USA > Nebraska > Sarpy County > Biographical record : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Saunders and Sarpy Counties, Nebraska > Part 2
USA > Nebraska > Saunders County > Biographical record : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Saunders and Sarpy Counties, Nebraska > Part 2
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33
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RD. EV. DAVID RAMSEY KERR, Ph. D., D. D., stands prominently to the fore among the well known educators of Nebraska. As president of Bellevue College, a department of the University of Omaha, he has shown exceptional executive ability, and
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BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
has assisted materially in placing it on a stable foundation, and making it one of the leading educational institutions of the West. Its cur- riculum has been elevated to a standard equal to those of the heavily endowed Eastern uni- versities. The college is of a denominational character, having been established by the Pres- byterian churches of Nebraska, and receives the liberal support of that sect.
At the session of the Presbyterian Synod of Nebraska, at Omaha, October 10, 1879, the Presbytery of Kearney memorialized the Synod on the subject of an institution for higher edu- cation, to be controlled by the Synod. A special committee was appointed to report at the next meeting. This committee reported to the Synod, at Brownville, Nebraska, October 14, 1880, recommending that the Synodical Col- lege be located at Bellevue. After full con- sideration Bellevue College was established by a vote of the Synod October 16, 1880, as the Synodical College of Nebraska. The offer of the Hon. Henry T. Clarke to donate 264 acres of land situated at Bellevue, with a college building costing $25,000 erected thereon, was accepted, and the cornerstone of Clarke Hall, the first college building, was laid July 4, 1883. The college was opened for classes September 10, 1883, with 14 students, Rev. William J. Bollman in charge of classes and Rev. F. S. Blayney acting president. The Rev. William W. Harsha, D.D., LL.D., was elected to the presidency of the college October 11, 1883, and took charge at the opening of the second year, September 9, 1884, when Clarke Hall was dedi- cated. Dr. Harsha resigned from the presi-
dency at the close of the fifth year, June 14, 1888, and was succeeded by Rev. Francis S. Blayney, Ph.D., who became president at the opening of the sixth year, September 14, 1888. The first class, consisting of three members, was graduated June 13, 1889. President Blay- ney resigned at the close of the first term of the seventh year. The Rev. David R. Kerr, Ph.D., D.D., took charge as president January 2, 1890, taking the oath of office April 27, fol- lowing, and becoming the first inaugurated president of the college. Lowrie Hall, a very attractive home for young ladies, was erected at once, and was dedicated June 10, 1890. By action of the board of trustees, June 9, 1891, which was duly recorded, the corporation of Bellevue College was changed to that of the University of Omaha. The object of the col- lege, as specified in the articles of incorpora- tion, is to promote liberal education in Letters, Science, Philosophy, Arts, Law, Medicine, Theology, and other departments of knowledge. The professional departments of the university are located at Omaha, Nebraska. Mr. William Rankin recently gave to Bellevue College 56 acres of land and lots in the village, increasing the holdings of the institution to 320 acres, 30 village lots and two dwellings. The land is cultivated for the support of the school. In re- cent years Philadelphia Hall and Rankin Hall have been built, both being modern buildings. Rankin Hall is the president's home; Lowrie and Philadelphia Halls are used as dormitories for girls and boys, and have a capacity of 40 each. At the present time they are crowded, and the college is commencing to build an-
CHARLES PERKEY.
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other hall. There are in attendance about 100 students, and ten instructors are employed. The college is located on Elk Hill at an eleva- tion of 300 feet above the river level, and commands a beautiful view of the valley below. The president resides in a handsome eight-room cottage, located on Elk Hill, and modern in all its conveniences. There are two 220-foot tubular wells located on the place, which supply an abundance of water for the large reservoir. In connection with the school Mr. Kerr has established an industrial depart- ment, in which 20 students can work their way through college.
Rev. David Ramsey Kerr was born at Cadiz, Harrison county, Ohio, in 1850, and received his education at Franklin College, graduating with the class of 1874. He had taught school, whereby he secured the means which enabled him to obtain an education. He then took a theological course in the Presbyterian Semin- ary, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and was ordained a minister on April 26, 1876. He followed his calling at Jamestown, Pennsylvania, for a time, and was then located at Mercer, Pennsylvania, until 1887. In that year he removed to Omaha, where he was pastor of the Southwest Presby- terian Church for three years, when he received and accepted the call to be president of Bellevue College. He was united in marriage with Martha S. Hill, of Steubenville, Ohio, and they are the parents of the following children : Willis Holmes, who graduated from Bellevue College with the class of 1900; James Freder- ick; Mary Sherrard ; David Ramsey, Jr. ; Julia Carrick; and Robert Hill.
HARLES PERKEY, who as president of the First National Bank of Wahoo, Nebraska, is well known throughout Saunders county, has been actively identified with many public enterprises of that city, and has been an important factor in promoting the best interests of the community. He is a pub- lic spirited citizen, the growth and development of Wahoo ever being foremost in his thoughts. As a business man he possesses exceptional ability, and the First National Bank under his skillful direction has become one of the most substantial banking institutions of the state of Nebraska.
Mr. Perkey was born at Georgetown, Co- lumbia County, Ohio, where he attended the public schools. He subsequently took a thor- ough course of study in Garfield College, and, in 1861, entered the Union army. He enlisted in Company H. 7th Regiment, Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry, and served fifteen months. In the fall of 1862 he re-enlisted at Massillon, Ohio, in Company A, 104th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served with honor until the close of the war, holding the rank of first lieutenant at the time he was mustered out. In 1866 he went west, to the state of Nebraska, locating at Desoto, Washington county. In 1868 he removed to Cedar Bluffs, Saunders county, and engaged in agricultural pursuits, until 1877, when he was made deputy county treasurer and moved to Walioo. He served two terms in this office, until the fall of 1881, when he was elected county treasurer, and served as such until 1886; he also filled various minor offices. In 1886 he was elected
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BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
vice-president of the Saunders County National Bank, and on January 11, 1887, was made pres- ident of the First National Bank of Wahoo. The last named institution was organized in January, 1876, by Henry Anderson as a private bank, and was conducted in a small frame building, whose dimensions were 18 by 30 feet. In February, 1880, John M. Griffith became a junior partner, the capital stock was increased to $20,000, and they engaged in general bank- ing, insurance and land business. The growth of the bank was such as to require new quar- ters, and in 1881 a handsome brick building 44 by 70 feet in dimensions and two stories high, was built, the first floor being devoted to the bank and the second floor to office apartments. In addition to the general banking rooms there is a room for directors and a large fireproof vault, with a time lock. On November 9, 1885, the institution was made a national bank, with Andrew Blackstead as president, and he was succeeded by Charles Perkey, the subject hereof. It is the only national bank of Saunders county, and has a capital stock of $80,000 and a surplus of $10,500. There is a real estate and loan department, and L. J. Kudrna is the accountant. Mr. Perkey, aside from his banking interests, is part owner in conjunction with Killian & Straton, of the Wahoo Opera House, the finest opera house in the county.
The subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Josephine M. Dunn, of Blair, Ne- braska, who died leaving two children, Lucille and Mildred. He formed a second matrimo- nial alliance, wedding Mrs. E. M. Paine, of
Denver, Colorado. Fraternally Mr. Perkey is a member of Lodge 59, A. F. & A. M., of Wahoo, of which he is past master. In relig- ious views he is liberal. His portrait appears on another page in proximity to this.
HARLES EDWARD SMITH, whose long life has been notable for untiring industry, marked by many interesting episodes, was one of the very first settlers of Sarpy county, Nebraska. He located there as early as 1854, encountered all the hardships incident to pioneer life, and has witnessed the wonderful transition from a wild prairie to a land of beautiful homes, busy towns and highly cultivated farms. He is now eighty-two years of age, but with an iron constitution, developed by years of early toil, he bears his years in a remarkable manner, having the strength and agility of a man many years his junior.
Mr. Smith was born two miles from New- port, in the state of Rhode Island, March 13, 1818, and is a son of Edward Smith. At the age of sixteen years he began sailing and made four voyages on a whaler in the Atlantic and Indian oceans, and one to Australia. In 1849, with others, he bought a sailing vessel and went around the "Horn" to California, the voyage consuming six months. He then fol- lowed mining there for a period of two years. after which he returned to his home in the East on a steamer, going by way of Nicaragua. In 1853 he went west, and located in council Bluffs, Iowa, with the intention of driving
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cattle from the eastern markets to the moun- tains, in company with Mr. Lockwood, Mr. Gilmore, and others. They decided to locate in Sarpy county, Nebraska, and, beginning at the river, laid out their claims. The subject of this sketch was the third to locate a claim, acquiring the 320 acres on which he now resides. He built a log house in 1864, and set out fruit and shade trees; he has now an excellent orchard of three acres. Some of his trees have grown to be the largest in the county, one cottonwood tree measuring four feet in diameter. His land yields heavily, averaging 40 bushels of corn and 30 bushels of oats to the acre. The farm is well stocked with cattle, hogs and horses-all of high grade. He has met with great success during all the years of his active career, and is a prosperous man. He is a man of pleasing* character and numbers his friends by the score throughout the county. Although now living in practical retirement he still oversees his prop- erty.
Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Hannah Thurston, who died at the age of thirty-five years, and they were the parents of four children, as follows: Cassius M. Clay, deceased; Charles Sumner, a railroad man, of Montana, who married Nellie Douglas ,and has four children,-Dougles, Arthur, Park, and Walter; Walter, deceased; and William, a carpenter, who married Dena Nelson, and has four children,-Eddie, Gertrude, Evelyn (de-, ceased), and Ralph. Mr. Smith married again -his second wife being Mrs. Augusta Hotch- kiss, widow of Samuel J. Hotchkiss, who died,
leaving a daughter, Ida M., who became the wife of H. S. Smith, by whom she has three children-Nellie, Fred, and Mabel. By his second marriage the subject hereof is the father of four children : Julius Jay, who has charge of the home farm; Irving Edward, an insurance agent of Salt Lake City, who married Julia Cheney, and has one son,-Reuel; Hannah Thurston, station agent and postmistress at Avery, Nebraska ; and Paul P., a farmer, who married Rose B. Ray, and has one son, Owen. Religiously, Mr. Smith is an adherent of the Baptist faith. Politically, he is a Prohibitionist.
ILLIAM A. SCHWENCK, one of the rising young farmers and stock raisers of Sarpy county, Nebraska. is a son of David and Mary (Sump) Schwenck. David Schwenck was a native of Germany, and throughout his early life he was a rope maker by trade. Upon coming to this country he settled in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1864, at which time he was a very poor man, but by constant perseverance he succeeded in amassing a moderate fortune before his death. The first two years he worked as a day laborer, but with considerable economy he succeeded in saving enough of his money to go into the saloon busi- ness, at which he continued three years. In 1876 he sold out, and from Mr. Hamilton, of Omaha, he purchased 320 acres of land in the southwest corner of section 30, lacking but $1,000 of having enough to pay for his place. Two years later he sold 100 acres 1
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BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
of this land. There were no improvements upon the place, and his first work was to erect a house, which stood until 1882, when it was destroyed by fire. He afterward built the one in which his son, William, now resides, and in 1890 he built the handsome home now owned by his wife. He was very successful in carrying on farming, and soon became the owner of a large tract of land. At the time of his death, however, he had sold all but 70 acres, upon which he spent his latter years in quiet retirement. He passed from this life in 1899, aged seventy-one years, and his death was deeply deplored by his large circle of friends throughout the community. As a re- sult of his marriage with Mary Sump, the fol- lowing children were born: Dora, who is the wife of Edward Custer, of New York City; Henry, who is a sheep ranchman in the West; Ella, who is the wife of G. A. Massion, of Omaha; William A .; Carrie, who is the wife of J. M. MacMeadows, of Paris, Illinois; and Agnes, who is the wife of J. L. Hines, of Sarpy county.
Mr. Schwenck's early schooling, which he received in the primary schools of his native town, was later supplemented by a course in the Fremont Normal School, from which institu- tion he was graduated in 1891. Upon leaving school he rented his father's farm until 1897, when he bought the north 108 acres. This piece of property is under a good state of culti- vation as a result of his own and his father's work, and no better farm can be found in Sarpy county than the one owned and operated by the subject of this sketch. He has raised five
tons of alfalfa to the acre, 75 bushels of corn per acre, and 50 bushels of oats per acre, all of which goes to prove the excellent condition of his land. Stock raising occupies much of his attention-as he always has about 60 head of Hereford cattle, and about 50 head of Poland-China hogs. For the past ten years he has raised fancy-bred chickens, many of which proved to be premium winners, but at present he has mostly Wyandotte chickens. He is undoubtedly one of the most progressive and up-to-date farmers of his community, and throughout the county he has any number of warm friends.
Mr. Schwenck was joined in marriage with Meda Hines, a daughter of John Hines, living near Manchester, Iowa. Both he and his wife are Presbyterians, though Mr. Schwenck was reared a Lutheran. Politically, he is a stanch Democrat.
HARLES L. SHARP, one of the sub- stantial and enterprising business men of Papillion, Nebraska, is proprietor of a hotel, restaurant, and confectionery store. He was born in Cass county, Nebraska, August 8, 1869, and is a son of Joseph G. and Amanda J. (Rager) Sharp, both of whom are now re- siding in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Mr. Sharp was reared to agricultural pur- suits, and until thirteen years of age he at- tended the district schools of his native county. He then went to work in a livery stable, but shortly afterward became a railroad contrac- tor, which business he followed thirteen years.
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The following four years he was engaged in watermelon farming in Cass county, but at the end of that time he sold out to engage in his present business. The subject hereof is a popu- lar, wide-awake business man, and he is one of the leading citizens of Papillion.
Mr. Sharp was united in marriage in 1888 with Mollie Betts, a daughter of J. B. and Laura (Butts) Betts of Cass county, and they have a family of six children, as follows : Myrtle May, aged ten years ; Charles L., aged eight years; Josie, aged six years; Earl, aged four years; Pearl, aged two years; and Grace, a babe of two months. In politics, Mr. Sharp is a strong Democrat, and takes an active part in public affairs.
EORGE M. MULLINS is a man whose good judgment, learning and sterling honesty have won for him a place among the prominent attorneys of Sarpy county, Nebraska. He was born in North Londonderry, New Hampshire, February 4, 1865, and is a son of Simon and Harriet (Cheney) Mullins, both now living in North Londonderry.
Mr. Mullins remained at home until he be- came of age, attending the public schools and fitting himself for college, in the Pinkerton Academy at Derry, New Hampshire. He then entered the New Hampshire College of Agri- culture and Mechanical Arts, from which he graduated June 25, 1885. On June 16, 1886, he located in Sarpy county, Nebraska, where he
taught in the public schools four years. From 1890 to 1893 he was principal of the Millard School, in Douglas county, and while occupy- ing that position he read law. He was admit- ted to practice in 1893, and on August 1 of that year he entered into active practice in the office of C. L. Hover, of Papillion. He remained with Mr. Hover one year when he established an office of his own. He has devoted consider- able attention to commercial, real estate and probate law, on which he is recognized as an authority, and he has made an enviable reputa- tion for himself among the leading attorneys of Papillion.
Mr. Mullins was joined in marriage in Octo- ber, 1890, with Mary A. Cain, a daughter of Richard M. and Frances (Whittington) Cain, of Sarpy county, and they have three children, namely : Simon Marion, aged eight years; Ida Lucile, aged six years ; and Louise Frances, a babe. Politically, the subject of this sketch is a stanch Democrat.
ENRY CORDES is one of the thrifty and well-to-do farmers of Sarpy county, Nebraska, who started out in the wide world a comparatively poor boy. The success with which he has met is due to his own untiring energy and determination to succeed. He was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1843, and is a son of Peter Cordes. He received his early schooling in his native town, and during his early life he followed various pursuits ; in 1869 he came to the United States, Upon his
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BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
arrival he went directly to Sarpy county, where he worked as a day laborer on a farm, and saved his earnings until he had enough to pur- chase 80 acres of land from Isaac Hoff. He at once put up a small house, and set out a lot of shade trees and about two acres of fruit trees. He labored diligently in improv- ing his land all he could, and in the course of a few years he had as good a farm as could be found in Sarpy county. As his efforts were being crowned with success his earnings were invested in more farming land, and he pur- chased an adjoining 40 acres from L. Meyers. He has a fine barn 24 by 32 feet in dimen- sions, a good granary, and several first-class out-buildings. He keeps about 60 head of cattle at all times, and several hundred head of hogs ; he sometimes raises from 60 to 80 bushels of corn to the acre, and has raised 60 bushels of oats per acre. Mr. Cordes is a hard and thorough worker, and is deserving of the suc- cess which he has attained. He is a good neighbor and citizen, and has many warm friends in Bellevue precint.
Henry Cordes was joined in wedlock with Catherine Petersen, and to them have been born the following children: Annie, Hugo, Wliliam, Henry, Almina, George, Eddie, Gus- tave, Adele, Tena, Harry, and Sophia. The eldest daughter, Annie, is the wife of Hans Harmsen, and they have three children- Theodore, Catherine, and Walter. The subject of this sketch has served on the school board, and for the past sixteen years he has been organist at the Lutheran church, of which he and his family are members.
A NDREW H. FRICKE, the owner of several fine farms in Sarpy and Douglas counties, Nebraska, is now living in quiet retirement, having spent many successful years in tilling the soil. He is a descendant of sturdy German stock, having been born in Walldorf, Germany, May 27, 1853. He is a son of Henry and Anna (Steffen) Fricke, the former having died while on the way to Ne- braska, while the latter now resides with her son Andrew H.
The subject of this sketch was a lad of eleven years when his parents came to the United States, and settled near Richmond, Jefferson county, Ohio, where the father spent two years in carrying on agricultural pursuits. In 1867 they moved to Sarpy county, Nebraska, where Henry Fricke homesteaded 80 acres of land,- the west half of the northwest quarter of section 16, township 14, range 12. On this piece of property Andrew H. Fricke now re- sides. At first the family lived in a small house which Henry Fricke had erected, but they have lived in their present fine residence since 1885. Stock raising and general farming were Mr. Fricke's pursuits for many years, and as his efforts met with success his earnings were used in the purchase of additional land. He now owns the following farms : 160 acres in Doug- las county, adjoining the homestead ; 160 acres
described as the southeast quarter of section 22, township 14,, range 12; and 160 acres de- scribed as the southeast quarter of section 20, township 14, range 12. His farms are in a good state of cultivation-the result of his own labor-and with the exception of the 40 acres
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around the homestead he rents all his property.
In November, 1886, Mr. Fricke was united in marriage with Minnie Hemsted, a daughter of Charles and Rosa (Gruber) Hemsted, of Dubuque, Iowa, both of whom are deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Fricke two children have been born, namely: Ida, aged twelve years; and Emil, aged nine years. Mr. Fricke is a stanch Republican in politics, and his fellow citizens have honored him several times with the office of precinct assessor and road supervisor. Mrs. Fricke is a member of the Methodist church.
G EORGE SCHRAM, a successful tiller of the soil, is one of the self-made men of Sarpy county, Nebraska, as through his own industry and thrifty habits he has succeeded in acquiring 500 acres of choice farming land. He was born in Bavaria on January 9, 1855. He is a son of John and Katherine (Oppel) Schram. The former also lives in Sarpy county, and the latter is deceased.
Until George Schram was seventeen years of age he worked upon his father's farm in Bavaria, and at the same time spent his spare hours in attending the district schools. In 1871 he and his sister came to the United States. He settled near Waterloo, Iowa, where he worked on a farm for five years. He located in Sarpy county in 1876, and has become one of the most influential and highly respected farm- ers within its bounds. He at once purchased a farm, and with his earnings he bought more land from time to time until he is now the
owner of 500 acres-300 acres of which he rents out while he cultivates the remainder. He devotes considerable attention to stock raising, and his farm is one of the best tilled in Sarpy county. He has a handsome residence which is surrounded by a magnificent orchard of 600 trees, consisting of apple, cherry, peach and plum; the outbuildings o nhis farm are all in good condition.
Mr. Schram was married in 1880 to Mary Klench, a daughter of Peter and Katherine (Schuetz) Klench-the former being deceased, while the latter lives in Los Angeles, California. Eight children have been born to this union, namely : Katie, aged eighteen years; Maggie, aged seventeen years; Peter, aged fourteen years ; Nettie, aged eleven years; George, aged eight years ; Leonard, aged seven years ; Joseph- ine, aged four years; and Conrad, aged one year. Politically, Mr. Schram is a Democrat. Religiously, he and his family belong to the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Schram has four brothers and two sisters residing in Sarpy county, namely : Henry, Robert, Valentine, Michael, Maggie, the wife of August Kline, and Linda, the wife of Louis Fredericks.
ERMAN A. SANDER, a public spirited and popular citizen of Papillion, Sarpy county, Nebraska, is the lead- ing merchant of his adopted city, and stands high in both business and social circles. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February 27, 1867, and is a son of William (deceased)
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BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
and Mary (Fecht) Sander-the latter now liv- ing in Sarpy county, Nebraska.
In 1876 the family moved to Papillion, Ne- braska, where Herman attended the public schools until he was fifteen years of age. Then the family moved to Omaha, and at the age of eighteen years he began work as clerk, being employed in various offices. For twelve years he was a trusted employee of the United States National Bank of Omaha. In 1897 he went to Papillion, Nebraska, embarked in the gen- eral merchandise business and is now conduct- ing the largest and most popular store in the county.
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