USA > Nebraska > Adams County > Past and present of Adams County, Nebraska, Vol. II > Part 24
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Mr. Olmstead was united in marriage to Miss Adelaide Boyer, who was born in Illinois and is a daughter of Jacob Boyer, who in 1861 enlisted at Princeton, Illinois, and served for five years with the Union army. In 1885 he removed to Nebraska and established his home in Hastings, becoming a member of the Grand Army post in this city. He was particularly skilled as a penman. His wife, who was born in Pennsylvania, died in 1910 at the age of sixty-eight years. To Mr. and Mrs. Olmstead has been born a son, Clyde, now of Mon- tana, who is married and has two children.
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Mr. Olmstead has always been intensely and deeply interested in the public welfare and has cooperated in many plans and measures for the general good, attacking everything with a contagious enthusiasm. He was largely instrumental in inducing the Missouri Pacific and Kansas City & Omaha Railroads to follow the Little Blue to Pauline. In 1883, in 1885 and again 1886 he introduced into the legislature the bill whereby the insane asylum was established at Hastings. Up to 1913 he drew up every bill that was introduced into the legislature for appropriations for the insane asylum. In 1889 and 1890 he was a member of the state legislature, being elected on the republican ticket. He is a most active and stalwart supporter of the republican party and has ever been an earnest worker in its ranks, making cam- paign speeches throughout the state. He introduced the bill for the first Australian ballot law in Nebraska in 1889 and for four years he was chairman of the republican county central committee. In 1897 he was chosen county attorney and filled that office for four years. He prosecuted the celebrated murder case of Barney Pierson, the last murder case in the county, and did splendid work while in the office of county attorney. In 1903 he was chosen president of the Humane Society and has continued in that position since, during which time he has made a fight to protect the interests of the children and of horses and dogs in the community. His entire life has been characterized by a spirit of broad humanitarianism that has not only manifested itself in protecting the helpless from abuse but has found expression in much constructive work, his efforts being put forth in the belief that prevention is better than cure. He is a broad-minded man capable of looking at questions from every standpoint, and his opinions are never narrow nor prejudiced. His work has been of widespread benefit and value to the community and Hastings numbers him among her prominent and honored citizens.
CHARLES EDWARD BRUCKMAN.
Charles Edward Bruckman, member of the Hastings bar and now serving as city attorney, was born on the 28th of March, 1877, in Lowell, Indiana. His father, George H. Bruckman, was a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and when only three years of age started with his parents for the United States but his mother died on the voyage and his father passed away soon afterward. George H. Bruckman was reared to farm life and continued his residence in
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Indiana until 1880, when he came to Nebraska, settling in Juniata township, Adams county, where he had two hundred and forty acres of good land. He engaged extensively and successfully in general farming and stock raising and was accounted one of the active and leading agriculturists of the community until 1901, when he returned to Indiana. He is now living retired at Tolleston, that state, at the age of sixty-two years. He was married in Indiana to Miss Esther Nichols, who was born in Ohio but was reared in Indiana and is now sixty years of age. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and his family attend the Methodist church.
Charles Edward Bruckman obtained his early education in the district schools of Juniata township, for he was but three years of age at the time of the removal of the family to this state. He afterward attended the high school of Juniata and the Business & Normal Col- lege at Grand Island, after which he entered the law department of the State University, therein completing his course with the class of 1903. He left home at the age of twenty years and made his own way through school, providing the necessary funds by teaching in the schools of Juniata and Wanda townships for three years and also by farming. Determining upon the practice of law as a life work, he prepared for his profession and entered at once upon active practice in Hastings. He filled the office of clerk of the district court in Adams county from 1904 until 1912. Two years later he entered into part- nership with John Snider for the practice of law and in 1915 was appointed city attorney, which position he now fills. He practices in all the courts and is regarded as one of the capable representatives of the Hastings bar, displaying ability in the preparation of his cases and in the presentation of his cause before the courts.
Mr. Bruckman was married on the 27th of December, 1903, to Miss Blanche A. Favinger, who was born in this county and is the youngest daughter of Solomon and Louisa (Betrier) Favinger, who in the late '70s came to Adams county, settling near Roseland. The father engaged extensively in farming and also became a general mer- chant of Roseland, where he continued business until 1907, when he removed to Hastings, where he now lives retired. He is a member of the Methodist church and his entire life has been passed in harmony with his professions.
Mr. and Mrs. Bruckman have become the parents of a son, Oren Russell, born October 5, 1904. Fraternally Mr. Bruckman is con- nected with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He has served as vice president of the school board of Hastings but re-
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signed that position to become city attorney. He is a democrat in politics and is a recognized leader in the "dry" branch of his party. He stands loyally for all those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride and has put forth earnest and effective effort for advancing the public welfare. He has a wide acquaintance and wherever known is held in high regard because of his sterling personal traits and the value of his service in public connections.
L. B. HOAGLAND.
L. B. Hoagland, the owner and manager of the Hoagland New Process Laundry, located at No. 515 West Third street, Hastings, has gained a place among the aggressive and successful business men of the city and has built up a trade of gratifying proportions. He was born in Pennsylvania on the 22d of August, 1875, and is a son of Jonathan J. and E. M. (Goss) Hoagland, who came to Nebraska with their family in 1877. They located on a rented farm three miles south of Hastings and remained there for eight years, after which removal was made to Custer county. The father there met his death in a fire and in 1886 the family removed to Hastings, where the mother is still living. In early life the father was a contractor and general merchant but after coming to Nebraska followed agricultural pursuits.
L. B. Hoagland attended the public schools but did not consider his education completed when his textbooks were put aside. He has been a careful observer and has learned much from his contact with the world. In 1896 he became connected with his present line of busi- ness, buying out with a partner the Queen City Laundry, which he conducted for eighteen months, after which the plant was sold and Mr. Hoagland became deputy water commissioner of Hastings, an office which he filled capably for a year. In 1904 he established the Hoagland New Process Laundry, which he has since conducted and which has gained a large patronage from the best people of Hastings. The laundry is equipped with the most modern machinery and the highest standards are insisted upon in all departments. Employment is furnished to about nineteen people and one wagon is used in col- lecting and delivering laundry. The plant occupies an entire floor and its patronage has shown a steady increase as the high quality of the work done has become more widely known. Our subject is asso-
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ciated in the ownership of the business with his brother, W. L. Hoagland.
Mr. Hoagland of this review was married on the 10th of December, 1910, to Miss Gertrude More and they have two daughters, Ruth and Bernice. He advocates the principles of the republican party and loyally supports its candidates at the polls but has never desired office as a reward for his fealty. Fraternally he belongs to the Eagles and both he and his wife are Protestants in their religious faith. He finds much pleasure and needed recreation in hunting and in other forms of outdoor life and thus maintains that physical vigor which is so in- portant in the attainment of success along any line of activity. He is very much interested in the material, civic and moral advancement of his community and can always be depended upon to further pro- gressive movements. He is highly respected personally and all who have come into contact with him recognize his business ability and his sterling integrity. He is very progressive and is always willing to adopt any new method of conducting his business that promises to increase its efficiency or to better the service given his patrons. He keeps in close touch with what is being done by other men in his line through his membership in the state and national laundry associations.
FREDERICK H. BLAKE.
Frederick H. Blake, engaged in the meat business at Hastings, Nebraska, has been a resident of this place since December, 1873, and may therefore well be termed one of its pioneer settlers. Throughout the intervening years he has been connected with its business interests and the spirit of enterprise has actuated him in all that he does, bringing him substantial success. He was born in Oxford, England, July 17, 1847, and there pursued his education, after which he was apprenticed to the meat business in his native country and has since followed it. He remained in England through the period of his boy- hood and youth and was a youth of twenty-six years when he arrived in Hastings, Nebraska, where he has now made his home for about forty-three years. He has continuously engaged in the meat business for many years, being proprietor of one of the leading markets of the city, and he also conducted a cattle ranch in eastern Colorado from the year 1895 to 1900.
Mr. Blake was united in marriage to Emily F. Jones, and their children are: Frederick C., George, Ada, Thomas, Arthur, Annie,
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Morris, Alice and James. In his political views Mr. Blake has been an earnest democrat since becoming a naturalized American citizen and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. About 1878 he joined the Masonic lodge and has since exemplified in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft, to the teachings of which he has ever been most loyal.
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ADAM WARREN POWELL.
Adam Warren Powell devoted his life to farming and ranked among the most prosperous and efficient agriculturists of Kenesaw township. He was born upon a farm in Orange county, New York, on the 12th of January, 1830, of the marriage of Thomas and Hannah (Howell) Powell. He received the usual schooling of the period and like other farm boys worked upon the homestead until he became of age. He then left home and went to live with an aunt in Lackawanna county, Pennsylvania. He rented a farm, which he operated until he enlisted as a private in Company L, Fifteenth Regiment, New York Volunteer Engineers. He served with that command until the close of the war, making a thoroughly creditable record as a soldier, and in June, 1865, was honorably discharged from the military service. He returned to Lackawanna county, Pennsylvania, and farmed there until 1873, when he came to Adams county, Nebraska. He homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Kenesaw township and some idea may be gained of the pioneer conditions which prevailed then from the fact that he broke the sod with oxen and lived in a sod house. At length, however, he had all of his land under cultivation and as his resources increased he made many improvements upon the farm, erect- ing a substantial residence and other necessary buildings. He added eighty acres to his original homestead and at the time of his death on the 29th of June, 1897, was in very comfortable circumstances.
Mr. Powell was married on the 12th of January, 1854, to Miss Rachel M. Edwards, who was born on the 11th of May, 1830, in Lackawanna county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Richard and Asenath Edwards. Her father was a veteran of the War of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Powell became the parents of eight children, seven of whom are living, namely: Clarence, a resident of Smithfield, Ne- braska; Nora, the wife of R. Besecker, of Smithfield; Angie, who married E. Oster, of Boulder, Colorado; Ella, the wife of L. Ketcham, of Madison, Wisconsin; Roenna, who married F. Cook, of Buda,
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Nebraska; Jerusha, the wife of H. Armitage, of Kenesaw; and Loren, who is farming the homestead.
Mr. Powell supported the republican party at the polls but was not an office seeker. Through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic he kept in touch with other Union veterans and found much pleasure in this association. His religious allegiance was given to the Methodist Episcopal church. His success was the direct result of his industry, foresight and good management and none begrudged him his prosperity. His wife still owns the homestead of two hun- dred and forty acres and also holds title to property in Kenesaw. She is widely known throughout the county, in which she has lived for many years, and is highly respected and esteemed.
GEORGE WASHINGTON WOLCOTT.
George Washington Wolcott, deceased, was one of the successful and progressive farmers of Wanda township and was also connected with business interests as president of the Independent Telephone Company, which he aided in organizing. His birth occurred in Oneida county, New York, on the 3d of December, 1843, and he was a son of Josiah and Hannah (Russell) Wolcott. At that early day there were no public schools but the residents of a locality organized a subscription school, each family paying so much for each child who attended. In such a school George W. Wolcott received his education and during his boyhood aided in the operation of a sawmill. On the 29th of August, 1862, he put aside all personal considerations and enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Forty-sixth New York Volunteer Infantry. He participated in much hard fighting, includ- ing the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and Little Round Top. On the 2d of June, 1864, he was taken prisoner near Richmond, Virginia, and was confined in the following Con- federate prisons-Pemberton, Danville, Libby, Florence and Ander- sonville, in which he was held for six months. In December, 1864, he was paroled and in July of the following year he was honorably discharged from the United States military service.
Mr. Wolcott worked in a shingle mill until 1873, in which year he homesteaded a quarter section of land in Wanda township, Adams county, Nebraska. As the years passed he made many improvements upon his place, which he kept in a high state of cultivation, and he seldom failed to harvest good crops. He accumulated more than a
MR. AND MRS. GEORGE W. WOLCOTT
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competence and was instrumental in organizing the Independent Telephone Company, of which he served as president and which he made a substantial and prosperous concern. He was progressive and up-to-date in all that he did and this characteristic was manifested when he built the first brick block and the first brick residence in Kenesaw, to which he removed in 1899.
Mr. Wolcott was married on the 4th of March, 1866, to Miss Celestia E. Burr, who was born in Lewis county, New York, and is a daughter of John and Abby (Tuttle) Burr. To Mr. and Mrs. Wol- cott were born seven children, namely: Ervin E., who died in infancy ; Arthur, who married Martha E. Finley and is living with his mother; Clinton A., deceased; Myrtle H., who was the second white child born in Wanda township and is now the wife of Samuel Colter and resides in Hastings; Harry E., a Baptist minister now stationed at Sumner, Nebraska; Guy E., a mining engineer in California; and Abby, who died when two years of age.
Mr. Wolcott was a stanch supporter of the republican party and took a very active part in local politics. He was called to a number of offices, serving as assessor, as justice of the peace and as a member of the school board and in all of his official positions made a highly creditable record. He belonged to the Baptist church, in which he served as deacon, and could always be counted upon to further all movements seeking the moral advancement of his community. Fra- ternally he was a member of Kenesaw Lodge, No. 144, A. F. & A. M., and he was also identified with the Grand Army of the Republic. The foregoing record of his life indicates that he was a man of influence in his community and was active along many lines. His demise, which occurred on the 17th of September, 1911, was sincerely regretted, and all recognized that Kenesaw had lost a prominent citizen.
ERICK JOHNSON.
Erick Johnson, who is living retired in Hastings, was for many years actively engaged in agricultural pursuits and was recognized as one of the most progressive and efficient farmers of the county. His place, which is known as the Rosedale farm, received the prize offered by the Lincoln Star for the best kept farm and in all of his work he used the most up-to-date machinery and followed scientific methods. A native of Sweden, he was born on the 13th of November, 1854, a Vol. II-16
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son of John Peter and Anna M. Johnson. The father engaged in farming and fishing and passed his entire life in Sweden, as did his wife.
Erick Johnson attended the common schools in the acquirement of his education and also assisted his father with the farm work, being so employed until eighteen years of age, when he emigrated to the United States. He lived at Lincoln, Illinois, for a time and while there worked at laying gas pipe at two dollars a day. In 1876 he came to Adams county, Nebraska, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land near Roseland but did not settle here at that time, returning to Illinois, where he was employed on the farm. Two years later, in December, 1878, he purchased a span of mules and with his brother, John, and two others started to drive to this state, but they were overtaken by a storm and when they reached Macomb, Illinois, they placed the mules in a car and shipped them to Adams county. Mr. Johnson was in straitened circumstances and in order to pay the freight had to borrow money at the rate of three per cent interest a month. He brought his land under cultivation as soon as possible and also rented an additional tract near Juniata, and as he was at that time unmarried he boarded while engaged in the development of his farm. Subsequently he took up his residence upon his place and as the years passed continued to improve his property, making it a thoroughly modern and very attractive farm home. It became known as one of the show places of the neighborhood and was awarded the prize offered by the Lincoln Star for the best kept farm. Mr. John- son invested in additional land from time to time and acquired title to several farms in the county. On the 22d of August, 1914, he re- moved to Hastings, having purchased a beautiful residence at the corner of Tenth street and North Denver avenue. He has since resided here and is enjoying a period of comparative leisure made possible by his energy and good management in former years. He has not only been an important factor in the agricultural development of the county but has also been connected with its business interests. being a director of the Farm Mutual Central Fire Insurance Com- pany of Hastings, president of the Roseland Grain & Supply Com- pany, which position he has held since the organization of the concern, and vice president and a director of the Roseland State Bank. While actively engaged in farming he paid much attention to the raising of stock, finding that branch of his business especially profitable.
Mr. Johnson was married on the 15th of October, 1882, to Miss Alma Johnson, a daughter of John Johnson, who came to Adams county in 1879 and located near Hastings. Both he and his wife are
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deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Erick Johnson have become the parents of the following children: John Elmer, who died when twenty-seven years of age; Mabel, the wife of A. W. Johnson, who is farming our subject's home place; and Carl Eric, who is eleven years of age and is attending school.
Mr. Johnson is a leader in local republican circles and has taken a prominent part in public affairs. During the sessions of 1905 and 1909 he represented his district in the state legislature and in his two terms of service aided in the passage of a number of bills that have since proved of great value to the commonwealth. He has also held local office, having been township supervisor of Roseland township for two terms and having served as school moderator for nine years. In religious faith he and his family are Lutherans and the principles which govern their lives are found in the teachings of that church. He is an enthusiastic motorist, uses his car in the management of his numerous farms, and is fond of all phases of outdoor life. He has always recognized the obligations resting upon a good citizen to fur- ther in every way possible the community welfare and has great faith in the future of this part of the state. His signal success indicates what may be accomplished when a man is energetic and progressive and is quick to recognize and utilize opportunity, for although he was practically penniless when he came to this county he is now financially independent.
WILLIAM THOMAS BLACKMAN.
William Thomas Blackman, engaged in the wholesale grocery business, has thus been identified with the commercial interests of Hastings since July, 1887. Honored and respected by all, there is no man who occupies a more enviable position in commercial and financial circles in his part of the state, not alone by reason of the success he has achieved but also owing to the straightforward business policy which he has ever followed. He was born in Beverly, Randolph county, Virginia, now West Virginia, September 2, 1853, a son of Judson and Philadelphia Burns (Rees) Blackman. His paternal grand- father, David Blackman, was the owner of large tracts of land in Randolph and Jackson counties of West Virginia. He was born in Connecticut but removed to West Virginia in the year 1822. The progenitor of the family in America was a native of Staffordshire, England, born in 1598, and was the Rev. Adam Blackman. In 1639
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he crossed the Atlantic to New England and in 1640 settled in Strat- ford, Connecticut.
William Thomas Blackman supplemented a public school educa- tion by study in the State Normal School at Fairmont, West Virginia. There was a period, however, before his normal course that he spent in his father's general mercantile store at Beverly, West Virginia, being there employed until 1872. In 1873 he accepted the manage- ment of a general store at Moscow, Maryland, and in 1875 returned to his native town, where he was manager of a general store until the fall of 1876. At that time he removed to Peoria, Illinois, and was employed in a wholesale notion house until the spring of 1877, when he removed to Red Oak, Iowa, where he was manager of a general store until 1880. For five years afterward he acted as traveling sales- man for a wholesale dry goods house of St. Joseph, Missouri, and for one year represented a Chicago house upon the road. In 1886 he purchased an interest in a wholesale grocery business at Red Oak, Iowa, and in July, 1887, removed to Hastings, Nebraska, where, with his business associates, he immediately afterward established the whole- sale grocery business, with which he is still connected as senior partner. His trade has steadily grown in volume and importance and the busi- ness is now one of extensive and gratifying proportions.
Mr. Blackman married Miss Blanche Alpin Chenoweth, a daugh- ter of Mr. and Mrs. Lemuel Chenoweth, of Beverly, Randolph county, West Virginia, the mother having in her maidenhood been Miss Nancy A. Hart, a descendant of John Hart, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Mr. and Mrs. Blackman have a son and daughter; Dr. Julian Raymond Blackman, who married Louie Ferris and resides in Hastings; and Marjorie Hart. In his political views Mr. Blackman has always been a democrat but has never been an aspirant for office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. Close application and intelligently directed industry have brought him to the notable place which he occupies as a leader in the commercial circles of Hastings.
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