The biography
of James Calvin Rose
Submitted by: Donna
Brandt
Edited by: Fred Dethlefsen.
SALINE COUNTY 1867*
This was written from the memories of James Calvin Rose in 1940.
He was born in Jasper County Iowa and the family, his father, Calvin
Drake Rose and mother Amanda C Smith Rose, and grandparents Solomon
Rose and Eliza Bidlack Rose and all the kin were some of the first
settlers of Saline County. My compliments to his daughter Amanda
Belle Rose Hieneman for taking the time all these many years ago to
try and preserve the family history. So this is for you Amanda and may
God Bless You!
In the Spring of 1867, moved from Iowa to south west of Lincoln 35
miles in Saline County Nebraska. Took claim on Spring Creek. 7 in the
family - Grandparents (Rose) took claim about 2 miles away on Turkey
Creek - level plateau between - no settlers between. Grass grew as
high as a horses back. Built log shelters -furthest west settlers west
in that part of the country. Brought along 7 head of cattle and 7 head
of horses. Built dug outs and logged them up for barns. Carried
good-sized _________ on side of wagon. Had 5 pigs in summer. Broke the
prairie and planted corn and garden.
Fall was late, matured fairly well. Harvested the grain and garden
stuff. Children of the two families visited lots. A pet lamb always
going along, also the pigs developed the habit too. About the middle
of October a fire was started many miles north, came with terrific
force. All on Turkey Creek at time it was discovered. Prepared things
as Grandpap's as best as could, all got on horses and started for the
cabin on Spring Creek, as it was best protected by the bend in the
creek. Could see smoke rolling - looked back, and could see dimly the
five pigs following - someone cried, "It's Wolves!" and were
so frightened.
Soon discovered it was a mistake. Had plowing for fire guards already
prepared. Fire came on, a little more slowly because of the circuit to
make it around the guards. Jumped Turkey Creek, and burned for miles
over the sparsely settled prairie. Settlers were saved by their
guards. The country for miles north and south and west was blackened
and smell of burned grass was in the air for days. Grandpap's' went
back home. Saved homes by guards. Men folk were gone to Nebraska City
to work.
About the first of December we had a snow storm, which in my opinion,
and I have experienced them both, was even more terrible then the
Blizzard of 1888. Snow fell for nearly two days and two nights very
quietly until about 10 inches laid on the level covering the blackened
prairie as far as the eye could see. Then a strong Nor'wester started
up lasting about a day and a night picking the snow up and swirling it
in every direction. Could not see.
There were no bridges (first had fjords) snow piled up on the creeks
which were covered with thin ice. In places the snow piled up from
bank to bank twenty feet deep. No traveling with teams where a creek
must be crossed till spring. One could pick their way on foot some.
Couldn't go to the grist mill at Nebraska City, so people ground their
corn on coffee mills, and pound it up in iron kettles with an iron
wedge for the rest of the winter. In the spring, a thaw came then
travel was resumed. About this time our well was impaired somehow and
compelled to drink water from the creek. The snow, which had melted
had run off the blackened prairie caused the creek water to be about
the color of black coffee.
After the
Prairie Fire
My father and 2 neighbors went west about
100 miles along the Platte River to get buffalo meat for the winter.
The hills were black in places with buffalo. They shot these animals
with old army rifles - took best part of meat -brought home wagons
loaded. Dried some - left some to hang and freeze. Next spring after
grass started, a tribe of Sioux Indians who had spent their winter in
the south came through our settlement but were very quiet and seemed
to be pleased with anything we could offer them to eat.
1940
Early this fall I made a trip to Lincoln our
capital city. I am looking over the beautiful new State Building, the
high walled streets, miles of pavement, and wonderful schools, parks,
railroads and street cars, this all brought back to mind my first
visit to Lincoln or rather through there, as a lad of six years, with
my parents we moved from Iowa in Spring of 1867. If old timers will go
with me in my memory to 1867 abut this time Nebraska became a State of
the Union you will remember that Lincoln was only a small village of
perhaps 15 buildings all made of sod. Just a western town with its
saloons, stores and post office, and blacksmith shop, hotel -livery
stable and private homes.
Salt
About a mile north of Lincoln as it was
then, were some salt basins where the settlers for miles around
obtained their house supply of salt. It was scooped up, loaded in
wagons and took home and after adding water, boiled several times,
after taking out the settlements in the bottom and also skimming
constantly. After boiling dry, clean white salt was ready for use. I
remember in particular our first trip for salt. We started early
as we must make the trip in one day. A jug of water was taken along,
as the children would be sure to call for a drink and none would be
available. The trip was nearly complete when a younger child called
for a drink and it was discovered the jug was empty. "I want a
drink, I tell you, " he repeated finally saying "and I'm
gonna have it!" But needless to say he waited until home was
reached.
Solomon Rose was born March 11 1811 in Brocks Gap Virginia. When he
was a small boy he moved to Fairfield County Ohio. In 1828, his
parents and family moved across the county line into Pickaway County.
His father John Rose died in the spring of 1831. Solomon Rose married
Eliza Bidlack in winter of 1831. In Dec. 1832, their first son Calvin
Drake Rose was born. He was joined by sister Lidia Ann Rose
(married to Hezekiah Woods lived in Jasper county Iowa); Rachel
Elizabeth Rose (married to Oliver Harvey Broadwell); Drucilla Rose
(married to Elisha Adamson - 2nd to Samuel Evans); William H Rose
(Uncle Billy - married to Mary M. Kennedy); Samuel (married first to
Eliza Wilkinson -2nd to Sarah Florence Wilson).
In 1840 they are in Clinton County Ohio in Chester Twp., in 1850 in
Darke County Ohio in Brown Twp. In 1856, they moved to Jasper County
Iowa to Malaka Township and by 1867 they were homesteaders in Saline
County, Nebraska. Although they may have moved around a lot, all
of our hearts are within Saline County. Throughout the last 134 years,
direct descendants of the Solomon Rose line have been in and around
the Dorchester/Pleasant Hill area.
