History of western Nebraska and its people, Vol. III, Part 120

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

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Mrs. O'Bannon is a woman of great personal charm and talent. She is well known in this section for her work in social and charitable circles and is also an active worker in the Methodist church to which the family belongs. Mrs. O'Bannon was president of the Metho- dist Aid Society in 1920, which is one of the most interesting aid societies of Alliance, with a large membership. The O'Bannons have made a host of warm friends since coming to Box Butte county while the high standing attained in business by Mr. O'Bannon has given him a place of prominence in the financial circles of the Panhandle. They are citizens of whom Box Butte county may well be proud, ever ready to give of time and money for the improvement and upbuilding of the community and town, and are repre- sentative of the best element of Americans on whom the very existence of the nation is to depend during the trying years of social and financial adjustment which are looming large on the horizon. The O'Bannon brothers do not say much but they are writing large on the pages of the financial history of the north- western part of Nebraska, and with other prominent citizens of Alliance have struck pay dirt in the old fields of Wyoming and it would be hard to estimate the value of their holdings which reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

GEORGE A. JONES, a representative citi- zen of Banner county, who has attained to some eminence in the county's practical affairs, was brought to this section in childhood, and has never desired to change his environment or seek a home in another part of the country. Mr. Jones feels that he is almost a native son. His birth, however, took place at Kent, Iowa, March 8, 1885.

The parents of Mr. Jones were John L. and Dora M. (Clayton) Jones, natives of Warren county, Illinois. The father was a farmer and stockraiser in Illinois and in Iowa. From the latter state he came to Banner county, Nebras- ka, in 1888, homesteading near Hull, and he resided on that place until 1907, when he re- tired to Kimball, Nebraska, where he is pleas- antly situated. In politics he is a Republican. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church at Kimball, and also to the order of Modern Woodmen of America at the same place. George A. Jones' mother died in the spring of 1901. He is the second in his parents' family of six children, the others being: Arnold, who died June 15, 1911; Glenn, who lives at Du- bois, Wyoming, married Louise Barfoot; Grace, who is the wife of W. R. Grant, of Ban-

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ner county ; Earl, who lives at Heath, Nebras- ka, married Josephine Larson, and Fern, who is the wife of J. J. Smith, of Ogden, Utah.

George A. Jones attended school at Hull, of which his father was one of the organizers, and later at Gering and Kimball, and before as- suming personal business responsibilities, com- pleted a course in a commercial college at North Platte. Mr. Jones served one term as deputy county clerk under County Clerk C. S. Page. For five years he was identified with the Banner County Bank at Harrisburg, serv- ing that sound financial institution for three years as assistant cashier and two years as cashier. In 1906, he homesteaded where he now lives. His home surroundings indicate thrift and plenty and his well regulated farm operations are profitable in the extreme. Mr. Jones owns twelve hundred and eighty acres of land and runs about a hundred head of cattle, fifty head of Percheron horses and from thirty to fifty head of Poland China hogs an- nually. His extensive industries are carried on according to scientific methods, and the lat- est improved farm machinery will be found on his place.

On June 15, 1916, Mr. Jones was married to Miss Nettie Larson, whose people were pio- neers in Banner county, and the have five chil- dren : Eldon. Lois. Morris, Helen and Merna. They attend the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics Mr. Jones has always been a Repub- lican. He is a member of the Farmers Union and belongs fraternally to the Masons and the Knights of Pythias. He was patriotically ac- tive during the World war, furthered to the best of his ability the various local war move- ments that included the selling of Liberty bonds, was a member of the Legal Advisory board and county chairman of the Council of Defense.

In August, 1920, Mr. Jones bought a home at Gering and moved there on account of school advantages for his children.

THOMAS C. BARKELL, who has been a resident of Banner county for thirty-one years, courageously bore his part in times of early hardship, and as opportunity came later on, did his best in assisting to bring about present conditions that make this section of Nebraska one of the finest in the state. He was born in Grant county, Wisconsin, November 4. 1870.

The parents of Mr. Barkell were Richard and Mary (Ralph) Barkell, the former of whom was born in England and the latter in Wisconsin. Richard Barkell was but one year old when his parents came to the United States and settled in Wisconsin in 1842, and there he

lived until 1887, when he came to Nebraska and homesteaded northwest of Harrisburg, in Scottsbluff county. He lived on that place for five years, removing then to Big Horn Springs, north of Kimball in Banner county and re- mained there until he retired to Kimball in 1899. There both he and his wife died, his death occurring February 17, 1904, and her death April 5, 1912. Of their four children, Thomas C. was the third in order of birth, the others being: John H., who was accidentally killed in 1894 by a fall over a fifty-foot cliff when cutting timber ; Richard J., who lives at Ingleside, and Philip R., who lives near Kirk, Nebraska. The father was a Republican in politics. Both parents were members of the United Brethren Church, but after removing to Kimball they joined the Methodist Episco- pal Church.

Thomas C. Barkell attended school in Wis- consin and one term in Scottsbluff county, Ne- braska. When twenty-one years old he started out for himself and made headway by work- ing on ranches, mostly in Wyoming. The eight hundred and forty acres he now owns in Banner county is mainly ranch land. He breeds Durham cattle, and also raises hogs. In connection with ranch work he has always looked about for opportunity to be usefully employed in other directions, and, from 1912 to 1918, he operated a mail route between Har- risburg and Big Horn. Otherwise he has never accepted any public position but in the capacity of a private citizen has done his full duty.

On December 20, 1899, Mr. Barkell was united in marriage to Miss Cora C. Jackson, a daughter of Loren G. and Margaret (Sloan) Jackson, who reside in Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Barkell have one son, Roy G., who was born September 14, 1906. They are members of the United Brethren Church and take ac- tive part in its work, Mr. Barkell assisting in the organization of Sunday Schools at Kirk, Heath and Big Horn. In politics he has al- ways been affiliated with the Republican party. Mr. Barkell is looked upon as one of the de- pendable and representative men of the county.

ROBERT L. OSBORNE, Jr., who is well and favorably known in Banner county, Ne- braska, was born here April 14. 1888, and is a son of Robert Osborne, an early settler here. He attended the district schools and took a course in the Grand Island Business college. He has lived in this county all his life, was born in a dugout, started out for himself with- out capital and strove hard to earn the money with which to pay for his homestead. Today

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Mr. Osborne owns six hundred and forty acres of well improved land, raises thirty head of cattle yearly and is one of the most successful farmers of his section.

On June 7, 1916, Mr. Osborne was united in marriage to Mrs. Elsie M. Christ, widow of George N. Christ and a daughter of Christian and Elsie M. (Witmer) Siebert, who died in Europe. Her father was a farmer near Neuf- chatel, France. Mrs. Osborne is one in a fam- ily of twelve children and is the only one liv- ing in Nebraska. After coming to the United States in 1904, she lived three years in New York City, then came to Denver, Colorado. In that city she was married to George N. Christ, who died December 20, 1915, leaving two children : Caroline, who was born October 30, 1908, and George S., who was born July 7, 1907. Mr. Christ was a reclamation surveyor for the United States government. Mrs. Os- borne has been a resident of Banner county since 1907. She homesteaded four hundred and eighty acres on sections 11 and 14 in town- ship 19. Mr. and Mrs. Osborne have no chil- dren. They have everything very comfortable about them. In early days wild game was very plentiful in this section but is now so seldom encountered that when three antelope were found on the farm recently interest and curi- osity were aroused all over the neighborhood. Mr. Osborne is not active in politics and takes more interest in developing his farm industries than in holding any public office. They main- tain a hospitable home and both he and Mrs.' Osborne have many friends.

EWING E. BARRETT, who is a well known resident of Banner county, where his life has been spent, bears a name that has been honorably connected with farm, ranch and of- ficial life here for many years. Mr. Barrett was born in Banner county, July 6, 1886.

His father was Isaac N., and both parents were born at Belle Valley, Ohio. Isaac Bar- rett came west and was a ranger for some time and worked on different ranches. In early days in Banner county he freighted from Sid- ney to Hull, a distance of eighty miles. He was one of the first homesteaders in the vici- nity of Hull and lived on his land for six years, then sold and moved to Kimball, afterward working for several years on the Lewbickel ranch. Mr. Barrett was then appointed mail driver between Kimball and Harrisburg, in which position he served for eight years, when he was appointed on the mail route to Colo- rado. He was equally faithful and efficient, during the three years preceding his death, performing his duties so carefully and com-

pletely as to bring commendation from all. He died at the post of duty, probably from heart disease, in June, 1918. Of his five children, Ewing E. is the fourth in order of birth, the others being: Charles, who resides near Hull, Nebraska, married Lila Olsen; Weldon and Leslie, twins, both of whom live in Banner county, the former unmarried and the latter married to Minnie Crubbs, and Guy, who lives at Kirk, Nebraska.

Ewing E. Barrett attended the Banner coun- ty schools with his brothers, and all were reared on the farm. In 1915, he engaged in freighting for a time, hauling potatoes, onions and cabbages from Greeley, Colorado, to his own neighborhood, where these vegetables are not generally grown, and the venture proved profitable. He gave this up to engage in farm- ing, and now, in association with his brother Charles, Mr. Barrett is operating four hundred and eighty acres of leased land near liull. They raise some stock but devote the most of the land to general farming and are doing very well. Mr. Barrett has always taken an in- telligent interest in public matters and has been a staunch Republican ever since he reached manhood. He has a wide acquaintance and many friends, but has never married.

GEORGE W. INGLES, one of the progres- sive and enterprising young farmers of Ban- ner county, was born in Scottsbluff county, Nebraska, December 24, 1891. He belongs to an old and prominent family of this section, being a son of William H. and Edith (Rich- ards) Ingles, extended mention of whom will be found in this work.

George W. Ingles obtained his education in the public schools of Banner county. He has always followed farm pursuits, farming and ranching, and is thoroughly experienced. For five years he worked on the Airdale ranch, where he had the practical training that he has since found very useful. For the past three years Mr. Ingles has been operating his father's farm of seven hundred acres in Ban- ner county and has met with the success that close and careful attention to business usually brings about.

On September 6, 1916, Mr. Ingles was united in marriage to Miss Nellie W. Jones, who is a daughter of Edward J. and Almeda (Bond) Jones. The parents of Mrs. Ingles homesteaded in Scottsbluff county in 1913, but later sold their property and moved to Brush, Colorado, where they yet reside. Mr. Ingles has never accepted any political office, but he is staunch Republican.

ALFRED GUMAER

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

ALFRED W. GUMAER .- In manifold di- rections has the forceful individuality of Judge Gumaer been exerted beneficently in connec- tion with civic and material progress within his forty years of residence in Nebraska, to which state he came when a young man and in which he has been prominent and influential in public affairs and business enterprise. He has served in various offices of distinctive public trust, is now judge of the county court of Garden county and was one of the foun- ders of Oshkosh, the judicial center of the county, - a place named in honor of his na- tive city in Wisconsin. The record of achieve- ment on the part of the judge during the years of his residence in Nebraska reflects credit not only upon him but also upon the state, and as one of the essentially influential and hon- ored citizens of Garden county it is impera- tive that he be accorded a definite tribute in this history.

Alfred W. Gumaer was born at Oskosh, Wisconsin September 1, 1853, and his native place, now one of the beautiful and thriving cities of the Badger state, was a straggling lumbering town at the time he was there usher- ed onto the stage of life. He is a son of Wil- liam G. and Priscilla (Weed) Gumaer, both natives of the state of New York. On the pa- ternal side Judge Gumaer is a scion of a ster- ling French-Hugenot family whose original lo- cation in America was in Ulster county, New York, and in all succeeding generations like- wise has the name Gumaer been honorably linked with the annals of our nation. The original American progenitors made settle- ment in Ulster county about the year 1685.

Judge Gumaer was a child at the time of his parents' removal to Weyauwega, Wiscon- sin, where his father engaged in the operation of a flour mill and a saw mill. There the sub- ject of this review attended the public schools of the period, and later he continued his studies in the high school at Oshkosh, after which he pursued a course of study in the University of Wisconsin, at Madison. On leaving this institution he joined an engineer- ing corps, with which he assisted in the sur- veying of the line of the Wisconsin Central Railroad. He was thus engaged about two years and then became associated with his uncle, J. H. Weed, in the lumber business at Oshkosh, his native place. The concern op- erated several saw mills in Wisconsin and con- ducted a large business. Judge Gumaer con- tinued his association with this enterprise for five years, and in 1879, he came to Nebraska and opened what was known as the Oshkosh

lumber yard at Grand Island, being associated with his brother, Henry G. They also opened a yard at St. Paul, this state, and conducted both enterprises about two years. They then sold the Grand Island yard, and in Valley county opened a yard at Ord, the county seat, as well as a yard at North Loup, these being pioneer lumber yards in that county and hav- ing been successfully conducted by the foun- ders for several years.

Within the period of these activities in the eastern part of the state Judge Gumaer and his brother, in association with Herbert W. Potter, John Robinson and George T. Ken- dall, came to what is now Garden county and founded the town of Oshkosh, which was des- tined to become the county seat. All took homestead and pre-emption claims in this vi- cinity, after which they proceeded to fence the whole valley and to lay out the town of Oshkosh. Here they engaged in the cattle business upon a large scale and the company erected the first frame store building in the new town, the lumber having been transported across the Platte river by fording, as no bridge had yet been constructed in this locality. In 1894, these pioneers sold to August Sudman & Company the town site of eighty acres, and each of the original founders then assumed in- dividual control of his own land claims.

During all these years of pioneer operations in the Panhandle country Judge Gumaer re- tained his interests at St. Paul, where he continued the operation of the lumber yard. In 1884, as a resident of St. Paul, he was elected to represent Howard county in the state legislature, and he gave yeoman service in the furtherance of wise and timely legisla- tion, as one of the active working members of the lower house. He was specially vigorous in his support of the act commonly known as the Slocum law.

Prior to coming to Nebraska Judge Gumaer had traveled up and down the Mississippi river for three years, in the interest of the Weed Lumber Company, a Wisconsin cor- poration. In 1886, after the death of his father, he became president of the Weed & Gumaer Manufacturing Company, which was engaged in the manufacturing of baskets at Weyauwega, Wisconsin, where it also supplied the town with electric-lighting facilities. As the eldest of the children Judge Gumaer had general supervision of the family interests un- til the estate of his father was settled.

Reverting to the political or official activities of the subject of this review, it may be stated that in 1889, he was elected treasurer of How-

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ard county, a position in which he con- tinued the incumbent four years and in which he gave a most efficient administration of the fiscal affairs thus consigned to his charge, his election to this office marking his candidacy on the Democratic ticket, and the same party having previously elected him to the legisla- ture, as noted above. In 1896, bringing his technical skill as a civil engineer once more into play, Judge Gumaer assumed the posi- tion of deputy United States surveyor, with Robert Harvey, and entered into a contract to complete the survey of the counties as yet un- surveyed in the northeastern part of Nebraska, said counties having been a part of the old Rosebud Indian reservation. This work re- ceived his careful and able attention until it was completed. At this juncture reference may be made to still another phase of the in- teresting and varied career of Judge Gumaer. In February, 1898, at the suggestion and re- quest of George D. Meiklejohn, Assistant Sec- retary of War under President Mckinley, Judge Gumaer took the reindeer expedition for the United States government from New York to the Alaskan Klondike, this expedition in- volving the transportation; of five hundred and forty-three reindeer to the far north, these all being animals previously trained for work. The well broken animals were in direct charge of one hundred and thirty-four Laplanders, and when the outfit arrived at Seattle, Wash- ington, the expedition was halted, owing to contingencies incidental to the Spanish-Ameri- can war. Under these conditions the reindeer were finally sent forward to J. S. Jackson, superintendent of education at Nome, Alaska, this herd forming the nucleus from which the government has developed a large number of the deer, which are used in northern Alaska for both work and food purposes, the experi- ment having proved most successful and ex- tremely valuable in results. After arriving in Alaska Judge Gumaer joined the military ex- ploring expedition that set forth under the leadership of Captain Glenn, to make exten- sive explorations in Alaska, at the instance of the government. Judge Gumaer served as chief guide and special agent of the war de- partment on this historic expedition, by which was made the first survey from Valdez across the Copper river and thence onward to Forty- mile river. This hazardous and trying trip was made with pack train, and its work proved of importance and enduring value. Judge Gumaer returned to "the states" on the last boat that left Alaska prior to the close of navigation in the fall of 1898. He returned to

the national capital, where on January 1, 1899, he was appointed deputy collector of cus- toms, under General Tasker H. Bliss, for the port of Havana, Cuba. He retained the post of military collector at this port for three and one-half years, - or until the government of the island was restored to the Cuban people, in 1903. After leaving this governmental post Judge Gumaer returned to Nebraska, but about two months later he was appointed inspector of immigration at Ellis Island, New York, where he remained three and one-half years, at the expiration of which he was transferred to the position of immigrant inspector for the port of New Orleans. After retaining this incumbency thirteen months he resigned the office and returned to Oshkosh, Nebraska, to which place the railway line had just been completed. Here he has since remained as a vital factor in the development and upbuild- ing of this section of the Nebraska Panhandle. He was one of the most active worker in the movement that led to the division of old Deuel county and the organization of Garden coun- ty, in 1909, and he had the distinction of be- ing elected the first county judge of the new county. The high popular estimate placed upon him has been shown in his continuous retention of this important office, by successive re-elections, and he has had no opposing can- didate save on the occasion of the first elec- tion.

Judge Gumaer retains his original home- stead in Garden county, the one hundred and sixty acre tract being provided with excellent irrigation facilities and being under a high state of cultivation ; he has erected good build- ings and made other improvements upon the property. The judge rents the farm to Ital- ian contractors, who utilize the land for the propagation of sugar beets, this farm being . situated one mile east of Oshkosh. In addi- tion to this valuable property the Judge owns six hundred and forty acres twenty-five miles north of Oshkosh, and this range is rented for grazing purposes. In 1888, Judge Gumaer was a member of the company which con- struct the Oshkosh irrigation ditch, one of the first projects of this kind in what is now Garden county.

As previously intimated, Judge Gumaer is a stalwart advocate and supporter of the prin- ciples of the Democratic party, and he has been influential in its ranks during the years of his residence in Nebraska. He is actively affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, including Mount Arrartt Commandery, No. 27, Knights Templars, at St. Paul, this state, and Jordan

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Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, in the same town besides which he is a charter member of Oshkosh Lodge, No. 286, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, in his home village, and a life member of Tangier Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, in the city of Omaha.

GEORGE E. STREEKS, who is a de- scendant of one of the earliest homesteaders in Banner county, still lives in the comfortable old log house on the homestead, in which he was born, May 18, 1886, and has the histor- ical distinction of being the third white child born in Banner county.

The parents of Mr. Streeks were Christian C. and Ellen V. (Ashford) Streeks. The mother was a native of Canada and of English ancestry. The father was born at Washing- ton, D. C .; came in early manhood to Nebras- ka and became widely known on the cattle ranges and for many of the old-time big ranches he served as foreman. He was one of the first pioneers of Banner county to secure a homestead and afterward lived on his land until his death which occurred October 9, 1909. He was somewhat interested in politics, was a Democrat and loyal to his party but never accepted any public office except in rela- tion to the public school. He had two sons, George E., of this sketch, and Frank. The latter maintains his home at Akron, Ohio, and travels in the interest of Goodyear Tire Com- pany. The mother of Mr. Streeks passed away May 2, 1902, mourned by many who had been benefitted by her sympathy and kindness through life.

George E. Streeks attended the public schools in Banner county. He has always lived on the old homestead, forty acres of which he inherited, and it is on this portion of the land that the old house stands. Although the body of the house is constructed of logs, a frame addition has been built, the lumber for which had to be hauled from Sidney, sixty-seven miles distant. Mr. Streeks now owns three hundred and twenty acres and devotes it main- ly to ranch purposes. He breeds Hereford cattle and has about thirty head for market each year, and about a hundred head of Duroc- Jersey hogs. He carries on his farm opera- tions carefully and systematically and has al- ways succeeded in his undertakings.

On April 14, 1909, Mr. Streeks was united in marriage to Miss Hazel M. Lalley, a daugh- ter of Marin and Jennie (Ellis) Lalley, the former of whom is deceased. Mrs. Lalley lives in Scottsbluff county. Mr. and Mrs. Streeks have children as follows: Ellen, born Feb-

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History of western Nebraska and its people, Vol. III, Part 120

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