USA > Nebraska > Sherman County > Loup City > The trail of the Loup; being a history of the Loup River region > Part 26
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STAPLE, R. L .- was born in Dodge county, Wisconsin, and moved to Grundy county, Iowa, when five years old. In 1879 he came with his par- ents to Wheeler county, Nebr., where he spent some years on his father's ranch. Clerical work was, however, more to Mr. Staple's liking. Accord- ingly he went into the Albion postoffice as deputy. Two years later he was appointed to a position in the office of the clerk of Boone county. In 1884 he went into the real estate business with his brother, W. L. Staple, at Cumminsville, Nebr., and that fall was appointed county clerk of Wheeler county. Two years later he retired to the practice of the law and further engaged in the real estate business at Bartlett, Nobr. He was married to Miss Margaret Erickson of Ericson, Nebr., in September, 1886, and is now the father of four bright children, two boys and two girls. He came to Ord with his family in 1892 and immediately hung out his shingle there. In January, 1893, he was elected secretary of the Valley County Abstract
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Company, of which organization he became the sole owner ten years later. In 1895 he re-entered politic's and was elected county judge, and was re- elected in 1897, and again in 1899 and in 1901. When the last term expired he retired to private life and to the many duties of a growing legal and ab- stract business. Mr. Staple's specialty is the examination of titles, in which he has had twenty years' experience. He is also extensively en- gaged in insurance and real estate business.
TAYLOR, DR. GEORGE W .- was born at La Porte, Indiana, in 1877. His early education was gained at the La Porte High School. Later he studied at the University of Tennessee, which he left to enter the Dental Department of the University of Illinois. Here he received his degree in 1901. After being associated with a firm of dentists in Chicago for some time, Dr. Taylor came to Ord and entered the partnership of Holson & Tay- lor. This was in the fall of 1901. In 1903 Dr. Holson retired, leaving the latter in possession of the business at Ord. Dr. Tavlor has built up here a good practice and is well known for his expert workmanship.
WATSON & HALLOCK-The firm of Watson & Hallock, barbers, was established in 1903. J. E. Watson, the expert tonsorial artist, was associated with Charlie Barnes from '99 to '02. Ernest N. Hallock learned his trade in Omaha where he spent a number of years. This popular firm recently moved into the new Quiz block. Their new quarters are equipped with baths and all the latest appurtenances which go to make up a first- class barber shop.
Arcadia.
BARTOO, DR. ALBON E .- was born in Eden, Erie county, N. Y., in 1862. After completing his studies in the district school he entered Springville (N. Y.) Academy where he attended two fall terms. During the winter months he taught school and later attended for one term each the academies at Forestville and Hamburg. In the fall of 1885 he matricu- lated in the Medical Department of the University of Buffalo, from which he graduated as president of his class in 1889. For six months he prac- ticed in Angola. N. Y., then removed to Wescott, Nebr., and nine months later, in 1890, to Arcadia, where he has since lived and where for a time he was one of the proprietors of the Crystal Drug Store. The doctor is a member of the Custer County Medical Society and the ex-secretary of the Loup Valley District Medical Society. In the fall of 1896 he married Miss Rosetta F. Potter and the following year built a cozy residence in the southern part of town. Dr. and Mrs. Bartoo are the parents of two chil- dren, daughters. While always interested in politics the doctor never sought any office till in response to unanimous nomination in the Republi- can county convention for representative in the fall of 1902, he accepted and was elected the first Republican to fill that office for twelve years. He was chairman of the Insane Hospital Committee, and a member of Com- mittees on Irrigation, Medical Societies, Corporation, and Public Lands and
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Buildings. It was largely due to his work that an appropriation for re- building the Norfolk Asylum was secured. He was re-elected represent- ative in 1904.
FRIES, HON. M. L .- one of the best known business men and poli- ticians of our state, was born on a farm at Winchester, Virginia, October 15, 1856. His parents were poor, the father indeed dying before the boy was born. The mother too died before he reached manhood. Thus he early learned to hustle for himself, a habit which his record shows he has been true to ever since. When Mr. Fries was but twelve years old the family moved to Jasper county, Missouri. Here he spent his winters in the country schools and managed by dint of hard work to get a year's in- struction in the Carthage High School. Determined as he was to get an education the young man succeeded in getting through and graduating from the Scientific Department of the Northern Indiana Normal School. Then some years were occupied at teaching school in Indiana and Illinois. But failing health forced a change in climate, and for the next three years Mr. Fries held the responsible position as president of the Sierra Normal College at Auburn, California. This was between 1881-1884. Then for a year he was associated with Heald's Business College, San Francisco. In the spring of 1886 he located at Arcadia, Valley county, and engaged in the lumber business, which he has pursued successfully for almost twenty years. Indeed he has now one of the best equipped lumber yards in the state, and to judge by his books, does probably as big a business as any individual dealer in Nebraska. Mr. Fries is nothing if not public- spirited. From the day he first came to the state he has been active in politics. Thus he has served as county supervisor for a number of terms. He was on the state ticket as a Mckinley presidential elector in 1896, and has been twice elected state senator from his district. He was one of the important special committee that drafted the new revenue law. Mr. Fries has during these years of public activity won many friends over the state who speak of him as a logical Republican candidate for the gubernatorial nomination in 1906. He would indeed make a strong candidate and an ex- cellent chief executive. He was married to Cora Anderson in Streator, Il- linois, in 1883, and has one daughter, aged nineteen. The Fries family has a pleasant home in Arcadia and is exceptionally prosperous.
ROBINSON HOTEL-There is perhaps nothing more essential to the life of a town than a good, first-class hotel. For seven years prior to the establishment of the Robinson Hotel in June, 1905, Arcadia had been with- out this essential. Joshua M. Robinson, the proprietor of the new hos- telry, was born in Mercer county, Ill., October 17, 1872. When seven years old his parents moved to Nebraska and homesteaded seven miles southwest of Loup City. Five years later they removed to a quarter which they had pre-empted four miles northeast of Arcadia. Here Mr. Robinson grew to manhood. At the age of seventeen years he went to Alliance, near which place he taught three very successful years of school. He then attended the Scotia Normal and Business University till he graduated, August 3,
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1893. For two years he now taught in the country and was afterwards principal of the High School at Scotia for the same length of time. For the next three years he kept books for W. B. Weekes & Co. of Scotia. March 1, 1905, he bought his present hotel property and after extensive improvements, opened his house June 11, 1905. The Robinson Hotel is a fine three-story structure. It is fitted with all the modern conveniences. The rooms are large and airy and heated with hot water. In fact it is as good a $2.00 a day house as there is in this part of the state. In February, 1902, Mr. Robinson married Miss Gertrude B. Sturgeon of Alliance. They are the parents of two fine boys.
SORENSEN, WALTER-Walter Sorensen, one of the leading citizens of Arcadia, and who owns a beautiful residence in Arcadia, was born in Ribe, Denmark, in 1874 He came to this country in 1891. He went to work on a farm near Loup City, Sherman county, which he followed for two years, when he entered the barber shop at Loup City as an apprentice. He followed the barber business for two years at various points in the Loup country, and in 1895, he came to Arcadia, with but 75 cents in his pocket, but with a carload of grit. He bought the barber shop, and started business for himself. The fact that today he owns this beautiful home, and is in comfortable circumstances tells its own story. This is but an- other example of what can be done in the Loup country by one who sticks to it. He was married in June, 1899, to Miss Nina Landers, and one daughter has been born to them.
North Loup.
BABCOCK, E. J. - The most prominent member of the North Loup bar for many years has been E. J. Babcock. He was born at Dakota, Wisconsin, and came to Valley county in 1872. He received his first college education at Doane College, Crete, and later spent some years in Alfred University, New York, from which institution he received his Ph. B. in 1884. Later his alma mater granted him the degree of Ph. M. for post- graduate work. His law studies, which were commenced in New York, were continued under the veteran Tom Redlon at North Loup. He was ultimately admitted to the bar in 1886. Ever since that time Mr. Babcock has practiced law before the courts of Nebraska. Ile is considered one of the most successful barristers in this part of the state.
BABCOCK & GOWEN-The firm of Babeock & Gowen, general mer- chandise, is one of the most enterprising of North Loup business interests. While the partnership is only one year old at the present writing, it does a surprisingly large annual volume of business. The stock which was $3,000.00 at the commencement of business in November, 1904, has grad- ally been increased till it now amounts to $10.000. Mr. Eddie Babcock, one of the partners, is a son of Elder Oscar Babcock and has been identified with North Loup from its very inception. He is well educated, having graduated from Michigan University Law School. For eleven years he practiced his profession. This was before he entered upon his new busi-
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ness in 1904. Mr. W. E. Gowen, the other member of the firm, was a Min- nesota boy who came to North Loup in the early '70's. He too has been identified with many business ventures these last twenty or more years.
DAVIS, H. E .- North Loup's successful furniture dealer, is compara- tively speaking an old-timer. He was born in Lewis county, New York, in 1855 and ten years later moved to Freeborn county, Minnesota. In 1878 he again turned westward and settled on a farm one and three-quarter miles northwest of North Loup. Here he farmed for some years and then moved to North Loup and opened a first-class furniture store. Ile carries a very complete stock, invoicing about $7,000.
FARMERS' STATE BANK-In August, 1882, Messrs. Lee Love and George W. Post established the Loup Valley Bank, the first banking insti- tution in North Loup. The same year the firm name became Sears Bros. & Love, to be changed again in May, 1883, to Seares Bros. During the last twenty years the town has had a rather varied banking history, com- ing to a climax with a failure and close-down during the dry years. But in May, 1900, tried and practical bankers took hold of affairs and opened the Farmers' State Bank. The organizers of the institution were Guy Dann, A. U. Dann, Sam Mcclellan, O. S. Potter, W. E. Gowen and George Johnson. Of these A. U. Dann was elected president and Guy Dann cashier. The first financial statement of the bank was issued when the in- stitution was two months old and is interesting particularly for the sub- stantial growth shown when compared with the statement of May 19, 1906. After a management of the bank covering almost five years the Danns re- tired, giving way to a completely new management, composed as follows: Samuel Mcclellan, president; George E. Johnson, cashier; and Robert Johnson, third director. In February 1906, L. E. Pugh was elected cashier and George E. Johnson elected president and the capital stock of the bank increased to $10,000. A statement made at the close of business May 19, 1906, discloses the following status.
Resource. .
Liabilities.
Loans and Discounts 44.283 88
Capital and Surplus Paid In
$10.000.00
Overdrafts 1.335 26
Undivided Profits 936 60
Furniture and Fixtures 500 00
Expenses
582 89
Deposits
67,664 32
Cash and Sight Exchange 1.945 90
(Legal Reserve) Total $78.647.92 Total
$78.647 92
HUTCHINS BROTHERS-is a firm of prosperous implement dealers, comprising G. L. Hutchins and E. A. Hutchins, both of whom were born in Minnesota. In 1866 they moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where they spent the most of their youth. In 1884 G. L. Hutchins came to North Loun where, with the exception of two years spent in Colorado, he has lived ever since. His brother, although he came to Valley county in 1985, did not make this his permanent home till years afterwards. In 1-92, G. L. Hutch- ins commenced business as an implement dealer. However, his stock was very small, scarcely invoicing $300. In 1998, E. A. Hutchins bought an in-
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terest in his brother's prospering business and since then they have worked together. The firm has now a large, growing business and carries a stock of implements which will invoice at least $4,000.
JOHNSON, GEORGE E .- is one of the most enterprising and success- ful of Valley county business men. From a farmer he has risen to be one of our most prominent bankers and dealers in lumber and grain. He was born in Jasper county, Iowa, in 1862 and spent his early manhood there. When seventeen years old he came with his parents to Hall county, spend- ing three years there on a farm. In 1882 the family removed to Davis Creek where both the father and son George homesteaded. The younger Johnson moved from the farm to North Loup in 1886, and there commenced his business career. He bought the old Allen coal business and a year later commenced buying grain for an Omaha firm. This he continued for four years and then began operating his own elevator. In 1902 he opened a lumber yard in connection with his other business and prospered from the first. The grain elevator was burned to the ground in 1905 but was immediately rebuilt larger and better than before. An inspection of the Geo. Johnson interests at North Loup impresses one with what general thrift and shrewd business ability can accomplish. Mr. Johnson has for a number of years been a director of the Farmers' State Bank of North Loup and was elected cashier of the institution March 15, 1905. He mar- ried Eva Redlon in 1885. They are the parents of five children.
JOHNSON, FRANK-One of the best appointed general merchandise stores in North Loup is that operated by Frank Johnson. He occupies the most pretentious brick structure in town and covers a very large floor space. In 1901 he bought the George Stover stock which invoiced about $5,000.00. Since then the business has made rapid strides upward, so that now he carries a stock of at least $12,000. Mr. Johnson, who is a son of Robert Johnson of Davis Creek, was born in Jasper county, Iowa, in 1873. When he was but three or four years old his father moved to Hall county, Nebraska, but in 1881 moved up the Loup to Davis Creek. Young Frank determined to enter the commercial lists and to that end came to North Loup and entered the field. For a man so young as he is Mr. Johnson has done remarkably well.
MANCHESTER, I. A .- The lands of the Valley adjacent to North Loup have proven to be remarkably well adapted for raising seeds of various sorts. Some years ago W. P. Everingim opened a small seed house, contracting popcorn with eastern firms. After some twelve years he sold his holdings to Ira A. Manchester who is now rapidly enlarging the business by putting in approved machinery in his cleaning and sorting rooms. Not alone is he contracting for popcorn, but for barley, oats, mac- aroni wheat and several other cereal seeds. His shipments go to every part of the United States. Thus, last year he shipped 300 carloads of seed, a most remarkable feat.
MOORE, GEORGE W .- dealer in hardware and stoves, was born in Cedar county, Illinois, February 7, 1832. Here he grew up, attending the
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so-called subscription schools of those early days. He married Mary C. Frazier of Indiana and is the father of eight children, four of whom are living. The Moores have seen quite a bit of shifting about. Thus they came to lowa in 1863-Mr. Moore farming for years where Missouri Valley now stands later they moved to near Hastings, Nebraska, and finally to northern Sherman county. In 1893 Mr. Moore traded his farm for Charles Thrasher's hardware store at North Loup. He is well stocked with gen- eral hardware and stoves, and is doing a good business.
ROOD, WALTER I .- The subject of this sketch was born at Dakota, Wisconsin, June 5, 1864. He came to Valley county in the spring of 1875 and lived on the old homestead in Mira Valley till the winter of 1888, when he moved to the village of North Loup, where his home has since been. Young Walter attended the country schools but little, as he lost his father when but thirteen years of age. This forced the boy to get out and hustle for himself. By reading and studying at home evenings he prepared him- self for college. In 1893 he matriculated at Milton College and studied there for two years. Then followed six years of teaching-two years in Illinois and four in Nebraska; the last two as assistant principal at North Loup. In 1897 he bought the Loyalist, since which time he has been its editor and publisher. He is unmarried and lives with his mother. He has been a member of the Village Board of Trustees for seven years and has been three years township clerk.
Burwell.
BANK, WILLIAM-comes out of old Scotland, and is of good Scotch ancestry. He possesses many of the sturdy qualities and traits which have made Scotchmen leaders the world over. His birthplace was the city of Perth, beautifully situated on the banks of the Tay. He spent twenty-one years in the homeland, attending grammar school at Hasting, Eassa and Retrey. Full four years were then spent in apprenticeship. He became a journeyman blacksmith in 1885 and worked in this capacity for a year at Blairgowrie. Here he married Miss Susan Saunder and with his young wife came to the United States in 1886. The first stop was made in Osborn county, Kansas, The family came to Burwell in 1889, where Mr. Bank has since followed his trade. Mrs. Bank died in 1896 leaving four chil- dren living. William Bank is highly respected in his profession and out- side it. He has a first class smithy, furnished with electric motor-power and other modern appurtenances. He holds high office in the local Masonic lodge, and is the chief of the fire department. He has a valuable farm a short distance from town.
BECKER, WILBER M .- may justly lay claim to be the " Pioneer Mer- chant" of Burwell. For his was the first store to be erected on the town- site, and with the exception of A. A. Graber, he is the only merchant who has stuck to his post continuously up to the present. Mr. Becker was born in Schoharie county, New York, in 1842, where he grew to manhood. He received his education in the common schools of his home county and at
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Fort Edward Collegiate Institute. The Becker family moved to Crawford county, Iowa, in 1875. Here young Wilber clerked in a store for a while and later was taken into partnership with his father, under the firm name of Wm. N. Becker & Co. The firm erected a store building at Burwell in 1883 and placed their stock of general merchandise in charge of George Hoyt. Mr. Becker did not take personal charge of the business till 1887, however, but since that time he his never for a moment let go the reins of management. It is interesting to know that the present "Pioneer Store" block has resulted from the reconstruction of two old, historical structures -the first store building erected on Burwell townsite and the C. H. Jones store building, first built at old Willow Springs and later moved to Burwell. Mr. Becker can tell of hardship and discouragement as known only to the earliest settlers. He well remembers the time that eastern wholesalers were reluctant to extend him credit on bills exceeding $50.00, and how he was forced to live on the old homestead for years after taking charge of the store, and having to drive the four miles daily, all because he was too poor to prove up on it. But those days are gone and prosperity has smiled on the Beckers. Besides doing a good business in the "Pioneer Store" he owns a thousand acres of good farm lands occupied by tenants. Mr. Becker was married to Miss Mary E. Chauncey at Amsterdam, New York, in 1866. Five children have come to bless the family. Of these the three sons assist their father in one capacity or another. Of the daughters one-Mrs. J. J. Hess-lives on a farm near Burwell.
BEYNON, DAVID S .- the present postmaster of Burwell, was born at Albia, Iowa, December 5, 1856. He was born on the farm and reared to manhood there. His early education was such as could be procured in the rural schools of those days. When twenty-one years of age he began to shift for himself and tried his hand at farming in different parts of the state. It was perhaps his marriage to Miss Christina J. Cor- nelia that decided him to leave Albia definitely and to seek a career in the greater, untramelled west. At any rate as soon as this event took place, in December, 18<3, he moved with his wife to western Iowa and there engaged in farming for two years. But Mr. Bey- non was not satisfied to stop here. Accordingly the family set out for Nebraska and reached Wil- low Springs July 3, 1886. Ever since his arrival in Garfield county has Mr. Beynon been inti- mately connected with the progress of the county. Willow Springs was quite a town then and prom- ised to continue the metropolis of the upper Val- ley. Mr. Beynon accordingly bought an interest in a drug store there, entering partnership with Dr. A. W. Hoyt. Everything went smoothly till the B. & M. commenced building to Burwell. Willow Springs was doomed and no one realized this more fully than David Beynon. In Feb- ruary, 1888, he moved his residence across the ice of the North Loup to
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Burwell; the store building was torn down and rebuilt on Webster street. Within the last few years it has been moved to its present location on Grand Avenue and further remodelled. Mr. Beynon has been a careful, upright business man and has succeeded well. He operates an np-to-date drug business, being a registered pharmacist. An index to his general prosperity may be seen in the late erection of a beautiful home, costing at least $3,500. In public affairs, too, has he taken a prominent part. Thus he has been a member of the school board at Burwell for ten years, chair- man of the village board a number of years, and deputy sheriff two terms. While acting in the latter capacity he made an enviable record by captur ing Nicholas Foley, the Antelope county murderer and desperado. He was appointed postmaster of Burwell August 7, 1897. During his term of office, Burwell postoffice has been raised from fourth to third class office. causing a raise in salary from $000 to $1100 per annum. Three rural routes and four star routes now branch out from this office. The Beynons have an interesting family. Of the four children now living Rebecca has grad uated from the Burwell High School and lately from the Fremont Normal. She teaches this year at York. John, the only son, is also a graduate of the local High School.
BRAGG, CHARLES I .- county attorney of Garfield county, was born at Sanford, New York, in 1863. He was a very precocious boy as may be seen from the fact that he had already completed his course at Unadilla Academy and received a life certificate to teach school when twelve years old. After teaching for a couple of terms in his native state he came west and pursued the same occupation at Cedar Rapids, Nebraska. He spent three years in the regular army, but soon realized that in time of peace the ambitious youth may find greater avenues for advancement in civil life. He accordingly retired to private life. From 1×82 onward he engaged in the insurance business. This took him to Kent, Loup county, in 1985. Next year he commenced the study of law and was admitted to the bar in 1>>9. Mr. Bragg has been a life long Republican. He has been very active in public life and has taken a leading part in the councils of his party. In Loup county he held the office of county attorney one term and was county clerk for three years. He moved to Burwell in the fall of 1897 as this town seemed to offer greater possibilities for a broader usefulness. While here he became one of the
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