My Genealogy Hound

CHESTER W. PUTNAM was born in Centerville, N. Y., November 18, 1833, and is the son of Ebenezer and Philena (Maxson) Putnam. His father was a native of Vermont and was a carpenter by occupation. He died in 1834, and his widow died December 12, 1859. The paternal grandfather of Chester W. was a cousin of Israel Putnam of Revolutionary fame. C. W. Putnam began working for the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern R. R. Company in Southern Michigan when twenty years old, and continued in the employment of this corporation for several years. He had in the meantime become quite proficient as a painter and worked at his trade in Racine, Wis., for about twelve years. He enlisted in February, 1865, in the Forty-ninth Wisconsin regiment. At this time, however, the war was drawing to a close and he saw no real service, but was mustered out in the following November. He had offered his services three years previous, but was rejected on account of a disabled arm. After the war he continued his occupation as painter until 1877, when he came to Buffalo county, Nebr., and took a claim in Cedar township, on which he has since resided. When he landed at Kearney he had barely $200. He purchased a team of mules and necessary farming implements and began work in earnest. The first season he harvested four hundred and four bushels of wheat, which he sold at 70 cents per bushel, and has since been quite successful in raising both wheat and corn. When he first settled in the township there were only three or four families, and wild game was plenty. He has often seen large herds of antelope and deer. Mr. Putnam was married in December, 1856, to Miss Caroline Thompson. They have three children — Charles H., Chester W., and Carrie P. Mrs. Putnam was born in Pennsylvania, February 21, 1834, and is the daughter of Lyman and Annie Thompson, natives of New England. Her father died in Indiana in 1883 and her mother had preceded him some time. Mr. Putnam has held various offices of trust in the township and is quite well known throughout the county.