Lewis Publishing Company, 1904

Transcribed from the original book by Kristin J. Vaughn © 2008

Jacob K Diller Page 587 Jacob K. Diller is numbered among the pioneer settlers of Jefferson county, Nebraska. He came to this state in October, 1870, secured a homestead claim and took up his abode thereon in July, 1872. He has since devoted his energies to its improvement. He found here pioneer conditions such as are always met with by the frontiersman. The land was wild and unimproved, the homes were widely scattered, and there were many difficulties and hardships to be borne in reclaiming the district for the purposes of civilization and planting the seeds of progress and improvement. Mr. Diller is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in Cumberland county near Carlisle, on the 17th of January, 1845. His paternal grandfather, Francis Diller, Sr., was born in Pennsylvania, but was of German ancestry. He served his country as a soldier in the war of 1812 and both he and his wife died in the Keystone state. Francis Diller, Jr., the father of our subject, was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, was reared under the paternal roof and early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He chose farming as a life work, and it was through his industry and enterprise in that direction that he was enabled to provide for his family. He married Miss Nancy Kamory, who was also born in Pennsylvania and was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mathew Kamory, both of whom spent their entire lives in the Keystone state. Francis Diller and his wife came to Jefferson county, Nebraska, in 1873, establishing their home in Fairbury, where they continued to reside until called to their final rest; the father passing away in Fairbury at the age of sixty-seven years, while the mother's death occurred when she was eighty-one years of age. She held membership in the Methodist church and lived a consistent Christian life. In their family were ten children: Henry; Susan; Eliza; Amanda; Jacob; Andrew, who was a soldier of the Civil war; Mary A.; Levi; Matilda; and Mattie. Jacob K. Diller was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads. At an early age he began work in the fields, and the summer months were devoted to the task of plowing, planting and harvesting, while in the winter seasons he attended the public schools. Experience and observation in later life have largely added to his knowledge, making him a well informed man. He was a very young man at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war, and on the 6th of April, 1865, he donned the blue uniform of the nation and became a member of the One Hundred and First Pennsylvania Infantry under Captain Wolfe. The regiment was stationed at Roanoke, and at Newbury, North Carolina, and he was with the army until the 25th of June, 1865. For a time he was ill prior to his return, and was then on detail duty at the hospital for some weeks. After the close of hostilities he returned to his old home in Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1869, when he went to Champaign county, Illinois. There he worked at the carpenter's trade with his brother Henry at Rantoul, but afterward turned his attention to farming in that portion of the state. At a later date he again went to Pennsylvania, but subsequently returned to Champaign county, Illinois. Mr. Diller was married near Rantoul in that county on the 9th of June, 1870, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary A. White, who was born in Jersey county, Illinois, and spent her girlhood days there, the public school system of the state affording her her educational privileges. Her father, George White, was born in New York and married Mrs. Matilda Ott, who was a widow. She was born in Mississippi, and was a daughter of Thomas Daugherty, a farmer who belonged to an old southern family. Mr. White died in Nebraska at the age of sixty-nine years. He was a worthy member of the United Brethren church and was honored and respected by all who knew him. His wife, who passed away at the age of sixty-one years, was loved for her many good traits of heart and mind and her generous hospitality. In their family were eleven children, seven of whom reached adult age. To Mr. and Mrs. White were born seven children: Mary; Arvilla, now deceased; Lucy, who is living in St. Joseph, Missouri; Joseph, William and Addie, all deceased; and George White, who resides in Missouri. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Diller were ten in number: George F.; Mattie Eliza; Levi S.; Anna M.; Odella; Ina; William H.; Charles Edward; and Robert Carlyle; and Mina May, who was a bright girl of genial and affectionate nature and died at the age of twelve years. As before stated Mr. Diller became a resident of Jefferson county, Nebraska, in 1872. He had many difficulties and hardships with which to contend in the early days of his residence here. The hot winds of the summer, the blizzards and the intense cold of winter all served to render his efforts of little avail, but as the years progressed he triumphed over the hard conditions of frontier life and is now the possessor of a valuable and productive farm. In 1892 he erected a fine modern residence at a cost of thirty-five hundred dollars, and in its furnishings it indicates the cultured and refined taste of the family. It is supplied with all modern equipments and underneath the house is a cement and brick cellar. The residence is heated by furnace, and diamond window panes add to its attractive appearance as well as serve the purpose of lighting. The house stands upon a natural building site and is indeed one of the attractive features of the landscape. Upon the farm is an orchard of four acres, and excellent grove and everything about the place is in splendid condition, indicating the careful supervision of the progressive owner. Both Mr. and Mrs. Diller possess many sterling traits of character which have rendered them so popular with a large circle of acquaintances and have gained them many warm friends.