Biography of John Henry Dundas of Auburn

A Biographical and genealogical history of southeastern Nebraska

John Henry Dundas, born October 14, 1845, near Aurora, Illinois, was an editor, lecturer, and Chautauqua manager in Auburn, Nebraska. Of Irish descent, his father, James Dundas, emigrated from County Fermanagh, Ireland, to Canada in 1822. John began his career as a stonemason and teacher before transitioning to journalism in 1884. He purchased and merged the *Republican* and *Granger* newspapers. Dundas served in various public roles, authored a history of Nemaha County, and was instrumental in founding the Auburn Chautauqua in 1899. He married Wealthy J. Bishop in 1871, and they had five children.

Biography of Myron G. Randall of Bedford

A Biographical and genealogical history of southeastern Nebraska

Myron G. Randall, a retired farmer, residing on his one hundred and sixty acres in Bedford precinct, with post office at Howe, has lived in Nemaha County over forty years, ever since he was a boy of ten years. He has been an enterprising and successful agriculturist, owning at present one of the best farms in the vicinity, and in affairs of citizenship has gained the reputation of being a reliable and substantial man, who may be depended upon for public-spirited co-operation in what pertains to advancement and progress.

When Mr. Randall was three years old and was on a visit with his parents to New York state, he remembers seeing his grandfather Isaac Randall, who was then an old man. Isaac Randall and his wife were natives of either Connecticut or Rhode Island, and the former was a scythe-maker, and they had seven sons and two daughters, as follows: William, Hiram, Nathan G., Anson, Philo, Walter, a son that died aged about fifteen, and the two daughters were married and died at Akron, Ohio.

Nathan Gorham Randall, the father of Myron G. Randall, was born in New York state, August 22, 1816, and died in the home of the latter, July 30, 1901, when nearly eighty-five years old. He was first married to Asenath Lyons, in Ohio, and their children were: Hiram Lyons Randall, who is surgeon in the soldiers’ home, at Grand Island, Nebraska, and has lost his wife and two small children and has one son and one daughter living; George W., was a soldier, and was killed in action in Missouri, at the age of twenty-three and single; Elias Isaac, a farmer and Methodist preacher for twenty years, died February 2, 1903, at Havelock, Nebraska, leaving a wife and children; Allen Duane, a farmer at Chapman, Nebraska, lost one daughter and has four daughters and one son living. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Nathan G. Randall was married to Mrs. Polly Mary (Ellis) Brown, who was born in Pompey, Onondaga County, New York, February 24, 1823, a daughter of Clark Ellis. On July 4, 1842, she was married to Judson Brown, who was born in New York, February 10, 1819, and by this marriage there was one son, William Ellis Brown, born September 6, 1843, who was a soldier in the First Wisconsin Cavalry, a prisoner in Andersonville and Libby, and died in Nebraska, September 28, 1890, leaving his widow. Nathan G. Randall had by his second marriage three children. Myron G. is the eldest. Horace Lafayette was born September 18, 1858, and died March 6, 1871. Thyrza E., the wife of W. I. Fryer, in Denver, Colorado, has two daughters living and lost twins. The mother of these children died in Nemaha County, December 19, 1901. Nathan G. Randall had come to this part of Nebraska in 1859 from Dodge County, Wisconsin, having stopped here on his way to Pike’s Peak, whither he was driving an ox team. He pre-empted eighty acres across the road from the present farm of his son, and his wife and children came here three years later. He was in debt, but gradually acquired prosperity, and at his death owned one hundred and sixty acres in two farms. At her death his wife gave this land to Myron G. Randall, and it is the nucleus of his present estate.

Myron G. Randall was born in Dodge County, Wisconsin, September 21, 1852, and in his youth had few advantages, being in the district school but little. He was married June 14, 1876, to Miss Mary Eliza Quinn, who has become the mother of six children. Sidney M. is farming the home farm; Mrs. Millie F. Swope is the wife of a farmer in Aspinwall precinct; Merrill H. is farming; Elsie, aged fourteen, is at home, as are also Esther, aged eight, and Alfred, aged five. Mr. Randall is a Republican, and has served on the board of elections, and on the school board for nine consecutive years. He has enjoyed a high degree of success in his life work, and he and his family are among the most esteemed of the precinct.

Biography of J. Louis Engel of Bedford

A Biographical and genealogical history of southeastern Nebraska

J. Louis Engel, born August 24, 1829, in Germany, was a leading agriculturist in Bedford precinct, Nemaha County, Nebraska. He settled there over thirty years ago, transforming a raw, treeless tract into a productive farmstead. Engel emigrated to the U.S. in 1859, initially residing in Illinois before moving to Nebraska in 1872. He married Catherine Seachrist in Germany in 1856. Despite early financial losses, Engel prospered through hard work and dedication. A Republican, he served as constable for ten years and was a valued Lutheran community member. Engel’s efforts significantly contributed to the development of southeastern Nebraska.

Biography of William H. Stowell of Auburn

A Biographical and genealogical history of southeastern Nebraska

William H. Stowell, born May 3, 1855, in Leroy, New York, was the editor and proprietor of the *Auburn Post* in Auburn, Nebraska. His father, Luther K. Stowell, hailed from Cazenovia, New York, and the Stowell family has colonial roots in the United States, originally from England. William began his career as a school teacher before transitioning to journalism, publishing the *Vedette* in Verdon, Nebraska, and later the *Auburn Post*. He married Carrie D. Robertson in 1883, and they had two children. A Republican and active community member, Stowell was involved in local publications and organizations, including the Presbyterian church and the Woodmen of the World.

Biography of William H. McIninch of Auburn

A Biographical and genealogical history of southeastern Nebraska

William H. McIninch, born March 20, 1836, in Tuscarora County, Ohio, was a retired farmer in Auburn, Nebraska, known for his significant contributions to the development of Nemaha County. Starting with no capital, he became a successful landowner, generously distributing land to his children and contributing to local education and religion. McIninch served in the Civil War with the 2nd Kansas Cavalry and endured nine months as a prisoner of war. He married Catherine L. Dunkle in 1859, and they had ten children. A Prohibitionist and Cumberland Presbyterian elder, McIninch was a respected community figure, known for his integrity and industriousness.

Biography of George Buchanan Armstrong

A Biographical and genealogical history of southeastern Nebraska

George Buchanan Armstrong, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser in Nemaha County’s Bedford precinct, was born on June 25, 1856, in Jackson County, Ohio. He moved to Nemaha County, Nebraska, in 1864. His father, Josiah Armstrong, originally from Virginia, settled in Nemaha County in 1870. George married Lizzie Hughes on March 18, 1883. Together, they had five children. George owned 320 acres of farmland, focusing on cattle and hog raising. He was active in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World, and served as a school director for nine years.

Biography of Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Fuller

A Biographical and genealogical history of southeastern Nebraska

Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Fuller, an esteemed resident of Nemaha, Nebraska, was the widow of Job Fuller, who died in 1900 at nearly sixty-nine years old. Born in Kent, England, Job emigrated to the United States, spending five years in Canada before moving to Illinois, where he served in the Civil War. After his first wife’s death, he moved to Nebraska in 1866 and married Sarah Beckwith, née Russell. Sarah, born in Shelby County, Indiana, in 1836, moved to Nemaha County with her family in 1855. The Fullers had six children, three of whom survived: Dora Mertsheimer, John Fuller, and Mary Ginn.

Biography of James Raynor

A Biographical and genealogical history of southeastern Nebraska

James Raynor, a retired farmer from Auburn, Nebraska, was born on May 1, 1834, in Nottinghamshire, England. He emigrated to America in 1837 with his family. His father, Thomas Raynor, was born in Lincolnshire, England, on December 18, 1796, and died in Ohio in 1864. James served in the Civil War as a lieutenant and was brevetted captain. After the war, he engaged in wagon and carriage manufacturing before moving to Kansas in 1870 to farm. James married Harriet Vrooman in 1854, and they had two sons. Harriet passed away in 1902. James was active in Masonic and veteran organizations and served as a justice of the peace.

Biography of Willis James Raynor

A Biographical and genealogical history of southeastern Nebraska

Willis James Raynor, born on January 14, 1856, in Wisconsin, was the son of James and Harriet Raynor. Educated in Wisconsin, Kansas, and Ohio, he graduated from the Medical College of Ohio in 1880. Dr. Raynor practiced medicine in Hardy, Nebraska, for twelve years before moving to Denver, Colorado, in 1896. He enlisted as an assistant surgeon in the U.S. Army in 1898, serving in the Philippines during the Lawton campaign. Dr. Raynor married Mary A. Shore on June 5, 1883, and they had five children. He was mustered out of service in December 1902. In 1903 they resided in Auburn.

Biography of James Cowel

A Biographical and genealogical history of southeastern Nebraska

James Cowel, a respected early settler of Southeastern Nebraska, died on July 4, 1903, at age 50 in Bedford precinct, Nemaha County. Born in Delaware County, Ohio, on December 13, 1852, he moved to Nebraska in 1865. He farmed in Nemaha County and bought his 160-acre homestead in 1888. On August 21, 1880, he married Margaret Hughes, with whom he had four children: Oliver, Clara, Dollie, and Neva. Both James and Margaret died in 1903. James was a Master Mason and initially a Democrat, later a Populist. His children have continued to honor their parents’ legacy through their own achievements.