USA > Nebraska > Buffalo County > Buffalo County, Nebraska, and its people : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 8
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But in 1910, Mr. Saylor decided to move to a larger and better territory, where he could have greater opportunities for the practice of his profession. So he and Mrs. Saylor returned to Kearney where they have since resided. Since coming to
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Kearney, Mr. Saylor has given his entire time to the practice of law and is devotedly attached to his chosen profession. He prepares his cases with pre- cision and care, is methodical in habit, diligent in research and conscientious in the discharge of every duty. He has made rapid advancement, being now accorded a large clientage that connects him with much important litigation, and having a practice second to none in this territory.
In his political views, as we have indicated, Mr. Saylor is a republican, and while he is decidedly not an office seeker, takes much interest in, and keeps well informed on, the questions and issues of the day. He is a member of the Com- mercial Club and takes an active interest in matters pertaining to the develop- ment of his home city and the territory around. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being past grand of that organization, and is a member of other lodges. In religious beliefs, he is a Baptist and his aid and influence are given on the side of development and improvement along many lines having to do with the welfare of both the individual and the community.
CHARLES KRASSMAN.
Charles Krassman, chairman of the board of supervisors, has in the dis- charge of his official duties displayed a recognition of public needs and oppor- tunities and has worked earnestly and effectively toward upholding the public good. He is a native of the kingdom of Prussia, his birth occurring on the 28th of March, 1846. He was seven years of age when his parents, Charles and Elizabeth (Schultz) Krassman, came to the new world, crossing the Atlantic on board a sailing vessel which required seven weeks and six days to make the voyage. Upon arrival in this country the family lived in Chicago for about four months and then removed to Galena, Illinois, where the father worked at the carpenter's trade, he and his wife spending their remaining days at that place. They were the parents of five children, of whom three passed away in Germany, and one in Chicago, Illinois, leaving Charles Krassman as the only surviving member. He was reared in Galena, Illinois, acquired a common school education and afterwards at Galena learned the harness maker's trade, follow- ing that occupation for a number of years. He was well acquainted with General U. S. Grant, who at that time was practically unknown to the world, and he pur- chased a part of the furniture of the Grant home when the future general and president broke up housekeeping at Galena.
For his first wife Charles Krassman chose Miss Adelia Barthold, and to them were born four children, Ernest, Elizabeth, August and Charles. The wife and mother passed away in 1872 and for his second wife Mr. Krassman chose Miss Frances Nealand, by whom he has four children, Mary, William, Albert and Bertha. His third and present wife was Mrs. Fanny Newberry.
From Galena Mr. Krassman removed to Cedar Falls, Iowa, about 1881, and there resided until 1884, when he came to Kearney. Here he has lived practically throughout the intervening period to the present time. Upon his arrival Kearney was but an overgrown village, containing but three brick buildings, a little board sidewalk and no paving or lighting system. Mr. Krassman began working
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at his trade for W. A. Downing, with whom he remained for a quarter of a century, and he still follows his trade, being a well known workman in his line. His life has been one of untiring industry and thrift, and whatever success he has achieved is attributable entirely to his own efforts.
In politics Mr. Krassman is a republican, having always given stalwart allegiance to the party since age brought him the right of franchise. In 1908 he was elected a member of the county board of supervisors, serving for two years, and in 1910 he was reelected and served for another two years. For the third time he was chosen to the position, and the legislative enactment of 1913, whereby the county officers held over for one year longer than the specified term of two years, made his total service in this connection seven years. In January, 1915, he was elected chairman of the board and is now acting in that capacity, in which connection he is directing the work of public improvement in the county and managing the various details of the county's business. In religious faith he is a Protestant and fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
LESTER M. STEARNS, M. D.
Dr. Lester M. Stearns, city physician of Kearney and one well qualified by thorough study and broad reading for the onerous and responsible duties of the profession, has attained considerable prominence in his chosen field. Aside from serving as city physician, he is the secretary of the Buffalo County Medical Society and is medical superintendent of the Nebraska State Tubercular Hospital at Kearney.
Mr. Stearns was born in Chicago, November 16, 1883, and was there reared and educated, supplementing his early training received in the public schools by a course in the Lewis Institute of that city. He afterward attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Chicago, from which institution he was gradu- ated in June, 1905. For two years he was physician at the West Side Hospital in Chicago and was also a member of the staff of the Oak Park Hospital and dispensary physician of the Chicago Clinical School. In 1909 he went abroad for post-graduate work in Vienna and had the benefit of instruction under some of the most eminent physicians and surgeons of the old world. He became a resident of Kearney in 1908 and here entered upon the general practice of sur- gery, in which he displayed marked ability. He has comprehensive knowledge of anatomy and the component parts of the human body, recognizes the onslaughts made upon it by disease and displays great care, delicacy and precision in the performance of needed operations. For two years he served as physician at the State Hospital of Kearney and was county coroner for three years.
On the 20th of June, 1906, Dr. Stearns was married to Miss Rosine D. Alspaugh, a native of Indiana. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic, Elks and Knights of Pythias lodges at Kearney. He is a member of the Buffalo County Medical Society, and, as stated, is serving as its secretary. He also belongs to the Nebraska State Medical Association and to the American Medical Association, and through attendance at their sessions as well as by wide reading
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keeps in touch with the advanced thought of the profession. He votes with the democratic party but has held no office outside the strict path of his pro- fession and prefers to concentrate his energies upon his duties as a physician and surgeon.
W. L. RANDALL.
W. L. Randall is prominent in public affairs of Gibbon and Buffalo county and has also been a factor in the business development of his town, as he is conducting a general store there. A native of Ohio, his birth occurred on the 5th of September, 1860, and he is a son of John D. and Jane (Beatty) Randall, the former born in Connecticut and the latter in Ohio. They were married in the Buckeye state, whence, in 1878, they removed to Buffalo county, Nebraska. They took up their residence upon a farm in this county and continued to live there until called by death. Five of their seven children survive.
W. L. Randall was reared at home and received his education in the common schools of Ohio. After the removal of the family to this county he concentrated his energies upon assisting his father in the farm work and was so occupied until 1886. He then entered the creamery business in Gibbon, but after two years turned his attention to merchandising, forming a partnership with his father- in-law, Captain R. Westcott. The firm owned and conducted two stores, one at Gibbon and one at Wood River, our subject being in charge of the latter, but in 1891 he sold out his mercantile interests and removed to Lincoln, Nebraska, where for two years he taught in the Lincoln Business College. He was then for six months in the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad as operator and later held a similar position with the Union Pacific Railroad for four years. In 1898 he reentered the mercantile field and for six years conducted a store in Gibbon but at the end of that time traded that business for a stock ranch. After selling that property he was manager for one year of the Farmers Department Store at Gothenburg, Nebraska. He then returned to Gibbon and has since owned and managed one of the best and most-up-to-date general stores in the county. His large stock of goods, his courteous service and reliable business methods all commend him to the support of the public, and he has built up a large and lucrative patronage.
Mr. Randall was married in 1882 to Miss Emma May Westcott, who was born in Iowa of the marriage of Captain R. and Mary Westcott, both of whom are deceased. Her father served as a soldier of the Civil war and Mr. Randall's father also took part in that struggle and in the war with Mexico. Both men crossed the plains with ox teams during the gold excitement in the west. Mr. and Mrs. Randall have become the parents of seven children, namely: Frances, now the wife of L. T. Osborn, of Gibbon; Ruby and Ruth, twins, both of whom are dead; one who died in infancy, unnamed; Rex R., who is associated with his father in business ; and Gerald and Donald, both at home.
Mr. Randall is a loyal supporter of the republican party and has been called to the office of mayor. He is at the present time serving as a member of the school board, as chief of the fire department, as deputy state fire marshal, and as
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town clerk and is proving thoroughly capable in the discharge of his varied duties. Fraternally he holds membership in Gibbon Lodge, No. 37, I. O. O. F .; Excalibar Lodge, No. 138, K. P .; and Gibbon Lodge, No. 35, A. O. U. W., and in those organizations has passed through all the chairs. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian church and takes a praiseworthy interest in its work. He gives the closest attention to his business affairs but has never forgotten that it is the duty of every good citizen to concern himself for the public welfare and has always done his share in promoting the advancement and development of his community along various lines.
WILL A. TARBELL.
Will A. Tarbell makes his home in Kearney, but is actively identified with agricultural and stock raising interests, being the owner of four hundred acres of excellent land in Hamilton and Dawson counties. He was born July 15, 1853, in Mason, Hillsboro county, New Hampshire. His father, William Tarbell, also a native of that place, was born August 11, 1823, and was a son of Lemuel Tarbell, likewise a native of Mason, where his father, Thomas Tarbell, settled at a very early period in colonial days, the latter's ancestors coming from Wales to America some time between 1620 and 1630. When the colonies attemped to throw off the yoke of British oppression Lemuel Tarbell joined the American troops and served in the Revolutionary war. He married Lydia Warren, a descendant of General Warren, who fought at the battle of Bunker Hill. William Tarbell followed the occupation of farming in Hillsboro county, New Hampshire, and there met and later in Boston wedded Mary A. Miller, who was born in Albany, New York, January II, 1828, a daughter of John Miller, a native of the Empire state. Her mother, Matilda Hillyard, who was born at Rutland, Vermont, in 1795, lived in the Green Mountain state for about eighty years and then took up her abode in Adrian, Michigan, where she passed away in 1879. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. William Tarbell were six children, four sons and two daughters, four of whom are yet living, namely: Will A., of this review; Eugene M., a stockman residing at Lexington, Nebraska; Clarence E., a contractor who makes his home at Olney Springs, Colorado; and Emily E., who is the wife of James A. West, a contractor and builder of Fremont, Nebraska.
Will .A. Tarbell was but four years of age when his parents left the old home in the Granite state and removed to Hillsdale, Michigan, where the father pur- chased some timber land and improved a farm, making his home there until 1887, when he sold that property and went to Fremont, Nebraska. His son and name- sake worked on the farm in Hillsdale county, Michigan, and at odd times was employed by neighboring farmers. His education was acquired in the district schools of that locality and in early youth he learned the value of industry and determination as factors in the attainment of success. In September, 1882, he left his father's farm and went to Fremont, Nebraska, where he secured a posi- tion as salesman with D. Crowell, a coal and lumber merchant, with whom he continued until January 1, 1887, when he was appointed agent for the Nye, Wilson, Morehouse Company, which was extensively engaged in the coal, lum-
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ber, grain and live stock business at Davey, Nebraska, twelve miles north of Lincoln. He continued in that connection for four years, or until 1891, after which he purchased a grain and live stock business at Marquette, Nebraska, where he operated until the spring of 1906. He then moved to Kearney, Buf- falo county, and sold his business at Marquette. The money from this sale was invested in four hundred acres of land in Hamilton and Dawson counties and he is now superintending the raising, shipping and feeding of stock upon that ranch, although he makes his home in Kearney. He specializes in the rais- ing of Duroc Jersey hogs and is one of the prominent representatives of the business in this part of the state, carefully and wisely directing his interests, so that excellent results accrue.
On the 20th of February, 1890, in Fremont, Nebraska, Mr. Tarbell was united in marriage to Miss Sue Roseman, a daughter of Edward D. and Mary T. Roseman. Mrs. Tarbell is a member of the Methodist church. Mr. Tarbell is serving on the board of the Carnegie library of Kearney and is always interested in public affairs relating to the welfare and improvement of the community. He usually votes the republican ticket but considers the capability and character of the candidate and he always favors the temperance cause, doing everything in his power to promote temperance principles. His life has been honorable and upright. Manly and sincere at all times, he has enjoyed the respect, confi- dence and good will of his fellowmen and by well directed activity in business affairs he has attained creditable and desirable success, ultimately winning a place among the substantial citizens of his adopted county.
RAYMOND L. HART, M. D.
Dr. Raymond L. Hart, actively engaged in the general practice of medicine at Amherst and also figuring prominently in business circles as the vice president of the First National Bank there, was born in Meigs county, Ohio, August 6, 1872, his parents being James and Elizabeth J. (Hayes) Hart, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Ohio, in which state they were married. Having removed to Ohio, James Hart there enlisted for service in the Civil war as a member of the Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He lost his eyesight while with the army, although he later recovered it. When his son Raymond was ten years of age he removed with the family to Nebraska, settling in Fair- field, Clay county, where his remaining days were passed, his death there occur- ring three years ago.
Dr. Hart was reared upon the old homestead farm in Clay county until he was fifteen years of age, but, not wishing to follow the occupation of farming, he determined upon a professional career, and with that end in view, after having been employed in a drug store for some time, he entered the medical department of the State University of Iowa, in which he completed a course by graduation on the Ist of March, 1897. On the 22d of October of the same year he located for practice in Amherst, where he has since remained, and during the nineteen years which have since elapsed his professional progress and advancement have been continuous, as wide reading and study have kept him in touch with the
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general trend of improvement in methods of medical and surgical practice. He is a member of the Buffalo County, the Nebraska State and the American Med- ical Associations. Aside from his practice his business interests connect him with the First National Bank of Amherst, of which he is the vice president.
Dr. Hart was united in marriage to Miss Lottie Crable, a native of Nebraska and a daughter of David Crable. They have one child, Helen Dorothea. Dr. Hart belongs to the Modern Woodmen Camp of Amherst, and in Masonic circles has attained high rank. He holds membership with the lodge at Miller and with the chapter and commandery at Kearney, and he exemplifies in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft, which is based upon a recognition of the brotherhood of mankind and of the obligations thereby imposed.
HON. FRANCIS GREGG HAMER.
Hon. Francis Gregg Hamer, of Kearney, is serving as a judge of the supreme court of the state, and is regarded as one of the most capable jurists who has ever graced the court of last resort, the profession acknowledging him the peer of any member of the appellate court. His decisions indicate strong mentality, a careful analysis, a thorough knowledge of the law, patient examination of the case and an unbiased judgment. His has been a life of usefulness stretching out from the pioneer period in Nebraska's history to the present era of advance- ment and progress. Throughout the years his influence has been a potent force in advancing material, intellectual and moral progress.
A native of Ohio, Judge Hamer was born in Seneca county on the 20th of February, 1843, and is the eldest of a family of four children whose parents were Francis and Mary (Mahan) Hamer, both of whom were born near Canton, Ohio. The father was a farmer by occupation and in following agricultural pursuits provided for the support of his family. His first wife died about 1852. Shortly afterward he removed to Indiana and settled in Carroll county near the place where the village of Flora was afterward built. After the lapse of two years he married Mrs. Rebecca Stoops and they became the parents of three children. He was a man of marked diligence and unusual industry, which quali- ties enabled him to accumulate a competence. He gave each of his children a small farm or its equivalent in other property. He enjoyed but ordinary educa- tional privileges but being a wide reader he became unusually well informed and was a man of liberal and progressive views. He and his two brothers, David and Daniel, were active in the affairs of the neighborhood and particularly in all matters of public interest. They led at the neighborhood debates of whatever character they might be, and Indiana is a state where public discussion is com- mon. He died in his eighty-third year, known to all in his locality for his broad and kindly spirit and his desire to help those who were unable to help themselves.
Francis G. Hamer obtained something of the rudiments of an education in his native state. He was quite a speller and reader although at the time of the removal he was a little less than ten years of age. Since he was large enough he began to work with his father and uncles in clearing the little farms which they owned. He could soon cut down trees and pick brush. He also helped to
Francis &_ Hamer
1
Rebecca A. Hansen
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pile up the logs and to burn them off the ground. He assisted in planting and harvesting the crops. The first year after arriving at the Indiana home he fol- lowed his father who cut the wheat with a cradle. He raked the wheat up in bundles and one of the uncles bound it. A few years later the father and the uncles had cleared enough of the land so as to give employment in cutting the wheat crop to seven or eight cradlers. At the age of sixteen he attended school at Delphi, the county seat. There were fifty young men and young women in the advanced grade. Subsequently he attended school near Springfield, Illinois, for the period of eighteen months. He there frequently saw Abraham Lincoln on the streets of Springfield. At the end of this time he returned home and was employed as a district school teacher within three miles of where his father lived. He taught during a period covering three winters. In this he was reasonably successful and took great pride in it. When he returns now to the old neigh- borhood where he was reared he still visits the pupils of the old district school where he taught. When he was twenty years old he went to Indianapolis and became a student in the law office of George K. Perrin and William R. Manlove. Later he continued his legal education in the law school at Indianapolis. He was one of forty-five students, some of whom have become quite distinguished in their profession.
Judge Hamer attributes much of his success to the fact that he became a mem- ber of a literary and debating society when he was at the age of eighteen years. He continued in that society until he reached the age of twenty-six. There were several men in the society who were then prominent, and others who afterward became successful. There was one general, one colonel, one lecturer, two editors, several lawyers and a group of young men who became successful politicians and preachers. It was the habit in that society to investigate and talk about the questions which were then of interest to the public. Often these debates were very spirited. Judge Hamer became a debater early in life and is of the opinion that his experience in the debating society has very much assisted him in his efforts as a trial lawyer.
Judge Hamer came to Nebraska in December, 1869. He was in Omaha a short time and then went to Lincoln. It was January 7, 1870, when he arrived at Lincoln. There he at once entered upon the active work of his profession. It only took him about six months to acquire a business which enabled him to live in a modest way. He continued to live at Lincoln until the 29th of June, 1872, when he came to Kearney, which at that time had no existence except on the map. It was a place yet to be. On December 6, 1869, Judge Hamer was mar- ried to Miss Rebecca A. McCord of Delphi, Indiana. Up to the time that Judge Hamer went on the supreme bench he gave a great deal of his time to building up the city of Kearney. He was the first lawyer to locate here, and he imme- diately began to work industriously for the town. He was soon a very busy lawyer. He was employed in nearly all the important cases in the western part of the state. Much of his business came from other lawyers who secured him to assist in the trial of their cases. He was diligent to study the evidence before the case was tried. He saw the witnesses, if possible, and ascertained what they were likely to swear to. If their testimony was probably unfriendly he did all that he could to anticipate it. He saw the witnesses on the other side. He also studied the law of the case with great energy. However forcible others might Vol. II-5
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be there were none more forcible than he. Every contest was like a boxing match. If the case was a close one and only an application of the law might win it he was full of research and ingenuity. He has always displayed remarkable clearness of expression and an adequate and precise diction which enabled him to make the courts and the juries understand the salient points of his arguments. He was full of a fine gradation of meaning and was generally able to make a dictinction between the case which he represented and the one which was cited against him. He has been engaged in the trial of all kinds of cases. He was at first famous in the trial of criminal cases where he appeared for the defense, but subsequently he tried many civil cases and in these civil cases, often to be won by the application of some legal principle not clearly understood, he was almost universally successful. He would find a new application of the law for which he would never cease to contend. He was nearly always capable of reversing the judgment of the district court when that court was against him. He would find some sort of substantial error that entitled him to a new trial. He could work agreeably with almost any lawyer. While he had plenty of self-respect he did not appear to be vain. If the other lawyer was against him he tried to beat him and then made friends with him. He was not always successful in the case, but he nearly always made a friend of the lawyer.
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