USA > Nebraska > Adams County > Past and present of Adams County, Nebraska, Vol. II > Part 14
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27
156
PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY
still living in Hastings. James Madgett followed farming on the Emerald isle and afterward engaged in shipbuilding in England. In 1866 he came to the United States, settling first in New York, where he engaged in railroad work, but after thirteen years or in 1879 he arrived in Adams county, Nebraska, where he purchased land, casting his lot with the pioneer settlers of this section of the country. His first home was a half sod house and half dugout and there was a lean-to barn upon the place. He engaged in farming with an ox team, his place being on 32 Mile Creek in Denver town- ship. Upon that farm he reared his family of six children, of whom John P. was the youngest. For many years the father carried on general farming and stock raising but in 1886 retired from active business life, although he continued to reside on his farm for some time. Later he removed to Hastings, where his death occurred. His religious faith was that of the Catholic church.
John P. Madgett pursued his education in the district schools, in the city schools of Hastings and in Hastings College. He started out in life by selling papers on the streets of Hastings when a mere boy and at fifteen years of age he began work in the First National Bank. It was subsequent to that time that he attended college, for he had come to realize the value and worth of education as a preparation for life's practical and responsible duties. In early manhood he fol- lowed general office work and bookkeeping, remaining with the First National Bank for sixteen years, during which time he advanced through intermediate positions to that of assistant cashier, and his long connection with the bank plainly indicated his fidelity as well as his capability. In 1911 he joined his brother, Mayor William Mad- gett, in the real estate, insurance, loan and abstract business and they have since been active and successful along that line. They had laid out additions to the city of Hastings, have also handled lands in Oklahoma, Texas and Canada, and in addition to his operations in the real estate and loan field Mr. Madgett is a stockholder in the First National Bank.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Madgett chose Miss May Belle Parks, her parents being J. J. and Anna B. (Barton) Parks, who are natives of New Jersey and Georgia, respectively, and make their home in Hastings. The father, who came to Adams county in 1890, here devoted his attention to general agri- cultural pursuits for a decade but during the past sixteen years has lived retired. Our subject and his wife have a son, John Patrick, Jr., who was born on the 2d of October, 1910.
In his political views Mr. Madgett is an earnest republican, well
157
PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY
informed on the questions and issues of the day, but has never been an office seeker. He is well known in fraternal circles, holding mem- bership in the Masonic lodge, the Royal Arch chapter, the council and the Knights Templar commandery, in the last named serving as cap- tain general. He is also an active member of the consistory and he belongs to Sesostris Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Lincoln. He is also identified with the Knights of Pythias, of which he is a past grand chancellor, having been unanimously chosen for the position of grand chancellor for the years 1913 and 1914. He has also been grand prelate and grand vice chancellor. His is an excellent record in the various relations of life, for fidelity to duty has been one of his watchword and progress has characterized him at every point in his career.
CLARENCE EUGENE KIDDER, M. D.
Dr. Clarence Eugene Kidder, a practicing physician and surgeon of Holstein, Nebraska, was born in Winnebago county, Illinois, October 3, 1881, his parents being B. F. and M. A. (Hewitt) Kidder. The father served for three years as a soldier in the Seventy-fourth Illinois Infantry during the Civil war and after the close of hostili- ties settled in Winnebago county, Illinois, where he remained until 1885, when he removed with his family to eastern Colorado, there taking up his abode upon a farm. He afterward became a resident of Greeley and it was during the period of residence of the family in that place that Dr. Kidder attended the graded schools, the high school and the normal school. He determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work and in 1910 entered upon preparation for the profession at Cotner University in Lincoln, Nebraska, from which institution he was graduated in June, 1914. On the 15th of July of the same year he took up his abode at Holstein and in the intervening period, covering about two years, has built up a large, extensive and gratifying practice. During the period in which he was pursuing his studies in Lincoln he was for eighteen months associated with the city physician there and thus gained broad and valuable practical experi- ence. He worked his way through college and thereby displayed the elemental strength of his character, his determination to secure an education being indicative of the success that will undoubtedly come to him as the years go by.
On the 29th of July, 1914, Dr. Kidder was married to Mrs.
158
PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY
Martha Herrick, of Lincoln, and they have one child, Jeannette Helen. They hold membership in the Evangelical church and they prominently known socially, having gained many warm friends during the period of their connection with Holstein. In his political views Dr. Kidder is a republican, while fraternally he is connected with the Masonic lodge at Lincoln and with the Knights of Pythias lodge at Osceola, Nebraska. He has many strong and admirable character- istics and by his well defined activity and laudable ambition is work- ing his way steadily upward.
C. G. INGRAHAM.
C. G. Ingraham, manager of the manufacturing department of J. H. Haney & Company and thus active in the business circles of Hastings, is also a prominent figure in connection with political activ- ity and has served his city as mayor. He was born in Jackson county, Missouri, on the 2d of December, 1868, and is a son of Jacob and Phoebe (Gallahue) Ingraham. The father was a farmer by occupa- tion and at the time of the Civil war put aside all business and per- sonal considerations to serve as a volunteer in an Ohio regiment of the Union army, rendering valiant aid to his country during the darkest hour in its history. Both he and his wife have now passed away.
C. G. Ingraham, who was one of a family of seven daughters and two sons, pursued his education in the public schools of Kansas, the family having removed from Missouri to that state during his early childhood. He supplemented his public-school course by study in the normal college at Fort Scott, Kansas, and afterward learned the saddlery business, working at his trade in Fort Scott, Kansas. The year 1891 witnessed his arrival in Hastings, where he continued to represent the same firm. He remained for five years or until financial conditions, caused by the continued and excessive droughts in the state, compelled the closing of the shop. He then returned to Kansas and engaged in farming on the old homestead for five years. In 1900 he again entered the employ of J. H. Haney & Company and has since represented the firm, being one of its most trusted and its oldest employes in years of continuous service. He is thoroughly acquainted with every phase of the business and has worked his way steadily upward until he occupies the responsible position of manager of the manufacturing department.
On the 15th of August, 1900, Mr. Ingraham was united in mar-
159
PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY
riage to Miss Effie M. Worthy, a daughter of William C. Worthy. They have one child, Mary Corrine. The religious faith of the fam- ily is that of the Methodist church. In his political views Mr. Ingraham is a democrat and is a recognized leader of his party in Hastings and this section of the state. He is now acting as chair- man of the democratic county central committee and also as president of the Wilson & Marshall Club. He served for two terms as a mem- ber of the city council and was then elected mayor of Hastings, dur- ing which time he made an excellent record for efficiency and for businesslike methods in conducting municipal affairs. During his administration there was passed an ordinance requiring railroads to install and maintain at their own expense lights at the crossings. An excellent traffic ordinance was also passed, and over one hundred electroliers were installed, ninety intersection lights and one hundred and fourteen bracket lights, nine miles of new line and three hundred and fifty new services, while a reduction of almost fifty per cent was made in the electric rates. Mr. Ingraham also succeeded in reducing the indebtedness of the city, which at the time he took office on the 8th of April, 1913, amounted to twenty-two thousand five hundred and seventy-four dollars. Moreover, he so managed financial inter- ests that the close of his term saw an excellent balance in the treasury. Many other evidences of his tangible public spirit might be cited, but these are sufficient to indicate that his administration was one which wrought for great good to the public. Mr. Ingraham is also a believer in woman suffrage. Fraternally he is a Royal Arch Mason and a Modern Woodman. He has a wide acquaintance and all who know him speak of him in terms of high regard. Even those who oppose him politically acknowledge his honesty and recognize his devotion to the public welfare. He is straightforward, reliable and thoroughly honest in all that he undertakes and he never hesitates to express his convictions clearly and unequivocally.
J. W. UNGER.
J. W. Unger is a prominent farmer and live stock dealer of Adams county, having handled much blooded stock, and in this con- nection he has done much to improve the grade of stock raised in this part of the state. He now makes his home in Juniata and still gives personal supervision to the management of his business interests, although he is now in the seventy-eighth year of his age. He was
160
PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY
born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, August 15, 1838, a son of John and Elizabeth (Faust) Unger, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania and representatives of old Pennsylvania Dutch fami- lies. The mother died during the early boyhood of her son, J. W., and the home was broken up. In his seventeenth year he came west, locating at Pawpaw, Lee county, Illinois, where he remained until, aroused by a spirit of patriotism, he enlisted in 1862 in defense of the old flag, joining Company K of the Seventy-fifth Illinois Regiment to serve for three years or during the war. He remained with his command until discharged at the close of hostilities. He had been wounded in the battle of Stone River, a ball striking a finger on his right hand. He never left his company, however. He took part in the battle of Perryville, where after an hour and a half's hard fight- ing there were only two hundred and fifty men left out of the thou- sand who entered the engagement. He participated also in the bat- tles of Nashville, Chickamauga, Pine Mountain, Lookout Mountain and Ringgold and with his command proceeded into Alabama and took part in a number of engagements in that state. He was also in the battle of Lovejoy Station, of Franklin, Tennessee, Liberty Gap and Whiteside and when the war was over he returned to his home with a most creditable military record, having proven his fidelity and his bravery on many a hotly contested battlefield.
For some time after the war Mr. Unger remained a resident of Illinois and then removed to Chariton county, Missouri, where he spent twelve years. On the expiration of that period he established his home in Jefferson county, Nebraska, where he remained for ten years, and in 1892 he went to Oxford, Nebraska, but in 1893 removed to Prosser, continuing his residence at that place for nine or ten years, devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits. He then came to Juniata, where he has since resided save for a period of five years spent in the city of Hastings and two and one-half years in Colorado. He has always followed farming and is one of the most enterprising and progressive agriculturists of this part of the state. Ever a lover of good horses, he has kept some fine blooded stock and was one of the first in this part of the state to invest in blooded im- ported stable horses. He has likewise engaged in raising fine hogs and both Branches of his business have proven profitable. He is today . the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of valuable farm land near Maywood in Lincoln county. His business affairs have ever been carefully conducted and well directed energy has brought him success.
In 1862 Mr. Unger was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Brit- ton and they became the parents of four children: John Sherman,
161
PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY
living in Colorado; Susie, the wife of Ed Carroll, of Juniata; Ada, who gave her hand in marriage to George Pratte, of Juniata; and Louie, who is the wife of Lester Fairbanks of this county. The wife and mother passed away in August, 1895, and her death was deeply regretted not only by her immediate family but also by many friends.
In politics Mr. Unger has been a lifelong republican, always indorsing the party since age conferred upon him the right of fran- chise. He belongs to Hastings Post, G. A. R., thus maintaining pleasant relations with his old army comrades, and he likewise belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while his religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. Those who know him esteem him highly, for his has been an upright career characterized by public-spirited citizenship, by enterprise and industry in business, by reliability in all trade transactions and by strict honor in his rela- tions with his fellowmen.
WILLIAM M. DUTTON.
William M. Dutton, manager of the wholesale saddlery house of J. H. Haney & Company and thus active in one of the foremost busi- ness enterprises of Hastings, was born in Oskaloosa, Iowa, on the 1st of March, 1859, and is a son of Basil T. and Mary A. (Mendell) Dutton. The father was a native of Marietta, Ohio, and the mother's birth occurred in Wellsburg, West Virginia. Mr. Dutton was a con- tractor and in early life removed westward to Iowa, making his home for a considerable period in Oskaloosa, where he was not only active in business as a contractor but was also a leading member of the Bap- tist church.
William M. Dutton completed his education in the Oskaloosa high school and there received his business training, making his initial step in business in Oskaloosa in connection with merchandising. In 1886 he removed to Nebraska and with J. H. Haney and W. A. McKay organized the J. H. Haney & Company and has since been in active control of the business. It is one of the most extensive and important manufacturing and industrial enterprises of this part of the state. He thoroughly understands the trade in every department and is thus able to direct the labors of the employes so that they pro- duce maximum results with minimum efforts. He is also interested
162
PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY
in the firm of J. H. Haney & Company at Omaha, wholesale manu- facturers of saddlery and harness.
In 1887 Mr. Dutton was united in marriage to Miss Kitty M. J. Loughridge, a daughter of James P. and Emily (Bean) Loughridge. To them have been born four children, as follows: Florence May, who is a graduate of the high school, Milwaukee-Downer College and the University of Nebraska and who is now the wife of Barton Greene, an attorney of Lincoln, by whom she has one child; George Reynolds, who is engaged in business with his father at Hastings; Armilda, a senior in the high school; and William, Jr., a sophomore high school student.
In politics Mr. Dutton is independent and feels himself in no way bound by party ties. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias. His attention has been given in undivided manner to his business affairs and since 1886 he has figured continuously and promi- neatly in harness manufacturing circles of central Nebraska.
SAMUEL ALEXANDER.
Among the pioneers of Adams county was Samuel Alexander, who engaged in homesteading for some time. He became the first postmaster of Hastings and in the discharge of his duties was efficient and courteous, thus gaining the commendation of his fellow citizens. He was born January 16, 1842, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was a son of William and Agnes (Black) Alexander and was of Irish extraction. His education was received in the common schools of Clarinda, Iowa, and in early manhood he joined the Union army, serving at the front until he was honorably discharged in 1864. Later in that year he came to Adams county and took up a claim where Hastings now stands and he was also one of the early settlers of Lin- coln. He engaged in farming and proved very successful in that con- nection and after the town of Hastings was established took a very active part in public affairs. He was the first postmaster of the town, was a member of the city council and was elected mayor on the temper- ance ticket, serving in that office for four years. He also held other minor positions of trust and at all times proved a capable and consci- entious official. He was not only interested in politics and municipal government but also in the moral and educational advancement of his community and was one of the leaders in the establishment of Hastings College.
163
PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY
In 1870 Mr. Alexander was united in marriage to Miss Harriet R. Phillips, a daughter of Russell and Rachel (Bristol) Phillips. She is the only survivor of a family of eight children. Although born in Erie, Pennsylvania, she attended school in Nebraska and Iowa, her family being pioneers of those states. By her marriage she became the mother of five children: Agnes, who is the wife of William Duer, of Sutherlin, Oregon, and has three children; Rachel, who is now Mrs. Joe Webster, of Lincoln, and has a daughter; Esther H., who gave her hand in marriage to Herbert Young, of Cleveland, Ohio, and has two living children and one deceased; Frances, who married George Van Antwerp and has a son; and Samuel R., a resident of Montana.
Mr. Alexander indorsed the principles of the republican party but felt at liberty to vote independently if he considered the candi- date of the opposing party better fitted for the office in question. He gave his religious allegiance to the United Presbyterian church and was always one of the first to champion a movement along the line of moral progress. He was an honored member of the Pioneers of Nebraska and for many years was a witness of the development of this part of the state, residing here from 1864 until his death in April, 1908. He is buried at Hastings. Although he has passed away, the influence of his life and his work is still felt and his many friends cherish his memory.
JOHN A. LAWLER.
John A. Lawler, devoting his energies to law practice at Has- tings, is one of the younger members of the bar who has already attained a position that many another representative of the profes- sion might well envy. . He was born in Gladstone, Michigan, on the 18th of January, 1889, a son of Thomas C. and Matilda J. Lawler, the former special agent and insurance adjuster. The family located in Hastings in 1900 and the parents still remain residents of this city.
John A. Lawyer was a lad of eleven years when the family removed to Hastings and in the public schools he continued his edu- cation, while later he became a student in the Kearney Military Acad- emy, from which he was graduated with the class of 1910. He then entered upon the study of law in the University of Nebraska, com- pleting his course by graduation in 1913. He then opened his office
164
PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY
in Hastings and has been very successful in following his profession. Along with those qualities indispensable to the lawyer-a keen, rapid, logical mind, plus the business sense and a ready capacity for hard work, he brought to the starting point of his career certain rare gifts -eloquence of language and a strong personality. An excellent presence, an earnest, dignified manner, marked strength of character, a thorough grasp of the law and the ability to accurately apply its principles are factors in his effectiveness as an advocate.
In his political views Mr. Lawler is a democrat and was one of the organizers and served as first president of the Young Men's Democratic Club of Adams county during the last campaign. In November, 1914, he was elected justice of the peace on the democratic ticket and is now filling that position. In religious faith he is an Episcopalian and is serving as vestryman and treasurer of St. Mark's Episcopal church. In Masonry he has attained the third degree in the blue lodge and in his life he exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft. He also belongs to the Hastings Bar Association, of which he is the secretary. He is regarded by contemporaries and col- leagues, as well as by the general public, as one of the rising young lawyers of his part of the state and already his position is a most creditable and enviable one. He was a candidate for nomination at the April, 1916, primaries of the democratic party for county attor- ney.
EDWIN SMITH.
Edwin Smith, a retired farmer residing in Hastings, is widely known throughout the county and his sterling worth is indicated in the fact that those who have been most closely associated with him are his stanchest friends. He was born in New York in 1842 and is a son of John and Keziah (Hallock) Smith, both also natives of that state. He attended the common schools until fifteen years of age and in 1863, when twenty-one years old, enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, having removed to Marshall county, Illinois, earlier in that year. He remained with his command until honorably discharged from the military service on the 28th of October, 1864, when he returned to Illinois. He continued to farm there until 1876, in which year he came to Adams county, Nebraska, and bought eighty acres of land in Ayr township. He devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits and lived upon his farm until 1905, when he removed to Hastings, where
165
PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY
he has since lived. He was very industrious and as the years passed his well directed labors yielded him such large returns that he was able to accumulate a competence that now enables him to enjoy a period of leisure.
Mr. Smith was married in 1882 to Mrs. Isabelle (Herlinger) Campbell. By her former marriage she had a son, Ira, who was born on the 2d of June, 1876, in Pennsylvania but was brought by his parents to Adams county in 1878. He attended the country schools until he entered the high school at Hastings and after com- pleting the course there continued his studies in the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, graduating from the Liberal Arts College of that institution in 1901. He devoted his life to the profession of teaching and was for some time superintendent of schools at Nelson, Nebraska, and also taught summer schools at Geneva, Nebraska. His untimely death occurred on the 25th of August, 1906. He was married in 1902 to Miss Anna Stein, a daughter of John Stein, an early settler of Adams county, and to them was born a daughter, Dolores, whose birth occurred in 1903. She and her mother are now living in Hastings. Mrs. Smith died in Hastings in 1906. In 1908 Mr. Smith was again married, Mrs. Sarah (Glazier) Garries becom- ing his wife. She was born in Ireland in 1848 but in 1852 accom- panied her parents to America, the family home being established first in Canada. Subsequently a removal was made to Michigan and in that state she was married to Charles Garries, a farmer who about 1888 removed with his family to Adams county, Nebraska. He became the owner of a good farm six miles north of Hastings and resided there until 1905, when he retired and moved to Hastings, where he died not long afterward. To him and his wife were born six children, four sons and two daughters. William Henry, who was born in 1864, is an evangelist and is living in Falls City, Nebraska. He has two children. George Edward, whose birth occurred in 1867, is an implement dealer of Bentley, Alberta, Canada, and is married and has seven children. John Hollis was born in 1869 and is farming four miles northwest of Hastings. He is married and has a daughter. Rosa Anne, born in 1872, became the wife of Robert Benfield, of Hastings, and died in 1904, leaving two children. Mary Elizabeth, who was born in 1874, is the wife of Elmer Stedman, of Denver and has one child. Arthur Hugh, born in 1881, is farming near Caster, Alberta, Canada, and is married and has four children.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.