My Genealogy Hound

JUDSON A. PALMER, one of the first settlers of Sappa township, Harlan county, Nebr., is a son of Silas and Adelia (Champlain) Palmer, and was born in Michigan in 1841. Silas Palmer was a native of New York, born in 1814. He was a farmer and a prosperous one, being worth, at the time of his death, which occurred in Michigan in 1865, not less than $12,000 to $15,000. He was a devoted member of the Baptist church, in which for years he filled the position of deacon. He was married in 1839, and there were born to him six children, as follows — Judson A.; Ellen, now Mrs. Laine, of Michigan; Amelia, widow of a Mr. Stone, and residing in Hudson, Mich.; Sarah, now Mrs. Darling, of Kansas; Byron, a resident of Michigan; and Homer, who died in infancy. All the girls were teachers, and Ellen, a graduate from Adrian College, Mich., was principal at one time of the public schools of Hudson in the same state.

Judson A. Palmer remained with his parents until 1862, when he enlisted in Company C, Eighteenth Michigan infantry. He took part in many severe engagements and was mustered out at Nashville, Tenn., in 1865, but received his final discharge and pay at Jackson, Mich. He then rejoined his parents, and in 1868 was united in marriage to Miss Julia Chapman, who was born in Michigan in 1848. Eight children have blessed this union and are named Alfred, Homer, Mabel, Orville, Eugene, Bertie, Ina and Leslie.

In the spring of 1869, Mr. Palmer bought a farm in Phelps county, Mo., on which he resided two years, and then came to Nebraska and located on section 22, township 2, range 20, Harlan county, but two years later came to his present home on section 26, township 2, range 20. Indians and buffalo abounded in those days. Snow storms were not unfrequent. On one occasion Mr. Palmer and others lay out for three days in one of those blizzards, and it was so severe that it became necessary to apply the black-snake (whip) to one of the party and drive him around the fire until he could get up a circulation of blood.

Mr. Palmer is an active member of the Christian church, and for a long time was Sabbath-school superintendent. He is a Master Mason and in politics is a republican.