USA > Nebraska > Dodge County > History of Dodge and Washington Counties, Nebraska, and their people, Volume II > Part 54
USA > Nebraska > Washington County > History of Dodge and Washington Counties, Nebraska, and their people, Volume II > Part 54
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66
FREDERICK E. CALKINS, M. D. The technical ability and loyal stewardship that insure success and prestige in the exacting profession of medicine have been significantly exemplified in the career of Doctor Calkins, who is one of the representative physicians and surgeons of Dodge County, where he has been established in practice at Fremont, the
831
DODGE AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES
county seat, since 1902, and where he has developed a substantial and profitable professional business.
Doctor Calkins was born at Wyoming, Jones County, Iowa, October 7, 1866, and is a son of Kirkland James Calkins and Lorilla (Williams) Calkins, who were born in the State of New York and whose marriage was solemnized at Wyoming, Iowa, prior to the Civil war-a fact that indicates that they were pioneer settlers of the Hawkeye State. When the Civil war was precipitated on the nation, Kirkland J. Calkins enlisted in Company K, Twenty-Fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which regiment he served during the entire period of the conflict between the states of the North and the South, principally as a member of the gallant forces commanded by General Grant. After the war he continued his residence in Iowa until 1873, when he came with his family to Nebraska and took a homestead claim in Polk County. There he reclaimed and developed a good farm and continued his residence a number of years, when he retired, and he died February 14, 1920. His wife resides at York, the judicial center of the Nebraska county of that name. Of the five children, Doctor Calkins of this review, is the eldest; Lucy is the wife of Mark Ravenscroft of York, who is an extensive land owner ; Dr. Albert E. is a dentist by profession and is engaged in practice at York; Dr. Charles A. is a dentist at York: and Dr. Royal W. is a physician and surgeon of Cortez, Colorado. The father is a republican in politics, is affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic, and he achieved substantial success through his active association with farm industry. He is a son of Samuel Calkins, who was an early settler in Illinois, where he passed the major part of his life. Royal S. Williams, maternal grandfather of Doctor Calkins, was a pioneer in Iowa, where he continued to reside until his death.
Doctor Calkins obtained his early education in the public schools of Wyoming, Iowa, and those of York County, Nebraska, he having been about seven years old when the family came to this state. He finally returned to Iowa and completed a course in the high school at Wyoming, and in pursuance of his ambitious purpose he entered the medical department of the University of Iowa, in which he was graduated as a member of the Class of 1899 and with the well won degree of Doctor of Medicine. His professional novitiate was served at York, Nebraska, and later he engaged in practice at Hill City, South Dakota. There he remained until 1902, when he came to Fremont, Nebraska, where he has since been engaged in general practice and where his noteworthy suc- cess represents the result of his ability, close application and effective ministrations. He has served fully fifteen years as county physician, of which office he is now the incumbent, and for a number of years he was local surgeon for the Union Pacific Railroad. He is state medi- cal director of the Modern Woodmen of America, and is an active member of the Dodge County Medical Society and the Nebraska State Medical Society. He is affiliated with the local Blue Lodge and Chapter of the Masonic fraternity and is a very active member and a past chancellor commander of Triumph Lodge No. 32 of the Knights of Pythias, Fremont, Nebraska, which he represented in the Grand Lodge of the state for eight years. He was a member of the medical board during the World war, devoting the greater part of his time to its work for several months, neglecting his private practice. His political allegi- ance is given to the republican party.
The year 1900 was marked by the marriage of Doctor Calkins to Miss Elizabeth T. Dickerson, who was born and reared in Dodge County,
832
DODGE AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES
where her father settled in the pioneer days. She is a daughter of Edward Dickerson, who came to Nebraska in the Territorial period and who in the later '50s was engaged in overland freighting from Fremont to Denver, Colorado. Doctor and Mrs. Calkins have no children.
EDWIN W. MARTIN, M. D., is consistently to be designated as the dean of the medical profession in Dodge County, where he is still engaged in active general practice and where he has maintained his resi- dence at Fremont, the county seat, since 1886. Here he has achieved the success that has not only been his due as an able and faithful physi- cian and surgeon, but has also gained inviolable place in the confidence and high regard of his fellow citizens.
Doctor Martin, in both the paternal and maternal lines, is a scion of fine old Kentucky ancestry, and is himself a native son of the Blue- grass State, within whose borders were born his grandfathers, William Martin and David Sellara, who there passed their entire lives. Doctor Martin was born near Cynthiana, Kentucky, March 11, 1845, and is a son of M. D. Martin and Zarilda Ann (Sellars) Martin, who continued their residence in that state during their entire lives, the father having passed away in 1915 and the mother in 1918, both having been of venerable age at the time of death. Of their ten children Doctor Martin is the eldest of the four survivors; Emma is the wife of Rev. E. W. Elliott, who is a clergyman of the Christian Church, and they reside at Glasgow, Kentucky; Belle is the wife of James G. Van Daren, a retired farmer residing at Cynthiana, Kentucky; and George P. is a farmer near Frankfort, that state. The parents were earnest members of the Christian Church, and the father was affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and was a stalwart democrat in politics. He served three terms in the Kentucky 'Legislature, and was one of the honored and influential citizens of his county, where he gave his active life to agricul- tural industry.
Doctor Martin acquired his early education in the schools of his native city, and prior to preparing himself for his profession he had had a number of years' experience in retail mercantile business. Finally he entered one of the leading medical colleges in the City of Cincinnati, Ohio, and after his graduation in 1881, he was for five years engaged in practice in his native place, Cynthiana, Kentucky. He then, in 1886, came to Nebraska and established his permanent home at Fremont, which has been the central stage of his earnest and successful profes- sional activities during the intervening years. The doctor was burdened with an indebtedness of about $4,000 when he arrived at Fremont, and for a time he was compelled to travel on foot in ministering to his patients. He frequently traversed many miles in this way, but he did not need the muscular exercise to heighten his efficiency in his profes- sional work, so that he did not deem it inconsistent when he was able to provide a horse and vehicle as a means of transportation in his visita- tions. He has long controlled a good practice of a representative type, and has the affectionate regard of the community in which his able ministrations have been given. He is essentially one of the repre- sentative physicians of Dodge County, has served as president of the Dodge County Medical Society, in the affairs of which he continues to take deep interest, and he is affiliated also with the Nebraska State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. The doctor is the owner of a fine farm of 160 acres near Fremont, and in this
833
DODGE AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES
city, in addition to his attractive home property he is the owner of six houses, all in the same block. He is a democrat by conviction and ancestral predilection, is loyal and liberal as a citizen but has never desired public office, as he considers his profession worthy of his undi- vided time and attention, the while he trusts that he may be able to continue his humane ministrations until the close of his life.
The year 1866 recorded the marriage of Doctor Martin to Miss Julia Doyle, who was born at Concord, Kentucky, and they have two children: Kate is the wife of Albert O. Morse, of Omaha, who has been for twenty years associated with the Nebraska Telephone Com- pany ; and M. Dell, who resides at Fremont, is the widow of Edward C. Blakesley. Mr. and Mrs. Morse have an adopted daughter, Kate, who is six years old in 1920. Mrs. Blakesley has one son, Edwin W., who is now a student in the Iowa State Agricultural College at Ames. Doctor and Mrs. Martin are members of the Christian Church.
JOHN W. GOFF. A representative citizen of Dodge County, J. W. Goff has gained distinction not only for his activity and prominence in the business life and public affairs of Fremont, his home city, but for his service as a brave and courageous soldier in the Civil war. He was born March 4, 1843, in Oneida County, New York, coming on the paternal side of New England ancestry.
His father, Henry Goff, was born and bred in Connecticut. Moving to New York, he bought land in Oneida County, and was there pros- perously engaged in agricultural pursuits during his remaining years. He was identified with the Whigs until the formation of the republican party, when he became one of its ardent supporters. He was a strong abolitionist and prior to the Civil war was associated with the "Under- ground Railway." He married Elizabeth Sturdevant, a native of the Empire State, and of their eight children, two are living, as follows: James, a retired farmer of Waterloo, Iowa; and John W., the subject of this sketch. Both parents were faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Brought up in New York State, John W. Goff was educated in the public schools and at different academies, and afterwards taught school three years, during vacations assisting in the labors of the home farm. Enlisting in 1862 in Company G, one Hundred and Forty-Sixth New York Volunteer Infantry, he served three years in the Civil war, during the last ten months of the time having been confined in Andersonville Prison. He took part in many of the important battles of the war, including among others, the engagements at Fredericksburg, Chancellors- ville and the battle of the Wilderness. While in prison Mr. Goff suf- fered untold privations, and when at the end of the war he was released, was unconscious. Recovering consciousness, he found himself in the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, from whence he was sent home, arriving there in a very weak and debilitated condition.
Subsequently Mr. Goff attempted to resume his studies for a college course, but his health would not permit. Having partially recovered his former physical vigor, he took a commercial course of study, and later taught bookkeeping and mathematics in both Utica, New York, and the neighboring city, Syracuse. Coming to Fremont, Nebraska, on March 1, 1869, to visit E. H. Rogers, a pioneer banker of the city, he was induced to accept a position in his friend's banking institution, and has remained here since. Resigning his position as bookkeeper with E. H. Rogers & Company in 1872, Mr. Goff was for three years asso-
834
DODGE AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES
ciated with Nye, Colson & Company, dealers in grain and lumber, but left that firm to enter the employ of L. D. Richards. Proving himself eminently capable and trustworthy, he was later admitted to partner- ship with his employer, becoming a member of the firm of Richards, Keene & Company, and on the incorporation of this firm was made its vice president, which position he now holds.
Mr. Goff was at one time vice president of the Western Trust & Security Company, which was organized to make real estate loans, and which was later taken over by Richards, Keene & Company, and he was also vice president of the Security Savings Bank, which was formed in connection with the Western Trust & Security Company and was located in the rooms occupied by Richards, Keene & Company. On the removal of the Security Savings Bank to the rooms of the Fremont National Bank Mr. Goff became its president, which position he held for several years.
Mr. Goff married Miss Myra Gilley, a native of Maine, and they have two children, Daisy L., wife of Frank H. Brown, a member of the Omaha and Chicago Grain exchanges; and Erma, wife of Fayette Leard, financial manager of the jobbing house of the Milligan Grocery Company, of Springfield, Missouri. A prominent member of the repub- lican party, Mr. Goff has served two terms as city clerk, and as city assessor for the same length of time. Fraternally he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a member of the Country Club, which he has served as president two years, and is very fond of golf, being, as he says, "an enthusiastic, if not a good, player."
Mr. Goff is a very pleasing speaker, and had the distinction of being selected to deliver the address at the centennial anniversary of Lincoln, an address spoken of in very complimentary terms by the newspapers, and he was urged to repeat the address at other places. He has also lectured to large audiences on his experiences at Andersonville, his talks being always interesting and entertaining.
At seventy-seven years he is still actively engaged in business, and attributes his good health largely to his life-long habit of alternating work with play.
JOHN SONIN. The history of every community reveals the fact that its real progress is the result of the vision and faith of a few men who in spite of obstacles and discouragements were willing to go ahead and invest heavily in its realty, and to develop enterprises which could not help but advance it in every way. This determination and enthusiasm on the part of a few have always resulted in prosperity for the many, and Fremont is no exception to this long ago proven fact. In the past each step forward has been taken through the efforts of the men who had the real good of the community at heart; the same is true of condi- tions today, and viewing the future in the light shed by events of the time gone by the responsibility will still rest on the shoulders of similar good citizens. One of these men of moment of the recent past, the active present and likely future is John Sonin, one of the leading mer- chants of Fremont, who through his purchase in January, 1920, of the Gumpert Building adjoining his present store building secures a site for what he intends will be the finest department store building in this portion of the state. In commenting upon his purchase, one of the larg- est realty deals ever consummated in the business district of Fremont, Mr. Sonin said :
835
DODGE AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES
"I have great faith in the future of Fremont, and for that reason made the purchase," in these pregnant words thus placing himself in the foremost ranks of the worth-while citizens and constructive business men of Dodge County.
John Sonin is of European birth, and was born in April, 1881, a son of B. and Rose (Ginsberg) Sonin, also natives of Europe, who came to the United States in 1896, seeking a refuge from oppressive condi- tions in their native land, and a country in which their children would be given opportunities to develop. They located in Grand Island, Nebraska, where the father was engaged in the clothing business for two years, and in 1898 came to Fremont and opened a clothing store that he conducted until his death. Of his six children, John Sonin is the only one living in Fremont.
John Sonin attended the public schools of Grand Island and Fre- mont, and at the same time made himself useful in his father's store, in this way learning the business thoroughly. In 1904 he went into business for himself, and now has one of the best clothing stores in this part of the state, his establishment occupying two stories and basement. His trade is a very large one and comes from a wide terri- tory surrounding Fremont as well as from the city itself. He is also a stockholder in several of the banks of Fremont, is prominent in commercial club work and owns improved farms in Nebraska and Colorado which he rents.
In August, 1910, Mr. Sonin was united in marriage with Hazel Sampter, born at Fremont, a daughter of Nathan Sampter, one of the early clothing merchants of Fremont. Mr. and Mrs. Sonin have no children. Mr. Sonin belongs to Temple Israel of Omaha, Nebraska. Well known in Masonry, he is a thirty-second degree and Shriner Mason. He also belongs to Fremont Lodge No. 514, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Knights of Pythias, and Woodmen of America, and is very popular in all of these organizations. Having been brought up in a republican household, he learned his political sentiments as a child, and his experiences of mature years have but strengthened his love for the republican party.
Mr. Sonin is an earnest, purposeful man, deeply interested in the progress of Fremont and willing to do everything in his power to prove that his faith in its future is justified.
GEORGE TURNER. Although he no longer is in the ranks of the living, the influence of George Turner is felt in the actions of those with whom he formerly associated, and his name is connected with much of the constructive work of Fremont, where so many years were spent by him. He was born in England on September 5, 1829, and he died at Fremont, Nebraska, on June 10, 1870. On April 13, 1856, he was united in marriage with Nancy S. Gilley, who was born in Maine on January 12, 1834, and still survives, although now eighty-six years old.
But a baby when he was brought to the United States by his parents, George Turner was reared at Needham, Massachusetts, and there he received his educational training. His father established the first knit- ting factory at Needham, and in it he gave employment to about forty men, manufacturing underwear. He was much interested in the dis- covery of gold in Colifornia, and had he been younger, doubtless would have made the trip, but instead, encouraged his son, George, to do so. He was a most excellent man and very religious, belonging to the Baptist Church.
836
DODGE AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES
George Turner went to California by the long route around Cape Horn, and was meeting with considerable success when his claim was washed away in a flood, and left him bankrupt. In about 1853 or 1854, he returned to Massachusetts, and, following his marriage, decided to come West. He and his wife first located at Dubuque, Iowa, but after a year, came to Nebraska, and after a brief period went on to Omaha, which continued to be their home until 1858, when they returned to Fremont and filed on a claim, the site of their farm being now included in the city limits. Mr. Turner gave the right-of-way to the Union Pacific Railroad through his property, but before the building of the road he was engaged in freighting to Pike's Peak from Fremont for a number of years. Mrs. Turner still resides in the large brick house at 78 South C Street that was built on the homestead, and she still owns the greater portion of the lots platted from the farm, also about seventy acres unplatted. Later in life Mr. Turner embarked in a whole- sale and retail grocery business with W. R. Wilson. They were very prosperous and Mr. Turner maintained these connections until his death. A strong democrat, he was the nominee of his party for State Senator, but was defeated, although his personal popularity caused him to run far ahead of his ticket. He was very active in civic affairs, gave liber- ally to charitable movements, and it is said of him that no one in need ever appealed to him in vain. Although many years have passed since his death, his memory is still cherished by those who had the privilege of meeting and associating with him.
Mr. and Mrs. Turner became the parents of the following children : George Alfred Turner, who is a pioneer of Hot Springs, South Dakota, having located there in 1880, and owns a large ranch in the vicinity of that city; Edward Gilley Turner, who is living in the vicinity of Waldo, Oregon, was extensively engaged in copper mining in that vicinity for a number of years; Nannie E., who married Frank L. Joy, has three children, and now lives with her mother, Mrs. Turner. The children of Mrs. Joy are as follows : Mrs. Ruth Hopkins, who lives at Pasco, Wyoming, where her husband is employed by the Middle-West Oil Company ; Marvin A. Joy, who is with the Baush Manufacturing Com- pany of New York City; and Marion, who is attending school at Fre- mont. For many years Mrs. Turner has been a consistent worker in the Episcopal Church, is very generous in her donations to it, and is interested in its good work. Not only is the Turner family one of the pioneer ones in this neighborhood, but it is also one of the most promi- nent, and its representatives are living up to the name in every respect.
CHARLES LESTER WALLINGFORD. A prominent, prosperous and pro- gressive agriculturist of Elkhorn Township, Charles Lester Wallingford is a typical representative of those citizens of Dodge County that came here poor in pocket but rich in energy, ambition and ability, and who, by persevering labor and efficient management, have steadily climbed the ladder of attainments, reaching one of its higher rungs through their own efforts. A son of the late James G. Wallingford, he was born August 10, 1864, in Muscatine County, Iowa.
A native of England, James G. Wallingford studied when young for the ministry, but never filled a regular charge. His father was a native of England and was a Baptist minister. He came to the United States and was engaged in ministerial work in Nebraska in an early day. After coming to the United States, James G. Wallingford lived first in Ohio, from there going to Illinois, and thence to Iowa, where he was engaged
CHARLES L. WALLINGFORD
837
DODGE AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES
in agricultural pursuits until his death, when but fifty-three years old. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Painter, came to Iowa in 1885, where her death occurred at the venerable age of four score years.
Acquiring a practical education in the common schools, Charles L. Wallingford remained in his native state until 1882. Coming to Nebraska in that year, with just $2.50 to his name, he secured employ- ment in Fremont, and was afterwards variously employed in that vicinity for several years, nine months of the time working on a farm. Gaining a good knowledge of many of the branches of agriculture, Mr. Walling- ford began farming on his own account in 1891, buying in Knox County 160 acres of land. Disposing of that he returned to Dodge County and rented land for two years. He subsequently bought land in Boone County, but never lived on it. In 1900 Mr. Wallingford purchased 160 acres of unimproved land in section 30, Elkhorn Township, and in its improvement has spared neither time, labor, nor expense. Laboring wisely and unceasingly, he has now one of the choice farms of the County, it being highly cultivated and yielding abundantly of the crops common to this part of the state.
Mr. Wallingford married, in 1895, Nettie Harkins, who was born in Dodge County, Nebraska, where her parents, William and Rosie Har- kins, improved a homestead from its original condition, and on the farm which they cleared spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Wallingford have six children: Lyda, James, Jessie, Pearl, Louis, and Hazel. Mr. Wallingford is a steadfast republican in. politics, and has rendered good service as road overseer and as township clerk. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. A loyal citizen of Dodge County, and one of its most persistent boosters, he has so thoroughly identified himself with its interests that he never visited the scenes of his childhood for a period of thirty-six years, being then recalled, in 1919, by the death of his brother, who was killed by lightning.
FREDERICK MOLLER, SR. In touching upon the life history of the gentleman whose name forms the caption to this sketch and who is one of the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of Fremont, the writer aims to avoid extravagant praise, yet he desires to hold up for consideration those facts which have shown the distinction of a true, useful and honorable life-a life characterized by perseverance, energy, broad charity and well defined purpose. To do this will be but to reiterate the dictum pronounced upon the man by the people who have known him long and well.
Frederick Moller, Sr., was born in Hamilton, Canada, on October 25, 1857, and is the son of John and Lizzie (Senges) Moller. Both of these parents were born and reared in Germany, but immigrated to the United States and were married in New York State. Subsequently they moved to Canada, but came back to New York City, and thence went to Philadelphia, where they remained until they came to Fremont, Nebraska. Here Mr. Moller homesteaded and pre-empted tracts of land, to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted himself for several years. Then selling his rights in this land, he moved into Fremont and engaged in the mercantile business on Broad Street for some time. By trade he was a pocketbook maker and dyer, but never followed that line of work after coming to this locality. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church and in politics he was a democrat. Fraternally he was affiliated with the Independent Order of
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.