Past and present of Adams County, Nebraska, Vol. II, Part 27

Author: Burton, William R; Lewis, David J
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 338


USA > Nebraska > Adams County > Past and present of Adams County, Nebraska, Vol. II > Part 27


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27


It would be almost tautological in this connection to enter into a series of statements as showing Rev. Williams to be a man of broad scholarly attainment, for this has been shadowed forth between the lines of this review. Further evidence, however, of his position as a man of marked mentality is the fact that he was the author and pub-


·


311


PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY


lisher of various volumes including the Rhode Island Freewill Baptist Pulpit; Memories of Free Communion Baptists; Four Years of Cooperation in Nebraska; Life of Benoni Stinson; The Christian Church and its Institutions; and the Beginning of an Autobiography. After making a trip to Florida for his health he died at his home in Kenesaw, December 31, 1894.


C. W. WAY.


Hastings points with pride to the labors of C. W. Way, who is one of the leading architects of this part of the state. He was well trained for his profession and has made steady progress along that line since starting out in business on his own account. A native of Michigan, he was born in January, 1870, a son of George A. and Lydia J. Way. The father is a carpenter and electrical contractor and is now engaged in business at Champaign, Illinois.


Following the removal of the family to that state C. W. Way pursued his education in the public schools there and afterward entered the State University. He then entered upon practical work in order to complete his professional training, for in his university course he had specialized in those lines which fitted him for the work of an archi- tect. In 1904 he came to Hastings and entered upon active practice. Here he has since remained and in the intervening period of twelve years has won for himself a most enviable position, while his ability has gained for him a liberal patronage. He has drawn the plans for the Clarke Hotel, St. Cecilia's church, the First Congregational church, the Madgett block, the Fraternity building, St. Paul's Ger- man Lutheran church, the Second Congregational church, the Zion German Lutheran church, the modern public school buildings, the Carnegie library and many of the fine residences of the city. All of these stand as monuments to his skill and are the highest expression of architectural art.


On the 2d of September, 1893, Mr. Way was united in marriage to Miss Helen Arnold, a daughter of Ernest Arnold, and their chil- dren are Elsie D., Hedwig, George and Norine. The family reside at No. 116 West Third street and in social circles of the city they occupy an enviable position. Mr. and Mrs. Way hold membership in the Episcopal church and he belongs also to the Knights of Pythias fra- ternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Commercial Club. In his political views he is a republican and keeps well informed


312


PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY


on the questions and issues of the day but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He enjoys hunting and motoring as a means of diversion and recreation from onerous business cares but his attention is chiefly concentrated upon his work as an architect and he stands in the very forefront of the profession in his part of the state. To broad scientific knowledge he adds an appreciation of archi- tectural beauty and his buildings always constitute an expression of beauty as well as of stability and comfort.


DAVID H. R. GODFREY.


David H. R. Godfrey gained financial independence through the wise management of his farming interests and is now living in honor- able retirement in Kenesaw .. He is a veteran of the Civil war and in times of peace has manifested the same public spirit which prompted him to go to the defense of the Union. He was born on a farm in Noble county, Indiana, on the 25th of April, 1842, a son of Jacob C. and Rebecca (Douglass) Godfrey. The father, who was born in New York in 1815, died in Noble county, Indiana, in 1855, and the mother, whose birth occurred in 1822 in Ohio, passed away in Shelton, Nebraska, in 1909.


David H. R. Godfrey received the usual education obtainable dur- ing his boyhood and assisted in the operation of the home farm until he was nineteen years of age. On the 17th of March, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, Thirtieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served in the Shenandoah valley campaign under Sherman and fought in the battle of Shiloh under Grant. Not long after that engagement he was discharged for disability, but subsequently reenlisted in Company B, Seventeenth Indiana Veteran Volunteer Mounted Infantry, with which he served during the remainder of the war. He was in a num- ber of important engagements besides those already mentioned, in- cluding the battles of Lookout Mountain, Cumberland Gap and Chattanooga and was with General Buell when he chased General Bragg out of Kentucky.


On returning to civil life Mr. Godfrey engaged in farming in Noble county, Indiana, for two years, after which he went to Stark county, Illinois, where he worked on a farm for six months. His next removal was to Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he was employed in a saw- mill for two years, after which he went to Jewell county, Kansas. There he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land and for


MR. AND MRS. DAVID H. R. GODFREY AND GRANDSON


315


PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY


seven years he concentrated his energies upon the cultivation and improvement of his farm. He met with the usual pioneer experiences, as that district was then on the western frontier. On leaving Kansas he came to Adams county, Nebraska, and became the owner of land in Kenesaw township. He engaged successfully in farming and as he managed his business affairs well he accumulated a competence which enabled him to retire from active life in the fall of 1915. He has since lived in Kenesaw and is enjoying a well deserved period of leisure.


On the 19th of September, 1863, Mr. Godfrey was united in marriage to Miss Angeline Gilbert, then a resident of La Grange county, Indiana. Her birth occurred in Erie county, Pennsylvania, and her natal day was the 24th of February, 1842. On the 19th of September, 1913, they celebrated their golden wedding and received the felicitations of their relatives and friends on their half century of happy married life. They have become the parents of eleven children, of whom five survive, namely: Joseph J., who is farming in Kearney county, Nebraska; James F. and Norman, both residents of Summer, Nebraska; Ella V., the wife of F. Bowman, of Shelton, Nebraska; and Minnie R., who married C. Calkins, of Shelton.


Mr. Godfrey casts his ballot in support of the men and measures of the republican party but has not been otherwise active in political affairs. He is a member of the Christian church, is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, finding much pleasure in associating with others who went to the defense of the Union in its time of need.


A. J. VAN EVERY. -


A. J. Van Every, conducting a house moving and general con- tracting business, makes his home in Hastings, but his business extends over a radius of one hundred miles. He is regarded as an expert in this line and thus a liberal patronage is accorded him from a wide ter- ritory. Mr. Every was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, on the 3d of April, 1869, and is a son of James and Ruth Van Every, the former a pattern maker by trade, which business he followed to pro- vide for his family. Both he and his wife are now deceased.


A. J. Van Every largely acquired his education in the school of experience and therein has learned many valuable lessons. He came to Hastings in 1889 when a young man of twenty years and was


316


PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY


employed in various ways in order to earn an honest living and gain a start in life until 1905, when he turned his attention to his present business. He handles heavy buildings and general contracts and his expert workmanship in this line causes his services to be sought over a territory covering one hundred miles in all directions from Hastings. He has taken the contracts for moving the Christian church, the Hig- ginbotham house, the Burlington depot at Holdrege, the Loop City mill, which is the largest in the state, and the St. Paul courthouse. He understands both the practical and scientific phases of his business, knows to a certainty the kind of adjustment needed to insure safety from all danger in moving and directs the efforts of employes in a manner that produces the best results.


Mr. Van Every was united in marriage to Miss Ada Farner, a daughter of George Farner, of Ohio, who for five years was a soldier, serving throughout the entire period of the Civil war. The wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Van Every was celebrated on the 6th of May, 1894, and has been blessed with the following named children: Mildred, now a student in Hastings College; Marian, who is teaching in this state; Irene, attending high school; Lucile; Robert; Ruth; Kenneth; Mary ; and Alice E.


The parents are members of the Christian church and are well known socially in Hastings, where they have an extensive circle of warm friends. In his political views Mr. Van Every is a democrat and has taken a very active interest in local politics, doing all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party. He is now serving for the second term as alderman of the fourth ward and he exercises his official prerogatives in support of every plan and meas- ure for the general good. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America. In all matters of citizenship he maintains a progressive spirit and seeks the material, intellectual, social and moral progress of his city and state, giving earnest support to all movements looking to the general welfare.


WILLIAM J. SHRIVER.


William J. Shriver, who has gained a place among the successful and progressive farmers of Denver township, was born in Noble county, Ohio, and is a son of Michael T. and Mary Ann (Hughes) Shriver. After engaging in farming in that county for a number of


317


PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY


years the father removed with his family to Iowa county, Iowa, about 1866 and there remained until his death, which occurred in July, 1913. His wife is still living upon the home place in Iowa county. Six children were born to their union, namely: W. J .; John S., who lives near Spencer, Clay county, Iowa; Elwood, a farmer residing in the vicinity of Jefferson, Greene county, Iowa; Emma, who is now Mrs. Joseph Misel and resides in Marengo, Iowa; Amos, who lives in Iowa county, Iowa; and Lucy, the wife of Atkin Pladen, a retired mer- chant living in Coleridge, Nebraska.


William J. Shriver was reared in Noble county, Ohio, and attended the district schools in the acquirement of his education. When eight- een or nineteen years of age he accompanied his parents to Iowa and assisted his father in operating the home farm until he reached his majority. He then rented that place and engaged in farming on his own account for a decade. At the end of that time he decided to try his fortune in Nebraska and located in Denver township, Adams county, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres on section 23. After farming that place for a number of years he sold in 1903 and took up his residence on his present farm, also on section 23. Although he supervises the operation of the farm he leaves the greater part of the actual work to his son, Emory A. Shriver. He has acquired title to other land in Denver township, owning two hundred and forty acres on section 35 and two hundred and forty acres on section 36.


Mr. Shriver was united in marriage in Keokuk county, Iowa, in 1873 to Miss Harriet J. Misel, a daughter of David and Martha (Tremble) Misel. Six children have been born to this union, of whom three are living. Martha died when eight months old and William passed away at the age of ten years. David Russell is a farmer living in Denver township. He married Miss Mattie Van Meter, by whom he has the following children, Ruth Mabel, William J. and Donald. Amos Emanuel died when a young man of twenty years. John Wesley, who is farming in Denver township, married Roxy Van Meter and they have two sons, Lester and James. Emory Andrew, who is operating the home farm, raises wheat, corn, oats and alfalfa and also a few hogs and cattle and his well directed labors are rewarded by good financial returns. He married Miss Bessie Brocken, of Kansas, and they have a son, Emory Lloyd, who is now two years of age.


William J. Shriver supports the democratic party in politics but has never been an office seeker. Both he and his wife belong to the United Brethren church and take a commendable interest in its work. He has so directed his labors and managed his affairs that he now


318


PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY


has more than a competence and all who have been brought into con- tact with him acknowledge his ability. Moreover, his personality is such that he has gained and held the warm friendship of those who have been closely associated with him.


JOHN HEMPEL.


John Hempel, a contractor and builder, is a prominent repre- sentative of industrial activity in Hastings, where there are to be seen many evidences of his handiwork in a number of the finest struc- tures of the city. He was born in Russia on the 8th of July, 1862, and is a son of Jacob and Margaret (Gorman) Hempel. In the year 1876 the family came to the United States, making their way to Clay county, Nebraska, where the father homesteaded land and engaged in farming. He converted a tract of wild prairie into richly produc- tive fields, from which he annually gathered good harvests, and his labors too were an element in advancing progress in pioneer times. During the later years of his life he put aside the active farm work and removed to Hastings, where he lived retired until called to the home beyond. His wife has also passed away.


John Hempel pursued his education in the schools of Russia, remaining in that country until fourteen years of age, when he came with his parents to the new world. Here he assisted in the arduous task of developing a new farm and gave his father the benefit of his services until he reached the age of twenty-two years, when he started out in business life independently. He had previously learned the stonecutting trade and had acted as foreman in the employ of Thomas Farrell, a contractor. When a young man he located in Hastings and has since been actively identified with building operations in this city. He secured the contract for the erection of the Clarke Hotel, the Young Men's Christian Association, Hastings College, St. Cecilia's Catholic church and the brewery. He has three times erected what is known as the Stein block, previous buildings having been destroyed by fire. He was also the builder of the Brandes garage, the Stitt garage and some of the principal business blocks and fine buildings of the city. His work is of an excellent character, his contracts are promptly executed and there is no sacrifice of labor or material in order to further his financial ends. He is straightforward and relia- ble in business and what he undertakes is done well. He built the laundry at the State Asylum, has remodeled many of the public build-


319


PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY


ings of Hastings and at all times is kept busy with the demands made upon him in the line of his chosen vocation.


Mr. Hempel has been twice married. He first married Miss Mar- garet Hemple and following her demise married Miss Christina Hane, a daughter of Phillip Hane. The children of his first marriage are Mary, Carl and William. He is a member of the Evangelical church and is a well known figure in fraternal circles, belonging to the Knights of Pythias, the Dramatic Order of the Knights of Khoras- san, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. In these organi- zations he has many friends, who esteem him highly because of his possession of that fraternal spirit upon which the different organiza- tions are based.


RAYMOND CHRISTIAN NELSON.


Raymond Christian Nelson, conducting a photographic studio in Hastings, was born September 26, 1877, a son of L. P. and Nicholin (Larson) Nelson, who were natives of Copenhagen, Denmark. The father was born in the year 1838 and the mother in 1842, and he is now living in Los Angeles at the age of seventy-seven years. It was in the year 1868 that Mr. Nelson came to the United States, settling in Pennsylvania, where he conducted business as a mason and con- tractor. He afterward removed westward to Racine, Wisconsin, and for a time was a resident of Milwaukee. In 1897 he established his home in Hastings, where he continued in the contracting business until 1899, during which period he erected several business blocks and dwellings in Hastings. He then removed to Los Angeles, where he is still active in business, although he has now reached the age of seventy-seven years.


Raymond C. Nelson was the second in order of birth in a family of nine children. He pursued his education in the schools of Racine and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and at sixteen years of age began to learn the art of oil painting at Racine under the direction of Professor Hendrickson, who was head of the Art Institute at Copenhagen for six or seven years. He then took up the study of photography under H. S. Klein of Milwaukee, with whom he remained for three years. He afterward traveled all over the United States, making home portraits, and at length came to Hastings, where he maintained a portable gallery. When engaged in that branch of the art he at times had eight men in his employ. He became familiar with all branches


320


PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY


of photography and following his arrival in Hastings he took up his permanent abode here, having continued his residence in the city for sixteen years. He ranks today among the foremost photographic artists of the state and has taken many prizes at exhibits. His busi- ness is now extensive and in the conduct of his gallery he employs the most modern scientific methods and utilizes the latest appliances to insure the high quality of his work.


The excellence of his work is shown in the large number of prizes which he has won in photographic contests. He won two gold medals given by the Photographic Association of Nebraska at Omaha in 1903; the silver loving cup given by the same association at the same time; two gold medals given by the Photographers Association of Nebraska at Lincoln in 1904; a large valuable bronze vase given by the Iowa Association of Photographers at the meeting held in Des Moines in 1904; two gold medals and a loving cup given by the Photographers Association of Nebraska at Lincoln in 1905; a valu- able gold medal given for entry in the grand portrait class open to the world at Topeka, Kansas, in 1905; the two gold medals of the Ne- braska Photographers Association at Lincoln in 1906; silver cup at Lincoln in 1907; the grand prize of the Southern States Association in 1907; the first grand prize at the Jamestown Exposition in Nor- folk, Virginia, in 1907, in a contest open to the world; the highest salon honors in an open to the world contest at Dresden, Germany, in 1908, when he received a magnificent gold certificate; the highest salon honors in an open to the world contest at London, England, where he received a gold seal certificate in 1909; the first prize, an Angelo trophy, in an open to the world contest, held by the National Photographers Association in 1910; a valuable cup in the grand portrait class open to the world contest of the Iowa Photographers Association in 1910; a silver cup in 1910, given as first prize by the Nebraska Association at Omaha, for work entered in the grand portrait class in a contest open to the world; a large silver cup in 1910 given in the grand portrait class by the Inter Mountain States Photog- raphers Association in a contest open to the world; the first prize, a valuable gold medal given by the Kansas Photographers Association, to the grand portrait class open to the world; the grand sweepstakes trophy of the Nebraska Association in 1911; first prize of the grand portrait class open to the world at the Inter Mountain Photographers Association held at Denver, Colorado, in 1911, the prize being a valu- able cup; first prize of the grand postrait class of the Missouri Photog- raphers Association held at Kansas City in 1912; first grand portrait prize of the Iowa Photographers Association in an open to the world


321


PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY


contest at Sioux City, in 1912; first grand portrait prize at the Inter- national Photographers Exposition at Winona, Indiana, where he was awarded a valuable diamond medal in 1912; first prize in the grand portrait class of the Illinois Association-a gold medal-in 1912; first grand portrait prize, a silver cup, given by the Pacific Coast States Association in 1913; a loving cup given as first grand portrait prize by the Oklahoma Photographers Association in 1914; the first grand portrait prize in an open to the world contest held by the Texas Photographers Association in 1914; a gold and bronze vase in the first grand portrait class in the contest held by the Northwestern Association at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1914; the first grand portrait prize, a large silver loving cup, given by the Iowa Association at Des Moines in 1914; the first grand prize, a cup, given by the Northern States Association in 1915; the four hundred dollar cash prize in the American beautiful women contest held by the Ansco Company at Binghamton, New York; and the first grand prize, a valuable gold plaque, given at the International Exposition in New York city.


In early manhood Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Muench, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who was born in Calmar, Iowa, her father being Rudolph Muench, a native of München, Ger- many. Emigrating to the United States, Mr. Muench settled first in Calmar, Iowa, but several years later removed to Watertown, Wis- consin, where he died of typhoid fever. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have three children, Raymond, Ruth and Doris. Mr. Nelson has become widely known during the period of his residence in Hastings and in his business connections has gained prominence. He appreciates all the finer points of photography and his artistic taste and perception find expression in his work.


Vol 11-18


INDEX


Addie, J. E. 215


Alexander, C. L. .


233


Alexander, Samuel


162


Godfrey, D. H. R. 312


Andrews, W. E .. 288


Gossard, G. W.


79


Grothen, Conrad 90


Gruener, Balthauser


176


Beghtol, K. D. 174


Bernard, Rev. Father 37


Bigelow, C. B ..


235


Binderup, A. W. 265


Bitner, D. N. . 25


Black, J. P. A 6


Blackman, W. T. 285


Blake, Fred, Jr 83


278


Blankenbiller, George


50


Bloom, F. A ..


98


Borden, A. W.


214


Boulton, E. J.


88


Boyd, F. A ..


43


Brandes, E. A


286


Breede, Adam


243


Bruckman, C. E.


275


Burke, W. H.


67


Burton, W. R.


5


Hines, W. C.


171


Hoagland, L. B.


277


Hobrock, H. C.


92


Hoff, C. D.


127


Hubbard, E. P


19


Hudson, C. H.


124


Ingraham, C. G.


158


Isaac, L. E.


82


Johnson, Erick 283


Jolinson, P. L ..


241


Johnston, Leander


59


Crosson, Raymond


198


Crowley, J. F. 153


Currier, Lewis 44


Daily, H. B. 68


Damkroeger, H. A. 122


Denman, F. M.


94


De Sanno, W. H.


41


Dietrich, C. H. 135


Dillon, W. H .. 196 Druecker, Henry


298


Duer, W. R. 147


Duncan, J. P ..


112


Dutton, W. M. 161


Egelhoff, Luther 295


Evans, Griffith 192


Evans, I. D. 52


Faber, J. F. 99


Faber, Stephen 142


Falk, W. J. 184


Gangwish, J. F. 166


Gibson, E. J .. 305


Hadden, Louis 177


Haller, F. J.


138


Hansell, C. H. 169


Hansen, Hans 252


62


Hare, C. M ..


89


Harris, Sydney


23


Hart, David 264


Hastings Foundry & Iron Works. 227


Haverly, H. C. 190


268


Heiler, J. F.


178


Hemberger, Leopold


141


Hempel, John


318


Hensley, M. W.


154


Henertz, Matt


300


Burwell, Judson 70


Butler, Orville


123


Carpenter, H. M. 253


Carson, W. T. 10


Christopher, C. C. 200


Clark, A. M. 172


Clarke, A. L. 225


Colling, George 293


Comly, W. F. J. 289


Coon, G. N. 100


Corey, J. R.


116


Cramer, A, H.


206


Johnston, Simeon 202


Junker, A. R.


34


Kauf, Karl 78


Kennedy, Thomas


8


Kent, J. L.


108


Kidder, C. E. 157


Kochler, B. S. 230


Lane, C. G. 119


Larsen, C. C.


107


Lawler, J. A. 163


Lawson, C. K. 181


Lewis, D. J. 56


Livingston, Albert 216


Livingston, A. E. 213


Livingston, Walter 298


Long, G. W. 77


Losee, J. H. 267


Lovel, G. W. 29


Lowman, W. M.


175


323


Haynes, M. M. 73


Haysmer, E. D.


Hansen State Bank


Blake, F. H ...


Augustin, Henry, Sr 46


324


INDEX


McCollam, G. B ..


105


Ruhter, Jacob


194


McCreary, W. P.


188


Ruhter, John 201


McDonald, William


47


McFerren, J. D.


128


Sahin, R. L. 111


Saddler, W. G.


243


Madgett, J. P


Schellak, W. S


110


Madgett, William


151


Schlegel, B. F.


258


Manahan, Charles


218


Schmidt, Bernhard


38


Marti, D. B.


179


Schultz, E. E.


143


Maxim. L. E


74


Shattuck, A. T


245


Mays, David


146


Shick, Henry


248


Mays, W. I ...


129


Shriver, W. J.


316


Meyer, H. J. C.


69


Siekmann, L. J


247


Miles, C. J.


32


Sims, J. R. 219


152


Mills, A. J


36


Smith, C. E.


224


Mills, L. P.


61


Smith, Doede


103


Smith, Edwin


164


Smith, H. R. 101


20


Stromer, D. H.


145


Stulken, Fred


193


Sucha, W. L 66


229


Tanner, Ed 306


Teeling, J. M.


16


Templeton, J. L.


126


Tibbets, G. W. 255


Twidale. A. L. 226


251


Olmstead, F. P 273


Pearson, L. R


30


Pedersen, W. J


120


Phillips, L. 133


13


Pittz, Joseph


93


Plummer, J. W


130


Poulson, G. H.


209


Way, C. W. 311


Weeks, E.


15


Whiting, T. G.


64


Williams, A. D.


307


Winkler, C. W


220


Rees, John


60


Robinson, C. C.


117


Woods, R. L.


18


Rooney, James


270


Rose, J. A.


256 1 Yager, P. W


49


Morey, C. F.


237


Moritz, Charles


80


Morledge, R. R


197


Mosier, C. L.


187


Nanlteus, Francis 84


Nebraska Sanitarium 297


Nelson, R. C. 319


Nichol, W. U. 104


Nissen, Christian, Sr.


238


Norton, Mrs. G. H. 303


Nowers, W. E


28


Tyler, G. B.


Uden, Georg


290


Unger, J. W.


159


Van Every, A. J. 315


Vanhouten. C. J


106


Varah, T. R. 231


Volland, G. A.


223


Powell, A. W


279


Pratt, G. H.


26


Ramelow, H. F.


148


Wolcott, G. W. 280


McKelvy, James


54


155


Milligan, Joseph


212


Sipple, Ray


Stevens, J. C.


Swartz, J. C.


Phillips, T. S.





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