History of western Nebraska and its people, Vol. III, Part 17

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. Foreman married at Hull, Nebraska, Grace Beck, who was born in Indiana, but reared in Nebraska from the age of ten years.

HENRY A. SCHMODE, who, as superin- tendent of the plant of the Great Western Beet Sugar Company at Scottsbluff, fills a position of responsibility as he should, for he is a highly trained man in this particular in- dustry in which he has had much practical experience.

Henry A. Schmode was born in Silesia, Germany, in 1870. His parents were Constan- tine and Ernestina (Bleich) Schmode, natives of Posen, Germany. Of their eight children five survive, but only two of these live in the United States, Henry A. and Frederick, the lat- ter being a machinist at Denver, Colorado. The father owned a woolen factory and employed fifty-five men in producing broadcloth. The parents were members of the Lutheran church.

After being graduated from the high school

in his home town, Henry A. Schmode served two years in the German army, as was the law. In 1893 he came to the United States and located at Norfolk, Nebraska, and there started the first Steffin process in the United States, and was superintendent of construc- tion for one year, then went to California and in the following year started the second Stef- fin process plant in the United States, at Chino, in San Bernardino county. He re- mained there five years with the American Beet Sugar Company. From there he came to Grand Island, Nebraska, as master mechanic of the factory of the same firm and continued two years, then went to Ames, Nebraska, where he was associated with the Standard Beet Sugar Company for one year as master mechanic and for six years as superintendent of the factory. Mr. Schmode's services were then secured by the Great Western Sugar Company and he was so connected at Fort Collins for six months, then was master me- chanic of the factory at Windsor, Colorado, from which plant he came to Scottsbluff and after superintending the construction of the Great Western's plant here, became superin- tendent and has continued his efficient service in that capacity ever since.

At Norfolk, Nebraska, in 1897, Mr. Schmode was united in marriage to Hulda Mittelstadt, and they have three children, namely : Mart C., who is employed in the sugar factory ; Edwin H. and Dorothy Irma, both of whom are attending school.

Mr. Schmode and his family are members of the Presbyterian church, of which he has been a trustee for the past five years and during 1918 was president of the board. He is a Scottish Rite Mason and both he and wife belong to the Eastern Star. In addition to his scientific knowledge and executive effi- ciency, Mr. Schmode is a broad-minded, in- telligent man and a valuable citizen. He gives his political support to the Republican party.

FRED ANSEN. - There were many resi- dents of Scottsbluff county as well as other sections in this state and in Colorado, who knew, respected and esteemed the late Fred Ansen, whose family is a valued one in the county. He was an honest, upright, industri- ous man, fulfilling every duty of life to the best of his ability, injuring none and helping many.

Fred Ansen was born in Alsace-Lorraine, France, August 15, 1856. In 1881 he came to the United States and for a year worked in one of the big packing plants in Chicago, Illi-

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

nois, but he was not satisfied there as he had come to America in the hope of owning a farm. This hope he fulfilled in 1882 by lo- cating in Buffalo county, Nebraska, where he secured a tract of land on which he lived three years. He then had a chance to sell it to advantage and went to Colorado, but on the way through Cheyenne county, Nebras- ka, stopped long enough to take up a home- stead. He continued on his trip to Colorado where he was employed as a cook in mining camps until 1887, then returned to settle on his homestead and remained seven years. In the meanwhile he bought a farm in Mitchell valley, Nebraska, and moved there in 1894, and that farm remained the family home until 1905, when he came to Scottsbluff. Here Mrs. Ansen and the children remained while he once more returned to work in Colorado. His death occurred March 27, 1909. He was a Republican in politics, and both he and wife were members of the Lutheran church.

In 1885 Fred Ansen was united in marriage to Miss Theresa Siebke, who was born in Ger- many, a daughter of John and Caroline (Haase) Siebke, who spent their lives in Ger- many. Mrs. Ansen came to the United States in 1881 and was married in Buffalo county, Nebraska. All of their six children are liv- ing : Mable, Margaret, Charles, Maude and May, twins, and Gladys. Maude is the wife of Steward Rice, a farmer in Scottsbluff coun- ty. The other daughters reside with their mother at Scottsbluff. Charles Ansen, the only son, entered military service in Septem- ber, 1917, and crossed to Europe as a member of the American Expeditionary Force and is with the Army of Occupation yet in Germany. He is a young man of fine qualities, and has done his duty as a soldier.

WILLIAM S. CLINE, one of the retired residents of Scottsbluff, has been one of the substantial farmers and highly esteemed cit- izens of Scottsbluff county for many years. When he came first to this section he made wise investments and now owns some of the best farm land in the upper valley. He has taken active and useful part in all civic and commercial movements for the betterment of the county, since making the Panhandle his home.

William S. Cline was born in Hendricks county, Indiana, February 27, 1857. the eldest of a family of six children born to John F. and Mary Jane (Goben) Cline. Both parents were born in Indiana, from which state they moved to Clark county, Iowa, in 1866, where

the father bought a farm on which he and his wife passed the remainder of their days. They were members of the Christian church, most worthy people in every relation of life. Wil- liam S. Cline has two brothers and two sisters : Francis Marion, lives retired at Scottsbluff ; Jesse Bennett, is a farmer in Iowa; Margaret, is the wife of Andrew Adams, a farmer in Iowa, and Rose, is the wife of Perl King, an Iowa farmer.

William S. Cline attended the public schools and was reared to farm pursuits. In 1905 he came to Scottsbluff county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land east of the town and eighty acres where the sugar factory now stands. He owns eighty acres of fine irrigated land north of Scottsbluff that would command a high price in the market if it were for sale. It may not be out of place to say that when Mr. Cline first came to Nebraska he was practically without capital, but he had the good judgment to take advantage of the opportunities offered here to a young man of energy and industry, with the result that by the time he had reached middle age he was able to retire with a competency.

On November 11, 1883, Mr. Cline married Miss Margaret Bevins, who was born in Iowa, a daughter of Asher and Anna Bevins, the former born in Highland county, Ohio, and the latter in Delaware. They died in Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Cline have the following chil- dren : Rose, the wife of C. C. Terhune, a rail- road man at Omaha; Nellie, the wife of Otis Simmons, a carpenter at Scottsbluff ; Millie, the wife of Charles Bisel, of Scottsbluff ; Wal- ter, is a farmer but lives in Scottsbluff ; Homer, operates a garage in Scottsbluff, and Lola, the wife of George Brown, who is em- ployed in the sugar factory here. Mr. Cline and his family are members of the Presby- terian church. He is a Democrat in politics and has always been a loyal party man but has not been willing to accept public office. Since 1910 he has been a resident of Scottsbluff, a welcome addition to the town's most reputable citizenship.

EDWARD C. DUNHAM, who is a prom- inent citizen of Scottsbluff county, and for many years active in the agricultural field, since 1917, when he retired and moved into Scottsbluff, has given much attention to the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of which he is president. Mr. Dunham was born at St. Louis, Missouri, December 13, 1856.

The parents of Mr. Dunham were Cor- nelius L. and Mary (Buswell) Dunham, the former of whom was born at New Haven,

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

Connecticut, and the latter in the state of Ver- mont. He was a student at Jacksonville, Illi- nois, and she, a graduate of Knox College, was a teacher in the School for the Blind, when they met and they were married in that city. Later they moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where the father of Mr. Dunham taught school for four years, then moved to Bureau county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming until 1862. In that year he entered the Union army for service in the Civil War as a member of Company H. Ninety-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry. His service covered three and a half years, during which he was promoted to a sergeancy. He participated in the siege of Vicksburg and in the campaign around Chat- tanooga and Memphis, Tennessee. After the war closed he returned to his Illinois farm and lived there until 1876 when he removed to Grinnell, Iowa. He accumulated a compe- tency and later he and wife gave themselves the pleasure of extensive travel. They were members of the Congregational church. In his political views the father believed the prin- ciples of the Republican party the most ad- vantageous for the country and supported this organization until the end of his life.

Of the seven children born to Cornelius L. Dunham and his wife, Edward C. was the eld- est, the others being : Ida G., the wife of S. H. Blackwell, a farmer near Longmont, Colo- rado : Cornelius L., an orange grower in Flor- ida ; Ralph W., a farmer in southwestern Mis- souri; E. H., a farmer near Grinnell, Iowa ; Alice C., the wife of J. R. Hannay, a farmer near Grinnell, and Mary Cornelia, who still lives in the old home at Grinnell, Iowa.

Edward C. Dunham was educated in Iowa and carefully trained by his intellectual father. From 1876 until 1896 he had entire charge of his father's farm and afterward bought a part of the old home place. In 1896 he moved to Arkansas and was interested there until 18 .. in growing strawberries and apples, after which he came to Scottsbluff county and bought land in Pleasant Valley. In 1917 the family left the farm and came into the city, where they have a wide social circle and Mr. Dunham gives time. as indicated above, to the affairs of the Farmers Mutual Fire In- surance Company, that does business in five counties in the western part of the state. He is also city assessor. Mr. Dunham located in this county on a government unit as did his daughter, so the family really owns two units. The farm on which the family lived is now devoted to grain and sugar beets and Mr. Dun- ham also owns 173 acres, all of irrigated land, and an additional tract near the city limits.

In 1881 Mr. Dunham was united in mar- riage to Miss Hannah M. Mann, who was born in Oswego county, New York, a daugh- etr of John H. and Susan (Willis) Mann, natives of New York, who moved to a farm in Iowa in 1871, later to Iowa City for three years and still later to Grinnell. Mrs. Dun- ham was the fourth born in a family of six children, five of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Dunham have two sons and one daugh- ter, namely: Dwight Mann, who homesteaded in South Dakota; Robert E., who homestead- ed in Nebraska, has been rural mail carrier out of Scottsbluff for seven years, and Mary Florence, who lives at home. Mr. Dunham and his family belong to the Presbyterian church. At one time while living in Iowa, Mr. Dunham was quite active in the Populist party but now he casts an independent vote. He is a broad-minded, thoughtful man and has always had the best interests of his coun- try at heart.

WILLIAM W. EMICK, who is secretary and treasurer of the Farmers Mutual Fire In- surance Company, has been identified with this important business enterprise since January, 1915, since which time he has devoted himself largely to its concerns, although he has many additional personal interests. He came to Nebraska in early manhood, invested in land in Scottsbluff county in 1909, and has been a resident of Scottsbluff since 1918.

William W. Emick was born in Wayne county, Ohio, April 22, 1872, and is a son of Adam and Catherine (Sweigert) Emick, the former of whom was born in Germany and the latter in Pennsylvania. Adam Emick was brought to the Uited States when two years old, was reared in Ohio and married there. Of his twelve children seven are living, two of these being in Nebraska, William W. and Charles, the latter of whom is a merchant at Creighton. Adam Emick was a hard-working man, was a farmer and a carpenter, whereby he accumulated a competency. After his first wife died he married Alice Okehauf and they had three children, two of whom live in Ohio and one at Chadron, Nebraska. In politics Adam Emick was a Democrat, and all his life he was a member of the German Lutheran church. He lived to be ninety-four years old.

William W. Emick obtained his education in the public schools in his native state and remained assisting his father on the farm un- til he was twenty years of age. He then came to Knox county, Nebraska, and for three years was a clerk in a store at Bazile Mills and afterward at other points, also traveled as a

ALVA A. SMITH AND FAMILY

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

canvasser and commercial agent. For nine years he lived at Deadwood, South Dakota, during which time he was engaged as collector, clerk and general manager of stores there and at Lead City. For one year he was on the road selling groceries for the firm of Shank- berg, of Sioux City, through the Big Horn basin, when a railroad wreck in which he was a victim, kept him off the road for some time. He then accepted his old position at Lead City, following which he became traveling repre- sentative of Raymond Bros. & Clark, through Western Nebraska, for five years. Mr. Emick then took charge of his brother's store in South Dakota, for some eight months. In 1909 he came to Scottsbluff county and bought an irrigated farm, on which he lived until 1918, when he sold that property and moved into Scottsbluff, where he has valuable realty. He also owns a farm near the city.

In 1911 Mr. Emick was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle Fry, who was born in Fall River county, South Dakota. She died in 1914 leaving one infant daughter, Myrtle Josephine. In the fall of 1917 Mr. Emick was married to Miss Julia Coony who was born in Custer county, Nebraska, and they have one daugh- ter, Willemetia. Mrs. Emick is a member of the Christian church. In politics he is a Dem- ocrat and fraternally belongs to the order of Elks. In addition to being secretary and treas- urer of the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company, Mr. Emick has been general man- ager of the work in Scottsbluff, Banner, Mor- rill and Sioux counties, the company's charter covering eleven counties in the Panhandle. A man of wide and varied experience, Mr. Emick is particularly well qualified for the responsible position he fills so well in the business world.

ALVA A. SMITH. - It has often been said that Smith is a name hard to distinguish, yet it remains that the possessor of the name at the head of this review has succeeded, at least in a modest way, in distinguishing his cognomen in the realm of ordinary citizenship and practical, profitable farming. This is an ordinary story that has been duplicated perhaps a thousand times in western Nebraska, but it ever becomes interesting when narrowed down to an individ- ual whose achievements are worthy of being published to the world. Mr. Smith is one of the homesteaders of Scottsbluff county who passed through many privations and hardships, courageously persevering in the face of dis- couraging situations, overcoming seemingly in- surmountable obstacles, and eventually win- ning a way to well deserved success.

This man is a Wolverine by birth, born in

McComb county, Michigan, February 12, 1862, amidst the throes of our great Civil War and it may be that some of the dogged determina- tion that was imbued in the citizens of the north to preserve the Union at all cost entered into his mentality, for nothing has daunted his spirit. He is the son of Andrew and Esther (Arnold) Smith; the former born in the Em- pire state in 1838, died in Michigan in 1899. while the mother, like her son, was a native of Michigan, born there in 1841, who lived until 1896. The father was a successful Michigan farmer, who reared his family in great com- fort, giving them all the advantages afforded in their community, excellent educations, and such practical knowledge as could be attained under his careful guidance on the farm during the vacations and after leaving school.

There were eight children in the family : Iowa, who died at eighteen years of age; Alva; Alma, his twin, who became the wife of Joe Burgess, lived on a farm in the state of Mich- igan, and later removed to Gering, and now lives in Oregon; Eugene, a farmer in Mich- igan; Florence, the wife of William Drink- water of Michigan; Minnie, deceased ; Lila, the wife of Fred Drinkwater, also lives on a farm in Michigan ; and Frances, the wife of George McVittie, a government mail clerk, resides in Detroit. Both the parents were members and supporters of the Methodist Episcopal church, while Mr. Smith took an active and prominent part in the councils of the Republican party.

Mr. Smith worked on a Michigan farm upon reaching manhood, but he heard of the great opportunities afforded on the prairies of the middle west and determined to put his fortune to the hazard, and breaking all the home ties and intimate associations, started for the Da- kotas. He took plenty of time to look the country over as he had determined that wher- ever he located was to be a permanent home and Dakota did not measure up to his standard so he came to Cheyenne county in 1887, where he homesteaded 160 acres of land, preëmpted another tract of equal acreage, proved up on it and at the same time was engaged in making permanent and efficient improvements. His first home, like that of nearly all the pioneer settlers, was a sod house, but Mr. Smith met with success in his chosen vocation and before long the sod structure gave way to a comfort- able farm home. Later Mr. Smith removed somewhat west and north of his first claim, locating in section 32-23-56. Scottsbluff coun- ty, in what is locally known as the Mitchell valley, is today one of the garden spots of the great state of Nebraska, that under modern methods and intensive farming is producing

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

more to the acre than ever was dreamed in the pioneer days when the Smith family located here. Mr. Smith is one of the men of the county who has made good use of his oppor- tunities, and his life record illustrates what may be accomplished by one who is industrious, far-sighted, and has an ambition to succeed. His harvests have been cut short by drought, his crops ruined by hail and insect pests, but he was never discouraged to the extent of giv- ing up, and the succeeding years brought pros- perity, and today he is the owner of 160 acres of highly improved land, all under irrigation, so that he never worries about the weather as he is insured a crop with water a-plenty and the never failing sunshine of this section. He has substantial and practical farm buildings, a good home and latest farm equipment, being engaged in general agriculture and stock- raising.

In 1891 Mr. Smith married Miss Alma Tap- pan at Broken Bow, Nebraska, the daughter of Bradford Tappan, both she and her father being natives of Michigan. Five children have become members of the Smith family : Floyd, who died in infancy; Kem, on a farm in Wy- oming; Eunice, the wife of Claud Godbey, is at home, as are also Emmet and Craig.

Mr. Smith is one of the progressive business men of Scottsbluff county, is public-spirited, advocating every movement for the advance- ment of the community, which is attested by the fact that he is a school director and chair- man of the irrigation board. A man of high ideals in life and commercial affairs, he is held in esteem by all his friends and associates. In politics he is a Democrat, but has never had the time or desire to hold public office, while his fraternal associations are with the Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen.

JOHN SCHUMACHER. - To set down a true history of Nebraska in all its counties, mention must be made of those who came into the state without capital, and through hard work and great self denial finally became of independent fortune because of ownership of valuable lands. Some of these early settlers, it is true, had not the courage to endure in- evitable hardships and gave up before their battles over storm, drought and loss of crops and stock had been won, but there were others, like the late John Schumacher, who held on, worked harder, hoped for the best, and were well rewarded.

John Schumacher was born in Roxbury, Dane county, Wisconsin, January 21, 1862. He had school advantages near his father's farm and worked as a farmer until he deter-

mined to start out for himself. That he was a young man not easily discouraged may be assumed from the fact that with practically empty pockets, he walked the entire distance from his old home in Wisconsin to Cheyenne county, Nebraska. There he homesteaded in what is now Scottsbluff county, six miles southeast of the present town, and remained on his farm, developing and improving it, until the end of his life, his death occurring Novem- ber 8, 1915. At that time he owned a section of irrigated land. He made a specialty of stock-raising and under his care this industry proved very profitable.

In 1893 John Schumacher was united in marriage with Miss Katie Gaugler, a school- mate, who was born in Dane county, Wiscon- sin, a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Retsler) Gaugler, Mrs. Schumacher being the youngest of their family of fifteen children, nine of whom are living. Two daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Schumacher: Helena, the wife of Philo Tillson, a farmer north of Mina- tare, Nebraska, and Elsie, who resides with her mother and is attending school. Mrs. Schumacher is, as was her husband, a member of the Catholic church. On April 11, 1916, she moved to Scottsbluff and purchased a beauti- ful residence on Fourth avenue, but found it too great a care to keep it up, hence sold and now resides in great comfort at No. 1814 Fifth avenue. Mr. Schumacher was a Republican in politics and served on the school board in his township. He was an honest, upright man and was very highly regarded by all who knew him.

FRANK B. MORGAN, who has had quite a great deal to do with the material develop- ment of Scottsbluff, is a leading builder and contractor here, owner of valuable city realty both unimproved and built upon. Since com- ing here in 1914, he has shown personal and public-spirited interest in the city, has invested judiciously and has been an encourager of a number of worthy enterprises.

Frank B. Morgan was born in Caldwell county, Missouri, June 22, 1869, a son of Joseph and Tabitha (Hobbs) Morgan, the lat- ter of whom was born in Illinois and is now deceased. The father of Mr. Morgan was born at Indianapolis, Indiana, a son of George Morgan, who was a native of Virginia. Joseph Morgan was a soldier in the Civil War, enlist- ing in the Fourteenth Missouri Infantry, served three years and was wounded at Shiloh. After a long period in a hospital, he reënlisted but was soon afterward discharged on account of disability. In 1883 he came to Nebraska and bought a section of land in Furnas county,

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

afterward selling the same and buying land in Oklahoma. His death occurred at Beaver City, Nebraska. He was a Democrat in pol- itics. Both he and wife were members of the Christian church. They had seven children, Frank B. being the fourth of the five surviv- ors, who are: George R., a farmer near Hend- ley, Nebraska; Delilah, the widow of Whiteman, of Hendley ; Thomas, a butcher in business at Hendley, and Mary, the wife of Roy Goebel, a farmer in Furnas county.

Frank B. Morgan obtained his education in the public schools and afterward followed farming until he was thirty years old. He had always been deft in the use of tools and then began to work at the carpenter trade, going to Denver in 1901, and worked as a carpenter there and at Fort Collins until 1905, when he came to Morrill county, Nebraska. He se- cured a homestead there, which he late sold, then bought land in Wyoming and subsequent- ly sold that. In 1914 he came to Scottsbluff and has proved a valuable citizen. He invest- ed in vacant property here and through im- proving it with attractive residences, has add- ed greatly to the appearance of every section in which he owns lots. He has found ready sale for his houses, for the people of Scotts- bluff are homemakers, in the main, and his en- terprise has been appreciated. Mr. Morgan has assisted in the organization of the Com- mercal Bank at Scottsbluff.

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History of western Nebraska and its people, Vol. III, Part 17

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