History of western Nebraska and its people, Vol. III, Part 21

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

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ical Society; is a member of the American Medical Society and state representative to the Nebraska State Medical Society, and was three times elected delegate thereto. At the present time he is serving in important local offices, be- ing president of the school board, and city physician, a position he is well qualified to fill as he is not only a highly educated man but is one of broad outlook who keeps abreast of the times and well up on all questions of the day, and at all times advocates the latest equipment and most advanced methods in the schools for the benefit of the rising generation.

Dr. Faulk was first married in 1881 to Mina L. Fletcher, a native of the Empire state, who became the mother of two children: Carl F., who chose law for his career and is now prac- ticing in Alaska ; and Mina Lucille, who is de- ceased. Mrs. Faulk was a highly educated woman of wide attainments, who for some time previous to her marriage taught "Methods" in New York State Normal. She died in April, 1902. Two years later the doctor married Miss Maude E. Baldwin of Minnesota, who is a woman of splendid talents and utmost sincer- ity, taking a very active part in all benevolent, charitable, and war work, and with her hus- band enjoys great popularity.

E. FRANK KELLEY, a man of ripened school experience and high scholarship, effi- ciently fills the office of county superinten- dent of schools in Morrill county. His name carries weight in representative educational circles all over the state. Mr. Kelley was born in Illinois, October 16, 1876, but received most of his educational training in Nebraska.

He is the son of James Dallas and Eugenia (Smith) Kelley, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania and the latter in Iowa, the marriage taking place at Fort Madison, that state. The mother of Superintendent Kel- ley died in 1914, but his father still resides at Portland, Oregon, where he was a mechanic in the railway shops for ten years, following similar trade employment in Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska. He has always been considered a man of good judgment, has ever been faith- ful to his trade contracts, is a staunch advo- cate of the principles of the Democratic party and a member of the Presbyterian church. He belongs to the order of Modern Woodmen. Of his five children E. Frank is the only one living in Nebraska.

E. Frank Kelley attended the Osceola high school, following his graduation he matricu- lated at Fremont college, graduating after four year with his Bachelor's degree in 1909 and immediately began teaching school in Polk

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county, Nebraska. Finding work in this pro- fession congenial, he continued his pedigogical work in Polk county for five years, then served as principal of the Lodgepole schools for one year, and subsequently for three years was principal of the schools of Bayard. In the meanwhile he became connected with the First National Bank of Bayard, an association which lasted two years before he became an official of the Bank of Bayard, an institution with which he was connected five years. until the fall of 1916 when he was elected county superintendent of Morrill county and assumed office in 1917, being re-elected in the fall of 1918. Mr. Kelley has been pleasantly asso- ciated with the county teachers, who have found in him not only a competent educational leader, but also a wise and helpful friend, this condition working beneficially for the schools all over the county.

On June 24, 1903, Mr. Kelley was united in marriage to Miss Clara Goldsmith, who was born at Ashland, Nebraska, in 1881, a daugh- ter of David G. and Helen Goldsmith, both of whom survive, the father being a retired farm- er, with a home at North Platte, Nebraska. Superintendent and Mrs. Kelley have two chil- dren : Helen, born May 14, 1905 ; and Dallas, born January 15, 1916. The family belong to the Episcopal church. In politics a Demo- crat like his father, Mr. Kelley also belongs to the order of Modern Woodmen.

JOHN H. STEUTEVILLE, who has most ably exercised judicial powers in Morrill county, as County Judge for the last decade, stands in foremost rank with the substantial and loyal citizens of Bridgeport. Judge Steuteville was born in Grayson county, Ken- tucky, December 1. 1875, the son of Richard Foggatt and Narcissa E. (Haynes) Steute- ville, who moved from Grayson Springs, Ken- tucky, to Brownville, Nebraska, in 1880, and still reside there. Both parents were born in Kentucky, the father a son of Richard and Mary (Phillips) Steuteville, natives of Louisi- ana and Kentucky respectively, and the mother a daughter of Henry and Jane (Stith) Haynes, natives of Virginia and Kentucky. These old names are yet familiar and honored in different sections of the South. Judge Steuteville has two brothers and two sisters: Earl, the postmaster at Bridgeport, Nebraska; William V., an attorney at Sioux City, Iowa ; Jessie E. Berlin, who resides at Brownville, Nebraska; and Mary, a teacher of mathe- matics in the high school at Sioux City, Iowa.

Following his graduation from the Brown-

ville high school, John Henry Steuteville en- tered upon the study of law and in 1899 was graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Law. For some years he was ac- tive in the educational field, at first teaching country schools in Nemaha county, Nebras- ka, and afterward served as principal of the city schools of Howe, Johnson and Brown- ville, Nebraska, and of Belle Fourche in South Dakota. He then engaged in the practice of his profession, first at Gering and later at Bridgeport. When the county was divided, at the first county election, he was elected coun- ty judge, in which office he has continued ever since, being re-elected five times. Not only on the bench has Judge Steuteville been a prominent and representative citizen of state and county, but in other relations and move- ments contributive to the general welfare, he has been a valuable co-operating force. He is a 32d degree Scottish Rite Mason, and has filled all the chairs in the Blue Lodge at Bridgeport. During the World War he served as secretary of the Council of Defense, was county Food Administrator, a member of the Home Guards, of the Four Minute Men, and was active on committees in the Y. M. C. A. movements and in other war preparations. Judge Steuteville owns several farms in Mor- rill county, and today is accounted one of the substantial and representative professional men of the Panhandle.

MABEL J. JOHNSON, the county treas- urer of Morrill county, Nebraska, has earned the reputation of being one of the most cap- able, energetic, efficient and likable officials that have been elected and re-elected to re- sponsible office here for many years. The spirit of progress that marks Nebraska in so many ways, is no more notably manifested than in opening doors of equal opportunity to both sexes and the calling of women as well as men who have the confidence of the public to positions of trust. Miss Johnson, after one term of difficult duty meritoriously performed, was re-elected county treasurer in 1918 and is still serving.

Mabel Johnson was born at Omaha, Nebras- ka. Her parents were Charles and Josephine ( Palmquist) Johnson, both of whom were natives of Sweden. They came to the United States in 1879 and resided at first at Minne- apolis, Minnesota. In 1899 they located at Omaha but subsequently the father home- steaded in Morrill county where he was en- gaged in farm industry until the time of his death, in 1909. He was a member of the

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Lutheran church, was a Republican in poli- tics and belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The mother of Miss Johnson survived her husband and now lives at Bridge- port. Of the family of ten children eight sur- vive and two of the sons were in military service during the World War, August W. and David G. The former saw seven months of hard service in France and participated in the memorable battle of the Argonne Forest, where he was severely wounded. This young hero has not yet recovered from his injuries and, although once more on American soil, is yet a sufferer in a military hospital at Des Moines, Iowa. David was yet in a training camp at the time the armistice was signed with Germany. The other brother and sisters of Miss Johnson are as follows: A. C., who is a Broadwater ranchman and farmer; Anna V., who is the wife of L. C. Curtis, engaged in the sand business at Fremont; Mary, who is deputy treasurer of Morrill county ; and Helen and Alice, who are yet in school.

Miss Johnson was educated in the Omaha public schools. Her first public position was as an employe of the post office for four years, after which she served as deputy county treas- urer for six years and was first elected treas- urer in 1916 and re-elected in 1918. She votes the Republican ticket. Miss Johnson is a member of the Presbyterian church at Bridgeport.

Z. HAROLD JONES, district and county clerk of Morrill county, has been identified with county offices since 1914, entering public life from the educational field, in which he had been favorably known for some years. Mr. Jones was born at Gretna, Sarpy county, Nebraska, March 28, 1891, and his interests have always been centered in this state.

Mr. Jones' parents were Ziba and Mary I. (Stansberry) Jones, who were born, reared and married in Iowa. In 1879 they came to Nebraska and settled in Sarpy county but later moved to Dawson county where the father bought land. This farm he subsequent- ly sold. It was before the settlers had com- menced to benefit by the irrigation project that later has brought such plenteousness into even the most arid territories. Mr. Jones and his family returned to Sarpy county and lo- cated on a farm twenty-five miles southwest of Omaha, on which the family lived for twenty years. The father retired from active work at that time and moved to Gretna, where his death occurred in 1900, when fifty-

two years old. He had been a man of con- siderable importance in Sarp county, was ac- tive in the Republican party and was a mem- ber of the Congregational church. For a num- ber of years he had been a member of the order of Modern Woodmen of America, un- der the auspices of which he was buried, and in which organization he carried insurance to the amount of $3,000. Of his eight children three besides Z. Harold survive: Ella J., the widow of John Hickey, lives at Marsland, Ne- braska and owns two large ranches in Sioux county, Nebraska ; George P., a miller at Hem- ingford, in Boxbutte county ; and Augusta who is the wife of Arthur E. Simonds, of Bellevue, Nebraska, agent for the Burlington Railroad. The mother of the family lives with her son at Bridgeport and belongs to the Presbyterian church of this city.

Following his graduation from the Gretna high school in 1907, Mr. Jones for six years alternated teaching and attending school to carry on higher and extended studies and thus qualify for better positions. He taught one year in the Bridgeport high school, being re- elected at the close of his contract. The offer he did not accept, however, and in 1914 en- tered the county clerk's office as deputy, which position he served until January 1, 1917, when he was elected clerk for the two-year term, and in November, 1918, was re-elected. His duties include those of both district and county clerk and complete efficiency marks their ad- ministration.

On January 1, 1919, Mr. Jones was united in marriage to Miss Nell Jeffords, who was born at St. Paul, Nebraska, a daughter of John F. and Rose (Cordell) Jeffords, who were born, reared and married in Illinois. Some thirty years ago they came to Nebraska, lo- cating first at Loup City but moving later to St. Paul and afterward coming to Bridgeport, where the father engaged in the jewelry busi- ness, a vocation in which he built up an excel- lent clientele and which he conducted until his death here. Mrs. Jeffords survives her hus- band and yet resides here.

Mr. Jones is affiliated with the Democratic party, takes an active part in civic affairs in Bridgeport in many ways, and is secretary of the school board and treasurer of the Home Guards. He is present chancellor commander of the Knights of Pythias, and belongs to the Bridgeport Progressive Club. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are members of the Presbyterian church, and are prominent in all social activities of the city.

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BENAJAH A. ROSEBROUGH, a pros- perous business man and thoroughly respected citizen of Mitchell, Nebraska, who is connected in a business way with the Mitchell Mercantile company, lays no claim to being a pioneer of this section, though he has undergone many of the pioneer conditions. He is one of those who, having spent a period on a farm, deserted the soil to enter commercial pursuits and has found success and prosperity therein, for today he enjoys great popularity due to courteous treatment, absolute fidelity to engagements, reasonable prices and expeditious service. All these qualities have served to attract to the store trade that extends over a wide stretch of the surrounding countryside. His standing in business circles is excellent, and rests upon more than a decade of honorable and straight- forward dealing.

Mr. Rosebrough is a native of Illinois, born at Havana, August 20, 1868, the son of Ben A. and Matilda ( Tomlin ) Rosebrough, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of New Jersey. To them were born five children: Elizabeth, the wife of Joseph P. Fisher of Mitchell, de- ceased; Cora, married George Drake Coon, Pecos, Texas, and is deceased ; Benajah A .; Frank, who lives in Rockport, New York; and Bertha, the wife of Gilbert Carey, a resident of Dewitt, Nebraska, deceased. For many years the father of the family was a carpenter and contractor in Illinois but later became a farm- er, a vocation he followed until his death which occurred April 8, 1907, his wife having passed away in 1876.

Benajah received an excellent education in the public schools of Illinois and upon graduat- ing from the high school entered Lincoln Uni- versity, Lincoln, Illinois, where he finished a course of study before graduation. Soon after the close of his college career the young man was engaged in Y. M. C. A. work for about a year, but this impaired his health to such an extent that he was forced to seek less confining occupations and accepted a position with the Hoosier Furniture Company, of Lincoln, Illi- nois. Thirteen months later he returned to New Holland for a vacation but left to accept the position of manager of the Ryan furniture store, of New Holland, Illinois. Mr. Rose- brough heard the call of the west, however, and after looking up various localities decided to come to Nebraska, which he did in 1904; the country looked good to him as he says today and he determined to make this great common- wealth his future home. For a year he lived much as did some of the pioneers of the earlier days, but in 1905 he came to Mitchell to accept a position with the Mitchell Mercantile Com-

pany, as head of the undertaking, furniture, and hardware departments. He at once began the study of embalming and received a license to practice in February, 1908; the following June he passed second in the class at Omaha, receiving his Nebraska license in 1910. Not satisfied with his preparation for this important profession, Mr. Rosebrough took a post gradu- ate course in embalming under Professor Howard Eckles, being one of eleven men in a class of thirty-eight members to pass the exam- ination in dermo surgery. He has recently embalmed the largest known man in this sec- tion of the world as he was six feet and two inches tall, and weighed seven hundred and twenty pounds.

On April 26, 1899, was solemnized the mar- riage of Benajah Rosebrough and Nellie Derr, who was born and reared in Illinois, and to them have been born five children: Mary, at home ; La Verne, in Scottsbluff ; Paul, at home; Immogene and Dorothy. The family are mem- bers of the Presbyterian church while Mr. Rosebrough's fraternal affiliations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, while he exercises his priv- ilege of the ballot as an independent, voting for the best man to fill office.

CHARLES D. CASPER, editor and pro- prietor of the Bridgeport Herald, has been known and appreciated in journalism in Ne- braska for many years, and through the me- dium of his own facile pen might disclose much that is interesting in relation to news- paper work and political movements during that time. For Mr. Casper is equally well- known in public affairs and as a member of both houses of the state legislature, has been influential in placing some very important laws on the statute book. He is a self made man and struggled up from a boyhood environment of orphanage and limited opportunity.

Charles D. Casper was born at Red Lion, near New Castle, Delaware, being one of two children born to Richard and Margaret (Reed) Casper. His sister, Emma, is the widow of Richard Dilmore and resides in the city of Philadelphia. Both parents spent their lives in Delaware, the mother of Mr. Casper dying in his childhood. The father married Mary Reed, sister of his first wife and they had two children, both of whom are now de- ceased. The father never accumulated prop- erty. Mr. Casper's birth took place December 10, 1845, and his school privileges were limit- ed, as he practically looked after himself un- til he enlisted for service as a soldier in a cavalry regiment in the Civil War, with which

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he served two years and one month. In 1866 he came west and for three years was a mem- ber of the regular army of the United States, receiving his honorable discharge in Dakota.

Mr. Casper then went to Iowa, where there was need of harvest hands and after the sea- son was over accepted work as a section hand on the railroad. It was in 1872, at Victor, Iowa, that he started in a printing office to learn the trade and continued there and even owned a newspaper in that town for a short time before locating at David City, Nebraska, where he established his first permanent resi- dence. Mr. Casper became a prominent fac- tor in Democratic politics, was elected the first county clerk of Morrill county and serv- ed three years. In 1885 he was elected to the lower house of the state legislature; in 1886 was sent to the upper house from Polk and Butler counties, and in 1893 was returned to the house and served two terms. He returned to David City and resided there until 1905, when he came to Morrill county and home- steaded and in 1906 came to Bridgeport. In the meanwhile, Mr. Casper had conducted the Bridgeport Blade for one year, and the Bayard Transcript for eighteen months. On March 1, 1911, Mr. Casper founded the Bridgeport Herald, a weekly journal, which has built up a wide circulation and fills a long felt want. It is ably edited and its columns give both the news of the outside world and of local happen- ings that interest subscribers. In connection with his newspaper, Mr. Casper owns and operates a fine job printing office.

Mr. Casper was married December 21, 1880, to Nancy M. Brownsett, who was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada, and they have three daughters: Emma M., the widow of Earl M. Duncan, is her father's able assistant in the newspaper office; Grace A., the wife of F. J. Hansen, a railroad agent at Shelton, Ne- braska; and Ruby L. B., the wife of A. T. Bjoraas, a brick contractor at Torrington, Wyoming. Mr. Casper is a member of the Presbyterian church. For many years he has been a Mason and at the present time is serv- ing as master of his lodge at Bridgeport.

CLYDE SPANOGLE, who is one of the three owners of the Bridgeport Bank, the pio- neer banking institution here, is prominent in other fields than banking, public affairs having engaged his attention for some years, although at present he gives the most of his attention to the rapidly growing business of the bank. Mr. Spanogle enjoys the distinction of having been elected the first mayor of Bridgeport.

Clyde Spanogle was born in Hamilton coun- ty, Nebraska, May 10, 1880. His parents were Andrew J. and Catherine (Stover) Spanogle, who were born and married in Pennsylvania. They came from there in 1879 to Nebraska, and the father bought two sections of land in Hamilton county, in association with his broth- er, and latter established the first bank at Phil- lips, which he conducted for a number of years, then sold, retiring from business, and his death occurred in 1892. The mother of Mr. Spanogle died in 1902. In youth the father and mother belonged to the Dunkard church but lated united with the Baptist church. The father was a man of sterling character and in 1883 was honored in Hamil- ton county by election to the state legislature, in which body he served with steadfast adher- ence to what he believed to be right.

Clyde Spanogle attended the public schools and completed his education in the William- son School of Mechanical Trades at Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania, graduating in 1900. Since 1903 he has been connected with the Bridge- port Bank, in the ownership of which he is associated with his brother Mark Spanogle, and Fred R. Lindberg. Fred R. Lindberg is president of the bank ; Mark Spanogle is cash- ier and Clyde Spanogle is assistant cashier.

In 1909 Clyde Spanogle was united in mar- riage to Miss Martha Sheffel, who was born at St. Louis, Missouri, and they have one son, Andrew John, born in 1915.

Mr. Spanogle stands deservedly high in pub- lic esteem at Bridgeport, where for years hie has been an earnest citizen and a worker for civic betterment. For five years he was chair- man of the village board, elected on the Re- publican ticket, at different times has been city clerk, and in 1918 was elected mayor of Bridgeport. He has given encouragement to many worthy business enterprises here as an aid to commercial development and has been liberal in his support of patriotic and charit- able movements affecting the whole commun- ity. He attends the Episcopal church.

FRANK H. PUTNAM, who has been in- terested in the lumber business at Bridgeport since 1905, has been active in the public affairs of city and county and is well and favorably known in Western Nebraska. Mr. Putnam is a native of Iowa, born in Davis county, Sep- tember 13, 1855, a son of Green M. and Mary M. (Kelsey) Putnam, the former of whom was born in Illinois and the latter in Indiana. The paternal grandfather, Elijah Putnam, was born in Virginia, moved from there to Illinois

MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH NEIGHBORS

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and later to Iowa, where he engaged in farm- ing during the rest of his life. The maternal grandfather, George Kelsey, died in Missouri but removed from Indiana to Iowa when the mother of Mr. Putnam was a child. Both par- ents were reared in Iowa, were married there and both died in that state. Of their ten chil- dren six are living, Frank H., the only one in Nebraska, being the first born. The parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

After his period of school attendance was over Mr Putnam assisted his father on the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age and for one year afterward engaged in agricultural pursuits on his own account. In 1878 he came to western Nebraska and for several years worked for a cow outfit, but in 1884 homesteaded in Morril county. Later he traded his homestead for Sand Hill ranch, and there was engaged in the cattle business until 1905, when he came to Bridgeport and bought the Bridgeport Lumber yard. The business at that time was incorporated for $25,000, but under his able management was increased to $75,000. He served as presi- dent of this concern until 1917, when he sold his interest but still fills the office of man- ager.

Mr. Putnam was married in 1890, to Miss Emma C. Hutchinson, who was born in Wis- consin, and they have two children : Glenn G., formerly a farmer in Morrill county; and Hazel M., the wife of Chester Carter, who has returned to Bridgeport after two years of overseas service with the American Expedi- tionary Force in France. Mrs. Putnam is a member of the Episcopal church. A zealous Republican, Mr. Putnam has been honored by party choice for responsible public positions and has served on the city council and also as county commissioner. He is somewhat promi- nent in the order of Odd Fellows and has passed all the chairs in the local lodge.

THOMAS F. NEIGHBORS, one of the younger members of the bar at Bridgeport where his friends and well wishers are many, has been in practice here since 1915, not con- tinuously, however, as he spent almost two years as a soldier in training during the World War. Mr. Neighbors is a native of Nebras- ka, born at McGrew, in Scottsbluff county, in 1891.

Mr. Neighbors comes of military ancestry, as his paternal grandfather. Joseph Neighbors, was a soldier in the Civil War and fell at the battle of Nashville. His maternal grandfath- er, Dr. Thomas Franklin, served with the

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History of western Nebraska and its people, Vol. III, Part 21

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