USA > Nebraska > Buffalo County > Buffalo County, Nebraska, and its people : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 3
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In 1903 occurred the marriage of Mr. Buck and Miss Clara M. Maurer, a daughter of the late W. H. Maurer. Five children have been born to this union, namely : Eva W., J. Gordon, Viola H., Martin; and an infant son un- named.
Mr. Buck votes the republican ticket and works loyally for the success of
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY
his party but has never desired to hold office as his farming interests make heavy demands upon his time and energy. He was one of the incorporators and first secretary of the Farmers Telephone Company. His entire life has been passed in this county and many of his stanchest friends have known him since boyhood.
J. E. CHARLSON.
J. E. Charlson, who is the proprietor and manager of the Kearney Floral Company at No. 1938 Second avenue, two blocks west of the opera house, has built up a large and flourishing business and is recognized as a man of ability and energy. He was born in Joliet, Will county, Illinois, but when six years of age the family removed to Phelps county, Nebraska, and settled on a farm.
Mr. Charlson attended the public schools and also gave much time to assist- ing his father. For four years he engaged in teaching the district schools but at the end of that time he continued his education, attending Doane College at Crete, Nebraska, for one term. He then again turned his attention to agri- cultural pursuits, farming on his own account in this state until February, 1913, when he came to Kearney and purchased a half interest in his present business, becoming sole owner in October, 1915, when he bought out his partner. There are about fifteen thousand feet of glass in his greenhouses and his equip- ment is modern throughout. He raises all kinds of potted plants, which he sells at both wholesale and retail not only in Kearney but also in neighboring towns. He specializes in carnations and his flowers are noted for their size, fragrance and beauty of color.
On the Ist of September, 1910, Mr. Charlson was married to Miss Ida Davidson, a native of Phelps county, Nebraska, and they have a daughter, Ruth. Fraternally he is connected with the Mystic Workers. He has gained a gratify- ing measure of success in his business and has not only won financial prosperity for himself but has also contributed to the commercial advancement of Kearney.
ELMER E. TINGLEY.
A farm of four hundred acres pays tribute to the care and labor bestowed upon it by Elmer E. Tingley, who is one of the progressive agriculturists of Buffalo county, where he is extensively engaged in the feeding of sheep and hogs. He is a native of Kansas, his birth having occurred at Burr Oak, Jewell county, on the 16th of April, 1876, his parents being Leroy M. and Rosa (Briggs) Tingley, the former a native of Kentucky. They were married in Jewell county, Kansas, and in 1884 removed to Buffalo county, settling on Elm Island in Platte township. There the father carried on general farming until 1911, when he removed to Boise City, Idaho, where he is now living retired.
Elmer E. Tingley was a lad of eight years when he removed with his parents
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to Buffalo county. Here he was reared and the district schools afforded him his educational privileges, his time being divided between the work of the school- room and the duties of the fields. He remained at home, assisting on the farm, until 1899, when he took up railroad work and for five years was fireman and subsequently engineer on the Burlington and on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe. In 1904 he went across the line into old Mexico, working in the smelter at Aguascalientes, where he was employed for eight and one-half years. There he was made floor foreman in the sampling mill. Subsequently he served for three years as foreman on copper converters and later was foreman of the blast furnaces. In July, 1912, he returned to Buffalo county. He left Mexico twice on account of troubles in that country and resumed farming on the land where he now lives, this farm belonging to his father-in-law. He cultivates four hundred acres and is extensively engaged in the feeding of sheep and hogs, feeding all the produce raised upon his farm and also buying both hay and corn extensively. He is one of the leading stock dealers of this locality and is a most enterprising and progressive business man.
On the 14th of June, 1910, Mr. Tingley was united in marriage to Miss Carrie E. Manfull, her father being John Manfull, one of the substantial farmers of Platte township. Our subject and his wife have three children, Margaret Rosalind, Elmer Manfull and Anna Barbara.
In his political views Mr. Tingley is independent, having never sought nor desired office nor does he feel himself bound by party ties. He concentrates his energies upon his business affairs and his progressive spirit, keen discern- ment and indefatigable energy are bringing to him substantial success. His life has been a busy and useful one, characterized at all times by well defined pur- pose and honorable effort.
CHARLES LUCAS, M. D.
Dr. Charles Lucas has the reputation of being one of the foremost physicians and surgeons of Shelton and Buffalo county. He fully recognizes the respon- sibilities and obligations which devolve upon him in his professional capacity and he is continually putting forth effort to advance his knowledge and pro- mote his efficiency in the administration of remedial agencies to check the ravages of disease. Indiana claims him as a native son, his birth having occurred in Monroe county, that state, on the 19th of November, 1866, his parents being Peter and Elizabeth J. (Floyd) Lucas, both of whom were natives of Indiana, where they were reared and married. In 1880 they became residents of Lucas county, Iowa, and the mother passed away there in the same year. In 1884 the father came to Nebraska, establishing his home in Custer county, where two of his sons and a daughter were residing. He continued his residence there up to the time of his demise, which occurred in 1888.
Dr. Charles Lucas is indebted to the public school system for the early educa- tional opportunities which he enjoyed. Passing through consecutive grades, he was at length graduated from the high school at Chariton, Iowa, with the class of 1886 and in December of that year he came to Nebraska, where he
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took up the profession of teaching, spending three years as a teacher in the schools of Custer and Lincoln counties. During one year of that time he was principal of the schools at Chappell, Nebraska. He regarded this, however, merely as an initial step to other professional labor and in the fall of 1888 entered upon the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. John Murray of Arnold, Nebraska. In the fall of 1889 he entered the Omaha Medical College, now the medical department of the Nebraska State University, pursuing his studies there for a year. He then suspended his college work for a year, during which period he was engaged in teaching and in clerking in a drug store in North Platte, thus obtaining the funds which enabled him to continue his preparation for the practice of medicine and surgery. During that period of clerkship he passed the civil service examination and a month later received an appointment in the war department at Washington, remaining for four years in the govern- ment service. During that time he continued his medical studies by attending night lectures at the University of Georgetown in Washington, D. C., from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1893. He remained in the government position for two years longer and continued to attend lectures and clinics, but in 1895 he resigned his position in Washington to return to Nebraska, since which time he has engaged in the practice of his profession in Shelton, building up a large and enviable practice. He is a thoroughly skilled physician and surgeon, his capability being demonstrated in the excellent results which have attended his efforts as he has ministered to the needs of the sick and suffering in this part of the county.
On the 7th of September, 1893, Dr. Lucas was united in marriage to Miss Lida E. Campbell, of Garfield, Lincoln county, Nebraska. To them have been born three children, two of whom survive, Mary Gertrude and Charles Sinclair.
In politics Dr. Lucas is independent, voting for men and measures rather than party. For four years he has served as a member of the board of health of Shelton and for the past seven years has been a member of the school board, putting forth effective effort to promote the interests of education. Fraternally he is connected with Shelton Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and along strictly profes- sional lines he is connected with the Buffalo County Medical Society, which he joined on its organization, and with the Nebraska State Medical Society. His practice is free from hasty and ill formed judgments. He studies closely the needs of every individual case and never allows anything to interfere with the performance of his professional duties.
E. S. HARTE.
E. S. Harte, station agent at Gibbon and well known as a courteous and obliging official, always willing and ready to render aid in every possible way to the traveling public, has occupied this position since 1896. He was born in New Salem, Pennsylvania, on the 9th of April, 1866, a son of Samuel and Mary (Stover) Harte, both of whom were natives of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where they were reared and married. In 1870 they removed to Dixon, Lee county, Illinois, and the father, who was a shoemaker, there worked at his
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY
trade for six or eight years. Subsequently he turned his attention to the butch- ering business, in which he actively continued up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1888, when he was sixty-one years of age. His wife passed away in 1907, at the age of eighty-three years.
E. S. Harte acquired a common school education and at fifteen years of age took up the study of telegraphy, working in various offices of the Chicago & Northwestern system. He was employed in the city of Chicago and at vari- ous points throughout Illinois and in 1896 came to Gibbon, Nebraska, as sta- tion agent for the Union Pacific Railroad Company, in which position he has since continued, being the sixth oldest man in the service as agent and operator, having represented the company in that capacity for almost three decades. Twenty years' service at Gibbon establishes his position as one of the popular operators on the line, for he has the warm regard and goodwill of his fellow townsmen, who recognize in him an obliging official. He is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of farm land in Norton county, Kansas, and he has an attractive home in Gibbon.
In 1890 Mr. Harte was united in marriage to Miss Ella Lape, of Somerset, Pennsylvania, by whom he has two children, namely: Lloyd W., an assistant engineer on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, located at Lincoln, Nebraska; and Bruce S., a graduate of the Gibbon high school who is now a student in Creighton College of Omaha.
Mr. Harte is a democrat in his political views and has served for nine years as a member of the school board, while for some years he has been a member of the village park board. Fraternally he is identified with Excalibar Lodge, No. 138, K. P., of Gibbon, and Gibbon Lodge, No. 137, I. O. O. F. He is loyal to the spirit of these organizations and exemplifies in his life their beneficent teachings. Gibbon knows him as a man of sterling worth and as a representa- tive citizen and as such he deserves mention in the history of Buffalo county.
JOHN SWENSON.
John Swenson resides at No. 2327 T street in Lincoln, having established his home in the capital city four years ago. The greater part of the period of his manhood has been spent in the new world and no native son of this land is more loyal to the interests and traditions of the republic than he. His has been an active, useful and well spent life and he has a circle of friends almost coex- tensive with the circle of his acquaintance. He was born in Sweden in September, 1838, and has therefore passed the seventy-seventh milestone on life's journey. He acquired his education altogether in his father's home, having no opportunity to attend school, but in the school of experience he has learned many valuable lessons and become a progressive business man.
When twenty-two years of age he bade adieu to friends and native country and sailed for the United States, making his way to Illinois. He was located at Geneva, that state, when in 1861 civil war was declared and after watching the progress of events and becoming convinced that the south had no right to dis- rupt the Union, he enlisted in support of the stars and stripes, joining Company
John Swenson
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D of the Fifty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He participated in a number of hotly contested engagements, including the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh and Corinth. In the last named engagement he had his left arm shattered, forc- ing amputation. After his recovery he did duty in assisting the quartermaster at brigade headquarters. He served in all for four years and was honorably dis- charged and mustered out in July, 1865.
Realizing the need and value of educational training as a preparation for life's practical and responsible duties, Mr. Swenson then attended the college at Fulton, Illinois, where he won the Bachelor of Science degree. His residence in Buffalo county dates from 1874, when he cast in his lot with its pioneer settlers. Comparatively few had penetrated into what was then the western wilderness, but he saw the opportunities that might be improved here and became identified with the early development and improvement of this section of the state. He homesteaded twelve miles north of Kearney and lived thereon for three years, on the expiration of which period he removed to Sartoria township, on the Loup river, purchased land and engaged in stock-raising. Success attended his efforts and as he prospered in his undertakings he added to his property from time to time until he is now the owner of over nineteen hundred acres. His possessions are very extensive and from his property he derives a most gratifying annual income.
Mr. Swenson was twice married. His first wife bore the maiden name of Eva Jane Thornton and was a native of Washington, Iowa. After her demise he wedded Miranda Powers, who passed away in Lincoln, leaving a son, John, an estimable and popular young man of nineteen years who is now attending school in Lincoln.
During his residence in Buffalo county Mr. Swenson served for four years as superintendent of schools but aspired to no other office, and although often solicited to become a candidate for the legislature, refused to do so. He was reared in the Lutheran church and still clings to that faith. In 1911 he removed to Lincoln, where he now makes his home, being pleasantly located, his income supplying him with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, as all has been secured through his persistent, earnest efforts directed by sound judgment. His energy has ever been unfaltering and what he has undertaken he has carried forward to successful completion. His life history may well serve to encourage and inspire others, for it indicates that the field of opportunity is open to all and that the fruits of labor are certain.
FRANK F. ROBY.
For sixteen years Frank F. Roby has been a resident of Kearney and through- out the entire period has been actively identified with interests promoting its material welfare and progress. He is today conducting an extensive milling business, being one of the leading flour manufacturers of this section of the state. He also engages in the manufacture of ice and for both commodities finds a ready sale on the market.
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Mr. Roby is a native of Carroll county, Ohio, born February II, 1861, the only child of Luther M. and Sarah (Knight) Roby, who were also natives of Ohio and of English descent. The father is living in Kearney, hale and hearty at the advanced age of eighty-one years. Frank F. Roby passed his youth at home, attending the district schools. He never worked for wages in his life. As a boy he would take various jobs but never at regular wages. When nine- teen years of age he determined to follow the advice of Horace Greeley, who said: "Go west, young man, go west," and accordingly he left home, making his way to Colorado Springs, Colorado, at which time the place contained a population of but eight hundred people. For a time he worked for his board and later he became the first student to enroll his name in the metallurgical department of Colorado College and was the first to successfully pass the examination and receive a degree from that department. He was also the first to assemble an assay outfit from that school, loading it on a prairie schooner, after which he drove one hundred and seventy-five miles into the mountains, where he put his outfit into effective operation. He conducted his assay plant for three years and then owing to failing eyesight embarked in the general grain and brokerage business in Colorado Springs. Subsequently he became con- nected with the promotion of mining properties and various other business inter- ests. He was likewise interested in ranching in Colorado and made his home in Colorado Springs until 1899. During the intervening period he visited every mining camp of importance in the west and in 1879 he made the trip to Pike's Peak, it then requiring three days to reach the summit. When Cripple Creek first entered upon its boom Mr. Roby was among the first to reach the camp, there being only three tents there at the time of his arrival. He also located the camp and laid out Red River City, New Mexico, and he was one of the first to locate claims at Bonanza, Saquache county, Colorado. There he estab- lished his first assay office. His experiences on the frontier alone would fill a volume if written in detail and would present a most interesting and accurate picture of life in the west, for he is thoroughly acquainted with all that con- stitutes the early history of Colorado, with all its romance of development and the tragedy of its lawlessness and loss of life. He witnessed the early lynch- ings and the riots and saw the birth of what seemed likely to be a future city and saw the opening of what came to be a great mining age. He has likewise seen many of the cities and mining camps collapse and fade into comparatively notli- ing and become but a recollection of the past.
Overwork at length led to a complete breakdown in health and Mr. Roby was taken out of Colorado Springs on a stretcher, a nervous wreck. He drifted to Kearney, Nebraska, and here he found an altitude in which he could live in comfort. His energy had not all departed and he soon purchased the old milling property in Kearney, thinking it would prove an adjunct to his grain business in Colorado. In the passing of time his business increased in volume to such an extent that although he had come to Kearney as a temporary location he decided to become a permanent citizen. His export business has assumed large pro- portions and from his mill trainloads of flour have been shipped and the business has become one of the most important productive industries of the county. In addition to the manufacture of flour he also manufactures ice and has a most gratifying patronage in that connection. He still retains extensive interests
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in Colorado, comprising ranches, live stock, city property and mining stock and is the largest individual ranch owner in El Paso county, Colorado. His invest- ments have been most judiciously made. His keen sagacity recognizes the value of a business situation, and he has never failed to venture where favoring opportunity has led the way.
In 1897 Mr. Roby was united in marriage to Mrs. Henrietta Quereau. In his political views he is a stalwart republican and fraternally is a prominent Mason, being a Knight Templar and Shriner. Sixteen years' residence in Kear- ney has made him widely known, while his stalwart qualities as manifest in busi- ness, in his public relations and his private life have gained for him the con- fidence and warm regard of all with whom he has been associated. He has many sterling qualities and while he has furthered individual progress his activities have been of a character which have contributed as well to the general prosperity.
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VICTOR B. WHEELOCK.
Victor B. Wheelock, who is occupying the position of bookkeeper with the firm of Wort & Minton, automobile dealers in Kearney, was born at Freehold, Pennsylvania, November 4, 1869, a son of Matthew G. and Henrietta (Buel) Wheelock. The father was a druggist by occupation. In August, 1885, he removed from Pennsylvania to Grand Island, Nebraska, while later he made his way to Ravenna, in Buffalo county, arriving here in April, 1886. Here he con- tinued to make his home until his death, which occurred in December, 1895. His widow is yet living and makes her home with her children. Mr. Wheelock was a soldier of the Union army during the Civil war, serving as a member of Company K, One Hundred and Fifty-first Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, with which he participated in the battle of Gettysburg and other important engagements and campaigns of the east which led up to the final victory that crowned the Union arms. He afterward maintained pleasant relations with his military comrades through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic. In his fraternal relations he was a Mason and his religious belief was that of the Congregational church, while his political allegiance was given to the republican party, which found in him a stalwart and unfaltering advocate.
Victor B. Wheelock lived with his parents until the death of his father, and the public schools afforded him his educational opportunities. In 1905 he was elected register of deeds of Buffalo county and by reelection was con- tinued in that position for nine years. That he was chosen for this office at different elections is indicative of the excellent manner in which he performed his duties and the confidence reposed in him. He is now employed by the firm of Wort & Minton as bookkeeper.
On the 2d of June, 1896, Mr. Wheelock was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Teeple and they have two sons D and Jack. The mother is a member of the Congregational church. Mr. Wheelock has exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and fraternally he is connected with the Elks, the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen and the Ancient Order of United
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Workmen. He has a wide acquaintance in fraternal circles and through busi- ness and social connections and has attractive qualities which render him popu- lar wherever he is known.
JOSEPH L. BENNETT, M. D.
Dr. Joseph L. Bennett, physician and surgeon of Kearney, his ability bring- ing him prominently to the front in the ranks of his chosen profession in Buffalo county, is a native of Howell, Michigan, but when he was eight years of age the family removed to Wyoming, Jones county, Iowa, where he was reared and educated, passing through consecutive grades to the high school. When twenty-one years of age he entered Lenox College at Hopkinton, Iowa, where he devoted two years to pursuing a literary course. When nineteen years of age he left home and started out in life penniless. He worked for his board and the privilege of attending high school and during the summer months was employed at farm labor. He also made his own way through college, teaching in the district schools through the winter months and working in the fields through the summer seasons. After spending two years in college he entered the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he was graduated with the class of 1874.
Immediately afterward Dr. Bennett located in Hopkinton, Iowa, where he had been a college student for two years. After his marriage, which occurred in Wyoming, Iowa, he removed to Anita, Cass county, Iowa, where he practiced for five years, when he was selected to fill the chair of materia medica and thera- peutics in Drake University at Des Moines, delivering the second lecture given in the medical department of that institution. He continued to occupy that chair for five years, after which he practiced for some time. Later he withdrew from practice and in connection with his brother-in-law purchased the Bank of Cen- terville at Centerville, South Dakota. He remained as president for two years, at the end of which time he sold out and removed to Kearney, Nebraska, where he arrived on the 15th of November, 1888. He came to this city to accept the position of cashier of a bank here, but the plans fell through and it was not organized. He then organized the Midway Loan & Trust Company, of which he became secretary, and also acted as cashier of the savings bank that was con- nected therewith. They built what is now known as the Federal Annex, the second largest building in the town. Dr. Bennett continued in active connection with the business for two years and then sold out, after which he resumed the practice of his profession, in which he has since been engaged. He keeps thor- oughly informed concerning the latest discoveries and scientific researches in the field of medicine and surgery and his ability is being constantly augmented by his wide reading and study.
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