USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Lincoln > Lincoln, the capital city and Lancaster County, Nebraska, Volume II > Part 30
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MARION K. FRYE
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entitled to membership in that organization because of his service in the Union army in 1865. In that year he enlisted in the Eleventh Illinois Cavalry for ninety days' service and took part in several skirmishes. His wife was born in Zanes- ville, Ohio, on the 12th of August, 1835, and there they were married on the 17th of April, 1856. She passed away near Peoria, Illinois, on the 20th of January, 1873, and is buried in Peoria.
Marion K. Frye attended the common schools in his native county and also assisted his father in his boyhood and youth. In 1880 he came to Lancaster county, Nebraska, arriving at the town of Panama on the 21st of May, 1880. The following year he was joined by his father, and in 1882 he began working for Cooper & Canfield, large cattle dealers of Bennet. After remaining in their employ for a year he worked for his father by the month for four years, but at the end of that time, or in 1887, he rented a farm in Panama precinct, which he operated until 1891. His father's estate was settled in that year and he became the owner of eighty acres of good land on section 22, Panama precinct, which he farmed for a decade, selling the place in 1901. He then bought the southeast quarter of section 29, Nemaha township, and for fourteen years con- centrated his energies upon its cultivation. In December, 1915, he sold that farm and in the following February removed to Panama, where he owns a good residence and where he has since made his home. As a farmer he was prac- tical, progressive and energetic, and his resources increased from year to year as the result of his enterprise and good management.
Mr. Frye was married, near Panama, on the 6th of March, 1884, to Miss Salome Hedges, a daughter of Ira and Elizabeth ( Duryea) Hedges, both natives of Keithsburg, Illinois. They came to Lancaster county and the father engaged in farming in Panama precinet for many years. Both passed away near Panama. Mrs. Frye was also born in Keithsburg, Illinois, in 1866, and became the mother of a daughter, Leota, who was born on the 23d of February, 1885, and is now the wife of Jacob O. Craig, a farmer of this county. Mr. Frye's second mar- riage occurred on the 26th of March, 1887, when Miss Aley Katheart became his wife. She was born near Wapakoneta, Auglaize county, Ohio, on the 28th of October. 1870, and is a daughter of William and Mary ( Cochlin) Kathcart, the former born on the same farm as his daughter. Mr. Katheart's natal day was the 20th of March, 1848, and he was reared in his native county and farmed there until 1880, when he removed to Syracuse, Otoe county. Nebraska, where he followed agricultural pursuits until 1883. He then took up his residence near Bennet, where he operated a farm for three years, after which he removed to the town and conducted a livery barn until 1887. In that year he went to Saline county, Nebraska, where he farmed for a time, but subsequently removed to Mahaska, Kansas, where he still lives. His wife was born in Auglaize county. Ohio, on the 6th of July, 1849, and passed away in that state on the 12th of August, 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Frye have had three children : Nellie Maude, who was born January 24, 1888, and died in the following February ; Marion Merle. who was born October 28, 1892, and is the wife of Claude Gardner, a lumberman of Panama: and Ellis Kingsley, born May 26, 1804, who was educated in the Peru State Normal College and since 1914 has been principal of the high school at Syracuse.
Mr. Frye believes in thegiftaptes Dine Minor ous @ft Out votes inde- Vol. II-15
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pendently whenever he believes that he can best further the public good by so doing. He served as a member of the school board of district No. 26 for nine years and has never ceased to take a keen interest in educational matters. He is a Presbyterian in religious faith and fraternally belongs to Panama Camp, No. 2227, M. W. A., in which he has held a number of offices. In all relations of life he has proved capable and upright and is highly esteemed by all who know him.
GEORGE W. STROUGH, M. D.
For a number of years Dr. George W. Strough has engaged in the practice of medicine at Hickman, Lancaster county, and he is now the leading represen- tative of his profession in the town. His birth occurred in Craig, Holt county, Missouri, on the 13th of March, 1870, and his parents were John and Sarah Anna (Bowers) Strough. The father was born in the vicinity of Anderson, Indiana, on the 28th of January, 1842, and is indebted for his education to the public schools of Anderson. On beginning his independent career he turned his attention to farming and in 1869, believing that a new country offered unusu- ally good opportunities to the agriculturist, he moved in a covered wagon to Holt county, Missouri, and purchased eighty acres of land in the vicinity of Craig. He later added another eighty acre tract to his holdings and in due time made his farm one of the best improved places in that county. He raised both grain and stock and derived a gratifying profit from both branches of his busi- ness. In 1892 he disposed of his land in Missouri and located seven miles north of Beatrice, Nebraska, buying a quarter section of improved land. HIe brought that farm to a still higher degree of development and engaged in its operation until 1908, when he rented it and purchased a home in Beatrice, where he is now enjoying a period of leisure. At the time of the Civil war he was too young to serve in the army but his patriotism prompted him to enlist in the Home Guard of Indiana, which was several times called upon to put down up- risings of southern sympathizers. He was married on the 3d of January, 1867. at Sulphur Springs, Indiana, to Miss Sarah Anna Bowers, who was born in Anderson on the 14th of April, 1848, a daughter of George and Lydia ( Oneen) Bowers, natives of Virginia. Her education was acquired in the public schools.
George W. Strough grew to manhood in Holt county, Missouri, and as a boy and youth gave much of his time to attending the common schools. He supplemented the education so acquired by study at the Stanberry Normal School at Stanberry, Missouri, but left that institution before completing his course and for a year engaged in teaching in Ilolt county. The following year, 1892, he taught in Gage county, Nebraska, and during this time began reading medi- cine, having decided upon the practice of medicine and surgery as his life work. When he had completed his term as a teacher in Gage county he entered the Omaha Medical College at Omaha, Nebraska, which is now known as the State University Medical College, and in 1896 received the degree of M. D. Ile located at Pickrell, Gage county, and- practiced there until September, 1897. when he came to Hickman, Lancaster county. In July of the following year
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he offered his services to his country, which was then involved in war with Spain, and enlisted in Company A, Third Nebraska Volunteer Infantry. Ile remained with that command until August, when the regiment arrived at Jack- sonville, Florida, and he was transferred to the hospital corps of the regular army. He took a competitive examination for the position of acting hospital steward and, passing at the head of the list, received the appointment the fol- lowing day. A month later he was promoted to steward and was ordered to Savannah, Georgia. On the 15th of December, 1898, he was sent to Havana, Cuba, making the trip on the transport Missouri. The hospital corps of which he was a member were the first troops landed at Havana and at once went into camp near Quemadas, later known as Camp Columbia. He remained there until he received his discharge from the army on the 2d of May, 1899. He was instru- mental in organizing the Volunteer Hospital of the Third Division of the Seventh Army Corps and in his work in that connection manifested executive ability as well as thorough medical knowledge.
After leaving the military service Dr. Strough returned to Hickman, Ne- braska, by way of New York City and continued in practice here until 1904. when he located in Beatrice. lle next went to Barnston, Gage county, and prac- ticed there for four and a half years. In 1909 he returned to Hickman, where he has since remained, and the large and important practice which he is accorded is an indication of his high professional standing. He has the full confidence of both the general public and of his professional colleagues and is the leading physician in the town.
Dr. Strough was married on the ist of May, 1900, at Craig, Missouri, to Miss Cora Victoria Rundle. Her father, Niram Rundle, was born in Indiana but resided for a number of years at Hamburg, lowa, where he owned a woolen mill. Later he operated a sawmill in Missouri and in all that he did he met with gratifying success. At the time of the Civil war he served as a lieutenant in the Union army, thus giving indisputable proof of his loyalty to his country. Ile married Miss Sarah Layton, also a native of the Hoosier state. Both are now deceased. Mrs. Strough was educated in the Craig high school and was for five years a teacher in the primary department of the schools at Craig and Corning, Missouri. She is active in church work and for the past two years has conducted a Bible study class in the Methodist church. She takes a keen interest in everything relating to the advancement of the work of the Sunday school and church and keeps in touch with the most modern and efficient methods of carrying on such activities. She is also a charter member of Rosemary Chapter, No. 330, O. E. S., of Hickman, was chosen the first worthy matron and was honored by re-election to that office. By her marriage she has become the mother of a daughter, Lucile, who was born in Barnston, Gage county. Nebraska, December 28, 1905, and is now attending school.
Dr. Strough is a republican and studies carefully the questions and issues of the day but has never been an aspirant for political office. However, he has served as a member of the board of education of Hickman and was secretary of that body when the high school building was erected. He was very active in securing the new building and at all times worked for the advancement of the schools. He was a charter member of Hickman Lodge, A. B. & A. M. but now holds membership in BAGHETengels. Microsoft Be is a charter
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member of Rosemary Chapter, No. 330, O. E. S., of Hickman, and his fraternal relations also include membership in Crawford Lodge, No. 304, I. O. O. F., at Barnston, Nebraska, in which he has held all the offices. He is a Presbyterian in religious faith and practices brotherly kindness, which is the basis of the Christian teaching, never refusing to give his professional services when they are needed, even if he is certain that he will receive no pay for so doing. He owns a handsome home in Hickman and considers himself a permanent resident of the town. The success which he has gained is highly ereditable in that lie is a self-educated and self-made man, having depended solely upon his own resources for advancement.
CHARLES V. WARNER.
Charles V. Warner, a retired farmer and stock raiser residing near Waverly, holds title to eight hundred and twenty-five acres of excellent land in Lancaster county, all of which he has acquired through his own efforts and good manage- ment. He is one of the valued citizens whom Sweden has given to Nebraska, as his birth occurred in Kisa on the 22d of August, 1848. He is a son of Peter Warner and Mary Christina ( Anderson) Peterson, also natives of that coun- try, where they passed their entire lives. The father devoted his time and attention to farming, never aspiring to office or doing military service. In the family were nine children, of whom our subject is the seventh in order of birth and of whom five survive. Two children are living in Sweden, and Gust and Jolin are both farmers in Lancaster county, Nebraska.
Charles V. Warner received his education in the public schools of his native country and early became familiar with farm work as he began assisting his father when ten years old. He worked as a farm hand in Sweden for some time before his removal to the United States, in 1868, and for a year following his arrival in this country he was employed near New Sweden, lowa, in a similar capacity. Subsequently he worked for others in the vicinity of Altona. Knox county, Illinois, but in 1871 came with his brothers to Lancaster county, Nebraska, and bought land from the Burlington & Missouri Railroad in Rock Creek precinct. He farmed there for two years and then removed to Waverly precinct, where he rented school land for a time. Later he bought land at seven dollars per acre, and he has added to his holdings gradually until he now owns eight hundred and twenty-five acres of fine farming land, all of which is well improved. He was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1906, when he retired. He is still residing upon his farm near Waverly, but the land is now rented and cultivated by his nephew, C. J. Warner. He was very energetic and progressive as a farmer and stock raiser, and the success which he gained was the natural result of his industry and good management. He installed the first Fairbanks scales in the county and at one time had on hand more than 200 head of cattle, although when he began as a stock raiser he had only two steers. He was very successful in feeding cattle for the market and was for years one of the largest stockmen in the county.
Mr. Warner was married in 1876 to Miss Matilda G. Gilman, who was born
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in Boston and passed away in 1906. On the igth of August, 1908, Mr. Warner was again married, Miss Clara Webster becoming his wife. She was born at Kewanee, Illinois, and is a daughter of Owen J. and Margaret Amelia ( Clark ) Webster, the former of whom was born in llarwinton, Connecticut, in 1830, and the latter in Milford, that state, in 1835. Mr. Webster became a mason contractor when about eighteen years of age and followed that business in various states, although he never went west of Illinois. He passed away in 1881. Mrs. Warner and her twin brother Clarence are the youngest in a family of six children.
Mr. Warner is an advocate of republican principles and stanchly supports the candidates of that party at the polls, but has never sought office. In religious faith he is a Swedish Lutheran, and his daily life measures up to high standards of morality. Mrs. Warner is identified with the Woman's Relief Corps at Waverly. They hold the unqualified respect of all who have been brought in contact with them and have many warm personal friends.
NOVIA Z. SNELL.
Novia Z. Snell, founder and president of The Midwest Life Insurance Com- pany of Lincoln, is prominent and active in those circles wherein have originated great and splendidly organized insurance interests which have made this city an insurance center. He was born on a farm in Harrison county, Missouri, August 23, 1860. His father, James Harrison Snell, was a native of Clay county, Mis- souri, born October 27. 1840, while the grandfather, Noah Snell, was one of the early settlers of that state. James HI. Snell followed the occupation of farming in Missouri in early manhood and was married in 1859 at the age of nineteen years to Analiza Dunkerson, also a native of Clay county. In 1865 he removed with his family to Nebraska, settling at Ashland, after which he figured prominently in the business life of that community and of Saunders county for nearly half a century, as a merchant, as a dealer in livestock and grain and as a miller. Ile finally removed to Lincoln, where his remaining days were spent in retirement from business. He was the first village treasurer of Ashland, was many times elected to the city council and was also a member of the school board there. In 1867 he built the first brick house in Saunders county. He died April 3. 1915. in his seventy-fifth year, leaving two children, his younger son. Noah David, having died in infancy. The others were Novia Z., of this review ; and Narcissa, who for many years has been connected with her brother, N. Z. Snell. in business and is now treasurer of The Midwest Life Insurance Company. The mother died in 1866, after which James H. Snell married Susan J. Mailes, who was also born in Clay county, Missouri, and was an acquaintance of his boyhood. She still makes her home in Lincoln.
Novia Z. Snell was five years of age when his parents came to Nebraska, settling in Ashland. He obtained his early education in the Ashland public schools. and in 1878 he entered the State University, where he completed a four years' course by graduation with the Bachelor of Science degree in the class of 1882. He spent the summer and Gitlfanh by Microsoftmalware store at
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Ashland and on the Ist of January, 1883, entered the law office of Lamb, Rick- etts & Wilson, under whose preceptorship he continued his reading until 1884, and in march of that year he was admitted to the bar.
In September, 1884, Mr. Snell entered the office of Andrew J. Sawyer and began the practice of law. On the ist of January, 1885, he was admitted to partnership with Mr. Sawyer under the firmn name of Sawyer & Snell, which connection existed until Lincoln Frost joined them and the firm style of Sawyer, Snell & Frost was adopted. This firm became widely known as one of the lead- ing law firms of Nebraska. The business relations entered into between Mr. Sawyer and Mr. Snell on the ist of January, 1885, have never been dis- continued during the intervening period of thirty-one years. They have been legal and business associates throughout this entire time, for though the law partnership was dissolved in 1903, they have since been closely associated in business affairs. In 1890 Mr. Snell was elected county attorney and served for one term. He was not a candidate for re-election. He continued actively in the practice of law until 1903 but meanwhile had become much interested in life insurance. In 1897 he began first to study the subject with a view to taking out a policy on his own life. His interest was awakened and he investigated the subject more closely with the result that the more he studied the more it appealed to him, until finally he gave up his law practice entirely in order to concentrate his efforts upon the life insurance business. In December, 1898, he became a director and the attorney of the Security Mutual Life Insurance Company. On the ist of July, 1903, he was made president of this company and continued as such until January, 1906. On the 17th of February, of that year, he became the organizer and founder of The Midwest Life Insurance Company of Lincoln, of which he has since been president. while his former law partner, A. J. Sawyer, is the secretary. In 1913 the state legislature of Nebraska repealed all of the existing insurance laws and enacted a complete new code relating to all insurance companies doing business in the state. Practically every insurance company in Nebraska, in fact every old line life insurance com- pany with one exception, fought the new code and contested in every legal way its constitutionality. The solitary exception was The Midwest Life Insurance Company as its president became the champion of the new code and materially aided the statute revision commission, composed of Judge A. M. Post of Colum- bus, Hon. E. L. King of Osceola and J. H. Broady, Jr., of Lincoln, in its prep- aration. Mr. Snell likewise rendered valuable assistance when the constitutionality of the act was tested in the courts. The fact that the insurance code is now in favor in Nebraska is due in large measure to Mr. Snell's tireless efforts toward that end.
On the roth of September. 1885, Mr. Snell was married to Miss Flora Frost, a member of the pioneer Frost family of Lancaster county and a graduate of the University of Nebraska. They have three living children: Hazel Frost, a graduate of the University of Nebraska and at present director of social center activities in the Lincoln public schools : Eleanor Frost, a junior, and Flora Frost, a freshman, in the Lincoln high school. The other child, Aline, died in infancy.
In politics Mr. Snell is a democrat. He is interested in many things of public moment in the city, He is now -president of the Lincoln school board, was president of the University of Nebraska Alumni Association in 1015-16. is
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a member of the Commercial Club and president of the Charity Organization Society. llis activities are thus broad and varied and touch the general inter- ests of the community. His influence and aid are ever given on the side of progress and improvement, and his life work has been of benefit and value 10 the city in many ways.
HENRY JOHN MEYER.
Henry John Meyer devoted his life to farming and stock raising and at the time of his death owned four hundred acres of excellent land on section 19, Saltillo precinct. He was born near Syrus, Clayton county, Iowa, on the 10th of November, 1853. a son of John H. and Eliza (Spellman ) Meyer. He re- mained in his native county until he was sixteen years of age and attended the district schools in the acquirement of his education. On leaving lowa he came to Lancaster county, Nebraska, and was engaged in farming here with his father until 1877, when he was married and took charge of a quarter section of land belonging to his father on section 19, Saltillo precinct. He continued to reside there until his death and not only acquired title to that farm but also purchased additional land, bringing his holdings up to four hundred acres. He did gen- eral farming, raising both grain and stock, and his well directed labors were rewarded by a good financial return. He built a good residence upon his home farm on section 19. Saltillo precinct, which is just a mile from the town of Roca, and he also erected good barns and other buildings. He passed away on the homestead on the 30th of September, 1901, and is buried in the Stockfeld churchyard.
Mr. Meyer was united in marriage on the 21st of June, 1877. in Saltillo township to Miss Sophie Menke, a native of the province of Hanover, Germany She was born on the 18th of March, 1853, her parents being Henry and Lucy (Schlomer) Menke, who passed their entire lives in the fatherland, where Mr Menke engaged in farming and stock raising until called by death. Mrs. Meyer was reared in Hanover, and in 1873 came to America with her sister and located in Saltillo precinct, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer were the parents of seven children, all of whom were born on the Meyer homestead. namely : Emma, whose
birth occurred on the 6th of April. 1878, is now the wife of William H. Golz. a farmer living at Waverly, Lancaster county; Hannah, born on the 20th of October, 1879, is the wife of John F. Boesiger, a farmer residing at Firth, Lancaster county; Lena, born on the 24th of February, 1881, is the wife of Rudolph A. Boesiger, a farmer living near Princeton, Lancaster county ; An- drew John was born on the 30th of April. 1883, and is operating the home farm : and Amelia, born October 3. 1887, Lula, born May 18, 1800, and Clare, born October 22, 1892, are all at home.
Mr. Meyer was an adherent of the republican party and served for many years as a member of the school board and also as assessor of Saltillo town- ship, proving very capable and conscientious in the discharge of his official duties. He was also appraiser of the Farmers' Fire & Lightning Aid Society. which was composed of farineftigeonderMicrosoft bijous faith was
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that of the German Lutheran church and for many years he held the office of president of the Stockfeld church in Centerville township, serving in that ca- pacity at the time of his death. His ability, his public spirit and his unswerving integrity gained him the unqualified respect of all with whom he came in contact, and his friends still honor his memory.
JACOB ERISMANN.
Jacob Erismann devoted his active life to farming and as he managed his affairs well and was practical and progressive in his methods he accumulated a competence which now enables him to enjoy the comforts of life and a period of leisure. He resides at Hickman, where he is held in the highest esteem. He has reached the advanced age of eighty years, as his birth occurred on the 3Ist of March, 1836. He was born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, a son of Peter Eris- mann, also a native of that country. His natal day was the 22d of January, 1804, and he grew to manhood in that country, where he engaged in farming until his removal to America in 1852. He made his way to the middle west and rented a farm in Putnam county, Illinois, near Peru. Eight years later he took up his residence in Bureau county, near Princeton, where he purchased an improved quarter section. He operated that farm during the remainder of his life, passing away in 1873. His remains are interred at Princeton. He was united in marriage in 1832 in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, to Miss Magdalena Stahly, who was born in that province in 1808. Her demise occurred on the family homestead in Illinois in 1891.
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