USA > Nebraska > Dodge County > History of Dodge and Washington Counties, Nebraska, and their people, Volume II > Part 49
USA > Nebraska > Washington County > History of Dodge and Washington Counties, Nebraska, and their people, Volume II > Part 49
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In 1890 Mr. Widman was united in marriage to Miss Selma Swan- son, who was born on a farm in Burt County, this state, and of the eight children of this union six are living: Luther is employed in the office of the Fremont Tribune; Gladys is the wife of Otto Sticker of Fremont ; Violet is a popular assistant in her father's store; Allison died in Janu-
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ary, 1920, at the age of twenty-three years; Daphne died in 1913, aged fourteen years ; Phyllis remains at the parental home, as do also Oscar, Jr., and Gwendolyn, who are attending school.
WILLIAM H. BRADBURY. Among other interests those connected with the handling of grain are exceptionally heavy at Hooper, owing to its location with reference to fertile farming regions and the railroads, and some of the most enterprising of Dodge County men are engaged in this important line, one of them being William H. Bradbury, manager of the Latta Grain Company.
William H. Bradbury was born in Dodge County in 1874, a son of James Bradbury, and grandson of William Bradbury, the latter being a native of England, who came to the United States and became superin- tendent of a coal mine in Pennsylvania. He and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Anna Markland, had fourteen children.
James Bradbury was born in 1850 in the State of Pennsylvania, where he resided until 1874, working in the coal mines. In that year he came to Dodge County, Nebraska, where he obtained employment in the har- vest fields during that summer, and then worked for Peter Neabose, a contractor at Fremont. Still later he bought a farm on Maple Creek, adding to his original purchase until he had over 400 acres and he farmed this until 1908 when he came to Hooper where he is still living. He married Mary Sweinhat, born in Pennsylvania, and they became the parents of the following children : William H., who is the eldest ; Esther is the wife of E. M. Havens; Alice, the wife of Walter Spinner ; Mary is deceased; Florence, the wife of William Meyer; Mary, the wife of Earl Phillips; James, a Dodge County farmer; Fred, with his brother James on the farm; Charles, also a Dodge County farmer ; Josephine, the wife of George Parker; and Sarah, who is deceased.
William H. Bradbury remained with his parents on their farm until 1895 when he commenced farming on his own account, and was engaged in general farming and stock raising until 1903, when he moved to Wash- ington, where he continued to be interested in agricultural matters and handled agricultural implements for three years. Going to Spokane, Washington, he was in the employ of Mitchell, Lewis & Staver, but in 1914 returned to Dodge County, and entered the elevator business at Hooper for two years, being manager for the elevator owned by Henry Roberts, and then went with his present company. This company han- dles all kinds of grain and coal, and does a big business.
In 1898 Mr. Bradbury was married to Effie Phillips, born in Nebraska, a daughter of Ezra Phillips of Fremont. Mr. and Mrs. Bradbury have one child, Merle, who is the wife of Jesse B. Jarvia of Fremont. in the employ of the electric light plant of that city. Both Mr. Bradbury and his wife are active and valued members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Bradbury is a republican, but aside from voting does not participate much in politics. He maintains membership with the Knights of Pythias. Having attended both the public schools of Dodge County and Fremont College Mr. Bradbruy had better educational opportunities than some, and is a well informed man on many subjects, and is inter- ested in seeing this part of the state develop.
O. A. PETERSON. A man of artistic tastes and talents, handy with chisel and tools of all kinds, O. A. Peterson of Fremont has won an extended reputation as a skillful worker in marble and granite, and as a manufacturer of monuments and headstones has built up a substantial
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business. Like many other of Nebraska's valued citizens, he was born on foreign soil, his birth having occurred September 14, 1874, in Sweden.
His father, Andrew' Peterson, was born, reared and educated in Sweden and is there successfully employed in agricultural pursuits, being an extensive farmer and stock buyer. He married Christina Benson, and to them four children have been born, as follows: Nels, engaged in farming in Sweden; O. A., of this brief personal record; K. A., living retired from active pursuits in Blair, Nebraska ; and Anna, residing in Sweden. Both parents are members of the Lutheran Church.
Immigrating to the United States in 1897, O. A. Peterson located in Blair, Nebraska, where he served an apprenticeship at the marble work- er's trade, acquiring proficiency in the monumental arts. Removing to Fremont in 1908, Mr. Peterson established himself in business as a manufacturer of monuments, and met with success from the start, it having grown to such proportions that, in 1914, he erected, on Main Street, his present fine two-story, marble front business building, which is well adapted for his work. In addition to the skilled workmen he employs in his factory, Mr. Peterson keeps several salesmen on the road, and sells goods throughout Nebraska, South Dakota and Iowa.
On October 8, 1918, Mr. Peterson was united in marriage with Emma Carlson, a native of Oregon, and their pleasant home is ever open to their many friends and acquaintances, all of whom there find a warm welcome from the hospitable host and hostess. Both Mr. and Mrs. Peterson are faithful members of the Lutheran Church. Politically Mr. Peterson casts his vote with the republican party. Fraternally he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias, Woodmen of the World and the Royal Highlanders.
JOHN PETROW. Occupying a place of note among the more active and prosperous business men of Fremont, John Petrow has been a conspic- uous factor in advancing the manufacturing and mercantile interests of Dodge County, as a candy and confectionery maker and seller having built up an exceedingly extensive and substantial trade, the toothsome products of his factory appealing to the tastes of the old and the young, and to the rich and the poor alike. He was born March 3, 1881, in Greece, where his parents, Christ N. and Helen (Constantine) Petrow, were lifelong residents. His father was a very successful business man, in addition to having engaged in mercantile pursuits, was a farmer and stock dealer, and at the time of his death was very well-to-do. His family of three girls and five boys are all living, four of the boys being in America, as follows: Nicholas of Omaha, Nebraska; John, of this sketch ; James, of Fremont ; and George, engaged in the candy business at Fort Dodge, Iowa. All of these boys are candymakers and dealers, and all have become wealthy since coming to this country.
Educated in Greece, John Petrow immigrated to the United States in 1899, going directly to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he and his three brothers were all at one time engaged in manufacturing candy and con- fectionery of all kinds. Coming to Fremont, Nebraska, in 1903, Mr. Pet- row embarked in his present business, starting in on a very modest scale, and has since increased his operations a hundred fold. He needed but little assistance at first, but now employs eighteen people, and has started twelve boys, former employes of his, in the same business, and all of them are succeeding well in their undertakings. Mr. Petrow, in partner- ship with his brother James, is the owner of valuable property in the City of Fremont, Nebraska, and in Dodge County, Nebraska.
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Mr. Petrow married, in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, Vasiliky Petropoulou, who was born in Athens, Greece, and they are the parents of three chil- dren, namely : Christ, born in 1916; Helen, born in 1917; and George, born in 1920. True to the religious faith in which they were reared, Mr. and Mrs. Petrow are devout members of the Greek Orthodox Church. Fraternally Mr. Petrow is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, in which he has taken the thirty-second degree; of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of the Knights of Pythias and of Fremont Lodge No. 514, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
JOHN H. MELICK. A wide-awake and successful representative of the lumber and coal interests of Dodge County, John H. Melick, of Fremont, head of the Melick Coal & Lumber Company, is thoroughly conversant with the business, both as to its conduct and safe advance- ment, and as general manager is keen and alert to take advantage of offered opportunities, and broad and bright enough to handle the exten- sive trade he has so ably established. A son of J. J. Melick, he was born, January 13, 1881, in Neligh, Nebraska, where he obtained his first knowledge of books, and of business.
J. J. Melick was born, reared and educated in New Jersey. Industrious, thrifty, and anxious to succeed, he labored while young at any honorable employment, and in course of time accumulated some money. Desirous to better his condition he came to Nebraska in 1876, locating in Neligh, where, as he had no money, he began work as clerk in a grocery, and was later made postmaster. When ready to establish himself in business, he purchased a grain warehouse and later a lumber and coal yard, and met with such almost unprecedented success from the start that he was enabled to buy land at different times, and in a few years found that his limited capital with which he began life had reached compara- tively large proportions, and he had acquired title to much valuable property. Moving to Omaha in 1910, he has since carried on an exten- sive business as a dealer in real estate, and has gained a prominent position in the industrial and financial life of the city.
J. J. Melick married Mary Trowbridge, who was born in Wisconsin, and of their union five children have been born, as follows: John H., with whom this sketch is chiefly concerned; Charles, engaged in the coal and lumber industry at Neligh, Nebraska; Amy, wife of K. A. Whitmer, who is managing a coal yard at Elgin, Nebraska, for Mr. Melick ; Dema, wife of J. C. Schwichtenberg, a clothing merchant at Norfolk, Nebraska; and Edward, of Neligh, Nebraska, a dealer in coal and lumber. Both parents united with the Congregational Church when young.
Becoming familiar with the details of the lumber business in early manhood, John H. Melick worked with his father for a while, and then embarked in the furniture, lumber and coal business in Carroll, Wayne County, this state, remaining there until 1914. Wishing to broaden and enlarge his scope of action, he then bought a lumber and coal business in Fremont, and as head of the Melick Lumber & Coal Company, and general manager of the concern, has since built up an extensive and lucrative trade, and gained an excellent reputation for business ability and integrity.
Mr. Melick married, in 1904, Mary Alice Cratty, a native of Elgin, Nebraska. Mrs. Melick is 'a very pleasant and accomplished woman, and an esteemed member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Melick
WILLIAM H. CLEMMONS
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is a stanch republican in politics, and fraternally is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. and Mrs. Melick have no children.
PRESIDENT WILLIAM H. CLEMMONS. In the educational annals of Dodge County, a full chapter belongs to the personality, achievements, and influence of William H. Clemmons, late president of Fremont College, and State Superintendent of Instruction. President Clemmons was a native of Madison County, Ohio, and was born, April 6, 1857, the son of William M. and Mrs. Ellen O. (Bethards) Clemmons. The death of his mother, when he was a child, and the consequent breaking up of his home life, resulted in his removal to Van Wert County, in the same state, and in his being bound out to a farmer. By the strange contract he was to remain in the service of this employer until his majority, and at that age to receive one suit of clothes, a horse, saddle and bridle. . Being a lad of resolution, and independent mind, he emancipated himself from this thralldom at the age of sixteen, purchasing his freedom by clearing forty acres of timber-land, and fencing the same into ten acre lots. This task he accomplished in a period shorter, by six months, than the time that had been allowed him. Up to the age of twenty-one he had been in school but two months in the year. But being free, he took a course of study at Valparaiso College, and received supplementary training at the Indiana State University. After graduation, he served effectively as superintendent of schools in Tipton, Indiana, for a period of six years, and then, interested in the West, ยท came to Nebraska, arriving here in 1886. After a period of preliminary teaching in smaller places he accepted the principalship of the Fremont Normal School, out of which he developed Fremont College, of which he was the able and efficient president for thirty years. In the three decades involved, his school steadily grew, multiplied its departments and faculty, and became an institution increasingly influential, attracting a multitude of students from all surrounding and many distant localities. Classical, commercial and normal courses were offered; music and art departments were added, and in several years the student body numbered above a thousand.
The normal department met the need of a large element of youth, whose early educational privileges had been meagre, but who were of an age to be serious-minded, and vigorous in application. And in conse- quence there were graduated through the years hundreds of teachers, who rose to prominence in their profession, and many to distinction. Over all these, President Clemmons exerted a powerful influence, and extended the potency of his personality throughout a wide domain. When in 1916 he was elected State Superintendent of Instruction, he further extended his usefulness, and, in two years of incumbency, advanced greatly the systematization of public school work in the state. President Clemmons was a man of great firmness of character, and of the highest ideals. His industry was marvelous, and his labors bound- less. Few men in the whole West have achieved so much in a genera- tion. And his influence upon young manhood and womanhood for the highest ends of character, service and American citizenship cannot be overestimated. A thorough patriot ; a faithful disciplinarian ; a man of highest ethical and spiritual conceptions ; a lover of educational work, and all culture, he attained a potency of influence, and won a love and reverence, scarcely paralleled among educators. The Alumni banquets given at each Commencement season were most memorable as testi-
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monials to the gratitude and admiration, cherished by thousands of graduates for the president of their Alma Mater.
Mr. Clemmons was married at Tipton, Indiana, October 8, 1885, to Miss Dell U. Harding of that city, and his life-partner proved through all his educational career a helpmeet and comforter indeed. Closely associated in all the administration of the college, with her husband, Mrs. Clemmons shares with him, in the honor of achievement attained, and in the love and helpful influence, that remain forever their wealth and distinction. President Clemmons was for years identified with the First Congregational Church of Fremont, and when suddenly, in January, 1920, he was called to a higher world, his pastor, Rev. Wm. H. Buss, preached his funeral sermon, in the church auditorium in which he had worshipped for over thirty years. The memorial service was remarkable for the vastness and personnel of the congregation. In addition to the populace of the city, there were present a small army of students and alumni, several representatives of the faculty of the State University, and of the State House at the Capital. The tributes were many and varied, and the whole occasion was an object lesson, upon the possibili- ties of youth in America, who battling against poverty and all imaginable difficulties, may attain eminence in scholarship and wide influence, and wear the crown of usefulness, and public gratitude, never to be tarnished by the flight of years.
R. H. CHAPPEL is one of the progressive young men of the capital city of Dodge County, where his attractively equipped book and sta- tionery store is one of the popular and prosperous retail establishments of Fremont. Here he is also secretary of the Chappel-Stuart Printing Company, of which more specific mention will be made in a later paragraph.
Mr. Chappel was born at Carroll, Iowa, in 1887, and is a son of William and Ida (Mark) Chappel, the former a native of England and the latter of Pennsylvania, in which state their marriage was solemnized, their removal to Iowa taking place in 1883. The father was for a number of years employed as a railroad man, and he is now living virtually retired and resides in the home of his son, Ray M., of Fremont, his wife having passed to eternal rest in 1917 and being survived by her twin sons, Ray M. and R. H. The father is a republican in political allegiance, is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as was also his wife.
In the public schools of the Buckeye State R. H. Chappel continued his studies until his graduation in the high school at Tama, as a member of the class of 1905. For four years thereafter he was employed in the postoffice at Tama, and then he came to Fremont, Nebraska, where for the ensuing ten years he was in the employ of the Hammond Printing Company. During the last six years he was manager of the company's stationery department, and the knowledge thus gained proved of distinct value to him when, November 2, 1915, he opened his book and stationery store at Fremont. He initiated this enterprise with a capital of $2,000, and the marked success that has attended the business is now indicated by his carrying a stock valued at more than $8,000. The establishment caters to a large and appreciative patronage of repre- sentative order and is metropolitan in its appointments and general equipment.
In the spring of 1920 Mr. Chappel became associated with his brother, Ray M., and with E. M. Anderson and A. L. Stuart in the
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organization of the Chappel-Stuart Printing Company, which is incor- porated with a capital of $50,000 and which has fitted out a thoroughly modern plant for the execution of the best class of commercial printing, with facilities also for book printing. An inviting field is offered the new company and under its vigorous and progressive executive control its success is assured. The officers of the company are as here noted : Ray M. Chappel, president ; A. L. Stuart, vice president; R. H. Chappel, secretary ; and E. M. Anderson, treasurer.
Mr. Chappel gives his allegiance to the republican party and in his civic attitude is liberal and public-spirited. He is an influential and popular member of the Fremont Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he became exalted ruler on the 1st of April, 1920. He belongs to Fremont Lodge No. 15, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Mount Tabor Commandery No. 9, and Scottish Rite and with Lodge of Perfection No. 5. He is a member of the Rotary Club. Dur- ing the great war he saw service in camp five months. His name is still enrolled on the list of eligible young bachelors in Dodge County.
HAMILTON M. MORROW, M. D., has been engaged in the practice of his profession in the City of Fremont since 1905, has gained secure vantage-ground as one of the representative physicians of Dodge County and has done some special work in diseases of children. His substantial practice indicates the high estimate placed upon him and his ability.
Doctor Morrow was born at Ballibay, Bradford County, Penn- sylvania, April 6, 1875, and is a son of Newton and Adelaide (Nesbit) Morrow, both of whom were born and reared in that same locality, where the father still maintains his residence, the mother having passed to eternal rest in March, 1916. She was a daughter of John Nesbit, who was born at Ballibay, Ireland, and who was young at the time when he established his residence in the vicinity of Ballibay, Pennsylvania, where he became a successful farmer and where he passed the remainder of his life. Newton Morrow has been associated with farm industry in his native county during the entire period of his active career, and he still owns the valuable farm that in the early days was cleared and reclaimed by his father, Hamilton Morrow, who was born at Ballibay. Ireland, and who was twenty-one years of age when he established his home in Pennsylvania, the old homestead farm having continued as the stage of his activities during the residue of his life. The lineage of the Morrow family is traced back to stanch Scotch origin, but repre- sentatives of the family left Scotland and became early settlers in the north of Ireland. Newton Morrow has long been one of the influential men of his community, has served in various township offices in his native county, is a republican in politics and holds membership in the Presbyterian Church, as did also his wife. Of their children the eldest is Mary, who is the wife of Frank R. Mitten, chief clerk in the office of the county commissioners at Towanda, Pennsylvania ; Doctor Morrow of this review was the next in order of birth; Andrew resides at Towanda, Pennsylvania, and is serving as assistant county superin- tendent of schools; and Helen is a successful teacher in the schools of Camptown, Pennsylvania.
Passing the period of his childhood and early youth on the old home farm, Dr. Hamilton M. Morrow continued his studies in the public schools of his native state until he had completed a course in the high school at Camptown, and thereafter, in 1905, he was graduated in the Susquehanna Collegiate Institute, at Towanda, Pennsylvania. For the
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ensuing year he was engaged in teaching in the schools of the old Keystone State, and he then came to Tekamah, Nebraska, where for a year he held a clerical position in the general store conducted by the firm of which his maternal uncles, John and William Nesbit, were members. This occupation he held but a means to an end, for he had determined to prepare himself for the medical profession. In the pur- suance of this ambition he availed himself of the advantages of Rush Medical College, Chicago, one of the greatest and most celebrated medi- cal institutions of the country. He was there graduated as a member of the Class of 1901 and shortly after thus receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine he engaged in the active practice of his profession at Tekamah, Nebraska, where he became associated in practice with his maternal uncle, Dr. Andrew Nesbit. There he continued his successful work in his profession for four years, at the expiration of which, in December, 1905, he initiated practice in the broader field afforded at Fremont and in its tributary territory in Dodge County. Here his success has been distinctive-a due reward for his earnest service and a voucher for his marked professional ability. The doctor served two years as health officer of Fremont, is an active member of the Dodge County Medical Society, of which he has served as secretary and counselor, and while engaged in practice at Tekamah he served as president of the Burt County Medical Society. He is president of the Elkhorn Valley Medical Society, a member of the Nebraska State Medi- cal Society and the American Medical Association, as is he of the Missouri Valley Medical Society.
Doctor Morrow is a stanch supporter of the cause of the republi- can party, and is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, both he and his wife being active mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church. The attractive family home is at 406 East Sixth Street, where the doctor also maintains his office.
The year 1904 was marked by the marriage of Doctor Morrow to Miss Edythe Trowbridge, who was born at Halstead, Pennsylvania, and whose early education included the discipline of the high school, besides which she completed a course of two years in the Moody Bible Institute. She gave special attention to the study of both vocal and instrumental music, and is one of the talented musicians of Fremont, even as she is a popular factor in the representative social life of her home city. Doctor and Mrs. Morrow have three children, all of whom are still attending the public schools of Fremont, their names being here entered in order of their birth: Adelaide, Hamilton, and Paul.
HARVEY W. SHAFFER. Farm management at its best is well exempli- fied by Harvey W. Shaffer, whose home is in section 28 of Hooper Township. Mr. Shaffer is young, progressive, an expert not only in handling his fields and crops, but in raising and handling livestock.
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