USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Lincoln > Lincoln, the capital city and Lancaster County, Nebraska, Volume II > Part 66
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and grew to womanhood and was married in that country. She continued to reside there for a time after her husband came to America, but as soon as he had saved enough money to pay traveling expenses, she and the children joined him in the United States. She survives and is living at No. 3160 T street, Lincoln, with her son Sherman.
HIelmer Conrad Hansen was seven years of age when he accompanied his mother to America. They were met at Quebec by the father and accompanied him to Oconto, Wisconsin, but not long afterward removal was made to Nebraska. H. C. Hansen received the greater part of his education in Lan- caster county, and gained valuable training in practical methods of agriculture through assisting his father. In 1880, when twenty years of age, he rented a farm, which he operated for about a year, but at the end of that time became discouraged and disposed of his crops and live stock for five hundred and forty dollars. He placed five hundred dollars of that money out at interest and removed to Bureau county, Illinois, where he worked as a farm hand for a wage of twenty-three dollars per month. The following year he returned to Lan- caster county and bought eighty acres on section 14, Nemaha precinct, which was slightly improved at that time. He brought the farm to a high state of development and engaged in its operation until 1905 when he sold it and bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 23, eighty acres on section 25 and eighty acres on section 26, Nemaha precinct. He built a beautiful modern residence on section 23 and also erected barns and outbuildings. The farm lacks no equipment that has been devised to make the work of the agriculturist easier and more efficient. In addition to raising large crops of grain he breeds full blooded Poland China hogs and also raises horses, cows and sheep.
Mr. Hansen has important business interests as he is a heavy stockholder in the Farmers Mutual Telephone Company, which he organized in 1905, and whose affairs are in a very prosperous condition. When the Bell Telephone Company raised the rate to the farmers of Lancaster county he secured the cooperation of his neighbors and they formed the Farmers Mutual Telephone Company, which built a telephone system extending all over his precinct with headquarters in Bennet. In 1906 Mr. Hansen and Harry Honnor organized the Farmers Bank of Bennet, which is one of the most substantial moneyed insti- tutions of that town. In 1914 Mr. Hansen organized the Farmers Elevator Company at Bennet, which purchased the elevator there from the Lincoln Elevator Company, and which handles the larger part of the grain shipped from Bennet. The company is composed entirely of farmers of the county and has thoroughly demonstrated the practicability of such enterprises. In establishing these various enterprises Mr. Hansen has greatly benefited the farmers of the county and he has also been instrumental in securing the success of other movements of public value. In 1go8 he succeeded in getting two hundred and sixty miles of roads in the county graded and he is still active in behalf of the good roads movement.
On the 17th of January, 1885. Mr. Hansen was married on section 25. Nemaha precinct, to Miss Bertha Mary Larsen, who was born on the 22d of April. 1868, near Neponsit, Bureau county, Illinois, a daughter of Frederick Larsen, whose birth occurred on the island, of Laaland, near Sandager, Den- mark, in 1835. In 1867 her father came to the United States and for a time
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worked as a farm laborer in Bureau county, Illinois, after which he removed to Lancaster county, Nebraska, and bought eighty acres on section 25, Nemaha precinct. This was totally unimproved when he purchased it, but he at once began to develop the place. He carefully conserved the fertility of the soil, fenced his fields and erected fine buildings, his home being at that time the largest house that side of Lincoln. He passed away in 1892 and was buried in Bennet cemetery. He was married in Denmark to Miss Rekka Hansen, who was born in that country in 1840. She survived him for a number of years and died at the home of our subject on the 3d of January, 1911. She too is buried in Bennet. Mrs. Hansen was three years of age when she was brought to Lan- caster county and received her education in the local schools. She has become the mother of a son, Gilbert A., who received a public school education and is now assisting his father with the farm work.
Mr. Hansen is a stanch democrat in politics and has taken an active interest in public affairs, although he is not an office seeker. He has been influential in securing the election of many good men for state and county offices and in giving his support to a candidate considers his qualifications of greater import- ance than his party affiliation. His interest in educational advancement has led him to serve as a member of the school board in district No. 78 for two terms and he has also been road overseer. He was formerly identfied with I. O. O. F. and in religious faith he is a Presbyterian. There is probably no one in the county who has done more to advance the public interest and the great value of his services to his community is generally acknowledged.
GUSTAV JOHNSON.
Gustav Johnson not only operates his farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Mill precinct, but also cultivates an additional eighty acre tract. A native of Sweden, he was born on the 18th of November, 1860, and is a son of John Carlson and Fredericka Anderson, both of whom died when he was a child. The father was by occupation a farmer.
Having lost both of his parents Mr. Johnson began supporting himself when only eight years old, and when fourteen years of age hired out as a farmi hand. He worked in that capacity in Sweden until 1890, when he emigrated to the United States and made his way to Waverly, Lancaster county, Nebraska. After working for others for a short time he rented a farm in Saunders county but eight years later returned to this county and for three years operated a rented farm on section 21, Mill precinct. Next he leased land in Waverly pre- cinct for two years, but in 1905 purchased his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 21, Mill precinct. The place is highly improved and he takes justifiable pride in keeping everything in first class condition. He raises hogs, cattle and horses and also grows considerable grain and farms eighty acres in addition to his home place.
Mr. Johnson was-married on the 11th of April, 1888, to Miss Emma John- son, whose birth occurred in Sweden, on the Tith of April. 1860. Her parents, John and Josephine Johnson, passed their entire lives in that country. To Mr.
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and Mrs. Gustav Johnson have been born seven children: Carl, who is farming near Oakland, Nebraska; Martin, who is following agricultural pursuits; David and Frank, both at home; Fred, who is attending school, and Selma and Esther, at home.
Mr. Johnson casts his ballot in support of the men and measures of the republican party and for about five years served as road supervisor, making an excellent record in that capacity. He belongs to the Lutheran church, but attends the Mission church in Rock Creek precinct. His life has measured up to high standards and any movement seeking the moral advancement of his community never lacks his hearty support. The success which he has gained as a farmer is doubly creditable in that it is the direct result of his own industry, determination and good management, for he has depended solely upon his own resources since early childhood.
WILLIAM MCCLELLAN MORNING.
William McClellan Morning, senior partner of the law firm of Morning & Ledwith of Lincoln, came to this city in 1891 and in the intervening period through the steps of orderly progression has continuously advanced until he now occupies a prominent place at the bar of Lancaster county. He was born on a farm in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, June 23, 1863. His father, James Morning, was a sawmill operator of Pennsylvania, and afterward a farmer of Missouri. His birth occurred in County Donegal, Ireland, where he was reared and educated for the Catholic priesthood, but he decided to follow business pursuits, and when nineteen years of age came to the United States, having resolved to try his fortune in the new world. In Lycoming county, Pennsyl- vania, he met and married Cordelia Helen Campbell, who was a native of that county and of pure Scotch descent. In 1869 they removed to Linn county, Mis- souri, where the father followed agricultural pursuits until his death in 1870. His widow afterward became the wife of Manuel Poston and continued to live in Linn county, Missouri, until her demise in 1880. William McClellan Morning was the fourth of five children, three sons and two daughters, born to James and Cordelia Morning, as follows: Emma, now Mrs. Thomas C. Smith of Oregon ; Martha, who passed away at the age of fourteen years; Charles Abner, an attorney residing at Steamboat Springs, Colorado, who is at present serving as county judge of Routt county, Colorado; William M., of this review; and Dr. James Francis, a practicing physician of Denver, Colorado. W. M. Morning has one half brother and a half sister, namely : Leon LeRoy Poston, a dentist of Council Bluffs, Iowa ; and Una Poston, who is the wife of Dr. George T. Ayers, a physician of Ely, Minnesota.
William McClellan Morning was reared upon a farm in Linn county, Mis- souri, between the ages of six and twenty years, and after mastering the ele- mentary branches of learning in the rural schools he attended the public schools at Brookfield, Missouri, until he reached the age of eighteen. He then took up the profession of teaching /and during the ensuing two years taught school and attended the Missouri State Normal at Kirksville alternately. When twenty
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years of age, or in the spring of 1884, he came to Nebraska and through two winter seasons taught near Plattsmouth and in the summer vacations studied law in that city, where he was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1885. Through the following winter, however, he taught the Cedar Creek village school and in the spring of 1886 went to Bird City. Kansas, where he entered upon the practice of his chosen profession. The outlook there, however, was not good, for the place was a mere frontier hamlet, so in order to occupy his time and add to his income he assisted in editing and publishing a local paper. In 1887 he returned to Nebraska and practiced law at Alma, also serving for one term as county attorney of Harlan county. In 1891 he came to Lincoln, where he has since been engaged in active law practice, and the firm of Morning & Ledwith, of which he is the senior member, is one of the well known and successful law firms of the city.
Mr. Morning has been married twice. In 1889, at Alma, he was united in marriage to Miss Mabel 1 .. Kellogg, a teacher by profession. She passed away on the 13th of April, 1913, leaving one daughter, Mildred, who is now a student in the State University. On the 16th of July, 1914, Mr. Morning was again married, his second union being with Miss Grace D. Stewart, who for several years had been a teacher in the Lincoln schools. In religious faith Mr. Morning is a Unitarian, while fraternally he is connected with the Masons, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In politics he is a democrat, but has never held office except that of county attorney of Harlan county, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his professional duties. He belongs to the Lincoln Commercial Club and is interested in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of his city, manifesting at all times a public-spirited devotion to the general good. Those who know him entertain for him the highest regard and he has a wide acquaintance, being one of the popular residents of Lincoln.
PAUL H. HOLM.
Paul 11. Holm has been engaged in the real estate and loan business in Lincoln since 1885 and has built up a large and representative clientele. His birth occurred in Ohio, on the 28th of October, 1861, and he is a son of Abram and Christina ( Haish ) Holm, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Baden- Baden, Germany. He was educated at the Bucyrus (Ohio) high school and in a commercial college in Chicago, Illinois. For seven years he was confidential clerk and secretary in the employ of the Haish Manufacturing Company at De Kalb, Illinois, but in 1885 came to Lincoln and turned his attention to handling real estate and loans. He has since continued active in that field and has gained a high standing in business circles. He annually places a large amount of capital in loans and negotiates many important realty transfers. At one time he was connected with the Lincoln Traction Company and was also formerly a director in the First National Bank and is now serving as a director in the City National Banled by Microsoft ®
Mr. Holm was married in 1887 to Miss Nora S. Smith, who was born in
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De Kalb, Illinois, and they have a daughter, Marie B. Mr. Holm studies care- fully the questions and issues of the day, is keenly interested in everything that pertains to the public welfare and is willing to give his time and energies to the advancement of the general good. He was a director of the Commercial Club and one of the prime movers in the work of that organization for the business expansion of Lincoln. He was one of the founders of the Country Club and is also a thirty-second degree Mason.
HOMER H. KIMERER.
Homer H. Kimerer, who is operating the family homestead in Waverly pre- cinct, was born upon that farm on the 13th of October, 1875, the oldest of a family of three children born to William and Sarah ( Morgan) Kimerer. The father, whose birth occurred near Coshocton, Ohio, devoted his life to farming and in 1864 homesteaded land in Waverly precinct, Lancaster county, Nebraska. He brought his farm to a high state of development and engaged in its oper- ation until his death, which occurred in 1907. The mother was born in Warren county, Iowa, and died in 1893.
Homer II. Kimerer received his education in the Camp Creek district school but when sixteen years of age began working as a farm hand. After being so employed for seventeen years he purchased a threshing outfit, which he operated for fifteen years, and later he ran a sawmill. At length, however, he' bought the family homestead, upon which he has since resided and which he is operating. The place comprises forty acres and is highly developed. He carries on general farming and so manages his work that he receives a good income from his land.
Mr. Kimerer is a stanch democrat but has never desired office. He has passed his entire life in Lancaster county and the fact that many of his stanchest friends have known him intimately since boyhood is proof of his genuine worth of character.
HENRY SMITH WEAVER.
The spirit of modern agriculture finds expression in Henry Smith Weaver. a most prominent and progressive farmer and dairyman, living on section 8. Oak precinct. 'He was born in Tazewell county, Illinois, near Washington, on the ioth of November, 1866, and is a son of Amos and Sarah E. ( Rees) Weaver. The father was born April 11, 1835, in Chillicothe, Ohio, and after obtaining his education in the public schools there took up the occupation of farming. Later he carried on agricultural pursuits near Circleville, Ohio, and thence removed to Tazewell county, Illinois, in 1866. . At the latter place he continued to engage in farming until 1883, when he came to Lancaster county. Nebraska, settling in Stevens Creek precinct, where/hecontinued to till thesomuntilhe retired from active business and removed to Lincoln, where he passed away in November,
,
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1910, his remains being interred in Oak Creek cemetery at Raymond. On the 9th of March, 1858, he had married Miss Sarah Elizabeth Rees, who was born and reared in Ohio and was one of the early school teachers of that state. She died in Tazewell county, Illinois, and was laid to rest in the cemetery at Washing- ton. In the family were nine children, as follows: Alice, who first gave her hand in marriage to Wade Bunker and subsequently became the wife of Fred Bacon, a practicing physician of Omaha, Nebraska, where she now makes her home; Frank Rees, who died in early manhood; Elizabeth Cornelia, the wife of Clements Steiner, of Lincoln, Nebraska; Ida Estelle, who died in infancy in Ohio; Clarke Woodward, who also passed away as an infant in Ohio; Henry Smith, of this review; Julia, who died in her teens; Clara, who is the wife of Harold Adams, of Fort Smith, Arkansas; and Mary, who died in infancy.
Henry S. Weaver attended the district schools of his native county and was also a pupil in the district schools of Lancaster county for a brief period. He afterward assisted his father in the operation of the home farm until his marriage in 1887, when he rented land in Stevens Creek precinct for a year. He later lived upon a rented farm in West Oak precinct for six years, at the end of which time he purchased eighty acres in Little Salt precinct, upon which tract there were no improvements. He still continued to cultivate rented land and after two years he sold his own property and removed to Pickrell, Gage county, Nebraska, where he engaged in the grain business, spending two years there. In 1901 he purchased one-half of section 4, Oak precinct, Lancaster county, and removed to section 8, town II, range 6. He has since improved this place and still continues its cultivation. He sold his land on section 4 and purchased two hundred and ninety acres on section 8, devoting his time and energies to its further development and improvement. He carries on general farming and stock raising and is also a successful dairyman. He handles a large number of hogs annually, all being pure bred Poland China hogs, and his cows are Holsteins. None of the equipments and accessories of the model farm are lacking upon his place. He utilizes the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and employs the most progressive methods in carrying on the farm work, his course being a worthy example that may well serve as a standard for others.
On the 23d of October, 1887, Mr. Weaver was united in marriage to Miss Ida May Hoyle, of Raymond, Nebraska, who was born in Whiteside county, Illinois, January 12, 1870, and there attended school until fourteen years of age when the family removed to Pleasant Dale, Seward county, Nebraska, where she com- pleted her studies. She is a daughter of Edmond and Isabell (Sherman) Hoyle, who were natives of Somerset county, Pennsylvania. Her father was educated in that state and in Dixon, Illinois, was married. He always followed farming as a life work, and in 1884 removed to this state. His last days' were spent in Raymond, and both he and his wife were laid to rest in Oak Creek cemetery. To Mr. and Mrs. Weaver have been born seven children, as follows : Janet May, at home ; Kenneth, who follows agricultural pursuits near his father's farm in Lancaster county, and who wedded Miss Mabel Smith, a school teacher ; Andrey, who died in infancy ; Vera, the wife of Paul F. Black, who is engaged in farm- ing in Oak precinct. Lancaster county; Wade W'illard, who died at the age of nine years : and Reese Raymond and Dallas, both at home. All the above named were born in Lancaster county.
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Always interested in the cause of education, Mr. Weaver has served for many years as a school director in District No. 19. In politics he maintains an independent course, supporting men and measures rather than party. His posi- tion on the temperance question is never an equivocal one. He believes thoroughly in prohibition and he guides his life according to the teachings of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a consistent member. In the work of the church he takes a helpful interest and is now serving on the board of trustees. He has frequently been solicited to accept public office, but never would consent to do so, preferring that his public service should be done as a private citizen. He stands loyally for all that he believes to be for the best interest of the community and is a broad-minded and progressive citizen, a valued neighbor and faithful friend. His hospitable home is open to all and both Mr. and Mrs. Weaver enjoy the warm regard of all with whom they have come in contact.
GEORGE M. DUNKLE.
George M. Dunkle was an honored veteran of the Civil war and also did valuable service for his country in pushing westward the frontier by his efforts in planting the seeds of civilization and promoting the development of Nebraska during its pioneer epoch. In his later years he lived retired in Lincoln and there passed away June 22, 1908, when about seventy years of age. His birth had occurred in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, September 21, 1838. his parents being George and Margaret ( Boyd) Dunkle, who were natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a gunsmith and about 1855 removed westward with his family to Illinois, where he purchased land and carried on farming until 1871. In that year he removed to Iowa, where he continued to reside until death called him in 1877, when he was seventy-two years of age, his birth having occurred in 1805. His wife, who was born in 1803, died in 1883. George M. Dunkle was reared and educated in Pennsylvania and in Henry county, Illinois, and in 1862 when twenty-four years of age, responded to the country's call for troops, culisting for service in the Union army as a member of Company D, One Hun- dred and Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was at the front for three years and was struck in the right cheek by a bullet. After the war he returned to Illinois and for a year was engaged in farming in Henry county, that state, prior to his removal to Missouri, where he engaged in farming for two years. About 1874 he arrived in Nebraska which was during the period of the grass- hopper scourge. Soon afterward he went to Iowa where he carried on farming for two years and then returned to Nebraska, purchasing railroad land in Cass county in 1880. This he improved and cultivated from 1881 until 1900 when he retired and removed to Lincoln, purchasing a nice home at No. 1234 South 23d street, there residing until his death, which occurred after a short illness when he had almost reached the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten.
On the 22d of September, 1865, Mr. Dunkle was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Skinner, a daughter of W. W. and Agnes ( Morrow) Skinner, who were natives of Pennsylvania./ZThefather engaged in the manufacture of plows at an early day, removing to Davenport, lowa, where he carried on business
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along that line for a few years. After becoming a resident of Des Moines he engaged in business with his brother and continued in that city until called to his final rest. Ilis wife had died in 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Dunkle became the parents of two children, Luna G., the wife of W. J. Quinn, who owns and lives on the old Dunkle place: and George W., who is engaged in the silo business at Atlanta, Georgia. While living in Cass county Mr. Dunkle served as assessor for two years. His political allegiance was always given to the republican party and he was never neglectful of any duty of citizenship, at all times manifesting the same spirit of loyalty which he had displayed when he followed the stars and stripes upon the battleficids of the south. He maintained pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic and fraternally he was connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His religions faith was that of the Presbyterian church, to the teachings of which he was ever consistently loyal. Ilis life, upright and hon- orable in its purposes, intent and conduct, won for him the high and enduring regard of many friends.
JOHN P. MCLAUGHLIN.
John P. Mclaughlin, one of the most up-to-date and most prosperous farmers of North Bluff precinct, holds title to two hundred and sixty acres of highly improved land which was formerly the property of his father. His birth occurred in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the 19th of July, 1868, and he is a son of Hugh and Mary ( McDermott ) MeLaughlin, both of whom were born in County Donegal, Ireland, the former in 1839 and the latter a year later. When about twenty-one years of age the father came to the United States and located in Pennsylvania, where he followed railroad work until his removal to Iowa, where he was similarly employed. In 1879, however, he and his family removed to Lancaster county, Nebraska, and located upon the farm in North Bluff precinct which our subject is now operating. He concentrated his energies upon the improvement and development of that place and engaged in the culti- vation of his land until about ten years before his death, which occurred on the gth of July, 1893. The mother is still living upon the homestead with our subject.
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