USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Lincoln > Lincoln, the capital city and Lancaster County, Nebraska, Volume II > Part 23
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It was through his activity in musical circles that Mr. Camp met the lady who became his wife-Miss Eunice Regnier, who was born in Marietta, Ohio. They now have two children : Laurence, who is married and is in business with his father; and Mary, who is a senior in the University of Nebraska.
Mrs. Camp is a member of the Episcopal church and Mr. Camp belongs to the Masonic and Knights of Pythias lodges. His political support is given to the republican party but he does not seek nor desire office. He is a home-loving man, jovial and genial, enjoying a good story and always looking upon the bright side of things. He is today one of Lincoln's oldest and most valued busi- ness men, and while he has not become wealthy, he has acquired a comfortable competence and, more than that, he has ever enjoyed the respect and esteem of those with whom he has been associated, for his course in business and in private life has commended him to the confidence and good will of all with whom he has come in contact.
HON. ALEXANDER II. HUTTON.
Hon. Alexander H. Hutton, member of the house of representatives from the thirtieth Nebraska district and active in republican circles in Lincoln, is perhaps even more widely known in the capitol city as general contractor, in which connection he has done most important work, erecting many of the finest homes and the most substantial office buildings of Lincoln. He has here resided since 1880, arriving in this city when a young man of about thirty-four years.
His birth occurred on; a farm near York-Livingston county, New York, det uita jane Warma) Hutton, the bv July 22, 1846, his parents being ize
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former a farmer by occupation. The parents never came to the west, spending their last days in Livingston county. They had eight children, six sons and two daughters: Joseph. a retired farmer of Perry county. New York; James S., deceased : Mary, the wife of Alexander McNelt of Hornellsville, New York ; Alexander H. : Thomas and William J., who have passed away : Samuel, residing in Perry, New York ; and Jennie, the widow of Joseph Hanna and a resident of York, New York.
Alexander H. Ilutton spent his boyhood days on the home farm and upon attaining his majority served a regular apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade. In fact his training included every branch of the builder's trade, and he not only mastered carpentering but also brick and stone work, painting, plastering, etc. When his apprenticeship was over he at once took up the business of contracting and was thus engaged for five years in his native county. In the meantime he had spent the years 1869 and 1870 in Jackson county, Kansas, during which period he taught school. He had previously obtained a good academic education, supplementing his district school course by a year's study in the Leroy Academy of Genesee county, New York, and a year's study in Geneseo Academy of Livingston county, New York. After teaching school for two winters in Jackson county. Kansas, he returned to New York and resumed the contracting business. In 1870 he went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he did general contracting for eight years, during which period he erected the Johns Building, which was the first seven story structure of that city. In 1880 he came from Cleveland to Lincoln, where he has now resided for thirty-six years, all the while engaged in general contracting and often employing from forty to fifty men. Scores of Lincoln's residences and office blocks have been erected by him, including several of the fine business blocks on O street, among them being the Royal Heart, the Kitchen block and others. Today he is the pioneer active contractor of Lincoln. In 1002 he built his own home at No. 1435 N street-a large, twenty room, three story modern frame residence, now in the business section of the city, so that the property is very valuable. One of the finest homes of Lincoln erected by Mr. llutton is the residence of the late Judge Allen W. Field, at the corner of Seventeenth and J streets, it being completed in July, 1911, after having been under construction for a year and a half. He also built the Gere residence on D 'street, between Eighth and Ninth streets.
On the toth of September, 1879, Mr. Hutton was married to Miss Mary E. Lucas of Hanover, Michigan, who was born in Genesee county, New York, and they have four living children : Ralph L., a civil engineer located at Casper, Wyoming, in the service of the Burlington Railroad Company ; Harriet L., now the wife of James E. Edgerton of Fairfield, Idaho ; John L., a civil engineer for- merly with the Burlington Railroad but now a resident of Idaho, where he is proving up a homestead ; and Geraldine, a student in the University of Nebraska. The three eldest children are married. One daughter, Elsie Vera, died at the age of twenty-one years as a result of a fall in the gymnasium of the State University, where she was then a student.
Mr. Hutton is a Royal Arch Mason, Knight Templar and Mystic Shriner and is a past master of his lodge, past high priest of the chapter, past eminent commander of the commandery and past potentate of the Mystic Shrine. He is also an Elk and Odd Fellow, and his religious faith is indicated by his member-
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ship in the Presbyterian church. He has been a lifelong republican and for twelve years served as a member of the city council, during one year of which time he was president. In 1914 he was elected to represent the thirtieth Nebraska district in the general assembly, of which he is now a member. During his long service in the city council he supported and championed many good measures which have resulted beneficially to the city, one of these being the ordinance which created the present municipal lighting plant. He introduced the ordinance which established the plant and voted for its passage against most bitter opposi- tion, there being but four of the fourteen councilmen in favor of the project at first. He proved to them, however, the wisdom and value of the course, and therefore Lincoln does not today pay an exorbitant price for its lighting to some private corporation. Many tangible evidences of his public spirit may be cited and those who investigate his record will find that his course has always been characterized by marked devotion to the general good and that he has ever subordinated personal interest to the public welfare. As a business man and citizen, therefore, he is entitled to representation among the most prominent residents of Lincoln.
FRANK MILLS.
Frank Mills, who resides at College View but maintains his business offices at Lincoln, is a man of unusual initiative, business acumen and farsightedness and is ably managing many important business interests. He is secretary of the Nebraska Mutual Insurance Company, the Dwelling House Mutual Insurance Company, and Home Savings & Loan Association, the latter of which he organ- ized. He is also an important factor in the moral and spiritual life of his community. He is pastor of an undenominational church at College View, which he founded and which has proved the feasibility of the union of Christians of varying creeds for the purpose of working for a common end. His birth occurred in New York on the 15th of September, 1860, and he is a son of J. 11. and Susan M. (Baker) Mills, the former born in New York and the latter in Vermont. In early manhood the father followed railroading but in 1871 he removed to Buffalo county, Nebraska, and took up land under the homestead law. From that time until he retired from active life in 1904 he devoted his attention to farming, which he found both profitable and congenial. On giving up the work of the farm he removed to University Place, Lancaster county, where he passed away on the 25th of February, 1908, when sixty-four years of age. He was a veteran of the Civil war, having served from the beginning of the conflict until 1863 with the One Hundred and Twenty-second New York Volunteer Infantry. At the battle of Gettysburg he received a wound which caused him to lose the use of his right arm. His wife survives and is living at University Place at the age of seventy-three years.
Frank Mills grew 10 manhood in Buffalo county, Nebraska, and received his early education in its public schools. Subsequently he entered the Nebraska Wesleyan University at University Place and still later became a student in Denver University of Denvertwhechopronosoft@try. llis first
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charge was at Coffeyville, Kansas, and for fifteen years he continued in the service of the Methodist Episcopal church, holding a number of pastorates during that time in Nebraska. At length, however, he decided to enter the business world and accordingly engaged in the insurance business at Lincoln. His offices are in the Walsh block at No. 141 South Twelfth street. The interests under his control are extensive and the business of the various companies has shown a steady growth which is attributable largely to his energy and excellent judgment. In 1900 he organized a union church at College View, the members of which represent eleven different denominations, and in 1912 a church edifice costing nine thousand dollars was erected. He is pastor of the congregation and under his leadership it has accomplished much good in the community.
Mr. Mills was married on the toth of June, 1896, to Miss Maude L. Swan, a daughter of W. G. and Rebecca J. ( Robb) Swan, natives of Illinois. In 1859 the family removed to Nemaha county, Nebraska, but subsequently they became residents of Johnson county. After farming land which he had taken up under the homestead law Mr. Swan turned his attention to the furniture and under- taking business, in which he was engaged for twenty-five years, and still later he became a lumber dealer. The last years of his life were spent in honorable retirement at University Place and there he died in September, 1908. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted in the Union army but during the greater part of his term of service he was on the Nebraska frontier fighting Indians. He was known as Colonel Swan and was chosen as a member of Governor Holcomb's military staff. His wife still survives and is a highly esteemed resident of University Place. Mrs. Mills is the editor of Golden Rod, a mutual insurance paper, which she established four months ago and which has already gained recognition in its field. She has become the mother of five children : Mildred, who was born December 29, 1898, and who died in May. 1905: Marie J., born March 16, 1900 ; Paul S., born January 12, 1903 ; and Maynard V. and Merna V., twins, born May 16, 1906.
Mr. Mills is a democrat in politics and is greatly interested in everything that concerns the community welfare. He is now secretary of the school board at College View and his influence has always been on the side of educational advancement. In 1915 he served as chaplain of the house of representatives. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church but he recognizes that all denominations are united on the essentials of Christianity and believes that their minor differences should be forgotten and that all should cooperate for the accomplishment of the great work which is the aim of all. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
CAPTAIN DAVID CROCKETT CRAWFORD.
Captain David Crockett Crawford, living retired in Lincoln, was born in St. Landries parish, Louisiana, on the 20th of March, 1840. His father, John W. Crawford, a native of Pennsylvania, was of Scotch descent. He became a mechanical engineer and in early manhood went to the south, where he engaged in installing steam power in cotton and sugar mills/ his- Business activity proving
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an important element along the line of development in Louisiana, where he passed away when his son, David Crockett Crawford, was but four or five years of age. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Susanna De Haven, was a native of Louisiana and of French descent and she passed away when her son was a lad of but eight years.
Captain Crawford was reared in the south and in his youthful days found employment on the steamboats on the Mississippi river. During the John C. Fremont campaign he became a republican and because of his political attitude went to Pittsburgh when the war broke out, arriving in that city on the 17th of April, 1861. There he enlisted two days later as a member of Company K, Fourteenth Pennsylvania Regiment of Volunteer Infantry, for three months. The smoke of Fort Sumter's guns had scarcely cleared away, but he had watched the progress of events in the south and resolved that if a blow was struck to overthrow the Union he would stand loyally in its defense. He was honorably discharged August 10, 1861, at the close of his first term and nine days later he re-enlisted, becoming a member of Company I, Sixty-third Regiment of Pennsyl- vania Infantry, with which he continued for three years. On the 26th of July, 1862, he was advanced to the rank of second lieutenant of his company and on the 4th of September, 1864, he was transferred and was made captain of Company E of the One Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteer Infantry. On the morning of April 9, 1865, he was in command of a company of sharpshooters who were detailed to be present at the surrender of General Lee at Appamattox and he also participatel in the Grand Review at Wash- ington. D. C., the most celebrated military pageant ever seen on the western hemisphere. He participated in all of the battles of the Army of the Potomac. more than forty, except when off duty at the time he was recovering from wounds sustained at Chancellorsville on the 3d of May, 1863, on which occasion he was struck by a bullet in the right knee and was sent to report to the surgeon general at Washington. On the 6th of May. 1864, at the battle of the Wilderness, he was shot in the neck. hip and left shoulder, being at that time within one hundred yards of where he had been wounded the year before. His injuries in the battle of the Wilderness were very serious and have caused him to be a lifelong sufferer. Six times he sustained wounds, three of which were of a serious nature. He had an older brother. Willian, who was a member of the southern army and lost his life in the battle of Gettysburg. while his sister was a nurse with the Confederate army throughout the war.
When hostilities were over Captain Crawford returned to his okt home in Pennsylvania. He had previously learned the trades of painting, trimming and steamship building and was employed along those lines in Pennsylvania. For eight years he occupied the position of trustee of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home at Uniontown, Pennsylvania, his duty being to look after the orphans who left the home after reaching the age of sixteen years and assist them in finding employment. In 1878 he came to Nebraska and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Hall county, whereon he resided for ten years, devoting his attention to the development and improvement of that place. On the 4th of March, 1887, he came to Lincoln with the newly elected governor, John M. Thayer, and for five years was custodian of the state capitol. Later he spent nineteen years in the emplogofinechory Microsoft ® janitor and in
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repair work on the public schools but for several years has lived retired in the enjoyment of a rest to which his years of activity fully entitle him. He never liked farming and the wounds which he sustained in the army made it imperative that he give up farm work as he was unable to perform the arduous tasks ineident to the development of the fields. He and his wife, however, were pioneers in Hall county, Nebraska, their homestead being situated twelve miles north of Grand Island. There they encountered many of the privations and hardships incident to settlement on the frontier, their nearest neighbor on the north being ten miles distant and on the east two and a half miles. Prairie fires were one of the greatest sources of trouble but there were many other hardships to be borne.
On the 18th of March, 1868, Captain Crawford was united in marriage to Miss Anna E. Cairns, who was born in England, May 28, 1850. Her parents, John and Elizabeth Cairns, emigrated to the United States when she was three years old and settled in Pennsylvania in 1854. The father's death occurred five days after his arrival in this country and the mother passed away in Nebraska in 1881. To Captain and Mrs. Crawford nine children were born : Mrs. W. B. Cooper, a resident of Medford, New Jersey; Bessie, the deceased wife of A. D. Caldwell, of Denver, Colorado; Charles D., superintendent in the Gottman & Kretchmar candy factory of Chicago; Frank A., a photographer of Norfolk, Nebraska: Ellen, who died in Grand Island when in her girlhood ; Eleanor and Harry R., at home ; J. W., deceased ; and Winnie, the wife of F. P. Olliver, of Pocatello, Idaho.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Methodist church, of which Captain Crawford has been a loyal member for many years. In politics he has always supported the party which was the defense of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war, being an earnest republican. Ile belongs to Farragut Post, No. 25, G. A. R., of Lincoln, and in 1913 he and his wife spent seven days on the Gettysburg battlefield in attendance on the ceremonies which were held on the fiftieth anniversary of that engagement. A spirit of loyalty has characterized him at all times in relation to his country. He did not feel that his duty was done when his military service was over and he has been equally true to the best interests of the nation by supporting those projects and measures which are matters of civic virtue and civic pride.
FREDERICK M. YOUNG.
Frederick M. Young was one of the leading contractors of Bethany and among other important structures erected the magnificent new Christian church here. He not only had a high standing in business but was also popular personally and his demise was deeply regretted. A native of Michigan, his birth occurred in Owosso on the 19th of August, 1862, and he was a son of Russell and Mary Young, pioneers of Michigan. The father was a machinist and contractor and spent his entire life in the Wolverine state, passing away in 1910. Ilis wife died forty-six years previously, her demise occurring in 1864.
Frederick M. Young grew to manhood in Michigan and received his educa-
FREDERICK M. YOUNG
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tion in the public schools, while under the instruction of his father he learned the machinist's and carpenter's trades. His father had specialized in the erection of churches and our subject followed his example. In 1896 he removed to Crete, Nebraska, and there erected two of the buildings of Doane College, and many residences, including the largest one in Crete owned by T. II. Miller, the banker. He resided there until 1912, when he came to Bethany, where he maintained his home until called by death. He was accorded a large patronage as a contractor and he it was who erected the fine forty thousand dollar Christian church here, a structure which is in every way a credit to him. In 1913 he was taken ill and for the last two years of his life was unable to work. He passed away on the 9th of February, 1915. and his demise was recognized as a loss to the com- munity.
Mr. Young was married in October, 1882, to Miss Harriet J. Milliken and they became the parents of six children: Ralph W., who is residing in Lincoln; and Elizabeth, Merle H., Frederick M., Irwin D. and Alfreda, all at home. Mr. Young supported the democratic party and served acceptably as a member of the school board. He was identified with the Christian church and in its teachings were found the guiding principles of his life. Ile was connected fra- ternally with Ben Hur Lodge. He erected a fine residence on his holdings, com- prising five acres in the southeastern part of town, and there his widow still lives. She has gained many friends since becoming a resident of Bethany and all who know her respect her highly.
FRANK A. PETERSON.
Frank A. Peterson, junior member of the law firm of Mockett & Peterson of Lincoln, was born in Omaha, Nebraska, February 22, 1881, and is of Swedish descent. His parents, John A. and Caroline C. ( Swanson ) Peterson, were both natives of Sweden, in which country they became acquainted but were married in Chicago in the early part of 1880. Soon afterward they removed to Omaha, Nebraska, where they resided until 1901 in which year they came to Lincoln for the purpose of giving their son Frank the opportunity of attending the University of Nebraska. Both passed away here, the father on the 18th of April, 1907, and the mother on the 18th of March, 1915. He was a butcher by trade and conducted a meat market in Omaha from 1886 until 1901, when he retired from active business.
Frank A. Peterson, an only child, was graduated from the high school of Omaha with the class of 1001 and in the fall of that year entered the freshman class of the University of Nebraska. During his academic course in that insti- tution, he specialized in Latin, Greek and German and in 1905 he received the Bachelor of Arts degree with Phi Beta Kappa honors. He spent still another year in the academic department doing post graduate work, having won a fellowship in Greek during the regular course, which fellowship entitled him to the extra year. During his post graduate work he was also instructor in Latin in the Lincoln Academy. During the winter of 1906-7 he filled the position of superintendent of schools at Creighton, Knok Wintv.ComafkdBand in the fall Vol. 11-12
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of the latter year he entered the law department of the university, from which he was graduated with the LL. B. degree in 1910 with Theta Kappa Nu honors.
During the first year that he attended law school, Mr. Peterson also taught Latin, Greek and debating in the Lincoln high school, devoting the afternoons to that work and thus he paid his own way through law school without aid from his parents. Since 1910 he has practiced law in Lincoln as the associate of Robert S. Mockett, under the firm style of Mockett & Peterson.
On the 28th of September, 1910, Mr. Peterson was married to Miss Selma E. Engstrom, who was born November 20, 1883, and is of Swedish parentage. They have two children : Charlotte Christine, born August 3. 1911 ; and Dorothy Frances, born July 1, 1914. Mr. Peterson is a democrat in his political views. He belongs to the Commercial Club and the Polemic Club and has membership with the Knights of the Maccabees and the Congregational church. He also belongs to the Lancaster County and to the Nebraska State Bar Associations.
WILLIAM ALDEN LINDLY.
William Alden Lindly, president of the Security Mutual Life Insurance Company, is recognized as a man of marked initiative and notable executive ability. In all that he undertakes his plans are well defined and promptly executed. He has been a resident of Lincoln for thirty years, or since 1886, and throughout the entire period his worth as a citizen as well as a business man has been acknowl- edged. Ile was born in the little town of Lindly's Mills, Washington county, Pennsylvania, October 3, 1846. That town was established by his grandfather. William Lindly, who was born in New Jersey but located in Washington county at an early day, becoming one of its pioneers. He was a representative of one of the early American families founded in Connecticut during colonial days. Representatives of the name afterward removed to New Jersey and, as pre- viously stated, William Lindly left that state for Pennsylvania. He owned a farm which he developed and improved and nearby he built a gristmill which became widely known as Lindly's Mill and the postoffice and small town, which were established later, also took the same name. In addition to owning his farm and his mill, William Lindly was active in the public life of the community and served for thirty-nine years as justice of the peace in his county.
Ilis oldest son, William Davison Lindly, was married in 1844 to Harriet Minton, who, like himself, was a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania. He died at the early age of twenty-seven years leaving two sons to the care of his widow and the younger. Elidor Davison, was not born until after the father's demise. He became a resident of New York city where he engaged in the brokerage business until his death which occurred in 1892 when he was forty-five years of age. Leaving Pennsylvania, the mother removed to Iowa, where she passed away in 1872.
William Allen Lindly was thus left the only survivor of the family. He was but three years of age when his father died, after which his boyhood and youth were spent in the homes of his paternal and maternal grandfathers, both of whom lived in Washington county, Pennsylvania O Ho attended the common schools
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