Hall County, Nebraska - Chapter 28, 1920 (part 3 of 16)

CLAUS THEO. JESSEN, proprietor of the leading drug store in Grand Island, is one of the city's representative business men. More than that, he is probably the best linguist in the state for he has a thorough knowledge of eight languages and converses in each with great facility. His educational training along other lines has been effective and the choice he made of pharmacy as a profession was because of a natural leaning toward the field of chemistry.

Mr. Jessen was bom in Denmark, April 25, 1860. His parents were Claus T. and Anna (Petersen) Jensen. The former was bom in Schleswig and was educated in the university of Copenhagen and until 1863 remained in that city as a teacher in the royal household. In the war of 1863-4 he served as an officer in the Danish army and then went to Kiel, Gemiany, and took a course in theology, entering the ministry of the Lutheran church, in which communion he continued until his death. Of his six children five survive, but Claus T. Jessen is the onlv member in the United States.

On account of his father being so erudite a man, Mr. Jessen had encouragement and stimulation in his effort to equal his father's scholarship. He proved an apt pupil along many lines and became especially proficient in languages and dialects and has found this knowledge of great advantage to him. He was graduated from the School of Languages at Hardersleben in 1881, and from the university of Magdeburg, Saxony, Germany, in

1882. The military law then came into play and he served in the German army for one year. In 18S4 he came to the United States. He was at that time practically without capital and even worked as a day laborer after reaching Grand Island, but he had heard very often in his distant native land that America was the land of opportunity and he has lived to prove it. In the course of time he became a clerk in a drug store in Grand Island and the learning of the business was not much of a task to one whose faculties had been so well trained, and in 1908 Mr. Jessen bought the store and has conducted it ever since. His business success is well deserved for it has been built up by his own efforts. Although interested in all that concerns Grand Island, Mr. Jessen is not connected with any other business enterprise than his own.

Mr. Jessen married, in 1889, Petra Schorrup, who was bora at Sheffield, Illinois. They have had the following children: Phosia, the wife of John Gaber, a travehng salesman for Armour & Co., living in Sheridan, Wyoming; Norma, the wife of William Hehnke, of the Hehnke-Lohmann Company of Grand Island ; Charles T., who, during the World War served in a medical unit in the American Expeditionary Force in France, inherits his father's talent in the acquisition of languages, being conversant with four; Vera, Emily, William and Tetra, all of whom are at home. One other child died in infancy. Mrs. Jessen died January 5, 1916. She was a faithful member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Jessen is a^ Democrat in politics and fraternally is identified with the Danish Brotherhood.

FREDRICH R. MANDEVILLE was bom in Laporte County, Indiana, October 21, 1864. His parents were Dr. Daniel B. and Elmira (Talmage) Mandeville, both of whom were born in the state of New York. A short time after their marriage they removed to Laporte, Indiana, where Dr. Mandeville, for twenty }'ears was in the practice of medicine. In 1879 Dr. Mandeville removed to Seward and retired from professional life. He was an ardent Republican in politics and was a brave soldier in the L^nion army during the Civil War. The patriotic character of the family is indicated by the fact that his father and three brothers, Jacob, Jerry and Rineer served in the army.

section foreman at Seward for the C. B. & Q. Railway. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm in Laporte County, Indiana, and obtained his education in the district schools. After coming to Nebraska he continued to work on the farm until 1886. He determined to see more of his native land. He went to California and afterward recrossed the continent to NewYork. He seems not to have been satisfied in the far east nor with the far west. He returned to Nebraska and went into -the saloon business in Grand Island. He was in this business seventeen years in Seward, four years in Red Cloud and three years in Grand Island. He was appointed chief of police of Grand Island in May, 1917. As chief of police he stands for law and order and for the enforcement of law at all times and under all circumstances. In 1900 Mr. Mandeville married Miss Emma Hill of Seward. Mrs. Mandeville's father, Mr. James Hill, is a pioneer and farmer, a liveryman and hotel manager, a man of wide acquaintance and substantial business connections. They have two sons, Harry and Fredrich. Mrs. Mandeville is a member of the Congregational church and is much interested in local charities. From early manhood Mr. Mandeville has been identified with the Republican party and has been a loyal defender of its principles and candidates. He is a member of lodge No. 604 B. P. O. E. at Grand Island.

WILLIAM F. TILLEY is successfully en- , gaged in farming and conducting a nursery in Lake township. He was born in Otsego County, New York, June 28, 1873, being but an infant when brought to Hall County, Nebraska, by his parents, Adin D. and Maria A. (Perkins) Tilley, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. His boyhood days were spent on the farm and his early education was acquired in the public schools, this being supplenmented by a two years' course in Grand Island College. In early manhood he took up farming and for five years was in partnership with his brother George A. Later he associated himself with his father in the nursery business, having continued in this to the present day, conducting a nursery enterprise on a part of the old homestead. He is also part owner of a quarter section of land in Lake Township which he devotes to farming purposes.

parents were Milton and Harriett (Foote) Wilcox who came to Hall County many years ago, their home being established at Grand Island, where the father became a salesman for the Rock Springs Coal Co. He was a man of fine education and while living in Kansas served as superintendent of schools at Beloit, Kansas. The mother of Mrs. Tilley is still living, a resident of Grand Island.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Tilley has been blessed with four children, namely: Ralph, Vera, Mildred and George, all of whom are still under the parental roof.

The family are members of the Baptist church and Mr. Tilley is a Republican in politics. Though not an aspirant for public honors he has the best interests of the community at heart and capably filled the position of township clerk for two terms.

GUY L. HARRISON. - One of the most iniportant interests of the city of Grand Island is the business conducted under the name of the W. H. Harrison Company. This business, founded by the late Hon. William H. Harrison, has since his death been conducted by his sons Guy L. and Fred L. Harrison, the former of whom is president and general manager. Like his late father, Guy L. Harrison is a man of marked business talent, of prominence in public life, and of great popularity in his community. Through his own abilities he has won a substantial place for himself in commercial and industrial circles, and, while he came into a business already established, he doubtless would have made a success had he been called upon to build up a business of his own.

Mr. Harrison was born in Table Rock, Nebraska, June 19, 1882, a son of William Henry Harrison, a review of whose career will be found elsewhere in this work. His education was secured in the public schools of Grand Island, and after his graduation in 1901, he entered his father's employ, continuing in close association with his father, in whose latter years he assumed many of the burdens of management. At the time of the elder man's death he became the leading official in the concern, which was incorporated for $25,000, in 1914. A general lumber business is done throughout the county, the concern also deals in coal, and in addition owns a well-equipped plaing mill, where all manner of woodwork is done. Mr. Harison is president and general manager of the company, while Fred L. Harrison is secretary and treasurer and manages the coal department. Mr. Harrison is a member of the Elks Lodge No. 604, of which he is past exalted ruJer, and belongs to Ashlar Lodge No. 32, A. F. & A. M. He supports the Republican party in elections.

On September 3,' 1909, Mr. Harrison married at Grand Island Miss Anna M. Hershey, daughter of James B. Hershey, who came to Hall County a number of years ago and passed the rest of his active years in farming. Mrs. Harrison is a member of the English Lutheran church. Mr. Harrison is the leader of the Third City Municipal Band, of which organization his father was the founder.

Hon William Henry Harrison

HON WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. - In the measure that a man proves the broadness and sincerity of his character, and his sense of the heavy responsibility devolving upon him, both relative to his private interests ' and those of the public, does he deserve and achieve lasting success. Preparedness and efficiency for whatever life brings, are valuable assets in the formulation of character and the accumulation of the evidences of material prosperity. Without a sane, sound outlook on life, no man can hope to produce upon others that impression so desirable in order firmly to establish permanent prosperity, a fact that some individuals never learn. Others recognize it from the first, and their careers are full of big accomplishments, and public-spirited actions, that lend themselves to produce the light in which the community regards such citizens. Such a man was the late Hon. William Henry Harrison, whose many achievements in both business and public life established his name for all time as one of the most distinguished, as he was one of the most beloved, residents of Grand Island.

Mr. Harrison was born in Morris, Grundy County, Illinois, May 19, 1860, and was one of eleven children born to his parents, the others being: Joel D., of Grand Island; Frank A., of Lincoln; Charles E., of Mason City; Thomas J., of Julesburg, Colorado ; J. H., of Ravenna ; Elliott, of Cairo ; Mrs. Martha Smith, of Mason City; Mrs. Edith Heywood, of Cairo; Mrs. Carrie Trover, of Friend; and Miss Eugenia, of Cairo. He was six years of age when his parents removed to Nebraska, the family home being on a farm in Pawnee County, where the lad attended the district schools. This training was later supplemented by a course in a business college at Saint Joseph, Missouri. His first work was on the home farm, but at the age of sixteen years he entered commercial alifairs by securing a position as clerk in a drug store in Table Rock. One year later he entered the industry in which he was to make such a great success when he began work in a lumber yard in Table Rock, and a short time thereafter was promoted to the position of manager. He established a home and family of his own September 14, 1881, when he married in Table Rock Miss Emma E. Jones, daughter of David and Margaret (Williams) Jones, who were born and married in Wales. He resided for a time in Pennsylvania upon first coming to the United States, and in 1860 removed to Nebraska, from Wisconsin, locating at Table Rock. Mr. Harrison's fatherin-law, who was originally a shoemaker, in later years turned his attention to farming.

In 1884 Mr. Harrison removed with his family to Grand Island, where he was placed in charge of the S. R. Howell Lumber Company headquarters, a capacity in which he supervised the operation and management of forty-five retail lumber yards throughout the state. A few years later, when the Howell Company withdrew from Nebraska territory, Mr. Harrison purchased three of the yards, including the one in Grand Island, and was actively engaged in the lumber business until within a short period before his death. In the organization of the lumber dealers of Nebraska, Mr. Harrison's executive ability placed him at the front. Whether a question of policy or a plan of entertainment was being considered, his opinion almost always met with the unanimous approval of his associates. Lumber men who were in close touch with him, personally, and in his official capacity as president of the Nebraska Lumber Dealer's Association, paid the highest tribute to his ability, judgment and personal magnetism, which made him a favorite wherever known.

Mr. Harrison always took an active and prominent part in public life and politics. In 1881 and 1882 he was a member of the city council of Grand Island, in which body he made his influence distinctly felt. In 1895 he was elected a member of the State Legislature from his district, and was the Republican floor leader. In 1903 he was elected to the State Senate, representing Hall and Howard counties, and was elected president of the Senate, being head of that body in reality as well as by virtue of his position, nominally. He was an excellent organizer, played a great part in giving to the people of the state an improved revenue law and later was one of the progressive leaders of Nebraska. It is said that if all of the bills for whose passage he was responsible had borne his name, the public could see, as those whose business it was to watch the inside workings of the legislature saw, that W. H. Harrison was the master mind in both sessions. The clearness with which he analyzed political conditions made him an invaluable advisor for public officials, campaign committees and newspaper writers. He knew what the people were thinking about, and it was his political philosophy that it was wise to give them as near what they wanted as it was safe to do. In 1898 Mr. Harrison was appointed postmaster of Grand Island, and served in that office until 1902. During the time he was postmaster he took his political hfe in his hands and went to the state capital to assist in preventing the Legislature from carrying out a corrupt bargain in the naming of senators. He lost the postmastership as a result of this courageous fight, but succeeded in bringing in a new era in the politics of the state and made the sacrifice with the greatest willingness and good nature.

Mr. Harrison was fraternally affiliated with the Masons, Odd Fellows, Elks', and M. W. A., in all of which he was prominent and popular and held a number of important offices. He took an active interest in music, was the founder of the Grand Island Band, and he and his sons, all performers, formed a complete orchestra. He was likewise a most enthusiastic admirer of the game of baseball, participated largely in the management of the Grand Island team during the season of 1912, and every player who came in contact with him became his friend. He had a discriminating literary taste and was a lover of good books. His large library was a favorite gathering place for young people. With whom he maintained the warmest friendship, and his advice and help were accepted gratefully by this circle of young friends as well as by his large number of intimate friends, throughout the state. For some time prior to his death, Mr. Harrison had not been in the best of health, but his recovery seemed certain because of his rugged constitution. Having gone to Omaha for a medical examination, he was seized November 15, 1913, with a stroke of apoplexy, and his death occurred the following day. In commenting upon his death one of the daily papers said : "His best epitaph is the love which they who knew him feel for him. This love is written more deeply and more permanently than if 'twere cut in stone."

with that concern ; Ray who has the Willard Battery Station in Grand Island; Florence, the wife of George D, Hetzel, now living in Canada; and Reed, who entered the United States service October 4, 1917, and is assistant director of the 355th Infantry Band, Headquarters Company, France.

ELI A. BARNES, one of Grand Island's best known and most highly respected citizens, has spent almost a half century in Hall County and has been identified with much of its substantial development, being greatly interested in agricultural progress as well as in business affairs in this city. Mr. Barnes is an honored survivor of the Civil War, in which his gallantry won official recognition and ever since the organization of the Grand Army of the Republic, he has been a member and has been commander and senior vice commander of the organization of Nebraska.

Mr. Barnes was born in Chemung County, New York, September 14, 1837, of old Empire state and Holland ancestry and of Revolutionary stock. His parents were Jesse and Rachel (Swartwood) Barnes, and his paternal grandfather, Abraham Barnes, who was born and died in New York. Jesse Barnes was born in Sullivan county. New York and died in Chemung County in 1857. His vocation was farming but he became prominent in local politics and distinguished himself as a first lieutenant of artillery in the war of 1812. In Chemung County he served in the office of town clerk and at the time of his death was superintendent of the county almshouse. He married Rachel Swartwood, who was bom in Chemung County, New York. She was the daughter of Peter Swartwout, to give the name its orthography in Dutch, who came very early from Holland to the colonies serving as a quartermaster-general in the Revolutionary war. The mother of Mr. Barnes remained in New York after she became a widow until 1862, when she removed to Illinois and from there to Cedar Falls, Iowa. She was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Of her large family of thirteen children many grew to vigorous maturity but at the time of writing Eli A. Barnes has but one surviving brother, George W., who has been in the agricultural 'implement business at Waterloo, Iowa, since before the Civil War; and one sister, Mary E., who has been twice married and is now a widow, first to Theodore L. French, and second to Hiram F. Lane.

Cornell University. He then engaged in farming until August 25, 1863, when he enlisted for service in the Civil War and was orderly sergeant of Company G, Ninth Iowa Cavalry, and rose to higher rank before the close of the war. He removed to Illinois, in which state his mother was living, and there married February 22, 1865, Miss Nancy E. Crego, who was born in New York state. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes have been blessed in many ways and both enjoyed entertaining their friends on the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding, February 22, 1915. Mrs. Barnes is a member of the Episcopal church and is interested in the many charitable movements of the times. Mr. Barnes came to Hall County, Nebraska, March 8, 1872, securing a homestead and resided on the same for thirteen years and then came to Grand Island to embark in a bond, insurance and pension business, which he continues with the exception of the bond feature, which he gave up in 1909. He is a notary public. He has been a prominent official of the State Board of Agriculture and served as its president from 1895 to 1896 and has been a member of the board for twentytwo years. In Grand Army affairs he has been commander of Lyons post, of which he is the present quartermaster, and has, as noted above, been senior vice commander and commander in the state. For years he has been conspicuous in Masonry in 'Nebraska. He is a member of Ashlar lodge No. 33, A. F. & A. M.; Deuel Chapter R. A. M. ; and Mt. Lebanon Comnmndery No. 6, Knights Templar, and is past high priest and past eminent commander. He has taken fourteen degrees in the Scottish Rite, is a life member of all the bodies and is the oldest Shriner in Hall County.

FRED L. HARRISON. - Among the energetic and progressive young business men of Grand Island, who has proved his ability, judgment and thorough knowledge of affairs is Fred L. Harrison, secretary and treasurer of the W. H. Harrison Lumber Company. Mr. Harrison has passed his entire business career in connection with this enterprise and has built up a large and influential acquaintance in coal and lumber circles of the state, in addition to which he is widely and prominently known as a frtemalist.

Mr. Harrison was born at Table Rock, Nebraska, October 9, 1884. He is a son of the late William H. Harrison, a review of whose life will be found elsewhere in this volume. He received his education in the graded and high schools of Grand Island, whence he was brought as an infant by his parents. When he was able to start on his business career he joined his father and brother Guy L. in the W. H. Harrison Company, which had been founded in 1901. When his father's health failed, he and his brother assumed many of the responsibilities of management, which they took over in full when the founder died in 1913. The business was incorporated in 1914 for $25,000, and at that time Guy L. Harrison became president and manager, and Fred L. Harrison secretary and treasurer and manager of the coal department. He has since continued in these offices. The company does a general lumber business throughout the county of Hall and the territory surrounding Grand Island, deals extensively in coal, and owns an up-to-date planing mill, where all kinds of wood work is done. The concern is also owner of a large plant at Cairo, this state. Like his father and brothers, Mr. Harrison is a musician. He is one of the most prominent Elks in the state, being past exalted ruler, past state president and past district deputy of the Elks for Nebraska. In politics he is a staunch Republican.

Mr. Harrison married September 16, 1912, at Kaukauna, Wisconsin, Miss Josephine M. Kline, of Kaukauna, Wisconsin, a daughter of Jacob J. Kline, who was formerly a manufacturer of paper at Kaukauna, but is now retired. They are the parents of one son: William H., Jr.

RAY L, HARRISON. - Many of the successful business men of Hall County, and this applies practically to those of the younger generation, have found their opportunity for success in the automobile business and in its various allied interests. The phenomenal gro^vth of this industry has called forth the services of young, alert, enterprising men, capable of a quick grasp of innovations and new ideas. For the labors of this class there have been presented desirable rewards. Among the men of Grand Island who have profited by their ability to recognize opportunities and their ability to foresee developments, is Ray L. Harrison, manager of the Willard Battery Station, and distributor of the Willard batteries for seven counties.

Mr. Harrison was bom in Grand Island, Nebraska, December 12, 1886, a son of the late Hon. William H. Harrison, a review of whose career will be found on another page of this work. His early education was gained in the graded and high schools of Grand Is- land, from the latter of which he was gradiiated in 1905, and following this he took a course at the State University, where he was graduated in civil engineering in 1909. Returing to Grand Island, for six months he was employed in an architect's office, but this did not prove congenial, and he turned his attention to the garage business, conducting an establishment of this nature for five years. During this time he had seen the possibilities in the battery business, and eventually established himself as proprietor in a small room eight by twelve feet. In order to embark in business, he was compelled to borrow $275. He was soon clear of indebtedness and began to enlarge his establishment, building an addition of sixty-five feet, which included his batten,- station and his repair shop. In 1917, so large had his business grown, he purchased a lot forty-four by sixty-six feet, on which he erected a modern building, fashioned according to his needs. Since that time the business has continued to grow and it will soon be necessary for him to secure larger quarters. Mr. Harrison conducts this business, which has been built up entirely by himself, as a Willard Storage Battery Station, in addition to which he is distributor for seven counties in Nebraska of this high class article. His business is accounted one of the most prosperous in Grand Island. Much of its success is due to the fact that Mr. Harrison is always improving himself and his knowledge, his most recent graduate work being of a practical nature - a course in the Willard Storage Battery factory.

Mr, Harrison married March 2. 1917, Miss Elizabeth Pepper, a daughter of William Pepper, an old-time resident of Hall County, who for many years was engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is now city street commissioner of Grand Island, They have one son, Ray L,, Jr. Mrs. Harrison is a member of the English "Lutheran church. He is exalted ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and past chancellor commander of the Knights of Pythias. In politics he is a Republican, but he has found little time for political matters or public afifairs, his entire attention having been engrossed by his business.

HENRY SCHUFF, - As Grand Island has become, year by year, a more and more important commercial and railroad center, its business has naturally increased and its transient population has become of a magnitude which has been a constantly growing tax upon the capacity of its hotels. This tax has in large measure been relieved, if not entirely eliminated, by the improvements and enlargement of the Palmer House, the proprietor of which has shown his confidence in the city's development. To the traveling public which has had occasion to visit Grand Island, any introduction to the name of Henry Schuff would be entirely superfluous. As proprietor of the Palmer House he has proved himself a genial boniface, in business circles he is known as a man of good ability and of the strictest integrity. In public positions of prominence he has shown himself a citizen who entertains high ideals of public service and who has discharged the duties of citizenship accordingly,

Mr. Schufif was born in Burlington, Iowa, August 7, 1861. He is a son of Anton and Barbara (Scholtz) Schuft", natives of Germany. They came to the United States in 1853, settling m Burlington, where Mr. Schufif followed the trade of 'cabinet maker, and_ there the parents passed the rest of their lives, dying in the faith of the Lutheran church. They were the parents of six children, of whom all were school teachers at one time in their lives, and five are living. Henry was the only one to come to Hall County, Ellen was for years a lecturer in the Lutheran church, and for eighteen years has been a missionary of that denomination in India ; Mrs. Pauline Callahan is the wife of a Nevada lawyer; Mrs. Caroline Hardy is a widow and resides in California: Mrs. Bertha Sidel is the wife of a retired farmer of Fort Scott, Kansas ; and Anna is deceased,

Henry Schufif received his education in the public schools of Burlington, Iowa, and after his graduation from the high school entered the woodworking department of the Chicago, Burlington and Qunincy Railroad. In 1882 he came to Nebraska and entered the train service of the Union Pacific, and during the six years that he was thus employed accumulated a small capital which, in 1888, he invested in the cafe business at North Platte. In 1894 he disposed of his interests there and came to Grand Island. In 1907 he purchased the Palmer House, which he has since conducted with much success. He built his present cafe in 1910, His house has become very popular among those of the traveling public who appreciate real comfort, and excellent cuisine and attentive service, and who know that their every requirement will be attended to gladly and intelligently. Mr. Schufif is a Republican in politics. In 1905 he was elected mayor of Grand Island, in which capacity he served until 1911. During his terms the greater part of the city's improvement was inaugurated. The street paving was started during his administration, under which also there was started the electric light plant. Many other improvements are directly traceable to his work and influence. Mr. Schuff is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is prominent in Masonry, having reached the Scottish Rite, and being a Knight Templar, in addition to which he belongs to the Shrine. He has been particularly active in York Rite Masonry, and has passed through all the chairs in the Chapter and Knights Templar.

Mr. Schuff married July 15, 1884, Miss Hannah Barbara Weil, who was born at Franklin, Iowa. To this union there have been bom three children: Lester F., who is his father's manager in conducting the Palmer House ; Fred H., who attended the preparatory school in Mercerville, Pennsylvania, and entered the United States service at Camp Cody, New Mexico, in April, 1917. He was ordered before the board thirty days later, and secured his second lieutenantcy, was soon made first lieutenant and so commissioned in September,

GLENN JONES, vice-president and general manager of the Nebraska Mercantile Company in Grand Island, is a thoroughly experienced man in this line of business. He has been identified with the enterprise for thirtysix years. From schoolboy days he has been connected with grocery interests and few men have a wider knowledge or more just conception of the many factors belonging to this important field of trade.

Mr. Jones was bom in Galesburg, Illinois. His parents were Aaron L. and Rebecca (Glenn) Jones, both of whom were natives of Ohio. His father was a soldier in an Ohio regiment in the Civil War and after his honorable discharge, removed to Illinois, where he engaged in farming until 1871. He came with his family to Nebraska in 1882. He homesteaded in York County and remained on the farm until his death which occurred in July, 1916. The mother of Mr. Jones died in York in December, 1893. They were estimable people in every relation of life and were faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Of their five children the following are living: L. B., office manager of the Nebraska Mercantile Company in Grand Island ; Glenn; and Myrtle, the wife of L. D. Scott, of Casper, Wyoming, a sheep raiser, owner of Hound Hurst Ranch, fifty-six miles north of Casper.

Glenn Jones attended the common schools and began his business career as a clerk in a grocery store in 1882, applying himself so faithfully to detail work that he gained rapid promotion and some years later became manager of a large grocery department in one of the business houses of Lincoln. In 1899, in association with G. M. Southmayd, he embarked in the grocery business in Omaha, Nebraska, under the firm nam of the Jones-Southmayd Company, which enterprise prospered and was incorporated. About nine years later, these partners sold their interests in the jobbing grocery company and Mr. Jones became manager of one of the largest Sioux City jobbing grocery houses, where he continued until February 1911. He then acquired Mr. Waldo's holdings in the Nebraska Mercantile Company in Grand Island and became vice-president and general manager. His sound knowledge of business conditions and business participation for so many years make him not only a safe guide in his own particular line, but a dependable counsellor in other fields.

Mr. Jones married in February, 1895, Miss Mary Houston, who was bom in Iowa and is a grand-niece of Gen. Sam Houston, a noted statesman of another generation. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have on^ daughter, Genevieve, who is a graduate of the National Kindergarten College, Chicago, Illinois, and a kindergarten teacher in Grand Island. Mr. Jones and family belong to the Presbyterian church, of which Mr. Jones is president of the board of trustees ; he is also president of the local Young Men's Christian Association and a member of the board of directors of the state association. In his political views he is a Republican and fraternally is identified with the Elks.

THOMAS P. MATTHEWS. - That the important business enterprises of Grand Island are in the hands of competent men is very generally conceded, and perhaps it is no secret that along some lines and in some cases, unusual ability is shown. Without depreciating any other prominent business man here, atten. tion may be called to Thomas P. Matthews, now a large dealer in city real estate, whose mercantile success through many years has given proof of the business acumen he possesses. More than that he is a self-made man.

Thomas P. Matthews was born at Brooklyn, New York, August 1, 1868, a son of John A. Matthews, a biography of whom is found in this work. His educational advantages were those afforded by the common schools until he was thirteen years of age when he became a wage-earner. His first employer was S. N. Wolbach. He soon learned business details and applied himself closely and faithfully to the interests of those for whom he worked, thereby gaining their confidence and good will. These are assets-not to be overlooked when a young man of twenty-one embarks in business for himself. Mr. Matthews at that age became a general merchant and in the interval of twenty-one years from then until he retired from that line in 1910, he had owned and conducted sixty-eight stores. At the time he sold his interests he had a store in Falls City, one in Harvard, one in Giltner, Nebraska, and for five years he was in the book and stationery business in Grand Island. Mr. Mathews then turned his attention to dealing in real estate, first in association with others, but since 1913 he has been alone. He has been exceedingly successful, giving attention mainly to local lands and business property.

Mr. Matthews married in 1896, at Oskaloosa, Iowa, Miss Eva Mason, who is a daughter of Isaac Mason, an early settler there and later a coal dealer. Mr. and Mrs. Matthews have three daughters, Mary, Eva and Rose, all of whom are attending school. The family belongs to the Roman Catholic church. Mrs. Matthews died December 2, 1918. In the political field Mr. Matthews has been more or less active as circumstances seemed to warrant, for a number of years, zealously supporting the candidates of the Democratic party. He has not often accepted political honors for himself although for one year he served as deputy revenue collector of the Fifth District. He is a man of generous habit and of broad sympathy and these qualities were recently illustrated when, during the influenza epidemic, he turned over his property, the Brewster Hotel, at Grand Island, for the city to use free as a hospital for the unfortunate victims of what has proven in private homes in many cases an almost uncontrollable malady. Mr. Matthews does not pose as a philanthropist but his fellow citizens honor him for this humanitarian action.

a planing mill in Grand Island, has been identified with this business ever since his schoci days ended. He is thoroughly informed in the lumber and affiliated industries. Mr. Geer was born in Grand Island, Nebraska, February 13, 1884. His parents are Lewis T. and Anna (Merton) Geer, mentioned elsewhere in this volume.

Rufus M. Geer obtained his education in the public schools of Grand Island and ever since has been associated with his father in the lumber business. He married, February 22, 1908, Miss Marian Anyan, a daughter of William and Mary Anyan, well known residents of Grand Island. Mr. and Mrs. Geer have three children, Nathaniel, Thaddeus, and Donald, aged respectively, six, four and two years. Mr. and Mrs. Geer are members of the Congregational church and take a sympathetic interest in its activities. In politics he is a Republican but is liberal-minded as a citizen when public movements for the benefit of the entire country call for loyal effort. For many years he has been identified with Masonry and is a member of Askelon Lodge No. 133 A. F. & A. M., Grand Island.

FRED H. JASPER, whose attention for some years has been devoted to manufacturing, came to Nebraska in early manhood and has been so well satisfied with this state that the most of his business ventures have been within its borders. His handsome residence in Grand Island is one of the most comfortable and attractive in the city. Mr. Jasper has thus proved his belief that for both business and home Nebraska is thoroughly satisfactory.

Fred H. Jasper was born in Germany, October 11, 1879. He is the son of Fred and Louise (Biene) Jasper, natives of Germany where their parents died. They came to the United States in 1885 and settled at Avoca, a barber by trade, is also in the insurance of burning brick. They are members of the Lutheran church. There were five children in the family: Fred H. ; Margaret, the wife of John Reimer, of Walnut, Iowa, a painter and decorator by trade and at present the operator of a motion picture theatre; Henry, a barber by trade, is also in the insurance business in Minden, Iowa; Anna, the wife of Roy Powers, a printer by trade, lives at Oakland, Iowa ; and Otto, who is a traveling salesman, lives in Grand Island.

ber's trade, then was a clerk in a local store for some time. He was ambitious for a wider field of business, however, and found an opening with the Kregg-Elliott wholesale shoe house of Omaha, serving four years as a traveling salesman for that concern. He then became salesman for the next three years for the John Gund Brewing Company. Following this Air. Jasper accepted an offer from the P. J. Bowlin Company, wholesale liquors, of St. Paul, Minnesota, two years later going with the Krugg Brewing Company and continuing until Nebraska became dry territory. In 1913 he came to Grand Island for this company as manager and agent. Since then he has been engaged in the manufacturing of beverages for the wholesale trade, sales being made throughout the country.

Mr. Jasper married, in June, 1907, Miss Emma Shilling of Avoca, Iowa. They have two children, Pauhne and Frederick, aged respectively, ten and three years. Mr. Jasper has never entertained any political aspirations, business engaging his time and attention, but he is identified with the Republican party and is always ready to co-operate in general pubhcspirited movements. He is a member of a number of fraternal and social organizations, these including the B. P. O. E., the F. O. E. and the L. O. M.

ALBERT J. DEN MAN, who occupies the very responsible position of manager for the American Beet Sugar Company, at Grand Island, is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of Hall County. The Denman name was established in this county as early as 1869, when his gradfather, William Harrison Denman, a native of Ohio, secured a homestead claim, on which he lived until the time of his death, and this old homestead is still in the family.

Albert J. Denman was born January 11, 1881, on a farm in Hall County, five miles south of Grand Island, and is a son of John W. and Ida M. (Huhn) Denman, whose record appears elsewhere in this volume.

Albert J. Denman remained in school until he was graduated from the Grand Island Business College at the age of twenty years. His first business position was with the Granger Fruit Company through one season, when he went to Norfolk, Nebraska, where he was employed in a beet sugar factory one vear and was then transferred to the Grand Island factory of the American Beet Sugar Company at Grand Island, first as timekeeper, then as bookkeeper and on January 1, 1913, he became manager of the plant and since then has devoted the greater part of his time and attention to afl^airs pretaining thereto. He has a large force under his supervision in the various lines, while outside business has, in the past few years, more than doubled in volume.

On April 4, 1904, Mr. Denman was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Giese, a daughter of Henry Giese, a pioneer of this state, now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Denman have two daughters : Gertrude M. and Florence, both of whom are attending school. Mr. Denman and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In fraternal circles he Ts active in the order of Elks and also in the Eagles, being trustee of the latter lodge at Grand Island, and an esteemed lecturing and esteemed loyal knight in the former organization. In politics he is identified with the RepubHcan party.

A. C. MENCK. - One of the well known business men of Grand Island is A. C. Menck, general merchant, who has been identified with this city all his life. His every effort, under all circumstances, has been to add to the prestige of Grand Island. This he has done by encouraging progress along business, social and educational lines.

Mr. Menck was born in Grand Island, Nebraska, April 19, 1866, and is a son of Christian Menck, a sketch of whom appears in this work. He obtained his education in the schools of Hall County and began his business career in the capacity of clerk in a Grand Island dry goods store. He had thorough and practical training and in 1902 embarked in the mercantile business here on his own account. Mr. Alenck has demonstrated his business ability in the upbuilding of an extensive trade. His customers come from different parts of the county. Experience has proved that here their wants in carefully selected dry goods, notions, boots and shoes, may be supplied very satisfactorily. Mr. Menck has made merchandising his life work and his judgment may be depended upon as to quality of his goods, while his business integrity is above question. He is the owner of his commodious store and has other property.

Mr. Menck married in 1890 Miss Linnie Elliott, a daughter of Martin Elliott, a substantial farmer of York County, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Menck have three sons, namely: Roy, in business with his father; Ray in the radio department on a transport, in European waters; and Arthur, an electrician now detailed on the U. S. battleship Lousiana. In politics Mr. Menck has always been identified with the Democratic party. At present he is a member of the city council of Grand Island, in which body his excellent business judgment and pubHc spirit make him exceedingly valuable. He belongs to the A. O. U. W. and the Iviederkranz, a German society.

LEWIS T. GEER. - Those who lead in business circles in Grand Island are not as a rule men who have gained their positions of independent fortune and public confidence in any other way than by steady, persevering industry and in recognition of citizenship responsibility. An example easily cited is Lewis T. Geer, founder of the Geer Company, widely known in the lumber industry, who came to Grand Island in 1880, with his fortune yet to make. The important enterprise that he has built up testifies to the stuidy qualities he possesses. Mr. Geer is an all round useful citizen, able in business and active and earnest in public affairs.

Lewis T. Geer was born in Washington County, New York, February 12, 1856. His parents were 'Nathaniel and Eliza (Clark) Geer, of Connecticut, his father a grandson of Welcome Geer, also born in Connecticut, who in 1826 was a captain of artillery in the state militia. The Geer family came very early to the New England colonies and owned lands from the crown. The parents of Mr. Geer moved from New York to Ottawa, Illinois, where Nathaniel Geer was engaged in farming pursuits. Of his ten children there are six yet living. He was a Democrat in politics. He and his wife belonged to the Episcopal church.

Mr. Geer received his educational training in the Illinois schools and then went to Prairie City, Iowa, where he learned the carpenter trade under his uncle, David Geer, and he continued to work as a carpenter in Iowa from 1873 until 1876, when he returned to Illinois. In the meanwhile, however, he had accompanied his uncle to Boulder, Colorado, passing through Grand Island, and after returning to work at his trade in Illinois he pleasantly recalled the people and surroundings of the Nebraska village and this resulted in his deciding to come to Grand Island and establish his permanent home. He reached here March 3, 1880 and began at the bottom of the industrial ladder that he has so successfully climbed. He continued work at his trade during a number of years and then, in March, 1894, established a contracting business which he operated until 1908 under the firm name of Geer

& Harrison. In that year the business was incorporated as the Geer-Harrison Company. On August 17, 1913, the firm suffered an almost complete loss by fire. In the spring of 1914 business was resumed, under incorporation as the Geer Company, Lewis T. Geer being president. The business has grown to wide proportions. The company handles lumber, owns and operates a planing mill and sells coal, lime and builders' hardware and other commodities of the trade.

Lewis T. Geer married November 23, 1881, Miss Anna Merton, who was born at Merton's Landing, Wisconsin. She is a daughter of Andrew Merton, who came to the United States in 1847 settling in Wisconsin, taking up land and giving his name to Merton's Landing. At the time of his death at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, he was register of deeds of Winnebago County. Mr. and Mrs. Geer have had four children, three surviving: Effie E., Rufus M. and Russell L. Mrs. Geer and the children are members of the Congregational church. In politics Mr. Geer is a sturdy Republican. At present he is serving as supervisor on the county board and in Grand Island he has served on the school board and also in the city council from the First Ward. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity.

For twenty-five years he has been an active worker in the building and loan association. Mr. Geer has a document showing a transfer of a piece of land in Connecticut to one of his ancestors, Nathaniel Geer, dated January 2, 1776. Miss Effie is a member of the Colonial Dames and the D. A. R. A man named Howland, a passenger on the Mayflower is among the ancestors of the Geer 'family.

EDWARD L. BALLENGER, who is one of the best known men in the Union Pacific yards at Grand Island, was born near Mattoon, Coles County, Illinois, July 7, 1862. His parents were James and Mary (Thompson) Ballenger. His father was a native of Illinois and the mother was born in Indiana.

In 1871 the parents of Mr. Ballenger came to Seward County, Nebraska, where the father took a homestead, living on the claim ten years. They now live at College Place, near Walla Walla, Washington. They were the parents of five children, namely: Edward L. ; Lillie, who is the wife of R. C. Dunham, of Portland, Oregon; Charles, who died at the age of twenty-two; Flora, who is the wife, of Austin Salesberry, of Portland, Oregon; and Harr}^, a railroad man of Grand Island.

Edward L. Ballenger accompanied his parents to Nebraska and was reared on a fann until the age of eighteen. In 1889 he entered the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad as a switchman and for thirty years has continued to fill this responsible position. Mr. Ballenger is accounted one of the substantial men of Grand Island, and capably served two years as a member of the city council.

Mr. Ballenger was united in marriage to Miss Myra Wilkinson, who was born at Athens, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of Henry and Clara (Toles) Wilkinson. The father was a native of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and the mother was born in Green County, that state.

Mr. and Mrs. Ballenger have a son, Earl, who is also in the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad. He married Miss Sina Hansen and they have a son, David Earl, a bright little lad of seven summers.

In politics Mr. Ballenger is a Republican. He is a Royal Arch Mason and belongs to the Royal Highlanders and the Order of Railway Trainmen. Mrs. Ballenger is a member of and an active worker in the Episcopal church.

HARVEY B. ROUSEY. - However admirable the objects of fraternal organizations, in the sense of the voluntary association of men promoting their common interest, business or pleasure, and however ample their finances, those that make a most promising beginning could not long exist without able business management. This is a practical age and the most worthy benevolences have to be as carefully adjusted as have the accounts of the honest banker. Therefore, a position that involves responsibility as does that of grand recorder of such a nation-wide fraternal order as the A. O. U. W., is no sinecure although one of great distinction. This office in Nebraska i§ filled by Harvey B. Rousey, one of Grand Island's most highly respected citizens.

Harvey B. Rousey was born in Morgan County, Illinois, March 9, 1863. His parents were William and Jane (Gunn) Rousey, both born in Morgan County, to which section their parents had come in 1832. On the maternal side, Rev. Alexander S. Gunn was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal faith being the father of one preacher and the grandfather of three. William Rousey removed to Clay County, Nebraska, in 1879 and purchased land near Edgar for $10 per acre. It is now held at $200 per acre. For many years he was engaged in farming but at the time of his death was conducting an agricultural implement business at Edgar. He was a inan of sturdy character and fine principles, serving as a county commissioner of Clay County for a number of years ; liberally supporting educational and religious institutions, particularly being interested in the work of the Methodist Episcopal church. He had six children as follows : Harvey B. ; Eli M., a farmer near Hamlet, Nebraska; IBenjamin F., connected with a hardware store at Kearney ; James, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church in Omaha ; W. E., in the hardware business at Alliance, Nebraska, and is mayor of that city ; and Bertha, the wife of Harry Caldwell, who resides on the old Rousey homestead.

Harvey B. Rousey completed his high school course in Edgar, Nebraska, and later a business course in a commercial college in St. Joseph, Missouri. For eighteen years Mr. Rousey eno^aged then, more or less continuously, in educational work and for six years was in the newspaper business at Edgar. In 1891 he became interested in and united with the A. O. U. VV., and in January, 1909 he came into the office of the order in Grand Island serving six years as bookkeeper. For two years he was deputy grand recorder. During the two following years he was bookkeeper for the Augustine Printing Company, and on July 1, 1917 accepted his present office.

In 1885 Mr. Rousey married Miss Millie F. Shipley, a native of Illinois. They have four children; A. L., a dental surgeon at Walthill, in Thurston County, Nebraska; (and Ruth Iva and Ivan, all at home, the last being twins. Mr. Rousey and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and for some years he has been superintendent of the Sunday school. In his political views he is a Democrat.

JOHN HARDERS, who belongs to an old and highly respected family of Hall County, extended mention of which will be found in this work, was born in Hall County, October 25, 1888. He obtained a good education in the public schools and upon finishing his education engaged in farming, a pursuit he has followed all his life.

On November 30, 1915, Mr. Harders was united Jn marriage to Miss Lora Thomsen ; they h'ave one daughter, Viola Marguerite. The parents of Mrs. Harders were Peter and Minnie (Bushman) Thomsen, natives of Germany. For twenty years before retiring to Abbott, Nebraska, they lived on their farm near that town, where subsequently both died, the father at the age of fifty and the mother

Since coming to his farm of 120 acres, situated on section 17, Harrison township, Mr. Harders has devoted himself closely to his business and has spared neither time nor money in making improvements. He engages in general farming and stock raising, being quite particular to have the best grade of stock. His energy and enterprise are meeting with very satisfactory results. Both he and wife belong to the Lutheran church. In politics he is a Republican and as a wide awake, intelligent citizen, keeps well posted on national matters as well as on movements that promise to be beneficial to Hall County.

GEORGE W. CARR, one of Grand Island's substantial citizens, has been a resident of Nebraska since 1878. He brought from his Indiana home not only a well merited reputation for business integrity, but undeniable proof of loyal, honorable service in the Civil War. For more than a quarter of a century he lived on his homestead in Buffalo County. In 1907 he came to Grand Island where he had made investments, and since 1909 has been operating here rather extensively in real estate.

George W. Carr was born at Sardinia, Decatur County, Indiana, March 20, 1846. His parents were William and Jane (Standford) Carr, the former of whom was born in New Jersey. He was a son of David Carr, who served in the Revolutionary war. William Carr owned a farm in Decatur County and also was a shoemaker by trade. He was a member of the Baptist church. When the Republican party was organized he united with that political body. He was twice married, his second wife being Jane Standford, who was born in Pennsylvania. They both died in Indiana. To this marriage the following children were bom : Eliza, the widow of Abraham Reves, lives near Hayden, Indiana; George W. ; Margaret Ann, who is the widow of Lorenzo Darniger, a soldier in the Civil War, lives near Hayden ; Hester, the wife of Charles Eastman, a veteran of the Civil War, and both died at Aurora, Nebraska ; and Julia Frances, who died at the age of seven years.

George W. Carr was reared on his father's farm and had but few educational privileges in boyhood. In fact he is mainly self educated, having studied while in the army. He fi^rst attempted to enter the service m the Eighty-second Indiana regiment in August,

1862, but was refused on account of his youth, but on August 28, 1863, one year later, he was accepted as a member of the Seventh Indiana cavalry and during his subsequent service of two years and six months, he participated in seventeen engagements, included in which number were the following: Iva Hills, Grand Gulf, Hollow Springs, Mississippi, Kansas, Osage, and Little Blue in Missouri, Arkansas, White Springs and Memphis, Tennessee. The regiment during this time brought to a close the career of several noted desperadoes. After the war IMr. Carr returned to- Indiana and there he farmed. He was a member of a threshing crew, worked as a carpenter and for six years was a coal miner. About this time he decided to come to Nebraska and on October 28, 1878, reached Buffalo County. He homesteaded there for many years living a busy and contented life on his fine farm which he developed into a valuable property. He sold this place advantageously in 1907 and located in Grand Island. He is a Democrat in political faith and while living in Buffalo County served in local offices and for a long time was a justice of the peace. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

Mr. Carr married February 3, 1867, in Jennings County, Indiana, Miss Hannah Jane Everhart, who was born in Scott County, Indiana. She is a daughter of John Barr and Huldah (Graves) Everhart. The father of Mrs. Carr was born in Carroll County, Ohio, and the mother in) Genessee County, New York. They located in Indiana in the thirties. Mr. Everhart was a carpenter by trade and built one of the church edifices in Scott County. During the Civil War he was an assistant quartermaster of the 4th Indiana Cavalry and captured by the enemy at the battle of Lookout Mountain, and died shortly after exchanged, having been in Libby prison nearly three months where he nearly starved to death. Of the nine children bom to Mr. and Mrs. Carr the following survive: Ida, the wife of William Everhart of Grand Island ; Cora, the wife of Hon. L. L. Hile, a member of the state legislature from Buffalo County in 1896- 1897; E. Arthur, a prominent physician at Lincoln, was a member of the state board of health for years and is grand commander of the Odd Fellows in Nebraska ; Nellie Gertrude, a graduate of Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, is engaged in practice at Faimiount, Nebraska, is the wife of Dr. M. H. Deffenbaugh, who is with the American Expeditionary Force in France as surgeon ; Jesse Myron, a graduate of Bennett College, Chicago, is a prominent physician and surgeon at Stockton, California; and E. Fred, who is also a graduate of Bennett College, is engaged in practice at Stapleton, Nebraska. Mr. Carr and his family belong to the Baptist church.

JOSEPH J. KLINGE, who is interested in one of the exceedingly important business enterprises of Grand Island, being vice president and manager of the Central Storage Company, is well known both in Hall and Howard counties, having spent almost his entire life in Nebraska.

Mr. Klinge was born in Pennsylvania, December 30, 1866, a son of Gottfried and Theresa (Jennemann) Kling;e. His parents were born, reared and married in Germany, emigrating to the United States in 1866. In August of that year they settled in Pennsylvania and their eldest child was bom in December following. Of their seven children only three are living, namely : Joseph J. ; Gene, the wife of George Tocky, a railroad man at Grand Island; and H. J., who was in a soldier's training camp in the United States, during military preparation in 1918. He left soon after the signing of the armistice for France. The father of this family was a blacksmith by trade but after coming to the United States was a railroad man working at this occupation until he was seventy years old, when he was pensioned. His death occurred November 1, 1915. All his li^e he had been a faithful member of the Roman Catholic church, as is his widow. In his earlier years of American citizenship, he was a Democrat but later became a Republican. The beloved mother of Mr. Klinge still lives in Grand Island. She is now seventy-nine years old but in good health. She is an estimable woman, kind and generous. In addition to rearing her own family, she cared for two nephews, Fred and Thomas Hook, the former of whom is with the American Expeditionary Force in France, and the latter in an American training camp.

Joseph J. Klinge attended the public schools in Grand Island, to which place his parents came when he was two years old. At first in his business career, he worked on a farm and then went to St. Libory, Nebraska, being engaged there in a hardware and saloon business for nine and a half years, also taking an active part in Republican politics of that town. He sen'ed as county commissioner of Howard County for two years. He has also been school treasurer and a member of the county board of supervisors. In 1901 he came back to Grand Island and engaged here in the saloon business until 1915. In 1917 the Central Storage Company was organizzed at Grand Island; Mr. Klinge bought a large block of the stock being elected vice president and manager of the concern. It is an important enterprise operating with a capital of $20,000.

Mr. Klinge married first Lena Eberhart, who died seven months later. His second marriage was on May 1, 1894, to Mary Roepker, who was born in Illinois. They have two children : Marie, who lives with her parents ; and Joseph ]., who is a machinist having lived in Omaha for a time but has now returned to Grand Island, being engaged at his trade, and will make this his permanent home. He married Anna Krouse and they have one child, Dorothy. Mr. Klinge is a member of the Catholic church and gives liberally in support of its various benevolent causes. He belongs to a number of social and fraternal organizations. These include the F. O. E., the I. O. M., the Sons of Herman, the German Liederkranz and the Plattsdeutch-Verein.

WILLIAM HENRY THOMPSON is one of the most widely known and highly respected citizens of Nebraska, having been a resident of Grand Island for more that thirtyeight years.

A native of Ohio, Mr. Thompson was born at Perrysville, Carroll County, December 14, 1853. His parents were Eli and Eliza (Kirby) Thompson, both natives of Ohio, where they were married and where they made their home until 1864 when they became residents of Fayette County, Iowa. Here the mother passed away January 2, 1881, and eight years later the father came to Nebraska and secured a homestead in Custer County where he made his home until his death which occurred February 3, 1903. The grandfathers of W. H. Thompson were of Scotch descent the representatives of very early families in the city of Baltimore, Maryland. The paternal grandmother of our subject was of Holland Dutch descent, while the maternal grandmother was of Irish extraction.

Mr. Thompson acquired his early education in the public and select schools of Fayette County, Iowa. This was supplemented by a course in Upper Iowa University at Fayette, Iowa. In the fall of 1875 he and his brother John R. enrolled in the law department of the State University at Iowa City. At the end of two terms their savings, earned by working on farms, railroading and teaching school were nearly exhausted. It was decided that in order to earn money to pay their way through school one of them should open a law office and accordingly this was done. W. H. took charge of the law business of Thompson Brothers, lawyers, at Brush Creek, now Arlington, Iowa, while John R. continued at school and graduated. He then took charge of the office and W. H. took up his studies where he had left olif the year before, graduating in the spring of 1877. In the fall of 1876 he had been admitted to the bar by Judge Granger, who later became a member of the Supreme Court of that state. In 1878 the brothers decided that one of them should attend to their practice while the other should look up a more desirable location. In February, 1879 an office was opened in Grand Island, Nebraska, which was conducted by John R. until June 1881, when he was joined by his brother; this partnership continued until January 1892 when John R. became judge of the District Court. It will be seen that for forty-three years W. H. Thompson has been continuously in the practice of his (profession and during the thirty-eight years of his practice at the bar of Hall County he has transacted a very large volume of legal business. His practice has extended to all courts of the state and to the Federal Courts, and on account of his ability as a lawyer and his standing with the bar he has commanded the respect of the courts and the members of his profession. The assiduous and unrelaxing attention which he gives to his clients and the thoroughness with which he prepares his cases have been strong elements in his success and he is known as one of the best trial lawyers of the state.

Mr. Thompson has always been a Democrat. In 1886 he was elected county attorney for Hall County and served one term, refusing to be a candidate for re-election. In 1890 he was nominated for Congress in the "Big Third" district which then comprised all of the state north of the Platte River except Douglas and Sarpy Counties. He has been a delegate to nearly every state convention since he has resided in Nebraska. He was delegate-at-large to the Democratic National Convention in 1892, and was chairman of the Nebraska delegation, and was an ardent supporter of Grover Cleveland, the nominee of the convention for president. He was delegateat-large to the Democratic National Convention in 1896 at Chicago, and was a warm supporter of William Jennings Bryan, and was chosen National Committeeman. He was also delegate-at-large to the National convention at Kansas City in 1900 and again at St. Louis in

1904. He was defeated for delegate to the Denver Convention in 1908 which nominated Bryan, but took an active part in the convention through courtesy of the Nebraska delegation. He was delegate-at-large to the convention at St. Louis in 1916 which nominated Woodrow Wilson for the second term and was a member of the notification committee. He has been an enthusiastic worker in his party and played an important part in its management. In 1900 he was candidate for United States Senator to succeed Senator Thurston. In 1902 he was a candidate for governor against Mickey but was defeated by a small majority. From 1895 to 1899 he served as mayor of Grand Island and has always been an advocate of those things which he thought were for the best interests of his home city and state.

At West Union, Iowa, September 7, 1879, was solemnized the marriage of William H. Thompson and Miss Nettie I. Hutchinson, a native of Michigan but reared in Iowa, and who for a time attended the school taught by her future husband. Her parents were John and Martha Hutchinson, her father being an attorney in good standing and county recorder while his daughter was his deputy at the time of her marriage.

Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have had four children: Edith L., became the wife of Wallace E. Porter and died August 31, 1904; Mattie died in infancy; Grover married Lena Neitfeldt, and is operating a ranch in Wyoming; Lloyd G., married Aimee Ruth Schwyn, and is a lawyer of Grand Island.

The family are members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Thompson is a member of several fraternal organizations, including the Modern Woodmen of America, B. P. O. of Elks and others.

Mr. Thompson has recently been appointed by Governor McKelvie a member of the building committee for the erection of the new state capitol. In this as in all other positions in which Mr. Thompson has been placed he can be depended upon to do credit to himself and to the people whose interests he serves.

RUDOLPH W. BOCK, whose grocery interests in Grand Island are important and whose high standing as a citizen is universally recognized, is serving in his fourth consecutive term as a member of the city council. Mr. Bock was bom in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, April 13, 1870. His parents were H. H. and Magdelena Margerita (Bock) Bock.

came to the United States and to Nebraska and located in Grand Island. He was a man of education and sought employment in the schools and for many years taught what was known as the Stolley school in District No. 1, Hall County. Later in life he went farther west and became the owner of a fine fruit farm in Oregon. He was a member of the Lutheran church. He had four sons, one of whom died in Germany. Adolph accompanied him to America and was a clerk for a number of years in the old O. K. store in Grand Island and died here. In 1880 the mother of Rudolph W. Bock brought him and his older brother, Alvinus, to America to join the father at Grand Island. Alvinus was a clerk for the old firm of Veit & Roeser and for five years was in the grocery business with his brother Rudolph W. He is now head clerk for Frank Olson, in Grand Island.

Rudolph W. Bock had been in school for four years before coming to the United States, after reaching Nebraska he continued his studies in Hall County. His first employer was Oscar Roeser who gave the boy work and he continued as a clerk in Mr. Roeser's grocery store for ten years, leaving this position to become a traveling salesman for the McCord-Brady Company but after four years went back to Mr. Roeser as his manager. Later he embarked in the grocery business in Grand Island in partnership with his brother Alvinus, under the style of Bock Brothers. On April 13, 1910, he purchased his brother's interest ; since which time he has been the owner.

Mr. Bock married, in 1890, Miss Sadie Merchant, who was born in Wisconsin, a daughter of William W. Merchant, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her father had moved to Wisconsin after serving three years in the Civil War. He took up a homestead and died there, but the mother of Mrs. Bock died in Kansas. They were members of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Bock was educated in Ithaca and Ironton. Sauk County, Wisconsin. She taught school for one year in her native state and one year in Nebraska. She is a woman of culture and refinement. Mr. and Mrs. Bock have no children of their own but they reared little Mary from the age of two years to beautiful womanhood and she is now the wife of Allen Nevius, who is associate editor of the New York Evening Post.

Mr. Bock has long been an important factor in Republican politics in Grand Island and in his fourth campaign as alderman was elected without any opposition, a pretty fair demonstration of the general esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens. He has served on the police board and at present is on the board of health and has given generously of his time and means in the recent epidemic of influenza, that has been pervalent at Grand Island as in many other cities. He is a Royal Arch Mason and both he and Mrs. Bock belong to the Eastern Star. He is identified also with the Elks, the United Commercial Travelers Association, the A. O. U. W., the Eagles, the Plattsdeutch-Verein, the Liederkranz and the Royal Highlanders; in the U. C. T. being a member of the Supreme Council.

JAMES ELMER DILL, one of the essentially vital and representative business men of the city of Grand Island, has been a resident of Hall County since the days of his early youth and has found here ample opportunity to achieve distinctive success. Bringing to bear exceptional initiative and execul^ive ability, he has won and maintained precedence as one of the leading exponents of the real estate and insurance business in this favored section of the state. As one of the loyal, progressive and valued citizens of Grand Island he is fully entitled to recognition in this history.

Mr. Dill was born near Wilmington, Delaware, on the 3d of November, 1863, and in that same fine old commonwealth were born his parents, Robert N. and Annie (Griffith) Dill, the latter of whom passed her entire life in Delaware and the former of whom was a resident of Grand Island, Nebraska, at the time of his death, both having held membership in the Methodist church. Robert N. Dill was a Democrat in his political proclivities. Of the four children who survive the honored parents the eldest is Sallie E., the wife of Chas. H. Ford, a representative farmer near Greeley, Colorado; James Elmer, the subject of this review, was the next in order of birth ; Robert J. is a prosperous contractor in Grand Island; and J. Frank was a successful candy manufacturer in Greeley, Colorado. In his native state Robert N. Dill became a successful contractor and there he continued his residence until 1879, when he came to Grand Island, Nebraska, and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He became one of the strong and honored citizens of Hall County, living to be nearly seventy-three years of age at the time of his death.

came with his father to Grand Island. Here he soon found employment as a clerk in a grocey store, and he continued his activities in a clerical capacity for a period of six years, within which he had gained valuable experience and fortified himself for independent business enterprise. He was for four years associated with Samuel C. Huston in the eonducting of a confectionery business in Grand Island. At the expiration of this period the two ambitious young men established themselves in the real-estate business, under the firm name of Dill & Huston, which is still retained, - their effective business alliance having continued during a period of fully forty years, within which they have advanced to a position of prominence and influence in the handling of fann and city property and have built up a large and prosperous enterprise. This is now one of the oldest realestate firms in the city of Grand Island and its reputation for effective service and honorable dealings constitute a valuable asset, the while the firm stands as an authority in realestate values in this section of the state throughout which its transactions have been wide and diversified. As a consistent adjunct of their real-estate enterprise they have developed a representative business as underwriters of fire insurance, with a large and appreciative clientage. Special attention is also given to the extending of financial loans upon approved real-estate security, and in each of the three departments of its business the firm stands as one of the foremost in Hall County.

While he is essentially and emphatically a business man, Mr. Dill has always shown deep and loyal interest in all things touching the civic and material welfare of Hall County and the city of Grand Island. Although he has had no ambition for the honors of public office, he accords staunch allegiance to the Republican party and is well fortified in his convictions concerning governmental policies. He is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias, and is a member of the Nebraska Home Guards and he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church.

In the year 1888 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Dill to Miss Jessie G. Gardner, who was bom in the state of Ohio. They have two children: Lucy A., the wife of Charles D. Hustead, of Lincoln, Nebraska ; and Helen, who is a member of the class of 1919 in the Nebraska State University, at Lincoln.

FRANK IVER OLSEN, whose numerous business interests make his name well known in Grand Island and elsewhere, is a leading grocery merchant of this city, having been trained in the business by his late father. He born in Grand Island, Nebraska, September 21, 1876, a son of Jens and Kristin.i (Iverson) Olsen.

Jens Olsen, who was an honorable business man of Grand Island for over a half century, who died here June 20, 1912, was bom in Wurstenburg, Denmark. Emigrating from that country he came to Nebraska and settled in Grand Island in 1866. He had learned carriage and cabinetmaking in his own land but after coming to Nebarska worked here as a carpenter and contractor. He was a man of sound business judgment and much enterprise. In 1893 he established a grocery store in Grand Island and in 1897 admitted his son Frank to a half interest partnership. Some years after coming to Grand Island he married Kristine Iverson, a native of Schleswig, Denmark, who came to this country in 1868. She proved an admirable helpmate and without doubt much of his early prosperity was caused by her help, careful industry and frugality. It is remembered how grateful early travelers, both by wagon and train through Grand Island, were over the opportunity to buy such wholesome articles of her own preparation as coiTee and cookies, when no public accommodations for food had yet been conveniently established. Mrs. Olsen still resides in Grand Island and is very highly esteemed. She was reared a Lutheran but is now a devoted adherent of the Seventh Day Adventist church. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Olsen: Frank Iver and Anna. The latter is the wife of John Jacobson, a wealthy farmer and hog-raiser near Marquette, Nebraska.

Frank Iver Olsen continued in school until he completed the high school course and then associated with his father in the grocery business ; he progressed rapidly, having had entire charge of his present large store since 1899 and in the main has always been a successful business man. He has the natural trading instinct and as his operations have been carried on along many lines, there have been some reverses, but as a rule, his plans have turned out advantageously and his undertakings have not been disappointing. At the present time Mr. Olsen owns tracts of land in nineteen states, and in Grand Island. Aside from his grocery business he is interested in hardware and is one of the owners of the Grand Island Tin Company.

Mr. Olsen married, in 1902, Miss Maude E. Denman, who was bom on a farm near Alda, Nebraska, a daughter of A. C. Denman, a wealthy farmer of that section. Mr. and Mrs. Olsen have three sons : Frank E., a youth of sixteen; Alfred A., yet in school; and Donald E. Mrs. Olsen and the children attend the Congregational church. Mr. Olsen is a Republican in his views on public questions, and fraternally is identified with the Odd Fellows and the Danish Brotherhood. He stands among his fellow citizens as an able, upright business man representative of the best interests here.

JAMES E. HANNA, the well known hardware merchant on Fourth street. Grand Island, came to Hall County, Nebraska, in 1888, and has been a resident of this city for twenty-three years. He is not only an enterprising and successful business man, but is also a leader in civic matters. For the past ten years he has served as a member of the city council.

Mr. Hanna was born in La Salle county, Illinois, September 1, 1855, the eldest of five children bom to Alexander and Amanda (Graves) Hanna, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. They were married there and early in the fifties removed to Illinois, where the father of Mr. Hanna engaged for some years in farming, before he removed to Kansas, where he lived till his death. He was a veteran of the Civil War, having served two years in that struggle. In politics a Democrat, on that party ticket he was elected to the important office of county supervisor while living in Illinois. The mother of Mr. Hanna passed her last years in Grand Island. One son, Joseph, died in this city, January 12, 1919. The two surviving daughters are : in the millinery business at Chicago, and Maggie, the wife of J. T. Long, who is in the real estate business at Creston, Iowa. The parents were members of the Presbyterian church.

James E. Hanna attended the county schools and worked on his father's farm in Illinois. In 1888 he came to Nebraska and bought a farm, in Hall County on which he resided until 1896, when he came to Grand Island. For some years he continued manager for the Woodrufif Coal & Lumber Company. Afterward he established his present hardware store in association with his son Ralph.

who operates the home farm north of Grand Island; Ralph, in business with his father; and Frank, who died at the age of twenty-one years. Mr. Hanna married a second time, in 1900, Miss Reta Holmes, who was born in Illinois. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics Mr. Hanna is an independent thinker and voter. He belongs to the order of Maccabees, being an important man in this city.

HANS P. HANSEN, proprietor of one of the leading grocery houses of Grand Island, has been established here for over fifteen years, building up, in the meanwhile, a solid reputation for business integrity. While largely devoting himself to grocery interests, Mr. Hansen has had sufficient enterprise to find an additional profitable business in another direction.

He was born in Merrick County, Nebraska, June 27, 1874, the elder of two children born to Niels and Carrie (Petersen) Hansen. His one brother, Linnie M., is deceased. The parents of Mr. Hansen came to the United States from Denmark, in the late sixties, came west, and on reaching Nebraska located in Merrick County on a homestead. The father died on his Merrick County farm, which the mother still occupies. He was a quiet, industrious man with no political ambitions but he declared his views in voting with the Republican party. He was a member of the Lutheran church as is also his widow.

The country schools in Merrick County provided Mr. Hansen with a satisfactory general education and he later supplemented this by taking a course in a business college at Grand Island. For a number of years the operation of the home farm engaged his attention although he also worked at buttermaking for some time. In 1903 he came to Grand Island and embarked in the grocery business and now has a very extensive trade. He was one of the first business men here who saw the possible advantage in selling automobiles as a side line and for about five years has made the handling of the Reo cars a feature of his business, being exceedingly successful.

Mr. Hansen married May 8, 1899, Miss Etta McClenithan, who was born in Vermont but married in Grand Island. They have two children: Opal, who assists in her father's store; and Juanita. Mr. Hansen is identified with a number of fraternal organizations of well known stability, among these being the Danish Brotherhood of America, the Royal

Neighbors, the Modern Woodmen and the Odd Fellows. In all public matters pertaining to the best interests of Grand Island he is ever ready to give help and earnest cooperation, but he has always preferred to remain independent of political party ties.

JULIUS P. F. LESCHINSKY. - V^hile Grand Island has gladly and sensibly accf pted and forwarded the development of its n'.any practical business houses, it has not been unmindful of other things. It recognizes the influence borne by true art in the cultural education of the people. Thus so talented and widely experienced a photograhic artist as Julius P. F. Leschinsky feels perfectly at home iiere, and since locating permanently in this city, through his fine work has given a great impetus to art in his own as well as other lines.

Mr. Leschinsky was born in Deutsch Eylau, West Prussia, December 21, 1860. His parents were Frederick and Augusta (Dombrowsky) Leschinsky, who were born and died in West Prussia. The father was an architect and builder. To his first marriage but one son was born, Julius P. F. To a second marriage eight children were born, one of whom, Max, is a merchant in Loup City, Nebraska.

In 1880 Mr. Leschinsky came to Grand Island, Nebraska. He had attended the high school at Loebau, Germany, and had already had some business experience as a clerk and bookkeeper. Ha was variously engaged during the first year after coming here, then secured a school to teach being engaged thus for three years in Merrick County. During vacations he occupied himself as a bookkeeper and in studying photography, toward which his artistic talent inclined him. In 1884 he opened his first studio. Not as yet well enough known, he did not have sufficient capital to carry on a business for himself, therefore seven months later he closed the studio, and for some months worked in other studios in Nebraska and also in Kansas. He then purchased a portable studio, carrying on business in Washington and Greenleaf, Kansas, and later at Harvard, Nebraska, operating successfully for two years. He then brought his portable studio to Grand Island, occupied it for four years but when opportunity came he moved into the studio formerly occupied by Mr. Murphy. In the meanwhile the fame of his artistic work spread abroad and in 1894 he was able to build the front portion of his present fine studio and since then has been compelled because of patronage, to enlarge the original studio to fully five times its early capacity. In 1915 he opened an art shop in Grand Island, where lovers of art may gratify their taste for the beautiful. He has been one of the prime movers in photographic organizations in Nebraska. For years he has been signally honored by many representative bodies. He was one of the organizers of the Nebraska Photographers Association and three times was its president. For a quarter of a century it was conducted as a Nebraska body exclusively, but has been amalgamated with similar organizations in Missouri and Kansas. On numerous occasions he has received gold and silver medals for his perfection in photography. He is also a member of the National Photographic Association of America and on one occasion was elected a delegate to the same. Mr. Leschinsky married, September 30, 1888, Miss Minnie Doll, whowas born in New York, a daughter of Carl Doll, who was born in Schleswig-Holstein. He came to Grand Island in the seventies, to engage in work as a cabinetmaker. Mr. Doll had served three years as a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War. Two sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Leschinsky: Oswald Frederick Carl, born in Grand Island, July 21, 1889, now in business with his father; and Armand Julius Paul, bom in Grand Island, March 16, 1893. His brave young life went out in France, October 19, 1918. He studied in the Grand Island schools and alsotook a course in the Baptist College. Entering the National army at Camp Dodge, Iowa, May 28, 1918, he was sent with the American Expeditionary Force to France, where after exhibition of soldierly qualities which brought a beautiful tribute from his commanding officer, Capt. H. M. Baldridge, Battery F,- 338th Field Artillery, he succumbed to pneumonia. He was greatly beloved in Grand Island. Mr. Leschinsky is a member of the Odd Fellows, the Modem Woodmen, the Maccabees, the Fraternal Aid Union and the Liederkranz and has been president of the last named organization.

OSCAR ROESER, the head of a widely known mercantile house known as the Bee Hive store, which he erected from small beginnings, has been a resident of Grand Island for over forty years.

He was bom in the township of Tittabawassee, Saginaw County, Michigan, January 4, 1852. His parents were William and Theresa (Vasold) Roeser, both of whom were born in Germany. They came to the United States in 1849 and 1850 respectively, being- married in Michigan. They purchased government land in Saginaw County in 1850 for $L25 per acre. It was timber and had to be cleared to be used for farming. He cultivated a part of his land, and after the railroad was built, in 1864, Mr. Wm. Roeser laid out and platted his entire farm, establishing thereon what is now the flourishing little town of Freeland. In 1852 he started in the mercantile business, beginning on a very small scale in one of his living rooms. Being situated on the banks of the Tittabawassee River, about fifty per cent of his customers were Chippewa Indians, who usually travelled in canoes on the river. After the coming of the railroad he built a new store and enlarged his business, supplying many neighboring lumber camps. Of the family of ten children seven sons and one daughter survive, the two in Hall County being Oscar and Albert, the latter a salesman for agricultural implements in Grand Island.

Oscar Roeser obtained his education in the public schools and assisted his father in the store and with the farm. In 1876 he taught school for one term, thereby earning the money to enable him to buy a railroad ticket to Grand Island. (In those days western railroad fare was five and six cents per mile.) He arrived there May 15, 1877 and soon secured employment as manager of the lumber yard belonging to his uncle, Fred Hedde. He continued there for four and a half years. In the fall of 1881 he embarked in the grocery business in a small way in partnership with Louis Veit, under the firm name of Veit and Roeser. This business was continued until 1886 when the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Roeser then started the Bee Hive store, where he has built up a large retail grocery and chinaware business, in which he is now assisted by his two sons. Since 1886 he has occupied the same quarters at No. 115 West Third Street, one of the city's business landmarks.

Mr. Roeser married, in 1884, Miss Minnie Stolley, who is a daughter of the late William Stolley, a pioneer settler of Hall County. He was one of the first children born in the county. The father of Mrs. Roeser died in 1912, but the mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Roeser have three children; two sons and one daughter: Emil F., manager of his father's store, married Frieda Detlefsen and they have two sons, Herbert and Erwin ; Oscar F., who went to France with the American Expeditionary Forces, April 28, 1918, as a member of the 89th Division, Three Hundred and Fifty-fifth Infantry, was wounded

In his political views, Mr. Roeser is a Republican. In 1900 he was elected county supervisor and served continuously for five and a half years, having been chairman of the building committee during the construction of the fine Hall County courthouse, and chairman of the board when the building was first occupied. He belongs to several organizations of a social nature at Grand Island and has been a director in the Liederkranz for many years ; also a director of the Commercial Club and president a number of times of the Retail Merchants' Association.

WILLIAM I. BLAIN. - The development of some lines of business in Nebraska has been the natural result of climate, demand and opportunity, and this applies particularly to the horse, mule and cattle industry, which represents heavy capital investment and the enlistment of shrewd, astute business men to .conduct affairs. This has become a source of great wealth to Hall County, and probably no section in the state can show more substantial results. One of the men largely interested and of wide experience, is William I. Blain, organizer and general manager of the Blaine Horse, Mule & Cattle Company of Grand Island.

William I. Blain was born in Pella, Marion County, Iowa, June 1, 1874, the fifth in a family of eleven children, nine of whom are living. His parents were WilHam C. and Susan Elizabeth (Hays) Blain, natives of West Virginia. They were brought to Iowa in childhood, grew up and married there, coming to Custer County, Nebraska, in 1887. Both died in this state. They belonged to that great body of good people who lived quiet, simple, useful lives, worthy of emulation in their sincerity and unselfishness.

After completing his public school course at Mason City, Nebraska, William I. Blain assisted on his father's farm, an occupation he followed until 1897, when he went into the horse business at Staplehurst, Nebraska, later at Schuyler and still later was active in the business in Denver. In 1911 he came to Grand Island and became identified with the Grand Island Horse & Mule Market where he has been auctioneer since its start. In October, 1915, Mr. Blain founded the Blain Horse & Mule Company, which has also handled cattle since 1917 and now operates as the Blain Horse, Mule & Cattle Company, with a capital of $15,000. N. L. Troelstrup is president of the company, W. W. Wimberly is secretary and treasurer, and Mr. Blain is general manager. A general commission business is done and the future looks favorable for a still greater volume than ever before.

Mr. Blain married March 24, 1894, Miss Jennie M. Crouse, who was born in Seward County, Nebraska, and is a daughter of D. W. Orouse, who was one of the earhest settlers in that section, locating pennanently in Seward County long before any railroads had been constructed. Mr. and Mrs. Blain have had five children: Otto I., Frank K., Velma, Harry and Ethel, the latter dying in infancy. Mrs. Blain is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church in Grand Island. Mr. Blain gives his political support to the Republican party but in matters of general importance in seasons of national stress, he holds a liberal mind and works for the general good. For many years he has belonged to the Masonic fraternity.

HENRY J. VOSS, cigar manufacturer at Grand Island, may be named as a substantial business man and representative and dependable citizen. He is well known in Hall County and has served two years as a member of the board of county supervisors, on which he has shown excellent business judgment and commendable public spirit.

Mr. Voss was born in Holstein, Germany, June 24, 1862. His parents were John and Katharine (Hermenson) Voss, natives of Germany, from which country they came to the United States, settling in Grand Island, Nebraska, in 1881. John Voss was a general laborer at first but through industry acquired capital which he invested in land and from then until his death he was engaged in farming. Both he and his wife were members of the Lutheran church. They had three children, two daughters and one son: Margaret, the wife of John Paulsen, of Grand Island ; H. J. ; and Lena, the wife of Fred Soil, who is in the clothing business at Baker, Oregon.