History of Richardson County Archives – Page 2 of 3

Biography of Henry L. Ruegge of Arago

Henry L. Ruegge, born November 9, 1838, in Hanover, Germany, was a pioneer farmer in Richardson County, Nebraska. He emigrated to the United States with his parents, Hans Henry and Wilhelmina (Starke) Ruegge, in 1863. Settling in Arago precinct, Henry transformed their land into a productive farm. He married Sophia Hoose on February 4, 1869, and they had nine children. The Ruegges were active in the Lutheran church and local community. Henry witnessed and contributed to the development of Richardson County from its early days as a territory.

Biography of Joseph Kelley Cornelius

Joseph Kelley Cornelius, born June 20, 1830, in Henry County, Kentucky, is a prominent pioneer of Richardson County, Nebraska. He moved to Illinois at twenty-one, then to Richardson County in 1860, purchasing 320 acres of land. Cornelius engaged in freighting during the early 1860s, surviving an Indian attack near the Arkansas River. Returning to farming in 1865, he expanded his holdings to 880 acres, becoming a leading local agriculturist. He retired to Humboldt in 1911. Married to Maria Tighe in 1866, they had six children. Cornelius was active in community and church affairs and supported Woodrow Wilson in the 1916 election.

Biography of William H. Wheeler of Barada

William H. Wheeler, born November 11, 1859, was a lifelong resident of East Barada, Richardson County, Nebraska. He was the son of pioneers Henry Duke and Malinda (Buchanan) Wheeler. William inherited and developed the family’s 120-acre homestead. Henry, originally from Kentucky, served in the Mexican War before settling in Nebraska in 1855. William assumed farm responsibilities at a young age after his father’s death in 1870 and significantly improved the farm. He married Amanda Brinegar in 1882, and they raised six children. William was a respected community member, actively involved in local civic and social affairs.

Biography of Hugh E. Boyd

Hugh E. Boyd, born August 8, 1862, in Knox County, Ohio, was a notable figure in Richardson County, Nebraska. The son of John S. and Phoebe (McWilliams) Boyd, he moved to Nebraska in 1882, initially working in flour mills before transitioning to banking and mercantile pursuits. Boyd served as assistant cashier at the State Bank of Humboldt and later managed the Building and Loan Association and the City Mutual Telephone Company. He married Elizabeth A. Rouse in 1887, and they had three children. Boyd was also a county commissioner and active in local fraternal organizations and the Presbyterian church.

Biography of Christ. Madowse

Christ Madowse, a former county commissioner and a prominent farmer in Richardson County, Nebraska, was born on July 4, 1864, in Effingham County, Illinois. In 1883, he moved to Nebraska, initially living with his uncle, Hans Koso, before establishing himself independently. Madowse developed a successful farm of 210 acres in Barada precinct and 70 acres in Arago precinct. He operated a threshing rig and focused on breeding Missouri jacks and Shorthorn cattle. Married to Mary Ruegge on October 23, 1891, they had one daughter, Minnie. Madowse was active in the Lutheran church, local politics, and educational initiatives.

Biography of Herman Tiehen of Salem

Herman Tiehen, a prominent pioneer and substantial landowner in Richardson County, Nebraska, was born on July 15, 1829, in Hanover, Germany. He emigrated to the United States in 1851, initially settling in St. Genevieve, Missouri. After working various jobs and journeying to the California gold fields, he returned and settled in Otoe County, Nebraska, before moving to Salem precinct in Richardson County in the mid-1860s. There, he expanded his holdings to 1,900 acres and became a respected community figure. Married to Catherine Agnes Rothenburger in 1863, he passed away on March 4, 1911.

Biography of Gustav William Duerfeldt of Barada

Gustav William Duerfeldt, born June 21, 1864, in Barada precinct, Richardson County, Nebraska, was a prominent farmer and community leader. He managed the 290-acre “Catalpa Lane Farm,” served as vice-president of the Barada Bank, and managed the Barada branch of the Southeast Nebraska Telephone Company. Son of German immigrants Gustav C. and Louisa (Parchen) Duerfeldt, he spent his early years improving the family farm before working in Helena, Montana, during the early 1890s. Returning to Barada in 1894, he focused on farming and livestock. Duerfeldt married Elizabeth C. Adami in 1892, and they had four children. He was active in the Lutheran church and local civic affairs.

Biography of William C. Oswald of Falls City

William C. Oswald, born May 28, 1843, in Saxony, was a respected retired farmer and Civil War veteran residing in Falls City, Richardson County, Nebraska. Emigrating to the United States in 1858 at age 15, he worked in Ohio before enlisting in the Union Army in 1861. After serving with the Ohio Volunteer Infantry and Cavalry, he moved to Nebraska in 1867, homesteading in Johnson County. Despite early hardships, he prospered and eventually purchased a farm near Salem. In 1892, he retired to Falls City. Oswald married Christina Hasenyager in 1868, and they had six children. The family was active in the German Lutheran church and the Grand Army of the Republic.

Biography of Frank Kotouc, Jr. of Humboldt

Frank Kotouc, born September 20, 1875, in Jitkov, Bohemia, is a notable businessman in Humboldt, Nebraska. The son of Frank and Mary (Hon) Kotouc, he emigrated to the United States in 1882, settling in Humboldt. Frank, along with his brothers, founded Kotouc Brothers, a successful general store in Humboldt, which expanded to include a branch in New Raymer, Colorado. Their business is known for its extensive and high-quality inventory. Frank, an active community member, has also invested in substantial land holdings in Colorado. Politically a Democrat, he is engaged in various fraternal organizations and supports local churches.

Biography of Joshua S. Lord of Salem

Joshua S. Lord, born November 11, 1865, near Rushville, Illinois, was a notable figure in Richardson County, Nebraska. A son of Joseph and Anna (Boyd) Lord, he moved to Nebraska at age three and witnessed the area’s development from pioneer days. His father, originally from England, became a successful farmer in Richardson County before his death in 1874. Joshua, after initially helping on the family farm, ventured into the drug business and later into politics, serving as a state legislator and county treasurer. Beginning in 1910, he served as the cashier of the First National Bank of Falls City. He married Eliza P. Boyd in 1884, and they had three children: Vera, Harold, and Mildred. The family was active in the local community and social organizations.