USA > Nebraska > Buffalo County > Buffalo County, Nebraska, and its people : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 2
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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
In March, 1873, Mr. Webster was married to Miss Rachel Young, also a
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY
native of Ripley county, Indiana, and they have become the parents of five children, namely: Carl, who is operating one of his father's farms; George, who is engaged in the grocery business in Gibbon, Nebraska; Herbert, who operates his father's second farm; Chester, who assists his father in the opera- tion of the Adams farm; and Nellie, the wife of Clyde Scott, a farmer of Gib- bon township.
Mr. Webster supports the republican party at the polls and for about eight years served as road supervisor, his services in that capacity proving very acceptable. He holds membership in Gibbon Lodge, No. 138, K. P., and is loyal to the teachings of that organization concerning human brotherhood. The gratifying measure of success which he has gained is proof of his enterprise and good judgment, for since beginning his independent career he has depended solely upon his own resources.
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HON. PETER WINK.
Hon. Peter Wink, for thirty-one years a resident of Buffalo county, and at present engaged in the real estate business in Kearney, was born in Wright county, Minnesota, on the 25th of September, 1859. The parents, Valentine and Catherine (Peters) Wink, were farming people and in pioneer times the father took up a homestead claim in Wright county, Minnesota, where he car- ried on general agricultural pursuits until his removal to Juneau county, Wis- consin, where his remaining days were passed, his death occurring in 1904.
Peter Wink is the second in order of birth in a family of four children, all of whom are yet living. In his early boyhood he attended the neighboring district schools and when old enough he began to earn his own living, being variously employed. For a considerable time he rafted lumber from the pineries south on the Mississippi river and he was also engaged in digging two tunnels for the Northwestern Railroad Company. During harvest seasons he would hire out to farmers, receiving as high as five dollars per day for his services. This period of his life was filled with an abundance of hard work and was passed among real people who were struggling to get ahead in the world. This was the period perhaps which most largely developed and determined his character. While untiring labor was the order of the day this was also a period of enjoy- ment, for youth, virile and compelling, made little of obstacles. Mr. Wink saved considerable part of his earnings, the inherent thrift of his German forbears undoubtedly teaching him the importance of saving for the proverbial rainy day. He became foreman on a farm in Clinton county, Iowa, and occu- pied that position for two years.
It was in the year 1879 that Mr. Wink was united in marriage to Miss Mary Farrell, and in 1884 he removed to Buffalo county, Nebraska, and purchased two hundred and forty acres of railroad land in . Thornton township at four dollars per acre. For twenty-seven years he there resided, devoting his life to general farming and stockraising, during which period he brought his fields to a high state of cultivation and added many modern improvements to the farm, which he still owns. In 1911, however, he left the farm and removed to
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Kearney, where he opened a real estate office and has since been engaged in that line of business. He is thoroughly conversant concerning property values and he has negotiated many important realty transfers, being accorded a liberal clientage in his line.
As the years went on Mr. and Mrs. Wink became the parents of four chil- dren : Frank, John, Clara and Alice, but the last named is deceased. The mother passed away in May, 1909, and for his second wife Mr. Wink chose Miss Bertha Vermeulen. In religious faith Mr. Wink is a Roman Catholic. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and in 1913 he was elected state senator from the twenty-second senatorial district comprising the coun- ties of Kearney, Buffalo and Sherman. He was reelected in 1915 and is now serving for the second term. During both sessions he has been a member of the ways and means committee and during the session of 1915 he was chairman of the committee on irrigation and water power. He took an active part in constructive, legislation and was the author of several bills that were passed and are now found on the statute books of the state. He has labored persist- ently for the benefit of the community and of the commonwealth and his efforts have been far-reaching and resultant.
JOHN N. DRYDEN.
John N. Dryden was born on a farm in Dane county, Wisconsin, June 1, 1856. His father, Nathaniel H. Dryden, and his mother, Emily Balch Dryden, were of southern stock, the former from Tennessee and the latter from Alabama. At an early date they removed to Illinois where they were married September 10, 1840. They subsequently became pioneers, successively, in Wisconsin, in Iowa, and lastly in Nebraska, where they settled in Custer county in 1875. There were nine children, five of whom are now living. Nathaniel H. Dryden held local offices, such as school director, county supervisor, etc. He was a Christian citi- zen and exercised a strong constructive influence in building the foundations of the new social order in the localities where he lived. In 1884, the family moved to Kearney where they continued to reside until Mr. Dryden's death, which occurred April 13, 1907, at the ripe age of eighty-eight years, the wife having passed away at the age of eighty-three years, September 26, 1901.
John N. Dryden was educated in the common schools of the neighborhood, attended the Gibbon Academy for three years, from 1876 to 1879 and the fol- lowing three years, the Nebraska State University. He was admitted to the bar at Kearney, in 1886, since which time he has been engaged in the active practice of his profession at the same place. He has sought no official preferment, having occupied no political office except that of member of the board of education and of the public library, in his home city. He is a member of the American Bar Association, and at present, president of the Nebraska State Bar Association. Mr. Dryden is a republican in politics-a progressive republican and an active, lifelong opponent of the open saloon. For more than thirty-five years he has been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, twice has been elected
JOHN N. DRYDEN
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delegate to the general conference of that organization and for twenty years has been a trustee of the Nebraska Wesleyan University.
Mr. Dryden is familiar with many aspects of pioneer life in Nebraska. During his boyhood days while a resident of Custer county, he drove the Star Mail Route from Kearney to Loup City, and thence to New Helena, a distance of one hun- dred ten miles, raking weekly trips at a time when the houses in some instances, were thirty miles apart, and many of the streams unbridged. On such trips he has seen as many as seventy-five elk in a single drove, and is acquainted with and had a practical experience in almost every phase of pioneer life in central Nebraska. He has been an interested witness of the changes which have occurred and has helped to bring about the present conditions of civilization and develop- ment, happiness and prosperity to our people.
He was married to Helen M. Holmes, a daughter of Dr. Jesse and Sara M. P. Holmes, at Lincoln, Nebraska, January 31, 1884. Two children were born to these parents, Ruth Holmes Dryden, now Mrs. Herbert W. Kendall, of Fremont, Nebraska; and Kenneth H. Dryden, of Kearney, Nebraska.
GEORGE C. LUNGER.
George C. Lunger has devoted his life to farming and has gained a gratifying measure of success, now owning two hundred and forty acres of fine land in Valley township. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Columbia county on the 23d of March, 1855, of the marriage of Jacob and Sarah (Hodge) Lunger, who were also born in that state. The father followed the carpenter's trade for fifty-five years and was widely known as an expert workman. Both he and his wife died in the Keystone state.
George C. Lunger is one of a family of twelve children, nine of whom are living. He was educated in the public schools and remained at home until he reached mature years. He then began learning the mason's and plasterer's trades, which he followed for about four years, but in 1878 he came to Buffalo county, Nebraska, and took up a claim. After living thereon for two years he traded that place for a farm of two hundred acres on section 17, Valley town- ship, which he still owns. He has made many improvements upon the place and has brought his land to a high state of cultivation. A small town known as Butler has grown up opposite his farm and for eight years he served as postmaster, discharging his duties to the satisfaction of all concerned. He has interests aside from his farm, as he is a stockholder and director of the Com- mercial State Bank at Gibbon and a stockholder and vice president of the Grange Elevator Company at Gibbon.
Mr. Lunger was married in 1882 to Miss Ida M. Wilson, who was born in Pennsylvania and is a daughter of Augustus and Katherine (Esler) Wilson, the former of whom was born in Maine and the latter in Germany. Both are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Lunger have become the parents of six children, namely : Waldron J., who is a graduate of the Grand Island Business College and is now bookkeeper for the George Sickle Lumber Company at Kearney ; Ros- coe, assistant cashier of the Commercial Bank at Gibbon; Weaver, who is
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY
operating the homestead; Beulah, attending the State Normal School at Kearney ; Almira, who died when two years old; and Josephine, who died at the age of three years.
Mr. Lunger is a stalwart democrat and has served for a number of years as a member of the township committee of his party. For twenty years he has been on the school board and for two terms he held the office of county supervisor. He is identified with the Grange and has been quite active in its varied work, believing in the value of organization and cooperation among farmers. Both he and his wife are members of the United Brethren church, which indicates the principles which govern their lives. When fre came to this county he had but eighty-five dollars, but he was not discouraged and reso- lutely set about to gain prosperity. His efforts have been richly rewarded, and he is now one of the substantial men of his community.
ROSCOE LUNGER.
Roscoe Lunger, the second-son of George C. Lunger, was born in Buffalo county on the 28th of March; 1887, and was here reared. He completed the course offered in the common schools and subsequently attended the State Normal at Kearney, thus further preparing himself for the responsibilities of life. On leaving school he entered the City National Bank at Kearney as bookkeeper, but five years later, in 1912, came to Gibbon and with a partner purchased the Commercial Bank, of which he is now serving as assistant cashier. He has been a factor of no little importance in building up the business of the institution and is recognized as a banker of experience and ability. He also owns the garage building at Gibbon and derives a good financial return from that property.
Mr. Lunger was married on the 6th of November, 1912, to Miss Grace Carlson, a native of Buffalo county, and a daughter of Alford and Clara (Rizer) Carlson, who are still living on their farm in this county. Mr. Lunger is a democrat and is now serving as township trustee. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge and of the Highlanders, and both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. He is one of the popu- lar and highly respected young men of Gibbon, and his enterprise and capability insure his continued success.
GEORGE W. SMITH.
Every community has within its borders those who are recognized as pro- moters of public progress through the channels of business activity. In this connection mention should be made of George W. Smith, the cashier of Meis- ner's Bank of Shelton, who is a courteous and obliging bank official, carefully safeguarding the interests of the institution which he represents and at the same time extending every possible aid to its patrons.
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He was born in Cass county, Iowa, on the 22d of February, 1876, a son of Edwin L. and Carrie N. (Kitson) Smith, both of whom were natives of Cook county, Illinois, where they were reared and married. Two or three years later they removed to Cass county, Iowa, where the father engaged in farming for seven years. He then took his family to Chicago, where he entered upon the study of medicine, matriculating in Rush Medical College, from which he was graduated with the class of February, 1884. In the following May he arrived in Shelton, Nebraska, where he followed his profession up to the time of his death, which occurred in February, 1912. He was accounted one of the fore- most citizens of Shelton, not only because of his ability and success in the pro- fessional field but also because of his activity along other lines. He became one of the organizers of the Shelton electric light plant, of which he was made president, and in that capacity he served until the time of his death. He was also identified with his son George in the drug business for several years and he possessed the determination and energy which enabled him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertook." In his earlier years he gave his political allegiance to the republican party, and. in after life became a Bryan democrat. While he was quite influential in local political circles, he never sought nor desired office as a reward for party fealty. At the time of the Civil war he espoused the cause of the Union and went to the front in defense of the stars and stripes. In Masonry he attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and was also a member of the Mystic Shrine at Omaha.
George W. Smith spent his youthful days in his parents' home and obtained his education in the public schools, completing a course in the Shelton high school with the class of 1891. He then took up the study of pharmacy and was graduated from the pharmaceutical department of the University of Illinois at Chicago in the class of 1897. In January, 1898, he established a drug store in Shelton and has since been identified with that line of business. His establish- ment was incorporated in 1915, under the name of the Smith Drug Company, and a liberal patronage is accorded by reason of the honorable business methods followed and the earnest effort put forth to please patrons. On the Ist of October, 1913, Mr. Smith extended his efforts into other fields by purchasing an interest in Meisner's Bank, of which he was made cashier, since which time he has served in that capacity. Many of the most important business interests of the district have felt the stimulus of the cooperation and sound judgment of Mr. Smith, whose carefully directed efforts seem to take cognizance of every opportunity. He was one of the organizers of the Shelton Electric Light Com- pany, of which he was made secretary and treasurer. The first meeting of the Farmers Home Telephone Company was held in his drug store and he became its secretary, occupying the position for two years, when he disposed of his stock. He was also one of the organizers of the Farmers Elevator Company, of which he became the first secretary. For a number of years he owned a third interest in the Shelton Mills and he is the owner of some valuable farm lands in this part of the state.
In 1900 Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Blanche Lee, her father being Mark G. Lee, vice president of Meisner's Bank and one of Shelton's foremost citizens. Our subject and his wife have three children, Bernadine A., Edwin L. and Elenora.
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In his political views Mr. Smith is a democrat but has never sought nor desired public office. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian church. They are both held in high esteem and their sterling traits of character have gained for them warm and enduring regard. Mr. Smith is most alert, energetic and enterprising. Few men are more prominent or more widely known in Shelton and this part of the county. He has been an important factor in business affairs and his prosperity is well deserved, as in him are embraced the characteristics of an unbending integrity, unabating energy and industry that never flags. He seems to have a genius for devising the right thing at the right time, joined to everyday common sense which ever proves the balance wheel of talent.
HON. GEORGE W. BARRETT.
Hon. George W. Barrett is the president of the Farmers Home Telephone Company of Shelton, which he was largely instrumental in organizing. He has also been prominently identified with agricultural interests and is a representative business man, actuated at all times by a spirit of determination and enterprise that enables him to overcome all the difficulties and obstacles that bar the path of business progress. Mr. Barrett was born in Washington county, Indiana, Decem- ber 22, 1850, and is a son of Elijah and Helen (Prather) Barrett, both of whom were natives of Washington county, Indiana, where they resided until 1866. They then removed to Iroquois county, Illinois, where the father passed away in the year 1877. Later the mother removed to Kansas, where her death occurred in 1892.
George W. Barrett was reared at home with the usual experiences of the farm lad. His school privileges were very limited, as he had the opportunity for attending only a part of the three months' winter term, which was the extent of the term in his district in Indiana at that time. He was a lad of sixteen years when his parents removed to Illinois and there he resided until the fall of 1875, when he came to Nebraska. He took up his abode in Shelton township, Buffalo county, and for two years operated rented land. In 1878 he purchased a relinquishment on a tree claim, which he homesteaded and developed, proving it up. Upon that place he has since continuously resided, his farm being pleasantly located about three miles southwest of Shelton. It comprises three hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land, in addition to which he owns another farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres. He has brought his fields to a high ; state of cultivation, adding the equipments and accessories of the modelfarm of the twentieth century, and his labors annually result in the gathering of good- harvests. Agriculture, however, is but one phase of his business activity, for to other lines he has extended his efforts, proving equally successful. He was the principal factor in the organization of the Farmers Home Telephone Company of Shelton, of which he was made the president and in that capacity has con- tinued. The business is kept up to a high standard, so that excellent service is rendered to patrons of the line and the enterprise is one which proves of the utmost benefit and convenience to the district. Mr. Barrett was also one of the
HON. GEORGE W. BARRETT
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY
organizers of the Farmers Elevator Company of Shelton, of which he served as president for two years.
In 1878 Mr. Barrett was united in marriage to Miss Melvina Smith, of Sharon township, this county. To them have been born four children, as follows : Schuy- ler, who is deceased; Effie, the wife of William Oliver, who follows farming in Shelton township; Charles, a resident of North Yakima, Washington ; and Leroy, who operates the old homestead.
Mr. and Mrs. Barrett are members of the United Brethren church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful interest, contributing generously to its support. Mr. Barrett is serving as one of the board of trustees of the church and fraternally he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Work- men. In politics he is an earnest republican and for one term he served as town- ship treasurer, while for several years past he has been a member of the school board. In 1907 he was elected to represent his district in the state legislature and in 1909 received indorsement of his first term's service in a reelection, so that he remained a member of the house for four years, during which time he was connected with much important and constructive legislation. He ever stood fearlessly in support of what he believed to be for the best interests of the commonwealth, nor did he hesitate to oppose any measure which he believed inimical to the general good. His life in its various relations and phases has been of value and benefit to the community in which he lives and his course at all times has been an honor and credit to the community which has honored him.
FRED BARGMANN.
Fred Bargmann, residing in Riverdale, Nebraska, is one. of the foremost residents of the town, conducting a banking, real estate and insurance business, being president of the State Bank. He is a self-made man whose enterprise and determination have led to his success. Each year has chronicled his advancement in business matters, for step by step he has steadily worked his way upward. He was born in Hanover, Germany, November 24, 1862, a son of Henry and Rebecca Bargmann, both of whom were natives of that country, where they spent their entire lives. There they reared their family of five chil- dren, of whom four are yet living.
Fred Bargmann spent his boyhood and youth in Germany and in the year 1879, when seventeen years of age, bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for the new world. He did not tarry on the eastern coast but made his way across the country to Cook county, Illinois, where he secured employment as a farm hand, working in that way until 1886, when he removed to Columbus, Nebraska. He was there employed for two years, at the end of which time he and his brother embarked in the dairy business and continued actively therein for ten years. They then sold out and Fred Bargmann turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, carrying on farming with success until 1905. He brought his fields to a high state of cultivation, converting his land into a pro- ductive tract from which he annually gathered good harvests. In 1907 he removed to Riverdale, where he established the State Bank, of which he has Vol. II-2
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since been the president. He has made this a substantial financial institution and it has been accorded a liberal patronage, so that the business of the bank has grown year by year. It has ever followed a safe, conservative policy and has proven a profitable undertaking. Mr. Bargmann also handles real estate - and insurance and these branches of his business are proving substantial sources of income. In addition to his other interests he is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator at Riverdale. He is the owner of a bank building in Riverdale and also of one hundred and sixty acres of good farming land in this county.
Since becoming a naturalized American citizen Mr. Bargmann has been a stalwart advocate of republican principles and has served on the township board. He is a self-made man and deserves much credit for what he has accomplished. He has taken two trips back to his native land, thus renewing the acquaintances and friendship of his youth and viewing again the scenes amid which his boyhood days were passed. He has never regretted his determina- tion to come to America, for here he has found the opportunities which he sought and in their development has reached a most gratifying point of prosperity.
JOSEPH BUCK, JR.
Joseph Buck, Jr., who is following agricultural pursuits on section 15, Shel- ton township, was born in that township, on the old Buck homestead, on the 16th of November, 1872. His parents, Joseph and Mary Ann (Singleton) Buck were natives of England but in 1869 and 1870 respectively emigrated to the United States and located in Buffalo county, Nebraska. The father home- steaded land which he cultivated until 1906, when he removed to Shelton, where he is still living at the age of seventy-six years. His wife died in 190S. Seven of their fourteen children have passed away.
Joseph Buck, Jr., remained at home during the period of his minority and after completing his common school education attended the Gibbon Normal School. In the spring of 1894, when about twenty-two years of age, he began farming for himself and for eight years rented land. In 1902 he invested his savings in one hundred and seventy acres of good land on section 27, on Grand Island, Shelton township. In 1904 he removed to that farm and there made his home until January, 1910, when he took up his residence upon his present home place, on section 15, Shelton township, which he had purchased five years previously. He has erected a handsome residence, a commodious barn and out- buildings, and all of the improvements compare favorably with those on other farms in the county. He owns in all two hundred and twenty-five acres of land in Shelton township and as he has managed his affairs well he is one of the well-to-do men of his locality.
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