USA > Nebraska > Dodge County > History of Dodge and Washington Counties, Nebraska, and their people, Volume II > Part 5
USA > Nebraska > Washington County > History of Dodge and Washington Counties, Nebraska, and their people, Volume II > Part 5
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He returned to Pennsylvania in 1869, and on April 8th, that year, married Emma A. Ackley; came to Fremont, Nebraska, engaged in various occupations; was a county commissioner and purchased for the county the present poor farm. He retired in 1892 from active life. Mr. Hinman was a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Royal Arch Masons and Knights Templar of the Masonic Order. also an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
GUY M. HINMAN
MINER H. HINMAN
BEACH HINMAN
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GUY M. HINMAN. The fact that Mr. Hinman is serving as mayor of his native city bears its own significance, in attesting not only to his ability and civic loyalty but also to the secure vantage-place that is his in popular confidence and esteem. He is a scion of one of the honored and influential pioneer families of Dodge County, as may be better understood by reference to the memoir dedicated to his father. the late Capt. Miner H. Hinman, also in this publication, in which connection ยท are given adequate genealogical data also.
The present progressive and popular mayor of the City of Fremont was here born on the 11th day of April, 1873, and after having duly availed himself of the advantages of the excellent schools of his native city he pursued a higher academic course in Doane College at Crete, this state. He there made not only an excellent student record but was also a prominent figure in college athletics, especially in his effective work as halfback on the football team. After leaving college Mr. Hinman became bookkeeper in the Fremont National Bank, and with this institu- tion he continued his connection fifteen years. . Thereafter he was asso- ciated with other banking institutions and finally he released himself from business exactions by indulging in a six months' hunting and fishing trip in Wyoming. Upon his return to Fremont he became asso- ciated with the Fremont Saddlery Company, a wholesale concern, and he not only served as secretary and treasurer of this corporation but also as its credit man. As an expert accountant he has been called upon to do much auditing work for the leading business concerns, a service to which he is still frequently called, but aside from his official duties as chief executive of the municipal government of Fremont he now gives the major part of his time to the management of his own financial and property interests.
Mayor Hinman is unswerving in his allegiance to the republican party and while he has never been affiliated with office-seeking proclivities, he was made candidate for the office of mayor of his native city and was elected April 1, 1919, for the prescribed term of two years. Since assuming his official duties he has instituted a careful and progressive administration that is clearly justifying his election. That the popular mayor is "heart whole and fancy free" must be inferred from the fact that his name is still enrolled on the list of eligible bachelors in Dodge County. He has never abated his interest in outdoor sports and as a hunter he has a goodly assemblage of fine trophies, including bears and deer. He is emphatically a "booster" for his home city, county and state, and his loyalty is marked by deep appreciation of the manifold attractions and advantages of Nebraska. He is affiliated with both York and Scottish Rite bodies of the Masonic fraternity, including the Fre- mont Commandery of Knights Templar, and he has served continuously as treasurer of Fremont Lodge No. 514, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, from the time of its organization.
BEACH HINMAN, attorney-at-law, practicing at the City of Fremont, is a son of Minor H. Hinman, whose biographical sketch appears on preceding pages.
He attended the University of Michigan, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1895.
Politically Mr. Hinman is a supporter of the republican party and is a member of the Masonic order.
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SYLVESTER A. PRESTON, M. D., now one of the representative physi- cians and surgeons engaged in practice in the City of Fremont, had achieved marked success in the pedagogic profession prior to preparing himself for that of which he is now an able and successful exponent. Doctor Preston was born in the City of Toronto, Canada, and is a scion of influential pioneer families of that immediate section of the beautiful Province of Ontario. The date of his nativity was January 15, 1867, and he is a son of Robert S. and Isabelle (Atkinson) Preston, both of whom were likewise natives of Toronto, where the former was born February 28, 1837, and the latter on May 5, 1843. The parents were reared and educated in Toronto, where their marriage was solemnized and where they continued to reside until about 1870, when they removed to Greensboro, North Carolina, in which state they maintained their residence for a term of years. They finally removed to the Province of Manitoba, Canada, where the father secured land and developed a productive farm, though prior to that time he had followed contracting and building and been actively identified with lumbering operations, as the owner and operator of sawmills. Robert S. Preston continued his residence in Manitoba until his death, July 3, 1917, and his devoted wife did not long survive him, as she passed to the life eternal on the 15th of May of the following year. Of the four children three are living: Dr. Sylvester A. of this review; Eugene, engaged in the jewelry business in the City of Vancouver, Canada ; and Edgar S., residing upon and having active management of his father's old homestead farm near Winnipeg, Manitoba. The parents were earnest members of the Baptist Church, with which the family has been affiliated for several generations -even prior to the coming of its first representatives to America. Thomas Preston, grandfather of the doctor, was born and reared in England and came to Ontario, Canada, about 1820. He had been a cattle dealer in his native land and upon coming to Canada he took up land near Toronto and developed a productive farm. He there passed the remainder of his life, and in addition to operating his farm he was associated with Robert F. Atkinson (maternal great-grandfather of Doctor Preston of this sketch) in the establishing and operating of the first sawmill in the vicinity of Toronto, this substantial old mill being still in operation at the present time. Mr. Atkinson likewise was a native of England, but was a lad of six years when his parents came to America and established their home in Ontario, Canada. There he grew to man- hood and there he became prominently concerned with lumbering opera- tions, in connection with which he was concerned in the establishing of the historic old mill mentioned above.
Doctor Preston was about four years of age at the time of the family removal to Greensboro, North Carolina, and he there attended the public schools until he was eligible for admission to Guilford College, this state, where he continued his studies for some time. He accompanied his parents on their removal to Northwestern Canada, and in 1895 he was graduated in the provincial normal school in the City of Winnipeg. Previously to his graduation he taught school, and he continued his efficient service as a teacher for ten years thereafter, his pedagogic serv- ice having been initiated in 1884. He came to Nebraska in the year 1896 and in pursuance of a cherished ambition he entered the medical department of the University of Nebraska, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1900. After thus receiving his coveted degree of Doctor of Medicine he engaged in practice at Howell, Colfax County, and later he was for a time retained as physician and surgeon in the
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service of the United States Steel Company in the mining district of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He finally returned to Nebraska, and in September, 1908, he established his permanent residence at Fre- mont, where he has since continued in the general practice of his pro- fession and where his success and popularity are attested by the large and representative practice which is now his. The doctor served as local surgeon for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad from 1903 to 1908, since which latter year his private practice has demanded his undi- vided attention, though he is medical examiner for the various fraternal insurance orders with which he is affiliated, and was at one time city physician of Fremont. Doctor Preston has served as president of the Dodge County Medical Society and the Elkhorn Valley Medical Society, and in addition to his active association with the affairs of these two pro- fessional organizations he is a member also of the Nebraska State Medi- cal Society and the American Medical Association. Unswerving in his allegiance to the work of his profession, Doctor Preston has had neither time nor inclination to enter the arena of practical politics, though he is a loyal supporter of the cause of the republican party. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he maintains affil- iation with the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Woodmen of the World, the Royal Neigh- bors, the Degree of Honor and the Royal Highlanders.
In 1901 was solemnized the marriage of Doctor Preston to Miss Ella Bonine, who was born at Perry, Iowa, a daughter of Calvin L. Bonine, now a resident of the City of Omaha. Dr. and Mrs. Preston have two children, Robert Louis and Isabelle, both of whom are attending the public schools of Fremont, Robert L. being a member of the class of 1922 in the high school.
LUTHER C. LARSON. The man who possesses the initiative to enter a new line of business generally succeeds, particularly if he is wise enough to select something which meets with popular approval. Luther C. Larson possessed just this quality and also grit, determination and the ability to overcome obstacles, when he commenced handling automo- biles at Fremont, and now is doing one of the largest businesses in Dodge County and represents a number of standard companies.
Luther C. Larson was born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1885, a son of L. P. and Althea (Granath) Larson, both natives of Sweden. They were married in Kewanee, Illinois, where he had come when only twelve years of age. In 1876 they came to Nebraska, and he was asso- ciated with Mr. Cummings in a wholesale grocery business at Omaha,
Nebraska. Later he moved to Fremont and carried on a wholesale liquor business until Nebraska went dry. Not only was he a successful business man, but was also a leader in democratic politics and repre- sented Dodge County in the State Assembly in the '70s. The doctrines of the Christian Science movement so impressed him that he adopted them as his own. Early in life he connected himself with the Knights of Pythias and the Elks. He and his wife became the parents of the fol- lowing children : Lida, who married John C. Hein, a confectioner ; Laura, who is the widow of Otto Pohl, formerly a druggist of Fremont ; Louis P., who is a manufacturer of chewing gum, lives at Chicago, Illinois ; Lillie, who married C. J. Marr of Fremont ; and Luther C., who was the youngest.
Luther C. Larson attended the Fremont schools until old enough to go into his father's business as bookkeeper. Later he was made secre- tary and treasurer of the firm of L. P. Larson & Company, but left it Vol. 11-3
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in 1910 to engage in the automobile business, first representing the Stod- dard Dayton car. At present he represents the Hudson, Essex and Overland cars and the Republic trucks, and is the oldest automobile dealer in Fremont.
On January 15, 1910, Mr. Larson was married to Edna May Welch, born at Fremont, a daughter of J. J. Welch, a railroad man, now of Pierre, South Dakota. Mr. Larson is a Christian Scientist and his wife Episcopalian. Fraternally Mr. Larson belongs to the Elks, Masons and Knights of Pythias, and in politics he is a democrat. One of the live young business men of the city, he sets an example others would do well to follow, and is held in high esteem by all with whom he is associated.
FRED VOLPP. Thrift, honesty and industry have been the stepping- stones by which many men of present day prominence have acquired fortune and public regard, and this fact can scarcely be too often com- mented on when considering the means by which some men succeed and others fail in their life efforts. When Fred Volpp, the leading banker of Scribner, came to Nebraska thirty-two years ago, he was practically empty-handed, while today he is not only at the head of one of the state's solid, substantial banking institutions, but has many other financial interests, and additionally he has been signally honored in the highest governing body in the commonwealth. His whole life has been one of cheerful industry and the rewards that have accrued have been natural results.
Fred Volpp was born April 18, 1868, in Germany, where his father, Henry Volpp, was a farmer. He died in 1884 and the mother in 1889. Of their eight children, Fred is the fourth in order of birth. He has two brothers living at Bloomfield, Nebraska, and one brother, Carl, who is a truck farmer living in Pennsylvania. He also has two sisters and two brothers living in Nebraska. It was in his native land that Mr. Volpp received his schooling and other training, and was twenty years old when he came to Nebraska. He had learned the butcher's trade and opened a shop at Wayne, which he conducted for sixteen years, retiring then from its personal supervision, although retaining part ownership, when he was elected county treasurer in 1900. With the greatest efficiency he served four years in this office, after which, for nine months, he was cashier of the First National Bank of Bloomfield, Nebraska. In 1905 he came to Scribner and became cashier of the Scribner State Bank, in which office he continued until 1909, when he was elected president of the bank. He commands public confidence and under his clear-sighted policy the institution has grown in importance and stands as one of the bulwarks of safety and security in the state. He has additional business interests and is officially connected with the Lion Bonding Company of Omaha, of which he is vice president.
Not only has Mr. Volpp been successful in business but his foresight, prudence and good judgment were early recognized in public affairs, and the democratic party first proved its appreciation by electing him county treasurer, as mentioned above, and in 1909 further honored him by electing him to the State Senate, in which body he proved the posses- sion of statesman-like qualities that reflected honor both on himself and on his constituency. Senator Volpp served four years at Lincoln and retired from public office with an enviable record.
In 1889 Fred Volpp was united in marriage to Miss Sophie Lerner. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and a Shriner, also is an Odd Fellow and is treasurer of the Sons of Hermann for the State of Nebraska.
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ARTHUR G. CHRISTENSEN. Possessing unquestioned business ability, integrity and judgment, Arthur G. Christensen of Fremont, vice presi- dent of the First National Bank, holds a noteworthy position in financial circles, and is considered an authority on all questions concerned with banks and banking. He was born August 6, 1880, in Fremont, which has always been his home, being a son of Christian and Maria (Paulsen) Christensen, both of whom were born in Denmark, came to this country in early life, and were married in Nebraska, and are now living in Fremont.
Arthur G. Christensen was educated in Fremont, and soon after his graduation from the high school, with the class of 1898, became a clerk in the Commercial National Bank. Proving himself eminently capable and trustworthy, he won promotions, and on leaving the institution on June 1, 1914, was serving as cashier. On July 1, 1914, Mr. Christensen was made vice president of the First National Bank of Fremont, and is still serving in that capacity, being also one of its directors, positions for which his knowledge, experience and business judgment and sagacity amply qualify him, and is a director in the Fidelity Trust Company.
Mr. Christensen married in 1906 Mary Roberta Hammond, a daugh- of Frank Hammond, a prominent newspaper man of Fremont, of whom mention is found elsewhere in this volume, and into their pleasant home three children have made their advent, namely: Roberta, nine years old ; William, seven years of age, and Mary Elizabeth, five years of age. Both Mr. and Mrs. Christensen are active and valued members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Fraternally Mr. Chistensen is a prominent member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, belonging to Lodge, Chapter. Council, Commandery and the Shrine ; and he is a member and past exalted ruler of Fremont Lodge No. 514, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he was secretary a number of years.
ARTHUR G. SCHOENECK. One of the representative citizens of Scrib- ner, Nebraska, is Arthur G. Schoeneck, postmaster, who is a member of one of the oldest settled families in Dodge County. Its history includes much pertaining to pioneer hardships, for when the Schoenecks first came here the country was but sparsely settled, transportation facilities were absent and for years afterward the cultivation of the land was carried on under difficulties.
Arthur G. Schoeneck was born in 1874, in Dodge County, the second in his parents' family of five children. His father, Carl F., and his mother, Emily (Radtke) Schoeneck, were both born in Germany and were young when they came to the United States and to Dodge County, Nebraska. Carl F. Schoeneck homesteaded within one mile of Scribner. where he developed a fine farm and prospered as a stockman, in later years retiring and moving into Scribner, where his death occurred in 1917, at the age of seventy-four years. Aside from Arthur G., his other children were as follows: William, who conducts a garage at Snyder, Nebraska ; Alma, who is deceased ; Hilda, who is the wife of Carl Bleyhl, a farmer; and Ella, who is the wife of Sidney Spurling, a merchant at Scribner. The mother of the above family still resides in Scribner. She is a member of the Congregational Church.
Arthur G. Schoeneck attended the common schools in boyhood but later went to Omaha and took a commercial course in a business college. He remained on the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age, after which for some years he worked as a farmer through the home neighborhood. Later he came to Scribner and became interested in the
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hardware business, subsequently entering into a business partnership in this line, and for some years the hardware firm of Marquardt & Schoe- neck did a large business. In 1914 Mr. Schoeneck was appointed post- master and has been continued in the office ever since. He is a careful and efficient public official.
On August 12, 1904, Mr. Schoeneck was united in marriage to Miss Alice Clement, who was born and educated in Nebraska, and they have four children, namely: Merton, Arthur, Marvin and William, all of whom attend school. Mrs. Schoeneck is a member of the Roman Cath- olic Church.
Postmaster Schoeneck may be said to have been reared in the demo- cratic party for his father had always been a staunch supporter of its principles and candidates. Prior to his appointment as postmaster, Mr. Schoeneck had served most acceptably in other public positions, for some years having been assessor and constable. He belongs to the order of Royal Highlanders and also to the Sons of Hermann.
WILLIAM A. SCHOENECK. It has been the privilege of William A. Schoeneck to realize many of his worthy ambitions, and through the exercise of good judgment and business sagacity to wrest from his opportunities financial and general success. During his career he has been identified with diversified enterprises, and at the present time his name is associated with the operation of a successful soft drink establish- ment at Snyder, where he is also conducting a well-patronized garage.
Mr. Schoeneck was born on a farm in Dodge County, Nebraska, in 1871, a son of Carl F. Schoeneck, a review of this family being found elsewhere in this work in the sketch of A. G. Schoeneck. He received his educational training in the school at Scribner, in which locality his boyhood and youth were passed, and when he entered upon his inde- pendent career it was as a farmer on the property of his grandfather, located near Scribner. For eleven years Mr. Schoeneck continued to follow the pursuits of agriculture, after which he disposed of his farm- ing and stock-raising interests in the country and came to Snyder, where, in 1904, he established himself in the liquor business. With this enter- prise he continued to be identified for twelve years, when the Eighteenth Amendment, following the war-time prohibition act, abolished the saloon business, and Mr. Schoeneck converted his establishment into a soft drink parlor, which he continues to conduct with much success, having built up a large and representative patronage in this connection. At the same time, in partnership with John Seebeck, he opened a garage, but later disposed of his interest in this enterprise, and, with his son, opened another garage, under the business style of Schoeneck & Sons. This is now enjoying a profitable trade as a garage, in addition to which the firm acts as sales agents for Nash and Chevrolet automobiles and carries a full and up-to-date line of standard accessories. A general repair department is maintained, with skilled mechanics in attendance, the establishment furnishing an excellent service station for the convenience of local or out-of-town motorists.
In 1893 Mr. Schoeneck was united in marriage with Miss Sophia Siems, who was born in Germany, and brought to the United States in childhood by her parents, who became farming people in Nebraska. To this union there have been born four children: Hilbert and Arlan, who are associated with their father in the conduct of the garage at Snyder ; and Norma and Eldon, who are attending school. Hilbert Schoeneck joined the United States Air Service during the great World war, as a
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mechanic, and was in training in Texas at the time of the signing of the armistice. The family's religious connection is with the Lutheran Church, the movements of which they have supported liberally. Mr. Schoeneck is a broad-minded and progressive man, well-posted on current events, and entertaining sensible opinions on questions of public opinion. In political affairs he maintains an independent stand.
CHARLES ARNOT. Two interests, those of education and finance, have entered the career of Charles Arnot, who since 1915 has been directing the affairs of the First National Bank of Scribner. His experience as an educator in Nebraska began many years ago, and he still maintains a helpful and constructive interest in school work that has done much to advance the cause of education in Dodge County.
Mr. Arnot was born at Greenville, Virginia, and received his educa- tion in public and private schools in his native state. He was still a young man when he migrated to Nebraska in 1887, and during the next several years taught rural schools in Johnson and Richardson counties, subsequently becoming an instructor in Howell's public school. In 1896 he came to Scribner as superintendent of the school here, a position which he retained until 1901, when he resigned to take up his duties as super- intendent of schools of Dodge County, to which he had been elected. He served in that capacity for two terms, to the great satisfaction of the people, and in 1906 turned his attention, at least partly, to financial matters, being the organizer in that year of the Logan Valley Bank of Uehling. He was president of that institution for five years, and in the meantime, in 1907, accepted the superintendency of the schools of Schuyler City, acting in that capacity until 1915. Mr. Arnot then became acting manager of the First National Bank of Scribner, a posi- tion which he has since retained. He is widely and favorably known in both financial and educational circles, and is a valued and popular mem- ber of the Nebraska Schoolmasters' Club. He is also affiliated with the Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Woodmen of the World. Politically he is a democrat.
In 1910 Mr. Arnot was married at Schuyler to Miss Mabel E. John- son, a daughter of Gus and Sarah L. Johnson, the former deceased, and to this union there have been born two children : Ruth E. and Charles P.
JOSEPH F. REZNICEK. A wide-awake, progressive business man of Dodge, well educated and talented, Joseph F. Reznicek is a worthy rep- resentative of the men of foreign birth who have brought to their adopted country the habits of industry, frugality and honesty that have won them success in various fields of endeavor. He was born October 12, 1874, in Bohemia, and there spent his childhood days.
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