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 28
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 28
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 28
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 28
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In April, 1885, Henry Shedd was elected mayor, Thomas E. Farrell, engineer; E. A. Boelich, clerk; G. J. Evans, treasurer; J. F. Ballinger, police judge; William Vastine, Charles Cameron and (). Oliver, councilmen. The ordinance giving privileges to C. R. Miller and others, to lay gas-pipes, etc., was approved June 22, 1885. The usual limitations are found in this document. The petition of the Alexanders in re. the construction of street railroads was considered, and the question of new water-works claimed a good deal of attention. In December Hastings was declared a city of the second class. The city elections of 1886 were held April 6. There were 469 votes cast for Samuel J. Alexander; 197 for T. E. Farrell and 466 for A. D. Yceum; a total of 1,132 votes. E. Fist was elected treasurer; J. D. Nunes, clerk; N. B. Vineyard, police judge; Ezra Langevin and W. H. Stock, councilmen, First ward; C. C. Rittenhouse, Second ward, O. Oliver and T. E. Farrell, Third ward; Ed. L. Lewis and R. Covert, Fourth ward; D. M. Leland and Prof. An- drews, members of school board. The resolution of March 8, to submit the question of issning bonds for the construction of water works, was carried out April 15, when the proposition was carried by a vote of 465 to 164. Advertisement was at once made, and on May 18 the proposition of A. L. Strang & Co., of Omaha, to complete the works for $75,775, was accepted; while the bid of Lindley & Leighton, of Lincoln, for the $85, 000 bonds was accepted. J. A. Hall was appointed chief of police; on May 12, 1886, the ordinance declaring Hastings a city of the second class was carried. On June 28, C. H. Paul was appointed water commissioner and J. N. Smitlı, city engineer. In October, 1886, the Palmer dona- tion of 12 acres to the city for park purposes was considered.
On February 14, 1887, the proposition of the Hastings Improvement Company was carried by a vote of 65 to 207, and so deelared by the mayor. The ordinance to extend the city limits was approved March 14. On April 11, the vote of the city was eanvassed. For police judge W. R. Burton received 1,073 votes; for councilmen, W. H. Stock, Charles Cameron, Thomas E. Farrell and J. E. Gant received the majority vote in their respective wards; while A.
Y
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HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.
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H. Cramer and E. Hayzlett were chosen members of the school board; C. H. Paul resigned the office of water commissioner and T. C. Martin was appointed to fill vacancy. The records of summer meetings of this year are devoted mainly to ordinances relating to grants. in aid of railroad construction, vacation of streets and alleys, and right of way to City Railroad Company. In Angust, a deed to Lots 240, 249, 239 and 250 (in the old cemetery) to the G. A. R. Post, hitherto appointed to settle with Strang & Co., for extras on water works, reported an allowance for extras of $9,632.57. On Decem- ber 13, the proposition to issue funding bonds for $10,000 was carried. The April elections of 1888 show 785 votes for A. D. Yocum, and 724 for S. J. Alexander, candidates for mayor; 787 votes for H. C. Haverly and 725 for W. W. Miles, candidates for the office of city clerk; 971 for J. D. Mines and 524 for Emanuel Fist, for treasurer. The council- men chosen were Ezra Langevin, C. L. Stone, C. C. Rittenhouse and J. J. Lyons. There were 604 votes for and 25 against the issue of water works bonds. E. P. Nellis received 1,411 votes, J. W. Wooster, 748 and Mr. Firmin, 684 for members of board of education, and the two first named were declared elected. George Crane was appointed marshal, with Lafayette Mitchell, Charles H. Wanzer and Nicholas Shelling, service police; William McGrath, weigh- master; Joseph Williams, chief of fire department; H. H. Stine, J. R. Jarvis, W. H. Thomas and C. B. Cox, service foremen. T. M. Clark was appointed temporary engineer of water works and on June 11, was employed as engineer at $125 per month, from which sum the fireman was to be paid. The tax levy for all city purposes, including general, sinking and interest funds, was thirty-two mills. On June 21, there were 335 votes cast for the issue of water bonds and 21 against such issne. On September 3, the resolution in the matter of Street Commissioner William Breed was ignored by the mayor; but the commissioner's resignation smoothed the disagree- ment between the executive and council. The elec- tion of April, 1879, proved a spirited contest be- tween political parties for the office of police judge. N. B. Vineyard received 466 votes; George Lynn, 386, and R. Corey, 169. For members of the
school board a strictly party vote was cast-C. K. Lawson (693) and J. M. Ferguson (690) defeating Mrs. P. Nowlan (307) and Mrs. N. Perham (304). For the council, J. A. Rose received 215 votes; and H. Lepin, 140 for First ward; W. M. Vastine, 110, and D. W. Palmer, 29 in Second ward; T. J. Creeth, 166; J. Baily, 7, and R. Brown, 2 in Third ward; G. A. Kent, 162, and R. Brown, 70 in the Fourth ward, Councilmen Langevin, Rittenhouse, Stone and Lyons holding over. George Crane was appointed chief of police; Angust Rice, water commissioner; J. C. Wil- liams, chief of fire department; William McGrath, weigh-master; Ed. Burton, street commissioner; J. W. Houseman, city tapper; C. H. Wanzer, Nicholas Sehilling, J. M. Tennant and A. Britchfield, mem- bers of police force; John Hoagland, D. L. Haker, Ed. Hamilton and A. M. Smith, service foremen.
In May, 1889, a proposition to construct sewers throughout the city was received from Andrew Rose- water, of Omaha, and what is known as the " sewer bond ordinance" was passed June 10, and July 16 fixed for holding an election on the question of issu- ing $75,000 bonds and levying a direct tax to meet interest and principal. There were 959 votes cast- 465 for and 494 against the proposition. On June 12 a tax levy of thirty-one mills was authorized to meet city estimates of 1889. This was made up as follows: 8 mills, general fund; 63 interest; 6 sink- ing; 4} fire department; 2} police; } park and 3 water fund, on a total assessment of $1,667,900, yielding from the 8 mills tax alone $13,343.20, Warrants have been drawn to about the legal limits, which is a little over $11,000. About $2,500 of this amount was used in the sewerage survey, pur- chasing lot for new city hall and engine house, sewer pipe, grading, etc. The balance has been paid for salaries and incidentals.
The sewer bond ordinance was submitted on date given above. Notwithstanding the importance of the matter but little interest was taken in the elec- tion, and as stated only 959 votes were given, 465 for and 494 against, where at least 1,600 votes should have been east.
Mayor Yocum appointed C. H. Wanzer chief of police, vice George Crane, resigned, in January, 1890. Mr. Wanzer is one of the oldest policemen
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on the force. N. Schilling took his place as day policeman, and Joseph Yocum was appointed by the mayor as one of the night policemen. On the ap- pointment of Capt. Yocum to a Federal office C. C. Rittenhouse was chosen to fill the vacancy in the office of mayor.
The board of trade was organized March 8, 1887, with 153 members. The call for the meeting was signed by Mayor Alexander. A. D. Yocum was chosen temporary president, and J. D. Crosthwait, secretary. Messrs. Cessna, A. L. Clarke, C. H. Deitrich, Emannel Fist and Samuel Alexander were appointed a committee to draft a constitution, and on motion of F. D. Taggart this committee was em- powered to nominate permanent officers. On March 10 C. H. Deitrich was chosen president; A. L. Clarke, vice-president; A. D. Yocum, secretary; D. M. MeElHinney, treasurer, and J. A. Casto, attor- ney. Messrs. Clarke, Deitrich, Bostwick, Alexan- der, Elsemore, Hahn, Wemple, Palmer and Fist were previously named as members of the executive com- mittee. A railroad committee, standing committee, committee on commerce and manufacturing and committee on advertising were also appointed. In September a committee was appointed to meet the directors of the Chicago & Sante Fe Railroad Com- pany at Topeka, Kan. In March, 1888, M. L. Elsemore, G. J. Evans and J. B. Heartwell were elected members of the executive committee. M. L. Elsemore was elected vice-president and W. E. Barnes, treasurer-the president and secretary being re-elected. In May, 1889, J. F. Ballinger was elected secretary; M. L. Elsemore, president; F. J. Benedict, vice-president, and J. D. Riley, treasurer. J. N. Lyman was chosen member of executive com- mittee, vice Heartwell, and Messrs. Hahn, Barnes, Benedict, A. H. Cramer and W. A. Dilworth new members of that committee.
The charter members of this organization com- prised the officers whose names are given above, with Ezra Langevin, George J. Volland, H. C. Whitlock, J. C. Rosenfield, M. Stern and others- among whom may be included all the members of the Union Club, named in other pages. In later years Snow & O'Shaughnessy, E. E. Merritt and a number of new citizens became members of this board.
The Business Men's Association was organized December 9, 1879, with A. D. Yocum, president; D. H. Ballard, vice-president; A. B. Ideson, seere- tary; C. K. Lawson, treasurer; G. F. Work, J. M. Abbott, A. L. Wigton, A. B. Ideson, S. Alexander and W. A. Camp, executive committee. The object was to promote all enterprises which promised bene- fits to the city.
The Nebraska Business Men's Association was organized May 29, 1889, with H. A. Fyler, presi- dent; E. L. Scott, vice-president; F. C. Ashall, sec- retary; P. II. Kipp, treasurer, and those officers with R. A. Barr, A. S. Yetter, M. J. Lumbard, W. E. Barnes, J. C. Ideson, F. J. Benedict and M. L. Elsemore, members of committees. Each of the associations have played an important part in the progress of Hastings, and in the development of the county's resources.
Samuel Alexander was appointed postmaster of Hastings, September 19, 1872, and held the office until March 31, 1882. He was a native of Butler County, Pa., where he was born in 1842. Ile served throughout the Civil War; in 1869 moved to Lincoln, Neb., and on April 22, 1872, located a quarter section, on soldier's warrant, near Hastings, where, in July, 1872, he established his business honse. The money orders issued together with fees amounted to $38,968.72, and money orders paid, to $30,445.05. In 1878 there were 1,000 letters registered, and 800 registered letters delivered; 4,360 registered letters in transit, and stamps, envelopes and cards sold to the value of $5,072.44. In May, 1880, a direct mail route between Ilastings and Grand Island was established ria St. Joseph & Denver Railroad. On June I the railroad mail ser- viee on the Burlington & Missouri River was in- augurated. In October, 1883, Hastings, was one of the four second class offices in the State, the salary of which was placed at $2, 100, being next to Fre- mont in this class, and consequently holding fourth place in point of postal business in the State. G. J. Evans was appointed master in 1885. The bill which placed Hastings, Beatrice and Fremont within the circle of the free delivery system passed the Honse December 14, 1886. On September 1, 1887, four letter carriers began their rounds here
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HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.
under the direction of Postmaster Evans. In Jannary railroad mail service on the F. E. & M. V. line began. In November, 1889, J. B. Heartwell was commissioned postmaster.
The First National Bank dates its beginning back to 1877, when A. L. Clarke & Co. opened their private banking house. On July 1, 1881, business was started under United States charter as a National Bank, with a capital of $100,000.
The Exchange National Bank may be said to have been established October 14, 1877, when Ray- mond Brothers & Yeazel opened the old Exchange Bank. On January 8, 1884, the company re-or- ganized under the National banking law, with I. M. Raymond, president; W. H. Lanning, vice-presi- dent; A. Yeazel, cashier, and J. R. MeLaughlin, assistant cashier. The paid-up capital at date of re-organization was $100,000.
L. H. Tower & Co. (L. H. Tower, A. A. Sweet and R. E. Dent, Jr.) established their real estate and loan office in 1879, and were the first to advance loans on real estate in Adams County at the rate of 8 per cent.
The Nebraska Loan & Trust Company credits its beginnings to J. B. Heartwell and E. C. Web- ster, who established a money-loaning house here January 1, 1881. A reorganization was effected May 1, 1882, when the present name was adopted, and the capital placed at $100,000. A year later the stock was increased to $250,000; but on August 1, 1885, an increase to $500,000 paid-up stock was reported and confirmed. In 1884 the company's building on the northwest corner of Second Street and Lincoln Avenne was erected.
The City National Bank was chartered in Octo- ber, 1883. This house was established in August, 1881, under the title, City Bank, with L. H. Tower, E. S. Fowler, John M. Ferguson, E. C. Allen and Chester Hard, stockholders; but in September, 1885, a controlling interest was purchased by H. Bostwick and W. G. Clark, who have served as president and cashier respectively, with C. J. Dilworth, vice- president, and J. M. Ferguson, assistant cashier. The officers named, with John M. Lyman, John Slaker and G. J. Evans, formed the first board of directors after reorganization in 1885. The bank of
Yuma, Col., and the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of Doniphan, Neb., are conducted by this company.
The Adams County Savings Bank was organized in January, 1886, with William Kerr, president; J. M. Sewell, vice-president, and H. Shedd, cashier. J. M. Ragan, D. McCool, R. A. Batty, A. R. Van Sickle, M. L. Alexander, Jacob Fisher, Abram Loeb, Sam Hirsch and L. Hahn were directors. The bank was opened April 6.
The Western Loan & Investment Company was organized in June, 1886, with H. Bostwick, presi- dent; A. H. Cramer, vice-president; J. R. Penfield, treasurer; C. J. Dilworth, attorney, and they with G. J. Evans, J. M. Ferguson, W. G. Clark, W. A. Dilworth, R. V. Stockey and W. C. Penfield, direc- tors.
Adams County Bank was established April 2, 1886, under the Nebraska banking laws. The old bank building was moved in November, 1879, to the lot east of Hawley's old grocery store. The Benev- olent Union of Hastings perfected organization in May, 1885, with D. M. McElHinney, president; C. H. Deitrich, vice-president; A. L. Wigton, secre- tary; Samuel Alexander, treasurer; J. A. Casto, attorney; Dr. L. Lodd, medical examiner; Thomas E. Farrell, A. H. Cramer, Morris Alexander, Jacob Fisher, D. M. McElHinney and C. H. Deitrich, trustees.
From what has already been stated much has been learned relating to the old-time business men of the city. A glance at the statistics of early years will prove of profit. During the season ending No- vember 11, 1875, 214,200 bushels of grain were shipped from Hastings. During the same year the following implements were sold: 78 harvesters, 100 combined machines, 65 mowers, 84 drills and seeders, 540 plows, 143 harrows, 10 corn planters, 26 threshing machines, 71 cultivators, 75 sulky rakes, 40 revolving rakes and 148 wagons.
The lumber trade of Hastings in 1878 was represented by the Badger, Central and Chicago Lumber Companies. No less than 1,025 cars of lumber were imported, showing a business of over $300,000 in this branch alone. This body of lum- ber was in time distributed throughout the fifteen counties tributary to the town.
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On July 6, 1885, the movement to close business houses at Hastings at 8:00 P. M. was adopted, and the telling system of ringing a bell at each door and calling out the welcome hour was introduced. To- ward the close of the year this primitive system was dropped and a new era in business forms introduced.
The wholesale houses of Hastings have their origin in the hardware house established by Burger Brothers, Alexander & Co., early in 1887. The Burgers established their retail hardware store about six years before. In October, 1887, they moved into the Enterprise Building, soon enjoying a trade of about $500,000 per annum. In 1888 the firm was incorporated, the capital stock being placed at $200,000.
Moriarty, Trimble & Co.'s wholesale grocery house was established in the summer of 1887. In June of that year the stock arrived; but two weeks before the day set for occupation of the building, a wind storm demolished it. This building was pro- jected by the Hastings Building Association specially for this firm, and its destruction was a great disap- pointment. The stock was placed in Germania Hall, pending the completion of a new building. The Hastings Association went at once to work rebuilding, and late in November the building was ready for the firm. The business of this house is estimated at nearly $100,000 annually.
The wholesale grocery of Ezra Langevin & Co. (E. Langevin, W. B. Cushing and E. L. Gauvreau) was established in December, 1889. Their stock fills three floors of their newly erected brick block at the corner of Denver Avenue and Front Street.
A. J. Neimeyer & Co., wholesale dealers in yel- low pine lumber, own their own mills at Texarkana, Ark. , and Hastings is their principal place of busi- ness. Their trade extends all over the West, and during 1887 reached the sum of $300, 000.
The Gazette-Journal Company has done an exten- sive business in wholesaling paper, office stationery and printers' supplies. The company's trade ex- tends as far west as Washington, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico, while a large business is done in Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado. This trade amounted to nearly $70,- 000 in 1887, and is constantly on the increase.
Ilastings has two wholesale commission houses . which did a large business during 1887. Mr. J. Rosenfield has had a patronage of $50,000, while Jacobson & Co., who were engaged in business only during half of the year, enjoyed a trade which amounted to $30,000. Still another commission house was opened near the close of 1887 by Apgar & Browu, but as their business operations covered only a period of a few weeks no figures were reported.
G. Bratt & Co., wholesale furniture dealers, established a retail store some years ago; but not until the close of 1887 did they embark in their wholesale trade. The Shedd & Jones building, erected in 1887, is occupied by this firm. The an- nual business is estimated at from $50,000 to $75,000.
The wholesale liquor and cigar house of Carney & Crowley is the pioneer house of this character in this section of the State. Their trade area is exten- sive. M. Stern's wholesale liquor house is also credited with a large trade.
The following tabulated statement, prepared in 1888 by the editor of the Gazette-Journal, shows the figures of Hastings' wholesale trade as they appear in the aggregate. They are worthy of especial note because they present the first tabulated statement of the wholesale trade of this city ever made.
Hardware. $ 400,000
Groceries. 250,000
Lumber.
300,000
Furniture. 60,000
Liquor and cigars.
225,000
Commission.
80,000
Paper and stationery
70,000
Total. $1,385,000
The retail business of Hastings is well repre- sented. The professional and business directory of 1889 shows 620 offices, stores, workshops and fac- tories; while all the names given in that work do not exceed 3,325.
Sixty traveling men make their homes in this city. Many of them are men of families and own or rent nice, comfortable homes. They are a part of Hastings and as such are valuable citizens.
In December, 1885, the Hastings Street Railway Company, M. L. and C. L. Alexander, incorpo-
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HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.
rators, presented their plans to the people, and asked that such plans be submitted to the people, with a petition for a franchise.
The Hastings Improvement Company was incor- porated in December, 1886, with J. B. Heartwell, James Laird, J. J. Wemple, E. C. Webster, C. P. Webster, H. Bostwick, Charles P. Heartwell, Angus McDonald and L. M. Campbell, corporators. The object of this association was to construct and oper- ate a street railroad. In 1887-88 the present exten- sive system of railroads (about fifteen miles in length) was completed, and regular runs over the whole system made. It is said that the Citizens' Street Car Company will build a line to the asylum in 1890, and that the Hastings Improvement Com- pany will run a line to the convent.
The Hastings Building Company was organized in June, 1884, with Thomas E. Farrell, George W. Mowery, Andreas Veith, A. H. Cramer, J. N. Ly- man (vice-president), C. H. Deitrich (elected presi- dent), Charles Doyen, John T. Ballinger, M. Stern, M. K. Lewis, J. C. Kay, J. T. Burroughs, G. J. Evans, J. J. Anderson, N. R. Pratt, Jay Cherry, A. J. Anderson and H. Bostwick, incorporators. The company purchased eight lots on the north side of Second Street northeast of Denver Avenue, re- moved the old buildings thereon, and commenced the work of erecting a two-story building to cover the entire property. Emanuel Fist was elected secretary. This association has added many build- ings, all large ones, to the city within the last six years.
In October, 1884, Manager Pilcher, of the elec- tric light company, reported thirty new lights for private use and three additional city lights. The company introduced machinery at this time, the city mill engines having previously supplied the power.
The Hastings gas works were constructed in 1885, the main building being 32x82 feet, and the reservoir 48 feet in diameter. By August 26, the six inch pipes were laid on Second Street.
The Hastings Prospecting Company was organ- ized in 1889, with J. N. Lyman, president, and A. L. Edwards, secretary. On July 17, the bids (for drilling 4,000 feet into the earth) of Johnson, of Salina, Kan., and Taylor & Wood, of Hastings,
were rejected. On the 19th the proposition of Tay- lor & Wood was brought up a second time and accepted, the consideration being $15,000 for 4,000 feet, to be paid at the rate of $4,000 for first thou- sand feet; $3,500 for second, and $3,500 for third and $4,000 for fourth thousand feet of drilling. Prior to July, 1889, the contract was sold to a Michigan man, who was compelled to relinquish it. A New York man was the next successful bidder, but he also failed to carry out his proposition. In July, 1889, the board of directors was elected to look after the interests of the citizens and see that the work was properly done. Machinery was pur- chased by the contractors and work began immedi- ately with the result as shown in former pages of this work. The first well was abandoned, but work will be commenced on a new hole, twelve instead of eight inches. With new machinery and twice the motive power, it is intended to bore down until 4,000 feet of strata are revealed. The record of the boring of the old well is kept by George Haller. The new well was commenced the first week in Jan- uary, 1890.
The Lewis foundry and machine shop was founded in 1878, and completed in December, by M. K. Lewis & Sons (F. S. and E. L. Lewis). Ma- chinery for drilling wells, broom corn threshers and foundry machine work is manufactured here; also horse-power machinery for pumping water from deep wells, casting for wind-mills, cresting, sash weights and brick-kiln supplies. The Lewis header works form a branch of this industry. The Moritz iron and brass foundry was established in 1887, for the manufacture of iron columns, store fronts, machine castings and ornamental brass work. The brick yards of Johnson & McElHinney were established early in 1878, and during the ensuing season 500,000 brick were manufactured. In 1879 there were 700,000 brick manufactured, and in 1880, 1,100,000, of which about 200,000 were shipped to Grand Island. Millett & Mulford's brick yards were established early in 1880, but before the season was far advanced Mulford's retirement was recorded. The attempt to introduce a special brick machine was unsuccessful, and caused such delays as to post- pone work until 1881, when about 200,000 brick
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were produced. Stewart & Collins' briek yards were established in April, 1887, southeast of the city, and burned 700,000 briek that season. In 1888 they introduced the " New Quaker Briek Machine," and almost trebled the product of 1887. Crans & Camp- bell introduced the manufacture of patent pavement in 1887.
The Hastings Steam Flouring Mill Company was organized in May, 1880, with A. W. Lewis, of Ohio, a subscriber of $15,000; Leopold Hahn, of $5,000; Charles Kohl, of $5,000; Jacob Fisher, $1,500, and Fred C. Benediet $1,500. The board of trade do- nated $2,500, and citizens not members of the board, $2,000.
The Hastings Creamery Association organized in January, 1884, with S. C. Dilley, president; N. B. Vineyard, vice-president; S. E. Furry, secretary and manager, and D. B. Furry, treasurer. The work of erecting buildings, south of MeElHinney's briek yard, was at onee entered upon, and the first annual meeting held January 7, 1884. The Novelty Carriage Works were established by C. O. Jamieson in 1886. This factory made rapid strides. The cigar factories are operated by Snyder & Brewer, MeTaggart & McKeehan, C. A. Dunn and Berry & Sons. The Hastings Manufacturing Company was organized in May, 1886, for the purpose of manu- facturing a combination heater under the Campbell & Pryor patents. M. K. Lewis is president and L. B. Palmer, secretary, while William Kerr is also in- terested in this industry. . During the year 1887 the product of the company's work was valned at over $20,000. The Champion & Morledge paeking house was opened December 21, 1886.
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