USA > Nebraska > Adams County > Past and present of Adams County, Nebraska, Vol. II > Part 3
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
Dr. Nowers was married on the 10th of January, 1910, to Miss
29
PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY
Susie Petit, of Otisville, Michigan, by whom he has a daughter, Grace. He is connected with a number of fraternal organizations, belonging to Kenesaw Lodge, No. 144, A. F. & A. M., in which he is senior deacon; Kenesaw Lodge, No. 231, I. O. O. F., of which he is vice grand; Enterprise Lodge, No. 29, K. P., of which he is chancellor commander; Kenesaw Lodge, No. 188, A. O. U. W., of which he is treasurer; and Leigh Court, Tribe of Ben Hur, of Leigh, Nebraska. His religious beliefs accord with the teachings of the Methodist church, of which he is a member, and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He largely concentrates his energies upon his professional work and has won the confidence of both the general public and his colleagues. He is also popular personally and is con- sidered as one of the leading citizens of Kenesaw.
GEORGE W. LOVEL.
George W. Lovel, a well known and highly respected resident of Blaine township, was born in Hendricks county, Indiana, on the 22d of March, 1844. His parents, George and Lydia (Montgomery) Lovel, were both born in Virginia and both died during the childhood of their son George W., the mother passing away in 1852 and the father in 1856. To them were born two children, but William Lovel, the brother of our subject, passed away in 1865.
George W. Lovel received a good education, attending school until he enlisted in September, 1861, at the age of seventeen years, in Company H, Seventh Indiana Infantry, for service in defense of the Union. He was at the front for three years and was under the command of Generals Grant, Burnside, Hooker and Warren. At the battle of Welden Railroad he was captured and for six months was held in prison at Belle island and Salisbury, North Carolina. After the close of the war he returned home and worked at odd jobs in Indiana until 1878, in which year he removed to Kingman county, Kansas. He devoted about thirteen years to farming there, but in 1890 went to the vicinity of Enid, Garfield county, Oklahoma, whence he later removed to Woods county, that state. He cultivated rented land there until 1905, which year witnessed his arrival in Denver township, Adams county. He is now renting the William Dean farm, in Blaine township, two miles south of Hastings, and his well directed labors are rewarded by excellent crops.
In 1865 Mr. Lovel was united in marriage to Miss Nan Miles, a
30
PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY
daughter of James Miles, of Indiana. She passed away in 1877 in Indiana and was laid to rest in that state. She left three children, as follows: James H., who was born on the 19th of October, 1866, in Indiana, came to Adams county, Nebraska, in 1891, and is farming in Blaine township in partnership with his father. In 1893 he was married to Miss Caroline Foster, a daughter of William and Jennie Foster, who were early settlers of Blaine township. Both of her parents are deceased, the father dying in 1888 and the mother in 1913. To Mr. and Mrs. James H. Lovel three children have been born, namely: Vera, whose birth occurred on the 25th of August, 1899; and Ona and Alma, both deceased. Joseph E., who was born November 8, 1868, married Miss Lizzie Patterson, of Kingman county, Kansas, and they are now living in California. Emma was born on the 14th of March, 1874. Mr. Lovel was again married in 1881, Lydia Leech, a resident of Indiana, becoming his wife. She passed away in Garfield county, Oklahoma, and is buried in Enid. Since the demise of his wife Mr. Lovel has made his home with his son, James H.
Mr. Lovel is a stalwart republican, as he believes firmly in the prin- ciples of that party and works loyally for its success at the polls. His religious allegiance is given to the Methodist Episcopal church. The gratifying measure of success which he has gained is due not to any particular good fortune, but to his continued industry and his good management and he is conceded to be one of the highly efficient farmers of his township.
LELAND RAY PEARSON.
Leland Ray Pearson, who is engaged in cultivating a good farm of two hundred acres on section 29, Highland township, is a native son of the county and a representative of one of its well known fami- lies. He was born upon the farm on which he still lives on the 30th of October, 1885, of the marriage of Fletcher Herbert and Annie (Iveson) Pearson. The father was born in Lenawee county, Michi- gan, and his parents were David and Jane (Pickering) Pearson, who emigrated to this country from England in 1837. To their union were born nine children, of whom seven are still living. Fletcher Her- bert Pearson grew to manhood upon the home farm in Michigan and there learned practical methods of agriculture. In 1879 he removed to Adams county, Nebraska, where he had previously purchased a
31
PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY
quarter section of railroad land on section 29, Highland township, and for thirty years he maintained his residence upon that place, which he brought to a high state of cultivation. He still owns the farm, but for six years has lived retired at No. 227 East Seventh street, Hast- ings. He was married on the 30th of September, 1879, just before his removal to Adams county, to Miss Annie Iveson, of Lenawee county, Michigan, a daughter of Thomas and Rudy ( Kinney) Iveson, farming people. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Pearson. Laura, whose birth occurred on the 15th of July, 1880, is the wife of H. R. Burnham, a farmer in West Blue township, this county, and they have six children, Anna, Nelson, Florence, Raymond, Harold and Margery. Milo Eber, who was born December 29, 1883, is a Congregational minister living in Hyannis, Massachusetts. He was married in New Haven, Connecticut, to Miss Nellie Crane. Leland Ray, of this review, is the youngest of the family. Fletcher H. Pear- son gives his religious allegiance to the Methodist Episcopal church, fraternally is connected with the Mystic Legion Lodge at Juniata, and is a republican in politics. He takes a commendable interest in public affairs, but has never sought office, although he has served acceptably as a member of the school board.
Leland R. Pearson devoted the greater part of his time during his boyhood and youth to the acquirement of an education and to helping his father with the work of the homestead. He has continued to reside on the farm and since his father retired to Hastings has had entire charge of the operation of the one hundred and sixty acres in the home place and of forty acres additional, which he himself pur- chased about 1906. The two hundred acres which he farms yields hin an excellent return and he ranks among the progressive young agriculturists of the county. He grows wheat, corn, oats and hay for the market and also raises stock for his own use. His work is well planned and his industry and energy are enabling him to gain success.
On the 22d of December, 1909, Mr. Pearson was united in mar- riage to Miss Dora Nida, a daughter of George and Isabella Nida, of Highland township. The family came to this county from Vir- ginia in 1893 and the father is a representative farmer of his locality. There are three children in the family, those besides Mrs. Pearson being: Mrs. A. R. Robinson, of Hall county, Nebraska; and Rilda, now Mrs. L. E. Perkins, of Juniata township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Pearson have two daughters: Mildred Marguerite, born on the 6th of May, 1911; and Virginia Irene, born January 8, 1913.
Mr. Pearson casts his ballot in support of the men and measures
32
PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY
of the republican party, but has never sought official preferment. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church at Hastings. They are well known throughout the county and their many excellent qualities of character have gained them the respect of all who have been brought into contact with them. Mr. Pearson is progressive in his work and takes justifiable pride in his farm, which is in a high state of cultivation and is well improved with build- ings, all of which he has erected, including the neat and comfortable residence. He owns an automobile and finds it of value to him in his farm work as well as a source of much pleasure.
HON. CLARENCE J. MILES.
The consensus of public opinion establishes the Hon. Clarence J. Miles as one of the prominent business men of Hastings, Nebraska, where he is actively engaged in the grain trade. Moreover, it is uni- formly said that no man in Hastings has more friends than he. A native of Illinois, Mr. Miles was born in Jerseyville, Jersey county, on the 25th of May, 1866, and is a son of George S. and Martha (DeWolf). Miles. The father, a native of Westminster, Massa- chusetts, was there reared and educated, pursuing an academic course. He took up the profession of dentistry and for a time engaged in active practice in Alton, Illinois, while later he removed to Jersey- ville, and in the year 1889 became a resident of Beatrice, Nebraska, where he continued to follow his profession until his death, which occurred in 1893 when he was sixty-two years of age. In politics he was an active republican and was for many years chairman of the county central committee in Illinois. Fraternally he was connected with the Masons and with the Odd Fellows. All through his life he manifested those sterling traits which won for him leadership and which gained for him the high and enduring regard of those with whom he was associated. His wife was born in Alton, Illinois, and was reared and educated in Jerseyville, also studying for a time in Chicago. She survived her husband and died in 1909 at the age of seventy-one years, passing away in the faith of the Presbyterian church, of which she was a consistent member.
Clarence J. Miles, the third in order of birth of six children, spent his boyhood days in his native city, where he attended the public and high schools. When nineteen years of age he became assistant cashier of the Farmers Bank in Solomon City. Kansas, having previously
33
PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY
had experience in banking in the capacity of bookkeeper in a bank at · Jerseyville. After leaving Kansas he went to Pasadena, California, accepting a position in the First National Bank of that city, but after a short time he resigned and returned to Kansas, where he became cashier of the Citizens Bank in the town of Liberal. At the end of the year he was transferred by the owners of that bank to Chicago to take charge of their office in that city. They were extensively engaged in construction work there and Mr. Miles remained with them for about a year. He was afterward with Kilpatrick Brothers & Collins, large railway contractors at Beatrice, Nebraska, for ten years, and in 1899 established business in Hastings as a grain and coal dealer. At one time he owned five elevators in the state and he has conducted an extensive grain business, his enterprise proving an important one in the various communities where he has operated, as it has furnished a market to grain raisers. He was also for several years president of the McCanaughey Grain Company, operating ten elevators in Ne- braska, and at the same time he was operating his own chain of five elevators. At the present time he is the owner of three elevators, one at Giltner, another at Bruning and a third at Eustis, Nebraska. He is also owner of the electric light plant at the last named place, is president of the Grand Island Gas Company at Grand Island, Ne- braska, and is a director of the First National Bank of Hastings. He is likewise a heavy stockholder in the Beatrice Creamery and in numerous commercial and industrial enterprises of Hastings. He is thus connected with various corporations and along legitimate lines of business has won substantial success, steadily working his way upward. He possesses tireless energy, keen perception and a genius for devising the right thing at the right time, joined to everyday con- mon sense. His plans have been well formulated and carefully exe- cuted and his perseverance and determination have carried him steadily forward.
In 1884 Mr. Miles was married to Miss Flori D. Cory, who was born in Jerseyville, Illinois, where they were reared and educated. They were schoolmates in youth and the friendship of childhood ripened into love which found its consummation in marriage. Theirs was a beautiful home life, which was terminated, however, by death on the 18th of October, 1915, when Mrs. Miles passed to the home beyond. Her many splendid traits of character, her kindliness of spirit, her sympathy and her goodwill to all won her the high esteem and love of those with whom she came in contact and her death was the occasion of deep regret wherever she was known.
Mr. Miles is well known in Masonic circles, belonging to Hastings
·
34
PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY
Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; to Mount Herman Commandery, and to Sesostris Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Lincoln. He also has membership with the United Workmen and the Elks at Hastings and with the United Commercial Travelers, in which organization he has filled all the local, state and national offices. In 1905 he was elected supreme councillor of the Commercial Travelers of the United States at the convention in Columbus and so served until 1906. He is a recognized leader in the ranks of the republican party, his opinions carrying weight in its councils. In 1906 he ran second for the nomina- tion for governor in the state convention and many of his friends are urging him to again become a candidate for the position. Five times he has been elected mayor of Hastings, twice without opposition, serving in all for eleven years. Nearly all of the asphalt paving in the city was put down between the years 1902 and 1913 during his administration. His direction of municipal affairs was businesslike and progressive. He opposed the useless retrenchment that hampers progress and was equally strong in his opposition to unwise expendi- ture, and his efforts constituted a potent force toward the upbuilding of the city and the establishment of those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. He is a man of fine personal appear- ance and the physical is but the indication of the spirit within. He is entirely free from ostentation, nor is there about him the least shadow of mock modesty. He is a man who correctly judges life's contacts and experiences and in every relation works along the lines of progress and improvement for the individual and for the com- munity.
AREND R. JUNKER.
Arend R. Junker, who owns and operates an excellent farm on section 17, Highland township, ranks among the most efficient and progressive farmers of his township and has gained a gratifying measure of financial success. He was born in Hanover, Germany, on the 18th of November, 1841, a son of Roelf and Hilke (von Marck) Junker, who about 1866 came to the United States and set- tled in Adams county, Illinois. Subsequently they lived in Peters- burg, Menard county, that state, and in Livingston county, and at length removed to Adams county, Nebraska, where the father passed away about 1892. The mother had previously died in Illinois. Our subject has two brothers living: Harm, a resident of Illinois; and
35
1585318
PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY
Roelf, who is living in Dawson county, Nebraska; and has also a sister, Lina, who is now Mrs. Cornelius Johnston and resides in Menard county, Illinois.
Arend R. Junker came to the United States in 1866, preceding his parents in his emigration to this country, and settled in Adams county, Illinois, where he worked out by the month for about four- teen years. He subsequently farmed in that state on his own account, but in 1894 he came to Nebraska and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of his present farm from Jake Evens. He has since added to his holdings until his farm comprises four hundred and eighty acres, and the excellent condition in which things are kept testifies to his thrift and good management. He grows wheat, corn and some oats and also raises stock for his own use, and his well directed labors yield him a handsome income. He has enlarged the residence, which is now modern in its appointments, and has added needed buildings to the farm equipment so that the improvements upon his place compare favorably with those on other farms in the locality. He is up-to-date and progressive in his work and is con- tributing to the agricultural advancement of his township.
In 1874, in Petersburg, Illinois, Mr. Junker was united in mar- riage to Miss Albertina Dallmann, a daughter of Chris and Maria (Tesloch) Dallmann. Mrs. Junker was born in Germany, but was brought to this country by her parents when but two and a half years old. After living in Wisconsin for a time the family removed to Illinois, and there both of her parents passed away. She has three brothers living: Herman, who resides in Franklin county, Nebraska; and Fred and Ernest, both residents of Petersburg, Illinois. There are also two sisters: Matilda, the wife of Will Carroll, of Peters- burg; and Amelia, who married Harm Weremeson.
Mr. and Mrs. Junker have had eight children. Christopher Friedrich, who was born on the 5th of November, 1874, died when almost four years of age, on the 2d of November, 1878; Rudolph Arend, who was born January 29, 1877, owns an eighty acre farm in Highland township, to the cultivation of which he devotes his time. He married Miss Lulu Morgan, by whom he has a daughter, Irene, who was born February 18, 1909. Hilke Maria Friederike, who was born on the 16th of May, 1879, married Albert Morgan, a farmer of Logan township, this county, by whom she has four children, Lily, John, Tena and Albert. Herman, born December 22, 1881, is living at home, as is his twin brother, Christian Friedrich. Each owns an eighty acre farm in Highland township and both are progressive and successful young farmers. Tena, who was born on the 14th of Feb-
36
PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY
ruary, 1884, died at birth. Albertina Matilda, who was born on the 7th of June, 1886, married John Warrings and resides in Clara City, Minnesota. Carl Wilhelm, who was born on the 9th of January, 1889, John, born on the 14th of July, 1891, and Albert, born April 3, 1894, are all at home.
Mr. Junker and his family attend the German Lutheran church in Verona township and give their support to its work. He casts his ballot in support of the republican party, but has never been an office seeker. Neither does he belong to any lodges or societies, preferring to spend his leisure time at home. Sound judgment and well directed industry have enabled him to gain more than a competence, and his sterling integrity and genuine worth of character have won him the respect of those who have been brought in contact with him.
ARTHUR J. MILLS.
Arthur J. Mills is successfully engaged in the operation of a splendid farm of seven hundred and twenty acres in Denver township, and in addition to raising an immense amount of grain gives much attention to breeding registered Percheron horses. He was born in Grinnell, Poweshiek county, Iowa, in 1869, a son of George H. and Hope (English) Mills. The father was born in Michigan, of Scotch and German ancestry, and now makes his home with his son, Arthur J. The mother has passed away. Two brothers and a sister of our sub- ject reside in Adams county, namely: Leonard P., who is mentioned elsewhere in this work; B. B .; and Mrs. W. H. Harris, whose husband is an engineer at the State Hospital, near Hastings.
Arthur J. Mills was reared under the parental roof and received his education in the common schools. For a considerable period he assisted his father in the operation of the home farm in Hamilton county, Nebraska, but about two decades ago came to Adams county and rented the farm which he is now operating. The place comprises seven hundred and twenty acres of as fine land as there is in Denver township and is a part of the Kerr estate. Mr. Mills has erected all of the buildings upon the place except the residence and keeps every- thing in the best possible condition. He facilitates the work of culti- vating the fields by using up-to-date machinery and methods and seldom fails to harvest large crops. He has grown as much as twenty thousand bushels of grain in a year and has paid for shucking ten thousand bushels of corn in a year. During 1915 he only raised
37
PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY
seven thousand bushels of wheat on account of the rainy season, but the hay crop totalled one hundred and sixty tons. He also is engaged quite extensively in stock raising and makes a specialty of Percheron horses. He has thirty-six head, and at the head of the stud is Col- lector 60152, a fine imported stallion. He also has a few grade Holstein cattle and is beginning to raise Hampshire hogs. He rents the farm on which he resides, but owns one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 15, Denver township, which he purchased from the Meyers estate, and likewise holds title to land outside the county and to city lots. He has succeeded in all that he has undertaken and his activities have been a factor in the promotion of the agricultural and stock raising interests of his county.
In 1894 Mr. Mills was united in marriage, in Doniphan, Hall county, Nebraska, to Miss Clara Orcutt, a daughter of Lorenzo S. and Hannah E. (Barton) Orcutt. Two children have been born to this union, namely: Winona Hope, who was born April 20, 1908; and Gerald Harmon, who died when three days old.
Mr. Mills supports the prohibition party at the polls, but has been too deeply engrossed in the management of his personal affairs to take a very active part in politics. However, he is not remiss in any of the duties of citizenship and can be counted upon to support move- ments seeking the advancement of his community along any worthy line of endeavor. Fraternally he is connected with the Royal High- landers lodge at Aurora, Nebraska. Both he and his wife belong to the Christian church and they have done much to further its work. At the time of the erection of the new house of worship four years ago they contributed twelve hundred and fifty dollars to the building fund and they have always been very generous in their support of the church.
REV. FATHER BERNARD.
Rev. Father Bernard, pastor of St. Patrick's Catholic church in Highland township, Adams county, Nebraska, holds in full measure the esteem of his parishioners and is highly respected by all who know him. His birth occurred in Nebraska City in 1864, and he is a son of Peter Ulbrick and Mary Kalus, both natives of Austria.
Rev. Father Bernard received his education at the Benedictine College at Atchison, Kansas, and there took the commercial, classical and theological courses; and when twenty-four years of age, was or-
38
PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY
dained to the priesthood. For some time he taught in that institution, and subsequently spent two or three years in charge of small missions in that locality. Later, as a priest in the Lincoln diocese, he held many different charges during a period of some twenty years, the last being that of St. Patrick's church, in Highland township, Adams county, and during the five years that he has held this pastorate his influence has been felt as a factor for good in the life of his community. St. Patrick's church was organized about twenty-five years ago, and now numbers about thirty-four families, or one hundred and fifty- one souls. Before the establishment of the church, the parishioners drove to Hastings, a distance of twelve miles, to attend service. The affairs of St. Patrick's are in a satisfactory condition and it is doing well its work as a spiritual and moral agency. Father Bernard is a cultured gentleman of kind and genial disposition and these qualities, together with his devotion to his work, have gained him a high place in the warm regard and the sincere goodwill of all who have come into contact with him irrespective of their religious beliefs.
BERNHARD SCHMIDT.
One of the excellent citizens and efficient farmers of Highland township is Bernhard Schmidt, who owns one hundred and sixty acres of productive land on section 32. He was born in Prussia, Germany, on the 20th of August, 1855, of the marriage of Johan and Eva (Thimgan) Schmidt, who passed their entire lives in their native land, where the father engaged in farming. To them were born seven children, of whom five came to America: Adelia, who is now Mrs. C. Miller and lives in Cass county, Nebraska; Herman, also a resident of Cass county; Augusta, who lives in Pierce, Ne- braska; and Theresa, who resides in Colorado.
Bernhard Schmidt received his education in Germany and re- mained in that country until he was twenty-one years of age, when he accompanied his brothers and sisters to this country. After living in Cass county, Nebraska, for two years he went to Seward county, whence he came to Adams county in the spring of 1885. For about four years he was engaged in carpenter work in Hastings but in the meantime, in 1886, he purchased his present farm in Highland town- ship, to which he removed in 1888. He has since lived there and the excellent condition of the place testifies to his enterprise and good management. He grows grain, wheat, oats and alfalfa and also
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.