USA > Nebraska > Adams County > Past and present of Adams County, Nebraska, Vol. II > Part 20
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Mr. Volland holds membership in the Congregational church and Vol. II-13
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also with the Masonic fraternity, the Ancient Order of United Work- men, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Woodmen of the World and the Loyal Mystic Legion of America. His political indorsement is given to the republican party and he was elected county coroner by the largest majority given to any candidate for any office in the history of the county-a fact which indicates his personal popu- larity and the confidence and regard reposed in him. He is social and genial, appreciative of good in others, looking at all times upon the bright side, and his friendliness and worth have gained him the high position which he occupies in the esteem of his fellow townsmen.
CHARLES E. SMITH.
Charles E. Smith gained financial independence through his activities as a farmer and is now living in honorable retirement in Hastings. He was born on the 15th of December, 1850, in Fayette county, Ohio, of the marriage of Peter W. and Ella (Painter) Smith, further mention of whom is made in the sketch of Horatio R. Smith. Our subject attended the public schools when opportunity offered until he was seventeen years of age and during that time also assisted his father on the farm. In 1870 the family removed to Jas- per county, Iowa, and he aided in the development of the homestead there for two years. He then went to Henry county, Iowa, and for a year worked for his uncle, William Young, but at the end of that time returned to Jasepr county and rented land which he operated for four years. In 1877 he arrived in Adams county, Nebraska, and purchased the northwest quarter of section 33, Blaine township, on which he resided until 1901, when he retired to Hastings. He was both practical and progressive in his methods and his industry and good management were rewarded by a gratifying financial return. As the years passed his resources increased and he is now enjoying a period of well deserved leisure. He owns a good residence at No. 201 West Third street, and is one of the valued citizens of Hastings. He still holds title to his farm on section 33, Blaine township, and also owns the southwest quarter of section 28, and the north one-half of the southeast quarter of section 29, Blaine township, and valuable residence property in Hastings.
Mr. Smith was married in Henry county, Iowa, in 1874, to Mary C. Foster, a daughter of William and Betsy Foster, farming people of Henry county, both of whom have passed away. Mr. and Mrs.
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Smith have five living children and lost two in infancy. William W. was born on the 28th of October, 1875, and is now living in Lincoln, Nebraska. He married Miss Belle Tatroe, a daughter of D. B. Tatroe, of Omaha. Harlan, whose birth occurred on the 2d of December, 1877, is engaged in farming in Blaine township. He mar- ried Miss Ollie Hickman, a daughter of Elwood and Malvern Hick- man, of Hastings, and they have seven children. Myrtle, who was born on the 12th of December, 1884, is the wife of George Cisney, a carpenter of Hastings. Addie, who was born on the 14th of July, 1887, is the wife of Charles Harris, a son of Frank and Mattie Harris, of Hastings, and they have two children. Mr. Harris is a well known baker of Hastings. Clara, who was born on the 28th of June, 1893, married Bert Edwards, a baker of Hastings who was formerly a resi- dent of New York.
Mr. Smith has supported the republican party since age con- ferred upon him the right of franchise, but has never aspired to offi- cial preferment. However, he served for several years as a member of the school board in Blaine township and has always taken much interest in the welfare of the public schools. He holds membership in the United Brethren church and has conformed his life to high moral standards. None begrudges him the leisure which he now enjoys, for it is the direct result of his untiring industry. He had no unusual advantages in his youth and began his career without capital, but he believed that it was possible to gain success through hard work and the exercise of sound judgment and accordingly applied himself diligently to his farming operations.
A. L. CLARKE.
A. L. Clarke, president of the First National Bank of Hastings, was born in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, April 14, 1842, and spent his boyhood days at home on the farm. He pursued a public school education, supplemented by study in an academy at Poland, Ohio, and in 1863 he went west to Douglas county, Illinois, where he engaged in the drug business at Arcola for several years. He then turned his attention to financial interests, organizing the First Na- tional Bank of Arcola, of which he became the first cashier. Later he was made its president and so continued until 1877, when he dis- posed of his interest in that institution and removed to Hastings. Here, in partnership with G. H. Pratt, one of the pioneer merchants
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of the city, he purchased the Adams County Bank from J. S. McIn- tyre and assumed the management of the institution as its president. This was converted into the First National Bank on the 5th of July. 1881, with Mr. Clarke as its first president and in that connection he has since remained.
In his political views Mr. Clarke is a republican and for one term served as mayor of Hastings but on the expiration of that period refused to again become a candidate for the office. In 1907 he was elected a member of the state senate and served for one term. He is an honorary member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Throughout Nebraska he is considered one of the leading bankers of the state and when a company of Hastings' leading business men erected a new hotel they insisted against his wishes on naming it The Clarke in his honor. He has sought for progress and improvement in municipal affairs and has supported all worthy public enterprises
AUBREY LAWLER TWIDALE.
The upbuilding of a community does not depend so much upon its machinery of government or even upon the men who hold its public offices as it does upon the enterprise and public spirit of its business men-they who promote its commercial prosperity and contribute to its substantial advancement. In this connection Aubrey L. Twidale is well known, being engaged in business at Hastings as a shoe mer- chant. He was born in Pontiac, Michigan, on the 1st of January. 1869, his parents being William and Elizabeth (Lawler) Twidale, the former a native of England and the latter of New York. In the late '50s the father came to the United States and established his home in Michigan, where he remained until the outbreak of the Civil war, when his patriotic spirit was aroused by the attempt to over- throw the Union and he joined Company F of the Ninth Michigan Cavalry, with which he served from 1861 until 1865. He was held for a time as a prisoner of war at Salisbury. After the war he returned to Michigan, where he engaged in farming until 1870, when he removed to Adams county. He secured a homestead claim in High- land township with a patent which he had previously secured and which bore the personal signature of U. S. Grant. For a considera- ble period he carried on general agricultural pursuits but at length retired from the farm and engaged in merchandising in Juniata, Nebraska.
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Aubrey L. Twidale was the eldest in a family of three children. In early life he was brought by his parents to this state and in the acquirement of his education passed through consecutive grades in the public schools of Juniata until graduated from the high school. In 1895 he removed to Hastings and established his shoe store, in which he carries many attractive lines of fine and medium grade shoes. He has a well appointed store, is ever courteous and obliging in his treatment of his patrons and as the years have passed his business has steadily grown until it has now reached large and gratifying propor- tions.
Mr. Twidale was joined in wedlock to Miss Margaret Wantz, a native of Friend, Nebraska, and a daughter of Michael and Minnie (Schultz) Wantz, the former born in Aurora, Illinois, and the latter in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mr. Wantz, an agriculturist by occupa- tion, came to Nebraska in the early days and took up a homestead claim near Friend.
Mr. Twidale belongs to the Masonic fraternity and has advanced through the Scottish Rite to the Consistory, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree. He is a republican and feels deep concern for the political situation, doing all in his power to further the growth and promote the success of his party. His religious belief is that of the Episcopal church and his cooperation is heartily given to its well defined plans to promote moral progress. In a word, his life measures up to high standards and the integrity and reliability which he manifests in business affairs also features in his other relations of life.
THE HASTINGS FOUNDRY AND IRON WORKS.
The Hastings Foundry and Iron Works is one of the extensive and important productive industries of Adams county. It is a busi- ness of large proportions and is constantly growing under the capa- ble supervision and direction of J. W. Worrick, who is now general manager and who took charge of the plant on the Ist of June, 1913. The company succeeded to the business of Emerick Brothers in 1907. The stockholders are all residents of Hastings and are most substan- tial and enterprising business men. The output includes agricultural machinery, wind mills, grain elevator machinery, also structural steel and general contract work, bridges, aqueducts, etc. The company manufactures for the Western Electric Company. The plant covers
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two entire blocks and is composed of many buildings. There is a large building used for office and shipping rooms, a forge shop, a machine shop, a woodworking shop, a foundry, a steel shop and a storage building. These are well ventilated and well lighted and moreover they are equipped with the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work. They employ fifty men and their output is sold over many states. The business of the company increased thirty per cent in the year 1915 and the plant is utilized to its fullest capacity. The company never deviates from its high standard in the matter of the excellence of the output, never using inferior material in manu- facture, and in all business dealings is thoroughly reliable as well as progressive. Their different products meet the demand for which they are made, reaching the highest point of efficiency, while some of their work, such as the electroliers, shows marked artistic beauty and finish as well.
WALTER LIVINGSTON.
Walter Livingston is a partner in the undertaking business con- ducted under the name of The Livingstons at Hastings. He was born in Jersey county, Illinois, on the 31st day of March, 1876, and is a son of Albert Livingston, who was the founder and is the senior partner in the business which is still carried on by the father and his two sons. Walter Livingston acquired a public school education and is a graduate of the high school of Harvard. He afterward took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for three years at Edgar, Clay county. Later he pursued a course in embalming and joined his father and brother in the conduct of the business in which he has since been active. They have the best appointed undertak- ing establishment in the state, carrying a large line of caskets and funeral goods, having also four auto hearses and two horse hearses. In connection they maintain a well appointed chapel in which services may be held, and no one is better able to handle funerals than this firm.
In 1900 Mr. Livingston was united in marriage to Miss Christina Firestein, a daughter of Henry Firestein, of Grand Island. In his political views Walter Livingston is a republican and is now serving for the second term as a member of the city council, in which he is on several important committees. He does good work for the public welfare along the lines of substantial progress and improvement and
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his cooperation can always be counted upon to further any plan or measure for the benefit and upbuilding of Hastings. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, the Ancient Order of United Work- men and the Modern Woodmen and his religious belief is indicated in his membership in the Christian church. The Livingston family is one well known in Hastings and throughout this part of the state, and warm regard is entertained for them not only because of activity and success in business but also because of sterling worth manifested in other relations of life.
JOHN C. SWARTZ.
John C. Swartz, agent at Hastings for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, has practically devoted his entire life to railroad service and in this connection has made steady progress by reason of his ability and fidelity. He was born in Greenville, Ohio, on the 19th of December, 1854, and is a son of Jacob and Barbara (Kahle) Swartz, both of whom are now deceased. In the family were seven children, five sons and two daughters, of whom John C. was the first in order of birth. Having pursued his education in the public schools, he then entered the railroad service as an operator, working along that line for two years, after which he left Ohio and came to the west, settling in Plattsmouth, Nebraska, on the 11th of October, 1878. A month later, however, he was transferred to Hast- ings, where he remained for six months. He was then promoted to the position of frontier agent, in which connection he continued for several years, after which he returned to Hastings, where he spent the winter of 1881-2. In May of the latter year he was sent to Denver, Colorado, to become the first agent of the Burlington Railroad at that place and remained in that city until 1891, when he left the employ of the company to enter into business relations with the Colo- rado Fuel Company. Drought brought on hard times and he severed his connection with the Colorado Fuel Company, after which he returned to the Burlington Railroad as local agent at Denver, con- tinuing there for eight years. He was afterward made general agent and occupied that position until the 17th of November, 1901, when he returned to Hastings, where he has since been located. He has proven a most capable representative of the road, is always courteous and obliging to its patrons and at the same time carefully safeguards the
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interests of the corporation which he represents. During this period he has witnessed the development and upbuilding of the city, which at the time of his arrival contained no brick residences. There were only board walks and the water supply was furnished with windmills. He was the night operator who got into communication with the gov- ernment, leading to the sending of the militia here. As the years have gone he has witnessed marked changes and rejoices in what has been accomplished, converting Hastings from a western frontier town into a city of attractive proportions and opportunities.
On the 30th of September, 1890, Mr. Swartz was joined in wed- lock to Miss Mary E. Leight. He is a Protestant in religious faith ยท and his wife belongs to the Christian Science church. In his political views Mr. Swartz is a republican and fraternally is connected with the Elks and the Commercial Club. He is one of the town's noted pedestrians, fond of walking for exercise. In his busy life, however, there have been few idle hours, his entire time and attention being concentrated upon his duties, which have been capably and efficiently discharged, making him one of the most trusted representatives of the corporation with which he is connected, while among his fellow towns- men he is regarded as a most popular citizen.
BOWNE S. KOEHLER.
Bowne S. Koehler is an active business man, devoting his entire attention to his duties as secretary and treasurer of the Koehler Twi- dale Elevator Company of Hastings. He finds in the faithful per- formance of each day's duties courage and inspiration for the labors of the succeeding day and along the steps of an orderly progression he is working his way upward. He was born at Blue Hill, Nebraska, May 19, 1887, a son of Christian and Helen (Sweetland) Koehler. The father was born in Geneva, Illinois, and is now living at Hastings at the age of fifty-nine years. He has devoted his life to the grain trade and to farming and he dates his residence in Nebraska from 1878, at which time he took up his abode at Ayr, Adams county. He found here pioneer conditions and with the work of general improve- ment and development has since been associated. He carried on farming for a time but for many years has been actively engaged in the grain business and is now the vice president of the Koehler Twi- dale Elevator Company, operating a line of fifteen elevators, one of which is situated at Roseland in this county. His growing business
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affairs have made him a prosperous man and his activities have been of a nature that have contributed to public progress and prosperity as well as to individual success. In the early '80s he removed to Blue Hill, Nebraska, and took an active part in public as well as business affairs there. In 1900 he came to Hastings, where he now has a fine residence. He spends much of his time in looking after his Montana holdings, for he has made extensive investments in that state.
After completing a course of study in the high school at Blue Hill, Bowne S. Koehler continued his education in the Nebraska State Uni- versity and later made his initial step in the business world in connec- tion with banking, securing the position of cashier in the First National Bank at Elwood, Nebraska, where he served as a director and stockholder. In 1909 he came to Hastings and entered into active relations with the Koehler Twidale Elevator Company as secretary and treasurer. His undivided attention is now devoted to this business and his enterprise and progressive spirit constitute a potent element in the growth of the undertaking. In this connection he occupies a leading position as a representative of the grain trade in the state and he has thoroughly familiarized himself with every branch of the busi- ness and is thus able to successfully direct the activities of the com- pany which he represents.
Mr. Koehler was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Pierce, a native of Friend, Nebraska, and a daughter of George Pierce, who became an early settler of Friend, where he embarked in merchandising and has since been prominent and active in the affairs of the town. Our subject and his wife have one child, Mary Helen.
Mr. Koehler is a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity and an active member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is a young man of marked enterprise and laudable ambition. He never fears to venture where favoring opportunity leads the way and he is fortunate in possessing character and ability that inspire confi- dence in others.
THOMAS R. VARAH.
Thomas R. Varah, who is successfully engaged in the real estate business in Hastings, is still a large landowner and for a quarter of a century farmed a thousand acres, his ability to manage his extensive interests being proof of his energy, his foresight and his power to think in large terms. He was born in Oswego county, New York, in
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1857, of the marriage of James and Alice S. Varah, the former a native of Staffordshire, England, and the latter of London. They came to America in 1856 and settled in New York, where the father engaged in truck farming for fifty years, or until 1906, when he retired. He passed away in 1914 at an advanced age. He is sur- vived by his widow, who lives in Central Square, New York.
Thomas R. Varah divided his time between working for his father and attending school until he was eleven years of age and then became a newsboy on the New York Central lines, working in that capacity for five years. He was subsequently brakeman for a year, fireman for two years and conductor for two years but at the end of that time removed to La Salle county, Illinois, and rented a farm, feeling that agriculture offered greater opportunity for success than railroading. For five years during the winters, when there was little farm work to be done, he attended school at Ottawa, thus supplementing the educa- tion which he had previously acquired. On the 22d of February, 1881, he removed to Adams county, Nebraska, and rented land in High- land township which he operated until 1884, when he purchased land in Hall county. For twenty-four years he devoted his time to agri- cultural pursuits there and during that period farmed a thousand acres of land. Although he is not now giving his personal attention to farming interests he still owns a large tract of land in Hall and Adams counties.
Mr. Varah was married in Illinois, in December, 1879, to Miss Erissa A. Wisner, who is a daughter of James R. and Sophronia Wisner, old settlers of West Blue township, this county. They are now living with their daughter, Mrs. Varah, and are enjoying good health although they have reached the advanced age of ninety years. To Mr. and Mrs. Varah have been born seven children, as follows. Alice S. married Joseph Herrod, who is a son of William and Dora Herrod, old settlers of Hall county, and who is farming in Hanover township. To this union have been born six children. Kittie B. gave her hand in marriage to Ross Foster, who is a son of Ora and Eliza- beth Foster, residents of Hall county, and is farming in Custer county, Nebraska. Three children have been born to this marriage. James R., who is farming in Hall county, married Miss Mary Rothwell, a daughter of James Rothwell, of Trumbull. Ray Thomas, who is fol- lowing agricultural pursuits in Doniphan township, Hall county, mar- ried Miss Edith Keller, a daughter of William and Anna Keller, of Hall county, and they have three children. Orange W. died in Hall county in 1905, at the age of fourteen years, and is buried in Green- wood cemetery in this county. William, who is a graduate of the
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Hastings high school, is living with his sister Alice and aiding his brother-in-law in the farm work. Arthur, who completes the family, is attending the Hastings high school. Mr. and Mrs. Varah have six- teen grandchildren.
Mr. Varah is independent in politics, refusing to obey the dictates of a party leader, and he has always taken much interest in public affairs. While living in Hall county he served for one term as a mem- ber of the board of supervisors and in 1881 he was elected secretary and treasurer of the A. S. of E., a farmers' selling organization of the middle west. In religious faith he is a Nazarene. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. Although he has gained financial independence he has received no aid from outside sources but has at all times depended upon his own energy and good judgment and attributes his success to his willingness to work hard and his readiness to take advantage of every opportunity as it offered. At times he had to endure hardship and success seemed far distant but he persevered and has gained his reward.
CURTIS LEONIDUS ALEXANDER.
Curtis Leonidus Alexander, now living retired in Hastings, was born at Leesville, Lawrence county, Indiana, August 23, 1848, a son of Eli H. and Sallie (Flynn) Alexander. The father was a black- smith by trade and enlisted in the Second Indiana Infantry for service in the Mexican war, in which he was engaged in active duty, par- ticipating in the battle of Buena Vista and also in the military move- ments in the mountains of Saltillo. In 1855 he made an overland trip with ox teams to Decatur county, Iowa, and purchased raw prairie land in that district. No improvements had been made thereon and his first home was a log house. He participated in the pioneer development of the district and was a recognized leader in the community. In 1862 he organized Company A of the Thirty-fourth Infantry, of which he was captain. The company rendezvoused at Burlington, proceeded down the Mississippi and went to Vicksburg. Later Mr. Alexander resigned and returned home, resuming agricultural pur- suits. He became an extensive stock raiser and owned four hundred acres of land, upon which he made all of the improvements. In poli- tics he was ever an active republican. In the later years of his life he retired from active business and removed to Leon. He became a char-
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ter member of Clay Lodge, G. A. R., at Louisburg, of which he was the first master.
Curtis L. Alexander is the eldest in a family of nine children, of. whom six are yet living. He pursued his education in one of the old- time log schoolhouses with its puncheon floor and split log seats. He afterward attended the Garden Grove school and the high school at Leon, Iowa. Before the building of the railroad he drove a stage from Ottumwa, Iowa, to Nebraska, at which time there was a stage station at his father's home. At thirteen he began to earn his own living, working in a brickyard, and from that time forward has been dependent upon his own resources. In 1864 he enrolled at Leon, Iowa, as a member of Company C, Forty-eighth Iowa Infantry, for service in the Civil war and went down the river, being engaged in skirmish and guard duty. After a service of eight months and twenty days he was honorably discharged and returned to Decatur county, Iowa, where he learned the trade of blacksmithing.
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