History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 80

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

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Mr. Bradstreet married, in 1886, Miss Luella M. Biddinger, who was born at Independence, Iowa, and is a daughter of James Biddinger, a substantial farmer there. Mrs. Bradstreet is a highly educated woman. During the time she and Mr. Bradstreet resided on the

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farm in O'Brien County, she also taught school. Mrs. Bradstreet passed away Feb- ruary 5, 1919 at Lincoln, being buried in Grand Island February 7th. She was a member of the O. E. S. Mr. and Mrs. Bradstreet had three children; two sons sur- vive; Archie L., associated with his father in business; and Deo, who has been with the American Expeditionary Force in France since June, 1918, taking a gallant part in the great army of successes in September, a non-commis- sioned officer, being coporal of his company.

Although Mr. Bradstreet is a Republican in his political sentiments, his personal popularity carried him into office in a Democratic strong- hold, in the fall of 1918. He could not be un- mindful of the great honor tendered him but apparently made little personal effort at cam- paigning, having left his home but three times for that purpose. His fellow citizens feel that their interests are safeguarded by a man of Senator Bradstreet's character.

He served in the state legislature in 1919, taking a very active part in demanding in- creased facilities for the Soldiers Home at Grand Island. He instigated a probe of exist- ing conditions that resulted in several sweep- ing changes in the personnel and administra- tive policies of the State Board of Control of Public Institutions of the state of Nebraska. Senator Bradstreet also rendered invaluable service on the Roads and Highway Committee and numerous other committees. He advanced the idea that while the new $5,000,000 state capital is being built the old building should be retained intact and the new building located on the north end of the present grounds and two blocks adjacent, to be acquired for that purpose. His contention that this would save the state approximately $1,000,000 in rental and other expenses, may yet prove sound.

He is a thirty-second degree Mason and a Shriner and also belongs to the Modern Woodmen, the Elks and the Odd Fellows.

JULIUS BOECK, who has had long exper- ience in the confectionery business and is a practical candy manufacturer, is one of Grand Island's substantial citizens. He has main- tained his home in this city since 1883 and in 1912 erected his handsome residence at No. 509 West First street. Mr. Boeck is a member of the city council and has served three years on the Grand Island school board.

Julius Boeck was born in Schleswig, Ger- many, July 23, 1865. His parents were Pro- fessor Heinrich Albert and Henrietta (Her- man) Boeck, both of whom were born and

died in Germany. Of their nine children, six are living, three of whom reside in the United States. Julius Boeck has a brother, John, who is a physician of Boise City, Idaho; and a sister, Dora, who lives at Phoenix, Arizona, the widow of Albert Geyler. By the time he was fifteen years old because of his father's attention to his education, Julius Boeck was well advanced in his studies and also was a youth of business enterprise. At that time he came alone to the United States and soon found employment in an Iowa drug store. From there he went to Boulder, Colorado, where he remained in the drug business with his brother for five years. In 1883 he came to Grand Island, Nebraska, and for two years was a clerk for the firm of Viet & Roeser then worked for Mr. Roeser alone for two years before he went into the grocery business for himself finally establishing his own confectionery business. Mr. Boeck then went on the road and represented the Dolan Fruit Company for two years. Following this he became travelling salesman for the Omaha Candy Company and continued in that re- lation for the next fifteen years. During this time Mr. Boeck prudently husbanded his re- sources and in 1907 began the manufacture of candy, operating as the Elting Candy Com- pany. He met with success in this enterprise but his plant was destroyed by fire in June, 1918, since which time business has not been resumed, largely on account of the shortage of sugar. At present he is a member of the travelling staff of the Mueller-Keller Candy Company, of Saint Joseph, Missouri.

Mr. Boeck married, in 1886, Miss Dora Iveis, who was born at Springfield, Illinois, a daughter of Cornelius Iveis, who has con- ducted a hotel and grocery in Grand Island for four years. Mr. and Mrs. Boeck have had four children, namely; Emma Henrietta, a bookkeeper and cashier in her father's candy factory ; Pearl Alfreda, a teacher in the public schools; Edith Rebecca, a cashier in a sugar factory ; and Helen, who died at the age of two years. Mr. Boeck and his family belong to the Lutheran church. He is an active fac- tor in the local Republican politics, and on many occasions has served in public office with great efficiency. He belongs to a number of fraternial organizations, among these being the Odd Fellows, the Elks, the American Order of United Workmen, the Maccabees and the United Commercial Travelers.

WILLIAM SPANGENBERGER, a solid, prosperous business man of Grand Island, has

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spent his entire life here. From humble be- ginnings, through his own efforts he has be- come financially independent, in the mean- while honestly earning the general esteem in which he is held. He is president and general manager of the Grand Island Storage Com- pany, which has been in operation here since 1903.

William Spangenberger was born in Grand Island, August 22, 1869. His parents were Fred and Louise (Budde) Spangenberger, natives of Germany who came to Grand Is- land in 1865 living here the remainder of their days. For two years after reaching Hall County, the father engaged in freighting, then entered the employ of the Union Pacific Rail- road and during the rest of his life worked in the roundhouse. He had eight children; the following six surviving: Pauline, the wife of Charles Hengen, of Lafayette, Indiana ; Louise, living in Grand Island; William, a well known business man of this city; Fred, a railroad man; Carrie, the wife of George Carman, of Omaha ; and Otto, bookkeeper for, and interested in the Grand Island Storage Company. Mr. Spangenberger is a Repub- lican in politics and fraternally belongs to the Odd Fellows and the Royal Highlanders. He married Anna Norbeck, a native of Sweden; they have an adopted child, Inis. The eldest of the family, Dora, who died at Grand Island in 1916, was the wife of Nick Hengen.

William Spangenberger attended school in Grand Island but his people were poor and he had to go to work in early boyhood, his first job being herding cattle. Afterward he was em- ployed on a farm for a time and then entered the Union Pacific Company's employ in the freight house in Grand Island, where he re- mained for twenty years. Even after he had invested his savings in a business of his own, he remained seven more years with the rail- road company. In 1903, with his brother Otto, Mr. Spangenberger started the Grand Island Storage Co., which later was incorporated at $20,000. He has been president and general manager of the concern ever since. This busi- · ness has been developed into a large enter- prise, a forwarding and dray line business be- ing carried on in connection with the work at the storage plant.

Mr. Spangenberger married, in 1893, Miss Anna Reinecke, who was born in Grand Island, a daughter of Charles and Susan (Williams) Reinecke. Mr. Reinecke was a railroad man who came to Grand Island in 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Spangenberger have one daughter, Ruth, the wife of Conrad Ross, who is a brickmason by trade. They now live in Omaha and have

two children : Mabel and Bettie. Mr. Spang- enberger is a Republican in politics. He be- longs to the Royal Highlanders and was a charter member of the local organization. In addition to his business interests above stated, he is a stockholder in another of Grand Is- land's substantial concerns which has been built up - the Grand Island Hide & Fur Com- pany.

MAX J. EGGE, optician, is one of Grand Island's best known business men. He is a representative of a sturdy race of pioneers who settled in Hall County a half century ago. Max J. Egge was born near Grand Island, Nebraska, May 4, 1871. His parents, both of whom have long since passed out of life, were Adolph and Ottilie Egge. They were married in the city of Omaha, Nebraska, and came to Hall County in 1868, taking up a homestead east of Grand Island.

Max J. Egge was one year old when his parents came to this section of Nebraska. For a number of years after locating here his fath. er worked as foreman of what was known as the State Central Mill, for Henry Koenig. Through industry, sobriety and frugality he accumulated enough capital to enable him to embark in business for himself. Subsequently be became a substantial coal merchant and a business man of importance in Grand Island. He took an interest in public affairs and politic- ally was identified with the Republican party. The Lutheran church received his support. Of his four children the survivors are: Max J., Carl, a resident of Minneapolis, is super- intendent of the railway mail service and for a number of years was a post office inspector ; and Marie, the widow of R. V. Pistorius, lives in Grand Island.

After completing the high school course in Grand Island Max J. Egge found himself at liberty to choose the vocation he preferred above others and during the next few years learned the intricacies of the jewelry business, including the grinding and fitting of lenses. From 1893 to 1896 he was in the jewelry busi- ness at Cortland, Nebraska, and then came to Grand Island to establish a business house along the same lines. In recent years he sold his store and now devotes all his time to optical work, in which profession he enjoys the confidence of the community. Mr. Egge is somewhat prominent in Republican politics. He served four years as chairman of the Re- publican central committee and at present is serving in the office of city treasurer. He is identified with the Masonic fraternity, is a Digitized by ternity:15 12

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Knight Templar and Shriner, and belongs to Lodge No. 604 Elks in Grand Island. In 1899 he married Miss Ada Casad, of Cortland, Ne- braska. She is a member of the Christian and he of the Lutheran church.

THOMAS OLIVER CROMWELL HAR- RISON, one of Hall County's distinguished citizens, formerly serving with great judicial honor on the bench and as a member of the Nebraska State Senate, is an eminent member of his profession in Grand Island and the dean of the bar of the county. For many years he has been a notable figure in the court room and perhaps only less so in public affairs per- taining to community, county and state.

Judge Harrison was born in New Burling- ton, Clinton County, Ohio, May 22, 1849. His parents were Peter and Salvania (Lovekin) Harrison, the former of whom was a native of England while the latter was born near Frederick, Maryland. Their marriage took place at Springfield, Ohio. They became the parents of eight children. But two of these survive, Judge Harrison and his brother Charles Harrison, a farmer residing in Greene County, Ohio. Peter Harrison was a manu- facturer of furniture and for many years he conducted his furniture store at New Burling- ton, in the meanwhile also attending to his duties as a minister, first in the Wesleyan and later in the Methodist Episcopal church. He was a man of strong convictions and un- doubtedly some of his admirable qualities de- scended to his children; he early became a strong anti-slavery man, an Abolitionist. Up- on the formation of the Republican party he found himself in sympathy with that organiza- tion. In 1872 he came to Hall County, Ne- braska, and for some years served as one of the board of county commissioners and also served one term in the state legislature. His wife had died in Ohio prior to his coming to the West. His death occured in Grand Is- land.

The boyhood of Judge Harrison was spent in southern Ohio where he attended the common schools and later took a course in the Normal school at Lebanon. Before leaving Ohio he had read law under the preceptorship of his uncle, R. A. Harrison, at London. He was admitted to the Nebraska bar after reaching Hall County in 1873. For a short time he taught school and then entered into practice and for forty-five years has been identified with the courts of this state. He early became interested in public affairs so that political offices were soon tendered him, his first ac-

ceptance being the position of deputy county treasurer, in which capacity he served one term. In the meanwhile he made rapid head- way at the bar being elected judge of the county court and served continuously in that office for eight years; subsequently, for the same period he served as police judge, and still later, for eight years was judge of the district court, having jurisdiction over eleven coun- ties. Judicial experience is one of the most valuable qualifications of a judge and his fel- low citizens appreciated this fact and proved their appreciation by electing him judge of the supreme court of the state, in which exalted office Judge Harrision served with intellectual vigor and sound judgment for six years. Judge Harrison was elected state senator, represent- ing Hall and Hamilton counties, and during his term in the General Assembly, he reflected still further credit upon himself and his con- stituents. Since retiring from public life, Judge Harrison has continued his law prac- tice in Grand Island also serving as attorney for the city school board.

Judge Harrison married, in 1880, Miss Mary C. Laine, who was born in the state of New York. She is a member of the Presbyterian church. The Judge is prominent in Masonic circles being a Knight Templar and also a Shriner. Although he is the only representa- tive of his family in Hall County, at one time three of his brothers lived here, W. H., Richard L. and Charles. Harrison township in Hall County was named in honor of his family.

ERNEST G. KROGER, of Grand Island, is an able member of the bar, one of the younger leaders of the city democracy, and a citizen who has already impressed the force and straightforwardness of his character up- on the legislation of his adopted community. During the past nine years he has been a practitioner in this city, and during the greater part of that time has acted in the capacity of police judge, an office in which he has given evidence of the possession of marked judicial and executive ability.

Judge Kroger was born at North Bend, Ne- braska, February 15, 1888, a son of John and Mary (Docekal) Kroger, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Austria- Hungary. Both his father and mother came to the United States as children of fourteen years with their respective parents, the fami- lies settling in Nebraska. For a number of years during his early life John Kroger was engaged in railroading, but eventually turned

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his attention to farming in Hamilton County, where he became the possessor of 160 acres of land and developed a well-cultivated and highly-improved farm. There his death oc- curred after a successful and honorable career, his widow still making her home on the prop- erty which she had helped her husband to de- velop. They were the parents of five chil- dren: Ida, the wife of George Wurtz, a Hamilton County farmer; William, engaged in farming in Polk County, Nebraska ; Ernest G., Adolph, farming in Hamilton County ; and Lillian, who is single and makes her home with her mother on the homestead. The fam- ily belongs to the Lutheran church. In his political views, John Kroger was a democrat.

Ernest G. Kroger received his early edu- cation in the public schools of York County, Nebraska, following which he attended Con- cordia College, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for two years. Deciding upon the law as the medium through which to work out his life's success, he became a student at the State University, Lincoln, Nebraska. He was an earnest, in- dustrious student being duly graduated from that institution with his degree after three years of study, and in 1909 was admitted to the bar. At that time he came to Grand Is- land to enter upon the practice of his pro- fession. In April, 1911, he was elected police judge, an office which he has since filled with rare ability, dignity and justice. He has been engaged in active practice, interspersed with his activities in Democratic politics and civic movements. Care and precision mark; the preparation of all his cases of whatever na- ture, his thoroughness of preparation insur- ing a convincing and clear presentation of whatever subject comes before him for ad- justment. Judge Kroger is a member of several clubs and fraternal organizations, and with his family attends the Lutheran church.

On September 29, 1909, Judge Kroger mar- ried at Polk, Nebraska, Miss Kathryn Nier- mann, who was born in Polk County. To this union there have been born three chil- dren: Roscoe, in 1910; Orville, in 1912; and Eleanor, in 1917.

RUSSELL L. GEER. - One of the busi- ness concerns in Grand Island that commands attention because of its long continuance, sub- stantial character and commercial integrity is the Geer Company, of which Russell L. Geer is president. He was born in Grand Island, Nebraska, October 25, 1887, the son of L. T. Geer, an extended sketch of whom will be found in this work.

Russell L. Geer obtained his education in the pulic schools of Grand Island and was graduated from the high school in 1906. In- stead of taking advantage of open opportunity whereby he might have won collegiate laurels, he illustrated his democratic principles by ac- cepting work in his father's office in order to learn the company business through practical experience. After two years there Mr. Geer went to Kansas City where for four years he was employed as estimator for the American Sash & Door Company, returning then to Grand Island, where he became associated officially with the Geer Comany, accepting the presidency of the organization. The stock of this company is owned by Mr. Geer, his father and his brother. The business of this com- pany is one of large volume and wide trade connection.

Mr. Geer married, in 1912, Miss Ruth Hin- sen, who was born in Walnut, Crawford County, Kansas, where she was educated and carefully reared. She is a member of the Christian church, in Kansas City. Mr. Geer was reared in the Congregational church. In politics he is a sturdy Republican but no seek- er for public honors for himself, the quiet, steady pursuit of business bringing him the satisfaction and remuneration that afford con- tentment, without the cares attached to polit- ical preferment. He and his wife take part in the city's pleasant social life and are members of the Grand Island Country Club.

JOHN ALLAN. - A resident of Hall County for forty-five years, John Allan has the distinction of being head of the firm that has the only abstract business in the county. During his long residence here he has seen much public service, and through this, as well as through his various business interests, has been a helpful factor in build- ing up and developing this thriving part of the state.

Mr. Allan was born May 30, 1850, in Scot- land. He is a son of John and Margaret (Watson) Allan, who passed their entire lives in the land of their birth, where they were engaged in agricultural pursuits. They were highly respected people of their community and devout members of the Scotch Prsbyter- ian church and through their example and teachings reared a family which survives to reflect credit upon their rearing. Of the thir- teen children, eleven are living, but only four are residents of the United States: John, James, who is a resident of Wood River, Ne- braska; Mrs. Jessie Wilson, of Doniphan,

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this state; and Henry, formerly a resident of Hall County and for eight years clerk of the district court, but now a resident of Seattle, Washington.

John Allan received his education in the public schools of his native land. He was reared to an agricultural life, but the oppor- tunites for advancement did not seem to be promising enough in the place of his birth and he decided to try his fortunes in the land across the waters. He was less than nineteen years of age when he arrived in this country, February 4, 1869, and was only twenty-three years old when he came to Hall County. For eight years following his arrival he was engaged in teaching school at Wood River, but at the end of that period secured employment in the court house at Grand Is- land. Two years later he was elected to the office of district clerk, which he filled with such ability that he was retained in office by consecutive elections until he had established an incumbency of sixteen years. In the mean- time, in 1884, he had founded a small abstract business, which he built up gradually until it assumed large proportions, and at the expira- tion of his final term of office he began to give the business his undivided attention. The firm of John Allan & Son is now one of the large and important business concerns of the county seat and the only abstract business in Hall County. While abstracts are given the greater part of Mr. Allan's attention, he also handles real estate, insurance and loans, and is known as an astute and careful man of business, an excellent judge of land values, and a man of the highest probity and integ- rity. A Republican in his political views, in addition to the service mentioned above, he has contributed to his community his labors in the offices of deputy county clerk and deputy clerk of the district court. His fraternal affili- ation is with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which order he is past grand mas- ter. With the members of his family, he be- longs to the Episcopal church.

Mr. Allan was married June 18, 1885, at Grand Island, to Miss Fannie L. Garrett, who was born in Iowa, and of their children, three are living; Leo G., who was his father's part- ner in business, a former member of the Ne- braska National Guards, who is now captain of Company M, 134th Infantry, A. E. F., France; Elsie M., who is assisting in her father's office during the absence of her broth- ers ; and Rex J., who in April 1918, enlisted in the United States Navy, and is now stationed at Brooklyn, New York. Prior to enlistment he was attending the Colorado School of

Mines at Golden, Colorado, and when dis- charged intends to complete his education in that institution.

CHARLES HENRY TULLY, identified with the interests of Hall County, Nebraska, for over forty years, is a representative citi- zen of Grand Island and has had much to do with the development of its commercial affairs. He has been one of the public- spirited men who have given encouragement to civic progress along every line. Beginning at the foot of the ladder and climbing by the aid of character and industry, Mr. Tully has done much for himself as well as for Grand Island.

Mr. Tully was born at Rome, Oneida County, New York, June 21, 1853. His par- ents, William Henry and Annette. (Bates) Tully, were also natives of New York. In 1859 they removed to the northern part of Indiana where for many years afterward his father engaged in the practice of medicine at Warsaw. He died March 13, 1919, aged nine- ty-five years, eight months and one day. He was one of the most venerable residents of Arkansas City, Kansas, having resided there with his daughter. The mother of Mr. Tully died in 1913, at the age eighty-six years. The parents had six children born to them as fol- lows : F. M., a retired resident of Long Beach, California ; A. A., in business at Omaha, Ne- braska ; C. H., F. F. a shoe merchant in Grand Island; W. D., a fruit farmer in the state of Washington ; and Clara C., the wife of W. W. Spencer, a dealer in real estate at Arkansas City, Kansas.

Before the family removed to Indiana Mr. Tully had attended school, but the greater part of his education was secured at Warsaw. After he put his books aside, the young man determined at first to enter one of the profes- sions, but a few months of study of dentistry convinced him that a different vocation would be more congenial. Therefore, in 1875, with three others, Mr. Tully crossed the country with a team and covered wagon to Columbus, in Platte County, Nebraska. Shortly after- ward he preempted land in Greeley County. Nebraska, on which he remained until 1878, when he came to Grand Island. Here he went to work for John L. Means, with whom he later went into partnership, under the name of Means & Tully Contractors & Bridge Builders. During the many years that this association lasted, the firm built many bridges in Nebraska and Colorado. It was during this time, in May, 1897, that he began, in a small way, to manufacture wire fence and

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History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 80

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

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