USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Lincoln > Lincoln, the capital city and Lancaster County, Nebraska, Volume II > Part 13
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ARNOTT CHANEY RICKETTS.
In no profession does advancement depend more entirely upon individual merit than in the law. Not through any outside influence or assistance can the lawyer attain success. In him must be the ability to untangle complications and correctly solve the intricate and complex legal problems due to his knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence and his ability to correctly analyze and cor- relate the points at issue and the legal principles applicable thereto. Among those successfully practicing in Lincoln is Arnott Chaney Ricketts, whose indi- vidual talents have brought him to the front. He has lived in this city since 1872 and is a member of the firm of Field, Ricketts & Ricketts.
He was born on a farm near Findlay, in Hancock county, Ohio, March 18, 1845, a son of John C. Ricketts, who devoted the greater part of his life to agricultural pursuits in Llancock countschut afterward spent several years in Findlay, Ohio, and his last years at the home of his son in Lincoln, Nebraska.
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Ile was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, March 4, 1815, and passed away in Lincoln, June 8, 1894. when in his eightieth year. He was twice married, first to Catharine Duncan, by whom he had six children, five sons and a daughter. as follows: Andrew Duncan, born January 20, 1843, who is a veteran of the Union army and a grain dealer of Champaign, Illinois; Arnott Chaney, of this review : Emma J., who was born June 1, 1847, and is now Mrs. Louis Scothorn, of Lincoln, Nebraska : Charles Kelley, who was born October 14, 1849. and died July 9. 1804: James Melville, born November 25, 1852, who passed away at Salt Lake City, Utah, May 21, 1901 ; John Milton, twin brother of James M., who was a very promising young physician, having studied diligently both in America and Europe, and who died at Colorado Springs, Colorado, on the 21st of October, 1881. The mother of these children passed away on the 15th of August, 1855, and subsequently John C. Ricketts was married a second time. The father, mother and three deceased children are all buried in Wyuka cemetery of Lincoln, Nebraska.
Arnott C. Ricketts was reared on his father's farm in Ohio and attended the country schools through the winter months. In 1864, when eighteen years of age, he enlisted and served for four months in the Union army with the "one hundred day men," being on duty in Virginia at the siege of Petersburg. In the fall of that year he returned home and resumed his interrupted studies, attend- ing the Findlay ( Ohio) high school. He also taught a country school near Findlay for three years and in 1867 he became a student in the Adrian College of Adrian, Michigan, where he won his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1871. In the meantime he had entered the law department of the University of Michigan and was graduated therefrom in 1872.
Immediately afterward Mr. Ricketts came to Lincoln, then a small town, and began practice. He has since continued as an active member of the profession here, covering a period of forty-four years, and he is now the senior member of the law firm of Field, Ricketts & Ricketts, one of the best known law firms of Nebraska. This firm came into existence in 1904, the partners being Judge Allen W. Field, now deceased, A. C. Ricketts and his son. Lowe A. Ricketts. Judge Field died June 9. 1915, and was succeeded in the firm by his son and namesake, no change being made in the firm style.
Mr. Ricketts has been married twice. On the Ist of May, 1873, he wedded Miss Louisa M. Lowe, who passed away March 28, 1902, leaving two chiklren, as follows: Ena R .. born September 26, 1875, who is now the wife of Ernest C. Folsom, of Lincoln; and Lowe Arnott, born December 17, 1877, who is a member of the law firm of Field. Ricketts & Ricketts. On the 23d of June, 1900. Mr. Ricketts was again married, his second union being with Miss Sarah Eliza- beth Thompson, who was long a teacher in the Omaha schools and was subse- quently for several years at the head of the training department of the Fremont Normal College.
In politics Mr. Ricketts has always maintained an independent course, never caring to become allied with any party and thus remaining free to support any candidate whom he may desire. He always votes for the man whom he thinks best fitted for the office. He has filled the position of city attorney for three years and for five years Was igyesident bythe/in hosbft @cation. He co- operates in all plans and measures for the general good and works earnestly for
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Lincoln's welfare but has confined his attention principally to his law practice and is connected with litigation heard in all the courts of the United States. He now belongs to the Lincoln Commercial Club and is an active member of the Christian Science church of Lincoln. He early won a notable place at the bar, which position he has ever maintained, and there are few if any lawyers of the city whose practice exceeds in length the period in which Mr. Ricketts has fol- lowed his profession in the capital.
HENRY HOLM.
Henry Holm, proprietor of the Lincoln Tannery, has been in business in this city since June, 1895. He was born in Denmark in 1857 and when a youth of fourteen and a half years he began to learn the tanning trade. For forty-four years he has been engaged in the business, every detail of which is familiar to him, and undoubtedly one of the most forceful features of his success is that he has always continued in the line in which he embarked as a young tradesman. After thoroughly acquainting himself with the work he traveled all over Europe, visiting nearly every country and working as a journeyman at one time. At length he determined to try his fortune in America and came to the United States in 1883. He was employed at different periods in Philadelphia, Pittsburglı, Cincinnati and Louisville, Kentucky, and in the last named city was foreman of a tannery for five years. He later spent a similar period as superintendent of a tannery in Chicago, and in 1895 he arrived in Lincoln, where he has since been engaged in business, conducting operations at first at the corner of Second and B streets, and later just west of the viaduct. In 1908, after experiencing losses through the floods of that year, he came to hiis present location at Nos. 917-19 Q street. For several years he tanned hides for leather, but as he could not compete with eastern tanneries, he gave up that feature of the business and now tans hides and furs for robes, overcoats, caps, mittens, etc., taking care in 1915 of two thousand six hundred hides for the custom trade. He has the largest establish- ment of the kind in Nebraska, employing from sixteen to twenty people. His business has grown along substantial lines and his many patrons prove an advertisement for him as they are continually speaking in terms of praise con- cerning the excellent work which he does. Each year's business has shown a gain, resulting from the fact that he is doing work of high quality at a reasonable price. He has ever based his business upon the principle of actual value in service for money received and he pays the highest price for labor of any fur tannery in the country, so that he is able to secure the highest class of labor and produce the best work. The processes used render the skins soft and pliable and also wind, water and moth proof. He makes an annual exhibit at the State Fair, where he is continually meeting satisfied customers. Ile manufactures men's, women's and children's fur coats of the latest style and design as well as fur scarfs and muffs, makes rugs and in fact does all kinds of work with all kinds of fur.
At Louisville, Kentucky. CMD Holmifwasmarried to Miss Mary Danielsen, a native of Denmark, who was brought to the United States when a year old and
HENRY HOLM
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was reared in Louisville. They have become the parents of six children: Fred, who assists his father in business and who married Helen Winter, of Lincoln, by whom he has one child, Pearl; Elroy, who married Maybelle Hanger, of Lincoln, and resides at Billings, Montana, where he is engaged in buying and shipping hides and furs; and Ilelen, Loretta, Charles and Henry Jr., all at home.
The parents are members of the Unitarian church and Mr. Holin is a socialist in his political belief, opposed to monopolies and all those forces which work for the interests of the individual at the sacrifice of the interests of the masses. Ile reads broadly and thinks deeply and is well informed on many vital questions and interests of the day. Fraternally he is connected with the Royal Highlanders and with the Danish Brotherhood.
LEMUEL J. BONSALL.
Lemuel J. Bonsall, whose family resides in Lincoln, was for many years actively and prominently connected with the agricultural development of Nebraska, owning and operating a large tract of land in Greeley county. He was born in Illinois, January 7. 1855, and traced his ancestry back to one of the Pilgrims who came to the new world on the Mayflower. He was a son of Jesse and Margaret (Smith ) Bonsall, who were natives of the Keystone state, the former born in 1817. In their family were thirteen children. In early life Jesse Bonsall removed westward to Illinois, where he purchased land, devoting the greater part of his remaining days to its development and further cultivation. Finally he retired from active business life and removed to Charles City, lowa. where he died in February, 1807. having for more than three years survived his wife, who passed away in August, 1893.
Lemuel J. Bonsall spent his youthful days in his native state and mastered the branches of icarning taught in the public schools. With his parents he after- ward removed to lowa and there engaged in farming, purchasing land in Floyd county, which he owned and cultivated until 1888. In that year he removed to Greeky county, Nebraska, where he bought a farm, giving his attention through- out his remaining days to its further improvement, his labors converting it into one of the valuable farm properties of the district.
On the 7th of October. 1877, in Charles City, lowa, Lemuel J. Bonsall was married to Miss May Rogers, a daughter of Elisha and Fidelia ( Hill ) Rogers, who were natives of New York. The father, who was a merchant, removed to Illinois at an early day and thence went to Charles City, Iowa, where he engaged in business for several years. Later he became a resident of Scotia, Greeley county, Nebraska, where he remained until 1807, when he went to Colorado. There his wife died in 1905 and he passed away in Fowler, Colorado, in 1914. To Mr. and Mrs. Bonsall were born three children, of whom the first born died in infancy. Della May, born in January, 1885, is the wife of Fred C. Vertrees, of Lincoln, to whom she was married October 25, 1906, and they have two children: Clifford, eight years of age; and Earl B., in his first year. The son, Jesse L. BonsaDiwhosewy By microsoftGain Greeley Vol. 11- 7
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county, Nebraska, was born in December, 1888, and on the 11th of August, 1909, married Jennie P. Burton.
The death of Lemuel J. Bonsall occurred September 15, 1905, after about a year's illness. Mrs. Bonsall continued to reside uopn the old home farm until 1913, when she removed to Lincoln and now resides at No. 2525 O street. She still owns the old home property and also considerable real estate in Beatrice, Nebraska. In his political views Mr. Bonsall was a republican, always sup- porting the men and measures of the party, yet not seeking office. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity and was a loyal member of the Presbyterian church. His life was active, useful and well spent. Hle endeavored always to follow the golden rule and his many good qualities insured him the friendship and kindly regard of those with whom he was associated. Ilis business affairs were care- fully managed and brought to him merited and well deserved success, so that he left his family in comfortable financial circumstances.
LEANDO N. MUCK.
Leando N. Muck is widely known throughout the country in connection with his work for the blind. He is the editor and field missionary secretary of the Christian Record, a magazine issued under the auspices of the Seventh Day Adventist church and sent free to the blind. Ile bas also given many lectures in the interests of that publication. His birth occurred in Minburn, Dallas county, Iowa, on the 31st of March, 1872, and he is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth J. ( Kinney) Muck, natives respectively of Kentucky and Indiana. The father became a resident of Dallas county, lowa, in the early days in the history of that state and purchased land there which he operated until 1872, when he de- cided to try his fortune in Nebraska and homesteaded in Antelope county. For a number of years he operated his place there but at length retired and removed to Plattsmouth, where he died in 1897. Ile was survived for six years by his wife.
Leando N. Muck was reared under the parental roof and received his educa- tion in the schools of Nebraska City. Later he learned piano tuning, which business he followed for about a year, and then went to Battle Creek, Michigan, and took charge of the Christian Record Publishing Company, whose headquar- ters were removed to College View, Nebraska, four years later. He is still in charge of that enterprise and has been very successful in building up the circulation of the Christian Record, which is a magazine published for the blind and sent free of charge to those so afflicted throughout the United States. It is published by the Seventh Day Adventist church and Mr. Muck gives about half of his time to lecturing in the interests of the magazine and securing funds to defray the expenses of its publication. When he took charge of the business its circulation was only one hundred and seventy-five but it is now thirty-three hundred and it has proved of great value and interest to the blind. The company owns its own building and its plant is excellently equipped for modern and up-to-date work. In addition to the other services which he has rendered the magazine MD Muck juvented the press on which the publication is printed.
On the Ist of December, 1901, occurred the marriage of Mr. Muck and
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Miss Alice V. Baker, and they have a daughter, Wanda Lane, whose birth occurred in November, 1903, and who is attending Union College. Mr. Muck is a democrat in politics and his religious faith is that of the Seventh Day Adventist church. He deserves unusual credit for what he has accomplished, for he himself is blind and has therefore had to overcome a handicap that many would think precluded their accomplishing anything of importance in the world. Realiz- ing both the needs and possibilities of those who are blind, he has thrown himself heart and soul into the work of publishing a paper for them and has made a record of which he has every right to be proud.
FRANK A. BOEHMER.
Frank A. Boehmer is the senior partner in the law firm of Bochmer & Boehmer. his associates being his two sons, Edwin C. and Rupert A. He has resided continuously in Lincoln since November 9, 1884, or for nearly a third of a century, removing to this city from Warrenton, Missouri, where he was born on the 21st of July, 1855. He was the only child of Diedrich Boehmer and his wife, whose maiden name was Wilhelmina Forderhase, both of whom were born near Hanover, Germany. They became acquainted and were married, however, in the state of Missouri, the father having been brought to the United States by his parents in 1837, while the mother crossed the Atlantic with her parents in 1835 when a maiden of thirteen years. Diedrich Boehmer learned the carpenter's trade and devoted his attention chiefly to the building of gristmills. Following his marriage he resided in Warrenton, Missouri, and its vicinity until 1884, when he removed to Lincoln, he and his wife spending their remaining days in the home of their son, Frank A. The father died in 1886, at the age of seventy-six years, and the mother survived until she reached the age of eighty- one years, when she was laid to rest by the side of her husband in Wyuka ceme- tery.
Reared in his native city, Frank A. Boehmer there attended the public schools until he reached the age of fifteen, when he entered the Central Wesleyan College of Warrenton, which he attended until he finished the scientific and commercial courses. He afterward taught school in Warren county for two years and later entered the law department of the University of Missouri at Columbia, being there graduated in 1880. He was admitted to the bar at Warrenton, where he practiced for four years before coming to Lincoln. During that same period he edited and published a German weekly newspaper called the Warrenton Volksfreund, which he established on the ist of October, 1880, and which is still in existence but which he sold in 1884 upon his removal to Lincoln. From 1880 until 1884 he served as deputy county clerk of Warren county.
Since his arrival in the capital Mr. Boehmer has continuously practiced law and has also given much attention to real estate matters. His sons, Edwin C. and Rupert A. Boehmer, became his partners in 1915 and the firm is accorded a liberal and distinctively representative clientage. In 1886 he was instrumental in organizing the German National Bank vi Microod ferGlas a director and as attorney for the bank for several years. In 1957 he assisted in organizing
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the German Building & Loan Association and was its president for three years. In the early part of 1916 he became one of the organizers of the Midwest Savings & Loan Association of Lincoln and is now one of its board of directors and its legal adviser.
On the 22d of November, 1881, Mr. Boehmer was united in marriage to Miss Alwene Wessel, a native of Warren county, Missouri, by whom he has eight children, four sons and four daughters, namely: Olivia, now the wife of Albert E. Rische, of Lincoln ; Edwin C. and Rupert A., who are associated with their father in law practice ; and Edna, Frank C .. Emil, Marie and Helen, all at home.
In his political views Mr. Boehmer is a republican but aside from four years' service as a member of the city council from the fourth ward, from 1887 until 1891, he has never held nor sought office, though frequently importuned to become a candidate. He belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and to the German Evangelical St. Paul's church, of which he has served as a trustee almost throughout the entire period of his residence in Lincoln, being now president of the board, a position which he has held for many years. He speaks and reads both German and English with equal fluency. He is a forcible public speaker and his services have been in great demand on the stump in political campaigns in both county and state. He has taken an active part in several presidential campaigns in the state, being able to address audiences in either German or English. He frequently delivers addresses before German societies and for several years has been president of the German Men's Society, an auxiliary of his church. For two successive years, 1910 and 1911, he was chairman of the day committee in connection with the German Day celebrations, on which occasions large parades were held. The great flower parade in Lincoln, held on German Day in October, 1911, when he was chairman of the committee, was one of the finest parades ever seen in Lincoln. For several years he was president of the Nebraska Saengerbund, an organization of all German singing societies of the state, and under his direction the State Saengerfest was held in Lincoln in 1912. It will thus be seen that his interests are broad and varied, that he keeps in touch with the trend of modern thought and progress and is himself a leader in public thought and action in this city.
FATHER PETER L. O'LOUGHLIN.
Father Peter L. O'Loughlin, chancellor of the Catholic diocese of Lincoln, was born in Youghal, County Cork, Ireland, on the 18th of August, 1885, a son of Martin and Ellen ( MeDonough ) O'Loughlin, both of whom were natives of the same county. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, has now passed away, but the mother still occupies the old home in Ireland.
Father O'Loughlin was educated in the Christian Brothers College in Youghal and subsequently attended Mount Melleray Seminary in County Waterford, Ireland, and later continued his education in St. Francis Seminary of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He next spent four years inthe American College in Rome and on the completion of his course there was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal
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Respighi on the 21st of December, 1907, thus consummating the hope which he had long entertained of taking holy orders.
Following his ordination Father O'Loughlin spent one year in post graduate work in Rome and in 1908 returned to the United States, being appointed assistant rector of the cathedral in Lincoln, Nebraska, by Bishop Bonacum. Appointment to the chancellorship of the Lincoln diocese came from Bishop Tihen in 1912 and he has since acted in that capacity, largely promoting the interests of the church through his untiring zeal and consecration to the cause. He is moderator of the Catholic Students Club of the University of Nebraska. He holds the degree of Doctor of Theology and also of Doctor of Philosophy, both of which were conferred upon him in Rome. A man of scolarly attain- ments and deep human sympathy, the work under his direction is being greatly promoted, excellent results following his efforts.
DANIEL MERCER BUTLER.
Daniel Mercer Butler, founder and publisher of the Nebraska Legal News. was for about eighteen years a resident of Lincoln. He was born in Springdale, lowa, January 3, 1853, a son of Moses V. and Emily ( Schooley ) Butler, who were natives of Ohio and were adherents of the Society of Friends, or Quakers. The father devoted his life to merchandising and in early manhood removed to Springdale, lowa, where his remaining days were passed. lle there died in 1886, while his wife died in 1907.
Daniel M. Butler supplemented a public school education by study in the State University of Iowa at lowa City and later he took up the study of law, graduating from the Des Moines Law School. He located for practice at Northwood, lowa, where he remained for a short time, but in 1883 removed to Osceola, Nebraska, where he turned his attention to newspaper publication, becoming the owner and editor of the Osceola Record. After eight years there spent he went to David City, Nebraska, where he published the David City Tribune until 1892. In that year he arrived in Lincoln and established the Nebraska Legal News, which he continued to publish until his death, which occurred January 9, 1910, after a short illness.
Mr. Butler had been married in June, 1882, to Miss Mary E. Pershing, a daughter of John F. and Mary E. ( Thompson ) Pershing, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Tennessee respectively. The father, who engaged in merchan- dising. removed to Missouri, settling at Laclede, the county seat of Linn county. While there residing he enlisted for service in the Civil war and was engaged in military duty for four years, operating a sutler's store during that period. Subse- quently he went to Chicago, where he engaged in business throughout his remain- ing days. His wife died in 1904, while he passed away in March, 1907. In their family were nine children, of whom four are yet living, including General John J. Pershing of the United States Army, who is now ( 1916). the center of interest because of his operations upon the Mexican border.
Their daughter, Mrs Butler12. Butler still makes her home in Lincoln and since the death of her husband has continued the publication of the Nebraska Legal News
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with office at Eleventh and M streets. She is a member of the Episcopal church while Mr. Butler adhered to the Society of Friends. He was also a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Sons and Daughters of Protection. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he was very active in politics and in public affairs, cooperating earnestly in all measures that he deemed beneficial to the public and occupying a position of leadership in relation to many plans and projects for general improvement and development. As the editor of the Legal News he gave to the profession a publication of marked value, his previous connection with the bar well qualifying him to understand the needs of the profession. The publication sets forth the latest decisions of widespread interest and many other legal points of worth.
JOSEPH V. TRAVIS.
For many years Joseph V. Travis, of Bethany, owned and operated a well drilling machine but he is now living retired, enjoying a leisure made possible by his enterprise in former years. He was born in Ohio in September, 1846, and his parents were Isaac and Matilda ( Van Gordon) Travis, natives of the Buck- eye state. The father followed the wagon maker's trade in Ohio and passed away there in 1861, while the mother died in 1873. To them were born five children, namely: Rev. Gilbert ; Agnes, deceased ; Joheph V. ; John F., deceased ; and Flora J.
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