USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Lincoln > Lincoln, the capital city and Lancaster County, Nebraska, Volume II > Part 76
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On the 11th of October, 1866, Mr. Gifford was married to Miss Elizabeth Harlan of Preble county, Ohio, and they are now approaching the day which will be a memorable one in their history, marking the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage. They reared nine children to adult age and seven are now living, namely : Lovie, now the wife of F. D. Kirsch ; Ernest H .; Minnie, the wife of S. K. Kier: Bertha, the widow of Charles F. Shedd, Jr .; Della, the wife of Dr. Guy Taylor, of Hebron, Nebraska ; Emma Josephine, the wife of Dr. J. C. Waddell of Pawnee City ; and Dr. Arthur B. Gifford, a dentist of Scottsbluff, Nebraska. The two children who have passed away were William Truman, who died at the age of twenty-six years and Winifred, at the age of eighteen. There are also twenty-three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The family has long occupied a prominent position in public regard. Mr. Gifford is a member of the Lincoln Commercial Club and is interested in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of his city. He was one of the organizers of the Nebraska Prison Association, which was formed to assist discharged prisoners to get the right kind of a start in life after their term of sentence was over, the organ- izers being prompted by the humanitarian purpose of assisting these men to again gain a desirable status in society. He was a member of the board of directors from the beginning aud jalso Served as/assistant superintendent and as
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superintendent for many years. He proudly wears the little bronze button . which proclaims him a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Ile is as true and loyal to his duties of citizenship as when he followed the old flag on the battle fields of the south and the same spirit of loyalty he has ever displayed in relation to any canse to which he pledges his allegiance.
BENJAMIN SIMON.
Benjamin Simon is a member of the mercantile firm of Speier & Simon and occupies one of the oldest business blocks in the city at the corner of Tenth and O streets. Moreover, he is an enthusiastic supporter of Lincoln in all the projects put forth for its development and upbuilding and his efforts are far- reaching and resultant. He was born in Hessen, Germany, March 1, 1863. a son of Joseph and Rosa ( Isaacs) Simon, both of whom were natives of Ger- many, where they were reared and educated. The father, who was a grain merchant, died in Germany twenty years ago and the mother is still living there.
Benjamin Simon received his education in the schools of Germany to the age of sixteen years, when he bade adien to friends and fatherland and in 1879 sailed for America, settling at Mattoon, Coles county, Illinois. There he secured a clerkship in a clothing store, in which he was employed for five years, at the end of which time he went to Washington, Kansas, where he also secured employment in a store. Subsequently he was engaged in the clothing business on his own account in Washington, Kansas, where he continued to reside for eighteen years.
In 1905 Mr. Simon arrived in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he entered into partnership with Herman Speier. They began dealing in men's clothing and furnishings, in shoes and other commodities. They occupy the old historic building of Sweet & Brock, which was the first business building in Lincoln, erected in 1868 at the corner of Tenth and O streets. It contained the old Sweet & Brock Bank, one of the historic landmarks of the city. The present firm of Speier & Simon not only occupy the old building but also an adjoining building, and both have been remodeled and thoroughly equipped in the most up-to-date style. They are not only accorded a large patronage in Lincoln but also enjoy an extensive trade which comes to them from the surrounding country. Their business methods measure up to the most modern standards of enterprise and progressiveness, and success in large measure is attending them.
In Louisville, Kentucky, Mr. Simon was united in marriage to Miss Addie Ellinger, a native of Bavaria, Germany, and a daughter of Samuel and Yettey ( Wittelshoefer ) Ellinger, who were also born in that country. After the demise of her father in Germany, Mrs. Simon came to the United States with her mother, who took up her abode in Louisville, Kentucky, and there passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Simon have been born six children, five of whom still survive, namely: Gertrude, who was born in Cuba, Kansas, and is at home; Joseph, whose birth occurredfin Washington, Kansas, and who is associated with his father in business: Samuel, who was born in Washington, Kansas, and is a
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student in the University of Nebraska : Charles, a student in the Lincoln high school; and Harry, who is also attending school. The family residence is at No. 1735 C street.
In his political views Mr. Simon is a republican, and he adheres to the Jewish faith. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America at Lincoln and for twenty-eight years he has been a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen at Washington, Kansas, where he still retains his membership. He is an enthusiastic supporter of any well defined plan or measure for the public good and is a strong advocate of the "Do it for Lincoln" policy. He puts forth every possible effort to promote the welfare of the city, and at the same time he is wisely and successfully controlling his private business affairs so as to win substantial success.
HENRY SCHROEDER.
Henry Schroeder is a well known and highly respected resident of Emerald, who in earlier years was actively and extensively engaged in farming and still owns and cultivates one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 10, Middle Creek precinct. He was born in Germany in January, 1848, a son of William and Katherine Schroeder, who were also natives of that country. The father was a laborer in Germany. Coming to America about 1870, he settled in Illinois and there resided until 1875, when he removed to Seward county, Nebraska, where he secured a homestead claim of forty acres, upon which he resided for seven or eight years. He then came to Lancaster county, Nebraska, and made his home in Middle Creek precinct, continuing his residence with his son Henry until his death, which occurred in 1885. His wife survived for a decade, passing away in 1805.
Henry Schroeder was reared and educated in Germany and in 1868, when twenty years of age, came to America. He was employed as a farm hand in Illinois for five years. at the end of which time he began cultivating a rented farm, spending the succeeding eight years in that way. In 1882 he came to Lancaster county, Nebraska. arriving in March, at which period he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 5, Middle Creek precinct. He at once began to break the sod and till the fields and carried on the work of further improving and developing that place until 1909. In the meantime he had extended the boundaries of his farm until it comprised three hundred and twenty acres but later sold nearly half of this and now has one hundred and sixty acres on section 10, Middle Creek precinct, three miles north of Emerald. On putting aside active farm work in 1909 he removed to Emerald and pur- chased a nice home which stands in the midst of two acres of ground. He previously made a specialty of raising Poland China hogs, which constituted an important branch of his work.
On the 4th of November, 1873, Mr. Schroeder was married to Miss Elizabeth Solfisburg, a daughter of Jacob and Annie Solfisburg, who were natives of Switzerland.D They came toAmerica in earlylife, settling in Oswego, Illinois, and there Mrs. Schroeder was born January 4. 1854. Her
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father followed farming in that state throughout his remaining days and passed away December 21, 1889, at the age of seventy-four years, while his wife died in 1895. Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder have become the parents of eleven children, namely : Edward, who was born June 19, 1876, and died June 9, 1915; Jacob. who was born December 22, 1877, and died in August. 1910; H. Fred, born June 10, 1879: Robert, born May 7, 1881; Mattie, February 25, 1883; Henry, June 15, 1885: Amanda, March 22, 1887; Lizzie, January 3, 1889; Albert, March 17, 1892; and two who died in infancy.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Lutheran church and in his political belief Mr. Schroeder is a republican. He was elected for six successive years as justice of the peace but never qualified. It was the wish of his fellow townsmen that he should serve in that office, knowing how loyal he is to duty and how impartial in his opinions. For many years he was school director and the cause of education has found in him a stalwart champion.
EDWARD I. BOHANAN.
Edward I. Bohanan, proprietor of the Palace Stables of Lincoln, was born in this city, May 18, 1875. Ilis father, Major Bohanan, was born in Peoria, Illinois, March 14, 1842, and was a son of Edward and Mahala T. (Wilbur) Bohanan. The grandfather was born in Massachusetts, January 2, 1809, and in 1834 settled in Peoria, Illinois, where he engaged in the butchering business. His wife, also a native of the old Bay state, passed away in Peoria, February 17, 1865. It was in the year 1868, that Major Bohanan arrived in Lincoln, having driven across the country from Peoria, and later his two brothers, Walter G. and Frank H. Bohanan, joined him here, and they engaged in the butchering business. becoming pioneer merchants of the little town which had been founded only the year before. They hauled lumber from Plattsmouth to build their first shop here, which was located on what is now O street, and from the beginning they prospered in the enterprise. They later engaged in the livery business, erecting a barn on South Tenth street, and in 1872 they built the Bohanan block on Tenth street. Major Bohanan continued a resident of Lincoln up to the time of his death, which occurred August 14, 1900.
It was on the 29th of October, 1872, that Major Bonahan was united in marriage to Lydia S. Rakestraw, who was born in Coles county, Illinois, and who is now the wife of Herman T. Getz, a resident of Chicago. By her first marriage she had four children: Edward I .; Myrtle, who is the wife of Edwin Galbraith and lives in Cleveland, Ohio; Clarence O., who is in the United States customs service at Manila, Philippine Islands ; and Roy, who is in Detroit, Michigan.
Edward 1. Bohanan was reared in Lincoln and attended the public schools, after which he became his father's associate in business, and upon the latter's death in 1900 he succeeded to the ownership of the livery business, conducting the Windsor Stables for about seven years. For the past eight years he has been at his present location at No. 1125 MI street, conducting the Palace Stables. He carries on a general livery business and boarding stable, keeping hearses and cabs
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for funerals, as well as all the different kinds of vehicles for pleasure and commercial driving.
Mr. Bohanan was married May 12, 1898, to Miss Ella Brown, a daughter of Daniel C. Brown, an early settler of this county, residing in Denton precinct. Mr. Bonahan is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Royal High- landers and is well known here as an active, energetic business man, who is winning success by close application and indefatigable energy.
COLONEL JOHN G. MAHER.
Colonel John G. Maher, prominent in political and business circles of Lincoln, is recognized as one of the leaders of the democratic party in Nebraska and occupies an equally enviable place in connection with corporation interests, being president of the Old Line Insurance Company of this city, which he assisted in organizing in 1913. He was reared in Platte county, Nebraska, on the old home- stead which his father entered as a government claim in 1865. In his youthful days he assisted in the arduous task of developing the home farm, dividing his tinte between the work of the fields and attendance at the pioneer country schools of his locality. . Eventually he entered the high school at Columbus, Nebraska, and later was a student in the Fremont Normal School. For a time he engaged in teaching in Platte county and later entered the government service as mail weigher between Columbus and Atchison. In 1887 he opened the government land office at Chadron, being appointed chief clerk to General Montgomery, and while thus engaged he devoted his evening hours to the study of law and eventu- ally was admitted to the bar. Subsequently he was elected clerk and register of deeds for Dawes county, being one of only two democrats who were elected in the county at that election. He served for two terms in his dual position and, having graduated as an expert stenographer, secured the appointment of court reporter, in which capacity he continued for several years.
In 1898, following the inauguration of hostilities with Spain, Colonel Maher volunteered his services and was authorized by Governor Holcomb to muster in what was designated as Company H, Second Nebraska Infantry. He declined a commission, preferring to serve in the ranks, and at the close of hostilities was honorably discharged. He then came to Lincoln and here turned his attention to the real estate business but is now concentrating his energies largely upon the insurance business as the president of the Old Line Insurance Company of Lin- coln. Under his direction the business has been steadily developed along sul- stantial lines and success has attended his efforts in large measure.
On the 18th of May, 1914, Mr. Maher was married to Miss Florence Tierney, who was a teacher in the public schools of this city. They now have a daughter, Catherine Margaret, born June 5. 1915.
Fraternally Mr. Maher is an Elk and an Eagle. He is also identified with the Spanish War Veterans and is now an aid-de-camp on the staff of the commander- in-chief. His service in the Spanish-American war did not entirely cover his connection with military affairs for during the last Indian war in northwest Nebraska, which occurred in 1889 and 1890, he was continuously with the troops
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as a special correspondent of the New York Herald. In politics he has always been a stalwart democrat, untiring in his efforts to promote the growth and secure the success of the party. While he has not been a politician in the sense of office seeking, his name is frequently brought forth in connection with high positions. While undoubtedly not without that laudable ambition which is so useful as an incentive in public life, he nevertheless regards the pursuits of private life as in themselves abundantly worthy of his best efforts and has willingly and success- fully concentrated his time and energies upon activities which have brought good results, making him one of the substantial residents of the capital city.
EDWARD G. BOHANAN.
Edward G. Bohanan, who is engaged in the insurance business in Lincoln, possesses strong executive force, and in his administrative direction of important interests has won'recognition as a leading and resourceful business man of today. He was born in Peoria, Illinois. December 3. 1858. His father, Edward Bohanan, was a native of Schenectady county, New York, born June 2, 1800, and in that state he was reared. In early manhood he removed to Peoria county, Illinois, where he arrived in 1834, and there in 1840 he was married to Miss Mahala T. Wilber, whose birth occurred in Taunton, Massachusetts, in 1816. Mr. Bohanan devoted his life to farming and to the butchering business, and the careful management of his interests brought him substantial success, enabling him in his later years to live retired from further business cares. Ile died in Peoria, January 10, 1902, having long survived his wife, who passed away February 16, 1865. In the family were seven children, including Major and Franklin II. Bohanan, who were prominent business men of Lincoln in an early day, arriving here in 1868. In 1869 they were joined by their brother. Walter G., who conducted a meat market in connection with the operation of farming land. In 1886 they built the Bohanan block, one of the old land- marks of the city. Of these brothers, Major and Walter G. Bohanan are now deceased, while Franklin II. is now a resident of Peoria, Illinois. A sister, Lavinia, became the wife of G. C. Lauck and is now living in Wichita, Kansas. Two children of the family died in infancy.
The other member of the household of Edward and Mahala Bohanan was Edward G. Bohanan of this review, who spent his youthful days in Peoria, where he obtained a common school education. He was a young man of about twenty years when, in 1878, he came to Lincoln, after which he spent several years in the employ of his brothers in the meat market. In 1884 he removed to Red Cloud, Nebraska, and was married there in that year to Miss Hattie L. Smith, who was born in Jones county, Iowa, a daughter of Edmund B. and Anna ( Schoape) Smith, both now deceased. Mr. Bohanan secured a homestead claim in Cheyenne county, Kansas, upon which he and his wife lived for a year and a half and then returned to Lincoln. In 1887 he became solicitor for the Farmers & Merchants Fire Insurance Company and in 1900 was associated with C. D. Mullen in organizing, the Columbia Fire Insurance Company, which was merged with the National of Hartford in June, 1911, under the name of the
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Columbia Fire Underwriters Insurance. Mr. Bohanan and Mr. Mullen, how- ever, still own the Columbia Fire Insurance Company. Their connection with the National of Hartford was for five years and will expire in June, 1916. Mr. Bohanan is general agent for the Columbia Underwriters. He has been very successful in managing the business connected with loans and has full charge in the state of Nebraska, capably managing the important interests under his direction. As he has prospered he has made judicious investments in realty, now owning several residence properties in Lincoln, together with the Bohanan block, which his brothers erected thirty years ago. In connection with Mr. Mullen he also has extensive interests in farm lands in Nebraska, owning more than three thousand acres of land in the eastern part of the state, and he has been the owner of some very fine horses, including Columbia Fire, which has won five world records over the half-mile track.
Mr. and Mrs. Bohanan have become the parents of a daughter, Beulah P., now the wife of W. A. Downey, special agent with the Columbia Fire Insur- ance Company. Mr. and Mrs. Downey reside in Lincoln and have two chil- dren, Gladys Imogene and Edward Alvin. Mr. and Mrs. Bohanan occupy a beautiful home at No. 946 D street and its hospitality has become proverbial.
Mr. Bohanan is active in the ranks of the republican party. yet without ambi- tion for office. The family are members of St. Andrews Episcopal church and Mr. Rohanan has ever been a liberal supporter of churches and charities and is ever ready to extend a helping hand to those in need of assistance. In business affairs he maintains an unassailable reputation, being a man of undisputed honesty and integrity as well as of marked enterprise and determination. His ready discrimination between the essential and the non-essential has been one of the strong forces in his success, combined with the immediate utilization of every opportunity that has been presented.
WILLIAM H. SLATTERY, M. D.
The consensus of public opinion gives William Il. Slattery an enviable posi- tion in the ranks of Lincoln's leading physicians and surgeons. He was born in Galesburg, Illinois, January 17, 1872, a son of John and Catherine ( Nash) Slat- tery, both of whom were natives of Limerick, Ireland, whence they came to the United States in young manhood and womanhood, their marriage being celebrated in Galesburg, Illinois. The father was employed as a printer on the first demo- cratic paper, The Free Press, published in Knox county, Illinois, and in later years he engaged in farming. His first position after his arrival in the new world was in the vineyards of Samuel Tilden at Lebanon, New York, and he became a great admirer of Mr. Tilden, who later was the democratic nominee for president. It was this that largely influenced Mr. Slattery's political connec- tion and he has since adhered to the democratic party. Now living retired. he makes his home in Galesburg, Illinois, surviving his wife, who passed away May 6, 1908, at the age of seventy years.
Passing through consecutive grades in the public schools of his native city, Dr. Slattery was graduated from the Galesburg high school with the class of 1889
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and afterward pursued a course in the Galesburg Business College. He served for five years in the medical corps of the Illinois National Guard, of which he was a member during the Pullman strike in Chicago and during the miners' strike in 1894, when the troops were called into requisition to maintain the peace, serv- ing for six months at that period. He enlisted for service in the Spanish-Ameri- can war with Battery B at Galesburg, Illinois, but only the infantry troops were called upon for duty. Ile afterward entered the St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1898 and was graduated therefrom with the class of 1902. Dur- ing his senior year in college he was house physician in Jefferson Hospital of St. Louis.
In June, 1902, Dr. Slattery came to Lincoln, at which time his cash capital consisted of but twelve dollars. His progress in his profession has been continu- ous and substantial and in addition to his private practice he has been called upon for much professional service by the public. He was chosen by Mayor Adams to diagnose smallpox cases in the scourge of 1904 and in 1905 he was appointed city physician under Mayor Brown, serving in that connection for four years. In IQHI he was appointed under Mayor Armstrong as city physician at the time the epidemic of typhoid swept over Lincoln. He was one of the few physicians who contended that this was caused by the condition of the water, which belief was later proved to be correct. He has served as a member of the medical staff of St. Elizabeth's Hospital since 1902 and his private practice is large and of an important character. He belongs to the Lancaster County Medical Society and the Nebraska State Medical Society.
Dr. Slattery has always been a believer in the future of the city and state and has proven his belief by his investment in six hundred and forty acres of valuable farm land eight miles north of Lincoln. He is a member of the Catholic church and the Knights of Columbus and he also has membership with the Benev- olent Protective Order of Elks. In the discharge of his public professional duties and in his private practice he has gained a wide acquaintance and his ability classes him with those whose work is of utmost value to mankind.
REV. ENOCH HARPER.
Rev. Enoch Harper was for more than a half century active in the ministry of the United Brethren church but since 1915 has lived retired. IIe has resided in Cheney, Nebraska, for the past three years and has gained a large circle of warm friends here. His birth occurred in Pendleton county, West Virginia, on the 8th of March, 1842, his parents being Solomon and Magdalene (Teeter) Harper, both of whom were born in Virginia of German ancestry. The father engaged in farming and passed away in West Virginia when seventy-six years of age, while the mother died when eighty-four years old.
Rev. Enoch Harper received a common school education and later devoted considerable time to the study of theology, and when twenty-one years old was granted license to preach by the United Brethren church. He preached con- tinuously for fifty oneisans and /a/half, sixteen fyears as presiding elder, and his work was an important factor in the moral progress of the various com
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munities in which he was stationed. He labored with great zeal for the spiritual upbuilding of his people and found his most highly prized reward in the knowl- edge that he was advancing the cause of Christianity. He was successful also in directing the secular affairs of his various charges. In 1913 he became a resident of Cheney and one year later he retired from active work of the ministry.
On the 27th of March, 1869, Rev. Harper was united in marriage to Miss Jane Heckert, a daughter of Henry and Mary ( Moneypenny ) Heckert, both of whom were born in Virginia. To Rev. and Mrs. Harper were born two children : W. O., who is pastor of the Presbyterian church at Laurel, Nebraska ; and H. G. A., cashier in a bank at Glenside, Canada. The wife and mother died February 15. 1911. On the 9th of June, 1914, Rev. Harper married Mrs. Candace ( Worth ) Gove, of Cheney, Nebraska, where he now resides.
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