USA > Nebraska > Buffalo County > Buffalo County, Nebraska, and its people : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 22
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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
Mr. Erazim supports the republican party at the polls, as he believes in its principles, and he has been called to public office, having served for six years as treasurer of Garfield township and for five years as treasurer of Ravenna, which office he holds at present. He is identified with the Knights of Pythias and for two years served as keeper of the records and seals. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church. He speaks two languages fluently, is affable and courteous in his business relations and is very popular with the patrons of the bank. He has already gained an enviable measure of prosperity and his many friends predict a still greater success for him in the future.
FRANK ASHTON PACKARD, M. D.
Dr. Frank Ashton Packard is a prominent and able physician of Kearney, where he has practiced his profession continuously and successfully during the past three decades. His birth occurred in St. Lawrence county, New York, on the 9th of July, 1853, his parents being Edson Allen and Mary (Bosford) Packard, natives of New York and Vermont respectively. By occupation the father was an agriculturist. The maternal grandmother of Edson A. Packard was an Alden, descended from John and Priscilla Alden. The Packards were originally from England but for many generations have lived in America.
Frank A. Packard was reared on the home farm and in the acquirement of his education attended the public schools and an academy at Canton, New York. Subsequently he began reading medicine with Dr. H. O. Bartlett of Milton Falls, Vermont, whose wife was his cousin and with whom he made his home. While still residing at Milton Falls he attended lectures at the medical department of the University of Vermont in Burlington, twenty miles distant. He was grad- uated from that institution on his twentieth birthday and in the same year-1873- came west, locating at Monmouth, Iowa, where he followed his profession for six years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Anamosa, Iowa, and there remained as a medical practitioner for seven years. On the Ist of Septem- ber, 1886, he arrived in Kearney, Nebraska, where he has been actively engaged in the practice of medicine throughout the past three decades. He encountered all of the difficulties and hardships of the pioneer practitioner but discharged his duties with self-sacrificing conscientiousness and has long been the loved family physician in many a household. In 1889, in 1894 and again in 1900 he took post- graduate work at Rush Medical College of Chicago, and he has also kept in touch with the steady advance of the profession as a member of the Buffalo County Medical Society, the Nebraska State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
Dr. Packard has been married twice. In 1880, at Monmouth, Iowa, he wedded Miss Dyantha Louisa Lake, by whom he had two sons, namely : Lawrence Ralph, a physician of Whitehall, Montana; and Gerald J., a practicing dentist of Living-
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ston, Montana. The wife and mother passed away in 1892 and two years later Dr. Packard was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Helen A. Townsley, who has a daughter by her former marriage, Lora E., the wife of J. Burt Porterfield, of De Land, Illinois.
The Doctor gives his political allegiance to the republican party, is a Protestant in religious belief and is identified with a number of fraternal insurance organiza- tions. In 1913 he was elected grand medical examiner for the state of Nebraska of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. During the long period of his resi- dence in Kearney he has won an enviable position in both professional and social circles and he is widely recognized as a leading representative of his profession.
ROBERT HAINES.
Robert Haines, now living retired at Kearney, was born near North Greenfield, Logan county, Ohio, December 1, 1841, and is a son of David and Elizabeth (Branson) Haines. The father, a native of Ohio, was a son of Joseph Haines, who was born in Culpeper county, Virginia, where he was reared. When a young man of eighteen years he went to Ohio, becoming one of the pioneer farmers of that state. He also engaged in preaching as a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which connection he did good work, especially in camp meetings. He served as a soldier in the War of 1812, acting as a scout, and he was a large man of fine physique who possessed a vigorous constitution and reached the ripe old age of eighty-four years. He traced his ancestry back to one of seven brothers, who came from Germany at an early period in the colonization of the new world. His son, David Haines, took up the occupation of farming, which he made his life work. He always remained a resident of Ohio, where he died in his ninetieth year. His wife was also a native of Ohio and there spent her entire life, passing away at the age of forty-four years.
Robert Haines spent his youthful days upon the old homestead farm and had the usual experiences of the boy who divides his time between the acquire- ment of an education in the district schools and the work of the fields. On attaining his majority he started out in business independently, working as a farm hand and at the carpenter's trade, and at the time of his marriage he rented land and began farming on his own account. All business and personal considera- tions, however, were put aside at the time of the Civil war, for he enlisted in August, 1862, as a member of Company H, Ninety-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. After three days, however, he became ill with a fever and was unable to go to the front. On the 25th of December, 1863, he reenlisted from Logan county, Ohio, for three years' service and was mustered in on the 8th of January, 1864, at Cleveland, Ohio, as a private, refusing the rank of corporal. He was with Captain Samuel Starr's company and later he was made corporal, remaining with that company until he received an honorable discharge on the 13th of July, 1865, at Columbus, Ohio, following the close of the war.
Mr. Haines continued a resident of the Buckeye state until 1872, when he came to Buffalo county, Nebraska, and secured a homestead claim on section 26, Center township. That was before the town of Kearney had been established.
ROBERT HAINES
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He built a small frame house fourteen by sixteen feet and remained upon the homestead until he secured his title thereto. About 1878 he removed to Kearney and built a residence at the corner of Twenty-second and C streets, where he has since made his home. However, he continued to manage his farm year after year until about 1900, when he rented the place and has since lived retired, enjoying a well earned rest.
On the 25th of February, 1869, Mr. Haines was married to Miss Emma Ione Scott, a native of Hardin county, Ohio, where she was reared and educated. In 1872 she arrived in Buffalo county, becoming one of its pioneer women. She was an active worker in the Sunday school and church in the days when religious services were held at the homes of the settlers. Her life was fraught with many good deeds and was actuated by kindly purposes. She died October 3, 1913, leaving an adopted daughter, Beatrice, who is now the wife of Jesse S. Barlow and resides in Kearney.
Mr. Haines is a member of Smith Gavitt Post, No. 299, G. A. R., in which he has filled all of the offices, serving as commander for three years, which office he was occupying at the time the monument at Kearney was dedicated. He served as justice of the peace and as assessor for two years, filling both offices during the years 1875 and 1876. He served by appointment as a member of the city council of Kearney and was afterward elected and occupied the position for two terms, making a creditable record in office by his fidelity to duty and his devotion to the best interests of the community in which he resides. He has lived in the county for forty-four years and has therefore witnessed almost its entire growth and development. He has taken an active part in what has been accom- plished and is interested in everything pertaining to the public welfare. He has many reminiscences of pioneer times which give an excellent picture of condi- tions that existed in the early days and indicate the later trend of progress. In this county he is widely known and his circle of friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
WASHINGTON MILBOURN.
Washington Milbourn was one of the early settlers of Buffalo county, taking up his residence in Elm Creek township in 1872, and he was well known and highly esteemed. He was a veteran of the Civil war and the patriotism which prompted him to enlist in the Union army also led him to further the public wel- fare in times of peace. His birth occurred in Carroll county, Ohio, on the 24th of August, 1826, and he removed with the family to Columbiana county and thence to Stark county, Ohio. He grew to manhood in the Buckeye state and there received his education. In young manhood he went to Woodford county, Illinois, where he was living at the time of the Civil war and where he enlisted in the Eighth Illinois Cavalry. He participated in the battle of Mobile and in other engagements and remained with his command until mustered out at New Orleans in 1865. He returned to Illinois and continued to live there until 1872, when he came to Buffalo county and located in Elm Creek township. He gained a
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gratifying measure of success as a farmer and devoted his time to agricultural pursuits until his demise in 1903.
Mr. Milbourn was married in Stark county, Ohio, on the 28th of November, 1850, to Miss Susan Pflasterer, who was born on the 21st of March, 1830, in Baden, Germany, and was confirmed in the Presbyterian church on the 28th of October, 1843. She too passed away in Elm Creek township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Milbourn became the parents of six children, namely: George F., who is living in Oklahoma; William F., a farmer of Elm Creek township; Abraham Lincoln, who is living in Dawson county, this state; Addie E., the wife of John F. Daul, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Rosa Anna Mar- garet, who married J. L. Larrie, of Omaha; and Emma Jane, who died when five years old.
Mr. Milbourn gave his political allegiance to the republican party but did not take a very active part in politics, as his private interests commanded his un- divided attention. He was a man of high principles and his integrity gained him the respect of all with whom he came into contact. He did his share in develop- ing the county into the prosperous and advanced farming section which it is today, and his memory is justly held in honor.
AARON T. SHELLENBARGER.
Aaron T. Shellenbarger is one of the most prominent men in the business and industrial circles of Ravenna. For a number of years he was a leading stock- holder and the cashier of the Citizens State Bank of Ravenna and since disposing of his interest in the institution has been active in other fields. He organized the Ravenna Electric Light & Power Company, which he has since managed, and which has not only returned good dividends but has also been of great advantage to the business interests of the town.
Mr. Shellenbarger was born in Tama county, Iowa, on the 29th of September, 1858, a son of Peter S. and Hulda M. (Parker) Shellenbarger, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Vermont. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, was an early settler of Michigan and followed agricultural pursuits there until 1854, when he removed to Tama county, Iowa. He purchased land there and devoted several years to its cultivation but at length returned to Michigan, where he remained for four years. At the end of that time he again went to Iowa but subsequently removed to Kansas. After living there for three years he went to California, where he resided until called by death in October, 1911. His wife died in August, 1910.
Aaron T. Shellenbarger is largely a self-educated man, as he had little oppor- tunity to attend school in his youth. He has read widely and his keen intelligence and habit of close observation have enabled him to gain much knowledge and practical wisdom from his contact with other men. He remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-one years and then began operating rented land in Tama county. In 1880 he went to Kansas but after farming there for a year returned to Iowa. A year later he came to Ravenna, Buffalo county, Nebraska, and during the first summer followed agricultural pursuits. He started in busi-
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ness by establishing a peanut stand in Ravenna and subsequently embarked in the grocery business, later adding a stock of dry goods. He soon demonstrated his business acumen and as his patronage increased he enlarged his stock and after removing once or twice to provide more room for his rapidly expanding business he purchased a one story building located on the site now occupied by the Citizens State Bank. Later the building was remodeled, an additional story being added, and it was veneered with brick, being the first brick or brick-veneered building in the business part of Ravenna. Mr. Shellenbarger conducted a general store for twelve years, after which he sold out to C. J. Stevens, of Ansley. He also bought and sold live stock and grain and in partnership with Dr. Bentley engaged in stock raising on a large scale. After selling his mercantile business he and Dr. Bentley bought the State Bank of Ravenna, which they conducted for seven years. At the end of that time Mr. Shellenbarger sold part of his interest therein and turned his attention to milling, buying the Seeley flour mill in partnership with C. N. Davenport. Six months later the mill was destroyed by fire, but the owners immediately rebuilt it and operated it very successfully until they disposed of it to Messrs. A. R. Kinney and C. F. Tidball, of Crete, Nebraska. During all of this time Mr. Shellenbarger was still engaged in the stock business and in the operation of his six hundred and forty acre ranch near Ravenna, which he has since sold. After disposing of the mill he became connected with the management of the State Bank of Ravenna, but after a short time purchased the controlling interest in the Citizens State Bank of Ravenna and became cashier of that institution. He held that position until 1912, when he sold his stock in the bank, although he still holds title to the building and fixtures.
After leaving the bank Mr. Shellenbarger organized the Ravenna Electric Light & Power Company and built a fine modern plant and equipped it with the latest machinery at a cost of thirty-two thousand, six hundred dollars. He has since controlled the affairs of this company and it has become one of the leading industrial enterprises of the county. It furnishes power for the mill, creamery and pumping station and also the meat markets and garages in the town. The city heat and light are also furnished from the plant and the service given is excellent. A full line of electrical supplies are also carried in the sales room and all branches of the business of the company have shown a steady increase. Mr. Shellenbarger owns several residence properties in Ravenna, which he rents, and also valuable business property.
Mr. Shellenbarger was married on the 2d of November, 1879, to Miss Zelda J. Reedy, a daughter of John W. and Susan O. Reedy, natives of Pennsylvania. Her father, who was a farmer, removed to Tama county, Iowa, in an early day in the history of that county and purchased land there, which he cultivated the remainder of his life. He passed away in 1909 and his wife died in 1879. Mrs. Shellenbarger died on the 9th of October, 1912. On the 14th of October, 1914, Mr. Shellenbarger was again married, Miss Irene Pool becoming his wife. Her parents, Eratus H. and Gertrude S. (Tilson) Pool, were both natives of Michi- gan but became pioneer settlers of Buffalo county, Nebraska, where the father purchased land. He died in 1898 but is survived by his wife, who resides with Mr. and Mrs. Shellenbarger.
Mr. Shellenbarger is a stanch democrat in politics and has served as city and township treasurer, as a member of the city council, as chairman of the council
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and as special deputy sheriff. He was also a member of the board of education for twelve years and during that time served as treasurer and as chairman of the board. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is loyal to the teachings of those organizations. The guiding influence of his life, however, has been his Christian faith and he has been very influential in building up the local Methodist Episcopal church. He and his wife were the organizers of the congregation and he is now the only living charter member. He has served on the official board of the church since it was organized and for a number of years was superintendent of the Sunday school. The high esteem in which he is held as a business man and the confidence which is felt in his integrity are indicated in the fact that he has served as admin- istrator of numerous estates and has been receiver of three large mercantile establishments. His conduct of the interests intrusted to him has always been highly satisfactory to all parties concerned. Although he is now one of the wealthy men of Ravenna and one of its leading citizens, he began his career without capital other than his energy and good judgment and for a few years was in straitened circumstances. As a boy, however, he had become accustomed to hard work, as his parents were pioneers, and it was necessary that all of the family aid in the development of the home farm. This early training in industry and perseverance stood him in good stead when he was struggling to gain a foot- hold. During the year that he spent in Kansas he lost all of his crops through drought and at the end of the season found himself with only two hundred and fifty dollars in cash. He traded his horses for a yoke of oxen and started back to Iowa. On the way he visited the John Reedy family, who were living in Schneider township, Buffalo county, Nebraska, and was so impressed with the county that after a year he took up his permanent residence here. Few men are so widely known in the county and there is none who is held in higher esteem.
WILLIS D. OLDHAM.
For a quarter of a century Willis D. Oldham has been an active practitioner at the bar of Kearney, and colleagues and contemporaries speak of him as one of the strong and able lawyers in this part of the state. He closely conforms his practice to high professional ethics and his devotion to the interests of his clients has become proverbial.
Mr. Oldham is a native of West Virginia. His birth occurred in Ohio county on the 25th of May, 1859, and he is one of six children, all of whom are still living, born of the marriage of John M. and Isabel ( Armstrong) Oldham, who were natives of West Virginia and Pennsylvania respectively. The Oldhams came from the lowlands of Scotland, where the name was spelled Auldhame. The year 1653 witnessed their arrival in America, at which time they formed a part of the Jamestown colony. The Armstrongs were from the Scotch border and joined the American colonies in 1773, settling in Washington county, Pennsyl- vania, at a little town called West Alexander, where a Scotch colony had estab- lished homes. James Armstrong, the great-grandfather of Willis D. Oldham, served with the colonial army all through the Revolutionary war and Colonel
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W. D. Oldham was a captain from Culpeper county, Virginia, throughout the period of hostilities which brought independence to the nation. Afterward he rendered military service during the Indian uprising, which occurred in the administration of President Washington and during the retreat of General St. Clair, which covered the rear of the army, he was killed. He was a brother of Willis D. Oldham's great-grandfather and he had a younger brother, Richard, who was a lieutenant in the War of 1812, and was the only commissioned officer that was killed at New Orleans. Two brothers of John M. Oldham and uncles of Willis D. Oldham served in the Mexican war, their names being Benjamin and Wyley. At the time of the Civil war John M. Oldham espoused the cause of his country and served on the staff of General Wheat in a West Virginia regi- ment, while two of his brothers served with the Confederate army. In the year 1866 John M. Oldham and his family removed to Putnam county, Indiana, where he owned land but a year later he disposed of his holdings there and removed to Adair county, Missouri, where he followed farming until 1879, when he removed to Cole county, Missouri, there residing for twenty years, during which time he held a number of official positions. He continued his residence at that place until called to his final rest.
Willis D. Oldham attained man's estate in Missouri. He acquired his primary education in the public schools and subsequently entered the State Nor- mal School at Kirksville, from which he was graduated with the class of 1878. He afterward engaged in teaching school in Clay and Saline counties and for two years was assistant state superintendent of public instruction at Jefferson City, becoming recognized as one of the foremost educators of Missouri. During that period he began reading law and subsequently entered the office of Hon. F. M. Harrington at Kirksville, who for a score of years was a representative in the state legislature, and is yet living in Kirksville at a very advanced age. Having mastered many of the principles of jurisprudence Mr. Oldham successfully passed the required examination and in 1881 was admitted to the bar. He then engaged in the practice of law at Kirksville for nine years and in 1890 removed to Kearney, Nebraska, where he has since made his home, actively following his profession. He served for one term as a deputy attorney general of Nebraska, covering the years from 1898 until 1900 and he was also appointed supreme court commissioner in May, 1901, acting in that capacity until May, 1907. In his chosen profession he has made steady progress. His reputation as a lawyer has been won through earnest, honest labor, and his standing at the bar is a merited tribute to his ability, as his practice has become large and of an important character. In the preparation of his cases he has at no time confined his reading to limitations of the questions at issue but has gone beyond and compassed every contingency and provided not alone for the expected but for the unexpected, which happens in the courts quite as frequently as out of them.
On the 7th of October, 1890, in Mexico, Missouri, Mr. Oldham wedded Miss Belle Fentem, and they have become parents of four children: Isabel, the wife of William Ford, of Kearney ; Helen F .; Junius ; and Bruce.
Fraternally Mr. Oldham is connected with the Elks, the Knights of the Maccabees and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In politics he has always been a democrat and since coming to Nebraska he has been identified with all that pertains to the public weal. He has worked earnestly for democratic prin-
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ciples and was one of the organizers of the democratic party in the sixth district, comprising thirty-three counties. He served as one of the delegates at large to the national democratic convention which nominated Bryan in 1900, on which occasion Judge Oldham made the nominating speech. His opinions have long carried weight in party councils and he has been associated in molding public thought and opinion with many of the most eminent democrats of the west. However, he regards the pursuits of private life as abundantly worthy his best efforts and is satisfied to give his attention to the practice of law, in which connection his legal ability, his analytical mind, and the readiness with which he grasps the points in an argument all combine to make him one of the ablest lawyers who have graced the courts of Nebraska in recent years.
AUGUST KLUGE.
August Kluge, deceased, was one of the well known farmers of Buffalo county and at his death left behind many friends. He was born in Germany in May, 1843, a son of Jacob and Anna Kluge, who were natives of that country. The father was a farmer by occupation and never came to the new world, nor did his wife ever cross the Atlantic.
August Kluge was reared and educated in his native country, remaining at home until 1880, when he decided to emigrate to the United States. He made Buffalo county his destination and here purchased one hundred and sixty acres of good land on section 35, Garfield township. This he improved and operated until his death, which occurred in August, 1898, after an illness of seven years. He lived a busy and useful life, wisely using his opportunities for the attainment of success, and in his business dealings was always regarded as thoroughly reliable.
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