Biographical and historical memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton counties, Nebraska, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties mentioned, and numerous biographical sketches of the citizens of such counties, Part 103

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, The Goodspeed publishing co.
Number of Pages: 820

USA > Nebraska > Adams County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton counties, Nebraska, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties mentioned, and numerous biographical sketches of the citizens of such counties > Part 103
USA > Nebraska > Clay County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton counties, Nebraska, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties mentioned, and numerous biographical sketches of the citizens of such counties > Part 103
USA > Nebraska > Hall County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton counties, Nebraska, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties mentioned, and numerous biographical sketches of the citizens of such counties > Part 103
USA > Nebraska > Hamilton County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton counties, Nebraska, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties mentioned, and numerous biographical sketches of the citizens of such counties > Part 103

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

George Bartenbach, alderman from the Second Ward, dealer in paints, oils, etc., and proprietor of the Grand Island Opera House, is a native Ger- man, his birth occurring in Tuttlingen, Wurtem- burg, January 22, 1844, he being a son of Henry and Rosina (Stengelin) Bartenbach, the former a tanner and currier by occupation. George was the eldest of their five children, and after receiving a good schooling in his native land, he learned his father's business. and in 1866 came to America, landing in Castle Garden in May of that year, and sought employment at his trade, but found little encouragement to pursue that calling. He then turned his attention to other pursuits, and after working at various employments for some time, he entered the employ of Steinway's Sons, of New York City, and remained with them seven years, saving considerable money during this time. In 1878 he came to Grand Island, Neb., and after working for nearly two years in the Union Pacific Railroad yards, he opened a small shop of his own, and began selling paints and oils, and gradually increased his business until he now has an estab- lishment which brings him in a comfortable income. Like all his countrymen, he is industrious and frugal, yet enterprising, and these characteristics, together with strict honesty, close application and perseverance, have placed him among the wealthy men of this section. His career is an excellent ex- ample for the rising generation, and shows what can be accomplished when there is a thorough determination to succeed, for on coming to this country he possessed but little means, was without

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a profession or trade which was of any use to him, and was unacquainted with the English language. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., the Lieder- kranz, of which he is treasurer, and he is a stock. holder in the Grand Island Improvement Com- pany, the Grand Island Canning Company, and also the creamery of that place. He built the Opera House Block, one of the finest buildings in the city, and he is also the owner of a handsome residence. He was married in New York City to Miss Charlotta Seivers, a native of Holstein, Ger- many, born March 1, 1844, and by her he has a son and daughter: Henry (who is associated with him in business) and Ella Ch. A son, Adolph, died. Mr. and Mrs. Bartenbach are members of the Lutheran Church.

John Boeck is a successful druggist at Cairo, Neb., and is a proper representative of the ener. getic young business men of Hall County, which has done and is doing so much for the advance- ment of the material interests of this section. He was born in Holstein, Germany, September 15, 1861, and received an excellent education in the common and high schools of his native land. At the age of fifteen years he entered college, taking a most thorough course, and from this institution was graduated in 1881, his course of study including pharmacy and a practical knowledge of drugs. Soon after leaving college he emigrated to the United States, and until the fall of 1883 he was engaged in clerking in a drug store in Grundy County, Iowa, which position he held for about two years. He then removed to Hall County, Neb., and first located at Grand Island, where he remained for about four years, and in the month of October, 18SS, came to Cairo, and after clerking some time over one year he purchased his present establish- ment, and has since been actively engaged in busi- ness for himself. Being active, intelligent and en- terprising, he has built up a paying trade, and his stock of drugs and medicines, paints, oils, school books, stationery and notions is quite complete. He is married, Miss Mary Wede, a native of Germany, being his wife. She was reared and educated in her native land. They have a family of three chil- dren: Etta, Meta and Albert. Mr. and Mrs.

Boeck are members of the Lutheran Church, and he is a member of the A. O. U. W. He is a man of excellent business qualifications and habits, and has made many warm friends since locating in Cairo, fully deserving the patronage he has won.

Alfred Herman Bohne, a leading undertaker and furniture dealer of Grand Island, Neb., is a highly respected and esteemed citizen in both busi- ness and social circles. His father, Henri Herman Böhne, who was a native of Osterkaplin, Hanover, Germany, emigrated to this country in 1834, being then twenty eight years of age, and located in Beardstown, Cass County, III., where he was united in marriage in 1840 with Miss Selina Beard, of Burton, Ohio. Of this marriage there were three children, the eldest of whom was born August 27, 1842, and is the subject of this sketch. The father died April 8, 1847, at the homestead in Beardstown, thus leaving the young wife and mother alone to maintain the children and, unaided by a father's precept and example, to rear them to manhood and womanhood. How well her work is done the integrity of her sons and daughter will testify. In 1859 the widow became the wife of Rev. David Crawford, an Englishman by birth, and who died in 1881. The mother survived him until October 7, 1886, passing from this life at the home of her son in Grand Island, aged seventy- six years two months and twenty-six days. The early life of A. H. Bohne was spent in the vicinity of Beardstown, where he was employed in farm work. August 19, 1861, he enlisted in Company K, Thirty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was sworn into the Union army before his nine teenth birthday. He served with this regiment until May 1, 1863, when he was wounded in a battle near Port Gibson, Miss., after which he was placed in hospital at Memphis, Tenn. Having partially recovered he was removed to St. Louis and transferred to Company A, Second Regiment Veteran Reserve Corps. In December, 1863, he was sent to Jackson, Mich., when for several months he was on provost gnard duty. Mr. Böhne received an honorable discharge from the service at Detroit, Mich., September 2, 1861. In 1865 he entered Eastman's National Business Col-

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lege at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., but being a victim of inflammatory rheumatism was compelled to leave the institution before he had completed the course. Returning to Illinois, he located in Champaign County and engaged in farming. October 7, 1869, Mr. A. H. Böhne and Miss Lyde M. Craig, of Urbana, III., were united in marriage. In the spring of 1873 Mr. Böhne sold his farm in Cham- paign County, and accepted a position in the office of the Illinois Central Railroad at Rantoul. He remained there three years. In the spring of 1876 Mr. Böhne removed his family to Morgan County, III., where he turned his attention to the manufacture of drain tile for two years. The increasing demand of a young and growing family warned the father that he must take a long look ahead and provide for the proverbial "rainy day." Having tried farming, railroad work and manu- facturing industry successively he became con- vinced, like many others, that to win in the battle for bread that should have its share of butter, or in other words to become a prosperous business man, he must "go West and grow up with the country." Grand Island, Neb., was the point selected. The move was made accordingly, the family arriving in Grand Island March 11, 1878, where they have since resided. The capital in- vested during the first five years consisted alone of that kind of stock that always insures safe returns, namely, industry, energy and economy, combined with the strictest integrity and a determination to gain a foothold. His first work was as salesman in an agricultural implement establishment; follow- ing this he was employed at the office of the Union Pacific Railroad for nearly two years. Subse- quently he was in the employ of H. L. Burkett, at that time the leading undertaker and furniture dealer in Grand Island. In 1882 Mr. Böhne commenced in business for himself, and has since been prosperous in both branches as undertaker and furniture dealer. In 1887 Mr. George F. Ryan became associated with Mr. Böhne, the firm still existing as Böhne & Ryan. It is ranked among the leading firms of Grand Island; gentle- manly and accommodating in their business rela- tions, honest and upright in all their transactions,

their ultimate success is both deserving and assured. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Böhne, six of whom are now living. The family occupy high social relations, and are es- teemed for their intrinsic worth. They are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church and congregation. Mr. Böhne is a member of Lyon Post No. 11, G. A. R., also of the A. O. U. W., being at the pres- ent time receiver of Charity Lodge No. 91. Mrs. Bohne is president of the Grand Island Woman's Christian Temperance Union, to which position she has recently been elected. She is also a mem- ber of the Nebraska State Board of Associate Charities and Reforms, and as such is a trustee of one of the State charitable and reformatory in- stitutions. As a member of the Women's Relief Corps Mrs. Bohne was twice elected to fill the responsible position of department president of the Nebraska Women's Relief Corps. Mrs. Böhne's father, William Craig, was born in Shelby County, Ky., October 12, 1810, and in 1830 removed with his parents to Illinois, and was mar- ried in 1834 to Miss Martha Ann Dicky. He made that State his home until 1855, at which time he located on a one-fourth section of land near Omaha, Neb., which was then a mere straggling village, expecting to remove his family there from Jacksonville, III., at a very early date. He sub- sequently returned to Illinois, giving up his Nebraska enterprise on account of the ill health of his wife. but in 1859 he again returned to this State and engaged in mechanical business in Grand Island. In 1886 he visited Astoria and Coquilla City, Ore., and while there was stricken with a disease which necessitated the amputation of his limb. Since then he has been bed-ridden, and in this condition was brought back to Grand Island, the home of his son-in law, where he desires to end his days. He is a remarkable instance of physical courage and Christian forti- tude, and although eighty years of age, bed-rid- den, partially paralyzed, and almost speechless, he retains to a remarkable degree his vigor of mind and an unusually cheerful appearance.

G. Frederick Brage is a well-known architect of Grand Island, Neb., and like others of this

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calling in the town has won an enviable reputation, and is a skilled workman. He was born in Prussia, Germany, July 25, 1852, and is a son of David and Christena Brage, with whom he came to America in 1868. They first located near Water- town, Jefferson County, Wis., and here resided during the summer of 1868, but in September moved to Juda, Green County, Wis., and from there to Butler County, Iowa, in 1877. Two years later they settled in Franklin County of that State. and in 1882 came to Nebraska, and both parents are now residing in Merrick County of that State, their home being six miles north of Central City. In May, 1875, G. Frederick Brage left the home of his parents in Green County, Wis., and went to Milwaukee, but a few weeks later removed to Ra- cine, and was there engaged in working at the car- penter's trade from June, 1875, until December, 1876, then spent the following winter and summer in Green County. In the fall of 1877 he accom- panied his parents to Iowa, and this State contin- ued to be his home until 1885. In 1878-79 he followed his calling in Hampton and vicinity, and during the remainder of his residence in Iowa he followed his trade in different places, and one summer was spent in millwrighting. After com- ing to Nebraska in the spring of 1885 he made his home in Hastings for a few months, but in No- vember of that year moved to Grand Island, which place has since continued to be his home. He possesses much natural aptitude for his calling, and ever since his residence in this town he has been associated in business with C. C. Rittenhouse, of Hastings. Socially he is a member of the Masonic order and the A. O. U. W.

Charles W. Brininger is the present city clerk of Grand Island. He is a practicing United States land attorney and is also engaged in the real-estate business, being a member of the well known firm of Ross & Brininger. He was born in Middlebury, Elkhart County, Ind., December 14, 1864, and is a son of John and Julia Ann (Smith) Brininger, who was born, reared and mar- ried in Snyder County, Pa., and after the consum. mation of the latter event they moved to Indiana, in 1861. The father was a stone mason by trade,

and was a man who possessed many worthy traits of character. The mother died January 1, 1890, in full communion with the Lutheran Church, and is now lying in the family cemetery at Vistula, Ind. Four sons and six daughters of their family are living, of whom Charles W. is the youngest. He was reared in Indiana up to the age of fourteen years, then came to Nebraska and made his home with his brother, Alfred F., a merchant of Central City, and while with him learned all the details of mercantile life. He also followed the occupation of teaching for some time, and in August, 1883, came to Grand Island, as register clerk in the United States land office, and this position filled with ability until July, 1887, when he formed a partnership with Mr. Ross, and has been asso- ciated with him ever since. He was married in Grand Island to Miss Mary E., a daughter of John Johnson, a blacksmith of Greeley Center, Neb. Mrs. Brininger was born in Paterson, N. J., and has borne her husband a son, named Lucius Roy, and a daughter, named Carrie Fay. They at- tend the Episcopal Church, and Mr. Brininger be- longs to the Masonic fraternity, the A. O. U. W., and is a stockholder in the Grand Island Improve. ment Company, a director in the Grand Island Building and Loan Association, and is now filling his second term as city clerk.

Russel S. Bruce, farmer and stock-raiser, Un. derwood, Neb. To the person who closely applies himself to any occupation which he has chosen as his calling in life, there can only be one result that of success and a high position of esteem from those among whom he has made his home. And the case of Mr. Bruce is no exception to the rule, for from boyhood he has been engaged in agricult- ural pursuits, and his strict attention to this calling accounts for his success. He was born in Hills- boro, Highland County, Ohio, in 1832, and was the eldest in a family of eleven children, the result of the union of James A. and Experience (Shaw) Bruce, natives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively. The father left his native State when a boy, emi- grated to Ohio, and was married in Brown County of that State, September 14, 1814, to Miss Shaw. He was a cooper by trade, and in 1850 moved to

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Illinois, settled in Bureau County, and there his death occurred. The mother is still living, and resides in Putnam, Putnam County, Ill. Their children were named as follows: R. S. (subject), John (married and resides in Putnam County, III.), William (died April 24, 1836), Ann (died in 1866). Mary M. (now Mrs. Smith, of Princeton, Ill.), Joseph (resides in Putnam County, Ill.). Carey I. (married and resides in Poweshiek County, Iowa), Irene (now Mrs. Bobeck, of Bureau County, Ill.), Experience E. (now Mrs. Biddulph), Emeline (now Mrs. Burnside, of Putnam County, Ill. ) and James F. (married and residing in Putnam County, Ill.) Russell S. Bruce was early taught the duties of farm life, received his education in the schools of Ohio, and under the tutorage of L. D. Whiting, of Tiskilwa, Ill., and at the age of eighteen years went to Illinois, where he commenced farming for himself. He was married in Bureau County, of that State, in 1855, to Miss Mary A. Owen, a na- tive of Marshall County, Ill., and the daughter of Roderick and Nancy (Adams) Owen, natives of Connecticut and New York, respectively. Mr. Owen emigrated to Ohio when a young man, was married in 1822 and settled in that State, where he learned the trade of a machinist and also worked at blacksmithing in Ohio and Pennsylvania. He and family came to Illinois at an early day, and in 1832 he erected a flour-mill on Crow Creek, the first in that section, people coming sixty miles to mill. Later he engaged in the plow manufactur- ing business, on a small scale, in Lacon, Ill. (1836), and after that began the manufacture of plows at Indiantown, later called Tiskilwa, where he built up a big business, and there his death occurred in 1860. His death was mourned by all. Mrs. Owen died September 28, 1849, at the age of forty-three years. Their union was blessed by the birth of the following children: William R. (enlisted in the Seventy-seventh Illinois Infantry, Company D, and served five years; was in the siege of Vicks- bnrg. and was with the Western army; at the close of the war he returned to Illinois, and now resides at Tiskilwa), Pardon H. (married and resides at Port Byron, Ill., and is a teacher by profession), Sarah A. (now Mrs. Sheldon, resides in Louisville,

Polk County, Ore.), John Q. (manufacturer, now resides in Denver), Mary A., Permelia A. (was killed in Illinois in 1885), Ferguson (resides in Salem, Ore.), Harriet (died at the age of thirteen) and Helen (now Mrs. Starrett, of Denver, Colo.). After his marriage Mr. Bruce settled in Illinois and there remained until 1856, when he removed to Benton County, Iowa, and engaged in farming in that and Poweshiek Counties. In 1874 he moved to Nebraska and settled where he now lives, on eighty acres of land. This he has improved very materially, and has an excellent place. He is active in politics, is independent in his views, and his vote is cast for the best man and for the best measures. He was justice of the peace for about eight years. Socially he is a member of the South Platte Alliance, was one of the first members in the southern part of the county, and this is the oldest alliance in the same. Mr. and Mrs. Bruce are members of the North Hastings Congregational Church, and are active workers therein. Their marriage has been rendered happy by the birth of four living children: Edgar F. (married to Miss Mary Dings, and they have four children: Roy, Donna Belle, Edna Grace and Ada May; they reside in Grand Island), William M. (married to Miss Lola M. Oliphant, and they have three chil- dren: Earl, Loyd and Winnie; they reside in Ban- ner County, Neb.), Winnie (now Mrs. L. T. Coul- ter, is the mother of one child, Vinnie, and resides on Elm Island, Hall County), and Edith May (now Mrs. Harvey Johnston). Mr. Bruce has seen the complete growth of the country south of the Platte, and there was very little settlement in this part of the country when he came here. Mrs. Bruce's grand- parents, Amasa and Elizabeth (Dana) Owen, were natives of Connecticut, and emigrated to Scioto County, Ohio, at an early day. The maternal grandparents, Joseph and Abigail Adams, were natives of New York, and at an early day emi- grated to the Buckeye State. Both died in Ohio.

Henry Chamberlin is the present efficient cash- ier of the First National Bank of Wood River, Neb., but was born in Dubuque County, Iowa, in 1855. When fifteen years of age he removed to Gentry County, Mo., and after obtaining a fair

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knowledge of the common branches in the district schools, he entered a business college of St. Joseph, in which institution he thoroughly fitted himself for business life. In 1883 he came to the State of Nebraska, and opened a bank at Battle Creek, Madison County, which he successfully conducted for two years, then removed to Arapahoe, and was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of that place. In the meantime he opened a bank at Hornerville, but sold out soon after and opened another bank at Benkleman, and after selling this, established one at Akron, Colo. Upon selling his interest in this bank he and a brother came to Wood River and organized the Hall County Bank. but at the end of one year converted it into the First National Bank, and he was elected its presi- dent and his brother its cashier. After a short time the latter sold out, and he and his brother opened the Merrick County Bank at Clark, of which institution he is now president. Henry Chamber. lin is the present cashier of the First National Bank, and is very painstaking and accurate. He was married in January, 1883, to Miss Lola M. Tomblin, and by her became the father of three interesting children: Marvin, Ada L. and Beulah. Mr. Cham- berlin is a son of S. and Deborah (Price) Chamber- lin, both being born in York State. They now reside at Stanberry, Mo.

H. P. Chapman, stock-raiser and bank director of the First National Bank of Wood River, Neb., owes his nativity to Ohio, where his birth occurred in 1848, he receiving a rather limited education in the common schools of Meigs County, Ohio. He was married in that county to Miss Hopy Thomp- son, a native of Ohio, born in 1850, and the result of this union has been four children: James F., Roma, Erma and Pearl (who died at the age of two years). After his marriage Mr. Chapman followed farming and stock-raising, but later sold out and moved to Hall County, Neb., where he formed the acquaintance of James Ewing, who owned a lum- ber-yard, put in money with him and enlarged the yard, after which he bought and shipped stock. He was in the lumber business for less than a year, when he sold out to R. H. Dodd and purchased a herd of sheep, and was the first feeder of sheep in

that vicinity. He has raised sheep in Ohio, and owned the second best shearing buck in Ohio, the yield being thirty-one and a fourth pounds. Mr. Chapman did fairly well at the lumber business, and in sheep he cleared over $1,250 on the first flock of 600 head he fattened. He still continues to feed and fatten stock. He purchased his present farm of 250 acres in the fall of 1885, and he also farms a section of land besides this. He is feeding about eighty five head of cattle now, and generally feeds from fifty to 100 head each year. He raises from 100 to 150 head of hogs each year, and also raises horses and mules. He has been a stock- holder and director in the First National Bank for nearly two years, and is a man well and favorably known throughout the county. Wood River runs through his land and supplies his stock with an abundance of water. Mr. Chapman is a member of the A. O. U. W., also the I. O. O. F. and Camp of the last named order. He is the son of Truman and Sallie (Strong) Chap- man. The father was born in Massachusetts in 1816, emigrated to Northern Ohio when eight years of age, from there to the southern part of the State when twenty-one years of age, and in 1880 to Nebraska, where he is living at the present time. He is the father of four children, all alive. The paternal grandfather, John Chapman, was born in Massachusetts, but at an early period emigrated to Southern Ohio, where he was among the pioneer settlers.

L. B. Chase, sheep feeder and property owner, Wood River, Neb. Among the successful agricult- urists of Hall County, whose merits are such as entitle them to representation in the present work, is Mr. Chase, the subject of this sketch. He was originally from New Hampshire, where his birth occurred in 1845, and there he grew to manhood, and received his education. He left his native State and emigrated to Nebraska in the fall of 1871, took a homestead, but did not keep it. He worked for James Jackson for the first year, then went to California and was engaged in the sheep- raising business for some time, realizing consider- able profit from it, but lost all his money the year President Hayes was elected. He then quit

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the sheep business and began operating a saw-mill, , which he continued for a year, after which he sold out and went to the northern part of the State. There he worked on a wheat ranch for a year and a half and then returned to his native State, where he remained for six months. From there he went to Wyoming Territory and purchased an overland mail route, which he conducted one year, clear- ing over $1,000 at this. He then sold out and entered the mercantile business as clerk in a store at Fort Steele, W. T., where he remained one year, and then, in 1882, he came to Wood River, Neb .. where he has since made his home. He was married in Grand Island to Miss Lena Len- son, a native of Sweden, born in 1861, and the fruits of this union were three children: Lee, Lon and Leslie. He purchased property in Wood River about 1884, and as he understands the sheep business he is engaged in feeding for va- rious parties for three consecutive years. He has charge of and feeds 2,000 sheep this year for G. Ferris, of Wyoming. He goes out about the mid- dle of April every year and for three and a half to four months shears sheep, getting from $5 to $12 per day. He gets $60 per month for feed- ing sheep and is thorough and reliable in all his business relations. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the M. W. A., and in his po- litical views affiliates with the Republican party. He is the son of James A. and Sarah (Cot- ton) Chase, natives of Vermont and New Hamp- shire, respectively. The father lived to be sev- enty years of age, and died in New Hampshire, and the mother is still living, is sixty seven years of age, and resides in that State. The grand- father, Edward Chase, was probably born in Can- ada, but died in Vermont. The maternal grand- father was in the War of 1812. Our subject's great- grandfather on the mother's side was the first child born in Grafton County, N. H., and the mother of his great-grandmother was half Indian.

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Author: Goodspeed Brothers Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago, The Goodspeed publishing co. Number of Pages: 820

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, The Goodspeed publishing co.
Number of Pages: 820