The name of John SAUDERS is familiar to the residents of Pierce county, Nebraska, where he has lived for many years. Locating here in 1881, when this region was practically in its infancy, he has taken a leading part in its development and growth; from its early settlement. Mr. SAUDERS was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, March 7, 1841, and is the son of John and Ellen (AMSTED) SAUDERS, natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland, respectively. Our subject has one brother, William SAUDERS, who lives in Sidney, Ohio.

When leaving his native state, our subject went to Cairo, Alexander county, Illinois, where for six or seven years he followed the river between Pittsburg on the Ohio and LaSalle on the Illinois, and from Keokuk to New Orleans on the Mississippi. In 1867 he settled in McLean county, Illinois, and farmed near Randolph for a period of ten years. He then moved to Ringgold county, Iowa, where he lived for four years, finally settling in Pierce county in 1881, filing on the two middle eighties of the west half of section five, township twenty-eight, range four. He lived in a dugout for twelve years, then built a good house. He has developed this land into a fine place, with a seven-acre grove of thrifty trees.

Mr. SAUDERS went through the hardships to which this section was subjected in the early days, but fortunately was one of the few who suffered no loss in the blizzard of 1888. Like other early settlers, his only fuel for eight years was hay and corn.

At the outbreak of the civil war, Mr. SAUDERS served two months in the state militia, and then enlisted in company E, Eighteenth Illinois infantry, at Cairo, May 28, 1861. He served his country for three years, receiving his discharge at Springfield, Illinois, June 11, 1864. He fought in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh and Vicksburg, besides many smaller engagements and skirmishes. He received a number of slight flesh wounds, but never reported them, fearing discharge. He was in the hospital three times, but reported again for duty as soon as possible after getting again on his feet.

In politics Mr. SAUDERS is a staunch republican.

Source:
BURTON, William R. and LEWIS, David J.  A Compendium of History, Reminiscence, and Biography of Nebraska, Illustrated  Vol. II, p. 105. Alden Publ. Co., Chicago. 1912.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, November of 2008