USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Lincoln > Lincoln, the capital city and Lancaster County, Nebraska, Volume II > Part 82
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It will soon be eight years since Chancellor Avery assumed his present posi- tion. Because of the organization of the University and the large amount of administrative work required of so great an educational institution, the Chan- cellor's office performs a vast amount of routine labor. Notwithstanding this fact, Chancellor \very has been able to take his part in the determination of questions of policy concerning the welfare of the University as a whole. During his administration the great project of University expansion was brought to a head and has materialized in the purchase of additional ground for University buildings and in the commencement of building construction both on the city and farm campuses. The funds for University extension were appropriated by the Nebraska legislature of 1913 with a proviso that the voters of the state should decide by initiative and referendum whether they desired to have the University located on the city campus or state farm campus. The details of the work of getting the University location question on the ballot and of getting the building funds released for expansion purposes were left entirely to Chancellor Avery's care, and the larger part of his time during at least two years of his administration was consumed in carrying out the rather intricate compromise between the house and senate on the matter of University expansion, funds and location. Under the direction and control of the board of regents and with the assistance of the University faculty and administrative force, the Chancellor is now mainly employed in supervising the construction of new University build- ings and the arrangement of the enlarged campus.
RICHARD H. MOCKETT.
Richard H. Mockett, who is now living retired at No. 535 North Sixteenth street in Lincoln, in the same house in which he has made his home for the past thirty-five years, was long engaged in business here as a life insurance solicitor. Ilis birth occurred at Broadstairs, County Kent, England, not far from Gads Hill, on the 13th of February, 1838, and the period of his boyhood was spent in London, where he attended school. When a youth of twelve years he emigrated to the United States with his parents, who spent one year in New York city and then removed to Wisconsin, taking up their abode in the wilderness, one hundred miles from a railroad. so that the family experienced all the privations and hardships of pioneer existence. At the time of the Civil war Richard H. Mockett enlisted at Waukesha, Wisconsin, as a member of Company C, Forty-third Wis- consin Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for one year, loyally defending the interests of the Union. er returning to the Badger state he purchased a farm and there carried on agricultural pursuits continuously until he came to
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Lincoln, Nebraska, on the 21st of December, 1881. Here he bought a lot at No. 535 North Sixteenth street and erected the house in which he has since resided. He is now living retired after many years devoted to soliciting life insurance and well merits the rest which has come to him in the evening of life.
On the 24th of April, 1861, in Wisconsin, Mr. Mockett was united in mar- riage to Miss Sophronia Ellis, a native of Indiana, by whom he has two children : Robert S., who is married and a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work ; and Edith T., a graduate of the State University, who is the widow of Myron I. Bigelow, an electrical engineer. Since her husband's death Mrs. Bige- low has lived with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Mockett celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on the 24th of April, 1911, and the occasion was a memora- ble one to friends and relatives. Mr. Mockett is an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity and throughout his entire life, covering seventy-eight years, has shaped his course in accordance with high principles of conduct. The circle of his friends is a wide one and he well merits the respect and esteem accorded him.
ROBERT SQUIRE MOCKETT.
For more than a third of a century Robert S. Mockett has been a resident of Lincoln and for twenty-seven years of this time has been engaged in the practice of law. At different times he has been a partner in various important profes- sional relationships and throughout the entire period of his connection with the bar of this city he has enjoyed a reputation as one whose success has resulted from thorough preparatory training, close application and comprehensive knowl- edge of legal principles.
Mr. Mockett was born in Genesee, Wisconsin, May 26, 1863, and is the oldest son of Richard H. and Sophronia ( Ellis) Mockett, who have been residents of Lincoln continuously since 1881. The father is a retired farmer and life insur- ance man. When the son was six years of age, his parents removed to a farm in Vernon county, Wisconsin, whereon he spent his boyhood and youth. He assisted in the arduous task of clearing and developing the land, only two acres of which was under cultivation when they settled thereon. In these early days Robert S. Mockett drove an ox team hitched to the plow and used oxen in haul- ing logs. In 1881 the family removed to Lincoln, Nebraska, members of the household being father, mother and two children, the daughter, Edith T., being now MIrs. Bigelow, of Lincoln.
During his youthful days Robert S. Mockett had attended district schools in Wisconsin and also the high school at Richland Center, that state, and for one year he was a student in the Lincoln high school. In the fall of 1882 he entered the preparatory department of the University of Nebraska and thus qualified for entrance into the higher institution, remaining in the preparatory depart- ment and in the university between four and five years. During that period he took a prominent part in all college functions. While in college he also pri- vately took up the study ofghenhond da wifontos, ouconiing proficient in both branches. After leaving college he spent three years as assistant in the law
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office of Lamb, Ricketts & Wilson, then one of the most prominent in Lincoln. He afterward spent a year in the law office of Webster & Holmes and utilized every leisure moment for the mastery of the principles of jurisprudence. In 1889 he was admitted to the bar, since which time he has continuously practiced law in Lincoln. While advancement at the bar is proverbially slow, he has never- theless made substantial progress for he brought to the starting point of his legal career a keen, rapid, logical mind, plus business sense and a ready capacity for hard work. An excellent presence, marked strength of character, a thorough grasp of the law and ability to accurately apply its principles, have been the factors in his effectiveness as an advocate. He is now senior member of the firm of Mockett & Peterson, his associate being Frank A. Peterson, with whom he occupies offices in the Security Mutual Life Building. He had previously practiced at the outset of his career as a member of the firm of Flick & Mockett and later was successively a member of the firm of Mockett & Rainbolt; Mock- ett, Rainbolt & Polk ; Mockett & Polk; Mockett & Mattley and ultimately Mockett & Peterson. The firm of Mockett & Polk was in existence for fifteen years.
In 1800, when twenty-seven years of age, Mr. Mockett was married to Miss Minnie Brodie of Lancaster county and soon after their marriage they began housekeeping in the residence at No. 1955 Prospect street which they still own and occupy. They have a daughter, Kathryn, a graduate of the University of Nebraska and now the wife of Rex Davies, also a graduate of the State University and now a lumber merchant of Utica, Nebraska. To them has been born a son, Tom Mockett Davies, whose birth occurred February 7, 1915.
In politics Mr. Mockett has always been a democrat, but has never been a candidate for office. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Maccabees, the Loyal Mystic Legion and the Knights and Ladies of Security. He is likewise interested in the welfare and upbuilding of Lincoln as indicated by his member- ship in the Lincoln Commercial Club. For many years he was secretary of the Lancaster County Bar Association and is also a member of the Nebraska State Bar Association. While he is never neglectful of the duties of citizenship, his time has ever been chiefly given to his profession and in his chosen calling he has made substantial advance.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN KNIGHT.
Benjamin Franklin Knight, who owns and operates one hundred and sixty acres of good land in North Bluff precinct. has brought his place to a high state of development, the improvements all being thoroughly modern. Ile was born in Morgan county, Indiana, on the IIth of May, 1855. a son of Isaac and Emily ( Bryan ) Knight, natives respectively of Virginia and Morgan county, Indiana. The father went with his father from Virginia to Indiana by ox team and there he grew to manhood. On beginning his independent career he decided to follow the occupation to which he had been reared and purchased land, engaging in agricultural pursuits until his death, which-occurred on the 3d of March, 1910. when he had reached an advanced age, as he would have been eighty years old on the 3d of the following October. His wife died June 1. 1900. Five of his
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brothers were connected with the army in the Civil war, one as a physician and another as a government merchant.
Benjamin F. Knight, who is the eldest in a family of ten children, attended school in Morgantown, Indiana, and high school at Indianapolis, thus receiving a good education. When twenty years of age he began teaching school and for eleven years he followed that profession. During the summers he devoted his time to farming and to further study as he was very ambitious and had determined to succeed if industry and energy could enable him to attain his goal. During the first year he farmed in partnership with his father, but afterward operated a farm independently. In March, 1884. he came to Lincoln, Lancaster county, Nebraska, which at that time was a small town with no pavements or other modern improvements. He rented a farm near Raymond, which he at once began to operate, and during the winter he also taught school, but the following year he turned his entire attention to agricultural pursuits, refusing to again accept a position as teacher. He farmed that place until the fall of 1901, when he was elected treasurer of the county and removed to Lincoln, but after the expira- tion of his four year term he returned to the farm, which he sold two years later. He then took up his residence upon a place east of Bethany, which he sold after two years. Ile had at that time expected to spend his remaining years in retirement from active life, but found that he was very discontented without some work to do and accordingly moved upon a one hundred and sixty acre tract south of Lincoln, near the Burnham brickyards. He farmed that place for a time and then sold it and in March, 1914. he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of fine land on section 23, North Bluff precinct, where he has since resided. He has erected a fine modern residence, substantial and commodious barns and out-buildings and has secured every equipment known to twentieth century farming. He is still actively engaged in cultivating his crops and caring for his stock and derives a great deal of satisfaction in his work and in his beautiful farm home. He also owns a residence at No. 210 South Twenty-eighth street, Lincoln, which he rents.
Mr. Knight was married on the Ist of February, 1876, to Miss Ruth Greene, who was born near Shelbyville, Indiana, and was a daughter of John and Mary Greene, natives of Indiana and Massachusetts respectively. Mrs. Knight passed away on the 4th of April, 1901, leaving five children, namely: Jessie, the wife of Robert Doubt, who is engaged in the insurance business in Chicago; Grace, who is employed in an abstract and deed office in Chicago; James, a farmer resid- ing near Chapman, Nebraska; William, also engaged in farming in this state; and AAlma, who is serving for the fifth year in the employ of the American Can Company of Chicago. Nellie, twin sister of Grace, died in infancy. On the 24th of December, 1902, Mr. Knight was married to Miss Mary N. Lasby, whose birth occurred in New York and whose parents died when she was an infant. She passed away on the 14th of April, 1908. Mr. Knight was married again in 1000. Miss Ellen E. J. Rich becoming his wife. She was born in Huntley, Illinois, and both of her parents are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Knight have one son Russell, born October 11, 1912.
Mr. Knight is a republican in his political belief and has served on the school board and as county treasurer, collecting during his term- in that office four hundred thousand dollars in taxes. He belongs to the Christian church and its
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teachings guide his life. As the years have passed his resources have increased and he is now one of the substantial men of the county but through preference is still actively engaged in farming.
THE RT. REV. J. HENRY TIHEN, D. D.
J. Henry Tihen was born at Oldenburg, Indiana, July 14, 1861, a son of llerman Bernard and Angela ( Bruns) Tihen. When he was still a child his parents removed to Jefferson City, Missouri, where he attended the parochial schools. Ilaving graduated from high school he was sent to St. Benedict's College, Atchison, Kansas, where he remained for five years and graduated with high honors in 1882. Having manifested a desire to enter the priesthood, his ecclesiastical superiors sent him to the Provincial Theological Seminary of St. Francis at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where, after a distinguished course in the Sacred Sciences, he was ordained priest by the Most Rev. Michael Ileiss, arch- bishop of Milwaukee, on the 26th of April, 1886. Being affiliated with the archdiocese of St. Louis, Missouri, he was appointed assistant pastor of St. John's church in that city, which position he held for two years. When the Rev. John J. Hennessy, pastor of St. John's church was appointed bishop of the diocese of Wichita, Kansas, in November, 1888, he invited his assistant, Father Tihen, to accompany him to his new see in the capacity of private secretary. Ilaving filled this position for some time, Father Tihen was appointed chancellor of the diocese, which office he continued to discharge until his appointment as bishop of Lincoln. New honors were conferred on him in recognition of his splendid work and he was successively appointed rector of the pro-cathedral of St. Francis and vicar general of the diocese. In 1907 he was elevated to the dignity of a domestic prelate of the papal household of Pope Pius X, which honor brought with it the title of monsignor.
When the pro-cathedral of St. Francis became too small to accommodate its rapidly growing congregation, Monsignor Tihen was entrusted with the work of providing a new cathedral that would meet the needs of his parish and which would at the same time, be in keeping with the size and wealth of the diocese of Wichita. He set himself to the work with zeal and spared no effort to provide the Catholic people of the city and of the diocese of Wichita with a cathedral of which they might have reason to feel proud. The building, which cost two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, was practically completed, but not quite ready for dedication, when, on May 12th, 1911, Monsignor Tihen was appointed by Pope Pius X to succeed the late Rt. Rev. Thomas Bonacum, D.D., as bishop of Lincoln.
The newly elected bishop was consecrated in St. Francis pro-cathedral, Wichita, by the Rt. Rev. John Joseph Hennessy, July 6, 1911, in the presence of a large number of bishops and priests from various parts of the country. The sermon on the occasion was delivered by the Most Rev. John J. Glennon, arch- bishop of St. Louis.
Bishop Tihen/ Was installed in his nocesStaly 1. 1911, and the ceremony took place in St. Theresa's pro-cathedral at Lincoln in the presence of an
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immense throng of people. On the following 8th of December he dedicated the recently completed cathedral of St. Mary at Fourteenth and K streets. Since then he has dedicated several splendid churches and parochial schools in the diocese of Lincoln.
Bishop Tihen has been for many years prominently before the public as one of the leading platform and pulpit orators of the country, and his success in the short space of five years in the government of the diocese of Lincoln augurs well for the future of religion in the South Platte country.
WILLIE EDGAR LAMB, M. D.
Dr. Willie Edgar Lamb, successfully engaged in the practice of medicine at Sprague since 1908, was born at Middlebranch, Knox county, Nebraska, January 22, 1881, a son of John Ezra Lamb. The father was born in Lafayette county, Wisconsin, July 25, 1849, and was a son of Ezra Lamb, a native of Perry county, Indiana. The latter's father was born in Onondaga county, New York. John Ezra Lamb was only a year old when he accompanied his parents to lowa in 1850, and after spending one winter at Council Bluffs the family located on the Little Sioux river, one hundred miles north of that city. In 1866 they removed to Linn county, Iowa, and there John Ezra Lamb was married in 1869 to Miss Arabelle Wright, who at that time was only sixteen years of age. In 1871 they became residents of Coffey county, Kansas, but the following year returned to Linn county, Iowa. In 1877 Mr. Lamb went to the Black Hills, South Dakota, driving across the country in company with Curtis Lamb, Dewitt Lamb and Henry Butterfield. They spent the summer at Deadwood and Rapid City. In 1879 John E. Lamb removed to Knox county, Nebraska, where he made his home until 1887, when he became a resident of Rock county. this state. In 1907 he went to Crook county, Oregon, but in 1915 returned to Nebraska, this time locating in MePherson county.
Dr. Lamb acquired a common school education at Morrisville, this state, there pursuing his studies to the age of eighteen, after which he pursued a business course in the Rhoeball Business College of Omaha. Subsequently he took academic work in Lincoln and after completing that course entered the Lincoln Medical School. A year later he transferred to the Nebraska College of Medicine, in which he completed his course, being graduated therefrom with high honors on the 8th of May, 1908. Following his graduation he removed to Sprague, where he has since continued in practice save the time which he has spent in post-graduate work in Chicago, attending the clinics of Dr. J. B. Murphy, also Rush Medical College and in the Post Graduate and Cook County Hospitals, where he has pursued special courses in physical diagnosis. Ilis ability is widely recognized and he has made steady advance in his profession, being acknowledged as one of the leading physicians and surgeons of the county.
On the 16th of May. 1904, at Lincoln, Dr. Lamb was married to Miss Aseneth D. Kirlin, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Kirlin. The father is a native of Zanesville, Ohio, born in.1856. He resided, there until seventeen years of age. when with his parents he removed to Bedford, Ohio, where he afterward married
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Miss Issabell I. Hardenbrook on the 11th of February, 1878. She was born near West Carlisle, Ohio, December 13. 1859. In 1891 Mr. and Mrs. Kirlin with their family of seven children removed to Douglas, Nebraska, where they lived for two years and then went to Lincoln, where they remained until 1913. In that year they took up a homestead at Oshkosh, Nebraska, where they are now residing. Mrs. Lamb received her education at Martinsburg, Ohio, in the school which is a branch of Ada College, and also spent one year at the White Oak school. To Dr. and Mrs. Lamb has been born a son, Willie Dwight, whose birth occurred December 7, 1910.
Dr. Lamb is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Follow- ing his return from Chicago he served as one of the stewards of the church for seven years and was also superintendent of the Sunday school for three years, in which period he put forth most effective, earnest and resultant effort to develop and upbuild the school. His many sterling traits of character as well as his professional worth have given him high standing in his community.
AUGUST HAGENOW.
August Hagenow, one of the most thorough musicians of Lincoln and in fact of Nebraska, was in early manhood a member of several well known orches- tras and since removing to this city has been a very important factor in the development of musical interests here. As orchestra and band leader and as teacher his influence has not only been strongly felt in Lincoln but has also reached many communities throughout the middle west. He also possesses that sound business judgment which is usually thought to be incompatible with musical ability and for several years has owned and managed the Windsor Hotel.
Mr. Hagenow was born in Mecklenburg-Schwerin on the 15th of January, 1859. a son of Ernst and Caroline ( Lippert) Hagenow. When he was two years old the family removed to Copenhagen, Denmark, but when he was eleven years of age they again became residents of Germany. In 1878 Mr. Hage- now of this review came to America as a member of Schreiner's Orchestra, which toured the United States from New York to Chicago and also played in various towns in Wisconsin. In 1880 he located in Chicago and was violinist in several important orchestras, playing under Theodore Thomas, Arditi, Ilans Balatka and other well known conductors. He also played in the concerts of the famous Apollo Club, which was then under the leadership of Tomlins. In 1886 he came to Lincoln, Nebraska, and for several years was leader of the Philharmonic Orchestra, which played in the Funk and Oliver theaters and which also furnished music for social functions and public meetings. In 1890 he entered the Nebraska Conservatory of Music as instructor in violin and devoted his time to his work in that connection for three years, after which he went to New York city. A few months later, however, he returned to Lincoln and became instructor in violin in the University School of Music, with which institution he remained for eight years. LIngthei meantime/in /iso8.che organized the Hagenow Band and instituted open air concerts on the capitol grounds, which were supported
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by popular subscription during the summer months for three years. In 1912 he became director of the Nebraska State Band and during the summer of 1915 toured eight states in the middle west on the Chautauqua circuit with his own organization. He has been very successful as a conductor, his native talent, combined with his rigorous training and long experience, enabling him to under- stand a composition as a whole and to interpret it with authority. Ilis work as a teacher has also been of a high order as he has succeeded in developing both good technique and flexibility of tone. Since 1913 he has also been connected with important business interests as in that year he purchased the Windsor Hotel at No. 230 North Eleventh street and in November of the following year he assumed its management. He organized a stock company and spent a large sum of money in remodeling and furnishing the hotel, making it one of the most attractive and up-to-date hostelries of the city. It is conducted in a thoroughly efficient manner and the constant effort of the management to improve its service has resulted in the attraction of a large and representative patronage.
On the 5th of June, 1889, Mr. Hagenow married Miss Emma Seifert, a native of Missouri, who came to Lincoln in 1870 with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Seifert, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. She attended the State University and is a woman of many intellectual interests. Mr. and Mrs. IJagenow have a daughter, May Belle, who completed a literary course at the State University, is also an accomplished musician and is now the wife of Nelson L. Furbush, a piano dealer of Boston, Massachusetts.
Mr. Hagenow is a member of the Church of Christ, Scientist, to which his wife also belongs. His thorough identification of his own interests with those of his city is indicated in the fact that he belongs to both the Commercial and Rotary Clubs and the plans of those aggressive organizations for the advancement of the community never fail to receive his heartiest support and cooperation. Few citizens of Lincoln are better known and the high esteem in which he is held is well deserved.
JASON L. CLAFLIN.
Jason L. Claflin, who is at the head of The Claflin Printing Company of University Place, engaged in the general printing and bookbinding business, has been identified with Nebraska and her interests since 1875 or since reaching the age of seventeen years. He was born in Potter county. Pennsylvania, June 26, 1858, a son of Rufus T. Claflin, who was born in Rhode Island and during the Civil war was superintendent of schools in Potter county, Pennsyl- vania, where he settled during the period of its pioneer development. During the later years of his life he lived retired and passed away at Fremont. Nebraska. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Lavinia Lewis, was born in New York and is now living with her son, Jason L., at University Place at the age of eighty-five years. There were two other children, namely: Mrs. J. A. Ilag- gart, now deceased; and F. M., government printer at Washington, D. C.
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