Buffalo County, Nebraska, and its people : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II, Part 11

Author: Bassett, Samuel Clay, 1844-
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 470


USA > Nebraska > Buffalo County > Buffalo County, Nebraska, and its people : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 11


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 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39


WARREN PRATT.


Warren Pratt, whose residence in Kearney, dating from January 7, 1881, covers a period of more than a third of a century and compasses the period of greatest development and progress here, is now engaged in the practice of law and has long been identified with the most important litigation heard in the courts of his district. The consensus of public opinion places him in a con- spicuous and enviable position among the foremost lawyers of western Nebraska and his reputation has been earned at the price of indefatigable effort, broad study and devotion to the interests of his clients.


Mr. Pratt was born at New Boston, Illinois, on the 3d of February, 1859, and is one of a family of seven children, of whom three are now living. The parents were Lacey and Elizabeth (Baker) Pratt, natives of Ohio and England respectively. The father became a contractor and for some time operated a planing mill at New Boston, where he died in the year 1871.


When but twelve years of age Warren Pratt started out in life on his own account, working on a farm through the summer months, while in the winter seasons he largely attended the district schools until he reached the age of twenty years, when he took up the profession of teaching, securing a position in a district school. In the fall of 1880 he came with a married ister to Nebraska, settling in Nemaha county, and in January, ISSI, arrived in Kearney, which at that time was a small town upon the westet & rontier. For three months he assisted a cousin who was conducting a grocery store in Kearney, but having determined to make the practice of law his life work, he put aside mercantile pursuits and became a student in the office of E. C. Calkins, who directed his reading until his admission to the bar in 1883. He at once entered upon the practice of his profession with his preceptor under the firm name of Calkins & Pratt, and for thirty-three years he has been continu- ously engaged in the active practice of law in Kearney. During this period he has been identified with most of the important litigation tried in the courts of the district and is regarded as a wise counselor and strong advocate. He pre- pares his cases with great thoroughness, presents them with clearness and


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cogency, and as the years have passed has won for his clients many favorable verdicts which have established his reputation as a learned and able lawyer.


On the 22d of June, 1887, Mr. Pratt was united in marriage to Miss Amelia E. Wonner, a daughter of Henry Wonner, of Osceola, Iowa. To them have been born three children, namely: Helen; and Ruth and Marjorie, who are school teachers in Nebraska. Mrs. Pratt is a member of the Presbyterian church.


Mr. Pratt gave his political allegiance to the democratic party until it inserted in its platform the free silver plank, since which time he has affiliated with the republican party. He belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Outside of his profession he has business interests as one of the organizers of the Kearney Telephone Company, which was formed in 1905 and of which he has been president practically throughout the ensuing years. At this writing he is president of the Buffalo County Bar Association and he enjoys the highest regard of his contemporaries in practice. He is at all times fair and just to fellow practitioners, treats the court with the studied courtesy which is its dne and is careful at all times to conform his practice to the highest standards of professional ethics.


EDMUND H. DUNGAN.


Edmund H. Dungan is a retired farmer and stock raiser living in Kearney. His residence in this part of the state dates from pioneer times and he is familiar with every phase of its development and progress. He was born in Mercer county, Illinois, in June, 1852, a son of Aaron and Tama ( Pratt ) Dungan. The father was a native of Ohio and was reared in that state and in Illinois, the family removing to Mercer county. He conducted a livery barn at New Boston, Mercer county, for a number of years and afterward purchased and conducted a farm near Aledo, but in 1876 removed to Kearney county, Nebraska, and secured a homestead claim near Fort Kearney. He squatted upon the prop- erty first and when the reservation was opened in the same year he homesteaded and built one of the first houses on the Fort Kearney military reservation. This he improved and developed, carrying on the farm work year after year up to the time of his death, which occurred when he was sixty-three years of age. His political allegiance was given to the republican party. The mother was a native of Indiana and was thirteen years of age when the family removed to Mercer county, Illinois, where her parents were among the early settlers. She came to Nebraska in 1876, being one of the pioneer women in this part of the state, and surviving her husband for some time, she spent her later years in the home of her son Edmund, passing away when about eighty years of age. She was a con- sistent and faithful member of the Methodist church and guided her life according to its teachings. In the family were four children, of whom two died in infancy, the others being: John P., who made his home in Buffalo county but is now deceased ; and Edmund H.


The latter is the only survivor of the family. His boyhood days were spent at home, and on attaining his majority he began farming. He was twenty-four years of age when he removed with the family to Nebraska, where he secured


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a homestead and began the arduous task of developing a new farm. He con- verted the raw prairie into productive fields and continued to engage in farming and stock raising until 1910. He afterward rented his farm to his sons and came to Kearney, retiring from business life. He had purchased his father's homestead and is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of good land which affords him an excellent annual income. Diligence was the rule of his life and enterprise guided him in all of his activities, while laudable ambition proved the spur to his activity.


On the 23d of March, 1876, Mr. Dungan was married to Miss Rhoda Reynolds, who was born near Rock Island, Illinois, a daughter of Drury and Esther (Love) Reynolds, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The father was reared in the Buckeye state and the mother in Illinois, and when a young man he removed to Illinois, spending his last days in Rock Island county, where he departed this life at the age of sixty-three years. He had been one of the pioneer settlers and valued citizens of that part of the state. His widow sur- vied and was called to her final rest when eighty years of age, her last da being spent in Mercer county, Illinois. She was a consistent member of the Christian church. Their daughter, Mrs. Dungan, was reared and educated in Rock Island county and came to Nebraska in 1876, ten days after her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Dungan are the parents of eight children, as follows: Myrtle, who is the wife of Gardner Sawin, of Baird, Nebraska; Schuyler, who follows farming in Kearney county, Nebraska; Howard, who is also engaged in farm- ing in Kearney county, this state; Floyd, living on the home farm; Everett, a merchant of Kearney; Dale, a student in the State University ; Stella, at home; and Glenn, who is employed in the government reclamation service. Another child, the first born, died in early life. Mrs. Dungan is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. Mr. Dungan gives his political allegiance to the repub- lican party but has never been ambitious to hold office, as he has preferred to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs and his diligence and determi- nation in farm work have brought to him the substantial measure of prosperity which is now his.


W. H. SWARTSLEY.


W. H. Swartsley is. engaged in the real estate business at Riverdale, which town has largely been built up through his efforts. He also has important landed interests and is giving considerable attention to the breeding, raising and sale of Duroc-Jersey hogs. He has made his home in Buffalo county since 1907, prior to which time he was a resident of Platte county, Nebraska. His birth occurred in Woodford county, Illinois, in 1862, his parents being John C. and Jennie L. Swartsley, who were natives of Virginia. They came to Illinois in 1853, settling in Woodford county, and in 1881 they arrived in Platte county, Nebraska, where the father secured land and concentrated his energies upon the development and improvement of his farm, his death occurring about two years ago. He was an energetic, industrious and prosperous agriculturist and was a prominent and influential citizen. His political allegiance was given to the demo-


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cratic party and he was called upon to represent Platte county in the state legis- lature. His wife has also passed away, her death occurring in Platte county.


W. H. Swartsley was in his teens at the time of the removal of the family to Platte county, and after he had attained his majority he turned his attention to general farming in Bismark township, where he owned land. He carefully, persistently and successfully tilled the soil for some time and also taught school for almost sixteen years, and in 1907 he arrived in Buffalo county, where he has since made his home. Here he has operated largely in real estate and has con- ducted many important business interests. He organized the Riverdale State Bank, which has been a very important factor in the development of local busi- ness enterprises, and served as a member of its board of directors until he turned his interests over to his son Lee, who was the deputy county treasurer of Buffalo county for eight years. In association with his sons Mr. Swartsley owns three hundred and seventy acres of rich and productive land in Riverdale township, whereon he is engaged in general farming and stock raising. They have the finest drove of full-blooded Duroc-Jersey hogs in the county, and they make a specialty of the stock raising feature of their business. Mr. Swartsley has also done much toward the upbuilding of the attractive little town of River- dale. He platted part of the town and then sold lots, was instrumental in induc- ing merchants to locate there and had a large part in securing the schoolhouse. There is no important feature of the town's upbuilding and development with which he has not been associated.


Mr. Swartsley married Miss Alice May Burns, who was born in Oskaloosa, Iowa, and they have three children: Lee, formerly deputy county treasurer ; O. E., who is conducting the ranch; and Grace, who is an accomplished musician living at home. The family residence is the finest home in the village and Mr. Swartsley is a most progressive, active, energetic man, forming his plans readily and carrying them forward to successful completion. If a pen picture could accurately delineate his business characteristics, such might be given in these words: a progressive 'spirit ruled by more than ordinary intelligence and good judgment ; a deep earnestness impelled and fostered by indomitable perse- verance; a native justice expressing itself in correct principle and practice. His intellect early grasped the eternal truth that industry wins and industry has been the beacon light of his life. He is well known in fraternal circles, belong- ing to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen, and his wife and daughter are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, which he attends.


J. O. GRIFFIN.


J. O. Griffin owns and operates three hundred and twenty acres of productive land on section 16, Gibbon township, and has gained financial independence through his agricultural activities. His birth occurred in Stark county, Illinois, on the 27th of June, 1867, and he is one of six living children in a family of eight born to E. J. and Rebecca (Nicholas) Griffin. The father was a native of


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Pennsylvania and the mother's birth occurred in Ohio, but they were married in Illinois, where the mother passed away and where the father still resides.'


J. O. Griffin grew to manhood and received his education in Illinois, but in 1894, when about twenty-seven years of age, he came to Buffalo county, Nebraska, and took up his residence on a farm which he operated for some time. Later he purchased his present place, which comprises three hundred and twenty acres on section 16, Gibbon township, and is now well improved. He keeps everything in excellent repair and uses the latest machinery in his work, thus increasing his efficiency. He receives a good income from the sale of his grain and stock and ranks among the progressive and successful farmers of the county.


Mr. Griffin was married in 1896 to Miss Clara Philipar, who was born in Pennsylvania but was brought to this state when but a year old by her parents, Peter and Anna Philipar. The father is dead but the mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Griffin have six children : Ruth and Bruce, both high school students ; Leslie; Earl; Ezra; and Carl.


Mr. Griffin gives his political support to the republican party at national elec- tions, but where only local issues are at stake supports the best man irrespective of party lines. His fraternal affiliation is with the Modern Woodmen of America, and he and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal church. His circle of friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance, and his salient characteristics are those which invariably command respect and warm regard.


OSCAR G. KNOX.


Oscar G. Knox, manager and one of the stockholders of the Farmers Elevator at Riverdale, is a wide-awake and progressive business man, alert to his oppor- tunities and energetic in all that he undertakes. He was born in Indiana on the 20th of May, 1870, and is a son of William E. and Emma J. (Trimble) Knox, both of whom were natives of Kentucky, whence they removed to Indiana in 1868, there residing for eleven years. In 1879 they became residents of Buffalo county, Nebraska, casting in their lot with its pioneer settlers, at which time the father secured a homestead claim which he converted from a tract of wild prairie into rich and productive fields. He died in the year 1899 and is survived by his widow, who is now a resident of Riverdale. However, she still owns the old homestead in this county on which she reared her family of five children. . There were four sons and a daughter, but the latter has passed away.


Oscar G. Knox was largely reared and educated in Buffalo county, where he came with his parents when a little lad of nine summers. He attended the common schools and was reared to the occupation of farming, early becoming' familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. After attaining his majority he began farming on his own account, purchasing a tract of land on section 4, Riverdale township, where he continued to live for sixteen years, during which period he brought his fields to a high state of cultivation and also improved his farm with good buildings, making it one of the model properties of the community. He is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land which constitutes one of the attractive features of the district because of


OSCAR G. KNOX


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its well kept appearance and its modern accessories. He still gives to the farm his personal supervision and while residing thereon he made a specialty of breed- ing and raising Duroc Jersey hogs. He is now manager of the Farmers Elevator Company at Riverdale, of which he is one of the stockholders, and he is capably directing the business under his control, making it a profitable venture for those who are financially interested therein.


On the 27th of August, 1890, Mr. Knox was married to Miss Ella Rogers, who was born in Iowa, a daughter of John and Edith (Talbott) Rogers, both of whom are deceased. In their family were ten children, of whom five are yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Knox have become the parents of six children: Ethel, the wife of J. F. Richardson; Earl R .; Jesse S., who is married and lives on the home farm; Ada, who is a graduate of the State Normal School and is now engaged in teaching ; and Albert and Mildred, still under the parental roof.


The parents are members of the Christian church and Mr. Knox is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Lodge No. 353, in which he has filled all of the chairs. He is also a member of the Modern Wood- men camp. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he has held all of the local township offices and has also been a member of the school board. His fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and ability, have called him to higher office and for two terms he represented his district in the state legislature, where he gave earnest consideration to all the questions which came up for settlement and earnestly sought to advance the best interests of the com- monwealth. Those who know him esteem him highly, for in every relation of life he has been found progressive, trustworthy and reliable and thus he has gained the goodwill and confidence of even those who oppose him politically.


CHRISTOPHER PUTNAM.


Christopher Putnam, one of the early settlers of Buffalo county, Nebraska, was a native of the Empire state, where he was reared and where he was united in marriage to Harriett Nichols. In April, 1871, Mr. Putnam joined the soldiers' free homestead colony which came to Nebraska and made settlement in Buffalo county. He arrived in April of that year and the following September was joined by his family. He secured a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres a half mile east of the Gibbon postoffice but now within the village limits. Sub- sequently he purchased other lands, adding to his possessions from time to time until ultimately he became the owner of six or seven hundred acres. He died January 9, 1906, and is still survived by his wife, who yet makes her home in Gibbon.


Mr. Putnam was a leader of public thought and opinion. He served as the first county superintendent of schools in Buffalo county and aided in laying a substantial foundation upon which to build the educational interests of this part of the state. He afterward served as county surveyor and as county clerk and proved a most capable public official, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity. In early life he had received good educational opportunities and he ever remained a student of the signs of the times, keeping in touch with


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advanced thought. In addition to his other business interests he operated a branch of the Omaha National Bank in Gibbon for a number of years and was bookkeeper and secretary of the Gibbon Milling Company for several years. He carried forward to successful completion whatever he undertook and the spirit of progress actuated him at all times. His fellow townsmen respected him for what he accomplished and the methods which he pursued and his course at every point of his career would bear close investigation and scrutiny. To him and his wife were born four children, as follows: T. Orson, manager of the credit department of the Bemis Bag Company of Omaha, Nebraska; Eva A., the wife of Victor Van Duzer, of Berryville, Arkansas; John J., who is at the head of the bacteriological department of the University of Idaho; and Charles A., of Gibbon.


ISAAC BUCK.


Isaac Buck is meeting with gratifying success in the operation of four hun- dred acres of fine land on section 21, Shelton township, and has gained a place among the up-to-date and well-to-do farmers of his locality. His birth occurred upon that farm on the 15th of September, 1874, and he is one of seven living children in a family of fourteen born to Joseph and Mary Ann (Singleton) Buck. Both parents were natives of England, but in 1869 they came to America and at once made their way to Buffalo county, Nebraska. Some time later the father homesteaded the farm which our subject is now operating and continued to live there until 1906, when he removed to Shelton, where he still makes his home. He has reached the advanced age of seventy-six years and is accorded the honor to which his long and useful life entitles him. His wife died about 1908.


Isaac Buck was reared at home and acquired his education in the public schools. He early began helping his father with the farm work and when six- teen years of age took charge of the operation of the place. He cultivates four hundred acres and manifests a thorough knowledge of farming and sound busi- ness judgment in the management of his affairs. He derives a good income from his labors and also finds his work congenial. In addition to farming he operates a steam threshing outfit, which he owns, and derives a good financial return from this enterprise.


On the IIth of November, 1896, Mr. Buck was married to Miss Abbie Lip- pincott, who was born in Friend, Nebraska, and is a daughter of J. F. and Janna (Vance) Lippincott, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. In the early '70s, however, they came to Nebraska and here the mother passed away, although the father is still living. Mrs. Buck is one of a family of nine children and by her marriage has become the mother of three children, namely: Levi V., Alvin J. and Stewart T., all of whom are high school students and have good voices and unusual musical talent.


Mr. Buck is independent in politics and although he takes the interest of a good citizen in public affairs, he has never been an aspirant for office. He and his family attend the United Presbyterian church and their influence is a factor


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that makes for the moral advancement of their community. He has based his success upon close attention to his business and the prosperity which he has gained is well deserved.


ELLSWORTH BOWKER.


Ellsworth Bowker, clerk of the twelfth judicial district for Buffalo county and secretary of the Kearney Canning Company, is thus actively identified with pro- fessional and commercial interests and by reason thereof has become widely and favorably known. His official record is characterized by unfaltering fidelity to duty and his activity in commercial circles is of a character that has contributed in large measure to the success of the undertaking with which he is connected. Mr. Bowker is a native of Sangamon county, Illinois. He was born September 17, 1863, and was one of a family of seven children, three of whom are yet living, their parents being John and Hetty (Barnett) Bowker.


His youthful days were spent upon a farm until he reached the age of eighteen years, during which period he attended the district schools and in the acquire- ment of his education laid the foundation of his later success. While still at home he took up the study of telegraphy. He had a brother who was acting as station agent at Rochester, Illinois, three miles from the family home. They cut poles in the woods, set them up and strung wire upon them and several of the boys of the neighborhood cut in on this line and thus got their first start in telegraphic work. Ellsworth Bowker gained a considerable knowledge of the business and at eighteen years of age had secured the appointment of telegraph operator at Oak Mills, Kansas, on the Missouri Pacific Railroad. He followed railroad work until 1900 and during part of that time was located at Springfield, Illinois, where he acted as day operator for the master mechanic of the Wabash Railroad. He was also the first train dispatcher at Marshalltown, Iowa, on what was then known as the Diagonal Railway, a part of the Wisconsin, Iowa & Nebraska system and now a part of the Chicago Great Western. His business duties took him to various points and while with the Western Union he spent some time at Omaha and in other cities. During the last seven years of his railroad life he was a conductor on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. In May, 1885, he went to Custer county, Nebraska, where he secured a homestead, on which he made the necessary improvements that won for him the title to the land. That place was situated six miles from the present site of Mason City but at that time no railroad had been built through the district. When the railroad was built Mr. Bowker became the first agent at that point and returned to his old occupation. Later he deeded his land to his wife's parents and it has since been their home. In 1900 Mr. Bowker abandoned railroad work and embarked in merchandising at Ravenna, Buffalo county, in which he continued for three years. He then became an assistant in the county treasurer's office under M. N. Troupe and in 1907 he was elected clerk of the district court, to which office he was reelected and is now serving for the second term, making a most excellent record in the position by the prompt, capable and systematic manner in which he discharges his duties.




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