My Genealogy Hound

HENRY J. NEAD, the subject of this biographical notice, is a native of Germany and a descendant of German ancestry from time immemorial. His parents, who belong to the plain, substantial stock of the Fatherland, are still living, being residents of their native country. The father, Michael Nead, is a miller by trade, and has led the industrious, useful life common to his calling all his years. The mother bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Zikenburger, being an industrious, thrifty, frugal house-wife and devoted mother. These are the parents of five children, of whom the subject of this notice is the third and only boy. He was born in the town of Gross, Gottenberg, in September, 1842, and was reared in his native country, receiving a good common-school education in his youth and learning the trade of a miller under his father. He started out at the age of seventeen to make his own way in the world, coming at that date to America. He made his first permanent stop in this
country in Peoria, Ill., and engaged in the milling and distilling business at that place. He began as an employe of others, but by industry and economy he managed to save money from his earnings, and in time was able to embark in business on his own account. His affairs prospered from year to year until he finally came to be fairly well fixed, but an accidental fire swept away all he had made and he was forced to start again on the bottom round of the ladder. He came to Nebraska in 1876, settling in Franklin county, where the following year he took a claim, it being the southeast quarter of section 32, township 2, range 14 west, on which he filed and began the arduous task of making a home out of the rude and inhospitable elements of the West. He underwent the usual number of hardships and privations incident to opening a new country and fought the battles of the pioneer heroically from the beginning to the end. After the first few years his fortunes began to gradually improve, and each succeeding year witnessed a corresponding rise in his worldly affairs, until now he is recognized as one of the prosperous men of his community. He owns two hundred and ninety-six acres of good land lying in the Republican valley in Franklin county, one hundred and ten acres of which he has under cultivation and otherwise well improved. He has plenty of stock and of late years has been giving much of his time to improving his place. In earlier years he had to work a good deal at his trade and his time was thus necessarily taken from his farm.

Mr. Nead married while residing in Beardstown, Ill., in 1873, taking to share his life’s fortunes Miss Mary J. Rice, of Beardstown, Ill. This union has been blessed with two children, both sons — Herbert E. and Walter H. The former of these died in August, 1889, at the age of thirteen — a bright, promising boy. His loss was a sore bereavement to his parents. His mind had already begun to give evidence of great strength, he being first in his classes at school, and he was, besides, a kind, dutiful and affectionate son.

Mr. Nead has exhibited much interest in the schools of his community, having served as moderator of his school district and lent a helping hand to all educational enterprises. He is also prominently connected with the Farmers’ Alliance in Franklin county and an active worker in that organization. In politics he is a republican, being a stanch supporter of the principles of his party. He is a zealous member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Methodist church, and a liberal contributor to all charitable purposes.