History of western Nebraska and its people, Vol. III, Part 126

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

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Mr. Osborne was born in Ayrshire, Scot-

land, on March 29, 1861, and is a son of Rob- ert and Mary (Hamilton) Osborne, the form- er of whom died in Scotland and the latter of whom came with her children to America and located in Illinois, where she passed the re- mainder of her life, the father having been long identified with the coal-mining industry in Scotland.

Robert Osborne acquired his early education in the schools of his native land and was an ambitious youth when, in 1881, he came to the United States and established his residence in Illinois. Thence he later removed to Kansas, and, in 1887, he came to western Nebraska and numbered himself among the pioneers of the present Banner county, where he secured and duly perfected title to a homestead and a pre- emption claim. Here he lived up to the full tension of the pioneer days ; gave his zealous labors to the development and improvement of his land and eventually accumulated in that locality his present well improved and valu- able ranch of fifteen hundred and twenty acres, the same having continuously been de- voted to diversified agriculure and stock-rais- ing.

As a citizen Mr. Osborne has exemplified distinctive loyalty and public spirit, and he served four years as county assessor of Ban- ner county, later having served for a similar period as precinct assessor in Scotts Bluff coun- ty. In politics he maintains an independent attitude and gives his support to men and measures meeting the approval of his judg- ment. In connection with his pioneer exper- iences in Banner county it may be noted that he there dug the first well on Swede Point.

The marriage of Mr. Osborne occurred in 1883, when he wedded Miss Margaret Draper, who was born and reared in Illinois and who, traveling by train, arrived in Banner county before he did, as he made the overland jour- ney with team and wagon. For nearly two weeks after his arrival in this section of Ne- braska he was unable to find trace of his wife and children, but he eventually discovered them in Banner county, where the reunion was a joyful one, as may well be imagined. In conclusion is given brief record concerning the children of Mr. and Mrs. Osborne: Rob- ert L. has general supervision of the old home- stead ranch in Banner county ; Martha is the wife of F. F. Stafford, of that county ; Lewis likewise resides in Banner county, where he is successfully identified with farm enterprise ; Belle is the wife of Arvil Barstow, of Scotts Bluff county ; Clarence and Hugh W. are as- sociated with their older brother in the man-

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agement of the old home place ; and Florence, Mary and Dora, who remain at home, are at- tending tlie public schools of Gering.

EDWARD W. SAYRE. - The pioneer families of the Panhandle who played their parts in the vital drama that has turned this section of Nebraska into a paradise for the homeseeker, developing the wild rolling prairie into one of the richest farming sections of the western hemisphere, dotted with thriving com- munities, have reason to hold themselves re- sponsible for much of the present day progress and prosperity, for it was their leadership and courage that opened what was for so many years known as the "Great American Desert," to settlement. While many of those who ex- perienced the actual hardships and privations incident to the early days have passed away, there still remain many, who, through sheer force of will and determination, and the neces- sary energy, brought out of primeval condi- tions what have become twentieth century actualities. Among these is found Edward Sayre, who came with the homesteaders and took a pre-emption in old Cheyenne county in the year 1888.

Mr. Sayre was born in far off India, in 1865, being the son of Edward H. and Mary C. (Hulfish) Sayre, the former born in South Hampton, England. The father was a Pres- byterian minister who devoted his life to God's work as a missionary, being sent to India, where his son, Edward junior, was born and received his early educational train- ing. Reverend Sayre was a fine student and after taking up his residence in India devoted much study and time to the languages of that country, becoming one of the recognized authorities of the Hindustan language from the literature of which he made many and val- uable translations into English. After serving many years in the foreign fields as a represen- tative of the Presbyterian church Edward Sayre retired from the ministry and is now spending the sunset years of his life at Ger- ing.

Edward W. Sayre, after finishing his ele- mentary education, took a four year's course in the high school and then spent one year in the Davenport College, at Davenport, Iowa, thus laying the foundation of the exceptionally fine education to which he has ever since been add- ing by his wide reading of the best English literature, a deep study of the subjects in which his business interests have led him and by keeping abreast of the present day trend of events in the periodicals.

Mr. Sayre was only nineteen years old when he began his mercantile career in Illinois. In July. 1888, Mr. Sayre bought the mercantile stock of Kiefer, Hastings & Company at Ger- ing, which he ran until thirteen years ago when he became the first merchant of Morrill. Mr. Sayre was the first man to build a brick store in the town, as he saw it had a future and his faith has been justified.

More than ten years ago he bought a quar- ter section of land in section 16,-23, 59, which he has since managed. Mr. Sayre was one of the first officers of the irrigation company, of which he was a promoter ; he has served his county in the capacity of treasurer for two terms, and for some years was president of the village board of Gering. Mr. Sayre's fra- ternal relations are with the Masonic order, of which he has been a member for many years. Politically he casts his vote with the Republican party, of which he is a staunch supporter, though his influence is given to the best man for office in all local elections.

In 1889, Mr. Sayre married Miss Margaret Wood, who was born and reared in Iowa, where she received her education. Nine chil- dren came to bless this union: Edward D., who served in the Ninety-first, the Wild Cat Division, during the war with Germany ; Ruth, the wife of William S. Proudfit; Kenneth, Doris, Faith, Harry, Margaret, Elizabeth and William all of whom are still at honte with their parents. All of the children have been given good educational advantages, Mr. and Mrs. Sayre have proved themselves good friends to the schools, and are the advocates of all improvements that tend to the uplift and development of the civic and communal life of their section.

JAMES O'KANE, deceased, one of the pioneer residents of Cheyenne county who took a prominent part in the business and ag- ricultural development of this section and a man to whom pioneer honors are due, was a constructive builder here. He not only was one of the men connected with the railroad, that opened up the county to settlement, but he later became a prominent and successful business man, who took part in the civic af- fairs of Cheyenne county and Sidney, always assisting in all movements for the general good of his country and community.

Mr. O'Kane was born in Indiana, January 11, 1848, the son of Joseph C. and Mary (Davis) O'Kane, to whom were born eight children. Five of them are living. Mr. O'Kane was reared and educated in his na-

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tive state, but like so many young men of that period, believed there were more opportunittes for a man in the new western country, and in 1873 came to Sidney, where he was employed in the freight office of the Union Pacific Rail- road for a number of years. Following this position he was engaged in other railroad work for a time, but saw openings worth while in stock raising, which was at its height at the time, and invested in that business. He was a man of excellent business ability, made money on his cattle in the days of the open range, became recognized as one of the prom- inent live stockmen of his day and was far- sighted enough to dispose of his interests when the open range days were over and thus made money by selling at an opportune time. After this he bought and sold property in Sidney; he knew this county and the country of the Panhandle well and was able to give his clients the best of advice and the benefit of his know- ledge and experiences. The real estate busi- ness was a success and Mr. O'Kane handled large land deals involving many thousands of dollars. He became one of the prominent fig- ures in the financial circles of Sidney and western Nebraska, a position he held to the time of his death.

In 1878, Mr. O'Kane married Miss Bridget Brown, a native of Ireland who came to the United States in 1870, and to them were born six children : Mayme, who married Fred Bard, of Aberdeen, Washington; Francis J., who lives at Casper, Wyoming; James, of Great Falls, Montana; Gertrude, the wife of E. S. Stokes, of Sidney, and two who died in infancy.

Mr. O'Kane died December 21, 1902. He was a member of the Catholic church and a Democrat.

CHARLES M. HADLER, one of the well known and successful business men of Sidney, who is engaged in handlng real estate on an extensive scale and also owns an abstract of- fice, is a leading spirit in the development of the town and Cheyenne county.

He was born in Elho, Nevada, May 14, 1875, the son of James S. and Mary E. (Byer- ley) Hadley, the father being a native of In- diana, and the mother of Ohio. To them nine children were born: William H., who lives at Fort Russell, Wyoming; Samuel A., lives at Loveiand, Colorado; Clarence E., resides at Steamboat Springs, Colorado ; Charles M., of this review : Florence F., married Dr. B. W. Frazey, ^nd lives in Cheyenne, Wyoming ; James F., lives in Cheyenne, Wyoming ; Mary

E., is the wife of John Bowman of Sidney ; Bertha L., married Nathan Mack, of Wy- more, Nebraska, and Albert J., of Cheyenne, Wyoming.

James S. Hadley was a contractor who en- gaged in that line of business for a number of years before moving to Cheyenne county in 1886. He took up a homestead here on Pump- kin creek were he spent the remainder of his life. Mr. Hadley died in Sidney May 10, 1905, being survived by his wife until May 31, 1918. He raised stock after coming to the Panhandle, and was an active man to the time of his death. Mr. Hadley was a member of the Odd Fellows, the Methodist church and a Republican.

Charles M. Hadley was reared and attended the public schools of Cheyenn county ; when old enough he became a cow boy and engaged in handling cattle for a few years, then entered the official life of the county as assessor in 1903. He served four years, during which time he became familiar with the country and business. Upon leaving office Mr. Hadley opened a real estate and abstract office where he has won a high reputation as a business man and success from a financial point of view. He is popular in the business circles of Sidney, being progressive in ideas and a booster for this section of Nebraska. Since locating in Sidney Mr. Hadley has taken an active part in all civic and communal life and helped build up the town. He is a Democrat in politics.

ANDREW K. GREENLEE, a pioneer set- tler of Cheyenne county who has played an im- portant part in the development and settlement of this section of the Panhandle, is the prin- cipal owner of the largest department store in western Nebraska, and vice-president of the First National Bank of Sidney. Mr. Greenlee has taken an active part in all the changes that have taken place here and is one of the constructive men who have made the present prosperity possible. He was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, October 25, 1860, the son of Albert Keith and Martha (Barnes) Greenlee, both natives of Pennsylvania. To them were born three children: Andrew, of this review; Ernest, who lives in Fostoria, Ohio, and Ralph, deceased. .

The faher was a successful farmer who was gaining a high standing as an agriculturist as a young man. He died when Andrew was seven years old and was survived by his widow who reared the family. Mrs. Greenlee lived until June 30, 1918. The father was a Re-

MRS. JULIA SCANLON AND HUSBAND

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

publican in politics and a member of the Bap- tist church; his wife was a member of the Methodist church.

Andrew Greenlee attended the elementary public schools, then entered the normal school at Edinborough, Pennsylvania, later taking some courses at Valpariso Normal School, Valpariso, Indiana. Soon after leaving that institution he came west to York county, Ne- braska, to engage in the milling business, which he followed one year, then moved on west to Cheyenne county when this part of the state was little settled. Mr. Greenlee took up a homestead here in 1885, which he still owns, engaged in farming on his land which was seven miles southwest of Sidney and remained there until 1893, when he moved into the town. For a time he worked for a merchant, learning the mercantile business thoroughly. He then started a store of his own, later entering into partnership with H. P. Benson. Their trade was good from the first. They enjoyed the busi- ness and weathered the hard years of the early '90s, remaining the leading merchants of Sid- ney from first establishing themselves. Late in 1908 the business of F. L. Van Gorder, a merchant of Sidney, was merged with that of Greenlee & Benson, and early in 1909 the busi- ness was incorporated under the name of The Sidney Mercantile Co. F. W. Vath, F. L. Van Gorder and A. K. Greenlee, incorporators; H. P. Benson later purchased a block of shares.

The business continued to prosper and The McLernon corner which had been purchased, became too small. At this time Mr. Greenlee turned in the Urbach property adjoining and in 1916 both of these locations were covered with the present modern and substantial build- ing, than which there is none better in the western part of the state. The second story of this splendid brick structure is now leased to, and ably conducted by Voclav, Kline and wife.

Following the death of Mr. Benson in 1909, that of Mr. Vath in 1918, and the retirement of F. L. Van Gorder in 1920, Mr. Greenlee purchased the holdings of each, so that now the entire business is owned by the Greenlees, (named above) and Glen D. Van Gorder, a promising young business man.

They have made a department store of the business and now carry the largest stock in western Nebraska. Mr. Greenlee is a keen, far-sighted business man who has dealt square- ly with all his customers, has the confidence of the people and is today rated high in the mercantile business of the state. He has not

confined his energies to one line of endeavor but has entered the banking business, owns a block of the stock of the First National Bank and is vice-president of that flourishing insti- tution. He is constructive as a banker and many of the successful policies of the bank have been adoped at his suggestion. He still is the owner of a large amount of land in the county which he believes is a valuable asset.

May 20, 1888, Mr. Greenlee married Miss Elizabeth McAlester, a native of Ireland, and they have had five children: one died in in- fancy ; Martha R., Catharine, Albert D., and Roy E.

Mr. Greenlee is a member of the Masonic order, of the Odd Fellows, the Rebeccas, the Workmen and of the Episcopal church. In politics he is a Republican. All the years of his residence in Cheyenne county and Sidney, Mr. Greenlee has taken an active part in civic affairs and given of his time and energies to assist in the development of this section. He has been a prominent figure in many good works, including the activities of the county in the World war.

DENNIS JOSEPH SCANLON, deceased, one of the pioneer settlers of Cheyenne county and Sidney, was a man who did much for the opening up and development of this section of the county and the town, as he was the first druggist in all this western country and as there were few doctors here then Mr. Scanlon was relied upon by the people to prescribe for them when a physician's services could not be obtained. He did not confine his energies to his drug house alone but became one of the first and ablest bankers of the Panhandle where his constructive talents, high integrity and foresight assisted many homesteaders in settling here.

Mr. Scanlon was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, February 9, 1849. He was reared and educated in his native land, but like so many young, ambitious Irishmen, wished to get ahead in the world and came to the United States in 1873, to seek his fortune. Soon after landing here he enlisted in the army where he served ten years as a hospital steward. It was while with the United States forces that Mr. Scanlon was stationed at Sidney .Post, now Sidney, in 1881. He liked this western coun- try, believed there was a great future for this section and when his last term of enlistment was finished, he settled in Sidney, opening the pioneer drug store here in 1885, which served a wide territory. People came to have great confidence in Mr. Scanlon as his long term as

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HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

hospital steward had given him practical knowledge of both drugs and medical prac- tice and for years he served the people in this dual capacity and it was fortunate that the early settlers had such an able man in the drug business for there were many times when he saved lives in emergencies. The value of this work can not be estimated but was shown by the residents of this section in their love and faith in him. After Sidney began to grow and the country to settle up, Mr. Scanlon saw op- portunities in financial circles and was one of the men who instigated and organized the early bank which later became the First National Bank of today. He bought a large block of the stock of the bank and became its first pres- ident, an office he held to the time of his death. Mr. Scanlon developed marked talents as a financier, was constructive in his policies, won the confidence of the people which is so neces- sary in the furtherance of banking business and became one of the prominent figures in the business circles of the Panhandle, where he was always helping men to become established. It was through him that many homesteaders were able to locate in Cheyenne county, prove up and become established farmers and ranch- ers. The amount of good which Mr. Scanlon did in this manner will never be known but he must be considered one of the great developers of his day. When he died it was a loss to the community and the county, as well as the busi- ness world.

March 21, 1880, Mr. Scanlon married Miss Julia Conelly, a native of Ireland, who came to the United States in 1872. She was mar- ried in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, and in May, 1881, came to Sidney, Nebraska, and spent the remainder of her life here. Mr. Scanlon died August 10, 1912, after living more than a quar- ter of a century in the Panhandle and Chey- enne county. He lived to see all the marvelous development here, and was a part of it, for he took an active part in all civic affairs and those which have made Sidney the city of promin- ence it is today. He was a member of the An- cient Order of United Workmen, belonged to the Catholic church and was a Republican.

JAMES W. JOHNSON, vice-president and cashier of the American State Bank of Sidney, comes of a banking family, as his father was a financier all his life. Mr. Johnson has taken an interest in Cheyenne affairs for many years, long before he came here to live, and today is one of the prominent and successful bankers of the Panhandle. He was born in Iowa, De- cember 26, 1878, the son of Frank C. and Jane (Armstrong) Johnson, the former a native of

Canada, while the mother was born in Ireland. There were nine children in the Johnson fam- ily, of whom three are living: Sarah, married Spencer M. Brooks and lives in Omaha ; Ruby also lives in Omaha, and James W., the sub- ject of this review. Frank C. Johnson engaged in banking when a young man, became asso- ciated with other prominent men in financial affairs in Omaha, where his rise as a banker led him to become interested in other banks, and he was president of the Midland State Bank and the Citizens Bank of Omaha. He sev- ered his connections with the banks in Omaha but continued in the banking business in Iowa, also becoming a large landholder and the own- er of some fourteen hundred acres of fine farm land there. He was a member of the Odd Fel- lows lodge, was a Democrat in politics, and a communicant of the Methodist church. Mr. Johnson died in 1896, being survived by his widow until 1913.

James W. Johnson was reared in Omaha and attended the public schools, graduating from the high school in 1896. Soon after this he entered the Omaha National Bank where he remained four years, learning the practical side of banking business. Following this Mr. John- son accepted a position with the First National Bank, of Omaha. During this time he had be- come a proficient bank man, had studied the various branches of finance and became vice- president of the bank at Spearfish, South Da- kota, where he put his excellent policies into practice, gaining a reputation as a constructive man of affairs, whose policies were progressive yet conservative. His reputation as an able banker became known and Mr. Johnson was offered and accepted the office of treasurer of the Guarantee Trust Company of Chicago. For four years he held this position of responsi- bility and trust, and by his ability assisted ma- terially in the management and policies of the company. For some time Mr. Johnson had been identified with interests in Cheyenne coun- ty, as he became interested in banking business here in 1902. He made several trips a year to the Panhandle, oftentimes four, and in 1918, came to Cheyenne county and Sidney to live. He saw that there was a future in the banking circles of the Panhandle which were so rapid- ly developing. Mr. Johnson bought a large block of stock of the Sidney State Bank, after coming west, at once introduced many good idease in its management, as he was vice-pres- ident. The bank was consolidated later with the American Bank and Mr. Johnson assumed the duties of vice-president and cashier. Un- der his able guidance the bank has grown, is

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doing a fine business and today has a capital stock of $100,000 and surplus of $25,000. The American Bank is the largest bank in the state west of Kearney, which speaks well for the men who are in control and manage it. The deposits in 1921 were $1,000,000.

In 1912, Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Helen Fowler, who was born in South Dakota, and they have two children, Virginia and Helen Jane.

Mr. Johnson is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and a 32d degree Mason and Shriner. He was county chairman of the War Savings Stamps drives and took an active part in assisting the Government in its prosecution of the war. He is a Republican and has been City Treasurer for three years. He has severed active connection with the Am- erican Bank and is now in the insurance and farm loan business in Sidney, conducting the largest business of its kind in Cheyenne county.

ALBERT N. MATHERS. - The business acumen that serves to make Albert N. Mathers a successful banker, extends to the many lines of activity in which he has been engaged for years, some of these being of a private na- ture, while others are of such public import- ance that he is welcomed as an assistant advis- er by those who have high government prob- lems to solve. Mr. Mathers is a Nebraska man and no one can question his devotion to the best interests of her people. His business ca- pacity, his matured conservative judgment, his sterling honesty and high sense of personal responsibility are known and appreciated in many sections and particularly at Gering, where he is president of the Gering National Bank.

Albert N. Mathers was born in Otoe county, Nebraska, February 9, 1882, the only son of John C. and Mary (Cowles) Mathers, the former of whom was born in Alsace Lorraine, France, the latter in the state of New York. They were married in the city of Chicago, Illinois. and Mrs. Mather's death occurred in 1911. They had but two children, Carrie and Albert N. The former is the wife of John S. Mckibben, who is in a wholesale business at Kansas City, where John C. Mathers now lives retired. When six years old he accompanied his parents to the United States, and was rear- ed in Illinois. He enlisted in the Union army at the beginning of the Civil War, leaving good farm prospects behind, and served four years and three months as a member of the Fourth Illinois Cavalry. After the war ended he came to Nebraska, acquired land which included the

town site of Douglas, was one of the organiz- ers of a bank at that place and in numerous ways became prominent in Otoe county. In 1888, he moved to Douglas but for some time afterward continued interested in farming.

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History of western Nebraska and its people, Vol. III, Part 126

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