Eli J.W. and Anna (McBride) Pittman
Eli was the second child of David Pittman and his second wife Mary E. Young. He was born 1844 in Harrison County, Indiana. He married Anna McBride in 1866 in Harrison County and farmed there until about 1872 when they moved to a farm in Liberty Precinct, Cass County, Nebraska. By 1900, they had moved to a farm in York County, Nebraska. Eli died 1844 and Anna died 1930. Both are buried in Greenwood Cemetery in York, Nebraska.
From "Portrait and Biographical Album of Otoe and Cass Counties, Nebraska", published by Chapman Brothers, Chicago (1889), pp 862-865:
From "Portrait and Biographical Album of Otoe and Cass Counties,
Nebraska", published by Chapman Brothers, Chicago (1889).
ELI J. PITTMAN. Among the substantial and enterprising agriculturists of Cass County, of whom brief biographical notices are given in this volume, no one is more worthy of mention than the subject of this biographical sketch. He has an extensive farm, consisting of 200 acres on section 9, and 160 acres more, on section 16, Liberty Precinct, which he bought in 1872, and moved onto November 28 of that year. It was then but slightly improved, but by hard labor and skillful management it has been transformed from the wild, unbroken prairie to a veritable garden spot, blossoming and yielding abundantly of the numerous cereals entrusted to its soil. On his homestead, which lies on section 9, Mr. Pittman has erected a handsome dwelling, which is one of the most commodious and conveniently arranged in the precinct, it being well heated and ventilated, and with water carried throughout the house. The barn and other farm buildings are also of modern construction and in keeping with the dwelling, water for the stock being carried by means of pipes and a windmill pump to the barn and feed lots. The house is situated on a rising knoll, and commands an extensive view of the surrounding country, Nebraska City, seventeen miles distant, being often clearly perceptible. Hardly such another fine natural location can be found in Cass County, and Mr. Pittman has taken advantage of all the facilities for improving and beautifying his homestead. Besides general farming our subject is much interested in stock-raising, and has large herds of fine cattle and many good horses. He is a member of the Factoryville Stock Company, which was formed in 1887, with ten charter members, for the purpose of introducing the English Shire draught horses into the country, making a specialty of that breed. The head of that herd, Young Samson, was sired in England, and imported by O. O. Heffner, of Nebraska City. He is a fine specimen of that stock, being coal black in color, about five years of age, and weighs upward of 1,700 pounds. The subject of our sketch was born in Harrison County, Ind., March 9, 1845, and is the youngest child of the second marriage of David Pittman. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Mary E. Young. She was a native of North Carolina, and her husband of Virginia. After their marriage they lived many years in Indiana, but subsequently moved to Nebraska, and died at the home of our subject in Liberty Precinct, the father dying June 23, 1881, aged seventy-four years, one month and seventeen days, and the mother Dec. 26, 1881, at the age of seventy-four years, He was a Democrat in his political views, and a communicant of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, while Mrs. Pittman held to the faith of the United Brethren Church. E. J. Pittman, of our sketch, was reared in his native county, and in early life became familiarly acquainted with the duties devolving upon the son of a farmer. When the time came for him to decide upon the way in which he should earn his livelihood, he concluded to become a tiller of the soil, and therefore purchased a farm in his native State. Before settling on it he was united in marriage, in Harrison County, Ind., Oct. 30, 1866, to Miss Anna McBride. She was also a native of Harrison County, born April 12, 1849, and is the second daughter and third child born to George W. and Eliza (McCoy) McBride, who were natives respectively of Tennessee and Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. McBride began their wedded life on his farm in Harrison County, and there she died while yet in the prime of life, leaving three sons and two daughters, Mrs. Pittman being at that time five years old. Her father married for his second wife Adeline Neely, of Indiana, and they continued living in that State until the spring of 1888, when they came to Nebraska and settled on the farm in Liberty Precinct which they still occupy. Mr. McBride is an active man of fifty-six years, while his wife is twelve years younger. Both are consistent members of the United Brethren Church. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Pittman, Edward McBride, was a native of North Carolina, of Scotch descent, as is indicated by the name. He died in Indiana, past fourscore years of age. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Pittman, John McCoy, was born and reared in Pennsylvania, but after his marriage located on a farm in Indiana, where he spent his last years. Mrs. Pittman was reared on a farm, receiving a good common-school education, and instructions in domestic duties that have rendered her an invaluable help to her husband in the building up of their beautiful home. She is one of those women of whom we can truly say the heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, and her children rise up and call her blessed. To our subject and his wife have been born two children -- Benjamin Wallace and John W. The former, who has attained his majority, was well educated in Nebraska City College, and is now at home. John W. also attended school at Nebraska City. Mrs. Pittman is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Pittman affiliates with the Democratic party, which finds in him one of its most earnest and intelligent supporters. A view of their elegant residence and fine surroundings is shown on an accompanying page in this volume.
Nebraska State IOOF Home, York, Nebraska. ca. 1928.
Two children were born to Eli and Anna:
- Benjamin Wallace, born 1867 in Indiana, married Annie Carper 1893, died 1944 and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, York, Nebraska.
- John Wesley, born 1872 in Indiana, married Rosa A Smith 1894, died in 1956 and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, York, Nebraska.
- John and Rosa were Superintendent and Matron, respectively, of the I.O.O.F. Home at York, Neb. from January 1918 to 1941, rearing over 200 orphan children during that period.