Nemaha County Archives – Page 2 of 6

Biography of Clayton E. Blessing of Auburn

A Biographical and genealogical history of southeastern Nebraska

Clayton E. Blessing, born on June 21, 1855, in Burkittsville, Maryland, moved to Auburn, Nebraska, in 1883, where he became a prominent fruit farmer and co-founder of Blessing & Tankersley. Descended from German ancestry, his grandfather George Blessing was a War of 1812 veteran and a staunch Union supporter during the Civil War. Clayton initially worked as a carpenter before transitioning to fruit farming. He married Emma F. Knox in 1876, and they had six children, with four surviving. An active Lutheran and Republican, Clayton served as assessor of Nemaha County for four years and was involved in the Masonic order and the Fraternal Union of America.

Biography of Albert B. Mutz of Auburn

Albert B. Mutz, born in Cass County, Nebraska, in 1857, was a commercial traveler based in Auburn, Nebraska. After completing his education at Nebraska State Normal School, he transitioned from teaching to a long career in the grocery trade. In 1894, he married Minnie Furnas Teare, a former teacher from Brownville, Nebraska. They had five children, with four surviving past infancy. Mutz was known for driving his own team to various points in southeastern Nebraska for work and spent his Sundays at home. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias and a Democrat.

Biography of Thomas J. Keedy of Auburn

Thomas J. Keedy, a respected resident of Auburn, Nemaha County, Nebraska, was born on January 27, 1840, in Washington County, Maryland. Of German descent, he served in the First Maryland Infantry during the Civil War. In 1864, he married Sarah Snyder, and they had five children. In 1881, Keedy moved to Nebraska, where he successfully farmed before retiring to Auburn in 1893. His legacy includes significant contributions to his community and family, marked by his prosperous farming endeavors and independent political and religious views.

Biography of William C. Parriott of Auburn

William C. Parriott, born June 13, 1872, in Peru, Nebraska, was the county superintendent of schools for Nemaha County. Son of William C. Parriott Sr., a West Virginia native who moved to Nebraska in 1866, William graduated from the State Normal School at Peru in 1896. After teaching for three years, he became county superintendent in 1899. He was re-elected in 1901, showcasing his dedication and popularity as an educator. On February 12, 1902, he married Bessie Tynan of Stella, Nebraska. The couple resided in Auburn, where William continued his impactful work in education.

Biography of Lorin Rounds of Howe

Lorin Rounds, born December 9, 1843, in New York, was a respected landlord of Howe, Nebraska, who led a varied and successful career. Son of John W. Rounds, a painter from Pennsylvania, Lorin moved to Wisconsin before enlisting in the 40th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. Afterward, he worked as a carpenter. On May 18, 1885, he married the widow of Daniel McLean, and they moved to Nebraska in 1890. They built and operated the Cottage Hotel in Howe until 1903. A Republican and Methodist, Lorin was known for his industry and community spirit, leaving a lasting impact on Howe.

Biography of Edward H. Dort of Auburn

Edward H. Dort, born July 17, 1860, in Harpursville, New York, was a prominent druggist and book store owner in Auburn, Nebraska. Son of John Luke Dort, a wagon-maker who moved to Missouri and then Nebraska, Edward began his career at 14 with W. H. McCreery in Brownville. In 1885, he purchased Dr. A. S. Holliday’s drug store in Auburn. Despite a fire in 1890, he rebuilt and continued his successful business in a new brick building. Edward married Florence M. Fisher on June 7, 1887, and they had three children. He was active in local politics, fraternal organizations, and the Auburn Mutual Lighting and Power Company.

Biography of Abraham Lincoln Lawrence of Brownville

Abraham Lincoln Lawrence, born December 25, 1863, in Brownville, Nemaha County, Nebraska, served as sheriff of Nemaha County. His parents, Samuel S. Lawrence and Rosena Moyer, were early settlers in the region. Samuel S. Lawrence, originally from Ohio, moved his family to Iowa in 1852 and then to Nemaha County in 1863. Abraham grew up on his father’s farm and received education in local schools and Brownville. He married Kate Agnes Penny on February 1, 1885, and they had several children. Elected sheriff in 1901 and re-elected in 1903, Abraham was also a successful farmer and active in numerous fraternal organizations.

Biography of James A. Stephenson of Nemaha

James A. Stephenson, born January 16, 1862, in St. Lawrence County, New York, was a successful farmer in Nemaha County, Nebraska. He owned 120 acres and rented an additional 175 acres, where he grew corn, wheat, and oats, and raised high-grade livestock. His grandparents, Robert Stephenson and Miss Hutchison, emigrated from Ireland. James’ father, William Stephenson, settled in New York in 1831 and married Helen Watson in 1839. James married Louise Watson on February 3, 1884, and they had four children. Active in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Methodist Episcopal Church, James was also a Republican and served as school director.

Biography of Mrs. Harriet Hoover of Aspinwall

Mrs. Harriet Hoover, a resident of Aspinwall precinct, Nemaha County, Nebraska, was the widow of Dr. Jerome Hoover, a respected physician and one of the founders of Nemaha City. Born December 20, 1830, in Monroe County, New York, Harriet married Jerome on July 4, 1849. Jerome, born August 9, 1809, in Miami County, Ohio, moved to Nebraska and pre-empted the townsite of Nemaha City, where he contributed significantly to its development until his death on May 27, 1876. Harriet and Jerome had nine children, of whom three survived: Flora, Frederick E., and Harriet. Harriet lived with her son Frederick on a 156-acre farm in Aspinwall precinct.

Biography of Charles R. Hacker of Auburn

Charles R. Hacker, born August 29, 1866, on his uncle’s farm in Nemaha County, Nebraska, was a lifelong resident of the county. His grandfather, David Hacker, a Virginian born in 1797, served in the “Graybeard Regiment” during the Civil War and died in 1863. Charles’ father, James Malcolm Hacker, born in 1825 in Dayton, Ohio, was a pioneer of Nemaha County and served as a civil engineer and county clerk. Charles followed in his father’s footsteps, becoming county clerk in 1901 and re-elected in 1903. On February 8, 1903, Charles married his third cousin, Elsie Hacker. The couple, along with Charles’ mother, lived in Auburn, where they were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Charles was also involved in the Modern Woodmen and the Knights of Pythias.