USA > Nebraska > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. II > Part 32
USA > Nebraska > Clay County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. II > Part 32
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While a resident of Seward county Mr. Springer there married Miss Katie I. Springer and of this union have been born five sons and two daughters: Joseph C. died at the age of twenty-eight years and was survived by his widow and one child ; John J., Ralph B., Frank E., and Albert E. remain at the parental home and are proving effective aids to their father in connection with farm operations ; Mrs. Anna M. Reibger resides at Brule, Keith county ; and Mrs. Lulu N. Schertz and her husband live on a farm near Aurora, judicial center of Hamilton county.
OSCAR SWANSON
Oscar Swanson, who is now residing in Saronville, was one of the early pioneers of Clay county. For many years he was prominent in the agricultural circles of the county as a successful and progressive farmer and is now enjoying a life of retire- ment as the result of former years spent in diligence and industry.
A native of Sweden, Oscar Swanson was born in that country on the 1st of December, 1846, and there remained until 1867, when he came to the United States. He spent his first year in Illinois, the succeeding year in Iowa and in 1871 came west, locating in Clay county. In that year the railroad came through Nebraska as far as Lincoln and Mr. Swanson made the journey by train. He acquired a home- stead of eighty acres near Sutton, on which he built a lumber shanty, the first lumber dwelling to be built in the Sutton precinct. He broke the land himself with a yoke of oxen and soon had the homestead highly cultivated. There were very few settlers in the country at that time but some time after the railroad was put through the surrounding vicinity was quickly settled. There were three saloons in Sutton and no stores when Mr. Swanson moved into the county but soon after a store was established there, dealing in general merchandise, where most of his trading was done. Game such as antelopes, prairie chickens, quails, ducks and geese were plentiful in the community and Mr. Swanson enjoyed many hunting trips. Mr. and Mrs. Swanson resided on the old homestead until 1900, when they removed to Sutton, where they made their home until 1904 and subsequently went
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to Saronville, where he built a nice home and there is now residing. Mr. Swanson is in possession of a four hundred acre tract of fine land in Clay county, from the cultivation of which he receives a substantial income.
In 1870 in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Mr. Swanson was united in marriage to Miss Betsy Hokenson and they have become parents of two children: Charles A., who is farming in Clay county near Sutton ; and John W., also a farmer in the vicinity of Sutton.
For many years Mr. Swanson was a stanch supporter of the republican party, but he now gives his allegiance to the democratic party. Although he has devoted the greater part of his time to his farming he has taken an active interest in the development and improvement of the community and for two years served in the office of county supervisor. Both Mr. and Mrs. Swanson are consistent members of the Swedish Lutheran church and are generous contributors to its various charities. Throughout the county Mr. Swanson is recognized as a man of much ability and he is readily conceded to be a representative citizen of Saronville.
FRANK P. HARRISON
Frank P. Harrison, now deceased, was numbered among the representative farmers of Clay county, and his death on the 23rd of October, 1917, left a void in the community that will not be easily filled. A native of Illinois, he was born in McHenry county, September 3, 1862, a son of Charles and Mary (Rock- wood) Harrison, the former a native of England and the latter of Vermont. The father came to this country when a young man, was for some time con- nected with railroad work as station agent at Ringwood and in later life fol- lowed farming.
Frank P. Harrison is indebted to the country schools of Illinois for his edu- cation and after putting his textbooks aside lived with his parents until seventeen years of age, when he started out in the world on his own account, getting work on farms in the vicinity of his home. After obtaining some experience along that line he rented land in Illinois, which he successfully operated until the early '90s, when he came to Nebraska and located in Thayer county. There he rented land for some time and then removed to Nuckolls county, remaining there for five years before coming to Clay county in 1900, where he followed farming one year. At the end of that time, in August, 1901, he moved into Ong and there bought stock in a hardware and furniture business, in the conduct of which he was asso- ciated with J. O. Walker. He later established a general hardware, furniture and undertaking business with Frank Bell, and became widely recognized throughout the county as a representative and successful business man. In 1909 he retired from active life, having acquired a competence that enabled him to live in comfort until his death.
In 1897 Mr. Harrison was married to Edith Walker, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of J. F. and Louisa (Hay) Walker, who came to Nebraska and located in Thayer county at an early day. Her father engaged in the real estate business and achieved a substantial amount of success in that connec-
FRANK P. HARRISON
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tion. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison three children were born: Mary L., Edith Elizabeth and Charles, all at home.
Throughout his life Mr. Harrison gave his support to the republican party, in the interests of which he took an active part, although he neither sought nor desired office as a reward for party fealty. His religious faith was that of the Presbyterian church, in the activities of which organization his widow and chil- dren take a prominent part. Mr. Harrison identified his interests with those of his community and could always be counted upon to do his part in furthering the public welfare. At the news of his death a feeling of deep bereavement swept the community, for in his passing Clay county and Ong lost a progressive and representative citizen.
L. A. HIGGINS
Among Harvard's representative business men is numbered L. A. Higgins, proprietor of a hardware store, who owes his success and advancement in a business way to his close application and determined purpose. He comes from Illinois, his birth having occurred in Peoria county, July 23, 1868, his parents being J. W. and Caroline (Hunt) Higgins, who are likewise natives of Illinois. In the year 1885, when their son, L. A., was a youth of seventeen years, they came to Nebraska, settling in Buffalo county, and throughout his entire life the father followed the occupation of farming until his unfaltering industry and perseverance have brought him sufficient capital to enable him to live retired, since which time he and his wife have made their home in Amherst, Nebraska. They have always been loyal to the teachings of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which they hold membership and Mr. Higgins has long given his political support to the democratic party. For a number of years he served as county supervisor in Buffalo county and in many tangible' ways has manifested his allegiance to all those interests which make for good citizenship and the welfare of the state.
L. A. Higgins is the eldest of a family of ten children. Liberal educational advantages were accorded him and he is today a well read man. He attended the district schools of Buffalo county, Nebraska, and throughout life has added much to his early knowledge gained in the schools by reading, by study and by observation. He started out to provide for his own support by farm work and later secured a clerkship in a store when twenty-five years of age. There he was employed as a sales- man until 1896, when he removed to Kearney, Nebraska, and obtained a position as clerk in a hardware store, continuing at that place for four years. In 1901 he removed to Harvard and formed a partnership with W. E. Jakway and E. E. Hinkle of Lincoln, for the purchase of a hardware business which has been continued under the name of the L. A. Higgins Hardware Company until the present time. Mr. Higgins started out in this business in a small way but now has an extensive stock of shelf and heavy hardware and his patronage is most gratifying. He has ever realized that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement and he puts forth every effort to please his customers, while his straightforward dealings and progres- sive methods insure him a continuance of the trade.
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In 1896, in Kearney, Nebraska, Mr. Higgins was married to Miss Ella Eutsler, who was born in Iowa and whose father was one of the prominent early farmers of Dawson county, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Higgins have become the parents of five children : Marguerite, the wife of Ernest D. Lefever, a farmer of Stockham, Nebraska; Howard, who operates an elevator at Harvard; L. A., who is in the employ of his father ; and Clyde and Blanche, who are attending school. Mr. and Mrs. Higgins have many warm friends and their social position is an enviable one, the best homes of the community being at all times open to them. Mrs. Higgins is a member of the Christian church. Mr. Higgins belongs to the Masonic fraternity and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and is a member of the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise indentified with the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Ancient Order of the United Workmen. He is past master of the Masonic lodge and a past chancellor commander of the Knights of Pythias. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, but he does not seek nor desire office, concentrating his entire time and attention upon his business affairs, and the thoroughness and energy which have character- ized him have been the important features in the attainment of his present-day success. Moreover, the creditable methods which he has followed have established him high in the regard of his fellow townsmen.
AUGUST HOLDGRAF
August Holdgraf is occupying a pleasant home at No. 1214 Tenth street in Aurora. He removed to the city in 1917, after long connection with the farming interests of Hamilton county and through the intervening period has lived retired. He was born in Westphalia, Germany, February 2, 1852, a son of Henry and Christina (Holdgraf) Holdgraf, who were also natives of that country where they spent their entire lives, the father successfully following the occupation of farming. The grandfather, Henry Holdgraf, was also born and died in Germany and he, too, devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. Both of the parents of August Holdgraf were members of the German Reformed church. Their family numbered two children, the elder being Frederick William, who died in Germany.
The younger son, August Holdgraf of this review, obtained his education in the schools of his native country and lived on a farm in his youthful days, working at farm labor after his textbooks were put aside. At length he determined to try his fortune in the new world for the favorable reports which he had heard con- cerning the opportunities offered in the United States were very attractive to him. He arrived in Hamilton county in 1881 and here purchased one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land on which he made a partial payment, meeting the remaining payments on time. He built a small house, hauling the lumber from Aurora and began the arduous task of developing and improving his place. As the years went by he converted his farm into a rich and productive tract and thereon engaged in raising stock of all kinds in addition to the production of the crops best adapted to soil and climate. He made a success in his undertakings and is still the owner of the farm property.
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In 1882 Mr. Holdgraf was married to Miss Josephine George, a sister of John George, mentioned elsewhere in this work. To them have been born two children: Paul George, who is cultivating a rented farm near Marquette; and Fanil August, who is living on his father's farm. Mr. Holdgraf and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, interested in its growth and upbuilding. In politics he is a republican and when on the farm served as a member of the school board but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He always preferred to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs and his close applica- tion and energy were the basis of his substantial success.
M. E. FLEMING
Sutton is fortunate in having among its citizens so progressive and valuable a man as M. E. Fleming, who for many years has been engaged in the coal business there. A native of New York, he was born in Tarrytown, December 15, 1873, his parents being Henry and Catherine (Magher) Fleming, both natives of Ireland. The father was born in County Kilkenny and the mother in County Tipperary and both came to the United States about 1863 or 1864. Their marriage occurred in New York and for three or four years they made their home in Tarrytown. In 1874, however, Henry Fleming removed his family to Clay county, Nebraska, and there purchased one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land, for which he paid cash. His first home on that place was a dugout, but later he built a frame house. His death occurred on the old farm place, June 18, 1918, and his widow still resides there, being now in possession of the land. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Fleming nine children were born, eight of whom are living: Mrs. M. J. Mclaughlin, who is residing on a farm in Clay county; M. E., whose name initiates this review ; Mrs. George Dunham, who is residing in Fillmore county on a farm; Mrs. Ed. D. Allen, residing on a farm in Hastings; Dr. T. N., who is a fine physician of Cold Springs, Minnesota ; James F., who is residing on a farm in Clay county ; John J., residing with his mother on the old home place; and William P., who is working for the state in the chemical department at Grand Island. Another son, Henry, is deceased. Mr. Fleming was a consistent member of the Catholic church and well known as a member of the Knights of Columbus. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party. At the time of his death Mr. Fleming owned a whole section of land in Clay county and the fortune he acquired was the result of his own diligence and industry. Deep grief was felt by his many friends at his passing and the void left in the community will be hard to fill.
M. E. Fleming received his education in school district No. 9, Clay county, and after putting his textbooks aside engaged in farming, which line of work, he fol- lowed for seven years. He then came to Sutton in 1905 and engaged in the clothing business, building up a large trade and continuing in that connection for a period of fifteen years. At the termination of that time he sold out his clothing establish- ment and launched into the coal business. He is still active in the conduct of the latter business and has built up an extensive and lucrative trade.
In 1907 Mr. Fleming was married to Miss Rose E. Egan, a native of Illinois
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and a daughter of Cornelius Egan, who came to Nebraska in 1903. He was a well known man in the community in which he resided and his death occurred near Grafton. Mr. and Mrs. Fleming have become parents of four children : Henry J., Mary, Clara and Edward, all attending school.
In his political views Mr. Fleming has always been a member of the democratic party, having firm belief in the principles of that party as factors in good govern- ment. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church and fraternally he is con- nected with the Knights of Columbus, of which lodge he has been financial secre- tary since its organization. Mr. Fleming is widely known throughout Clay county, is highly respected for his integrity in all business matters, and is one of the thrifty and enterprising citizens of his portion of the state.
S. P. ROSENBAUM
S. P. Rosenbaum, closely associated with the commercial interests of Harvard as proprietor of a general mercantile establishment, was born in Syracuse, New York, April 12, 1853, and is a son of Phillip and Lena (Braun) Rosenbaum, both of whom were natives of Bavaria, Germany. They came to America in a sailing vessel in the '40s and were six weeks on the voyage. He settled in Syracuse, New York, where he engaged in the wholesale hardware business and in 1861 removed to New York, where he conducted a hardware store until 1863. He then retired from business but both he and his wife continued to make their home in New York until called to their final rest, their remains being interred in one of the cemeteries of the eastern metropolis. Both were members of the Reformed church and Mr. Rosenbaum gave his political support to the republican party. They were the parents of four children, of whom but two are living: Ray and S. P., the former now Mrs. Smith and resident of Brooklyn, New York.
S. P. Rosenbaum was educated in New York city and started out in the business world in connection with a wholesale millinery enterprise, remaining with that house for ten years. In 1877 he came to Nebraska, settling at Hastings, where he remained for a short time but the following year removed to Harvard. Here he was connected with Sam Wolbach, now of Grand Island, Nebraska, and opened a general store in 1881, taking over the business from Wolbach Brothers. He in- creased the stock and in November, 1912, erected a large building, in which he carries everything found in a general merchandise establishment, save furniture. His stock is extensive and attractive and the store is accorded a liberal patronage. Mr. Rosenbaum also conducts a store at Fairfield and devotes his entire time to the management of the business which he has carefully and systematically directed, making his efforts the broad foundation upon which he has built the superstructure of success.
On the 6th of March, 1881, Mr. Rosenbaum was married to Miss Henrietta Weil, a native of Newark, New Jersey, and to them have been born five children : Percival, who is in the store with his father; Edwin and Rolland S., who are also with their father; Harold A., who is a practicing physician of Chicago; and Eva, who is a teacher in a Chicago kindergarten. Mr. Rosenbaum is a member of the
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Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Ancient Order of United Workmen and is a loyal follower of the teachings and purposes of these societies. In politics he is a republican and has served as a member of the city council and president of the board and for some time was acting mayor of Harvard. He has at all times sought the public good through the capable discharge of his official duties and his fellow townsmen recognize in him a progressive and reliable citizen as well as an enterprising business man.
JOHN P. PETERSON
For forty-three years John P. Peterson, now deceased, was a prominent resident of Clay county, where he successfully engaged in farming. He was born in Sweden December 9, 1848.
John P. Peterson was about twenty years of age when he decided to come to America and landing in this country went to Illinois, where he made his first home. For about five years he resided in that state, farming rented land, but in 1874 determined to remove farther west, with the result that he came to Nebraska and bought land in Clay county. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of school land on which there were no improvements but with the aid of his farm machinery which he brought from Illinois he soon had the land under cultivation. Along with the other things he shipped from Illinois was a house belonging to his wife's father, which he put on the farm and therein resided for the first summer. He later, however, moved a larger and more modern dwelling onto the place. When Mr. Peterson arrived in Clay county he had but little money and he bought his land on time but being a man of grim determination and energy he worked himself upward step by step until at the time of his death he was in possession of two hundred and eighty acres of fine improved land in the county. In November, 1917, occurred the death of Mr. Peterson and at the news of his demise a deep feeling of bereavement swept the community in which he had so long resided and in which he had many stanch friends.
While residing in Illinois in 1869 Mr. Peterson was united in marriage to Miss Martha Johnson, a native of Sweden and to them twelve children were born: Mrs. Ida Aspregren of Clay county ; Nellie Nelson, residing in Clay county ; Helma Aspregren of Clay county ; Hanna England, a resident of Clay county; Wendel Peterson, who is farming in Clay county ; Lillie Johnson, residing near Harvard ; Eddie, living in Clay county ; Irene Rodelius, residing in Evanston, Illinois; Roy, who is living on the old home place; Esther, at home; Nettie Swartz, who is resid- ing at Staplehurst ; and Ethel at home. In 1900 Mr. and Mrs. Peterson removed to Saronville, where they built a fine home and there Mrs. Peterson is now residing. She is a consistent member of the Methodist church and active in all of the affairs of that organization.
Mr. Peterson was in every sense of the word a self-made man, his success having been achieved by hard work, intelligently directed. He was quick to grasp every opportunity offered him and though he suffered loss of crops by grasshopper Vol. II-21
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and hailstorms he allowed no obstacle to remain in his path nor to dampen his spirits. Although the greater portion of Mr. Peterson's time was devoted to farm- ing he also took an active part in the development and improvement of the com- munity and for many years was a member of the school board and held the office of county assessor. In his passing Clay county lost both a representative and pioneer citizen, and his demise left a void in the community which will be hard to fill.
J. P. CHAPMAN
J. P. Chapman, whose furtniture and undertaking establishment in Aurora is one of the progressive business enterprises of the city, was born in Lucas county, Iowa, August 13, 1855, and is a son of Simeon B. and Sarah Jane (Mitchell) Chap- man. The father was born in Pennsylvania and the mother in Indiana, in which state they were married. The Chapman family is of English lineage and the ancestral line is traced back to Uriah Chapman, the great-grandfather of J. P. Chapman of this review. His son, Simeon Chapman, removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio and afterward became a resident of Missouri, then moved to Iowa in an early day, where his last days were passed. He was a cooper by trade and was also one of the heroes of the Revolutionary war, joining the army when very young and aiding in the struggle for independence. The grandfather in the maternal line was a native of Kentucky and in an early day became one of the pioneer residents of Indiana. He had a son, Robert Mitchell, who was killed in the Mexican war and was buried in the land of the Montezumas. It was his sister, Sarah Jane Mitchell, who became the wife of Simeon B. Chapman and following their mar- riage in Indiana they removed to Missouri and afterward to Iowa, where they con- tinued to reside until called to their final rest. The father always followed the occupation of farming as a life work, thus providing for the support of his family. He was a most thoroughi Bible student and possessed a remarkable memory. He held membership in the Universalist church and gave his political support to the republican party. To him and his wife were born ten children, but only three are living: L. M., a retired ranchman residing in Oregon; R. R., a retired farmer of Aurora, Nebraska; and J. P., of this review.
The last named pursued his education in the common schools of Iowa, attend- ing first the district schools and afterward those of the town, for his parents left the farm when he was ten years of age. In early life he began learning the painting and paper-hanging trades which he followed for a short time and then took up photography. Still later he engaged in the furniture business, opening a store of that kind in the old town of Hamilton in October, 1877. Later he disposed of his interest in the furniture business to his partner, C. R. Glover, and removed his photographic studio to Aurora, where he has since made his home. In 1885 he again became connected with mercantile pursuits, becoming associated with William Glover in the hardware and furniture trade under the firm style of William Glover & Company. At a later period the hardware stock was sold and Mr. Chapman concentrated his energies upon the furniture and undertaking business, in which he has since been engaged, carrying on his interests under the firm style of the
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Chapman Furniture Company in which his son is now associated with him. Both are graduate undertakers. He won his undertaking license in 1890, completing his course with the second class in the state. The firm enjoys a liberal patronage in both branches of its business and progressive methods have always characterized the work of Mr. Chapman, who early realized that industry and perseverance are indispensable elements of success and has utilized those qualities to good account in the attainment of prosperity. The firm today has a very large store and carries an extensive stock of furniture. In addition to his mercantile interests Mr. Chap- man owns one hundred and sixty acres of well improved land near Aurora and his property is the visible evidence of his life of well directed energy and thrift.
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