Southeastern Nebraska Archives – Nebraska Genealogy

Biography of John C. Haddan of Wymore

A Biographical and genealogical history of southeastern Nebraska

John C. Haddan, born on July 15, 1840, in Putnam County, Indiana, was a Civil War veteran and prominent resident of Wymore, Gage County, Nebraska. He enlisted in August 1861 in the 27th Indiana Volunteer Infantry and was honorably discharged in February 1863. Haddan participated in key battles including Winchester and Cedar Mountain. He moved to Nebraska in 1872 after living in Iowa. Married to Mary I. Wymore, he became a notable local figure, owning multiple properties. Active in politics as a Republican, Haddan also served as past commander of Coleman Post No. 115, G.A.R.

Biography of Robert Wilkinson Furnas

Robert Wilkinson Furnas, born May 5, 1824, in Miami County, Ohio, was a distinguished figure in Nebraska’s history. Orphaned by cholera in 1832, he was raised by his grandfather. Furnas apprenticed in tinsmithing and printing before venturing into publishing, founding the Nebraska Advertiser in 1856. A Civil War veteran, he organized Indian regiments and served in key battles. Post-war, he engaged in politics, agriculture, and education, becoming Nebraska’s governor in 1872. Married to Mary E. McComas, they had eight children. Furnas contributed significantly to state agriculture, education, and veterans’ affairs.

Biography of Dr. Charles F. Stewart

Dr. Charles F. Stewart, born August 28, 1832, in Switzerland County, Indiana, is Nebraska’s longest-serving physician, active since 1857. He moved to Nemaha County in the Nebraska Territory, where he built a distinguished career. Dr. Stewart served as an acting assistant surgeon during the Civil War and was superintendent of the Nebraska Hospital for the Insane. He spent seven years on the state board of health and over twenty years as a U.S. examining surgeon for pensions. Despite his age, Dr. Stewart remained actively engaged in his medical practice past 1900.

Biography of George L. Lore

George L. Lore, born October 25, 1869, in South Fork Township, Pawnee County, Nebraska, served as the county clerk since his election in 1901. Raised locally, Lore attended Iowa Normal College before spending ten years in DuBois, Nebraska. He moved to Pawnee City upon his election. Active in local politics, he was noted for his diligent and capable service. Lore married Katherine Atkinson, with whom he had two children, Eugene A. and Mildred T. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Methodist Church, embodying the best interests of Pawnee County.

Biography of Henry Harmon

Henry Harmon, born February 4, 1823, in East Tennessee, was a retired farmer residing in Auburn, Nebraska. Moving to Illinois in 1828, he assisted his gunsmith father, Nathan Harmon, before marrying Margaret Handley in 1849. The couple initially farmed in Missouri, then relocated to Nemaha County, Nebraska, in 1855. There, they established a homestead and eventually owned extensive farmland. Harmon faced health challenges in later years, including the loss of his leg, yet remained active and devoted to his family and community. A Democrat, he held various township offices and was a member of the Christian church.

Biography of George E. Dye

George E. Dye, born August 6, 1840, in Yates County, New York, was a farmer and merchant in Auburn, Nebraska. His father, William Dye, was a Baptist minister born around 1803 in Madison County, New York, and died in 1865 in Madison, Wisconsin. William’s father, John Dye, originated from Rhode Island and died in New York circa 1843. George served in the Union Army during the Civil War, and in 1869, he moved to Nebraska. In 1866, he married Mary E. Grant, and they had five children. George was active in the Grand Army of the Republic and various local organizations.

Biography of Austin C. Mutz

Austin C. Mutz, a prominent nurseryman in Auburn, Nebraska, was born on February 18, 1850, in Edinburg, Indiana. His grandparents emigrated from Germany, initially settling in Pennsylvania before moving to Ohio. John Mutz, Austin’s father, married Phoebe Williams in 1847 and relocated to Nebraska in 1857. Austin received his education in Cass County, Nebraska, and pursued farming and the nursery business, establishing a successful nursery in Auburn. He married Mary Seybolt in 1884, and although they lost their only biological child, they adopted a son, Otto. Austin was active in educational matters and politics, identifying as a Bryan Democrat.

Biography of John Hamilton Shook

John Hamilton Shook, born on July 31, 1838, in Carlinville, Illinois, is a notable figure in Auburn, Nebraska, known for his varied life experiences, including Civil War service and frontier activities. His great-grandfather emigrated from Germany, and his father, James Shook, moved the family to Illinois. John and his brother William arrived in Nebraska in 1859, initially engaging in prairie farming. John served in the Civil War from 1861 to 1865, participating in major battles like Pittsburg Landing and Vicksburg. Post-war, he and his brother ran a successful sawmilling business. John married Ella Pike in 1870, and they had five children. He held several public offices, including postmaster and county commissioner.

Biography of W. H. Richards

W. H. Richards, a prominent attorney in Liberty, Nebraska, was born on August 27, 1853, in Atchison County, Missouri. Admitted to the bar in 1894, he handled diverse legal matters across Nebraska, Kansas, and Iowa. Richards partnered with his brother, L. S. Richards, in the real estate business, with significant holdings in several states. Another brother, J. T. Richards, was a successful pump and windmill dealer in Liberty. A long-time Nebraska resident since 1859, W. H. Richards was also a co-owner of the Central Hotel in Liberty. Married to Minnie F. Thorp in 1900, they had one daughter, Wilma Ruth in 1904.

Biography of William Gaede

William Gaede, born November 28, 1861, in Germany, is the cashier of the Nemaha County Bank in Auburn, Nebraska. His parents, Dietrich and Elizabeth (Pagels) Gaede, emigrated from near Berlin, Germany, to Nebraska in 1870, settling in Peru, Nemaha County. The family invested in property in Nebraska and Kansas. William, who attended the State Normal School at Peru, managed his brother-in-law H. M. Mears’ business in Peru before entering banking in 1892. In 1901, he co-founded the Nemaha County Bank, where he has served as cashier since its opening in 1902. William and his sister, Lena Mears, reside together in Auburn.