These biographies were transcribed from Goodspeed’s Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton Counties. They are only the biographies for individuals who resided in Hall County Nebraska in 1890 whose surname starts with the letter E.
EAGER, Alvin
Alvin Eager was a successful merchant and stock-dealer of Prairie Creek Township, and since locating in Hall County, Neb., in 1874, has done his full share in advancing every interest in the county, and his endeavors toward promoting this end have been recognized by a host of acquaintances, among whom he stands high as a man and citizen. He was born in Oneida County, N.Y., April 19, 1842, and is a son of William and Caroline Eager, both natives of York State, who moved to Wisconsin in 1854, locating in Rock County on a farm, on which the father died in the month of February, 1871, his wife having died in York State in 1850. Alvin Eager attained manhood in Rock County, Wis., and was energetically at work when the war broke out. In the month of May, 1861, he enlisted in the Second Wisconsin Infantry, and after serving three years was discharged at Madison in June, 1864, having participated in the first and second battles of Bull Run, Gettysburg, Wilderness and Spottsylvania Court House. He was wounded at the Second Bull Run by a gun-shot in the face and was taken prisoner at Gettysburg, and after being held in captivity for one month was paroled. He was also wounded in the hand by a gun-shot at Spottsylvania. After the close of the war he returned to Rock County, Wis., and after following the occupation of farming there until 1868, he moved to Chickasaw County, Iowa, where he was engaged in farming six years. In 1874 he settled on a farm near Grand Island, Neb., but in the fall of 1888 he moved to the station, where he has since been engaged in merchandising, giving also a considerable portion of his attention to stock-dealing. He has held a number of positions of trust in the county, and socially is a member of the A.O.U.W. He was married in Iowa January 1, 1868, to Miss Julia Pheban, a native of York State, reared and educated in New York City, and their union has resulted in the birth of five children: Melvina (Wife of Abe Leicer), Frank, George, John and Minnie.
ELLINGTON, Michael
Michael Ellington was born in Madison County, Ohio, September 19, 1826, being a son of David and Catherine (Hoffman) Ellington the former’s birth occurring in the “Blue Grass State,” August 22, 1797; he died on his birthday in 1883. He grew to manhood in Ohio, but in 1829 moved to Illinois, and died in DeWitt County of this State. He was a Democrat and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife was born in Ohio, her birth occurring a few years later than his, and their union resulted in the birth of twelve children, seven of whom grew to maturity and are still living. The paternal grandfather was born in Kentucky in 1773, and was one of the early pioneers of Ohio. He spent rather a roving life wandering over Missouri and Arkansas, and passed from life in the State of Indiana. The maternal grandfather was a soldier in the Ware of 1812. Michael Ellington grew to manhood in DeWitt County, Ill., and obtained a common-school education. In the month of April, 1850, he went West and traveled throughout California, Oregon, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska, and in 1866 entered the regular service of the United States army, and was a soldier on the frontier for five years, during which time he had many thrilling encounters with the Indians. Upon receiving his discharge in 1871 he went to St. Louis, Mo., thence to Illinois, where he purchased land and tilled the soil for sixteen years, then sold out and came to Nebraska in 1888. He is now the owner of 210 acres of excellent land, which brings him in a yearly income more than sufficient to supply himself and wife with all necessary comforts during their declining years. He was married in 1882 to Mrs. Rebecca Arnold, but as they have no children of their own, they have adopted a grandson of Mrs. Ellington’s, Charley Evans, the adoption taking place April 17, 1886, in De Witt County, Ill. The present Mrs. Ellington was married first, in Wisconsin, to Lemuel Evans, and to them a family of three children were born: Thomas, John and William. Mrs. And Mrs. Ellington are living in happiness and contentment, and their only care is the rearing and educating of their adopted son. Mr. Ellington in his early travels visited Central America twice. He is a Democrat, but liberal in his views.
EWING, Robert
Robert Ewing. Among the many families that emigrated westward early in the decade of ’70, and located in Hall County, Neb., non have been more successful than that of the Ewings. They are native New Yorkers, and hal from Allegany County. In the year 1866 they settled in Cedar County, Iowa, where they followed farming, to which occupation they had been reared, and made that State their home until 1871, when the father of our immediate subject, who also bore the name of Robert, died. In 1872, the family wishing to find a place where industry would receive its highest reward, wisely sought the prairies of Nebraska, and settled in Hall County, where they have stood in the vanguard among the agriculturists, the many broad acres which they own and the social position which they occupy, testifying to this fact. Four of the brothers now occupy one of the most valuable tracts of land in the county, and are honorable and useful citizens, their names being Robert, William, Charles and Edwin. Hon. James Ewing, one of the family, rose to distinction in Hall County, and was at one time one of the most popular men in this portion of the State, but the numerous duties, both public and private, imposed upon him became more than the physical man could endure, and death called him in the midst of his public duties and in the zenith of his power, on October 31, 1888. He was born in Allegany County, N.Y., July 7, 1850, and assisted his father on the farm and attended the common schools near his home until he was sixteen years of age, then removed with his parents to Cedar County, Iowa, and until twenty-three years of age his time was spent in attending and teaching in the public schools. He then came to Hall County, Neb., to seek his fortune, and soon found employment as a teacher in the Moore district, but after a few terms he took charge of the school at Shelton. He was exceptionally successful as an educator, and took such an interest in educational matters that in the fall of 1877 he was elected superintendent of public instruction for Hall County, displaying much ability and energy in the discharge of his duties, and at the expiration of his term was re-elected. Upon leaving this office he purchased the Wood River Gazette, then a five-column folio struggling for existence, and in the management of this he was as successful as in his former occupation, and soon advanced the subscription list from 200 to 700, the result of his ability as an editorial writer, his good judgment and sagacity. The first three years of his career as an editor he also filled the position of deputy county treasurer, which necessitated him leaving Wood River early in the morning and returning late in the afternoon, and during this period the readers of his paper were treated to the midnight productions of his pen. At the close of his work as deputy treasurer he devoted his time entirely to his paper, but his rest from public cares was very short, and in 1886 he was elected to represent Hall County in the State Legislature, and received every vote in Wood River Township with the exception of ten. He also proved a valuable public servant in this capacity, and in recognition of his services he was re-nominated by acclamation in the Republican convention held at Grand Island, but did not live to discharge his duties. On January 10, 1884, he was married to Miss Alma E. Thompson, of Hall County, and the result of this union was a son, Arthur (who died December 31, 1888). Mr. Ewing held a number of local offices also, and in the capacity of justice of the peace of Wood River filled the position in everything the name implies, and by his kindly advice and fairness made many warm friends. He was township treasurer six years, and at the time of his death was nominee for the two last offices. From the time the village of Wood River was organized he was a member of the town board, being all of the time chairman, and his advice was always found to be sound and to the best interests of the town. His life, an active and successful one, was devoted greatly to the welfare and happiness of others, and he was liberal and charitable in his views to all, and by all his death was deeply lamented. His funeral, which was conducted by the I.O.O.F. and A.O.U.W., to which he belonged, was the largest gathering of the kind every held in Wood River, and all business houses were closed and heavily draped in mourning out of respect for him who had been a friend and brother to all. Such a man as he could not associate with the young men of the community without inspiring them with a wish to live and upright, honorable life, to live for others as well as themselves, and to leave such monuments to their memory as he has done wherever they may reside. John Ewing, another brother, was also born in Allegany County, N.Y., in 1857, and supplemented his common-school education with a course at Gibbon Academy, Buffalo County, Neb., his first term of school being taught in Hall County, at the age of nineteen years, this occupation receiving his attention for about seven years. He became well known throughout Hall County as a successful educator, but is now giving his attention to farming, his land lying about six miles northwest of Wood River, and comprising of 360 acres. His wife, Miss Laura Dubbs, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1864, and by her he has a family of four children: Gertrude, William, John A. and James A. Mr. Ewing is a Republican, and is a member of the A.O.U.W. His wife is a daughter of W.W. Dubbs, who was born in Ohio, and came to Hall County, Neb., in the spring of 1872. Robert Ewing, our immediate subject, owes his nativity to Allegany County, N.Y., his birth occurring in 1853. For several years after coming to Nebraska the brothers had a very hard time to get along, owing to lack of rain, but they were every ready to put their shoulders to the wheel when honorable work could be found, and they are now reaping their reward, for they are accounted among the most successful of Hall County’s agriculturists and stockmen. The four brothers mentioned above now own 640 acres of land, have 121 head of fat steers feeding, 100 head of hogs and sixty head of stock cattle. They are wide awake and enterprising young men, and owing to their native pluck and enterprise have made their present valuable property. They are quite talented musicians, one playing first violin, another second violin, the third the Bell clarinet and the fourth the bass viol. They are bachelors, and in their political views are stanch Republicans. Charles Ewing was elected as a member of the board of supervisors of Hall County in 1888, and re-elected in 1889. His re-election proves that he possesses in a considerable degree some of the elements of personal popularity. The township where Mr. Ewing has been re-elected has a Democratic majority of sixty-two votes on the State ticket, and Mr. Ewing overcame this with a large majority. The father and mother, Robert Ewing and wife, were born in Scotland in 1819 and 1824, and died in 1871 and 1883, respectively. All of their nine children grew to maturity.
EWOLDT, Cay Henry
Cay Henry Ewoldt is an old pioneer of Center Township, who located in Hall County, Neb., in 1857, although his birth occurred in Germany, August 14, 1831, he being a son of Paul and Cecilia Ewoldt. He became a subject of “Uncle Sam” in 1852, and from that time until 1857 he resided in Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota, spending two years in Davenport, of the first State, one year in the next and one in the last. He then returned to Davenport and joined a party of thirty-one emigrants, who came to Hall County, Neb., but it was not until 1862 that Mr. Ewoldt settled on his present farm. He has from time to time increased his original purchase, and is now the owner of 460 acres of magnificent land, well stocked and improved. He has always been closely identified with agricultural pursuits in this vicinity, and his well-established characteristics of energy, perseverance and unbounded industry have brought him safe returns. He gives excellent management to his farm, and no man in the entire county stand higher for honor and integrity than Mr. Ewoldt. He was married September 1, 1862, to Miss Eliza C. Stuben, a native of Germany, born November 15, 1842, a daughter of Claus and Lena Stuben. She came to America in 1858, and after spending four years in LaFayette, Ind., came to Hall County, Neb. They have a family of eleven children: Bernard, Cecilia, Caroline, henry, Wilhemine, Julius, Amelia, Clara, Laura, Hermann and Lizzie, of whom Caroline, Laura and Lizzie are deceased. Mr. Ewoldt and his wife are members of the German Lutheran Church, and in his political views he is a Democrat.
Source: Goodspeed brothers. Biographical and historical memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton counties, Nebraska, comprising a condensed history of the state: a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties mentioned, and numerous biographical sketches of the citizens of such counties… Chicago: The Goodspeed publishing co., 1890.
Back to: 1890 Hall County Biographies
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