History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 93

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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, In 1881 occured the marriage of Louis Upperman to Miss Amy Haynes, who was born in Ohio. They have one daughter, Lillie, who resides with her parents. Mr. Upperman and family belong to the Congregational church. In politics he is a Republican, and fraternally is an Odd Fellow.

J. B. PIZER, one of the leading merchants of Grand Island, has, through resistless energy and remarkably good management, within a space of eight years built up one of the largest mercantile concerns in Hall County. Before coming to this section he had been identified with the same business interests in

other sections, having been a reputable and successful merchant for fifteen years in Hast- ings.

J. B. Pizer was born in Russian Poland, in 1866. His parents were Samuel and Rachel (Winlekman) Pizer, both of whom were born in the same province as their son and there the mother died. In those days the father was a man of means, having a large farm, keeping a store and lending money. Of the twelve children in the family six came to the United States, of whom four survive: Julius, who may be the wealthiest man in Lincoln County, a merchant, banker, ranch owner and stock- man, living at North Platte; Simon, a mer- chant at Sargent, Nebraska ; Peter, a business man of Detroit, Michigan; and J. B., who resides in Grand Island. Sol and Philip Pizer, older brothers, came to the United States prior to 1898, the former having served in the Russian army throughout the Russo-Japan war. He emigrated to the United States but three years later returned to Russia. At the outbreak of the World War he again · entered the Russian army and the last time his American relatives heard from him, he was held a prisoner of war in Germany. They have little hope that he is still living after life in a German prison camp. When Philip Pizer came to the United States he soon located in Waxcohe, Texas, where he engaged in merchandising until his death.

J. B. Pizer was but eighteen years of age when he left Poland alone to carve a career for himself in the United States. He knew nothing of the English language but had been carefully instructed in the Hebrew schools as his people belonged to the old order of the Jewish synagogue. With the quick intel- ligence that marks his race, Mr. Pizer rapidly assimilated knowledge, learning to accom- modate himself to American customs. He settled first at North Platte, Nebraska, where he engaged in merchandising, going from there to Arcadia, where he conducted a store for three years, moving then to Sargent, where he was in the same business for the next three years. Mr. Pizer then embarked in the mer- cantile business in Hastings, purchasing the Davis store already established. He made a specialty of dealing in clothing, conducting a large and satisfactory business during the next fifteen years. Later he added ladies' wear to his other lines. This store is now con- ducted by Mr. Pizer's son. After looking over the business field for a short time at Portland, Oregon, Mr. Pizer came back to Nebraska, buying in 1910 the M. Aven & Co. "Ready-to-Wear" store, since which time he

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has enlarged his quarters and expanded his stock until he now carries an extensive line of desirable goods conforming in every way to modern accepted styles.

Mr. Pizer married, in 1890, Miss Fannie Stock, of Detroit, Michigan, who died in 1895, leaving two children : Philip, who has charge of the Hastings store, and Mildred, who lives at home. Mr. Pizer married a second time, in 1898, Miss Hattie Stricker, of Denver, Colorado. One son, Joseph, was born to this union, who is associated with his father in business, having just returned from a military school at Ann Arbor, Michigan. Mr. Pizer and his family reside in their handsome res- idence on Walnut street, Grand, Island. They belong to the Jewish congregation. In politics he is a Requblican, and fraternally is identified with the Elks, and the Modern Woodmen.

GEORGE J. BAUMANN, one of the oldest residents of Grand Island, was born and reared in this city, having been concerned in business enterprises here for many years. He has, also, served most acceptably in public office. Few men are better known in this section and none have a higher reputation for trustworthiness. Mr. Baumann is proprietor of the leading undertaking establishment at Grand Island.

George J. Baumann was born in Grand Island, Nebraska, March 24, 1873, a son of Henry and Martha (Preiss) Baumann, who came from Germany to Grand Island in 1866, being married here and reared a family of nine children: August, assistant post master of Grand Island for a number of years; George J., who lives in Grand Island; Oscar and Herman, twins, both of whom are in the drug business, the former at Lincoln and the latter in Grand Island; Nora, residing with her mother in California, is engaged in the millinery business; Anna, assistant auditor for a creamery company, lives in California ; Henrietta, associated with her sister in bus- iness, also lives in California ; and two children who died. The father of this family was a tailor in Grand Island who died here when his children were yet young. He was a mem- ber of the Catholic church.

The early death of his father placed heavy responsibilities on George J. Baumann in boy- hood, and in order to meet these he worked industriously at various occupations, among them selling newspapers. Later he entered a photographic studio to learn the business, in which he continued for twenty-five years ; subsequently he conducted a store for two

and a half years before accepting a position as commercial traveler for two years. Upon leaving the road he invested in an installment furniture house, buying the outstanding con- tracts, a business he conducted with marked success for three years. In 1913, in partner- ship with F. M. O'Malley, he engaged in the undertaking .business, subsequently purchas- ing Mr. O'Malley's interest, and in September, 1917, formed his present partnership with F. G. Evans. They conduct an excellent undertaking business. Mr. Baumann is a registered embalmer, having attended the Des Moines School of Undertaking.

In November, 1904, occurred the marriage of Mr. Baumann and Miss Jaunita Metcalf, who was born at Laramie, Wyoming. Her father, A. J. Metcalf, is now a resident of Grand Island but formerly was engaged in the cattle industry in Wyoming. Mr. and Mrs. Baumann have four children; Alfonso, John, Mary Juanita and Henry Bruce. The two older children are attending school. Mr. Baumann and his family are members of the Catholic church. In politics he is a Democrat. He has always felt the responsibility of citi- zenship, responding cheerfully to public de- mands upon his time, having served in local offices and has been both coroner and deputy coroner of Hall County. He belongs to the Yeomen, the Royal Highlanders, the Elks and the Knights of Columbus, being financial sec- retary of the last named organization.

ALFRED ANDERSON, veterinarian, has been engaged in the practice of his profession at Grand Island for a decade having built up a substantial reputation in this branch of med- ical science. His patronage comes from all over Hall County and on many occasions he has been of the greatest service to stock and cattle raisers.

Alfred Anderson was born June 17, 1874, in Seward County, Nebraska, a son of George W. and Anna R. (Kesselring) Anderson. They were natives of Pennslvania, born, reared and married there, but desiring a wider field in a new country came to Nebraska, reaching Seward County in 1874, where the father took up a homestead, living on original grant until his death, having been for many years in very comfortable circumstances. He was a Republican in his political views and served in such public offices as road overseer, belonged to the order of Odd Fellows and was a faithful member of the United Brethren church. The mother of Dr. Anderson now lives in Seward. They had fifteen children,

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seven sons and eight daughters, Dr. Anderson being the tenth child.

Dr. Anderson attended the public school named after his father, situated in the country two and a half miles west of Seward. He spent his earlier years on the farm and then took charge of the Seward Cereal mill, operat- ing the same for seven years. In 1907 he entered the Kansas City Veterinary College as a student, being graduated from that insti- tution in 1909, immediately coming to Grand Island to establish himself in his chosen pro- fession.

In 1900 Dr. Anderson was married to Miss Mary Sanders, who was born at Bee, Ne- braska. In politics Dr. Anderson is a Re- publican, and fraternally he belongs to the Elks and the Modern Woodmen.

EDWARD FRANCIS YOUNKIN. - The wholesale produce business is an essential part of a modern commercial life. To conduct it profitably, aside from the heavy initial invest- ment, a dealer must possess a large amount of business wisdom, including a knowledge of the fluctuating markets of the world. An ex- tensives enterprise of this kind is carried on in Grand Island by Edward F. Younkin, who is a heavy buyer of general produce which he ships both east and west. Like many another successful business man of today, Mr. Younkin has been the unassisted builder of his own fortune.

Edward F. Younkin was born in Davis County, Iowa, December 20, 1868. His parents were Moses and Fannie (Turner) Younkin, natives of the Keystone state, who in their youth came to Iowa where they met and were married. They had twelve children ; three of the six survivors live in Grand Island; Edward F., William S. and Albert T. The parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The father belonged to the Masonic fraternity and was a Republican in politics. He died on his farm in Iowa.

The country schools of Davis County, Iowa,. provided Mr. Younkin with a fair working. education, and he remained on the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age, when he went to Kansas and there be- came interested as buyer and shipper of poul- try, working in this industry for different firms for five or six years. Realizing the profits to be made in this line, about 1901 Mr. Younkin embarked in the business for himself but prior to 1903 was a transcient buyer of car load lots throughout Nebraska and Kansas. When Mr. Younkin came here

in 1903, he determined to make this city his headquarters because of the excellent shipping facilities afforded. In 1904 he embarked in a general produce business as a wholesale operator. Since then he has built up an im- mense concern, regularly shipping car load lots to New York City and to San Francisco. As his interests expanded Mr. Younkin needed assistance and now has his two broth- ers associated with him in the wholesale house. They both live in Grand Island.

Mr. Younkin married in 1903, Miss Gertrude Crawford of Grand Island, a daugh- ter of G. S. Crawford, one of the older res- idents of this city, who conducted a meat business here for a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Younkin have two children: Edyth and Thoel, both of whom attend the public schools. Mr. Younkin is a Republican in politics but has always found his business too engrossing to permit acceptance of any public responsibility beyond that carried by every loyal and public spirited citizen. He belongs to the order of Elks and to the Lieder- kranz, in Grand Island.

ALBERT MCLELLAN .- While in point of years Albert Mclellan has experienced only a short career in comparison with many others whose biographies appear in this work. his life thus far has been a successful one and the quality of his accomplishments would seem to indicate that he is in a fair way to become one of the substantial citizens of his com- munity. At this time he is engaged in general farming on a tract of 320 acres of valuable land in Center township, and in addition has met with well-merited success as a breeder of thoroughbred Holstein cattle.

Mr. Mclellan is one of the native sons of Hall County who have made good in their home community, having been born on the farm of his father, William McLellan, March 29, 1890. A review of the life of the elder man appears on another page of this work. There were six children in the family : James, who is a Hall County farmer; William, Jr .. who has just returned from service in the army in France, and who is also engaged in farming in Hall County; Albert; Rebecca, Mrs. Thomas of Hall County; Ada, Mrs. Layman, of Amherst, and Jeanette, who re- sides with her parents.

The public schools of Hall County fur- nished Albert Mclellan with his educational training, while that for his life work came under the guidance of his father and through experience in performing the duties of the

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home farm. When he took over the manage- ment of his present 320-acre property, it was with knowledge that thoroughly fitted him for the important and difficult task that lay before him, and he has since been able to compete with other agriculturists in a manner that makes a favorable comparison justified. His farm is highly productive as to the general farming division of his activities, and has good improvements and substantial buildings. As a breeder of thoroughbred Holstein cattle he keeps an exceptionally good grade of stock, and also raises sheep. Mr. Mclellan is a Republican voter and a member of the Ma- sonic order.

On December 31, 1913, Mr. McLelland was united in marriage with May Kelley, daughter of Louis and Fanny Kelley, natives of West Virginia and early settlers and farming people of Hall County.

HARRY C. LYONS, identified with the Grand Island Hide & Fur Comany of Grand Island, of which he is general manager, has been a resident of this city for over a decade and has been active in its business affairs. Mr. Lyons is an experienced man in the hide and fur trade, an industry in which he has been interested since the close of his school days.

Harry C. Lyons was born in Johnson County, Kansas, October 16, 1881, the son of John J. and Jennie (Shrieves) Lyons, both of whom were born in Illinois. They came to Kansas when young, being married in the Sunflower State. They had the following children: Leslie J., an attorney in Kansas City, Missouri ; Albert H., a general merchant of Brewster, Oklahoma; Mamie, the wife of Jacob Beautlespacher, a tailor of Muskogee, Oklahoma; Jessie, the wife of Porter Spald- ing, county assessor of Muskogee County ; Chester, in the transfer business at Oakland, California; Harry C., who resides at Grand Island; and Ruth, the wife of James Forgen- son, vice-president of the Railroad Trainmen's Union in California. The parents are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. The father, who is now a resident of Oklahoma in the Indian service for the government, was formerly a farmer and newspaper man, serv- ing for two terms as county clerk of Johnson County, Kansas, being elected on the Re- publican ticket.

Mr. Lyons attended the public schools in Johnson County and in boyhood made himself useful as a clerk and delivery boy, but secured his first settled position when he entered a

hide house at Topeka, Kansas, January 6, 1901, where he remained one year before going to Saint Joseph, Missouri, where he engaged in the hide business for five years. On September 30th, 1908, he came to Grand Island to assume the management of the James C. Smith Hide Company, becoming a member of the firm. In September, 1918, he purchased the controlling interest in the com- pany which is now incorporated and operated under the style of the Grand Island Hide & Fur Company.

Mr. Lyons married January 1, 1906, Miss Myra Barthold, of St. Joseph, Missouri. They have three children: Bernice Jennie, Manette Calista, and Virginia Ruth. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal . church. Mr. Lyons is a Mason and a Re- publican.

OTTO LEO MATTKE. - The mercantile interests, particularly in the grocery line, are well taken care of in Grand Island. One of the thoroughly experienced men in this trade is Otto L. Mattke, who has devoted many years to grocery interests. Mr. Mattke is senior member of the firm of Mattke & Gor- man, general grocers.

Otto Leo Mattke was born in Germany, August 5, 1875. His parents were Herman and Lena Mattke, who came to Hall County, Nebraska, in 1883. The father was a brick- mason by trade and assisted in the construc- tion of many of the valuable buildings here, while in dull times he worked as a section hand on the railroad. He was honest and industrious and acquired a competency. His death occured in Grand Island in 1915, at the age of sixty-eight years. He had five children: George, a machinist with the Union Pacific in Grand Island; Herman, round- house foreman for the Union Pacific in Grand Island; Otto, who lives in Grand Island ; Anna, the wife of Charles Stiller, a machinist of this city, and one child who died in infancy.

Otto L. Mattke left school when but twelve years of age to earn a living; for three years being employed on farms near Archer, Ne- braska. He then helped his father for two years in the latter's work on the railroad, following which he went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he worked in a machine shop during the administration of President Mckinley. His parents were in Grand Island, however, and Mr. Mattke returned to Nebraska, being employed for five years as a clerk in the grocery store of Henry Reese. Subsequently he worked for C. F. Heck for the same length

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Ruben P. Mccutcheon on the battlefield fifty years after the battle was fought. The man lying down is Mr. Mc- Cutcheon; the man on one knee is his comrade, George Kirkpatrick.

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of time but severed this connection to become associated with H. N. Glover and subsequently bought Mr. Glover's interest and has continued at the same place of business with a partner, the present name being Mattke & Gorman. They carry a large and well assorted stock of staple and fancy groceries while their prices are always satisfactory to their many cus- tomers.

Mr. Mattke married Miss Stacia Weinrich, who was born in Germany. Her people came to this country at an early day. Her father was a carpenter. Mr. and Mrs. Mattke have had four children: Margaret, employed in the Grand Island National Bank, is a very capable business woman; Harry, who died at the age of six months; Arthur, who is four- teen years old, attends school, and Edward, who is in his sixth year. Mr. Mattke and his family are members of the Catholic church. Like his father before him, Mr. Mattke votes the Republican ticket. He belongs to several well known fraternal organizations and these include the Maccabees, the Liederkranz and the Plattsdeutchen; he is also a member of the Commercial Club and Retail Merchants' Association.

RUBEN P. MCCUTCHEON - Civil al- truism and national patriotism were effective- ly exemplified in the career of the gallant soldier of the Civil War whose name heads this sketch. Ruben P. Mccutcheon was born in the state of Indiana in 1838. He grew up inured to the hardships incident to a new country such as Indiana was at that day. A young man of twenty-three years at the out- break of the War of the Rebellion, Mr. Mc- Cutcheon, with other youths of his acquaint- ance responded to Abraham Lincoln's call for volunteers to preserve the integrity of the Union. Following is the personal account of the young soldier's life and experiences in the army :

"As an explanation of the annexed photo- graph, will go back to Evansville, Indiana, August 10, 1861, when George Kirkpatrick and myself with many others, enlisted in Com- pany A, 42d Indiana Infantry, for three years, or during the war We were with the Regiment in all its battles, skirmishes, etc. Our command belonged to the Army of the Cumberland. On the 19th day of September, 1863, we met the enemy under General Bragg at Chickamauga. At that time we were in the 14th Corps, with General George H. Thomas, Commander. We supported our bat-

tery all day Saturday. Seven horses were killed within fifty yards of us, and how many men, I can not say, but they were lying around in all shapes. We rested all night on our arms, and at daylight marched to the extreme right, where we met Longstreet's men. We sent out skirmishers across the Lafayette road. They were soon driven in. The fight was on in earnest. After firing into the enemy many shots, our army fell back. I saw them coming about two hundred yards away, and I thought I would give them one more shot. Just at that moment a musket ball hit me in the left hip, crashed through the bone, and there it stopped, and it is there to this day. I fell down and George Kirkpatrick ran to me to get me out of that terrible hail of bullets. He got down to cut the cartridge box off of me, when a bullet passed through both his arms, and cut the front of his shirt off.

"I then told him to run and save his life, that he would be killed if he remained, and that I was done for anyway. He left me and served to the end of the war, and was wounded five times. In fifteen minutes the enemy were passing over me. They were very kind to me, the officers giving me water from their can- teens. In the afternoon the enemy lifted me into their ambulance and took me to their field hospital, where there were six hundred and thirty wounded. They very tenderly laid me on the ground. I was the only Yankee there, and I was a show for the country people. They came for miles to see a live Yankee. I lay there about two months, then was put on the cars and taken to Atlanta, Georgia, and put into a military prison with four or five hun- dred wounded Federals, and remained there three months, all the time on my back.

"I was exchanged February 20, 1864, at Rossville, Georgia. There were thirty of us all badly crippled. We were hungry and nearly naked. When we saw the United States flag for the first time in five of six months, there was a shout went up of joy that we had at last got to God's country again. Some of them prayed, some swore and others cried. We were now safe. I was sent home on crutches and have been a cripple ever since. Fifty years after the battle I got a letter from the comrade (I thought he was dead all this time) telling me to meet him at Chickamauga on September 20th. We met, went to the battle field, found the place where we were both wounded fifty years ago. We placed ourselves on the ground in the same position and place we were in on that terrible morning of September 20, 1863. "The foregoing is an account of our experi-

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ence in battle and duties of a private soldier, but the half can never be told. We simply did our duty as American citizens."

The picture of Mr. Mccutcheon and com- rade, shown here, was taken on the battlefield fifty years to a day after he was wounded there.

While still residing in his native state Mr. Mccutcheon married Amanda Inglehart and to this union eight children were born, seven now living: Clara, the wife of John Kramer, lives in Oakland, California ; Belle, the wife of C. W. William, resides in Hamilton County ; John E. and George, both live in Grand Island, the former now holding office as sheriff of Hall County ; Walter W., a farmer near Nel- son, Nebraska; Oliver E., an implement dealer in Deer Park, Washington, and Frank W., a clerk in a clothing store in Grand Island. Mr. and Mrs. McCutcheon were ambitious for their children and determined to seek wider fields and broader opportunities in the west. They heard of the great fertility of Ne- braska, emigrating to this state in 1874. Here the young members of the family recieved the advantages afforded by the public schools dur- ing their youth while they lived at home on the homestead taken up by the father soon after his arrival in Hamilton County. Mr. Mccutcheon was a man of high ideals, in- domitable energy and having given loyal ser- vice as a soldier of the Union was soon en- rolled as one of the pioneer exponents . of farm enterprise in this section. He was a man of good judgment, keen foresight and a lead- ing member of the Republican party in his county for many years which is demonstrated by his service on the board of county super- visors. After gaining a comfortable com- petency he retired from active participation in farm work enjoying his sunset years, how- ever, on the old homestead where he passed from life in 1917, honored and respected by his associates and friends. Mr. Mccutcheon's wife still resides in Hamilton County.

C. H. GOTTLIEB HEIDKAMP, one of the highly respected and substantial residents of Grand Island, has been a resident of this city since 1883. Through his industrious efforts, good judgment, frugality and common sense, he has become the owner of valuable real estate.

father lived on his little farm and may yet reside there with five of his seven children. C. H. G. and William, who is dead, were am- bitious boys, desired a broader future than was offered in the old country and emigrated to the United States to seek their fortunes.

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History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 93

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