USA > Nebraska > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. II > Part 64
USA > Nebraska > Clay County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. II > Part 64
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L. A. Megrue gained his early education in the pioneer schools of Clay county and there he had in his boyhood and youth a goodly experience in connection with the work of the home farm. In 1883 he went to Redwillow county, this state, where for three years he devoted his time to herding cattle on a large cattle ranch. He then returned to Clay county and eventually erected a store building in the village of Eldorado, that county, where he built up a prosperous general merchandise busi- ness.' After conducting this enterprise two years he sold the store and business and resumed his active association with farm enterprise. In Hamilton and Clay counties he is now the owner of a well improved and valuable farm property of two hundred acres, besides which he owns a ranch and farm of eight hundred acres in Morrill county. He has profited fully by the advantages afforded in the state of Nebraska and has won for himself a generous measure of prosperity, with high standing as a substantial and straightforward business man and loyal and public- spirited citizen. His political tendencies mark him as a stanch supporter of the cause of the democratic party, and he has been actively affiliated with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows for more than fifteen years.
In Clay county was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Megrue to Miss Bertha Severson, daughter of Henry Severson, who came from Wisconsin with wagon and Vol. II-10
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ox team and numbered himself among the pioneers of Hamilton county, where, in 1871, he entered claim to a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres and estab- lished the family in a rude dugout, which later gave place to a sod house. He and his wife endured all of the hardships and trials that attended the early settlers of this section of the state, but eventually prosperity crowned their efforts and com- pensated them for the labors and difficulties of earlier years. Mrs. Severson died in 1901 and Mr. Severson was sixty-four years of age at the time of his death, in October, 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Megrue became the parents of two children: Wayne, who is, in 1921, a student in the high school at Harvard ; and Doyle, who was killed July 31, 1919.
P. A. NELSON
With the agricultural development of Clay county, P. A. Nelson has been closely associated for many years, having operated a large farm which he successfully cul- tivated and on which he raised high grade stock. He was born in Sweden on the 22d of November, 1850, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Nels Nelson, both natives of that country, who passed away there in 1869, and he was the eldest of a family of six children born to them. Five are living, but only two are residing in the United States, one sister, Ellen Pierson, whose home is in Willmar, Minnesota, and P. A., of this review.
P. A. Nelson is indebted to the schools of his native country for his education, but when tales of the opportunities offered in the new world came to his ears he determined to come to this country and here win his way to success. As a result the year 1871 found him in Bureau county, Illinois, where he was engaged in working out on farms, for which labor he received eighteen dollars per month. For seven and one-half years he continued in that connection, becoming thoroughly familiar with every phase of farm life. In 1878 he came to Clay county, bringing but little with him, and purchased a quarter section of land from the railroad, for which he paid cash. He is now in possession of three quarter sections of fine land in the county. He became a practical farmer and stockman, raising all breeds of cattle and he also bought and sold cattle, achieving substantial success in that connection. He overcame all obstacles and difficulties in his path by persistence and energy and made steady progress. In 1908 he removed to Harvard and retired from active life and he is a well known and prominent citizen of the community.
On the 19th of September, 1878, Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to Miss Lena Holmes, a native of Sweden, who came to the United States and located in Illinois in 1870. Her parents arrived in this country in 1878 and lived with Mr. and Mrs. Nelson until their death. The mother lived to the advanced age of ninety-nine years. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Nelson, three of whom are living: Clara, who is the wife of Oscar Lundine, a farmer of Haxtum, Colorado; Olga, the wife of Dell Hiatt, engaged in farming six miles from Harvard; and Will, who is residing on his father's farm.
In politics Mr. Nelson follows an independent course, supporting the man he thinks best fitted for the office, regardless of party. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. Mr. Nelson owns a fine town residence surrounded by two
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acres of land, in addition to a four hundred and eighty acre tract of well improved and valuable land. Since coming to this country to live Mr. Nelson has once returned to his native land and that was in 1909 when he made the trip via London, Liverpool and other cities and remained some time in Denmark. He has also traveled extensively in the Unitd States and spent one winter in California. Throughout the community he has many friends who appreciate his true personal worth and sterling traits of character and he stands foremost among the citizens of Harvard.
GEORGE H. SINNER
George H. Sinner, who is engaged in the real estate and insurance business at Sutton, was born three miles east of Harvard, Nebraska, April 4, 1883, his parents being Henry and Margarite (Weitzel) Sinner, both of whom were natives of Russia, in which country they were reared and educated. They came to the United States in 1875, settling in Clay county, Nebraska, where the father rented a farm, for he had only forty dollars in cash when he reached the county. However, he carefully saved his earnings until his industry and economy had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to gain a start as a landowner and in course of time he acquired a half section and also had property in Harvard, becoming one of the well-to-do men of this part of the state. He experienced the difficulties and hardships occasioned by the drought and the hail of pioneer times, but with persistent energy he kept on and the years at length brought to him substantial prosperity. Mr. Sinner and his wife became members of the German Reformed church and he established the first church at Harvard. This has been rebuilt three times since that date and on the last occasion Mr. Sinner furnished the bell for the church and it was tolled for the first time at his funeral. He was instrumental in having many families settle in this county and assisted them in gaining a start, loaning money and advising them as to purchases and business investments. To him and his wife were born nine children, eight of whom are living, seven sons and a daughter, of whom George H. is the youngest. They are: Conrad, now a retired farmer of Harvard; John, who is engaged in the taxicab business at Fresno, California; Peter, residing on a farm at Loveland, Colorado; Phillip, who cultivates a farm south of Sutton; Henry and Will, twins, who purchased the old home farm and now occupy it; George H .; and Kate, the wife of John Schnell, a retired farmer living in Harvard.
George H. Sinner was educated in the country schools of District No. 10 in Clay county and in the Lincoln Business College at Lincoln, Nebraska, from which he was graduated in 1900. He turned to agricultural pursuits when his textbooks were put aside and engaged in farming to the age of twenty-four years. He then went to the capital city and worked in the freight office for a time, while subse- quently he was transferred to Portland, Oregon, to fill a position in the auditor's office of the railroad company. There he continued for four years. At the end of that time his father died and Mr. Sinner returned to Sutton. He then purchased the farm implements of Gus Bender and located on the farm, which he cultivated for a year. He next came to Sutton, where he engaged in barbering for a year and a half and on the expiration of that period was employed by H. M. Hanson for a
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similar length of time. On the 22d of January, 1921, he established the real estate and insurance business which he is now conducting and he has made an excellent start in this field.
In September, 1910, Mr. Sinner was married to Miss Luella Dederman, who was born in Norfolk, Nebraska, and they have become the parents of a daughter, Margaret, now in school. Mr. Sinner and his wife belong to the German Reformed church and his political views are in accord with the teachings of the republican party, while in all public affairs he is actuated by a spirit of enterprise and advancement.
CHARLES P. CRAFT
A lawyer of recognized prominence of the Nebraska bar is Charles P. Craft of Aurora, whose clientele is now very extensive and of a most important character. He is a member of the firm of Hainer, Craft & Lane of Lincoln, and of the firm of Hainer, Craft & Edgerton of Aurora. Iowa claims him as a native son, his birth having occurred in Mahaska county, July 16, 1879, his parents being George P. and Mary (Pike) Craft, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. They were married in Iowa, where they settled in early life, and there the father followed farming until 1883, when he came to Hamilton county and purchased land from the Union Pacific Railroad Company. His remaining days were spent on the homestead, which he developed and improved and thereon reared his family of ten children, nine of whom are living, Charles P., being the eldest. In his political views Mr. Craft was an earnest republican and in religious faith his wife was a Presbyterian.
Charles P. Craft was educated in the Aurora high school until graduated with the class of 1895, after which he entered the State University and won his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1904, while in 1905 the Bachelor of Law degree was conferred upon him. Following the completion of his legal course he at once began practice in Aurora in association with Mr. Hainer and the connection has continued. They formed the partnership in 1914 and later the firm style of Hainer, Craft & Edger- ton was adopted and the firm exists in this relationship. In Lincoln Mr. Craft also practices in association with Mr. Hainer under the firm style of Hainer, Craft & Lane, the first two partners following the profession in both cities. Mr. Craft devotes practically his entire attention to his work at the bar and his ability is constantly manifest in the able manner in which he handles his cases, marshalls and presents his evidence and writes his briefs. His reasoning is clear and cogent, his deductions sound and logical. Aside from his profession he is known in business circles as a director of the First Trust Company of Aurora and he has large landed interests in Hall, Hamilton and Morrill counties. Notwithstanding all this, his time and attention are chiefly given to his law practice and he is now the chief attorney for the Royal Highlanders, has an extensive private practice and is regarded one of the leading members of the Nebraska bar.
In 1907 Mr. Craft was married to Miss Anna C. Hoefer, a native of Aurora and a daughter of Fritz and Elizabeth Hoefer, the former of whom came to Hamilton county in 1878. Here he became connected with the jewlery trade in Aurora,
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remaining a leading merchant in the city to the time of his death. His widow still resides here. To Mr. and Mrs. Craft have been born two children: Elizabeth, in school ; and Charles F., three years of age. Mrs. Craft is a member of the Congre- gational church. Mr. Craft votes for the republican party and all matters of public welfare are of keen interest to him, his aid and influence being ever on the side of civic advancement and public improvment.
PETER N. PETERSEN
Another native of Denmark who has won success in agricultural circles is Peter N. Petersen who for many years has been a resident of Hamilton county. He was born in that country on the 16th of June, 1849, and there received his education. In 1872 at the age of twenty-three years he came to the United States and made his first home in Detroit, Michigan.
After locating at Detroit, Mr. Petersen obtained work in a brickyard and remained in that connection until he went to Chicago and subsequently to Michi- gan, where he was employed in a sawmill for two years. At the termination of that time he went to Racine, Wisconsin, and worked in a lumber-yard for five years and in 1879 came west and located in Hamilton county. He purchased eighty acres of railroad land on which there were no improvements and put up a two-room sod house with board floor and dirt roof. He also erected a straw stable. Breaking his land himself, he set out an orchard and some forest trees but the orchard was mostly killed during the droughts and the various hailstorms. In order to obtain fuel Mr. Petersen had to drive to Platte and most of his trading was done at Cen- tral City. Mr. Petersen added to his land from time to time and once was in possession of eight hundred acres.
In 1874 occurred the marriage of Mr. Petersen and Miss Anna Jensen, a native of Denmark, and her death took place in October, 1916. Six children were born to that union, four of whom died in infancy ; Carl Alfred runs a battery station in Aurora; and Christina died at the age of thirty-three years.
Mr. Petersen gives his allegiance to the republican party and is a stanch sup- porter of the principles for which it stands. His religious faith is that of the Danish Lutheran church. Although the greater part of Mr. Petersen's time is devoted to his agricultural interests he also has an interest in the Farmers Elevators at Hampton and Aurora. He is indeed a representative citizen and one of whom any community would be proud.
OTIS M. NEWMAN, D. D. S.
Dr. Otis M. Newman is the oldest practicing dentist of Aurora in years of continuous connection with the profession, having for a quarter of a century main- tained an office in this city. He was born in Harrison county, Indiana, June 28, 1875, and is a son of Andrew J. Newman and a grandson of John Newman, who
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was one of the pioneer settlers of Indiana. In early life the grandfather engaged in business as a stone and brick mason and later conducted a hotel in southern Indiana. It was in this hotel that John Morgan, the Confederate general, took dinner on the day he crossed the river into Indiana. Four brothers of Andrew J. Newman were soldiers of the Union army in the Civil war and two of them lost their lives while defending the country. Andrew J. Newman was born in Harrison county, Indiana, and spent the days of his youth and early manhood in that state. After attaining his majority he wedded Rebecca Dahl, whose father was a pioneer resident of Indiana and he was a minister of the United brethren church. Some years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Newman removed from Indiana to Kansas, making the overland trip, and later took up their abode in Lincoln, Nebraska, where they resided for a year and then established their home in York. The father was first employed as a clerk but afterward became a general merchant and was engaged in that business in York at the time of his demise. He was also quite active in politics and for seventeen years filled the position of clerk of the county court. He also served as deputy sheriff prior to his occupancy of the office of county court clerk. He passed away on the 12th of October, 1901, at the age of fifty years, and is survived by his widow, who is making her home with a daughter in York. A member of the Masonic fraternity, he took the degrees of the York Rite and of the Mystic Shrine, and he also belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Woodmen and the Workmen. In politics he was a republican and was a stalwart supporter of the party, doing everything in his power to promote its growth and insure its success. To him and his wife were born four children: Otis M .; Mrs. H. E. Detrick, a widow living in York; Mrs. John Parrish, whose husband is engaged in the lumber and automobile business in Pontiac, Illinois; and John Wright, who is associated with his brother in the practice of dentistry, having grad- uated from the Lincoln Dental College. John Wright Newman married Margaret Green of York, daughter of L. P. Green, who was a farmer of York county for a number of years and afterward engaged in the real estate business in York but is now residing in Greeley, Colorado. Dr. and Mrs. John Wright Newman have one child, John W., Jr., who is three years of age. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
In the attainment of his education Dr. Otis M. Newman attended the public schools of York until graduated from the high school with the class of 1892. Hav- ing determined upon the practice of dentistry as a life work he then entered the dental school of the State University of Iowa at Iowa City and completed his course there as an alumnus of 1896. He located for practice in Aurora twenty- four years ago and is today the oldest dentist in years of continuous practice in the city. He is a close and discriminating student of the science of dentistry and in his practice displays not only comprehensive knowledge of the underlying principles of the profession but also that marked mechanical skill and ingenuity which are so necessary in successful practice.
In December, 1900, Doctor Newman was married to Miss Marion B. Shankland, a native of Lebanon, Boone county, Indiana, who came to Hamilton county in 1880. She is a daughter of Floyd Shankland, one of the early farmers of this section of the state. To Doctor and Mrs. Newman bas been born one child, Claudia N., who is now a teacher in the schools of Hampton and is a graduate of
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the Aurora high school. Mrs. Newman holds membership in the Presbyterian church. Doctor Newman belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Highlanders and the Modern Woodmen. His political endorsement is given the republican party and for four years he filled the office of city councilman of Aurora, discharging his duties with marked capability and fidelity. There is also an interesting military chapter in his life record. He enlisted for service in the Spanish-American war but was rejected. He joined the Second Regiment upon its reorganization and in 1899 ยท became a member of the National Guard. He served for fourteen years and three months with the National Guard and advanced from the ranks to the position of major and was in command of Company H at Aurora for seven and a half years. He resigned in March, 1913, and on the day war with Germany was declared he obtained permission from the government to raise a company and was elected cap- tain, serving during the entire time at Camp Cody, New Mexico. He was pre- vented from going overseas by illness, so he was assigned to . school work and organized the schools at the camp, having eighteen hundred men in the battalion and over six hundred in the schools. He did a great work in this connection, for many men could neither read nor write when they entered but before leaving were reading newspapers and the Saturday Evening Post. Doctor Newman received his discharge December 26, 1918. He returned home three months afterward and took up the practice of dentistry, to which he devotes his entire time. He now has an extensive practice which brings to him a substantial return and he enjoys not only a liberal patronage from the public but the high regard, confidence and good- will of all who know him throughout this section of the state.
MATHIAS CHADA
Mathias Chada, now deceased, was identified with the agricultural interests of Clay county for a number of years. He was born in Bohemia on the 17th of January, 1840, and died on his farm March 4, 1921, the news of his death caus- ing a feeling of deep bereavement to sweep the community.
Mathias Chada received his education in the schools of his native country, where he resided until 1851 when he came to the United States with his parents. He located in Wisconsin and learned the shoemaker's trade at which he worked for some time. Upon the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted from Milwaukee in a Wiscon- sin regiment and served four years, three months and six days. In 1873 he and his wife came to Nebraska, locating in Saline county, and there they resided for some years until he acquired a homestead in Clay county. He followed his trade in Crete, his family remaining on the home place, but in 1889 removed to his farm in Clay county and there resided until his death. A small frame shack was their first home on that land but Mr. Chada later erected a fine residence. Mrs. Chada is now living on the farm alone and is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land, from which she receives a substantial income. Mr. Chada engaged in mixed farming and his success was the result of his own determined effort.
On the 22d of November, 1869, occurred the marriage of Mr. Chada and Miss Jennie Fritchek, a native of Bohemia, and a daughter of Henry Fritchek.
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Her father located in Wisconsin in 1866 and resided there until his death. Seven children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Chada, four of whom are now living: Libbie, the wife of Stine Bedner of Clay county; Georgia, married Joe Secora, a farmer of New York; Ben, a farmer of Keith county; and Blanch, who married Ed. Zajic, a farmer of Webster county.
In politics Mr. Chada was an earnest republican and he stood for all that was progressive in matters of citizenship. His time and energies were concentrated upon his business affairs and he justly won classification with the representative farmers of Clay county.
ADAM R. RAY, M. D.
For many years Dr. Adam R. Ray practiced medicine in Clay county and his death on the 3rd of April, 1917, came as a severe shock to his many friends in the community. He was born in Frankville, Iowa, in 1859, a son of Robert and Mary Ray, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of New York. They removed to Iowa at an early day and there the father engaged in farming. Nine children were born to their union, two of whom are living. Adam R. was the third in order of birth.
Adam R. Ray received his education in the district schools of Iowa and later went to Lake Crystal, Minnesota, where he engaged in teaching in a normal school. Doctor Ray decided upon the medical profession as a life work and entered a medical school at Keokuk, Iowa, from which he was graduated in 1888. Soon after graduating he engaged in practice at Marquette, Nebraska, and remained there for one year, when he came to Fairfield, in 1889. He built up a fine practice and became recognized as one of the county's most able and eminent physicians and surgeons. In 1914 he sold his practice to Dr. Bell and went to Brown county, where he purchased a fine ranch. He bought a drug store and was also active in the practice of his profession until his death April 3, 1917. His demise caused a feeling of deep bereavement to sweep the community, for in his passing the county lost a man whose fidelity to duty in every relation of life was characterized by high ideals. 1
On the 1st of October, 1890, occurred the marriage of Mr. Ray and Miss Frances Gillette, a native of Knowlesville, Orleans county, New York, her birth having occurred there in 1872 a daughter of Dyer B. and Ida A. (Howe) Gillette. Her parents were both born in New York and came to Clay county in 1880. There he purchased a good farm and thereon resided until 1890, when they removed to Clay Center. His removal to Clay Center was the outcome of his being elected to the office of clerk of the district court. His death occurred there on the 16th of April, 1912. Mrs. Gillette is still making her home in Clay Center. Seven children were born to their union: Watson, a merchant of Holdrege; Frances; Willis, a retired farmer of Clay Center; Emma A., who is the wife of Albert Talbott, editor of a newspaper; Rose, who is the wife of Ray Boerland, a rancher and oil man of Casper, Wyoming; Julia, the wife of Bruce C. Robinson, an electrician of Superior ; and Ida, who is the wife of Carl Lynch of Haigler. Throughout his life Mr. Gil-
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lette was a stanch republican and was likewise a member of the Congregational church and fraternally was a Mason. He was a veteran of the Civil war, having served in the One Hundred and Third Ohio Regiment three years. To the union of Doctor and Mrs. Ray but one child, Nina E., was born. She is the wife of Ralph Frazer, a barber of Lexington.
Doctor Ray always gave his political allegiance to the republican party and for some time served as mayor of Fairfield. His religious faith was that of the Con- gregational church and fraternally he was identified with the Knights of Pythias and was grand chancellor of the state in 1911. He was likewise a member of the Modern Woodmen and the Highlanders. Mrs. Ray is active in the church and club circles of Fairfield, where she resides in a fine home and she takes a particularly active part in the affairs of the Order of the Eastern Star. Doctor Ray was a progressive and successful man. He developed high professional skill through wide study and training and continually added to his knowledge through broad reading on subjects having to do with his profession.
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