USA > Nebraska > York County > York County, Nebraska and its people : together with a condensed history of the state, Vol. II > Part 37
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FRANK G. SNYDER, M. D.
Since 1904 Frank G. Snyder has been a practicing physician of York, devoting the greater part of his time to surgery. He is recognized as one of the most able and efficient surgeons of the county and has a large and steadily increasing practice. His birth occurred in Carlinville, Illinois, June 16, 1875. the son of Augustus C. and Belle (Teany) Snyder, the former born in Germany while the latter is a native of Illinois. The father came to the United States with his parents when but a baby, and he received his education in the public schools of this country. When he started out in the business world he located at Carlinville and there engaged in the hardware business for a few years. In 1883 he moved to York, engaged in the hardware business here and is still conducting his store at the age of seventy-one years. In politics he is a democrat and is a member of the Methodist church. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder are the parents of two children: Frank G. of this review, and Roy, who is in the hardware business with his father.
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Dr. Frank G. Snyder attended the public schools of York and graduated from York high school with the class of 1891. Ile then went to Northwestern University where he remained two years, subsequently entering the medical department, pursning his studies there for two years. He then entered Barnes Medical College of St. Louis and was graduated with the degree of doctor of medicine in 1897. Dr. Snyder began his practice at Arborville and after spending two years there went to Chicago and took a post-graduate course. While on a visit to California he took an examination and practiced in Los Angeles during the year 1903. In 1904 he returned to York county and resumed the practice of medicine at York where he has built up a large practice. Since locating in York Dr. Snyder has specialized in surgery and his reputation in this line is becoming widely known. He believes in keeping up with the trend of his profession and every year takes a course at one of the universities.
Dr. Snyder was married in 1905 to Miss Amy Haggard, whose death occurred in March, 1916. She was a native of Nebraska and a member of the Presbyterian church. In Angust, 1919, Dr. Snyder was united in marriage to Miss Edith Montgomery who was born in York county. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Politically Dr. Snyder is a democrat. He has served the county as health officer and is a member of the county and state medieal societies, having served as president of the county association. ITe is also a member of the American Medical Association.
WILLIAM P. COOKUS
William P. Cookns, a prominent and representative business man of Lushton, York county, where he is engaged in condueting a hardware store and also acts as postmaster of the town, is a native of lowa, born in Linn county, that state, April 8, 1857, a son of Joseph S. and Minerva (Doty) Cookus, the former born in Pennsylvania and the latter in Ohio. They settled in Linn county, Iowa, in an early day and removed to Nebraska in 1874, both spending the remainder of their lives in this state. Joseph S. Cookus was a soldier in the Federal army and served throughout the Civil war. He saw much service and was in many engage- ments during the period of hostilities and at the close of the war, having served three years and six months, he was honorably discharged and returned to his family in lowa.
William P. Cookus was reared in Iowa and educated in the common schools of that state. In his early youth he became engaged in the blacksmith trade and followed that occupation for twenty-two years, in the meantime saving his money with a view to going into business in another line. He then started in the hard- ware business in Lushton, York county, Nebraska, and has been successfully conducting a general hardware store ever since, well known to the people of the distriet as a conscientious and industrious citizen in whom all have unlimited confidence. Hle is also postmaster of Lushton and in that capacity is giving universal satisfaction, his courtesy and business qualities being always in evidence. Mr. Cookus has the honor of being the first man to build a house in Lushton in
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1887 and he is now the owner of a comfortable residence. IIe has witnessed the growth of the town from the very commencement of its settlement and has played no small part in its development and upbuilding. He is regarded one of the representative citizens of Lushton, actuated by a spirit of enterprise and progress in all that he does. His business has been carefully managed and wisely conducted and his patronage has grown to extensive and gratifying proportions.
In 1880 Mr. Cookus was united in marriage to Miss Florence Billington, a native of Linn county, Iowa, and a daughter of Israel C. and Mary ( Parsons) Billington, both of whom passed away some years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Cookus are the parents of six children: George, in Omaha; Pearl the wife of Charles Smith; Stephen, in Bladen, Nebraska; Clara, who lives at home; Alma, the wife of Martin Hebert; and Ruby, who lives with her parents. The family enjoys the high esteem and regard of a wide circle of friends and all are active in movements intended to advance the social and material progress of the community.
L. H. ROGERS
L. H. Rogers, after long years of connection with agricultural interests in York county is living retired at York. He was born in Casco, Cumberland county, Maine, on the 15th of January, 1841, a son of David and Susan (Harmon) Rogers, also natives of Maine. The father engaged in farming successfully for a number of years and for three years served as seaman. In 1852 he removed to Illinois where he purchased a fifty-five aere tract and engaged in general farming for the remainder of his life.
L. H. Rogers obtained his education in the country schools the school houses being of the primitive kind made of slab with home-made wooden benches. He began to work out on farms at an early day, receiving the sum of thirteen dollars a month for his labors and later started farming on his own account on rented land. When his finances permitted he bought forty acres of land in La Salle county and engaged in general farming. He experienced the pioneer hardships of those days and remembers having seen large herds of deer throughout the county. In 1885 he came to Nebraska and settled in York county where he purchased a one hundred and sixty acre traet in Lockridge township. The improvements on the land con- sisted of a small frame house with orchard and the purchase price was thirty-five dollars per acre. Being successful in his agricultural pursuits he gradually in- ereased his holdings by an additional four hundred acres. He also had two sets of good buildings. For many years he engaged in general farming and feeding. He had many discouragements in his first years in York, his crops of 1893 and 1894 being almost total failures. He had two thousand five hundred bushels of old corn on hand which he sold for fifty-six cents per bushel, and he burned wood taken from his own grove.
While living in Illinois Mr. Rogers was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Knight, a native of Maine, and to them six children have been born: Hattie, the wife of William Reed who is farming in York county; Bennett, whose death occurred at the age of forty-nine years; Curtis, who is residing in Bradshaw ; Cyrenins, who is farming the old place; Sherman, who is engaged in railroading
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at Council Bluff, Iowa : Blanche, who is the wife of Ezra Lloyd of Lockridge township. Mrs. Rogers is a member of the United Brethren church in the activities of which she takes a prominent part.
Since age conferred upon Mr. Rogers the right of franchise he has been a stanch supporter of the republican party and the principles for which it stands. He has always taken an active interest in educational affairs and for some time served as school director in district 41. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to the blue lodge. Mr. Rogers is also interested in the Farmers' Elevator at Mapps. He has seen the work of progress and development carried steadily forward and at all times has borne his part, especially along the line of agricultural improvement.
WILLIAM DOWNEY
A well spent life was that of William Downey, whose industry and integrity in business affairs won him success and the respect of his fellow men. He possessed many sterling traits of character and his death was the occasion of deep and wide- spread regret among those with whom he was associated. He was born in Derry, Ireland, in 1839, and passed away on October 7, 1917, being then in his seventy- eighth year. In 1858 Mr. Downey immigrated to the United States, the ocean voyage being made on an old sailing vessel which arrived in New York harbor after several weeks, and he went from there to Mercer county, Illinois, and rented a tract of land. Later he joined the military service in Illinois but was subse- quently discharged owing to an attack of rheumatism. He married Margaret A. Ferguson in Illinois. Mrs. Downey was born in Cockermouth. England. a daughter of John Ferguson of that place, who came to America in a sailing vessel and located in Illinois, working there as a coal miner and at intervals acted as a minister of the Presbyterian church.
In 1871 William Downey drove from Illinois to Nebraska, the trip ocenpying three weeks before he reached Stewart township and here he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land. About that time he was not in the best of health and his wife built the first house which was of the dugout type, and also put up a sod barn and some time later a sod house. Provisions had to be hauled from Lincoln and trailed across the country and wood had to be hauled from Lincoln creek. He broke the land and commenced the cultivation of crops, but during the two seasons of the grasshopper invasion everything that was growing upon the land was destroyed and his labors went for nothing. He was not dis- couraged by these disasters and in time had his place again in good condition. crops growing, two orchards set out and other material improvements effected, finally bringing the holding to be one of the best in the district. In this work his wife played no small part and was untiring in her efforts to make the farm a financial success. In the dry seasons of the early '90s cultivation was almost at a standstill and they were compelled to burn corn and cornstalks for fuel.
Following her husband's death in 1917 Mrs. Downey took over the ownership of the farm of one hundred and sixty acres, the old homestead, which is now operated by her son, Alex G. Downey, who is successfully condueting its affairs. In polities the late Mr. Downey gave his adherence to the republican party and his religious
MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM DOWNEY
Vol. II-24
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBTAR
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDANUNE R
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affiliation was with the Presbyterian church, in which his widow also holds mem- bership and attends its services in Gresham, being now comfortably circumstanced in a fine home in that town. Coming to York county while it was in its infancy Mr. Downey witnessed its growth and development and in this expansion he played a full part. He followed the most progressive methods in the development of his land and stood at all times for every movement calculated to advance the welfare of the community in which he resided for well nigh fifty years.
THERON E. SEDGWICK
Theron E. Sedgwick was born on a farm in Bloomingdale, Dupage county, Illinois, on the second day of September, 1852. His father was Doctor Parker Sedgwick, who had made an unsuccessful attempt to retire from the practice of medicine. His mother was Hepsibah (Goodwin) Sedgwick, who was born in Hartford, Connecticut. She was of Revolutionary stock, a descendant of the Captain Goodwin who rode in "Yankee Doodle."
When the subject of this sketch was thirteen years old his parents moved to Wheaton, Illinois, where he attended college four years. When he was seventeen years of age he taught school in Champaign county, Illinois. In the fall of 1871 he entered the law department of Michigan University, at Ann Arbor, where he remained one year. He entered the law "office of Elbert H. Gary, in Chicago, where he remained until, the spring of 1874, when he went to Wisconsin, was admitted to the bar of that state at Oconto, and entered the practice of his pro- fession at De Pere, in partnership with his brother, the late Judge Samuel H. Sedgwick. He served as city attorney, county supervisor and county superintendent of schools, of Brown county, Wisconsin.
On the second day of July, 1874, T. E. Sedgwick was united in marriage to Miss Adelaide Thurston, at Fullersburg, Illinois. In September, 1878, they removed to York, Nebraska, where they have since resided. In company with his brother, Samuel, he opened a law office and pursued the practice of his chosen profession until compelled to give it up because of a disease which resulted in the loss of one eye. In March, 1881, he purchased a local paper in York, rechris- tened it "The York Times," and made it a republican paper. He continued its publication and in 1888 started the Daily Times, which has since been combined with the Daily News, and which he now edits. In the spring of 1880 Mr. Sedgwick was elected city councilnan. Ile was secretary of the Republican State Central Committee two years-1894 and 1895-and was secretary of the state senate in 1895. Mr. Sedgwick was appointed postmaster of York by President Mckinley and held that position nine years to the entire satisfaction of the patrons of the office. During his incumbency of that position free delivery was established in the city and rural free delivery throughout the county. Also a site was purchased by the goverment for a federal building, which was afterward built and which is an ornament to the city.
Mr. Sedgwick has always been a progressive and enterprising citizen. He has built several dwellings, some of which are among the best in the city, and has erected business buildings, one of which is among the most imposing in the business
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district. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Sedgwick: Clara A., wife of John Alvah Rockwood of Portland, Oregon, valuation engineer of the Portland Railway, Light and Power Company; Theron E., Jr., an electrician. of Portland ; and Phila M. Sedgwick, who resides at home.
DEXTER D. KING, M. D.
Dr. Dexter D. King, junior partner of the firm Moore. Shidler & King, the York clinic. is widely known throughout York county as a physician and surgeon of ability. He is a native of York county having been born near Bradshaw on the 19th of September, 1884. the son of Burnard and Lillie F. (Clark) King. the former born in Pennsylvania and the latter a native of Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. King were married in Illinois and came to York county in 1878, settling on a farm. Here they remained until 1882 when they removed to Fremont and engaged in the furniture business. They conducted this venture in Fremont until 1891 when they returned to York and engaged in the furniture, grocery, and undertaking business. Ile conducted the undertaking and furniture business until 1895 when he discontinued his connection with the former business venture and became exclusively an undertaker. Just recently he has retired from active business life and both he and his wife are residing in York. Mr. King has always been a member of the republican party and served York as mayor for two terms. Mr. and Mrs. King are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he is an Elk and a Mason. They are the parents of six children of whom the subject of this sketch is the fourth in order of birth, the others being: Gertie, the wife of Frank Couch. a well known electrician of Erie. Pennsylvania : Jennie Maude, the wife of Albert A. Allen, an auto dealer of York: Lillie F., the wife of Charles Lytle. a farmer of York county; Emeline, the wife of William Hloloch, a farmer of York county ; J. L .. who is the manager of the Basket stores of Omaha. Two brothers of Burnard King, Dexter David and Delbert, served in the Civil war and the former was killed at the battle of Fredericksburg.
Dr. Dexter D. King received his education in the public schools of York and was graduated from the York high school in 1904. He then removed to Omaha where he resided for four years, being engaged in the express business. He then decided upon the medical profession as his life work with the result that he entered the University of Nebraska, taking a six-year course in medicine and graduating on the 11th of June, 1914. After his graduation he served as hospital physician in the Iowa Methodist Hospital of Des Moines and in 1915 came to Waco where he practiced for two years. On the 1st of December. 1916, he removed to York and became connected with Drs. Moore & Shidler. Ile did not practice here long, however, for he entered the service of the United States in the World war on the 9th of October, 1917, and served until March 3. 1919. The first three months of his service he spent at a medical officers training camp, at Camp Greenleaf, Georgia, and the next two months was spent in charge of the officers' ward at Camp Beauregard, Louisiana, in Base Hospital No. 39. He was then assigned to Base Hospital No. 19 at Rochester, New York, and from there he sailed over- seas on the 3d of June, 1918. Ile was at Vichy in June and during part of July
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and August of that year was stationed with Evacuation Hospital No. 7, at Chateau Thierry. He was then returned to the Vichy base where he remained until February, 1919, when he returnd to the United States. During his stay in France he received a captaincy and he was discharged at Camp Dix, N. J., Mareh 3, 1919. On his return he again became connected with the York Clinic and is still practicing in that connection.
In June of the year 1906 Dr. King was married to Miss Mary Anderson a native of Iowa, and a daughter of Albert A. Anderson who lives in York, having retired from active farm life in 1916. Two children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. King, namely : Boyd G., aged twelve years; and Thomas A., five years of age. Both children are now attending school. Dr. King follows an independent course in politics, supporting the man rather than the party. Fraternally he is a thirty- second degree Mason and an Odd Fellow, and is a member of all branches in the latter organization. Aside from his profession Dr. King devotes much time to the interests of the American Legion, and he was a delegate to the first convention in Lincoln in 1919 to organize the American Legion. He was also a delegate to the first state convention and to the first national convention at Minneapolis. Ile was first commander of the local post, No. 19, and was instrumental in organizing the first Woman's Auxiliary in the state of Nebraska. Dr. King is well known throughout the county in connection with many public affairs and as a physician and surgeon he is ranked among the foremost. Although he has a large general practice he makes a specialty of surgery.
The York Clinic, commonly known as the firm of Moore, Shidler and King, was formed as such in 1914 by Drs. O. M. Moore and George P. Shidler, successors to the old firm of Moore and Shidler. Dr. D. D. King became a member of the firm in the spring of 1917, coming from Waco, Nebraska, at that time. The facilities at this time include different departments dealing with diagnosis and treatment of diseases, such as complete X-ray laboratory for diagnosis and treatment, a pathological and bacteriological laboratory, eye, ear, nose and throat department, electrotherapeutic offices. The general idea of the doctors in charge is to have a specialist for most of the commoner troubles that affliet mankind. The clinic is located at 107-09 W. 7th St. and is run in connection with the Clinic Hospital. The Clinic Hospital is a modern, up-to-the-minute hospital located at the corner of Seventh and Nebraska avenue, consisting of sixteen rooms with facilities for fifteen patients. Mrs. May Thompson, R. N., is in charge of the hospital. Surgical, obstetrical and medical cases are treated here. The staff doctors are those of the Clinic.
PETER C. FRIESEN
Peter C. Friesen is a resident farmer of York county, owning and cultivating one hundred and sixty acres of prime land on section 19, Brown township. He is a native son of the county, born September 20, 1878, a son of Jacob and Anna Frie- sen, both natives of Russia where they lived until 1874, in that year immigrating to America. On arriving in this country Jacob Friesen came to Nebraska, settled on section 30, Brown township, York county, and erected a sod house in which the
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family lived for several years. He was engaged in agricultural operations which he carried on with success during his active years and passed away in 1913, having reached an advanced age. His widow is living. They were the parents of ten children, seven of whom survive.
Peter C. Friesen whose name introduees this review, acquired his education in the common sehools of York county and for some years thereafter helped his father in the work of the home farm. Later he decided to engage in agricultural pursuits on his own account and secured a tract of land which ever since he has been operating with decided success. He is now the owner of a half section located in Brown township, all of which is in an excellent state of improvement and he is actively engaged in general farming and stock raising. His place is improved with substantial buildings, well kept fenees and good farm machinery and every- thing about his farm indicates his careful supervision and his practical and progressive methods.
On March 7, 1901, Mr. Friesen was united in marriage to Katherine Doell, and to this nnion five children have been born: Rosa. born March S. 1902. died September 16, 1904: Walter J., born JJanuary 26, 1906, died June 27, 1909; Selma S., born April 26, 1909 ; Ada L., born June 18, 1911, and Waldo R., born September 7, 1912. Mr. Friesen supports the men and measures of the democratic party. He is now serving as a justice of the peace and is a member of the school board for his township. He is a self-made man, whose success in life is due to his own unaided efforts and is regarded as one of the leading citizens of the community in which he resides.
HOMER O. MESERVE
Homer O. Meserve, the popular and well known cashier of the Bank of Lushton. York county, is a native of Colorado, born in that state, October 2. 1888,'a son of William H. and Flora (Gross) Meserve, natives of Illinois, who came to Nebraska in 18:2 and are now living on their farm near Cortland, this state, having retired from life's active affairs. They are the parents of three children, all of whom are living. In their home town they are deservedly esteemed for their good citizen- ship and personal worth.
Homer O. Meserve of this review was reared in Nebraska, received his preliminary education in the common schools of the state and later graduated from Cortland high school. He then entered the Lincoln Business College from which he emerged well qualified for his chosen work in life. He became associated with banking business in 1910 and in the intervening years has maintained his connection with that line of activity. In 1918 he moved to Lushton and accepted the responsible position of cashier of the Bank of Lushton and has since been conducting that department of the bank's affairs with eredit to himself and with satisfaction to the stockholders and depositors of the bank which is a growing institution with great promise of substantial advancement in the public favor as time progresses.
On September 3, 1917, Mr. Meserve was united in marriage to Miss Winifred Rothman, a native of York county and a danghter of Louis and Trennie (Thamer)
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Rothman, both of whom are well known residents of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Meserve are the parents of one child : Homer O., Jr., born October 12, 1918. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the good works of which they take an active part. Ile supports the republican party and is now serving as treasurer of the local school board and also has a seat on the town board, to the work of these two publie trusts giving close attention and efficient serviee. Ile has achieved a well deserved measure of success and is a man of sterling worth and unremitting industry.
AXEL RENQUIST
Among the men who have found success in following agricultural pursuits and are now able to live retired is Axel Renquist, a native of Sweden, born in that country June 4. 1853, a son of Jonas and Gustave (Johnson) Renquist, also natives of Sweden where their entire lives were spent. Jonas Renquist pursued his ocenpation of wagon-maker during all the active years of his life. Of the children born to these parents six came to the United States, namely: Lottie, deceased, who married August Johnson : Charles, deceased, formerly a resident of York county; Axel, subject of this sketch; August W., retired farmer, now living in Stromsburg; Alfred, living in California; and John, deceased.
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