USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Lincoln > Lincoln, the capital city and Lancaster County, Nebraska, Volume II > Part 45
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had no money with which to buy food save his earnings as a violin player. He played for the dances in three counties and thus secured enough money to tide him over the bad years. For seven years he herded and pastured cattle for others and at times had as many as sixteen hundred head to care for.
Mr. Atkinson was married in 1873 to Miss Lilly Jones, a native of Dixon county, Nebraska, where her parents, William and Sarah ( Farney) Jones, settled at a very early day. Subsequently they removed to Lancaster county and here, too, they found frontier conditions. Indians were numerous and at one time they stole everything that the Jones family had in their wagon. To Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson were born three children: Mrs. Bell; Charles B., a resident of Colorado; and Minnie Eunice, the wife of Harry Marlof, a farmer of Cass county.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bell have been born four children, as follows: Minnie B., Charles William and Harold Edgar, twins, and Dorothy Alice, all at home.
Mr. Bell supports the candidates and measures of the democratic party, but has never been an aspirant for office. He is identified with the Modern Wood- men of America and with the Farmers' Association of Mill precinct. He keeps in close touch with new methods of agriculture and with the various movements for bringing about a closer cooperation between the farmers of the county, and his progressive spirit has been one of the important factors in his success. He has not only gained financial independence, but has also won the esteem of all with whom he has been associated.
JAMES LANGLEY.
James Langley, who for a period of several years was actively connected with farming interests in Lancaster county, spent his last days in honorable retire- ment in Lincoln, occupying an attractive home at No. 2000 South Twenty-sixth street. Ile was born near Cardiff, Wales, January 1, 1844, a son of James and Annie ( Philpott ) Langley, who were also natives of Wales. The father was a farmer, devoting his entire life to that occupation in his native country, and both he and his wife have now passed away.
Under the parental roof James Langley spent his boyhood days, remaining at home until he had attained his majority, when he went to sea and during his life as a sailor he circumnavigated the globe, visiting many interesting ports of the world. Ile continued as a seaman three years and then returned home, remaining there to the age of twenty-eight years, when he came to the United States, at which time he made his way to Missouri, where he rented a farm which he cultivated for two years. In 1873 he became a resident of Colfax county, Nebraska, where he took up a homestead claim which he developed and improved, carrying on farm work there until Igo1, when he put aside the duties of active agricultural life and removed to Lincoln. At that time he purchased land in Lancaster county which he cultivated for a few years, and finally he retired. Establishing his home in Lincoln, he erected a fine residence at No. 2000 South Twenty-sixth street and, occupied it throughout his remaining days. his autizer Ye HHerosoft ®)
death occurring April 23, 1913, after a long
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In April, 1871, Mr. Langley was joined in wedlock to Miss Maria Hitchings, a daughter of Phillip H. and Annie ( Davis) Hitchings, both of whom were natives of Wales. To Mr. and Mrs. Langley were born seven children, as follows: James, who is a resident of Sheridan, Wyoming; Elizabeth A., who is the wife of Robert McKee, of Lincoln; Rosa A., living in Spokane, Washington; Maria F. and Ralph, both at home; and Frederick and Alfred, who have passed away.
Mr. Langley was county commissioner of Colfax county for six years and discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity. His political support was ever given the republican party because of his firm belief in its principles. Fra- ternally he was connected with the Masons and with the Modern Woodmen of America, and his religious belief was that of the Baptist church. Those who knew him recognized his fidelity to high principles and he had the warm regard and friendship of all with whom he came in contact.
THOMPSON E. LONGSTREET.
Thompson E. Longstreet, living on section 33, Lancaster precinct, has now passed the seventy-eighth milestone on life's journey, for his birth occurred on the 26th of June, 1838. in Cayuga county, New York, his parents being Nelson and Clarinda ( Coon) Longstreet. The father was born in New Jersey in 1806 and his life record covered the intervening years to 1855. At an early day he removed to New York, settling in Seneca county, where he remained until called to his final rest. His wife, who was born in that county in 1811, survived him until October, 1880. In their family were six children: Richard R .. who was born in Cayuga county, March 17, 1836; Thompson E .; Charles N., born January 7. 1841 ; Clarinda, July 4. 1844; Rachel, September 12, 1846; and Loren, Septem- ber 7, 1856.
Thompson E. Longstreet was reared and educated in New York and when fifteen years of age began work as a farm hand, being employed in that way until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when, on the 9th of August, 1862, he enlisted for service at the front as a member of Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth New York Infantry. He was under General Miles through the years that followed-years that brought hardship, privation and suffering to all who went forth in defense of the old flag. Not only was Mr. Longstreet seriously wounded, his injuries taking him near to death's door, but he was also captured and for three months was incarcerated in Libby prison. He was captured at Harpers Ferry and it was not until three months had passed that he was paroled. He participated in both battles of Bull Run, in the engagement at Cedar Creek and was twice in action at Culpepper Courthouse. He also took an active part in the battle of the Wilderness and was at the White House through three skirmishes. He did valiant service at the siege of Petersburg and was then engaged in the battle of Hatchers Run, Virginia, on which occasion he was wounded, having his leg broken by a bullet, which he still carries. He lay on the battlefield for two days and two nights and was then picked up as a prisoner, after which he was for forty-eight hours upon the road without having his wound dressed. He was later exchanged. together with other prisoners, and was sent
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to Baltimore, where he lay in the hospital for six weeks, after which he was transferred to York, Pennsylvania, in 1865.
Mr. Longstreet then returned to his native state, where he was employed as a farm hand until his marriage, which was celebrated January 27, 1870, Miss Minerva Wilson becoming his wife. She is a daughter of Aaron and Julin ( Bennett) Wilson, of Ovid, Seneca county, New York, and can trace her gene- alogy back several generations to Ralph and Mary Wilson, who were the first to leave their home across the water and come to the United States. Mrs. Long- street was born January 27, 1842, and by her marriage has become the mother of two children : Estelle M., who was born November 26, 1873, and is the wife of Harry O. Weese, a farmer living in Normal, Nebraska, their children being, Gladys, Helen, Robert, Thompson and Edwin; and Ira W., who was born January IS, 1875, and resides at No. 1611 South Twelfth street, in Lincoln. He is a machinist by trade and is employed at the Cushman Motor Works. He married Mabel Williams, and their children are Percy and Ruth.
It was on the 13th of March, 1870, that Mr. Longstreet brought his family to Lancaster county and purchased eighty acres of railroad land, which he developed and cultivated until 1887, when he removed to Lancaster precinct and bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 33. He at once began to improve and has since operated the farm, which he purchased for forty dollars per acre and which is today worth two hundred and seventy-five dollars per acre. HIe has sold eighty acres of the place, but still retains eighty acres, which he has brought under a high state of cultivation, while all modern improvements are found thereon, constituting this one of the valuable farm properties of the locality. lle has always engaged in raising thoroughbred stock and has been very success- ful in carrying on the different branches of farm work. At the same time he has found opportunity to support plans and measures for the general good and co-operates in many projects of progressive citizenship. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party, is an earnest member of the Baptist church and also belongs to Farragut Post No. 25. G. A. R., of Lincoln, thus maintaining pleasant relations with his old army comrades. He has ever been as true and loyal in matters of citizenship as when he followed the stars and stripes on the battlefields of the south, and he rejoices that he has been thus long spared to enjoy the fruits of the long struggle-a struggle which then seemed to be fraught with such disastrous consequences, but which nevertheless has resulted in a firmly united Union, growing and expanding in its powers as the years have passed on.
JOHN CLARK.
For some years John Clark was well known as a representative of educational interests in Nebraska, and devoted the later years of his life to missionary work in Africa, practically giving his life as a sacrifice to the cause of Christianity for during his sojourn on the dark continent he contracted illness which ended his days. He was a native of Montgomery county, ViComo, and a son of John and
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Grace Maria Clark, who were also born in the Buckeye state. The father was there employed as a clerk and always made his home in Ohio.
Jolin Clark was reared and educated in Oberlin, Ohio, and in early man- hood entered the ministry, devoting a brief time to preaching. Afterward, how- ever, he became an active factor in educational circles and in 1876 removed to Nebraska, settling in Platte county, where he continued to teach. He imparted clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired and proved an able educator, whose work was valued in promoting the interests of the schools. He later became identiked with the missionary cause as a teacher, and in that connection went to Africa, where he taught about one year, when he became very ill, and started for home, but died on the voyage.
Mr. Clark had been married in April, 1875, to Miss Mary B. Barnes, a daugh- ter of John and Rebecca ( Miller) Barnes, who were natives of Ohio. The father devoted his life to the occupation of farming and continued a resident of Ohio, until called to his final rest, as did his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Clark became the parents of three children : Ernest, Grace and John L. In his political belief Mr. Clark was always a stalwart republican, for hic felt that the planks of the party platform were those which would best support good government. His religious faith was that of the Methodist church and his influence was ever a potent force for intellectual and moral progress. He always stood for those things which are most worth while, never content to chose second best, but sup- porting every plan and project that tended to uplift humanity and inculcate higher ideals.
MORRIS WILLARD FOLSOM.
Morris Willard Folsom, the president of the Nebraska State Bank and secre- tary of the Nebraska Central Building & Loan Association of Lincoln, has resided in the capital city since May 1, 1888, arriving here when a young man of twenty- onc years. He was born in Canton, China, June 30, 1866, his parents being the Rev. Arthur and Mary Anna (Thomas) Folsom, the former a Presbyterian minister in the Orient, whither he had gone as a missionary of his church.
Morris W. Folsom was chiefly educated in the schools of Nebraska and com- pleted his literary studies in Hastings College, a Presbyterian school of Hastings, Nebraska. In the pursuit of his ministerial labors his father had never acquired riches, or even sufficient means to give his children a collegiate education, hence the son Morris was denied the opportunity of a full college course and was obliged to earn the money for the education which he managed to obtain. At the early age of sixteen he taught a term of school in Kearney county, Nebraska, and when eighteen years of age taught another term in Adams county, this state. He then came to Lincoln and entered the employ of a contracting firm which was then engaged in putting down the first pavement on O street. Mr. Folsom devoted a summer to that work and gave his evenings to the study of law in the old Central Law College, which later became the law department of the University of Nebraska. Without missing any time from his day's work he completed the law course and was graduated in the spring of 18of, after which he was at
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once admitted to the bar. However, it was never his intention to practice law, as he took up the course merely for the purpose of better fitting himself for business pursuits, and in the year 1801 he opened a real estate, loan and insur- ance office in Lincoln. Previously, however, while attending law school and after spending the summer at paving work, as previously indicated, he spent two years in the employ of the Burlington Railroad Company and the Missouri Pacific Railway Company, and thus earned the funds necessary to meet his expenses while studying.
In 1893 Mr. Folsom became one of the organizers of the Nebraska Central Building & Loan Association of Lincoln and its first secretary. He has held that position continuously since and is the present incumbent. The Nebraska Central Building & Loan Association of Lincoln is the oldest institution of the kind in Lincoln and by far the largest and most important. In fact it is one of the city's leading financial enterprises and no institution of the city excels it in point of financial strength. It has a remarkable history in this respect, and, moreover, althoughi now in existence for twenty-three years, there has never been a change in the personnel of its officers or board of directors. Mr. Folsom was also one of the organizers and incorporators of the real estate and insurance firm of Folsom Brothers Company, of which he is the president, with his brother, E. C. Folsom, as secretary and treasurer. This, too, is one of the business landmarks of Lincoln, having been originally established in 1891 and incorporated in 1903. In the latter year Mr. Folsom and his associates organized the First National Bank of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, of which he became the first president, occupying that position until the bank passed into other hands. On the 5th of January, 1911, he became one of the organizers of the Nebraska State Bank, of which he has since been the president, and which has become one of Lincoln's seven well known and substantial banks.
On the 21st of October, 1891, Mr. Folsom was married to Miss Anna Miller, a daughter of Dr. E. H. Miller, then a prominent and well known dentist of Brooklyn, New York, who practiced his profession in the same office in that city for fifty-five years, or until his death in 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Folsom have two children, Willard Miller and Phebe, both now students in the State University.
In politics Mr. Folsom is a republican but he has never consented to become a candidate for office. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, a Knights Templar and a member of the Mystic Shrine and is a past master of Lincoln Lodge, No. 19. A. F. & A. M. He belongs to the Lincoln Commercial Club, of which he was formerly a director, the Lincoln Country Club, and the Candle Light Club, and he is a member and one of the trustees of the First Presbyterian church.
GEORGE JOHNSON.
George Johnson, a resident of North Bluff precinct, is a self-made man whose carefully conducted business interests have brought success, and at the same time he has been an active figure in the public life of the community, his fellow towns- men frequently calling upon chim to fill positionsjofrhonor and rust. He was born near Dorchester, in Saline county, Nebraska, February 26, 1874, a son of
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Charles and Jane (Butler ) Johnson, the former born in Sweden, April 12, 1844, and the latter in Illinois on the 3d of December 1848. During his infancy the father was brought by his parents to the United States and when quite small he was left an orphan, his father having died when the son was yet a babe, while the mother was a victim of the cholera epidemic in Chicago. In early manhood Charles Jolinson took up the occupation of farming, but all business and per- sonal considerations were put aside at the time of the Civil war. when he enlisted in 1862 as a private of Company C, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment of Illinois Infantry, which was attached to the Twentieth Army Corps. Later he was pro- moted to the rank of corporal and served until the close of the war and at the battle of Resaca, Georgia, he was wounded by a shell. When he retired from the service he settled in De Kalb county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming until 1870, and in the spring of 1871 he settled on a farm a mile and a half west of Dorchester, where he continued to make his home until he retired from active business life about 1906. Since then he has resided in Dorchester and is one of the respected and honored residents of that locality. His wife died November 8. 1907, her death being the occasion of deep regret to many friends as well as her immediate family.
George Johnson is the third in order of birth in a family of six children and in his youthful days he attended school in Lincoln precinct. while subsequently he entered the Dorchester high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1893. He also attended normal school for one term and he remained at home until about twenty-two years of age, when he began farming on his own account near Dorchester. In the year 1901 he purchased a farm near Dorchester, which he continued to occupy until 1go8, when he sold his land and took up his abode in Dorchester, where he engaged in the real estate business with his brother, who was then a practicing attorney of that place but is now living in Hastings, where he is a prominent and influential citizen. He has represented his district for one term in the state legislature and has been nominated in Hastings for the same office.
After four years spent as a real estate dealer in Dorchester, George Johnson purchased a farm north of the city but after a year sold that property and came to his present location in North Bluff precinct, Lancaster county. He has here one hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land, pleasantly situated a mile north of the corporation limits of Havelock and devotes the tract to general agricultural pursuits and stock raising. He breeds shorthorn cattle, keeping regis- tered stock, and he has over fifty head on hand. He also keeps high grade Poland China hogs and has about fifty of them at the present time. He devotes his entire attention to his farming interests and in addition to his place in Havelock he also has a half section of farm land in Cheyenne county, Kansas.
On the 30th of March, 1899, occurred the marriage of Mr. Johnson and Miss Ethel Mooberry, who was born March 12, 1882, in Tazewell county, Illinois, a'- daughter of Alexander and Mary C. (Lott) Mooberry, the latter a native of Canada, while the former was born in Ohio, of English ancestry. Mr. Mooberry was a farmer and about 1883 removed from Illinois to Nebraska, settling in Saline county, about four miles from Dorchester, where he and his wife spent 'heir remaining daysti ;Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have become the parents of five (R) children : Wesley M .. born March 6. 1900: Laura "[ .. born April 6. 1002 : Blanche
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E., February 26, 1904; Chester H., September 22, 1905; and Olive E., July 20, 1907.
The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. John- son gives his political allegiance to the republican party but has never aspired to office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, and the thoroughness with which he has done his work and the spirit of enterprise and progress which he has ever displayed in the management of his interests have gained him place among the substantial residents of the county.
JAMES F. MCLAUGHLIN.
James F. MeLaughlin has made many improvements upon his farm of eighty acres in North Bluff precinct and derives a gratifying income from his land. Ile was born at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, on the 8th of August, 1876, and is a son of Hugh and Mary ( McDermott ) MeLaughlin, both natives of County Donegal, Ireland. The father emigrated to the United States in early manhood and worked for a railroad in Pennsylvania for some time, but later went to Iowa where he was also engaged in railroading. In 1879 he came to Nebraska and purchased land in North Bluff precinct, Lancaster county, on which he resided until his death in 1893. His wife is still living and is residing upon the homestead. They were married in Pennsylvaina and to their union were born ten children, of whom James F. is the youngest.
James F. Mclaughlin attended school in district No. 37, North Bluff pre- cinet and remained at home with his mother until about 1902. He then began farming independently, locating upon his present home place of eighty acres in North Bluff precinct. He has erected a modern residence and other build- ings and also made various improvements which have greatly enhanced the value of the land. He gives the closest attention to all phases of the work of the farm and has proved successful both as a grain and stock raiser.
Mr. MeLaughlin was married on the 18th of February, 1903, to Miss Cath- erine Casey, who was born at Walnut, Iowa, and is a daughter of James and Mary (Cleary ) Casey, natives respectively of Ireland and of New Hampshire. The father became a resident of the United States in his youth and at the time of the Civil war enlisted in a Wisconsin regiment with which he served until the close of hostilities. He was wounded while at the front and the effects of his injury eventually caused his death. After receiving his discharge from the army he engaged in farming in Cass county, Nebraska, whence he subse- quently came to lancaster county. He met with misfortune here as his crops were destroyed by the grasshoppers and he decided to seek a new location and accord- ingly went to Walnut, lowa. After living there for a considerable period he went to Council Bluffs and there his death occurred when Mrs. MeLaughlin was but seven years old. The mother is still living and resides in Council Bluffs. Mrs. MeLaughlin, who is the youngest of a family of five children, was educated in that city. To Mr. and Mrs. McLaughlin have been born two children : Nellie May and Mabelle AgnesDigitized by Microsoft ®
Mr. MeLaughlin casts an independent ballot and takes the interest of a good
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citizen in public affairs but has never sought office. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Columbus, at Lincoln, and this association indicates his religious faith, which is that of the Roman Catholic church. He is a man of many admirable qualities and is held in the highest esteem wherever known.
CHARLES M. BRANSON.
Charles M. Branson, living on section 10, Yankee Hill precinct, where his time and energies are given to agricultural interests, was born in Fulton county, Illinois, July 19, 1853, a son of Zebulon and Rachel ( Braucher) Branson, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The paternal ancestors came to America in 1628 from Wales and in the maternal line he is descended from ancestors who came from Holland about 1760. His father was a farmer by occupation and in 1823 removed to Illinois, settling in Sangamon county. He afterward became a resident of Fulton county, that state, and in 1862, when forty-five years of age, he enlisted as a member of Company I, One Hundred and Third Illinois Infantry. He became captain of Company B and met death in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, in Georgia. He had participated in nineteen regular engagements and his uniform at Lookout Mountain was pierced with twenty-seven bullets.
Charles M. Branson was reared and educated in Illinois, being graduated from Hedding College, at Abingdon, in 1874, with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy, while in 1877 the master's degree was conferred upon him. Going to New York he taught school there for a year. After a year spent in the east he returned to Illinois where he again engaged in teaching until 1878. The last school of which he was principal was that at Altoona, Illinois.
On the 22d of August, 1877, Mr. Branson was united in marriage to Miss Ida D. Currier of Bureau county, Illinois, a daughter of Jonathan T. and Martha J. ( Hoblit) Currier, who were natives of Vermont and Ohio respectively. The father, a farmer by occupation, removed to Bureau county, Illinois, at an carly period in the development of that locality and there he engaged exten- sively in farming for many years, adding to his holdings from time to time until he became the owner of many farms. He died in February, 1908, but his widow still survives. To Mr. and Mrs. Branson have been born four children: Lois Stewart, the wife of Frank S. Cantp, of Lincoln, by whom she has one son, Daniel Branson Camp: Bernice Marie, an illustrator, living at home; Charles Blaine, a dentist of Seattle, Washington, who married La Vinia Young and has two children, Rachel Marion and Bernine Elizabeth ; and Joe Braucher, living at home.
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