USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Lincoln > Lincoln, the capital city and Lancaster County, Nebraska, Volume II > Part 34
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J. D. Shively was reared in his native county and is indebted for his early education to its public schools. Later he attended Battle Creek College, which conferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of Science. Ile prepared for the practice of medicine at the American Medical and the Rush Medical Colleges and was graduated from the former in 1900. He became connected with the Battle Creek Sanitarium in a professional capacity and later. for three years, was superintendent at the lowa Sanitarium at Des Moines. He next located at Sheldahl, Iowa, where he engaged in the private practice of medicine for three years, after which he became identified with the Boulder ( Col ) Sani- tarium, with which he remained until 1910, serving as superintendent of that institution until he accepted a similar position in the Denver Sanitarium. He remained there until Julioizizdo bbymicrosofi to take up his duties as superintendent of the Nebraska Sanitarium. lle keeps thoroughly
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informed as to the work that is being done in other progressive institutions of the kind in various parts of the country, and has been very successful in main- taining a high standard in all departments of the sanitarium. Various systems of therapeutics are used in treatment of disease and much importance is attached to hygienic food, but no fads are exploited as every method of treatment must have previously proved its value before it is adopted by the institution. Ile is connected with the Lancaster County and Nebraska State Societies and with the American Medical Association and is at present serving as health officer of College View.
On the 15th of December, 1897, Mr. Shively. was united in marriage to Miss Eva McGee, daughter of John and Drucilla ( Nailor) McGee, natives of Virginia, but pioneers of Clarke county, lowa. Mrs. Shively graduated from the medical department of Drake University at Des Moines in 1906 and in 1909 received the degree of Bachelor of Arts on the completion of a course of study in the University of Colorado. She is an experienced and capable physi- cian and is her husband's assistant. He is independent politically, preferring to vote according to his best judgment rather than follow the dictates of party leaders. He holds membership in the Adventist church and its principles have guided his conduct in the various relations of life. During the four years that he has resided in College View he has gained a wide acquaintance and the warm friendship of many.
JOHN B. LAIRD.
Jolin B. Laird owns one hundred and sixty acres of good land in Grant precinct which is now being operated by his son, and he is living retired in Col- lege View. His birth occurred in Wisconsin on the 28th of February, 1856, and he is a son of John and Sarah ( Brown) Laird, natives of Prince Edward Island, England. The father became an early settler of Wisconsin, where he farmed until 1870, when he removed to Iowa and purchased land in Montgomery county. After following agricultural pursuits there for a long period, he retired and went to California, where his death occurred in 1898. He served for two years during the Civil war as a member of Company H, Fiftieth Wisconsin Infantry, and throughout his life manifested a commendable willingness to sub- ordinate personal interests to the general good. His wife preceded him in death a number of years as she was called to her final rest in 1882.
John B. Laird spent his boyhood and youth in Wisconsin and Iowa and is indebted to the public schools of those states for his education. On attaining his majority he rented the home farm in Iowa and operated that place for three years, after which he rented other land, which he farmed until 1885. He then came to Lancaster county, and rented land here until 1901. when he purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section II, Grant precinct. He at once began the improvement of that farm and devoted his time to raising grain and stock until 1913, when he rented the place to his son and removed to College View. He purchased a good residence with six and a half acres of land and has since made his home here. gizcu by microsoft
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JOHN B. LAIRD AND FAMILY
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On the 5th of October, 1876, occurred the marriage of Mr. Laird and Miss Julia Davis, a daughter of William and Lucy ( Maddox) Davis, natives of Vir- ginia. They removed to Iowa many years ago and there the father farmed until 1883, when he came to Lancaster county, Nebraska. After residing in Lincoln for some time he returned to Virginia, where he passed away in 1901. To Mr. and Mrs. Laird have been born nine children, namely: Nora, Chester, Clarence, Ernest, Blanche, Ethel, Claude, Lottie and Hazel.
Mr. Laird supports the republican party at the polls and promptly discharges all of his obligations as a public-spirited citizen. The principles which govern his life are found in the teachings of the Methodist church and his genuine worth is generally recognized. For many years he worked untiringly and the leisure which he now enjoys is well deserved, for it was made possible by his former labor.
JOSEPH T. INGRAM.
Joseph T. Ingram is living retired in Bethany after years of well directed labor as a farmer and is one of the valued citizens of the town. He has not confined his activities to agricultural work, however, for he has served as a member of the state legislature and in that capacity proved public-spirited, far- sighted and progressive. He was born in Flemingsburg, Kentucky, on the 26th of July, 1844, and his parents were Joseph and Eleanor ( Mershon) Ingran. natives respectively of Harpers Ferry, Virginia, and Ohio. The father removed with his parents to the Blue Grass state when a child and remained there until 1844, when he emigrated with his family to Jones county, Iowa. He purchased four hundred acres of fine land there and devoted his time to its operation until his demise in May, 1864. His wife survived him for less than a year. as she passed away in January, 1865.
Joseph T. Ingram was reared and educated in Jones county, Iowa, and after- ward took up the profession of teaching, which he followed at intervals until he was forty years of age. In the meantime he engaged in farming and from the time that he attained his majority until 1871 he operated rented land but in that year he removed to Thayer county, Nebraska, and took up a homestead. which he improved and farmed for three years. He then sold that place and went to Republic county, Kansas, just across the line, and purchased one hun- dred and sixty acres, to the operation of which he devoted the greater part of his time for twenty years. In 1891 he was elected to the Kansas state legis- lature from Republic county and served in that capacity for one term. Eight years later he took up his residence in Franklin county, Nebraska, and bought two hundred acres of fine land, which he cultivated until 1905, when he retired from active life and removed to Bethany, Lancaster county, where he purchased a home and a half block of ground on the corner of Butler and Pitcher streets, and there he has since lived in the enjoyment of well deserved leisure. He also holds title to five acres on Pennsylvania avenue and he still owns his farm in Franklin county. Digitized by Microsoft ®
Mr. Ingram was married, in November, 1866, to Miss Alice Kirby and they Vol. II-17
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became the parents of nine children: Kittie M., Clarence E., Mabel .A., Claude C., Ethel, Zella, J. Everett, Ruby L. and Carrie. All are married and they re- side in Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa. There are also eight grandchildren. Mrs. Ingram passed away in January, 1910, after a long illness, and in September, IQII, Mr. Ingram was again married, Mrs. Effie J. Gillern becoming his wife. She has two children, Larue and Maurice F.
Mr. Ingram is a stanch adherent of the democratic party, believing firmly in the soundness of its principles, and he has always taken deep interest in public affairs. Ile is identified with the Christian church and has been active in its work since he was a youth of sixteen years. Since removing to Bethany he has served as elder and he has done much to promote the interests of the church in his community. In all that he has undertaken he has gained a gratifying measure of success and all who know him respect and esteem him highly.
BENJAMIN F. SMITH.
Benjamin F. Smith, living on section 32, Yankee Hill township, was born in Blair county, Pennsylvania, in November, 1839, a son of Eli and Eby ( Smith) Smith, who were natives of Pennsylvania and of English descent. The father engaged in woolen manufacturing in his native state for many years, but sub- sequently purchased land and devoted his remaining days to farming, his death occurring in 1886. For two years he had survived his wife, who died in 1884.
Benjamin F. Smith was reared and educated in Pennsylvania and remained with his parents until 1861 when, aroused by a spirit of patriotism, he enlisted as a defender of the Union cause, joining Company D. of the Third Pennsyl- vania infantry with which he served for ninety days. Later he served for six months in the Second Pennsylvania Cavalry and was afterward connected for one year with the Thirteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. After his final discharge he returned home where he remained until 1868 when he came to this county, walking from Nebraska City to Lincoln. The work of development and im- provement had scarcely been begun at that time. This was a frontier region and but few settlers had ventured within the present borders of the county. Mr. Smith secured a claim on the 9th of May, 1868, entering eighty acres on section 32, Yankee Hill precinct. With characteristic energy he began to break the sod and till the fields, and he also set out many trees and otherwise carried on the work of improvement. Subsequently he purchased forty acres more and since that time he has lived continuously upon the place which is now his home. This covers a period of forty-eight years and there are now few resi- dents of Lincoln county who have so long continued upon one place or even within the borders of the county. Ilis farm is a nicely improved property and its careful management has brought to him gratifying success. In former years he was engaged very extensively in raising cattle and hogs but is now largely retired.
On the 25th of December, 1865, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Harnish; a daughter of Daniel and Susan (Schultz) Harnish, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a shoemaker by trade
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and afterward became a farmer. He spent his entire life in Pennsylvania where he passed away in 1892. He had long survived his wife, who died in 1856. Mrs. Smith was born in the Keystone state October 18, 1845, and by her mar- riage became the mother of seven children : Eli Martin, who is engaged in farm- ing in Yankee Ilill township; Daniel L., who is cultivating his father's farm; Ida, the wife of James C. Miller, residing in Virginia ; Marion C., the wife of Wallace Angelo, a resident of Idaho; Carrie, the wife of George Williams, a farmer of Yankee Hill township; Emma B., the wife of Gordon Angelo, of Lincoln ; and John Q., who died in 1872 at the age of two years.
In politics Mr. Smith is a republican and for many years served as a dele- gate to the conventions of the party. He has occupied the position of road supervisor, was school treasurer for four terms and for twenty years one of the school directors. He is connected with the Dunkard or Brethren church and he is much interested in all those forces which work for the development and upbuilding of the community along moral as well as material lines. His life has been well spent and those who know him esteem him highly because of the many sterling traits of character which he has displayed.
CLINTON J. MITCHELL.
Clinton J. Mitchell, of Lincoln, Nebraska, now serving on the board of county commissioners from the third district, was born on a farm in Saltillo precinct, this county, February 16, 1875, a son of the late Henry F. Mitchell, whose record appears elsewhere in this volume. Ile has resided in this county throughout his entire life. Though born in Saltillo precinct, he has lived in Centerville pre- cinct from early infancy and long devoted his time and attention to farming and stock raising, becoming one of the largest feeders of beef cattle in Lancaster county, a reputation which he has enjoyed for twenty years past. His home farm of three hundred and sixty acres lies one mile east of the town of Sprague. Ile bought the original tract from his father before he was twenty-one years of age, becoming owner of eighty acres wholly unimproved. not even a building or a fence being upon the place. As the years have passed he has extended the boundaries of his farm by additional purchases of land until the place now com- prises three hundred and sixty acres and is one of the best improved farm prop- erties in Centerville. Two hundred and forty acres of his land formerly belonged to his father-in-law, William Charlton, whose only daughter became the wife of Mr. Mitchell. In addition to the home place Mr. Mitchell owns one hundred and sixty acres in Highland precinct and another tract of similar size in Butte county, North Dakota, both of which he has purchased.
In politics Mr. Mitchell has always been a stalwart republican, following in the footsteps of his father in this particular. He has never but once been a candidate for office and that the position which he is now filling. He was elected county commissioner from the third district in ton and took the office in January, 1912. In 1914 he was re-elected, so that he is now serving for the second term. which is a four years' term. continuesdih &s deiorosoff Ramary, 191. In order to be nearer the scene of his official activities he removed to Lincoln in
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the fall of 1915. One of the distinct achievements of his official service was the complete redistricting of Lancaster county, having started the movement to bring this about. When he became commissioner the third district, which he represents, consisted of fifteen precincts of the twenty-four in the county and at the same time his district received only one-third of the county funds for improvements. Ile successfully carried through the movement to redistrict with the result that his district now has but nine precincts but still gets one-third of the improvement funds for roads and culverts. His activity on this line was for the general good of the people of his district. When he took office his district was carrying an indebtedness of fifty-eight hundred dollars, which has since been wiped out, and at the same time he has bought for the district's use two gasoline tractor engines, for which over four thousand dollars was paid.
On the 21st of February, 1899, Mr. Mitchell was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary A. Charlton, the only daughter of William Charlton, the largest land- owner and wealthiest citizen of Centerville precinct. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have one son, Charlton F., who was born on the Ist of March, 1900.
Mr. Mitchell is a member of the Lincoln Commercial Club and fraternally is connected with the Knights of Pythias, while his religious faith is manifest in his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. His life has been an extremely busy and useful one and he is numbered among the foremost agriculturists of this part of the state. He is wide-awake, alert and enterprising, ready for any emergency in business or in office and actuated at all times by honorable prin- ciples and unfaltering loyalty to that which he believes to be right.
JOHN DICKSON.
John Dickson, who is living retired in Panama, gained a competence through his well directed labors as a farmer and cabinetmaker and is enjoying a well deserved period of leisure. His birth occurred on the 6th of January, 1842, in Lanarkshire, Scotland, and his parents were John and Isabella ( Rogers) Dickson, the former born in Hamilton, and the latter in Larkhall, Scotland. The father's birth occurred on the 28th of July, 1815, and he received his education in his native city, where he subsequently followed the miller's trade until 1871, when he came with his family to America and located at Earlville, Delaware county, Iowa, where he purchased forty acres of land, and after bringing it under cultiva- tion, devoted his time to the raising of grain and stock until his death. His wife also passed away upon the home farm.
John Dickson passed his boyhood and youth under the parental roof and after completing his education served an apprenticeship as a cabinetmaker for five and a half years. He then followed his trade in Glasgow, Scotland, and Roch- dale, Liverpool, Manchester and London, England, remaining in the last namned city for seven years. In 1871 he accompanied the rest of the family to America and remained for a short time upon his father's farm in Delaware county, Iowa. Later in that year, however. he went to Chicago where he worked as a cabinet- maker for three years, at the end of which time he removed to San Francisco, California. There'he was employed in making the furniture for the Palace Hotel,
LINCOLN AND LANCASTER COUNTY
but in 1876 he left the coast and took up his residence in Lancaster county, Nebraska. He purchased an eighty acre tract of raw land on section it, Panama precinct, for which he paid one thousand dollars and which he at once began to improve and cultivate. Subsequently he purchased three additional eighty acre tracts, bringing his holdings up to three hundred and twenty acres all in Panama precinct and all well improved. He operated another half section and as the years passed his capital increased steadily for he was energetic and practical and man- aged his affairs well. In 1910 he retired from active life and built a fine home in Panama in which he has since lived.
Mr. Dickson was married on the 25th of June, 1865, in London, England, to Miss Christina Pettigrew, who was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, on the 2d of April, 1844, a daughter of William and Agnes ( Twadell ) Pettigrew, also natives of that shire. The father was a plasterer by trade and passed his active life in Scotland, but after retiring came with his wife to America and made his home with Mrs. Dickson. Both Mr. and Mrs. Pettigrew died in this county and are buried in Panama cemetery. Nine children have been born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Dickson, as follows: Agnes, who was born in London, England, is now the wife of Ed Schintall of Panama; John, who was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, and is now engaged in the coffee business in Lincoln; William, who was born in London and died there in infancy; Belle, who was born in Chicago and passed away in that city in infancy; Maggie, the wife of Louis Gove, a farmer of Lancaster county ; Alice, who married Elmer Scott, a farmer of han- caster county ; James, who is farming in Lancaster county ; Harry, who is cashier of the Turin Bank at Turin, Iowa; and Lizzie, the wife of Selden Ewing, a farmer of Manchester, Kansas.
Mr. Dickson is an advocate of the policies of the republican party and is never remiss in any of his duties as a citizen. Fraternally he is connected with the Bennet Lodge, No. 94, A. F. & AA. M., in which he has served through all of the chairs and in religious faith he is a Presbyterian He is is good circumstances financially, receiving a fair income from the rental of his land and his prosperity is doubly creditable in that it is the result of his own industry and good manage- ment. He has a wide acquaintance and his friends are many.
JOHN JOSEPH MEYER.
Jolin Joseph Meyer, who is living retired in Hallam, Buda precinct, has been active in a number of fields of endeavor and has met with gratifying success in all that he has undertaken. For many years he engaged in farming, subsequently conducted a hardware and implement business and still later served as cashier of the Hallam Bank. He also assisted in organizing the Cooperative Telephone Company of Hallam, in which he is still financially interested.
Mr. Meyer was born in Clayton county, lowa, on the 14th of April. 1847, a son of John Henry and Eliza ( Spellman ) Meyer, who were born in Hanover. Germany. On removing to Lancaster county Mr. Meyer purchased one hundred and sixty acres of railroad daidzecefy Microsoftin and an eighty acre tract on section 28. and later he bought ten hundred and fifteen acres in
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Saltillo precinct. He devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, engaging in farming and stock-raising on an extensive scale.
John J. Meyer was reared in Clayton county and after putting aside his textbooks worked for his father until 1868, when he came to Lancaster county, Nebraska, to look at some land which his father was thinking of buying. He was favorably impressed with conditions here and as the result of his report concerning the county and the fertility of the soil the family removed here in the spring of 1869. A short time later John J. Meyer took up a homestead of eighty acres on section 28, Buda precinct, but continued to reside with his parents upon his father's farm. In 1870 he broke forty acres of his own land and in the spring of that year purchased a half interest in a threshing machine outfit. which he operated during the summer and fall. In the following spring he took up his residence upon his farm, he and a neighbor, G. Rippen, keeping "bachelor's hall." Following his marriage, which occurred in 1873, he built a frame house, fourteen by sixteen feet in dimensions, which was later replaced by a commodious residence. He brought his farm to a high state of development and concentrated his energies upon its operation until the fall of 1894. He then retired from farming and removed to Hallam, Buda precinct. This town was platted in 1893, when the Rock Island Railroad was built through the county, and Mr. Meyer, seeing the excellent opportunity to build up a prosperous business in the new town, formed a partnership with Charles Severin and engaged in the implement and hardware business under the name of Meyer & Severin. They were the first merchants in Hallain and gained a gratifying patronage. Subsequently Mr. Severin sokl his interest in the store to William Elfeldt and the firm name became Meyer & Elfeldt. This association was maintained until August, 1898, when they sold the business to William Roke. Mr. Meyer then turned his attention to banking, aiding in organizing the Bank of Hallam, which opened its doors for business on the ist of December of that year. Ile was its first cashier and filled that position continuously for fourteen years, or until the fall of 1908. He then sold his interest in the institution and retired from business. He still owns his farm, which he rents, and is also interested in the Cooperative Telephone Company at Hallam, which he aided in organizing. In 1913 he built a beautiful residence in Hallam, in which he has since lived.
On the 13th of March. 1873. the marriage of Mr. Meyer and Miss Louisa Heidecker was celebrated upon his father's homestead near Roca. Mrs. Meyer was born in Clayton county, Iowa, on the Ist of July. 1852, and was reared within six miles of the home of her husband, but they never met until both had become residents of Lancaster county. Her parents, Christian and Barbara ( Walter ) Ileidecker, were both natives of Bavaria, Germany, and on emigrating to the United States settled in Clayton county, Iowa, which was then a frontier district. The father worked as a day laborer for a number of years but in 1869 came to Lancaster county, and homesteaded land on section 22, Buda precinct. At length, having accumulated a competence, he retired from active life but continued to reside on the farm, where he passed away on the 7th of November, 1900. His wife died upon the home place on the 26th of February. 1912, and both are buried in the Hallam cemetery.
Mr. Meyer is a stalwart advocate of democratic principles and loyally sup- ports that party at the polls. For ten years he was a member of the school
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board in district No. 114 and he can always be depended upon to take an interest in everything that concerns the public welfare. He holds membership in the HIallam Congregational church and its work profits by his support and coopera- tion. He has resided in Lancaster county since pioneer tinies and has not only witnessed its rapid development but has also been a factor in its advancement along various lines. Through industry and good judgment he has gained finan- cial independence and has also gained an enviable reputation for fair dealing and unswerving integrity.
JOHN M. ADAMS.
John M. Adams holds title to eight hundred and forty acres of excellent land and personally supervises the operation of two hundred acres, but gives the greater part of his attention to the conduct of the elevator at Waverly, which he owns. His birth occurred in Jonkoping lan, Sweden, on the 2d of January, 1860, and he is a son of Jonas and Christina ( Magnuson ) Adams, also natives of that län. In 1883 the family emigrated to the United States and located upon a farm seven miles northwest of Waverly, where the mother died in 1885. and the father on the 12th of July, 1914.
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