Madison County NE

Biographical Sketch of Hon. Charles Mathewson

Hon. Charles Mathewson. A brief sketch of the life and character of the Hon. Charles Mathewson, may appropriately be introduced in connection with the history of the town, which owes its present prosperity more to his energy and business ability than to any other cause. Col. Mathewson, as he is most frequently called, was born in Brooklyn, Conn., March 24, 1812. His worth and abilities were recognized by his fellow citizens of Connecticut, by their electing him twice to the State Legislature, and three times to the State Senate. During the war of the rebellion, he evinced his patriotism by … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Gerecke

William Gerecke, County Clerk, is a native of Germany. In 1854, he came to Dodge County, Wis., where he remained until 1872, when he came to Norfolk and opened a harness shop. This business he still carries on–firm of Spaulding & Gerecke. He was elected County Treasurer in the fall of1877. In the fall of 1879, he was elected County Clerk.

Biographical Sketch of F. W. Wolf

F. W. Wolf, firm of Fritz & Wolf, proprietors of Madison Mills, was born in Germany; when a child came with his parents to Waukesha County, Wis.; assisted on their farm; in 1867, came to Franklin County, Iowa, there engaged in farming; April, 1881, came to Madison and became a member of this firm. Married, in 1876, to Carrie Stracke, of Waukesha County, Wis. They had two children, one living, Herbert Garfield.

Historical and Biographical Sketches of Madison County Nebraska

Madison Nebraska

Madison County Nebraska was created in 1856, and organized in January, 1868, by proclamation of Governor Butler. It is located in the northeastern part of the State, bounded on the north by Pierce, east by Stanton, south by Platte, and west by Boone and Antelope Counties, containing 576 square miles, or 368,640 acres. The north half of the County lies in the fertile Valley of the Elkhorn, which here varies in width from three to six miles. Union and Battle Creek “Valleys are from one to two miles wide. The uplands are gently undulating prairies, and comprise about forty-five per … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Phil Bauch

Phil Bauch, Editor Madison Chronicle was born in Kankakee, Ill. Came, with his parents, to Madison in 1871. They engaged in merchandising, which they continued till 1878. This paper was established in 1877.

Biographical Sketch of I. B. Donaldson

I. B. Donaldson, of the firm of I. B. Donaldson & Co., Norfolk City Bank, is a native of Morrison, Whiteside Co., Ill. In 1869, he was employed in book-keeping at the First National Bank, Morrison, Ill. Has since been engaged at this business. February, 1882, came to Norfolk, and established this bank.

Biographical Sketch of F. W. Fritz

F. W. Fritz, County Treasurer and firm of Fritz & Wolf, Madison Mills, is a native of Prussia. In 1856, came to Dodge County, Wis., with his parents. There assisted on their farm. Enlisted, in February, 1864, in Company H, Thirty-sixth Wisconsin Infantry; served to the end of the war. In 1865, came to Hardin County, Iowa; engaged in farming. In 1870, removed to West Point; engaged in merchandising, grain and implement business; also ran a branch store at Wisner; continued this unti11873. He then came to Madison, and commenced the erection of this grist-mill, which was completed in the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of H. E. Becker

H. E. Becker, furniture and undertaking, is a native of Germany. In 1853, came to New York. Soon after, removed to Connecticut. There followed the carpenter trade. He enlisted, in 1861, in Company I, Tenth Regiment Connecticut Infantry; was discharged in 1864; returned to Connecticut; continued the carpenter trade. In 1874, came to Madison, Neb. Soon after, established this business. Mr. B. was one term County Commissioner. He is Chairman of the Board of Trustees; has been a member since 1876. He is also Secretary of the Madison Town Hall and Court House Association. Was also School Director for one … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George B. Fletcher

George B. Fletcher, attorney at law, was born February 20, 1845, in Lowell, Ohio; raised in Anamosa, Iowa. After finishing his preparatory course of studies, he attended the Sinsinawa Mound College about two and one-half years. About the close of the war, he went south, and was connected with the Government service. In 1867, returned to Jones County. The following year, he removed to Dubuque, Iowa, and commenced reading law with Barker & Shields; returned to Anamosa, and continued the study of law with George W. Field; was admitted to the bar at Council Bluffs, July, 1870. He then went … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. Koenigstein

J. Koenigstein, druggist, is a native of Bavaria, Rhine. In 1854, came to Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1855, went to Monroe County, Ill, and worked on their farm. In 1859, came to St. Louis, and learned the drug trade. In the fall of 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Forty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry; served three years and eight months, was wounded, and taken prisoner at the battle of Jenkins’ Ferry, Ark. April 30, 1864, was confined in Camp Fort, Tex.; released February 15, 1865, and returned to Monroe County, Ill. In 1871, came to Watertown, Wis. There opened a drug store; … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Hon. Samuel W. Hayes

Hon. Samuel W. Hayes, firm of McClary & Co., general merchandise and coal, is a native of Strafford County, N. H. In 1849, went to California, where he remained about three years. In 1852, came to Burlington, Iowa. Was employed in the construction of the Burlington & Missouri Railroad; continued with this company about eight years. Was commissioned Commissary Sergeant in the Thirty-sixth Iowa Infantry; remained with the regiment till the spring of 1866. He then came to Fremont; engaged in merchandising. In the fall of 1873, came to Norfolk, where he has since been engaged in merchandising. Was a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of W. H. Widaman

W. H. Widaman, Postmaster, is a native of Montgomery County, Ohio. There he was raised. He enlisted, April 17, 1861, in Company C, First Ohio Infantry; served three months; he reenlisted in the Second Ohio Infantry and served to the end of the war. In 1866, he came to Madison County, Ill., and followed milling about four years; also engaged in milling in Henry County, about three years. In 1873, he came to Boone County, Neb., and followed farming about one year. In the fall of 1873, he came to Norfolk, and ran the Norfolk Mills about three years. He, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of W. J. Barnes

W. J. Barnes, proprietor of Madison Hotel, is a native of Dutchess County, N. Y. In the spring of 1866, the family came to Columbus, Neb. The following year, they removed to Madison County, where he has since resided. The family are among the first 24 settlers of the county. His brother pre-empted this land and laid out this town. His father pre-empted a quarter section on the north. W. J. also pre-empted a quarter section, making about one section which the family entered. He has since been engaged in farming, and has recently opened this house.

Biographical Sketch of C. Neidig

C. Neidig, general merchandise. Is a native of Germany; in 1846 came to New York City with his parents; in 1852, they removed to Delaware County, N. Y.; in 1856, came to Kankakee County, Ill.; engaged in farming in 1868; came to Madison County, Neb.; followed farming three years, then removed to Madison, and has since been engaged in merchandising; is one of the oldest merchants in the county. He has been Justice of the Peace two years. He owns 320 acres of improved land, also property in Madison.

Biographical Sketch of F. Wegener

F. Wegener, proprietor of the Norfolk House, is a native of Prussia. In 1851, he came to Jefferson County, Wis., and followed farming about three years; he then ran a saw-mill several years; sold this mill in 1859. He then opened a general store in Watertown, Wis., and continued this business about ten years. In 1870, he came to Norfolk, opened a boarding house and saloon, and three years later he built the Norfolk House, this being the first hotel built in Norfolk; has since carried on this business. He was married in 1854, to Amelia Hans, of Prussia. They … Read more

Biography of Hon. Frank Welch

Hon. Frank Welch, member of Congress from Nebraska, at the time of his death, which occurred at Neligh, Neb., September 4, 1878, had made his home at Norfolk for the preceding five years. In preserving a brief estimate of his character, we can do no better than to quote the following words from the address of Senator Paddock, of Nebraska, delivered in the United States Senate, February 25,1879 “I shall not delay the Senate by an extended memorabilia of our lamented colleague, Representative Welch. He was born on Bunker Hill, Charlestown, Mass., February 10, 18355; was graduated at the Boston … Read more

Biographical Sketch of H. D. Kelly

H. D. Kelly, firm of Searles & Kelly, attorney at law. Mr. K. commenced the study of law in Ohio; in the spring of 1877 came to Belle Plaine, Benton Co., Iowa, also continued his studies; he attended the State University, graduated from the Law Department in 1880; he then commenced the practice of law in Cedar Rapids; May, 1881, came to Madison; has since been a member of this firm.

Biographical Sketch of Dr. F. Verges

Dr. F. Verges, physician and surgeon, was born August 21, 1833 in Prussia. He commenced the study of medicine in 1854, in Cothen Homoeopathic Medical College; graduated in 1856; practiced in his native country till 1868, when he came to Chicago in the fall of 1868; came to Nebraska in 1869; came to Pierce County, and took a homestead of 160 acres, which he improved. He now owns 480 acres, which is one of the best improved farms in the county. In the spring of 1880, he came to Norfolk, and has since followed his profession; has been County Commissioner … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dr. S. J. Bridenstine

Dr. S. J. Bridenstine, physician and surgeon, is a native of Pennsylvania. When a child, came to Johnson County, Iowa, with his parents. He attended the State University about six years; graduated from the medical department in 1875. He then came to Madison, where he has since actively engaged in his profession. He is one of the Commissioners of Insanity for Madison County. He is also surgeon for the Omaha, Niobrara & Black Hills Railroad.

Biographical Sketch of A. Bugelow

A. Bigelow, wines and liquors, born in Wyoming County, N. Y. There he was raised. He enlisted in 1862, in Company A, First New York Dragoons; served three years. In 1866, he came to Clayton County, Iowa, and engaged in the liquor business. In 1870, he came to Madison County, took a homestead of 160 acres, located six miles north of Norfolk; this farm he has improved, and now rented. In 1875, he came to Norfolk, and has since been engaged in this business. He is also agent for Krug’s Omaha Beer.