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 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 Charles R. Hacker of Auburn

A Biographical and genealogical history of southeastern Nebraska

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.

Biography of Mrs. Harriet Hoover of Aspinwall

A Biographical and genealogical history of southeastern Nebraska

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 James A. Stephenson of Nemaha

A Biographical and genealogical history of southeastern Nebraska

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 Abraham Lincoln Lawrence of Brownville

A Biographical and genealogical history of southeastern Nebraska

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 Edward H. Dort of Auburn

A Biographical and genealogical history of southeastern Nebraska

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 Lorin Rounds of Howe

A Biographical and genealogical history of southeastern Nebraska

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 William C. Parriott of Auburn

A Biographical and genealogical history of southeastern Nebraska

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 Thomas J. Keedy of Auburn

A Biographical and genealogical history of southeastern Nebraska

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.