USA > Nebraska > Adams County > Past and present of Adams County, Nebraska, Vol. II > Part 23
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On the 14th of April, 1861, Mr. Schlegel put aside all personal considerations and joined the Union army, enlisting in Company E, Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which regiment was the first at Camp Denison. After serving for three months he was honorably discharged but, recognizing the fact that the war was likely to last for a much longer period, he went to Pennsylvania and enlisted in Company H, Forty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, for three years. At the end of that time he reenlisted in the same company and regiment and was at the front until the close of hostilities. His
MRS. BENEVILLE F. SCHLEGEL
BENEVILLE F. SCHLEGEL
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command marched through Raleigh, North Carolina, to Washington and participated in the grand review in the capital city. On the 16th of July, 1865, he was honorably discharged at Harrisburg, Pennsyl- vania. He saw a great deal of hard fighting and participated in many engagements, including the following: Winchester, under General Banks; Cedar Mountain, the second battle of Bull Run and Antietam, under General Pope; Chancellorsville and Gettysburg and Lookout Mountain, Rocky Face Ridge and Peachtree Creek. He also took part in the Atlanta campaign. After he was transferred to the west- ern front he served under General Hooker. He was twice wounded and endured the many hardships incident to military service.
After his return from the army Mr. Schlegel remained upon the home farm for a month and then went to Sandusky, Ohio. Subse- quently he was on a farm in Erie county, Ohio, for a year, but in 1867 he migrated westward, settling in Dakota county, Nebraska, where he farmed for four years. At the end of that time he returned cast and spent five years in Ohio and Pennsylvania, but in 1877 he again came to the west. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Kenesaw precinct, Adams county, Nebraska, and later bought three hundred and twenty acres in Kearney county. He car- ried on agricultural pursuits in Adams county for some time and operated his farm in Kearney county for a year, after which he sold that place. In 1895 he removed to Kenesaw and for nine years con- ducted a hardware and implement store, gaining recognition as one of the progressive and successful business men of the town. He is now living retired, enjoying the fruits of his former labor.
In 1866 Mr. Schlegel was married to Miss Eliza A. Combs, who passed away two years later. In 1872 he was united in marriage to Miss Rosa A. Reid, by whom he has had four children, namely: Almeda M., now Mrs. John Gerhard, of Kenesaw; Charles G., also a resident of Kenesaw; Susanna J., a resident of Loup City; and Sarah C., now Mrs. W. Hays, of Naponee, Nebraska.
Mr. Schlegel is a stalwart republican and has taken quite an active part in political affairs. For thirty-three years he served as a mem- ber of the school board, for four terms he was a member of the board of supervisors and for many years he held the office of township treasurer. He was again elected supervisor in 1915 to serve four years. He has discharged his official duties with a conscientious regard for the public welfare and has made a highly creditable record. Fraternally he belongs to Kenesaw Lodge, No. 144, A. F. & A. M., of which he was treasurer for sixteen years; and to Enterprise Lodge, No. 29, K. P. All who have come in contact with him, whether in Vol. II-15
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business, fraternal or social relations, hold him in high esteem and respect him for his many admirable qualities. He has gained a grati- fying measure of financial success as a result of his energy and sound judgment and has also found opportunity to work for the advance- ment of the interests of his community.
DAVID HART.
Among the residents of Hastings who are now living retired is David Hart, who for a considerable period was actively connected with farming and stock raising interests in West Blue township and by his well directed efforts won the competence which now enables him to rest from further labors. He was born in Peoria county, Illi- nois, February 18, 1845, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Amaziah Hart. His parents had removed from Fleming county, Kentucky, to Illinois a few years previous to his birth and at the early age of three years he was left an orphan. He then went to live with a brother-in-law, James Jones, who died when David Hart was a lad of about ten sum- mers. He afterward resided with a brother, John M. Hart, to the age of sixteen years, when he began working as a farm hand. Since that time he has been dependent entirely upon his own resources, so that whatever success he has achieved is the merited return and reward of his labor.
Mr. Hart is the youngest in a family of nine children, having four brothers and four sisters, as follows: Lucinda, Margaret A., John M., Abraham, James, Malinda, Fielding and Mary. Two of his brothers, John M. and James, lost their lives in defense of their country during the dark days of the Civil war. Our subject had accompanied his brother to Menard county, Illinois, and after the latter's enlistment he had to make his own way unaided. He went from there to McLean county, Illinois, in 1867 and there owned and operated land for some years. It was in February, 1891, that he arrived in Adams county, Nebraska, and settled in West Blue town- ship, where he became the owner of a farm of four hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land, which he brought to a high state of cultivation. To his place he added various improvements and as the years went by he carefully directed his business affairs so that success in substantial measure came to him. In addition to tilling the fields in the cultivation of the crops best adapted to soil and climate he engaged in the raising of Norman horses. At length,
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wishing to retire from active business, he removed to Hastings on the Ist of March, 1902, and he has since made his home here.
On the 21st of January, 1869, Mr. Hart was united in marriage to Miss Mary I. Campbell, a native of Indiana and a daughter of Mark Campbell, a carpenter, who always lived in that state. Mrs. Hart passed away January 15, 1904, at the age of fifty-six years. To this union were born five children but Charles died in infancy. The others are: Edith A., who is acting as her father's housekeeper; John F., who is married and has three children and makes his home at Elba, Nebraska, where he is engaged in the practice of medicine; Henry E., who lived upon a farm in West Blue township and died at the age of thirty-four years; and Dora E., the wife of W. A. Hazle, a farmer of Hall county, Nebraska, by whom she has two children.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Hart is connected with the Loyal Mystic Legion. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, which he has earnestly supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. In 1904 he was elected to represent his district in the state senate but his health failed and he did not qualify for the office. However, he keeps well informed on all the questions and issues of the day and is able to support his position by intelligent argument. He is an active member of the Presbyterian church and has guided his life according to its teachings so that his many admira- ble traits and honorable principles have gained for him the respect and confidence of all who know him.
A. W. BINDERUP.
Nature seems to have intended that man should enjoy a period of rest in the evening of life. This is evidenced by the fact that he possesses enthusiasm and energy in youth, which qualities in mature manhood are guided by sound judgment. If he exercises his powers to good advantage he will become the possessor of a competence that will supply him with all the necessities of life during his later years. That A. W. Binderup has carefully directed his labors is shown in his present financial condition, which enables hin to enjoy all of life's comforts and some of its luxuries. He makes his home at No. 1134 West Second street in Hastings, where he is most pleasantly situated. He was born in Vile, Denmark, on the 1st of March, 1842, a son of Nels J. and Angusta H. Binderup. The father was an inspector of
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the Royal Hospital at Copenhagen and spent his entire life in the employ of the government, making his home at Vile. He owned land in that locality and was a valued and representative citizen of his community. His religious faith was that of the Lutheran church.
In the family were twelve children, of whom A. W. Binderup was the ninth in order of birth. He attended school in his native town and afterward served in the Danish army for three years, during which he won promotion to the rank of second lieutenant and then to first lieutenant. He took part in the Danish war of 1864 and then, thinking to try his fortune in America, made arrangements to come to the United States, arriving at New York on the 26th of December, of that year. For eight years he was a surveyor and draftsman in the east and on the 30th of April, 1873, he arrived in Hastings, which was then a small western frontier town giving little promise of its future development and progress. He had purchased lands in Blaine township and there he erected a frame residence of a story and a half, it being one of the first frame houses in the township. He purchased forty acres of railroad land at first and afterward added to this until he had one hundred and sixty acres, which he cultivated and upon which he resided for six years. In 1879 he removed to Hastings, where he purchased two and a half acres for one hundred and fifty dollars. All of this is now divided into city lots lying along First and Second streets, which streets he laid out in 1879. For a time he was in the employ of the Burlington & Missouri Railroad Company and on the 16th of August, 1879, he established business as a dealer in coffees, teas and spices, conducting the business until July 16, 1881, when it was destroyed by fire. He immediately resumed business, however, his store occupying the site where the postoffice now stands. He gradually developed his trade into a grocery business which he conducted until 1887, when he retired from active commercial pur- suits. In the meantime he had developed a business of extensive pro- portions and his trade brought to him a gratifying annual income which enabled him to put by a goodly sum so that in the course of time he became one of the substantial citizens of Hastings.
In 1872 Mr. Binderup was married to Miss Emma Matilda Char- lotte Hansen, who was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, October 19, 1843, a daughter of Hans and Jesina (Aanesen) Hansen, the former an architect, sculptor and artist. The mother came to the United States in 1872 and lived with Mr. and Mrs. Binderup until 1893. Mrs. Binderup conducted the farm while Mr. Binderup was in the employ of the railroad company and in the mercantile business. Many Indians would call at their home, for the red men were numerous in
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this section of the state, and there were all kinds of wild game, even buffalo being killed near their home in the early days, together with antelopes and smaller game. The conditions of pioneer life every- where existed. When Mr. and Mrs. Binderup arrived in Hastings they were dropped off in the mud, as the Burlington was not making a regular stop here at the time. School and church services were all held in the same building. Corn cobs and chips were the fuel used and all of the hardships and privations of frontier life were to be met. Their experiences were varied and ofttimes were of a most arduous nature. They have lived to witness notable changes as the years have brought all of the improvements and advantages of civilization, trans- forming this district into a populous and prosperous county.
In politics Mr. Binderup is a republican but with independent tendencies, and has no political aspirations. He is also liberal in religious thought and in fact in all the relations of life has largely followed an independent course, nor has he interfered with the right of others to do the same. His has been a straightforward, upright course, marked by devotion to duty, by reliability in business and by enterprise and progressiveness in all life's relations, and thus it is that he has won his place among the substantial and highly respected citizens of the county.
J. H. LOSEE.
J. H. Losee gained a competence through his well directed labors as an agriculturist and is now living in honorable retirement in Hast- ings. A native of Greene county, New York, he was born on the 12th of September, 1840, of the marriage of Ranson and Sarah Ann (Palmer) Losee, who passed their entire lives in the Empire state, where the father engaged in farming.
J. H. Losee attended the public schools in his boyhood and youth and also gave much of his time to assisting his father with the farm work. When twenty-one years of age he began following agricultural pursuits on his own account and in 1868 came west, locating on a farm in Illinois. He remained in that state for fifteen years, at the end of which time he removed to Adams county, Nebraska, and took up his residence on a farm in Highland township. For twenty-seven years he operated that place and as the years passed brought his land to a high state of development and made many excellent improvements upon his farm. He was both practical and progressive in his methods
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and as year after year he harvested good crops he was able to add to his holdings and at length accumulated sufficient capital to provide for his comfort throughout the remainder of his life. In 1911 he gave over the active work of the farm to others and removed to Hast- ings, where he is now living. However, he still owns the farm.
On the 5th of June, 1876, Mr. Losee was united in marriage, in , Marshall county, Illinois, to Miss Josephine Roll, a daughter of Charles Roll, a resident of Illinois. To this union have been born the following children: Mina, who is now Mrs. George Garriss; Charles S., who is farming; Fred, who died at the age of twenty-eight; Lo- renzo, who is engaged in farming; Edna, who married M. Applin; Edward, who is farming; and Eva, now Mrs. M. Shaffer. There are also fourteen grandchildren.
Mr. Losee is independent in politics, refusing to follow the dictates of party leaders but rather casting his ballot in accordance with his best judgment as to the qualifications of the candidates. He has held a number of local school offices and has served as justice of the peace and has always manifested a keen interest in the public welfare. In religious faith he is a Protestant. He belongs to the Society of Pioneers and takes justifiable pride in the fact that he aided in the early development of the county. He has always had faith in the resources and possibilities of this section and his confidence in its future has been justified and he is now one of the substantial men of Hastings. In addition to his home farm he owns other land in the state and is a stockholder in the Bank of Commerce.
E. D. HAYSMER, M. D.
The Nebraska Sanitarium at Hastings is conducted according to the most scientific principles and the highest standards of service to patients are maintained. Much of the success of the institution in the treatment of disease is due to the thorough training and the ability of Dr. E. D. Haysmer, the surgeon and medical superintendent of the institution. He was born in Battle Creek, Michigan, on the 19th of January, 1891, a son of Albert J. and Dora V. (Van Deusen) Hays- mer, both of whom are still living. The father is a minister of the Seventh Day Adventist church and is now president of the West Indian union conference of that denomination.
E. D. Haysmer, who is one of two children born to his parents,
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attended the public schools and also received private educational train- ing during the time that he lived in the West Indies. He prepared for college in the Southern Training School at Graysville, Tennessee, which is conducted by the Seventh Day Adventist church. He subse- quently matriculated in the University of Tennessee, where he com- pleted the junior year, after which he entered Vanderbilt University at Nashville, where he took a medical course, graduating in 1912. For a year thereafter he had charge of the Nashville Sanitarium and subsequently he became superintendent of the Oakwood Sanitarium at Huntsville, Alabama. Still later he was connected for three months with the Washington City Dispensary at Washington, D. C., and at the end of that time he became house physician of the Washington Sanitarium, a position which he filled for a year. Wishing to still further prepare himself for his chosen life work, he then took post graduate work at Johns Hopkins University of Baltimore and on the Ist of August, 1914, was made surgeon and medical superintendent of the Nebraska Sanitarium at Hastings. This institution is under the control of the Seventh Day Adventist church and is thoroughly up-to-date in all of its equipment. It is prepared to utilize all the means, methods and appliances recognized in the modern ideas of hygiene, sanitation, rational medicine and hygienic dietetics. Much emphasis is placed upon the value of hydrotherapy, electrotherapy and massage and the most careful attention is given to the prepara- tion of hygienic foods but no "fads" are urged upon the guests. The patient is trained to cooperate with the healing forces of nature and his recovery is hastened by the atmosphere of helpful service that pervades the place. The institution has been unusually successful in the treatment of chronic diseases and specializes to a considerable ex- tent in such cases, refusing to admit those suffering from contagious diseases. A thoroughly equipped surgical department is also main- tained and all anaesthetics are administered by a physician especially trained in that work. Dr. Haysmer, who is the surgeon and medical superintendent, is splendidly equipped for his responsible position and has made an excellent record. He keeps in close touch with every- thing that is being done in his departments, insists on the highest stand- ards being maintained, and in his work as a surgeon manifests great skill. He is registered in Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, the Dis- trict of Columbia, Maryland and Nebraska and he is connected with the American Medical Association, the Adams County, the Nebraska State, the District of Columbia, the Montgomery County (Md.) and the Maryland State Medical Societies and keeps abreast with the advancement that is being made in medical and surgical knowledge.
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His high standing in his profession is indicated by the fact that he is president of the Adams County Medical Society.
Dr. Haysmer was married on the 6th of November, 1913, to Miss Mary Ella Sigrest, a daughter of Walter M. Sigrest. The Doctor supports the democratic party at the polls and his religious faith is that of the Seventh Day Adventist church. He is very fond of out- door life, finding therein needed recreation and much enjoyment. Although a young man he is one of the foremost representatives of his profession in this part of the state and his friends believe that the future holds in store for him still greater achievement. He has not only gained a high standing in his profession but he has also won the personal friendship of those who have been associated with him and he is recognized as a public-spirited citizen. He has thoroughly iden- tified his interests with those of Hastings and does all in his power to further the advancement of his community along various lines.
JAMES ROONEY.
On the list of honored dead in Adams county appears the name of James Rooney, who for many years was a well known hotel pro- prietor of Nebraska, in which connection he gained a wide acquaint- ance, while his affability, geniality and courtesy won him many. friends. A native of Ireland, his birth occurred in Dublin in 1848, and he was educated at Trinity College in Dublin, thus enjoying advanced educational privileges. When twenty years of age he de- termined to seek a home in America and in 1868 bade adieu to friends and native land. He landed in New York and after residing for a time in the Empire state removed westward to Iowa, where he con- tinued until coming to Nebraska in 1884. He did carpenter contract work and was thus identified with building operations for a time but later entered the hotel business, which he followed in various parts of the country. He became proprietor of the Lindell Hotel, afterwards the Metropolitan, of Hastings and was thus engaged in business up to the time of his death.
While in New York, when twenty-one years of age, Mr. Rooney was united in marriage to Miss Bridget Moran and they became the parents of eight children, of whom six are yet living, while two have passed away. The death of the father occurred on the 23d of June, 1910, while the mother survived until the 18th of August, 1915, when she, too, was called to her final rest. The religious faith of the family
JAMES ROONEY
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is that of the Catholic church and Mr. Rooney was very prominent in church circles and in Catholic societies. He was also an active political leader of his community, giving stalwart allegiance to the democratic party, feeling that its platform expressed the best princi- ples of good government. He had the faculty of making friends wherever he went and in every community in which he lived he left behind him a large circle of warm friends who had high appreciation for his sociability and many excellent qualities.
FRED PLUMER OLMSTEAD.
Prominent among the representatives of the Adams county bar is Fred Plumer Olmstead, whose ability has gained him distinction in the ranks of the legal fraternity and who as well is widely and prom- inently known as a lawmaker. Many tangible evidences of his public spirit and devotion to the general good may be cited and his life has at all times been actuated by high ideals of prompt and effective serv- ice for the benefit of his fellowmen. He was born in Whiteside county, Illinois, October 29, 1850, a son of Daniel C. and Octavia (Kendall) Olmstead. The father's birth occurred at Old Scipio, New York, and he was a representative of a Quaker family. In the year 1834 he removed westward to Illinois and took contracts to build barns and houses in the section of the state in which he located. He would go into the timber, hew the trees and manufacture the lumber used in construction. He was also foreman of the building of the government locks at Camden, Illinois, being appointed to that position under William Mathews, the contractor. All of the locks, gates and steps were of lumber. During the process of construction General Scott and his army were there to protect the builders from attack by Black Hawk and his warriors. Mr. Olmstead purchased land on the Rock river from the government and engaged in farming with ox teams, there residing until 1863, when he removed to Geneseo, Illinois, in order to give his children education. In 1875 he removed to Nebraska, settling in Little Blue township, where he purchased eighty acres of land and homesteaded eighty. He set out trees and developed a fine home and maintained what was known as Olmstead Grove-a popular picnic ground. He was also largely interested in horticultural pur- suits and in the early days had the only orchard in the county, in which he had many kinds of apples, demonstrating the possibility of suc- cessful cultivation of fruit in this part of the state. He was also an
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extensive stock raiser and was one of the most progressive and leading men of his community, setting the standard for activity along the lines of general farming, stock raising and fruit growing. He and his son Fred became the owners of eight hundred acres of land. He was a naturalist who loved the woods and the beauty of the trees and flowers, and he was a well informed botanist. In fact, he was thor- oughly familiar with many sciences, including astronomy. His educa- tion was liberal, not only as a result of attendance at school but also because of his extensive reading, deep thinking and thorough research work. He believed in the process of evolution and saw much in nature to confirm his theory. He was a very temperate man, possessed no bad habits, and the sterling worth of his character was recognized by all with whom he came in contact. He lived to the very venerable age of ninety-one years, passing away at his home in Hastings in 1909 .: His wife, who was born in Augusta, Maine, died at the age of sixty- eight years.
Fred P. Olmstead is the youngest in a family of three children. He began teaching school in Henry county, Illinois, when eighteen years of age and afterward engaged in teaching in Cleveland, be- coming principal of the schools of that city. In 1876 he came to Nebraska to hold teachers' institutes and introduce normal methods to the teachers of this state. In 1878 he opened the Western Normal School at Harvard, Nebraska, and the following year he removed to Grand Island, where he remained for three years as principal of the schools of that city. In 1882 he took up his abode upon a farm adjoining the town of Pauline and in 1883 he was admitted to the bar, whereupon he entered upon the practice of law in Hastings as a member of the firm of Hughitt & Olmstead, with which he remained for some time. He has been prominently connected with litigated interests in this county throughout the entire period of his connection with the bar and his recognized ability finds expression in his careful preparation of his cases and in his clear, concise and cogent reasoning before the courts.
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