USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Lincoln > Lincoln, the capital city and Lancaster County, Nebraska, Volume II > Part 40
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Mr. Birdsall is a democrat and has held a number of local offices although not a politician in the usual sense of the term. He belongs to the Congregational church and is well known in fraternal circles, being identified with Unity Lodge, No. 163, A. F. & A. M. at Greenwood, the Scottish Rites bodies and the Mystic Shrine at Lincoln ; the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of which he is past master workman ; the Modern Woodmen of America ; and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has held all of the chairs. In his daily life he exem- plifies the spirit of fraternity and mutual helpfulness, upon which those orders are founded, and he is popular personally.
WILLIAM P. AYLSWORTH.
William P. Aylsworth was one of the founders of Cotner University at Bethany and was for many years president of the institution, but has now reached an age when he considers himself entitled to a period of leisure and has therefore given over the active direction of the school to others and holds the office of chancellor emeritus and is also head of the department of Biblical literature and ministerial training. He was born in Lake county, Illinois, on the 12th of December, 1844, and is a son of John and Ann F. ( Freeman ) Aylsworth, the former a native of Rhode Island and the latter of New York. In 1835 the family removed to Chicago and the father became foreman of the first printing office of that place, a position which he filled for a number of years. Subse- quently he purchased land in Lake county and devoted the remainder of his life to its operation. He passed away in March, 1902, after having survived his wife for many years, as she died in January, 1886. They were the parents of two children: John, a minister, who died at Auburn, New York, in 1968; and William P.
The latter was reared in his native county and after completing courses offered in the public schools, attended Chicago University and was subsequently a student in Bethany College in West Virginia, graduating therefrom with the class of 1869. He then began the work of the ministry and was stationed at
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South Bend, Indiana, and in other towns in that state. He also had charge of a church at Columbus, Ohio, but in 1886 he came to Nebraska and for two years was president of Fairfield College, which later merged with Cotner University. In 1889 he located in the town of Bethany and aided in organizing Cotner Univer- sity, of which he was vice president until 1896, when he was made chancellor. Ile discharged the duties of that office with marked ability until 19to, when he retired from the active management of the institution and was made chancellor emeritus and head of the department of Biblical literature and ministerial training. He has given many of the best years of his life to the upbuilding of the University and the school owes him a debt of gratitude which can never be repaid, for it is especially true of an institution of learning that its development depends upon the personality of the men at its head. He has the satisfaction of knowing that he has done well a work that is worth while and he is held in the highest esteem wherever known. He has also gained a gratifying measure of material prosperity and was a director and stockholder in the First State Bank of Bethany and also owns considerable property which he rents and from which he derives a substantial return. His residence is commodious and well designed and situated in University Place.
Mr. Aylsworth was married in December, 1872, to Miss Mary D. Stuzaker and to them were born four children, as follows: Raymond G., who is in charge of the civil engineering work of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad at Denver, Colorado; Clara F., the wife of Cleveland Kleihauer, a graduate of Cotner University and pastor of the University church at Seattle, Washington ; and John W. and William S., the former of whom died in 1885 and the latter in 1875.
Mr. Aylsworth is a stanch advocate of the republican principles and supports candidates of that party at the polls. While living in Ohio he was chaplain of the house of representatives. Ile belongs fraternally to the Modern Woodmen of America and to Phi Kappa I'si. He is one of the leading members of the Christian church in Nebraska and both as a minister and as an educator has done much to further the best interests and increase the influence of that denom- ination. He has done considerable writing and is the author of a work upon Hebrew prophecy, which is in use as a textbook in his own and other institu- tions.
ALBERT F. STERN.
Albert F. Stern, who holds title to a good farm in Grant precinct. was born in Germany in December, 1862, a son of William and Amelia Stern, also natives of the fatherland, where the former farmed for many years. At length, how- ever, the family came to America and located in Lancaster county, Nebraska, where the father cultivated a tract of good land for six years. He passed away in 1898 and the mother survived until 1910.
Albert F. Stern was reared in Germany and received his education in the public schools there. When twenty-two years old he came to America and located in Ohio, where he followed the carriagemaker's frade for two years. 11e
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then came to Lancaster county, Nebraska, and for fifteen years was in the employ of Camp Brothers, carriage makers of Lincoln. At the end of that time he removed to Montana, where he spent three years, but at the expiration of that period he returned to Lancaster county and bought eighty acres of land on section 10, Grant precinct, which he farmed for a number of years, bringing this to a high state of development. The farm is now rented to others and the family reside at the corner of Ninth and II streets, in College View.
Mr. Stern was married, in April, 1889, to Miss Marie Pump, a daughter of Frederick and Dorothy (Eldenburg) Pump, natives of Germany, who came to America when children with their respective parents. The father became a pioneer of Lancaster county and under the homestead law took up land which he is still operating. He served in the Civil war with a regiment of Ohio infantry under General Sherman and was with the colors for four years, proving his loyalty to his adopted country. The mother died in 1902. To Mr. and Mrs. Stern have been born four children : Anna, the wife of T. S. Johnson, of Lincoln; and Carl, Alma and Esther, all at home. The family are Lutherans in religious faith. They are well known throughout the county and are held in high esteem.
MADISON WILLAN.
Madison Willan was for many years engaged in farming but is now living retired and spends part of his time upon the homestead and part with his sons in Lincoln. He was born near Lockport, Henry county, Kentucky, on the 5th of September, 1847, a son of George and Delphi ( Cox) Willan. His father was born in Yorkshire, England, on the 21st of February, 1816, and resided there until 1845 when he emigrated to the new world, landing in New York on the 27th of April. On the 5th of April, 1857, he became a resident of Clay county, Indiana, and there lived for over forty years, dying on the 5th of August, 1901. He was married to Miss Delphi Cox, of Henry county, Kentucky, but she passed away July 1, 1856. On the 2d of November, 1862, he was united in marriage to Miss Magdalena Reffett, of Clay county, Indiana, who died February 2, 1900. From that time until his demise he made his home with his son, A. J.
Madison Willan was reared near Brazil, Indiana, and received his education in the public schools of that locality. In 1865, when about eighteen years of age, he went to McLean county, Illinois, and rented land near Bloomington. In 1883 he came to Lancaster county, arriving here on the tith of March, and he bought eighty acres on section 32, Nemaha precinct, which had been taken up by John Elrod as a homestead and was well improved. Mr. Willan moved the house to a new location, added a second story and also erected barns and ont- buildings. He fenced the farm and made many other improvements, bringing it to a high state of development. He concentrated his energies upon the opera- tion of his place and as the years passed his capital steadily increased. In 1911 he retired from farming and rented his land. He still retains his residence on the farm but spends part of his time with his son in Lincoln .. In addition to his homestead he holds title to eighty acres of improver land near Pisgah, Harrison county, Iowa, which he rents. While actively engaged in agricultural pursuits
MADISON WILLAN
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he raised grain and also stock, feeding large herds of cattle annually. At one time he owned a fine herd of Jersey cattle, but soll them and turned his attention to raising other breeds.
On the 18th of January, 1872, Mr. Willan was united in marriage to Miss Jane Richardson, at Bloomington, McLean county, Illinois. She was born in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, on the 5th of April, 1850, a daughter of Mathew and Christina ( Nichol) Richardson, also natives of Scotland. The family came to America in 1851, settling near Bloomington, Illinois, where the father engaged in raising cattle on a large scale. He passed away about 1908 upon the home- stead and is buried at Bloomington His wife died about 1904. Mrs. Willan was reared in Mclean county, Illinois, and was indebted for her education to the public schools of that county. She was called by death on the 22d of March, 1914, and is buried near Panama. She was the mother of four children, as follows: Lafayette was born near Bloomington, Illinois, on the 7th of May, 1875. and is now a moving picture operator of Lincoln. Bessie Leola was born near Bloomington, on the 23d of January, 1884, and became the wife of John Everett Betzer, a farmer of Lancaster county, on the 23d of August, 1902. She died at the Lincoln Hospital on the 22d of November, 1914. Eugene and Geneva, twins, born on the home place in Nemaha precinct, October 14, 1800, died on the 17th of October and are buried in the Hickman cemetery.
Mr. Willan is a stalwart democrat in politics and for two years served as school director in McLean county. He holds membership in Bennet Lodge, No. 94, A. F. & A. M., and has been through all the chairs in that order. He is also a member of Carnation Chapter, No. 196, O. E. S., of Bennet, of which he is past patron. His wife was also identified with that chapter. He is a member of the Christian church and in all relations of life has sought to conform his conduct to high standards of morality. The success which he has gained is a direct result of his industry and good judgment, and the leisure which he now enjoys is well deserved.
P. J. BENTZ, D. D. S.
Dr. P. J. Bentz has been successfully engaged in the practice of dentistry in Lincoln for the past sixteen years and enjoys an enviable reputation as one of the most efficient representatives of the profession here. Ilis birth occurred at Mount Top. York county, Pennsylvania, on the 28th of February, 1872, his parents being Andrew G. and Catherine ( Hershey) Bentz, also natives of that county. The family came to Nebraska in 1883, settling on a farm in Saunders county, where the father was actively identified with general agricultural pursuits for three decades. He is now living in honorable retirement at Ashland, Nebraska.
P. J. Bentz was reared on the home farms in Pennsylvania and Nebraska and in the acquirement of an education attended public schools and the Wesleyan University. Having determined upon a professional career, he prepared for the practice of dentistry as ze a student in the Kansas City Dental College and following his graduation spent a year at Phillipsburg, Kansas. I 1900 he came Vol. II-20
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to Lincoln and has since occupied a suite in the First National Bank building here. A gratifying and growing practice has been accorded him as he has demon- strated his skill and he has long been recognized as one of the foremost represen- tatives of his profession in the city. He is a valued member of the Lancaster County Dental Society.
In early manhood Dr. Bentz was united in marriage to Miss Marie Ethel Turk, a native of Illinois, who was at that time a resident of University Place, to which town she had accompanied her parents when ten years of age. They now have one child, Dorothy Edith, who is in her first year. Their religious faith is indicated by their membership in the St. Paul Methodist church. His life is exemplary in every respect and his many excellent traits of character have won him high regard.
FRANK ARTHUR PHILLIPS.
Frank Arthur Phillips has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and has never had occasion to regret his choice of an occupation as he has gained a grati- fying measure of success. He resides upon the family homestead on section 2, Panama township, to which he holds title. He was born on the roth of February, 1863, near Grangerberg, Medina county, Ohio, a son of William and Alice (Carr) Phillips, the former born in Devonshire, England, on the 27th of March, 1834. The father attended the public schools of his native country in the acquirement of an education and later farmed there until 1855. In that year he emigrated to America and located in Medina county, Ohio, purchasing land near Grangerberg. On the 9th of March, 1885. he came to Lancaster county, and purchased a quarter section of land on section 2. Panama township, which was at that time partially improved. He brought his farm to a high state of develop- ment and until 1894 devoted his time to its operation, but in that year retired from active life and built a home in Panama. There he lived for twenty-one years but on the 14th of September. 1915, he departed this life. He is buried in the Panama cemetery. He was married on the 4th of May, 1861. in Granger- berg. to Miss Alice Carr, whose birth occurred in Stark county, Ohio, on the Ist of May, 1844, and whose parents were Joseph and Lucy ( Whetmore ) Carr. Mrs. Phillips was reared and educated in her native state. Following her husband's demise she went to Lincoln and is now making her home there with her daughter, Mrs. John P. Christopher.
Frank A. Phillips received a good common school education in Medina county, Ohio, and as a boy and youth also gained valuable training in farming through assisting his father. He accompanied the family to Panama township, Lancaster county, and rented his father's farm on section 2, which he purchased in 1894, when his father removed to town. He still resides upon that place and the excel- lent condition in which everything is kept testifies to his energy and carerul management. He raises both grain and stock but gives especial attention to sheep raising, which he carries on quite extensively. He also owns a two hun- dred and fortyracre tract of land in Hale county Texas, a well improved place, which is now being operated by his son. Microsoft
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Mr. Phillips was married on Christmas day of 1885, at Sharon, Ohio, to Miss Elfie Goodwin, who was born in that town on the 20th of February, 1865, and is a daughter of Russell and Jane (Calvert) Goodwin. Her father was also a native of Sharon and his natal day was April 14, 1841. He was educated at Sharon and engaged in farming in that locality until his death, which occurred in 1904. His wife was born in England on the ioth of April, 1841, but was brought to the United States in 1843 and grew to womanhood in Sharon, where her parents located. She now makes her home with a daughter who lives in that town. Mrs. Phillips received a good common school education in Sharon. She has one son, Ray Arthur, who was born on the homestead on the 20th of January, 1894. He attended the schools of Panama township and after putting aside liis textbooks was associated with his father in farming until 1916, when he removed to Plainview, Hale county, Texas, where he is now following agricul- tural pursuits.
Mr. Phillips is an adherent of the democratic party, takes an active part in political affairs and his advice is often sought on questions relating to party cam- paigns in his section. He has been a member of the school board of district No. 132, Panama township, for eighteen years and his influence has been a factor in the advancement of public education there. In his early manhood he taught for a year in Medina county, Ohio, and he has never ceased to feel the keenest interest in educational affairs. He has also served as justice of the peace of Panama township since 1912. Fraternally he is well known, having belonged for twenty-three years to Panama Camp, No. 2227, M. W. A., of which he is a charter member, and in which he has held several offices; to Dunaverty Castle, No. 31, R. H., of Panama, to which he has belonged for nineteen years, being a charter member, and in which he has filled a number of the chairs; and to Panama Lodge, I. O. O. F., at Panama, with which he has been identified for three years. His wife is a member of the Bennet Camp of the Royal Neighbors and is an officer in that organization. Both are members of the Presbyterian church and its principles guide them in their daily lives. Mr. Phillips is not only a progressive farmer and stock-raiser but is also a good business man and manages his affairs so that his capital is constantly increasing.
ERNEST M. BAIR.
Ernest 31. Bair, who is ably filling the position of cashier of the Citizens State Bank of University Place, was born in Fillmore county, Nebraska, on the 15th of January, 1877, a son of Samuel and Eleanor ( French ) Bair. The father was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, his father being Samuel Bair, also a native of the Keystone state, where he died when about seventy years of age. Our subject's grandmother, later married Ezekiel Horton. He was a farmer by occupation and met with gratifying success. His wife reached seventy-seven years of age and passed away in Fillmore county. Nebraska. The family is of German descent and the name was originally spelled Baer. Samuel Bair, the father of our subject, spent- his boyhood in Pennsylvania and attended school luiticea Dv there until he was twenty-one years of age. "He then went to Knox county,
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Illinois, where he lived for about four years, or until 1870, when he became a resident of Nebraska, locating in Seward county. After spending a winter there he homesteaded land in Fillmore county, filing on his place on the 5th of April, 1871. 1Te was one of the very first settlers in that county, and his experiences were those common to the pioneers of the middle west. On his removal to Nebraska in 1870, he passed the present site of Lincoln but at that time there was no sign of the now flourishing city. As soon as possible he began breaking his land and in time his farm became a well improved place. He added to his hold- ings by purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land, which he also brought to a high state of cultivation. He passed away upon his farm on the 5th of April, 1912, when seventy-five years of age. He was one of the successful farmers of his locality and the competence which he gained was the direct result of his energy and good management. He held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and in political belief was a republican, although not an office seeker. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Eleanor French, was a grand- daughter of Israel French, who removed from England to New York city. Iler birth, however, occurred in Pennsylvania, and there she grew to womanhood and was married. She was one of the honored pioneer wives and mothers of Nebraska and lived on the family homestead in Fillmore county for forty-four years, passing away there on the 7th of December, 1915, when seventy-seven years of age. She was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was highly esteemed for her many good qualities. She was the mother of nine children, one of whom died in infancy, the others being: Isabel, who mar- ried L. R. King of Superior. Nebraska, and died when thirty-nine years old, leaving five children ; George W., a resident of Lincoln : William H., a business man of Fairmont, Nebraska; Elizabeth, who married L. W. Frazier, a farmer living at Kearney ; Edwin, who is farming in Valley county, this state: S. W., who operates the old homestead ; Ernest M. ; and Clara S., the wife of Charles H. Shoemaker, a farmer of Fillmore county.
Ernest M. Bair was reared upon the home farm and received his early educa- tion in the public schools, which he attended until he was sixteen years of age. He then entered the Lincoln Normal school, where he spent a year, and at the end of that time engaged in teaching in Fillmore county. He followed that pro- fession for five years and for two years was a student in the Fremont Normal school. In 1903 he removed to Lincoln and there engaged in the grocery business for a year, after which he entered the government service, becoming an employe in the Lincoln postoffice. Later he was transferred to Station A, at the state university, but after remaining there for four months was assigned to the office at University Place, with which he was connected for five years. In 1914, he ieft the postal service to become secretary and treasurer of the Van Sickle Glass & Paint Company at Lincoln, which office he held until he disposed of his interests in that concern in March, 1915. He had previously purchased stock in the Citi- zens Bank and on the 19th of March, he was made cashier of the institution. He has since devoted his time and energy to the management of its affairs, and his business acumen and sound judgment have been important factors in its pros- perity. He has the full confidence alike of the other officers of the bank and of the general public, and is making a highly creditable-record.
On Christmas day of 1901, occurred the marriage of Mr. Bair to Miss Allie
.
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Cherry, who was born near Whiting, Iowa. After completing the public school course, she attended the Fremont Normal school where she made the acquaint- ance of Mr. Bair. Before her marriage she taught for some time on the Omaha reservation.
Mr. Bair is an advocate of republican principles and is loyal in his support of the candidates and measures of that party, although he has not taken an active part in politics. Ile is identified with both the Masons and the Odd Fellows and these associations indicate the principles which govern his life. Both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and take a commendable interest in its work. He has gained the warm friendship of many and all who know him respect him highly.
HENRY A. HENDRIX.
Henry A. Hendrix was formerly engaged in farming and gained a compe- tence which now enables him to live retired in Cheney. He was born in York county, Pennsylvania, on the 13th of April, 1851, a son of Thomas J. and Rebecca ( Anstine ) Hendrix. The father, whose birth occurred in Maryland, was a miller by trade and in early manhood went to York, Pennsylvania, where he resided for many years, dying in 1878. His wife, who was born in Pennsyl- vania, passed away in that state in April, 1911. They were the parents of six children besides our subject, namely: Elizabeth, who died in 1904; Daniel B., who died in 1879: William T. : Mary ; James ; and Alice, whose death occurred in 1906.
Henry A. Hendrix grew to manhood in his native state and is indebted to its public schools for his education. On attaining his majority he began working for others but continued to reside in Pennsylvania until 1877, when he came to Lancaster county. For seven years he worked as a farm hand here and then rented land for two years but at the end of that time purchased eighty acres in Waverly precinct. In time he brought that place to a high state of development and added to his holdings by buying an additional eighty acre tract. For twenty years he was actively engaged in farming in this county but at the end of that time sold his land and went to Kansas, where he purchased a farm which he operated for four years. After selling that property he returned to Lancaster county and bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 14, Grant precinct, the cultivation. of which occupied his entire time and attention until 1911. He then retired and built a good residence in Cheney, where he has since lived.
Mr. Hendrix was married, in December, 1873, to Miss Mary Leib, a daughter of Andrew and Rachel ( Wilson) Leib, natives of York county, Pennsylvania, where the father followed agricultural pursuits. Mr. and Mrs. Hendrix have become the parents of eight children : Florence F., the wife of John McGillivrae, a resident of the state of Washington ; Mabel R., who married Clint Malone, a resident of this state; Gertrude A., the wife of Earl Loder, of Aurora, Nebraska ; Elsie, who married Ralph Garland, a resident of this county; J. Elmer, who is farming the home place : Andrew. B., a farmer of Grant precinct; Clara B., who resides in Lincoln ; and Minnie T., at home.
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