Hall County, Nebraska, 1890 Biographies, Surnames J through L

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Transcribed by Kaylynn Loveland, audriana@ginetworks.com

                              NEGenWeb Project
                                Hall County

   "Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton
                                 Counties"
       Published 1890 by the Goodspeed Publishing Co., Chicago, Ill.
                     (Note: Includes Hall County Only)

                        1890 HALL COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES

                                J through L

JOEHNCK, Henry
    Henry Joehnck is an influential pioneer citizen of Hall County, Neb.,
and for some time has been engaged in market-gardening at Grand Island. He
was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, April 28, 1835, and is a son of
Christian and Katharina H. Joehnck. He spent his youth in his native county
and attended school until he was sixteen years of age, after which he went
to Berlin and spent four years learning the trade of a wagon-maker. At the
age of twenty years he accompanied his father and mother, two brothers and
three sisters to America, and on reaching this country the family came
westward to Davenport, Iowa, and two months later the parents, with five of
their children, settled on a farm in Clinton County, where the former spent
the remainder of their days. The father died August 12, 1885, at the age of
ninety-one years, and the mother February 20, 1889, at the advanced age of
eighty-nine years. Henry Joehnck did not accompany his relatives to Clinton
County, but preferred to fight his own way in the world, and accordingly
remained in Davenport two years longer, working at his trade. March 27,
1857, he was married in that city to Miss Margaret Goos, a daughter of Carl
F. G. and Maria (Peterson) Goos. Mrs. Joehnck was born in Schleswig,
Germany, February 4, 1840, and, with her parents, one brother and two
sisters, came to America in the fall of 1851. On reaching this country they
also settled in Davenport, and here Mr. Goos followed the occupation of
wagon-making. He died June 27, 1867, at the age of fifty-four years. His
wife survives him, is a resident of Davenport and is seventy-seven years of
age. Two months after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Joehnck, in company with
twenty-three men and five women, one young girl and one child, started from
Davenport for the territory of Nebraska, overland, and came to the present
site of Grand Island, which town was founded by them and named. It will be
seen from this that Mr. Joehnck and his wife are among the very earliest
settlers. After working at his trade for two years he turned his attention
to farming, gardening and stock-raising, and has successfully followed
these pursuits ever since. The following family have been born to this
couple: William, Fred, Henry, Carl, Dora, Laura, Christian, Augusta, Metha
and Detlef. The eldest of these is thirty and the youngest ten years of
age, and five of the children are married. The entire family are members of
the German Lutheran Church. March 27, 1882, Mr. and Mrs. Joehnck celebrated
their silver wedding, at which time their relatives and friends assembled
in large numbers and left them many handsome and valuable presents as a
token of their respect, good will and esteem.

JONES, Stephen
    Stephen Jones is one of Hall County's prosperous agriculturists, but is
a native of Pennsylvania, born in Luzerne County, March 3, 1842, being a
son of Daniel and Catherine (Jenkins) Jones, the former being also born in
Pennsylvania, his birth occurring in 1807, and there he contunued to make
his home until his death in 1876. A Whig in early life, he afterward became
a Republican, and during the Civil War was a strong Union man and served
for some time as deputy provost marshal. He was a man of very energetic
temperament, but his body was unequal to the duties which he imposed upon
it, and his health was very feeble during the declining years of his life.
His wife was born November 29, 1808, in Pennylvania, and is still a
resident of that State, being hale for her years. The Jones family were
originally from Wales, and the Jenkins from Germany. Stephan Jones attained
manhood in his native State and supplemented his common-school education by
attending Wyoming Seminary. When twenty years of age he enlisted in the
Federal army, in Schooly's independent battery, but it was subsequently
transferred to the Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, Company M, Second
Regiment, and was on duty at Fort Delaware and Washington, D. C., until
May, 1864, when his regiment joined Grant at Cold Harbor, and was with him
until the fall of Petersburg. Following the last battle in which Mr. Jones
participated he was appointed division mail agent in Gen. Hartsuff's
headquarters. He received his discharge June 21, 1865, was mustered out at
Petersburg and retuned to his native State, and after farming for a short
time began teaching school, continuing one term. After acting as foreman of
a gang of men on the construction of a railroad for six months, he remained
at home for the three folloing months, then went to Texas with a brother
and made his home in the West for two years. After farming in his native
State the two following years he was married May 10, 1869, to Miss Margaret
Furman, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1842, and with her removed to
Effingham County, Ill., where he found employment until the following year,
then settling on his present farm in Hall County, Neb., which comprises 240
acres. He is a Republican, a member of the A. F. & A. M., and G. A. R. He
and wife have two daughters: Lulu (who is a teacher in the graded school of
Wood River), Lena M. (who is also a teacher and a graduate of the Wood
River Schools.)

JONES, H. M.
    H. M. Jones, farmer, Wood River, Neb. Among the successful
agriculturists of Hall County, whose merits are such as to entitle him to
representation in the present work is Mr. Jones, the subject of this
sketch. He was born in Luzerne County, Pa., July 13, 1846, and is the son
of Daniel and Catherine (Jenkins) Jones, both natives of Pensylvania. The
father was born also in Luzerne County, May 30, 1807, and lived on one farm
for forty years. He died there in October, 1876. He was a great traveler
and wandered all over Michigan and the Western States. He owned at one time
1,000 acres of land where the city of Chicago is now standing, and sold it
for 50 cents an acre. He was married, October 8, 1826, to Miss Jenkins, who
was born November 29, 1808, and who is still living in Pennsylvania. They
were the parents of twelve children, eleven of whom grew to maturity. The
maternal grandfather was a child at the time of the Wyoming massacre, and
was saved from death by being dressed in the clothes of a woman. H. M.
Jones attained his growth in Pennsylvania, and received a common and
high-school education. He worked on his father's farm until grown and
February 14, 1871, he left home and emigrated West. He joined his brother,
Steve Jones [see sketch], in Illinois, and they took wagons and after a
tedious journey arrived at Lone Tree, Neb. This was the in an unsettled
condition and the present cities were then but villages. They had enough
money to make a start, but the dry weather and grasshoppers made times very
hare. Mr. Jones entered 240 acres of land, which he has since improved very
much. He was married, May 12, 1873, to Miss Rebecca Hillman, a native of
Pennsylvania, born in 1851, and to them have been born two children: Claude
D. and Grace C. Mrs. Jones came with her parents to Nebraska, in 1872, and
received a superior education in her native county. She was a
school-teacher, and the first one in District 8. Her father, Michael
Hillman, was born June 23, 1818, was a native of Pennsylvania, and of Dutch
descent. Her mother, whose maiden name was Caroline Crissman, was born in
Pennsylvaia, in 1831, was married to Mr. Hillman in 1847 and is now living.
Of our subject's brothers and sisters three are deceased: D. W. (born
September 5, 1840, died in June, 1841), Merritt B. (born November 8, 1834,
died January 1, 1870, at Fort Clark, Tex.; he was a government employe) and
France (born November 23, 1827, grew to womanhood, married M. W. Cooley,
and died in 1881, leaving six children). The family of Mr. and Mrs. Jones
consists of Susanna B. (now Mrs. H. K. Ebert, resides in Wood River, Neb.),
Hester (a widow), Elizabeth, Helen M. (the wife of Mr. Day), Elvira
(married) and Louisa, all in Pennsylvania, and T. J. Jones, in Michigan.
Mr. Jones is a Republican in politics and belongs to the M. W. A.

JORDAN, S. M.
    S. M. Jordan, assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Wood
River, Neb., and treasurer of Wood River Township, Hall County, of that
State, was born in Gentry County, Mo., in 1860, and remained on a farm
there until twenty years of age. He graduated from the Northwest Normal and
Business Institute at Stanberry, Mo., in 1885, and afterward taught in the
common schools for some time. Later he was made pricipal of the Stanberry
public schools, which position he held for two years, and in May, 1888, he
moved to Wood River, Neb., where, besides teaching, he has held the
above-mentioned positions of trust and honor. He was elected treasurer of
Wood River Township in November, 1889, and fills that position as well as
collector of the township taxes. He was married in Stanberry, Mo., in June,
1889, to Miss Stella Flowers, a native of Missouri, born in 1863. His
parents, Samuel and Ann (Puterbaugh) Jordan, were both natives of
Pennsylvania, the father born in 1821, and the mother in 1829. The latter
died in 1883, but the father is still living and resides at Stanberry, Mo.
The latter was quite well educated, and followed the teacher's profession
in his younger days i Pennsylvania, and after his marriage to Miss
Puterbaugh he came West, locatin in Ohio, thence to Illinois, afterward to
Wisconsin, Iowa, and finall to Missouri, where they located at Stanberry,
on a farm in 1858. The father, who was in the Union service during the late
war, was judge of the county court of Gentry four years. His grandfather
came from England and was married in Philadelphia. He took part in the War
of 1812; his wife died in her ninety-sixth year. His father and mother wer
both born in Bedford County, Pa. The former held the office of justice of
the peace for over twenty years, and was an old line Whig, being a great
friend of Henry Clay, and masterd the plitical subjects of the day. He said
that he was never drunk but once, and that was the day the news of peace
between this country and England was received. He died at the age of
seventy years. His family consisted of ten children, eight boys and two
girls. One brother and one sister died at the ages of three and five years.
David, the eldest, was self-taught, mastered geometry and surveying, took
yellow fever while locating a railroad in Mississippi and died and was
buried at Natchez. Francis, the second, graduated in Marshall College, in
Pennsylvania, was admitted to the bar of Dedford County, practiced law
several years and was then sent to the State Senate. He was among the first
paymasters Lincoln appointed, and went to Vicksburg to pay the troops,
being there when it was taken, then went to Natchez and became sick, when
he returned home and resigned. Subsequently he was appointed lieutanant
colonel under Gov. Curtain's staff, and State agent for Pennyslvania
troops, with headquarters at Washington D. C. Going to Harrisburg he was
appointed secretary of State under gov. Curtain and reappointed under Gen.
Geery, himself coming within one vote of being nominated Governor of
Pennsylvania. He is now practicing law in circuit and supreme courts in
Pennsylvania, and is over seventy years of age. samuel was the third son
and William the next. His health failed early in life nad he died in
Pennsylvania. John M., the fifth, went by wagon from Chicago to Oregan,
thence to California when gold was discoverd, but retuned to Oregon. On his
return from California he was shipwrecked and lost all but the clothes he
wore. He was a good business man and soon accumulated a fortune. Finally he
went back to Pennsylvania, where he died, leaving a daughter and son, the
latter now a physician in Philadelphia. Thomas, the sixth, died; had a
short but eventful career. He mastered all he undertook. Possessing a geat
memory, he had a good command of language and wonderful powers of oratory.
Overwork in books destroyed his health. He went to Mississippi, then went
to Europe with a son of Gen. Quitman, visited England, Germany, France,
Ireland, Scotland and Italy. Returning home, the next year he started for
the Sandwich Islands. He began teaching there on a good salary, but had to
give it up, and started for hme by way of California. He reached
Sacramento, and in company with his brother John started for Pennsylvania.
On reaching New Orleans Thomas died and was taken to Natchez and buried by
his oldest brother. James, the next, died at the age of twenty-three from
mental over work. The sister graduated at the Young Ladies' Seminary in
Philadelphia, but also lost her health from hard study and died at the age
of seventeen. None of the boys were ever drunk, and but one ever used
tobacco. the ancestors on the mother's side came fro Germany and Ireland
and located in Pennsylvania. To Samuel and Ann (Puterbaugh) Jordan were
born nine children, seven sons and two daughters, our subject being fifth
in order of birth. They are named as follows: Louis and James (both in the
furniture business at Stanberry), William (in St. Joseph, with the Motor
Street Car Line), S. M., George F. (cashier of Sherman County State Bank,
in Sherman County, Kas.), Minnie (at home), John (book-keeper for the
above-mentioned bank in Sherman County, Kas.), Walter (a student at St.
Joseph Business College), Mary (who died at the age of two and a half
years). None of the boys use whisky or tabacco.

KELLY, Nicholas
    Nicholas Kelly was born in the "Emerald Isle" in the month of June,
1829, being a son of Andy and Mary Kelly, who spent their lives on their
native island. In 1856 Nicholas Kelly was united in marriage to Miss Ellin
Costiean, their union taking place in the United States, but she was also
born in Ireland, and on first coming to the New World settled with her
relatives in the province of Canada, but later moved to Philadelphia, Pa.
Mr. Kelly received the advantages of the common schools, and possessing the
quick wit and keen intellect of his countrymen, he made rapid progress in
his studies, and is now a well-informed and intelligent man. He followed
various pursuits until the spring of 1861, then joined the home guards, but
was never in active service. In 1882 he emigrated to Hall County, Neb., and
purchased a farm of 160 acres, but his second crop was destroyed by the
devouring elements, and for some time it was all he could do to make a
living. By almost superhuman efforts he soon established himself on a sound
footing, and has made for himself and family a comfortable home, much
better than is owned by the average Nebraska farmer. His farm of 160 acres
is all under cultivation, and is well stocked. He has always been gnerous
in his contributions to worthy enterpreses, and has always interested
himself in the welfare of the community in which he has resided. He and
wife are the parents of four children: Audrene (deceased), John, William
and Andrew. The family attend the Roman Catholic Church.

KENT, Hiram E.
    Hiram E. Kent, farmer, was born in Erie County, Pa., April 5, 1833, and
is a son of John Kent, who was born in New Hampshire, but was reared
principally in Canada, whither he was taken by his parents at an early day.
After reaching manhood he moved to Vermont, and was married there to Miss
Zanna Chittenden, a native of the "Green Mountain State." Mr. Kent served
for over three years in the War of 1812, and after his marriage moved to
York State, thence to Erie County, Pa., and supplemented this with a
three-years' course in Girard Academy, after which he engaged in teaching
the "young idea" in Pennsylvania and Arkansas. He was married in 1860, in
Pennsylvania, to Miss Asenath Jerome, who was born, reared and educated in
Ohio, and a daughter of Charles Jerome, and after their marriage they
engaged in farming in Erie County, continuing until 1864, and in February
of that year Mr. Kent enlisted in the Third Pennsylvania Artillery, and
served until he received his discharge, July 25, 1865. He was then engaged
in farming in Erie County until 1869, at which time he moved to Kansas, and
after a two-years' residence in Atchison County, he came to Hall County,
Neb., and is now the owner of 160 acres of good land. His farm is situated
about five miles from Grand Island, and is well improved with good
buildings, fences, orchards, etc. Mr. Kent has served about twelve years as
justice of the peace, and is a man who caommands the respect and esteem of
all with whom he comes in contact. He and wife have a daughter, Elma A.
(who is still at home.)

KOEHLER, Gustave
    Gustave Joehler is a liquor merchant and ice dealer of Grand Island,
Neb., and was born at Mohorn, near Wilsdruff, kingdom of Saxony, Germany,
December 27, 1842, being a son of Heinrick and Carolina (Henker) Koehler,
who reared a family of three children: Bertha (widow of Herman Werner, of
Wilsdruff), Louis and Gustave. The father was a brick-maker by trade.
Gustave Koehler came to America in 1866, and joined his brother Louis in
Indiana, the latter being now a resident of Chicago, in the tin-smithing
business, and although he had learned the drug business prior to coming to
this country, he found that the hardware business would be more profitable,
and accordingly opened an establishment at New Corydon, Ind., and was
profitably engaged there for two years. Being subject, however, to chills
and fever in that locality, he removed to Omaha, Neb., and worked at the
liquor business for two years, and then followed the same occupation n
Wichita, Kas., beig also engaged in farming and gardening. Since 1880 he
has resided in Grand Island, and although he held the office of supervisor
of Hall County one term, he is averse to holding public office. In 1885 he
started a fine ice and fish pond at Grand Island, introducing German carp,
and in addition to thise enterprises, he is quite extensively engaged in
the real-estate business, dealing in farms as well as city property. He is
a stockholder in the Grand Island Improvement Company, is a director of the
Citizen's Bank, and is a stockholder in the canning factory. In all matters
pertaining to the growth and development of his locality he has given an
active support, and is highly respected as one of the leading business men
of this portion of the State. He is a member of the Liederkranz, and he and
his family worship in the Lutheran Church. He was married in Council
Bluffs, Iowas, to Miss Kate Whitney, a native of York State, born in Otsego
County. Mr. Koehler's only child, Emma, is a student at Garfield
University, Wichita, Kas.

KOENIG, Hon. Henry Arnold
    Hon. Henry Arnold Koenig, president of the Citizens' National Bank at
Grand Island, Neb., was born in Gütersloh, Westphalen, Prussia, May 3,
1836, and is a son of Henry Christof and CAroline (Zumwinkel) Koenig, the
former of whom was a distiller by occupation, although his attention was
given to other occupations also, he being the proprietor of a hotel. The
Koenigs were a merchatile and manufacturing people, and the Zumwinkels were
prominently identified with the pork packing interests of Westphalen. Hon.
Henry Arnold Koenig grew to manhood in his native land and received a good
literrary education in the public schools, supplemented by a commercial
training at Osnabrück, graduating from an educatinal institution of htat
place, at the age of sixteen years. After spending four years as clerk in
Arnsberg he went back to Gütersloh, and for about three years was a
book-keeper in a pork-packing establishment belonging to an uncle. He next
spent one year in the regular army, but in the fall of 1859 he joined an
elder brother, who had been a resident of Omaha, Neb., and was then at home
on a visit, and came with him to America, and until the breaking out of the
late Civil War was engaged in clerking in Omaha. He then enlisted in
Company B, First Nebraska Volunteer Infantry, and was on active duty until
the fall of Fort Donelson, when he was honorably discharged on account of
disability and returned to Omaha. In 1863 he became associated with Fred A
Wiebe in the general mercantile business in Denver, Colo., but not being
satisfied with his location he sold out his interest there and returned to
Omaha, but almost immediately came to Grand Island nd opened a general
mecantile establishment, which he successfully conducted for several years.
During the Sioux Indian War of 1864 he fortified his store, and many
farmers with their families would take refuge there during the night to
protect themselves from the depredations of the Indians. During the
construction of the Union Pacific Railroad he was a general contractor in
railroad ties, and also furnished supplies and kept a State station and
telegraph office for the Western Union Telegraph Company. Mr. Koenig and
his partner built the first saw-mill in Grand Island, and in 1867 attached
a grist-mill, which did dity here for many years. They dealt in grain,
lumber, coal and general merchandise at an early day, but by 1871 it had
become so extensive that they opened a State bank under the name of the
State Central Bank, which continued until 1884 and then became the
Citizens' National Bank, and as such has since cintinued, Mr. Koenig being
president of the bank continually since its organization. In 1887 the
United Sates Investment Company was organized and a street car railway was
built, of which Mr. Koenig has since been president. He has always been a
very public spirited citizen, and to his influence is die the establishment
of the beet root sugar industry at Grand Island, and he was also one fo the
chief promoters of the Grand Island Improvement Company. He has been active
in local politics and has seved the county as treasurer several terms, and
from 1871 to 1874 was treasurer of the State. He has also been a member of
the school board of the city, and was one of the organizers of the
Liederkranz. Although he attends the Lutheran Church he is liberal in his
views. He was married in Grand Island, Miss Agathe Henriette Von Wasmer, a
daughter of William Von Wasmer becoming his wife, and his union with her
has resulted in the birth of three sons and one daughter: Richard (who is a
book-keeper in the Citizen's National Bank, is married and the father of a
son, named William), Mary (who is the accomplished wife of Dr. John Janss,
of North Loup, Neb., and is the mother of a daughter, named Frida), Arnold
(an intelligent young gentleman, taking the civil engineers' course in the
Washington University of St. Louis), and Henry (a clerk in St. Louis).

KURKA, William
    William Kurka is a Bohemian, born in 1840, which fact is enough to
assure one that he is one of the enterprising, frugal and industrious men
of the community in which he resides. He remained in his native land until
thirty years of age, then came to the United States to seek his fortune,
and subsequent events have proved his judgment to be good, for his is now a
successful merchant tailor of Grand Island, and has a competency which
places him beyond the reach of want. After coming to the New World he
worked for a short time in Chicago, then traveled for some time, and in
1880 located in Grand Island, and here has been prominently identified with
teh mechant tailoting interes of the place ever since. He is the owner of a
fine business block and residence in Grand Island and the thorough manner
in which he has conducted his affairs and the success which has attended
his efforts, have tended to place him among the leading business men of the
place. He wa united in marriage to Miss Anna Manning, a native of London,
Canada, their union takingplace there. Mr. Kurka is a Select Knight of the
K. Of P., and as a man of business enjoys the esteem and confidence of all
who know him. His parents, Matthew and Catherine Kurka, were also native
Bohemians.

LAMON, Elbert S.
    Elbert S. Lamon was brought up to the life of a farmer by his father,
Manuel Lamon, and like the majority of boys has followed in his
progenitor's footsteps, and is now one of the leading agriculturists and
stockmen of Hall County. He is a native of the "Hoosier State," born in
Harrison County, June 10, 1831, whither hisparents moved from thier native
State of Tennessee in 1829, both being of German parentage. Here the father
was engaged in farming until his death, which occurred about 1868, his wife
surviving him about twenty years, her death occurring at the advanced age
of ninety-seven years. Mr. Lamon was a man well known and highly esteemed
for his many worthy qualities, and was for twelve consecutive years
magistrate in his district. He was also a faitful soldier in the War of
1812. Elbert S. Lamon attained his manhood in Harrison County, Ind., making
his home with his father, and was married there November 23, 1854, to
Priscilla Green, a daughter of John and Leah Green, natives of the "Blue
Grass State." Mrs. Lamon was born and reared in Kentucky, and after her
marriage she and Mr. Lamon settled on a farm in Crawford County, which they
continued to till until the fall of 1874, when they came to Nebraska. From
that time until the spring of 1880 Mr. Lamon rented land, but in the
last-named year located on the farm he now occupies, which consists of 274
acres of fine land. He has just sold 200 acres, and now has a neat little
farm of seventy-four acres all under cultivation and well improved with
excellent buildings. He has a fine young bearing orchard of about 800
trees, also some cherry and plum trees. He has always been a Republican in
his political view, and has served as a delegate to numerous county
conventions. He has been a member of the school board in his district, and
socially is a member of the Msonic fraternity, Deuel Chapte No. 11. His
family consists of the following children: Manuel (who is married and
resides in Sherman County, Neb.), William C. (who is married and resided in
Grand Island), John, Walter, Virginia A. (wife of E.C. Walker, a sketch of
whom appears in this work), Amy E. (wife of Austin Roberts, of Decatur
County, Iowa), Minerva, Ida C. and Cora M.

LANGAN, John F.
    John F. Langan, dealer in retail liquor, Wood River, Neb. This
gentleman is a native of Pennsylvania, born January 5, 1857, and is the son
of James and Mary (Bresnihan) Langan. The father was a native of the
Emerald Isle, and came to the United States when a young man, located in
Pittston, Luzerne County, Pa., and there worked in the mines for some time.
He was married in that State, and there reared six of the seven children
born to his union. He still resides in Pittston, but comes out West to
visit his son, J. F., quite ofter. The mother was born in Cork, Ireland,
but came to America and was married in Pennsylvania to Mr. Langan. She was
the mother of seventeen children. J. F. Langan grew to manhood in
Pennsylvania, received a common school education, and worked in machine
shops, and engaged in running a sewing-machine factory for four and a half
years. He came to this State in 1885 and remained here about ten months,
when he went back and worked for the same company for about nine months.
Again he returned to this State and embarked in the liquor business in Wood
River, and has been here about three years. He has been quite successful,
and is an enterprising and industrious man. He was married June 12, 1888,
to Miss Maggie Conner, a native of Farmsdale, Pa., where she received her
education. She is a lady of superior mental ability, and of high personal
attainments. They have one child, a daughter, named Mary A. Mr. Langan owns
the fixtures for two saloons here and is doing well. He is a member of the
Catholic Church.

LEE, Seth
    Seth Lee, farmer and stock-raiser, Cameron, Neb. A glance at the lives
of the many representative men whose names appear in this volume will
reveal sketches of some honored, influential citizens, who have passed
beyond man's allotted age of three-score years and ten, and among those
deserving of mention is Mr. Seth Lee. He was born in Bristol County, Mass.,
July 12, 1818, and his father, Stephen Lee, was also a native of the same
county in Massachusetts. The latter grew to manhood, received his
education, and was married to Miss Sarah West in Bristol County. She was
also a native of that county, and there grew to womanhood. They were the
parents of eight children, all of whom reached maturity. Both parents were
members of the Christian Church. The paternal great-grandfather, G. F.
Stephen Lee, was born in Bristol County, Mass., and was a farmer by
occupation. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and his grandson,
Stephen D. Lee, has his gun. Seth Lee was eighteen years of age when he
moved to Providence, R. I., where he learned the trade of carpenter, and
was married August 13, 1840, to Miss Lucy Pearce, a native of that city,
who was born March 22, 1822. They were the parents of the following
children: Edwin S. (born June 17, 1842), Julia M. (born October 13, 1844),
Amanda E. (born February 15, 1848), Willard H. (born March 28, 1856) and
Charles F. (born March 18, 1862, and died February 27, 1867). Seth Lee
worked at contracting and building for twenty-five years, and in that way
accumulated considerable wealth. He came west in 1872, invested in land,
and is now the owner of two sections, valued at $30 per acre. He began life
with little or no means, but by saving $100 a year was worth $10,000 when
he left Rhode Island. He is a member of the Christian Church, and in his
political views affiliates with the Republican party. During the late
unpleasantness between the North and South he was a stanch Union man, and
opposed to slavery. His wife is still living, and if both survive until
August 13, 1890, they will be permitted to celebrate the fiftieth
anniversary of their wedding. The grandparents on both sides were natives
of Bristol County, Mass., and the maternal grandfather was a mechanic by
trade, and a member of the Christian Church. He died in Warren, R. I.

LEE, Edwin S.
    Edwin S. Lee, farmer and stock-raiser, Wood River Neb. This prosperous
farmer and stock-raiser of Hall County, Neb., owes his nativity to
Povidence, R. I., where his birth occurred June 17, 1842 [see sketch of
Seth Lee, for parents], and remained there until sixteen years of age,
atttending the public schools of that city. He then moved with his parents
to Massachusetts, and attended school in that State until twenty-one years
of age. In 1864 he married Miss amanda C. Wood, who was born in the town of
Swansea, Mass., in 1844, and who received a more than ordinary education.
They remained in Massachusetts, where Mr. Lee followed agricultural
pursuits until 1872, when he emigrated to Nebraska, and settled in Hall
County, where he homesteaded a good tract of land. He is now the owner of
320 acres, all of which is tillable, and is one of the flourishing
stock-raisers and feeders of the county. His farm shows evidence of thrift
and energy. They came to Nebraska at a day when the marks of pioneer life
were everywhere present, and brought with them the customs of the urbane
populatin of the Eastern States. They are the parents of four living
children: Arthur (who was born May 20, 1867), Stephen (born in September,
1869), Lawrence (born December 25, 1873), Seba (born November 29, 1881);
Hattie, who died May 28, 1888, was twenty-three years of age. Stephen
attended the Methodist Episcopal School at Central City, Neb., and is
especially proficient in mathematics. Mr. and Mrs. Lee made a visit to
their old home during the autumn of 1889, visiting Bunker Hill Monument and
old Faneul Hall, and other important places in and about their old home.
They brought with them on their return as family relics two readers bearing
the date of 1802 and 1805, respectively, also the arithmetic used in the
eighteenth century by ancestors of the family. Mrs. Lee is a lady of
education and refinement, and is above the average in culture and
attainments. Her parents, Abel B. and Amanda C. (Case) Wood, were both
natives of Massachusetts, the former born in 1814 and the latter in 1818.
He was a farmer and died in Massachusetts in 1887. He was a member of the
Christian Church. The mother died in December, 1888, and was one of
eighteen children born to her parents, her mother being fifty-one years of
age when Mrs. Wood was born. Mr. Lee has acceptably served as justice of
the peace. He is a Republican in politics, and he and wife are members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church.

LENNAN, Edward
    Edward Lennan, farmer and stock-raiser, Underwood. What is usually
termed genius has little to do with the success of men in general. Keen
perception, sound judgment and a determined will, supported by persevering
and continuous effort, are essential elements to success in any calling.
Mr. Lennan was born in Maine, in 1848, and was reared and educated in that
State. He went to Wisconsin in 1870, remained there but a short time and
then went to Woodford County, Ill., where he worked in a store for about a
year. In 1874 he came to Hall County, Neb., and was married in Hastings
County (sic), Neb., in 1878, to Miss Mary C. Page, a native of New
Hamphire, and the daughter of John W. and Sarah A. (Page) Page, natives of
the Granite State. Mrs. Page is still a native of that State, but Mr. Page
is deceased. After his marriage Mr. Lennan settled on the farm where he now
lives, and has made many improvements. He planted an orchard, also has some
small fruit, and is very comfortably fixed. His farm, consisting of 160
acres, is situated from eight to ten miles from three or four towns, is all
cultivated, and on it he has two houses. He is interested in politics, and
votes with the Republican party; is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, and
has held office in this organization, and he and Mrs. Lennan are members of
the North Hastings Congregational Church. Mr. Lennan, being one of the
early settlers south of the Platte River, passed through the grasshopper
raids, the drought and the bad storms of Nebraska, but likes the State and
is permanently located here. His parents, Thomas and Dorothea (Page)
Lennan, were natives of the Pine Tree State, and the father always made his
home in that State. He was a wool-carder and died in 1869. The mother died
in 1869. They were the parents of four children, of whom Edward Lannan was
the youngest.

LILLEY, Joseph
    Joseph Lilley. The subject of this sketch is one of the honored
residents of Hall County, Neb., and although he has only resided here for a
period of ten years, he has become well known and the respect and esteem
shown him is as wide as his acquaintance. His finely improved arm of 151
acres is well improved with good buildings, fences, orchard, etc., and he
is accounted by all a successful tiller of the soil. He was born in the
"Keystone State" in 1837, being a son of Isaac and Mary (De Walt) Lilley,
who were born in 1801 and 1803 respectively, and died in Pennsylvania in
1885. Joseph Lilley received the education and rearing which is usualy
accorded the farmer's boy, and upon reaching a proper age was united in the
bonds of matrimony to Miss Caroline McCarter, who was born in 1845, also in
Pennsylvania. She is a daughter of E. B. and Eunice (Bacon) McCater, who
were born in 1796 in Pennsylvania, and in New York in 1801, and died in
Pennsylvania in 1871 and 1885, repectively. Mr. Lilley's marriage took
place in Pennsylvania in 1864, and their union has resulted in the birth of
the following children: Isabella, Daniel De Walt, Edwin K., Pharez B.,
Eunice M., J. Harley, Sarah E., Bertie C., Emma F. (deceased), Lora V. and
Orville H. Isabella, the eldest daughter, is now the wife of Robert L.
Converse, their union taking place in 1882, and they have since been
residents of Montana. During the late war Mr. Lilley served in the One
Hundred and seventy-second Rigiment, Pennsylvania Infantry (drafted), until
1863. He is now a member of the G. A. R., and in his political views is a
Republican and is a director of his school district. E. B. McCarter had
four sons in the Volunteer army, the youngest of whom, Henry, died of fever
contracted in Virginia. James died also of disease. Warren was wounded and
held a prisoner, and Elisha is still living. Mr. Lilley had also a brother
among the Volunteers.

LOAN, George
    George Loan, Sr., water commissioner of Grand Island, was born in
Edinburgh, Scotland, March 23, 1826, being a son of George and Mary
(Glendinning) Loan, the former a physician in the royal navy and an eminent
man, who became a sacrifice in the East India service to the fever
prevalent there. George Loan attained manhood in his native land, and in
his early youth became proficient in the art of wire-making, and afterward
worked for about fourteen years as an expert. His trade carried him over
Scotland, England and Ireland, and in 1867 he came to America and settled
in Grand Island, where he has made his home ever since. For about four
years he worked in the Union Pacific car shops at Grand Island and three
years in the Union Pacific machine shops at North Platte, Neb., and
afterward spent some time in the Black Hills, but returned in 1877, and has
since been closely identified with Grand Island's interests. He served four
years as chief of police, and is now filling the office of water
commissioner, and is a stockholder in the Grand Island Improvement Company
and the Grand Island Canning Company. He has reared and educated his family
well, and has the pleasure of seeing them occupy honorable citizenship in
the differnt localities in which they live. He came to these shores a poor
man, willing and capable to earn a respectable livelihood, but has
succeeded far beyond his expectations, and to-day enjoys the blessings of
plenty and the esteem and respect of all who know him. He still retains a
healthy constitution, and the pleasant geniality of his youth. He was
married in Downpatrick, Ireland, to Miss Sarah Johnson, a native of
Northumberland, England, a daughter of Thomas Johnson, and by her became
the father of the following family of children: Alice (wife of Robert
Patterson, a substantial citizen of Sedalia, Colo., and an engineer by
profession), Mary (wife of Warren Goddard, engineer at Raton, N. M.),
Fannie (wife of Robert M. Stout, also an engineer, of Como, Colo.), Matilda
W. and Bessie G. (at home, the latter being her father's assistant),
George, Jr. (a business man in Grand Island) and Edgar G. (a printer in
Denver, Colo.)

LOWRY, Clarence
    Clarence Lowry, farmer and stock-raiser, Doniphan, Neb. Clarnece Lowry
was born in Fulton County, Ind., in 1854, and his early life was divided
between working on the farm and attending the common schools of the period.
At the age of eighteen years he emigrated to Hall County, Neb., with his
mother, and at that time there was not a house on the table land south of
the Platte River. In 1876 he homesteaded eighty acres where he now resides
and commenced improving the same, and to that he has added enough to make
200 acres of good tillable land, situated on Platte River. He was married
in Hall County in 1877 to Miss Maggie Dufford, a native of Pennsylvania,
who was left an orphan at an early age. She came to this county with her
uncle, Charles Dufford [see sketch]. Four children wre born to Mr. and Mrs.
Lowry: Della, Nettie, Archie and Robert. Mr. Lowry is a Republican in
politices, and takes considerable interest in the political affairs of the
county. Socially he is a member of Doniphan Lodge No. 86, A. F. & A. M.
Like others of the pioneer settlers, he has experienced the grasshopper
raids, but has never been discouraged, and likes the State well enough to
make it his permanent home. The improvements on his place are complete and
neat in all respects. Stock-raising in conjunction with his farming
operations he is making a specialty. He was the youngest of ten children
born to the marriage of William and Sarah (Clark) Lowry, natives of the
Buckeye State. At an early day the parents moved to Indiana, thence to
Nebraska in 1858, settling in Nemaha County, and there the father was
engaged in tilling the soil. He died in 1861 and the family came to Hall
County in 1872. The mother is still living and resides with the subject of
this sketch.

LYNCH, Rev. P.
    Reb. P. Lynch, Wood River, Neb. Among the Catholic prelates of the
diocese of Omaha, Neb., who have especially distinguished themselves as
laborers in the vineyard of Christ, none are more zealous, nor have the
labors of any one been crowned with greater success, than those of Rev.
Father Lynch, the subject of this sketch, and the present pastor of St.
Mary's Church, Wood River, Neb. He is a man of medium stature, light
complexion, and the benignity of his countenance bespeaks a heart full of
the gentleness of Christian charity; but to the astute observer there lurks
behind the depth of his dark blue eye the energy of that grand old Celtic
race so famed in history for their eloquence and for the zeal with which
they execute all projects that advance the interest of religion. Father
Lynch was born in County Cavin, Ireland, and is the son of James and Mary
(Smith) Lynch. In his earlier childhood he attended the national school of
his native village, and when twelve years of age entered St. Patrick's
Seminary, Cavin, Ireland, and completed a six years' classical course.
After graduation there he entered the Theological College, Dublin, Ireland,
and five years later, after arduous research and study, he graduated from
the extensive course there. June 24, 1873, he was ordained priest in the
above-named college by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Whalen. After ordination he
remained three months in his native parish in Cavin, Ireland, with his
parents, who were at this time in the vigor of life, and enjoyed a full
realization of the most sanquine dreams of the devout Irish Catholic
parents to see their son an ordained priest in the Roman Catholic Church.
Father Lynch was ordained for the diocese of Omaha, Neb., U. S. A., and in
August of the year in which he was ordained was trnasferred to the city of
Omaha. He acted as assistant pastor of the Cathedral at Omaha one year, was
then made curate of Columbus, Neb., and served in that capacity for sixteen
months. The ability and fidelity with which he had filled his charges up to
this time caused him to be appointed pastor of the parish of North Platte
and missionary of the same. When he arrived at North Platte he found an
ordinary parish with no church facilities. He secured a small room in a
country hotle there, and thus devoid of all the comforts of life, with at
best but gloomy possibilities and a period of painstaking labor before him,
he commenced his career as a pastor. He had a firm trust in God and a manly
reliance on his own capabilities. A handsome structure, the first Catholic
building ever erected in Lincoln County, Neb., still decorates South Platte
as a monument to the scene of Father Lynch's first efforts as a pastor. He
also established new missions in that county. He was sent to Plattsmouth,
Cass Count, Neb., and there built two new churches, established one
mission, bought two Catholic cemeteries, and secured the property on which
now stands an excellent convent school. He accomplished his work in Cass
County in the short space of five years, and at the termination of that
time was removed to Grand Island, Hall County, Neb. He remained in that
city for nearly two years, when it was discovered that the incipient parish
of Wood River was surely in need of the personal supervision of a man of
energy and progress in order to bring it to the standard which it deserved.
Accordingly Father Lynch was made the first resident pastor of Wood River.
He found here nothing but the crude material, no church and no pastoral
residence, no place for the service of mass. He, however, nerved himself
for the struggle, and a spacious church, the largest building in the town
of Wood River, and beautiful eight-room pastoral residence and other church
property, altogether running far up into the thousands in value and none of
it incumbered by a cent of debt, are evidences of the result of his labors
in Wood River. This is only excelled by the moral regeneration that has
taken place in the parish since his location here. Absence of religious
authority and of religious cermonies had caused many of the people to fall
into habit of public dissipation, giving scandal to themselves and to
religion. His mild but determined policy placed a check upon the career of
the wayward and a seal upon the lips of the traducer, and his wise and
prudent counsel has raised many to a plane of moral thinking and living to
which they had hitherto been strangers. Father Lynch's sermons are models
of literary simplicity. The most illiterate can not fail to understand
them, and the most highly educated can but admire their beauty and
strength.

           2001 © Kaylynn Loveland, Hall County NEGenWeb Project
(End of File)