USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Lincoln > Lincoln, the capital city and Lancaster County, Nebraska, Volume II > Part 56
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HERMAN H. MEYER AND FAMILY
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caster county, Nebraska, and homesteaded on section 30, Buda township. The father began the cultivation of that place, but was not privileged to enjoy his new home long, as he died soon after coming to Lancaster county. The home- stead is still in the possession of the family and is operated by a son. Mrs. Schnieder passed away in 1898 and is buried at Hallam, while her husband is buried in the Stockfeld churchyard. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer have become the parents of eight children, namely : John Herman, who was born on the 18th of January, 1885, and is farming in South Dakota; Louis Reinhard, who was born on the 21st of April, 1887, and is farming near Plymouth, Nebraska; Harry William, who was born on the 23d of September, 1888, and is an agri- culturist of Centerville precinct, Lancaster county ; Edwin Frederick, who was born on the 29th of May, 1890, and is farming with his father ; Elmer August, who was born on the 29th of March, 1892, and is also assisting his father; Herman Henry, whose birth occurred on the 9th of December, 1893, and is assisting in the operation of the home place; Amos Jacob, who was born on the 28th of May, 1895, and is farming with his father ; and ltelen Sophia, who was born on the 16th of July, 1905.
Mr. Meyer indorses the principles of the democratic party but votes an inde- pendent ticket when he thinks that he can best further the public welfare by so doing. The principles which govern his life are indicated in the fact that he is a member of the German Lutheran church, and his genuine worth is widely acknowledged. He is not only a factor in the agricultural development of his county but is also well known in business circles and can be depended upon to support all movements seeking to promote the interests of the community.
OAKLEY ADAMS.
Oakley Adams, who since 1905 has lived retired in Emerald, where he has a pleasant home and eight acres of land, was born in Monroe county, New York, in the town of Hamlin, in March, 1847. His parents, Lewis and Jane ( Haggerty ) Adams, were natives of New Jersey. The father was a farmer by occupation and followed that pursuit in New York for many years, there passing away in 1897. For more than a quarter of a century he had survived his wife, who died in 1871.
Oakley Adams was reared and educated in New York and the total number of days which he spent in school was but two hundred and twenty. At the age of fourteen he joined the army, enlisting for service in the Civil war, but his father brought him back home, feeling that he was too young to serve. When sixteen years of age he began firing on the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad, now the Erie Railroad, and continued in that employ for twelve years, spending the last seven years of that period as an engineer. He next made his way into the oil country of Pennsylvania and devoted three years to putting down oil wells. At the end of that time he was married and in 1880 he came to Lancaster county, Nebraska, here purchasing eighty acres of land ou section 22, Middle Creek precinct. He at once began improving this tract and operated it until 1905, when he sold his farm and removed to Emerald, where he purchased a
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pleasant residence standing in the midst of eight acres of land. He then retired and has since enjoyed a well earned rest, having leisure to engage in those things which are of most interest and pleasure to him.
In June, 1880, Mr. Adams was married to Miss Katherine Kinney, of Wells- ville, New York, where she was born March 14, 1859. They never had any children of their own but reared an adopted daughter, Emma Trumbley, now the wife of Ira Davison, residing in Denver. The religious faith of Mr. and Mrs. Adams is that of the Baptist church and he gave an acre of ground to serve as the site upon which to build a house of worship. In, politics he is inde- pendent and fraternally he is connected with the Masonic lodge of Lincoln. His has been an active and useful life in which diligence and earnest purpose have brought him his success. While upon the farm he spent eighteen years in dairy- ing as well as in general agricultural pursuits and his life record proves what may be accomplished when energy and enterprise lead the way.
ALLEN P. VARNEY.
Allen P. Varney devoted his active life to agricultural pursuits and through the operation of his farm in Nemaha precinct gained a competence that enabled him to retire and take up his residence in Bennet, where he passed away soon after removing there. lle was born in New York state on the 2d of January, 1844, of the marriage of Moses and Charlotta ( Parker) Varney. The father was born in Vermont and in early life followed farming but later became a car- penter. He removed with his family from the Green Mountain state to New York and in 1847 to Cedar county, lowa, where he resided until his death in 1881. His wife died in that county in 1905.
Allen P. Varney was taken to Cedar county by his parents when about three years of age and passed his boyhood and youth upon the home farm, which was in the vicinity of West Liberty. He divided his time between attending the common schools and assisting his father, remaining at home until 1861 when he enlisted in Company G, Second lowa Cavalry, and joined his regiment at Nashville, Tennessee. He served until the close of the war and took part in a number of important battles. While in action he was shot through the right arm and as a result of this his hand was permanently disabled. Following his honorable discharge from the military service in 1865 he returned to Cedar county and began farming, renting land for two years. He then disposed of his farming equipment and removed with his wife and child by wagon to Nemaha precinct, Lancaster county, arriving here in September, 1868. The following day he filed on a homestead of eighty acres and at once set to work to build a house. He hauled Inmber from Nebraska City and his residence was the first frame house with the exception of one small shack that was built in Nemaha precinct, the other houses being of sod. He brought this place under cultiva- tion as soon as possible and added improvements from time to time, his care and labor being rewarded by a substantial increase in the value of his farm and moreover he seldom failed to harvest good crops. Later he took another home- stead of eighty acres in Western Nebraska, establishing the right to which he
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was entitled as a soldier, but a few years later he sold the second homestead. From time to time, however, he purchased additonal land and became one of the large landowners of the county. Before his demise he disposed of some of his holdings but still held title to two hundred and forty acres. He was actively engaged in farming in Nemaha precinct until 1904, when he purchased several lots in Bennet and erected a beautiful home there, to which he removed on the 4th of April. He was permitted to enjoy his leisure, however, for but a short time as his demise occurred on the 13th of that month.
Mr. Varney was united in marriage in the fall of 1866 to Miss Mildred Bowersock, by whom he had twelve children, of whom but six are living. namely : Elmer ; Ralph; Estella, the wife of Walter McFadden, a hardware merchant of Bennet; Jesse B .: Lucy I., who married llenry Steffey, a well driller of Wilbur, Washington; and Anna, the wife of Gale Church, who is farming in Briggsdale, Colorado.
Mr. Varney gave his political support to the republican party and for years was a member of the district school board and also served for a long period as tax assessor of Nemaha precinct and as judge of elections. Hle greatly enjoyed meeting with his comrades of the Civil war and was a charter member of Elizabeth Upright Post, No. 62. G. A. R., of Bennet, of which he was com- mander at the time of his death. He measured up to the highest standards of good citizenship, not only in times of war but also in days of peace, placing the public welfare before his personal advantage. As a farmer he was progressive, practical and energetic and the marked success which he gained was well deserved. He was widely and favorably known and his demise was deeply regretted. His wife owns eighty acres of fine land on section 8, Nemaha pre- cinct and also the residence and ten acres of land in Bennet. She is a consistent member of the Presbyterian church as are her children and her life has been a factor in the moral advancement of the communities in which she has lived.
A. P. PETERSON.
One of the successful business enterprises of Lincoln is that conducted under the name of the Modern Cleaners and Hatters, located at No. 1615 South Sev- enteenth street and owned and managed by A. P. Peterson. A native of Den- mark, his birth occurred on the 5th of July. 1857, and he is a son of Nels C. and Johanna (Jensen) Peterson, who were also born in that country but on the 24th of June. 1863, emigrated with their family to the United States. For a short time they lived at Florence, Nebraska, and then went to Dodge county, where the father homesteaded land which he farmed for many years, after which he retired and removed to Fremont, where he passed away on the 25th of June. 1906, when eighty-six years old. His wife reached the venerable age of ninety-six and died in October. 1914.
A. P. Peterson was reared at home and received his education in the public schools of Fremont, Nebraska. On reaching maturity he rented the home place and he also continued to operate @ (farm of eightyCacresfwhich he purchased from the Union Pacific Railroad when only fifteen years old. He concentrated
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his energies upon agricultural pursuits until he was twenty-four years of age, when he went to Fremont and engaged in grain buying and also in general merchandising, operating a number of stores. He was active in business there from 1880 until 1910, when he disposed of his interests and went to College View, Lancaster county, where he conducted a general store for three years. Later he engaged in the dry cleaning business under the name of the Modern Cleaners and Hatters at No. 1615 South Seventeenth street, Lincoln, where he is still located. He is sole owner of the business, which has shown a rapid and steady growth, and he secures a great deal of the patronage of the city along his line. The business also includes the making of skirts and petticoats and that branch of his enterprise has proved profitable as well as the dry cleaning plant. Besides his main place of business on South Seventeenth street he has an office at No. 1115 O street and his trade has reached such proportions that he operates an automobile delivery. He owns fifteen business and residence properties in Fremont and derives therefrom a gratifying addition to his income.
On the 10th of June, 1880, Mr. Peterson was united in marriage to Miss Katie Ogard, a daughter of Andrew and Bodel MI. Ogard, natives of Denmark but pioneers of Dodge county, Nebraska, where they removed in 1865. The father engaged in farming there until his death in 1878 but the mother survives and is now living at College View. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have seven children : Esther, the wife of N. W. Clover, of Bakersfield, California : Emery O., who is with the Western Paper Company of Omaha ; C. Grace, the wife of L. H. Tag- gert, of San Jose, California ; Myrtle M., wife of Benjamin Wolf, of Lincoln ; Ruby F., the wife of Charles A. Jordan, of Lincoln; Homer H., who is in the employ of the Carpenter Paper Company of Omaha; and Harold S., who is employed in the state house at Lincoln.
Mr. Peterson is an advocate of republican principles and supports the can- didates of that party at the polls but has never been an office seeker. However, while living in Fremont he served on the city council and was also a member of the school and library boards, making a most creditable record in those capacities. He is a member of the Seventh Day Adventist church and his influence is a factor in the moral advancement of his community. Although his business is in Lincoln he maintains his residence in College View and he takes a keen interest in everything relating to the welfare of the community.
PHIL LOUIS HALL, JR.
Phil Lonis Hall, Jr., adjutant general of the state of Nebraska, is also serv- ing as brigadier general of the Nebraska National Guard and has proved very capable in the discharge of his duties in those connections. He was born at Mead, Saunders county, Nebraska, on the 28th of March, 1888, a son of Dr. P. L. Hall, who is president of the Central National Bank of Lincoln, and one of the leading residents of that city. The son was taken by his parents to Lincoln when nine years of age and received his elementary and secondary education in the city schools. In 1907 he entered the Nebraska State Agricultural College, from which he was graduated in 1909. Subsequently he entered the United States
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geological survey service, was sent to Montana, where he was in the employ of the government for a year, and at the end of that time turned his attention to ranching in Chouteau county, that state. In 1911 he returned to Lincoln, and became connected with the Central National Bank of this city.
General Hall has been identified with the National Guard since the 3d of April, 1905, and has risen rapidly to his present rank. On the 18th of December, 1907, he was made corporal; on the 7th of October, 1908, sergeant; on the 16th of June, 1910, was transferred to Company F, Second Nebraska Infantry, and elected second lieutenant ; and on the 8th of December, 1910, was made captain of Company A of the Fifth Infantry. He resigned that office on the 9th of January, 1913, to become adjutant general of the state, and on the 9th of January, 1915, was reappointed to that position. On the 27th of April, 1914, he was elected brigadier general of the National Guard of Nebraska, and is now in command of the First Brigade. He gives a great deal of time and thought to the study of military matters, with special reference to the work of the National Guard, and he insists upon a high standard of efficiency in the troops under his command.
General Hall is a democrat in politics and he keeps in close touch with all of the questions and issues of the day. His religious faith is that of the Presby- terian church and fraternally he is connected with the Elks Lodge, No. 80, at Lincoln, and with the Knights of Pythias and the Maccabees, both of Lincoln. He is a member of the Lincoln Commercial Club, which connection is an indi- cation of his public spirit, and he belongs to various organizations connected with military affairs and the defense of the country, including the National Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice, the Aero Club of America, the National Guard Association of the United States and the Adjutant General Association of the United States. Although he is a young man he is one of the most dis- tinguished residents of Lincoln and all who know him are agreed that the honors which have come to him are well deserved.
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ELLIS W. NEGUS.
Ellis W. Negus, one of the highly esteemed and progressive farmers residing near Waverly, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, on the 12th of November. 1877. His parents, Amasa and Lydia ( Hoyle) Negus, were also natives of that county, whence they removed to Putnam county, Illinois, where the father culti- vated land until his death in 1885. The mother then returned to Ohio, but after living there for three years, came to Nebraska, and for one year resided at York. She then located upon a farm three and a half miles northwest of Waverly, but her last days were passed at the home of E. W. Negus, where her death occurred in August, 1911. Amasa Negus was a republican in politics and served acceptably on the board of education in Putnam county. Illinois.
Ellis W. Negus, who is the second in order of birth in a family of three children, attended school at Martin's Ferry, and also at University Place, Lan- caster county, Nebraska.)/When about /seventeen years Offag@he put aside his textbooks and became associated with a brother in the operation of the home
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farm. They engaged in agricultural pursuits in partnership for about six years, and the following year E. W. Negus operated the homestead alone. Later he rode on horseback to western Nebraska and Wyoming and for a year was employed on a cattle ranch, but at the end of that time returned to this county. After the homestead was sold he bought the old Martz place, on which he has resided since 1905. The farm comprises one hundred and sixty acres and is provided with all of the modern equipment for facilitating the farm work. He raises corn and alfalfa and also breeds Tamworth hogs. His industry and good management have been rewarded by a competence and he has never had occasion to regret his choice of an occupation. His wife is a stockholder and a director in the Bank of Waverly.
On the 30th of January, 1901, occurred the marriage of Mr. Negus and Miss Henrietta Martz, who was born in Berwick, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of Nathan and Esther (Melick) Martz, natives of the Keystone state. About 1880 they removed to Waverly, and the father became one of the leading business men of the town, engaging in contracting and building and in the lumber busi- ness. While in Pennsylvania he followed the carpenter's trade and conducted a farm implement business. He passed away in Waverly in 1907. and his wife died in 1905. Mrs. Negus is the fifth in a family of six children and received her education in the public schools of Lancaster county. She has become the mother of five children, namely: Marjorie Esther, who was born on the 4th of March, 1902; Willits A., on the 13th of August, 1903; Nathan Martz, who was born on the 2d of December, 1905, and died on the 11th of February, 1910; Warren Paul, born March 23, 1909; and Charles Leland, March 10, 1912.
Mr. Negus is a republican and is now serving his tenth year as president of the board of education of his district. He was reared in the Quaker faith, but is not now affiliated with any church. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and his wife belongs to the Royal Neighbors and to the Woman's Relief Corps and in religious belief is a Lutheran. They are widely known throughout the county and have a large circle of warm friends.
LORENZO DOW BETZER.
Lorenzo Dow Betzer was very successful as a farmer and gained a compe- tence that now enables him to enjoy a period of leisure. He is still living upon his farm on section 28, Nemaha precinct, although he is no longer active in its operation. Ile was born in the vicinity of Anamosa, Jones county, Iowa, on the 30th of October, 1860, a son of Jacob Rowe and Rebecca ( Stover) Betzer. The father was born in Ohio November 30, 1824, but in early manhood removed to Jones county Iowa. Soon afterward he purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Tama county, which he cultivated successfully until his removal to Nebraska in 1868. He drove by wagon with his wife and eight children to Brownville, Nebraska, and thence went to Johnson county, as he had relatives living near Tecumseh, that county. Ile remained there until the spring of 1860, when he became a resident of lancaster county/He Cook Cupteighty acres of raw land on section 28, Nemaha precinct under the homestead law, and built a dugout which
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served as the family home. The land was still unbroken prairie when it came into his possession, but in a comparatively short time he had part of his farm under cultivation and later brought it all to a high state of development. For a number of years the family lived in the dugout, but at length he built a stone cellar and erected a good stone house with a frame top. He passed away upon his farm on the gth of April, 1878, and was buried in a small cemetery near the residence, but later his remains were removed to Bennet cemetery. He was one of the pioneers of the county and his early experiences here were typical of a frontier region. He operated a freight line from Nebraska City to Lincoln before the advent of railroads in the state. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Rebecca Stover, was born in Pennsylvania on the 30th of April, 1833, but in early womanhood accompanied her father to Jones county, Iowa, where the latter engaged in farming. She was married at Ana- mosa, that county, about 1850, and accompanied her husband to Nebraska in 1869. She continued to reside upon the home farm for several years after his death, but in 188I returned to Jones county, where she lived for several years. She came again to Nebraska in 1884 and purchased town property in Bennet, where she lived for many years. She died in 1910 at the home of her son, Reuben Clark Betzer, at Hickman. She was married a second time in 1881, in Iowa, becoming the wife of Cary Newman. Her remains are interred in the Bennet cemetery.
Lorenzo D. Betzer received a district school education and when still a boy began assisting his father. Following the latter's demise he remained upon the home farm with his mother until she returned to Iowa. He then rented the farm, operating it on his own account, and as the years passed he carefully saved his money with the object of eventually purchasing the place. However. when his mother died and the estate was settled he was still unable to buy the farm, but a friend bought it and held it until Mr. Betzer had secured enough capital to purchase. In the meantime he continued to operate the farm as a renter. In 1905 he bought the homestead of eighty acres and also an adjoin- ing eighty acres, his farm now comprising a quarter section. He has rebuilt the residence, erected new barns and put everything in fine condition. Besides his home farm he owns eighty acres on section 28, which he purchased in 1900, and his sons are now operating the entire two hundred and forty acres to which he holds title as he retired in 1911. When he was actively engaged in farming he raised considerable stock, including horses, cows and shorthorn cattle, and also grew the usual grains.
Mr. Betzer was married at Lincoln, on the 18th of January, 1881, to Miss Gertrude Jane Copeland, who was born near Knoxville, Marion county, Iowa, April 13, 1858, a daughter of James and Jane ( Salyards) Copeland. The father was born in Kentucky on the 23d of June, 1814. but in early manhood went to Jefferson county, Indiana, where he farmed for a time. Subsequently he followed that occupation in Marion county, Iowa, where his death occurred September 8, 1885. Ile was buried in the cemetery at Knoxville. His wife was also born in the Blue Grass state and her death occurred in Marion county, lowa. Mr. and Mrs. Betzer are the parents of two children: William Calvin. born July 4. 1883, and Jesse Ecfrisa borin June 3, 1886,whotare assisting in the cultivation of the home farm. Mr. and Mrs. Betzer also reared the former's
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niece, Elsie May Fisher, who was born in Firth, Lancaster county, on the 14th of April, 1895, a daughter of Mr. Betzer's sister. Miss Fisher was left an orphan when a child and has been reared as a member of the family.
Mr. Betzer is a Bryan democrat in politics and has served acceptably as road overseer in his district. He holds membership in the Baptist church and con- tributes to the support of its work. He has a wide acquaintance in the county and those who have been most closely associated with him are his best friends, which is proof of his genuine worth.
PEARL C. JEWETT. .
Pearl C. Jewett is carrying on general farming and stock raising on four hundred and sixty-five acres of land in North Bluff precinct and receives a gratifying income from his well directed labors. He was born in that precinct on the 7th of September, 1875, a son of Charles D. and Jane C. (Wiley) Jewett, both of whom were born near Watertown, in Jefferson county, New York. The birth of the father occurred on the 20th of October, 1840, and his parents were Thomas J. and Caroline ( Russell) Jewett. Thomas J. Jewett was born in Utica, New York, in December, 1807, and died in that state in 18So. He was a captain in the state militia and had a fine military record. His father being compelled to make many trips away from home, Charles D. Jewett operated the farm and remained at home until twenty-six years of age. In early manhood he followed farming, but after his marriage turned his attention to milling at Black River, New York. In 1865 he removed to Iowa, where for a short time he engaged in the milling business in partnership with a brother. In 1871 he came to Lancaster county, Nebraska, and purchased land on section 12, North Bluff precinct. He con- tinued upon the homestead until 1883, when he purchased the farm on which his son, Pearl C. Jewett, now lives, and there the father resided until 1900. For the following thirteen years he lived there at intervals. In 1913 he was married to his second wife in Albany, Oregon, where he now makes his home. In that state he owns over four hundred acres of timber land, and he still holds title to valuable farm property in this county, but since 1898 he has lived retired. It was in 1865 that he married Jane C. Wiley, a daughter of Ezra C. and Clarissa J. (Gardonier) Wiley. She died on the 12th of October, 1886. By that union there were four children, namely : Erwin W., who is living retired in Lincoln : Dexter T., who is farming two miles east of Waverly ; Pearl C .; and Perry W., a letter carrier in Lincoln.
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