From The Columbus Journal - October 21, 1882
FRANK NORTH The first nominee of the Democratic County Convention is so well known to the people of Platte County that he needs but little introduction from us. There are few persons who have been in our county even the small time of six months but who have heard of the brave soldier and scout who served with Curtis, Connor and Crook in their hazardous warfare with the sanguinary red skins. But that all may know and esteem his brave deeds as they who are intimately acquainted with him do, we will give a brief biographical sketch of his life.
Frank North was born in Thompkins County, New York on the 10th day of March 1840, and while yet in his infancy, his parents moved to Richland Co., Ohio, where they lived until 1856 when they removed to then far distant city--looming like a star of unusual magnitude in the west--Omaha. All the educational advantages he had were in the Ohio public schools, and the intelligence which a bright, grasping mind obtains from the contact with the world.
In the spring of 1875 his father, sad as it is to record, was frozen, and there was left to his support a mother, two sisters and younger brother. He, then but a mere youth, heroically undertook the task, and kept the family together by the sweat of his honest brow, engaged in such occupations as would bring him the money necessary for the maintenance of the family. A year later he came to Columbus, and took a pre emption about five miles north west of the city, the place now known as the Dale farm, and farmed for the next two years.
In 1860 he abandoned his preemption, and went to work for the agent at the Pawnee reservation; in a year's time he was so well posted in the Pawnee langauge that he was employed by the Post Trader as clerk and interpreter, in whose employ he remained until he went into the United States service, the major portion of which time he managed the entire business of the Post Trader, who remained at his home in the east. In 1864 his military career commenced, and he was chosen 1st Lieutenant of the famous Pawnee Scouts under the command of Major General Samuel Curtis. After the summer campaign was over, he was authorized to re-organize the Pawnee Scouts, and on October 24, he was commissioned Captain of Company A, by Gov. Saunders, and placed in command. At this time, probably as much as any other, have the people cause to be thankful to Major North, for by having this organization credited to Platte County instead of the State in general, Platte County's quota of soldiers was filled, and the residents were exempt from draft.
In 1865 he went on the Powder River campaign with Gen. Conner, and in November of the same year returned to the Pawnee Reservation and took command of the Post, remaining there until the following spring. In the fall of 1866 he was appointed Post Trader by President Johnson. The following spring he organized a battalion of four companies of Pawnee Scouts, and continued in the service until 1871, and it was at this time that he and Cody (Buffalo Bill) had their many wondrous adventures. During 1871 and the succeeding four years he was acting as a guide and scout for troops in the north and west but in 1876 he re-organized the Pawnee Scouts and went with General Crook on his periolous winter campaign in the Yellow Stone Mountains, and when he returned the following spring, and the scouts were mustered out of the service, appreciation of his valuable services was shown in the following letter:
HEADQ'TERS DEP'T OF PLATTE, IN THE FIELD, CAMP ROBINSON, NEB.,
April 19th, 1877.
CAPT. FRANK NORTH, COM. PAWNEE SCOUTS, SIDNEY, NEB.
Dear Sir: The muster out of the Pawnee Scouts was ordered by Lietu. Gen. Sheridan.
There is no longer any necessity for the employment of scouts, nor is there any appropriation on hand from which to pay them; for which reason I regret I shall not be able to retain you in service.
I think it just and appropriate to thank you for your excellent behavior during the time of your stay in the military service under my command, and to say that the soldierlike conduct and discipline of the Pawnee Scouts is the mot eloquent testimony that could be adduced to prove your fitness for the position you have held as Commanding Officer. I remain very Respectfully,
Your Obedient Servant, GEORGE CROOK, Brigadier General.
The legislature of the State were also proud of Frank North's achievements and record, and in a JOINT RESOLUTION, passed and approved February 23rd 1870 is the following.
Resolved, That the thanks of this body and of the people of the State of Nebraska are hereby also tendered to MAJ. FRANK J. NORTH, and the officers and soldiers, under his command, of Pawnee Scouts for the heroic manner in which they have assisted in driving hostile indians from our frontier settlement.
Since Maj. North was mustered out of the service, he has lived in COlumbus, he has been engaged in a cattle enterprise upon Dismal River, but in June last he sold his cattle, and, while not now actively engaged in any business, he expects to go into something at home.
The voters of Platte County in giving their franchise to this brave man cannot go amiss, for certainly a man who won himself fame, and the confidence of his superior officers in the indian campaigns, cannot be found wanting when the interest of his country are at stake. Give him your votes, send him to the legislature, and not one in this county will ever have to repent the election of Frank North. He will stand by you in all trials, and in every instance where the interest of the people are opposed by any power of whatever kind, you can be assured that he will stand shoulder to shoulder with the people, and fight their battle to the end.
CHARLES SCHROEDER Another of the Democratic nominees for representative, was born in the province of Saxonia, Germany, July 24, 1846. His boyhood days, until he arrived to the age of fourteen, were spent at school, where he received a good, practical education. He then served a three years apprenticeship as a Locksmith. In 1862 he came to America and located at Cleveland, Ohio where he worked three years. He then went to Memphis, Tenn. where he was similarly employed for three years. In 1868 he came to Omaha, Neb., and in the same year took a homestead six miles north of Columbus to which he removed, and remained upon until 1873. In that year he sold his farm, purchased lots in Columbus, erected buildings, and embarked in the machine and blacksmith business, to which he added a foundry and machine shops in 1875. In conducting this business Mr. Schroeder has shown a genius and skill that is seldom reached by men who engage in it. He has shown in its management, too, a tact and energy that is unsurpassed. His credit has always been good, and his integrity has never been questioned. He is a worthy representative of the laboring and business elements of our community, and, if elected will labor for the interests of his constituents as faithfully as he has labored in his chosen profession to make it a success.
In politics, Mr. Schroeder is a Democrat. He favors corporations of every kind that assist in developing the country, but if any corporation becomes a monopoly to oppress and burden the people, he stands ready to assist the people by voice and vote. He is in favor of liberal and wholesome laws, but is opposed to all nonsensical and foolish isms which are championed by noisy fanatics.
Mr. Schroeder has large property interests (in his own name, too,) in Platte County, and the people's interests are alike his interests. With a man so identified there remains no danger or risk in sending him to legislature. Vote, then for Charles Schroeder, if you want an honest, competent, and faithful man to represent you in the legislative hall.
BUCKEYE.
ROBERT MORAN, The Democratic candidate for the office of County Commissioner was born in what is now Marion Co., West Va., formerly Monongolia Co., Va. In those days that region was thickly timbered, and was very sparsely settled, consquently but few schools were organized, and as a result Mr. Moran's educational advantages were limited, although he was sent to school a few weeks each winter. Being of a studious native, he managed to get a very fair knowledge of the elementary branches.
He remained with his father and assisted him in providing for a large family until 1840. In that year he married in a suit of "Kentucky Jeans," and started to labor for himself, with no capital save a stout heart and a pair of willing hands. He immediately rented a farm, hired a horse and shovel plow, paying for their use in work. From 1840 till 1852 he cleared two farms from the forest. In the latter year he engaged in the mercantile business, and continued in it until April 1861. At that time Sumpter had been fired upon; the confederates were raising troops within fifteen miles of his home; many of his neighbors were espousing the cause of the South; in fact, all was excitement and commotion. It was a time that tried men's souls in that section, but Mr. Moran soon decided to oppose secession, and stand by the Union and the Old Flag. Accordingly he auctioneered his stock of goods off at just what he could get for them, and then proclaimed to the world that he was ready to fight for his country. He was immediately chosen as a delegate to the convention which met at Wheeling to organize the new state Government of West Va. As soon as this duty was performed, he returned home, organized the 2nd West Va., Regiment, which was the first 3 years regiment from the state, and was commissioned its Lieutenant-Colonel. His command immediately took field and served under Genl's Rosecrns, Reynolds, Milroy, and Fremont in their campaigns in Virginia, Maryland, and West Va. For the first year his regiment was almost constantly engaged in marching and fighting, and the constant exposure told so upon his health that he was forced to resign but not until he contracted a disease from which he suffer to-day.
During president John's administration he was Assessor of Internal Revenue and Inspector of Cigars and Tobacco. In the spring of 1875 he was appointed Commissioner to re-value the lands of Marion Co.; a position which requires a man of excellent judgment.
In Sept., 1875 he came to Nebraska, and located in Creston precinct, in this county, where he has resided ever since, and now owns 480 acres of land.
As a soldier Col. Moran was brave and patriotic. In the civil service, he enjoyed the confidence of the government and left its employ without a stain. In business affairs, he is regarded as a good manager, and a man of sterling integrity and sound judgement. As a private citizen, he is a man of excellent character, and enjoys the respect and esteem of everyone.
I doubt if there is another farmer in the county better fitted, in every sense, for that office than Mr. Moran. Of one thing we can be assured, with the business affairs of the county in the hands of such a man no one need fear but they will be honestly and properly manage.
BUCKEYE.
DAVID SCHUPBACH, The candiate nominated by the democratic convention for the 25 Legislative District is a native of Switzerland, oldest son of a distinguished physician of that country, and is himself a graduate of one of the best Universities of his native country. Although surrounded with loving friends, and with bright prospects of a prosperous future before him at home, he decided to strike out for himself and win a name and fame in a new country where he would be recognized alone by his individual merit. With this determination he emigrated to America in 1869 and first located in Ohio, but soon thereafter moved to Missouri, and in the succeeding year came to our neighboring county of Polk, and took a homestead. The first few years of his experience on the farm were very discouraging, and he had to undergo many hardships, but sticking to it with his indomitable will he surmounted all obstacles, and converted his place into a splendid farm.
A few years later he came to Columbus, having leased his farm which he still owns, and went to work for Mr. A. Henry, and subsequently engaged in the Hardware business. Having a preference for the lumber himself, however, he closed out his hardware interests, and in partnership with Mr. Yaeggi, purchased the lumber yard of Mr. A. Henry. Being square and honorable in all his dealings with mankind, and together with his integrity and sound judgment, he soon made warm friends, and built up a big trade. To-day he is one of the members of the Columbus Lumber and Grain Company, and stand pre eminent as a trusted and skillful business man.
Mr. Schupbach is a man of more than ordinary intelligence, and possesses all the qualities so essential for a legislator, and a fit and worthy representative for a thinking people.
With large interests both in town and in country, he is the very man who would watch with zealous eye all and every encroachment of corporate or other power, upon either of these interests. Upon all questions which would arise, he would think for himself, and when he had decided on the proper course, and you may be assured he would always be on the right, he could not be influenced by favor, or coerced through fear. Who then can hesitate to support honest Dave Schupbach?
OSCAR F. BROWN The democratic nominee for the 13th Senatorial District, composed of the Counties of Platte and Colfax, was born in the small town of Danville, New York, on the 2nd day of December 1832. Two years later his parents moved to the wilds of Michigan, and engaged in farming. It was here that he spent his youth in frontier life, working upon the farm from early spring to late fall, and gaining his education from a few months attendance each winter at the public schools. In 1856 he moved to Shelbyville Missouri, and taught the school of that town for the next two years, when he moved to Shelbisa, in the same county, and embarked in a general merchandise business and remained there until in the dark hour of his country's peril in 1861, in July he closed his store and enlisted as a private in the 5th Battery of Cavalry, under Fremont's call, then organizing at St. Joseph. As a proper reward for his bravery on the battle field, he was promoted to a 2nd Lieutenant on September 1st of the same year, and remained with the command until the remant was mustered out of service. He again enlisted as a private, in teh 13th Missouri Cavalary, but on the 19th of January he was appointed Captain in the Mississippi Marine Service by the President of the United States. During the year 1863 he was honored with the command of the U.S. Steamer Ben. Adams, and the John Rain in 1864. He left the service honorably in April 1865, and since that time has been engaged in agricultural pursuits the treater portion of which has been spent in Colfax county.
Mr. Brown has had a life that has been marked with peril. His early youth passed on the frontier of a wild and sparsely settled county, where the settlers were often surrounded and cut down by hotile savages. His young manhood passed in a slave state, whose sentiment was in sympathy with the south and where it was worth his life to stand single handed in support of the Union. Following which was nearly four years of hard service in the federal army, subject to the soldier's life. His ability however was recognized there and twice did he rise from the ranks of a private to that of a commissioned officer by his own merit.
Mr. Brown has always been a consisted, liberal democrat. He believes in the principles of the party and stand squarely upon its platform. What more fitting tribute can the people of Platte and Colfax Counties pay this fearless exponent of right in the dark days in Missouri and his bravery as soldiers before the batteries of the enemy than to elect him to represent them in the Legislature of Nebraska? Although a farmer and a member of the Alliance, he will represent all classes with credit to them and to himself. Let all rally for Brown.