History of western Nebraska and its people, Vol. III, Part 76

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

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HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

Leman and Ida Mae ( Barsock) Canfield, the former born in Hundertown county, New Jer- sey. She was the oldest in a family of twelve children. Mr. and Mrs. Melick have one daughter, Marguerite, a student in the Hem- ingford school. In 1901, Mr. Melick came to Nebraska and located on a farm in Lancaster county, where he engaged in farming for six years, but he heard of the many good oppor- tunities to secure land in Box Butte county so came here in 1907, buying a hundred and sixty acre tract one mile southwest of. Heming- ford. There he demonstrated what a good re- liable man can accomplish who makes a study of his business and is determined to succeed. After about six years Mr. Melick had accumu- lated considerable capital and gave up the ac- tive management of his farm and moved into town, where he invested in a good grain busi- ness, buying and selling flour, potatoes and live stock, and soon had a paying commission business established which has brought in most gratifying returns. In 1917, Mr. Melick purchased the Hemingford Rolling Mills, which he now manages in addition to his other business activities. The business has expand- ed rapidly and today Mr. Melick is the largest wheat and potato shipper in the Panhandle and the northwest for he sells hundreds of car load lots each season. Mr. Melick is popular in fi- nancial circles, where he has gained an excel- lent reputation as a wide awake, progressive man of affairs, while personally he has made many warm friends. He is a Mason of high standing, having taken his Thirty-second de- gree. No opportunity slips through his fingers that he sees in business while he is one of the true Americans who live their patriotism, giv- ing freely of time and money for the upbuild- ing of the community in which he lives and Box Butte county.

ROBERT C. MILLER, one of the younger generation of business men of Hemingford, who are the makers of financial history in this section, may truly be called self-made, as his present prosperity has come to him through his own efforts, and his life record exemplifies what may be accomplished by industry and perseverence. He is one of the gallant Ne- braskans who responded to his country's call when war was declared against Germany, and enlisted in the aviation branch of the service.

Russell Miller is a native son of Nebraska and of Box Butte county, as he was born in Alliance, May 11, 1896, the son of Melvin L. and Grace A. (Shaffer) Miller, the former a native of Illinois. Russell is the oldest of the

two children in the family as he had a younger sister, Irene. Melvin Miller was connected with railroad work which necessitated his moving to Martinton, Illinois, when Russell was only two years old. The boy was sent to the graded schools and after finishing the elementary courses spent four years at the Martinton high school, graduating near the head of the class in 1912. The following year the young man returned to Nebraska to accept a position with his grandfather who owned the Hemingford mill. For two years Mr. Miller kept the books of the firm before accepting a very advantage- ous offer to become associated with the Farm- ers Lumber Yard here, of which Alexander Murhead was manager and remained with that company until he enlisted in the army on December 12, 1917, and was sent to Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas, having been as- signed to the Air Service, 662 Aero Squadron. He remained in this branch until after the sign- ing of the Armistice, receiving his discharge January 30, 1919. During the terrible epidem- ic of Spanish Influenza that swept over the country the winter of 1918, Mr. Miller was in the hospital from December 10, 1918, to Janu- ary 10, 1919. After leaving the army he came back home and like so many of the discharged men desired to go into business for himself. While at Kelly Field he had studied the con- struction and operation of motors and as the automobile business is a flourishing one every- where now days, Mr. Miller saw a good open- ing in this line and on June 23, 1919, purchased the garage and stock of George Hedgecock. He at once added to the building and equip- ment, and now has a brick building fifty by one hundred and thirty feet, giving him a large floor space for storage, work shop and display rooms, as he is local agent for several of the best makes of cars, among them the Chandler, Cleveland and Ford. In connection with his sales force he conducts a fine up-to-date repair shop, sells gasoline and several lubricating oils and maintains one of the best and most prompt auto liveries in the upper valley. The Miller Garage handles several lines of the best tires on the market, while his business of storing and caring for cars is rapidly growing. Mr. Miller is a fine machinist and few troubles to which autos are subject can not be put right under his skillful direction. Due to his thor- ough training and ability his repair work has been on the increase from the first while his courtesy, consideration and reputation for prompt service have built up all branches of the business. From the fine start he has made in this chosen vocation nothing but a bright fu-

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ture can be in store for this young, energetic and far sighted man.

On May 17, 1916, Mr. Miller was married at Hemingford to Miss Edna Geiger, born in York, Nebraska, the daughter of Charles and Nora (Grass) Geiger, the former a native of Michigan. Mrs. Miller was the second of their three children and has one child of her own, Marjorie Aleene.

PHILIP J. MICHAEL, one of the younger generation of business men of Box Butte coun- ty is also a leading and prominent real estate and insurance man of this vicinity who has been identified with numerous financial enter- prises in Hemingford where he has established a high reputation for ability, judgment and the "push" which characterizes the Nebraskan the country over. He is a native son of the state and of Box Butte county and since he entered business his rise has been rapid, sure and consistent. Mr. Michael was born near Hemingford, December 9, 1888, the son of Philip and Etta (Strange) Michael, the former a Hoosier by birth while the mother is a na- tive of Illionis. Philip was the sixth in their family of nine children. Philip Michael, Sr., was a farmer by vocation who came to Nebras- ka in 1885, and became one of the pioneer set- tlers of Box Butte county, as he drove across country from Iowa settling southwest of Hem- ingford when this country was sparsely set- tled, and practically an unbroken wilderness covered with buffalo grass and prairie flowers. The family settled on their pioneer farm near the frontier, built the regulation sod house for a home, made necessary shelters for their stock, broke their land as soon as possible and put in the crops that would provide them with some food. Those first years here on the high prairies were hard one for the early set- tlers ; money was scarce, drought killed much of the crops, and what was left in many cases the grasshoppers ate up and many cattle died during the winter blizzards, but Mr. Michael was stout hearted, believed that there was to be a great future for this country and held on. For the first years he made money to buy provisions by freighting from Nonpariel to Valentine, a hundred and fifty miles away, and in this manner managed to hold down his claim and prove up on his land when many of the settlers became discouraged or were forced to leave or starve. Water was the great and important question of the pioneers of this reg- ion and Mr. Michael had to haul his for many miles, both for his family use and to water his stock, until wells were sunk on his farm.

Philip, Jr., was born on the old homestead, grew up in the new country resourceful and self-reliant as any boy on the frontier had to be, as many occasions arose when he had to take care of himself and also cope with unex- pected conditions. He was a hardy, healthy lad, who soon began to assume many duties about the farm, working as his years and strength permitted and so learned the practical side of farm business from his father while he attended the district school nearest his home in winter time and laid the foundation for a good practical education. After finishing the ele- mentary department in the country the boy en- tered the high school at Hemingford, graduat- ing from the four years course. Early Philip had learned the value of money as he was but ten years of age when he began to work on a farm for ten dollars a month and after earning over seventy dollars invested it in a colt which he attempted to break but the horse became frightened and bolted through a four wire fence, broke its leg and had to be killed, but fortunately Philip came through without a scratch though he got a good shake up in the fall. The colt had to be killed but the boy felt he was lucky to get off so well. Philip re- mained at home with his parents, helping his father on the farm until he was twenty years old, when he determined to establish himself independently in business and accepted a posi- tion as yard man with the Forest Lumber Com- pany, was soon promoted to manager and re- mained with this concern until 1911. He saw the many openings for building and real estate in this rapidly growing section and resigned. With William M. Pruden he formed a partner- ship in a real estate and insurance business, al- so handling life insurance as a side line. These young men are both progressive in ideas and methods and have proved by their rapid rise in the financial circles of the county that they are able and competent men in business. In 1919, they built a fine office building with over a thousand square feet of floor space where they now conduct their large business which can best be described as "rushing," where the handling of realty is concerned. The Michael family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, while Mr. Michael is a member of the Masonic order and Odd Fellows. November 18, 1909, Mr. Michael was married at Hem- ingford to Miss Etta M. Kinsley, a native daughter of Nebraska, whose parents were Noah and Harriet (Kirkendall) Kinsley, bothı Hoosiers. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Michael, Audrey, now six years old.

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HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

JOHN T. GARVEY, railroad contractor, miner, veteran of the Confederate army and early settler, is probably one of the oldest men living within the confines of Box Butte coun- ty who has witnessed the many changes that have taken place on the plains and especially in the Panhandle since the western part of the state of Nebraska was the frontier. His career has been one in which he has had varied and interesting experiences from trail- ing maurading Indians who raided his camp to the development and civilization of modern days, and few men show so little the scars of such a hazardous life. Mr. Garvey was born in Ash county, North Carolina, May 20, 1845, the son of John and Polly (Doerty ) Garvey, both natives or North Carolina, where they were reared, educated and later met and mar- ried. John was the youngest of the two boys born to his parents. His father was a farmer and the boy spent his childhood and youth in the healthy country environment, growing up strong and willing to work, for he helped his father in the summer time and attended the school near his home during the winter terms. Like most farm boys he wished money of his own and to obtain it dug gensing, a root which is greatly prized by the Chinese as a medicine. This he sold for fifty cents a pound, and some of his first money was spent for a spelling book which indicates that while a small boy he was ambitious. John remained at home to as- sist his father with the work on the farm un- til 1861, when he enlisted in Company B, Sixth Confederate Cavalry, and took his part with the Confederacy in the Civil War. Mr. Garvey participated in many of the most bitterly fought battles of the war. He was at the battle of Nebern, Fort Croxton and Kenston, then was transferred to Tennessee and Kentucky, took part in the actions at the King Salt Works, Abington, Morristown and later in the engagements of Bluntsville, Rogersville, Pound Gap, Cumberland Gap, Strawberry Plain, Janesville, Thorn Hill, and the sieges of Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Nashville. Af- ter peace was declared he surrendered with the other members of his company at Newbern, North Carolina, on February 25, 1865. Taking the oath of allegiance he was again a citizen of the United States and went to Louisville, Kentucky, but like so many of the returned soldiers he was restless and the vocation of pre-war times was not satisfactory, so he decided to seek what fortune had in store for him on the western frontier and came to Omaha, making the trip on the boat that car- ried the first load of railroad iron for the

building of the Union Pacific Railroad. Mr. Garvey remained in Omaha until 1867, when he bought a large number of government horses and engaged as a contractor to do grade work on the Union Pacific on the right of way from Omaha to North Platte, under the su- pervision of Cane, Collins and Kennedy, con- structing and contracting engineers. For eight months he was engaged in this work when a band of Sioux and Cheyenne Indians rode into the herd of horses belonging to the graders at the camp on the present site of the town of North Platte, stampeded the two hundred and eighty head and drove them off in a north- western direction toward the "sweet grass hills." Soldiers from Fort McPherson were sent out to regain the horses but failed as the Indians had planned the attack well, having drawn three days' rations at Braidy Island, the end of the railroad at that time. This broke things up for Mr. Garvey so he and his cousin, T. C. Garvey, bought a couple of pack ponies and decided to hazard their fortunes in the newly opened gold fields. They joined an emi- grant train which was crossing the plains and Mr. Garvey says that he walked beside his pony all the way from North Platte to Helena, Montana, with the exception of three miles. Arriving at the latter city on November 19, 1867, they went to work in the placer mines, staked out their claims, and were engaged in mining from 1867 to 1871. Mr. Garvey then went farther south and worked in the "Ore Knob" copper mine for about six years, gain- ing valuable experience in mining. He had returned to Nebraska at just about the time gold was discovered in the Black Hills and joined in the stampede to that locality. A pic- ture of his bull team taken just after Mr. Gar- vey left Deadwood is to be found in this history. The "diggings" did not prove as worthwhile as Mr. Garvey anticipated and in disgust he left and returned to Deadwood where he was engaged in business for nine years, running a delivery and dray concern. On June 11, 1872, Mr. Garvey was married at his old home in Ash county, to Rachel A. Johnson, the daughter of Aaron and Jane (Tomblin) Johnson, the former a native of Ash county, born in Blueridge. Five children were born to this union: James H., who is employed by the Standard Oil Company, is married and lives in Chicago; Laura who mar- ried James H. Prophet, is dead; Walter T., Naomi E., and Grace E., are all deceased. Mrs. Garvey died December 28, 1879, and on December 28, 1900, Mr. Garvey was married in Box Butte county, to Miss Johanna John-

MR. AND MRS. CHARLES B. HOTCHKISS

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

son, the daughter of Benjamin P. and Mary (Curry) Johnson, both natives of North Caro- lina. Mrs. Garvey is the oldest in a family of eight children. After trying mining in the Black Hills, Mr. Garvey decided that a man who owned a good farm was about as well fixed as a miner could ever be and usually much more successful, so he came to the Pan- handle and filed on a homestead in Sioux county where he at once began good and per- manent improvements. He became recognized as one of the prominent and responsible agri- culturists of his section, made money from his land and felt that he was repaid for the labor he expended.

After nearly seven years in the country Mr. Garvey moved into Hemingford, bought a good home and has since been a resident of this city. He has made a host of friends since he first located in the Panhandle and when the citizens of Hemingford desired a responsible man for the office of city marshall he was ap- pointed ; and as he was a man of excellent busi -* ness ability was elected street commissioner and commissioner of the water works, all of which offices he has filled to the entire satis- faction of the citizens and to the benefit of the community. He has not found that the city offices have taken all his time and has been conducting an extensive live stock busi- ness, buying and selling, and shipping cattle to the eastern markets. As he has been a well known and well-to-do farmer for years, this business has become a very lucrative one under his able management. The Garvey family are members of the Congregational church.

CHARLES B. HOTCHKISS, who is inter- ested in several business enterprises at Gering. came to Neberaska thirty-five years ago and has been identified with much that has been val- table in the development of different sections. In a large degree he is a self-made man, begin- ning early to make his own way in the world, learning the give and take of business when many youths of his years in easier circum- stances, were yet in the schoolroom.

Mr. Hotchkiss was born at Bloomington, Il- linois, November 1, 1864, one of a family of four children, two of whom survive, born to Thomas and Hattie ( Wright) Hotchkiss. The parents of Mr. Hotchkiss were also born at Bloomington, where his mother died in 1917. His father was a machinist and as a contractor, did much building at Bloomington. Later he bought a farm near Bloomington, but after- ward went to Topeka, Kansas, and there his death occurred in 1913. He was a Republican in politics and a member of the order of Odd

Fellows in good standing. Both he and wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Hotchkiss has one brother, Frank, who is a merchant of Bloomington, Illinois.

In early boyhood Charles B. Hotchkiss at- tended school in Bloomington but was still young when he began to work on a farm on his own account. In 1884 he came to Nebraska and bought railroad land in Dawson county, subsequently engaging in the lumber, coal and grain business at Gothenburg. He was one of the enterprising business men of that prosper- ous town for fourteen years. Circumstances then attracted Mr. Hotchkiss to Grand Island in Hall county, where he bought the interests of the firm of Walker & Blaine, and for ten years afterward was associated with Thomas Bradstreet in the horse business. It was in March, 1913, that he came to Gering and start- ed his implement business, in 1917 erecting a commodious brick building. He also owns a meat market here and also has a valuable ranch located within a short distance of the city. His numerous interests have made him widely known and his business integrity has never been questioned.

On November 1, 1904, Mr. Hotchkiss was united in marriage to Miss Kate Cullison, who was born in Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of Judson and Caroline (Corcilious) Cullison, the former of whom was born in Virginia and the latter at Louisville, Kentucky. They came to Nebraska in 1883 and settled at Central City. Mr. Hotchkiss has always been intelligently interested in politics and votes with the Repub- lican party. He interests himself in all civic matters at Gering as becomes a faithful citizen, and he has served on the town board. He be- longs to the order of Modern Woodmen.

C. RUSSELL MELICK is one of the younger business men of Box Butte county, who is taking a prominent place in the financial circles of Hemingford, is also a son of Mars. as he enlisted in the army when war was de- clared against Germany and thus demonstrated his Americanism and patriotism. Mr. Melick was born in Hopkins, Missouri, February 6, 1895, the son of Frank and Christiana (Lar- son) Melick, the father was a native of New Jersey, while the mother was born in Den- mark. Their history will be found on an- other page of this work. Young Russell was reared in the healthy environment of the coun- try, where he grew up strong, healthy and full of life and vigor. He recalls with a smile that the first money he earned that was obtained by real work was earned when he went into the hay fields at harvest time for fifty cents a

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HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

day. This money he thriftily banked and thus started a commercial career which has eventu- ally led to his becoming a banker. If more American boys were only imbued with this idea of thrift and made proud to be the owner of a bank account there would be fewer fail- ures and idle useless men in our towns and cities. Russell attended school at Hopkins and after completing the high school course took a special course in the business college at Chil- locothe, as he had already decided to be a business man. Graduating from the college in 1915. he came to Box Butte county the same year to accept a position under his brother. F. W. Melick, and was working for him when war was declared. On May 1, 1918, he enlisted in the army, was sent to Fort Logan for his preliminary training, then trans- ferred to Camp Fremont, California, and on May 7, was attached to Company D, Eighth Ammunition train. On October 1, he was sent to Camp Mills, Long Island, New York, and then to Camp Lee, Virginia, for special train- ing. The Armistice was signed before he was sent over seas so he was mustered out of the service at Camp Dodge, Iowa, February 1, 1919, and returning to Hemingford he again entered his brother's office, working there un- til May 1, when the American State Bank was formed and as his brother was one of the heavy stockholders and became vice-president, Russell Melick was offered and accepted the responsible office of cashier of the bank. Mr. A. M. Miller is president while the board of directors consists of A. M. Miller. F. F. Me- lick and C. R. Melick. The prominent stock- holders are. G. F. Hedgcock and H. H. Rens- vold. Mr. Melick was married at Hemingford on December 20, 1917, to Miss Elsie Green a native daughter of Box Butte county who is also a graduate of the high school of Heming- ford, the daughter of Harris R. and Margaret ( Shindler) Green. One child has been born to this union. Marjory Laveta. Mr. Melick has already made an enviable reputation as a bank- er, being conservative in his ideas yet at the same time progressive in method. He has won the confidence of the citizens of the town and surrounding territory because of his integrity, courteous manner and business ability. There is a most promising future in store for him and his family.

ALEXANDER MUIRHEAD. - For two years identified with the office of county treas- urer of Box Butte county, then elected treasur- er for the same period and nearly re-elected to a second term and now serving his second two

year term as the executive head of the city government of Hemingford, Alexander Muir- head has become well and favorably known to the people of this community as a hard work- ing, efficient and conscientious public servant. He has also won a high place in the financial circles of the county and the Panhandle as a business man for he has been identified with various industries which have tended to the upbuilding of this section and when a capable man was needed as manager of the Farmers Co-operative Association of Hemingford, he was unanimously chosen for the office.

Mr. Muirhead is a Canadian, born in the province of Ontario, January 11, 1872, the son of Gavin and Catharine ( McPhail) Muirhead, the former born on the heather covered hills of "Bonny Scotland," while the mother is a native of the Island of Tyree. The sons and descendents of Scotia have always been men of thrift and industry, wherever they have elected to make their homes, and practically without exception have been found an asset to any community. Mr. Muirhead is one of the men of Scotch rescent living in Box Butte county whom to a marked degree has lived up to the reputation of his worthy family and race and today is materially aiding in the development of large interests here. Alexander was next to the youngest in a family of ten children, con- sisting of five boys and five girls. As his father was an Ontario farmer, the boy spent his childhood days and early youth in the coun- try attending the local school during the win- ter terms and assisting in farm work during the summer vacations and soon assumed many important duties which can be well performed by a small boy. He early acquired a good busi- ness education along agricultural lines while his theoretical training was gained in the school house. After finishing the elementary grades he was sent to Owen Sound Collegiate Institute, as his father was a very well to do man, and like most Scotchmen, believed that a good education was the best equipment a man could have for a start in life. After grad- uating from the institute, Mr. Muirhead taught school for one year. He decided to emigrate and came to the Panhandle in 1894, locating in Hemingford. As teaching was the profession that would bring in an assured and quick in- come, Mr. Murhead accepted a position in the schools here while he looked the country over before choosing what business field he would enter. During the five years he followed this profession he amassed a comfortable capital and in 1898, when offered the office of deputy county treasurer of Box Butte county, accept-

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History of western Nebraska and its people, Vol. III, Part 76

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