USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Lincoln > Lincoln, the capital city and Lancaster County, Nebraska, Volume II > Part 53
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well as upheld the legal status of the community. He is a worthy scion of his race, fortunate in having back of him an ancestry honorable and distinguished, his own lines of life being cast in harmony therewith.
S. G. WARNER.
S. G. Warner is a well known resident of Rock Creek precinct and one whose influence has always been on the side of progress and improvement. He was born in the eastern part of Sweden, February 4, 1846, a son of Peter and Mary Christina ( Anderson) Warner, both of whom were natives of that country. The father was both a farmer and auctioneer and at one time served as a soldier in the regular army but was never called upon for active military duty.
S. G. Warner attended school in Sweden and in his teens began providing for his own support. He was fifteen years of age when he was employed in a livery station in Sweden, driving travelers from place to place. He had to go out in all kinds of weather either day or night. After four years spent in that way he worked for two years as a farm hand and then remained at home for a year or two, his father having two small farms which he assisted in cultivating. When twenty-two years of age he bade adieu to friends and native country and came to the United States. This was in 1869. For a time he was employed as a farm hand in Knox county, Illinois, but in the spring of 1871 came to Nebraska and on the 13th of March of that year took up his abode upon the farm on which he now resides. Omaha was at that time the terminus of the railroad, from which point he drove a team to Lancaster county and then purchased railroad land. There were no trees or a building of any kind in sight. His first house was a frame structure fifteen by eighteen feet, which he occupied until 1880. He then built an addition and in 1888 a second one. In 1877 he planted trees and now has many fine trees upon his place. All around his dooryard are cedars. catalpa and spruce trees, now of great size, many being as large around as a man's body. The highway, too, he has bordered with trees which add much to the beauty of the landscape and their value cannot be overestimated, as it is a well known fact that trees bring rainfall and do away with the possibility of drought. The district is indeed barren and unattractive looking that does not have trees as a feature of the landscape. In addition to the beautiful shade trees which Mr. Warner has planted he has likewise set out a large variety of fruit trees and he has planted many varieties of small fruits. His place is further adorned with many rose bushes and beautiful flowering trees and decorative shrubbery. His farm is fully equipped in every respect and in erecting his buildings Mr. Warner has considered comfort and convenience rather than ostentatious display. He started with eighty acres of land and from time to time has added to his holdings until he is now the owner of twelve hundred and eighty acres and he has also given away two hundred and forty acres to his children. At the present time he does not farm any of his land, having rented it all to his sons. In addition to his residence upon the old homestead he has an attractive home in Havelock which he ex Rpects to occupy.30ofR. soon and thereafter spend his remaining days in pleasant retirement from labor. He is a stockholder in the
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elevator at Davey and from his invested interests he derives a gratifying annual income.
On the 29th of January, 1876, Mr. Warner was united in marriage to Miss Eliza S. Floodman, who was born in the same locality in Sweden in which his birth occurred, her parents being C. U. and Sophia Floodman, who on coming to America in 1869 located in Henry county, Illinois. After two or three years they removed to Stromsburg, Polk county, Nebraska. The father was a highly educated man. In Sweden he had been a painter, carriage trimmer and saddler and after coming to the new world he turned his attention to farming, owning large land interests in Polk county, where he located in 1872. Mrs. Warner was the second of his family of ten children and by her marriage has become the mother of eleven children, as follows: Cecilia G., who is the wife of Peter Swanstrom, a resident farmer of Rock Creek precinct ; Hilma S., the wife of Frank Spader, who lives near Waverly and a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work : Selma A., the wife of Nels Lundeen, an agriculturist residing at Axtell, Nebraska ; Louise M., Alma A. and Fern W., all at home ; Ruby, the wife of Lawrence Griswold, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work : Paul E., who is also mentioned on another page of this book ; and Andrew N., David G. and Alvin F., who are yet under the parental roof. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and in politics Mr. Warner is an independent republican. He is now serving for the twenty-sixth year as a member of the school board and he is interested in all that pertains to public progress and improvement, cooperating heartily in all plans for the general good. Forty-five years have come and gone since he arrived in Lancaster county and throughout this entire period he has so lived as to command the unqualified respect and good will of his fellow townsmen. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, his labors not only proving a source of individual profit but constituting an element in the substantial growth and improvement of the district in which he lives.
GEORGE W. LEE.
A life of intense activity, carefully and honorably directed, has given George W. Lee place among the respected and valued citizens of Lancaster county. He makes his home in Emerald, where he has a pleasant residence situated in the midst of two and a half acres of land. At different times he has followed farming and merchandising and he has also filled various local offices, the duties of which he has discharged with promptness and fidelity. He was born in Freeport, Illinois, August 10, 1840, a son of Lorenzo and Charlotte ( Rich ) Lee, who were natives of Massachusetts and Long Island respectively. The father devoted his life to farming, blacksmithing and merchandising and upon his removal westward in 1836 settled in Stephenson county, Illinois, where he pur- chased land which he improved and cultivated throughout his remaining days, his death occurring January 2, 1801. His wife survived him for a decade, dying September 5. 1871. Digitized by Microsoft ®
George W. Lee was reared and educated in Stephenson county, Illinois, and
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remained with his mother until her death. He afterward rented land and engaged in farming for a number of years and in the winter months worked at the car- penter's trade. Subsequently he purchased eighty acres, which he improved, residing thereon until 1874, when he came to Lancaster county and purchased a half section of land in Middle Creek precinct. With characteristic energy he began its further development and improvement, owning the farm until 1900. He operated it until 1884, after which he rented it. In that year he removed to Emerald and opened a store, which he conducted until 1893, and later he concentrated his attention upon the business of buying and selling stock and grain for several years. In 1905, however, he retired from active business and has since made his home in Emerald, enjoying a well earned rest. He is pleas- antly situated in a comfortable residence that is surrounded by two and a half acres of land.
On the 11th of October, 1871, Mr. Lee was united in marriage to Miss Ade. line Spencer, a daughter of James D. and Agnes ( Barry ) Spencer. They became the parents of a daughter, Mary W., who married Fred Schmidt and died in November, 1904, leaving five children, George E., Freda A., Curtis W., Winifred and Agnes. Mrs. Lee passed away in March, 1891, and in September, 1895, Mr. Lee married Arvilla A. Aspinwall. a daughter of John and Lucy (Shem- way) Aspinwall.
Politically Mr. Lee is a republican and has filled various local offices, serving at different times as assessor, road supervisor and as postmaster of Emerald for a number of years. His religious belief is that of the Methodist church, to the teachings of which he loyally adheres. His course has ever been upright and honorable and wherever he is known he is held in high esteem because of the fact that he is a successful business man whose success has been worthily won and also owing to the fact that in every relation of life his course has measured up to high standards.
PAUL JEROME TRUMBLE.
Paul Jerome Trumble, a prosperous young farmer of North Bluff precinct. has passed his entire life here, for he was born in this precinct on the 11th of July, 1885. His parents, William Henry and Johanna (Casey) Trumble, were both born in County Clare, Ireland, the father in 1840. and the mother in 1844. They came as children to America with their respective parents and were mar- ried in Wisconsin. Subsequently they located in North Bluff Precinct, and here the father passed away in 1899, but the mother survived until the 27th of January, 1916. To them were born nine children.
Paul J. Trumble, the youngest, received his education in the district schools and in a parochial school at Lincoln, which he attended for two years. He was carly trained in farm work and when about twenty-two years of age took charge of the operation of the home place. He resided with his mother for two years, but at the end of that time removed to his present farm, which comprises two hundred and for Catres. and is located on section 23. North Bluff precinct. The land is in a high state of cultivation, all of the buildings are substantial and
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commodious and he is at once practical and progressive in his methods, the careful attention which he gives to the management of the farm is rewarded by a gratifying financial return.
Mr. Trumble was married in September, 1912, to Miss Gertrude Stabler, a daughter of George W. and Lucy (Lyle) Stabler, a more extended account of whom appears elsewhere in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Trumble have been born two children : Charles Paul, whose birth occurred on the 29th of July, 1913; and Lyle William, born February 7, 1916.
Although Mr. Trumble indorses the national policies of the democratic party he often votes independently, believing the fitness of the candidate to be of greater importance than his party allegiance. He is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church, in whose work he takes a commendable interest. By means of his well directed efforts he has already accumulated a competence and he has likewise won the regard of those who have been closely associated with him.
R. T. CHAMBERS.
R. T. Chambers, who is living retired in Bennet after many years of activity as an agriculturist and as a stockman, was born in Stephenson county, Illinois, on the 26th of August, 1845. His parents, Samuel and Elizabeth ( Musser) Chambers, were both born in Union county, Pennsylvania, but both removed to Illinois in an early day in the history of that state. The father and his brother rode horseback from Pennsylvania to the Prairie state in 1835 and took up land. Samuel Chambers was married in Illinois and continued to live there until 1885. when removal was made to Lancaster county, Nebraska. There both he and his wife passed away in 1890, dying within four days of each other. They were the parents of eight children, of whom five are still living.
R. T. Chambers was reared and educated in Illinois and through assisting his father received valuable training in agricultural work. On attaining his majority he began farming on his own account and followed that occupation until 1877, when he removed to Chicago and engaged in the commission business for two years. In 1878, however, he came to Lancaster county, and settled on a farm on section 33, Stockton precinct. He still owns two hundred and forty acres there and the improvements on the place compare very favorably with those on other farms in the locality. For two decades he devoted his time and energy to the cultivation of his land and as he used efficient methods and managed his affairs well, his resources steadily increased. In 1898 he removed to Bennet, where he has since lived, and for twelve years he engaged in buying and shipping stock. He is now, however, enjoying a period of leisure which is well deserved and receives a gratifying income from his property. He is also one of the director of the Citizens Bank at Bennet.
Mr. Chambers was married in 1868 to Miss Isabella Macaulay, who was born in Stephenson county, Illinois. Her parents, Aaron and Catherine ( Hauck) Macaulay, were both born in Union County, PennsylvaniaSbut removed to Illinois in early manhood and womanhood and there lived until called by death. To them were born eight children, of whom four are living. Mr. and Mrs. Cham-
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bers are the parents of four children: Ernest A., who is living on the home farm, is married and has a daughter and son, Esther and Robert. Samuel F., a resident of Bennet, is married and has four children, Cecile, Russell, Merna and Flossie. Joseph L., who is farming, is married and has three children, Leland, Evelyn and Oren ; and Kathryn, who is a graduate of the high school of Bennet, is at home.
Mr. Chambers gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and has served acceptably as justice of the peace and school director. Both he and his wife belong to the Presbyterian church, in the work of which they take a praise- worthy interest. They are well known throughout the county and are held in high esteem. They have witnessed much of the development of this section and have contributed to the advancement of their community along both material and moral lines.
FRANK JOHN VERMEER.
Frank John Vermeer, a well known and highly esteemed farmer living on seetion 4, Panama precinct, is a native of the Netherlands and was born in Burgwerd, the province of Friesland, on the 26th of May, 1856. His father, John Edgar Vermeer, was born in that province in 1812 and received his edu- cation there. When nineteen years of age he joined the army and served for eight years. He was married at the age of thirty years to Miss Arka Duma, who was born in Friesland, in 1814, and passed away in 1899. After his return from the army the father engaged in farm work until his demise in 1800.
Frank John Vermeer was reared at home and received his education in the public schools of his native country. He worked as a farm laborer until 1883 when he came to America, believing that there were better opportunities offered in this country than in his native land. From the city of New York he went to Buffalo, where he worked on the railroad for a year, and later he was employed in a cement factory. In 1885 he arrived in Holland, Lancaster county, Nebraska, and for ten months worked as a farm hand. In 1886, however, he returned to Buffalo, New York, where he worked for two years, but in 1888 he again came to Lancaster county and after being employed as a farm hand for a year rented an eighty acre tract of land at Roca and three years later rented a farm in the vicinity of Cheney, which he operated for five years. In 1897 he took up his residence on a farm near Panama and in 1907 purchased ninety-four acres on section 4, Panama precinct, which was well improved when it came into his possession. He removed to this place in 1905 and is still engaged in its operation. He has remodeled the house, built a new barn and sheds, and takes justifiable pride in keeping everything in excellent repair. He does general farming, but gives particular attention to raising Holstein cattle and formerly raised white faced cattle. He manages his business well, watching the markets carefully, and plans his work so as to secure the greatest results from the least expenditure of labor. He receives a good income from his land and is one of the substantial mencofthisctownship.Microsoft ®
On the 13th of May. 1882, Mr. Vermeer was united in marriage to Miss
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Mary Bouma, who was born in the vicinity of Wittmarsum, Friesland, on the 5th of February, 1861, a daughter of Anno and Tetcha ( Ishka) Bouma. Her father was born in the Netherlands on the 11th of January, 1831, and worked as a farm laborer there for a number of years. In 1886, however, he came to the United States and settled near Holland, Lancaster county, where he passed away in August, 1912. His wife was born in the Netherlands, in 1839, and died in Holland, this county, in 1889. Both are buried in the cemetery at Holland. Mrs. Vermeer grew to womanhood in her native town and received her educa- tion in its schools. By her marriage she has become the mother of nine chil- dren, as follows: John, who was born on the 16th of September, 1883, in Buf- falo, New York, and is farming in Lancaster county; Clara and Tyreed, both of whom died in infancy : Clara, the second of the name, who was born in Buf- falo, on the 3d of April, 1888, and is now the wife of Richard May, a farmer of Lancaster county : Dora, who was born in Roca, Lancaster county, on the 10th of March, 1891, and married Dick Walvoord, a farmer of this county ; Fronie, who was born on the 14th of July, 1893, near Roca : Mary B., who was born March 7, 1896, at Roca, and is now a student in the Nebraska Wesleyan University ; Anna B., who was born in Panama precinct on the 8th of February, (899; and Frank B., who was born in Panama precinct September 19. 1902, and is attending district school No. 44.
Mr. Vermeer casts his ballot in support of the men and measures of the republican party but otherwise has not been active in politics. He is a member of the United Brethren church and can be depended upon to further all move- ments seeking the moral advancement of his community. He has belonged to Panama Camp, No. 2227, M. W. A., for seventeen years and has held a number of offices therein. His genuine worth is widely recognized and his friends are many.
FRED SCHMIDT.
Prominent among the enterprising, progressive and successful business men of Lincoln is Fred Schmidt, senior partner in the firm of Fred Schmidt & Brother, proprietors of an extensive department store at Nos. 917-19 () street, at which location the business has been carried on for a period of forty-four years. Because of his long connection with commercial interests Mr. Schmidt is most widely known and the sterling traits that he has displayed have gained him favor by his patrons. He was born in Clayton county, Iowa, January 19, 1851, and after acquiring a common school education became a clerk in a store at Garna- villo, that county. In 1870, when nineteen years of age, he came to Lincoln and entered its business circles as a salesman with J. V. Andrews, who conducted a general store where the Hoppe hardware establishment is now located, on Tenth street. A year and a half later, having carefully and persistently saved his earnings, he embarked in business on his own account, conducting a grocery store for five or six months. lie then became a member of the firm of Jones, Schmidt & Company, which existed for about two years, when the silent partner, Mr. England, withdrew and theAf Rie Bfinones & Schmidt was assumed. Four years later Mr. Jones disposed of his interest to Mr. Schmidt, who then
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conducted the business under his own name for a year, when he was joined by Henry Schmidt under the firm style of Fred Schmidt & Brother. For forty- four years the business has been carried on at its preesnt location. Their first building was a sandstone structure and they suffered a six thousand dollar loss when the west wall gave way. This was rebuilt of brick. On the upper floor was the Peoples Opera House, for many years the leading opera house of the , city. Today, however, the firm ocupies the entire building, which is fifty by one hundred and thirty-eight feet, three stories in the front and two in the rear. The ground floor is occupied with a stock of groceries, dry goods, boots and shoes and men's furnishings, while on the second floor is carried a large line of women's ready-to-wear clothing and millinery. Something of the extent of their trade is indicated in the fact that they employ thirty-eight people. Here the pioncer settlers from all over the country made their purchases in the early days and Mr. Schmidt became widely and favorably known. He has always maintained an unassailable reputation for business integrity as well as enterprise and he is today one of the prominent and popular merchants of the city.
In Lincoln, Mr. Schmidt was married to Miss Mary Hasse, a native of Wis- consin, and they have become the parents of two daughters, Minnie and Nelda. They are members of the German Lutheran church and Mr. Schmidt gives his political indorsement to the democratic party. He was once a candidate for county treasurer at a time when the normal republican majority was two thou- sand but he was defeated by a vote of only two hundred and says that he has always been glad that he was not elected, for he has ever preferred to give his undivided time and attention to his commercial interests. Ile is preeminently a business man, concentrating his efforts upon the store, and he is today one of Lincoln's pioneer business men, respected and esteemed by all who know him, and most of all by those who have known him longest, a fact indicative of a well spent life, his history being one that will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny.
VRATISLAV JOSEPH KOVARIK.
Vratislav Joseph Kovarik is successfully engaged in the drug business in Hallam and is also filling the office of postmaster there. He was born three miles from Crete, Saline county, Nebraska, on the 30th of June, 1875. and is a son of Mathias and Margaret ( Kozda) Kovarik, both natives of Bohemia, although their marriage occurred in Wisconsin. The father came to America in 1862, when fourteen years of age, and located in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. He worked in the lumber woods of that state for ten years but in 1872 became a resident of Saline county, Nebraska, taking up one hundred and sixty acres of raw land three miles south of Crete. He lived in a sod house for some time, and his first concern after filing on his land was to break the sod and prepare the ground for the planting of crops. He operated his homestead for twenty- eight years but in 1900 retired from active life, although he continued to live upon the farm, there passing @away in 1912. He is buried two and a half miles southeast of the homestead. He was survived for a short time by his wife,
MR. AND MRS. VRATISLAV J. KOVARIK
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whose death occurred in 1913. They were among the pioneers of Saline county and had many interesting experiences in the early days. When they removed to this state the railroads had not yet reached the county and they made the trip from Wisconsin to their destination by wagon.
Vratislav Joseph Kavorik attended the public schools of Saline county and was later a student in the Crete high school, thus securing a good education. AAfter farming the home place for two years he was employed in a drug store at Crete for four years. He decided that the drug business was a promising field of activity and accordingly entered the St. Louis College of Pharmacy in 1897. The following year he passed the examination given by the state board of pharmacy and was licensed to practice. For two years he worked in a drug store in Crete but in 1901 purchased the business of G. H. Ruhaak at Hallam. He has since conducted that drug store and has gained a place among the suc- cessful and energetic business men of the town. He not only carries a full line of pure drugs but also handles druggists' supplies, of which he keeps a complete and up-to-date stock. On the 18th of February, 1902, he received the appoint- ment as postmaster of Hallam and has held that position during the intervening fourteen years, his continuance in the office indicating the acceptability of his services.
On the 25th of October, 1899, at Crete, occurred the marriage of Mr. Kovarik and Miss Barbara Kubat. She was born in Bohemia, Austria, on the 23d of April, 1879, but when three years of age was brought to America by her parents, John and Vera (Hvlka) Kubat. The father followed the carpenter's trade in Crete, Nebraska, where the family located, and both parents passed away there. Mrs. Kovarik was graduated from the Crete high school with the class of 1897 and taught school in Saline county for a year before her marriage. She has served as assistant postmaster since the 18th of February, 1902, and has proved very capable in the discharge of her official duties. She is a charter member of Ruby Camp, No. 2658, R. N. A., at Hallam, and for twelve years has served as recorder, during which time she has missed only two meetings. In religious faith she is a Roman Catholic.
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