USA > Nebraska > York County > York County, Nebraska and its people : together with a condensed history of the state, Vol. II > Part 56
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Vol. 11-35
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
degree Mason and a Knight Templar. Throughout his entire life he gave his allegiance to the republican party.
Joseph G. Alden received his education in the schools of Aurora, graduating from the high school there in 1892. As soon as he put his textbooks aside he began learning the printing business on the Aurora Republican. Ite was so successful in this venture that in 1899 he bought the paper which he ran until 190 ?. His paper became very popular and was known throughout the surrounding counties as a fair and honorable sheet. In 1902 he was appointed to the position of postmaster and served in this capacity for twelve years. For nine months Mr. Alden resided in Lincoln, but on the 1st of September, 1917. he came to York where he purchased the York Republican. This paper he is still successfully printing, being the editor as well as the owner of the sheet. In connection with the paper he has a large job printing business.
In 1899 Mr. Alden was united in marriage to Miss Eloise Shean, of Aurora, a daughter of John Shean. For a number of years her father engaged in farming and was later engaged in the grocery and the implement business. Two children have come to make their home with Mr. and Mrs. Alden, namely: Joseph Maurice, six- teen years of age; and Marjorie, who is twelve years of age. Mr. Shean is now making his home with the Aldens.
Since age conferred upon Mr. Alden the right of franchise he has been a stanch supporter of the republican party and active in its interests. During the campaign of Judge S. H. Sedgwick in 1916 for supreme judge Mr. Alden served as campaign director. The family are members of the Christian Science church and Mr. and Mrs. Alden are readers in the York society. As editor of a newspaper, one of the most important institutions of town or city, it is necessary for Mr. Allen to be familiar with all local activities and as a result he is a member of the Rotary Club of which he is president and a member of the board of directors of the Commercial Club. Ile is also active in the social affairs of York and is a member of the York Country Club, serving as a member of its board of directors. The York Republican is a newspaper of the highest type, believes in fair play and progressiveness, and is one of the foremost republican papers of the state.
GERHARD REMPEL
For many years Gerhard Rempel engaged in farming in York county and his death which occurred January 28, 1900, at the age of fifty-four, came as a severe shock to his many friends throughout the community. Mr. Rempel was a native of Russia, born May 25, 1847, in the southern part of that country, where he received a common school education. After putting his textbooks aside he engaged in farming for some time and then worked in a flour mill. When the news of the marvelous opportunities offered in the new world reached his ears he determined to come to the United States with the result that he arrived in Sutton July 3, 1877. Ile bought eighty acres of railroad land, on which he built a house, twenty- four by thirty-four feet, and also frame barns. The necessary provisions were hauled from York and Sutton. The success which he attained along this line soon enabled him to purchase an additional eighty acres of land. Throughout his
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
period of residence in this country he engaged in general farming and stock raising, to which pursuits he devoted his entire time and energy.
In Russia Mr. Rempel was married to Miss Katharina Epp, whose death occurred December 28, 1886, at the age of thirty-four. She was born February 16, 1853. To this union six children were born, namely : Gerhard G., Jr .; Cornelius, who is farming in Saskatchewan, Canada : Jacob, also farming in Canada ; Katharina, now the wife of John B. Peters of Canada : Gertrude, the wife of John A. Peters of Quincy, Washington, where he is engaged in farming; and Sarah, who is a trained nurse in the Mennonite hospital at Beatrice. Mr. Rempel was married the second time to Miss Elizabeth Wieler and five children were born to this union : Peter, Henry, John who is deceased, Isbrand and Elizabeth.
Gerhard G., Jr., has succeeded his father in farming in York county where he has a well improved place of two hundred and eighty acres. He is engaged in general farming and is considered one of the most progressive agriculturists in the com- munity in which he resides. He was married February 7, 1901, to Miss Maria Thieszen born in York county, and they have eight children : Maria, Gerhard, Elizabeth, Katharina, Sarah, Jacob, Anna and Lena.
The political allegiance of Mr. Rempel was given to the republican party and he had a firm belief in the principles of that party as factors in good government. He was a consistent member of the Mennonite church in which faith his family was reared. As an active man who maintained an interest in the development of his community he served the public as road overseer for some time and was also school treasurer of district 37. During his residence in York county Mr. Rempel won the confidence, respect and goodwill of all with whom he came in contact and his death cansed a feeling of deep bereavement in the vicinity in which he had for many years made his home.
WALTER V. MACARTNEY
Walter V. Macartney, president of the York Milling and Grain Company, was born in Colorado, on the 27th of January, 1881, a son of George G: and Josephine (Van Horn) Macartney, the former was born in Missouri and the latter was born in the state of New York. Afther their marriage, which took place in New York state, they removed to Colorado in 1878, settling at Denver where Mr. Macartney engaged in the carriage manufacturing business. The mother passed away in 1910 but the father is still living and resides with his son in York. Mr. Macartney enjoyed a great amount of success in the carriage manufacturing business, which he later gave up and became associated with the Colorado Sonthern Railroad Company, having charge of a department for a number of years. In 1910 he retired from active business. Both Mr. and Mrs. Macartney were consistent members of the Episcopal church and he is still active in the interests of that organization. He has always been a stanch supporter of the republican party and is conversant on all of the leading questions of the day. Eight children were born to this union, three of whom are now living: Grace, the wife of F. W. Viele, a fruit farmer of Los Angeles, California ; Walter V., the subject of this review; and George L., who is traffic manager for a large lumber concern in San Francisco.
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
Walter V. Macartney received his education in the schools of Denver but found it necessary to give up his studies and go to work. When the Spanish-American war broke out he was among the first to enlist and spent three years with General Funston in the Philippines. In 1902 he returned to Denver and accepted a position as cashier and assistant manager of the Postal Telegraph Company, where he remained for a period of five years. He then entered the milling business in the employ of Washburn Crosby of Minneapolis, serving as branch manager of this concern for five years. At the termination of this time he went to Omaha becoming an employe of the Wells, Abbott, Nieman Company and worked for them six years. This concern owned the York mill and in 1914 he was sent to York to take charge. Some time later a stock company was organized which took over the mill in 1919, with a capital of one hundred and seventy-tive thousand dollars. Mr. Macartney became president of the company, also serving as treasurer, L. S. Loomer, vice president, and O. J. Dudek, secretary. The mill has a capacity of four hundred barrels and runs twenty-four hours a day. What tlour is not sold in Nebraska goes to West Virginia, Virginia, New York and Michigan.
In 1903 Mr. Macartney was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Jones of Denver and to them four children have been born. namely: Caroline: Fredric; Josephine : and Ella. The mother, who was a consistent member of the Episcopal church, died in 1914. In 1915 Mr. Macartney was again wed, this time to Mrs. Rosa (Cook) Carman of Chicago, a widow with one child. James Frederick. By his second marriage Mr. Macartney has two children: Mary Katherine and Jane Cook. The family are members of the Episcopal church.
Politically Mr. Macartney is a member of the republican party in which he takes an active interest. Fraternally he is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Macartney is in every sense of the word a self-made man for only by dint of bard labor he has gradually risen to the position in which he is now so ably serving.
JOE MARK KILGORE. D. O.
Perhaps no man throughout the state of Nebraska has done more for the pro- motion of osteopathy than did Dr. Joe Mark Kilgore, deceased, who was for many years one of the most prominent members of that profession in York county. He was a native of Mexico, Missouri, born in that state on the 23rd of December, 1874. His death occurred in York, December 2, 1918, and at the news of his demise a widespread feeling of bereavement swept the community.
In the acquirement of his education Dr. Kilgore attended the schools in Mexico. Missouri, and in due time entered the military academy at that place, from which he was graduated in June, 1893. After putting his textbooks aside he tanght school for five years, at the termination of which time he decided upon a profes- sional career. Soon afterward he entered the American School of Osteopathy at Kirksville, Missouri, and he was gradnated in this course in 1900. Ile then removed to Nebraska and settled in York, where he commenced his practice, his popularity ever increasing untit he had one of the largest practices in the state. He was over active in the promotion of this profession in Nebraska, which for some
DR. JOE M. KILGORE
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIB AR
ASTOR, LENOX ANT TILDEN FOUNDATI- R
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY 1155
time was looked upon with suspieion, and he was also instrumental in getting a law passed in 1901 to enable the osteopaths to practice in this state. For a number of years he was a member of the state board of osteopaths and became well known in this connection. In addition to the prominence Dr. Kilgore enjoyed in profes- sional circles he also took an active part in the business cireles of York, being connected with a number of well known business enterprises. At the time of his death he owned stock in a large business block and was a director of the Ameriean State Bank. Believing land to be a safe investment Dr. Kilgore owned many aeres in York county and also property in Oklahoma.
On the 18th of March, 1903, Dr. Kilgore was united in marriage to Miss Ger- trude Mary George, a daughter of Daniel and Mary ( Henderson) George, both of whom were natives of England. The father removed with his parents to Wisconsin at an early day and there he received his education. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. George they came to Nebraska, settling in York county in 1866. Here they acquired a homestead and for the first summer made their home in a wagon. Some time later they built a log house which is still standing. Five chil- dren were born to this union, three of whom are living: Eve H., the widow of Mr. Hoisington, who is residing in Pendleton, Oregon; Mrs. Gene Wright, whose husband is retired, and they are living in York ; and Mrs. Kilgore, the widow of the subject of this review. Members of the George family were reared in the faith of the Presbyterian chureh. The father passed away in 1904 at the age of sixty-nine years and Mrs. George died at the age of seventy-four years, in 1914. To the union of Dr. and Mrs. Kilgore four children have been born: Wil- liam Sherwood, aged sixteen years, who is a junior in high school; Robert Nelson, fourteen years of age; Herbert Hale, aged nine years: and James who died an infant. The Kilgore family are members of the Christian church in the interests of which Mrs. Kilgore takes an active part. She is now resid- ing in the home which her father and mother occupied at the time of their deaths, at 724 East Fifth street. She is financially independent, owning three farms in York county, one and one-half seetions of land in Hays township and three hundred and twenty acres in Brown township.
Fraternally Dr. Kilgore was a member of the Masons, in which order he had obtained the thirty-second degree and was an active member of the Knights of Pythias. He was a consistent member of the Christian church and was prominent in the affairs of that organization. In the passing of Dr. Kilgore members of his profession suffered a severe loss as well as did York county in losing a representative citizen.
EDWARD W. BLENDER
Edward W. Blender is one of the younger group of York county farmers who is employing modern and progressive methods in the carrying out of his farming operations. He was born in York county, Nebraska, November 1, 1898, a son of Edward and Louise (Blessman) Blender, both natives of Germany. Elsewhere in this work will be found an extended account of the life and achievements of the father.
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
Edward W. Blender secured his education in the public schools of York, the first school which he attended being of frame construction the lumber for which he helped to haul from Lincoln. During his younger years he lived with his parents on the farm and sometime after his father's death began to apply himself to a study of agricultural operations with the object in view of becoming qualified to take charge of the home farm. At the age of twenty-two years he took over the responsibility of handling the details connected with the home farm and is now actively engaged in general farming and stock raising. He makes a specialty of pure-blooded Shorthorn cattle, a line of activity which was inaugurated by his father. He keeps the fields in the same high state of cultivation as did his father before him.
Mr. Blender is a member of the Lutheran church and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In political affairs he supports the republican party in its policies and principles. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator at Benedict, in the Benedict Lumber & Fuel Company, and in the Farmers State Bank. The record which he has made thus far is very creditable and is a clear indication of success in future activities.
ALBERT B. CHATTERTON
Albert B. Chatterton, city clerk of York, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 1, 1857. a son of Henry and Bathsheba (Fouse) Chatterton. the former a native of England, while the latter was born in Philadelphia, in which eity their marriage was celebrated. In 1865 Mr. Chatterton removed to York county where he homesteaded, becoming one of the first settlers of this section of the state. He occupied his homestead to the time of his death and his first dwelling was a log house. while later he erected a frame residence. In the early days the Indians were numerous and game of various kinds was plentiful. For a great while there was no church in the neighborhood, so the settlers would meet in the home of one of the residents and hold service. Mrs. Chatterton survived her husband and spent her last days in York. They were parents of three children, of whom two are living: Mrs. Lillian Hedgecock, who is living at College View, Washington : and Albert B. The father was a member of the Episcopal church and his wife of the Presbyterian church. His political support was given to the republican party and he was always loyal in matters of citizenship. Prior to and during the Civil war ho was an engineer in the navy, thus serving for eleven years.
Albert B. Chatterton was educated in the public schools of York and attended the first district school of the county. He afterward spent two years as a student in the Adventist College at Battle Creek. Michigan, and then took up the occupation of farming. He was married in York county to Miss Anna E. Shannon and they have a danghter. Flossie, the wife of Harry C. Hessler, of Pawnee City, Nebraska, who is editor of the Republican there. After his marriage Mr. Chatterton went to Cheyenne, Wyoming. where he conducted a grocery store for two years and then returned to his farm, whereon he resided for a two-year period. In 1895 he took up his abode in York and was employed in a store for more than ten years. He was then elected city clerk and has since filled the office, making a most creditable
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
record by the prompt, capable and efficient manner in which he discharges his duties. He also bought and sold farm and city property in York county for several years and is now the owner of two nice business properties, from which he derives a good income. He also owns a large residence which is thoroughly modern. Hle is devoting his entire time to the business of the city and that he has made a most excellent record as city clerk is indicated by his long retention in the office. He has always been a republican in his political views, giving stalwart support to the party.
Mr. and Mrs. Chatterton are members of the Presbyterian church and they are held in high esteem by all who know them. Mr. Chatterton has ever been keenly interested in the welfare and progress of York county and today has the distinction of being the oldest living settler within its borders, having for fifty-five years made his home here, so that he has witnessed its entire growth and develop- ment as the wild prairie lands have been transformed into productive farms, dotted here and there with thriving towns and villages in which are to be obtained all of the advantages and opportunities of the older east.
C. BURR GAUNT
A representative citizen and business man is C. Burr Gaunt, who has an ex- clusive Ford ageney in York. He is a native of lowa having been born in Bayard, on the 18th of June, 1886, a son of George C. and Josephine ( Manville) Gaunt, both natives of that state. The father was a barber by trade and a band teacher. He was a great lover of music and wrote several pieces. His death occurred in 1893 and his widow who is still living, resides at Bayard. Three children were born to their marriage, two of whom are living: (. Burr, the subject of this review ; and Gladys, the wife of Roy Slack, an insurance man of Des Moines, lowa. Mr. Gaunt was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mrs. Gaunt is a consistent member of the same. lle was a republican in politics and fraternally belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Modern Woodmen of America.
C. Burr Gaunt acquired his education in the common schools of Bayard and was graduated from the high school there in 1903. His first occupation on leaving school was that of telegraph operator in which capacity he served for the period of one year. He then went to Colorado where he worked at various occupations and in 1908 came to Nebraska, settling in Omaha. Here he accepted a position as bookkeeper with Paxton and Gallagher Company, wholesale grocers, and remained in that service four and one-half years. His next position was as cashier in the office of the Bradford-Kennedy Lumber Company at Omaha, and at the termination of six months spent in their employ he became chief clerk of the Ford Motor Company. For four years he remained with the Ford Company in Omaha and on the 1st of September, 1917, came to York where he established the Ford Agency. In this ven- ture he has been very successful and has most of the Ford business in York county. The business is carried on in a large brick building having over seventy-two hundred feet of floor space. In connection with the agency he also has a shop for the repairing of Ford cars.
In 1911 ocenrred the marriage of Mr. Gaunt and Miss Maude C. Ellis, a native of Omaha and the daughter of Zack M. Ellis who is residing in that place and has
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
been a member of the municipal court. He has lived in Omaha for fifty years. Two children have been born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Gaunt, namely : Bernice. who is now attending school at the age of seven and one-half years; and Janis, twenty months old.
Fraternally Mr. Gaunt is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mrs. Gaunt is a member of the Kountze Memorial Lutheran church of Omaha. As a prominent business man Mr. Gaunt takes an active interest in all local affairs and is a member of the Rotary Club and the Commercial Club. He is also a member of the Y. M. C. A. In the social circles of York Mr. and Mrs. Gannt are also prominent and he is secretary of the York Country Club, also on the enter- tainment committee of the Elk's lodge. The success which Mr. Gaunt now enjoys is the result of his own labor and diligence for he began to help in the support of the family when but seven years old, following the death of his father. He worked on a farm during the summer months, earning enough money to buy his clothes for the following school year. He has learned his lessons in the bitter school of experience, and profiting by them has become a man that any community would be proud to have as citizen.
LEWIS C. IMM
Lewis (. Imm, for years identified with the farming and commercial life of York county, was born in Posen, Germany, January 22, 1845. He immigrated to America in 1863, the voyage occupying about six weeks. He first settled in Wis- consin and worked there in a sawmill and also rafted timber down the river to St. Louis. Hle came to Nebraska in 1871, making the journey by train to Columbus, going from that city to Seward county on foot. He found but one settler between his place and Columbus. Mr. Imm homesteaded eighty acres of land and put up a house composed of mud and straw, the walls being about eighteen inches thick with a dirt floor, while the barns were of sod with shingle roof. He had the help of an ox team in the breaking of the land and when that was completed he planted crops and in a short time had things going in good shape. Provisions had to be hauled from Lincoln and Columbus and fuel was obtained from the creek where timber was chopped for the purpose, at the same time corn and cornstalks were also used as fuel. As his farming prospered Mr. Imm added to his holding and at the time of his death in 1902 had a well improved place, the equal of any in the neigh- borhood. He passed away in his fifty-seventh year and his widow survived until 1919, when her death occurred at the age of seventy-four. They were the parents of six children : Robert C .: Otto E., of South Dakota : Louis, living in St. Joseph, Missouri: Albert, who resides on a farm in South Dakota; Martin, a carpenter, living in Ohio; and Clara, the wife of Fred Martin, a farmer living in Temple, Texas. The parents were members of the Evangelical church, to whose teachings they were loyal. His political endorsement was given to the democratie party and he served as a member of the local school board for twenty-five years. his interest in educational affairs having been always of the most pronounced character.
Robert C. Imm received his preliminary education in the country schools of Utica. Nebraska, and later attended the high schools of that place, thus seeuring
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
educational advantages beyond the opportunity of the average farm boy of the day. Ile worked for some years on his father's place and finally chose business life as a career and entered commercial pursuits at Gresham. Here he operated a general mercantile store under the style of Walford & Imm for twenty-four years, during that long period the business showing substantial advances, due in large measure to the keen business-like methods employed and to which Mr. Imm's talents gener- ously contributed. Later Mr. Imm carried on the company as a private venture in his own name and when he finally ceased all connection with mercantile life he turned his attention to farming, moving to the holding in Stewart township, where he lived for some years and then sold out. He next bought the farm in Lockridge township on which he now lives and on which he carries on general farming and stock raising. His success in this line has been fully demonstrated and has been based upon the sure foundation of hard work and the most rigorous attention to the task in hand.
In 1892 Mr. Imm was united in marriage to Mina Heineke and they have become the parents of six children: Eva, the wife of C. F. Sherwood of Lincoln ; Joseph, Ruth, Oscar and Charles, all at home ; and Clara, who died when twenty-two years of age. Mr. Imm is a member of the Presbyterian church at York and is affiliated with the blue lodge of the Masonie order. While he is inclined to the principles of the democratie party he usually takes an independent attitude in politi- cal affairs. He has held practically all township offices and in the discharge of the duties of each position has earned a reputation for executive ability and efficiency. His many admirable qualities are generally recognized and there is no resident of the county more highly esteemed than he.
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