USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Lincoln > History of the city of Lincoln, Nebraska : with brief historical sketches of the state and of Lancaster County > Part 18
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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF LINCOLN.
useful career of the volunteer fire department of Lincoln, which had performed faithful and efficient service for twelve years. But the rapid growth and increasing area of the city demanded a change, and a metropolitan system, with trained and experienced men, constantly on duty, was placed in service. In the month of January, 1887, Hon. A. J. Sawyer Mayor, the department was reorganized by Chief W. H. Newbury and placed on a solid and substantial basis. The fire depart- ment at present consists of thirty-five full-paid men, the organization being as follows : one Chief of Fire Department, one Assistant Chief, three Captains, two engineers of steamers, and twenty-eight men. Sal- aries : Chief, $140.00 per month; Captains, $75.00 per month ; engin- eers of steamers, $75.00 per month ; drivers, pipemen, linemen, $70.00 per month. Apparatus in service: Two four-wheel two-horse hose carts, one hose wagon, two four-wheel two-horse chemical engines, hook and ladder truck, one aerial hook and ladder truck, one chief's buggy, one supply wagon, nineteen horses. Annual expense of main- taining department, present equipment, $35,000.00.
The engine houses are large double houses, fitted up with all the modern and best improved electrical appliances, and will contain four pieces of apparatus each. Fire department headquarters-Engine house No. 1 is situated at the corner of Tenth and Q streets. Engine house No. 2, corner of O and Twenty-third streets, and engine house No. 4, at F street, between Twelfth and Thirteenth streets.
The first chief of the volunteer department was the Hon. Seth Lin- derman. His successor was T. P. Quick esq., who held the position for about ten years. The Hon. N. C. Abbott, Hon. I. M. Raymond, Hon. Gran Ensign, and Hon. I. L. Lyman, gentlemen who have represented the State, county, and city, in different positions of trust and honor, were at different times chief of the volunteer organization. The present chief, Wm. H. Newbury, was appointed Fire Warden of the city in July, 1885; appointed Chief of the Fire Department in April, 1887. Through his untiring efforts the city of Lincoln has to-day a fire department of which it is justly proud. No city in the country of the same size has had so small a percentage of loss from fire as Lincoln has had since the organization of the paid department.
The roster of the the Fire Department, as at present constituted, is as follows:
Chief-W. H. Newbury. Captains-J. Morrow of company No.
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1, G. H. Priest of company No. 2. Drivers-F. Maden, P. Kny- kendall, and R. Malone. Engineer-J. Heberling. Stoker-Frank Strattan. Firemen-H. Stratton, C. W. Clyter, B. H. Floyd, J. C. McCune, A. B. Hosman, G. R. Slat, F. G. Fawcett, F. McMillan, J. Fitzgerald, and S. S. Smith.
One of the most successful institutions of the city is the Red Rib- bon Club, which was organized by John B. Finch in November, 1877, at a place on the east side of Tenth street, about four doors north of Tenth and N streets. For years it held its meetings in "Red Ribbon Hall," at the northwest corner of Twelfth and M streets. Every Sun- day afternoon in the year Mr. George B. Skinner, who has been pres- ident, manager, and inspiration to the organization from its beginning, would be found on the platform directing the meeting. The pro- grammes consisted of singing from " Gospel Hymns," or similar mu- sical books, and voluntary addresses by persons in the audience, though Mr. Skinner would often call upon men or women whom he thought could make short, useful addresses. Hundreds of drinking men have been induced to sign the pledge by this club, and by it assisted to keep the good resolution. The club now meets at a large assembly room on T street, between Eleventh and Twelfth street. The roll of the organization now numbers fully 17,000 persons, including many of the leading men and women of the city and State. For twelve years it has lived and expanded, and is now, perhaps, the largest, oldest, and most successful, association of its kind in the United States. For all this growth and power it is substantially indebted to George B. Skinner.
Lincoln has hotel accommodations for fully 2,000 persons. A sketch of the earliest hotel history has already been given in another chapter, where reference is made to the " Pioneer," the "Cadman," and the "Atwood."
In 1869 - - Wilson constructed a store foundation on the south- west corner of P and Eleventh streets. This lot and one other to the southward, were sold to James Griffith, who still resides in this county, who disposed of them to Cropsey & England. That firm passed the property over to Dr. Scott, who completed the building on the foun- dation already there, and opened a drug store in it about 1869. In 1870 he converted the building into a hotel, which was managed
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by John Douglas, and it was called the "Douglas House." Mr- Douglas conducted it until November, 1873, when Mr. J. J. Imhoff bought it, called it the "Commercial Hotel," and at once greatly en- larged it. Its patronage increased constantly under his control, and he was obliged to enlarge it to its present dimensions of 150 x 108} feet, and to three stories in height, so as to possess a capacity to accom- modate easily 300 guests. It soon became the political headquarters of the State and the principal rendezvous of politicians, associations, and public affairs generally. Mr. Imhoff owned the hotel until the opening of 1886, when Mr. C. W. Kitchen bought it, changed its name to "The Capital Hotel," and managed it until May 1st, 1887. Then Hon. Edward P. Roggen became its landlord, Mr. W. H. B. Stout having bought it, and so continued until March, 1889, when Mr. G. F. Macdonald, formerly of the Millard Hotel in Omaha, bought an interest with Mr. Roggen, and since that date the house has been managed by Roggen & Macdonald. It still continues to be the political hub of the State, being Republican State headquarters an- nually. It possesses all modern conveniences and improvements and is the best known hotel in Nebraska. Mr. Richard W. Johnson, who was chief clerk with Mr. Imhoff, occupied the same position with Mr. Kitchen, and has been the chief clerk with Mr. Roggen and Messrs. Roggen & Macdonald. He is one of the worthiest and best hotel men in Nebraska, and one of the best known.
Next in order of origin is Opelt's Hotel, at Ninth and Q streets, which was built by Mr. J. S. Atwood, who completed it in 1880. It was then named the " Arlington" house. It was the largest hotel in Nebraska at that date, and yet ranks among the most spacions and excellent hostelries in the State. Mr. Joseph Opelt, its present land- lord, became its first landlord and conducted it until 1881, when it was purchased by J. S. MeIntire, who managed it for a short time, and it passed into the hands of Capt. Wm. Ensey, who controlled it about three years. It then was without a landlord for about three months, when Mr. Joseph Opelt, on March 15, 1886, again became its lessee and landlord, and so continues to the present time. He has always had a large and profitable business. The house is fitted up with modern improvements and has an easy capacity of about 250 guests. Mr. Stanley C. Wieks is the efficient chief clerk of this ex- cellent hotel. It is now owned by W. H. Atwood, of Kinderhook, N. Y., the son of the builder.
THE CAPITAL HOTEL.
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PHOTO ENG, CO, N. Y.
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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF LINCOLN.
The next large hotel built in Lincoln was the Windsor, at first called the " Gorham House, " located at the southeast corner of Eleventh and Q streets. This hotel was erected by Mr. T. F. Barnes, in 1884, and was opened January 5, 1885, by Gorham & Brown, who man- aged it about a year, when it passed into the hands of Glass & Montrose, who also conducted it about a year. Then it came into the control of its presentable managers, Messrs. E. K. Criley & Co., Mr. E. K. Criley being in immediate charge. In his hands it has been much improved, and its business and capacity extended. The same firm controls the " Paddock House" at Beatrice, and other noted hotels in the West. The Windsor is equipped with the most improved hotel facilities and has a capacity of over 200 guests. It is still owned by Mr. T. F. Barnes. Mr. S. J. Whitmore is the chief clerk of the Windsor, and is an excellent and capable man in the position.
The " Lindell Hotel" is an excellent hostelry, located at the north- west corner of Thirteenth and M streets. This is a pleasant, quiet, home-like place, new and tidy, and managed by Dr. A. L. Hoover and his son, Mr. S. C. Hoover, under the firm title of Hoover & Son. It is a favorite resort for people who wish excellent accommodations away from the noise and disturbance of the business part of the city. The site of the Lindell has been a hotel location for twenty years. In 1869 J. N. Townley opened a boarding-house there, which was man- aged by John Douglas for a short time before he took charge of the " Donglas House," at Eleventh and P streets. The property passed through various vicissitudes, and finally came into the hands of Dr. Hoover, in 1885, who removed the old frame to one side for a kitchen and erected a brick structure in 1886, which the growing business of the house required to be enlarged in 1888. It has a capacity of over 100 guests, and is furnished with the leading hotel conveniences. It discards a bar.
The " Tremont Hotel," at the southwest corner of P and Eighth streets, is an excellent public house, possessed of steam heating, elec- tric light, and other facilities of that kind, and its rates are very low for the accommodations it offers. It is conducted by Mr. R. W. Copeland, and can accommodate about 100 guests.
The "St. Charles Hotel," on the south side of O street, between Seventh and Eighth, is a well-known hostelry of the city, long con- ducted by Mrs. Kate Martin, who still owns it. Mr. Jacob Rocke
"THE WINDSOR HOTEL.
8 3SnOH 91
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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF LINCOLN.
is now the landlord and lessee. It enjoys a good trade, and can ac- commodate 150 guests. It is managed by Mr. Chris. Rocke, brother of Jacob Rocke, the County Treasurer.
The "Transit," on Twelfth between () and P, Wright & Marcy, proprietors, has accommodations for fifty guests.
The " Washington House," on the southeast corner of M and Ninth, and the " Peoria Honse," on the northwest corner of Q and Ninth, are frame hotels, of smaller capacity, with rates at $1.00 per day. The "Ideal Hotel," on the west side of Fourteenth street, between N and O, is conducted by W. C. Trott as a hotel and select boarding-house, and has a capacity of about 100 guests. There are a number of smaller publie houses in the city, so that Lincoln can corifortably entertain a large number of persons of all tastes as to accommodations and price.
The regular police force of Lincoln consists of but seventeen men, or one to about each 3,000 inhabitants. Yet few cities in the United States are better policed, owing to the high grade of the citizenship in the city as well as to the excellent class of men on the force and the effective discipline maintained. The criminal record of Lincoln ranks with the minimum records of the very best governed cities of equal population in the world. The excellence of the police discipline was largely effected under the administration of Mayor A. J. Sawyer, by Marshal P. H. Cooper, and Captain W. T. B. Ireland, both being of- ficials of long experience, the latter being especially efficient in the administrative details of the department. Officers A. L. Pound, C. M. Green, and J. K. Post, were also men of experience and fine record on the old force, and Officers Splain and Kinney also deserve praise as guardians of the city.
In June, 1889, the force was reorganized by Marshal W. W. Car- der, who came into office at that time. Marshal Carder has already added a number of features of excellence to the department, and the force is in a most effective condition for the duties belonging to it. It now consists of nine night men and eight day men, including the Marshal. The roster of the force is as follows: Marshal-W. W. Carder. Night Captain-C. M. Green. Sergeant -F. A. Miller. Officers-George F. Sipe, James Malone, A. L. Pound, J. K. Post, W. T. B. Ireland, M. F. Mc Williams, William Splain, Joseph N. Sny- der, W. H. Palmer, Thomas Carnahan, Louis C. Otto, J. E. Kinney,
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John Keane. Special -W. S. Criek. General Police Officers-Health Commissioner, A. M. Bartram ; Meat and Live Stock Inspector, W. C. Rhode; Driver of the Patrol Wagon, Jolin H. Simpson.
Hon. Robert B. Graham, chief executive of the city of Lincoln, is one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Lancaster county, a man who has done much to advance the material interests of both eity and county. That he is of Scotch parentage can readily
HON. ROBT. B. GRAHAM, MAYOR.
be told at a glance, his sturdy, well knit frame and kindly face pro- claiming the nationality of his birth. Mr. Graham was born in New York City on the 17th of May, 1842. His early youth only was passed in that city, his parents removing to St. Louis when he was only five years of age. Here his youth and early manhood were passed and here he married. The early education of Mr. Graham was obtained at the public schools of St. Louis, where he was in al- most constant attendance until he was fifteen years of age. In 1859, when in his seventeenth year, the young man entered the Baptist Col- lege at Burlington, Ia., and pursued his studies there uninterrupted
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for two years. But at that time the same circumstances that spoiled the college life of so many young men of the land, that changed the whole course of life for so many hundreds of the loyal men of the North, intervened to cut short his college years; for although under age, he enlisted in the sixty-seventh Illinois infantry at the beginning of the war and was soon sent to the front. His army experience only lasted for eighteen months, he being discharged at the end of that time on account of disability. After his discharge he returned to St. Louis, where he lay sick for some time. When he recovered sufficiently to be able to work, he entered the steam cracker factory of Thomas Miller, as bookkeeper, and after a year was admitted to partnership, the firm then being Thomas Miller & Co. The firm then took a government contract for furnishing hard tack, but in 1863 the factory burned out, and was never rebuilt. From that time until 1867 Mr. Graham was engaged with the firm of Tossig, Livingston & Co., traveling through the South and Southwest buying wool, etc.
On the 12th of March, 1868, Mr. Graham was married to Miss Mary E. Hilton, of St. Louis, soon after which he moved to Glen- wood, Ia., where he engaged in the milling business, buying an inter- est in a steam flouring mill at that place. At the end of a year he sold his interest in this mill and turned his face again westward, lo- cating in the spring of 1869 in Lancaster county, in the northwest- ern part, in what is now Mill precinct. Mr. Graham's coming to Lancaster county was upon the suggestion of George Harris, the original B. & M. land commissioner, well known to many of the pioneers of the early days. From the spring of 1869 Mr. Graham has been a continuous resident of the county, and has, during that time, been connected closely with its growth and development. In 1870 Mr. Graham and his brother built a flouring mill in Mill precinct, the third mill built in the county, which he operated for a number of years.
In 1880 the people of the county concluded that Mr. Graham's sphere of usefulness could be profitably enlarged, and hence he was elected a member of the House of Representatives of the State Legisla- ture, that being the sixteenth session. The result was very satisfactory to his constituents, as he displayed much ability in dealing with ques- tions of legislation. As a legislator he was careful, watchful, and pru- dent, taking broad and conservative views of all questions requiring
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his attention and decision. In 1881 Mr. Graham was elected County Treasurer, being reelected in 1883. As county treasurer his duties required his presence in Lincoln, and hence his residence here dates from his first election to that office. Mr. Graham showed great financial ability in dealing with the money matters of the county, and is entitled to great credit for his work during his two terms. By bringing to his duties as treasurer the same care, prudence and thor- ough business methods that had made his private business a success, he succeeded in so improving the finances of the county that all war- rants or other evidences of indebtedness, except bridge warrants, were paid in cash, something before unknown. This result he accom- plished by a close and careful collection of taxes, and a carefully ar- ranged system of accounts. The system inaugurated by Mr. Graham has been followed by Mr. Roche, the present Treasurer, so well that all warrants, including bridge, are now paid on presentation.
In 1886 Mr. Graham was elected a member of the City Council from the Fourth Ward, and was reelected in 1888. The duties of this office he discharged most satisfactorily to the people until he re- signed, in the spring of 1889, to take the office of Mayor, to which he had been elected on April 13, 1889. No man, as member of the City Council, has done more hard work for the good of the city-work that was always well and honestly done. And his three years' ex- perince in that body has enabled him so far to avoid many of the mistakes of his predecessors. As chief executive of the city, he is en- ergetic, yet conservative, mindful of all interests and classes. He is particularly safe and able in guarding the reciprocal relations and welfare of the business and working people, to the end that every- thing shall work together for the general present prosperity and the continued development of the city. Mr. Graham and family belong to the most respected social circles of the city.
Hon. Elmer B. Stephenson, Treasurer for the City of Lincoln, holds one of the most responsible offices in the city government. As a rep- resentative young man, citizen, and official, a short biographical sketch of his life has a very appropriate place in this volume.
His father, John M. Stephenson sr., was born in Kentucky, on a plantation, his father being the owner of slaves. While yet a young man the father emigrated to Southern Illinois, and became a pioneer
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farmer near Mount Vernon. When the war came on he enlisted in the Seventh Ilinois Cavalry, though a positive Democrat in politics. His son, John Stephenson jr., joined the same company, though a mere stripling, and both served during the great conflict with honor to themselves. John Stephenson jr. was daring to the point of auda- city, and on one occasion while on a foraging expedition, he captured three rebel soldiers single handed, although his gun was so ont of repair- as to be useless. Later on he was himself seized while out foraging, and
IION. E. B. STEPHENSON.
lay in Libby prison until reduced to a mere skeleton from disease and' starvation. He finally escaped through a tunnel, and reached the- Union lines, almost dead with sickness and exhaustion. The father of the Treasurer was a friend and admirer of John A. Logan, and was acquainted with Abraham Lincoln, who practiced law before the war in Mr. Stephenson's county.
Before marriage the mother of the Treasurer was a Miss Esther Melcher. She was born in Maine, and her mother was a cousin of S. F. B. Morse, the great electrician. When young she removed with her-
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parents to Mt. Vernon, Illinois, and there grew up from childhood with John M. Stephenson sr. In her young womanhood she was a successful school teacher, and her characteristics are those of persistent industry, courage, and love of learning and progress. In political sentiment she was always a Republican. Her brother, Josiah Mel- cher, is a prominent minister in Bloomington, Illinois, who has writ- ten several works on theology.
Elmer B. Stephenson, the Treasurer, was the third son and child, and was born at Troy Grove, La Salle county, Illinois, on December 7, 1858. When a child his father's family removed to a farm near Troy Grove, where he spent his boyhood life. His occupation was that of attending the district school in winter, as soon as old enough, and working on the farm in the summer season. And while a farmer he performed many a month of hard work, doing the labor of a full hand in harvest field, corn gathering, or elsewhere, from the age of fifteen to eighteen.
When eighteen years of age he entered the office of Dr. W. G. Houtz, with the intention of studying medicine, and while there gave the subject some investigation, and also devoted some time to the im- provement of his education. When twenty-one years of age he made a year's tour of the Southern States, exploring as far south as Texas. Upon returning he found that his old friend Dr. Houtz had removed to Lincoln, Nebraska, and upon the doctor's urgent invitation, Mr. Stephenson followed him to Lincoln, in 1880.
Not having the means with which to pursue a professional career, and finding it difficult to secure remunerative employment, his first three years were spent in incongenial labor at low wages. To add to his discouragement, if his natural unflagging resolution had allowed him to get discouraged, the end of the first and second year each found him prostrated with severe illness. Having succeeded in saving a little money during the third year, he was enabled to unite with Mr. D. W. Moseley in the real estate business in 1883, under the firm style of Moseley & Stephenson.
But wealth did not rush in to overwhelm the firm immediately, and the first year was a hard contest to make expenses. But 1885 was a year of high-tide prosperity to Lincoln, and Moseley & Stephenson, having laid a careful foundation, were rewarded with a successful bus- iness. This continued during 1886, and they were able to close up
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the year's work with the balance sheet decidedly in their favor. While together Messrs. Moseley & Stephenson placed upon the mar- ket, for a syndicate, the lots of both Belmont and Riverside additions to the city of Lincoln.
The following year, in 1887, Mr. Stephenson severed his business connection with Mr. Moseley and entered into a partnership with Mr. Whitney J. Marshall for the transaction of the real estate business. This association was continued with profit to both members until Mr. Stephenson was elected to the office of City Treasurer in April last, having been nominated to that over several strong competitors. He was elected by a majority of about 1,300. Mr. Marshall, his partner, was fortunate also, having been appointed a member of the Board of Public Works by Mayor Graham, who was elected on the same ticket with Mr. Stephenson.
The success of Mr. Stephenson has not been due to favoritism nor the influence of powerful friends, nor to accident. It has been accom- plished in the face of many discouragements, and a man of less per- sistent determination would have failed. Hard work, courage, and good management, have won for Mr. Stephenson a comfortable fortune and an honorable position, which he now occupies with prudence and . efficiency.
Hon. G. M. Lambertson, City Attorney for the city of Lincoln, is a leading attorney of this city, and a gentleman of State-wide reputa- tion.
His father was Samuel Lambertson, who was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1815. Though not an educated man, he is a lover of books, learning, and progress, and has never neglected any opportunity to secure additional knowledge or advance the education of his family. Early in life he was apprenticed to the tailor's trade, and having learned the art thoroughly, he opened a merchant-tailoring house at Franklin, Indiana. He followed this occupation most of the time for fifty years, and accumulated a little fortune at it. He never held any political office, but was at one time a Knight Templar in the Masonic fraternity, and has for many years been a member and officer in the Baptist church. He was naturally a patriot. In politics he was first a Whig, when the Whigs were the best party. Then he be- came an Abolitionist ; then went into the ranks of the Republican
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party. When the war began he was early in the field as a staunch defender of the Union. He promptly organized Company F of the Seventh Indiana Infantry, with the opening of hostilities, and became its captain. During the first two years of service, he participated in eighteen important battles, including those of Antietam and the second Bull Run. At the close of his second year he returned to his home county to encourage enlistments, and succeeded in raising a regiment of thirteen companies, which were called the " Home Guards." These
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