USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Lincoln > Lincoln, the capital city and Lancaster County, Nebraska, Volume II > Part 29
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Mr. Loder is a democrat in politics and was the first clerk of Lancaster county, in which capacity he served for two years. He has since refused to accept office but takes a commendable interest in public affairs. In religious faith he is a Christian Scientist and holds membership in the mother church at Boston. He has thoroughly identified his interests with those of Waverly and considers it his permanent home. He is one of the pioneer residents of Lan- caster county as he arrived here several years before the Lavender cottage, the first house in Lincoln, was erected. He was married in that house and could scarcely have thought that within his lifetime a city of metropolitan proportions would grow up upon that site. During the first years that he engaged in farming in this county he was compelled to haul supplies from Plattsmouth and Omaha, and settlers who came to this region often became discouraged because of the many hardships to be encountered, feeling that this section was incapable of a high state of development. Ile, however, recognized that it possessed so many natural advantages that it was certain to become in time a prosperous agricultural region, and his faith has been more than justified.
O. OLSON, M. D.
Dr. O. Olson, who since 1909 has been engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Lincoln, was born in Gardner, Illinois, June 11, 1877, a son of Matthew and Anna (Thompson ) Olson, both of whom are natives of Norway. They were married in Gardner, Illinois, in 1870 and in 1878 removed to lincoln. Nebraska, where they remained until Igor, when they returned to Gardner, Illinois, where they now reside.
Dr. Olson was educated in the public schools of Lincoln and in St. Theresa's parochial school, and having determined to make the practice of medicine his life work, he entered the medical department of Wesleyan University of Lin- coln, where he remained a student from 1905 until his graduation with the class of 1000. He then entered upon the practice of his profession in Lincoln on the Ist of June of that year and has since been active along that line. In the intervening period of seven years he has built up an extensive practice, with offices in the First National Bank building that are well equipped with the modern scientific appliances that largely further success in his chosen field.
In 1903 Dr. Olson was united in marriage to Miss Anna Fuhrmann, of St. Paul, Minnesota. by whowithmedrbyenMicrosoft.Raymond L. and
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Kenneth W. Dr. Olson is an exemplary representative of the Masonic fra- ternity, belonging to Lancaster Lodge, No. 54, F. & A. M., while in Lincoln Consistory, No. 2, S. P. R. S., he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He has also crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and he has membership with the Knights & Ladies of Security. His interests are broad and varied and he is found in active connection with those cultural forces which work for the uplift of mankind. He is now a member of the American Federation of Musicians, having for some years played the cornet in the Nebraska State Band. He is a member of the North Star Relief Society, of the Lincoln Commercial Club and along strictly professional lines his membership is in the Lancaster County Medical Society and the Nebraska State Medical Association. His political allegiance is given the republican party but he does not seek nor desire political office, preferring to concentrate his time and energies upon his professional duties, in which he is meeting with growing and substantial success.
HENRY C. BALIS.
Henry C. Balis, a retired farmer living in Waverly, was born in Benson, Rutland county, Vermont, on the 23d of December, 1859. a son of Henry C. and Margaret ( Ketcham) Balis. The father was born in Huberton, Rutland county, on the 25th of April, 1832, and the mother's birth occurred in Sudbury, that county, on the 2d of May, 1832. After farming in his native state for a number of years the father emigrated with his family to Naperville, Illinois, and pur- chased land in that locality. In 1884, however, he removed to Waverly precinct, Lancaster county, Nebraska, where he became a landowner. He made many improvements upon his home farm and also developed another tract of land in this precinct. He passed away on the 8th of October, 1910, and his wife died February 28, 1908. They were the parents of five children, of whom two sur- vive: Henry, and a younger brother, George, a contractor residing in Lincoln.
Henry C. Balis attended school in Vermont and supplemented the education so acquired by one term of study in the Northwestern College at Naperville, Illinois. He assisted his father until he was about twenty-two years of age and then took charge of the home farm in Illinois, but in 1885 came to Nebraska and located upon land adjoining his father's place. He still owns that farm, which he continued to operate until 1914, when he removed to Havelock, whence a year later he came to Waverly. He was very successful as an agriculturist and the period of leisure which he is now enjoying is richly deserved. He has two hundred acres of highly improved land and derives a good income from its rental. He has erected a good modern residence in Waverly and also owns an interest in a business block here.
Mr. Balis was married, on the 20th of December. 1882, to Miss Hattie Ketcham, a native of Sudbury, Vermont, and a daughter of Franklin and Mary (Miller) Ketcham, both of whom passed their entire lives in Rutland county. that state. To Mr. and Mrs. Balis have been born five children : Mabel Ella. the wife of Charles Bevens, who is operating her father's farm; Dora Ketcham,
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the wife of Robert Beachell, a retired farmer of Waverly precinct ; Fannie Margaret, who is living in Steinauer, Nebraska; Frank, who is farming near Filer, Idaho ; and Mary, the wife of Edward Harrison, a contractor of Havelock.
Mr. Balis is an advocate of the principles of the republican party but has confined his political activity to the exercise of his right of franchise. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. His many admirable qualities have gained him a high place in the regard of all who have been intimately associated with him.
WILHELM FISCHER.
Wilhelm Fischer is successfully operating a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 1, Centerville precinct, and has accumulated more than a com- petence. A native of Germany, he was born in the grand duchy of Olden- burg, on the 21st of April, 1854, a son of John Henry and Annie Sophie ( Ren- kin) Fischer, both of whom were born in the fatherland, where they passed their entire lives. The father was a farmer.
Wilhelm Fischer received a good education in his native land and farmed there for a number of years after attaining his majority. In May, 1881, he emi- grated to America and landed at Baltimore, whence he came direct to Lincoln, Nebraska. He and his wife worked one year for John Dunbar, who resided in Centerville precinct, near Roca. Later Mr. Fischer was employed for two years in the stone quarry at Roca, and in 1884 rented a fifty acre tract of land in Centerville precinct. After operating that place for a year he leased eighty acres belonging to Adam Heuple, in Saltillo township, north of Ilickman. He farmed there until 1888, in which year he rented the southwest quarter of section I, Centerville precinct, where he followed agricultural pursuits for six years. In 1894 he invested his savings in forty acres of that place. In 1897 bought another forty acres, in 1900 purchased forty acres more, and subsequently bought the remaining forty acres, making his holdings one hundred and sixty acres. Ile has remodeled the residence and otherwise improved the place, and derives a good income from the cultivation of his land. He not only raises the usual crops, but also feeds cattle and Poland China hogs for market, and has found both branches of his business profitable. In addition to his home farm he owns one hundred and sixty acres of section 7, Saltillo township, which his son William is operating.
On the 7th of June, 1881, at Lincoln, Mr. Fischer was married to Miss Cathrina Otjenbruns, who was born in Oldenburg, Germany, on the 2d of October, 1858. She and her husband were natives of the same place and went to school together. Her father, Frederick Otjenbruns, passed his entire life in the fatherland.
Mr. and Mrs. Fischer have become the parents of eleven children, as follows : John, who was born on the 3d of October. 1882, and is farming in Lancaster county ; Margaret, born December 24, 1884, now the wife of David Berry, also a farmer of this county ; Kate, who was born March 20. 1886, and is the wife of Ed Berry, a farmer of this county; William, whose birth occurred on the 4th of Sep- tember, 1888, and who ifatting dibaMicrosoft @ck. born on the
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20th of February, 1891, assisting his father; Annie, whose birth occurred on the Ioth of January, 1893; Lena, who was born on the 15th of December, 1894, and is now the wife of George Crabtree; Lizzie, who was born on the 23d of February, 1897, and married Harvey Werger, at Martell; Johanna, born April 6, 1900, at home; Sophie, who was born on the 21st of April, 1902; and Rosie, who was born May 27, 1906, both in school.
Mr. Fischer casts an independent ballot as he refuses to follow the dictates of party leaders. He is a communicant of the German Lutheran church and seeks to conform his conduct to the teachings of that organization. His life has been one of well directed activity and the prosperity which he enjoys is fully deserved.
CAPTAIN JOHN H. WESTCOTT.
Death often calls from our midst those whom we feel we can ill afford to lose. Such was the feeling which was manifested when the news of the demise of Captain John HI. Westcott, of Lincoln, was received by his many friends, not- withstanding the fact that he had almost reached the advanced age of three score years and ten. He was born in Brownsville, New York, October 11, 1839, a son of Willard and Helen ( Putnam) Westcott. The father was a native of the beautiful Mohawk valley and turned his attention to the occupation of farming, purchasing land in New York which he cultivated throughout his remaining days, his death there occurring in 1867. His wife was a native of Pennsylvania and to them were born three children: John H., Martin H., and Minerva J., the last named being now deceased.
Captain Westcott was reared and educated in Brownsville, New York, and supplemented his public school training by study in the academy at Fulton. New York, while later he became a student in the high school at Watertown, New York. In the winter of 1861-2 he taught school, but there was a call for men to serve the country and protect the Union. He therefore put aside all business and personal considerations, resigning his position as teacher, and enlisted on the 26th of July, 1862, as a member of Company H, Tenth New York Heavy Artillery. He was mustered in as sergeant and a year later was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant, while in August, 1864, his valor, loyalty and ability won him further promotion to the rank of captain, and thus in command of his company he served until April, 1865, when ill health forced him to resign. On his recovery he rendered service on detached duty and was sent to Harper's Ferry where he was officer of ordnance for two months. His was a most credit- able military record, marked by fidelity in every instance and his own bravery inspired and encouraged the men who served under him.
Following the close of the war Captain Westcott purchased a farm which he continued to operate until r867. He then left New York and removed west- ward to Illinois, in 1868, settling in Bureau county where he invested in land ten miles northeast of Princeton. He continued to operate that farm until 1878, after which he lived in Princeton until 1880 in which year he came to Lancaster county, where he had previously purchased four hundred and eighty acres of
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land on section 26, Elk precinct. This he developed and improved, making it one of the best farms in the state. In addition to tilling the soil, and cultivating the crops best adapted to climatic conditions here, he engaged quite extensively in stock raising, becoming a very prominent factor in that business. He was also treasurer of the Sullivan, Westcott & Kelly Company, which for a number of years conducted their interests under the firm style of the Lincoln Importing Horse Company, in the interests of which he made several trips to Europe to buy horses. On the farm he made a specialty of breeding and raising Percheron horses and roadsters and also engaged in raising Galloway cattle. He continued to operate his farm until 1800 when he removed to Lincoln, having been elected to the office of county commissioner, in which position he served for six years. He was also vice president of the Columbia National Bank until they sold out to the First National Bank. Subsequently he was treasurer of the American Loan Company, which position he occupied to the time of his death on the 1st of April, 1909.
It was on the 5th of November, 1863, that Captain Westcott was united in marriage to Miss Augusta H. Middleton, a daughter of Samuel and Phoebe (Ingerson ) Middleton, who were natives of Jefferson county, New York. The father engaged in farming in New York until 1873 when he removed to Princeton. Illinois, and while on a visit in Los Angeles, California, he passed away January 27, 1887, while his wife died in 1874. Mrs. Westcott was born in Rutland, New York, August 7, 1841, and by her marriage became the mother of four children : Carlton H., who is now private secretary to W. E. Sharpe of Lincoln; Harry M., who resides in Lincoln and is in the employ of the International Harvester Company; Mabel, at home; and Florence, the wife of E. E. Duncan, who is proprietor of a printing office in Lincoln.
Captain Westcott erected a fine residence at the corner of R and Twenty- fifth streets, in 1906, and there his widow still resides. He was a member of Lincoln Lodge, No. 19, A. F. & A. M., the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Tribe of Ben Hur. Politically he was a republican and his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Grace Methodist Episcopal church, to the teachings of which he was most loyal. His was a well spent life, honorable and upright in every particular and the many good qualities which he displayed established him firmly in public regard. lle left to his family an example well worthy of emulation and their inheritance was not only a comfortable com- petence which he had gained but also the priceless heritage of an untarnished name.
AUGUST BRANDEEN.
Among those who have contributed in large measure to the commercial expan- sion of Waverly is August Brandeen, the enterprising owner of a well patronized general store. A native of Sweden, his birth occurred in Jonkoping Lan, January 2, 1864, and he is a son of Nicolaus and Katherine (Anderson) Brandeen, who passed their entire lives in Sweden, where the father engaged in carpentering.
August Brandeen attended tived tomMicrosoft But when fifteen
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years old began working for a farmer. After spending two years in that manner he was in the employ of a country merchant for four years and later was coach- man for a very aristocratic family. When he had attained his majority he began the required military service and was in the army for two years, after which he returned home and resided with his parents for a year before emigrating to America, in 1888. He first located in Plattsmouth, Nebraska, and for a year was in the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, after which he drove a delivery wagon and clerked in various stores, remaining in that city for nine years. At the end of that time he came to Waverly and engaged in general merchandising with a partner for five years, after which he purchased his partner's interest, becoming sole owner of the business. He carries a well chosen and up-to-date stock, and as his business methods are thoroughly reliable he has gained the confidence of the public and is accorded a large patronage. He devotes his entire time to the management of his business and is constantly seek- ing to improve the service given his customers. He owns a good residence in Waverly and is one of the town's most substantial citizens.
Mr. Brandeen was married on the 25th of April, 1891, to Miss Bertha John- son, who was born in northern Sweden, where her parents passed their entire lives. To Mr. and Mrs. Brandeen have been born four children: Esther Linea, who is a teacher in the commercial department of the Havelock high school; Paul, who died in infancy; Hilton W., who is a student in the high school at Havelock ; and Mildred Katherine, who is in the ninth grade in the Waverly high school.
Mr. Brandeen is a progressive republican in his political affiliations and has served acceptably as a member of the board of education of Waverly. He holds membership in the Swedish Congregational church and in all the relations of life conforms his conduct to high moral standards. Ile has never regretted his emi- gration to America for here he has found opportunities, the utilization of which has enabled him to gain a gratifying measure of success.
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PETER B. ENO.
Peter B. Eno is living retired in College View in the enjoyment of leisure made possible by his labor in former years. He was born in the province of Quebec on the 9th of November, 1841, of the marriage of Almond P. and Char- lotte (Bowen) Eno, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of New Hampshire. The father, who was a cooper by trade and also engaged in farm- ing, went to Canada in 1823, when about twenty-two years of age, and squatted on land where he operated until 1853. In 1854 he removed to Clayton county, Iowa, and there he passed away on the 2d of January, 1884, when eighty-two years of age. His wife died on the 2d of February. 1883, when she was eighty- five years old.
Peter B. Eno was reared under the parental roof and after completing his public school course entered the Upper Iowa University at Fayette, Iowa, and on leaving that institution began teaching, which profession he followed during the winters for a number of years. He devoted his stenergies during the sum-
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mer months to farming and at length accumulated sufficient capital to enable him to buy land in Franklin county, Iowa, which he operated for six years. At the end of that time he sold the property and returned to Clayton county, Iowa, whence two years later he removed to the vicinity of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He bought land there and for thirteen years engaged in both farming and teach- ing. He was characterized by great energy and by the ability to so plan his work as to secure the greatest results with the least possible effort, and he was thus able to successfully follow both occupations. In May, 1892, he came to College View, where he has since made his home, and he is today ranked among the most highly esteemed citizens of the town.
On the HIth of April, 1868, occurred the marriage of Mr. Eno and Miss Ina B. Harriman, a daughter of Joel and Annie ( Bailey ) Harriman, natives of New Hampshire. Mrs. Eno passed away on the 28th of May. 1904, after an illness of a year. She was the mother of seven children, namely : Gilbert Ray, postmaster of College View ; Fred E., who is engaged in the automobile business at Lincoln ; Delwin G., also a resident of Lincoln ; Mabel D., the wife of Henry R. Groth, who is engaged in the printing business at Lincoln ; and Almond B., Peter L. and Florence M., all of whom are deceased.
Mr. Eno indorses the policies of the democratic party and loyally supports its candidates and measures at the polls. He has served for a number of years as a member of the town council and has always given his influence to measures calculated to promote the general welfare. His genuine worth is attested by the fact that those who have been most closely associated with him hold him in the highest esteem.
HENRY MCDONALD.
Among the prosperous and up-to-date farmers and stock-raisers of Grant precinct is Henry McDonald, who also operates three threshing outfits. He was born near Eagle, Cass county, on the 15th of January, 1879, a son of llenry Harry and Dora (Weddencamp) McDonald. The father was born, reared and educated in Ireland and in early manhood came to the United States. For some time he was on the police force in New York City, but decided to try his fortune in the west, and located in Cass county, Nebraska, in the early days of that section. He took up his homestead in the vicinity of the site of the town of Eagle and as soon as possible brought his eighty acres under cultivation. For some time he lived in a dugout and he experienced the usual hardships of the pioneer, but he had faith in the country and in time prosperity rewarded his labors. He purchased additional land, acquiring title to a large tract, and engaged in raising cattle upon an extensive scale. He remained there until his death, which occurred in 1891. He is buried at Calvary cemetery, Lincoln, where the remains of his wife are also interred. She was born in Germany, but came to America in girlhood and was married in New York City. She passed away in 1898, near Walton, Lancaster county. They were the parents of three sons and five daugh- ters, namely : Emma, the wife of Jim Kinny, a farmer of Lancaster county ; Maggie, who married Ewdellerskinech faineMicrosoft@ny; Mary, the
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deceased wife of Fred Faulkhaber, a farmer of this county; Dora, who married Dovan Kemper, also a farmer; George, who is following agricultural pursuits in this county ; Henry and L. C., who are farming in Lancaster county ; and Katy, who died when two years old.
flenry McDonald was reared in Cass and Lancaster counties and received his education in the district schools. He early became familiar with agricultural pursuits and when twenty-one years of age began working as a farm hand. He also ran a threshing outfit during the summers and at length secured sufficient capital to begin farming on his own account. For eight years he rented land near Bennett, but at the end of that time bought two hundred and forty acres, one hundred and sixty acres on section 14, and eighty acres on section It, Grant precinct. He still owns that property, his home being located on section 14, and he brought his land to a high state of development and has erected commo- dious and substantial buildings. He does general farming, in addition to grain, raising shorthorn cattle, Poland China hogs, mules, horses and sheep. He also owns three threshing outfits which he operates in the county during the season, and this business yields him a substantial addition to his income.
Mr. McDonald was married in Stockton, on the 6th of May, 1903, to Miss Laura Faulhaber, who was born in Stockton precinct, on the 25th of November, 1886, and is a daughter of John and Mary ( Frank) Fauihaber, who were early settlers of that precinct. The mother died in 1888, but the father is living retired in Lincoln. To Mr. and Mrs. McDonald have been born four children : Madeline Mary, who was born on the 9th of April, 1904; Floyd John, born June 28, 1905; Lucile Dora, born January 18, 1907, and Ella May, born May 4, 1909.
Mr. McDonald is non-partisan in politics, supporting the man rather than the party. His religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic church and fraternally he is identified with Fitzgerald Council, K. C. He has concentrated his energies upon his farm work and has already accumulated a competence.
MARION KINGSLEY FRYE.
Marion Kingsley Frye, who is living retired in Panama, formerly engaged in agricultural pursuits and met with gratifying success in that connection. He was born near Peoria, Illinois, on the 14th of December, 1859, and is a son of Henry Abraham and Amy Ellen (Gheen) Frye. The father was born near Peoria on the 19th of September, 1836, and after completing the work of the common school concentrated his attention upon farming. He resided in the Prairie state until the spring of 1881, when he removed to Lancaster county, Nebraska, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 25. Panama precinct. His farm was slightly improved when it came into his possession, and he at once began to still further develop it. He owned it, however, for only a short time as he disposed of it in 1882 and bought the northwest quarter of section 23 and the northeast quarter of section 22, Panama precinct, which con- stituted a well improved and valuable farm. He operated that place until the 23d of September. 1890, when he there passed away. He is buried in the Panama cemetery.He belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic, being
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