USA > Nebraska > Dodge County > History of Dodge and Washington Counties, Nebraska, and their people, Volume II > Part 10
USA > Nebraska > Washington County > History of Dodge and Washington Counties, Nebraska, and their people, Volume II > Part 10
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Vol. II-5
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able type of citizen and is a credit to his state, and his parents, and is rearing his children along the same lines followed in his upbringing so that they, too, will be worth-while representatives of the great state they claim as their place of birth. 9
MRS. MAE GILMORE is one of the honored residents of Fremont and a lady who possesses many of the desirable attributes of her sex. She has reared a family of fine children, has been very active in church work, and proven herself a kind neighbor and good friend to those in adversity.
Mrs. Gilmore was born at Fontanelle, Iowa, a daughter of Hiram and Marie (Dearinger) Miller. Hiram Miller was born on a farm near Pella, Marion County, Iowa, and his wife also was born in Iowa. They were married in that state and made it their home for some time, before coming to Nebraska. For many years Mr. Miller was a stock- man, buying and selling horses upon quite an extensive scale, and he made a success of his undertakings. His death occurred at Omaha, Nebraska, in 1917, but his widow survives him and still makes her home at Omaha. In politics Mr. Miller was a democrat. Both he and his wife early joined the Christian Church, and she still maintains her membership in it. They had the following children: Harry, who lives at Omaha : Dollie, who married Peter Hanson, a stationary engineer of Omaha; Mrs. Gilmore, who was third in order of birth; Pearl, who is unmarried, lives at Billings, Montana; Maude, who married William Fisher of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, who runs an engine at the sugar fac- tory of that city; and Loren, who is a resident of Omaha.
Mrs. Gilmore attended the public schools of Iowa and Omaha, Nebraska, and was, brought up carefully by her parents. In 1895 she was married to Oliver Gilmore, and they became the parents of seven children, namely: Olive, who married Walter Schrader, a druggist of Elkhorn, Nebraska; Lela, who is unmarried, is a stenographer and lives at home; William, who is a brakeman, also lives at home; Dora, who works at the canning factory at Fremont; and Murel, Norma and Bessie, all of whom are attending school. Mrs. Gilmore was reared in the faith of the Christian Church, and when she reached a suitable age, joined the church. Her children belong to the Baptist Church. Her older children are doing well, and the ones in school give promise of being equally successful, all of which is largely due to her careful training of them and her inculcation into their plastic minds of lessons which cannot but result in character building and good citizenship.
WV. HOWARD HEINE, M. D. Among the dependable and skilled physi- cians of Dodge County none stands higher in public confidence and esteem than Dr. W. Howard Heine, of Hooper. He was born at Reading, Pennsylvania, in 1877, a son of Fred F. and Lydia (Babb) Heine, both natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Dodge County, Nebraska, in 1883. Fred F. Heine established himself in the plumbing business and conducted it at Hooper until he retired, when he moved to Omaha, Nebraska, where he and his wife are now living. She is a consistent Lutheran. Mr. Heine became a charter member of Hooper Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. In politics he is a republican.
Fred F. Heine and his wife became the parents of the following children : Dr. W. Howard, who is the eldest; Fred, who is a locomotive engineer at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Harry, who is a farmer, operat-
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ing near Creston, Nebraska; John, who is deceased, was killed in a gasoline accident ; Dr. Clinton, who was born in Dodge County, secured his degree in Pharmacy at Creighton University in 1906, his scientific degree at the Nebraska State University, and that of Doctor of Medi- cine at Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois, and served six months interneship at St. Joseph Hospital, Chicago, and two years interneship at St. Luke's Hospital, Chicago, is now in partnership with his brother, Dr. W. Howard, at Hooper, and during the World war served one and one-half years overseas with Base Hospital No. 53 with the rank of captain ; Olivia, who is the wife of Herbert Bush, a cattle and sheep raiser of Sheridan, Wyoming; Lydia, who is a stenographer of Omaha, Nebraska; Edith, who is a teacher in the graded schools of Omaha, Nebraska; and Minerva, who is a stenographer of Omaha, Nebraska.
Dr. W. Howard Heine was graduated from the Hooper High School in 1894, and then for three years served his apprenticeship with E. L. Geisert, a druggist, passing by examination the State Board of Phar- macy as a registered pharmacist and then for three years was manager of Doctor Zellers' pharmacy. He then entered the medical department of the University of Nebraska and was graduated therefrom in 1905, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. For the subsequent eighteen months he served as interne in the Douglas County Hospital. Return- ing to Hooper, Doctor Heine was associated in a general practice with Doctor Zellers for three years, and then in 1910 opened an office for himself. Still later his brother, Dr. Clinton Heine, came into partner- ship with him, and the association is regarded as one of the strongest medical firms in this part of the state. They have a general medical and surgical practice. Dr. W. Howard Heine was in the United States service during the World war and was stationed at Base Hospital No. 75, Oglethorpe, Georgia, with the rank of captain, and received his hon- orable discharge on January 1, 1919, after which he returned to Hooper and resumed his practice.
In 1908 Doctor Heine was united in marriage with Edgard Lyman, born at Hooper, Nebraska, a daughter of the late Thomas Lyman, one of the oldest pioneers of the town. Doctor and Mrs. Heine have two children, namely: Lyman Howard, who is attending the Hooper public schools ; and Mary, who is also attending school. Doctor Heine is a Shriner Mason. He belongs to Grace Lutheran Church, and his wife is an Episcopalian. In politics he is a strong republican. Doctor Heine is a man of personal charm, culture and wide intellectual inter- ests and possesses high ideals with reference to professional obligations, living up to them to the best of his capabilities, and rendering to his community a whole-souled service which is meeting with appreciation to judge from the regard in which he is held by all classes.
CHARLES H. PEASE. As one of the leading dairymen of Dodge County, Charles H. Pease, now living retired from active business cares in Fremont, was for many years conspicuously identified with one of the more important and useful industries of which our country can boast, more especially while delivering the products of his dairy in Fremont, for on the supply of pure and wholesome milk the life and health of this, and future generations largely depends. Coming from honored New England ancestry, he was born, January 31, 1856, in Appleton, Maine.
His father, Harrison C. Pease, spent the major part of his life in Maine, his native state. He was very prominent in his community, and
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was successfully engaged in business as a shoe merchant and manufac- turer, having a large factory and a well-patronized shoe store. He was a straightforward republican in politics, and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He married Mary E. Keene, a native of Maine, and of their six children five are living, as follows: Charles H., with whom this sketch is principally concerned; Mrs. S. G. McAlmon, of Maine; Edwin R., a bookkeeper in Los Angeles, Cali- fornia ; Carrie E., residing in Rahway, New Jersey ; and Harry C., of Maine, who was formerly there engaged in mercantile pursuits, but is now a bookkeeper.
Having acquired a practical education in the public schools of Apple- ton, Maine, C. H. Pease began work at an early age, and for three years was in the employ of the American Express Company, remaining a member of the parental household. In 1881, following the tide of emigration westward, he located in Fremont, Nebraska, in December of that year, and very soon after embarked in the dairy business. He bought land near Fremont, and rented adjoining tracts, and having purchased a goodly number of cows delivered milk in Fremont for fourteen years. Increasing his operations, Mr. Pease sold the milk from his fifty cows to the local creamery, and continued in his extensive and profitable industry until 1915, when he disposed of his dairy interests, and moved to his present home in Fremont. He is a republican in poli- tics, but not an office seeker, and is a member of the Royal Highlanders.
Mr. Pease married, in October, 1884, Edith M. Sherman, who was born in Maine, a daughter of Judson A. Sherman, a prominent business man, having a shoe factory in both Maine and Massachusetts. Mrs. Pease passed to the life beyond February 21, 1915, leaving two children, namely : Mary H., working for the Plumfield Nursery Company, of Fremont ; and Hazel A., bookkeeper for Eddy Brothers. Both daughters are members of the Congregational Church.
GEORGE FOSTER. When an ever-busy man, from the feverish turmoil of politics and the harassing cares of business, is retired to a peaceful, quiet and happy life, such an individual naturally excites the friendly envy of his less-fortunate fellowmen. Without ostentation or apparent conscious superiority, he mingles in the society of his neighbors, and enjoys with them the affairs of the present and a pleasant retrospect of a life well spent. In this connection mention is due George Foster, now living retired in Scribner, who was for a number of years agent for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad and who filled that office with success and capability.
Mr. Foster was born in England, March 23, 1852, son of George Foster, a tallow chandler, who never left his native land. Fred Foster, a brother of George of this review, came to the United States and located at Scribner, where for a time he was identified with railroad work, but subsequently went back to England. George Foster was edu- cated in the public schools of England and in 1873 immigrated to the United States. For a time he worked on a farm near Cedar Bluffs, and subsequently was employed first by Jack Statts and later by H. B. Nicodemus, on farms, later going to Arlington, where he secured employ- ment on a railroad. While in this employment he came to Scribner for the first time, but later moved on to Onawa, Iowa, and, while working around the railroad depots, learned telegraphy. Thus he was able to secure an appointment as agent of a railroad at Mondamin, Iowa, and remained there two years. In 1889 Mr. Foster again came to Scribner,
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this time as depot agent for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, and during the five years that he remained formed numerous friendships that have continued to the present time. At the end of the period mentioned, he was transferred by his road to the station at Blair, and there, likewise, he served two years. Mr. Foster then resigned his post with the railroad and purchased 160 acres of land in Pierce County, Nebraska. After he had farmed this property for a short time, he conceived the idea of laying out a town thereon, which was subse- quently named Foster in his honor. Mr. Foster was able to clear quite a handsome sum on this transaction, and while residing at Foster served efficiently in the capacities of postmaster and assessor. When he left Foster it was to go to Lindsay, and there he was appointed station agent and telegrapher, a position which he held one year, being then reap- pointed agent at Scribner, where he continued to discharge the duties of that position until 1917, at that time retiring to his comfortable home, where he is surrounded by every modern convenience. He has a number of important business connections and is a stockholder and director in the Scribner State Bank. Mr. Foster is a Blue Lodge Mason, and in politics is an independent voter.
In 1879 Mr. Foster was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Driggs, a native of Iowa, and to this union there have been born three children: LeRoy, who is superintendent of the Cuban Railway in Cuba ; Fred, agent for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad at Elwell, Iowa; and Byrne, telegraph operator at Scribner station, who resides with his parents.
GROVER C. SPANGLER. It is a well-authenticated fact that success comes as a result of legitimate and well applied energy, unflagging determination and perseverance in a course of action when once decided upon. She is never known to bestow her largesses upon the indolent and ambitionless, and only those who seek her untiringly are recipients of her blessings. In tracing the history of the influential business man and representative citizen whose name introduces this sketch, it is plainly seen that the prosperity which he enjoys has been won by commendable qualities and it is also his personal worth that has gained for him the high esteem of those who know him.
Grover C. Spangler, who owns one of the best-appointed jewelry stores in Eastern Nebraska and who for a number of years has been a potent factor in the commercial affairs of Fremont, was born near that city on May 19, 1888, and is the son of L. C. and Alveretta (Bordner) Spangler. Both of these parents were born in Pennsylvania and came to Dodge County in an early day, their marriage occurring after their arrival here. L. C. Spangler and a brother bought a tract of farming land north of Fremont, but he later sold his interest at $25 an acre, and moved to Colfax County, this state. He was a well educated man, having graduated from college; and after his location in Colfax County he was elected superintendent of schools. Sometime later they moved across the river to a town called Edholm, where he engaged in the mercantile business, establishing a large store, which he operated for about ten years, when he was burned out. In 1900 he came to Fremont and entered the employ of Nye, Schneider & Company, with whom he still remains. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while in politics he has been active in support of the demo- cratic party. He has been a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias, having served for many years as master of finance of his lodge.
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To him and his wife were born five children, namely: Ray, who is station agent for the Northern Pacific Railroad at Manhattan, Mon- tana; Nettie, who assists her brother in the jewelry store; Grover C., of this sketch; Lottie is the wife of Walter Wohenburg, a professor in Yale College, at New Haven, Connecticut : Mason, who is engaged in the jewelry business at Scotts Bluff, Nebraska.
Grover C. Spangler received his clementary education in the public schools of Fremont, graduating from the high school, after which he attended technical trade schools in Chicago and Milwaukee. Then for a short time he was employed in the jewelry trade, but soon started into the business on his own account. During the days when he served as an employee he worked in Fremont, Nebraska, Butte, Montana, Livingston, Montana, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In May, 1912, Mr. Spangler engaged in the jewelry business on his own account in Fremont and his record since then has been one of steady and con- tinuous progress. Starting modestly, and with a small stock of goods and a working bench as his main assets, he has advanced both in volume of business and in popular esteem, increasing his stock and enlarging and improving his salesroom until today he possesses one of the hand- somest stores and most complete stocks of jewelry in the State of Nebraska. He devotes his attention closely to his business and has reached a very comfortable station in life. In addition to his jewelry business, Mr. Spangler also does a good deal of speculating in farm lands, in which he has met with splendid success.
In 1914 Mr. Spangler was married to Bessie Christensen, the daughter of C. Christensen, and they are the parents of two children, Stephen and Joan. Fraternally, Mr. Spangler is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Personally, Mr. Spangler is affable and popular with all classes and stands ready at all times to encourage and aid all laudable measures and enterprises for the general good. Because of his consistent life and his fine personal qualities, he has won the esteem and good will of all who know him.
JOHN GUMB. With the passage and enforcement of the Eighteenth Amendment, the men who had formerly been engaged in the manufac- ture of beverages stronger than those now permitted, wisely turned their attention to the production of other lines of goods and already many of them are meeting with an astounding success. The skill and knowledge which in the past enabled them to furnish an excellent grade of fermented goods, are just the qualities required in the manufacture of non- alcoholic beverages and similar products. One of these energetic busi- ness men and manufacturers of Fremont, is John Gumb, secretary of the Fremont Beverage Company.
John Gumb was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, on June 29, 1860, a son of Philip and Barbara (Kobberger) Gumb, who came to the United States in 1870, locating at Chicago, Illinois, where he received his naturalization papers. He was a brick contractor and was engaged in that line of business until he died, both he and his wife passing away at Chicago. Their three children were as follows: John, whose name heads this review; George, who died at Fremont in 1916, was in the retail liquor trade ; and P. W., who was also in the retail liquor business, is a resident of Chicago, Illinois. The parents were devout members of the Roman Catholic Church, and the father was a democrat in politics.
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Growing up in Chicago, John Gumb attended its schools, but early learned to be self-supporting and worked at mechanical engineering, for ten years being connected with the erection of engines of various kinds. Later he was connected with a concern manufacturing mining machinery, and for two years traveled through the West in its interest, and in this way became impressed with the possibilities of this region, so, in 1891, he came to Fremont as supervising architect of the brewery then in process of erection, and although he had to leave to carry out a contract for the erection of a brewery at St. Louis, Missouri, he made arrangements to return, doing so in 1892. For the subsequent two years he carried on a cigar business in partnership with Mr. Bridenfeldt. Going back to Chicago, he spent four years in that city erecting breweries and elevators. April, 1899, brought him to Fremont again, and this time he took charge of a brewery, and has been with it ever since, form- ing a company and served as its secretary. The company is now placing on the market a beverage that is meeting with popular favor, and also a malt syrup that has been found to be admirable for sweetening pur- poses in the households of the country to take the place of the high- priced sugar.
In March, 1887, Mr. Gumb was united in marriage with Elizabeth Nuernberger, born at Peru, Illinois, and they became the parents of five children, namely: Philip, who is in the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad at Grand Island, Nebraska; Fritz, who is a musician of Fre- mont ; John, who is studying law at Chicago, Illinois; Harold G., who is attending the Shattuck School, Faribault, Minnesota; and George Arthur, who is attending the public schools of Fremont. The family all belong to the Episcopal Church. In his fraternal relations Mr. Gumb maintains membership with Elks, Eagles and Woodmen of the World. A strong democrat, Mr. Gumb served on the board of public works for twelve years, and has always taken a prime interest in the improvement of the city. He owns considerable property, including 120 acres of land in Douglas County and city realty, and he is vice president of the Arctic Creamery Company, of Fremont. While he has these other interests, Mr. Gumb is devoting all of his time to the beverage com- pany, and has built up a trade which extends all over the state and as far east as Sioux City, Iowa, and expects to have it expand until he covers at least all of the Western states, for he feels that his products possess sufficient merit to popularize them wherever he introduces them.
BENJAMIN W. REYNOLDS. Enterprising, energetic and progressive, Benjamin W. Reynolds is a fine representative of those native-born citizens of Fremont, Dodge County, who have spent their lives within its boundaries, and have been actively identified with the development and promotion of its best interests, whether relating to its agricultural, industrial or financial affairs. A son of Wilson Reynolds, his birth occurred in Fremont, November 11, 1860. His paternal grandfather, Benjamin Reynolds, a native of Whitehall, New York, spent the earlier part of his life in the Empire State, migrating to Racine County, Wis- consin, in 1836, although his death occurred in Fremont, Nebraska, where he came when well advanced in years.
Born December 25, 1825, at Virgil Corners, New York, Wilson Reynolds migrated to Wisconsin in early manhood, and lived there until after his marriage. In 1857 he settled in Fremont, Nebraska, pre-empted a claim in Dodge County, a portion of which is now the site
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of the Fremont Country Club, and he subsequently built up an extensive business as a dealer in real estate and live stock. Industrious, enter- prising, and far-seeing, he accumulated a competency, and afterward lived retired from business pursuits in Fremont until his death, in May, 1910. He married Sarah Morilla Harmon, who was born in Warren County, Ohio, July 3, 1834, a daughter of Hiram Harmon, who moved with his family from Ohio to Racine County, Wisconsin. Two children were born to their union, as follows: Cassius S., of Fremont, who acquired much wealth as an extensive dealer in land and live stock, and is now retired from active business cares; and Benjamin W., of this brief personal record.
Having completed the course of study in the public schools of Fre- mont, Benjamin W. Reynolds attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, for two years, and at the age of nineteen years began his career as a stockman, for a number of years driving stock across the plains. In addition to his large dealings in live stock, Mr. Reynolds has for many years bought and sold real estate on an extensive scale, at the present time being the owner of several valuable farms.
On December 29, 1880, Mr. Reynolds was united in marriage with Mary A. Davies, and into their household three children have been born, namely: Mary M., formerly teacher in the public schools of Baker, Oregon, now the wife of Albert Rodamor of that city; Wilson B., and Cassius James. both engaged in the insurance business. A straight- forward republican in politics, Mr. Reynolds served as chairman of the republican committee for many years, and represented his district in the State Senate one term, during the session of 1902 and 1903. He served, under President Taft, as, postmaster at Fremont four years, and during the World war was food administrator. Fraternally Mr. Reynolds is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons, belonging to Lodge and Chapter ; and of Fremont Lodge No. 513, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He attends the Episcopal Church, while Mrs. Reynolds worships at the Baptist Church. In 1904, at 901 North I Street, he erected his attractive home, which is a center of social activity.
PAUL L. KELLER. As long as such safe, careful, conservative finan- cial institutions as the Scribner State Bank, of Scribner, Nebraska, easily bear the strain of readjustment after a great war, the general interests of the community may be considered in a prosperous condi- tion. This bank has large capital back of it making its resources, for business purposes, practically illimitable, has no concealed liabilities, and is officered and directed by men who possess the confidence and high esteem of their fellow citizens.
The officers of the Scribner State Bank are as follows: Fred Volpp, president ; Henry Sievers, vice president; P. L. Keller, cashier; P. L. Bauer and W. E. Fahnestock, assistant cashiers. Deposits in this bank are protected by Guaranty Fund of the State of Nebraska.
Paul L. Keller was born in Germany, March 6, 1891, and was brought to the United States by his widowed mother in 1892. She is now a resident of Bloomfield, Nebraska, and a member of the Lutheran Church. His parents were John and Caroline (Volpp) Keller, both of whom were born in Germany; and the father died there when aged thirty-three years. He was a stone cutter by trade and followed the same almost all his life. His death left two little sons fatherless, namely: Fred and Paul L. Both are in the banking business, the
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