USA > Nebraska > Adams County > Past and present of Adams County, Nebraska, Vol. II > Part 16
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Blaine township, three miles northeast of Hastings. He has since resided there and as the years have passed has brought the farm to a high state of development. He seldom fails to gather good crops and has never had occasion to regret his choice of an occupation.
Mr. Hadden was married in Aurora, Kane county, Illinois, in 1882 to Miss Hattie Tiffany, of Chicago, and they have three chil- dren. Lula, who was born in 1883 in Kane county, Illinois, married Guy Eastman, a banker of Mitchell, Nebraska, by whom she has three children. Glen M., who was born in Kendall county, Illinois, in 1885, is living with his parents. Bessie, who was born in 1889 in Adams county, Nebraska, married Arthur Eastwood, a hardware merchant of Morrill, by whom she has a son and daughter.
Mr. Hadden votes the republican ticket and for two terms served as township school director. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. He has based his success upon hard work and careful management and his career indicates what may be accomplished by persistent and well planned industry.
JACOB F. HEILER.
Jacob F. Heiler is chairman of the county board of supervisors, in which connection he is proving a capable official, discharging his duties with the promptness and fidelity that arises from a public- spirited devotion to the general good. He was born in Buffalo, New York, on the 6th of February, 1846, his parents being Jacob M. and Margaret Heiler, both of whom are now deceased. The father de- voted his attention to the butchering business and thus provided for the support of his family. He pursued his education in the schools of Buffalo and during the Civil war, when still a youth in his teens, joined the army, becoming connected with the "boys in blue" of Com- pany B, Twenty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for eighteen months. He rendered valiant aid to his country and left the service at the close of the war in 1865. He then made his way to Iowa in 1866 and in 1867 came to Nebraska. Four years later, in 1871, he secured a homestead claim in Hamilton county and devoted the succeeding three years to general agricultural pursuits.
In 1874 Mr. Heiler removed to Hastings and for six years was in the employ of Staple & Dasher. On the expiration of that period he became connected with the Marsh-Hunter Company, with which he continued for four years, and for one year he was with the Emer-
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son establishment. Later he spent one year as traveling salesman upon the road, representing the Minnesota Chief people, and at the end of that time turned his attention to the hardware trade. In 1890 he embarked in business on his own account as a dealer in coal and remained active in that line until 1907, when he sold out and practi- cally retired from business. In the meantime he had built up a trade of large and gratifying proportions that had brought to him substan- tial success and with the competence which came to him as the reward of his labor and close application he put aside business cares and is now practically living retired. However, he has served for five years as a member of the board of county supervisors and his present term will continue him in office for three years longer.
On the 3d of July, 1879, Mr. Heiler was united in marriage to Miss Catherine M. Fisher and they have one son, H. H., who is now a mail carrier. He is also connected with the Grand Amy of the Republic, with the Odd Fellows and with all the bodies of Masonry. In his political views he is a stalwart republican, believing firmly in the principles of the party, and for two terms he has served as a mem- ber of the city council. He cooperates in many plans and measures for the benefit and upbuilding of the community in which he makes his home and at all times manifests a public-spirited citizenship. He derives his income largely from property in Hastings, for he has made judicious investments in real estate. His social qualities and his personal worth have won him popularity wherever he is known and he is held in the warmest regard where best known.
DAVID B. MARTI.
David B. Marti, a well known real estate dealer of Hastings, his activities covering a broad scope, was born in Piper City, Illinois, December 17, 1877, his parents being Godfrey and Rosa (Conrad) Marti. The father was born in Bern, Switzerland, and is now living at the age of seventy years, his home being at Long Beach, Califor- nia. The mother, a native of Hanover, Germany, is now sixty-five years of age. Godfrey Marti came to the United States when a youth of fourteen and lived at different towns in Indiana and Illinois and in Hannibal, Missouri. In 1878 he removed to Butler county, Ne- braska, where he carried on farming, and still owns six hundred and forty acres of rich land, being numbered among the active farmers of the state for a considerable period, during which time he filled the
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office of county supervisor. In 1893 he came to Adams county, set- tling in Little Blue township, where he owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, known as Rattlesnake Farm, it having derived its name from the fact that there were many rattlesnakes upon the place in the early days. He lived on the Little Blue property for about fifteen years and was accounted one of the most prominent and progressive stockmen of the neighborhood. He was widely and favorably known and was identified with the Farmers Alliance and with the populist movement. He helped organize and was president in 1912 of the Farmers Grain & Supply Company of Hastings and was very active in affairs of public concern. In his political views he is now a Bryan democrat. He continued to engage actively in agricultural pursuits until 1908, when he retired to Hastings, and in 1912 he removed with his wife to Long Beach, California, where they now make their home.
David B. Marti, the eldest of their children, attended district school No. 33 in Little Blue township, followed by study in the Hast- ings high school and in Hastings College. He remained on the home farm until the age of twenty years, at which time he began teaching in district school No. 33. In 1899 he became principal of the Hol- stein schools and in 1900 was made assistant instructor of science and mathematics in Hastings College. In 1901, however, he turned from the educational field to commercial life, and joined D. W. Ball in organizing the firm of Ball & Marti for the conduct of a book and stationery business, which they carried on until 1905. During the succeeding two years Mr. Marti was engaged in the real estate busi- ness in Hastings and in 1907 he became office manager of a whole- sale and mail order house at Omaha. In 1911, however, he returned to Hastings, where he has since been engaged in the real estate business, a part of the time with the firm of Higgenbotham & Pick- ens and a part of the time in connection with his brother, R. E. Marti, under the firm style of Marti Brothers. They have conducted a general real estate, loan and insurance business, handling insurance of all kinds, and their operations extend all over western Nebraska. The firm is accorded a liberal clientage and is conducting an exten- sive business. They have erected a number of nice bungalows and cottages and are doing considerable speculative building, erecting buildings on the east side for sale, which they place upon the market at a reasonable price, selling at terms helpful to the purchaser. Their efforts have been an element in the material upbuilding of the city and Hastings has benefited by their operations in the real estate and loan field.
In 1899 David B. Marti was married to Miss Hettie J. Brown,
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who was born in Richardson county, Nebraska, a daughter of Charles W. and Ida Brown, natives of Pennsylvania and of Ohio respec- tively. Her father homesteaded land in Richardson county at an early day and became a very active business man and extensive stock dealer of that county, widely known because of the importance of his business affairs and his active support of measures for the gen- eral good. In 1905 he removed to Hastings, where he now lives retired, but is still the owner of four hundred acres of valuable land in Adams county, from which he derives a gratifying annual income. He is also an active member of the Presbyterian church. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Marti are two sons, Lloyd and Paul.
In his political views Mr. Marti is an earnest democrat and is now serving as a member of the Hastings city council from the fourth ward. During his teaching days he was identified with the Adams County Democrat and the Hastings Tribune in connection with reportorial and advertising work. His activities have reached out along many lines and always to the benefit and betterment of the community in which he has lived. He is now president of the Church Federation, a teacher in the Sunday school and an active member of the Presbyterian church, in which he is serving as an officer. He has done important and effective work in uplift campaigns, has been active in brotherhood work and, in fact, does everything in his power to promote the moral progress of the community, that the individual may have a better, broader scope for the exercise of his activities along lines of constructive effort.
CHARLES K. LAWSON.
No history of Hastings would be complete without extended ref- erence to Charles K. Lawson, who is today the oldest retail merchant in the city in years of continuous connection with the business. He is familiar with every phase of the city's development and progress along commercial lines and his efforts have been of immense value in promoting the public welfare. He was born in Erie, Pennsyl- vania, August 4, 1846, and was only two years of age when his father died, after which he made his home with his grandparents in Erie. He was but eleven years of age at the time of the death of his grandfather and was then thrown upon his own resources, since which time he has made his way in the world unaided, his success and advancement being attributable entirely to his own efforts. He
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worked in a factory at making oars for two summers and in the winter months worked for his board and the privilege of attending school. He afterward engaged in driving teams which were used in hauling oil from Titusville. Ambitious to secure an education, he utilized every opportunity that would enable him to advance in that direction, and after mastering the work of the public and high schools continued his course in an academy at Waterford, Pennsyl- vania. In 1863 he went to Greene county, Illinois, where he was employed at farm work through the succeeding winter. He pos- sessed considerable natural mechanical ingenuity and, removing to Oneida, Knox county, Illinois, there worked in a lumberyard for a year. He afterward clerked in a dry goods store for about a year, when, in connection with G. H. Pratt, he purchased the business. Energy, determination and industry stood them instead of capital and, concentrating their efforts upon their undertaking, they devel- oped the trade and conducted the enterprise successfully.
In 1872 Mr. Lawson started out to find a new location and on the 13th of July, of that year, decided on Hastings. Much of the land in this part of the state was still in the possession of the gov- ernment and the town had not yet been laid out. There had been a few homesteaders in the district in 1872 and Mr. Lawson believed that the country would develop rapidly and that there would be opportunity for the conduct of commercial interests at this point. Accordingly, Mr. Pratt shipped a carload of lumber from Rock Island and they built the first store on the town site. Samuel Alex- ander had already opened a store in a small shack, but Mr. Lawson's was the first regular store building within the limits of what is now the city of Hastings. His place of business was at the corner of First street and Hastings avenue. Mr. Pratt disposed of their store in Illinois and joined Mr. Lawson in Hastings in December, 1872. The two partners, with their clerk, A. H. Cramer, kept bachelors' hall over the store. Their building was a two story structure twenty- two by eighty feet, and they carried a stock of groceries, hardware, implements, stoves and other commodities needed in a pioneer com- munity. The business was conducted under a partnership relation until 1877, when they divided their interests, Mr. Lawson taking over the lands owned by the firm, while Mr. Pratt had an equal amount in money. Following the division of their interests Mr. Lawson, in 1878, formed a partnership with C. J. Hamot and erected a good brick store building near Hastings avenue on Second street. There he opened a stock of hardware and continued the busi- ness as a partnership until 1881, when he purchased his partner's
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interest and continued to carry on the store alone. In the meantime he had become interested in the cattle business, owning a big ranch on the Loup river in connection with Mr. Pratt. They were asso- ciated in that undertaking until 1890, when Mr. Lawson sold his interest in the cattle. In 1889 he established a branch store in Fair- bury, Nebraska, and removed to that place in order to personally superintend the business and place it upon a substantial basis. After two years he sold out there and in 1891 returned to Hastings. He continued to engage in the hardware trade here for several years and then, on account of his health, disposed of his store. Two years later, however, he reentered mercantile circles, becoming proprietor of his present store, which he has since successfully conducted. There is not another retail merchant in Hastings who was in business here at the time of his arrival, leaving him the pioneer in his field in this county. His activities have covered a broad scope and have been rewarded with a large measure of success.
Mr. Lawson and his partner Mr. Pratt became connected with the Hastings Townsite Company, in which they owned an eighth interest, and from that time forward they have been identified with the development and growth of the city. They shipped the first car- load of lumber to Hastings over the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and during the early days they conducted a very extensive business, their trade coming to them from a wide territory. Mr. Lawson still looks after his commercial interests and has followed most progressive methods throughout the years of his residence here.
On the 16th of September, 1874, Mr. Lawson was united in mar- riage to Miss Amy Ellis, a native of Greene county, Illinois, where she was reared and educated. They became the parents of four sons: Truman J., who is engaged in the hardware business at Rock- land, Idaho; Ellis Gale and Arthur A., who are associated with their father in the conduct of the store at Hastings; and Marion C., who is engaged in the abstract and loan business at Malad City, Idaho.
The parents are members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Law- son is connected with the lodge, chapter and commandery of the Masonic fraternity at Hastings and with Sesostris Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Lincoln. In his political views he is a republican, stalwart in his advocacy of party principles, yet never an office seeker. He is a splendidly preserved man, giving personal attention to his business, playing golf for recreation and taking an active part in everything that pertains to the welfare and progress of his district and community. He has witnessed the entire growth and develop- ment of the town and county and has contributed in large measure to
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the development of Hastings, his life work being a substantial asset in its commercial progress. He has a very wide acquaintance throughout this part of the state and wherever known is held in the highest esteem.
WILLIAM JOHN FALK.
On the list of Hastings' honored dead appears the name of Wil- liam John Falk and the deepest regret was felt throughout the com- munity when he passed away. He was born in Iowa City, Iowa, on the 25th of December, 1859, his parents being John and Wilhelmina (Werner) Falk. The father was a shoe merchant and manufacturer who died when his son, William John, was but twelve years of age. The mother, however, long survived, passing away in 1913.
William J. Falk was educated in the public schools of his native city and made his initial step in the business world when a youth of sixteen years by securing employment in a clothing store there. From that time forward he was dependent upon his own resources and whatever success he achieved was attributable entirely to his earnest persistent labors. When twenty-five years of age he came to Ne- braska, arriving in Hastings in 1885, at which time he engaged in the clothing business with Ed Bloom. There he continued until his death and remained one of the foremost merchants of the city, pro- gressive, wide-awake, alert and enterprising. After four years his partner died, after which he purchased the interest in the business, which he conducted independently from that time until his own de- mise. He also conducted a store at Grand Island, Nebraska, for eight years, and his well defined plans and business methods wrought for success. He was one of the pioneer clothing merchants of his part of the state and throughout his entire career his business methods were such as would bear the closest investigation and scrutiny.
Mr. Falk was united in marriage to Miss Nellie D. Dowd, a daughter of Thomas James and Mary Jane Dowd, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Massachusetts. In 1855 they re- moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where they resided until 1873, when they came to Nebraska, becoming pioneer residents of this part of the state. The father was a watchmaker and jeweler but his business activities were interrupted at the time of the Civil war, when he re- sponded to the country's call for troops, enlisting as a member of Company E, Third Wisconsin Infantry, with which he served for
WILLIAM J. FALK
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four years, the regiment being attached to the Army of the Potomac .. He rendered valiant aid to the country and then at the close of the war resumed business as a jeweler. He possessed marked genius in that line and successfully conducted his business until his death, which occurred on the 20th of June, 1901. His widow survives at the age of seventy years. To Mr. and Mrs. Falk were born four children: George Edward, who is attending the Notre Dame University of Indiana; Margaret Mary, a student in Mount St. Mary's school at Omaha; and William John and Mary Jane, also attending school.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and in his fraternal relations Mr. Falk was an Elk, belonging to the lodge at Hastings. In politics he was a democrat but did not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. He passed away on February 23, 1913, since which time his widow has disposed of both of the stores. He was a very successful man and ranked with the representative merchants of Hastings. He had many substantial and admirable qualities and his life and character were as clear as the sunlight. He constantly labored for the right and those who came in contact with him speedily appreciated him at his true worth.
C. L. MOSIER.
Among the well known general farmers of Juniata township is C. L. Mosier, who is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land on which he has lived for fifteen years, and the creditable appearance of the place is due to his industry and careful manage- ment. He was born September 25, 1874, in Adamsville, Cass county, Michigan, a son of Isaac and Susan (Conley) Mosier, who were natives of Pennsylvania and of Ohio respectively. They were mar- ried, however, in Michigan and in that state the father passed away. The paternal grandfather came from Lorraine, France, while the mother's people were of German lineage. Isaac Mosier devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits and his death occurred about six years ago. In the family were five sons, as follows: Theo, who is a resident of Adamsville, Michigan; Charles A., living in Miami, Florida; C. L., of this review; Leland, who makes his home in Berkeley, California; and Willard, of Adamsville, Michigan.
During his youthful days C. L. Mosier, residing upon the home farm, divided his time between the work of the fields and the Vol. II-11
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acquirement of a common school education. When fifteen years of age he made his way to Nebraska and was employed for some time as a farm hand, but he was ambitious and energetic, practiced close economy as well as industry and in the course of time had earned enough to enable him to purchase property. He became owner of his present place fifteen years ago and now has one hundred and sixty acres of good land which he devotes to general farming. His methods are practical and progressive and his desire to make a good home for his family is manifest in the improvements which he has put upon his place. He is also connected with the Farmers Grain Company of Juniata.
In 1900 Mr. Mosier was united in marriage to Miss Ethel M. Savery, who is the eldest daughter of Henry R. and Eliza (Van Houten) Savery. Her father is of English lineage and is a descend- ant of Elder William Brewster and Richard Warren, who came over in the Mayflower, and also of Zachariah Whiteman, of Revolution- ary fame. The mother is of Dutch lineage and the Van Houten family was established in Dutchess county, New York, in the early days of this country. Mr. and Mrs. Savery are still living in the old home at Juniata. Mr. and Mrs. Mosier have two sons and two daughters: Ethel M. and Rex T., of Juniata; and George C. and Donna B., of Los Angeles, California.
In his political views Mr. Mosier is independent, voting according to the dictates of his judgment. He belongs to the Modern Wood- men lodge at Juniata and his influence is always cast on the side of improvement and advancement. He is ever willing to aid in move- ments for the general good and at the same time he has led a busy and useful life in the conduct of his farming interests.
WILLIS P. McCREARY.
Willis P. McCreary, distinguished as an able criminal lawyer, well known as a sportsman and esteemed in all circles by reason of his genuine worth, his public spirit and his activity in behalf of the general welfare, was born in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, No- vember 8, 1854 , his parents being Pearson and Nancy (Dean) McCreary. The father, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1832, was a drover and stock buyer by occupation. He died in 1856 and the mother was again married in 1859. In 1865 the family removed to Lee county, Iowa, where the stepfather of our subject engaged in
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general farming. The mother, who was born in 1833, met death in the memorable railroad wreck at Chatsworth, Illinois, in 1887.
Willis P. McCreary was a lad of eleven years at the time of the removal of the family to Lee county, Iowa, where he attended the district schools. Later he became a student in the academy at Den- mark, Iowa, and prepared for a professional career as a law student in the State University, from which he was graduated on the 28th of June, 1876. He had left the farm when seventeen years of age and had engaged in school teaching, also employing other methods in order to earn the money that would enable him to pursue his law course. On the 14th of July, 1876, he opened a law office in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he remained until 1884, when he came to Hast- ings and has here since followed his profession. In 1887 he formed a partnership under the firm style of Capps, McCreary & Stevens, but his partners have both passed away, and Mr. McCreary remained alone in practice until 1912, when he admitted E. E. Danly to a part- nership under the firm style of McCreary & Danly, an association that is still in existence. For three terms Mr. McCreary filled the office of prosecuting attorney for Adams county and he has always been accorded a large and distinctively representative clientage, for he displays marked ability in presenting his cause before the courts. He possesses superior oratorical powers and is regarded as the most eloquent lawyer practicing at the Hastings bar. His practice ex- tends all over southwestern Nebraska and he has been connected with some of the most important cases tried in the courts of the state.
On the Ist of January, 1878, Mr. McCreary was united in mar- riage at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Miss Mary B. Greene, who was born in that city and is a daughter of William and Louisa (Higley) Greene, who were natives of England and of Connecticut respec- tively. Mr. Greene and his brother George, who was afterward judge of the supreme court of Iowa, went to Cedar Rapids in an early day from Buffalo, New York, and opened the first store in the former city. They afterward made their way to Colorado and opened up mines at Silverton, hauling the machinery for a smelter on pack mules over the range from Durango, Colorado. Subse- quently they returned to Cedar Rapids and William Greene was active in financial circles there. He became a prime mover in the building of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad and was associated with the freight department of that road at a time when one of his fellow employes was A. L. Mohler, now the presi- dent of the Union Pacific Railroad Company.
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