Boone County NE

Biographical Sketch of Hon. B. K. Smith

Hon. B. K. Smith, farmer, Section 14, Township 19, Range 5 west, P. O. St. Edward, was born in Milwaukee County, Wis., June 23, 1847. His parents moved, while he was an infant, to West Bend, Washington Co., Wis., where he resided until twenty-two years old. He then went to Carroll County, Mo., where he taught school awhile. He then returned to his home in Wisconsin, there engaging in teaching school two or three years. He married, at Barton, Wis., November 18, 1869, Miss Almina Taylor, who was born at East Troy, Walworth Co., Wis. They have four children–Mabel, Jessie, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of C. F. Deffenderfer

C. F. Deffenderfer, undertaker and dealer in furniture, Albion, has been engaged in present business at Albion since April, 1868, carries a stock of $2,000; he was born in Union County, Penn., in 1839, living there until 1878, when he moved to Albion, Neb.; ten years of this time he was employed in the furniture and cabinet business. He was married at Mansfield, Penn., in 1873, to Matilda M. Gray, who was born on the island of Santa Cruz; they have two children–Maud and Herbert.

Biographical Sketch of Rev. A. A. Cressman

Rev. A. A. Cressman, pastor of the Congregational Church and County Superintendent of Public Instruction; has resided in Albion since May, 1880; is pastor of the Congregational Church also at Cedar Rapids and Boone; he was born at Northampton County, Penn., July 4, 1849, living in that county until twenty-one years old; when seventeen years of age, he began teaching school; when he attained his majority, he began his course at the Oberlin Theological Seminary at Oberlin, Ohio, and graduated from there in July, 1875; his first regular charge was at Clarksville, Ohio, where he remained until October, 1876; he … Read more

Biographical Sketch of H. M. Bronson

H. M. Bronson, was born in Chenango County, N. Y., in 1847, living there engaged in farming with his father until 1870; he then went to Oneonta, Otsego Co., N. Y., where for ten years he was engaged in the carpenter and builder business. He moved to Nebraska, locating at Albion, in February, 1880; engaged in dealing in lumber, and in contracting and building, until May of the next year, when he went into the present business with John D. Hamilton. Bronson & Hamilton, dealers in agricultural implements, Have been established since May 1, 1881. Their stock averages $6,000; their … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John D. Hamilton

He was married in Oneonta, N. Y., in September, 1871. to Miss Lenora Spencer, who is a native of that place; they have one child, a son Le Grand. Mr. B. is a member of the Masonic order. Bronson & Hamilton, dealers in agricultural implements, Have been established since May 1, 1881. Their stock averages $6,000; their business is quite large, requiring the work of three men to carry it on during the spring, summer and fall seasons.

Biographical Sketch of C. A. Oblinger

C. A. Oblinger, dealer in groceries, confectionery, bakery, etc., Albion, has resided at Albion since August 1880. In the fall of that year he built the Commercial Hotel. In July 1881, he established his present business; carries a stock of $1,500. He was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, in 1847. When nineteen years old, he was established in the boot and shoe, stove and tin ware business by his father, who had for many years operated a general store. He carried on his store about nine years. He moved to Nebraska in October 1875, locating at Seward, engaging in farming … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Rev. J. A. Hungate

Rev. J. A. Hungate, Pastor of the Albion Baptist Church, was born in Marion County, Ill., in 1857. In 1864, his father, J. D. P. Hungate, a prominent Baptist minister and missionary in Nebraska from 1859, crossed the plains with his family to Oregon and California, returning in 1873. Rev. J. A. Hungate obtained his academic training at Blair, Neb., and he began his collegiate course at Madison University at Hamilton, N. Y., in 1877, graduating in June 1880. He was licensed to preach in 1878, and ordained in November 1880. He has been Pastor of the Baptist Church at … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. Watson Riley

J. Watson Riley, dealer in agricultural implements and farmer, Albion, has been in his present business over four years, handling over $5,000 in cash goods and $7,000 in commission goods per year. He employs one man permanently and several sub-agents. He is the pioneer hardware merchant of Albion. At first he carried on the business himself, afterward the firm was Riley & Gamage and afterward Riley & Clark. Since the spring of 1881, he has carried on the business himself, dealing in agricultural implements exclusively. He located near Albion in the fall of 1872, settling on the southeast quarter of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of M. J. Thompson

M. J. Thompson Postmaster, St. Edward, was born in Nelson, Portage Co., Ohio, August 27, 1845. He lived there until 1867, when he came to Nebraska, locating in the western part of Douglas County, where he resided four years, engaged in farming. He married at Fremont, October 16, 1869, Miss Lydia E. Collins, who was born at Camden, Maine. They have two children–George M. and Luella Blanche. In the spring of 1871, he removed to Boone County, taking a claim adjoining the present site of St. Edward; a portion of the town is built on his original homestead. Of this … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Peters

John Peters, County Clerk, Albion, was born at Alton, Ill., in 1844, living there, engaged in the business of house and carriage painting, paper hanging, etc., until 1872, when he removed to Albion. He then engaged in the real estate business, and has located the homesteads of settlers in Boone County. He is also the land agent of the B. & M. R. R., and has sold for it nearly all the land sold by it in Boone County. He has been very energetic and indefatigable in his efforts to direct emigration to Boone County. In this he has been … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George E. Brown

George E. Brown, M. D., has resided at Albion, Boone County, since August, 1880, following his profession; has been engaged in the practice of medicine since 1876, three years of the time in York, Neb., one year at Butte City, Montana Territory, and two years in Albion; he is a graduate of Pulte Medical College of Cincinnati, Ohio, having taken a three-years course; he was born at Lockport, N. Y., in 1850, remaining there until 1868, when he removed to Lansing, Mich., going into the drug business and remaining until 1873, then commenced studying medicine under Dr. B. F. Bailey, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of W. A. Mears

W. A. Mears, of the firm of Loran Clark & Co., Albion, was born in Montgomery County, N. Y., in 1849; was raised in Wisconsin, where he learned the lumber business in which he is still engaged. He was married in St. Louis, Mo., in 1878, to Miss Annie O. Whipple, who was born in Rockbridge County, Va.

Biographical Sketch of Dennis Tracy

Dennis Tracy, farmer, Section 20, Township 18, Range 8 west, P. O. Moss Side, was born in Yonkers, Westchester Co., N. Y., July 26, 1845. When twelve years of age, he left home, going to Bainbridge, Ind., where he resided until the breaking-out of the rebellion. He enlisted, in July 1861, in Company D, Twenty-sixth Indiana Infantry, serving three years in the army of the Frontier, and in the Gulf Department. He was taken prisoner at Fordyce, La., and held nearly a year, his term expiring in the meantime. He was exchanged, and immediately re-enlisted in his old company, serving … Read more

Biographical Sketch of H. L. Peck

H. L. Peck was born in Lorain County, Ohio, in 1841; lived there until 1865, when he went to Sterling, Ill., where he remained eight years engaged in the milling business, which he had learned in Ohio. He then went to Maquoketa, Iowa, engaging in the milling business in that vicinity until the fall of 1881, when he moved to Nebraska. He was married at Hennepin, Ill., in the fall of 1875, to Miss Venora Turner, who was born in Aroostook County, Me. He is a member of the Masonic Order. Mann & Peck, proprietors of Albion Mills, was built … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Joseph Rittel

Joseph Rittel, senior partner of the firm, was born in Lebanon County Penn., July 10, 1828. He then married, October 23, 1850, Miss Susanna Gard, who was born in Dauphin County, Penn. They have one child, Agnes, who is the wife of Peter Laudeman, junior partner in the firm. Mr. Rittel learned the carpenter’s trade in Pennsylvania, following it there until 1861. He then removed to Peru, Ind., living there one year. He resided in other towns in Indiana until the spring of 1874, when he removed to Nebraska, engaging in merchandising at St. Edward, where he has since continued … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. Henry Smith, M. D.

J. Henry Smith, M. D., Albion, was born in Canada in 1842, living there until 1860, when he came to the United States: He received his preliminary education at Clark Seminary, Aurora, Ill., where he lived for several years. For a time he engaged in the practice of dentistry at Aurora. He took one course of lectures at the Detroit Medical College, at Detroit, Mich., and two courses at Rush Medical College, Chicago, graduating from the latter in 1870. He then went to Kendall, Orleans Co., N. Y., engaging there in the practice of his profession about ten years. He … Read more

Biographical Sketch of F. B. Tiffany

F. B. Tiffany, County Judge, Albion, Boone County, was born in Litchfield County, Conn., in 1848, living there until eighteen years old. He then began a preparatory course at Stamford Seminary, New York, and entered the freshman class at Amherst College in 1868. After leaving college he studied law, but owing to ill-health was obliged for a time to give up his studies. Recovering his health, he resumed his law studies and was admitted to the bar. He removed to Nebraska in 1878, but did not permanently locate till 1880, when he went to Albion. In the fall of 1881, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Will B. Daniels

Will B. Daniels, Sheriff of Boone County, Albion, was born in Westfield, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., August 7, 1843; lived there until 1860, when he went to Dunkirk, N. Y., working in the machine shops at that place until February, 1861; he then went to Delaware County, Iowa, and in August, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Thirteenth United States Infantry, of which W. T. Sherman was at that time Colonel; he was with Sherman’s army until May 19, 1863, when he was wounded in the left shoulder at Vicksburg, Miss.; from the effect of this wound he lay in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thompson F. Martin

Thompson F. Martin, agent O. N. & B. H. R. R. Co., Albion. Has been in the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad during the greater part of the time since 1868. Was first located at Cheyenne, afterward at Antelope, Bushnell, McPherson and Albion. Has been at the last-named place since October 1, 1881. He was born in Philadelphia in 1847, living there only a short time, when his parents moved to Delaware County, N. Y. He went into the employ of the New York & Erie Railroad in 1865 at Hornellsville, N. Y., and remained in the employ of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of F. M. Sacket

F. M. Sacket, dealer in grain, coal and live stock, Albion, has been dealing in grain the past six years, hauling 200,000 bushels per year. He has dealt in coal for the past two years, handling about 1,700 tons per year. He was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, in June 1848, living there until nine years old, when his parents moved to Wisconsin. He learned the milling business in Wisconsin, beginning in 1865, and followed it until he moved to Nebraska, in 1875. On his arrival at Albion he continued in the milling business, building the Albion mills. He was … Read more