USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Lincoln > Lincoln, the capital city and Lancaster County, Nebraska, Volume II > Part 54
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Mr. Kovarik is a republican and takes the interest of a good citizen in pub- lic affairs. He served for a time on the village board. Fraternally he is con- nected with Hallam Camp, No. 4924, M. W. A., in which he has held two of the chairs; Robert Burns Castle, Royal Highlanders, of Crete, in which he has been secretary and treasurer ; and the Knights of Pythias lodge at Crete. He belonged to the Hallam fire department for four and a half years and is now a member of the Postmasters association of Nebraska. He possesses considerable musical ability and was the organizer of the Hallam Cornet Band, which consists of eighteen pieces, and for some time served as bandmaster. He is perhaps most widely known, however, as a gymnast and has served in all of the chairs of the Sokol's Association, which is a Bohemian turner society. For eight years he was athletic instructor in the association at Crete, and he has taken part in gymnastic contests all over the state. In 1899 he won the first prize-a gold medal-as the best all around athlete in the Nebraska state contest of the Bo- hemian societies. He excels especially, however, in jumping and in work on the bars and rings, and he took part/in accontest at the/World's Fair in Chicago in 1893 and also in a contest at St. Louis in 1897. He has thoroughly identified
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his interests with those of Hallam and expects to make the town his permanent home. In 1908 he erected an attractive modern residence, and he and his wife greatly enjoy extending the hospitality of their home to their many friends. He has met with success in all that he has undertaken and his ability is generally recognized.
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON MOORE.
William Henry Harrison Moore of Martel assisted in organizing the Martel State Bank, and has since served as its cashier. He gives the closest attention to the management of its affairs and under his direction it has gained a high standing among banks of Lancaster county. Mr. Moore was born near Hoopes- ton, Illinois, November 26, 1876, and is a son of William Edmund and Eliza Jane (Arrowsmith) Moore, The former was born in Illinois, on the 3Ist of May, 1847. As his father was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church the family lived in various towns and William Edmund received his education in a number of schools. On reaching mature years he engaged in farming in Iroquois county and later removed to McLean county, where he followed agri- cultural pursuits until 1896, when he retired from active life. About four years later he removed to Long Beach, California, where he now resides. He was mar- ried in the vicinity of Arrowsmith, Illinois, in 1873, to Miss Eliza Jane Arrow- smith, whose birth occurred in Mclean county, on the 23d of February, 1850. She also survives.
William Henry Harrison Moore attended school near Saybrook, McLean county, Illinois, and later was a student in the high school at Red Oak, from which he was graduated in 1896. In the fall of that year he entered the State University of Nebraska at Lincoln and completed a course there in 1900, receiv- ing the degree of Bachelor of Science. The following year he was assistant to the chemist of a Bessemer steel plant in Youngstown, Ohio, chiefly employed in analyzing steel. In 1902 he went west to Diamondville, Wyoming, where he served as superintendent of schools. In 1904 he became a resident of Lin- coln, Nebraska, and entered the employ of the old Columbia National Bank, with which institution he was connected for about a year. In 1905 he came to Martel, and with R. E. and John Moore organized the Martel State Bank, of which he has since been cashier. He follows a policy which conserves the interests of stockholders and depositors at the same time that it permits legitimate exten- sion of the business interests of the town. The bank has the complete confidence of the community and the volume of its business has grown steadily.
On the 5th of June, 1912, Mr. Moore was married near Martel to Miss Minnie Wunderlich, who was born in this county, on the 20th of January, 1892. Her father, Simon Wunderlich, was born in Germany, on the 23d of March, 1864, and received his education in the fatherland, but as a youth of seventeen years came to America. After living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for a time he came to Lancaster county, where he purchased a farm. He devoted much of his time to the carpenter's trade, but is now living retired in Martel. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Summerer, was born in Germany, December 12, 1859. and grew to womanhood in that country. She, too, survives.
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Mir. Moore is an independent republican and takes a keen interest in every- thing relating to the public welfare He is connected with Hickman Lodge, No. 94, A. F. & A. M. and with the Knights Templar Commandery at Lincoln. When in the State University he was elected to membership in the scientific honorary society Sigma Xi, because of the excellence of his original work in engineering geology. He is affiliated with the Methodist church and its teach- ings govern his conduct in all relations of life.
WILLIAM JOSEP11 WELLER.
William Joseph Weller is president of the Bank of Raymond and is one of the alert and enterprising business men of his section of the county, where for many years he was actively identified with agricultural interests and develop- ment. Ile has made his home continuously in Raymond since 1904, when he erected a fine modern residence there. Ilis birth occurred near Zanesville, in Muskingum county, Ohio, on the 26th of February, 1844, his parents being Adam and Sarah ( Longstreath) Weller. The father was born in Morgan county, near MeConnelsville, Ohio, and there obtained his education, after which he followed farming. Ile was also at one time interested in merchandis- ing and he took an active part in public affairs of the community, serving in various township offices, while he also had official connection with the schools as a member of the school board. He died at the age of sixty-seven years and his wife, who was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, but lived most of her life in Morgan county, there passed away at the age of fifty-five years. To them were born eight children, as follows: Annie, deceased, who was the wife of Harry Putnam, also deceased: Rachel, who is the widow of Alba Dozer, and resides in Zanesville, Ohio; William Joseph, of this review; Lydia, who is the wife of Reuben Pool, a farmer residing in Lawton, Oklahoma; Helen, who passed away; Frank, a railroad man, who makes his home at Urbana, Ohio ; Meada, who is deceased ; and Ama, the wife of Charles Dalby, an agriculturist of Holt county, Nebraska.
William Joseph Weller obtained his education in the district schools of Morgan county, Ohio, which he attended until he reached the age of seventeen years. In response to the country's call for troops he then enlisted in 1861 as a member of Company E, Seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for three years. In 1864 he reenlisted, becoming a member of Com- pany K of the One Hundred and Sixty-first Ohio Infantry, with which he continued for nine months, holding the rank of second lieutenant. He par- ticipated in many important engagements, including the battles of Fort Donel- son and Shiloh, the siege of Vicksburg and the engagements of Jackson, Meridian, Champion's Hill, the military movement that occurred in the Shenandoah valley and at Harpers Ferry. He was wounded in the battle of Champion's Fill. his left arm being broken by a Minie ball, and since that time he has never entirely recovered the use of his arm, With the rank of second lieutenant of Company K. One Hundred andsieci?Klid inn&Cit & honorably dis- charged at Columbus at the close of the war.
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After hostilities had ceased William J. Weller attended school for a year, and in 1866 he was married and made his way to Afton, lowa, traveling across the country by wagon. There he purchased a farm of forty acres which was improved to some extent, and for three years he there engaged in the further development of the place. He then made the overland journey to Lancaster county, Nebraska, and settled three miles from Raymond on section 20, Little Salt township, where he homesteaded eighty acres of raw land, making claim thereto on the 9th of September, 1869. He improved his place by building thereon a little frame dwelling and dugout, hauling the lumber from Platts- mouth, Nebraska. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement . made upon the place. He broke the prairie and there engaged in farming until 1897, bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation. He afterward obtained eighty acres more as a soldier's claim and his second tract adjoined his first entry. He also had a quarter section of school land on section 16, Little Salt township, and thus he farmed a half section all told. He still owns this land and from the property derives a substantial annual income. In 1897, however, he retired from farming and removed to Raymond, where he purchased the general store of B. F. Reagan. This he conducted for twelve years or until 1909, when he disposed of that business and became one of the organizers of the Bank of Raymond, of which he is now the president, although he does not continue active in the daily management and control of the bank. He is practically living retired save for the supervision which he gives to his invested interests. In 1904 he purchased lots and built thereon a fine modern residence in Raymond which he now occupies.
Mr. Weller has been married twice. On the 2d of March, 1865, in Morgan county, Ohio, he- wedded Miss Flavillia A. Adamson, who was born, reared and educated in that county and came west with our subject. Her demise occurred in Raymond, Nebraska, on the 14th of April, 1908. Her parents, Washington and Elizabeth Adamson, were both born, reared and educated in Virginia, and became early settlers of the Western Reserve, spending the remainder of their lives in the state of Ohio. By his first wife Mr. Weller had eight children, as follows: William Franklin, who was born in Union county, Iowa, on the 21st of April, 1866, and follows farming near Raymond, Lancaster county, Nebraska ; Henry Sylvester, who is deceased; George Edgar, whose birth occurred in Lan- caster county, Nebraska, April 14, 1870, and who is now engaged in the real estate business in Portland, Oregon; Carrie, the deceased wife of Joe Hoag- land; Ida and Lydia, who have also passed away; Sarah, who was born in Little Salt township, April 21. 1874, and is the wife of George Schuss, a farmer residing near Enterprise, Oregon; and Bessie, who is the wife of Oliver Latour, a barber of Enterprise, Oregon. On the 22d of June, 1910, at Omaha, Nebraska, Mr. Weller was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Louysa Bartlett, who was born in Illinois and came to Lancaster county, Nebraska, in 1874.
Mr. Weller has been called upon from time to time to fill various public offices. In 1878 he was chosen county commissioner and by reelection was con- tinned in that office for three, terms, or until 1884. He has likewise been justice of the peace of Raymond, a member of the school board and road super- visor. In politics he has always given earnest support to the principles of the
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republican party. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church and he has served as trustee and steward of the church to which he belongs. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, having for a quarter of a century been a member of Valparaiso Lodge, No. 151, F. & A. M. He likewise belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp and to the Grand Army post at Raymond and he thus maintains pleasant relations with his somrades of the Civil war. His is a most excellent military record, for he was most loyal to the cause which he espoused and never faltered in the performance of any duty, no matter how arduous or difficult. In his home he has a fine picture of the battle of Champion's Hill-that hotly contested engagement in which he practically lost the use of his left arm. He has never regretted the sacrifice which he made in behalf of his country and the same spirit of loyalty has characterized him at all times throughout the intervening years. He well deserves mention in this volume, for he is the oldest living settler around Raymond, having come to the neighborhood forty-seven years ago. He has lived to witness many changes as the work of progress and improvement has been carried forward, and at all times he has put forth earnest and effective effort to promote the general good.
WILLIAM J. OTLEY.
William J. Otley, who owns four hundred acres of fine land in Waverly precinct, is successfully engaged in farming and stock raising. A native of Bureau county, Illinois, he was born on the 26th of January, 1857, a son of George and Jane (Haxby) Otley, the former born in Yorkshire, England, and the latter in Scarborough, Yorkshire. The father emigrated to America in 1840, and the mother in 1830. Mr. Otley first settled in Winchester, Scott county, Illinois, but in 1854 removed to Burcaut county, where he engaged in farming and stock raising. He introduced shorthorn cattle into that county and was a leader in the development of stock raising interests there. He passed away in September, 1891, and was survived by his wife until March, 1916.
William J. Otley, who is the fourth in order of birth in a family of eight children, attended the district schools in his native county and remained upon the home farm until he was twenty-nine years of age. During the last eight years of that period, however, he had charge of the place and also owned and operated a threshing outfit. Following his marriage he removed to Henry county. Illinois, where he farmed for four years, but in the spring of 1891 he came to Lancaster county, and located upon his present home farm in Waverly precinct. He had acquired title to eighty acres of land, but as the years have passed has added to his holdings, which now comprise four hundred acres. He harvests large crops annually and also raises full blooded Poland China hogs and Hereford cattle. He devotes his entire time to his agricultural interests and the income which he derives from his farm makes him financially inde- pendent.
Mr. Otley was married, on the Ist of February. 1887, to Miss Caroline Stabler, a native of Henry county, EIllinois, and a daughter of William and Bessie (Kneeshart) Stabler, both of whom were born in Yorkshire, England.
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The father engaged in farming during his active life but is now living retired in Neponset, Illinois. His wife also survives. Their daughter, Mrs. Otley, passed away in 1897. She was the mother of six children. Vera, is the wife of Hubert Willis, who owns and operates a farm adjoining that belonging to Mr. Otley, and they have a daughter Gladys. Luella C., Frank K. and Leah M., are all at home. The first and the fifth child in the family died in infancy. In 1910 Mr. Otley was again married, Miss Bertha F. Ward becoming his wife. She was born in Iowa, and is a daughter of William and Elvira ( Pullen ) Ward, who became residents of Waverly many years ago. The father engaged in farm- ing for a considerable period, but is now living practically retired. By his second union Mr. Otley has two children, Robert J. and Joc.
Mr. Otley is a stanch supporter of the democratic party and takes a lively interest in public affairs, but has always refused to be a candidate for office. He holds membership in the Modern Woodmen of America, is present adviser of his camp, and has also held other offices therein. His thorough knowledge of agricultural methods, combined with his enterprise, has made him success- ful as a farmer and stock raiser, and his integrity and public spirit have gained him a high place in the estimation of his fellow citizens.
EDWIN JEROME FAULKNER.
Edwin Jerome Faulkner, second vice president of the Woodmen Accident Company of Lincoln, was born in York, Nebraska, October 20, 1884. He is the eldest son of Dr. Albert O. Faulkner, the organizer and founder of the Woodmen Accident Company, who has served as its president and general manager since the company was organized in 1890. Mr. Faulkner was a lad of but seven years when he came with his parents to Lincoln, in 1891, and in the acquirement of his education he attended the public schools, supplementing his high school training by study in the University of Nebraska, where he entered the law department, being graduated therefrom with the class of 1906, at which time the I.L. B. degree was conferred upon him. His early education also included a course in a business college. Ile pursued his law course with no intention of engaging in practice, but simply for the benefit a knowledge of law would give him in connection with the affairs of the Woodmen Accident Company, for long before he entered the university he had decided that he would concentrate his efforts and attention upon the business established by his father. Even while attending the Lincoln public schools his vacations were spent in the gen- eral offices of the insurance company, performing any little duties that he could in any and all of its departments, for he was anxious to acquaint himself with the business in its every phase. When he completed his law course he at once entered upon active service in connection with the business, beginning as an agent in the field in 1906. Hle spent five years in the claim department and in 1913 was elected to the office of second vice president, since which time his particular duty has been, to look after and manage the company's agents. Since 1907 he has also act Acted as manage ger of the Fraternity building on the southeast corner of Thirteenth and N streets, which is one of Lincoln's principal office
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buildings and which is owned by his father, Dr. Albert O. Faulkner. The gen- eral offices of the Woodmen Accident Company are located on the second floor of the Fraternity building, which was erected in 1902 by Dr. A. O. Faulkner and W. E. Sharp. For many years this was one of Lincoln's principal office build- ings and it is now the property of Dr. Faulkner, Edwin J. Faulkner is also the secretary and treasurer of the Office Equipment & Supply Company of Lincoln, located in the Funke building. This company, which was founded by him and his brother, Albert E. Faulkner, handles not only a full line of office supplies and equipment, but also does a general printing and stationery business. Of the company Albert E. Faulkner is president and general manager, and the business was incorporated January 23, 1912, the two brothers owning more than fifty per cent of its paid-in capital stock of twenty-four thousand dollars. The Office Equipment & Supply Company is the largest of the kind in Lincoln and has become one of the important commercial concerns of the city. E. J. Faulk- ner is also vice president of the Nebraska Credit Company of Lincoln, a report- ing mercantile agency located in the Little building. It publishes a Blue Book on Lincoln and Lancaster county of the same character as the Dun and Brad- street publications.
On the 15th of May, 1909. Mr. Faulkner was united in marriage to Miss Leah Louise Meyer, of Lincoln, her father being Louie Meyer, one of Lin- coln's pioneers, and for many years one of its prominent merchants and best known citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Faulkner have two children : Edwin Jerome, Jr., born July 5, 1911 ; and Virginia Louise, whose natal day was March 1, 1913. Mr. Faulkner is a republican in his political views. He belongs to the Lincoln Commercial Club, giving his aid and cooperation to its well defined plans for the city's improvement and development. He is also connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Royal Highlanders and the Presbyterian church- associations which indicate much of the nature of his interests and the rules that govern his conduct. He holds friendship and integrity inviolable, is enter- prising and progressive in business, and at each forward step in his career he has gained a broader outlook and wider opportunity until he stands today among the foremost business men of the city.
FREDERICK HENRY CONRAD GROTE.
Frederick Henry Conrad Grote was for many years actively engaged in farming, but is now living retired upon his homestead in Nemaha precinet, enjoy- ing leisure made possible by his well directed labor in former years. A native of Germany, his birth occurred near the city of Detmold, in the principality of Lippe, on the 26th of July, 1844. His father, Henry Grote, was born in Ger- many in 1816 and resided there until 1847, when with his family he crossed the Atlantic to the United States. He took up his residence in Gasconade county, Missouri, where he farmed for many years, but in 1885 came to live with his son in Lancaster county, and passed his remaining das There.fdying in 1891. He is buried in the cemetery at Hickman. His wife, who bore the maiden name of
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Fredericka Minot, was born in Germany in 1811 and died in Gasconade county, Missouri, in 1863.
F. H. C. Grote grew to mature years in Missouri and attended the com- mon schools of Gasconade county. He was associated with his father in farm- ing until he attained his majority, when he began working by the month as a farm hand. He also ran a threshing machine for a time and later rented land in Missouri, remaining in that state until 1885. He then came to Lancaster county, and purchased eighty acres on section 32, Nemaha precinct, which he improved. He remodeled the house and barns and took a great deal of pleasure in making his place as modern and attractive as possible, cultivating his land until 1905, when he retired and turned the operation of the farm over to his son Benjamin. He still lives upon the homestead, however.
Mr. Grote was married in Gasconade county, Missouri, in 1879, to Miss Caroline Ruegge, who was born in Germany on the 19th of January, 1848. When a young woman of twenty years she came to the United States and located in Gasconade county. She passed away upon the home farm in Nemaha pre- cinct, April 6, 1912, and was buried in the cemetery at Hickman. Mr. and Mrs. Grote had six children. Emma, the firstborn, died in infancy. Benjamin August, born June 29, 1881, in Gasconade county, Missouri, is now farming the home- stead and also rents adjoining land. He raises both grain and stock and is very successful. Ida Mary, born in Gasconade county, October 5, 1882, and Adaline, January 15, 1885, are at home. Lydia Matilda was born August 7, 1886, in Lancaster county. Daniel died in infancy.
Mr. Grote supports the republican party at the polls but is not active in politics. He has resided in Nemaha township for over three decades and has gained the unqualified respect and warm regard of those who have been closely associated with him.
DIETRICH SCHWEITZER.
Dietrich Schweitzer. deceased, was a man of unquestioned honesty as well as business enterprise, and left behind him an untarnished name. He was born in Hanover, Germany, March 4, 1838, a son of Frederick and Louisa Schweitzer. He was but five years of age when brought by his parents to the new world, the family home being established in Cook county, Illinois, where he was reared to manhood and took up the occupation of farming. In 1883 he removed to Nebraska, settling in Lancaster county, and purchased four hundred and eighty acres of land in Oak precinct, which is still in possession of the family. He only lived thereon for three years, and then returned to Illinois, expecting to sell his farm and establish his permanent home in Lancaster county. but he continued to remain in Illinois until 1904, when he again came to Nebraska and embarked in merchandising in the town of Raymond, in Oak precinct. This business he carried on until his death, which occurred October 26, 1910, when he had reached the age of seventy-three years. He was a good business man, conscientious and farsighted, enterprising/and alert.\ He never allowed@bill to stand against him and was very honest in all of his transactions.
MR. AND MRS. DIETRICH SCHWEITZER
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On the 5th of February, 1865, Mr. Schweitzer was married to Miss Sophia Schweidtfager, who was born in Lansburg, Indiana, a daughter of Charles and Katrina Schweidtfager, both of whom were natives of Germany, although they came to this country in early life and were married in Indiana. In that state the mother lost her first husband and afterward married his brother. The family subsequently removed to Du Page county, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Schweitzer became the parents of twelve children : Minnie, the wife of Henry Forke, a farmer of Lancaster county : Emma, the wife of Herman Runge of Lincoln; Martha, the widow of Henry Guthier and a resident of Pasadena, California; Lizzie, the wife of John Forke of Malcolm, Nebraska; Elvina, who married Emil Kossack of Raymond, Nebraska; Augusta, who died in Illinois at the age of one and a half years; Herman, who married Kate Cussack, and is farming in Oak pre- cinct, this county : Matilda, at home; Henry, who married Ida Volkenhauer and is operating the old homestead in Illinois; Fred, who married Hannah Springer and is a farmer of Oak precinct : Albert, who married Augusta Weidendorph and is also engaged in farming in Oak precinct ; and Clara, the wife of Fred Bulda- buck. There are also forty-two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
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