Lincoln, the capital city and Lancaster County, Nebraska, Volume II, Part 3

Author: Sawyer, Andrew J., 1844- ed
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Chicago, Ill., The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 854

USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Lincoln > Lincoln, the capital city and Lancaster County, Nebraska, Volume II > Part 3

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Mr. Black was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Dixon Lees, who was born in Roxburyshire, Scotland, March 1, 1851, a daughter of George and Mary ( Montgomery ) Lees, who were also natives of the land of hills and heather, whence they crossed the briny deep to Canada. In early life her father was a saddler of Scotland and after reaching Canada in 1858 he turned his attention to gardening. Both he and his wife departed this life in Canada and were laid to rest in the Toronto cemetery. Mrs. Black was taken to Canada by her parents when but seven years of age and was there educated and married. In 1886 she accompanied her husband to Lancaster county and has since made her home in Raymond. She has a very attractive residence in this city, which she erected after her husband's death. To Mr. and Mrs. Black were born three children : Robert J. ; Mabel, who is the wife of J. M. Cameron, a resident farmer of Lan- caster county living near Raymond ; and Paul, who follows farming in the same county.

The death of Mr. Black occurred in Raymond. March 2, 1904, and he was laid to rest in Oak Creek cemetery. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party and he filled his office of justice of the peace, serving in that capacity until his death, and wasto a newly moiche creyn Fear and chairman of the school board. He belonged to the Presbyterian church, of which his Vol. II 2

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widow is also a member, and his life was ever guided by the teachings of that organization, making him a man whom to know was to respect and honor. When death called him friends came from all parts of the county to attend his funeral, services, for wherever he was known he was held in the highest regard. He was very charitable and benevolent, constantly holding out a helping hand where aid was needed, and he was also most progressive. He never deviated from a course which he believed to be right between himself and his fellowmen. In manner he was genial and his unfeigned cordiality won him the respect and good will of all with whom he came in contact. His circle of friends was large and their high regard came to him as the direct consequence of a well spent life.

FRANCIS W. BROWN.

Francis W. Brown was prominent in business circles of Lincoln as the presi- dent of the F. W. Brown Lumber Company and was also a leader in public affairs, having served as mayor of the city and being at the time of his demise post- master. A native of Missouri, he was born in Boonville on the 16th of June, 1854, and was a son of Elisha W. and Mary ( Brent ) Brown, the former born in Kentucky and the latter in Virginia. At an early day in the history of Missouri, they took up their residence in that state and the father engaged in banking at Sedalia and at Boonville, but during the Civil war he went to Jackson- ville, Illinois, where he conducted a bank for several years. Later he returned to Sedalia, Missouri, where he passed the remainder of his life. His wife is also deceased.

Francis W. Brown was reared under the parental roof and was given excellent educational opportunities. He attended the Kemper Military Institute of Boon- ville, Missouri, and the Illinois College at Jacksonville, thus making thorough preparation for assuming the duties and responsibilities of life. On leaving school he became connected with the lumber business and remained in Jacksonville until 1878, when he established a lumberyard on his own account at New Berlin, Illinois, which he operated for three years. At the end of that time he accepted a position as traveling salesman for S. K. Martin Lumber Company of Chicago, which he represented on the road for seven years, during which time he made his home in Chicago. Subsequently he became vice president of the Henry & Coats- man Lumber Company of Kansas City, which concern owned a line of yards in Nebraska and Missouri. Mr. Brown removed to Omaha, where the purchasing office of the company was located, and took over that department of the business. Some time later he was induced to remove his office to Lincoln, where the main yard of the company had been established and to assume its management in addition to his work as purchasing agent. He removed here in 1891 and when the company went out of business two years later he purchased the yard, which was subsequently conducted under the style of the F. W. Brown Lumber Com- pany, of which he was president and treasurer. He continued to direct its affairs until his demise and also had many other financial interests of importance. He was for a time a director of the Columbia National Bank, and his excellent OSONT judgment and keen business insight were factors in the success of that institu-

LINCOLN AND LANCASTER COUNTY

tion. In 1906 he erected a beautiful home at 1521 South Twentieth street and there Mrs. Brown still reisdes.

Mr. Brown was married on the 22d of December, 1880, to Miss Jennie Ben- nett, whose parents, Samuel F. and Cornelia ( Rogers) Bennett, were born in New York. Her father engaged in merchandising in that state until 1876, when he removed to Omaha and continued in that line of business until his death. His wife passed away there in 1891. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Brown, namely: Frank W., whose birth occurred on the 18th of August, 1882, and who is now editor of the Kearney Morning Times of Kearney, Nebraska; and Howard B., who was born on the 8th of July, 1888, and died on the 2d of February, 1899.

Mr. Brown was one of the prominent democrats of the state and was his party's candidate for congress and almost secured the election, being defeated by E. M. Pollard by only a small majority. He was twice mayor of Lincoln and during his term of office secured many needed improvements in the city govern- ment. It was during his administration that the first of the land now comprised in Antelope Park was purchased. He also held a number of other municipal offices and in the fall of 1914 was appointed postmaster, in which position he was serving at the time of his death, which occurred on the 7th of July, 1915. In 1908 Mr. Brown was a delegate to the democratic national convention at Denver, which nominated Hon. William Jennings Bryan for the presidency, and he served as the member from Nebraska on the resolutions committee. He always considered a public office a public trust and discharged his duties with an eye :ingle to the general welfare. He was a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and his personality was such that he made and retained friends easily. In religious faith he was an Episcopalian. His demise was widely regretted and in his death Lincoln sustained a heavy loss.

ORACLE MICHAEL SHORE.

Oracle Michael Shore engaged in farming for many years and won a compe- tence that enabled him at length to retire from active life and at the time of his death he was living in University Place, where he was well known and highly honored. Ilis birth occurred in Rochester, Indiana. September 8, 1842, and his parents were John and Wilhelmina ( Cummins) Shore. When but two years of age he lost his father and when he was only ten years old his mother passed away. He was then taken by an aunt and later by an elder sister, with whom he made his home until he enlisted in the Union army at the age of nineteen years, becoming a member of Company D, Eighty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He served with that command for three years and had even more exciting experiences than fall to the lot of the average soldier as he was captured by the Confederates and succeeded in escaping and rejoining his regiment. He and four other prisoners agreed to attempt to escape when he should give the word. He was walking by the side of the guard, who was mounted on horse- back, and called his attention to something shining up the road and as soon as the Confederate took his eyes off the prisoners they ran away. Our subject and

LINCOLN AND LANCASTER COUNTY

two others succeeded in escaping and after walking all night and until ten o'clock the next morning reached their own regiment.

While Mr. Shore was in the army his sister removed to Iroquois, Illinois, and after his discharge from military service he joined her there. Not long after- ward he was married and after living in Illinois for a time he and his wife went to Kansas, where they remained for three years. In 1874 they came to Nebraska. locating in Cass county, and three years later took up their residence in Lancaster county, Mr. Shore purchasing eighty acres of land in Stevens Creek precinct. He made many improvements upon the place, kept .everything in excellent repair, and in his farm work followed the latest methods and utilized the most up-to-date machinery. Ile was very successful as an agriculturist and in 1906, feeling that he was entitled to a period of leisure, he retired and removed to University Place. Five years later, on the 27th of April, 1911, he passed away there, and his demise was deeply regretted by his fellow citizens, who held him in warm regard.

Mr. Shore was married on the igth of April, 1865, to Miss Ella Beach, who was born in Franklin county, Ohio, September 7. 1848, and who is a sister of C. C. Beach, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. She is the mother of three children, as follows: Charles, who is a stockholder in and salesman for the Buick Automobile Company of Lincoln, married Fannie Hall and has three children, Louie, Susie and Charlotte. Oscar resides with his mother and is engaged in the jewelry business. Lena is the wife of Sam Latture, of University Place, and they have three children, Ethel, Everett and Ada. Mr. and Mrs. Shore also reared an adopted daughter, Phena, who is now the wife of Bert Gregg, a farmer of Stevens Creek precinct, by whom she has four children, Erma, Irene, Gerald and Lynelle.

Mr. Shore was a republican and loyally supported the candidates of that party at the polls although he never took an active interest in politics. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife still belongs. and his influence was always on the side of right and justice. He measured up to high standards of manhood and was respected for his integrity and his fair dealing. llis wife still lives in University Place and she is highly esteemed by all who have come in contact with her.

ORLANDO W. WEBSTER.

Orlando W. Webster, who for a third of a century was engaed in the boot and shoe business at Lincoln but who in more recent years has given his attention to other matters, has been thus actively connected with the commercial develop- ment of the city and ranks with its foremost business men. He was born in Richland county, Ohio, July 18, 1844, a son of Orrin Webster, who in early life engaged in the practice of law. He, too, was a native of Richland county, Ohio, born in 1819, and he died there upon his home farm January 6, 1863, when forty-four years of age. Hle in turn was the son of William Webster, who was born in Farmington, Hartford county, Connecticut, in 1766 and became one of the pioneer residents of Richland county_Ohio, where he later assisted in organ- izing the First Stanken MusheidCife Bemine also a well-to-do farmer

LINCOLN AND LANCASTER COUNTY

of that county and a man of large business affairs. Being one of the pioneers of that section and a man of high character, he was looked upon as one of the leaders in his community and left the impress of his individuality upon the development of that section of the state. Ile died in the year 1838. He was a second cousin of Noah Webster, the famous lexicographer. This branch of the Webster family is descended from John Webster, who came from England in 1630 and settled in the Massachusetts colony, while later he served as one of the carly colonial governors of Connecticut.

The mother of Orlando W. Webster bore the maiden name of Ruth Croninger and was born in Richland county, Ohio, in 1820, being just three months younger than her husband, Orrin Webster, to whom she gave her hand in marriage in 1841. She died in Lincoln, Nebraska, after reaching the advanced age of eighty- seven years, and for more than a half century she had lived a widow, true to the memory of him to whom she gave her early troth. To them were born eleven children, two of whom died young, those reaching adult ages being as follows : Daniel S., who died of pneumonia at Bardstown, Kentucky, in 1862, while serv- ing in the Union army in the Twenty-sixth Ohio Regiment ; Orlando Watson, of this review ; Alfred Kelley, who became a lawyer and died at Hastings, Nebraska, a few years ago : Eliza M., who gave her hand in marriage to David Fralich and passed away in Lincoln ; Vernelia, the widow of Scott Depue, whose demise occurred in 1874: William W., who died in Lincoln leaving a widow and three sons-Dr. Fred, of Lincoln, Dr. Louis, of Havelock, and Homer, of St. Joseph, Missouri ; Alice Carey, who passed away in 1873; Candace S., who is the wife of Hon. J. P. A. Black, of Hastings, Nebraska ; and Ida E., of Hastings, the widow of Lucius J. Capps, who was a well-known attorney of Hastings. The widow of Scott Depue, who has made her home in Lincoln since 1875, was for twenty years employed in the Lincoln postoffice and is widely known as Nellie Depue.

Orlando W. Webster was reared to farm life in his native county and attended a local academy until he reached the age of seventeen years. He afterward taught school for one winter and in 1862 he enlisted as a member of Company D, Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving for a year in the Union army. He was then mustered out and following his return home devoted his attention to teaching school in the winter of 1803-4. Early in 1865 he reenlisted, becoming a member of Company D of the One Hundred and Ninety-seventh Ohio Regi- ment, with which he remained until the close of the war, holding the rank of sergeant when finally mustered out at Columbus, Ohio, in August, 1865.

The war over, Mr. Webster went to Portage, Wisconsin, where he lived with his uncle, the Rev. J. B. Plumstead, a retired Presbyterian minister, with whom he continued for a year, during which time he attended the local high school. Ile afterward taught school for a year in that vicinity and subsequently became principal of a ward school at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In 1860 he arrived in Nebraska and in 1870 became a resident of Lincoln, where he has since lived. He has seen the city grow from a village of about two thousand inhabitants to its present size. Ile has been closely identified with the city's growth through all this period, not only as a business man but as a supporter of all those plans and projects which have looked to the betterment of municipal conditions. For a third of a century he was a successful shoe merchant on O street, being one of the pioneers in that line of business in this/coras rad increased with

LINCOLN AND LANCASTER COUNTY

the growth of Lincoln and for many years he enjoyed an extensive patronage, but in 1903 he withdrew from that line of trade and has since given his attention to other interests, while the fruits of his former toil have supplied him with all of the necessities and many of the comforts and luxuries of life. He is now a director of the Lincoln Traction Company and he has other investments which return to him a good income.

On the 24th of October, 1876, in Mansfield, Ohio, Mr. Webster was married to Miss Anna Dull, who died April 3. 1913, leaving three sons, Joseph D., Richard O. and Calvin. The eldest is now a farmer of this county. The second son is a bacteriologist and chemist who is now in the service of the United States government in connection with the bureau of chemistry of the department of agriculture, with headquarters in Chicago. He is a graduate of the University of Nebraska, where Calvin, the youngest son, is now a student.

The family belong to the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Webster is also identi- fied with the Masonic lodge, the Sons of the American Revolution, the Commer- cial Club and with the Grand Army of the Republic, thus maintaining pleasant relations with his old army comrades with whom he followed the old flag as he wore the blue uniform and marched in defense of the Union. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and on its ticket he has been elected to a number of public offices. It is a well known fact that with him patriotic citizenship is above partisanship. He was for ten years a member of the city council and during eight years of that time was chairman of the finance committee, while for two years he was president of the council, receiving a unanimous vote for the office on both occasions. As chairman of the finance committee he originated the plan of requiring the expenditures of the city to be kept within ninety per cent of the levy and by strict adherence to this policy the city's credit was such that its four per cent bonds brought a premium-a thing that has never happened before or since. This is but one of the many tangible evidences that might be cited of his devotion to Lincoln's welfare and improvement. He has always stood stalwartly for municipal honor and has promoted in every possible way those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride.

CHARLES FRANK HARPHAM.

Charles Frank Harpham, vice president and secretary of Harpham Brothers Company, wholesale saddlers of Lincoln, was born June 10, 1857, in Whiteside county. Illinois, his birth occurring on the prairie farm on which his father had located a short time before. He was only four years of age when his father died, after which he was taken by his mother to Ohio county, Indiana, and there his boyhood and youth were passed partly on a farm and partly in the village of Hartford in that county. He attended the common schools for about three months each winter until he was eighteen years of age, when he returned to Whiteside county, Illinois, and took up his residence in Sterling, the county seat. Ilis uncle, John Harpham, had a wholesale and retail harness store there and Charles F. Harphani began woi Gorlaing for r his uncle as a clerk and general assistant,

LINCOLN AND LANCASTER COUNTY

being thus employed from 1876 until 1881, after which he went upon the road as a traveling salesman for the wholesale saddlery firm of Gordon Kurtz & Company, of Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1885 he resigned that position and came to Lincoln, where he entered the employ of the firm of Gustin & Harpham, a wholesale harness firm, of which his elder brother, J. C. Harpham, was a partner. In 1887 he and his brother purchased the interest of Mr. Gustin and the firm of Harpham Brothers was established and has since been in existence. It was incorporated in 1900 under the present style, with Charles F. Harpham as the vice president and secretary. During the early days of the partnership lie traveled upon the road for the firm but concentrated his efforts upon active management at headquarters twenty-five years ago and has since devoted all his attention to administrative direction and executive control, bending his efforts at all times to constructive work.

On the 4th of February, 1891, Mr. Harpham was married to Miss Ella Hoddy, a native of Mattoon, Illinois, and they have one son, Julius V., now a young man of twenty-four years, occupying a responsible position in the First National Bank of Lincoln.

In his political views Mr. Harpham is a republican, but while he has always kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day he has never con- sented to become a candidate for office. This does not preclude his active par- ticipation in movements for the public good, however, and he has ever stood for municipal advancement and for the improvement of the city in every possible way. He belongs to the Lincoln Commercial Club and fraternally is connected with the Knights of Pythias, the Royal Highlanders and the Modern Woodmen of America. The name of Harpham has ever been a synonym for progressiveness and reliability in business, the rules of the house measuring up to the highest standards of commercial ethics.

LEVI W. BUTLER.

Levi W. Butler of University Place is now living retired save for the supervision which he gives to his business interests. He was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, on the end of August, 1841, and was reared and educated in that county, remaining upon the home farm until he was about twenty-one years of age when he was married and began his independent career, turning his attention to farming and dairying. He followed those occupations until 1879 when he came to Nebraska and purchased a farm in Saunders county. He bought his land from the railroad and it was totally unimproved when it came into his possession, but as soon as possible he brought it under cultivation and erected substantial buildings thereon. He resided there until 1890 when he removed to University Place as he desired his children to take advantage of the excellent educational opportunities here. Not long after taking up his residence in the town he erected a livery barn and he continued in the livery business for eleven or twelve years. During part of that time he also operated a hack line to Havelock, but on the building of a street car line to that place he discontinued his hack service. Later bylseizingsco pi Mieres fre and he subse-

LINCOLN AND LANCASTER COUNTY

quently turned his attention to dealing in brick, sand and concrete, etc., furnish- ing these materials for a great many buiklings. In 1910 he erected the building in which the postoffice is situated and in 1913 built the remainder of the Butler building. The entire structure is fifty by ninety feet in dimensions and is two stories high. On the first floor, in addition to the postoffice, there are a number of stores and also Dr. Walker's office, and Judge Gaylord's office is located on the second floor, although the greater part of it is given over to modern apartments. Mr. Butler gives careful attention to his investments, which yield him a good return, and also collects for the gas company.

On New Year's Day, 1862, occurred the marriage of Mr. Butler and Miss Mary Owen, a native of Erie county, Pennsylvania, where she grew to woman- hood. She is still living and, like her husband, is vigorous and active. To their union have been born four children: Jennie, who married Horace Godden and died at the age of thirty-nine years ; Alva E., who is deputy sheriff of Lancaster county ; Gary L., who was one of the first students in the Nebraska Wesleyan University and who owns a barber shop in his father's building ; and Clyde A., who is conducting a cleaning and pressing establishment also located in his father's block.

Mr. and Mrs. Butler have been members of the Methodist church since they were in their teens and they have taken an active part in the work of that organization. Mr. Butler aided materially in the erection of the local church edifice, has served as trustee, and contributes liberally to the support of the church and of the Nebraska Wesleyan University. He was a charter member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge of Havelock and in his life exemplifies the spirit of fraternity upon which the order is based. He has gained many friends since his removal to University Place and those who are most closely associated with him hold him in the highest esteem, which is proof of his genuine worth.

JOHN O. ROWLAND.

John O. Rowland, who aided in establishing the Rowland Lumber Company in 1907, is still connected with that concern and is serving as secretary and treas- urer. IIe has excellent business ability, is energetic and efficient in the manage- ment of his affairs, and has gained a competence. He was born in Brighton, Washington county, Iowa, on the 27th of January, 1869. His parents, William M. and Sarah C. (Shearer) Rowland, were born in Ohio, but before their mar- riage they both became residents of Brighton, Iowa, where the father followed the carpenter's trade and also engaged in farming to some extent. In 1861 he offered his services in defense of the Union and became a member of Company K, Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He was at the front for three years, during which time he participated in much hard fighting. On being discharged from the army he returned to Brighton, where his marriage occurred and where he lived until 1870, when he removed with his family to Page county, Iowa. For ten years he operated land there, which he had purchased, but at the end of that time removed to Essex, whence, two years later, in 1886, he went to Avoca, Nebraska. He purchased land in that locality and for five years devoted his

JOHN O. ROWLAND

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time to its cultivation but at the expiration of that period became a resident of Avoca, and engaged in the banking and lumber business there until 1907, when he sold his interests and came to Bethany, where he is still living. Ilis wife also survives.

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Lincoln, the capital city and Lancaster County, Nebraska, Volume II, Part 3

Author: Sawyer, Andrew J., 1844- ed Publication date: 1916 Publisher: Chicago, Ill., The S. J. Clarke publishing company Number of Pages: 854

Author: Sawyer, Andrew J., 1844- ed
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Chicago, Ill., The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 854