Biography - George W. Carmine
GEORGE W. CARMINE. Todd Creek Precinct has many farms of an unusually fine
description, not the least of which is that owned by the subject of our sketch.
It is 160 acres in extent, and is situated on sections 7, 4, and 12. It is
thoroughly improved, and is either cross-fenced or hedged in all its directions.
The property was somewhat improved at the time he purchased it in 1883, but he
has expended much time, thought and money to bring it to its present excellent
condition.
Among the chief improvements made by our subject must be mentioned the erection
and furnishing of his residence, which is one of the best in the district and
compares favorably with many in more eastern states that are far more
pretentious. It has four large reception rooms on the first floor, and four
above for other purposes. The home is elegantly furnished, and abundantly
supplied with the various devices insuring the greatest possible amount of
convenience and ease. Externally, the gardens, etc show it off to advantage,
besides making the surroundings exceedingly pleasant.
Ohio claims the honor of being the birthplace of the subject of our sketch, and
the date of his nativity is the 21st of March 1834. He was fifteen years old
when his parents left the Buckeye state for Fulton County, Illinois. His early
life was shadowed by the loss of his mother by death when he was six years of
age, and this has doubtless more or less affected his whole subsequent
experience. He received a good English education, so far as such is obtainable
in the usual institutions of the country. After leaving the classes and
textbooks, he learned the carpenter's trade, and worked at the same for a number
of years.
When about twenty-five years of age Mr. Carmine removed to Henry County,
Illinois where he made his home for about ten years, after which he went to
Plymouth County, Iowa remaining there for six years, then coming to this state.
He has all his life been more or less acquainted with the various duties and
responsibilities connected with agricultural life, and chose to make that his
occupation and has chiefly followed the same, with what success it is
unnecessary to say. His whole property, stock, and also his home, speak too
eloquently to be misunderstood as to that matter.
While a resident of Knox County, Illinois, Mr. Carmine was united in the bonds
of wedlock with Miss Abigail Kays of Knox County, IL, the event occurring
January 21, 1857 [the Illinois Statewide Marriage Index lists a George W.
Carmean marrying a Abigail Kays in Knox County on January 21, 1857]. There have
come to them eight children, five of whom are living, viz.: Henry, Mary, Jennie,
Susie and George. Henry married Miss Katie Pogue, of this county, and lives in
this precinct; Mary became the wife of Mr. L. B. Arnott, of Johnson; Jennie is
the wife of Lorin Blakesly, of Johnson County, Neb.; the remaining children are
still with their parents on the home farm.
The wife of our subject was born in Knox County, Ill., in the year 1832. She is
the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Bracken) Kays. She made her home with her
parents until her marriage, was educated in the schools in Knox County, Ill.,
and is well prepared by this and her home training to fill any position in the
home or society, generally. Her father was a native of Kentucky, but removed
with his family to Illinois in 1824 or 1825, where he still resides in Abingdon,
Knox County, and although now retired from active engagements is still the owner
of a large farm. He was bereaved of his wife in the year 1870, but subsequently
married again. Within the communion of the Methodist Episcopal Church he is
perfectly at home religiously, having been a member of the same for about sixty
years.
Curtis Carmine, the father of our subject, is a native of Maryland, and was born
in the year 1814. While yet a youth he migrated to Ohio, then the Far West, and
in that State was married in 1833 to Miss Susannah Towers. Besides our subject,
they had two children. viz.: Susannah and Maria. He was a mechanic and always
continued to follow his trade. The home was at Circleville, Dewitt County and
there he died in 1873 when about forty years of age.
Having lost his mother when so young, our subject has largely had to depend upon
himself. He is now one of the prominent and much esteemed men of Todd Creek
Precinct, and indeed of the county, and also a very able citizen. He is chiefly
engaged in general farming, and in the raising of cattle, horses and hogs. He
raises the best breeds of cattle, and in horses confines himself almost entirely
to the heavy road draft horses.
Frequently has Mr. Carmine been called upon to fill various township and school
offices, and is a member of the Republican party, but not active as a
politician, nor eager to take any chief seat in the political synagogue.
Religiously, he is affiliated with the Baptist Church at Long Branch, and is
accounted an able and faithful supporter of the institution.
Contributed by Todd Walter, extracted from the 1889 Portrait & Biographical
Album of Johnson and Pawnee Counties, Nebraska, published by Chapman Brothers,
page 221.
