History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 86

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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1882. The military law then came into play and he served in the German army for one year. In 1884 he came to the United States. He was at that time practically without capital and even worked as a day laborer after reach- ing Grand Island, but he had heard very often in his distant native land that America was the land of opportunity and he has lived to prove it. In the course of time he became a clerk in a drug store in Grand Island and the learning of the business was not much of a task to one whose faculties had been so well trained, and in 1908 Mr. Jessen bought the store and has conducted it ever since. His business success is well deserved for it has been built up by his own efforts. Although interested in all that concerns Grand Island, Mr. Jessen is not connected with any other business enterprise than his own.

Mr. Jessen married, in 1889, Petra Schorrup, who was born at Sheffield, Illinois. They have had the following children: Phosia, the wife of John Gaber, a traveling salesman for Armour & Co., living in Sheri- dan, Wyoming; Norma, the wife of William Hehnke, of the Hehnke-Lohmann Company of Grand Island; Charles T., who, during the World War served in a medical unit in the American Expeditionary Force in France, in- herits his father's talent in the acquisition of languages, being conversant with four; Vera, Emily, William and Tetra, all of whom are at home. One other child died in infancy. Mrs. Jessen died January 5, 1916. She was a faithful member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Jessen is a Democrat in politics and fraternally is identified with the Danish Brotherhood.

FREDRICH R. MANDEVILLE was born in Laporte County, Indiana, October 21, 1864. His parents were Dr. Daniel B. and Elmira (Talmage) Mandeville, both of whom were born in the state of New York. A short time after their marriage they removed to Laporte, Indiana, where Dr. Mandeville, for twenty years was in the practice of medicine. In 1879 Dr. Mandeville removed to Seward and retired from professional life. He was an ardent Republican in politics and was a brave soldier in the Union army during the Civil War. The patriotic character of the family is indicated by the fact that his father and three brothers, Jacob, Jerry and Rineer served in the army.

Dr. and Mrs. Mandeville had three children of whom Fredrich R. and Carrie are living. Carrie is the wife of Frank Pickrell who is a

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section foreman at Seward for the C. B. & Q. Railway. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm in Laporte County, Indiana, and obtained his education in the district schools. After coming to Nebraska he con- tinued to work on the farm until 1886. He determined to see more of his native land. He went to California and afterward re- crossed the continent to NewYork. He seems not to have been satisfied in the far east nor with the far west. He returned to Nebraska and went into the saloon business in Grand Island. He was in this business seventeen years in Seward, four years in Red Cloud and three years in Grand Island. He was appointed chief of police of Grand Island in May, 1917. As chief of police he stands for law and order and for the enforcement of law at all times and under all circumstances.

In 1900 Mr. Mandeville married Miss Emma Hill of Seward. Mrs. Mandeville's father, Mr. James Hill, is a pioneer and farmer, a liveryman and hotel manager, a man of wide acquaintance and substantial business connections. They have two sons, Harry and Fredrich. Mrs. Mandeville is a member of the Congregational church and is much inter- ested in local charities. From early manhood Mr. Mandeville has been identified with the Republican party and has been a loyal de- fender of its principles and candidates. He is a member of lodge No. 604 B. P. O. E. at Grand Island.

WILLIAM F. TILLEY is successfully en- gaged in farming and conducting a nursery in Lake township. He was born in Otsego County, New York, June 28, 1873, being but an infant when brought to Hall County, Nebraska, by his parents, Adin D. and Maria A. (Perkins) Tilley, a record of whom ap- pears elsewhere in this volume. His boyhood days were spent on the farm and his early education was acquired in the public schools, this being supplenmented by a two years' course in Grand Island College. In early man- hood he took up farming and for five years was in partnership with his brother George A. Later he associated himself with his father in the nursery business, having continued in this to the present day, conducting a nursery enter- prise on a part of the old homestead. He is also part owner of a quarter section of land in Lake Township which he devotes to farm- ing purposes.

In Hall County, March 1, 1900, was solem- nized the marriage of William F. Tilley and Miss Floy Wilcox, a native of Kansas. Her

parents were Milton and Harriett (Foote) Wilcox who came to Hall County many years ago, their home being established at Grand Island, where the father became a salesman for the Rock Springs Coal Co. He was a man of fine education and while living in Kansas served as superintendent of schools at Beloit, Kansas. The mother of Mrs. Tilley is still living, a resident of Grand Island.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Tilley has been blessed with four children, namely: Ralph, Vera, Mildred and George, all of whom are still under the parental roof.

The family are members of the Baptist church and Mr. Tilley is a Republican in pol- itics. Though not an aspirant for public honors he has the best interests of the com- munity at heart and capably filled the position of township clerk for two terms.

The name has been an honored one in the county since pioneer days and the family are held in the highest esteem wherever known.

GUY L. HARRISON. - One of the most important interests of the city of Grand Island is the business conducted under the name of the W. H. Harrison Company. This business, founded by the late Hon. William H. Harri- son, has since his death been conducted by his sons Guy L. and Fred L. Harrison, the former of whom is president and general manager. Like his late father, Guy L. Harri- son is a man of marked business talent, of prominence in public life, and of great popu- larity in his community. Through his own abilities he has won a substantial place for himself in commercial and industrial circles, and, while he came into a business already established, he doubtless would have made a success had he been called upon to build up a business of his own.

Mr. Harrison was born in Table Rock, Ne- braska, June 19, 1882, a son of William Henry Harrison, a review of whose career will be found elsewhere in this work. His educa- tion was secured in the public schools of Grand Island, and after his graduation in 1901, he en- tered his father's employ, continuing in close association with his father, in whose latter years he assumed many of the burdens of management. At the time of the elder man's death he became the leading official in the con- cern, which was incorporated for $25,000, in 1914. A general lumber business is done throughout the county, the concern also deals in coal, and in addition owns a well-equipped plaing mill, where all manner of woodwork is done. Mr. Harison is president and general

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manager of the company, while Fred L. Har- rison is secretary and treasurer and manages the coal department. Mr. Harrison is a mem- ber of the Elks Lodge No. 604, of which he is past exalted ruler, and belongs to Ashlar Lodge No. 33, A. F. & A. M. He supports the Republican party in elections.

On September 3, 1909, Mr. Harrison mar- ried at Grand Island Miss Anna M. Hershey, daughter of James B. Hershey, who came to Hall County a number of years ago and passed the rest of his active years in farming. Mrs. Harrison is a member of the English Lutheran church. Mr. Harrison is the leader of the Third City Municipal Band, of which organi- zation his father was the founder.

HON WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. - In the measure that a man proves the broad- ness and sincerity of his character, and his sense of the heavy responsibility devolving up- on him, both relative to his private interests and those of the public, does he deserve and achieve lasting success. Preparedness and ef- ficiency for whatever life brings, are valuable assets in the formulation of character and the accumulation of the evidences of material prosperity. Without a sane, sound outlook on life, no man can hope to produce upon others that impression so desirable in order firmly to establish permanent prosperity, a fact that some individuals never learn. Others recog- nize it from the first, and their careers are full of big accomplishments, and public-spirited actions, that lend themselves to produce the light in which the community regards such citizens. Such a man was the late Hon. Will- iam Henry Harrison, whose many achieve- ments in both business and public life estab- lished his name for all time as one of the most distinguished, as he was one of the most beloved, residents of Grand Island.

Mr. Harrison was born in Morris, Grundy County, Illinois, May 19, 1860, and was one of eleven children born to his parents, the others being : Joel D., of Grand Island; Frank A., of Lincoln; Charles E., of Mason City ; Thomas J., of Julesburg, Colorado; J. H., of Ravenna ; Elliott, of Cairo; Mrs. Martha Smith, of Mason City; Mrs. Edith Heywood, of Cairo; Mrs. Carrie Trover, of Friend ; and Miss Eugenia, of Cairo. He was six years of age when his parents removed to Nebraska, the family home being on a farm in Pawnee County, where the lad attended the district schools. This training was later supplemented by a course in a business college at Saint Joseph, Missouri. His first work was on the

home farm, but at the age of sixteen years he entered commercial affairs by securing a posi- tion as clerk in a drug store in Table Rock. One year later he entered the industry in which he was to make such a great success when he began work in a lumber yard in Table Rock, and a short time thereafter was promoted to the position of manager. He established a home and family of his own September 14, 1881, when he married in Table Rock Miss Emma E. Jones, daughter of David and Margaret (Williams) Jones, who were born and married in Wales. He resided for a time in Pennsylvania upon first coming to the United States, and in 1860 removed to Nebraska, from Wisconsin, locat- ing at Table Rock. Mr. Harrison's father- in-law, who was originally a shoemaker, in later years turned his attention to farming.

In 1884 Mr. Harrison removed with his family to Grand Island, where he was placed in charge of the S. R. Howell Lumber Com- pany headquarters, a capacity in which he supervised the operation and management of forty-five retail lumber yards throughout the state. A few years later, when the Howell Company withdrew from Nebraska territory, Mr. Harrison purchased three of the yards. including the one in Grand Island, and was actively engaged in the lumber business until within a short period before his death. In the organization of the lumber dealers of Ne- braska, Mr. Harrison's executive ability placed him at the front. Whether a question of policy or a plan of entertainment was being considered, his opinion almost always met with the unanimous approval of his associates. Lum- ber men who were in close touch with him, personally, and in his official capacity as presi- dent of the Nebraska Lumber Dealer's Asso- ciation, paid the highest tribute to his ability, judgment and personal magnetism, which made him a favorite wherever known.

Mr. Harrison always took an active and prominent part in public life and politics. In 1881 and 1882 he was a member of the city council of Grand Island, in which body he made his influence distinctly felt. In 1895 he was elected a member of the State Legisla- ture from his district, and was the Republican floor leader. In 1903 he was elected to the State Senate, representing Hall and Howard counties, and was elected president of the Senate, being head of that body in reality as well as by virtue of his position, nominally. He was an excellent organizer, played a great part in giving to the people of the state an improved revenue law and later was one of the progressive leaders of Nebraska. It is Digitized by

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MR. AND MRS. ELI A. BARNES

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said that if all of the bills for whose passage he was responsible had borne his name, the public could see, as those whose business it was to watch the inside workings of the legisla- ture saw, that W. H. Harrison was the master mind in both sessions. The clearness with which he analyzed political conditions made him an invaluable advisor for public officials, campaign committees and newspaper writers. He knew what the people were thinking about, and it was his political philosophy that it was wise to give them as near what they wanted as it was safe to do. In 1898 Mr. Harrison was appointed postmaster of Grand Island, and served in that office until 1902. During the time he was postmaster he took his political life in his hands and went to the state capital to assist in preventing the Legislature from carrying out a corrupt bargain in the nam- ing of senators. He lost the postmastership as a result of this courageous fight, but suc- ceeded in bringing in a new era in the politics of the state and made the sacrifice with the greatest willingness and good nature.

Mr. Harrison was fraternally affiliated with the Masons, Odd Fellows, Elks, and M. W. A., in all of which he was prominent and popular and held a number of important offices. He took an active interest in music, was the foun- der of the Grand Island Band, and he and his sons, all performers, formed a complete orches- tra. He was likewise a most enthusiastic ad- mirer of the game of baseball, participated largely in the management of the Grand Island team during the season of 1912, and every player who came in contact with him became his friend. He had a discriminating literary taste and was a lover of good books. His large library was a favorite gathering place for young people, with whom he maintained the warmest friendship, and his advice and help were accepted gratefully by this circle of young friends as well as by his large number of intimate friends, throughout the state. For some time prior to his death, Mr. Harrison had not been in the best of health, but his re- covery seemed certain because of his rugged constitution. Having gone to Omaha for a medical examination, he was seized November 15, 1913, with a stroke of apoplexy, and his death occurred the following day. In comment- ing upon his death one of the daily papers said: "His best epitaph is the love which they who knew him feel for him. This love is written more deeply and more permanently than if 'twere cut in stone."

The five children of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison are as follows: Guy, in charge of the W. H. Harrison Company; Fred, who is connected

with that concern; Ray who has the Willard Battery Station in Grand Island; Florence, the wife of George D, Hetzel, now living in Canada; and Reed, who entered the United States service October 4, 1917, and is assis- tant director of the 355th Infantry Band, Headquarters Company, France.

ELI A. BARNES, one of Grand Island's best known and most highly respected citizens, has spent almost a half century in Hall County and has been identified with much of its substantial development, being greatly interested in agricultural progress as well as in business affairs in this city. Mr. Barnes is an honored survivor of the Civil War, in which his gallantry won official recognition and ever since the organization of the Grand Army of the Republic, he has been a member and has been · commander and senior vice commander of the organization of Nebraska.

Mr. Barnes was born in Chemung County, New York, September 14, 1837, of old Empire state and Holland ancestry and of Revolu- tionary stock. His parents were Jesse and Rachel (Swartwood) Barnes, and his paternal grandfather, Abraham Barnes, who was born and died in New York. Jesse Barnes was born in Sullivan county, New York and died in Chemung County in 1857. His vocation was farming but he became prominent in local politics and distinguished himself as a first lieutenant of artillery in the war of 1812. In Chemung County he served in the office of town clerk and at the time of his death was superintendent of the county almshouse. He married Rachel Swartwood, who was born in Chemung County, New York. She was the daughter of Peter Swartwout, to give the name its orthography in Dutch, who came very early from Holland to the colonies serv- ing as a quartermaster-general in the Revolu- tionary war. The mother of Mr. Barnes re- mained in New York after she became a widow until 1862, when she removed to Illinois and from there to Cedar Falls, Iowa. She was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Of her large family of thirteen chil- dren many grew to vigorous maturity but at the time of writing Eli A. Barnes has but one surviving brother, George W., who has been in the agricultural implement business at Waterloo, Iowa, since before the Civil War; and one sister, Mary E., who has been twice married and is now a widow, first to Theodore L. French, and second to Hiram F. Lane.

Eli A. Barnes obtained his education in the district schools and Ithaca Academy, now

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Cornell University. He then engaged in farm- ing until August 25, 1863, when he enlisted for service in the Civil War and was orderly sergeant of Company G, Ninth Iowa Cavalry, and rose to higher rank before the close of the war. He removed to Illinois, in which state his mother was living, and there married February 22, 1865, Miss Nancy E. Crego, who was born in New York state. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes have been blessed in many ways and both enjoyed entertaining their friends on the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding, February 22, 1915. Mrs. Barnes is a member of the Episcopal church and is interested in the many charitable movements of the times.

Mr. Barnes came to Hall County, Nebraska, March 8, 1872, securing a homestead and re- sided on the same for thirteen years and then came to Grand Island to embark in a bond, insurance and pension business, which he continues with the exception of the bond feature, which he gave up in 1909. He is a notary public. He has been a prominent official of the State Board of Agriculture and served as its president from 1895 to 1896 and has been a member of the board for twenty- two years. In Grand Army affairs he has been commander of Lyons post, of which he is the present quartermaster, and has, as noted above, been senior vice commander and com- mander in the state. For years he has been conspicuous in Masonry in Nebraska. He is a member of Ashlar lodge No. 33, A. F. & A. M .; Deuel Chapter R. A. M .; and Mt. Le- banon Commandery No. 6, Knights Templar, and is past high priest and past eminent com- mander. He has taken fourteen degrees in the Scottish Rite, is a life member of all the bodies and is the oldest Shriner in Hall County.

FRED L. HARRISON. - Among the ener- getic and progressive young business men of Grand Island, who has proved his ability, judgment and thorough knowledge of affairs is Fred L. Harrison, secretary and treasurer of the W. H. Harrison Lumber Company. Mr. Harrison has passed his entire business career in connection with this enterprise and has built up a large and influential acquain- tance in coal and lumber circles of the state, in addition to which he is widely and promi- nently known as a frternalist.

Mr. Harrison was born at Table Rock, Ne- braska, October 9, 1884. He is a son of the late William H. Harrison, a review of whose life will be found elsewhere in this volume. He received his education in the graded and

high schools of Grand Island, whence he was brought as an infant by his parents. When he was able to start on his business career he joined his father and brother Guy L. in the W. H. Harrison Company, which had been founded in 1901. When his father's health failed, he and his brother assumed many of the responsibilities of management, which they took over in full when the founder died in 1913. The business was incorporated in 1914 for $25,000, and at that time Guy L. Harrison became president and manager, and Fred L. Harrison secretary and treasurer and manager of the coal department. He has since con- tinued in these offices. The company does a general lumber business throughout the county of Hall and the territory surrounding Grand Island, deals extensively in coal, and owns an up-to-date planing mill, where all kinds of wood work is done. The concern is also own- er of a large plant at Cairo, this state. Like his father and brothers, Mr. Harrison is a musician. He is one of the most prominent Elks in the state, being past exalted ruler, past state president and past district deputy of the Elks for Nebraska. In politics he is a staunch Republican.

Mr. Harrison married September 16, 1912, at Kaukauna, Wisconsin, Miss Josephine M. Kline, of Kaukauna, Wisconsin, a daughter of Jacob J. Kline, who was formerly a manu- facturer of paper at Kaukauna, but is now re- tired. They are the parents of one son: William H., Jr.

RAY L, HARRISON. - Many of the suc- cessful business men of Hall County, and this applies practically to those of the younger generation, have found their opportunity for success in the automobile business and in its various allied interests. The phenomenal growth of this industry has called forth the services of young, alert, enterprising men, cap- able of a quick grasp of innovations and new ideas. For the labors of this class there have been presented desirable rewards. Among the men of Grand Island who have profited by their ability to recognize opportunities and their ability to foresee developments, is Ray L. Harrison, manager of the Willard Bat- tery Station, and distributor of the Willard batteries for seven counties.

Mr. Harrison was born in Grand Island, Nebraska, December 12, 1886, a son of the late Hon. William H. Harrison, a review of whose career will be found on another page of this work. His early education was gained in the graded and high schools of Grand Is-

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land, from the latter of which he was grad- uated in 1905, and following this he took a course at the State University, where he was graduated in civil engineering in 1909. Re- turing to Grand Island, for six months he was employed in an architect's office, but this did not prove congenial, and he turned his atten- tion to the garage business, conducting an establishment of this nature for five years. During this time he had seen the possibilities in the battery business, and eventually estab- lished himself as proprietor in a small room eight by twelve feet. In order to embark in business, he was compelled to borrow $275. He was soon clear of indebtedness and began to enlarge his establishment, building an addi- tion of sixty-five feet, which included his bat- tery station and his repair shop. In 1917, so large had his business grown, he purchased a lot forty-four by sixty-six feet, on which he erected a modern building, fashioned accord- ing to his needs. Since that time the business has continued to grow and it will soon be necessary for him to secure larger quarters. Mr. Harrison conducts this business. which has been built up entirely by himself, as a Willard Storage Battery Station, in addition to which he is distributor for seven counties in Nebraska of this high class article. His business is accounted one of the most prosper- ous in Grand Island. Much of its success is due to the fact that Mr. Harrison is always improving himself and his knowledge, his most recent graduate work being of a practical na- ture - a course in the Willard Storage Bat- tery factory.

Mr. Harrison married March 2, 1917, Miss Elizabeth Pepper, a daughter of William Pep- per, an old-time resident of Hall County, who for many years was engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is now city street commissioner of Grand Island. They have one son, Ray L., Jr. Mrs. Harrison is a member of the English Lutheran church. He is exalted ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and past chancellor commander of the Knights of Pythias. In politics he is a Republican, but he has found little time for political matters or . and came to Grand Island. In 1907 he pur- public affairs, his entire attention having been engrossed by his business.

. HENRY SCHUFF .- As Grand Island has become, year by year, a more and more im- portant commercial and railroad center, its business has naturally increased and its tran- sient population has become of a magnitude which has been a constantly growing tax upon the capacity of its hotels. This tax has in

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History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 86

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