Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 75

Author:
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman brothers
Number of Pages: 812

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seventy years, while the grandfather lived to be eighty-five.

John Hoover, the father of our subject, grew to manhood amid the wild scenes of Wayne County, Ind., during its early settlement, receiving a very limited education. When reaching manhood be contracted matrimonial ties with Miss Esther Zook, and they settled in the same neighborhood, follow- ing agricultural pursuits. Of this marriage four children were born, the first dying in infancy. The second, Dr. Jonas Hoover, is a practicing physician of Bennet, Neb. ; Abraham L., our subject, was the third, and Esther, Mrs. West, who is the mother of a large family. is now living on a farm in Green- wood County, Kan. The mother passed away when her son Abraham L. was but two years old. Ile, with the other children, was then given to the care of Grandmother Zook, where they remained for two or three years, until their father married for his second wife Miss Sarah Knotts. They settled on his father's farm, taking the two boys and leaving the daughter with her grandmother, who had cared for her from the time of her birth.

Dr. Hoover says this is about the carliest recol- lection he has of himself or his family. A little later on, about 1846, John Hoover with his family changed his residence to Liberty Township, Dela- ware Co., Ind., five miles east of Muncie, the county seat. Two children were born of his second mar- riage: Jerusha, now the wife of Ilenry Schneider and the mother of a large family, their home being on a farm northwest of Muncie, and James C., who married Miss Clara Whitney, but still resides at the old homestead. To them were born two children, the elder of whom is deceased.

The early life of Dr. iloover was spent after the manner of most farmers' boys, during which time he attended the district school three months in the winter, and the balance of the year employed him- self around the homestead. This comprised only eighty acres of land. In the autumn of 1858, at the age of seventeen, feeling that his assistance was no longer necessary, he gathered together his earthly possessions, and withont his father's consent one dark night slid out of his bedroom window and left the paternal roof. Ile says, however, that he would not recommend this method of procedure.

LINDELL HOTEL, CORNER 13.& M.STREETS LINCOLN, NEB. A. L. HOOVER &SON, PROPRIETOR

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Full of hope and determination young Hoover made his way through the dark and the drizzling rain three miles to the house of John Waldens, with whom he spent the next few days. In the mean- time his father found him, but did not insist on his returning home, however admonishing him to be a good boy and keep in good company. Our sub- ject, hearing of a widow lady in the neighborhood who wanted some one to chop her winter's wood. called upon her, and soon contracted to cut twenty cords at fifty cents per cord. He had in his posses- sion a gold dollar, which he had received as a pre- mium from the county fair for being the swiftest runner of his age. he making a run of a quarter of a mile in twenty-six seconds, and distancing thirty competitors. With this money he purchased an ax and went to fulfill his part of the contract.

Our hero was set to work in an old sugar camp. If any of the readers of this sketch know anything of the nature of well-matured hard maple, they can imagine something of the task set before him. Be- ing anxious to complete his contract and get started to school, he would often reach the scene of his labors before it was fairly light. Ile would then chop until it was too dark to guide his ax, and then split (as this had to be done with maul and wedge), and cord it up after dark, usually reaching home as late as 8 o'clock.

Dr. Iloover in recalling those days says: "I wish that I could sit down now and enjoy a meal as 1 did then. Those happy boyhood days are gone, and each milestone as I have passed it has been marked, some with cares, some with sorrows, some with joys, but best of all a happy Christian home. No labor unions and strikes for shorter time with me then, my motto was and has been thus far through life, 'more hours and more money.'" After completing his contract, Mrs. Patience Moore, his employer, offered to board him for his help nights and mornings, and allow him to continue his attend- ance at school. This was just what he wished, so he took a portion of his hard-earned cash, and go- ing to Muncie purchased the needful clothing and books. Though late in the session the teacher, Mr. William Dragoo, having known him for several years, took especial interest in him, and by his as- sistance young Hoover was soon placed in the ad-

vanced class. The school-house was on one side of White River, and the farmhouse where he lived on the other. The bridge having been swept away by a freshet, he was obliged to ride the family horse, a venerable old claybank with a bald face, who had arrived at the advanced age of twenty- six years. When the river became too deep for fording, our hero would resort to a boat some dis- tance down the river, which was kept by William Truitt for conveying his children to school. One day old Bob got loose and hied himself away home. The boat above mentioned happened that day to be on the opposite side, and Mr. Iloover was left to wade or swim. As the river was too high for the former and too cold for the latter, he walked up one and one-half miles to Keiger's Mill, where he knew there were several boats. Borrowing one of these he started across, and when a little more than half way on his journey he broke one of the oars. Being a short distance above the dam which roared in a threatening manner, he was very much frightened, but finally succeeded in piloting himself across in safety. Ile says the reflections of this are not as pleasant as some of the strolls on the banks of the river in company with the widow's daughter.

The following spring our subject engaged to work for Mr. Parker Moore on his farm at 813 per month and board. Ile entered upon his duties on the 1st of March, and at the end of three months, after working early and late, found himself broken down in health to such an extent that he has never fully recovered. Notwithstanding his broken constitu- tion, his resolution was still undaunted, and he none the less determined to make of life a success. Ile spent the year following at home, in the winter oc- enpying himself mostly in study. In the following summer of 1860, hoping that a change of climate might prove beneficial, he bade adieu to his par- ents, and with $25 in his pocket started for Appa- noose County, lowa, where he had relatives. The Burlington & Missouri River Railroad had already been built as far west as Ottumwa, and from there he went thirty miles by stage to his destination. Ile had already entertained serions thoughts of entering the medical profession, and the desire increased upon him as the time passed on. He finally called at the office of Drs. Sawyer & Russell,

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of Unionville, and stated to them his eireumstances and his ambitions. They at once proffered him the use of their library, and all the instruction he might require for the sum of $50, he to avail him- self of these as long as he desired. Dr. Russell secured him a boarding-place with A. M. Harris, a blacksmith by trade, who was indebted to the Doctor. Mr. Hoover was to pay $2 per week when the time arrived that he could do so. Four weeks later it occurred to him that he might thus contraet a bill which would embarrass him in the future, so taking with him his anatomy and skeleton he went into the country to the home of his uncle, Daniel Zook, where he was received with open arms, and where he pursued his studies, going to and from the village for instrnetion as necessity required. As time passed on he found it necessary to be more convenient to his preceptors. They very kindly proffered him a room adjacent to their office, which he fitted np for keeping bachelor's hall. In order to do this he engaged to husk eorn, for which he received three bushels per day; this he exchanged for furniture and bedding. He was soon engaged in "light housekeeping" and study, occasionally receiving a basket filled with substantial eatables from the larder of his unele or his grandmother Zook.

The embryo Doctor at this period of his life spent no idle hours. He was up at 4 o'clock in the morn- ing and read until 10 o'clock at night by the light of an improvised lamp, consisting of a medieine mug filled with lard, in which he placed a piece of candlewicking, this being in keeping with his whole system of economy. The time notwithstanding passed very pleasantly and rapidly, and in May, 1862, he returned to his home in Indiana. There he borrowed books of Dr. Black, of Selma, and spent the summer in reading medicine, and assist- ing his father on the farm, receiving for the latter service $1 per day, by which he was enabled to re- plenish his wardrobe.

On the 1st of October following young Hoover received the sum of $400 from the estate of his maternal grandmother. Ile now entered the medi- cal department of Michigan University, where he took a course of lectures for six months, and at the expiration of this time swung his shingle to the

breeze at New Baltimore, Macomb Co., Mich., on the 18th of March, 1863. Ten years later Dr. Iloover was graduated from the College of Physi- cians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa.

Although but twenty-one years of age when en- tering upon the practice of his profession, Dr. Hoover met with success from the start, and made many warm friends during his year's residence at New Baltimore. During the holidays, while attend- ing leetures, he went to the country to spend his vacation, and there met Miss Knotts, a charming girl of sixteen years, but womanly in all her deport- ment. The young Doetor set himself to work to win the maiden, and succeeded so well that the marriage of himself and Miss Della J. Knotts was celebrated at the home of the bride in Lenox, Mich., on the 28th of May, 1863. To say this marriage has been a happy one would hardly ex- press it, for the Doctor avers that "death only can break their honeymoon."

Mr. Knotts was in delicate health at the time of his daughter's marriage, and she being the only child, the little family was not separated. The father and mother went with their daughter and son-in-law to New Baltimore, and subsequently made their home with them. Mr. Knotts passed peacefully away on the 15th of November, 1878, at the age of sixty-five, having lived the life of a devoted Christian. He was never known to have an enemy, and in all the years that he made his home with his children, never by word or action gave eanse for a ripple of trouble in the family eircle.

Stephen C. Hoover, the eldest child of our sub- jeet, was born in Granville, Delaware Co., Ind., March 6, 1866, and is now consequently nearing the twenty-third year of his age. Ile is a young man of promise, and already Steward and general manager of the hotel. He is industrions and energetie, shrewd in business and an admirable financier. Miss Ifelen F. Hoover, the second child of our sub- jeet, is an interesting maiden of sixteen years and a daughter of whom her parents may justly be proud. The third child, Louise Adell, who was two years old Oct. 12, 1888, is a bright little girl and the pet of the household.

After residing at New Baltimore one year and

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having caught his bird, Dr. Hoover changed his residence to Granville, Ind., remaining at that point and Eton adjacent, a period of five years. Not be- ing satisfied with the outlook, accompanied by his wife and son Stephen, then four years old, he started, Nov, 8, 1870. for Vermont, Fulton Co., Ill., and after encountering storms of rain and snow, arrived there on the 18th of the same month. A branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad had just been completed through that place to Rushville, and the quiet old town had sprung up to new life, the inhabitants being full of enthusiasm in the anticipation of its future. Dr. Hoover opened an office in Gardner's drug-store, and was soon in the enjoyment of a splendid prae- tiee. Business of all kinds was lively, and our subject for a time counted himself fully contented. But alas for poor old Vermont; she secured the Chicago, Rock Island & St. Louis Railroad, which built up other trading points, while at the same time business received a quietus and real-estate invest- ments became profitless.

In consideration of this state of affairs Dr. Ioover began looking westward with longing eyes, and ac- cordingly in the latter part of March, 1880, packed his household effects into a car, and accompanied by his son Stephen pulled out of the town. They reached Lincoln, Neb., March 29, stopping at the house of Dr. E. P. Hamer, who had preceded them to this point two years.

Soon afterward our subject and his family moved into a house belonging to Dr. Turner on M street, between Tenth and Eleventh. Dr. Hoover made his office with A. Roberts, an architeet on Eleventh street, and with what practice he could get in connec- tion with a few boarders, paid expenses after the first month. His first investment in real estate was forty aeres of railroad land on the six years' plan. Later he purchased forty aeres adjoining, then eighty acres. Mrs. Hoover and her mother, feeling that they would like more room in which to keep boarders, purchased the furniture and fixtures of the Townley House, and took possession Jan. 1, 1882. The management of this devolved prinei- pally upon Mrs. Hoover and her mother, under the firm name of Hoover & Knotts. The Doctor in the meanwhile devoted himself exclusively to his pro-

fession, and in the course of two years purchased the property, agreeing to pay for it the sum of $10,000. As a part of this he turned over his last purchase, eighty acres of land, and $400 in money. Subsequently he sold the remainder of his land at a handsome profit.

Soon after purchasing the Townley House Dr. Hoover was seized with inflammatory rheumatism, and was obliged to abandon his practice for nearly a year. Stephen C., then a youth of seventeen, having graduated from the High School, assumed charge of the hotel business, and his father remarks with pardonable pride that during his protracted illness he never had the least anxiety in regard to the management of the finances.

In the spring of 1886 Dr. Hoover erected a fine three-story brick building, 48x88 feet in dimensions, and to which he is now building an addition 48x56 feet. This when completed and equipped will eon- stitute the finest hotel in the city of Lincoln. The rooms are well ventilated and conveniently ar- ranged, the finishing and furnishing being in mod- ern style. It is a house to which, after a man has once been there, he will always return when in the city. We presenta view of this admirable hotel in this connection.

Mr. and Mrs. Hoover are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which our sub- ject has been a Steward for many years, and to which he has given a cheerful and liberal support. In political matters he uniformly votes the Repub- liean ticket. His abilities and his enterprise are duly appreciated by the people of Lincoln, with whose interests he is now so intimately associated.

W ALTER G. BOHANAN, proprietor of the Peoria livery stables, at No. 323 North Ninth street, between O and R streets, is a prominent and wealthy business man of Lincoln. Ile was born in Peoria, Ill., May 25, 1847, being a son of Edward and Mahala T. (Wilber) Bohanan. For further details of parental history see sketch of W. G. Bohanan.

Our subjeet was reared in his native eity, receiv- ing the educational advantages afforded by its ex-

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cellent public school system. He grew up to be energetic, strong and able, and early in life learned the trade of a butcher. In March,, 1869, he ambi- tiously determined to try his fortunes beyond the Mississippi in the young and rapidly growing city of Lincoln, and on his arrival here be established himself in his trade, and for eight years drove a thriving business as a butcher. He then turned his attention to the management of a hotel, and opened the Peoria llouse, on the corner of Ninth and O streets, which building was erected in 1879. In this he was quite successful, but he has now leased the hotel for five years, and is confining his atten- tion mostly to his livery business, which is quite extensive, and is carried on at a great pecuniary profit. In connection with this, he says that when he first commenced to run a livery stable he was but a butcher, and consequently had had little or no experience with horses, or with the business in any way, and when he started in 1881 his whole outfit consisted of a horse and spring wagon, and a small stable, 16x18 feet, in a back alley. From this small beginning his business has grown so rapidly and to such large dimensions that he has con- stantly had to add to his building, and to his equip- ment, first erecting an addition 20x30 feet, then another 70x100, a one-story building, and later a two-story building, 55x100 feet, and he now has forty head of horses, among which are four fine, thoroughbred roadsters, which can be driven single or double, and are valued at $1,000 each. He runs two hacks and a baggage wagon, and employs a force of eight men continuously. Our subject has acquired all his property since becoming a resident of Lincoln by sheer force of energy and fine busi- ness talents. When he came here he was $35 in debt. llis property is now valued at $65,000, comprising his hotel, which occupies one-fourth of a block, two fine farms, his livery stable and stock, and valuable city lots, both here and in Cali- fornia.

Mr. Bohanan was united in marriage to Miss Maggie A. McCord, July 1, 1875. She has been a true helpmate to her husband, and makes their home pleasant and attractive to her family and their friends. She was born in lowa, Jan. 3, 1859, and is a daughter of Sammel T. and Elizabeth (Down-

ing) McCord. Her father is a prosperous carpen- ter, and built the hotel and barn of our subjeet. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Bohanan has been productive of four children, namely : Mahala; Wal- ter, who died in infancy; Elizabeth, deceased; and Willis.

Mrs. Bohanan is a valued member of the Metliod- ist Episcopal Church. Mr. Bohanan was brought up within the pale of the Baptist Church, but is rather liberal in his views, and does not identify himself with any religious denomination. He is a prominent member of the I. O. O. F., and has taken all the degrees of the order. He is popular with his associates, being of a frank, open-hearted, genial disposition, and this brief record of his life will show that he is a shrewd, far-secing man, quick to take advantage of the many opportunities offered to a wide-awake, stirring man to make money in this great and glorious Western State.

EREMIAH J. JONES. In the pretty little city of Wallingford, Conn., which is about twelve miles distant from New Haven, noted for its superior manufacture of brittania- ware, and perhaps more because of its charming situation, was born Nov. 8, 1783, Jeremiah Jones, who afterward became, while an Ohio pioneer, the father of Jeremiah J. Jones, a property-holder of this county, whose estate lies on section 6, West Lincoln Precinct, and comprises eighty acres of good farming land. Of this precinct Mr. Jones is one of the most respected citizens.

Jeremiah Jones, Sr., was born Nov. 8, 1783. He was educated in the school institution of his native town, and from that went to farming. Asa young man he became enamored of a maiden, Miss Betsey Nattoon, a native of the same State, who possessed all those varied charms, graces and virtues which later made the names of wife and mother eloquent with meaning. Realizing this in part, it was his happiness to unite his life with hers May 12, 1807. This lady was born Dec. 27, 1781. The home which was then established was blessed as face after face was added to the number which gathered around the family board, by the birth of eight children, of

yours Truly Dr. FyJones

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whom three are still living. We bere append their names as they appear in the family record : Eliza, Harmon, Osear and Orville (twins), Sarah, Jeremiah J. (our subject), Bezaleel H. and Susan.

In 1807 the father of our subject moved to Ohio and settled in Portage County. There he purchased a tract of land and set to work to improve it. Ile removed the timber from the whole of it, put it under the plow, erected his house, and in fact did everything to make it pleasant and profitable as a home and farm. Ile continued his residence there until his death, which occurred about 1861. 1is wife, the mother of Jeremiah J., died July 27, 1878.

Our subject was born in a little pioneer log house in Atwater, Ohio. on the 24th of January, 1818. IIis life began to be a busy one while he was quite small, for pioneers were busy people, and there was work for all except the veritable occupant of the cradle. What education was obtainable was given to him by the teacher of the common school. after which he spent one year in Cuyahoga Institute. After completing his studies in the latter place he began teaching in a brick school-house in Randolph Township, Portage County, and was thus employed four months. The laudable ambition which was his as a young man refused to be satisfied with such a position, and he was careful to make himself ready for something better in this profession. He rose step by step, and when he retired from active duty was the Principal of the Jefferson Seminary at Wellsburg, W. Va., of which institution he had be- come owner. After about twenty-five years spent in instructing the men and women of the future Mr. Jones retired in 1849 from the profession of the pedagogne, and then became a daguerreotypist, be- ing the third of this eraft in the United States. He continued for three years, extending his business and making a good deal of money. At the end of that period he turned his attention to the more toothsome practice of dentistry, which he continued to follow for twenty-two years.

From West Virginia Mr. Jones removed to Wis- consin in the spring of 1845. His residence in that State extended over a period of twenty-five years, during which he was engaged in professional and official life, being Clerk of the Court of Waupaca

County, Deputy Sheriff, Marshal, Constable, and Town Superintendent of Schools, also Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. He also owned and con- ducted the Exchange Hotel. While connected with the latter he was called to Madison, where he insti- tuted the proceedings that finally unseated Gov. Barstow and gave Gov. Bashford his rightful seat.

In the fall of the year 1868 our subject sold out his business and personal property and came to the city of Lincoln. On the day of his arrival efforts were made to ascertain the exact popula- tion of Lincoln, and the total number, includ- ing visitors, prospectors and residents of all ages, numbered 720 persons, so that our subject must be reckoned among the early settlers of this city. Ile set to work to build a store, working at it largely himself, he putting up a frame building, and al- though the month was January the weather was so remarkably warm, that, in common with others like- wise engaged, Mr. Jones was compelled to remove his coat. As soon as the store was finished he put in the first stock of clear groceries ever brought to Lincoln. In this business he continued with much prosperity for ten years, and occupied the ground where the southwest corner of the First National Bank now stands.

Asbland was the next place of residence, and thither our subject removed in 1875, in order to take charge of the County Treasurer's office, with which he was connected thirteen months. He then returned to Lincoln, and engaged in the provision and feed business about twelve months, when he bought his present farin, but found after a residence of one year that the condition of the health of his wife rendered it absolutely necessary that they return to town. Accordingly he repaired to Lincoln, built a house, into which, as som as it was completed, he removed, and from that time until her death devoted himself to his invalid partner and lived very quietly and retired.

Mrs. Jones was the daughter of James J. Saxton, and a sister of Col. A. M. Saxton, of St. Joseph, Mo. She was born at Elyria, Ohio, Oct. 31, 1826. Iler education was acquired in her native town and she afterward removed with her parents to Roches- ter, Wis., where she lived at the time she became acquainted with our subject. This lady was the true

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and faithful companion of her husband in all the changes of his life, a thorough helpmate, and through the weariness of her last illness, which extended over a period of seven years, she bore with Christian for- titude her trials and suffering. She passed to her last rest Sept. 5, 1887, the cause being general disintegra- tion of the nervous system, owing to excessive nerv- ous prostration. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jones were for thirty years devoted members of the Episcopal Church, and largely instrumental in the establish- ment of the present church at Lincoln. By per- sonal effort and using their influence with others for the advancement of the city in matters religious and Christian, they were marked in the community as among its most efficient members.

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Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 75

Author: Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Chicago, Chapman brothers Number of Pages: 812

Author:
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman brothers
Number of Pages: 812