Southeastern Nebraska Archives – Page 4 of 8

Biography of Lieutenant Joseph K. Pittman

A Biographical and genealogical history of southeastern Nebraska

Lieutenant Joseph K. Pittman, born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, in 1840, served in the Third Maryland Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War, rising to the rank of first lieutenant. After the war, he moved to Illinois in 1865, then to Kansas in 1878, and finally settled in Gage County, Nebraska, in 1888. Married to Mary F. Bower in 1868, the couple had twelve children, eleven of whom survived to adulthood. A dedicated farmer and respected community member, Pittman was active in the G.A.R. and the Masonic order, and he and his wife were members of the Baptist church.

Biography of James Cowel

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.

Biography of Willis James Raynor

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 Raynor

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 Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Fuller

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 George Buchanan Armstrong

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 Peter Carey of Peru

Peter Carey, born January 12, 1838, in Pike County, Illinois, was one of the oldest and best-known residents of Peru, Nebraska. He had been a familiar figure in the town for thirty-five years, known for his work as the pioneer drayman and as a dedicated mail carrier. A Civil War veteran, Carey served with distinction in the 2nd Illinois Cavalry. After the war, he moved to Peru in 1869 and became deeply involved in the community, serving on the town board and as city marshal. Married to Susan Debuque in 1888, Carey was also an adoptive father to Ezra Peter Carey.

Biography of William H. McIninch of Auburn

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 William H. Stowell of Auburn

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 J. Louis Engel of Bedford

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.