History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. I, Part 56

Author: Burr, George L., 1859-; Buck, O. O., 1871-; Stough, Dale P., 1888-
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Chicago : The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 886


USA > Nebraska > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. I > Part 56
USA > Nebraska > Clay County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. I > Part 56


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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454


HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY


fire in 1894 and replaced by the present building, which is a fitting monument to the wealth and prosperity of Hamilton County.


The block in Hamilton occupied by A. M. Glover was originally intended for the Hamilton eourt yard.


The first hotel was built in 1873; this was the Aurora house, whose proprietor was D. W. Rea, now of California. Soon after the Baptists built the first church ; it was located on the corner south of the water works station. The Presbyterians built the second church. The late Rev. Giltner was their pastor at that time. The school was located in the south part of town, where the Catholic church now stands. This was used during the county fair as the agricultural hall, and a race traek was made a block south of the school house. At this time bands of Indians frequently camped along Lincoln creek and occasionally passed this school ; some of the pupils, being afraid, would hide under the seats and only after the last red- skin had passed, would they ereep out, go to the windows and watch them depart down the dusty road. In a few years the school being crowded, the room above Williamson's drug store was rented and made into two school rooms. Eventually a four-room brick school building was erected on the present site. As necessity demanded additions and changes were made until it reached completion ; nothing more could be added; even with a good ward school, there was not enough room. A large and beautiful building is in course of construction as the result.


Hamilton county's first physician was the late Dr. Noble, of Seattle, who died the morning after his arrival almost one year ago at the home of Mrs. Pinnell, in this city.


The drug store was on the east side and owned by the late Dr. Myers, father of Dr. L. G. Myers.


Mr. Nissen had the grocery store which was located on the east side, and after a time was bought out by Mr. Stone and from his possession it passed to the con- trol of Mr. W. C. Chambers.


Nathan Spafford was postmaster, followed by Jno. Tweedy, who served a num- ber of years. The postoffice was located on the north side where a recent fire destroyed three buildings.


J. H. Bell had a humber yard on the southeast corner of the square. P. M. Green put in a yard after the Railroad Bonds were voted, and several other branches of business were then started.


The railroad bonds earried in 1879. At this time Aurora lacked a few things, fire works and torches were among them, but "necessity is the mother of inven- tion," whereupon balls of cotton were soaked in turpentine and at night they were lighted and the men marched around the square tossing these balls of fire into the air.


The track was laid, and stage line discontinued. From this time on the ad- vancement was more rapid; today Aurora is truly the city beautiful with its broad streets, splendid business blocks, beautiful homes, fine trees and well kept lawns. With a good system of water works and electrie lights. With sewerage in process of construction and prosperity beckoning to us on every side surely we are more than contented. We are happy in this part of the land of the free and the home of the brave.


MRS. ROBERT MILLER.


AURORA? SNOW-BOUND


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Some Views taken for the Hamilton County Advocate by Aurora's Veteran Photo grapher, J.W. Elarton


457


HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY


CITY GOVERNMENT


The following is a roster of the officials from its incorporation as a village in 1877: 1877-Hon. John H. Helms, Gen. Delevan Bates, W. H. Streeter, John Raben, Henry W. Kemper; W. L. Whittemore, clerk of the board; 1878-Hon. John H. Helms, W. S. Strain, D. Wilcox, John Raben, George Wildish; W. L. Whittemore, clerk; 1879-Hon. J. H. Helms, W. H. Waters, George Wildish, John Raben, Henry Moyer; W. L. Whittemore, clerk; 1880-IIon. J. H. Helms, John Raben, Thomas C. Klumb, H. G. Rogers, Henry Moyer ; W. I. Farley, clerk ; · 1881-W. H. Alden, J. B. Myers, P. M. Green, C. H. Kimball, W. I. Farley, Henry Sargent; William P. Hellings, clerk; 1882-Chairman, John W. Thiery; clerk, William P. Hellings; treasurer, D. Bates; trustees, John W. Thiery, N. C. Rogers, Jacob Wolbach, F. P. Gavan and F. H. Stevens; 1883-Chairman, John W. Thiery; clerk, William P. Hellings; treasurer, D. Bates; trustees, John W. Thiery, F. P. Gavan, Jacob Wolbach, F. H. Stevens and A. D. Travis;


1884-Chairman, H. G. Cass; clerk, D. W. Fisher; treasurer, John Tweedy ; trustees, H. G. Cass, Robert Waddle, George Wildish, A. P. Wells and F. C. Mather; 1885-Chairman, George Wildish; clerk, Walter C. Chambers; treasurer. D. Bates; trustees, George Wildish, H. G. Cass, Robert Waddle, F. C. Mather, M. French ; 1886-(Village changed to city by operation of statute, and city divided into three wards) Mayor, W. F. Peck; clerk, Samuel Spanogle; treasurer, D. Bates ; engineer, D. B. Parks; police judge, W. K. Ream ; city attor- ney, A. J. Rittenhouse; chief of police, W. Z. Pollard; street commissioner, J. M. Day; councilmen-First Ward, J. N. Cassell, Fritz Hoefer; Second Ward, J. B. Rogers, J. H. Moore; Third Ward, M. T. Wildish, A. G. Peterson ;


1887-Mayor, W. I. Farley; clerk, William P. Hellings; treasurer, D. Bates; police judge, D. A. Scovill; engineer, D. B. Parks ; attorney, J. H. Smith; chief of police, I. O. Whitesides; street commissioner, D. B. Parks; councilmen-First Ward, J. N. Cassell, S. B. Chapman ; Second Ward, William Kramer, Samuel Spanogle ; Third Ward, J. W. Elarton, William H. Alden ; 1888-Mayor, Delevan Bates ; clerk, L. W. Shuman; treasurer, Fritz Hoefer; police judge, Phil Likes; engineer, D. B. Parks; attorney, D. M. Waite : chief of police, D. R. Noble; street commissioner, James A. Day ; councilmen-First Ward, S. B. Chapman, J. N. Cassell; Second Ward, II. M. Kellogg, E. Jones; Third Ward, J. W. Elarton, W. H. Alden ; 1889-Mayor, A. N. Thomas ; clerk, William P. Hellings; treasurer, J. D. Ferguson, Jr .; police judge, D. A. Scovill ; engineer, D. B. Parks; attorney, W. J. Stevenson; chief of police, J. G. Baeschlin ; councilmen-First Ward, J. N. Cassell, J. H. Smith; Second Ward, H. M. Kellogg, Delevan Bates; Third Ward, H. B. Witte, T. E. Williams.


CITY COUNCIL OF AURORA


In this record from 1890 to 1915 filled from other sources only for 1906-1910- 1911-1912. 1890-J. N. Cassell, Deniels, Chapman, Kohn, Miller. Bates, Kellogg, H. E. Metzger; 1891-Joh Shean, Liebhart, Chapman, Thomas, Miller, Bates, Kellogg, H. E. Metzger ; 1892-John Shean, Daniels, Chapman, Thomas, Cassell, Bates, Kellogg, H. E. Metzger; 1893-Delevan Bates. Daniels, Chapman, Kohn, Miller, Skinner, Kellogg, P. A. Farney; 1894-P. L. Bishop. Bates, Johnson,


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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY


Thomas, Miller, Skinner, Kellogg, J. B. Cunningham; 1895-P. L. Bishop, Bates, Johnson, F. I. Sharp, Miller, Skinner, Kellogg, J. B. Cunningham, J. P. Chap- man. D. B. Parks, J. S. Mussen ; 1901-N. J. Ronin, J. N. Cassell, F. Iloefer, Theo. Widaman, A. T. Pares, A. O. Harquist, Leo Thumer, Wm. Baldwin; 1905- John, A. Whittmore, J. R. Davidson, Fred Jeffers, Elmer Olson, A. W. Steele. N. J. Ronin, Frank A. Burt, Dinnis Taylor, J. A. Isaman, J. H. Grosvenor; 1906 -F. J. Sharp, Frank A. Burt, A. Grosshans, Fred Jeffers, Elmer Olson, A. W. Steele, N. J. Ronin, O. H. Herbig; 1910-A. Grosshans, A. E. Peterson, J. Il. Van Wormer. II. E. Grosvenor, Elmer Olson, A. W. Steele, N. J. Ronin, Glenn Chapman; 1911-F. J. Sharp, A. E. Peterson, J. H. Van Wormer, Stokesbery, Elmer Olson, 1. W. Steele, O. M. Newman, J. F. Cole; 1912-F. J. Sharp, A. E. Peterson, J. H. Van Wormer, Stokesbery, Leymaster, A. W. Steele, O. M. Newman, J. F. Cole, J. A. Warman ; 1913-Robert Chapman, A. E. Peterson, J. H. Van- Wormer, J. W. Stokesbery, Elmer Olson, A. Grosshans, O. M. Newman, J. F. Cole, A. E. Houser ; 1914-Robert Chapman, A. E. Peterson, Isaac, J. W. Stokes- bery, Elmer Olson, A. Grosshans, O. M. Newman, J. F. Cole; 1915-J. M. Woodard, A. E. Peterson, W. P. Isaac, C. R. Scovill, A. Grosshans, O. M. New- man, J. F. Cole, George Waneke; 1916-J. M. Woodard, Quinn, W. P. Isaac, C. R. Scovill. J. E. Schoonover, A. Grosshans, J. F. Cole, G. R. Haworth; 1917- W. I. Farley, Quinn, W. P. Isaac, C. R. Seovill, J. E. Schoonover, D. E. Waters, R. R. Chapman, G. R. Haworth ; 1918-J. W. Newman, G. II. Baird, C. R. Seovill, J. E. Sehoonover, G. II. Honser, J. F. Cole, R. R. Chapman, G. R. Haworth ; 1919-F. E. Quinn, G. Anawalt, C. R. Seovill, A. Grosshans, G. II. Honser, J. F. Cole, R. R. Chapman, G. R. Haworth; 1920-F. E. Quinn, G. Anawalt, C. R. Scovill, N. J. Ronin, G. E. Houser, O. H. Herbig. R. R. Chapman, Carl Swanson ; 1921-F. E. Quinn, G. Anawalt, Willis, N. J. Ronin, G. II. Houser, O. H. Herbig, C. L. Whitney, Carl Swanson.


POSTMASTERS


The post-office was moved to Aurora from Spafford's Grove in 1872 and David Stone became post-master. He was succeeded by A. Kitzmiller, who re- moved the office in 1874 to the west side of the square, to the site now occupied by Temple Block, where he was succeeded July, 1874, by N. P. Spafford, who filled the position of Postmaster until 1878. In that year Mr. John Tweedy was appointed to the position, which he still occupied in 1890. Ile removed the office that year to the building erected by Gen. Bates. The office at the time Mr. Tweedy was appointed paid about $600. In 1890 the office was paying $1,600 per annum. The business of the office for 1889 amounted to $4,766.44. A. M. Glover succeeded Tweedy, A. N. Thomas eame next. J. Galden filled out part of his term and served under MeKinley, Roosevelt and Taft administrations, and J. II. Grosvenor, the present postmaster, went in under Wilson.


MATERIAL PROGRESS OF THE CITY


The first brick building creeted in the town was the Hamilton County Bank building, in 1879, followed in 1881 by A. G. Peterson's building and that of the First National Bank. The Temple Block, Republican Building and the Aurora


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A HAMILTON COUNTY WHEAT CROP ON THE REBER HOMESTEAD


LOOKING NORTH AND WEST FROM T. E. WILLIAMS' HOME, AURORA


Vol 1-50


461


HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY


Banking Company's building, all erected in 1888 and 1889, were among the finest structures in the city. A fine brick jail was built by the county in 1888, at a cost of over $7,000, the first story being fitted with two steel cells and arranged with reception rooms and offices, the second floor being designed for a residence for the sheriff of the county. An excellent system of water-works was put in by the city in the same year, including stand-pipes, steam-pumps, together with a sub- stantial brick building, serving as pumping-station and hose house, a fire depart- ment being organized in the same year, consisting of hose company and hook and ladder company.


The city is well supplied with railroad facilities, four branches of the Burling- ton & Missouri system converging at this point; the main line east and west, ex- tending from St. Louis, Missouri, to Billings, Montana. The Central City branch affords direct communication with the North Platte country, and the Hastings branch with the Republican Valley and the West.


During 1889 there were shipped from this point 451 cars of corn, flax 125, oats 175, cattle 123, hogs 177, butter 15, eggs 1, brick 15, total 1,087 cars.


Among the early banking and manufacturing interests of the city was The Hamilton County Bank, established in 1877, by George Wildish. In 1886 W. H. Streeter bought out Mr. Wildish, after which time the business was conducted by him, with W. C. Chambers as cashier.


This bank carried on until in 1896 it absorbed by consolidation the Aurora Bank Company and in 1900 was itself absorbed by or consolidated into the First National Bank.


A comparative statement of bank deposits of Aurora's banks for eight years from 1893 to 1900 which was prepared and published during a political campaign for purposes of making contrasting comparisons between republican and demo- cratie administrations will serve for us the historical purpose of recording the comparative growth and progress of the various banks, and also reflecting the financial conditions during the drought years of the Nineties.


BANK DEPOSITS


A COMPARATIVE STATEMENT FOR EIGHT YEARS.


SEPTEMBER, 1893.


Hamilton County Bank.


$155,364 35


First National Bank. 56,906 89


Aurora Bank Company


68,528 69


Aurora State Bank. 47,379 87


Farley's Bank


48,754 61


Total Deposits


$376,934 41


APRIL, 1894.


Hamilton County Bank


$135,137 65


First National Bank


43,697 11


Aurora Bank Company


77,214 38


Aurora State Bank


62,509 11


Farley's Bank


42,403 94


Total Deposits


$360,962 19


HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY


APRIL, 1895.


Hamilton County Bank $112,558 36


First National Bank. 51,444 69


Aurora Bank Company


45,870 34


Aurora State Bank


46,126 81


Farley's Bank.


33,773 42


Total Deposits $289,773 62


APRIL, 1896.


Hamilton County Bank


$144,558 44


First National Bank.


43,345 23


Aurora Bank Company


Aurora State Bank


47,191 67


Farley's Bank


25.142 90


Total Deposits $260,238 24


MARCH, 1897.


Hamilton County Bank $158,480 73


First National Bank.


46,587 25


Aurora State Bank


46,368 81


Farley's Bank


22,488 41


Total Deposits $274.925 21


FEBRUARY, 1898.


Hamilton County Bank


$195.099 07


First National Bank


66,126 72


Aurora State Bank


60,313 10


Farley's Bank


35,960 59


Total Deposits $357.499 48


MARCH, 1899.


Hamilton County Bank


$250,410 53


First National Bank


75.565 87


Aurora State Bank


68,197 89


Farley's Bank


45,132 47


Total Deposits $439,306 76


MARCH, 1900.


Hamilton County Bank


$314,486 39


First National Bank


74.593 82


Aurora State Bank


48,095 80


Farley's Bank.


Total Deposits $437.176 01


The First National Bank was organized in April, 1883. This bank was the sue- cessor of the Bank of Aurora, started in August, 1879, by Grimes & Dinsmore. In 1882 the firm of MeKay, Munger & Wentz, became the owners and operated the institution until succeeded by the First National Bank in 1883, T. A. MeKay


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Y. M. C. A. BUILDING, AURORA


AURORA HOUSE, AURORA


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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY


becoming president, and W. C. Wentz, cashier. In 1886 Mr. MeKay sold his interest to J. H. Bell, who became president, J. F. Houseman assuming the duties of cashier. Mr. Houseman played a long, active and important part in moulding the banking policies and history of Hamilton County as attested by the following, published at the time of his death :


"John Fordyee Houseman was born at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, March 15, 1844, and died at his home in Aurora, December 3, 1917, aged 73 years, 8 months and 18 days. The early years of his life were spent in Mount Pleasant, where he was educated at Iowa Wesleyan University. September 19, 1867, he was married to Miss Estella Margaret Bell of Mount Pleasant. There were born to them three sons, Frank of Omaha, Charles, who died in 1889, and Ralph of Omaha. His wife, two sons, two brothers, and two sisters survive him.


"Mr. Houseman's business career began with two terms as the county treasurer of Henry county, Iowa. He then went into the mercantile business, which he pursued until coming to Aurora in 1887. Here he went into the banking business with his brother-in-law, J. H. Bell. He continued with the First National Bank for ten years, when he transferred his interests to the bank at Bradshaw, where for the last twenty years, he has been engaged in an enterprise which has elicited the highest words of commendation from all who have been associated with him in it.


"Mr. Houseman was a member of the Masonic fraternity, having his member- ship in the Bradshaw lodge. He was a member of the Royal Highlanders. He was also a member of the G. A. R., having served during the Civil war in the Fourth Iowa cavalry. At the age of 18, he was private secretary to Major C. F. Searman. He was one of the earliest members of the Aurora Presbyterian church and served actively in many capacities for a number of years. For a long time he was the honored superintendent of the Sunday school. He was an elder mueh honored and loved by the people. For several years prior to going to Bradshaw he served as the clerk of the church session. Both his faithfulness and his acenracy made him a highly desirable man in such a position.


"Mr. Houseman was a gentleman of the old school, always courteous, smiling. patient, industrious; his is a figure which will be missed by a eirele as large as his acquaintance. To many men he has proven a steadfast friend during some of Nebraska's trying years, and in the enumeration of friendships made, his will be given a large place in many lives. ITis interest in the church has been keen throughout the later years, though that interest outran his strength to do. He retained a lively interest in business until the very last.


"During the last few months his friends were conscious of his declining strength, and especially these last few weeks, but he seemed to be rallying nicely and hope had builded itself again. However, on Monday after spending the larger part of the day in and about the home, he laid down for a brief rest and then 'He was not, for God took him.'


"The funeral service will be from the Presbyterian church on Thursday after- noon, December 6th, at 2:30 o'clock, Rev. J. H. Salsbury, D. D., pastor of the church, in charge. The Masonic lodge of Bradshaw will be in charge of the inter- ment, which will be in the Aurora cemetery."


The Farmers' and Merehants' Bank was organized in April, 1883, by W. II. Streeter, E. J. Hainer and W. T. Farley. In 1886 Mr. Streeter withdrew, in


466


IHISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY


order to take charge of the Hamilton County Bank, and the business was con- tinued by E. J. Hainer and W. I. Farley, until 1888, when Mr. Farley's interest was purchased by E. J. Hainer (who became president ) and T. E. Williams (Cashier).


T. E. Williams came to Anrora from Eau Claire, Wis., in March, 1888, to accept the position of cashier in the Farmers' & Merchants' Bank, of which W. H. Streeter was president. Ile remained in that capacity through various mergers, first with the Hamilton County Bank in 1890, next with the Aurora Banking Company in 1896 and finally with the First National in 1898. The last merger was really a continuation of the Hamilton County Bank under the name and charter of the First National. The Hamilton County Bank's deposits at the time of the consolidation were over $200,000, while the First National's were only $70,000. Each bank had a capital of $50,000. One-half of this amount was turned into surplus, and the business has since been continued with $50,000 capital and $50,000 surplus. When the Farmers' & Merchants' Bank was merged into the Hamilton County Bank in 1890 each had deposits in the neighborhood of $50,000. The deposits of the First National in 1915 amounted to $825,000 with footings of $945,000.


Upon the death of Mr. Streeter in 1907 Mr. Williams was elected president of the bank and has held that position ever since. To his energy, good management and the implicit confidence reposed in him by the people of the community is due the remarkable growth of the bank and its present strength.


The First National continued under the regime of President Bell, Vice Presi- dent Delevan Bates and Cashier Honseman until 1895, or so, when Wm. Glover was for a time President. In 1898 when the merger with the Hamilton County Bank brought the two institutions together and they were continued as one under the First National Bank's charter, then T. E. Williams became the guiding factor in the greater First National.


The later transfers affecting changes in administration of this bank are re- counted in the two following accounts of changes in 1917 and 1919, and its present status included in the 1921 table of Hamilton County banks.


"An active banking career of almost thirty years was closed in August, 1917. T. E. Williams sold his stock in the First National Bank of Aurora to E. J. Hainer and turned the active management over to Yale B. Huffman. The directors immediately met and organized by electing Mr. Hainer president and Mr. Huffman cashier. J. D. Ferguson will continue to act as vice-president.


"W. I. Farley and John Farley also sever their connections with the bank, their stock being acquired by Mr. Huffman. S. K. Warrick of Scottsbluff secures a substantial interest in the bank, but neither he nor Mr. Hainer will live here or take an active part in its management. This will be left entirely in the hands of Mr. Huffman, who is already on the ground and who will bring his family here as soon as suitable living arrangements can be made. Roger Work and Mac Ferguson will remain as assistant eashier and book-keeper respectively."


" Wednesday, July 3, 1919, being the day on which the ownership and manage- ment of the First National Bank passed from the hands of E. J. Hainer, Yale Huffman and other stockholders to W. I. Farley. A. W. Hickman, and their associated stockholders. The big transaction actually took place several weeks ago, as reported in the papers at that time, but the date for the transfer was fixed


SOLDIERS MONUMENI In Court-House Square


SCENES IN AURORA BAND STAND In Memorial Park


WEEPING ANGEL


A monument, in Memorial Park. to the unknown soldier dead of our Civil war, presented by General Delevan Bates.


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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY


as of July first. Of the several changes that have occurred in the First National in recent years this is perhaps the most important, because it places the owner- ship entirely in the hands of well known Hamilton county people.


"The transfer of the big business actually occurred on Tuesday evening of last week, when the interested parties met and at which time the new owners elected officers. The officers under the new management are W. I. Farley presi- dent, A. W. Hickman, vice president, J. J. Refshauge cashier, T. R. Work assis- tant cashier. F. C. Mather is a member of the board of directors also. W. I. Farley and A. W. Hickman have been connected with the banking interests of the county so long that they have long passed the place where introductions to the public are necessary. Roger Work, who remains with the new management as assistant cashier, has been with the bank so long that he is really just about as much a fixture as the big vault itself. J. J. Refshauge, who is chosen as cashier, has been connected with the Farley and Hickman banking house at Marquette for many years and has been the responsible head of that institution for a long time. He is a thoroughly qualified banker and business man, possesses great energy and a very wide acquaintance. He will not be a new man in the Hamilton county field, but is merely transplanted to a larger business."


Aurora State Bank was organized in June 1889, and was the successor of the Aurora Exchange Bank, established October 1, 1886, by T. A. Mckay and Span- ogle & Company. The officers were : D. E. Thompson, president ; A. G. Peterson, vice-president and Harvey Cole, cashier. A handsome stone front brick building was erected by W. I. Farley, J. D. Ferguson, Jr., J. B. Rogers and E. J. Waddle, in which a bank was opened under the name of the Aurora Banking Company.


A very explicit account of the progress of this bank was reconnted when a sale was made in 1915 of the institution when C. C. Hansen and son Thorwald J. Hansen, now of Omaha, then of Grand Island, purchased it. Another account at the same time recounts both the banking and mercantile achievements of A. G. Peterson, wife and son in the community.


"The Aurora National Bank was organized in 1889 by D. E. Thompson, E. Bignell, A. G. Peterson, J. B. Cain and Fritz Hoefer. Mr. Peterson was cashier for a long time but has been president for the past 15 years. The bank was orig- inally located on the present site of the D. A. Johnson clothing store but moved when its new home at the northwest corner of the square was completed. With the retirement of Mr. Peterson, Fritz Hoefer and J. B. Cain are the only incor- porators who still retain their connection with the bank, the former being vice- president and the latter a director. The present stockholders, in addition to the Hansens, are : Mrs. Mary E. Tamblin of Lincoln, Oscar Gunnarson, J. B. Cain, L. C. Opper, B. F. Garrett, E. E. Mighell, David Sims, Elizabeth Hoefer, Fritz Hoefer and S. M. Day.


The Hansens, father and son, are among the best known bankers and business men in Nebraska. They now control banking houses at Grand Island, Cairo, St. Libory, Elba, Cotesfield, Wolbach and Aurora, besides extensive jobbing inter- ests. They have been uniformly successful in all of their undertakings and will undoubtedly maintain the same record in the new field they have entered. Grand Island advices are to the effect that some changes in the bank's system of doing business are contemplated, but these have not yet been definitely decided upon.


The statement of the Aurora National Bank, May 1. 1915, showed loans


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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY


and discounts of $154,743.39; surplus, $25,000; undivided profits, $12,073.64; deposits, $100.188.28.


In June, 1915. a sale was made by A. G. Peterson, wife and son Henry of 596 of the 750 shares of the Aurora National bank of this city, control,-and, largely ownership, passing to the financiers at the head of the Grand Island National bank, the oldest banking institution in the third city of Nebraska.




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