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1925, he was secretary of the Bridgeport Electric Light and power Company. Independent in politics, he served as county assessor of Morrill County, 1921-1922, elected on Republican ticket.
On February 21, 1892, he was married to Emma Aurora Benson at Hudson, Wisconsin. Mrs. Bigelow was born at St. Peter, Minnesota, March 16, 1869. She is an artist, and a member of the Eastern Star.
From November 1917, until February, 1919, Mr. Bigelow was a member of the Morrill County fuel committee. He was local chairman of the American Red Cross from 1918 until 1925, and has served from 1929 until the present time. He is the past president of the Lions Club at Bridgeport, and has been a mmber (sic) of the Masons since 1894, he is also a member of the Eastern Star. Residence: Bridgeport.
Eugene A. Bigelow
Eugene A. Bigelow, retired farmer and ranchman, was born in LeClaire, Iowa, June 23, 1884, son of Benjamin F. and Rachel (Fairly) Bigelow. His ancestry is American Yankee.
After leaving country school, he took up a pre-emplion homestead in Nebraska, and afterward took up a Kinkaid homestead. He has always been active as a farmer and ranchman, and taken much interest in Republican politics. He is an Odd Fellow, and a member of the Nebraskana Society.
On December 25, 1883, he was married to Elizabeth C. Cope at Newton, Iowa. Mrs. Bigelow was born at Clinton, Illinois, June 28, 1860. To them five children were born , Mabel, October 26, 1885; Lee, December 1, 1887; Del, March 27, 1890; Cleo, September 11, 1893; and Ray, March 4, 1895. Residence: Harrison.
Mabel Emily Bigelow
Mabel Emily Bigelow, postmistress at Ulysses, was born at Ulysses, on May 1, 1884, daughter of Robert Chappell and Florilla Lovina (Mattoon) Bigelow. Robert Bigelow was born in Brookfield, Vermont, March 23, 1841, and died at Ulysses on July 4, 1904. A veteran of the Civil War, he was confined in Libby Prison for several weeks. He participated in the Battle of Gettysburg and others. Of English descent, he traced his ancestry to Mayflower passengers.
Florilla Mattoon was born in Norwich, Vermont, March 11, 1843, of Irish and English descent. Until her death at Ulysses, on March 31, 1929, she was active in the work of her church, and was a member of the Women's Relief Corps.
Mabel Emily Bigelow was educated in the public and high schools, and graduated from Ulysses High School on May 17, 1901. In 1908 she became assistant postmistress, and in 1924 was appointed postmistress, which position she now holds.
A Republican in politics, she is a member of the Christian Church, and the Rebekahs and Royal Neighbors of America. She is a member also of the Nebraskana Society. Miss Bigelow devotes her leisure time to reading. Residence: Ulysses.
Edward Ernest Bilon
Born at Wahoo, Nebraska, July 2, 1899, Edward Ernest Bilon is the son of Louis Bernard and Anna (Kondele) Bilon. His father, who was a optometrist, was born of French and Czechoslovakian parentage July 9, 1871, and died at Columbus, Nebraska, January 10, 1930. His mother was born at Wahoo, December 29, 1875.
Mr. Bilon was graduated from the high school at Kearney, Nebraska, in 1916, and received the degree Doctor of Optometry at Needles Institute in 1921. He served as office assistant in Kearney, 1915, was bookkeeper for the A. C. Killian Company of Kearney, 1916, was assistant purchasing agent for the Morris Packing Company of Omaha, 1917, and in 1918 owned the Employers Reference Company of Omaha. He is now the owner and operator of the Bilon Optical Company at Grand Island.
He is a member of the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce, the Red Cross, Salvation Army American Optical Association, the local lodge of the Elks and The Nebraskana Society, he holds membership in the Woodland Country Club and the American Legion. Mr. Bilon's favorite sports are golf and football.
His marriage to Christine Henriette Jensen was solemnized at Omaha, September 21, 1922. Mrs. Bilon, whose ancestry is Danish, was born at Omaha, April 11, 1906. They have two children: Thomas, born July 19, 1926; and Donna Lee, born July 16, 1929. Residence: Grand Island.
Veggo Walter Binderup
Veggo Walter Binderup was born at Adams County, Nebraska, May 12, 1875, the son of George Werner and Lorenze (Bjering) Binderup. His father, who was instructor in a Danish university, was born at Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1826, and came to Adams County in 1874. He died at Minden, Nebraska, April 15, 1915; he served as an officer in the Danish Army in the war with Germany, and later was in the King's service as an insurance adjuster. His mother was born at Viley, Denmark, in 1816, and died at Minden, in December, 1927.
Mr. Binderup attended Hastings College for a time. He is the author of an article Among the Bees, published in 65 newspapers. He is a teacher of nature study in the Kearney County rural and city schools, and is also instructor in the same subject at Dana Seminary, Blair, Nebraska. His favorite sport is hunting, while his hobby is the study of bees. He was elected president of the Nebraska Honey Producers' Association 5 years, and is now an honorary member and vice president.
Of his marriage to Dora Mohel Eriksen two children were born: Catherine, who is a student nurse at the University Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska; and George W., who is in business at Minden. Residence: Minden.
Frank Albert Birchell
Frank Albert Birchell, merchant, was born at Sylvania, Wisconsin, May 14, 1875, son of James and Christine (Meinzer) Birchell.
His father, a native of Yorkshire, England, came to America in 1845, and died at Racine, Wisconsin, March 3, 1917. He was a farmer. His wife, Christine, was born in Germany, in 1845, and died at Racine, in June, 1902.
In 1890, Mr. Birchell was graduated from public school at Sylvania, and in 1903, began business in partnership with W. R. Woolfenden, now deceased, in the firm of the Gering Mercantile Company. This company is still owned and operated by Mr. Birchell as partner and manager. He is also an extensive land owner and farmer. For nearly 30 years he has been a prominent merchant at Goring.
On December 25, 1898, he was married to Lulu Belle Woolfenden at Stratton. Nebraska. She was born at Racine, Wisconsin, March 1, 1873. She is the daughter of James H. and Lucy (Vincent) Woolfenden, who were prominent pioneer settlers of Stratton, Nebraska. Her father was a merchant. She attended school at Stratton, and is a member of the Eastern Star and the Gering Woman's Literary Club. They have one daughter, Helen, born October 9, 1908, who was graduated from the University of Colorado with the class of 1930.
Mr. Birchell's religious affiliation is With St. Timothy's Episcopal Church. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Royal Arch Masons, the
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Eastern Star, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Elks. His civic and professional organizations include the Federation of Nebraska Merchants and the Chamber of Commerce. He has served for more than 20 years on the local board of education, and is a member of the Gering Golf Club. His hobby is hard work. Residence: Gering.
Peder Rudolph Birk
One of the leading bankers of Grand Island, Nebraska, is Peder Rudolph Birk who has lived in this state all his life. He was born at Omaha, Nebraska, December 17, 1887, the son of Christian Pederson and Hansine (Petersen) Birk. His father, who was born at Horsens, Denmark, May 15, 1865, is a carpenter and has served as a member of Grand Island City Council for ten years. His mother was born in Denmark, January 16, 1873.
Mr. Birk was graduated from the Grand Island High School in 1904, and studied banking and accounting at the Grand Island Baptist College. He entered the First National Bank of Grand Island, in 1911, as a messenger boy and has progressed steadily in this organization until today when he is first assistant cashier and assistant trust officer, serving as a junior executive officer.
He holds membership in the Chamber of Commerce, was formerly a member of the Kiwanis Club, and is affiliated with the First Presbyterian Church of Grand Island. His social club is the Woodlawn Golf Club. He is a Mason, is now treasurer of the Knights Templar, is a Royal Arch Mason, and is a member of the Shrine. At one time he served as president of the Masonic Building Board at Grand Island.
Mr. Birk was married at Grand Island, June 12, 1912, to Agnes Adair Livingston. Mrs. Birk, who is a vocal teacher and musical director, was born of Scotch parents at Trenton, New Jersey, December 4, 1887. They have two children: Mary Jean, born September 7, 1917; and Barbara Agnes, born August 17, 1915. Residence: Grand Island.
John Martin Birkner
John Martin Birkner, physician and surgeon, was born in Germany May 29, 1856, and has resided in Nebraska since April 28, 1886. He is the son of Frederick Heinrich and Maria Claudia (Wilkins) Birkner.
Dr. Birkner attended school in Germany, and received his medical degree from the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis in 1886. He attended the Pharmacy College there 1880-82.
From 1880 until 1886 he was in the drug business in St. Louis, and from 1886 until 1899 practiced medicine and surgery at Sutton, Nebraska. Since 1899 he has been in practice in Lincoln. He is a member of the Nebraska State and Lancaster County Medical Associations, the Chamber of Commerce, and Lincoln Lodge No. 19 of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Mt. Moriah Commandery and the Order of Eastern Star.
The possessor of a fine military record, Dr. Birkner is a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Military Order of the World War and the Association of Military Surgeons, etc. His religious affiliation is with the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church of Lincoln.
On November 1, 1883, he was married to Elvira Caroline Emily Middleton at St. Louis. She was born there on June 14, 1860. Four children are living and one deceased: Carrie. born December 19, 1884, died July 14, 1885; Hugh Ernest, born May 1, 1886; Alma Catherine, born May 11, 1887; Arwin Middleton, born September 30, 1888, and Gisela Julia, born January 12, 1891. Residence: Lincoln.
Robert Birrell
A leading farmer and stockraiser in Thayer County for many years, Robert Birrell was born in Kennoway, Scotland, February 18, 1856. The son of Robert Agnes (Thompson) Birrell, he left home at the age of 17, settling in Fairbury, Illinois, where he remained three years. Desiring to visit Scotland again, he first took out citizenship papers and spent a year in Scotland.
At the end of that time he returned to America, spending six months in Fairbury, Illinois, then removing to Chester, where he has continuously resided.
Mr. Birrell's father was born in Kennoway, and died at Methal, Scotland, in February, 1868. He was a contractor. His wife, who was born at Kennoway, December 25, 1823, came with her six children to America after her husband's death, providing for and rearing them all to maturity. Her death occurred at Chester, June 28, 1881.
At the time Mr. Birrell settled at Chester he lived a farm about a quarter of a mile from his present home He has owned the farm on which he now lives for more than forty years. On December 28, 1887, he was united in marriage to Margaret Shearer at Hebron. Mrs. Birrell was born at New Lisbon, Wisconsin, October 23 1864, and died at Chester, November, 1889. There is one child of this marriage, Grace, born October 21, 1888, who is married to John G. Kuhlman
Mr. Birrell was later married to Elizabeth Kirkwood Ingersoll, born at Fairbury, Illinois, November 25, 1866, She is of Scotch ancestry. They have two daughters, Rachael, born April 19, 1896, who married Joe S. Hunt, and Ruth, born April 19, 1896, who married David Spafford.
Mr. Birrell is a Democrat. During the World War he had charge of loan drives and subscribed liberally to them. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, the Modern Woodmen of America, and for more than thirty years has served on the school board of District 95 of Thayer County.
Mr. Birrell's hobby is fine horses, and he has for years bred and owned purebred Clysdales, one of which was imported from Scotland. He has always been interested in and worked for every project for the advancement of his community. Recently, in recognition of his efforts he was awarded life membership in The Nebraskans Society. Residence: Chester.
Ira Birt
Ira Birt, farmer and dairyman, was born at Hickman, Nebraska, May 27, 1886. He is the son of Charles H. and Mary Margaret (Heupel) Birt, the former of whom was born at Lafayette, Indiana, February 24, 1854. A farmer for many years, he died. at Hickman, July 2, 1897. His wife, who was born at Lancaster, Wisconsin, June 2, 1854, died at Hickman, January 24, 1930.
Mr. Birt was educated in the public schools of Hick man until 1900, when he began to farm. On February 19, 1908, he was married to Clara Wissel at Hickman, her birthplace. Mrs. Birt was born September 2, 1885.
There are four children, Irene, born April 11, 1912; Ross, born February 24, 1914; Earl, born July 10, 1916; and Myrtle, born August 8, 1918. Irene has graduated from high school, Ross is a senior, Earl is a sophomore and Myrtle is in the eighth grade.
Mr. Birt has always resided at Hickman. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church there, served as a deacon ten years, and at the present time is an elder of the church. For ten years he has served on time school board of Hickman High School. He is a member of the Nebraskana Society, and during the World War was a participant in all civilian war and relief drives. Residence: Hickman.
William Bischof, Junior
William Biochof was born at Nebraska City, Otoe County, Nebraska, October 24, 1866, the son of William and Kunnigunda (Zimmerer) Bischof. His father, who
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was a hardware merchant, was born at Nuremburg, Germany, in 1835, and died at Nebraska City, March 17, 1917.
His mother was born at Fritlingen, Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1837, and died at Nebraska City, July 7, 1884.
Mr. Bischof was graduated from the Nebraska City Episcopal College. From 1884 to 1888, he attended the United States Naval Academy. He has lived in Nebraska all his life and for three years was colonel in the Second Infantry of the Nebraska National Guards; having been for three years and lieutenant colonel for six years. At the present time he is salesman for the Great Stove Company, and is president of the King Drill Manufacturing Company.
He is a member of the United Commercial Travelers Association and the Travelers Protective Association, an Odd Fellow and an Elk. Residence: Nebraska City.
Alfred S. Bishop
Alfred S. Bishop was born at St. Paul, Decatur county, Indiana, October 8, 1877. He is the son of Robert and Mary Alphenas (Jessup) Bishop. Robert Bishop was born in Virginia on September 27, 1847, and died at Los Angeles, California, September 26, 1928. He was a railroad agent. Mary A. Jessup was born in the State of New York, June 24, 1885, and is now living at the age of seventy-six years.
Mr. Bishop received his education in elementary schools. Before coming to Nebraska in 1904, he was a railroad telegrapher, and a station agent, and since 1904, he has been train dispatcher, and night chief dispatcher. He is now chief train dispatcher on the Rock Island Lines.
He was married to Bessie Bailey Johnsen September 3. 1899, at El Paso, Texas. They have one daughter, Jessie, born July 26, 1900, who is married to Marion George Bloom.
He is a Republican, is a member of The Nebraskana Society, and holds membership in the Elks. Touring by auto and reading are his hobbies. Residence: Fairbury.
Arch Lee Bishop
Arch Lee Bishop, distinguished lawyer, banker, and landowner of Wheeler County, has been a resident of this state for the past 52 years. He was born in Nova Scotia, July 29, 1866, the son of George Nelson and Elizabeth (Wood) Bishop. His father, who was a sea captain, came to Nebraska in 1879, and took up a homestead in Wheeler County.
Mr. Bishop has been president of the State Bank of Bartlett, Nebraska, since it was chartered in 1906, and is now an active stockholder and director in that organization. He has spent the past 35 years building and improving on un-cultivated land and now owns nearly 50 farms ranging in size from 40 acres to 2200 acres. He has owned stock in the Bankers Loan Company of Omaha, the South Ford Bank, and the City National Bank of Omaha.
He is a Democrat and served for 17 years as county attorney of Wheeler County. He is a member of the Nebraska State Bar Association and The Nebraskana Society. His favorite sports are hunting and fishing.
Of his marriage to
Ida J. Anderson, the following children were born: Vida, who married George
A. Brown; Bertha, who married Francis Tobin; Pearl Larson, who is married;
Clifford, who is employed by the Standard Oil Company at Alliance, Nebraska;
George, who resides at Grand island; Harold; Hubert, who is cashier of the
Bartlett State Bank; Genevieve; Josephine, who married Gerald Krueger; Oliver,
who married Jessie Bignell and who is a merchant; and Adelia, who married Walter
Plugge Ranch. The following are the children of his marriage to Martha H. Detwiler:
William; Elinor; Dean; Robert; and Mary Anne. Residence: Bartlett.
John Skilton Bishop
John S. Bishop, prominent lawyer and legislator of Nebraska, was born at Lyons, Wayne County, New York, September 3, 1861; John Calvin Bishop, his father, who was born at Rose, Wayne County, New York, February 7, 1829, was a teacher, farmer, United States government surveyor, and reporter, for thirty years. He was descended from John Bishop who came from England in the first Guilford Connecticut company in 1639, and who was the second man to sign the Plantation Covenant. He died at Lyons, August 20, 1897.
Mary Skilton (Avery) Bishop, his mother, who was a teacher before her marriage, was born at Lyons, May 13, 1824, and died there November 9, 1910. She was descended from Henry Skilton and the Croton Averys, both distinguished families whose genealogy has been carefully preserved.
Mr. Bishop attended the country school, took a commercial course at Lyons Union School, and took a preparatory course for college, graduating in 1881. He received his A. B. and C. E. degrees at Union College, Schenectady, New York, 1884. He was awarded his LL. B. at Albany Law School in 1887. He completed the full classical and engineering courses at Union College in three years, and was an honor student.
He has been engaged in the practice of law since 1887, and has held various civic and political positions in Lincoln. He was secretary of different organizations of retail merchants in Lincoln; organized the Nebraska Credit Company; and edited and published the Blue Book for 10 years. A Republican, he served on the city council from 1903 to 1908; was unsuccessful candidate for county judge and city attorney; and was elected state representative in 1928 and 1930.
He married Cora Lucy Knapp at Rose, Wayne County, New York, June 20, 1894. A teacher for ten years, he was born at Rose, January 20, 1866, and died at Lincoln, September 23, 1929. She was of German, and English descent. To their union three children were born, Anna Mary, born August 20, 1896, who married Lawrence Eugene Wentz; Grace Margaret, born February 14, 1901, who died December 16, 1901; Charlotte Sherman, born May 25, 1903, who was adopted and married Frederick J. Miller, a dentist; and Sarah Jeanette, born December 16, 1908, who died June 22, 1909. Mr. Bishop was united in marriage to Mrs. Alice J. Cornell, February 14, 1931, at Omaha, Nebraska.
Mr. Bishop is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution; a member of the Legal Aid Committee of the Social Welfare Society for over 30 years; a member of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce since 1902; and was formerly a member of the Knife and Fork Club. He is a member of the First Baptist Church of Lincoln, and has served as church clerk since 1910. He is a member of all Masonic bodies from Blue Lodge to Shrine. Residence: Lincoln.
Nelson Edward Bishop
Nelson Edward Bishop was born April 23, 1879, in Seward County, Nebraska, the son of Thomas Henry and Anna (Smith) Bishop. His father was born at Troy, New York, August 28, 1843, and died at Pleasant Dale, Nebraska, March 16, 1926. He served in the twenty-third Wisconsin Infantry during the Civil War. His ancestors were Scotch and Irish. His mother was born at Salem, Salem County, Wisconsin, March 3, 1854, of English parentage, and died at Pleasant Dale, February 4, 1913. She taught school and was a member of the Eastern Star.
Mr. Bishop received his education in the elementary schools and the Milford High School, from which he was graduated in 1899. On October 15, 1916, he was united in marriage to Emma Mauner, at Crawford, Nebraska. She was born in Davis County, Iowa, February 13, 1885, of German and French parentage, and is a registered
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