History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 115

Author: Buechler, A. F. (August F.), 1869- editor
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Pub. and Engraving Co.
Number of Pages: 1011


USA > Nebraska > Hall County > History of Hall County, Nebraska > Part 115


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).


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The parents of Mr. Peters spent their lives in Germany where the father was a small farmer. They had four children, Henry being the youngest and the only one in Hall County. The others are: Anna, who lives in Germany ; Katherine, who is the wife of John Kruse; and John, who is in Germany.


Henry Peters was only sixteen years old


when he came to the United States, spend- ing his first few months in the new country where he hoped to make his home, in Peoria, Illinois. He wanted to be a farmer but the price of land in the neighborhood surrounding Peoria was rather discouraging and therefore he came west and late in the year reached Hall County. Here he found the land also be- yond his means but even then the price was reasonable, and with determination he went to work to accumulate enough money to en- able him to invest. He worked and saved, sometimes even going barefooted, and through rigid economy and without any outside help, earned the money with which he bought his one hundred and sixty acres of land. Its im- provement was only a matter of time and now Mr. Peters is one of the township's substantial men, owning a valuable property, and looked up to as a solid, wise and dependable man. During this time Mr. Peters went to Iowa where he was married and they farmed there for six years.


In 1895, Mr. Peters married Miss Amelia Dengler, who was born in Iowa, both her par- ents were born in Germany but came to America when young and were married in Iowa. There are four children in the Peters family : Claus A., who lives in Center town- ship; Henry William a resident of Merrick County ; and August John and Laura Amelia, both of whom live at home. Mr. Peters and his family are members of the Lutheran church. Claus A. was notified to get ready for military training at Camp Funston but on account of the "flu" did not, when ready for Camp Kearney, the signing of peace kept him at home.


HENRY BUETTNER, the fortunate own- er of a well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres which is situated in Alda township, was born at Grand Island, Nebraska September 15, 1867, and has lived in Hall County all his life. His parents were Louis and Catherine (Wiese) Buettner.


Louis Buettner, father of Henry, was born in Germany but from the age of seventeen, lived in the United States. Just following the great Chicago fire he visited that stricken city on his way westward. After reaching Ne- braska, he bought railroad land which, through his industry, was made valuable, and to his first purchase he had added until at the time of his death he owned two hundred and twenty acres, all of which he had improved. He belonged to several fraternal organizations and was a Lutheran in religious faith. Of his


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nine children, Henry is the eldest, the other survivors being : Augusta, the wife of Charles Beberness; William, who lives in Alda town- ship; Gustave, on duty on the coast of South Carolina, as a member of the United States Marine corps; Theresa, the wife of Arthur Reher, of Pine Bluff, Laramie County Wyoming; and Louis, who resides with his brother William in Alda township. The father died in 1900, but the mother survives and resides on the old homestead in Alda town- ship.


Henry Buettner obtained his education in the public schools and is a well informed man. He has never taken any strong stand in politics and because of his business cares, has never been willing to accept a public office. He has always been interested in church and school progress and in road improvement. Few farms in the township give evidence of more careful cultivation, and all his home surround- ings are comfortable.


On October 8, 1903, Mr. Buettner married Miss Lena Beberniss, a daughter of John Beberniss, an old settler in Hall County. They have three children, namely: Helen, Alfred and Ethel, all of whom live at home. Mr. Buettner and his family belong to the Lutheran church. He is a member of the order of Modern Woodmen at Alda.


IRA GIBSON, one of the representative citizens of Center township, has been un- usually successful as a farmer and stockraiser in Hall County, although he began his busi- ness life in an entirely different direction. For years he has been known as a successful rail- road contractor from Montana to Texas.


Ira Gibson was born in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, July 7, 1857, the eldest of a family of thirteen children born to James J. and Mary (McKinley) Gibson, the other sur- vivors being: William, who lives in Cali- fornia ; Mrs. Ella Grey, who lives in Kansas City; James, a resident of Le Mars, Iowa; Frank, whose home is in Ohio; Mrs. Anna May Doughty, of Minnesota; Mrs. Margaret Hensen, who lives in Ohio; and Susan and Minnie, both of whom live in Minnesota. The mother of this family died in the fall of 1860, but the father survived into old age and was vigorous in mind and body when his death occured in 1915, following his nine- tieth birthday. In many ways he was a re- markable man. He made a success of his busi- ness of farming, was a leader in beneficial movements in his community, an earnest Pres-


byterian, a Mason in good standing and a most zealous Republican.


Ira Gibson had excellent educational advantages, his father being a man of liberal mind, and after creditably com- pleting the high school course he entered the Pennsylvania School of Mines, from which technical institution he was grad- uated. He then went into the contracting business and in visiting western territory, came to Hall County in 1888. Having lost on some of his contracts, at this time he was practically without capital, a condition that he soon overcame however through industry and then resumed contracting and completed the Billings branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. After that he was with other western roads as stated above. In 1899 he bought a farm in Hall County, and five years later established his permanent home on it, and now owns a half section of valuable land. He has handled stock extensively and the measure of his profits may be estimated by the fact that in the past years he has turned off $57,000 worth. His handsome residence is modern in every particular and all sur- roundings are in keeping, it being an ideal rural home.


In 1880 Mr. Gibson married Miss Martha Ellis, who was born in Canada, and they have had two children: Grace, who is deceased: and Maude, the wife of T. A. Mccullough. a representative of an old pioneer family of Hall County. Mrs. Gibson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Gibson is a Master Mason, belongs to the United Workmen and Maccabees. Politically he is a Republican of no uncertain type, revering the traditions of his party in the past, and firm in his confidence in its principles in the present.


JOHN F. WIESE, a properous general farmer of Hall County, owning land in Alda township that in pioneer days could have been bought for $6 an acre, that is now valued at over $200 an acre, has spent almost all his life in the United States, being only two years old when his parents, Fritz and Leiza Wiese brought him from Germany, January 23. 1869. He grew up and attended school in Davenport, Iowa, and from there came to Hall County in 1885, with the intention of settling perma- nently, but, like many others, had but little capital and it was a hard struggle before he acquired his farm of eighty acres situated on section twenty-one, Alda township, on Rural Free Delivery Route No. 1, Alda. Mr. Wies Digitized by


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has always been a steady, hardworking man and the success that has come to him is well deserved. His business has been general farming and it is one he thoroughly under- stands


In 1894 Mr. Wiese married Miss Mary Knuth. A sketch of her family will be found on another page of this work. This estimable lady died March 2, 1918, having bravely and cheerfully faced many hardships with her hus- band in early days. She was the beloved mother of seven children, six of whom are living: Carl, who lives in Alda township; Dora, em- ployed away from home; Emma, the wife of Julius Mathiesen, a farmer in Washington township; and Anna, George and Fritz, all of whom live at home. As a business man and neigbor, Mr. Wiese stands well in his town- ship, he being one of the men of whom it may be said that his word is as good as his bond. .


ROBERT BERG .- It is gratifying to those who take an interest in Hall County, that the old pioneer names may still be found in con- nection with the lands secured through much hardship by the original owners. An example is found in Robert Berg, one of the successful farmers here, who has always lived on the homestead and has continued the industries his father followed for many years.


Robert Berg was born in Boone County, Nebraska, in 1884 and accompanied his par- ents to Hall County in his childhood. They were Olaf and Louise Berg. The father was a native of Sweden and the mother of Nor- way, who came to the United States in the fifties and were early settlers in Hall County. They had two children, Robert and Lawrence. Olaf Berg was a man of industry and good business judgment. His first purchase of land in Hall County was fifty-six acres, which strained his resources at that time, but before he died he owned two hundred and sixteen acres, all secured through his own efforts.


Robert Berg obtained his education in the Hall County schools. He and his brother are partners in operating the old home farm. He belongs to the order of Modern Woodmen.


ROGER H. BARNARD, a successful young farmer of Hall County and a man of sterling character, represents one of the old families of the county. He was born in Hall County, May 17, 1892, and is one of the two children of Alfred and Mida (Rumbarger) Barnard. His father was born in Ohio. His


mother was a native of Hall County. Both died here, the father in November, 1900, and the mother in 1909. Mr. Barnard has one sister, Sophia, the wife of Melvin Stellins.


Roger H. Barnard has always lived on the old homestead. His father came to Hall County when a young man and acquired one hundred and sixty acres of land which he im- proved and cultivated until his death. The mother of Mr. Barnard was an excellent busi- ness woman and following her husband's death, purchased forty acres of valuable land, Roger H. now owning the entire two hundred acres. He is a well educated young man and is carry- ing on his farm industries in an intelligent, sensible way that speaks well for the future.


On August 2, 1916, Mr. Barnard married Miss Ruby Franz, whose parents were early and substantial settlers in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Barnard have two children, a daughter and son: Mina and Alfred, who are certain to have both social and educational advantages as soon as they are old enough to receive them. Mr. and Mrs. Barnard are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in that connection and elsewhere are held in high esteem. Mr. Barnard is inter- ested in all matters pertaining to Center town- ship's progress, but takes no active part in political campaigns.


WILLARD A. PRINCE is one of the lead- ing members of the Hall County bar who has won an enviable place among the members of his profession.


Mr. Prince was born at Pierpont, Ohio, September 4, 1864, and was a son of A. W. Prince, now deceased. He attended the pub- lic schools of his native city and in 1882 entered Hillsdale College where he received the degree of A. B. in 1886. He then took up the study of law in the office of Harwood, Ames and Kelly, of Lincoln, Nebraska, and was admitted to the bar in 1888. He located in Grand Island the same year where he has enjoyed a continually growing practice.


December 26, 1888, at Ulysses, Nebraska, Mr. Prince was united in marriage to Miss Carrie B. Roberts. Her father Thomas R. Roberts was a native of Wales and became one of the first settlers of Des Moines, Iowa. He is a cousin of General Lord Roberts of the English army.


Mr. and Mrs. Prince have four children : Harold A., who is in partnership with his father ; Mrs. Hazel M. Bolton, of Schuyler, Ne- braska ; C. Roberta, a graduate of the Grand


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Island high school, class of 1919, is a student in the State University; and Elizabeth.


The family are members of the Presby- terian church.


BAYARD H. PAINE. - Judge Bayard H. Paine, was elected Judge of the Eleventh Judicial District in 1916 and has enjoyed his work very much in this widely extended dis- trict of eleven counties.


Bayard H. Paine was born on a farm near Painesville, Ohio, April 27, 1872, and is a son of Ira T. and Ella M. Paine, mentioned else- where in this volume.


Judge Paine attended the Grand Island schools and graduated from the high school with the class of 1889. He then . entered Northwestern University, at Evanston, Illi- nois, where he received his B.Sc. degree in 1894. For one year he was superintedent of schools at North Loup. From 1895 to 1898 he was assistant principal of the Grand Island schools. From 1898 to 1904 he was court re- porter for Judge John R. Thompson and in the latter year he entered upon the practice of law, continuing this until elected to the bench in 1916. He served the city of Grand Island as police judge from 1907 to 1911. From 1906 to 1917 he was referee in bank- ruptcy for fourteen counties in Nebraska. Aside from strictly professional lines his name is found on the directorate of several financial institutions, including the following: The First National Bank of Grand Island, Cairo State Bank, Alda State Bank and the Bank of Doniphan. He is secretary of the Paine and Fishburn Granite Company.


At Grand Island January 15, 1902, occurred the marriage of Bayard H. Paine and Miss Grace Bentley, a daughter of Charles F. Bent- ley. Mrs. Paine was the first graduate of the Grand Island Baptist College in 1895, and also attended Mt. Vernon Seminary, Washington, D. C. Prior to her marriage she taught four years in the Grand Island high school. Mr. and Mrs Paine are the parents of three chil- dren : Grace, Charles B .and Bayard H., Jr.


The family are members of the First Methodist church, and the Judge has twice been a delegate to its general conference, first to Los Angeles in 1904 and to Baltimore in 1908. For several years he was a trustee of Nebraska Wesleyan University.


In politics Judge Paine is a Democrat and in 1914 was the unsuccessful candidate of his party for congress.


Fraternally Judge Paine is a Mason belong-


ing to Ashlar Lodge A. F. & A. M. and has crossed the sands of the desert and is a member of the Tangier Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs to the B. P. O. Elks and several other fraternal orders.


In all things pertaining to the moral, intel- lectual and educational well-being of the com- munity he gives generously of his time and means. For five years he capably served as a member of the school board and the Public Library Board. For many years he was secretary and later vice-president and director of the Y. M. C. A. and served as president of that organization four years during which time the new building was erected.


ST. FRANCIS HOSPITAL. - The modern hospital is not only the highest de- velopment of science for the alleviation and cure of the ailments of mankind, a wonderful organization into which the best thought and experience of experts at work the world over have entered, but it is also a great philanthrop- ic enterprise. Particularly is this true in regard to an institution such as St. Francis Hospital at Grand Island.


The building and grounds of St. Francis Hospital cover four city blocks. It was founded in 1886, under the direction of Sister Magdelene, representing the Francisan Sisters of the Roman Catholic faith, long established at Lafayette, Indiana. The original building is still standing but in 1911 was greatly en- larged. At first it accommodated but twenty- five patients and eight nurses, but now com- fortable quarters are provided for one hun- dred patients and twenty-one nurses. All the rooms above the basement have been equipped and are suplied by private individuals, and plans are on foot for still further extension of the hospital's public usefulness. In addition to a first class operating room, equal to any in equipment in the city, the hospital owns an X-ray machine that is not excelled in the state.


St. Francis Hospital is under the direct supervision of Mother Superior Blanca, who came first to Grand Island in 1891 and has occupied her present office since 1905. Father Long is chaplain of the hospital. This institu- tion is doing a great work in giving scientific care to the sick, ill in mind or body. While it is generously supported, it would be unjust to fail to mention its charitable work, its free maternity ward, its loving care of little chil- dren and its benevolence to those of whom one of the highest dignitaries of the church


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BAYARD H. PAINE


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has said: "To comfort the poor, the sick and the unfortunate; to bring the blessed light of joy and peace and hope into the dark places of the earth, is the highest and noblest work that can be done by man."


JOHN LEO CLEARY. - A large amount of personal ability and popularity is made manifest in determining the status of John Leo Cleary, who is serving his second term as mayor of the city of Grand Island, and as chief executive stands as an exponent of those vital and progressive policies that inevitably conserve the best interests of the community.


John Leo Cleary is a native son of Hall County, born in Grand Island, October 17, 1878. He is a son of James and Johanna (Danahy) Cleary, who are mentioned else- where in this volume. The son was educated in the public schools of Grand Island and later became a student at Notre Dame University in Indiana. He then entered the law department of the State University of Nebraska at Lincoln from which he graduated with the class of 1902. He at once entered upon the practice of law in Grand Island, where he has staged his activities as a lawyer and public official in such a way as to inure greatly and conspicuously to the futherance of the civic and material development of the city and county.


June 9, 1910, was solemnized the marriage of John Leo Cleary and Miss Frances Jane Cunningham. Mrs. Cleary is a native of Ohio and accompanied her parents to Grand Island in 1903 and prior to her marriage served as public librarian. Mr. and Mrs. Cleary have one child, Frances Jane.


Mr. Cleary's, political beliefs make him a Democrat and his religious faith is that of the Catholic church.


GEORGE L. ROUSE, JR., who has been very successrul in his farming operations in Center township, Hall County, in which he has been engaged since his school period ended, was born in this county, March 24, 1875, and is a son of George L. and Susana (Rexroad) Rouse, the former of whom was born in Ohio and the latter in Illinois.


When a young man the father of Mr. Rouse went to Illinois and as he was well educated, was engaged there in teaching school until 1872 when he came to Hall County, Nebraska. Here he invested in railroad land, which he se- cured at $4 an acre, in its purchase displaying


considerable business foresight. He returned then to Illinois and taught school there for another year, at the end of which time he came back to Hall County and still resides here. He owns an entire section of land which has a high market value. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and to the A. O. U. W.


George L. Rouse, Jr., obtained his education in the public schools. He has carried on gen- eral farming under the best conditions, for many years, and is convinced that intelligent methods of farming will make this the great- est farm products section in the state.


Mr. Rouse married Miss Alice Davison, whose parents came also from Illinois to Ne- braska. They have five children: Warren, Mildred, Margaret, Mary and Wilma. Mr. Rouse belongs to two fraternal orders that have many active members in Hall County among representative people, the A. O. U. W. and the Yoemen. He is not a poli- tician.


HAROLD A. PRINCE is one of Hall County's native sons who distinguished him- self in the World War.


Mr. Prince was born in Grand Island, Ne- braska, April 6, 1891, and is a son of Willard A. Prince of whom mention is made on other pages of this volume. Reared in his native city, Harold A. attended the public schools and graduated from the Grand Island high school with the class of 1909. He then entered the Nebraska State University where he re- ceived the degree of A. B. in 1913, and the degree of LL.B. in 1915, then entered upon the practice of the law in partnership with his father.


May 11, 1917 he enlisted in the army and went into the first officer's training camp at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, and received the commission of second lieutenant. In August. 1917 he sailed for France, landing there Sep- tember 7th. He was assigned to the Sixteenth Infantry of the Second Division, and later with the One Hundred and Sixty-sixth, One Hundred and Sixty-seventh and finally with the One Hundred and Sixty-eight Infantry. all of them a part of the famous Rainbow Division. He was promoted to first lieuten- ant in the Argonne. He was in action from February 21, 1918 until November 11, 1918, when the Armistice was signed, and never received a scratch: His command became a part of the Army of Occupation and he re- mained with them until he was mustered out of the service, May 30, 1919. Here may be gitized by


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HISTORY OF HALL COUNTY NEBRASKA


mentioned the sectors where he saw service and where the severest fighting of the war took place: Lorraine, February 21st to June 21st ; Campagne-Marne defensive, July 4th to July 18th; Marne-Aisne offensive, July 26th to August 2d; St. Mihiel offensive, Septem- ber 12th to September 30th; Argonne-Meuse offensive, October 5th to November 11th. When the fighting was over he remained with the Army of Occupation until mustered out when he returned home with a most splendid military record and deserving the honor due those who helped in the fight for democracy. He has again taken up the practice of law where further honors are sure to follow.


S. N. WOLBACH has been a resident for forty-five years and during this time no man has been more prominently connected with the city's business and financial interests than he.


S. N. Wolbach is a native of New York City, born in 1851. His early education was acquired in the public and private schools of that city, this being supplemented by a course in Bryant and Stratton's Commercial College. He then found employment in a mercantile establishment and held one position five years. He then went to Chicago and found employ- ment, and was there during the great fire, his firm being one of the few who saved their books during that therrible disaster.


In 1874 he came to Grand Island and estab- lished the business now known as Wolbach and Sons, the largest concern of its kind in this part of the state.


Mr. Wolbach was married in Chicago to Miss Rose Stein and they have become the parents of four sons: Murray W., is a capitalist and resides in Chicago; E. J., of Grand Island; Dr. S. B., professor of bac- teriology and pathology in Harvard College; and Emil, of Grand Island.


Mr. Wolbach has always been a Democrat and was a member of the lower house of the legislature in 1885, and a member of the state senate in 1887 and 1889. He was an un- successful candidate for lieutenant governor of Nebraska in 1892, on the ticket with J. Sterling Morton.


Mr. Wolbach was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Grand Island and has been president of this institution for many years. He is also connected with several other financial institutions of this part of the state, among them being The Bank of Doniphan, Cairo State Bank and the Ravenna State Bank. He is the owner of four sections of land in


Greeley County and the town of Wolbach was named in his honor.


For forty-five years he has been an import- ant factor in the business activities of this section of the state and he is held in the high- est esteem wherever known.


JAMES CLEARY has been a resident of Grand Island for nearly fifty years and during this time has been one of its foremost business men and on several occasions has been called to public office.


James Cleary was born in Tipperary, Ire- land, in 1847. He was the son of John and Anna (Russell) Cleary. The mother died in Ireland and in 1850 John Cleary brought his family to the United States establishing his home at .Stanton, Virginia, where he became superintendent of an insane asylum. In 1863 he moved to Lewisburg, Virginia, and here his death occured soon after.


James Cleary was reared in Virginia and at the age of sixteen enlisted in the Southern army and served two years during the Civil War, a member of the Fourteenth Virginia Cavalry under General McCausland. Soon after the close of the war he went to Lewis- burg, Virginia, and from there to Missouri where he spent one year before going to Colo- rado. It was in 1870 that he came to Grand Island to establish himself in the hardware business, becoming one of the early merchants of the city, and continued in this line until 1888. He then entered the real estate business which he has continued to the present time and is one of the few survivors of the pioneer merchants of Grand Island.




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