USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Lincoln > Lincoln, the capital city and Lancaster County, Nebraska, Volume II > Part 32
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August F. Hoffman received his education in Luckau and after reaching mature years turned his attention to the nursery and seed business and to gar- dening and followed those occupations until 1867, when, at the age of thirty- two years, he came to the United States, locating in Marshall county. Illinois, where he was engaged in the nursery business until 1874. In that year he was married and rented a farm in Woodford county, Illinois, where he remained until 1880. He then became a resident of Lancaster county, and bought eighty acres of improved land on section 28, Nemaha precinct, on which, however, there were no buildings when it came into his possession. Ile erected a frame house, fourteen by sixteen feet, which structure remained the family home for a number of years. At length he bought another eighty acre tract adjoining his original farm and for many years gave his attention entirely to the cultivation of his land. He erected new barns and completely remodeled the residence and the buildings on his farm compare favorably with those found elsewhere in the township. He still resides upon the homestead but since 1900 has lived retired, leaving the active work of the farm to his sons.
Mr. Hoffman was married on the 27th of February, 1874, at Minonk, Illinois, to Miss Ida Schmidt, who was born in Brandenburg, Prussia, on the 9th of November, 1856, and is a daughter of Herman and Mary ( Schuman) Schmidt, both likewise natives of that country. In 1870 they emigrated with their family to the United States, landing at New Orleans, and the following year they pro- ceeded up the Mississippi river to Woodford county, Illinois, where they located. the father renting land near Minonk. Subsequently he purchased a farm, which he operated for several years, but in 1880 he came with his family to Lancaster county, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land on section 20, Nemaha precinct. He brought forty acres under cultivation at once and for a number of years lived upon the farm, which, however, he sold in 1889. He then went to Hastings, Nebraska, and became the owner of a valuable farm in that locality, residing thereon until his death, which occurred August 13, 1903. His wife survived for almost seven years, passing away on the 2d of May, 1910. Both are buried, in the cemetery, at Blue Hill, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman have become the parents of four children. as follows: Emma Marie,
AUGUST F. HOFFMAN
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who was born February 25, 1875, at Minonk, Illinois, and is now the wife of Charles Richter, a farmer of Nemaha precinct; Alma Augusta, who was born December 4, 1878, in Minonk, and passed away November 2, 1904, her remains being interred in the cemetery at Bennet : Charles Frederick. born in Nemaha precinct, February 11, 1884, now operating the home farm; and Oscar August, who was born in Nemaha precinct, April 10, 1890, and is also engaged in farming the homestead.
Mr. Hoffman is a stanch republican in politics but has never desired to hold office. Ile is identified with the German Lutheran church and his daily life testifies to the sincerity of his religious belief. He was successful as an agricul- turist and won a large measure of prosperity, so that he now ranks among the substantial men of his community. His sons engage in general farming and are progressive, energetic and capable agriculturists. Oscar August is a member of Panama Camp, No. 2227, M. W. A., at Panama.
L. F. M. EASTERDAY.
L. F. M. Easterday was one of the prominent real estate dealers of Lincoln in its early days and during the later years of his life was connected with sav- ings banks of the city. As he was a man of fine education and kept in touch with the questions and issues of the day, his opinion on matters of public policy was recognized as valuable. His birth occurred on a farm near Steuben- ville, Jefferson county, Ohio, on the 21st of October, 1839. lle was a son of Daniel and Jane ( Robertson) Easterday and was a lineal descendant of Martin Easterday, who came to the United States from Germany in 1760.
L. F. M. Easterday was twelve years of age when he accompanied his par- ents to Montgomery county, Illinois, and there he assisted his father with the farm work for about seven years. When nineteen years old he entered the Illinois State University, a Lutheran college, at Springfield, and at the end of four years was graduated from that institution. A short time before receiving his diploma he was elected professor of mathematics in his alma mater and held that position for four years, but in the fall of 1867 he became principal of the Hillsboro (Ill.) Academy. He remained there for two years but at the end of that time was obliged to give up school work on account of ill health. He spent a year at Topeka, Kansas, and then went to Carthage, Illinois, arriving there on the 18th of August, 1870. He at once organized a classical school there, which later developed into Carthage College, a Lutheran institution. lle devoted twelve years to upbuilding the school and gave especial attention to work in mathematics and astronomy. In 1883 he removed to Lincoln, Nebraska, where he continued to live until his death. For the first two years after arriving in Lincoln he was a member of the faculty of the State University, but at the end of that time turned his attention to business and for a number of years was one of the most prominent real estate men in the city. lle had great faith in the future of Lincoln and played an important part in its early development. Dur- ing the last ten years of his life he gave practically all of his attention to work in connection with savings banksfl Duringthe greater ocofthe time he was Vol. II-16
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in the service of the American Savings Bank and during the rest of that period was an official of the First Savings Bank. He was successful both in profes- sional and business life and held a high place in the estimation of his fellow citizens.
Mr. Easterday was married on the 18th of August, 1874, in Carthage, Illi- nois, to Abbie Warren Hunsaker and they became the parents of three sons, Fred R., Phil R. and Cad R., all natives of Carthage. Mr. Easterday gave his political allegiance to the democratic party but was not an aspirant for public office. However, he served for a number of years on the city library board and was always willing to give of his time and energy to the advancement of movements for the general welfare. In 1860 he joined the Lutheran church at Springfield, Illinois, and held membership in churches of that denomination until within the last ten years of his life. He was prominent in the councils of his church and took an important part in its work. For a few years before his death he belonged to the First Presbyterian church and gave his hearty sup- port to its various activities. He passed away in Lincoln, on the 17th of Feb- ruary, 1913, at the age of seventy-three years, and was buried in the Wyuka cemetery. In all relations of life he measured up to high standards of manhood and his demise was recognized as a loss to his community as well as to his immediate family.
MARTIN BURNS.
Martin Burns, a retired contractor residing in University Place, was born in Pekin, Niagara county, New York, on the 14th of October. 1837. and was reared in that county, dividing his time during his boyhood and youth between assisting his father with the farm work and attending school. After completing the course offered in the public schools he entered Genesee College, thus further preparing himself for the duties of life. On the 8th of August, 1861, he became a member of Company B, Forty-fourth New York Volunteer Infantry, known as the Ellsworth Regiment which was a selected body of men, all being of excel- lent character, all under twenty-eight years of age and over five feet, cight inches in height. While at the front he contracted a severe cold and this proved so serious in its effects that he was confined to a hospital at Washington for a considerable period and was finally discharged on the 19th of April, 1862, at Washington on account of ill health.
Mr. Burns then returned to New York and remained at home until he had partly regained his strength and in the fall of 1863 went west, locating in Plain- field. Will county, Illinois, where he taught school for several years, serving during part of that time as principal. At length he gave up teaching and turned his attention to farming, purchasing land near Plainfield. In the spring of 1878, however, he went to York county, Nebraska, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land, which he brought under cultivation as soon as possible. Ile resided on that place for seven years, at the end of which it was a well improved farm, and he sold it and removed to the town of York, where he lived until 1888. In that year he took up his residence in Lincoln, Lancaster
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county, and purchased a hardware store, which he conducted for about a year. At the end of that time he disposed of that business and came to University Place and erected a good residence. He moved here in order that his children might take advantage of the excellent educational opportunities offered by the university. In 1892 he returned to York and for six years served as cashier of the Farmers & Merchants Bank of that place but at the end of that time sold his interest in the institution and came again to University Place, where he has since lived. He turned his attention to contracting and has erected some of the best residences in University Place, in Lincoln and in Havelock, having gained an enviable reputation for fair dealing and thorough work. In 1915 he retired from active business and has since enjoyed a period of well deserved leisure.
Mr. Burns was married on the 15th of March, 1865, to Miss Melvina C. l Iess, who was born in Madison county, New York, and reared in Will county, Illinois. She passed away on the 26th of September, 1908, in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which she was long an active member. She was the mother of two children, of whom the elder, Riley H., died in 1890. Abbie C. is a graduate of the Wesleyan University and of the State University of Nebraska and has also studied foreign languages in Germany and France. She has taught German in the Wesleyan University since 1898 and also teaches French, being recognized as an unusually fine language teacher.
Mr. Burns is a stanch republican and in 1881 and 1882 served in the state senate, having been elected to that body from the district composed of York and Hamilton counties. He was very active in the work of legislation and among other things that he accomplished he framed and was largely instru- mental in securing the passage of the present school law. He was also an influ- ential factor in the securing of the state farm. He belongs to Belknap Post, No. 318, G. A. R., of University Place, of which he has been commander, and he takes a great interest in the work of that organization, to which he has belonged for many years, having joined it while a resident of Illinois. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and fraternally is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He has been successful in all that he has undertaken, and his record is doubly creditable in that he is a self-made man, having depended solely upon his own efforts and good judgment for his advancement. He is respected for his ability and enterprise and also for his integrity, which is above question.
FRANK H. BERGMAN.
Frank H. Bergman, who owns and conducts the Sanitary Grocery Company at College View, Lancaster county, Nebraska, is one of the most progressive and successful merchants of the town. He was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, ine September, 1886, and is a son of Henry G. and Anna M. (Wake) Bergman, natives of Ohio and Missouri respectively. The father removed to the latter state in early manhood and became a member of the firm of [HRG. Bergman &
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Brothers, box manufacturers of St. Joseph, where he has been in business for thirty-eight years. His wife is also still living.
Frank H. Bergman was reared and received his early education in his native city and after leaving school went to work for the Brady Carpet Company, with whom he remained for five years. He then came to College View, Nebraska, and entered Union College, where he took a four years' course. At the end of that time he engaged in the manufacture of fireless cookers but sold his interests in that connection and engaged in the grocery business in partnership with R. H. Bruns. This association was maintained for five months after which H. B. Steel bought out Mr. Bruns. At the end of another six months Mr. Bergman sold his interest in the business to Mr. Steel, but remained in his employ for three and a half years. In February, 1915, however, he purchased the business and has since conducted it under the name of the Sanitary Grocery Company. He carries a large stock, takes great pains to meet the demands of his customers and as the result of his fair dealing and enterprise has gained a large patronage. He is always willing to adopt new methods if they are more efficient than the old and this characteristic is manifested in the fact that he operates an automobile delivery.
Mr. Bergman was married on the 7th of July, 1910, to Miss Annie M. Hul- lett, a daughter of D. H. and Ellen ( Christenson ) Hullett. Her parents, who are natives respectively of England and Norway, are now living in North Dakota.
Mr. Bergman gives his political allegiance to the democratic party but has never sought nor desired public office. In religious faith he is a Seventh Day Adventist and does much to further the work of that organization. He is still a young man but he has gained a measure of financial success that many of his seniors might well envy and personally he is popular.
FRANK W. SAMUELSON.
Frank W. Samuelson, who is engaged in farming in North Bluff precinct, is thoroughly up-to-date in his methods and his place is provided with the most modern equipment. He was born upon his present home farm on the 10th of March, 1880, of the marriage of John M. and Clara ( Johnson ) Samuelson, who were born, reared and married in Sweden, their wedding journey consisting of their voyage to the United States. After reaching this country they continued their way westward and located in Illinois, whence they came to Nebraska in 1880. They located upon the farm which their son, Frank W., is now operating and which was at that time totally unimproved. The father brought the place under cultivation, erected snitable buildings and successfully engaged in farming until 1007. He then retired and removed to Ceresco, where he passed away #May 5. 1911. The mother died June 25. 1916.
Frank W. Samuelson, who is the sixth in order of birth of a family of seven children, attended school in North Bluff precinct and under his father's instruc- tion early became familiar with farm work. When in his teens he was taken into partnership by his father and"
and when twenty one years of age took charge
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of the home farm, which he has since operated. In 1913 he purchased the interests of the other heirs and is now sole owner of the place, which comprises one hundred and sixty acres of highly improved land. He keeps in touch with the work of those who are making a scientific study of agricultural problems and in his work uses the most up-to-date machinery. He believes that the best is none too good for the twentieth century American farmer and his habit of utilizing the most improved machinery on the market and of following pro- gressive methods has been an important factor in his success. He has recently purchased a "Jackson 8" automobile and finds it a good investment as well as a source of much pleasure to the entire family. He is not only a landowner but also holds stock in the Bank of Waverly and in the Farmers Cooperative Association.
Mr. Samuelson was married on the 12th of June, too ;. to Miss Mabel Anderson, a daughter of George A. and Carolina ( Palmquist ) Anderson, both of whom were born in Sweden. However, they were married in America and the father engaged in farming in Illinois until 1895, when he came to Nebraska with his family and located in Mill precinct. There he passed away in October, 1911. Mrs. Samuelson was born in Cass county, near Jacksonville. Illinois. By her marriage she has become the mother of a daughter, Phyllis Mayburn Viola.
Mr. Samuelson votes for the man rather than the party as he believes that the fitness of the candidate for the office in question is a matter of the greatest importance. His religious faith is that of the Swedish Mission church and his life has measured up to high standards. Ile has gained a measure of success that many a man his senior might well envy and his enterprise and sound judgment insure his continued prosperity.
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RICHARD THURSTON MORRISON.
Richard Thurston Morrison, a prominent and public-spirited citizen, was born on the oth of August. 1856, near Milan, Sullivan county, Missouri. His father was William Bailey Morrison, a son of Donald Morrison. The latter was born in Alabama but removed successively to Tennessee and Sullivan county, Missouri, passing his last years in the latter state. William Bailey Morrison, who was a native of Tennessee, born in 1835, was reared in that state and acquired his education in the public schools. In 1851 he became a resident of Sullivan county. Missouri, and after farming there for some time engaged in merchandising at Milan, Missouri, continuing active in that line until the spring of 1868. Ile then removed by covered wagon to Nebraska. He left Missouri with the intention of taking a train to Omaha and going to California, where the railroad had been giving employment to many men, but when he reached Omaha he discovered that the road had quit sending men to California and accordingly he made his way to Nebraska City. lle resided there for some time and as that was before the building of railroads through that section he drove a wagon train from Nebraska City to Lincoln. In 1870, however, he rented a farm north of Beatrice and later in that year honesitaded fishy Microsoft@in South Pass
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precinct. He took up his residence there and concentrated his energies upon the improvement of that place until he received a patent to the land in 1875. He then came to Hickman and established a lumber yard, which he conducted, together with a grain business, for several years. In 1884 he formed a partner- ship with W. P. Larsh under the firm name of Larsh & Morrison and they engaged in general merchandising until 1888, when Mr. Morrison sold his interest in the business to Mr. Larsh and purchased stock in the Bank of Hickman and became its cashier. He served in that capacity until his death. which occurred in October, 1901. He was united in marriage in 1855 at Milan, Missouri, to Miss Nancy Montgomery, who was born in Ohio in 1836 and is a daughter of William Montgomery. Following Mr. Morrison's death she removed to Denver, Colorado, and is now living with her youngest daughter, Mrs. John Stopher, of Loveland, Colorado.
Richard T. Morrison began his education in the schools of Milan, Missouri, later attended the schools of Nebraska City for two years, those of Holland, Nebraska, for five years and those at Hickman for some time. Upon putting aside his textbooks he cultivated his father's land. thus gaining valuable expe- rience in the operation of a farm. In 1883 he invested his savings in eighty acres on section 24, Saltillo precinct, and for seven years he devoted his time and attention to the improvement of that place. At the expiration of that period he rented land on section 25 and two years later, or in 1892, he took up his residence in Hickman. He then purchased a threshing outfit, which he operated until 1808, when he established a dray business. This enterprise proved profitable and he devoted his time and attention to its management until 1915, when he sold the business. He and his family then took a trip west, visiting his mother in Colorado, touring the states of Utah, Idaho, Oregon and California and visiting the World's Fair at San Francisco. On the ist of September, 1915, he returned to Hickman and on the ist of October he engaged in the hardware business. He has already built up a good patronage, for his integrity and fair dealing are well known, and he keeps a large and well selected stock. He still owns his farm on section 24, Saltillo precinct, from the rent of which he derives a gratifying addition to his income.
Mr. Morrison was married at the Peter Beck homestead, near Hickman, on the 13th of October, 1878, to Miss Annie Mary Beck, who was born on the 22d of February, 1858, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Her father, Peter Beck, who was also a native of the Keystone state, removed to Lancaster, Wisconsin, and in 1869 came to Lancaster county, Nebraska, and homesteaded land in Sal- tillo precinct. He operated his farm many years and is now living retired in Hickman. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Moore, was born in Pennsylvania and is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison are the parents of four children. Louis Guy, who was born on his grandfather's homestead on the 29th of July, 1879, is now farming his father's place. He is married and has a son, Vernon. Laura Grace was born July 20, 1881, in Hickman and died here in 1893. Mamie Laura was born near Ilickman on the 22d of July, 1883, and is now the wife of Benjamin Walvoord, who is engaged in the automobile business in Ilick- man, and they have two children, Crystal and Thelma. Coral Sadie was born April 27, 1888, near Hickman and is the wife of Dr. Augustine Des Jardins, a physician of Hickmantized by Microsoft ®
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Mr. Morrison was school director for district No. 79 in Saltillo township for one term and has also served on the board of educatin in Hickman. For two terms he was a member of the town board and in 1907 and 1908 held the office of mayor, doing much in that time to further the interests of the town. Ile casts his ballot in favor of the candidates and measures of the democratic party and is a firm believer in the soundness of its policies. He is identified with Hickman Camp, No. 6381, M. W. A., of which he is a charter member and in which he has served as secretary for five years, and with Damocles Lodge, No. 60, K. P., of which he is past chancellor commander. His wife belongs to the Royal Neighbors and is filling the office of sentinel. Both are well known in Hickman and their many excellent qualities have gained them a high place in the esteem of their fellow townsmen.
EDMUND S. CUMMINGS.
Edmund S. Cummings owns three hundred and twenty acres of excellent land in Grant precinct but is not now actively engaged in its operation, renting it to others. He was born in Carlinville, Macoupin county, Illinois. on the oth of June, 1857, and is a son of William and Mary (Alford) Cummings, also natives of the Prairie state. The father engaged in farming there until 1872 when he purchased land in Missouri, where he followed agricultural pursuits during his remaining years. His death occurred on the 13th of January, 1905, and the mother's demise took place in 1860.
Edmund S. Cummings received his education in Macoupin county, Illinois, and when thirteen years old began working as a farm hand. He was so ein- ployed for seven years but in 1878 went to Saline county, Nebraska. A year later he came to Lancaster county and bought land in Grant precinct where he has since lived. He now owns a half section of excellent land but at one time held title to an entire section. He rents his farm to others as he has retired from active life. Through his wise management of his affairs he has gained financial independence and he has also contributed to the agricultural develop- ment of his locality.
In August, 1878, Mr. Cummings was united in marriage to Miss Kate Lewis, a daughter of John and Julia ( Davis) Lewis, the former born in North Carolina and the latter in Kentucky. In an early day the family located in Macoupin county, Illinois, and there the father operated one farm for a half century. llis death occurred, however, at the home of Mr. Cummings on the 18th of April, 1891. The mother's death occurred in 1856. To Mr. and Mrs. Cummings have been born five children, namely: Frank, who married Catherine Greenamyre and died December 6, 1905. leaving a widow and a daughter, Doris; Clara, the wife of Charles Morton, a rural mail carrier of Lancaster county : Charlie, twin brother of Clara, and husband of Beulah Huston, and now a farmer of this county ; Laura, who married A. L. Magee, a farmer of Grant precinct : and Ruth, the wife of Floyd Sturdy, also farming in this precinct.
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