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English ancestry, he was descended from early settlers in America who landed at Plymouth in 1630; he served with the Green Mountain Boys during the Civil War. His mother was born at Ackworth, New Hampshire, March 24, 1833, and died at Castana, Iowa, January 14, 1889.
Mr. Silsby was engaged in the harness trade for four years and clerked in a store for a time after completing his education. He was cashier of the Pisgah Savings Bank at Pisgah, Iowa, until 1906 when he moved to Mondamin, Iowa, where he served as assistant cashier of the Mondamin Savings Bank until 1917. He has been assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Bayard since 1917.
He has acted as city clerk of Bayard since 1923, was secretary-treasurer of the Boy Scouts there for several years, and served as a member of the library board for three years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Bayard, of which he has been treasurer for five years, and for the last four years has been treasurer of the Morrill County Republican Committee. He is clerk of the Woodmen of the World.
He was married at Castana, Iowa, October 10, 1894, to Fannie May Lown, the daughter of Philip and Martha Lown, who was born in Henry County, Illinois, January 21, 1874. Ten children were born to them: Phillip M., September 22, 1895, who married Cecil Baker; Lucille M., May 5, 1897, who married Floyd Black; Ruth L., April 3, 1898, who married Burle Garnet; Frank L., May 12, 1899, who died in November, 1918; Lloyd B., September 6, 1901, who died May 5, 1902; Harold H., born September 14, 1903 who married Jeanette Harrington; Lenore D., October 11, 1909, who married H. C. Upton; Carroll L., October 16, 1910; Robert D., October 26, 1912; and Kathryn L., February 9, 1915. Phillip served during the World War for 21 months and is now district commander of the American Legion at San Francisco, California. Residence: Bayard.
John Madison Silver
John Madison Silver, manufacturer, was born at Galveston, Indiana, September 17, 1869. He is the son of George Washington and Nancy Hanna (Kepner) Silver, the former a farmer of English and German descent. George W. Silver was born at Burlington, Indiana, November 29, 1842, and died at Russiaville, Indiana, April 6, 1925. His wife, born at Galveston, October 8, 1850, died at Darwin, Indiana, August 26, 1884. She was of German ancestry.
Graduated from public school in 1887, John Madison Silver was associated with the Burlington Railroad from September 10, 1888, until October 8, 1908, in the traffic and station departments. At the present time he is the owner of the Coca Cola Bottling Works at Superior, and is president of the Superior Building, Loan and Savings Association.
On June 12, 1893, he was married to Daisy Ventnor Conlee at Beatrice. Mrs. Silver, who was born at Cortland, Nebraska, November 29, 1873, is of Scotch descent. They have two daughters, Helen, born September 12, 1894, who is married to Ancel E. Green; and Elsie, born October 8, 1897, who is married to Edwin A. Frerichs.
Mr. Silver is a Republican and has served on the city council two years. He has lived in Nebraska forty-three years, and has always taken an interested part in the development of his community. For fifteen years he has served as a member of the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce, and during the World War held the rank of lieutenant in the Home Guards. From 1920-25 he was a member of the Kiwanis Club, and during 1916-17 was president of the American Bottlers of Carbonated Beverages. From 1926-30 he was president of the Nebraska State Bottlers' Association. For fourteen years Mr. Silver was on the board of directors of the American Bottlers of Carbonated Beverages, and since 1916 has been secretary of the Nebraska Manufacturers Association.
A Mason, he is a Knight Templar and member of the Shrine. His religious affiliation is with the Presbyterian Church at Superior. Residence: Superior.
Harry Elmer Siman
Harry E. Siman, lawyer and former state senator, was born in Wennebago City, Minnesota, September 20, 1869, and for the past thirty-three years has made his home in Nebraska. He is the son of John and Ann Smart Siman, the former a native of Luxemburg, Germany, born September 8, 1835. John Siman was a miller, and died at Winona, Minnesota, August 24, 1894. His wife, born at Waksha, Wisconsin, January 20, 1838, of English descent, is living.
Educated in the public schools of New Libson, Wisconsin, Harry Siman was graduated from New Libson High School in 1888, and received his LL. B. from the University of the Northwest at Sioux City, Iowa. He was admitted to practice in June 1895, and has since been actively engaged. A Republican, he served as state senator 1918-20, and at the present time is president of the 9th Judicial Bar Association (February 1931-). He is a Methodist, a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Masons and Shrine, Eastern Star and Modern Woodmen of America. His favorite sport is boxing.
During the World War Mr. Siman was a speaker on loan drives and a member of the legal advisory, board. He is a member of the Wayne Country Club.. On January 25, 1889, he was united in marriage to May Sullivan at New Lisbon. Mrs. Siman who is of Irish, French and Scandinavian extraction, was born at New Lisbon, August 23, 1871, and was a teacher of music prior to her marriage. Their two sons, Victor, born May 13, 1891, and Paul, born December 23, 1897, are physicians at Norfolk and Wayne, respectively. Residence: Wayne.
George Frank Simanek
George Frank Simanek, surgeon, was born in Saunders County, Nebraska, May 16, 1880, son of George Thomas and Barbara Mary (Blaha) Simanek. He attended the Prague, Nebraska, public school, Creighton University preparatory department, and received his medical degree from Creighton University.
His marriage to Rose Anna Kirchman was solemnized at Wahoo, on May 17, 1905. From 1923 until 1928 Dr. Simanek held the rank of major in the Medical Officers Reserve Corps. He is a member of the American College of Surgeons, the Omaha and Douglas County Medical Association, the American Medical Association, the Nebraska State Medical Association, the Catholic Hospital Association, and the American Hospital Association. Residence: Omaha.
Edward Franklin Sime
Edward Franklin Sime, educator, was born at Morrison, Colorado, September 10, 1899. He is the son of Fred and Mary Rosina (Bissell) Sime, both of German parentage. Fred Sime was born in Mount Carroll, Illinois, May 8, 1860, and Mary his wife, at Mount Carroll on March 26, 1861.
Educated in public and high school, at Pauline, Nebraska, Mr. Sime was graduated from the latter in 1916, attended Kearney State Teachers College in 1923 and the University of Nebraska the year 1926.
After teaching ten years in the rural schools of Loup and Garfield Counties, Mr. Sime was elected county superintendent of Garfield County schools in 1927 for a term of four years. He was re-elected to this office in 1931. Mr. Sime is a Republican, and a Mason. His hobby is reading. Residence: Burwell. (Photograph in Album).
Joseph Simecek
For more than thirty-seven years, Joseph Simecek has been engaged in the practice of medicine in Saline County. He was born at Kostelec, Milevskv, Bohemia, November 26, 1866, and same to Nebraska in 1881. His parents, John and Anna (Hula) Simecek were both natives of Kostelec, the former, a farmer, dying there in 1890. After his death his wife, Anna, came to America, and she died at Wilbur on June 11, 1913.
Dr. Simecek received his degree of Doctor of Medicine from Rush Medical College of Chicago, and was admitted to practice at Wilber on July 15, 1894. He has served both as a druggist and physician, and is now engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery. He is a Democrat and from 1912-19 was coroner for Saline County.
He was married to Katie Korkel at Wilbur, September 20, 1894. Mrs. Simecek was born at Wilber, January 1, 1870. There are two children, Angeline, born November 24, 1903, and Victor, born May 8, 1907, both of whom are studying medicine and will receive their M. D.'s in two years.
Dr. Simecek has studied extensively at Prague University, at Prague, Czechoslovakia, and has made seven trips to Europe since 1921, his children accompanying him in 1924. He is a member of the Nebraska State and Saline County Medical Societies, the Community Club of Swanton, and the National Sokol Society. His hobby is reading. Residence: Swanton.
Philip Sheridan Simmons
Born at Winchester, West Virginia, December 5, 1860, Philip Sheridan Simmons has resided in Nebraska for more than sixty-five years. He was brought here by his parents, who were early settlers in the state. His father, Jacob Simmons, a physician, was born in Winchester, March 26, 1832. He served in the Civil War with the 43rd Ohio Volunteers. His ancestors came to America from Switzerland about 1680. Jacob Simmons died at O'Neill, January 15, 1905.
His wife, Liddy Anna Head, was born in Dark County, Ohio, February 22, 1833, of Scotch and English descent. For many years prior to her death at North Bend on December 15, 1888, she was choir leader in the Presbyterian Church.
Philip Sheridan Simmons was graduated from high school, took two years preparatory work, and completed his junior year at Lloyd's Medical College, where he received a letter in baseball.. For a number of years he was engaged in ranching, but is now retired. A Republican, he was a silver Republican in 1896, and has been candidate for county judge and county sheriff. He is the author of God's Reserve, and numerous short historical stories of the state.
On January 16, 1888, he was married to Julia Ellen Thomas at Pierce, Nebraska. Mrs. Simmons, who is of Welsh descent, was born in Pottawattomie County, Iowa, June 8, 1871. They have ten children, Amy Pearl, born November 1, 1888; Elnora, born July 5, 1891; Charles Justice, born September 25, 1893; Zella, born March 1, 1896; Bryan, born September 23, 1898, Melvine, born November 4, 1901; Sarah, born February 6, 1903; Clarissa, born July 3, 1905; Philip, born January 15, 1907; and Maxine, born September 20, 1910.
Mr. Simmons has served as chief of police, and deputy state sheriff. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, the Red Cross, the Volunteer Firemen, the Woodmen of the World and the Nebraskana Society. He enjoys fishing, hunting, baseball and bowling, while his hobbies are history and political economy. Residence: O'Neill.
Robert Glenmore Simmons
Robert Glenmore Simmons, lawyer, was born at Scottsbluff, Nebraska, December 25, 1891, son of Charles H. and Alice M. Simmons. The father was born in New York State and is a merchant. The mother, born in New York State, died in Nebraska, March 1, 1918.
Mr. Simmons attended the public school and high school at Scottsbluff, and received his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nebraska. He was also a student at Hastings College. At the State University he was a member of the Order of the Coif.
A Republican, Mr. Simmons has served as county attorney of Scotts Bluff County, and in 1922 was elected a member of Congress still holding that position.
He is married to Gladyce Weil, who was born at Hebron, Nebraska, their marriage having been solemnized at Scottsbluff, on June 23, 1917. They have three children, Robert G., born August 14, 1918; Marion Jean, born July 30, 1920; and Ray Clifford, born August 17, 1925.
Mr. Simmons served in the World War from October, 1917 until January, 1919 as a free balloon pilot and observer. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church at Scottsbluff and is a 32nd degree Mason and Shriner. Residence: Scottsbluff.
Paris Marion Simms
Paris Marion Simms, clergyman, lecturer and author, was born at Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, May 2, 1869, son of Andrew Francis and Martha Ann, (Bryan) Simms. He received his education at Cumberland University, from which he received the following degrees: A. B., 1899; B. D., 1902; Ph. D., 1907. He is a member of Pi Kappa Alpha.
Ordained to the Presbyterian ministry in 1893, he accepted a pastorate at Cornersville, Tennessee, which continued until 1896. On June 8, 1893 he was united in marriage to Edna Earl Johnson. Mrs. Simms is the daughter of J. S. Johnson, a prominent Mason, and the grand daughter of Robert Johnson, an officer in the War of 1812, from Tennessee. Her maternal great grandfather, Laban Abernathy, served in the American Revolution as did also her great great-grandfather, Isaac Drake. She is a member of the Eastern Star, P. E. O., Daughters of the Confederacy, Daughter of the American Revolution, and National Society. United States Daughters of 1812. During the World War Mrs. Simms was quite active at Camp Dodge, being known as one of the Camp Mothers, with 12 assistants. She has always been active as a member of the Woman's Club and in other civic affairs. There are two children, Burney Gilmore, born April 1, 1894, married to Merle Brown. He attended Coe College and is a Delta Phi Epsilon. At the present time he is in the hardware and sporting goods business at Sacramento, California. The second son, P. Marion, Jr., was born May 2, 1908. He attended Hastings College, is a member of the Eta Phi Lambda fraternity, Sons of Confederate Veterans, and is field secretary of the Nebraska Christian Endeaver Union.
Dr. Simms is the author of What Must the Church Do To Be Saved? (1913) and The Bible From the Beginning (1929).
From 1902-06 he served as registrar of Cumberland University, and also as its acting president. Thereafter he held various pastorates until 1917, when he became associated with the Y. M. C. A. for work in the World War. He spent several years raising money for Near East Relief, and is now pastor of the Presbyterian Church at St. Edward, Nebraska.
For four years he served as commissioner to the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He has been a Chautauqua lecturer since 1900, and a member of the International Lyceum and Chautauqua Associations. For many years he has been director of finance for the Nebraska Christian Endeavor Union. He is a Mason and member of the Royal Arcanum.
Perhaps his most prized possession is a collection of
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120 versions of the Bible in England, or parts of the Bible, to which he is constantly making additions. He resides at St. Edward, Nebraska. (Photograph on Page 1097).
G. E. Simon
Gjulson Eli Simon, prominent lawyer, was born in Gosper County, Nebraska, August 29, 1877, and since 1914 has been engaged in the practice of law continuously at Cambridge. He has the distinction of being a Nebraskan, born in a log cabin and reared on a farm. He resides at Cambridge where his residence has been since 1902.
His father, Ole Simon, was born near Lillehammer, in Gudbrandsdal, Norway, October 6, 1847, and came to the United States in 1857. He settled near Madison, Wisconsin, and in 1873 came to Nebraska, where as one of the first settlers he established a home on Deer Creek northwest of Holbrook, leading the first Norwegian delegation into that section of Nebraska then a savage wilderness. He still maintains the original homestead there.
His mother, Barbara Julson, was born in Dane County, Wisconsin, September 7, 1853, and died at Holbrook, June 30, 1916. Her parents were born in Norway and her father, a soldier in the Civil War serving in a Wisconsin Regiment, was killed in battle.
Mr. Simon received his education in rural school, Arapahoe High School and was graduated at Franklin Academy in 1899. After teaching in public school two years, he later entered law school and in 1914 received his Bachelor of Laws degree from Creighton University College of Law. While at Franklin Academy he was a member of the football and track teams and for two years was captain. On June 3, 1929 he was elected a member of the Athletic Honor "D" Club of Doane College.
His marriage to Miss Sarah Grace McFadden was solemnized at Holbrook, Nebraska, July 29, 1903. She was born at Tuscola, Illinois, February 1, 1882, and died at San Diego, California, September 13, 1918. Until her marriage she was a teacher in the public schools. She was a graduate of Arapahoe High School and the State Normal College at Peru and was the daughter of the Reverend and Mrs. H. W. McFadden late of Holbrook, Nebraska. Her father, a Methodist Clergyman, was during his ministry, one of the most popular and eloquent preachers of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
He has one child by this marriage, Eldon McFadden Simon, born October 11, 1905, who is married to Pansy Lee Rea. He was graduated from Cambridge High School in 1924, and from Doane College where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1929. Thereafter for a year he studied at the University of Nebraska and the University of Illinois. In athletics at college he lettered in football and track, and is now coach and director of athletics in the Cambridge High School.
Mr. Simon's second marriage was to Miss Susanne Thompson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ole Thompson of Austin, Minnesota, who formerly resided at Holbrook, Nebraska. Mrs. Simon was a graduate of Arapahoe High School and the State Teachers College at Winona, Minnesota. She died at Cambridge on June 30, 1926.
Mr. Simon has always been active in Republican politics, and in 1930 was candidate for lieutenant governor. He served as county attorney of Furnas County one term, 1917-1919, and as city attorney of Cambridge nine years, 1922-1931. During five years of his business career he was associated with Judge Ernest B. Perry, formerly of Cambridge. Mr. Simon is a trustee of Doanc College, elected in 1929, and is the donor of the athletic field of that college which bears his name, Simon Athletic Field.
Besides his regular profession and serving in various capacities to his community and the state, Mr. Simon has taken special interest in education, both from the intellectual and physical standpoints. It is his opinion that one of the chief functions is to train students in the development of physical power, as well as the mental and moral training necessary for, competent leadership.
Reared in the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church from childhood he held membership there until 1903, and since that time he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Throughout his career Mr. Simon has taken a special interest in the religious activities of his community and has been for many years, and is at present, a loyal member and an active trustee of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Cambridge.
As a recognition of such services among the tributes to him one follows: "He has been in his professional career a tower of strength to every righteous cause, tireless, fearless; he carrys on the fight for clean politics and good government. G. Eli Simon is the embodiment of all that is finest and best in our public life."
While in Franklin Academy Mr. Simon had three years service as a cadet. During the World War he was government appeal agent in his district under the Selective Service Act, and was chairman of the Legal Advisory Board of Furnas County. He was also enlisted in a branch of the United States Secret Service in which he rendered important services to the War Department. His professional organizations include the Nebraska State Bar AssocIation and the 14th Judicial District Bar Association (president 1929).
G. E. Simon is a member of the Masonic Fraternity having united with Cambridge Lodge in 1903, and a member of the Scottish Rite Masons, Sesostris Temple of the Shrine, the Order of Eastern Star, the Odd Fellows, and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a member of the Methodist Brotherhood, the Southwest Historical Society, and life member of the Nebraskana Society. His recreations are athletics, markmanship and hunting game. Residence: Cambridge. (Photograph on Page 1098).
Osborne Perkins Simon
A resident of Nebraska nearly all his life, Osborne Perking Simon was born at Holbrook, Nebraska, March 16, 1885, son of Ole and Barbara (Juleson) Simon.
His father, who is a retired farmer, was born in Norway, October 6, 1847, and came to America in 1854. Making the trip overland to Nebraska in a covered wagon in 1873, he located on a homestead in Gosper County. The farm is still in his possession. His wife, Barbara, was born in Hollandale, Wisconsin, September 6, 1853, and died at Holbrook, Nebraska, June 30, 1916.
Mr. Simon attended public schools of Gosper County until 1901. At the present time he is cashier of the Culbertson Bank. He is a Democrat and served as county treasurer of Hitchcock County during the years 1915, 1916, 1917, and 1918. He takes an active part in the activities of his party in local as well as state and national affairs. He is a member of the Lutheran Church and the Masons. His favorite sport is golf, while his favorite diversion is Masonic work. On April 7, 1930, he was made deputy grand custodian by the Grand Lodge Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Nebraska. He has served as master of the Culbertsoa Lodge No. 174 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and also as patron of the Bethel Chapter Order of the Eastern Star No. 109.
On March 21, 1906, he was married to Ethel May Fellows at Culbertson, Nebraska. Mrs. Simon was born at Aurora, Nebraska, March 1, 1883, of English descent on the maternal side and early American on the paternal side. Mrs. Simon is a member of the Order of Eastern Star, and is past matron of the Bethel Chapter No. 109 of Culbertson. She is a member of the Degree of Honor, and is active in the affairs of the Presbyterian Church and Sunday School, the Legion Auxiliary, the Red Cross, and in all civic affairs.
Mr. and Mrs. Simon have one son, Frank O., born May 23, 1907, at Kanona, Kansas, who was married to Elizabeth Bauer of Culbertson, Nebraska, November 25, 1927.
