USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Lincoln > Lincoln, the capital city and Lancaster County, Nebraska, Volume II > Part 8
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On the 14th of October, 1896, Mr. Sommerlad was united in marriage to Miss Nellie L. Hyde, youngest daughter of the late Colonel Thomas II. Hyde, the founder of the Daily News of Lincoln and its editor and publisher for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Sommerlad have one son, Philip Paine Sommerlad, born March 1, 1901. Mr. Sommerlad belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, to the Lincoln Commercial Club and the Young Men's Republican Club, of which he served as treasurer for two years. That he is not unmindful of the higher, holier duties of life is indicated in his membership in St. Paul's Methodist Epis- copal church and in the Young Men's Christian Association and of the former he is treasurer. His life history is well known to his fellow townsmen, for he has practically always lived in Lincoln. Between the ages of eight and twelve years he was a newsboy on the streets of the city and thus earned his first money. Today he is occupying the responsible and important position of county treas- urer, in which connection his record is so excellent that the most malevolent could not speak of his service in any disparaging way. He is prompt, accurate, systematic and reliable and he enjoys in full measure the goodwill and high regard of all.
CHARLES W. JESTER, M. D.
Dr. Charles W. Jester of Bethany has built up a large and representative practice, and his ability and conscientiousness are generally recognized. He was born in Missouri on the 24th of December. 1865. and is a son of Thomas E. and Sarah F. ( Wilson ) Jester, the latter also a native of Missouri. The father, who was born in North Carolina, came to Nebraska in 1801 and here enlisted in Company A, First Nebraska Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for three years and three months. At the close of the Civil war he was mustered out at Plattsmouth, Nebraska, after-which he went to Missouri, where he farmed until 1873. In that year Heretired to Nelraskt and tooktiva homestead in
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Nuckolls county, which he improved and operated until 1900. He then retired from active life and removed to Deweese, this state, where he is still living. However, he retains the ownership of his farm in Nuckolls county, which has been in his possession ever since the patent therefor was given him by the United States government under the signature of U. S. Grant. His wife died on the 7th of November, 1001.
Dr. Charles W. Jester was reared at home and as a boy attended the common schools of Nuckolls county. Subsequently he became a student in Fairfield Col- lege in Clay county and was graduated from that institution with the class of 1896. For several years he taught school in Clay and Nuckolls counties and later served for four years as county superintendent of schools in Clay county, dur- ing which time he did much to further the interests of the schools under his charge. However, he decided that the medical profession offered greater oppor- tunities than that of teaching and at length matriculated in the Lincoln Medical College, which conferred upon him the degree of M. D. in 1904. He began practice at Eagle, Cass county, and remained there for four years, after which he came to Bethany, where he has since resided. He studies his cases carefully, taking into consideration the totality of symptoms, has been very successful as a diagnostician and also in prescribing the correct treatment. He has gained the confidence alike of the general public and his professional colleagues, and his practice leaves him little time for outside activities.
On the 11th of February, 1888, Dr. Jester was married to Miss Mary E. Keeney, and they have become the parents of four children: Earl, who died in 1889: Royal F., who is practicing medicine at St. Paul, Nebraska ; Pearl M., a student in the State University of Nebraska ; and Carl W., who is attending the Lincoln Dental College.
Dr. Jester is a democrat and has taken the interest of a good citizen in public affairs, although he has never sought office. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Royal Neighbors and the Masonic order, and his religious faith is that of the Christian church. He is much interested in educational matters and is now serving as a member of the school board, and along strictly professional lines he is identified with the Missouri Medical Association.
LEWIS GREGORY, D. D.
The life record of Dr. Lewis Gregory was one of usefulness and honor. He devoted many years to preaching the gospel and in his later life was prominently connected with financial interests in Lincoln, being president of the American Savings Bank at the time of his demise. He was born in Wilton, Connecticut, June 17, 1842, a son of Charles and Harriet (Clark) Gregory, who were also natives of that state. The father followed the occupation of farming in Con- necticut and continued to cultivate his land throughout his entire life, there pass- ing away in 1863, while his wife survived only until 1867.
Lewis Gregory was reared and_educated in Connecticut and attended the Wilton Acadedwight/isso, when Mouth of @ighteen years, he entered Yale
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LEWIS GREGORY, D. D.
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University, there pursuing a four years' course, after which he was graduated. Still later he entered the Andover Theological Seminary at AAndover, Massa- chusetts, and is numbered among its alumni of the class of 1868. His first pas- torate was at Merrimac, Massachusetts, where he engaged in preaching in the Congregational church for seven years. In 1882 he came to Lincoln, Nebraska, and accepted the pastorate of the First Congregational church, which he filled for twenty-three years, doing splendid work for his congregation by strengthening the cause in all of its spiritual phases. He was an eloquent and earnest speaker, strong in his reasoning and logical in his deductions. He appealed not only to the minds but also to the hearts of his hearers, and his earnest purpose brought good results, for he was not denied the full harvest nor the aftermath of his labors. On the ist of October, 1898, he retired from the ministry and went to the cast, where he was offered two pastorates, but his interests were all in Lincoln, so that he returned after a year or more of travel through the east and in Europe.
On again arriving in Lincoln Dr. Gregory organized the American Savings Bank and was also vice president of the American Exchange Bank, which is now the First National Bank. He continued one of the stockholders of the First Na- tional until his death and was also president of the American Savings Bank at that time. This was the first savings bank in Lincoln to be established after the panic of the early 'gos, when several savings banks failed. and his capability in its management and control added largely to its success.
On the 12th of August, 1868, Dr. Gregory was married to Miss Elizabeth Buckingham, a daughter of Ebenezer and Laura ( Hart ) Buckingham. She died in Lincoln, July 8, 1876. Three children were born to them : Benjamin, who died young ; Charles B., who is now president of the American Savings Bank of Lincoln ; and Helen, who resides in New York City. On the 25th of February. 1897, Dr. Gregory was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Sarah B. Ramsdell. a daughter of William H. and Mary (Curtis) Burgess, who were natives of Herkimer county, New York. Her father was a farmer by occupa- tion and at an early day went to Virginia, where he purchased land, becoming very successful in the conduct of his farm. From time to time he added to his prop- erty until he was one of the largest landowners of that locality and he continued to reside in Petersburg, Virginia, until called to his final rest. He was a very prominent representative of the republican party in his state and at the time of his demise held the office of commissioner of revenue. He died in June, 1873, at the age of forty-two years, while his wife passed away November 30. 1914, at the age of eighty-two years. By her former marriage to Charles 1. Ramsdell Mrs. Gregory had three children: Charles I., who is manager of the leme Amusement Company of Lincoln; and Lillian and Sarah, both deceased. Their father died in 1886.
Throughout the long years of his residence in Lincoln Dr. Gregory became most actively and helpfully interested in everything that pertained to the welfare of the city and especially to its upbuilding along educational and moral lines. Ile was a member of the Lincoln school board for a number of years, and he was also a member of the board of trustees of Doane College at Crete, Nebraska. He died on the 6th of January; HOL, when sixty eight years of age, and his death was a matter of deep and widespread regret because of the importance and value
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of his services along many lines. He was a director of the Nebraska Home Missionary Society, and in 1895 he was elected a corporate member of the American Missionary Board, being the only one from this state. He built a palatial residence at No. 1230 L street, adjoining the church which he attended, his home being thoroughly modern. The original old church property now belongs to Mrs. Gregory, the building still standing on her land. In politics he was a republican and never neglectful of the duties of citizenship. He reached out along constantly broadening lines for the benefit of his fellowmen and the worth of his work was everywhere acknowledged. There came to him "the blest accompaniments of age-honor, riches and troops of friends." Mrs. Gregory is widely known in those circles in Lincoln which have to do with the upbuilding and benefit of the city, having for fourteen years been president of the Civic Improvement Society. Theirs was a most happy life because of a congeniality of interests and activities. Faultless in honor, fearless in conduct and stainless in reputation, Dr. Gregory left a memory that is enshrined in the hearts of all who knew him.
W. R. JOHNSON.
W. R. Johnson is the owner of one of the leading commercial establishments of, Havelock, conducting a hardware, plumbing and heating business. He was born in Otoe county, Nebraska, March 12, 1869, a son of William James and Theresa (Lender ) Johnson. The father was born in Scotland, February 22, 1840, and when four years of age was taken to Canada. When fifteen years of age he became a sailor on the lakes and followed that pursuit several years. With the outbreak of the Civil war he responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting in the Second Minnesota Regiment of Volunteer Infantry, with which he continued for four years, being largely engaged in fighting Indians on the frontier. After the war he located at Nebraska City and engaged in freighting across the plains to Laramie, Wyoming. In 1867 he was united in marriage to Theresa Lender, a native of Missouri, and in 1891 they removed to Havelock, where Mr. Johnson embarked in merchandising under the firm style of Johnson & Son, opening his stock of goods in a little frame building on the present site of the brick store in which the business is still continued. Here Mr. Johnson was actively connected with the trade interests of the town until his death, which occurred February 8, 1896, and he occupied an enviable position in public regard as a business man and citizen. He was always greatly interested in attending the Grand Army meetings and he was an exemplary member of the Masonic lodge. His wife survived him for about two decades, passing away May 29. 1915, at the age of sixty-eight years. To them were born three children, namely : W. R., of this review; Mrs. Arthur Betts; and Grace M., of Elberta, Utah.
W. R. Johnson was reared in Nebraska and in early manhood became his father's associate and partner in the busness which was conducted under the firm name of Johnson & Son until the father's death, when W. R. Johnson suc- ceeded to the ownership of the store. He has erected an excellent brick building
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and he carries a large line of shelf and heavy hardware, in connection with which he takes contracts for plumbing and heating work. He is now accorded a liberal patronage and his business has reached profitable proportions. He was also one of the organizers of the Farmers & Mechanics Bank of Ilavelock but has since sold his stock.
On October 12, 1896, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Evan- geline S. Prescott, a native of Lincoln and a daughter of W. Il. Prescott, of that city. To them have been born two children, Harry and James. The family attend the Methodist church and in politics Mr. Johnson is a republican, but he has neither held nor sought political office. He is, however, a member of the school board and is interested in all that pertains to educational progress and to the improvement of the county along other lines.
S. WILLIAM GETTIER.
S. William Gettier is a retired butcher and stockman who now resides at No. 1024 J street in Lincoln and is enjoying a well earned rest after long years of active connection with business. He was born December 3, 1850, in Adams county. Pennsylvania. within five miles of the Gettysburg battleground, and remembers the excitement as the troops approached, when the Confederate army crossed the Potomac at llarpers Ferry and made their way northward into Pennsylvania, while the Federal army came from the east and the southeast. For days the roads were crowded with soldiers, first the cavalry and then the infantry. His parents lived upon a farm but suffered no hardship or losses because of the battle. Those living nearer, however, did, for wheat fields that looked fine in the morning appeared like a wagon road at night. The cannon- ading could be heard for miles during the three days in which the battle raged. terminating in victory for the Union arms on the 4th of July, 1863.
The parents of Mr. Gettier were Stephen and Eliza ( Shrader ) Gettier. The father was born in Maryland and was of French descent, while the mother was born in the state of New York and came of German ancestry. Following their marriage they took up their abode upon the Pennsylvania farm previously men- tioned and there continued to reside until called to their final rest.
S. William Gettier remained at home until nineteen years of age and spent one year in a store at Fredericksburg, Maryland, after which he removed to the west. He was employed for a time in Chicago and later his firm sent him to Kansas to buy cattle which had been raised in Texas and were brought north to fatten on the free ranges of Oklahoma and Kansas. Mr. Gettier made many trips across the plains, buying and selling stock, his last trip taking him as far as Kearney, Nebraska, from which point he would travel east and dispose of the cattle in eastern Nebraska. It was these trips that led to the development of his interest in this state and in the fall of 1872 he settled in Lincoln, where in the spring of 1873 he opened a butcher shop on South Eleventh street. Later he was joined by his brother John, and they conducted business here, establish ing the Gettier Market, which they conducted muy Microsoft but in 14,08 sold out. They also bought and shipped horses and cattle and S. William Gettier
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owned a large farm south of Lincoln, dealing extensively in cattle and horses, which he pastured upon his place until they were ready for the market.
Mr. Gettier was married in Seymour, Indiana, in 1885, to Miss Jessie C. Vogle, a native of that place, and they have become parents of two children, Vogle and Millard, both residents of Lincoln. This city was but a small town when Mr. Gettier took up his abode within its borders-a western frontier place which, however, had entered upon the period of development and progress that has continued to the present time. He has been an interested witness of the changes which have occurred and the transformation that has been wrought and for many years he figured as one of the leading business men of the city and is honored as one of its pioneer merchants, although he is not now actively connected with business.
GEORGE EDWARD HAGER.
George Edward Hager, county attorney of Lancaster county, was born in Appanoose county, lowa, February 28, 1874. His father, Jacob Hager, was born in Ross county, Ohio, March 17, 1836, and in 1854 removed westward to Appanoose county, being then a youth of eighteen years. He accompanied his parents and the younger children of the family and became identified with farm- ing interests in that locality. At the time of the Civil war he responded to the country's call for troops and went to the front. After the war he continued to engage in farming in Appanoose county until 1875, when he removed to Clay county, Nebraska, where he secured a homestead and developed a good farm. He died in Clay Center, this state, in November, 1902, and is survived by his wife, who bore the maiden name of Margaret Kroft, and who is still living in Clay Center, Nebraska.
George E. Hager spent his boyhood days in Clay county and during summer vacations was usually busy in herding the cattle owned by his father. In the winter of 1891-2 he began teaching, at which time he was a youth of but seven- teen years. He taught only that one winter, however, having charge of a three months term of school, and for his services he only received thirty-five dollars. With that money as his capital he entered the preparatory department of the University of Nebraska. He spent seven years in the university, doing eight years school work in that time, and in addition he earned his way all through. Hle was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1898 and that of Bachelor of Law in 1899, and later went to Wyoming, where he spent a few weeks looking for a location, after which he returned to Nebraska. From July until December, 1899, he was in Plattsmouth, where he practiced his profession in a limited way. In the latter month he came to Lincoln and has since been an active member of the bar of this city. For several years he was a member of the firm of Kirkpatrick & Hager and since 1903 has practiced alone. He is now holding the office of county attorney, to which he was elected on the repub- lican ticket in the fall of 1014. Prior to that time, or from March, 1906, until January, 1911, he was assistant postmaster of Lincoln, serving under Edward R. Sizer. At the latter dlate he resigned to accept the position of deputy county
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attorney, which position he filled for four years under Judge J. B. Strode. Ile is a gifted speaker, and while a junior in the university won first prize in the Center-Lehmer-Quaintance oratorical contest.
On the 28th of November, 1900, Mr. Hager was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Harris, who had been a schoolmate at Clay Center. They have two children living: Margaret Reese, born September 22, 1902; and Gloria Gwen- dolyn, born July 20, 1910.
Fraternally Mr. Hager is a thirty-second degree Mason and a Shriner, and he belongs also to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a member of the State University Alumni Asso- ciation and of the Lincoln Commercial Club. In politics he has always been a republican, earnest in his advocacy of the party principles. For four years he was president of the Nebraska State Association of County Attorneys, and he belongs to the Lancaster County Bar Association and the Nebraska State Bar Association. His ability has brought him to the front in the practice of law, and he is now acceptably filling an important office in connection with his profes- sion.
JOHN STROTSTEFFEN.
For many years John Strotsteffen was actively connected with railroad work in Lincoln acting as section foreman with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy. He was born in Prussia, Germany, March 14, 1828, and is a son of Everhard and Mary Strotsteffen, who were also natives of that country, where they spent their entire lives, the father dying in the '50s, while the mother passed away in the succeeding decade.
John Strotsteffen was reared and educated in Germany and in the '50s came to America, making his way at first to Chicago, while later he was located at .different periods at Peru and at Aurora, Illinois, being employed during that time at railroad work and as a farm hand. About 1860 he removed to lowa, settling at West Point, and there on the 13th of September, 1801, he proved his loyalty to his adopted land by enlisting for service as a member of Company I, Engineers of the West, an Iowa regiment of infantry. Later Companies I and C were consolidated and with that command he remained until honorably discharged at the close of the war, having served for three years and three months. In 1865 he returned to Iowa with a most creditable military record. He located on a farm near West Point and cultivated it for a considerable period. after which he removed to Jacksonville, Illinois, where he remained for three years. He then returned to Iowa, settling at Fort Madison and afterward at Burlington, where he was employed as section foreman by the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy Railway Company until 1875, when he was transferred to Lincoln, Nebraska, continuing to act as section foreman throughout the remainder of his active life.
In January, 1865, Mr. Strotsteffen was married to Miss Theresa Wigginjost, a daughter of Bernhard and-Elizabeth ( Sallan ) Wigginjost, both of whom were natives of Germany. Mrs. Strotsteffen was Born in German November 23.
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1844, and in 1850 was brought to the new world by her father, who was a farmer of Germany and who, on coming to the United States, settled at Fort Madison, Iowa, where he spent his remaining days, his death there occurring March 4, 1854. His wife had died in Germany in 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Strotsteffen had no children of their own but they reared a niece, Theresa Slueter, now the wife of Joseph Desher, formerly of Lincoln but now a resident of Kansas City.
As the years passed Mr. Strotsteffen won a gratifying measure of success through his energy and persistency in business and, making judicious invest- ment, he became the owner of five residence, properties in Lincoln. He lived for a number of years at No. 726 Vine street, but in 1914 removed to another property which he owned at No. 658 South Nineteenth street, where his widow still resides. He passed away May 30, 1915, after attaining the very venerable age of eighty-seven years. In politics he was a democrat and in religious faith a Catholic. He belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic and was ever as true and loyal to his country in days of peace as when in days of war he followed the nation's starry banner on the battle fields of the south.
JOHN E. WINTER.
John E. Winter, the popular and efficient mayor of College View, is also manager of the municipal water and light company, in which capacity he has made a highly creditable record. His birth occurred in Ohio in January, 1876, and he is a son of John and Nancy B. (Sabin) Winter, natives of Michigan. The father, who was a merchant, became a resident of Ohio in the early days of that state and engaged in business there until the Civil war. He enlisted in the Eighty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry in 1862 and remained with his com- mand until 1864, when, on account of disability due to a wound, he was honor- ably discharged from the service. He returned to Ohio and continued in business there until 1886, when he removed westward to Des Moines, Iowa. He. followed mercantile pursuits there until his removal to Redfield, lowa, where he passed away in 1904. He is survived by his wife.
John E. Winter was educated in the public schools of Des Moines, Iowa, and subsequently learned telegraphy with the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. He followed that business for fifteen years and was for some time in the offices of the freight and passenger agents of the Chicago Great Western Railroad. In 1908 he came to College View. Nebraska, and became identified with the Inter- national Publishing Association, with which he was connected for three years. At the end of that time he became manager of the Nebraska Food Factory and held that position for two years but he is now concentrating his energies along other lines. He has charge of the municipal water and light company and is also mayor. The discharge of the duties pertaining to these offices leaves him little time for further interests and his efficient management of the affairs intrusted to him has gained him the hearty commendation of his fellow citizens.
Mr. Winter was married in December, 1896, to Miss Abigail E. Mack and they have become- the parents of five children, namely: Mack, who was born on the 14th of February, 1899; Wilmuth, born February 6, 1901 : Millison M.,
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whose birth occurred in March, 1903; Margaret E., born February 2, 1909; and Alyse E., born in February, 1913.
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