USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Lincoln > Lincoln, the capital city and Lancaster County, Nebraska, Volume II > Part 60
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The last named was reared and educated in his native town. He learned the shoemaker's trade in his youth but on beginning his independent career worked as a bellboy in a number of well known hotels, being employed for two years in the Southern Hotel htst. Louis and for sixmonths aufthe Palmer House in Chicago. In the spring of 1875 he went to Texas, where he was connected
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with the hotel business for a short time, and later turned his attention to the brick business. He remained in the Lone Star state for about two years and became thoroughly acquainted with pioneer conditions there, riding hundreds of miles on horseback and living in San Antonio before the railroads were built through that city. In 1876 he returned to Muscatine and dealt in lumber there for three years, but in 1879 he came to Nebraska, reaching Lincoln on the ed of February. He followed agricultural pursuits on Stevens creek for a year and then purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 15, Stockton precinct, from the Burlington & Missouri Railroad at a cost of six dollars and eighty cents per acre. He paid cash for half of the land and was given six months' time on the remaining eighty acres. He succeeded in paying this indebtedness and subsequently purchased an adjoining one hundred and twenty acres, thus bringing his total holdings up to two hundred and eighty acres, all of which is under cultivation and is well improved. He raises both grain and stock, believing that diversified farming is far more profitable than grain raising alone. Ile seldom fails to harvest good crops and derives a gratify- ing addition to his income from the sale of his cattle and hogs. He likewise pays considerable attention to the raising of chickens. All of his interests are well managed and he ranks among the substantial men of his township.
Mr. Knopp was married on the 25th of May, 1880, to Miss Susie Stall, a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Garlett ) Stall, who removed to Lancaster county from Coshocton county, Ohio, in 1871. The mother passed away in 1874 but the father is still living at an advanced age, having celebrated his eighty-first birthday on the 13th of August, 1915. He makes his home in Denver, Colorado. Mr. and Mrs. Knopp have become the parents of twelve children, of whom nine survive: John, who is farming in Lancaster county; Anton, Jr., also an agri- culturist of this county; Thomas, who is farming in Sheridan county, Kansas; George, at home; Annie, the wife of P. P. Munn, a farmer and elevator man living at Selden, Kansas; and Louis, Susie, Bernard and William, all of whom are at home.
Mr. Knopp is a Taft republican and loyally supports the principles in which he believes. He served for some time as school director of district No. 24 and has always been much concerned for the welfare of the public schools. Fra- ternally he is connected with Modern Woodmen Camp, No. 1276. at Bennet, and in religious faith is a Roman Catholic. He and his wife find a great deal of pleasure in travel and have taken a number of extensive trips. He has resided in Lancaster county for thirty-seven years and has been a factor in the agri- cultural development of his township and also in the advancement of his com- munity along civic and moral lines.
WILLIAM AND ANDREW CALHOUN.
William and Andrew Calhoun are well known residents of Lancaster pre- cinct, having resided in this county since 1877. They are natives of Greenwich, Washington countyo New Yorkythe foriner born on the 7th of February, 1850, and the latter in 1856. They are sons of James and Susan ( Hutton) Calhoun,
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who were also natives of the Empire state. The father followed the occupation of farming in New York and met with substantial success. He there passed away in 1896, having for three decades survived his wife, who died in 1866.
William and Andrew Calhoun were reared and educated in New York and remained with their parents until after they had attained adult age. In 1877 they removed westward to Nebraska and purchased land in Mill precinct. This land was bought by William and Thomas Calhoun and a year later Andrew came, after which the three brothers carried on farming together for many years, but Thomas finally retired and removed to University Place where he resided until called to his final rest. He is mentioned elsewhere in this volume in connection with the sketch of B. E. Williams. In their farming operations William and Andrew Calhoun have continued together to the present time. In 1904 they arrived in Lancaster precinct and purchased three hundred and forty- seven acres on section 1. They have since made many improvements upon the place which is today one of the finest and most valuable farms of the county. Upon it are two sets of good buildings. They were also owners of a half section of land in Mill precinct which they recently sold. They raise pure bred short- horn cattle which is an important feature of their business bringing to them a very substantial financial return. 1
In political opinion the Calhoun brothers are republicans, giving stalwart support to the party but they have never been office seekers, preferring to con- centrate their energies upon their business affairs, in which careful conduct is bringing to them substantial and well deserved success.
RALPH BEAVERS.
Ralph Beavers, a successful farmer of Nemaha precinct, was born near Pottersville, Hunterdon county, New Jersey, on the 24th of January, 1842. His parents, Joseph and Margaret (Stout ) Beavers, were both born near Whitehall, that county. The father was reared upon a farm and on reaching maturity decided to follow agricultural pursuits and as the years passed gained recogni- tion as one of the most able farmers of his county. Ile passed away there in 1880 and his wife died upon the home farm in 1883. She, too, had spent her entire life in Hunterdon county and was also reared upon a farm.
Ralph Beavers remained with his parents until he reached the age of twenty- four years and in his boyhood and youth attended the public schools, thus gain- ing a good education. On leaving home he purchased seventy-two acres of land in Morris county, New Jersey, which he farmed for three years, but in 1869 soldi that property and bought one hundred and eighty acres in Hunterdon county, which he cultivated for eleven years, or until 1880. At that time he sold his interests in the east and removed westward, locating near Bennet, Nebraska. He cultivated rented land for a year but in 1881 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 13. Nemaha precinct, which he soon had under cultiva- tion and from time to time he made improvements on his place. In 1887 he bought an adjoining eighticaures ow/ section \3cand until the spring of 1906 was actively engaged in farming. He then rented his place and removed to
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Bennet, where he lived retired for three years, but in 1909 returned to the farm, having found a life of inactivity irksome. . In February, 1916, he again took up his residence in Bennet, where he is now living retired. He has met with a gratifying measure of success and has gained a competence which insures him the comforts of life during his remaining years.
Mr. Beavers was married on the 25th of November, 1865, at Fairmount, Hunterdon county, New Jersey, to Miss Hannah Elizabeth Rinehart. Her father, David Rinehart, was born in Morris county, New Jersey, where he was reared and educated. He followed the carpenter's trade during the greater part of his active life and gained a high degree of skill in his trade. At the time of his death he was living in Somerset county, New Jersey. His father, Martin Rinehart, was also a native of New Jersey, but the family, which is of German descent, was first established in this country in Pennsylvania. Mrs. Rinehart bore the maiden name of Hannah Hildebrand and was born in Hunter- don county, of the marriage of Jacob and Hannah ( Freeman) Hildebrand, the former of whom served in the Revolutionary war, while her uncle, Paul Adams, held the rank of colonel in Washington's army. Mr. and Mrs. Beavers became the parents of two children. Elmer E., who was born on the 10th of February, 1867, married Miss Cora Stall, of Bennet, and they have five children. Their daughter, Bessie L., is a graduate of Cotner University at Bethany, Nebraska, and has taught school for five years in this state. Margaret, the second child, gave her hand in marriage to Oran N. Chenney, a farmer residing near Bennet, and they have six children.
Mr. Beavers supports the republican party and for three years served accept- ably as a member of the district school board. Fraternally he is connected with Bennet Lodge, No. 139, A. O. U. W., of Bennet, which he assisted in organizing twenty-seven years ago and in which he has held a number of offices. He has followed general farming, raising both grain and cattle, believing that course to be more profitable than specializing in either, and in operating his farm he has not only gained financial prosperity but has also had a part in the agricultural development of his locality. As a citizen he has placed the public good before his private interests and as a man has gained the esteem of all with whom he has come in contact.
CHESTER E. LEWELLEN, M. D.
Dr. Chester E. Lewellen, proprietor of the Central Hospital of Lincoln, and widely recognized as a most able physician and surgeon, was born in Germantown, Seward county, Nebraska, on the 13th of AApril, 1888, a son of Joseph C. and Mary E. (Trump) Lewellen, who were early settlers of that county. The father passed away in Lincoln in 1912 and the mother still resides in the capital city.
Dr. Lewellen, pursuing his education in the public schools, supplemented his study in the Lincoln high school by a course in the Nebraska State University. A review of the broad field of business led him to the determination to make the practice of medicine his life work and with that end in view he entered the (R) Bennett Medical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated with the class
DR. CHESTER E. LEWELLEN
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of 1912. Immediately afterward he returned to Nebraska, opening an office in the town of Western, Saline county, where he began the practice of his profession. After eighteen months, or in the spring of 1914, he returned to Lincoln, and on the ist of April of that year took charge of the Central Hospital, which he has since conducted. In the intervening period of two years he has built up an extensive practice. The hospital accommodates twenty patients and employs a superintendent and eight nurses. Its equipment is most thoroughly modern and scientific and excellent results are secured through the methods followed.
In 1912 Dr. Lewellen was united in marriage to Miss Jeannette M. Hugg, of Lincoln. He gives his political allegiance to the democracy, while fraternally he is identified with Lincoln Lodge, No. 138, I. O. O. F., the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Degree of Honor, the Loyal Mystic Legion and the Royal Highlanders. Both Dr. and Mrs. Lewellen are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church and during the period of their residence in Lincoln they have gained many friends, occupying an enviable social position equal to that which the Doctor has won in professional circles.
CARL H. BECKER.
On the list of Lancaster county's native sons appears the name of Carl H. Becker, who was born in Middle Creek precinct April 14, 1879, his parents being Carl F. and Mary ( Kloeckmeyer ) Becker. The father was born in Wisconsin and the mother in Illinois. Carl F. Becker was a farmer by occupation and in 1867 came to Lancaster county, where he purchased land. He made the trip with his parents, who also bought land, and he became the owner of the farm which is now operated by his son, Carl H. Becker. His diligence and determination were soon manifest in the changed appearance of the place, which he set about improv- ing, operating the farm until 1903, when he retired. He was also engaged in the grain business at Emerald for eighteen years and both branches of his busi- ness proved profitable. He is now retired, making his home in Emerald, no longer finding it necessary to resort to active business in order to provide for his support as he has accumulated a competence sufficient for his remaining days.
Carl H. Becker was reared and educated in this county and continued under the parental roof until he reached the age of twenty-three years, when he began farming on his own account by renting the old home place of one hundred and fifty acres. There he continued to reside until 1911, when he purchased eighty acres of that tract-the farm upon which he was born, on section 26, Middle Creek precinct. He has made splendid improvements upon the place and today has one of the fine farm homes in the county. In addition to cultivating his own land he also cultivates a rented farm of one hundred and fifty acres, and so carefully, systematically and wisely are his interests carried on that a gratify- ing measure of success has crowned his efforts. He is now conducting a dairy, milking about twenty head of cows, all high grade Jerseys. He is one of the directors of the Lancaster Milk Producers Association and has been one of its stockholders from its organization zuid was also fformerlyCafstockholder in the Emerald State Bank.
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On the 31st of January, 1901, Mr. Becker was married to Miss Mary Nobb- mann, a daughter of Christian and Wilhelmina ( Wendt) Nobbmann, both of whom were natives of Germany. They came to America in an early day, settling in lowa, where the father engaged in farming for a number of years, and later they arrived in Lancaster county. Nebraska. There the father purchased land, which he continued to cultivate throughout his remaining days, his death occurring August 28, 1904. His widow still survives and occupies the old homestead in Middle Creek precinct. Mr. and Mrs. Becker have became the parents of three children : Otto C., born November 17, 1901 ; Walter J. H., born April 3, 1903; and Berdina W., born March 2, 1908.
Politically Mr. Becker is an earnest republican and for four years he served as assessor of his precinct, while for six years he was road overseer. His religious faith is that of the German Lutheran church and in its teachings he finds the guiding principles of his life, shaping his relations with his fellowmen. Those who know him esteem him highly, recognizing in him one who can be relied upon to follow the dictates of his conscience and to shape his course accord- ing to the recognized commercial and business standards.
EDWARD H. STUTHEIT.
Edward H. Stutheit, who is residing on a farm of two hundred acres on section 34, Centerville precinct, was born in Clayton county, Iowa, March 20, 1863, but was brought to Lancaster county by his parents, Henry and Caroline (Merker) Stutheit, when four years of age. An account of their lives appears elsewhere in this work. He grew to manhood upon the farm which he is now operating and received his education in the public schools of Centerville precinct. He was early trained in agricultural work and has devoted his life to farming, which he has found both profitable and congenial. For the first eight years after his marriage he lived on one hundred and twenty acres belonging to his father and located south of the home farm, but at the end of that time he took up his residence on the homestead where he has since remained. He has prospered financially and now owns his farm which comprises two hundred acres of fertile and well improved land. He has erected a good house, barns and other buildings, and he keeps everything in excellent repair. He not only raises the usual crops but also feeds stock for the market and derives a good income from his well directed labor.
Mr. Stutheit was married in 1884 to Miss Louisa Krull, who passed away leaving five children : Harry, now a resident of Lincoln; Nora. the wife of Frank Klose, of South Dakota: Phoebe, the wife of Elmer Freye, of Montana ; Caroline, who married John Bachman of Lincoln ; and Joseph, also in Lincoln. In 1913 Mr. Stutheit was again married, Miss Edna Jones becoming his wife, and they have two children, Belda and Ethel.
Mr. Stutheit is a stanch advocate of republican principles and can be de- pended upon to support the candidates and measures of that party at the polls. Both he and his wife lare members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Sprague and their influence is always given on the side of moral advancement. He has
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resided in this county since pioneer days and has been a witness of the greater part of the wonderful development which has transformed a frontier region into a prosperous and highly developed agricultural section. His genuine worth is attested by the fact that those who have known him most intimately since boyhood are his closest friends.
WILLIAM OESCHGER, D. D.
Dr. William Oeschger, chancellor of Cotner University at Bethany, splendidly qualified for the head of such an educational institution, the school showing gratifying progress during his administration, was born in Philadelphia on the 2d of September, 1868, a son of John and Elizabeth (Jorm) Oeschger, natives of Switzerland. In 1864 they emigrated to America and located at Philadelphia, where the father followed the baker's trade for several years. In 1871, however, he decided that there were better opportunities in the middle west and, removing with his family to Indiana, purchased land in Lake county which he improved for seven years. He then went to lowa and bought a farm in the vicinity of Council Bluffs, to the development of which he devoted his time until 1884. In that year he took up his residence on a farm near Valparaiso, Nebraska, and followed agricultural pursuits there until his death on the 3d of January. 1915. He had survived his wife since the 22d of February, 1905.
William Oeschger was reared under the parental roof and as a boy and youth attended the public schools in Indiana, Iowa and Nebraska. In the fall of 1889 he became one of the first students in Cotner University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1894. He then entered Chicago University and in 1895 was given the degree of A. B. and in 1898 that of B. D. In 1910 Cotner University conferred upon him the degree of LL. D. After completing his work in the divinity school at Chicago he became pastor of the Christian church at Fairbury, Nebraska, but a year and a half later resigned to accept the pastorate of the First Christian church, where he remained for ten years. Ile gave evidence of unusual administrative ability and his untiring zeal in pro- moting the interests of Christianity was manifest also in thorough sympathetic understanding of young people, which resulted in securing their cooperation. These capabilities led to his selection as chancellor of Cotner University at Bethany and for six years, or since 1910, he has held that office. Ile keeps in close touch with the various departments of the university, is successful in presenting the work of the institution and its needs to various church bodies and has proved a valuable addition to the educational forces of Nebraska. He recognizes fully the necessity of maintaining a high standard of scholarship but also realizes that the various student activities when wisely directed are valuable factors in education and. moreover, places great emphasis upon the importance of moral training and Christian atmosphere.
Dr. Oeschger, who owns a beautiful home on the corner of Saunders and Layton avenues, was married on the 18th of May, 1899, to Miss Dena Hopkins and they became the parentsCoftuzson EawaraitGrins died m infancy. Dr. Oeschger is a stalwart republican and takes a keen interest in the affairs of the
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day. He has twice served as a member of the republican state convention and his knowledge of conditions and his sound judgment make his advice of great value in public councils. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Maccabees, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. llis chief activity, however, has been Christian teaching from the pulpit and from the class room. Ile has been influential in furthering the interests of the Christian church in the state and one factor in his success. has been his ability to separate the essentials of Christianity from the traditions and misconceptions that have grown up regarding religious matters.
PRESLEY HARRISON DICKSON.
Presley Harrison Dickson, who is now living retired in Panama, was for some time engaged in farming and later was connected with mercantile interests. Ile is a member of an old pioneer family of Lancaster county and has seen much of that wonderful development which has transformed it from a frontier region to the prosperous agricultural district of today.
His birth occurred in the vicinity of Colesburg, Delaware county, Iowa, 0: the 7th of April, 1860. His parents, Thomas and Hannah ( Fleming) Dickson, were born, reared and married in Lanarkshire, Scotland, and there two of their children were also born, but in 1850 they emigrated to the United States. They first located in Hamilton, lowa, but in the spring of 1851 removed to Colony township, Delaware county, Iowa, where the father purchased land from the government at a dollar and a quarter per acre. He built a small log cabin upon the farm and there our subject was born. In 1873 the family came to Lancaster county. Nebraska, locating on section 14, Panama precinct, where the father died on the 21st of August, 1883. The mother survived for almost three decades, her demise occurring on the 4th of June, 1913. Both are buried in Panama. To their union were born eleven children, of whom two died in infancy, the others being Thomas J., Mrs. Agnes Hulbert, John H., James, Robert G., William F., Presley Harrison, Andrew L. and Frances W.
Presley H. Dickson was educated in the public schools of Delaware county, Iowa, and Lancaster county, Nebraska, and as a boy also received valuable training in farm work. He worked for his father on the old homestead in Lancaster county until 1884. when, in partnership with his brother Frank, he took charge of the place. In the spring of 1886, however, he bought eighty acres of partially improved land on section 23, Panama precinct, and for four years concentrated his energies upon its cultivation. In 18go he sold that farm to his brother James and bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 9, Panama township, a well improved place. After farming there for two years he devoted a year and a half to travel, renting the farm to others. In the spring of 1895 he bought the interest of Ed Fisher in the mercantile business at Panama conducted under the name of Dickson & Fisher and changed the firm style to that of Dickson Brothers. Thomas J. Dickson being his partner. He was actively identified with merchandising until/ 1904.CWhen hefsold his interest in the store to his brother. Thomas J., and retired from active life. He has since enjoyed a
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period of leisure which is well deserved. In 1898 he bought a residence in Panama, which he has since remodeled and where he still lives. He still owns his farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 9, Panama precinct, and also loans large sums of money. He spends a great deal of his time in travel and he and his wife have visited all parts of the United States. They spent two winters in California, three in Florida and one in Texas.
On the 19th of December, 1895, Mr. Dickson was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca E. Kennedy at the old Kennedy home near Rosedale, Madison county, Ohio. She was born upon that farm on the ist of March, 1857, and received her early education in the district school. Later she attended the Ohio Northern University at Ada, Ohio, and is also a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. She taught school in Ohio for some time and met her future husband while both were visiting in Florida. She passed away in Panama on the 6th of April, 1915, and is buried in the cemetery here. Her father, Oramell Kennedy, was born near Rosedale, Ohio, on the 27th of August, 1830, and passed his entire life in that locality. He was a very successful farmer and acquired title to large tracts of land. He passed away upon his home farm on the 17th of February, 1909. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Ariel Lyons, was born near Bellefontaine, Logan county, Ohio, on the 3Ist of May, 1837. She was left an orphan when but two years old and was reared by an uncle. Her marriage occurred on the 26th of October, 1854. and she died on the 18th of July, 1903.
Mr. Dickson is a republican in politics but has never sought office as his private affairs have demanded his entire attention. He belongs to Panama Lodge, No. 220, I. O. O. F., in which he has passed through all the chairs and has been noble grand several times. Ile has also represented the lodge as a delegate to the Grand Lodge of Nebraska. He holds membership in the Presbyterian church, to which his wife also belonged. He is one of the most substantial men of his township, and the success which he has gained is doubly creditable in that it does not represent the loss of others, as in all of his business dealings he has been scrupulously honest. He has prospered because of his unusually keen insight. his enterprise and initiative, and he is not only highly respected but is also held in warm regard by his fellow citizens.
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