YORK COUNTY NEBRASKA
OLD SETTLER'S HISTORY

     (132) J. W. Rush was born in Fayette county. Pa., in 1822, coming to Ill. in 1854, when that state was thought of as "away out west." In 1862 at the age of 40 he enlisted in the 129 Reg. Ill. Vol., going with Sherman in his famous march "to the sea," and engaging in active service in the last battle of the civil war. In 1872 he again determined to try his fortune in a new state, consequently landed in York county in June of that year, under the law lately coming into effect giving the soldier 160 acres of land. He homesteaded that amount on Sec. 18, Twp. 9, R. 1, W. When he and his wife and children proceeded to make a home in the best sense of the word. Mr. Rush had brought with him from Pennsylvania, a love for the fruit tree, and his was one of the first orchards in the county. Several years ago (133) he moved to McCool and now lives at Blue Vale with his daughter, Mrs. S. S. Deffenbaugh, his wife having died some years ago.

     Mr. Rush celebrated his 90th birthday recently, and is, we think, the oldest homesteader living in the county at this time.

     S. S. Deffenbaugh with his wife and two children came from Wyoming, Ill., in 1874, arriving just a few weeks before the grasshoppers made their first destructive visit to the homesteaders, this little army, no doubt, had often rested on the plains of York county, when their sustenance was only greens and the bark and leaves of the few trees that grew only along the rivers, but now conditions were changed, delicious corn and vegetables were awaiting them, and it took only a few hours for the devastating army to destroy all that the hopeful farmers had in store for the the coming year.

     That was one of the dark pictures of Homestead Life. It meant suffering for many fathers and mothers who had sacrificed much for their children, and now perhaps, they must hear them cry for food, and here allow me to say that such would have been the case more frequently if it had not been for the relief sent from the East; but even this visit from a destructive enemy did not discourage Mr. Deffenbaugh and his worthy companion. They had come west to get a home; the spirit of progress and enterprise was a rich heritage to them. The beautiful home in which they now live, tells its own story, and speaks in stronger language than can the pen of the writer of the valiant industry of Mr. and Mrs. S. S. Deffenbaugh.

     Among those who settled along the Blue during the summer of 1866 was Nicholas Nye, an eccentric man who delighted in being called "Old Nick." Going one day into the home of Mr. Ong, he found no one home but Grandma Ong, quite an aged lady. "Madam," he said. "did you ever hear of the Old Nick?" "I certainly have," she replied. Vell den, here you see him," he said, in his quaint Pennsylvania Dutch accent.

     (134) Mr. Nye came from Philadelphia with the Fouces, and homesteaded on Sec. 10, R. 3, W; the farm now owned by Mr. Hagerman.

     Mr. Nye always claimed that cooking food was an unnecessary trouble, and therefore ate his vegetables raw, with meat and fish as a desert, in the same condition.

     Hiram Schnebley arrived in West Blue in 1873, and located on the same section with Mr. Rush. Mr. Schnebley's coming to Nebraska was purely accidental. When a young man living near New Salem, Ohio, he caught the western fever everywhere prevalent at that time and joined the tide of emigrants pouring into Nebraska and Kansas. Coming to Lincoln, then nothing but a village; with a future, he found his money gone and proceeded to walk westward, arriving at E. Gilmore's he learned of the one homestead still vacant, which, because it was a rough 80, no one had taken it. Immediately returning to Lincoln, he filed on the land, thus gaining time in which to earn the money necessary to homesteading, by working during the summer months and teaching school in the winters. He improved his land upon which he still lives.

     Mr. Schnebley is known throughout South York county by the name of the Berry-man, he having what is probably the largest small fruit farm in the county, which he values about ten thousand dollars.

     W. H. Taylor, who had raised a small crop of oats during the summer of 1867 found the same unthreshed in the spring of '68. Clearing off a small spot of ground he called his neighbors in and proceeded to thresh in a primitive way, that is by putting the oats on the ground and driving the horses over it -- not much like the steam threshers of today. Towards evening two men rode up and informed them that they had followed a band of Indians, who had stolen their horses, from Kansas, and that the Indians were in camp (135) about one mile east. The men had run their horses, and now they wanted Mr. Taylor and his threshing outfit to help get their property.

     Knowing it was best for settlers to keep on good terms with the Indians, the men hesitated to go, but after several more men had joined the band they proceeded to the Indian camp. The men from Kansas were evidently used to dealing with the Indians. The leader left all the men but the one who had come with him him in the bushes, with orders to remain quiet unless they should hear shooting, then to be ready for action. The other man was placed with a gun behind a tree and the leader advanced unarmed to the camp. Calling the Chief aside he explained his mission and demanded his horses. The Chief turned and spoke to his tribe, instantly four warriors came out with bow in one hand and an arrow held between each finger of the other. This meant fight. The man behind the tree stepped out with his gun aimed; this was enough for the chief, it frightened him into submission, he ordered his braves back and told the men to get their horses. The men in ambush were told to watch lest the Indians follow, but no attempt was made to do so. 

     The Indians who came through the country at this tine, had no desire to have trouble with the homesteaders. They frequently passed with horses which they claimed to have stolen from the Sioux, and it is supposed that they sometime captured some from the whites. If so, perhaps they were only doing what the white men sometimes did with them; only repeating a lesson too well learned from their dealings with the "Pale Face."

     In the main the Indian tribes who frequented this section of the country were honest, and treated the homesteaders fairly.

     Christmas, 1866, was a great event in the pioneer home. No doubt memories of by-gone days, with far away, friends, made the people lonely, and somewhat homesick. But the children must have their pleasures, and the (136) Christmas dinner must be prepared. A fowl for the festive occasion seemed an absolute necessity, but the chickens who had made the journey from Illinois, in coops fastened on the hind part of the wagon, must not be sacrificed, so they were dependent on the wild turkey for the Christmas dinner.

     Levi Dean, (Father of Mr. N. A. Dean of York), had come west during the summer and was making his home with Elias Gilmore, he was an expert marksman, having learned to shoot game among the hills of old Somerset county, Pa., and to him the family looked for the Christmas turkey. Early on the morning of December 24, he took his gun, an old fashioned rifle, and started in pursuit of his game. Soon finding a large flock of turkeys, he shot and killed two birds with one bullet; we mention this fact because we think it has never been excelled, and rarely equaled in the county, even by the modern sportsmen with their improved guns. Thus the Christmas was a success. Other delicacies may have been absent, but the turkeys were the one important factor. The old dugout decorated with wild berries gathered from the timber; with the bright fire in the huge fireplace, took on quite a festive air. The candy brought from Nebraska City, for the children supplemented by taffy made from the sorghum that had been brought from Illinois, made the children happy, and the families of J. H. and EIias Gilmore remember this "First Christmas in Nebraska" as a happy one.

     Mr. Dean did not lose his reputation as a hunter after that Christmas feat was accomplished and shortly afterwards he killed a wild cat, the only one the writer ever saw, and perhaps the only one ever killed in York county. It was a magnificent animal, symmetrical in form, and beautiful in coloring. Christmas time also brings to us a memory of the first Indians we ever saw. Soon after the holidays a band of Indians camped west of the house; the coming of the Red Men had been the event most dreaded by the children. We had heard Indian stories, gazed on Indian pictures until even our dreams were colored by visits from them. Father had gone to Nebraska City for supplies thus adding new terror to the situation. "There comes an Indian, crossing the river on the ice," someone (137) said, mother with a pale serious face went to the door, determined to show hospitality even to an Indian. Even now, in thought, we can see our youngest brother, W. C. Gilmore, and his chubby form disappeared under the bed, while we were trying to decide if it would be better or more safe to hold o n to our mother's dress skirt or follow our brother, but finally decided that the dress skirt or mother's presence offered d the most protection. The Indian proved to be an intelligent squaw who could talk English fairly well, and our fear of the Red Men was overcome to such an extent that we enjoyed their frequent visits thereafter. Although their custom of entering the house unannounced often frightened the women folks. In the absence of J. R. Gilmore at one time during that winter, his wife and two small children and Mary Gilmore, now Mrs. A. G. Corey of Fairfield, Nebr., were alone, suddenly the window was darkened, and a big warrior Chief was calmly looking into the room seeing that he was observed he opened the door, walled in and sat down by the fire. Noticing a butcher knife on the table he asked for it -- of course his request was granted -- then he took out a whetstone,  and began carefully to sharpen the knife. The women were badly frightened, but knew it was best to remain in the house. After getting the knife in a satisfactory condition he went to the mirror and proceeded to cut the whiskers from his face. This was his way of shaving.

     In 1865 Elias Gilmore in company with his eldest son, Jacob Rush Gilmore and Will Taylor left Livingston county, Ill., for Nebraska, traveling overland with team and wagon. They were delayed at Sidney, Iowa, for some weeks while waiting for the ice on the Missouri river to become sufficiently strong to drive over, consequently, did not arrive in York county, until the latter part of December leaving the old Freight Road at the Fouce Ranch, they followed a dim wagon track westward along the Blue.

     Finding John Anderson and his family already located near the eastern line of the county; coming west they ate Christmas dinner in camp on section 6, range 1, just north of (138) the river from where the K. P. Camp is now located; then locating their land, returned to Nebraska City, homesteading the same Jan. 1, 1866. Then once again driving across the country to the new homes began the work of improving them. Their nearest P. O. was Camden, 25 miles away. They spent the winter in a small dugout near the river, surrounded by Indians. Mrs. Taylor remaining there alone at one time, while J. R. Gilmore again made the trip to Nebraska City, from which place Elias Gilmore returned to Illinois.

     This proved to be a very fine winter until the 14th of February, when they were visited by a regular blizzard, the snow completely covering both house and barn. In April, J. R. Gilmore, wife and little daughter Ella, now Mrs. S. J. Dutton, of Davis Creek, California, arrived and to them was born, June 3rd, 1866, their second daughter, Lily M., now Mrs. J. E. Hunt of Bayard, Nebr.

     Elias Gilmore had shipped to Nebraska City, meat, flour and such farming implements as were needed in the new country. During the summer of 1866, David Bussard, A. J. Gilmore, Chris. Hollock, A. Decius, Fernando McFadden and Jerry Stanton, came from Illinois and located along the river. Jerry Stanton having homesteaded the land upon which McCool is now located. David Bussard was one of the first County Commissioners, and A. J. Gilmore was for some years blacksmith for the entire county.

     November 3, 1866, Elias Gilmore with his family arrived, having brought 14 head of cattle, 6 head of horses with him and afterwards buying two small hogs from a ranchman on Salt Creek, southeast of the present city of Lincoln. This was the beginning of a stock industry that has yielded an abundant harvest. The winter of 66-7 was a very severe one, with an immense fall of snow. Food must he hauled from Nebraska City. Prairie fires had destroyed the already limited supply of hay. Those who remained on their farms during this winter had a hard time, but crops were exceedingly good the following year. This giving encouragement to the somewhat discouraged ones.

     A description of the dugout in which the Gilmore family (139) lived for a few years will not be amiss, as it is only from the pages of history that this kind of a house will be known to this and the coming generations. Dug into the hillside near the river with front built of logs, the bank growing deeper toward the back until it was almost seven feet, upon which a few more logs were placed. A floor made of hewn slabs, smoothed, sometimes called 'puncheons' the roof was also covered with the same, over which a few inches of dirt was thrown, a huge fire place in the next with the chimney built of sod, plastered with mud. Rough boards overhead made a low sleeping room for the men. This house was 24x16 ft, in size, and was in truth a home for many land seekers at that time. '69 found many settling along the river, and also prairie lands were being taken, the timber being used for fuel, and sometimes corn stalks were utilized for the same purpose.

This was a very wet summer and the dirt roof failed to keep out the rain, a new house became necessary. Mr. Gilmore had raised an abundant crop both of barley and buckwheat, the latter was first taken to the Camden mills, converted into flour, then hauled to the city and sold for $11.00 (eleven dollars) per hundred. The barley also taken to Nebraska City, brought $1.75 per bu.

     The wagons were then loaded with lumber for the new house, this being, we think, the first frame house in the county. Native trees taken to Milford and sawed into rough lumber was used for the work. The pine lumber bought in Nebraska City costing there $90.00 per thousand feet. The building consists of an upright part, 24x14, with a 16 ft. ell, and is yet in fair condition on the farm now owned by Boss Gilmore. Shingles for the school house in Dist. 1, were brought from Nebraska City, and the first school opened in April, 1870, with Lizzie Gowery as teacher. This district in later years was annexed to Dist. No. 7, and thus lost its identity to some extent. During the summer of '68 a postoffice was located at McFadden, and a year later the Old Blue Valley P. O. opened with J. R. Gilmore is P. M. Mr. Gilmore also run a general store until 1873, when he sold out to the firm of Creech & Armstrong, who built the old stone house yet standing in 1874, having then (140) to haul the lumber from Lincoln only. Social and religious life was not neglected in those early days. The young people from the Fouce ranch to Mr. Waddle's homestead in Hamilton county, were well known to each other and frequently met to enjoy a country dance with a zeal unknown today. Perry Caldwell a U. B. preacher, living on a homestead in Saline county, rode horseback to his appointments, and in 1864 organized a class in the home of David Bussard. This class has had an uninterrupted history and yet meets in the Bethel church, which was built in 1879. Rev. S. Menny, Ezekiel Evans and Elder Kilroe organized the Christian church in 1872. This congregation met in the school house until 1883, when their present church house was built. J. W. Rush, whom we think, is now the oldest homesteader living in York county, drove through from Illinois in 1872, locating on sec, 12, range 1. Mr. Rush is a veteran of the civil war and will soon celebrate his 90th birthday.

     Hospitality was everywhere in evidence in the days of which we write. Doors were never locked; white man and Indian could alike walk in unannounced, the latter often frightening women and children very much.

     Albert B. Chatterton was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 1st, 1857. Came with his parents to Nebraska in October, 1865. His father, Henry Chatterton, in December of the same year, homesteaded a quarter of land in section 8, township 9, range 1, in York County.

A. B. Chatterton

     Here Albert grew to manhood, working on the farm in the summer and attending school in the winter, in the first schoolhouse built in the county in District No. 1.

     In the fall of 1875 he went to Battle Creek, Michigan, where he attended college for two years, after which he returned to York County where he farmed and taught school.

     December 16, 1881 he was married to Anna E. Shannon, they lived on the old homestead for about two years (141) when with his wife and little daughter moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming. Mr. Chatterton run a grocery store in Cheyenne about two years, when he sold out his business and with family returned to his father's old homestead in York County.

     In the spring of 1892 he moved with his family to York, which has been his home ever since.

     In the fall of '69 Martin Polzin drove from Milwaukee, Wis., and homesteaded on the divide between the river and Beaver Creek, on section 4. This family began their pioneer life with great misfortunes. While building his house, Mr. Polzin with his wife and seven children lived in the house with Charley Scholtz, a German who was then living alone on his homestead. The house being completed in February, Mr. Polzin started to move, no bridges being on the river. He intended to cross on a ford on Henry Chatterton's farm. The snow was going early that spring, the fiver was high. Mr. Polzin was not aware of danger, and drove into the swollen stream, the wagon overturned, family, horses and goods were floating down the stream. Fortunately Mr. Chatterton was nearby, and someway heard their cries and came to the rescue. The youngest child, a little boy about two years old was drowned, and the household goods badly damaged.

     Mr. Polzin was an industrious man and soon had his little farm improved. In the spring of 1873 he drove to Lincoln with a load of wheat, arriving late in the evening. He proceeded to buy his supplies in order to start home early the next morning. The streets were not lighted and Mr. Polzin fell into an excavation on O street, between 8th and 9th streets, and received injuries from which he died a few days after returning home. Thus leaving his wife and children to face the problems incidental to a pioneer life alone.

     By economy and industry they have been successful and are among those who have done a part in making the (142) York County of today possible. Many states have contributed to the county, thus bringing in different ideals for every state sends her people into a new land with the impress of herself upon their character.

     From Wisconsin also come the first settlers along the Beaver Creek. A. G. Corey and R. Clark drove from Kekoshin, Wis., during the summer of '68. They, in common with all who came at that time were looking for land with timber and water, so located near the creek. Mr. Clark left Nebraska some years ago, and Mr. Corey is now living at Fairfield, Nebr.

     Isaac Ong, with his family came from Illinois in the fall of '68. He also homesteaded on sec. 18, near McCool. Mr. Ong proceeded to dig his house into a bank, as was the custom. The summer of '69 was a season of much rain, great heavy rain storms that brought floods of water down the ravines, and also demonstrated the fact that the Nebraska farmer must provide a better roof for his house than a few slabs covered with dirt if he would keep things in the dry.

     Mr. and Mrs. Ong were awakened one night by a rushing of water at the door. Soon the house was covered with two feet of water, they sat on the beds watching for coming events. Mr. Ong had brought him from Illinois, a decoy duck; as it was the custom to stow many things not in use under the bed, that decoy duck was placed there. The water ran high, when out from under the bed the duck came swimming serenely around, apparently perfectly at home. This time the water having come from a rain storm, quickly subsided, leaving only a very muddy floor which, being of Mother earth was sometime in drying.

     Mr. William Ong, quite an aged man had also come west with his son. He was the first squire in York county and did quite a business in the matrimonial line, in fact, with Judge Moore to issue the license and Squire Ong to perform the ceremony, south York county people began (143) to think this was the most opportune time for beginning the new borne life.

     Dentists and doctors were absent for some years, but people did have the ague and tooth ache, the first must be cured by patent medicine or endured for long weeks, and it was usually endured. Of course people could go to Milford where lived a doctor, to have a tooth extracted, and so the tooth ache was also endured.

     Mr. Levi Dean had a very painful tooth, one of the kind that keeps jumping, for days and for weeks he had no rest. A big Swede by the mine of Peter Johnson was living with Mr. Dean. He was a jolly fellow, full of jokes and persuaded Mr. Dean to allow him to pull the tooth with a pair of bullet molds. Of course, a local anesthetic was at that time an unheard of thing, even by professional "toothpullers" and Johnson had but one idea, and that was to get the tooth out, he was much stronger than Mr. Dean, he know he could hold him and extract the tooth at the same time. He put that bullet mold into the tooth with a grip firm as steel. Mr. Dean tried to scream. He kicked and rolled onto the floor, but that Swede was bound to conquer, the tooth came at last, but Mr. Dean always thought that the cure was worse than the disease.

     During the summer of '69 Mr. Dewese located on a homestead near Mr. McFadden's and was for many years the family physician for the people. During the fall and winter of '70-71 the typhoid fever became prevalent, several deaths occured, and many families were afflicted. Everyone was glad to have in the community a doctor so competent as was this kind unassuming Dr. Dewese, who made long trips over the prairies regardless of the storms, and very often with no prospects of any fee. He was truly a doctor of the people and for the people, in full sympathy with their sufferings and privations.

     William D. Purcell came to York county, September, 1870. There was only one frame store 10x12 ft. here then. (144) He went back to Lincoln, to work, not being able to find any land then to homestead. He had two friends who had homesteaded the southwest quarter of sec. 24, township 11, range 2, west. They relinquished their right in his favor and he homesteaded it in the spring of '71. Moved out in September into a sod house 10x12. In December with a foot of ice on the floor they put down straw with carpet over it and lived very comfortable, keeping one boarder.

     The next spring he built a sod house on his homestead which was 12x24 and lived there through the grasshopper raid and big April blizzard, had a nice field of corn shooting for ears when the grasshoppers came, like a great black cloud by night and left it not a foot high. They took everything but sweet potatoes and rutabagas and potatoes. He had to drive to Lincoln for everything to live on. In the April storm had to take the cow, chickens and turkeys in the house. However, we were a happy family, one baby was born November 11, 1871.

     The long cold winter of 1866-7 with the deep snow leveling the entire country into a white unbroken plain, was a lonely one to the two homesteaders in what is now McFadden township. Jerry Stanton and his son-in-law, Fernando McFadden, who had located near the present location of McCool, during the preceding summer.

     Mr. Stanton was so commonly called "Uncle Jerry," that we can hardly recognize him by any other name. His dugout (house and stable) were dug into the bank just north of the road that now comes into McCool from the east; probably near where Mr. Wright's poultry yards are located. Mr. W. H. Taylor was visiting Uncle Jerry when the snow began to melt. One night they were awakened by the sound of rushing water, and soon discovered that the river had risen to such a height as to make it impossible to remain in the dugout. Uncle Jerry's furniture was not of the kind that would be greatly injured by the flood. His bedding and provisions could even be carried on to a higher plain, but he had something more valuable than furniture (145) stacked in the corner of his home, and that was several bushels of red wheat, which he had recently purchased at the "Mills Ranch" near the present town of Row, Nebr., paying two dollars per bushel for it and hauling it about sixty miles. That wheat must be saved, it represented money and labor and spoke prophetically of coming wealth. The river ran rapidly but the men worked heroically. The wheat was loaded into the wagon, provisions and bedding were piled on top. Daylight did not reveal a promising landscape. Every creek and ravine had become a rushing torrent--to cross the river to McFadden's was impossible, to go east to Gilmore's was also dangerous, as the swollen creek could not be crossed with a wagon.

     They started north after reaching the divide, Mr. Taylor went east, reaching Gilmore's in safety, while Uncle Jerry with the precious burden landed at the old Millspauch ranch, near sundown, where Mr. John Harris was at that time living alone, selling a few supplies to the travellers along the old road.

    A bountiful yield of wheat richly repaid Uncle Jerry for its trouble, but the old dugout was so nearly destroyed that he soon built a nice little log house. Uncle Jerry was a true nobleman, he loved company, and his mind was a storehouse from which he could draw many on interesting tale of his trip across the plains to California in the Fifties, and the days when he was a "Waggoner on the Old Pike" in Pennsylvania. Truly a country should become great, whose pioneer age was developed by characters like this, and the best monument the present York county could erect in honor of the past deeds worthy the memory of such men is Uncle Jerry Stanton and his companions, would only be fitting tribute to them.

     Death came even in the pioneer age and we think that perhaps, the first white woman burried in York county was Mrs. Eliza McFadden, youngest daughter of Uncle Jerry Stanton, and sister of Mrs. Kate Stark who now resides in McCool, a sweet delicate young woman who was beloved by many. Her death occurred in November, 1868, having been sick many months with tuberculosis of the lungs. 

     (146) The kindly interest of the early settlers in each other was evident from the fact that often during her long illness many went from Beaver Crossing to Mrs. McFadden's home to help care for her. Neighbors were few, doctors and nurses far away, but those kind-hearted pioneers were so incessant in their care that the sick one wanted for nothing. On a bright November afternoon the funeral services were held. The pine casket had been made lovely by sympathetic hands, and as the November sun was sinking in the west, friends carried her tenderly from the home she had helped to rear, and laid her to rest. The old house has long since become a thing of the past, but the traveler who crosses the river on the old McFadden bridge can see a little grave on Mr. Kountz's farm, just south of the river. This marks the resting place of Mrs. Eliza Stanton-McFadden, the first among that great number to pass away. Women of whom we think, with a becoming reverence for their sacrifice and toil, has given to us the beautiful country of which we are so proud.

     Sometimes in thought we erect a granite monument on which in letter of gold we can behold the names of the women of that age. The Mesdames Henderson, George, Dixon, McFadden, Bussard, Hollock, Deems, Gilmore and Anderson; but the monument is not needed, their names cannot be forgotten, for they did their part so well that their lives are inseparately woven into the history and character of York County.

     H. W. Hoffmaster was born in Jefferson County, Virginia, September 17th, 1853. He remained with his parents until the spring of 1876. His father, John W. Hoffmaster, who died in Benedict some years ago, was in the Confederate army, under the great chieftain, Stonewall Jackson, and j so it was that the young Horace saw much of the movements of the two armies in the Valley of Virginia. First the Grey and then the Blue, would sweep up the Shenandoah Valley leaving death and destruction in its wake.

     Mr. Hoffmaster came west to Ogle County, Illinois in the year 1876, where he stayed but three years, coming to (147) York County, Nebraska in 1879. Here he purchased 80 acres of land on the southwest quarter of section 20 T. 12 N. Range 2, W. now lying in Thayer township.

     In 1882 he returned to his old Virginia home and brought away his bride, in the person of an old-time schoolmate. Miss Alice O. Albin, and here he has lived happily ever since. 

     In 1897 he sold his farm and bought the residence of S. P. Striker in Benedict, and has been one of the prominent figures in this community for the past sixteen years. In earlier years among us, he was a thresher, and is credited with having consumed more tough old chickens than any other man in the county, and always seemed to thrive on the diet.

     He has lived to see the old sod-house disappear, and the land increase in value from $5.00 an acre to $200.00 an acre . This he considers to be the most wonderful thing in his experience in this state. He has a family of six grown children, having lost two in infancy. And here it is no more than just to him that we should say that he has reared as nice and respectable lot of young people as is to be found anywhere. As long as he lived on the farm, he was kept in the office of school director. In the great McKiegan year he made the political mistake of his life running on the republican ticket for supervisor of Thayer Tp. After the ballots were counted, it did not appear that he had been running so you could notice it.

     For two years he had the key to the strongbox holding the cash belonging to Morton Township, and will likely hold this position as long as he cares to. Like all good men he has one weakness -- he does love a good joke, and there is never a day passes over his bead that he does not rake up something to be used in keeping his old neighbor, the P. M. in mind that H. W. Hoffmaster is yet among the living.

     The subject of this sketch was born at an early age in Fayette County, Ohio, March 20th, 1836, on a farm near the (148) present county seat, Washington Court house. Mr. Powell's grandfather was a Welchman who came to this country many years ago, and finally located in Virginia, where his father, John Powell was born and reared. Mr. Powell's father and possibly his grandfather moved to Ohio in the last century, where his father married a German girl by name of Polly Miller, and William was the last of six children, he being the only boy. When about one year of age he lost his mother, and really never knew a mother's loving care, but had the good fortune to be taken by an excellent family, that of Hugh Rankin, with whom he lived until he was 14 years of age. At that age he ventured out into the big world to do for himself still making his home with Mr. Rankin when out of employment. When Powell had reached the age of 13, Mrs. Rankin, (her husband had died) sold her farm in Ohio, and removed to a farm near Peru, Indiana. At the age of 15 he got employment as an engineer in a steam sawmill, and worked at this vocation until the breaking out of the Civil War. On august 25th, 1861, he was mustered into Company A, 39th Indiana Vol. Inf., Col. T. J. Harrison, with Orris Blake as Captain of his company.

     He participated in the battles of Mumfordsville, Shiloh, Berryville and Stoneriver or Murfreesboro, as it is best known. This great battle was fought December 31, 1862, and January 1st, 1863. There was a heavy cold rain falling the first day and night, and the exposure at this time was too much for many of the boys and they suffered from bad colds and pneumonia. Among those who went down with pneumonia was Mr. Powell, who was a very sick man for weeks, and when once convalescent was discharged as totally disabled, and it was a close call for him as he did not recover from the effects of this illness entirely for ten years. On reaching his home near Peru, Ind., he found himself just in time to hear his funeral sermon preached at the country church. He had been reported killed at the Stone-river, and his old friends at home were about to do the last honors to his name. They were very glad to change the sermon to one of thanksgiving for his safe return.

     Mr. Powell's health improved so slowly, if indeed, it improved at all, that his physician advised him to go (149) further west into a higher and dryer climate, and so, he moved to Iowa, stopping in Jefferson County, near the little town of Batavia. He was so much helped by the change (this was in August, 1863) that by September 20th, 1864, he had mustered up courage to marry. The bride was the comely widow, Mrs. Sarah A. Marlowe, whose husband had died in battle at Prairie Grove, Arkansas. Mrs. Marlowe had one child, a little girl; Edith, who lived with Mr. and Mrs. Powell until her marriage to Edward Radley, and was well known to all the old settlers in northern York county.

     For the first eight years of his married life, Mr. Powell farmed in Iowa, but in 1872, in company with J. H. Daggy, he came came to York county, and homesteaded the northeast quarter of section 6, in town 12, range 2, in Thayer township. Mr. Daggy selected the N. W. quarter of the same section. They returned to Iowa and making sale there, packed up what they cared to keep and loaded their families into covered wagons took to the road leading to York County, where they arrived about Nov. 25, 1872.

     Mr. Powell rented a farm of the late Captain J. B. Read, who though a Confederate Veteran, proved to be a good neighbor and friend. During the following winter, the neighbors took Powell and Daggy with them to the Platte river, some thirty miles to the northwest, for loads of wood. It was one of those trips that one of Mr. Daggy's horses broke loose in the night. Hank heard the animal making tracks away from their camp and whiningly complained to Bill, "There is that dratted old fool of a Jim-horse, he is going straight back to Iowa, and will swim the Missouri river and snag his fool-self to death, and then what will I do for a horse to put in my crop with." Old Jim, however, did not go far but returned to his mate, and he was a glad sight to Daggy, when he went out the next morning.

     The one event that remains the clearest in the memories of the old settlers is the Great Easter Blizzard of April 13-14-15, 1873. For three days the storm was so severe that Mr. Powell was unable to reach his stable and care for his live-stock. He expected to find them all dead, out upon reaching the stable after the storm had some (150) what abated on Wednesday afternoon, he found them alive and not much the worse for their long fast.

     After the snow had all gone Powell and Daggy built sod-houses and moved upon their own land in June, 1873. They had put in a little wheat and a little sod-corn, which yielded very fairly, and they were much encouraged, but the following summer the Grasshoppers came down upon Nebraska, and cleaned up the corn and all the garden stuff, and that was the blow that "almost killed father." The "Hoppers" laid millions of eggs in the ground and this looked as if it were not possible to raise anything another year. One Sunday during the fall, Mr. M. Sovereign and family were visiting with the Daggy's, and Milt and Hank were walking out over the place, they stopped and made an estimate of the number of grasshopper eggs to the square inch, the number was near 4,000 to the square inch.

     This settled the matter in their minds. The next week they pulled back for Iowa, but on counting the eggs over there, they found as many if not more, and so it was the next spring found them both on their Nebraska claims again. The "hoppers" came twice more, but did not injure us so badly as in 1874, and in a few years all had thrown off the grasshopper scare, and we have not seen them since.

     Mr. Powell is the father of eight children -- all of them living -- and now having passed the three score and ten, he is taking life easy in his comfortable little cottage in Benedict with his good wife at his side.

     Charles LeCount, whose French ancestors settled in this country in colonial times, was born in New York State, June 9, 1827. Amanda Jane Littlefield was born in Vermont, August 20, 1834. Her grandmother, Lois Stark Littlefield, was a relative of General Stark, and members of the family served in the Green Mountain and Ticonderoga campaigns of the Revolutionary war.

Arthur G. Wray

     (151) Charles LeCount and Amanda Jane Littlefield were married in Dodge County, Wisconsin. Four children were born to them: Adelaide A. (born July 17, 1855), John C., Charles A., and Laura M. The family moved to York county, Nebraska, in 1869, and homesteaded on section 24-10-1. Afterwards, Charles LeCount moved to York and engaged in the hardware business. He was elected a member of the town council, and served as chairman of the board during the early temperance fight. Some of the sessions of the council lasted all night and the women brought the men their breakfasts in the morning. Charles LeCount stood firm for temperance and was one of those who led in the fight to make York a clean city. He is also treasurer of the York School district for many years and laid out the addition to the city of York which bears his name. In 1885 he sold his business and settled in the south. He and his wife died in Waycross,. Ga., aged 79 and 77 years respectively.

     His daughter, Adelaide A. LeCount, was educated in the common schools and at Doane Academy, Crete, Nebr. She taught school in York County and was married to William Wray March 18, 1875. William Wray was born in Janesville, Wis., February 3rd, 1552. He was the third son of John Wray (a stone mason, born in England) and Hannah Glendenning Wray (born in Scotland). At the age of fourteen he was apprenticed and learned the blacksmith trade. When 20 years of age (in 1872) he came overland to Nebraska and established a shop of his own in the east part of York County. He moved his business to York after his marriage and worked continually at his trade until his sudden death, which occurred October 20, 1906 while at work in his shop. He was a good workman and a man of exceptional qualities of mind and heart.

     Charles LeCount Wray, the oldest son of William and Adelaide A. Wray. was born in York. Nebraska, January 22, 1877. He graduated from York High School in June 1897, and completed his education at York College, the state University, and Northwestern University. He began teaching in the country schools of York county, later became principal of the Utica schools, then assistant in York High (152) School, and is now teaching in the schools of Salt take City.

     Arthur G. Wray, the second son of William and Adelaide A. Wray, was born in York, Nebraska, March 14, 1880, and graduated from York High School, in June 1898. He won the state high school declamatory contest for York in May 1898. Afterwards studied law and attended the Baptist College at Grand Island, making his way by teaching in the preparatory department and boarding himself. When twenty years of age he passed the bar examination before the supreme court. Although the youngest in a large class, he was in a close race for first place. The supreme court withheld his certificate until he was of legal age, and he continued in college in the meantime. A year later he began active practice of the law in York and was in partnership with Merton Meeker and Frederick C. Power. He held positions under appointments of the state senate and the supreme court in 1905 and 1906, and was elected judge of York County in 1907. Re-elected in 1909, and again in 1911, and is now serving his third term as county judge. He was married June 30, 1909, to Miss Clara R. Gifford (a graduate of the class of 1898 Y. H. S. and one of the teachers in the York schools). They have one boy, Merton Gifford Wray, born December 10, 1911. In 1912, Judge Wray was elected chairman of the first state convention of the progressive party; a delegate at large to the national convention at Chicago, August 5, 1912; and represented Nebraska on the national platform committee of the progressive party. In June 1913, he was elected a trustee of Grand Island College, and the first president of the York Church Federation.

     William B. Wray, the third son of William and Adelaide A. Wray, was born at York, Nebraska, June 23, 1884. He did not complete his high school course but left school to learn a trade. He moved to Cass Comity and is now in business for himself at Elmwood, Nebr. He married Miss Myrtle Gustin of that place, and they are the parents of three boys: Bruce, Arthur G., and Wallace W.

     Esther J. Wray, the only daughter of William and Adelaide A. Wray, was born in York, Nebraska, September (153) 1, 1893. She is now completing her high school course and makes her home with her mother in York.

     Philip Ruch was born in Strassburg, France in the winter of 1855. When but a boy of fifteen he decided to heed the solicitation of an older brother in America and to leave the home land.

Mr. & Mrs. P. J. Ruch

     After a storm tossed voyage lasting eighty-eight days a he was finally landed in New York, March 4, 1856. A stranger in a strange land, weary and disappointed that the brother did not meet him. He had grown weary of waiting for the vessel so long overdue and left the city, but the same kind hand of Providence that has many times since protected him placed him among friends who gave him work and helped locate his brother in Buffalo. From here he worked his way westward until in the spring of '61 he was working on a farm where the city of Alpha, Ill., now stands. When word reached the farm that Lincoln had filled for 75 thousand volunteers, without a moment's hesitation he threw down his ax and said "I am going." Accordingly in May, '61 he enlisted for three years in Co. D., 17 Ill., where he served until the battle of Vicksburg. Here he was wounded in the left side a little above the region of the heart. As soon as he was able he was given a furlough and sent home. He was only down but not out for before the wound was fairly healed he had reinlisted for three years more or until the close of the war. At this time his regiment was consolidated with Co. E of the Eighth, Ill., where he served until he was mustered out in May, 1866. Some of the important battles in which he participated were the battles of Fredrickstown, Ft. Donaldson, Shiloh Corinth, Mobile, Spanish fort, and many others. After receiving his discharge he returned to Illinois and went to work on the same farm from which he enlisted. He was married January 14, 1868 to Miss Mary E. Calkins of Viola, Ill., where they lived until 1872, when they decided to take Greeley's advice and "Go west." Late in the fall he hitched a span of well matched iron grays to a covered wagon and started for Nebraska, finally (154) locating a quarter section on Section 8 in the northwest part of York county. After filing his homestead papers he drove back to Illinois to stay until spring. Again in February he started overland for his Nebraska homestead, crossed the Mississippi and Missouri rivers on the ice and traveled for days with the thermometer at 15 degrees below zero. On reaching the homestead he at once began preparations for the dugout, hauling what lumber he used from Fairmont, the nearest railroad station at that time, and wood for fuel from the Platte River, then he drove back as far as Plattsmouth to meet the wife and children, a son and daughter. Reaching the homestead once more just one day before the memorable April Blizzard. This was a trying time, but not so heartbreaking as when the grasshoppers literally devoured everything a few years later. Another son and daughter came to bless this union. The younger daughter was called to her last resting place when she was about 23 years of age. The younger son has been living on the old homestead in a substantial farm house, built many years ago to take the place of the old dugout. Since Mr. and Mrs. Ruch moved to their home in Bradshaw, where they now reside, their daughter living near them and the oldest son lives on a farm near Arborville.

     York has no more loyal citizens and no truer lover than H. C. Kleinsclimidt, the veteran merchant. He has lived here since 1871 when he came as a boy in search of health. He was in at the beginning and knows York as it has been and as it is now and it suits him, even though it has faults. By accident pure and simple Mr. Kleinschmidt was led into the land of reminiscence the other morning and though he will probably be surprised to know that some of the things he said have found their way into print he will not regard the fact as a breach of confidence when he realizes how deeply interesting the tales of other days are to the generation of later comers to Nebraska.

Mr. & Mrs. H. C. Kleinschmidt

     Mr. Kleinschmidt has a good memory for things which happened many years ago. He recalls vividly the. experiences of his childhood when his father, a minister in the (155) German Methodist church, was obliged to travel a four weeks circuit leaving his wife and children alone in a little home on the banks of the Missouri river in Missouri. He remembers how beautiful the woods were and how full of game, and the deer that used to come to the house at night and gaze in at the candles standing lighted by the windows. He remembers how when five years old he, with his brother, was lost for two days and two nights in the forests near the great river and wandered cold and hungry until found bytheir distracted parents. With such a pioneer bringing up it is no wonder that as a young man Mr. Kleinschmidt sought a home on Nebraska prairies. In the fall of 1871 he and his partner, Mr. Bramstedt, paid twenty-five dollars to the South Platte land company for a lot on what is now the west side of the square. There the young men erected a two story frame store building. This stood about midway in the block. The lumber was hauled from Lincoln. It cost $60 a thousand and the price of hauling it to York was $12. per thousand more. Later the same material could have been purchased for $25 per thousand on the ground, but Mr. Kleinschmidt found that settlers were regarded as an easy mark by dealers at the sources of supply in those days. The land office and Mrs. Wilson's millinery store were other buildings on the street with the new general store and the county court house was a sod building located west of where the First National bank now stands. J. H. and F. O. Bell kept a store on the Hannis corner too.

     There proved to be more trade than money in the new country. People were obliged to eat and be clothed whether they had the where-with-all or not. The new firm had the goods and let them go to supply need, taking in return what they could get. When Mr. Kleinschmidt wants to indulge in day dreams he speculates as to what he would do if he had the $17,000 which he estimates he donated towards the support of the first settlers of York county.

     "I loaned one man the money to square up with Uncle Sam for his claim," he said. "Now he owns five quarters of York county land and I am still selling prunes."

     But Mr. Kleinschmidt does not seem to regret the money or the help he gave in those days. The people were (156) grateful and the spirit of helpfulness and brotherly kindness was alive. The neighbors knew each other's joys and sorrows in a much greater degree than is possible now and everybody was sociable and friendly. On the arrival of a stranger from that indefinite place known as "the east" the business men and residents in the little town were wont to gather about the new comer and give him a hearty welcome without questioning too closely into his past. When trouble came everybody joined hands and kind hearts found ways of showing sympathy.

     The people did not have money to spend for luxuries then. Mr. Kleinschmidt bought a box of oranges in the early summer of 1872, thinking that the settlers would enjoy them as a "treat" for the Fourth of July. But half that box of oranges spoiled because the demand was so light. One kind of fruit never failed to sell. Dried currants were a staple. The grocer bought them by the barrel. The homesteader took them out by the dollars worth. Currant pie and currant sauce appeared on the tables of all men from the northern to the southern limits of the county and everybody liked currants.

     In 1877 Mr. Kleinschmidt built the cottage on north Lincoln avenue where he now lives. When he bought the land on which his home was placed he paid at the rate of five dollars a lot. He does not want to sell his home. but if he did, the price would be a trifle higher. During his forty-one years in York Mr. Kleinschmidt has had experience in the merchandise business, in banking and as deputy county clerk. He has had a hand in the making of the community and whether he ever gets all the credit belonging to him for his share in the good work or not he is satisfied with results, and when he goes away from York for a visit declares he is always glad to get back.

     David Henderson, one of the sturdy pioneers of York county, came to Nebraska in the year 1866 in company with his family and located in the extreme south west part of the county. 

     (157) He was a native of Scotland, born 1873 in Perth-shire, often referred to as "the fairest country in all Scotland." When a youth he served an apprenticeship of seven years, as a cabinet maker, and like Adam Bede, "became a workman of skill." When nineteen years of age he went to Liverpool, England, and worked with the large firm of Miller & Blakie. In 1837, was married to Helen Brown of  Glasgow Scotland. The three eldest children; John, Mary and Janet, were born in Liverpool. In the year 1844, in company with his brother-in-law, John Brown, and others, he emigrated to America. They settled in and near Janesville, Wis., where he took contracts for buildings, saving many lard marks. The times offered some inducements to buy land. He then bought a farm in Green County, Wis., Here he lived until coming to Nebraska. His children, Agnes, Robert and Nellie were born in Janesville; Elizabeth in Green county.

     On being questioned why he came west so late in life he might have said, "how far the strings of love do pull us." His son-in-law, Daniel George, was preparing to go west. This meant a separation of the family as Mrs. George and her sister, Janet, were soon to follow.

     Soon the farm was sold and preparations were made for the long journey. He, the most eager to start. Five families were soon on their way, crossing the Missouri river in a ferry boat. The last of June found them camped at West Mills, near Camden for a few days rest and recreation. Here they spent the first 4th of July in Nebraska. Soon the the men of the party made a trip farther west, leaving the freight road and following the Blue river. Here they found well known early settlers who kindly helped them locate claims where wood and water were plentiful. Nebraska City being the nearest land office, it was necessary to make a return trip to secure their land. This being accomplished, they resumed their journey, via., of the Jack Smith and Jack Stone ranches, since made historic. After traveling some distance west of these places they left the freight road and went south west, over trackless prairies. No bridges in sight! Fording streams became a pastime. When near the close of a hot July day, the travelers sighted (158) trees, and soon the camp fire was lighted for the night." "Under our own vine and fig tree."

     After this, frequent trips were made to Nebraska City and Brownville for the purchase of provisions and stock for the new farm. Soon a hewn log-house of no mean proportions was built and by the 5th of December all were comfortably housed. Autumn weather was beautiful as it always is in Nebraska. Strolling bands of Pawnee, were frequent visitors in their bright picturesque garb, riding fleet footed ponies. It made a sight at once novel and interesting. Never harmful or troublesome, and were really missed when they came no more. The following spring began the realities of opening up the soil, and planting trees. Civilization began to dawn after the advent of a few more families.

     The Rev. Davis, a Baptist minister and old friend from Montecello, Wis., preached the first sermon in the new log house. The latter became a hostellery for all. From far and near, came the tide of emigration, all were made welcome if not comfortable. First school was kept in a small house belonging to E. D. Copsey and taught by Mrs. Jarvis Chaffa. David Henderson built the first frame school house with a promise of help by the neighbors. Sunday school was held in the houses, people attending from a long distance. Mrs. Henderson, though never quite reconciled to the idea of bringing her family to the frontier, was ever ready to lend her time and talent for the good of the young people. Her hearty greetings and kindly ways enlivened many occasions.

     She made firm friends of people in search of new homes and often, as David's teams were the only ones available, they made long pilgrimages with them to locate some new homesteader.

     Suffering and hardships were unknown, trials and embarrassments were many. He came quite well equipped for farming; six good horses, money enough to tide him over for a few years. For an example of the high cost of living, Robert and the present Mrs. E. D. Copsey went to Porcupine station for the mail and to bring a fresh supply of groceries. A small store was kept by two brothers by the (159) name of Higgins. They bought a sack of flour which cost nine dollars, and a piece of very dark complexioned bacon, which the less sagacious brother said "had been kept on he roof of the sod house," and for which they paid 40c per pound.

     Often such men as F. A. Bidwell, Fred Roper, and Moses Sydenhom sojourned with them, partaking of their hospitality -- such as it was -- and gave a helping hand in organizing her beloved Sunday school. At one time the late H. T. Clark of Omaha when passing through the country gave her the first S. S. library.

     Time changes were rung in and Mr. Henderson in his 75th year, made a voyage to Melbourne, Australia, to visit a younger brother This seemed to round out and complete the last years of his life as he had a pleasant voyage and most delightful company. After returning, lived like a patriarch of old, surrounded by his children and grand children But it was not long for either to live. They had the "courage of their convictions." This was indeed a great country which they saw develop beyond their highest expectations.

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