USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Lincoln > Lincoln, the capital city and Lancaster County, Nebraska, Volume II > Part 44
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first Sunday school between the Missouri river and Denver. Among those in attendance at the school were the late Allan W. Field and his two sisters. llc took part in the first Fourth of July celebration at Lincoln, held in 1861, and he was in many exciting incidents of the 'Gos, including several Indian raids and fights. He remained in the county through some of the worst winters of the early '6os, when almost all of those who had come thus far from the Missouri river returned east. After the war Dr. Queen resumed the practice of medicine and continued active in that work throughout his remaining days. He conducted a medical institute or sanitarium here for several years but afterward concen- trated his energies upon general practice.
On the 16th of November. 1857, Dr. Queen was united in marriage to Miss Susan Wemple, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Wemple, natives of New York. Her father, who was a blacksmith by trade, went to lowa at an early day, in the '50s, and there continued to reside until called to the home beyond. Dr. and Mrs. Queen traveled life's journey together for fifty-eight years, sharing with each other in all the joys and sorrows, the adversity and prosperity and in the pleasure and happiness which checker the careers of all. They became the parents of six children, as follows: Royal, Hiram and George, all of whom are deceased ; Emma ; Charles Monroe ; and L. May, the wife of Lacy L. Burd, who recently disposed of his mercantile interests at Pleasant Dale, Nebraska, and now occupies the old Dr. Queen residence at No. 1002 Rose street, in Lincoln. Mr. and Mrs. Burd have one child, Vivian May, born May 23, 1910.
Dr. Queen gave his political support to the democratic party and his religious faith was that of the Methodist church for many years. In later years, however, he became a member of the Nazarene church. He helped to build the first Methodist church, located on what is now the University campus, and he was closely associated with Elder Young, the first minister of the community. lle also belonged to the Grand Army post and thus maintained pleasant relations with the "boys in blue" who defended the Union during the dark days of the Civil war. Ile reached an honored old age, passing the seventy-ninth milestone on life's journey, and his life was ever fraught with good deeds and actuated by high and honorable purposes. He ever eagerly embraced the opportunity to do good to his fellowmen and was constantly extending a helping hand or speaking an encouraging word. In his own life he was never content to choose the second best but labored for the attainment of those higher ideals which are uplifting forces to the individual and to the community.
HENRY GRIMM.
Henry Grimm, now living retired, is a cabinetmaker by trade and for a number of years worked as a coach builder for railroads and also engaged in farming in Yankee Ilill precinct. His birth occurred in Hesse-Darmstadt, Ger- many, on the 3d of January, 1839, and he is a son of Louis Grimm. His mother died when he was a year old and when eight years of age he accompanied his father to the United States, Kefileicht being/hudOfftimore, Maryland. There he grew to manhood, received his education and learned the trades of
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ship joiner and cabinet-maker. When twenty years old he went to West Albany, where for ten or fifteen years he worked in the coach building department of the New York Central Railroad. In 1876 he decided to try his fortune in the middle west and accordingly came to Lancaster county, Nebraska, and purchased eighty acres of railroad land in Yankee Hill precinct. At that time the place was totally unimproved but he at once began to break the land and bring it under cultivation and erected a frame house sixteen by twenty feet, containing two rooms, which remained the family home for many years. At length, how- ever, it was replaced by a commodious modern residence. For a number of years after coming to this county he was employed as a coach builder for the Burlington & Missouri Railroad at Plattsmouth and later did repair work at Lincoln. He was also a member of a wrecking crew here for some time. The family, however, never left the farm. When not engaged in railroad work he gave his attention to the cultivation of the soil and the raising of stock and derived a good income from his land. A number of years ago he retired from active life and he now lives with his daughter, Mrs. A. F. Steinhausen. in Yankee Hill precinct.
In 1865 Mr. Grimm returned to Europe and was married in Switzerland to Miss Marie Suter, who was born in that country on the 20th of April, 1844. She passed away on the 9th of October, 1914. To them were born seven chil- dren: Mrs. A. F. Steinhausen; Henry G., who is a railroad baggageman with a run on the Burlington Railroad between Omaha and Denver ; Mrs. P. P'. Kauff- man, a resident of Mount Pleasant, lowa ; Louis ; Mrs. C. V. Reddish, of Rokeby, Nebraska ; Mrs. Edom Sittler, of Centerville precinct, this county ; and William, who died on the 17th of September, 1914, and whose widow and child now reside at Steele City, Nebraska. Mr. Grimm has seventeen grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
He is a republican in politics and in religious faith is a Lutheran. Although he has reached an advanced age he is still vigorous in mind and body and takes a keen interest in the affairs of the day. He has at all times striven to conform his conduct to high standards and the respect and honor in which he is held are fully deserved.
VIGGO E. NELSON.
Viggo E. Nelson, who ranks among the progressive and prosperous farmers of North Bluff precinct, was born in Lolland, Denmark, on the 17th of January, 1870, a son of Christopher and Christina ( Flade ) Nelson, both also natives of that country. The father was a cabinetmaker by trade and served the required term in the regular army and also was a member of the fire department of his city for some time. Both he and the mother passed away in their native country.
Viggo E. Nelson, who is the eldest in a family of twelve children, attended school in Errindlev, Denmark. His educational chances were limited, however, as when only six years of age he began working for others and from that time until he was thirteen years old he never slept under his father's roof save for a period of two weeks when he was sick. In 1887, at the age of seventeen years,
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he came alone to the United States and at once made his way to Lincoln, Nebraska. He secured work on a farm and carefully saved his money with the purpose of investing in land. He could not speak English on arriving here and this was a handicap to him in working his way upward but in time he became familiar with the language. As soon as he had saved sufficient capital he bought land in the northern part of the county but subsequently sold that farm and purchased his present place of one hundred and twenty acres in North Bluff precinct. He has erected all of the buildings and made the other improvements upon the place which is now fully equipped for twentieth century farming. He follows progressive methods in his work and derives a gratifying income from the sale of his gram and stock.
Mr. Nelson was married on the 15th of June, 1904, to Miss Clara Everson, who was born in Rock Creek precinct, Lancaster county, and is a daughter of Fred G. and Margaret (Olson) Nelson, natives of Denmark. The grandfather was an overseer of a large estate in that country many years ago and the father came with his family to the United States and located upon a farm in Lancaster county. Ile has always taken an active interest in politics and has served as a member of the school board and as assessor. The mother has passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have one son, Frank Frederick, who was born on the 4th of March, 1913. Mr. Nelson refuses to follow the dictates of a party leader and gives his support to the candidates whom he deems best fitted for the office. He is a Danish Lutheran in his religious belief and supports all movements seeking the moral betterment of his community. He concentrates his energies upon his farming operations and has not only gained a competence but has also been a factor in the agricultural advancement of his locality.
LEVI RECTOR.
Levi Rector, who is one of the well-to-do and highly esteemed citizens of Lan- caster county, is now living retired in Bennet. He was born in Indiana on the Ioth of April, 1844. His parents, Edward and Nancy (Downs) Rector, were both born in Ohio, but removed successively to Indiana and Richland county, Illinois, and passed away in the latter state.
Levi Rector was reared in Illinois and received his education in the public schools of that state, but in 1861, when only seventeen years of age, put aside all personal considerations and enlisted in Company D, Eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for service in the Civil war. He was at the front for three years and participated in a number of battles, including that of Fort Donelson and the engagements around Vicksburg, and although he was often under heavy fire he escaped without a scratch. He was mustered out in Mississippi at the end of a three years' service and returned to Illinois, but after farming there for a year he came west and located in Nebraska City. Subsequently he was employed in various cities and towns but resided for eighteen years in Nebraska City, where he held a position as cook and steward in restaurants. On again turning his atten- tion to farming he bought tivo hundred acres of land insOtoet county, this state, and resided there until 1910, when, having accumulated a competence, he removed
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to Bennet, where he owns a fine residence. He made many improvements upon his farm, erected good buildings, and was very efficient in his work, seldom fail- ing to harvest large crops. He also paid considerable attention to stock raising, and thus added to his profits.
Mr. Rector was married in 1892 to Miss Elizabeth Harris, who was born in England and is a daughter of James and Mary ( Meredith) Harris, likewise natives of that country, where they passed their entire lives. They were the parents of four children, of whom three are still living.
Mr. Rector is a stanch republican in politics and has served acceptably as school treasurer for nine years. He holds membership in the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic and his wife belongs to the Protestant Episcopal church, in whose work she takes an active part. Both are well known and are held in high esteem. They have worked hard, at all times depending upon their own efforts and their success is therefore doubly creditable.
C. H. TEMPLE, M. D.
The demands made upon the physician are many. If a lawyer be brusque and crabbed, it is often regarded as a mark of talent; if a minister hold himself aloof from the ordinary interests of life, it is supposed to be because he is engaged in the contemplation of things beyond our ken ; but the public demands that the physician be possessed not only of marked scientific knowledge and broad skill in practice but he must also have ready understanding, sympathy and those social qualities which enable him to bring sunshine and encourage- ment into the sickroom. Possessing all these requisites, Dr. C. H. Temple has won a creditable and enviable position as a practitioner in Hallam, where he is now accorded a liberal patronage. He was born in De Kalb county, Illinois, March 30, 1873, a son of Edmund L. and Corinthia ( Brown) Temple, the former a native of Winnebago county, Wisconsin, and the latter of La Salle county, Illinois.
Dr. Temple supplemented his public school training by study in the Missouri State Normal School at Kirksville, Missouri, and then, having determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he began reading under the preceptorship of Drs. Reynolds and Potter, of Seward, Nebraska, in the year 1889. Two years afterward he entered the medical department of Cotner University, from which he was graduated in the class of 1894, the M. D. degree being at that time conferred upon him. On the 18th of March of the same year he located in Hallam, where he has since been successfully engaged in practice for the past twenty-two years.
On the 4th of July, 1894. Dr. Temple was united in marriage to Miss Grace B. Hillis, of Lincoln, Nebraska. Their only son, Claude W., wedded Miss Etta Dixon, of Memphis, Tennessee, by whom he has a daughter, Grace M. Claude W. Temple is a graduate pharmacist and conducts a drug store in Memphis, Tennessee.
In his political views Dr. Temple is an earnest republican and his fellow townsmen, appreciative of his public spirit and ability, have made him a mem-
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DR. C. H. TEMPLE AND FAMILY
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ber of the Hallam town board, while at the present time he is serving on the board of education. Fraternally he is identified with the following organiza- tions : Highland Lodge, No. 194, A. F. & A. M .; Friendship Lodge, No. 47, I. O. O. F. ; Baird Lodge, No. 54, K. P .; and the Modern Woodmen of America. Both he and his wife are connected with Venus Chapter, No. 49, O. E. S., and Sunshine Lodge No. 323 of the Rebekahs. Mrs. Temple has been very active in church work and organized the American Union Sunday school of Hallam, of which she has since served as superintendent. Along strictly professional lines Dr. Temple is connected with the Lancaster County Medical Society, the State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Never lightly regarding the duties and responsibilities which devolve upon him in his profes- sional connections, he concentrates his efforts upon his work and in every pos- sible way, especially through broad reading and study, promotes his knowledge and efficiency.
TIMOTHY FINIGAN.
Timothy Finigan, of Rock Creek precinct, was born at Florence, Oneida county, New York, in February, 1842, a son of Timothy and Joanna (O'Leary) Finigan. The father's birth occurred in the city of Cork. Ireland, and the mother was born in the beautiful region of the lakes of Killarney and within sight of Blarney Castle, where is the famous Blarney stone. Timothy Finigan, Sr., was in early life an expert horseman, engaged in trimming gentlemen's horses, doing work that is now done by machinery. He followed that business until he crossed the Atlantic and in Boston he engaged in similar work for a number of years. He afterward went to New York and for about three years was employed on the railroad. Subsequently he spent a year at work on the Erie canal at Frank- fort. New York, at a period when times were hard and a job was much appreci- ated. He next turned his attention to farming, purchasing land from Gerrit Smith, the philanthropist. His remaining days were spent upon his farm, where he passed away about 1883, after which his widow came to Nebraska and died in Rock Creek precinct in 1894, having spent her last years in the home of her son James.
In the district schools of New York Timothy Finigan of this review began his education. When eighteen years of age he secured a position as a farm hand in Herkimer county, New York, spending two years with his first employer. Later he was employed on the Robbins farm in the same county for a year and then went to Lake Superior, where R. A. Seymour had a contract on the canal between two lakes. Mr. Finigan worked in a lumber mill near Marquette, Michigan, for about a year, at the end of which time he returned to Schuyler township, Herkimer county, New York, where he worked for Harris Lewis, a member of the New York legislature, who instituted the law whereby one man could be taxed for the benefit of another. After a year he removed to Winfield in the same county, where he was employed for two and one-half years. At the end of that time he came to Nebraskasfarriving /Petoberst. 1879) in which year the official census gave Lincoln a population of twenty-five hundred. He and his Vol. II-22
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brother John stopped first at Ashland and afterward went to Lincoln. They pur- chased three hundred and twenty acres of land in the northeast part of Rock Creek precinct and embarked in the cattle business, herding cattle for others. They also raised corn and hogs. In the fall of 1874 Timothy Finigan sold his interest to his brother and on the 5th of April. 1875, located on his present farm. He has put all of the improvements upon the place. The country was all open at that time and there was not a single tree in sight. With the passing years the work of development and progress has been continued and today his farm of three hundred and sixty acres is well improved and equipped with all modern conveniences. Ile continued its active cultivation until the spring of 1916, when he rented the land to his sons, although he still continues to reside upon the home place.
On the 27th of February, 1870, Mr. Finigan was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Butler, who was born in Buffalo, New York, a daughter of Augustus M. and Catherine ( Donahoe) Butler, the latter a native of County Longford, Ireland. The father was born at Hoosick Falls, New York, learned and fol- lowed the tinsmith's trade as a life work and passed away in Utica, New York. His widow died at the home of her son in Omaha, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Finigan have become the parents of nine children of whom seven are living : Wil- liam F., a farmer residing in Scotts Bluff county, Nebraska ; M. Agnes, who was cducated in the old Normal School, in the State University and in Chicago schools and is now a teacher in the Wayne Normal School; John R., who follows farming on the old homestead; Theresa, the wife of John Zilles, a farmer of Hebron, Nebraska; Augustus J., a resident farmer of Scotts Bluff county ; Cath- erine, at home : and Peter A., who is attending Creighton University at Omaha. The family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church and in politics Mr. Finigan is a democrat with indepedent tendencies, for he does not feel he is bound by party ties. He is numbered among the pioneer residents of Lancaster county, having for forty-six years resided within its borders. lle has lived to see Lincoln transformed from a small town into a great city. while the entire district has been converted from a wild, open prairie region into beautiful homes and farms where are found all of the evidences of progress and prosperity. Ile has contributed in substantial measure to the agricultural development of the region and he well deserves mention in this volume as one whose efforts have been of marked value in reclaiming the district for the purpose of civilization.
WILLIAM V. BLACKMORE.
William V. Blackmore was one of the citizens that England has furnished to Nebraska. Born in that country, he came to the new world in early manhood and in the intervening period up to the time of his death was closely connected with its agricultural and stock raising interests, becoming one of the prominent feeders of the state. His plans were always well devised and carefully executed and his business affairs were so wisely managed that success in large measure attended his labors//\Znative of/England. MiOBlackmore was born at Broad- hembury, Devonshire, May 21, 1850, a son of Robert and Elizabeth ( Valentine)
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Blackmore, who were also natives of that country. The father devoted his life to farming in England, carrying on that pursuit until his life's labors were ended in death in 1906. He had for ten years survived his wife, who passed away in 1896.
William V. Blackmore was reared and educated in England and he and his wife left school, were married and in 1873 came to America. They made their way at once into the interior of the country and for a time were residents of Lincoln. Mrs. Blackmore remained in that city while Mr. Blackmore went to Friend, Nebraska, where he purchased land. He then operated and improved a farm and became a very extensive stock feeder, winning a large measure of success in the conduct of his business interests. He continued active in that business until 1900. He resided, however, at Friend most of the time and employed men to cultivate and carry on his farms, for from time to time he added to his holdings until he owned nine hundred and sixty acres of valuable land. This he sold about 1910 and retired from active business. In the mean- time he has added many modern improvements to his farms, which he had con- verted into valuable and productive properties, while the extent and importance of his stock raising interests made him one of the most prominent stockmen of the state. In 1912 he and his wife went to England to visit the home and scenes of their childhood and there he became ill, passing away about a week later-on the 27th of December-so that his remains were interred in the land which had given him birth.
It was in that country that Mr. Blackmore was united in marriage to Miss Emily B. Wasbrough, the wedding being celebrated in December, 1871. She was a daughter of William and Sarah ( Williams ) Wasbrough, who were natives of England. The father was throughout his life a barrister and there passed away in 1861, while the mother, long surviving, died in the year 1903. Mrs. Black- more was born in Bristol, England, in October, 1853, and by her marriage became the mother of five children : Sarah E., who is the wife of W. G. Gooden, superintendent of the western agencies of the Bankers Life Insurance Company and now residing at No. 1620 South Twenty-third street, in Lincoln : Robert William, a cattle buyer of Omaha ; Thomas W., who is engaged in farming in Canada : Emily C., the wife of Ralph Cressman, a physician residing at Oglesby. Illinois : and Bertha, the wife of Clare Hitchcock, who is with the Bankers Insurance Company and resides at Sidney, Nebraska.
Mr. Blackmore was sixty-three years of age when he passed away at Kers- well, Broadhembury, England. During his residence at Friend, Nebraska, he served as a member of the town council and gave active support to many plans and measures for the public good. In politics he was independent. He belonged to the Kinghts of Pythias lodge and his religious faith was that of the Episcopal church. His widow still owns the old home in Friend. Nebraska. but in May, 1914, purchased a beautiful residence at No. 1726 South Twenty-third street. in Lincoln, where she now resides, having many warm friends in this city. Mr. Blackmore was a man whom to know was to respect and honor. Ile came to the new world to try his fortune and never had cause to regret the step taken, for in this country he found the opportunities which he sought and in their utilization worked his way steadily upward , Hervas ever persistent and ener- EV MILTOSOIT getic in business and his acts were guided by sound judgment as well as enter-
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prise. Obstacles and difficulties in his path seemed but to serve as an incentive to renewed effort on his part and as the years passed he took many a forward step which brought him a broader outlook and wider opportunities. His associates found him thoroughly reliable and his friends, who were many, knew him as a genial, companionable gentleman who well merited their highest regard.
EDGAR BELL.
Edgar Bell, who is successfully operating his fine farm of two hundred and sixty-five acres near Greenwood, was born in Pottawatamie county, Iowa, a son of William and Elizabeth (Farrell) Bell, natives respectively of Indiana and Illinois. About 1866 the family came to Nebraska where the father engaged in freighting for a time. The following year, however, he homesteaded land in Butler county and from that time until his death followed agricultural pursuits. His death occurred in 1900 but his wife is still living. To them were born eleven children. of whom nine survive.
Edgar Bell attended school in Butler county, Nebraska, and resided with his parents until he was twenty-three years of age when he began farming on his own account. After devoting twelve years to agricultural pursuits there he sold liis Butler county farm and removed to his present home place which comprises two hundred and sixty-five acres in Oak Creek precinct, Lancaster county. The land is in a high state of cultivation, the improvements are modern and he is considered one of the most efficient farmers of his locality. He not only raises grain but also feeds considerable stock and his annual income reaches gratifying proportions.
Mr. Bell was married in November, 1893, to Miss Ollie M. Atkinson, who was born in Waverly precinct, Lancaster county, and is a daughter of Byron Atkinson, whose birth occurred in Dane county, Wisconsin, on the 5th of March, 1850. His parents, John and Ann ( Greenshaw ) Atkinson, were natives of Eng- land but were married in the state of New York. They resided there for a num- ber of years and subsequently were residents of Wisconsin for some time, but in 1864 came to Lancaster county, and purchased land on the old Indian trail. At that time Lincoln was known as the Salt Basin and there were still few white residents of the county. When the Union Pacific railroad was built through this section they removed to a farm on Rock Creek and there John Atkinson built the Rock Creek mill which he operated for a number of years. At length he disposed of that property and lived retired until his death, which occurred on the 4th of January, 1891. His wife passed away ten years later, both dying in their ninety-first year. To them were born ten children, of whom Byron Atkinson is the youngest. He attended the public schools of Nebraska and remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-one years old, when he began farming on his own account in Butler county. Ile became an extensive landowner there but after residing in that county for forty-four years returned to Lancaster county in February, 1915. and bought eighty acres of land in Mill precinct, where he and his wife are now @living) retired During theEarly days when the grass- hopper scourge made times so hard for the farmers of Nebraska, he frequently
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