USA > Nebraska > Sherman County > Loup City > The trail of the Loup; being a history of the Loup River region > Part 28
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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 | Part 28
LAVERTY, GUY-is practically speaking a Nebraska product. Though born in Black Hawk county, Iowa, when only two years old he came with his parents to Ne- braska and Cass county. Here he spent his boyhood and at- tended the rural schools. The Lavertys moved to Valley coun- ty in 1884 and settled on a farm in Geranium township. Guy had no inclination to become a farmer, so came to Ord where he attended the high school. Later he taught school for some four years and i 1 1890 found tin.e to attend the Fremont Normal school. In the fall of 1892 his legal career began. Then he entered the law office of Hon. Chas. A. Munn. A year later he was admitted to the bar. He imme- diately thereupon moved to Burwell and was elected county attorney in 1894 and re-elected twice. He has today a very remunerative law practice writes insurance and makes a specialty of abstracts. Mr. Lavertv is a populist in politics. He was married to Miss Emma M. Glover at Ord August 31, 1892. They have two children, Cecil and Carmen. Mrs. Lav- erty is an expert accountant and stenographer and has been of invaluable assistance to her husband in his upward career. Mr. Laverty is very pub- lic spirited. In the M. E. church he has been for years a mainstay ; on the school board he has been elected and re-elected time and again.
MCGREW, I. W .- dealer in general merchandise, is one of the most prosperous merchants in the upper valley. He was born at Abbington, Illi- nois, February 9, 1863. At eight years of age he came with his parents to Missouri. He was educated at Laclede Seminary, Lebanon, Missouri, and at the state normal located at Kirksville. The commercial world held a charm for Mr. McGrew from earliest boyhood. As soon as he felt prepared for the work he took to clerking. This was at Lineville, Iowa. Two years later he moved to North Loup and opened a small grocery store. Soon after this, however, he determined to try farm life, and accordinlgy spent two years on a farm in Valley county, but unfortunately lost his crops by hail. He then came to Ord and worked for some time in the Harris Cloth-
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ing Store, and later for B. C. White. He finally bought the B. C. White stock of general merchandise and did a very good business. But he took the western fever about this time and selling out to Duby Brothers moved to Colorado. The western venture was not a success and Mr. MeGrow was glad to get back to the Loup again. He now opened a small grocery at Burwell, investing a capital of $300. A year and a half later the stock was moved to a more commodious structure on the north side of the square, and a line of dry goods added. In 1900 boots and shoes were also put in. Through careful dealing and marked business ability the business grew steadily and warranted Mr. McGrew's removal to the brick block where he now is. The store building is one of the best in Burwell, well adapted for the display of such fancy goods as are found on the shelves here. Aside from carrying a line of general merchandise, Mr. McGrew carries an excel- lent stock of fine dress goods, the best of its kind in Garfield county. The business which a decade and a half ago started with $300 has now grown to an annual volume of $30,000. Mr. McGrew married Miss Ella M. Simmons at Ord in 1886. They have four children, one girl and three boys, and are nicely situated in their comfortably home in the eastern part of town.
SLY, W. J. - was born in Page county, Iowa, in September, 1862, where he resided till sixteen years old. He got his education solely in the rural schools and was from boyhood inclined toward the farm After spending three years in Ida county, Iowa, he set out for Nebraska and reached Willow Springs in 1881. His wife was formerly Miss Ida Beck- with. Mr. Sly is the proud father of eleven children who are growing up to become useful members of their home community. The Slys moved in time to the Calamus and for years farmed there. When the county seat difficulties harrowed the county Mr. Sly voted consistently with Burwell. He was elected sheriff as a democrat with populistic tendencies in 1887 and held the office for two terms. He has also been extensively engaged in cattle raising and the purchase and sale of all kinds of stock. He has lately moved to town to give his children better school advantages than could be gotten on the farm. Mr. Sly is at present city marshal.
SMITH, ELDON J., M. D .- is a comparatively new man in Burwell, but he is already making a name for himself through his undoubted ability in his profession. He was born at Mechanicsville, Iowa, in 1-79. He received a good early education there and later at South Omaha, graduating from the high school of the lat- ter place in 1895. Like many other young men, when determined to make their own way in the would, he was for some time variously engaged. Thus he worked for some time in the largo Ham- mond Packing Co. He next attended commercial college for a year and then became bookkeeper for an Omaha firm. A year was then spent in college work in the Nebraska Wesleyan University. But his natural bent was the medical profession,
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Accordingly he matriculated at the College of Medicine of the University of Nebraska. He attended the full four years and graduated in May, 1904. A month later he passed the strict examination before the state board and immediately thereafter located in Burwell. Dr. Smith makes a specialty of diseases of the eye, nose, ear and throat. His office adjoins the building of the new Burwell Drug Company, of which he is also a member.
Scotia.
COOPER BROS., BLACKSMITHS AND WAGON MAKERS .- W. T. Cooper was born in Saline county, Nebr., in June, 1871. In 1888 his par- ents moved to Ord where he learned the trade under J. C. Work. In 1892 he came to Scotia and opened his shop. E. A. Cooper has been a partner with his brother from the first but left the shop in 1900. W. J. Cooper is still running the shop and enjoys a big business.
DELMONT HOTEL-Jay L. Clark is a native of Illinois but his early life was mostly spent on a farm in Iowa. In the spring of 1884 he came to Nebraska and the next year he came to Scotia. For two years he engaged in the hotel business, retiring to the real estate business in 1887. The next year he engaged in the livery business on the side. This business he still retains and makes a specialty of handling fine horses. In 1900 he built the Delmont Hotel, a twenty room house, which he is now running.
HICKS, M. M., DRUG STORE .- M. M. Hicks was born in Peoria, Ill., in 1860. Fourteen years later he came to Adams, Iowa. In 1889 he came to Merna, Nebr., and entered the drug business. In 1896 he came to Scotia, Nebr., and opened his present place of business. Mr. Hicks carries a $2,500 stock and enjoys a good drug business.
McMILLAN, J. S,, REAL ESTATE-Mr. McMillan was born in Port- age county, Wis., May 12, 1866. However, since 1878 he has lived in Sco- tia. In 1893 he engaged in the real estate and loan business. He now has an extensive business in this as well as in other localities.
FITZSIMMONS, G. W., LUMBER, IMPLEMENTS AND FURNI- TURE .- Mr. Fitzsimmons was born in Polk county, Iowa, in 1864. From 1885 to 1891 he engaged in the lumber business in various towns in Iowa when he moved to Scotia. At first he had only a lumber business but in 1894 added furniture and implements. From 1891 to 1901 the firm name was Fitzsimmons & Graham and was established in Ord as well as in Sco- tia. Since 1901 Mr. Fitzsimmons has run the business at Scotia alone, and though at first he did but a small business it has rapidly increased to its present large proportions.
PICKETT, DR. J. J. - was born in eastern Indiana, February 15, 1850, and there he received his education. While yet a young man he taught school and farmed for eight years, when he began to study medicine. Re- ceiving his degree in 1885, he came to Nebraska the following year and settled in Broken Bow. In 1900 he moved to Central City, and in 1903 again, to Scotia. Though Dr. Pickett has been here but a short time he is rapidly gaining a good practice.
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SCOTIA MEAT MARKET-Fred Stanner, the proprietor, was born in Germany in 1861. When 17 years old he came to America and settled in Dubuque, Iowa, where he learned the butcher business. In 1884 he came to Scotia and has ever since been in the meat business. He has a regular meat trade and keeps fresh oysters and fish in season. Mr. Stanner also owns the ice business of the town. He is the oldest butcher in Greeley county.
SCOTIA ROLLER MILLS-Dee Vinecore, the proprietor, is purely a Loup country product, being born in Valley county and raised in Valley and Garfield counties. He married Ethel Moorman of Garfield county in De- cember, 1901. He bought the Scotia Roller Mills on August 1, 1904. At that time the mills were in bad shape but after expending several thousand dollars in repairs Mr. Vinecore has things in shape to do high grade mill- ing. The Scotia flour and cereal products are rapidly gaining popularity.
VAN SKIKE, J. M., HARNESS SHOP-Mr. Vanskike was born in Bartholomew county, Indiana, in August, 1856. Here he lived till 1877 when he came to Scotia. Here he learned the harness trade under his father, whom he succeeded in 1894. Mr. Vanskike carries a good line of harness and leather goods and enjoys a deservedly good patronage.
WEEKES, DR. CHARLES M .- was born at O'Connor, Greeley coun- ty, March 31, 1882. In 1885 his parents came to Scotia. Here he grew to manhood and graduated from the Scotia High School. In 1900 he matricu- lated in the Creighton Medical College at Omaha, graduating in 1904. He has since been practicing in Scotia and though a young man has had re- markable success.
WRIGHT, MRS. M. J., GENERAL MERCHANDISE AND HARD- WARE-Mary Bean Wright was born in Wisconsin. Her parents came to Scotia in 1876. In 1883 she married Mr. Ed. Wright. Three years later tbey established their present business. In 1896 Mr. Wright died leaving Mrs. Wright and her two sons to carry on the business. Theirs is one of the largest stores in town.
Taylor.
SCOTT, GEORGE F .- one of the most consistent and successful busi- ness men in the upper valley is George F. Scott of Taylor. He was born on a farm in Freeborn county, Minnesota, February 12, 1857. As he grew up his inclination for a commercial career manifested itself. He clerked in a store for a while and then attended the Mankato Normal School, rounding off his busi- ness education at the Keokuk Business College. He moved to Furnas county, Nebraka, in 1878. There at the small town of Precept, he operated a general store till the fall of 1884. September 21st of that year he opened for business at Taylor, Loup county, under the firm name of Wheeler & Scott. He soon became sole proprietor
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of the business, however, and owns and operates today an as completely furnished general merchandise store as one may care to see. That Mr. Scott is enterprising, thrifty and liked by all is well demonstrated in the fact that for twenty years has he been postmaster in Taylor, change in national administration having no effect upon his incumbency of office. Mr. Scott is now a man of means. He owns 1,080 acres of good farm lands and is financially interested in the Cash Mercantile Co. of Burwell and other enterprises. He was married to Della Farrand December 22, 1885. They have one daughter Aurelia and are comfortably situated in their cozy home in Taylor, set in a veritable park of shrubbery and climbing vines.
EMIG, GEORGE P .- druggist and dealer in notions, was born at Columbus, Ohio, December, 25, 1849. Here he was educated and entered into business. Thus he in turn was druggist, dealer in boots and shoes, and tanner. His health failed him in 1879 and upon his physician's advice he moved west. That year he arrived at Ord with his family, consisting of wife-formerly Miss Mary Whiteside-and two children, Emma (King) and Charlie. He spent some three years farming near Ord. A year later he established himself at Taylor, only to again re- turn to Ord to work in the H. A. Walker drug Geo. P. Emig, Daughter and Grandchild. store. In 1886 when there was talk of the Union Pacific tapping Taylor he once more located at Taylor. But dissappointed in this we soon find him back at Ord in his chosen profession. Once more he returned to Taylor, carrying with him stock, building and all. Today he is the only druggist in Taylor and carries an unusually complete stock of drugs and whatever else belongs to a well appointed establishment of this kind.
KRIEGEL, JOSEPH-Taylor's successful manufacturer of harness and other leather goods, was born in 1862, at Ras- chen, Austria, He was sent to the excellent schools of his native country, leaving them when fourteen years old to become an apprentice in the manufac- ture of harness, saddles, etc. After mastering the step of journeyman he became master of trade. He now determined to immigrate to the United States. Arrived here he stopped first at Osceola, Neb., for some months working at his trade. He then oper- ated a harness shop at Rising City for a short time and came to Ord March 15, 1885. Here he worked for Frank Misko for a few months and then moved to Taylor. Mr. Kriegel entered upon business in a small way, investing his total capital of $350 in leather and machinery. He commenced operations in a rented building. Now he owns his store building and has besides a comfortable home in the residence portion of Taylor, He has built up an excellent business, manu-
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facturing almost all his goods at home. Mr. Kriegel was married in 1885 to Miss Mary Wolf and has two children living.
RUSHO, JOSEPH the founder of Taylor. came to Loup county in 1877, and counts himself the eleventh settler in the county. He was born in Wisconsin, May 23, 1850, and remained in his native state till thirteen years old. After living for some years in Fairbault county, Minnesota, he struck ont overland for No- braska with his family and belongings. From Sioux City the course was set for Scotia, thence to Fort Hartsuff and later on up the river to the old home- stead on the edge of Taylor where he now dwells. Mr. Rusho is a successful farmer and land owner. But more than this. He is a successful business man, and has for years been a leader in political and civil affairs in Loup county. He received his edu- cation in the common schools of Wisconsin and at the Milton Acidemy, same state. Mr. Rusho was married October 8, 1872, to Miss Josephine Murry of Delevan, Minnesota, and they are the parents of nine children, eight of whom are living. Two sons, Rusho Brothers, are engaged in the general merchandise business in Taylor and are very successful in their enterprise.
MOON, ALANSON S .- county attorney of Loup county, was born in Schuyler county, New York, December 13, 1857. He spent some twenty years of his life in his native state going to school, teaching and farming. He graduated from the well-known Starkey Academy. From New York he removed to Michigan, and in 1877 he again took up the trail and moved on to Loup county. He homesteaded near Kent where he remained till 1889. He studied law at Taylor, doing in absentia work, and was admitted to the bar in 1887. He is a very progressive citizen and has been engaged in several enterprises both public and pri- vate. Thus he has been in the general merchandise and lumber business, been county superintendent and for several terms county attorney. He married Miss Eva Harvey in 1886, and has three children living.
MOULTON, JUDGE L. M .- was born in Woodford county, Illinois, November 19, 1839. He graduated from Eureka College in 1860 and was admitted to the bar in Nebraska June 4, 1874. He came to Franklin coun- ty, this state, in 1871, and became one of the founders of Bloomington. Later, in 1883, he moved to Loup county, where he has ever since taken an active part in public life. Mr. Moulton has seen considerable service as a soldier. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. B of the Eleventh Illinois infantry; but was discharged. In 1864 he again enlisted and served to the end of the war, taking part in the Mobile campaign. Back in Illinois he served for some time as police judge and prosecuting attorney and was judge of Franklin
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county, Nebr., for two terms. He has also served as judge and attorney of Loup county, for two terms in each office. He is at present county judge by appointment. Mr. Moulton was married to Permeila Clingman of Woodford county, Illinois, in May, 1861. The family is now pleasantly lo- cated in the north part of Taylor where the judge takes pride to show his friends one of the finest fruit orchards on the upper Loup.
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