History of western Nebraska and its people, Vol. III, Part 10

Author: Shumway, Grant Lee, 1865-
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., The Western publishing & engraving co.
Number of Pages: 1056

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Johnson Graves was reared on his father's homestead in Otoe county, attended the local schools and the State University for three years. He then accepted a position in the state land commisioner's office at Lincoln, which he filled four years, and in 1896-1897 was a clerk in the state legislature. For five months he was associated with the Barnett Lumber Com- pany at McCook, Nebraska, and from that time may be dated his interest in the lumber industry, in which he has since been an impor- tant factor. In different capacities he has been connected with the lumber trade in Nebraska, Colorado, Montana and Idaho. With the in- tention of locating permanently. Mr. Graves came to Scottsbluff in 1908 and bought out the Pathfinder Lumber Company, afterward he had interests at other points for five years, then returned here and bought an interest in the large enterprise conducted under the name of L. W. Cox & Co., incorporated, of which he is vice president, treasurer and manager. In business circles he stands high.

On August 24, 1899, Mr. Graves married Miss Jennie Holland, who was born in Otoe county, Nebraska, and is a daughter of L. J. and Sidney E. Holland, the former was a prominent farmer in Red Willow county, from which he was elected a member of the state legislature in 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Graves have two children: Jackson, who is in school, and Elizabeth May, who has just passed her second birthday. Mr. Graves has settled con- victions in regard to politics and has always been affiliated with the Democratic party.

HENRY W. NEFF, an enterprising busi- ness man of Scottsbluff, is a member of the firm doing business here under the name of the Carr-Neff Lumber Company, which has the distinction of being the oldest business firm in this city. Mr. Neff was born in Penn-

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

sylvania, came to Nebraska in 1890 and to Scottsbluff in 1900.

His parents were Benjamin Landis and Mary (McMurtry) Neff, the former born in the Keystone state, a descendant of fine old Pennsylvania stock, while the mother was of Scotch-Irish stock. They were married in Pennsylvania and the father died in that state. Their eldest son came to Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1880, later moving to Sidney and still later to Lexington, Nebraska, and in 1890 the other members of the family joined him there and all still reside there except Henry W. They are as follows: Maggie, the widow of J. E. Robb; Ada, the wife of J. D. Eger ; John, in the lumber business, and Benjamin Landis, in the real estate business. The family belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, in which the father was an exhorter.

Henry W. Neff was graduated from the Lexington high school in 1897, then attended the university at Denver, after which he re- turned to Lexington and remained six months. Desiring a business career Mr. Neff took this time to look about for a promising opening, and in 1900 he associated himself with J. M. Carr at Gering, and they organized the Carr & Neff Lumber Company, which, now incorporated, is the Carr-Neff Lumber Company, capital- ized at $60,000, with an investment of $200,- 000. They maintained a plant at Gering and at Scottsbluff until 1903, when they moved the main plant to the latter city. The business has prospered, although both partners started the enterprise on borrowed capital. They have lumber yards at Mitchell, Bridgeport and Northport, and they do a general lumber and coal business and handle paints, oils and other commodities. Mrs. Neff is treasurer of the company.

In February, 1903, Mr. Neff married Miss Libbie Johnston, of Lexington, Nebraska, who died May 13, 1910, leaving one son, Kenneth Landis, who was born January 7, 1905. Mr. Neff was married a second time in August, 1913, to Miss Anna Burnham, and they have one daughter, Margaret Ann, who was born in July, 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Neff are members of the Presbyterian church. In politics he is a Republican and formerly was very active in village affairs. While serving on the village board, of which he was chairman, he brought about the installation of the electric light plant and the city water works, these public util- ities doing as much as anything else to bring population and capital here. He has given en- couragement to many of the stable enterprises which are rapidly making this beautiful little city known far and wide.

LEE E. LEWIS, one of the progressive business men of the younger generation who are making financial history in the Panhandle, resides at Scottsbluff and is the owner of a stock ranch in this county. He attributes his business success to the opportunities he found awaiting when he decided to make Nebraska his permanent home, as he came to the state in 1897 and to Scottsbluff in 1911.

Mr. Lewis was born in Rice county, Minne- sota, April 12, 1870, the son of Richard D. and Adelia (Wales) Lewis, the former born in the state of New York and the latter in Wis- consin, in which state they were married. Of their five children but two survive : Lee E. and Incy D. The father came to Wisconsin with his parents in childhood. He worked at the carpenter trade when he reached manhood. When the war between the North and South was precipitated, Richard D. Lewis enlisted in the Union army and served three years and three months as a member of the Twentieth Wisconsin volunteer infantry. After the war closed he moved to Minnesota, where he home- steaded. He was a Republican in his political views and both he and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Lee E. Lewis had school advantages at Fari- bault, Minnesota, after which he was a clerk in a store for a time, then was a farmer for six years in northern Minnesota. In 1897, with sixty cents in his pocket as capital, Mr. Lewis came to Nebraska and settled in Valley county. Gradually he became independent in the stock business, not through any great good luck, but through the old reliable method of hard work and a saving sense of thrift. In 1911 Mr. Lewis came to the Panhandle, locat- ing in Scottsbluff, and has been a vitalizing force here ever since. He became associated in the furniture business with G. L. Wilcox and also was an auctioneer until 1918. In the meanwhile he had acquired one of the finest cattle ranches in this county, which lies eigh- teen miles north of Scottsbluff, where he feeds and ships right off the grass. Mr. Lewis is very appreciative of what Nebraska has done for him, but his friends call attention also to his capacity for hard work and the business integrity which has backed all his ventures.

In 1900 Mr. Lewis married Miss Ida L. Sheldon, who was born in Greeley county, Ne- braska, and they have two children, Irma May and Donald D., both attending school. Mr. Lewis and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. While never unduly active in politics, he has firm political convictions and has always been affiliated with the Republican party. He has belonged to the order of Odd

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

Fellows for many years and also is a member of the Modern Woodmen.

FRANK C. MAGRUDER, civil engineer by profession, came to Scottsbluff in the spring of 1915 and took charge of the Farmer Irriga- tion District that, under able management, is making Nebraska one of the garden spots of the country. Mr. Magruder was born at Webb City, Missouri, January 16, 1879.

The parents of Mr. Magruder, William Ed- ward and Mary Alice (Randall) Magruder, now reside near Appleton City, Missouri. The father was born at Kirksville, Missouri, a son of John Henry Magruder, who was born near Baltimore, Maryland. The grandfather came to Missouri at an early day and went to Cali- fornia in 1849. After he returned to Mis- souri, he was a stock buyer and conducted a meat business. William Edward Magruder is a blacksmith by trade. For a number of years he was a miner, but now is a farmer near Ap- pleton City. In politics he is a Democrat and fraternally is a Mason. He married Mary Alice Randall, who was born at Macomb, Illi- nois, and of their eight children the following are living: Claude, a blacksmith at Lamar, Missouri; Harry Edward, a blacksmith and miner, at Milford, Utah ; Frank Cecil, who re- sides at Scottsbluff; Ralph E., who lives in South Dakota; Alfred and Raymond J., both of whom are farmers near Appleton City. The parents are members of the Christian church.

Frank C. Magruder was educated at the Missouri State University, from which he was graduated as a civil engineer in 1903. He soon attracted attention in his profession and was sent to Fort Laramie, Wyoming, on gov- ernment work, later was transferred to South Dakota, and in the spring of 1915 was ap- pointed to his present responsible position and came to Scottsbluff. He has inspired con- fidence and the thorough manner in which he attends to the small details as well as the great ones, gives promise of still more marvelous re- sults than those already brought about.

In 1908 Mr. Magruder was united in mar- riage to Miss Martha Driver, of Hill City, South Dakota, and they have two children : Lida Jane and William Henry. They are members of the Episcopal church. He is a Mason and both he and wife belong to the Eastern Star, of which he was worthy patron at Bellefourche, South Dakota. He is a Re- publican in politics.

GUY CARLSON .- The twentieth cen- tury is notable for the important commercial interests established and ably managed by

men young in years but old in their business visions. An able representative of this class in the upper valley is Mr. Carlson of Scotts- bluff, who came to the Platte valley in 1910 and to this city in 1915, where he has since been in business, and is now senior partner in the Carlson-Scott Implement Company. Mr. Carlson is a native son of Nebraska, born in Kearney county, October 25, 1886, his parents being C. J. and Anna V. (Gustafson) Carlson, who now live comfortably retired at Axtell, Nebraska. They were born in Sweden. The father came to the United States at the age of nineteen years and took a homestead in Kear- ney county, Nebraska, in 1881. The mother accompanied her parents on the journey to the United States when she was a small girl of six. Besides Guy they have two other children : Elmer, who carries on the home farm near Axtell, Kearney county, and Lawrence, a farmer near Twin Falls, Idaho. The parents are members of the Presbyterian church. In politics the father and sons are all Repub- licans.

Guy Carlson attended the public schools of Axtell, Nebraska, after which he spent nine months taking a business course in a commer- cial college at Hastings. After his studies were finished he spent some years on the homestead in Kearney county as a practical farmer. In 1910 he came to the Platte valley and for four years bought grain for the Cen- tral Granaries Company, of Minatare. In 1915 he located in Scottsbluff and engaged in the implement business with a Mr. Bennett, whom he subsequently bought out, and in 1917 sold a half interest in the concern to Ambrose E. Scott, since which time the firm carries on business under the name of the Carlson-Scott Implement Company. The trade territory of the firm is largely the Platte valley, and their stock is complete, including modern threshers and farm tractors. Both partners give per- sonal attention to the business which is one of the largest at Scottsbluff.

In 1916 Mr. Carlson married Miss May Lane, who was born in Iowa. June 9, 1919, was born a daughter, Bonney Elane. Mr. Carlson is a member of the Modern Wood- men and the Knights of Pythias, of which or- der he is vice chancellor. He is interested in all that concerns the welfare of the city and at present is serving in the office of fire chief, much to the satisfaction of his fellow citizens.

JAMES R. MURPHY, who occupies an exceedingly important position as general superintendent of the Intermountain Railway Light & Power Company, has made his head-

MR. AND MRS. J. T. THOELICKE

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

quarters at Scottsbluff since July, 1918, has identified himself with local interests and has made many personal friends.

James R. Murphy was born at Elkhart, Illi- nois, in 1878, the ninth in a family of ten chil- dren born to Patrick and Ann E. (Barron) Murphy. Both parents were born in Ireland but passed the greater part of their lives in the United States, to which the father of Mr. Murphy came at the age of seventeen years, and the mother when a babe of six months. They were married at Freeport, Illinois. The father died in 1909, at the age of eighty-seven years, and the mother in 1911, at the age of eighty-three. They were members of the Ro- man Catholic church. In earlier years Patrick Murphy was a superintendent of construction work for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, but spent his final years as a farmer in Illinois.

James R. Murphy was educated in the pub- lic schools, including the high school at Wil- liamsville, after which he worked for the Cal- lahan-Kratz Construction Company of Oma- ha, on the Illinois Drainage & Mississippi canal. Then he spent a year in the state nor- mal school at Normal, Illinois, following which he continued his studies for three years in the University of Illinois. Thus well equipped for both professional and business life, he chose the latter and soon became iden- tified with the Commonwealth Edison Com- pany, Chicago, six months later, in 1907, trans- ferring to the Western Electric Company of the same city, where he continued until 1909, when he was called to take charge of the Hoisington Light & Ice Company, of Hoising- ton, Barton county, Kansas, where he re- mained until 1917. In the meanwhile, in 1912 he had taken charge of the Great Bend Water & Electric Company, of Great Bend, Kansas, and served as vice president and general man- ager of both plants. Mr. Murphy then went to Wellington, Kansas, as city engineer and superintendent of public utilities, and from there came to Scottsbluff in July, 1918. The Intermountain Railway Light & Power Com- pany distributes power to Gering, Minatare, Melbeta, Bayard and Scottsbluff, furnishing heat to Scottsbluff, and ice throughout the en- tire valley, Mr. Murphy being the alert, cap- able general superintendent of all the plants. The importance of this work largely claims his time, but he is not indifferent as a citizen. In every way possible he has shown an interest in Scottsbluff, contributing to local movements and encouraging worthy enterprises, with the expectation of making this city his permanent home.

In 1915 Mr. Murphy was united in marriage

to Miss Elinor Lewis, who was born at Great Bend, Kansas, and they have two little daugh- ters, namely : Margaret Ann and Genivieve. Mrs. Murphy was reared in the Methodist Episcopal faith but Mr. Murphy belongs to the Catholic church. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and of the Elks at Scottsbluff, Neb. In his political views he is a Democrat with a tendency toward inde- pendence.

JULIUS THEO THOELECKE, who was one of the pioneer merchants of Sidney, Chey- enne county, Nebraska, is now a resident of Pocatello, Idaho. He was born in Stade prov- ince of Hanover, Germany, April 12, 1854, and when given regular courses in education, he learned the jeweler's trade by working four years as an apprentice.

In 1872, on the 26th day of June, he landed in New York city and went at once to Iowa City, where he landed on July 3d. Here he took up his trade, working for his brother until the summer of 1874, when he went overland to Omaha, where he again took up his trade, and worked for about three months, after which he went to Plattsmouth. At this place he remained for about a year, falling ill with typhoid fever. Then he went to Saint Joseph, Missouri, and remained until October 7, 1875. From there he returned to Germany for a year's visit, after which he returned to Omaha, and resumed work at his trade. October 7, 1877, he bought a jewelry store at Tekamah, Nebraska, which he operated until April, 1879, when he sold out. In July of the same year, he located at Sidney, Nebraska, then in the wild frontier, and opened a jewelry store, which he operated continuously until December 9. 1894. He then went to Pocatello, Idaho, and engaged in the jewelry business success- fully until the present time. He is now closing out with the intention to retire permanently from business activity.

On November 15, 1878, he was married to Miss Lyda E. Ringland, at Iowa City, Iowa. She was born, reared, and educated at Iowa City, and died at Pocatello, Idaho, March 16, 1918. In her younger years she was a vigor- ous woman of exceptional strength and cour- age, and none of the frontier dangers had any terrors for her.

In August, 1885, Mr. Thoelecke took a homestead in that part of Cheyenne county, Nebraska, that later became Banner county. He made final proof in due time and still owns the land (1919). He is well acquainted with Grant L. Shumway, the historian of this work, and unconsciously contributed to the unknown

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

or rather obscure history of this county and vicinity years ago.

Upon the Thoelecke homestead was em- ployed Francois Jourdain, from whom the his- torian first learned of the story of Mallet brothers and their journey through this coun- try, and from his friend Tommy Chaunavierre (Shunover ) came the connecting link between the past and the present. This story is told in full elsewhere in this history.

Mr. Thoelecke was an active Republican, and was a delegate to a Republican state con- vention held in Omaha. He never wanted office for himself, but was active for his friends and party, taking part in all the town, county, and state elections.

At present he is an active member of the B. P. O. E. No. 674 at Pocatello, Idaho. He has been prominent in both the Knights of Pythias and Odd Fellows, being a charter member of both at Sidney, but he has since dropped out of them, retaining his fraternal allegiance only to an active interest in the Elks. This lodge has made him its representative to the Grand Lodge.

Mr. and Mrs. Thoelecke were never blessed with any children of their own, but they have an adopted son, Stanley H. Thoelecke, who for some time has been associated in business with his foster father.

Stanley was a twin child from a distant rela- tive of the Thoeleckes. At the age of six months, when he was taken to care for by them, he lacked the vitality to hold up his head. Dr. Stewart, then of Sidney, said that his lungs were gone, or never had been sound. Mrs. Thoelecke, fondly called "Lyde" by her friends, then took the child in hand, and in her own vigorous way she treated it. In a year the boy was a strong, healthy child. He has charge of the acetaline welding and repairing depart- ment in the traction company at Pocatello, and is a splendid entertainer, with high ambitions, in addition. They are now talking him for mayor of his city.

WILLIAM A. McCAIN, who through thrift and good management has, in a com- paratively short time, built up a fine garage and automobile business, came to Scottsbluff in another line in 1905. He was born in Brad- ford county, Pennsylvania, April 22, 1882.

The parents of Mr. McCain are William W. and Orpha A. (Granger) McCain, who reside at Stevensville, Pennsylvania, where the father has been a merchant for thirty years. During the Civil War period he was a captain in the Home Guards. Of his three children the two survivors, William A. and Mildred, both re-

side at Scottsbluff. The latter is the wife of Clarence L. Morris of this city. In politics the father of Mr. McCain is a Republican, and both parents are members of the Presbyterian church.

William A. McCain completed the public school course at Stevensville and then assisted his father in his store. In 1905 he came to Scottsbluff and was a clerk in the store of J. A. Smith for three years before engaging in business for himself. In 1908, in partnership with C. O. Harris, and with a capital of $600, they opened a garage and continued together for five years, when James D. Shaw became Mr. McCain's partner. This firm has made great headway and now has an investment of $50,000. A general automobile business is done and the firm handles the Overland and the Willys-Knight cars. Through wise invest- ments the firm has accumulated valuable city property and two farms.

In June, 1910, Mr. McCain was united in marriage to Miss Leda A. Ross, who was born in Iowa, a daughter of William Ross, who is a produce merchant at Maitland, Missouri. They have three sons, namely : William Ross, Jack L. and James A., their ages ranging from eight to three years. Mrs. McCain is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church. Mr. McCain is a solid Republican, not a seeker for any office, but a man of sincere political convic- tions who conscientiously maintains them.

ARTHUR L. SELZER, city engineer of Scottsbluff, worthily represents that admirable class of American modern young men, who leave the schoolroom with fixed ideas of use- fulness and seldom fail in reaching satisfac- tory results. In a disordered world this fact has saving grace. Mr. Selzer was born at Carroll, Iowa, April 9, 1887.

The parents of Mr. Selzer are Michael and Munzen (Maier) Selzer, the former of whom was born in Baden, Germany, October 26, 1858, and the latter at Des Moines, Iowa. The Selzer family was founded in the United States by the grandparents of City Engineer Selzer, George and Mary (Marz) Selzer, who came here from Germany in the spring of 1868 and spent the rest of their lives on their home- stead in the state of Iowa. The father of Mr. Selzer came to Nebraska City, Nebraska, in 1884, the year of his marriage, and resided there until 1913, when he came to Scottsbluff, where he is a substantial business man.

Arthur L. Selzer had the best of educational advantages afforded him, and in 1911 was graduated as a civil engineer from the Ne- braska State University. He immediately

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

went to work for the Tri-State Irrigation Ditch Commission, resuming his activities with the Tri-State after his return and continuing until he entered upon the duties of city en- gineer, to which he was elected in 1914, and has remained in office ever since because of marked efficiency. He devotes his whole time to the duties of his office.

In 1912 Mr. Selzer was united in marriage to Miss Willa J. Wallace, who is a daughter of Wilbur Wallace, who is in the banking bus- iness at Henry, Nebraska, and they have one child, Bettie, an engaging little daughter of three years. Mr. and Mrs. Selzer are mem- bers of the Presbyterian church. He is a Scottish Rite Mason and a Shriner.

MICHAEL SELZER, who is a leading bus- iness man of Scottsbluff, is identified with the Scottsbluff Creamery Company, of which he is a stockholder and treasurer and also general manager. Mr. Selzer was born in Baden, Ger- many, October 26, 1858. His parents were George and Mary (Marz) Selzer, who came to the United States in April, 1868, and spent the rest of their lives on their homestead in Iowa. They had the following children : George, in the automobile business at Carroll, Iowa; Marie, a widow, lives at Denver; Michael, a valued resident of Scottsbluff ; Kate, who lives on the old homestead in Iowa; Jack, who farms the old homestead; Barbara, who lives with her sister and brother on the homestead, and John, in the ice cream business at Carroll, Iowa. The parents were members of the Lutheran church.

Michael Selzer remained on the old home- stead until he was twenty-three years old, then worked for a time in a bottling factory before engaging in the business for himself in 1882 at Carroll. In 1884 he came to Nebraska and bought out a bottling plant at Nebraska City, where he carried on the business until 1913, when he came to Scottsbluff and became iden- tified with an important concern here as above mentioned. Through thrift and business alert- ness he has accumulated much valuable prop- erty which is represented in farming lands in both Morrill and Scottsbluff counties. The Scottsbluff Creamery Company has an au- thorized capital of $50,000. The manufacture of butter and ice cream is carried on and bot- tling of soft beverages is also a feature.

At Des Moines, Iowa, in 1884, Mr. Selzer was united in marriage to Miss Munzen Maier, who was born in that city, and they have three children: Arthur L., city engineer of Scotts- bluff ; Caroline, the wife of D. C. Leach, who is cashier of a bank at Beard, Nebraska, and

Milton R., now at home after almost two years of service in the aviation corps of the United States, which he entered in June, 1917. Mr. Selzer and his family attend the Christian church. He belongs to the Elks at Nebraska City and to other organizations. In politics he chooses to be independent and while at Ne- braska City accepted no political offce except on the school board.

ASA F. MIDDAUGH, who has been iden- tified with the business interests of Scottsbluff since 1913, exemplifies the progressive spirit that so signally marks the young American business man. Honest, active, enterprising, well educated and of courteous demeanor, the country's commercial interests seem to be safe in such hands. Mr. Middaugh is president and general manager of the Scottsbluff Motor Company.

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History of western Nebraska and its people, Vol. III, Part 10

Author: Shumway, Grant Lee, 1865- Publication date: 1921 Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., The Western publishing & engraving co. Number of Pages: 1056

Author: Shumway, Grant Lee, 1865-
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., The Western publishing & engraving co.
Number of Pages: 1056