USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Lincoln > Lincoln, the capital city and Lancaster County, Nebraska, Volume II > Part 55
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At the time of the Civil war Mr. Schweitzer responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting as a member of the Third Missouri Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for three months. He then reenlisted for three years and served throughout the war, participating in the siege of Vicksburg and other important engagements, although he was never wounded. On one occasion, however, he was taken prisoner but afterward managed to make his escape.
In his political views Mr. Schweitzer was a republican, standing loyally by the party which was the defense of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war. His religious faith was that of the German Evangelical Association. At the time of his death he was erecting a new home in Raymond. When he died the frame- work was up and at his request his body was taken into the new house. The residence is a fine modern dwelling, in which Mrs. Schweitzer now resides. Deep and wide-spread regret was felt when Mr. Schweitzer was called to the home beyond, for all who had been associated with him had come to know and honor him, and his good traits had endeared him to many. He left to his family and friends an example that is well worthy of emulation.
THOMAS CALHOUN.
Thomas Calhoun was for many years numbered among the most active, enterprising and prosperous farmers of Lancaster county and continued to devote his attention to the tilling of the soil here from 1877 until 1905, when lie retired from active life and established his home in University Place, where he spent his remaining days, passing away on the Ist of July, 1908. He was born in Washington county. New York, July 19, 1845, a son of James and Susie (Hutton) Calhoun. The father, who was of Scotch descent. was born on the ocean when his parents were crossing from Scotland to Ireland, while the mother was a native of New York. James Calhoun took up the occupation of farming, to which he devoted his life, which was largely passed in New York, Vol. II-27
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where he died in September, 1893, having for a long period survived his wife, who passed away in 1876.
Thomas Calhoun was reared and educated in the Empire state, attending St. Edward's Academy in Washington county. When his textbooks were put aside he concentrated his efforts upon farm work, in which he continued until 1877, when he removed westward to Illinois but soon afterward made his way to Lan- caster county, Nebraska. Here he purchased land in Mill precinct and was very successful as a farmer, acquiring large holdings in different parts of the state. Year after year he tilled the soil, bringing his home farm under a high state of cultivation and residing thereon until 1905, when he became a resident of University Place.
In September, 1889, Mr. Calhoun was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Moler, a daughter of David and Elizabeth (Graham) Moler, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Pennsylvania. Removing westward, Mr. Moler became a resident of Illinois in pioneer times and at different periods carried on farming in several counties of that state but spent the greater part of his time in Mercer county, always following the occupation of farming. Ile died April 20, 1902, at the age of ninety-two years, his birth having occurred in 1810, while his wife died October 30, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Calhoun were the parents of a daughter, Blanche H., the wife of B. E. Williams, an attorney at Lincoln, mentioned elsewhere in this volume.
For a number of years Mr. Calhoun served as a member of the school board in Mill precinct but never sought nor desired political office, although he gave unfaltering allegiance to the republican party. He held membership in the Methodist church and his was an upright, honorable life, sterling traits of char- acter winning for him the warm regard and confidence of all who knew him. In 1912 Mrs. Calhoun came to Lincoln and purchased a fine home at No. 1950 Harwood avenue but still owns property at University Place. Mr. Calhoun was but sixty-three years of age at the time of his death. It seemed as though he should have been spared for many years to come, for his life was fraught with good deeds and actuated by high purposes. Ilis influence was ever on the side of progress, reform, truth and right and, believing in these things, he called forth the best that was in others.
WILLIAM FLEMING DICKSON.
William Fleming Dickson, who owns and operates the Sunnyside Farm on section 9, Panama precinct, is a representative of a family that has been promi- nent in Lancaster county since pioneer days. He was born in Colony township, Delaware county, Iowa, on the 11th of July, 1859, a son of Thomas and Hannah (Fleming) Dickson, both of whom were born in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scot- land. In 1850 they emigrated to the United States and after living for a time in Cannelton, Indiana, removed to Iowa, where Mr. Dickson purchased three forty acre tracts of land. Subsequently he bought another eighty acres in that township and engaged in farming there until 1873 when he came with his family to Lancaster county, where his eldest son had previously purchased a quarter
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section of land. The father passed away in this county on the 21st of August, 1883, and is buried in Panama cemetery. The mother survived for many years, her demise occurring on the 4th of June, 1913, and she was also buried in Panama. They were the parents of eleven children of whom two died in infancy, the others being : Thomas J., Mrs. Agnes Hulbert, John H., James, Rob- ert G., William Fleming, Presley H., Andrew L. and Frances W.
William Fleming Dickson attended the public schools in Delaware county. lowa, until the removal of the family to this county, after which he continued his education in district school, No. 28, Panama precinct. After putting aside his textbooks he gave his time to assisting with the work of the home farm until 1880, when he returned to Delaware county, where he worked by the month for a year. He then came again to Lancaster county and rented a farm in Panama precinct on shares, remaining there until 1883. In 1886 he went to Cheyenne county, now Deuel county, Nebraska, and took up a homestead fifteen miles north of Julesberg, Colorado. He brought part of that land under cultivation and proved up on it, but after securing his title sold the place. He returned to this county and again took up his residence upon his home farm of seventy- five acres on section 9, Panama precinct, which he had bought in 1882, making a cash payment of seventy-five dollars and giving his note for the balance. Hle had removed there in 1883, but rented the farm while on his homestead in Deuel county. He has made many excellent improvements on Sunnyside Farm. His fine, modern residence bears little resemblance to the small frame house. sixteen by twenty-four feet, which he erected in the early '8os. The barns. and outbuildings are also commodious and well designed and there are few more highly developed farms in the county. He has added to his original pur- chase until his home place now comprises one hundred and fifty-nine acres and he also owns other land, his holdings totaling three hundred and sixty acres, all of which he operates. He annually harvests good erops and engages in stock raising quite extensively. He holds title to six acres in Panama which is improved with a good residence and derives gratifying additon to his income from the rental of that property. He is also an auctioneer and has cried many sales in eastern Nebraska. He has a wide acquaintance and is familiarly known as "Colonel Bill."
Mr. Dickson was married on the 26th of April, 1883. in Panama precinct to Miss Elizabeth Bayston, who was born near Orland, Cook county, Illinois, on the 3d of November, 1861. When sixteen years of age she came to Lancaster county, for a year taught school near Saltillo, later taught for two terms in Stockton precinct, and for three terms in District No. 28, Panama precinct. IIer father, Robert C. Bayston was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1828, and received his education in that country. When a youth of eighteen years he emigrated to America and located in the vicnity of Ashtabula, Ohio. Later he removed to Cook county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming until his removal to Lan- easter county, in 1877. He bought an eighty acre tract of land in Panama pre- cinet and for eleven years devoted his time to the improvement of that place, which, however, he sold in 1888. He then removed to Bennet and passed his remaining days there, dying in April, 1910. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Keziah Wiles, was bornjingBedfordshire.England: fin 1830, and made the voyage to the United States on the same ship as her husband, although at
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that time they were not acquainted. They were married in Cook county, Illi- nois. She survives and makes her home at Adams, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Dickson have become the parents of three children : Elva Maude, was born upon the home farm on the 20th of March, 1888, and is now the wife of Bradley Harley Steeves, a farmer of Panama precinct. Mary Olive, born upon the homestead October 24, 1890, died on the 14th of the following November and is buried in Panama cemetery. Francis George, born May 22, 1897, is at home.
Mr. Dickson is a republican in politics and is much interested in everything that affects the general welfare. Fraternally he is connected with the Panama Lodge, No. 220, I. O. O. F., in which he has filled all of the offices and been delegate to the grand lodge of Nebraska. His dominant characteristics are such as invariably command respect and regard and he is one of the most valued citizens of his community.
WILLIAM SPRONG.
William Sprong who passed away in 1910, when seventy-six years of age, was the pioneer dairyman of Lincoln, establishing a milk route here in 1864. Before coming to Nebraska he had been engaged in whaling on the Arctic ocean for twenty-two years and had many exciting adventures in the north seas. A native of New York, he was born in Norwich in October, 1834, and was reared and received his education in his native town. When sixteen years of age he ran away from home and on reaching New York shipped on board a whaler as cabin boy. For twenty-two years he followed the sea and during that period made four trips around the world. During the greater part of that time he was harpooner on a whaling vessel and developed great skill in the perform- ance of his difficult task. At length, as his eyes were giving out, he quit the sea and came to Lincoln, Nebraska, where in 1864 he opened a dairy business, the first in the city. He bought and sold milk and cream and proved so success- ful in the management of his business affairs that after fifteen years he was able to retire from active life with a competence that insured him comfort. He continued to reside in Lincoln and passed away there in 1910.
Mr. Sprong was married, on the 6th of October, 1897, to Mrs. Otto Webb. Her father, Henry Witte, was born in Germany, but emigrated to America and settled in Clayton county, Iowa, at an early day. He purchased a farm and subsequently bought two additional farms in Clayton county. In 1863 he came to Lincoln and opened a grocery store at the corner of Fourteenth and O streets, retaining the ownership of that business after turning his attention to real estate dealing. At the time of his death he owned forty-two pieces of property in Lincoln, a section of land near Tecumseh, Nebraska; a section near Hallam, this state; four hundred and eighty acres on section 27, Stockton precinct, Lan- caster county : a section and an additional forty acres near Martell, and sixteen lots in Nebraska City. He was united in marriage in Clayton county; Iowa, to Miss Dora Werger, and to them were born twelve children, of whom five are still living. Their daughter Emma was born near- Garner Willow, Clayton county, lowa, on the 31st of December, 1855, but was reared and educated in
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Lincoln. She was here married in 1872 to Otto Webb, who followed carpenter- ing for some time, but subsequently engaged in farming near Waverly, and still later on section 26, Stockton precinct. To this marriage were born four children. Minnie, who is thirty-two years of age. gave her hand in marriage to L. O. Bluhm, a farmer operating one hundred and twenty acres on section 26, Stockton precinct. They have four children, Louisa, Melvin, Marvin and Wilma. Clara, thirty years of age, is the wife of Everett Rupert, who is engaged in the moving picture business at David City, Nebraska ; Myrtle, who is twenty- six years old, resides with her mother on the home farm. Emma, who is twenty-four years of age, is the wife of William C. Werger, a farmer living near Martell, this state.
Mr. Sprong supported the republican party at the polls but was not active in public affairs. Fraternally he was a Mason, belonging to a lodge in New York. Bis religious faith was that of the Lutheran church. During the many years of his residence in this city he gained a wide acquaintance and there were many who sincerely mourned his demise. His wife owns three residences in Lincoln, which she rents, and also has one hundred and twenty acres of land near the city, on which she lives and the operation of which she supervises. She has seen much of the development of Lancaster county, as there were still many evidences of pioncer life here when she came. She has at all times performed well the duties that fell to her hands.
WILLIAM B. COOK.
William B. Cook, who owns and operates a valuable farm in North Bluff precinct, was born in Virginia, near Marion, on the 2d of September, 1866. His parents, Abraham B. and Mattie ( Copenhaver ) Cook, were also natives of that state, and the father was of Scotch-trish descent, while the mother was of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry. In early life Abraham B. Cook learned the car- penter's trade, which he followed in the south until called by death. At the time of the Civil war he entered the Confederate army but was discharged on account of illness some time before peace was restored.
William B. Cook, who is the second in order of birth in a family of five children, attended the common schools of Virginia and was one of the first students enrolled in the College of Agriculture of the State University at Lin- coln, where he took a short course. When twenty-four years of age he left home and went to Texas, but after working on a farm there for two years went to Tennessee and took charge of the farm on which his parents had spent their last years. A year later he went to Virginia, but in February, 1892, came to Nebraska, where for five years he engaged in farming. He was then married and removed to a farm in Stevens Creek precinct, which he rented for five years. He then purchased his present place of one hundred and sixty acres in North Bluff precinct, to which he has added many improvements, making it one of the well equipped farni properties of the locality He engages in general farming, raising the usual crops and also stock, including hogs, horses and
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cattle, and his income ranks him among the substantial men of his precinct. He also owns a forty acre farm near Holly, Colorado, which is under irrigation.
Mr. Cook was united in marriage on the 15th of June, 1898, to Miss Bella L. Cross, who was born in Toronto, Canada, and is a daughter of George and Louisa (Everett ) Cross, also natives of the Dominion. The father engaged in the lumber business until his removal to Nebraska about 1870, when he settled near Weeping Water. There he remained, concentrating his energies upon farm work, until his death. The mother survives and is now living in Pasadena, California, although she spends considerable time with her children. To Mr. and Mrs. Cook were born the following children: Paul H., Louise Elizabeth and Miriam Beth, all at home; and William Arthur, who died when two years old.
Mr. Cook votes indepedently as he believes that by so doing he can best further the public good, and he is also strongly in favor of the prohibition movement. In religious faith he is a Methodist. He belongs to the Farmers Cooperative Association of Waverly but is not identified with any secret orders or lodges. Hle understands farm work thoroughly. is industrious and sound of judgment, and his success is but the natural result of the exercise of those qualities.
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OLOF WILHELM PALM.
Olof Wilhelm Palm, founder and sole owner of the O. W. Palm Insurance Agency of Lincoln, with offices in the First National Bank Building, has been a resident of this city since 1889 and has been connected with the insurance business here since 1803. He was born in Sweden, November 8, 1863 and neither his parents nor other members of the family came to this country, save O. W. Palm and his sister, Caroline, who is now Mrs. Charles Olson, the wife of one of the leading contractors of Lincoln.
It was in 1886 that Olof W. Palm came to the United States, his sister fol- lowing in 1891 and they both are now residents of Lincoln. Their parents were Per Palm and Christina Akeson and their entire lives were spent in the same locality in Sweden, where the father engaged in business as a hat and cap manufacturer, becoming well known in that connection in his native land. Per Palm died at the age of seventy-nine years, his birth having occurred August 31. 1829. His wife, who was born April 24, 1834, died in May, 1914, when eighty years of age. She was a daughter of Nels Akeson, who died at the age of seventy-five years. Their children were Gustaf, who was born March 5, 1861; Ilelena born, July 31, 1862; O. W., born November 8, 1863; Caroline, born December 17, 1864; Adolf, born June 23, 1866; Carl Edward, who was born and died in 1867: Emeli, who was born March 5, 1868; Alma, born June 19, 1870; Carl Edward, born January 20, 1872; Peter Oscar, March 5. 1873; Beata Sophia, born December 1, 1875: and Hulda Fredrika, who was born April 13, 1878 and died in the same year.
Olof W. Palm Wwas reared and educated SOSweden, his school privileges being about equivalent to the high school course of this country. In 1880,
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when seventeen years of age, he became a clerk in a general store in which he spent three years, a store located in the town of Eslof, in southern Sweden. When twenty years of age he joined the Swedish army in which he served for two years, also while serving in the army he held a position in a wholesale grocery house and delicatessen in Malmo, Sweden, about three months of each year being devoted to his military service. He remained with the wholesale house until 1886 when he resigned his position with the express purpose of sail- ing for the United States. Accompanied by three young men friends, he crossed the Atlantic in 1886 on a steamer of the Tingwalla line. Landing in New York he spent two weeks in that city and then proceeded to Chicago where he remained for two weeks, his companions being still with him. He then con- tinued his journey to Omaha, Nebraska, where he arrived about the middle of June, 1886. He had parted from his companions at Chicago and in Omaha he formed the acquaintance of L. Andreen. a prominent and well known safe manufacturer of that city, also a native of Sweden. Mr. Audreen took a liking to the young man, manifesting a warm interest in him. Though himself a large manufacturer of iron safes, he took two days away from his business affairs in order to assist Mr. Palm in gaining a good position of some kind.
Having a wide acquaintance among the bankers of Omaha, he tried to secure a position for his young countryman in one of Omaha's banks, but found no opening. While the two were together on the streets of Omaha, they met Dr. M. Youngstedt, a physician of prominence at Wahoo, Nebraska. Mr. Audreen explanied to the doctor what he was trying to do for Mr. Palm at which the former said "Come home with me and I will get you a position in Wahoo." Upon reaching that place Dr. Youngstedt secured him a position as cashier in the department store of Joseph & Grafe and there he continued until June, 1888, when he removed to Clay Center. Nebraska. At the latter place he engaged in the restaurant business for six months, after which he sold out and came to Lincoln. Here his first position was that of bookkeeper in the old German National Bank, where he continued for a few months and then entered the employ of the Ewing Clothing Company, the leading establishment of the kind in Lincoln at that day. Mr. Palm did general office work for the firm until February, 1893, when he resigned to take charge of the insurance business of Springer & Oyler, their business having been purchased by Mr. Palm. From that time to the present he has devoted his whole attention to the insurance business and he has today the oldest insurance agency in Lincoln which has done an exclusive and continuous insurance business. The O. W. Palm Insurance Ageney is now twenty-three years old. It is incorporated with Mr. Palm as president, he and his wife holding all of the stock. The company has hand- some quarters in the First National Bank Building. In 1890 Mr. Pahmn was one of the organizers of the North Star Relief Society, a Swedish fraternal organi- zation which has headquarters in Lincoln.
On the 12th of September, 1888, Mr. Palm was married to Clara Louise Lundgren, the only child of the late John Lundgren of Lincoln and formerly of Ithaca, Saunders county. They are well known socially in the city where they have many warm friends. Mr. Palm is a democrat in his political views and was one of the presidential electors of /1896 "He belongs to the Lincoln Commercial Club, the Country Club and the Automobile Club and is a thirty-
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second degree Mason and Mystic Shriner. He is likewise a member of the Elks lodge and he belongs to the Unitarian church. The things which figure most prominently in his life are those forces which work for the good of the individual and of the community. He holds to high ideals which he has exemplified in his relations with his fellowmen, and in his business career he has displayed the spirit of undaunted energy and enterprise which consti- tutes the basis of all honorable success.
HERMAN HIENRY MEYER.
Herman Henry Meyer is one of the leading farmers of Centerville precinct and with the aid of his sons cultivates five hundred acres of fine land. He also has a number of business interests, being a stockholder in the Bank of Roca, in the Farmers Elevator Company of Roca and in the Martel Telephone Company. His birth occurred near Syrus, Clayton county, Iowa, on the 10th of July, 1859, a son of John H. and Eliza ( Spellman) Meyer. They came to this country from Germany and were married in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1835 they removed to Clayton county, Iowa, being among the pioneers of that region. In 1869 they came to Lancaster county, Nebraska, and settled in Saltillo precinct. Here the mother died in 1885, and the father passed away two years later, both being laid to rest in St. Paul's Lutheran churchyard at Centerville.
Herman Henry Meyer was reared in Clayton county, Iowa, and Lancaster county, Nebraska, and received his education in the public schools. When still a boy he began farming for his father in Saltillo precinct and was so engaged until he was twenty-four years old. Ile was then married and subsequently took up his residence on one hundred and sixty acres of raw land on section 13, Centerville precinct, which belonged to his father. Mr. Meyer of this review removed a frame house, fourteen by eighteen feet, from Roca to his new farm and at once began breaking the virgin prairie sod. He has since lived upon that place which is now one of the most highly developed farms of Centerville pre- cinct. As the years passed he remodeled his residence several times, and in 1909 he built a fine two-story house and the barns and outbuildings are also modern and substantial. He has prospered financially and has invested his capital in additional land, now owning five hundred acres in Centerville town- ship, which he cultivates with the help of his sons. He harvests good crops of grain but does not confine his attention to that phase of farming as he also feeds large numbers of cattle and hogs for the market. He aided in organizing the Bank of Roca and the Farmers Elevator Company of Roca, in both of which he is heavily interested, and he was formerly a director of the Martel Telephone Company.
Mr. Meyer was married on the 6th of December. 1883, in Saltillo precinct, to Miss Sophie Schnieder, who was born in Zetel in the grand duchy of Olden- burg, Germany, on the 26th of February, 1853, but when six years of age came to America with her parents, Diedrich Johan and Catherine (Saefkin) Schnieder, both natives of Germany, where the father engaged in farming. After reaching America they first located in Clayton county, Iowa, but in 1869 came to Lan-
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