBcers were looking for him. While on the train he had another startling experience when some officers became curious at seeing the young man and inquired of the conductor as to his name and destination. The friendly conductor replied tliat the young man was going to port to see the ship, and that he, the conductor, would see that he returned. After riding the waves and braving the tempests for forty-two days the sailing vessel landed in New York where Fred Scharfenberg viewed the "land of promise" for the first time. After obtaining help from relatives in Wisconsin he went there and secured his first work on a farm. Later he located in Mitchell county, Iowa, where he rented land and engaged in farming. There was much to overcome as the price of land was high and there were many things for him to learn concerning his new country. In 1878 he came to Nebraska and bought one hundred and sixty acres in Baker township for seven and one half dollars per acre with ten years time in which to pay for it. His first home was a dugout consisting of a bedroom, dining-room and parlor all in one, with no floor, and here Mr. Scharfenberg lived while he improved his land, which was one of the few farms in the township upon which there has never been a mortgage. lie prospered and it was not long before he owned a half section of the township. He did not retain all this property, however, disposing of all but the old original one-fourth section.

In 1872 he was married to Ernestine Eeum, a native of Germany who came to the United States when a young woman. They never had any children of their own, but adopted William and Eoy Watkins, two New York orphans who were just old enough to go to school, and reared them to successful manhood. Both young men are married now and owe their happy childhood, good education and careful training to the generosity of their benefactor, Mr. Scharfenberg, who understood how difficult it is for a lonely lad to make his way unaided. His largeheartedness was further demonstrated when he took the three children of his deceased brother into his home and reared them as his own. The boy now occupies the old farm where he lives with his wife and family. A few years ago Mr. Scharfenlierg paid a visit to Germany and brought back with him his sister's son, a young man of twenty years whom he placed on a farm in North Dakota. Mr. Scharfenberg took great interest in young people and was always anxious and willing to be a help to them. He paid a visit to his wife's niece who lived in Omaha and found the young Indy and her luisliand paying rent for their home. He advised them to buy a home and gave them one thousand dollars with which to make the first payment. They gladly accepted his generosity and are now on their way to prosperity because of it. Mr. Scharfenberg is a member of the Lutheran church and has been a liberal giver to three churches and many other projects for the good of the community. He is now seventy-eight years old, is in splendid physical condition, and enjoys his conifortahle home at 603 West 8th street, York, Nebraska.

Ernest Branz

Ernest Branz, who follows farming on section 24, Stewart township. York county, is a representative business man whose wise use of his time and opportunities has gained for him a place among the prosperous agriculturists of this part of the state. He had but little assistance at the outset of his career and whatever he has achieved and enjoyed is tlie direct result of his own labors. He was bom in Tazewell county, Illinois, October 21, 1867, a son of Henry and Annie (Mahl) Branz, both natives of Germany, where the former was born in May, 1834. These parents were married in Germany and he immigrated to America in 1863, making the ocean voyage on a sailing vessel which occupied eight weeks coming across the Atlantic, and he was practically without means on reaching this country. Henry Branz worked out and got enough money together to send for his wife and one child, and after her arrival they worked out on farms, continuing this line of work for a considerable time. At the end of a few years he decided to try farming on his own account and rented a tract of land, buying a team of horses to help in working the land. His efforts were successful and making good use of his money he was enabled to purchase a holding on payments. It was in 1882 that Mr. Branz came to Nebraska and settled in York county, securing a quarter section of land in Stewart township and on this place his widow still resides. He made payments to the extent of two thousand dollars on the farm, going into debt for the balance of the purchase money. There was a small log house on the holding when he took over the place and he later built a small frame house, continuing to reside in the latter until his death, March 5, 1920. For many years before his death he had been blind and in consequence of this affliction was unable to give active attention to the demands of his farming interests. However, in spite of his disability at the time of his death the family were the owners of nearly two thousand acres. Mr. Branz and his wife became the parents of six children: Catherine, the widow of Fred Minike and she now lives in Colorado; John, who lives in San Antonio, Texas; Ernest; Henry, who lives in Stewart township; Fred, deceased; and Bertha, the wife of Ferdinand Fisher, of Waco township. He and his wife were earnest members of the Lutheran church.

Ernest Branz was reared in the home of his parents and was educated in the common schools of his native county, in his boyhood days helping his father in the work of the farm. He was fifteen years old when his parents came to York county and here also his youth and young manhood were spent in agricultural pursuits. He became a skilled farmer and is now engaged in general farming and stock raising. His methods are progressive, his business affairs are systematically handled and in all things he displays sound judgment as well as unfaltering enterprise. He is the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of excellent land and is thoroughly acquainted with what can be done in the way of crop production here.

tinger, the widow of Fred Hottiuger, who had two cliiklren by her first marriage: Mabel Hottinger and Alfred Hottinger. Before her first marriage Mrs. Branz was Josephine Shields, a native of San Antonio, Texas. They have a wide circle of friends throughont the locality and are extensively recognized as people of genuine personal worth, their efforts always being directed to the betterment of the comniunitv in which thev reside.

John Lett

For many years John Lett has resided in Ycirk county. He came here at an early day and lias been a prominent factor in its development, watching it grow from a wild uncultivated state into a prosperous and progressive community.

John Lett was born in Richland county, Ohio, February 38, 1841, and when but four months old removed with his parents to Cedar county, Iowa, settling in the town of Tipton. The father, Abraham Lett, purchased eighty acres of good land adjoining the town. When John Lett the subject of this review was but eight months old the mother died, leaving the father with five children. Some time later Mr. Lett again married and was fortunate in choosing a wife who devoted her life to the rearing of his little ones.

John Lett received what educational advantages his home place offered and when twenty years of age, on the outbreak of the Civil war, enlisted in Company E, Eleventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry for a period of three years. At the expiration of this time he reenlisted and served throughout the war. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, luka, Vicksburg, and Kenesaw Mountain. He was also with Sherman during the Atlanta campaign and on the march to the sea. He was in all of the engagements from Savannah to the Itattle of Bentonville, Xorth Carolina, and at the close of the war partici]iated in the grand review at Washington. In 1865 he returned home, where he was married and for some time resided on his father's farm. In 1871 he removed to Xeliraska and here acquired a quarter section of land on whicli he homesteaded. This land was located in York county in what is now Morton township. Mr. Lett was forced to occupy a sod house belonging to I-!. M. Lytic until he l)uilt a house of his own and he had a capital ol' but thi'ce dollars, two horses and two cows to start the winter on. That winter was one ol' hardships but Mr. Lett and his family were of sturdy pioneer stock and every discouragement ent'ountered only spurred them to greater effort. It was not long before Mr. Lett became well known throughout this county for his geniality and progressiveness won him .many friends and he was a member of the first graiul jury held in this county. In 1873 he lost a horse and traded for a yoke of oxen which he used on the farm and to drive the family to church, in 1875 Mr. Lett removed to York and engaged in the farm machinery business in which venture he was quite successful, but in 1880 returned to the homestead, and subsequently removed to Benedict, then a new town. The Lett family was one of the first to settle in that place and Mr. Lett built and conducted the first hotel there. For six years be served as justice of the jieace and after Clevelanirs term was appointed to the position of postmaster, holding this office for over twenty yeais, or until l!)i:5 when Woodrow Wilson was elected to the presidency. The

On the 25th of November, 18G5, Mr. Lett was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Draucher, a sister of Arthur and David Draucher, who were both residents of York county for a number of years. Mrs. Lett was born in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, on tire 13th of June, 1844, and she passed away August 1, 1912. Eight children were bom to this union, five of whom are living: Edith, who is residing at Kearney; Walter E., who is engaged in the life insurance business at Kearney; Harry C, who is a life insurance man at Lincoln; Bessie, who is the widow of Fred Tipton, and is now residing in Kansas City; and John A., who is a baker in Lincoln. On the 26th of August, 1916, Mr. Lett was again married, this time to Eosa (Crowl) Linch, a native of Fulton county, Illinois, and a daughter of John Crowl. She had previously been married and had one son, Charles McDonough, who is residing in York.

Since age conferred upon Mr. Lett the right of franchise he has been a stanch supporter of the republican party. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen and both he and his wife are consistent members of the Congregational church. He is likewise a member of the Commercial Club in the interests of which he takes an active part. Through the efforts of Mr. Lett the Sons of Veterans was organized in York and the camp was named in honor of him. He was appointed pension attorney and now devotes his time to securing pensions for widows and soldiers. He has served as commander of the Grand Army Post, was recently re-elected for the fifth year, and in 1905 was elected department commander of the Nehraska Grand Army of the Eepublic. At the reunion of the old veterans held in Denver, Colorado, Mr. Lett had the honor of leading in parade twenty thousand of his former comrades of the battle field. The success which Mr. Lett has won has come to him as the reward of persistent, earnest labor, and his life illustrates what can be accomplished through individual effort combined with persistency of purpose.

Jacob F. Bittingee

Jacob F. Bittinger, deceased, was for many years a prominent farmer in York county. He was born in Clinton county, Iowa, in 1859 and died in York on the 14th of August, 1908. His demise caused a feeling of widespread bereavement throughout the community, for during his residence in York Mr. Bittinger liad made many friends.

Jacob F. Bittinger was a son of .John and Eebecca Bittinger, both natives of Pennsylvania, who removed to Ohio, later to Iowa, and thence to York county in 1872. This trip they made overland with teams, bringing with them a number of milch cows. They acquired a homestead which they improved and successfully cultivated, residing here until their deaths. Nine children were born to this union, Jacob F. Bittinger being the youngest of the family. Mr. and Mrs. Bittinger were consistent members of the Lutheran church and the father was a stanch supporter of the republican party and the principles for which it stands.

scliools, living all of the time upon a farm. After putting his textbooks aside he engaged for two years as fireman on the Union Pacific Railroad, saving enough money from his earnings to buy a quarter section of land. He paid eight dollars an acre for this land, which is still in the possession of Mrs. Bittinger, and she recently refused an offer of two hundred dollars an acre for it. Mr. Bittinger was successful in the cultivation of his land and with the assistance of his wife purchased more land until he had four hundred and four acres. In 1898 they removed to York w'here Mr. Bittinger retired from active life and resided until his death which occurred August 14, 1908.

On February 22nd, 1887, Mr. Bittinger was united in marriage to Nettie Bates, a native of Darke county, Ohio, and a daugliter of Eli and Penninah (Hart) Bates. Her parents were born in Ohio and in 1874 came to Lincoln. For a number of years the father engaged in farming and stock buying and became quite well-to-do. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bates, all of whom are living, namely : Louisa, the wife of T. C. Rutter of Charleston, Tennessee ; Martin, engaged in the grocery business at Benton Harbor, Michigan ; Henry, who is engaged in mining in California ; Emma, the wife of John O'Connell, a retired farmer of Lincoln ; Mrs. Bittinger, the widow of the subject of this review; Eva, the wife of AV. W. Cook, a retired 'farmer residing at College View; and Will E., who is engaged in gardening at Yashon Island, Puget Sound. l\Ir. Bates had considerable land, at one time. The Bates family were reared in the faith of the Christian church and the father w-as a stanch supporter of the republican party. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Bittinger two children have been born : Kenneth H. ; and Wendell M. Kenneth H. is married to Gay Tucker and they have become the parents of three children: Evelyn Louise; Dorotha Jane, and Bettie Rose. They reside on a farm in York county. Wendell M. has been in Denver, Colorado, where he was a conductor for the Tramway Company, but now is at home with his mother. He was ill the navy for .eight months during the World war luit had the flu and as a result did not get across.

Politically Mr. Bittinger gave his allegiance to no particular party Init followed an independent course. Mr. Bittinger was a man of great industiy and ambition and the success he enjoyed liefore his death was but a fair reward for his life of diligence and labor. Mrs. Bittinger is a member of the Christian church in the activities of which organization she takes a prominent part and she resides alone at her home, 1824 Lincoln avenue, a highly I'espected citizen of the community.

Charles F. Kuns

Charles F. Kuns actively engaged in farming in York county, Nebraska, was born in Cerro Gordo, Illinois. August 29, 1876, the son of David Kuns, mention of whom is found elsewhere in this review. He was eighteen months old when the family came to Nebraska, and his youth was spent on the farm. He was educated in the York city schools and wlien he reached the age of twenty-one years he decided to become a farmer.

Mr. Kuns went to Illinois where he followed agricultural pursuits for three years, then returned to York county and became interested in farming here.

He was married to Maude Boweu. a native of Cerro Gordo, Illinois, and this union has been blessed by three ehildren : Dorotha, Willard and Mary. The Kuns home is a picturesque bungalow situated in a beautiful location on a knoll, with pine trees leading from the road to the dooryard. His father who formerly owned this land had planned to build a beautiful mansion on this site, but he moved to California and his plans were never earried out. Mr. Kuns is owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land equipped with two complete sets of buildings as fine as any in the county, and he has brought his land under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Kuns has earned the reputation of successful, high principled business man and a public spirited citizen, always ready to give his service and means to promote the development and growth of his connuunity.

Martix L. Diehl

Martin L. Diehl, a retired farmer and representative citizen of York, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1846, a son of Daniel and Mary (Cohler) Diehl. His parents were both born in Pennsylvania, the father in 1807. Their marriage occurred in that state and tliere the mother died. Some time after his wife's death he again married and removed to Illinois, arriving in that state in April, 1853. The trip was made overland with teams but before reaching the destination it was necessary to substitute oxen for the horses. Daniel Diehl settled in Peoria county on first arriving in Illinois, but in the fall of the year 18.52 removed to Marshall county. For some time he rented this land which he successfully cultivated and finally purchased. His home consisted of a log cabin and here he resided with his family of ten children for many years. His death occurred in that county in 1867. To the first marriage ten children were born, three of whom are living, the subject of this review being the youngest of all : Mary, the widow of Adolph Forney, of Daykin ; Irena, who married Ichabod McKinney of Sterling, Illinois, a soldier in the Civil war who is now deceased ; and Martin L. Six children were born to the latter union, none of whom are residing in Nebraska. The Diehl family were reared in the faith of the Lutheran church, and the father gave his allegiance to the republican party, in the interests of which he was very active.

Martin L. Diehl was reared on a farm in Marshall county, Illinois, and received his education in the country schools of this county. After putting his textbooks aside he engaged in farming in Marshall county and also served as county tax collector. In 1883 he came to Nebraska and bought eighty acres of land, borrowing three hundred dollars from his brother-in-law to make the first payment. This venture proving financially successful he soon purchased one hundred and sixty acres. In ten years' time he sold the quarter section for forty thousand dollars and purchased two hundred and forty acres which he still owns. In l!iii5 Mr. Diehl and his wife removed to York, bought a nice home and have resided here ever since. Mr. Diehl sometimes goes out on the farm and assists in the management but for the most part he lives a life of retirement.

In 1873, in Illinois, Mr. Diehl was united in marriage to Miss Louise Fleming, a native of West Virginia, and a daughter of Rev. James and Catherine (Parks) Fleming. Her father was Iioimi in Pennsylvania and her mother in Ohio, their marriage occurring in the latter state. Mr. and Mrs. Fleming removed to West Virginia and the father preached in West Union for seventeen years. He was a Presbyterian minister. In 1869 they removed to Illinois and Mr. Fleming retired from the ministry a few years before his death. Ten children were born to them, Mrs. Diehl being the sixth member of the family, live of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Diehl have become parents of two children : Arlo L. ; and Paul. Arlo is married and is engaged in farming three miles west of York. He has become the father of twin boys, Stanley and Stanford. Paul is also married and has a farm two and one-half miles west of York. Two children have been born to him: Marlyn, aged fourteen years; and Charline, nine years of age. The Diehl family are consistent members of the Presbyterian church.

Since age conferred upon Mr. Diehl the right of fi'ancbise he has been a stanch supporter of the republican party and the principles for which it stands. He served as assessor in Arborville township for some years, was elected county supervisor in 1912 and is now serving his eighth term. The Diehl family have never been found lacking in patriotism, giving unselfishly of their time and money in the World war. Mr. Diehl had one brother, Alfred, who was wounded three times in the Civil war, and Mrs. Diehl had two brothers in the Civil war, Brainard and James Fleming, both of whom served throughout the entire war without receiving a wound. Mr. Diehl's land is of the best improved in the county and he has had great success in raising hogs. He is recognized as one of York county's progressive and representative citizens.

Henry Yantz

An extensive landowner and representative citizen of York is Henry Yantz who is living retired in York. He is a native of Erie county, New York, his birth having occurred there on April 16, 18.il:, a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Mantz) Yantz. His parents were born in Germany and came to Erie county when children, moving to Hancock county, Illinois, in 1865. There the father purchased land on which they resided until 1878, when they removed to Jefferson county, Nebraska, in which they passed their last days. Nine children were born to this union, eight of whom are living. One son, David, was killed at the battle of Gettysburg during the Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Yantz were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and the father was a stanch su])porter of the republican party. Mr. Yantz was a self-made man, his success having lieen won l)y his own diligence and labor.

Henry Yantz was reared on a farm and received his education in the schools of New York and Illinois. After putting his textbooks aside he engaged in farming and purchased his first farm in Jefferson county, in 1883. He commenced with eiglity acres but steadily increased his farm until he had three quarter sections of good land. This land was well improved and he raised cattle and hogs extensively. He is now in possession of a half section in Fillmore county and a quarter section in Hamilton county. On the 27th of January, 1910, he and his family removed to York and he built a fine home at 927 Blackburn avenue.

On the 28th of October, 1884, Mr. Yantz was united in marriage to Miss Pauline Gutzmer, a native of Saline county and a daughter of William and Mary

Gutzmer, both natives of Germany. They came to Saline county at an early day, homesteaded and died there. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Yautz : Leta, the wife of Carl G. Swanson who is connected with the Fidelity National Bank at Aurora; Erma, the wife of Edgar Gorham who is engaged in farming south of Aurora ; Vaughan, who is connected with the Telephone Company ; and Hazel, the wife of Clarence Otto, who is engaged in dairying and the farming business in Aurora. Vaughan, the only son in the family served in the World war, receiving his training at Lincoln. He is also a highly educated young man and was graduated from the University of Nebraska in the electrical engineering course in 1919.

Mr. Yantz has always given his allegiance to the republican party and he and his Avife are both consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. During his residence in Jefferson county he was very active in church work, serving as superintendent of the Sunday school for over seven years. He is now retired, enjoying the fruits of a life of diligence and industry and he is widely recognized as a successful farmer and representative citizen of York county. ,

C. B. Couch

A representative citizen of York is C. B. Couch, a retired farmer and minister who was born in Tazewell county, Illinois, on the 10th of November, 1840, a son of Homer and Clarissa (Brooke) Couch. The father was a native of New Hampshire, while the mother was born in Plymouth county, Massachusetts. At an early age they came to Tazewell county, Illinois, and there they were married. Mr. Couch was a carpenter and contractor by trade and removed to Peoria in company with an older brother, building the First Congregational church there. He was very successful in his line of work and built up a large patronage ill Peoria, where he resided until his death in 1859 at the age of forty-one years. The mother passed away in Oklahoma at the age of eighty-four years. Ten children were born to this union of whom the subject was the oldest. Five of them are living. Mr. and Mrs. Couch were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church in the interests of which they took an active part and the father was a whig and later a stanch supporter of the republican party.

C. B. Couch was reared on a farm and received his education in the schools of Peoria. At the age of twenty years he became interested in church work and at the age of twenty-one years began preaching, first at the poorhouse in Illinois. He held several charges in Peoria and received the small amount of ninety-five dollars and board for his first year's services. For sixty-seven years he has been a member of the church and for twenty-four years preached in the Central Illinois conference, receiving for one year's service the sum of seven hundred dollars, the largest amount he ever earned in that profession. After retiring from the ministry he engaged in farming and in 1883 came to Nebraska, locating in York county. Here lie bought a homestead right, located in New York township and lived on this land for a period of twenty-six years, having one hundred and sixty acres which he still owns. In 1908 he removed to York and built a house at 944 East .5th street where he is now residing. Mr. Couch made considerable nidiiey in trading and as a result of his own diligence and labor he owns some of the finest land in York county. When Mr. Couch first came to York the membership in the Methodist Episcopal church was small but it has steadily increased and he assisted in the building of three Methodist churches.

Mr. Couch was united in marriage to Miss Martha K. Zoll, a native of Fulton county, Illinois, and to them two children were born: W. A. and Frank Herbert. W. A. Couch is residing on a farm five miles east of York and is married. He has become the father of two children: William Warren, and Eobert. Frank Herbert Couch resides at Erie, Pennsylvania, where he has charge of the electric power station on the suburban railway. He is married and the father of two sons: Ralph Edward, who is in the United States Xavy; and Herbert Frank, attending high school. The Couch family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The death of Mrs. Couch occurred on the 5th of May, 1918, which was the occasion of much grief to her devoted family and friends.

Mr. Couch votes with the republican party and held the position of county assessor for a period of three years. He has always been a stanch advocate of education and to that end served as a member of the school board for a period of over twenty-two years. Fraternally he is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and he has served as grand commander of the Grand Army of the Republic post. Mr. Couch is indeed a self-made man and has learned his lessons in the hard school of experience. When but nineteen years of age his father died, leaving a debt of over five hundred dollars to be paid and Mr. Couch set out to clear this debt. As a result of his strong determination, diligence and industry he has gradually advanced until today he is one of the most prosperous and highly respected men in the county. As a lad in his early twenties he entered the Civil war, joining Co. H, Eleventh Illinois Cavalry Regiment, and he was in the army for seven months. He was at the battle of Shiloh and the siege of Corinth, but was discharged at the end of his seven months of active service because of sickness. He held the rank of corporal.

William Morgan, who has been a lifelong farmer, makes his home on his farm located in section 3-1, West Blue township. He was born in Bloomington, McLean county, Illinois, Januaiy 28, 1876, a son of William Morgan who was born in County Meath, Ireland, in 1832. At the age of nineteen years the father came to the United States with his parents and first settled in Albany, New York. From there he removed to Bloomington aaid was for many years a member of the police force of that city. Because of an injury to one hand resulting in the loss of a finger he was not accepted for active service during the Civil war but entered the secret service. He had two brothers, however, who were in active service. In 1875 he came to Nebraska and lived for one year in Saline county at the termination of which time he came to York county and bought a relinquishment of one hundred and sixty acres on section 34, West Blue township. Here he engaged in farming until his death in 1804. In Illinois he was married to Miss Rosa Smith who was a native of County Meath, Ireland, having been born in the same year as her husband. She died on the homestead in 1S86. Eleven children were born to this union, eight of wliom are living: Tliree of the children are residing in York county besides William Morgan, the subject of this review, namely: Mrs. Sullivan, who is living in West Blue township ; John Morgan, whose home is in Baker towniship ; and Mrs. Bert De Boer of Bradshaw. The Morgan family were reared in the faith of the Catholic church and Mr. Morgan was a stanch supporter of the democratic party.

William Morgan was a boy of six years when his parents came to York county and he well remembers the sod house which was their tirst home. He resided on the home place working with his father until his death, after whi^-h he became possessor of the one hundred and sixty acres to which he has since added an eighty acre tract of highly cultivated land. Here Mr. Morgan is now residing, engaging in general farming.

Mr. Morgan married Miss Eva Tous, a native of Bohemia, and a daughter of John and Mary Tous, early settlers of Nebraska who are now residing in Exeter. Eight children have been born to the union of Mr. Morgan, namely : John, Frank, William, Eose, James, Mary, Annie, and Katherine, all of whom are residing at home.

The political endorsement of Mr. Morgan is given to the democratic party but he has never been ambitious to hold office, preferring always to give his undivided attention to his agricultural pursuits. The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church. In all of his business affairs opportunity has ever been a call to action with Mr. Morgan and his determined energy and intelligent direction of his labors have brought to him very gr-atifying success.

From the period of pioneer development to the present H. J. Eogers has been interested in York county and its upbuilding and is now living retired in York. His birth occurred in 1844 in Ireland, a son of John and Agnes (Neill) Eogers, the father being of Scotch birth, while the mother was a native of Ireland. His parents never removed to the United States but died and are buried in Ireland. H. J. Eogers was one of six children born to this union, four of whom are living, namely: the subject; Thomas, who resides in Texas where he is engaged in the sawmill business; Jane Ann, the wife of a Mr. Jeffers who is now retired and residing in New Jersey ; and Martha, who is the wife of a Mr. Ackerman and lives in New York. One daughter, Emma, married a Mr. Simpson. She is deceased. The father engaged in landscape gardening in which he was very successful.

H. J. Eogers obtained his education in the schools of Ireland, but in 1869, tales having reached him of the wonderful opportunities offered in the United States, he sailed for this country and first settled in Amsterdam, New York. Here he engaged in contracting for a year, at the termination of which time he removed to Coldwater, Michigan, where he continued his contracting work and in addition engaged in carpentering. These trades he had learned in his early youth in his native country. For one year he remained in Coldwater and in 1873 came to York county where he secured a homestead. He immediately took an interest in the community which he had selected for his home and assisted in the building of several houses throughout the county. The first store in Utica was built by Mr.

Rogers as was also the first store in AVaoo. The first house on his land was of sod, but in 1881 he put up a frame building sixteen feet by twenty four feet and subsequently erected a modern home on his farm.

In 1874 Mr. Rogers was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Stephens, a native of Ireland, and to them eight sons have been born, all of whom are living : William, who is farming in one of the Dakotas; Charles, who is residing on his father's farm ; Walter, engaged in the hunber business at Ainsworth ; Wallace, who has a lumber yard at Robinson; Harry, in the shoe business in York; Roy, in the shoe business at Fremont; Victor, who is engaged in the shoe business in York; and Russell, who is in the shoe business in connection with his brothers at York.

Mr. Rogers has always given his allegiance to the republican party in the interests of which he still takes an active part. He served on the school board at Waco for a period of thirty years, -and gave one acre of his farm on which the schoolhouse was built. He is an exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity and was a charter member of the Utica Lodge, Utica, Nebraska. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rogers are active members of the Presbyterian church. In December, 1909, they removed to York and he built a nice home at 1630 Lincoln avenue. For eleven years Mr. Rogers has been retired, enjoying the fruits of his own diligence and industry. He still owns his old homestead of one hundred and sixty acres in Waco township, York county, and one of his sons is now managing it for him. His life he has devoted to his family and has given all of his sons a start in the business world. They are all following in the footsteps of their father and are prominent and representative citizens of their respective communities. Mr. Rogers left his native land, coming to the United States because he was convinced of its unusual opportunities and he has found that conditions justified his expectations.

Among those whom death has called and who were contributing factors to the agricultural development and improvement of York county was W. H. Wiswell, who while still active in the world's w^ork made his home on section 7, Stewart township. lie was born in Boston, August 5, 1858, a son of Charles and Mary B. (Thyng) Wiswell, natives of New Hampshire, where the father followed his trade of cabinet-maker during his active life. Members of the Wiswell family have been closely identified with the farming interests of York county for fifty years. In 1871 a grandfather and two uncles, Charles and Frank Wiswell, came to Lincoln by train and then made the journey to this county by team. Each of these men took a homestead of eighty acres in Stewart township and commenced tlieir settleluent by building small frame and sod houses. With the aid of ox teams they broke the land and tilled it diligently, improved the holdings, set out trees and orchards and in due season brought their places to a satisfactory condition of cultivation and improvement considering the time and the opjiortuiiities. The grandfather divided his labors between carpenter work at Lincoln ami the care of the homestead, walking from the farm to Lincoln every two weeks. All necessary supplies had to be hauled from Lincoln and the grain had to be hauled to that city and to Columbus for marketing. During the grasshopper scare verv little was produced, but, notwithstanding all the discouragements of the early years, they did very well and made a good living. They deserve to be ranked among the men who made living conditions in this part of the state a possibility.

W. H. Wiswell was but thirteen years old when he was brought to York county, in the district schools of which he received an education. His youthful experiences were those of the farm bred boy who divides his time between the schoolroom and the work of the fields. No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of life for him in that period. When he had passed the preliminary training in agricultural operations he purchased eighty acres of railroad land, for which he paid seven and one-half dollars an acre. By close application to work he gradually improved his holding by fencing and the erection of good buildings. He spent his active life in general farming and stock raising and in the feeding of live stock for the markets, this latter branch having proved highly profitable as a result of his care and attention. As the years went on he prospered in his undertakings and at the time of his death, which occurred February 26, 191(5. he was in comfortable circumstances, a just reward for his industry and integrity. He and his wife were the parents of five children, namely: Mary, who teaches in York county schools; Charles T., who farms the old place; Francis E., physical director in the University Place schools ; Wilbur, who works with Charles T. on the home farm ; and Mercy L., who attends York College. Mr. Wiswell was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was a stanch republican and a member of the Masonic blue lodge. In all the relations of life he acted the part of a good citizen and an honest man.

Charles T. Wiswell, who now manages the home farm, was educated in the York county schools and later entered the Nebraska School of Agriculture, from which he emerged fully qualified to take over the responsibilities which have since devolved upon him. His mother who is now living in York, and his uncle Charles and his wife were among the first school teachers in the county, and it is evident that he could have no better preceptors. Mr. Wiswell is now engaged in the management of over a half section of land and is wisely superintending the general fanning, stock raising and feeding for the markets which his place demands. Apart from these activities he finds time to attend to a tract of land which he rents. He was married February 20, 1918, to Eleanor E. Fifer and he and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church and also give freely of their time and abilities to the furtherance of all good movements concerned with the welfare of the community in which they live. He supports the republican party and his fraternal affiliation is with the Masonic order.

Fred Staehr

Following in the footsteps of his father. Fred Staehr, a son of Carsten Staehr of whom further mention is made on another page of this work, is engaged in farming on section four, Beaver townshij), and is meeting with excellent success in his chosen occupation. He was born in a sod house on the farm where he now resides, September 5, 1881, and early in life engaged in agricultural pursuits. At the age of twenty-eight years he took charge of the old Staehr homestead consisting of one liimdred and sixty acres and lias since made the farm liis home. His wife owns eighty acres in Waco township wliich she inherited from her father, an early homesteader in York county. Mr. Staehr has brought his land to a high state of development and he follows progressive methods in all his farm work, his land being devoted to the cultivation of the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate.

Mr. Staehr was united in marriage in early life to Miss Martha Stuhr, who was born on an adjoining farm, and a daughter of Henry Stuhr, a homesteader who is now deceased. Three children have been honi to this union: Alvin, Paul and Paule.

The political allegiance of Mr. Staehr has always been given to the republican party and it is well known that he is a stalwart advocate of any cause which it espouses. The religious faith of the family is the Lutheran church. Mr. Staehr is well known in the county in which he has spent his entire life and the circle of his friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his aci|uuintances.

Tlarexce H. Warner

For seventeen years Clarence H. Warner has resided in York and in that short time has won many friends who recognize his value and true worth. He was born in Franklin county, Penn.sylvania, September 25, 18.57, a son of William and Hannah (Miley) Warner, both natives of Pennsylvania. The father was born in Burks county, July 21, 1818, and his death occurred in 1902. The mother was born in Franklin county on the 17th of January, 1818, and died in 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Warner were married in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and removed to Carroll county, Illinois, in the spring of 1864. The father served in the Civil war, having entered service October 16, 1862, in Comjiany J, One Hundred and Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania Regiment, and he received his discharge on the 12th of August, 1863, at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. For nine years lie engaged in farming in Hlinois and in 187.'? removed to Nebraska, settling in Richardson county where he remained for two years. At the termination of that tinu^ he settled in Polk county where he accpiired a homestead near Stromsburg, and there resided until his death. Seven sons were born to this union, four of whom are living, namely: M. L., who is residing at 1631 Iowa avenue, York, a retired farmer; George Upton, a farmer in the southern part of Polk county; Curtis G., a retired farmer of Hollister, California ; and Clarence H., the subject of this review. The Warner family were reared in the faith of the Evangelical Lutheran church and the father alw-ays gave his vote to the democratic party, being well informed on the questions and issues of the day. The paternal grandfather, Isaac Newton Warner, was born and died in Pennsylvania, and liis father was also a native of that state. The Warner family came to America from Germany before the Revolutionary war and the Miley family also emigrated to this country at an early day, settling in Pennsylvania where the maternal grandfather, William ililey, was born.

In the acquirement of an education Clarence H. Warner attended the schools of Illinois and Nebraska and after putting his textbooks aside engaged in farming. For .some time he also engaged in the teaching of school <luring the early 70"s, but soon turned from tliat profession to devote all of his time to his farming interests. He purchased land in Polk county on which he lived from 1875 to 1903, and then came to York, placing his children in school. He returned to his farm which he sold in 1916 and then purchased two liundred and forty acres of land in LeRoy township, York county. In 190.3 he removed to Y^ork where he has retired and built a fine home at 915 Iowa avenue.

On the 25th of February, 1885, occurred the marriage of Mr. Warner to Miss Mary Gormley, a native of ^'irginia, Illinois, and a daughter of James and Mariah Gormley. They came to Polk county in 1872 and there the father secured a homestead and spent the remainder of his life. He was born in southern Ireland and the mother in northern Ireland. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Warner four children have been born : Ethel May, the wife of William E. Eobson, who is engaged in farming in Kimball county; Kate, at home; Earl, who is an osteopath physician at Caldwell, Idaho ; and Ruth, who is residing at home. Mrs. Warner passed away in 1915, her death coming as a severe loss to her devoted family and friends. She was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the interests of which she always took an active part.

Since age conferred upon Mr. Warner the right of franchise he has been a stanch supporter of the republican party and is well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He is a member of the York city council from the first ward and was assessor of the Stromsburg precinct while residing in Polk county. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Warner started out in life with no capital but a strong determination, the ability to work hard and laudable ambition, and as a result of these characteristics has won for himself a high position in the community in which he resides.

W. Edgar Thompson

One of the most progressive men of York county is W. Edgar Thompson, who is the owner of a large ranch in the sand-hills of Cherry county on which he raises full blooded stock. He was bom in Clark county, Ohio, January -3, 1881, a son of Elwood and Sarah (Wilmar) Thompson extended mention of whom is made in the sketch of another son, Arthur W. Thompson, to be found elsewhere in this work.