USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Lincoln > Lincoln, the capital city and Lancaster County, Nebraska, Volume II > Part 41
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Mr. Hendrix is a democrat in politics and is helpfully interested in public affairs. Fraternally he has been identified with the Modern Woodmen of America for thirty years and his religious faith is that of the United Brethren church. The success which he has gained is evidence of his enterprise, his knowledge of farming and his good judgment, for lie has depended solely upon his own efforts for advancement.
HON. JAMES LAWRENCE CALDWELL.
Hon. James Lawrence Caldwell, legislator and lawyer who has for forty-three years engaged in active practice, came to Lincoln in 1878 and therefore for thirty-eight years has been an active representative of the bar of this city. His birth occurred upon a farm in Fairfield township, Columbiana county, Ohio, May 23, 1853. His father, Thomas Caldwell, was born in the same county, being a son of James and Susan ( Holloway ) Caldwell. Having arrived at years of maturity, he married Sarah Ann Nye, also a native of Columbiana county and a daughter of Lawrence and Nancy (Welch) Nye. Both the paternal and maternal grandparents of James L. Caldwell were pioneer residents of Ohio. Mrs. Sarah Ann Caldwell died during the early childhood of their son James, who was an only child, and later the father married again. It was in 1857 that Thomas Caldwell removed with his family from Columbiana county, Ohio, to Marshall county, Iowa, making the journey in a covered wagon and becoming one of the pioneers of the latter state. In 1864, however, he returned to his native county, where his death occurred many years afterward.
James L. Caldwell was reared on farms in Columbiana county, Ohio, and Marshall county, Iowa, and when sixteen years of age became a country school teacher, spending three winter terms in that way. He was educated in the higher branches of learning by George J. Lucky, a well known educator of that day, and also by Clara J. Haas, an equally fine instructor. He attended the Western Reserve Law School of Cleveland, Ohio, for two years and received its diploma in 1872. He was at once admitted to the bar and entered upon active practice in East Liverpool, Ohio. In 1873 he removed westward to Marshalltown, łowa, where he remained in active practice until 1878. He then came to Lincoln and has since steadily practiced law. Ile has been frequently called upon to serve ili public office and was elected on the republican ticket, a member of the city council during the administration of Mayor John B. Wright. Later he fellow townsmen, appreciating his worth and ability, elected him to represent his district in the state legislature from 1887 until 1889. Hle served as speciat assistant United States attorney during the administration of President Benjamin Harrison, having been appointed for the purpose of bringing suit against the L'aion Pacific Railroad and the Western Union Telegraph Companies. This was a noted law suit and Mr. Caldwell by special appointment did all of the work is the United States attorney in the United States circuit court. He afterwards filled the office of deputy county attorney under T. C. Munger and still later was county attorney- for three consecutive terms or six years, so that his con- nection with that office covered a decade, four years as deputy and six years as
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principal. He is a popular speaker in campaigns and has been heard in all parts of the state upon the leading questions and issues of the day.
In 1873 Mr. Caldwell was united in marriage to Miss Ella Edwards, of Mar- shalltown, Iowa, who passed away on the 27th of June, 1915. To them were born two sons: Mill, of Sheridan, Wyoming ; and Charles, of lincoln, who is state agent for the Liverpool, London & Globe Insurance Company. Mr. Cald- well's present family in his own home consists of his wife's mother, Mrs. Sarah A. Edwards, who is now eighty-two years of age, and a granddaughter, Elrena Caldwell, the daughter of Mill Caldwell. The latter is now seventeen years of age.
Mr. Caldwell is identified with the Knights of Pythias and he belongs to the Lincoln Bar Association. Nature endowed him with keen mentality and he has used his talents wisely and well. He is conscientious in the performance of all of his professional service and is notably loyal to the interests of his clients in his law practice.
WESSEL HENRY WESSELS.
Wessel Henry Wessels was a well known farmer of Saltillo precinct and his demise, which occurred in 1908, was deeply regretted by his many friends. His birth occurred in Germany on the 26th of October, 1849, and he received his education in the public schools of that country. He served in the Franco-Prussian war in 1870-71 and was twice wounded. He engaged in farming and also served as postmaster and remained there until 1880, when he emigrated to the United States and settled near Wellsburg, Iowa, where he found employment as a farm hand. Two years later he came to Centerville precinct. Lancaster county. Nebraska, and rented a farm, which he operated for three years. At the end of that time he removed to Hayes Center, Hayes county, this state, and bought one hundred and sixty acres in that vicinity, which he farmed until 1890. He then returned to Lancaster county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres, comprising the southwest quarter of section 10, Saltillo precinct. This was well improved at the time it came into his possession but he brought it to a still higher state of development and for twenty-eight years concentrated his energies upon its operation. He passed away upon that place on the 27th of May, 1908, and is buried in the Hickman cemetery.
Mr. Wessels was married in Germany to Miss Margaret Mary Brunce, a daughter of Henry and Treantje Brunce. She was born in Canam by Amden on the 15th of August, 1850, and acquired her education in that city. She sur- vives and still lives on the home place, which is operated by her son. She is the mother of eleven children, of whom five are still living, namely: Lena, the wife of Henry Etmund, a farmer of this county ; Joseph, who is following agricultural pursuits in Lancaster county ; Mary, the wife of Ernest Camp, a farmer of Thomas county, Nebraska ; and Henry and William, who are operating the home place.
Mr. Wessels took the interest of a good citizen in the affairs of government but was not active in politics. He belonged to the German Presbyterian church
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and gave his influence on the side of righteousness and justice. He was well known throughout the county, and his sterling qualities of character gained him the sincere friendship of those who were brought in contact with him.
JOHN GARRET RYMES.
John Garret Rymes, deceased, engaged in farming in South Pass precinct and his well directed labors were rewarded by a good return. Ile was born ncar Holland, this county, on the Ist of November, 1870, a son of Englebetus Bartus and Alyda ( Obbink ) Rymes. The father was born in the Netherlands on the 20th of August, 1833, and was reared and educated in that country. In 1866 he emigrated to the United States and settled in Pedricktown, New Jersey, but the following year removed to Cedar Grove. Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, and in 1870 he came still farther west, taking up his residence in South Pass precinct, Lancaster county, Nebraska. He filed on eighty acres of raw land, on section 18, that precinct, near Holland, and at once began to break his land and place it under cultivation. He still resides there and takes an active interest in the work of the farm. His wife was also born in the Netherlands, where she grew to womanhood. She passed away upon the homestead in Nebraska in 1909.
John Garret Rymes received his education in the schools of district No. 59. South Pass precinct, and during his youth was also trained in farming, as he early began to assist his father. After completing his education he took charge of the home place and following his marriage his father built a residence for him on section 7, where he owns one hundred and sixty acres. Our subject farmed this quarter section, which is still in the possession of his father, and he proved both progressive and practical in carrying on his work. He harvested good crops and also raised some stock which he sold to advantage. He concentrated his energies upon agricultural work until his demise on the 23d of January, 1905. He is buried in Holland, this county.
Mr. Rymes was married on the 23d of February, 1893, at the Lefferdink homestead, southeast of Holland, to Miss Dillie Lefferdink, who was born in a dugout on that place on the 23d of July. 1872. Her father, Berend William Lefferdink, was born at Wynterswick, the Netherlands, on the 14th of July, 1840, and died on the 14th of November, 1907, at Holland, Nebraska, being buried in the cemetery there. llis wife, who in her maidenhood was Miss Johanna Gertrude Walvoord, was born in the same locality in the Netherlands as her husband and her natal day was the 7th of January, 1845. She grew to womanhood in her native country and was there educated. Her marriage was also celebrated there and in 1870 she accompanied her husband to the United States. Mrs. Rymes received a thorough education in music at Lincoln. Ne- braska, and taught the organ in the town of Holland and also served as organist at the Reformed church.
To Mr. and Mrs. Rymes were born five children as follows : Albert William, whose birth occurred near Hickman. Lancaster county, on the 8th of February, 1895, attended the same schoolgas his father and in 1915 took a short course at the Nebraska Agricultural College. He now farms one hundred and sixty acres
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JOHN G. RYMES
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belonging to his grandfather, which his father operated during his active life, and he has gained recognition as one of the most efficient and up-to-date young agriculturists of the county. He keeps in touch with the work of scientific in- vestigators in the field of agriculture and uses the most modern methods and the latest machinery in his work. Gertrude Alyda was born on the 13th of February, 1897, and received a good common school education. She is residing at home. Benjamin Edwin was born on the 26th of February, 1899, and died on the 26th of July, 1912, being buried at Holland. Arthur James was born on the 2d of October, 1902. Johanna Berendiena was born February 17, 1905.
Mr. Rymes served as director of school district No. 59-the school which he and all his children attended. He was a republican in politics but was not a seeker for official preferment. He was a member of the Reformed church of America and in all that he did measured up to high standards of manhood. He gained the warm regard and sincere respect of those who came in contact with him, and his demise, when in the prime of life, was recognized as a loss to his community.
D. J. FLAHERTY.
D. J. Flaherty, a lawyer of Lincoln, was born in Galena. Illinois, February 24, 1875, and came to Lincoln in 1896. His parents were Dennis and Margaret ( Brennan) Flaherty. The former, born in County Donegal, Ireland, came to the United States about 1855, being at the time about twenty-one years of age. Soon afterward he was married in Benton, Wisconsin, and in the year 1878 brought his family to Nebraska, settling in Cedar county, where he secured a homestead claim which he developed into a fine and productive stock farm, remaining thereon until his death, which occurred February 10, 1806. His wife passed away in Dixon, Nebraska, October 5. 1910. The three brothers and three sisters of D. J. Flaherty are : Edward; Cornelius J., now deceased ; Margaret, now the wife of John Mills ; Nellie, the wife of D. 11. Sullivan : Mary, who gave her hand in marriage to Patrick Bennett; and Joseph. The father, who gave his political allegiance to the democratic party, was prominent in local affairs and for nine years served as county commissioner in Cedar county.
D. J. Flaherty was reared on the old homestead farm upon the Nebraska frontier and began his education in the schools near his father's place but pur- sted his higher studies in Detroit College, which conferred upon him the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts. Determining upon the practice of law as a life work, he began preparing for the profession in the University of Nebraska and completed his course there with the LL. B. degree in 1897. 1Ie at once opened an office in Lincoln, where he has since engaged in active practice. and his ability has advanced him step by step, while study and experience have broadened his knowledge of the law and the methods of the court. He is an earnest and forceful speaker and is seldom, if ever, at fault in the application of legal principles. He belongs to the Lincoln, the Nebraska State and the American Bar Associationsaitized by Microsoft ®
In politics Mr. Flaherty is a republican and for eight years, or from 1900
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until 1908, he held the office of deputy city attorney of Lincoln. He was also chairman of the republican city central committee for two years. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church and he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, the Lincoln Commercial Club and the Laymen's Club. He is widely known and popular in this city, having a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
ALBERT R. TOU VELLE, M. D.
Dr. Albert R. Tou Velle has engaged in practice in Firth, Lancaster county, for many years and has gained the confidence of both the general public and of his professional colleagues. He was born in Mercer county, Ohio, on the 10th of August, 1857, a son of Theophilus G. Tou Velle, who was a native of Steubenville, Ohio, and there attended the district schools. While still a boy. however, he accompanied his parents to Mercer county, Ohio, where he continued his educa- tion. The family were pioneers of that county and Theophilus G. Tou Velle became one of its most prominent citizens. Shortly after locating there he was appointed to fill an unexpired term as county recorder and subsequently was elected to that office. He made such an excellent record as a public official that for forty-six years he served in one position or another of public trust, holding office for a longer period than any other man in the state. Besides serving as recorder he filled the offices of auditor and clerk as well as others and had the entire confidence of his fellow citizens. In 1905 he retired from active life but continued to reside in Salina, the county seat, until his death, which occurred in 1906 when he was seventy-three years of age. He married Miss Pauline Langle, who was born in Mercer county, Ohio, and was a daughter of Adam Langle, one of the pioneers of that section of Ohio known as the Western Reserve. He engaged in farming near Fort Recovery and gained a gratifying measure of suc- cess in his chosen occupation. Mrs. Tou Velle passed her entire life in Mercer county and died in Salina in 1861, when but twenty-two years of age. She was married in 1855, when sixteen years old.
Albert R. Tou Velle entered the high school at Salina after completing the course in the grammar schools and on beginning his 'independent career worked as a clerk in his father's office in the county courthouse. He determined, how- ever, to devote his life to the practice of medicine and began his preparation for his chosen profession by reading medicine in the office of Rush & Tou Velle, at Salina, Dr. Tou Velle being an uncle. He also spent one summer in the office of Dr. Wilson, in Toledo, Ohio, and in 1879 he entered the Ohio Medical College in Cincinnati, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1882. After practicing for six months in Salina he came west, locating in Firth, Lan- caster county, Nebraska, where he has since remained. His practice extends all over the southern part of the county. and he is recognized as one of the capable. up-to-date and conscientious physicians and surgeons of eastern Nebraska.
Dr. Tou Velle was married in Salina, Ohio, in 1881, to Miss Margaret Bliz- zard, who was born-in Georgetown, Delaware, on the 17th of June, 1862, a daughter of J. W. and Anna Anna ( Rush) Blizzard. Her father preached for several
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years in his young manhood but later took up the printers' trade and at length became the owner and publisher of the Mercer County (Ohio ) Enterprise. Mrs. Tou Velle received the greater part of her education in Bellefontaine, Logan county, Ohio. She has become the mother of two children: Mortimer Leslie, who was born in Salina, Ohio, and is now residing in Lincoln, and Guy The- ophilus, a native of Firth and a member of the law class of 1916 of the Univer- sity of Nebraska.
Dr. Tou Velle casts his ballot in support of the candidates he believes best qualified for office and for many years has been a member of the school board. He was formerly a member of the Masonic lodge at Firth, which has now gone out of existence, and served in all of the chairs in that organization. Since the discontinuance of that lodge he has been identified with Lincoln Lodge, No. 17, A. F. & A. M., and he is recognized as a worthy exemplar of the craft. Ilis fraternal affiliations also connect him with Firth Lodge, No. 47, I. O. O. F., in which he has held all of the offices several times and which he has represented as state delegate, and with the Ancient Order of United Workmen at Firth and with the Knights of Pythias. He is keenly interested in everything that affects the public welfare and is willing to give his time and energy to the promotion of progressive methods along civic lines, but his attention is largely devoted to his professional work. He has remained a student of medical science and through reading and attending meetings of the County Medical Society he keeps in touch with the advancement that is constantly being made in the knowledge of discase and its successful treatment.
WILLIAM H. McCALL.
William II. McCall, deceased, was one of the leading residents of Lancaster county, having a nation-wide reputation as a breeder of Holstein cattle. He resided on section 11. Grant precinct, and devoted his entire time to stock-raising. He was born in Hannibal, Missouri, on the 15th of February, 1858, and his death occurred on the 22d of June, 1809. His parents, Robert and Eliza ( Hay- worth) McCall, were born in Tennessee but became residents of Missouri, where the father practiced medicine and engaged in farming. During his later years he passed the winters in California and the summers in Missouri and his death occurred in that state in March, 1885. His wife survived only until the following October.
William H. MeCall was reared under the parental roof and received his edu- cation in the schools of Hannibal, Missouri. He remained with his parents until 1886, when he came to Lancaster county, and purchased eighty acres on section II, Grant precinct, which he at once began to improve. He was engaged exclusively in raising thoroughbred Holstein cattle and exhibited at state fairs in various parts of the country, including those of Georgia and Florida. He won miany prizes upon his entries and was known in stock-raising circles throughout the country as one of the most successful breeders of Ilolsteins.
In April, 1884. Mr. MeCantivas married to MissAda Blachley, a daughter of Orem and Belinda ( Bartholomew ) Blachley. The father was born in Ohic
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and accompanied his parents to Porter county, Indiana, when seven years of age. He grew to manhood there and after reaching mature years engaged in farming in that state for a considerable period but at length removed to Missouri. He passed away while on a visit in Nebraska in November, 1903, and was survived by his wife until June, 1907. To Mr. and Mrs. McCall were born five children. namely : Harry, who is connected with the wholesale furniture business in Lin- coln ; Orem, who is operating the homestead; Leora, the wife of L. A. Doom, of Lincoln ; and Earl and Drusilla, at home.
Mr. McCall supported the republican party at the polls but was never an aspirant for office. He belonged to the Methodist church, while his wife is a member of the Presbyterian church. His success was doubly creditable in that it was due entirely to his own efforts and he not only prospered individually but he also contributed in large measure to the development of stock-raising interests in eastern Nebraska. Personally he was popular, for his dominant characteristics were such as invariably command both respect and warm regard.
REV. ZWIER ROETMAN.
Rev. Zwier Roetman, who is pastor of the Reformed Church of America at Holland, has been very successful in furthering the temporal and spiritual inter- ests of his congregation and in promoting the moral and religious development of his community. A native of The Netherlands, he was born near Genemuiden, in the province of Overyssel, on the 7th of April, 1878. His father, Garrit Roetman, was born in that province on the 25th of October, 1829, and acquired his education in the common schools. He followed agricultural pursuits there until 1882, when with his family he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and settled in Sioux county, Iowa. There he purchased eighty acres and as pros- perity rewarded his labors he subsequently bought a second eighty acre tract. In 1802 he disposed of his interests in that locality and bought two hundred and forty acres near Rock Valley, also in Sioux county. For seven years his energies were concentrated upon the cultivation of that place but in 1899 he gave up the work of the farm and removed to Orange City, where he lived retired until his death on the toth of November. 1907. Ile is buried in the cemetery there. His wife, who was in her maidenhood Mary Kanis, is also a native of Overyssel and is one of the highly esteemed residents f Orange City. She is now sixty-seven years of age, her birth having occurred in August, 1849.
Rev. Zwier Roetman was brought to America by his parents when he was four years of age and received his early education in the schools at Ilospers. Afterward he assisted his father on the farm until he was nineteen years old, when he entered the Northwestern Classical Academy at Orange City, from which he was graduated in 1901. The following fall he became a student in Ilope College, at Holland, Michigan, and received the degree of Bachelor of Arts from that institution with the class of 1905. Later in that year he removed to Oak Harbor, Washington, where he taught school and did what other work he could find in order to pay his expenses while investigating the country. He decided that there were just as good opportunities in the middle west as
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upon the coast and in July, 1906, returned to his father's farm in Sioux county. Ile determined to devote his life to the work of the ministry and accordingly in September entered the Western Theological Seminary, a department of Hope College, and in 1909 completed his theological training there and was licensed to preach by the Reformed Church of America. His first charge was at Ustick, Illinois, where he was ordained and installed as pastor on the 16th of June, 1909, and he remained there until June, 1912. At that time he accepted a call from the Reformed Church of Holland and has since held that pastorate. He gives unstintingly of his time and energy to the advancement of the church and has proved a leader of the forces that make for righteousness in his community.
Rev. Roetman was married on the 27th of May, 1909, at Zeeland. Michigan, to Mrs. Jeannette (Van Kley) Mokma, a daughter of Adrian and Cornelia (Dorst ) Van Kley, who was born in southern Holland, The Netherlands, the former on the 25th of January, 1846, and the latter in 1847. Her father was brought by his parents to the United States in 1850 and lived first in Illinois and later in the vicinity of Zeeland, Michigan, where he engaged in farming. At length he retired and removed to Zeeland, where he still resides. His wife, in company with her parents, left her native land for America in 1865 but her mother died on the ocean. The family located in South Holland, Illinois, and in 1866, when nineteen years of age, she was united in marriage to Mr. Van Kley. She also survives. Their daughter, Mrs. Roetman, was born in South Holland, Illinois, on the 7th of November, 1872, and received her education there and in Zeeland. Michigan. On the 29th of September. 1896, she was united in mar- riage at Zeeland to Harry Mokma and they became the parents of three children, Margaret Lois, Gerald Adrian and Cornelia Ruth. Ile passed away near Ilol- land on the 14th of August. 1906. To the union of Rev. and Mrs. Roetman have been born three children : Alvin Garrit, who was born on the 15th of September. 1910, at Ustick, Illinois ; Melvin Cornelius, born August 6, 1012. at Holland, Nebraska ; and Austin Henry, born February 25, 1914, at Holland, this state.
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