USA > Nebraska > Buffalo County > Buffalo County, Nebraska, and its people : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 19
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It was there that James D. Hawthorne was reared to manhood and the public schools afforded him his educational privileges. After his textbooks were put aside he began learning the jeweler's trade and in 1878 when a young man of twenty-five years he removed to Kearney and cast in his lot for weal or woe with the little town that at that time did not present a very promising appearance but which he believed might become a commercial center of some importance. He began business here in a small way and the success which he has attained as
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the years have passed by has been due to close application, indefatigable industry and thoroughly reliable business methods. He has increased his stock according to the demands of the trade and has ever maintained one of the well appointed jewelry establishments of the city.
Mr. Hawthorne was married in 1875 to Miss Linnie Gwinn, who died leaving four children : Nellie, now the wife of Verne Black; Lillian, the wife of C. W. Stoufer; Jay G .; and Karl S. For his second wife Mr. Hawthorne chose Miss Clara F. Gillmann, whom he wedded in February, 1907. He is a Knight Templar Mason, a member of the Mystic Shrine, and also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, of which he is a past grand patron. In religious belief he is a Protestant. He belongs to the Kearney Commercial Club and cooperates in all of its plans and projects for the upbuilding and development of the city. He is ever a courteous, affable, genial gentleman, quiet and unassuming in manner, but possessed of those sterling qualities which win respect and honor in every land and clime. His business integrity is above question and his entire commercial career has been based upon the old adage that honesty is the best policy.
JASPER F. WALKER.
Jasper F. Walker, of Shelton, has practiced law for about a quarter of a century and has gained a distinctly creditable place in his profession. He was born in Hancock county, Indiana, on the 13th of September, 1847, a son of Wiley and Eliza (Moore) Walker, natives respectively of North Carolina and Vermont. The mother's birth occurred on the 8th of October, 1820, and when fourteen years of age she removed to Indiana, where she began teaching at the age of sixteen. Wiley Walker left North Carolina in 1833, when sixteen years of age, and went to Indiana, where he remained until his demise on the 15th of December, 1862. His wife survived for many years, dying on the 17th of August, 1901, when almost eighty years of age, but never remarried.
That branch of the Walker family to which our subject belongs is of Scotch origin and has been traced back to the seventeenth or eighteenth century to a General Walker, who commanded at the siege of Derby. Robert Walker emi- grated to America before the Revolutionary war and settled in North Carolina, where his son, Robert Walker II, was born and grew to manhood. He was married on the 7th of June, 1777, and became the father of Robert Walker III, who had a family of sixteen children, thirteen of whom grew to mature years and accompanied their father on his removal to Hancock county, Indiana, in the early '30s. Most of them settled in that county and reared large families and there are yet many representatives of the name there.
Jasper F. Walker received his education at the Battle Ground Collegiate Insti- tute in Battle Ground, Indiana, a town which has grown up on the site of the battle of Tippecanoe. For some time he engaged in teaching school, following that profession in both Indiana and Nebraska. He removed to the latter state in March, 1870, and settled on a homestead in Hall county, where he lived until 1889, when he became a resident of Shelton, Buffalo county. He abandoned teaching for the practice of law and for about twenty-five years has been a
MR. AND MRS. JASPER F. WALKER
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member of the Nebraska bar. He has an intimate knowledge of statute law and precedent, and the power of convincing argument makes his legal learning effec- tive. He takes great pains in the preparation of his cases and his record shows that he has won a large percentage of favorable verdicts.
Mr. Walker was married on the 9th of March, 1870, to Miss Joann McCord, a daughter of Elias and Eliza McCord, of Hancock county, Indiana. Her father was one of the leading farmers of that county and was also active in public affairs, serving for several years as a member of the board of county commissioners. He passed away in 1901, after surviving his wife for three decades, her demise having occurred in 1871. Mrs. Walker was born October 10, 1849, and received her education in the common schools of the Hoosier state. By her marriage she has become the mother of three children: Sylvia Myrtle, now Mrs. George W. Dawson; Daisy E., the wife of Edward L. Stubblefield; and Jesse C., who married Agnes M. Mundle.
Mr. Walker supports the candidates and measures of the republican party as he believes that its policies are based upon sound principles of government. In 1891 he became a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and since 1897 has belonged to the Loyal Mystic Legion. His religious faith is indicated by the fact that he holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. When but sixteen years of age he joined the Indiana Legion, which was a military organization formed subsequent to Morgan's raid of Indiana for the purpose of preventing a repetition of the raid. He has always manifested a praiseworthy concern for the public good and has been willing to cooperate in the furtherance of projects for the advancement of his community and state.
LOUIS A. KOEPPE.
Louis A. Koeppe, known far and wide as an auctioneer and also engaged in the handling of new and second-hand merchandise at Kearney, was born at Neenah, Wisconsin, August 19, 1870, and was one of a family of six children, four of whom are now living, whose parents were Bernhardt and Dorothy (Schnella) Koeppe, natives of Germany. Both were born and reared in the vicinity of Berlin and in that country the father learned and followed the milling business. About the year 1866 he came to America and for a time engaged in carpentering in Wisconsin, but his later life was devoted to general agricultural pursuits. He removed from Wisconsin to Boulder, Colorado, but in the fall of 1872 bought a team of mares and a prairie schooner and, joining a wagon train, in which were twenty-three other teams, traveled eastward through an Indian infested country until he finally reached Buffalo county, Nebraska. Here he secured both a homestead and timber claim in Divide township and thereon resided for many years, passing through the usual experiences incident to fron- tier life. He lived there during the period of Indian scares and the grasshopper plague and the drought, all of which entailed hardships that are utterly unknown to the present generation and of which they can form no adequate conception. It was a time which tried men's souls, for in a measure life was unsafe and, more- over, the early settlers had to see all their work upon the farms count for naught, Vol. II-10
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for the grasshoppers descended upon their crops, leaving nothing green. Mr. Koeppe finally went to California, where he passed away in 1897.
Louis A. Koeppe had none of the advantages offered the boy of the present day-the opportunities to secure an education and learn a trade or receive other business equipment. He was reared to manhood on the old homestead claim which his father had entered from the government and was put to work when but a child, having to bear his part in the burden of contributing to the general sup- port of the family. When eleven years of age his mother died and there thus devolved upon him those burdens which would have been relieved had he had a mother's counsel and care.
At nineteen years of age Mr. Koeppe embarked in the livestock business and was gaining a good start when the bank at Kearney, in which his money was deposited, failed and left him without a dollar. He gathered together from his wrecked fortune sufficient means to take him to Bozeman, Montana, where, with a capital of less than one hundred dollars he embarked in the new and second- hand merchandise business. He there resided until 1899, with the exception of about a year during that period, which he spent in Buffalo county. It was dur- ing this time that he began crying sales and, possessing natural aptitude for the work, he soon won a reputation as an auctioneer and his services were more and more in demand in that connection. For the last seventeen years he has lived in Kearney and has engaged in the handling of new and second-hand merchandise in connection with the crying of sales. In the occupation of auctioneering he has become widely and favorably known, not only in Buffalo but throughout many of the adjacent counties. His life has been one of unfaltering industry, his entire ยท career being characterized by hard work and close application.
In 1897 occurred the marriage of Mr. Koeppe and Miss Minnie Schiffmann, of Butte, Montana, and to them has been born a son, Arthur S. The family is well known in Kearney, where they have resided for about two decades, and Mr. Koeppe has a wide acquaintance throughout the state. He has an abundance of vitality, a breezy manner, energy and alertness. He is quick at repartee, and his ready word has been an important asset in his success.
ORLANDO McCONNAUGHEY.
Orlando McConnaughey, who owns an excellent farm on section 24, Gibbon township, adjoining the town of Gibbon, at one time held title to seven hundred and fifty acres of excellent land but has now disposed of a part of his property. He was born near Hillsboro, in Highland county, Ohio, on the 21st of December, 1847, a son of Andrew and Mary (Vance) McConnaughey, both natives of Penn- sylvania. They were reared and married in that state but subsequently removed to a farm in Highland county, Ohio, where they resided until called by death.
Orlando McConnaughey was educated in the district schools and during his boyhood and youth also received valuable training in farm work through assisting his father. In the spring of 1870 he purchased a small farm in his native county and engaged in its operation until 1882, when he decided to take advantage of the opportunities in the rapidly developing state of Nebraska and accordingly
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came to Buffalo county, buying a section of land in Shelton township. Some time later he purchased his present home farm adjoining the town of Gibbon, which at one time comprised seven hundred and fifty acres. He has since dis- posed of a part of this place but still owns three hundred and twenty acres. He has been very successful, his well directed labors yielding him substantial returns annually, and he ranks among the well-to-do men of his township.
Mr. McConnaughey was married on the 13th of January, 1870, to Miss Julia A. Wilcoxon, who was born near Freeport, Illinois. They have become the par- ents of five children, of whom three survive, namely: Thena C., the wife of W. Boyd Smith, of Omaha; Hattie B., who married J. N. Ashburn, owner of the Gibbon mills ; and Effie C., the wife of O. J. Milius, of Ralston, this state.
The republican party has a stanch adherent in Mr. McConnaughey, but he has never sought office, preferring to discharge his civic duties as a private citizen. He holds membership in Granite Lodge, No. 189, A. F. & A. M., and in Nebraska Consistory, No. I, A. & A. S. R., of Omaha. Both he and his wife are identified with the Baptist church and he has served as a member of the board of trustees, thus giving proof of his interest in the work of the organization. His life has con- formed to high standards of morality, and his many admirable qualities have gained him the respect and warm regard of those who have been associated with him.
VICTOR L. JOHNSON.
Victor L. Johnson, cashier of the Shelton State Bank, has gained a place among the bankers of Buffalo county that is distinctly creditable to his ability and enterprise. He was born on the 20th of April, 1883, of the marriage of Nelson W. and Agnes C. (Hare) Johnson, both of whom were born in the state of New York, where the father passed away and where the mother is still living. They became the parents of six children, of whom one is deceased.
Victor L. Johnson was reared and educated in the Empire state and remained there until 1902, when, as a young man of about nineteen years, he came to Shelton, Buffalo county, Nebraska, and entered the Shelton Bank as assistant cashier, which office he held until 1905, when he went to Heartwell .. He was cashier of the Heartwell State Bank until 1912, in which year he accepted the position of cashier of the Shelton State Bank, in which capacity he is still serving. He is not only thoroughly familiar with banking routine but also understands the underlying principles of banking and keeps in touch with financial conditions throughout this section and in fact throughout the country at large. Under his able management the bank has paid good dividends and has also furnished ample security to the stockholders and depositors. He has gained a measure of success that many a man older than he might well envy and he owns his comfortable and attractive residence.
Mr. Johnson was married in 1907 to Miss Marie Reasoner, who was born in Ashland, Nebraska, and they have become the parents of a daughter, Anna Marie, born September 28, 1913. Mr. Johnson gives his political support to the repub- lican party and is now town treasurer. He belongs to Shelton Lodge, No. 99,
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F. & A. M., in which he has filled all of the chairs, and in religious faith both he and his wife are Presbyterians. They are well known and have many warm friends, who esteem them highly for their admirable traits of character.
CASSIUS B. MANUEL.
Many tangible evidences of the public spirit of Cassius B. Manuel can be given and so far-reaching and important has been his work in behalf of the community in which he lives that no history of Buffalo county would be complete without the record of his life. He was born in Mckean county, Pennsylvania, on the 28th of January, 1860, and during his infancy was taken by his parents to Missouri, in which state his early years were passed. His father, Benjamin F. Manuel, was a son of Francis Manuel, a native of Portugal, in which country the family name was Emmanuel. Benjamin F. Manuel was born at Eastport, Maine, and after serving an apprenticeship of seven years in Rochester, New York, became a con- tractor and builder. He wedded Anna Barclay, a native of Shippen, New York, and of English ancestry, being a direct descendant of Sir Robert Barclay. While in Missouri the family resided at Mexico, Macon City, and at Glenwood, and it was during this time that Mr. Manuel enlisted for service in the Union cause, becoming a member of Company H, Third Iowa Cavalry. He was honorably discharged in 1863 owing to injuries sustained in the service and returned to Missouri, where he engaged in contracting and building. He also gave some attention to farming and likewise established a brickyard, which he operated with the aid of his sons. In September, 1872, he removed with his family to Howard county, Nebraska, where he homesteaded a claim, residing thereon until the death of his wife, which occurred in 1887. Later he removed to California, where he passed away in 1900.
Cassius B. Manuel was little more than twelve years of age when the family removed to Nebraska. His youthful days were spent in helping with the work of the home farm and making brick. He well remembers the grasshopper plague and the later droughts when the springtime promise of harvests was utterly destroyed and the farmers had to face the condition of passing through season after season without harvesting any crops.
When seventeen years of age Cassius B. Manuel spent a season with his father and a brother in the Black Hills engaged in mining, in conducting a store, in freighting supplies for the miners and in avoiding the hostile Indians. His edu- cational training was completed in the State Normal College at Peru, Nebraska, and in 1882 he taught his first school, which was near Clarks, Nebraska. A large proportion of his subsequent life has been devoted to educational work and, hav- ing been elected superintendent of the schools of Howard county, he served in that position for four years. He has proven a most able educator, imparting readily and clearly to others the knowledge that he has acquired, and his efforts have been an important element in advancing the school system of the state.
In early boyhood Mr. Manuel became deeply interested in politics, at which period his enthusiasm found expression in carrying a torch in political parades. For a time he was editorial writer on the St. Paul Phonograph and afterward
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became the owner of the St. Paul Press. At a subsequent date he purchased the Phonograph and consolidated the two papers under the name of the Phonograph- Press. In conducting that journal he attained wide renown as a trenchant, force- ful newspaper writer and his paper became an important factor in shaping polit- ical belief. His activities also extended in other directions, for he became one of the organizers of the Farmers Alliance and the populist party. In 1906 he was chosen chairman of the populist state central committee, in which position he serv- ed for six years. By appointment of Governor Shallenberger he became superin- tendent of the State Industrial School for Boys at Kearney in 1909 and two years later was reappointed, because of his fitness for the position, by Governor Aldrich, who was of another political faith. The school was in a deplorable condition when Mr. Manuel became superintendent, sanitary conditions were very bad, the morale of the school was at a low ebb and it was conducted much after the manner of a penal institution. There was also an utter lack of harmony between the officers and the boys. Mr. Manuel at once set about to improve these conditions and bring order out of chaos. Modern scientific methods improved the sanitation; the boys were no longer treated as felons ; and a bond of sympathy and helpfulness between officers and boys wrought a marked change for the better. In fact, in every way a great advancement was made from a humanitarian standpoint; an honor system was inaugurated which had much to do with the improvement, for the boys felt that fidelity to the school standards brought returns. In fact, the honor system and the furlough introduced by Mr. Manuel resulted in reducing the number of runaways and incorrigibles to a minimum. For four years Mr. Manuel con- tinued at the head of this institution to its lasting good, to his own personal credit and to the satisfaction of all concerned. Since that time he has been secretary, treasurer and business manager of the Denzler-Manuel Furniture Company of Kearney, of which he was one of the organizers.
On the 4th of May, 1886, Mr. Manuel was united in marriage to Miss Etta Imes, and to them have been born four children: Bessie; Ruth, now the wife of Walter E. Wade of Downs, Kansas; Ruby R .; and Cassius Barclay, who died July 4, 1910.
Mr. Manuel is a Knight Templar Mason and is also identified with the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. His has been a well spent life fraught with good results for the benefit of his fellow townsmen and characterized by broad humanitarianism. His course commends him to the honor and regard of all and wherever he is known he is spoken of in terms of high regard.
O. E. LOWELL.
The operation of five hundred acres of excellent land which he owns affords O. E. Lowell scope for his energy and enterprise, and his well directed labors yield him a large financial return. A native of Missouri, he was born on the 12th of January, 1862, of the marriage of Luther K. and Sarah Jane (Kirk) Lowell, who were born respectively in Ohio and Michigan. The father served in the Union army during the Civil war and died while at the front. Later the mother married Abram Barrett, of Wisconsin, and in the fall of 1871 they removed to
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Buffalo county, Nebraska, where she passed away. Our subject is the youngest of three children, the others being: George L., a resident of Colorado; and Maria E., the wife of P. E. Mundal, of Hailey, Idaho.
O. E. Lowell attended the common schools in his boyhood but when fourteen years of age began supporting himself. After working as a farm hand for a few years he rented land and later took up a homestead in Hitchcock county, Nebraska. In 1889 he sold that place and coming to Buffalo county, purchased his present home farm on section 10, Platte township. He proved successful as a farmer from the first and as the years passed he invested his savings in additional land and has acquired title to five hundred acres, all of which is well improved. He raises both grain and stock but gives the greater part of his attention to the latter branch of his business. He is also financially interested in the Farmers Elevator Company at Gibbon.
Mr. Lowell was married in 1884 to Miss Sarah Zimmerman, and they have become the parents of nine children, namely: Rhoda, deceased; Nettie B., at home; Richard, residing at Kearney; Elsie M., the wife of Chester Smith; Otto E .; Elton E., at home ; Reuben ; Ruth L .; and Jessie E.
Mr. Lowell exercises his right of franchise in support of the democratic party and for more than twenty years he has held the offices of justice of the peace and school director. Fraternally he belongs to the Workmen and the Grange, and both he and his wife are identified with the United Brethern church-associa- tions which indicate much concerning his interests. His business ability and integrity are generally recognized, and personally he is popular.
EDWIN A. MILLER.
Edwin A. Miller, conducting business as a funeral director at Kearney, is well known in Buffalo county, where he has been active in public affairs, serving at one time as county clerk. He was born in Dayton, Ohio, January 26, 1860, and is one of the four surviving children in a family of seven, born of the mar- riage of Frederick Miller and Lydia Aley, who were natives of Maryland and Ohio respectively. The father was a farmer by occupation and Edwin A. Miller was reared upon the old home farm. His educational opportunities were only such as could be obtained in the district schools and even then he could attend only in the winter seasons, as his services were needed in the work of the fields through the summer months. When eighteen years of age he began learning the carpenter's trade but still continued to make his home with his parents. He was identified with building operations and with farming for one year prior to 1884. On the 31st day of March, 1883, both his parents died of typhoid pneu- monia, within fifteen minutes of each other.
In the following March Mr. Miller came west to Kearney, Nebraska, and at once began work at the carpenter's trade in this city, continuing to follow that occupation until 1891. During the succeeding two years he was connected with the implement business. In 1894 he was engaged in the grain and feed business, during the period when corn sold as low as eight cents per bushel, and other grains brought proportionate prices. He stored away thousands of bushels and in
EDWIN A. MILLER
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December, 1901, he sold his corn and for four years thereafter was deputy county clerk under A. V. Offill. In the fall of 1905 he was the successful nominee of the republican party for the office of county clerk and after acceptably serving for a term of two years his record was accorded public indorsement in a reelec- tion, so that his connection with the office covered four years as deputy and four additional years as clerk. He retired from the position on the 31st of December, 1909, with an excellent record, his course being marked by systematic methods, capability and unfaltering fidelity. While yet filling the office of clerk in 1908 he opened an undertaking establishment, which he conducted for about a year through an employe but since January, 1909, he has given his undivided attention to the business and that he might better serve the public he took a course in a Cincinnati college of embalming, from which he was granted a diploma in May, 1910.
On the 8th of October, 1889, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Phoebe A. Herbert, and to them have been born five children: Pearl E., the wife of Harry T. Troupe; Florence A., the wife of Emil R. Parks; one who died in infancy; Alberta M., who died at the age of seven and a half years; and Clara Bell.
Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the Presbyterian church and he is an Odd Fellow, belonging to the subordinate lodge, encampment and the Rebekahs. He is also serving as major of the First Battalion of the Second Regiment of the Patriarchs Militant of that order. He has attained the Royal Arch degree in Masonry and is a member of the Eastern Star, while on the membership rolls of a number of insurance fraternal organizations his name is also found. He has served consecutively for seventeen years as secretary of the Nebraska State Volunteer Firemen's Association. He has led a busy and useful life charac- terized by advancement along material lines and by fidelity to every duty. He has a wide acquaintance and the favorable regard of many friends and in Kearney is accounted a representative citizen.
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