USA > Nebraska > Adams County > Past and present of Adams County, Nebraska, Vol. II > Part 2
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JOHN M. TEELING.
John M. Teeling is proprietor of the Clarke Hotel, which is not only the leading hostelry of Hastings, but also one of the finest in the state, and ranks as one of the finest hotels between Chicago and Denver. It is conducted according to the most modern ideas of hotel
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management, being under the control of a most progressive, enter- prising business man.
Mr. Teeling was born at Waukon, Iowa, August 15, 1877. His father, James Teeling, was a native of County Clare, Ireland, and there married Anna Martin, after which they came to the United States, in 1872, establishing their home upon a farm near Lansing, Iowa, where their remaining days were passed. The father died in 1878 and the mother passed away later in the same year, leaving John M. Teeling an orphan during his early infancy.
The boy was reared by Mr. and Mrs. James Sweeney, of Alla- makee county, Iowa, who had been neighbors of his parents, and he there attended the country schools until he reached the age of four- teen years. In 1898 he went to Milwaukee, where he entered upon his career as a hotel man, becoming night clerk in the Schlitz Hotel, then the leading hostelry of that city. He was connected therewith for a year and a half, after which he went to Merrill, Wisconsin, where he became night clerk in the new Lincoln Hotel. Three months later he was made day clerk and seven months afterward became manager of the hotel, which he conducted until June, 1911. At that date he went to Rapid City as manager of the Harney Hotel, there remaining for six months, when he was transferred by the Mid- West Hotel Company to the Widman Hotel at Mitchell, South Dakota, where he remained for six months. On the expiration of that period he leased the new Lincoln Hotel at Watertown, South Dakota, furnished it and conducted it for a year, after which he dis- posed of his lease. He then came to Hastings, Nebraska, and in Feb- ruary, 1914, rented the Clarke Hotel, which is one of the finest hotels of the middle west, being scarcely equalled between Chicago and Denver. It contains one hundred and twenty rooms, sixty with bath, and has every modern convenience and equipment. The interior fin- ishing is artistic and attractive and the most careful attention has been paid to sanitation, ventilation, lighting, heating and, in fact, every- thing that will contribute to the comfort of the guest. The cuisine is unexcelled and the most courteous attention is demanded of all employes.
On the 17th of February, 1901, at Merrill, Wisconsin, Mr. Teeling was united in marriage to Miss Mollie Phielman. Mrs. Teeling died April 20, 1910, and Mr. Teeling was married August 15, 1911, to Mrs. Amanda Kyes, of Merrill, Wisconsin. He is a Catholic in religious faith and she is a Lutheran. Fraternally he belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His political indorsement is given to the democratic party, and while living at Merrill, Wisconsin,
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he served for two years as city alderman. He is now serving on the staff of Governor Morehead with the rank of colonel. His activities in the hotel field have made him widely known. He has an extensive acquaintance throughout the country and is a popular host, geniality and affability winning him friends, while his splendid business quali- fications command for him the respect and confidence of those with whom he is brought in contact.
R. L. WOODS.
R. L. Woods is identified with the business interests of Prosser as the owner and manager of an up-to-date and well patronized hard- ware store and has gained recognition as a man of enterprise and sound judgment. His birth occurred in Erie county, Pennsylvania, on the 27th of November, 1864, and his parents were Albert D. and Mary Etta (Coon) Woods. They were born and reared in New York state, where their marriage occurred, but subsequently removed to Pennsylvania, whence they came to Nebraska in 1871. They located in Otoe county, and there the father passed away in that year. Sub- sequently the mother returned to Pennsylvania with her family, but still later removed to Portland, Oregon, where she died in 1914. The father followed the occupation of farming and stock dealing, and as he was industrious and understood the business thoroughly he met with a gratifying measure of success. There were five children in the family, namely: O. S., who is living at Pauline, this state; R. L .; Leland, deceased; Clarence A., who resides southwest of Blue Hill, in Webster county, Nebraska; and Susie B., the wife of Joseph Bay- liss, of Lincoln.
R. L. Woods received a good common school education and remained with his mother until he reached the age of thirteen years, when he returned to Otoe county, Nebraska. After he attained his majority he engaged in farming in that county for some time, but in 1890 went to Milford, Seward county, where he worked for the Adams Express Company for three years. At the end of that time he located near Pauline, Adams county, and for nine years concen- trated his energies upon agricultural pursuits. At the end of that time he decided that he would prefer to devote his life to other busi- ness pursuits, and accordingly purchased a hardware store at Pauline from Glasier & Son. After conducting that business for some time he came to Prosser in 1912 and purchased a hardware business here,
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which he has since owned and managed. He carries a large stock of shelf hardware, paints and oils, and the high quality of his goods, combined with his reasonable prices and fair dealing, has commended him to the support of the public.
Mr. Woods was married in September, 1907, to Miss Reka Rode- macher, by whom he has two sons: Dexter D., who is six years of age; and Chester H., who is three years old.
Mr. Woods supports the republican party, as he believes in its principles, and he is now serving in the office of township clerk. He belongs to the Masonic blue lodge at Blue Hill, the consistory at Hastings and the Shrine at Lincoln, and exemplifies in his life the beneficent teachings of that order. He attends the Methodist Epis- copal church and contributes to its support. The representative and lucrative patronage which he has gained is due entirely to his business ability and integrity, and he is recognized as one of the men who are contributing to the commercial growth of Prosser.
E. P. HUBBARD.
E. P. Hubbard, manager for the Juniata Grain & Live Stock Association and actively and prominently connected with other busi- ness enterprises which are factors in the material development and progress of his village and county, was born at Marseilles, in La Salle county, Illinois, December 27, 1862, his parents being Porter and Emily (Godfrey) Hubbard, who were natives of Wisconsin. The mother died when her son, E. P., was but six years of age and he was left an orphan by his father's death when a little lad of nine years. He was the second in a family of three children, his elder brother being Levi, now a resident of El Paso, Texas, while his younger brother is C. S. Hubbard, of Grafton, Nebraska.
At the time of his father's death E. P. Hubbard went to live with S. B. Spicer, remaining upon his farm until he had attained his major- ity, when the opportunities of the developing west attracted him and he made his way to Nebraska. Here he entered the employ of J. H. Spicer, who was living five miles south of Juniata and with whom he remained for one year. He afterward turned his attention to farm- ing, which he followed for a year, and still later he removed to Colo- rado, where he secured a preemption claim, complying with the law that ultimately brought him the title to the property. He then returned to Adams county, where he engaged in general farming until
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1897, when he became connected with the Juniata Grain & Live Stock Association, of which he has since been the manager. This company operates two elevators at Juniata and is conducting a growing and profitable business. The officers of the company are: T. C. Signor, president; J. F. Gangwish, vice president; W. S. Lamereux, secre- tary; and E. P. Hubbard, treasurer and manager. These gentlemen constitute the board of directors, together with T. A. Trausch, T. G. Whiting, E. D. Pratt and G. W. Long. The business was organized in 1897, at which time the company purchased an elevator, and in the intervening period they have built two others. Under the manage- ment and control of Mr. Hubbard the business is steadily growing and developing and has become an important industry of the county.
In 1891 Mr. Hubbard was married to Miss Hattie L. Harris and they have become the parents of three children: Elizabeth, the wife of C. J. Willtrout, of Juniata; Agnes, who is teaching the commer- cial course in the Franklin Academy at Franklin, Nebraska; and Edwin, deceased. They now have an adopted son, Paul.
In politics Mr. Hubbard is an earnest democrat and is recognized as one of the active party workers in Adams county. He served as a member of the legislature in the year 1913, has been mayor of Juniata and is now serving as school director. He belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge at Juniata, in which he has passed through all the chairs, and he likewise holds membership in the Modern Woodmen camp there. His sterling worth is recognized by all, for he is loyal to duty, faithful to every trust reposed in him, and thoroughly reliable and straightforward in his business connections.
JOHN C. STEVENS.
John C. Stevens, deceased, was one of the prominent members of the Adams county bar, displaying marked skill and ability especially in the field of criminal law. He was born in New Jersey on the 8th of September, 1863, a son of Thomas and Mary (Devereaux) Stevens, who in the year 1883 came to Nebraska and settled upon a farm south of Hastings. They afterward removed to the city but both have now passed away.
John C. Stevens was one of a family of eight children and after attending the public schools he supplemented his course of study by private reading. Entering upon preparation for the bar, he was admitted to practice in Hastings in 1889 and was with the firm of
JOHN C. STEVENS
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McCreary, Capps & Stevens in active practice for a long period. No dreary novitiate awaited him. He came to the front almost imme- diately as a member of the bar, being strong and forceful in argument, clear in his reasoning and logical in his deductions. He was partic- ularly successful as a jury lawyer and many a man accused of crime has felt that his destinies were safe in the hands of Mr. Stevens, who had the reputation of securing more acquittals than perhaps any other practitioner at the Adams county bar. He always prepared his cases with thoroughness and care and was felicitous and clear in argument.
On the 4th of February, 1890, Mr. Stevens was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Ann Rooney, a daughter of James and Bridget Rooney, who were born in Ireland but came to America in 1884. To Mr. and Mrs. Stevens were born two children: Anna Marie, who died at the age of nineteen years; and Philomena, at home. The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church, to which Mr. Stevens belonged, and he was also a member of the local organization of the Knights of Columbus. In politics he was a democrat, and while he never sought nor desired public office, he was frequently heard on the rostrum in defense of the principles in which he believed and his elo- quence and strong arguments seldom failed to carry conviction. He was very prominent in both state and national politics and was hon- ored by being made chairman of the national committee of the dem- ocratic party. Aside from his practice he had business interests as a stockholder in the Clarke Hotel and by reason of his carefully con- ducted financial affairs he was able to leave his family in comfortable circumstances when on the 23d of January, 1914, he passed away. He left behind him many friends, for he was cordial and genial in manner and his sterling traits of character won him high esteem.
SYDNEY HARRIS.
Sydney Harris, who owns three hundred and twenty acres of good land in Verona township, is living retired in a beautiful home at No. 620 West Eleventh street, Hastings, Nebraska. He came to this county when it was still but sparsely settled and is entitled to credit as one of the pioneers who aided in its development from a frontier district to the prosperous agricultural section that it is today. A native of England, he was born in Trowbridge on the 22d of Feb- ruary, 1840, of the marriage of James and Eliza (Webb) Harris. Vol. II-2
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The father engaged in the practice of law at Trowbridge and also held the office of register of births and deaths.
Sydney Harris received his education in his native town and resided there until 1873, when with his family he emigrated to the United States, locating in Juniata, Adams county, Nebraska, in May. Not long after his arrival in this county he took up a homestead in Verona township, on which he resided for a number of years, although he subsequently removed to another farm which he purchased and on which he lived until he retired from active life and came to Hast- ings. He still owns the southeast quarter of section 10, range 8, township 11, and the southwest quarter of section 11. His land is in a high state of development and yields him a good financial return. When he passed through Hastings in 1873 there was only the railway station, the postoffice and two or three little one story shacks, and as the years have passed he has watched with interest the growth of the little village into a prosperous and up-to-date city. Sixteen years ago Mr. Harris lost the sight of an eye through the bursting of a gun and ten years later his daughter Florence, who is a graduate nurse, removed from the eyebrow a steel sliver similar to a needle point which had penetrated the skull. A number of years after the first accident Mr. Harris was struck by a barn door on the other side of his face and this resulted in his losing the sight of the left eye for nine months. He was totally blind during that period and because of other injuries sustained had to be propped up in bed and fed with a spoon. He has since recovered and has regained the sight of the left eye, although that of the right is irretrievably lost.
Mr. Harris was married in Trowbridge, England, to Alice Maud Williams Frawley, a daughter of John Guy and Mary ( Williams) Frawley, the former a contractor and builder. Mrs. Harris was born in Trowbridge on the 31st of December, 1846, and passed away in Hastings, Nebraska, on the 23d of December, 1915. To Mr. and Mrs. Harris were born ten children, as follows: Wilfred Henry Sydney Frawley, whose birth occurred on the 24th of October, 1867, is residing in Hastings. Maud Evelyn Mary, born on the 17th of January, 1869, is the wife of William Garries, a minister stationed at Fall City, Nebraska. Frank Reginald Guy, born on the 3d of April, 1871, is farming the homestead in Verona township. May Alice, whose birth occurred on the 24th of February, 1873, is residing at home and is a practical nurse by occupation. Arthur Dudley, whose birth occurred on the 15th of October, 1875, is an expert accountant of Lincoln, Nebraska. He married Miss Bertha Shoals. Herbert Stanley, born on the 18th of May, 1878, is now principal of schools
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at Adams, this state. Florence Emeline, who was born on the 18th of December, 1880, is a graduate nurse and is residing at home. Edith Elsie, who was born on the 5th of March, 1883, is the wife of Ray- mond Bailey, of Concordia, Kansas. An infant unnamed died in 1885 when six weeks old. Eva Maria, whose birth occurred on the 6th of July, 1887, is keeping house for her brother Frank on the home farm.
Mr. Harris is independent in politics and has never been an office seeker. He is not identified with any fraternal order, preferring to spend his leisure time with his family. Although he does not hold membership in any church, he is a consistent Christian and his faith is attested by the uprightness of his daily life and his consideration for the rights of others. He has a wide acquaintance not only in Hastings but throughout the county, and his personal friends are many.
DANIEL N. BITNER.
Daniel N. Bitner, who is successfully engaged in farming in West Blue township, was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, on the 13th of November, 1860, a son of Jacob and Catherine Bitner, who was born in that county and there engaged in farming until his demise in 1880. Our subject was educated in the common schools. On attaining his majority he left home and was employed in a store in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, for one year. He then removed to Stephenson county, Illinois, where he remained for two years, but in 1884 he came to Adams county, Nebraska, and for a few months worked as a farm hand in the southern part of the county. He then rented a farm in Ayr township for six years, after which he went to western Kansas and proved up on two claims of a quarter section each. He remained there for five years and then returned to this county and for six years operated a rented farm in Silver Lake town- ship. For two years he rented land in Zero township, but since 1903 has operated the William Brock farm of three hundred and twenty acres on section 36, West Blue township. The farm is seven miles northeast of Hastings, is not only in an excellent location but is also one of the well improved and productive places of the township. Mr. Bitner is an up-to-date and energetic farmer and as the years have passed his resources have increased so that he is now financially independent.
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Mr. Bitner was married on the 24th of December, 1885, to Miss Catherine Snyder, a daughter of Christian Snyder, who passed away in Illinois. His widow removed to Roseland township, this county, in 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Bitner are the parents of six children. Matilda Blanch, who was born in 1886, married William Banta, a merchant of Trumbull. Chris U., born in 1888, is now superintend- ent of schools at Elm Creek. He married Anita Joynt, a daughter of W. E. Joynt, formerly of Roseland township and later of St. Paul, Nebraska. Jacob R., who was born in 1890, is now attending Hast- ings College. Nevin, born in 1892, is also a student at Hastings College. William, whose birth occurred in 1895, is at home, and Mary Catherine, born in 1900, is attending the Trumbull schools.
Mr. Bitner is an adherent of the republican party and for the past three terms has been a member of the county board of super- visors. In former years he served on the school board as township clerk and as road overseer, and in all of his official capacities he has proved capable and public-spirited, making an excellent record. He holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church at Trumbull and takes a praiseworthy interest in the work of that organization. His life has been one of well directed activity and the prosperity which he now enjoys is well deserved.
GEORGE H. PRATT.
George H. Pratt is a retired merchant, banker and capitalist of Hastings whose identification with the development and upbuilding of the city dates from earliest days. In fact, he and his partner, Charles K. Lawson, erected the second store building in Hastings and were the owners of one-eighth of the town site. Their business block was erected before the city was platted and from that period to the present Mr. Pratt has borne an active and helpful part in all that has pertained to the city's development and converted it from a tiny hamlet into a metropolis of twelve thousand population.
He was born in Lewis county, New York, December 7, 1849, and in 1859 accompanied his parents on their removal to Oneida, Knox county, Illinois, where he was educated in the public schools. At the age of thirteen years he began clerking in his father's drug store, in which he spent three or four years, and when he was about seventeen years of age a friend opened a dry goods and clothing store in Mr. Pratt's name and he took charge as manager, continuing active in that
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business until, in connection with C. K. Lawson, he purchased the store, for which they agreed to pay six thousand dollars, although their combined capital at that time amounted to but three hundred dollars. They were both ambitious, energetic young men, however, and they recognized the fact that success is won through earnest, persistent effort, close application and honorable dealing. They continued the business at that point until 1872, but early in that year Mr. Lawson came to Nebraska to look for a favorable location and decided upon Hastings. Mr. Pratt then disposed of their store in Illinois and joined Mr. Lawson at this point. They had only one predecessor in a business way and he was conducting his trade in a little pioneer shack. The partners, however, erected a two-story business block, occupying the lower floor with a stock of groceries, hardware, stoves, implements and other commodities needed by the pioneer, while the upper story was used as their home and was shared by their clerk as well. The partners bent their energies to the development of their trade, which grew with the growth of the county, their patronage coming to them from a very broad territory. In fact, it was not long before they were conducting a very extensive business and their large patronage made their enterprise a profitable one. The relation between them was maintained until 1876, when the partnership was dissolved.
Mr. Pratt afterward became connected in business with Mr. Hamot for a few months, at the end of which time he sold out. In 1877, in connection with A. L. Clarke, he purchased the Adams County Bank from J. S. McIntyre. This is now the First National Bank. Mr. Pratt entered that institution as cashier and so continued for a quarter of a century, or until January, 1902, when he sold a part of his stock and retired from active connection with the bank, although he is still one of its directors. He has since devoted his time to the super- vision of his land and other investments. He is the owner of large tracts of land in Nebraska, Colorado and Idaho, having placed his money in the safest of all investments-real estate. On the 2d of January, 1879, Mr. Pratt was married to Miss Harriet E. Wikoff, a native of Knox county, Illinois, where she was reared and educated. They have become the parents of four children: Homer and Ger- trude, both of whom died when twelve years of age; Katherine, who died when but ten months old; and Howard G., now attending Hast- ings College.
In his political views Mr. Pratt is a liberal republican and has never sought public office, preferring that his public duties be done as a pri- vate citizen. He belongs to Hastings Lodge, No. 50, A. F. & A. M., also to the chapter and commandery, and has been treasurer of the
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Masonic Temple Craft for the past twenty-eight years. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, to the teachings of which they loyally adhere, and their influence has been a potent element in the moral progress of the community. No history of Adams county would be complete without extended reference to George H. Pratt, so closely and actively has he been identified with business interests and with the general development and progress of the community. In working for the public good he has looked beyond the exigencies of the moment to the opportunities of the future and in the conduct of his private business interests he has closely adhered to those principles and lines of activity which lead to honorable success. His worth is widely acknowledged, his courage and industry have never failed and his course has demonstrated the truth of the saying that success is not the result of genius but is the outcome of clear judgment and experi- ence.
WALTER EDWARD NOWERS, M. D.
Dr. Walter Edward Nowers, one of the progressive and capable young physicians of Adams county, has practiced in Kenesaw since completing his hospital work and has gained a large and representa- tive patronage. He was born in Howell, Nebraska, on the 20th of June, 1881, a son of George and Mary (Allen) Nowers. The father was born in England in 1843 and died in Howell, Nebraska, in 1883. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Allen, was born in Illi- nois in 1850 and is now living in Kenesaw.
Walter E. Nowers attended the country schools and subsequently became a student in the Leigh high school, from which he was grad- uated in 1898. During five winters he taught school in Colfax county and devoted his summers to attending the Wayne and Fremont Nor- mal Schools. He was also employed on the Northwestern Railroad for one year, but in 1904 entered the Creighton Medical College in Omaha, having determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work. He was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1908 and afterward served as interne in the Inglewood Hospital for a year and a half. He then came to Kenesaw and began the independent prac- tice of his profession. It was not long before his ability and con- scientiousness gained recognition and as the years have passed his practice has grown steadily.
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