USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Lincoln > Lincoln, the capital city and Lancaster County, Nebraska, Volume II > Part 62
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MAXWELL VANCE BEGHTOL.
Maxwell Vance Beghtol is practicing law as a member of the firm of Strode & Beghtol, and although one of the younger representatives of the profession in Lincoln has already won a notable position and moreover his record stands in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is never without honor save in his own country, for he has won prominence in the county in which his entire life has been passed. He was born at Bennet, May 25, 1886, a son of the Hon. Peter Franklin Beghtol, one of the early pioneers of Lancaster county, who located in Bennet in 1882, having removed to this state from Macomb, Illinois. He has been engaged in the drug business in Bennet since that year and is one of the oldest merchants of Lancaster county in years of continuous connection with trade interests. In the beginning his store was conducted under the firm style of Beghtol Brothers, his associate being his younger brother, Abraham Lincoln Beghtol, now a resident of Lincoln. The father, Hon. Peter F. Beghtol. who was born at Industry, Illinois, was married in Bloomington, that state, in 1880 to Miss Ella Laughlin Kenyon, a native of that city. They have become parents of two sons: Scott Kenyon, born in Macomb, Illinois, May 12, 1881; and Maxwell Vance. The former is now a merchant at Chadron, Nebraska.
The latter was reared in Bennet and attended the village school until he reached the age of seventeen, spending his summer vacations meanwhile as a clerk in his father's store. He afterward entered the Nebraska Wesleyan Uni- versity, in which he studied for two years. preparing for @hnission to the State University, having won a scholarship in the Wesleyan University. About the
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time he completed his two years' course in the Wesleyan University he was appointed to a cadetship in the United States Military Academy at West Point. In 1907 he entered the State University and won his A. B. degree in 1909 and his LL. B. degree in 1910. While a student there he acted as a reporter for the Nebraska State Journal for two years, his reportorial work being in the city of Lincoln. In the meantime, before securing his law degree, he had begun to do a little work in the line of his chosen profession and for three months was employed in the office of Frank M. Tyrrell. In 1910 he entered the law office of Edmund C. Strode and for two years was there employed. In 1912 he was admitted to a partnership and today the firm of Strode & Beghtol occupies a leading position at the Lincoln bar.
On the 14th of October, 1913, Mr. Beghtol was united in marriage to Miss Doris Wood, of Omaha, also a graduate of the University of Nebraska. They have one son, Robert Wood Beghtol, born August 7, 1914. Both Mr. and Mrs. Beghtol are descended from ancestry represented in the Revolutionary war. Mr. Beghtol belongs to the Lincoln and to the Nebraska State Bar Associations. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, the Elks, and is identified with Beta Theta Pi, a college fraternity, and Phi Delta Phi, a law fraternity. During the 1915 session of the state legislature he served by appointment as counsel for the legislative reference bureau. He is a member of the Lincoln Commercial Club, the Lincoln Rotary Club and the Lincoln Country Club, while his political allegiance is given to the republican party.
LAWRENCE GRISWOLD.
Lawrence Griswold, recognized as an energetic and prosperous agriculturist, is opcrating the family homestead in North Bluff precinct. He was born upon that farm on the 15th of December, 1885, a son of William and Micha ( Herriman ) Griswold, natives respectively of New York and Ohio. The father removed with his parents to Lancaster county, Nebraska, when a boy and grew to man- hood upon the farm which Lawrence Griswold now occupies. On reaching mature years William Griswold turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and was successfully engaged in farming until his death, which occurred when his son Lawrence was only four years old. The mother died in January, 1912. They had two children, the daughter being Jessie, the wife of Henry Wright, of Scottsbluff, Nebraska.
Lawrence Griswold attended school in district No. 33 and made his home with his paternal grandparents until he reached the age of twenty-one years, as he had lost his father in early childhood. As a boy and youth he became familiar with farm work and on beginning his independent carcer took charge of the family homestead, which he is still farming. The place comprises one hundred and sixty acres of highly improved land on section 2, North Bluff precinct, and he derives a gratifying income from the sale of his grain and stock. Ile is also a members of the Farmers' Cooperative Association at Waverly.
On the 17th of November, 1915, Mr. Griswold was united in marriage to Miss Ruby Warner, who was born in Rock Creek precinct and is a daughter
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of S. G. Warner, a pioneer settler of this county. Mr. Griswold is an independent republican but has never desired office as his farming interests demand his undivided time and attention. He has passed his entire life in this county, has thoroughly identified his interests with those of his community and his genuine worth is indicated by the fact that his associates since boyhood are his stanchest friends.
CHARLES GENUCHE.
Charles Genuchi was for many years actively engaged in farming in Nemaha precinct and at the time of his death was one of the substantial men of his locality notwithstanding the fact that he had no capital when he came to this county in pioneer days and for a number of years had to struggle constantly with poverty. He believed in the future of the county, persevered in his efforts to gain success and his determination and energy were richly rewarded. He was born in Semione, Switzerland, December 25, 1838, of the marriage of Charles and Elizabeth Genuchi, both born near that place. The father died in 1842 but the mother survived for many years, passing away in 1890. Both were life long residents of the land of the Alps.
Charles Genuchi was reared in his native country and received his education in the common schools. He was reared to the occupation of farming and fol- lowed agricultural pursuits there until 1861, when he came to America with a cousin. He landed at New York city but did not remain there, continuing his journey westward to Concordia, Missouri, where he found employment as a farm hand. Subsequently his brother Joseph came to the United States and settled at Concordia. In 1863 Charles rode on horseback from Missouri to Lancaster county, Nebraska, and took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres on sections 1 and 12, Nemaha precinct, eighty acres lying on each section. His first residence was a log house but this was subsequently replaced with a substantial frame structure. He cultivated part of the land and devoted the rest to pasture as he raised cattle on quite an extensive scale. At that time almost all the country around was unsettled and he had the free use of as much government range and grass land as he desired. Several years after removing here he purchased an additional eighty acres adjoining his homestead on section 12 and the value of land at that time is indicated by the fact that he gave for a six hundred and eighty acre tract a team of mules, a set of harness, a wagon and a few dollars in money. He brought all of this tract under cultivation and in 1888 purchased eighty acres in Otoe county and from time to time bought more land, becoming the owner of seven hundred twenty acres, all under cultivation. During the early years of his residence here the nearest trading point was Nebraska City, forty miles distant, and it was not only very difficult to get supplies on account of the long haul but prices were exorbitant and he had practically no money, due to repeated crop failures. He and his family often actually lacked food and there were many other hardships to be endured, but they were not disheartened by the privations which they underwent and at length gained prosperity. In 1894 MrZGenuchi retired from ffarming but continued to reside upon the homestead until his demise, which occurred March 16, 1914.
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On the 4th of April, 1866, occurred the marriage of Mr. Genuchi and Miss Marjorie Fields, in the old town of Lancaster, now Lincoln. Luke Lavender, who was at that time probate judge, performed the ceremony and his daughter Lizzie and John Langdon were the witnesses to the marriage, which occurred in the old Lavender log cabin, the first house built on the site of Lincoln. Moreover, Mr. and Mrs. Genuchi were the first couple married in what is now Lincoln. Mrs. Genuchi was a daughter of Henderson Fields, who was born in Tennessee in 1806 and who farmed in that state for a number of years. At length he removed to Indiana and still later went to Wisconsin, whence in 1865 he came to Nebraska, locating in Otoe county on the 15th of October. He took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, which he improved and on which he lived until 1889, when he removed to Bennet. He continued to reside there until he was called to his final rest in 1910, at the remarkable age of one hundred and four years! He was a familiar figure on the streets of Bennet and was able to walk around town until within three days of his death. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Alzirah Fields, was also a native of Tennessee and died on the old homestead in Otoe county, in March, 1889. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom four survive: Malinda, the wife of Fred Tucker, of Otoe county : Mrs. Genuchi ; Mary E., the widow of Anton Klaus, who was a farmer of Otoe county ; and William, a retired farmer residing in Palmyra, Nebraska.
To Mr. and Mrs. Genuchi were born the following children: Almeda; Joseph Orville, a hardware merchant of Panama; Minnie, the wife of Andrew Kinnison, a farmer of this county; Rosie, who married John Hendricks, a carpenter of Bennet : Charles, who is farming near Bennet ; William and Velma, both of whom are carrying on agricultural pursuits in Lancaster county ; and Bessie, who resides with her mother on the home farm.
Mr. Gentchi served for a number of years in the early days as school director and always took a keen interest in the educational advancement of his com- munity. He was not only an able farmer but was also a man of much force of character and was sincerely respected by all who associated with him. His wife and children belong to the Christian church, in the work of which they take a commendable interest.
FOREST M. HOSFORD.
Death called a valued citizen when Forest M. Hosford was summoned to the home beyond. He had for a considerable period been actively identified with farming interests in this county and his widow still resides on section 27, Yankee Hill township. He was born in Monroeville, Iluron county, Ohio, April 12, 1853, and is a son of John and Jane A. ( Messenger) Hosford. The father was born in London, England, April 9, 1830, and was a harness maker by trade. When fourteen years of age he was brought by his parents to the new world and at the outbreak of the Civil war the firm of Hosford & Fanning entered into a contract with the government to furnish saddles for the Third Ohio Cavalry. IIe continued in the harness business for some/time after the war and later engaged
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WALTER L. SHANER AND FAMILY
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MR. AND MRS. FOREST M. HOSFORD
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in the manufacture of fanning mills for several years, but finally retired from active business. He passed away in 1905 while his widow, who was born in Monroeville, Ohio, died in July, 1913.
F. M. Hosford was reared and educated in the Buckeye state and there resided until 1875 when he removed to Detroit, Michigan, where he studied chemistry with his uncle. Not liking the drug business he returned to the old home at Monroeville, Ohio, and there became identified with manufacturing interests in connection with his father. They were makers of the Buckeye fanning mill, which had an extensive sale, and their output also included churns and other manufactured articles. In 1880 Mr. Hosford came to Lancaster county with the purpose of establishing a branch factory at Lincoln, but after looking over the country decided it was too new for manufacturing enter- prises and therefore turned his attention to farming. He purchased a quarter section of land five miles east of Lincoln on Holdrege street which he improved and which he cultivated for nineteen years. The place was situated in Lancaster precinct. He afterwards sold that property and for two years resided in Germantown, at the end of which time he purchased eighty acres of land on section 27, Yankee Hill precinct which he operated for fifteen years. He then determined to abandon active farming and erected a modern residence on the place-a home which would be a credit to any city. It is of attractive style of architecture, commodious, convenient and comfortable. Just five days after re- moving to the new home he was taken ill with pneumonia and in spite of the efforts of three physicians and a trained nurse he died on the 28th of December, 1915, at the age of sixty-two years. He was a devoted and loving husband and father and his many deeds of kindness will long be remembered by all with whom he came in contact.
It was on the 30th of July, 1877, that Mr. Hosford was united in marriage to Miss Ella A. Healy, a daughter of Patrick and Ella A. ( Butler ) Healy, who were natives of Ireland. The father was a merchant tailor and came to America at an early day, living for a time in New York, while subsequently he removed to Canada conducting business at Sarnia. It was there that Mrs. Hosford was born in February, 1861. Iler father continued in business in various places in Canada for a number of years but finally retired and for five years made his home with his daughter in Lancaster county. He was then taken to a hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for medical treatment and there passed away February II, 1884, having for more than five years survived his wife, who died in Decem- ber, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Hosford became the parents of one child. Blanche Irene, who was born March 23, 1891, and is the wife of Walter L. Shaner, a mechanic who is employed by his father in the automobile business in Lincoln.
Mr. Hosford made a specialty of raising thoroughbred Jersey cattle and had a large herd of fine stock. He was the first man to begin bottling milk in Lincoln. His cattle were always placed on exhibition at the state fairs and won many prizes. He operated a milk route in Lincoln for some time and this proved one of the profitable branches of his business. Fraternally he was connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and also with the Farmers Club. In politics he was a republican, while his religious faith was that of the Christian church. I lis religious belief permeated histentire life |He wasja man of splendid qualities and characteristics, straightforward and reliable in all of his business dealings,
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conscientions in every act, kindly in spirit and generous in disposition. Warm friendship was entertained for him by all and his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. His family is held in high esteem and the home of Mrs. Hosford is without doubt the finest country residence in Lancaster county. It is richly and tastefully furnished and moreover is the abode of a warm hearted hospitality which is one of its chief charms.
EDWARD HULING.
Edward Huling, a well known resident of Waverly township, where he owns one hundred and sixty acres of good land, has passed much of his life west of the Mississippi river and has been a pioneer of California, Iowa, South Dakota and Nebraska, meeting all of the experiences incident to life upon the frontier. He was born in Wisconsin, October 29, 1837, the oldest of six children born to R. Collom and Johanna ( Eastman) Huling, natives of New York and Ohio respectively. In 1827 the father accompanied his parents to Grant county, Wisconsin, and there grew to manhood. He was a horse dealer and in 1853 went to California where he resided until his death which occurred in 1895, when he had reached the age of eighty-six years, as his natal year was 1809. He served as a soldier in the Black Hawk war, and in days of peace manifested his patriotism by placing the public welfare above his private interests. His wife, who was born in 1816, died in this county in 1900.
Edward H. Huling attended school in Grant county, Wisconsin, but his educational opportunities were limited as when only nine years of age he began working for others. In 1852 he became a resident of California, and there he engaged in the cattle business for a number of years. He also freighted across the llumboldt desert into Nevada, and later kept a trading post and freighting station in Honey Lake valley, near Susanville, California. After thuis engaging in business for three years he turned his attention to cattle raising bist at intervals freighted to the Humboldt mines, one hundred and seventy-five miles distant. He was at the mines when the first discovery of gold was made and was thor- oughly familiar with life in the western mining camps. In 1865 he returned to Wisconsin and after operating a threshing machine there for one year, went to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he kept a freighters' tavern for about six months. He then engaged in teaming and in buying wheat for a mill, but soon went to Omaha, where he remained a short time. He next entered the employ of a general contractor who was engaged in the construction of Union Pacific railroad lines, and Mr. Iluling worked for him for about three months, going as far west as the Black Hills. Subsequently he returned to Omaha. When he passed through Fort Kearney there was considerable excitement as the Indians had burned several towns in that vicinity, had killed a family and had taken twin boys and two girls prisoners. The captives were later recovered in British Columbia. Mr. Iluling operated a threshing outfit in the vicinity of Omaha for about three months and then turned his attention to the produce business in lowa. Later he wenttto Wisconsin fvhere he spent the winter, but in the spring he again took up his residence in Council Bluffs. Iowa, and began bringing a
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tract of wild land under cultivation. As soon as he had erected a residence he sent for his wife, who joined him, and for about four years he followed agricul- tural pursuits there, raising both grain and stock. On leaving Council Bluffs he located near State Center, Iowa, and for three years engaged in farming and cattle raising there, but at the end of that time went to Eureka, California, where he cultivated land and also conducted a transfer business for nine years. He then returned to Iowa but only remained in that state for a few weeks, after which he came to Lancaster county, Nebraska, and settled on the farm where he still lives. He purchased the land for seven dollars per acre and has realized a handsome profit on the investment, as it would now command a high figure if offered for sale. He has made many improvements on the place and is still actively engaged in farming, although he has reached the age when most men prefer to live a life of leisure.
Mr. Huling was married in 1866 to Miss Sarah Carhart, whose birth occurred in Plattville, Grant county, Wisconsin, and who died in this county in 1871. They became the parents of four children, namely: Charles, who is farming in Nebraska, near Sioux City: George, a farmer of Lancaster county : Lulu, who married Lon Toland, a farmer of Oklahoma ; and Addie, deceased. In 1876 Mr. Huling was again married, Miss Mary Carter becoming his wife. She too was called to the great beyond in 1890. By his second marriage Mr. Huling has the following children: Veva, at home; Ernest, a resident of Colorado; and Harold M. C., who is a graduate of the State University of Nebraska, although only nineteen years of age, and is now teaching near Holdrege.
Mr. Hluling supports the republican party when national issues are at stake, but at local elections votes independently. He has many interesting stories to tell of conditions in various parts of the west in the early days and his dominant qualities are those which have always characterized the pioneer. He is highly respected and his circle of friends is almost coextensive with that of his acquaintances.
JOHN FRED KURTZ.
John Fred Kurtz, an active partner in the Sprague Hardware Company, and also president of the Farmers Grain & Lumber Company of Sprague, is ranked among the energetic and successful business men of his town. He was born near Mount Pleasant, Henry county, lowa, on the 9th of July, 1865, a son of Frederick Kurtz, whose birth occurred in Wurtemberg. Germany, where he remained until he was nineteen years of age. Ile then came to America and bought three hundred and twenty acres of railroad land in Olive Branch township. Lancaster county, Nebraska, on which he erected a frame house, fourteen by sixteen feet in dimensions. He at once began the task of breaking his land, which was virgin prairie, and after bringing it under cultivation devoted his time to the raising of grain and stock there until 1880. He then disposed of the farm and removed to Salem, Oregon, where he bought land which he devoted to the growing of fruit. He is now living, retired in Salem, enjoying leisure made possible by his former well directed labor y He was married in Jefferson county, Iowa, to Miss Carolina Pfifer, who was born in that county. She also survives.
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John F. Kurtz was reared upon his father's farm in Lancaster county and was associated with him in agricultural pursuits until his marriage in 1888. Following that event he took charge of one hundred and sixty acres of the home place, which he purchased from his father and which he operated for several years. On selling that farm he bought eighty acres on section 16, Centerville precinct, which he farmed successfully until 1915, when he sold and removed to Sprague, where he built a fine residence. He joined with four other men in organizing the Sprague Hardware Company, in which he still owns a fifth interest. Ile gives much of his time to the conduct'of that business but also lias other interests as he is a stockhokler in the Bank of Sprague, which he aided in organizing, is president of the Farmers Grain & Lumber Company of Sprague, which he organized, and is interested in the Martel Company, which he helped to organize and of which he was manager for five years.
Mr. Kurtz was married on the gth of September, 1888, in the Centerville church, to Miss Bertha Sonnemann, who was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, September 17, 1866. Her parents, John and Christina Sonnemann, were both natives of Germany but were early settlers of Sheboygan, whence they came to Lancaster county in 1868. The father took up a homestead in Centerville pre- cinct and engaged in farming there for many years. The last twelve years of his life, however, were spent in the home of Mrs. Kurtz, who was two years of age when brought to this county by her parents and has since resided here. She is a member of the German Methodist Episcopal church and is very active in foreign missionary work, having served for twenty-one years as secretary of the Topeka branch of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of that church. At a conference held at Lincoln in 1915 she was presented with a handsome linen drawn work table set made by hand in India. She is recognized as an authority upon all matters pertaining to foreign missions and has proved very capable in the discharge of the duties of her important office.
Mr. Kurtz votes independently at local elections but where national issues are at stake supports the republican party. He belongs to Sprague Camp, No. 1577, M. W. A., and has served as banker and adviser. Ilis religious faith is that of the German Methodist Episcopal church. He and his wife took up their residence in Salem, Oregon, two separate times but only remained there for nine months at one time and for six months at the other time. They have thoroughly identified their interests with those of Sprague and expect to make their permanent home here. Both are widely known and are held in the highest esteem.
FRED K. SCHWEITZER.
Fred K. Schweitzer is engaged in general farming on section 7, Oak precinct, where he has one hundred and twenty acres of land which he has brought under a high state of cultivation. He was born in Cook county, Illinois, June 6, 1881, a son of Dietrich and Sophia Schweitzer, mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Ile obtained his education in the public schools offhis native county and as a young man came to Lancaster county, settling at Raymond, in Oak precinct.
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