Biographical Sketches of Loup City
WILLIAM BENSCHOTER, proprietor livery stables, and farmer, first came to Loup City, with family, July, 872. Bought 160 acres of land in March, 1872, where the village is now located. He and his brother (M. W. Benschoter) laid out Loup City in 1873, and named it. William Benschoter engaged in farming; brought the first domestic cattle in Sherman County, since which time he has followed stock-raising, etc. Erected the first frame dwelling-house in Loup City in 1872, hauling the lumber by teams over sixty miles. Born in Eaton, Seneca Co., Ohio, September 1, 1826. Lived in native State until 1851. Moved to Ionia County, Mich., and farmed nine years; then moved to Delaware County, Iowa, and farmed until he came to Nebraska. Married, in Ionia County, March, 1853, to Miss Eugenia E. Showerman, a native of New York State. They had five Children--Orlando, George, Ellie, Jacob and John. Almond, by former marriage, is now in Black Hills, D. T..
M. A. HARTLEY, Count, Surveyor of Sherman County, Neb., first came to Nebraska in 1868. Followed hunting and trapping along the Middle Loup River about nine years. He was one of the first white men who came to Sherman County. There were no settlers in the county. He took a claim on a Section in Town 16, Range 15, west Sixth Principal Meridian, and four miles northwest of where Loup City now stands. Out of the 160 acres, he now has 120 under cultivation. He also owns forty lots in the city and 160 acres in Valley County, Neb. He is agent for Burlington & Missouri Railroad lands, and has 200,000 acres of same for sale, at an average price of $3 per acre. Elected County Surveyor in fall 1879. Re-elected in 1881. Was first Sheriff of Sherman County in 1873. Held the office until he was elected Surveyor. Went to Black Hills on a prospecting tour in 1876. He has fought Indians all over the country and has taken many redskin scalps. Was Government scout in 1866 and 1867, and a bold and fearless frontiersman. Was born in Edgar County, Ill., October 10, 1838. Came west alone when he was only fifteen years old, went into Kansas and joined the celebrated Jim Lane's scouts. Was with the latter and John Brown, of Harper's Ferry fame, and during nine years service in Texas Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and Dakota he never slept under the roof of a house. Being many years engaged in scouting, hunting and trapping, he is certainly acquainted with the many varying features of Western life, and certainly deserves credit for his valuable assistance to the early pioneers who began the development of the now mighty West. Was married in Sherman County, Neb., in September, 1874, to Miss Lizzie Hays, who was born in Clark County, Mo., May, 1857. They have one daughter--Grace, born August, 1876.
E. S. HAYHURST, dealer in hardware, stoves,
and tinware, opened trade in February, 1880, and carries a stock of $3,000
in goods. He was born in Catawissa, Columbia Co., Penn., March 30, 1854.
Lived in his native State until he came to Nebraska. Worked at the trade
of tinsmith in Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Village Board Loup City
and School Treasurer. Was married, in Williamsport, Penn., in 1879, to
Miss Mattie E. Willits, of Williamsport, Penn. They have one daughter--Harriet
H.
C. H. E. HEATH, firm Wall & Heath,
attorneys at law, Notaries Public; special attention given to Land Office
business, pre-emption and timber claims, land contests, etc. He first came
to Nebraska in 1877, located in Howard County on a homestead. Farmed a
year. Moved to Loup City in 1878, and engaged in editing Sherman County
Times, and the practice of law. Admitted to bar of District Court in October,
1877. Born in Island Jersey, England, March 6, 1845. Came to America in
November, 1876. Began the study of law in his native country in 1866. Admitted
to the bar, at Lincoln's Inn, January, 1871; then practiced law and wrote
for the press until he came to America. He stood first in the class of
mathematics in the University of Oxford, England, in graduating class of
1866.
JOHN HOGUE, farmer and stock-raiser, came to
Loup City in the spring of 1879, and purchased 640 acres of land, also
140 acres below the city; now has 180 acres under cultivation; he has also
eighty acres adjoining the city which is laid out in town lots for sale;
also has 100 lots in the village; he was born in Steuben County, N. Y.,
April 30, 1814; lived in his native State until 1836; moved to Ohio and
lived there until 1842; then moved to DeKalb County, Ind., and lived there
until he came to Nebraska. Has also followed farming; now owns one-half
section land in DeKalb County, Ind., and other real estate, village property,
etc. Was married, in Ohio, February 20, 1842, to Miss Cornelia Pray, who
was born In Madison County, N. Y., January 26, 1817. They have six children--Mary
A., now Mrs. William H. Koons, living in Noble County, Ind.; Ellen C.,
Francis; Albert, married and living In DeKalb County; John Herman, married
and living in Noble County; William J., married and living in Noble County;
Claudius F., married and living in Sherman County, Neb. Both Mr. H. and
his wife are members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church.
JUDGE GEORGE W. HUNTER, County
Judge, Sherman County, Neb. He first came to Nebraska April 14, 1881, and
located in Loup City. Elected County Judge in the fall of 1881. He was
born near White Pigeon Mich., February 24, 1839. His parents moved to Michigan
City, Ind., in 1842, and settled near the city; also lived Hebron and Crisman,
Ind., until the spring of 1881. During his residence in the latter State,
he followed various occupations, being a farmer, Justice of the Peace four
years, Township Trustee four years. He enlisted July 11, 1863, in Company
I, Seventy-third Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, as musician. Served
in that capacity until, for physical disability, he was discharged at Murfreesboro,
Tenn.. January 1, 1864. He was married August 22, 1864, in Valparaiso,
Ind., to Miss Malonia Z. Briggs, of the latter State. Mr. Hunter is a member
of the I. O G. T. and other organizations.
E. G. KRIECHBAUM, of the firm of Lalk
& Kriechbaum, dealers in general merchandise, carry a general stock
of about $8,000. The business was opened in the fall of 1878. They have
also a bank in connection, where is transacted a regular banking business.
They do an exchange business with the Omaha and Chicago banks. Mr. K. located
in Loup City in 1878, and began trade. He was born in Burlington, Iowa,
November 14, 1855. Lived in his native place until he came to Nebraska.
He was married in Burlington, Iowa, in the fall of 1880, to Miss Mary O.
Klein, of the latter city.
W. H. LALK, of the firm of Lalk & Kreichbaum,
came to Nebraska September 12, 1878, and located in Loup City, where he
engaged in the mercantile business, opening the business October 6, 1878.
He was born in Burlington, Iowa, September 25, 1849. He lived in his native
State until he came to Nebraska. He graduated from the Burlington Baptist
College in 1864. He was in the employ of R. M. Raab & Brother, wholesale
and retail clothiers, Burlington, Iowa. He was married October 28, 1880,
to Miss M. A. Graesser, of the latter city. He is also a member of the
I. O. O. F., of the same place.
R. J. NIGHTINGALE, firm Nightingale
Brothers, attorneys at law, real estate, land and collecting agents. Mr.
R. J. Nightingale first located in Seward County in the fall of 1869, on
a homestead. Farmed until 1880. Began reading law in 1869. Admitted to
the bar of the District Court in the April term, 1880, in Sherman County,
by Judge William Gaslin. Born in England in 1846. Entered the London University,
and graduated in 1867, taking the degree of A. B. Read law two years. Came
to America in 1869. Began the practice of law in Loup City in the spring
of 1882. Married in Seward County, Neb., in October, 1880, to Miss Emily
S. Smith, a native of England.
C. J. ODENDAHL, dealer in a general line
of drugs, medicines, school books, paints, oils, cigars, tobacco, notions,
etc. Opened trade in January, 1879, and carries a stock of $1,000. Born
in Oquawka, Ill., September 16,1853. Moved to Iowa in 1868. Was raised
a druggist, being a prescription clerk in Burlington, Iowa, seven years.
Also served in the same capacity two and one-half years in Creston, Iowa.
He is a member of the I. O. O. F., of Burlington, Iowa. Married in Loup
City, Neb., March 1, 1880, to Miss Viola E. Rossetter, of Sonora, Hancock
Co., Ill. They have one son--Frederick E.
CYRUS E. ROSSETER, proprietor of the
Rosseter House, first came to Nebraska in 1862, making a trip through the
State at that time. Settled in Grand Island in 1870, and followed contracting
and building two years and kept hotel one year. Came to Loup City in 1873,
and engaged in the latter business. Erected the Rosseter House 1874, at
cost of $4,000. Size of building, 24x66 feet, two stories high, and has
accommodations for forty guests. When Sherman County, was organized, he
was made County Treasurer. Held the office one term. When he settled in
Sherman County, there were only two houses in the whole county. The Rosseter
House was the first hotel erected. Born in Randolph, Portage Co., Ohio,
July 30, 1838. Parents moved to Indiana when he was three years old. Moved
to Nauvoo, Ill., in 1846. Lived there until 1870, when he went to California.
Followed mining two years. Married October 15, 1857, in Nauvoo, Ill, to
Miss Lydia A. Williams, of Fayette County, Ohio. They have nine children
living--Allie C., Viola E., William E., Nancy A., Hattie C., Louis A.,
Cyrus S., Katie, (Adelaide M., deceased) and Mary L. Mr. R is a member
of Ashley lodge, No. 33, A., F. & A. M.,.of Grand Island, Neb.
JOEL R. SCOTT, attorney at law, first come
to Nebraska in the spring of 1880, and located in Loup City, where he engaged
in the practice of law. Born in Fulton County, N. Y., March 7, 1855. Family
moved to Grundy County, Ill., in 1856, where he lived on a farm until he
come to Nebraska. He began the study of law in the Wesleyan University,
at Bloomington, Ill., in the fall of 1875. Continued about three years,
pursuing the common branches, leaving in the junior year. Admitted to the
bar in the District Court in 1882, by Judge George Gaslin. Married in Livingston
County, Ill., May 22,1878, to Miss Maggie Sharp, of the latter county.
They have one daughter--Lola Scott. Mr. S. at present holds the office
of Justice of the Peace.
ROBERT TAYLOR, County Clerk of Sherman County,
Neb., also dealer in general merchandise, carries a stock of about $6,000.
He was elected County Clerk of Sherman County in the fall of 1881. He first
located in Loup City in July, 1879, and began mercantile business August
1 of the same year. He was born in Holmes County, Ohio, April 22, 1831;
lived in his native State until 1852, and went to Placerville, El Dorado
Co., Cal., and engaged in mining and lumbering there and in Washington
Territory, remaining on the Pacific coast for eight years; returned to
Ohio in 1860, and studied medicine with Dr. A. J. Scott, two years; then
entered the Buffalo, New York, University, and graduated in the class of
1863-64 from the Medical Department, practiced until September, 1864, and
entered the army as Assistant Surgeon of One Hundred and Seventy-eighth
Ohio Volunteer Infantry; mustered out in June, 1865; then settled in practice
in Lucas, Ohio, a year; then practiced at Ft. Wayne, Ind., ten years; opened
the mercantile trade at the latter place, and continued for four years,
when he removed to Nebraska. Was married in 1861, in Ohio, to Miss S. Gorsuch,
of Millersburg, Ohio. They have three children--Alfarata V., Ina L. and
Fannie L.
CHARLES E. WAITE, Sheriff Sherman County,
Neb., located in Loup City, April 10,1879; also located on a homestead
and farmed, etc.; was made Deputy Sheriff in the spring of 1880; appointed
in the fall of 1881. Was born in Bethlehem, Hunterdon Co., N. Y., July
16, 1856; lived in his native State until 1865, when his family moved to
Preston, Fillmore Co., Minn.; located on a farm near the latter place;
farmed until 1867, and moved to Palmyra, Warren Co., Iowa, where Mr. W.
followed teaching several years. He attended the Agricultural College of
Ames, Iowa, also Baptist University of Des Moines, three and a half years,
then came to Nebraska.
AARON WALL, firm of Wall & Heath, attorney
and counselors at law, forming a copartnership in June, 1880; he first
located at De Witt, Saline Co., Neb., in 1871, and engaged in the practice
of law until 1873; then made a tour in the West and finally located in
Denver, Colo., where he practiced law some time; practiced some time in
Kearney, Neb, and from there to his present place in 1876. Was elected
County Judge in 1877; held the office four years. Was born in England in
1849; came to America in 1862; began the study of law In the office of
J. V. Rogers, of Plainwell, Mich., continued a year; then entered the law
office of Henry O. Stoughton, Otsego, Mich., and continued until 1869,
being there admitted to the bar; also taught school and attended Albion
(Mich.) College; admitted to the bar in the District Court of Nebraska
in 1871. Married, in 1875, Miss Addie Van Heusen, of Amsterdam, N. Y.;
have one daughter, Minnie Wall.
JOHN WALL, attorney at law; located in Loup City in the spring of 1878, and engaged in the practice of law. Was born in Livingston, Caledonia Co., N. Y., November 9,1854; lived in his native State until his parents moved to Allegan County, Mich., in 1855, where he lived until 1878; he is a graduate of the high school at the latter place; began the study of law at Wayland, Mich., in 1874, entering the office of David Stockdale, and continued two years, attended and taught school two years; was admitted to the bar of the District Court of Nebraska in 1879, by Judge George Gaslin. Married in Loup City, in 1880, to Miss Belle Landers, of the latter place; they have one daughter, Ina. Mr. W. is a member of I. O. O. F. of Wayland, Mich. He is a thorough business man, and a good lawyer.