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1858, the son of John and Hannah (Pearson) Hakanson. His father, who was a farmer, was born in Sweden in March, 1818, and died at Wahoo, Nebraska, March 9, 1899. Hannah (Pearson) Hakanson was born in Sweden in 1823, and died at Fairfield, Nebraska, July 9, 1892.
Mr. Hakanson attended the public schools of Geneseo, Illinois, Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and Fairfield. Coming to Nebraska in the fall of 1874 with his parents in covered wagons, the only stock they possessed was 12 head of horses and some farm machinery and household goods. Mr. Hakanson's parents bought a relinquishment and located four miles east of Fairfield on the Sandy where they lived in a sod house for a period of about six weeks while their frame dwelling was under construction. He remembers how the tribe of Omaha Indians would camp within throwing distance of the home, and also remembers of seeing the emigrant trains of between 40 and 50 wagons going farther west. His greatest recollection is a cyclone that visited the Fairfield territory May 24, 1903, and completely demolished their home and all out buildings and of his warning to his family to take to the cellar only in time to escape the storm. He is a progressive farmer near Fairfield at this time and takes an active part in civic and educational affairs there. A Republican, he served as a member of the Nebraska House of Representatives in 1921. He is affiliated with the Fairfield Christian Church and serves as deacon and trustee, is a member of the Men and Millions Club, and from 1885 to 1926 served on the local school board. His hobby is reading.
On January 1, 1879, he was married at Edgar, Nebraska, to Mary Elizabeth Jayne who was born at Aurora, Illinois, January 31, 1859. To them were born: Elinor Hanna, on November 15, 1879; John Edwin, on October 24, 1881, who married Jessie Riddel at Fairfield in 1903; William Leonard, on August 14, 1882, who married Lora Leach at Edgar in 1910; and Ruth Viola, on January 12, 1890, died at Fairfield in December, 1924.
Mr. and Mrs. Hakanson agree that at this time their proudest possession is a great granddaughter, Betty Louise Schliep, born May 10, 1929. Residence: Fairfield.
H. Halderson
H. Halderson, Republican candidate for congress from the Third District of Nebraska in the election of 1932, attended the University of Nebraska where he received his Bachelor of Laws degree, and was also a student at the University of South Dakota. His parents came from Norway, in 1866.
A practicing lawyer in Nebraska for twenty-five years, Mr. Halderson was born in a log house on a pioneer homestead, and has written the History of Pioneers and The Small Town Will Survive. He is listed in Who's Who in the Central States.
In 1906 Mr. Halderson wrote the Republican progressive platform which provided for a two-cent fare, the anti-pass law, primary law, and railway commission. In 1912 he was alternate delegate to the Republican national convention at Chicago, elected by a large majority from the 3rd district. In 1915 he was the original proponent of the law for summoning jurors by mail. This law has saved the counties of Nebraska more than $100,000 thus far.
Mr. Halderson is the author of Taxation for Federal Purposes, published in the Central Law Journal and the Congressional Record. He was Republican nominee for congress in 1930.
He has been attorney for the Board of Foreign Missions of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a member of the Volunteer Firemen of Newman Grove for 21 years.
He is a member of the American Bar Association and the Civil Legion, and was recently elected to life Membership in the Nebraskana Society.
During 1912-15 Mr. Halderson was one of the leading tennis players in Nebraska, and in former years he managed the local baseball team. He is a Mason and an Odd Fellow, a member of the Madison County Historical Association and the tri County Community Club.
On September 10, 1910 he was united in marriage to Gertrude Kenagy at Milford, Nebraska. Mrs. Halderson, who died in 1922, was a high school teacher. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David P. Kenagy of Milford, Nebraska. There are two children, Maxwell Hayes, who is 19 and Lewellyn Dean, 17. Residence: Newman Grove.
Clarence Edward Haley
Born at Valentine, Nebraska, October 11, 1894. Clarence Edward Haley is the son of William Edgar and Emma Genevieve (McNichols) Haley. Clarence Haley, who was born in Woodbury County, Iowa, October 4, 1863, is an abstractor of Irish descent. His wife, Emma was born in Fondulac, Wisconsin, January 29, 1871, and is also of Irish descent.
Clarence Edward Haley was educated in the public and high schools of Valentine and was graduated from the latter in 1914. He thereafter attended the University of Nebraska, from which he received his LL. B. in 1921. He is a member and former president of Delta Tau Delta.
Upon his admission to the bar, Mr. Haley engaged in active practice, and has served as county attorney of Cedar County two terms, elected on the Democratic ticket. He was married to Lucile Johnson at Iowa, August 9, 1928. Mrs. Haley, who is of Irish and English descent, was born at Charter Oak, Iowa, May 26, 1901.
Mr. Haley is a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church. At the present time he is secretary-treasurer of the Lions Club and president of the Hartington Library Board. He belongs to the Red Cross and the Commercial Club, and is a member of the Hartington Country Club. His favorite sport is golf and his hobby is reading. Residence: Hartington.
Francis Baldwin Hall
Francis B. Hall was born at Barnston, Stanstead, Quebec, September 27, 1887. His father, George Benjamin Hall, who was born at Barnston, December 21, 1852, of English descent, is a farmer and a maple produce dealer. He holds a 25 year service medal in the Canadian militia. His wife, Jennie Eva (Baldwin) Hall, was born at Barnston, June 20, 1863, and died there September 20, 1927. She was a member of the English Baldwin family and traced her ancestry to Cromwell's time.
Mr. Hall was graduated from the Barnston Model School in 1903; was a student at the Methodist Business College at Stanstead, 1904, and the Ontario Business College at Belleville, Ontario, 1905. He entered the business world as bookkeeper for the J. S. Mitchell Company, wholesale hardware firm, in 1907. From 1907 to 1909 he served as secretary and treasurer of the Eastern Townships Dairy Produce Company; was connected with the Penman Limited, Knitgoods Manufacturers as a bookkeeper, 1909-10; was with the Eastern Townships Bank and the Canadian Bank of Commerse, 1910-11 was office manager of Penman Limited from 1912 to 1916; and was London manager of this company from 1916 to 1920.
In 1921 he moved to Nebraska City, where he became department manager for F. W. Cleveland & Son. He has continued in this position for the past ten years. In 1928 he became a naturalized citizen of the United States.
His marriage to Etta Jeanetta Cleveland was solemnized at Nebraska City, April 20, 1914. Mrs. Hall was born
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at Coaticook, Stanstead, Quebec, Canada, January 25, 1889, the daughter of F. W. and Etta (Hanks) Cleveland. They have one daughter: Hazel Margaret, born January 24, 1918.
Mr. Hall is a member of the Nebraska City Chamber of Commerce, and in 1927 was on the board of directors of this organization. He is a Mason, and past master of Ashlar Lodge Number 31, of the Grand Lodge of Quebec. He is affiliated with St. Mary's Episcopal Church at Nebraska City, and is a Republican. Residence: Nebraska City.
Fred C. Hall
Fred C. Hall, a resident of Nebraska for the past 51 years was born at Prairie Home, Nebraska, February 28, 1880. His father, John Hall, a farmer, was born in England, June 9, 1850, and died at Prairie Home, September 28, 1925; he came to America in 1854. His mother, Caroline (Oades) Hall, was born in Canada, February 23, 1854, of English parentage, and died at Prairie Home, March 29, 1913.
Mr. Hall was a farmer and hardware merchant for more than seven years, and is now connected with the Continental Oil Company at Lincoln. He is a Republican, and served as councilman of Havelock, Nebraska, and mayor of the city, May 1, 1926, to May 1, 1930.
His marriage to Daisy Florence Kerrhard, was solemnized at Red Oak, Iowa. Mrs. Hall was born at Red Oak, October 7, 1879; her ancestry is English. They have three children: Ralph, born February 12, 1904; Harold, born June 24, 1907; and Violet, born January 2, 1911.
Mr. Hall is a Mason, a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and is treasurer of the Havelock Farmers Institute. Residence: Havelock.
Harry Bigelow Hall
Harry Bigelow Hall was born at Vesta, Nebraska, July 12, 1891, the son of Walter Perry and Margaret Ellen (Long) Hall. His father, who was born at Vesta, May 7, 1865, has been a merchant and real estate agent for many years and has served as county assessor. His mother was born at Dubuque, Iowa, December 6, 1871.
Mr. Hall was graduated from the Beaver City High School in 1907, was connected with the bank at Beaver City for 23 years, and is now business manager of the Brewster Hospital at Holdrege, Nebraska. He is a member of the First Christian Church of Beaver City, is a Mason, and holds membership in The Nebraskana Society, and was the first commander of the Beaver City American Legion Post.
He is married to Florence Catherine Rummel, who was born at Plattsmouth, Nebraska, June 2, 1893, of German parentage. She was formerly a school teacher. They have two children: Margaret Louise, December 27, 1925; and Joan Elizabeth, June 28, 1930. Mr. Hall served as a wagoner in evacuation ambulance Company 28 of the United States Army for a year in France during the World War. Residence: Holdrege.
James Michael Hall
James M. Hull, prominent as a banker, farmer, and stock-raiser, has been cashier of The Farmers State Bank of Ithaca, Nebraska, for twenty-nine years. He came to Nebraska, when a boy four years old with his parents in a covered wagon. He was born at Bradford, Indiana, on September 24, 1864. His father was Edward Hall, who was born in County Carlow, Ireland, on August 15, 1817, and came to America in 1832. His mother, Elizabeth (McGrath) Hall, also of Irish ancestry, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, on October 6, 1823. Both Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hall died on the farm they purchased and settled on when they first came to Nebraska. It was school land situated sixteen miles west of Omaha, near Elkhorn, in Douglas County, on what is now Federal Highway No. 16. Here, Edward Hall passed away on December 28, 1883, and his wife on October 21, 1894. They were persuaded to move from their Indiana home to Nebraska by one of their older sons, the late Dr. P. L. Hall, a well known pioneer physician and banker of Saunders County, Nebraska, and later a banker at Lincoln, Nebraska. P. L. Hall came to Nebraska in 1868, to work for the Union Pacific railroad, and helped in building its line west from Fremont. One of his recollections of this time was that they lived largely on wild game with occasional consignments of food from the east, and in rare instances, shipments of side meat. He returned to Indiana, in 1869, and induced his parents and eight brothers and sisters to join a covered wagon train and come with him to Nebraska. Of these nine brothers and sisters and the tenth brother, Charles, born in Nebraska, six survive, and they all still make their homes in Nebraska: John W. at Valley; Robert, at South Omaha; Edward, at Roseland; Charles, at South Omaha; James M., at Ithaca; and the one sister, Mrs. Eliza King, at Papillion.
James M. Hall assisted his parents on their Nebraska farm and struggled to secure an education. He attended Iron Bluff School in Douglas County, and was graduated from Rohrbaugh's Business College in Omaha. After his father's death, he remained on the home farm until 1900. Then for two years, he was on another farm near Elkhorn. In 1902, he disposed of his farm interests and purchased a home at Ithaca, and stock in the only bank at that place and assumed his present duties.
James M. Hall has served as president of the Saunders County Bankers Association. He also has been a member of the executive committee for Saunders County of the First Nebraska Regional Clearing House Association of Fremont. During the World War, associated with A. J. Alson, he did executive work on the Red Cross drives and the quotas from his community were always oversubscribed. He is a Democrat, but has never been active in politics as a partisan. He is vice president of the Ithaca Community Club, a member of the Modern Woodmen, and recently elected to membership in the Nebraskana Society. He married Anna E. Willhoft, at Omaha on January 1, 1895. Mrs. Hall was born in Chicago, Illinois, on February 12, 1874. She is of German descent and was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church at Davenport, Iowa. She has always been interested in the social development of the community, is a member of the Royal Neighbors of America and during the World War was active in Red Cross work. She was vice-chairman of the local branch of the Red Cross, and was awarded the distinguished service medal for her work in garment making and knitting. In 1926, she was elected president of the Ithaca Homemakers, a University Extension Project Club, and when the next year, this became a federated Woman's Club, she was a charter member.
One son, Glenn J., was born to Mr. and Mrs. Hall, on December 11, 1895. He died on September 20, 1923, at Waterloo, Nebraska. His widow, who was Gladys C. Condron, of Valley, Nebraska, and their two sons, James Ellsworth and Kenneth Glenn, live in Omaha, Nebraska. Residence: Ithaca. (Photograph in Album).
Matthew Alexander Hall
For the past 42 years Matthew A. Hall has lived in Nebraska, and has been prominent in the legal world. He was born near Toronto, Canada, July 31, 1862, the son of Thomas Hewiston and Janet (Burns) Hall. His father, who was born at Scarboro, York County, Canada, March 4, 1834, and died at Souris, Manitoba, Canada, October 20, 1897, was a merchant, farmer, and stockbreeder. His grandfather came from Aiston, England, to Canada, in 1832, and became a pioneer farmer in Scarboro Township.
His mother, Janet (Burns) Hall, was born at York
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Mills, York, Canada, September 25, 1837, and died at Minneapolis, Minnesota, June 12, 1917. Her family came from Lanarkshire, Scotland, to Canada, about 1775.
Mr. Hall attended the public schools of York County, and in 1880 was awarded a second class nonprofessional teachers certificate at the Collegiate Institute at Toronto. He obtained his LL. B. degree in 1888 from the University of Wisconsin Law College where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta and served as president of his class in 1888.
Admitted to the bar at Madison, Wisconsin, June 20, 1888, since 1890 he has been a member of the law firm now known as Montgomery, Hall, Young and Johnsen. He served as a member of the state senate, 1903-04, elected on the Republican ticket.
His marriage to Isabella May Wurtele was solemnized at Sorel, Richelieu Province, Canada, September 2, 1890. Mrs. Hall, who was born at St. David, Quebec, Canada, May 20, 1868, is descended from United Empire Loyalists. Four children were born to this union: Percy Wurtele, born September 15, 1892, who married Frances Gaslin; Charles Alexander, born September 9, 1894, who married Mildred Rockwell, and who died November 4, 1927; Donald James, born November 6, 1897; and Robert Andrew, born September 9, 1906.
Mr. Hall is a member of the Omaha Bar Association; and the American Bar Association. He holds membership in the Red Cross; has been a director of the Young Men's Christian Association; Boy Scouts and Humane Society; and is a member of the University Club at Omaha. He is a Mason, and is affiliated with the First Presbyterian Church of Omaha. Residence: Omaha.
Sumner Seward Hall
Sumner Seward Hall, farmer and stockraiser, was born at Osceola, Iowa, February 16, 1857, son of James and Elizabeth (Cassell) Hall. His father was born at Alexandria, Indiana, June 23, 1826. A Republican, he served as sheriff of Clark County, Iowa, and served in the Civil War with the 2nd Company of Iowa Volunteer Cavalry. He took a soldier's homestead in Nebraska on March 5, 1869, at the landoffice in Lincoln, and later served as representative in the Nebraska legislature. His death occurred at Elmwood, Nebraska, July 26, 1906. Elizabeth Cassell, his wife, was born at Alexandria, Indiana, September 24, 1824, and died at Eight Mile Grove, Cass County, Nebraska, July 27, 1893. She was the daughter of a German preacher.
Mr. Hall attended the public schools, and the Plattsmouth High School. He has been a continuous resident of Nebraska since about 1865. One of his earliest occupations was as transcribing clerk in the Surveyor General's Office at Plattsmouth in 1882. He also taught school in Cass County, Nebraska, three winters. Aside from his extensive farming operations, he has filled many public offices in his community. He is a Republican, and was legislative candidate from Cuming County during the movement for woman suffrage, but was defeated. He has served as township assessor and school director, and the fiscal agent for the government at the First Reserve Bank of Kansas City expressed sincere appreciation for his loyal co-operation in the sale of the Fourth Liberty Loan. He is a member of the Commercial Club, and the First Presbyterian Church, as well as the Nebraskana Society.
On March 29, 1887, he was united in marriage to Lucy Helen Tillotson at Bancroft. Mrs. Hall was born at Hastings, Michigan, September 30, 1861, and is descended from John Tillotson, English settler in 1634, who traced his ancestry to Archbishop John Tillotson. For a number of years before her marriage Mrs. Hall taught in the public schools.
There were five children born to them, three of whom are living. They are as follows: Grace E., born January16, 1888, who married Dr. George E. Hartman; John Tillotson, born December 25, 1890, who was a sergeant in the Ordnance Department in the World War, and who married Catherine Thomas; Frank Sumner, born March 8, 1893, died April 21, 1895; Genevieve May, born September 24, 1896, died October 7, 1928; and Seward Ralph born April 6, 1904. Both girls were teachers. Ralph is a great lover of music.
Mr. Hall's hobby is good roads and he has been responsible for several good roads projects in his community. Residence: Bancroft.
William Otto Hall
Since 1915, William Otto Hall has been active in Jefferson County as a lumberman and merchant. He was born at Northwood, Iowa, December 30, 1876, the son of George Riddle and Anna Esther (Curtis) Hall. His father, a carpenter and school teacher, was born at Troy New York, June 9, 1835, and died at York, Nebraska, March 4, 1913. His mother was born at Meadville, Pennsylvania, November 22, 1840, and died at Villard, Minnesota, July 2, 1923.
Coming to Nebraska at the age of nineteen, Mr. Hall attended York College four years. His previous educational advantages were only those offered by the district school. Attracted by circulars sent out by York College, and realizing the advantages to be gained by a higher education, he resolved to secure these for himself. He hired out to neighboring farmers and saved his earnings. However, on the eve of his departure for college he was robbed of the money he had earned and saved, and hoping to find employment to pay his way, on New Year's Eve, 1896, arrived at York. He enrolled as a student. His funds were small, but he found work sufficient to stay in school.
Later he built a home near the college for his parents, and thus other members of the family had the opportunity to receive a college education.
He was manager of a lumber and hardware store for Edwards and Bradford Lumber Company at Brownville, from 1907-15; and was manager of the Proudfit Lumber Company at Reynolds, 1915-20. Since 1920, he has been the owner and manager of a general store at Reynolds. He is affiliated with the Methodist Church, is a member of the Federation of Nebraska Retailers, and a life member of the Nebraskana Society.
On March 25, 1908, he was married to Emma Marie Stache, at York. Mrs. Hall, who was born at York, was graduated from York High School and received a life teacher's certificate from York College. Prior to her marriage she taught school. She is the daughter of Ernest Edward Stache, who was born in Trebnitz, Germany, December 21, 1842, and Follina Stache, who was born at Emden, Germany, July 16, 1851. Mr. and Mrs. Stache came to York County in its early days as one of the first pioneer families. Mr. Stache had learned the saddler's trade in his native land, and for many years owned and operated a harness and shoe store at York. At his death, December 12, 1905, he was one of the oldest business men in the community.
Mr. and Mrs. Hall are the parents of four children: Genevieve, Clarence and Helen who were born at Brownville, and Ernest, who was born at Reynolds. Genevieve, who married Emory G. Priefert, graduated from Peru State Normal College in 1931, with the Bachelor of Arts degree. Clarence and Helen are at present enrolled as students in the college at Peru. The youngest, Ernest, 15 attending public school at Reynolds.
Mr. Hall has always taken a very active interest in the education and training of his children. His life and experience furnish a fine example of what ambition, integrity and perseverance can accomplish. Residence: Reynolds. (Photograph in Album).
Effegene Hallock
Born at Union, Iowa, February 18, 1878, Effegene Hallock is the daughter of Uriah and Cynthia (Hinshaw) Moorman. Her father was born in Henry County, Indiana, August 9, 1842, and died at Ord, on
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April 6, 1921. He was a farmer and carpenter whose great grandfather came from Ireland to South Carolina, the family later migrating to Indiana.
Her mother, Cynthia Hinshaw, was born in Henry County, Indiana, February 2, 1844, and died at Ord, May 14, 1925. She was of a family of early settlers in South Carolina.
Effegene Moorman attended the country schools of Iowa and Nebraska, and in June, 1897, was graduated from Ord High School. On December 9, 1900, she was married to Harry Orrin Hallock at Ord. Mr. Hallock was born at Muscatine, Iowa, February 9, 1878, and died at Omaha, November 27, 1921.
Mr. and Mrs. Hallock farmed for a number of years, and about twenty-one years ago went into the hotel business. They have one son, Chester E., born February 25, 1902, who married Lena Nelson. He was graduated from Burwell High School, and has always been in the hotel business, from February, 1925, until August, 1931 as manager of the Hays Hotel at Central City.
Mrs. Hallock has resided in Garfield County since 1895. She is the owner and manager of the Burwell Hotel, a member of the Methodist Church, the Order of Eastern Star and the Nebraskana Society. Residence: Burwell.
David L. Hallquist
David L. Hallquist was born at Stromsburg, Nebraska, October 20, 1875, the son of Lars and Elizabeth (Ostrom) Halquist. His father was born at Ockelbo, Sweden, February 27, 1842, and died at Stromsburg, July 10, 1918. He was a successful farmer at Altona, Illinois from 1869 to 1871 and came to Nebraska and settled in Polk County in 1872, before Stromsburg was founded. Elizabeth Hallquist was born at Gafole, Sweden, October 30, 1847, and died at Stromsburg, April 15, 1930. She was the mother of six children. Her father was a blacksmith, and her mother died when she was but five years old.
Mr. Hallquist attended public and business college. Coming to Nebraska 55 years ago, he has been a successful farmer most of that time. He is a Democrat and holds membership in Stromsburg Lodge No. 126 of the Masons, and the Nebraskana Society.
He was united in marriage with Clara Josephine Anderson, September 9, 1903, at Osceola, Nebraska. She was born at Stromsburg, August 22, 1882, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Anderson. Her father was an early pioneer and harness maker. They have two children, Leonard E., born April 9, 1905; and Clayton P., born May 20, 1919. Residence: Stromsburg.
Lloyd Dickson Halsted
Lloyd D. Halsted was born at Tecumseh, Johnson County, Nebraska, January 1, 1891, the son of Charles Henry and Ann Ellen (Adams) Halsted. His father, who is retired from active business, is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, having served full time in the Civil War.
Mr. Halsted, who is an educator, received his early education in the Tecumseh schools where he was graduated in 1908. He was graduated in 1912 from the University of Nebraska, receiving his A. B. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. For some time he was a student at the University of Southern California where he was a member of Gamma Epsilon fraternity, and in 1927 he was awarded he M. A. degree at Columbia University. A resident of Nebraska all his life, he has held various educational and executive positions in the public schools. He was superintendent of schools at Hendley, Nebraska, 1912-15; superintendent at Shubert, 1915-17; principal at Tecumseh, 1919-23, and since 1923 has been superintendent at Tecumseh.
During the late war Mr. Halsted was a corporal, battery E. 338 field artillery in the American Expeditionary Forces. He is a member of the American Legion and since 1923 has been a member of the Kiwanis Club, and is a Mason. He is affiliated with the Methodist Church. Residence: Tecumseh.
Eugene Frederick Ham
Eugene Frederick Ham, grain dealer, was born at Benkelman, Nebraska, March 21, 1832, son of Joseph Oscar and Martha Emmeline (Thompson) Ham.
The father was born in Maquoketa, Iowa, April 19, 1854, and was a pioneer homesteader in Dundy County Nebraska, in 1885. He acquired large land holdings there and has been prominent in community affairs for many years. His ancestors have been in America for several generations. His wife, Martha, was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, on June 4, 1860. She was a typical pioneer mother. Her ancestors have taken part in every war in which the United States has been engaged.
Mr. Ham attended the public school in Dundy County, Nebraska, and was graduated in 1908. In 1912, he was graduated from Benkelman High School, and the following year attended the University of Nebraska.
In 1914, he became associated with the Kellogg Grain Company of Benkelman, Nebraska, and has since been a partner in the firm of the Independent Elevators with elevators at Benkelman, Parks and Doane, Nebraska. He also has interests in various other business concerns. His politics are independent.
In April, 1917, he was married to Edna McEvoy of Benkelman, Nebraska, at McCook, Nebraska. Mrs. Ham died at Benkelman, Nebraska, January 15, 1920. They have one son, John Everett, born March 7, 1918.
On December 30, 1926, Mr. Hahn was married to Hazel Frank of Minden, Nebraska, at Kansas City, Missouri. Mrs. Ham attended Hastings College in 1919-21; 3 summer terms at the University of Nebraska, and 2 at the University of Colorado.
Mr. Ham is a member of the Elks, and the Woodmen of the World. He is a member of the Lions Club being a director, which he assisted in organizing in 1931. A member of the Chamber of Commerce (1925-1932), he is an active Red Cross worker and assists in every welfare drive. From 1920 until 1925, he served on the local school board, in the capacity of secretary and at the present time is a member of the Parent Teachers Association. He enjoys golf, and is a part owner of a nine hole golf course. Residence: Benkelman.
Joseph O. Ham
Joseph O. Ham, retired farmer and stock raiser, was borne at Maquoketa, Iowa, April 19, 1854, son of John and Justina (Pool) Ham.
His father was born in Canterbury, New Hampshire, February 14, 1828, and died at Maryvillc, Missouri, March 1, 1920; his parents came from England. He was a farmer. His wife was born at Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, August 13, 1835, and died at Maryville, Missouri, October 28, 1925. Her father was born in Connecticut.
Mr. Ham attended the rural schools of Nodaway County, Missouri, and the city schools of Maryville. He is a Republican and has been county assessor of Dundy County from 1908 to 1912. Coming to Dundy County in a covered wagon with Mrs. Ham's brother, J. L. Thompson, in 1886. He located on a homestead about four miles northeast of Benkelman where he made his home until April, 1919. Mr. and Mrs. Ham have spent all of their time in Benkelman and vicinity, with the exception of two months while visiting relatives in Missouri, since locating there. Mr. Ham started with three cows and a calf and in 1902 had increased his herd to more than 400 head. On March 20, 1901, a blizzard struck the country, lasting for three days and nights
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before abating. The loss in cattle was terrific, in some cases a total loss, and in 30 years to the day another blizzard of two days of the same intensity visited the country with no serious loss of cattle, but with the loss of the life of a school boy, Boyd Edwards, in an effort to reach his home from school a distance of about one half a mile. Mr. Ham recalls when, speaking of drouth, that from August, 1892 until May 1895 there was no rainfall other than a light sprinkle. He requests that the readers understand that that condition did not always exist as many good crops and years have been experienced by him.
He is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, the Red Cross, the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and for 28 years was a member of rural school boards and for nine years of city school boards.
His marriage to Martha E. Thompson was solemnized near Gilford, Missouri, December 30, 1877. Mrs. Ham was born near St. Joseph, June 4, 1860. There are six children, Roy A., born near Maryville, Missouri, May 6, 1880, married Jennie M. Roberts, of Benkelman, Nebraska, June 17, 1908; Ray O., born near Gilford, Missouri, March 20, 1882, married Nellie Foster; Grace E., born near Gilford, Missouri, September 23, 1883, married Chesney C. Foster; Earl D., born near Gilford, October 1, 1885, married Mayme Bond; John P., born near Benkelman, Nebraska, February 13, 1889, married Elva Finch; and Eugene F., born near Benkelman, March 21, 1892, was first married to Edna McEvoy of Benkelman, Nebraska. His present wife is Hazel Frank, to whom he was married December 30, 1926. She was born at Norman, Nebraska. Residence: Benkelman. (Photograph in Album).
William Hamann
William Hamann was born near Berlin, Germany, October 10, 1852, the son of John and Dorothy (Clasen) Hamann. His, father, who was a carpenter and farmer, was born near Berlin, September, 1820, and died at Crete, Nebraska, November, 1905; he came to America in 1866, and in 1869 homesteaded in Nebraska. His mother was born near Berlin, February, 1821, came with her husband to America, and died at Crete, November, 1906.
Mr. Hamann, a retired farmer, has lived in Nebraska for 62 years, and has always made the welfare of his community his object, having taken part in church activities with the German Congregational Church at Wilber.
On July 3, 1906, he was united in marriage with Minne Scherling at Crete. Mrs. Hamann was born near Berlin, September 14, 1875. Their children are: Arthur, born August 29, 1907; and Gunther, born August 24, 1908. Residence: Wilber.
Robert Black Hamer
Grandson of one of Nebraska's most illustrious judges, Francis G. Hamer, Justice of the Supreme Court, Robert Black Hamer is the third generation to follow the legal profession. He was born at Kearney, Nebraska, April 22, 1906, the son of Thomas Franis Hamer, who was born at Kearney, November 6, 1877. He is of Scotch, Irish and English descent, whose ancestors on both sides came to America about 1720. He is engaged in the practice of law at Kerney. His wife, Ada Chesdey (Black) Hamer, was born at Kearney, January 22, 1878, and died there September 20, 1906. Her ancestors came to the United States about 1800,
Robert B. Hamer was graduated from Kearney High School in 1924, and received his LL. B., cum laude, from the University of Nebraska on June 7, 1930. He attended Nebraska State Teachers College from September, 1924-May, 1927. He received the Order of the Coif his senior year at the university, and is a member of Phi Delta Phi.
Upon his admission to the bar he became associted (sic) in practice with the law firm of Brogan, Ellick and Van Dusen, of Omaha. He is a member of the Barristers Club of Omaha, and the Nebraska State Bar Association. He is a member also of The Nebraskana Society. During 1929-30 he was associate editor of the Nebraska Law Bulletin.
He was married to Edith Lorene Marts at Lincoln, November 1, 1930. Mrs. Hamer was born at Wilsonville Nebraska, March 15, 1907, and is of Dutch, French and English descent, and is distantly related to Generals Grant and Sheridan.
Mr. Hamer is a member of the Omaha University Club. He likes to go to football games, and enjoys hunting and fishing. Residence: Lincoln.
Agnes Elmore Hamilton
Agnes E. Hamilton was born at Rushville, Nebraska, February 2, 1893, the daughter of John Patrick and Neceity Philomenia (Cook) Elmore. Her father, who was born at Weston, Missouri, March 17, 1863, is a railroad contractor. Her mother, born at Oceana, Wyoming County, West Virginia, March 17, 1866, was the daughter of pioneer settlers and slave owners in West Virginia.
Mrs. Hamilton received her education at St. Agnes Academy at Alliance, Nebraska. She is now president of the American Legion Auxiliary at Omaha, Unit Number 1, is a member of the Red Cross, and holds membership it, the Nebraskana Society. She is a member of the Royal Highlanders, the North Omaha Woman's Club, North High Parent-Teachers' Association, and Holy Angels Parents-Teachers' Association, and is affiliated with Holy Angels Catholic Church. Her hobby is music. Residence: Omaha.
Edward Joseph Hamilton
A resident of Nebraska, since 1891, Edward Joseph Hamilton was born near Iowa City, Iowa, October 17, 1875, son of Cornelius Piper and Clarinda Jane (Hamilton) Hamilton. Cornelius Hamilton was born in Washington County, Iowa, March 29, 1855, of Scotch-Irish ancestry; while his wife was born in Johnson County, Iowa, February 15, 1855, of Scotch ancestry.
Edward Joseph Hamilton was graduated from Wilsonville High School in 1897, and in 1905 was graduated from the Creighton College of Pharmacy. He is a registered pharmacist in Nebraska, and followed that work in Omaha, about one year, and at Wilsonville, for seven years. For a number of years he has been in the real estate and investment business at Wilsonville.
On July 5, 1910, he was married to Helen Lucinds Johnson at Wray, Colorado. Mrs. Hamilton, who is Scotch-Irish, was born at Rensselaer, Indiana, April 8, 1872.
Mr. Hamilton is a Republican, a member of the Wilsonville Commercial Club, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Masons, Knights Templar and Shrine. He is a life member of the Nebraskana Society. His hobby is reading. Residence: Wilsonville. (Photograph in Album).
Frank James Hamilton
Frank James Hamilton, telephone executive, was born at St. Edward, Nebraska, September 27, 1886, son of Ira McClain and Clara May (Watson) Hamilton.
The father, born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, January 1, 1859, is now retired and resides at McCook. He started the first newspapers in St. Edward and in Plainview, Nebraska. He is of Dutch and Scotch-Irish descent. The mother, born in Bellevue, Nebraska, January 10, 1865, of Swedish descent, resides in McCook
Mr. Hamilton attended public school to the eleventh grade at Plainview quitting to go to work for the Nebraska Telephone Company. He started for them at Norfolk as a collector, has been troubleman, wire chief, and manager at various places and in various states, namely: Belle Fourche, South Dakota; Lexington, Ne-
