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Preuitt was a native of North Carolina, a soldier in the Revolutionary War, who participated in the Battle of Kings Mountain. After the war he moved to Virginia, remaining there several years, and later moving to Tennessee with his family. His sons were Abraham, William, Isaac and Martin, Jr.
The Preuitts took part in the Revolutionary War as soldiers under General Washington, and were with him when he crossed the Delaware and at Valley Forge. Martin Preuitt and his son Martin, Jr., also hunted with Daniel Boone in Kentucky, at which time Martin, Jr., was thirteen years old.
Martin, Jr., who was born July 15, 1752, married Mary Woods in 1771 and died at the age of 92 in Illinois. His son, Solomon, born January 7, 1790, was married to Rebecca Higgins in 1809 and thereafter to Elizabeth, her sister. He died in 1875. Wiley G., son of Solomon, was born February 12, 1827 at Bethalto. Illinois, and died at Bethalto on May 11, 1908.
Wiley Green Preuitt married Martha Helen Lyons on October 10, 1849. She was a native of Woodstock. Connecticut, born April 3, 1852, and who died at Fairbury on June 29, 1920. To this union were born six children, Mary, Edward and Emma, who died in infancy; Ida Mae, the subject of this sketch; and Elizabeth and Franklin.
The Lyon family originated in the British nobility. General Nathaniel Lyon descended, it is believed, in the direct male line from Sir Thomas Lyon of Auldbar, Forfarshire, North Britain, who was designated Master of Glamis, brother of John, eighth Lord Glamis. Sir Thomas was one of the principal agents in the seizure of James the Sixth at the Raid of Ruthren, on August 23, 1582, and was banished from England. Returning again to Scotland, with the Earls of Angus and Mar he seized Sterling Castle and again fled to England. In 1585 he was again received by the king and appointed captain of the guards, high treasurer of Scotland, and extraordinary lord of sessions, and in 1590 was knighted. He was married first to Agnes, daughter of Patrick the fifth Lord Grey and second to Euphemia, fourth daughter of William Douglas, Earl of Mreton.
Political and civil troubles forced members of the family to emigrate to New England in the seventeenth century, Thomas and Ephriam, brothers, coming together. General Nathaniel was descended from Ephriam, whose name was used in three successive generations. Nathaniel Lyon, a brave and loyal citizen died at the Battle of Wilson's Creek in Missouri on August 10, 1861.
Luther Wells Lyon and his brother, Isaiah, and their half brother, George, were, according to family tradition, third cousins of Nathaniel in the direct male line. The name of Lyon appears frequently in the records of Windham County, Connecticut, particularly with the part known as Ashford, Woodstrock and Ommfred townships.
Among the earliest recorded appearances of the name is one about the time Roxbury's colony was established. After the return to Roxbury of the men who had been sent to spy out Woodstock, and after the plans had been fully discussed and considered, articles of agreement were drawn up on July 21, 1686. Among those who fulfilled the agreement and took personal possession of land in the colony appear the names of William Lyon, Senior, Thomas Lyon and William Lyon, Junior.
The official register of Connecticut men in the War of the Revolution shows forty-five bearing the name of Lyon, thus demonstrating that the fighting qualities of the family had not degenerated since the days of its ancient progenitor,
Sir Thomas. William Lyon, Sr., married Sarah Ruggles and died about May 21, 1692; his wife, born in England, April 19, 1629, was the daughter of John and Mary (Curtis) Ruggles. John, his son, born in Roxhury, in April, 1647, married Abigail Polley on May 10, 1670. She was born June 4, 1654, and died January 15, 1703. John died January 15, 1703, also. William, son of John, was born in Roxbury, September 15, 1675, and was first married to Deborah Colborn, died April 18, 1714, and he died in Woodstrock September 17, 1741. His son Aaron, born in Woodstock, January 11, in the year 1706 or 1707, married Elizabeth Allen. He died May 26, 1746.
Isaiah Lyon, born in Woodstrock, January 29, 1743, was undoubtedly identical with Isaiah Lyon, private in Captain Samuel McClellan's Company in the Lexington Alamer in April 1775. He married Sibyl Ranney, and died at South Woodstrock (Quasset), on August 25, 1813. Luther, son of Isaiah, born in South Woodstrock, married his cousin, Nancy, daughter of Henry (1753-1823) and Nancy (Shirtliff) Wells. He died about 1851. Nancy Wells was born April 17, 1781 and died January 3, 1815. His son, Luther, Jr., born May 5, 1802, at Quasset, married Martha Wardwell Fairfield, and died near Bethalo, Illinois, July 30, 1885. Martha, his wife, born about 1804 and died in 1870. She was the daughter of David and Hannah (Thurber) Fairfield.
Ida Mae Preuitt received her education in public and high school at Shurtleff College, Alton, Illinois. She was married to Gilbert Lafayette Pritchett, a physician and surgeon, at Bethalto, on January 20, 1876, and soon thereafter came with him to Nebraska. Dr. Pritchett, who was born at Fidelity, Illinois, August 25, 1848, died at Fairbury, July 28, 1916. There was one son, Albert Homer, born December 15, 1876, who died July 25, 1877.
Dr. Pritchett's first American ancestor was Johann Daniel Wendell who married a sister of John Jacob Astor. They had a daughter, Pamela, born April 8, 1794, who married Ebenezer Martin Pease. He was born December 2, 1786 in Ballston, New York. Pamela was married on March 31, 1811. Her daughter, Lydia Wendell Pease, born September 30, 1817, died at Jerseyville, Illinois, January 12, 1912. She was married to David Perry Pritchett, born March 1815 and who died September 7, 1890. They were the parents of Gilbert L. Pritchett.
Mrs. Pritchett is a member of the Fairbury Seventh Day Adventist Church and a life member of the Nebraskana Society. Her hobby is reading. Residence: Fairbury.
Rudolf Victor Prokop
Rudolph Victor Prokop, son of Joseph W. and Karolina (Kastanek) Prokop, was born in Wilber, Nebraska, September 5, 1892. His father, born at Podrezov, Kralu Kradec, Bohemia, October 30, 1859, was an early day farmer, and later operated a flour mill at Wilber, and a cattle ranch in southeastern Kansas. He came from Bohemia in 1866, and settled on a farm near Wilber. His death occurred at Lincoln on April 26, 1927. Karolina, his wife, was born at Hatline, Jindrichuv, Hradec, Bohemia, October 31, 1862, and died at Wilber, April 29, 1916.
Until 1908 Mr. Prokop attended country school nine and one-half miles northwest of Wilber, and during 1908-1909 attended Crete High School. From 1909 to 1912 he attended the Wilber High School from which he was graduated in May, 1912. In June, 1916, he received his A. B. from the University of Nebraska, and during 1915 attended the Lincoln Business College. He was president of the Komensky KIub at the University in 1915, and after graduation taught school in Dodge, Nebraska. Thereafter he taught in Clarkson, where he was superintendent of schools for several years. In 1921 he entered the banking business, and at the present time is vice president and cashier of the Hubbard State Bank.
On June 14, 1921, Mr. Prokop was married to Esther Marie Wolf at Schuyler, Nebraska. Mrs. Prokop was born at Clarkson, September 8, 1901, of Bohemian descent. To them were born three children, one of whom, Rudolf, born October 20, 1922, died on October 21, 1922.
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Carolyn, born July 7, 1928, and Joseph Vincent, born August 7, 1930, are living.
Mr. Prokop is a Democrat. He served in the United States Navy in the World War, and was member of Y. M. C. A. and loan drives committees. He is a member of the American Legion, the Red Cross, National Geographic Society, Nebraskana Society, and Blue Valley Lodge of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons at Wilber. He enjoys traveling. Residence: Wilber.
Louis Anton Proskovec
Louis A. Proskovec was born at Bruno, Butler County, Nebraska, January 18, 1889, the son of Vaclav Anton and Elizabeth Marie (Hlavac) Proskovec. Vaclav Proskovec, who is a business man, was born at Stryvkovice, Czechoslovakia, May 28, 1856; he and Mrs. Proskovec came to America, in 1870, the former dying at the age of 94 years and the latter at the age of 88. The mother of Louis A. Proskovec who was born at Maly, Porezany, February 14, 1863, came to this country in 1870.
Dr. Proskovec attended the Bruno public schools until his graduation in 1906; was granted the B. S. degree in 1910, by Fremont Normal College; and received the Ph. G. degree there in 1911. He was graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1919, with the degrees A. B. and D. D. S., and held membership in Xi Psi Phi. He served as principal of the Bruno schools for 9 years, and for the past 12 years has been engaged in the practice of dentistry at Schuyler, Colfax County, Nebraska.
During the World War he served in the E. M. R. C., and is now a member of the American Legion. He acted as chairman of the school board at Schuyler, 1928-29; is a member of the Nebraskana Society; and holds membership in the Chamber of Commerce and the Lions Club. His professional organizations include the Nebraska State Dental Association; and the American Dental Association. Politically, he is Republican.
On September 6, 1916, he was united in marriage with Ema Josephine Suchy, at Fremout, Nebraska. Mrs. Proskovec, who was born at Morse Bluff, Nebraska, May 20, 1893, was a school teacher and dental assistant before her marriage. Their children are: Marcella, born August 8, 1919; and Gloria, born July 4, 1926. Residence: Schuyler.
George C. Proud
George C. Proud, one of the leading lawyers of Furnas County, Nebraska, has been a resident of this state all his life and is today active in the professional life of Arapahoe. He was born in Frontier County, Nebraska, January 2, 1890, the son of John and Harriet Townsley Proud, the former a retired farmer who was born at Long Island, New York, November 18, 1851; his ancestry is Scotch, Irish, and English. His mother was born at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, October 19, 1856. Her parents came to Hamilton County and later came to Frontier County.
Mr. Proud was graduated from the high school at Holbrook, Nebraska, in 1906, and in 1910 was graduated from the Uiversity (sic) of Nebraska Law School where he received the LL. B. degree. He has been engaged in law practice at Arapahoe since his admission to the bar in 1912. He is a member of the Furnas County Soldiers Relief Commission, the Arapahoe Rotary Club, the Nebraska State Bar Association, and the Community Club.
He is secretary civilian relief of the Furnas County Chapter of the American Red Cross, is affiliated with St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and has served as a member of the School Board. He is a Mason. During the World War Mr. Proud was commissioned a first lieutenant of infantry at Fort Snelling and Camp Dodge; he organized the American Legion at Arapahoe and served as its commander for a number of years. His sports include tennis, basketball, golf, horseback riding.
On June 8, 1918, he was married to Florence Josephine French at Des Moines, Iowa, Mrs. Proud, whose ancestry is French and German, was born at Des Moines, February 3, 1892. Their son, Richard F., was born January 19, 1922. Residence: Arapahoe.
Robert Morton Proudfit
Robert M. Proudfit, distinguished lawyer and judge of Nebraska, has lived in this state for the past 49 years and has been engaged in the practice of law since 1892. He was born at Rockford, Winnebago County, Illinois, April 30, 1862, the son of Eliza Philena (Cilley) and Robert Proudfit. His father, who was a farmer and cooper, was born in York County, Pennsylvania, December 26, 1814, and died at St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, October 26, 1896; his Scotch grandfather came to America in 1754. His mother was born August 14, 1823, and died at Virden, Macoupin County, Illinois, March 13, 1870. She was a teacher and home maker; her ancestry was English.
Judge Proudfit attended the grade schools of Virden, Illinois, and in 1878 was graduated from the high school there. He obtained the rest of his education through private study. He was admitted to the practice of law in the Supreme Court of Nebraska, 1894; in the United States district and circuit courts, 1895; and in the Supreme Court of the United States and the Interior and Treasury Departments of the United States in 1901.
He began his business career as a salesman in a general mercanitle (sic) establishment in 1881, and in 1884 entered the First National Bank of Friend, Nebraska, where he remained as bookkeeper and assistant cashier until January 1, 1904. From that date until 1924 he engaged in general law practice. He was elected district judge in 1924 and was re-elected to this position in 1928; has held various city and school district offices; and has always been keenly interested in the political life of the country and civic affairs in general.
During the World War Judge Proudfit acted as county chairman of the Saline County Chapter of the Red Cross and took part in the sale of war bonds. He is a member of the American Bar Association; Nebraska State Bar Association; and the American Judicature Society. He holds membership in the State Historical Society and the Nebraskana Society. He is a member of Friend Camp No. 439 of the Modern Woodmen of America and of Friend Lodge Number 73 of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He is a member of the First Baptist Church of Friend. He was formerly active in baseball and tennis. His hobby is reading. He is a Republican.
His marriage to Ida Mae Dorwart was solemnized at Friend, August 28, 1889. Mrs. Proudfit, who is an efficient home builder, was at one time a teacher. She was born at North English, Iowa, September 17, 1865; her ancestry is German and English. They have three children: Helen Mae, born June 2, 1891, who married Windom A. Rosene; Robert Watson, born November 1, 1892, who married Margarita Carpenter; and Winifred Kent, born April 18, 1906, who married Robert Irving McWilliams.
Helen Mae, after completing her college course at Grand Island College taught in the Friend High School until her marriage in 1914, and is now living at Callaway, Nebraska, where her husband is superintendent of city schools. Robert Watson, after completing his college course at Grand Island College, was graduated from the College of Law at the University of Nebraska; in 1917 he enlisted in the United States Army and served as lieutenant in the Rainbow Division in France, in a machine gun battalion; he is now engaged in the practice of law at Los Angeles, California, where he is the junior member of the firm Swanwick, Donnelly, and Proudfit. Winifred Kent was graduated from Grand Island College in 1928, and is now living in Los Angeles, where her husband is studying law at the University of Southern California. Residence: Friend.
Vincent Joseph Prucha
Vincent Joseph Prucha, son of Joseph and Tina (Volenec) Prucha, was born in Bohemia, Chechoslovakia (sic), August 14, 1871. His father who was born at Kutna Hora, Bohemia, November 11, 1844, is a cabinet maker. His mother, who was born in Chechozlovakia (sic), died there in 1873.
From his earliest years Vincent Prucha spent most of his time in his father's cabinet factory, and was taught the trade. At the age of 17 he came to America, and upon arriving in New York learned the cigar business. In 1893 he opened a cigar factory with his uncle, Louis Prucha, at Perry, Oklahoma, and on July 1, 1894 opened a factory at Crete, which he still operates.
He was married to Francis Sedlacek at Wilber, Nebraska, May 21, 1896. Mrs. Prucha was born at Crete, December 15, 1872. They have two sons, Otto, born February 19, 1897, who is associated with the Addressograph Company at Denver; and Walter, born July 10, 1900, who married Nellia Morris. He is a machinist with the Union Pacific Railroad at Omaha.
Mr. Prucha is an outstanding citizen of Crete, where he is active in civic and community affairs. His main hobby is the training and trimming of trees, and rock garden work. He is an excellent landscape artist, and his home at Crete, Nebraska, is filled with beautiful examples of his art, particularly evergreen trees which he has trained and shaped in the forms of animals, birds, etc. His home is on one of Nebraska's main highways, and those traveling past it, throughout the Middle West, pause to admire it. Residence: Crete. (Photograph in Album).
Francis John Pryor, 3rd
Francis John Pryor 3rd, Episcopal clergyman, was born at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 23, 1904, son of Francis John Pryor, Jr., and Florence Ella (Smith) Pryor.
Francis John Pryor, Jr., was born in Philadelphia, July 22, 1866, and died there, on April 11, 1926. He attended the University of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in 1887, and was treasurer, for a number of years, of the American Gas and Electric Power Company. English on the paternal side, his ancestors settled in Virginia during the 17th century. On the maternal side, he was Pennsylvania Dutch. His wife, Florence Ella, was born in Philadelphia, June 8, 1866, and is still living. She was educated in Quaker School in Philadelphia, and was a graduate of the School of Design for women, there. She descended from Welsh and Swedish settlers in Pennsylvania.
The Reverend Mr. Pryor attended the S. B. Huey School in Philadelphia, and was graduated from The Episcopal Academy at Overbrook, Pennsylvania, in 1922. In 1926, he received the Bachelor of Science degree from Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut, and afterward, during 1926 to 1929, was a student at the Berkeley Divinity Schol (sic) at New Haven, Connecticut. He is a member of Delta Psi, and during the years 1923, 1924, 1925, and 1926, was a member of the football and baseball team.
Ordained in the diocese of Pennsylvania, on May 27, 1929, by the Rt. Rev. Thomas J. Garland, Doctor of Divinity, Mr. Pryor was priest-in-charge of St. Elizabeth's Mission at Holdrege and St. Mathew's Mission at Farnam, during 1929 and 1930. During 1930 and 1931, he was secretary of convocation, Diocese of Western Nebraska. At the present time he is rector of the Church of Our Savior at North Platte. He is a member of the Ministerial Association.
On June 17, 1929, he was married to Etta Marian Kart at Buffalo, New York. Mrs. Pryor was born at Buffalo, February 7, 1908, of German ancestry. Their one daughter, Susan Pryor, was born at Holdrege, May 3, 1930.
Mr. Pryor is a Republican. He is a member of the Platte Valley Lodge No. 32, Ancient Free and Acccepted (sic) Masons, the executive council of the DeMolay, the Red Cross, and the Nebraskana Society. He enjoys golf and tennis, while his hobbies are chess and reading. Residence: North Platte.
Jerome Martin Pucelik
Jerome Martin Pucelik, dentist at Spencer, Nebraska, is a lifelong resident of this state. He was born at Dodge, Nebraska, April 21, 1895, the son of Thomas and Kristina (Dostal) Pucelik. His father, a farmer, was born in Czechoslovakia, December 21, 1861, and came to America in 1881. His mother, whose parents were pioneers in Cuming County, Nebraska, was born at Racine, Wisconsin, December 6, 1868, and died at Spencer, May 14, 1931.
Dr. Puselik was graduated from the Spencer High School in 1913, received the D. D. S. degree at the University of Nebraska in 1918 where he was a member of Delta Sigma Delta, and was a rural school teacher for two years in Boyd County. He is director in the Spencer State Bank, is a landowner in Boyd County, and since 1918 has been engaged in the practice of dentistry at Spencer.
He has served as scoutmaster of the Boy Scouts of America for the past 10 years, acting as scout commissioner for a year, has served as chairman of the local School Board, and is a member of the Spencer Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Pucelik is secretary-treasurer of the North East Nebraska Dental Study Club, and holds membership in the Nebraska State Dental Society and the American Dental Association. His hobby is mechanics while his favorite sports are golf and baseball.
On June 30, 1926, he married Lola Meryl Brinkerhoff at Mitchell, South Dakota. Mrs. Pucelik, who was born at Extra, Iowa, March 14, 1897, is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She served as vice president of the Woman's Club during 1929-30, and is now president of that organization. They have a daughter, Patricia, born June 10, 1928. Residence: Spencer.
John Louis Pucelik
John L. Pucelik was born at Dodge, Nebraska, June 21, 1898, the son of Thomas and Christina Pucelik. He was graduated from the Spencer High School, Spencer, Nebraska, in 1916, and in 1922 received his D. D. S. degree at the University of Nebraska. He was a member of the "N" Club, the Innocents, the student council, Alpha Sigma Phi, and Delta Sigma Delta, at the University of Nebraska, where he also took an active part in football during 1919-20-21.
He began the practice of dentistry at South Sioux City, in 1922, and has been active there in his profession since that date. In 1924, he served as president of the Chamber of Commerce, and he now holds membership in the Nebraskana Society, Masons, and the American Legion, of which he was commander in 1930.
He is married to Doris Carrol Knowlton, who was a dramatic instructor. Mrs. Pucelik was born at South Sioux City. Residence: South Sioux City.
Edwin Puls
Edwin Puls, educator, was born at Buffalo, New York, August 27, 1885. He is the son of Ferdinand Henry Puls, noted newspaper man and ornithologist, who was born at Buffalo, October 7, 1843, and died there January 25, 1926. Ferdinand Puls married Clara Bocckmann, also a native of Buffalo, born in 1853, who died there in August, 1918.
On completion of his preliminary education, Edwin Puls was graduated from Masten Park High School at Buffalo; he received a B. O. degree at the Buffalo School of Speech Arts, and an M. O. from Valpariso University)
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where he was president of his senior class and active in dramatics. He also received a letter in track from that university. Mr. Pals attended Cornell University and Keuka College.
His teaching career has covered positions as professor at Bellevue College, Central High School, the Young Men's Christian Association, the Young Men's Hebrew Association, the Knights of Columbus, the American Banking Institute, the Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Ad-Sell League, the Presbyterian Theological Seminary and Creighton University, of which last he is assistant professor of speech.
Mr. Puls was married to Lucile Tully at Charleston, West Virginia, on July 15, 1918. Mrs. Puls was born at Divide, West Virginia, February 28, 1891. Their son, Rodney, died January 11, 1922, at the age of fourteen months. They have a daughter, Virginia Maurine, born January 27, 1923.
Professor Puls is the author of a pocket manual of speech education, Personal Power Through Expression, and an article Speech Training for Business Men, which appeared in the Quarterly Journal of Speech.
He is a member of the Omaha Young Men's Christian Association, and during the World War was a Y worker at Camp Travis, San Antonio, Texas; a three minute speaker and physical director in the Students Army Training Corps. He is a member of the Bellevue Parent Teachers' Association, and the Bellevue Men's Club, of which he was president from 1926-28. He attends Bellevue Presbyterian Church, and is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Speech. His sports are hiking and handball, and his hobby is his men's Bible class. Residence: Bellevue.
Edward Thomas Purinton
Edward Thomas Purinton, farmer and stock raiser, was born at Hartford, Connecticut, July 30, 1872, son of Joseph Davenport and Jane Elizabeth (Coombs) Purinton.
The father was born in Hartford, January 12, 1846, and is a retired farmer now residing at Everett, Washington. His wife, Jane, was born at Coirain, Massachusetts, May 4, 1848. Her ancestors came over in the Mayflower; a great, great grandfather, Colonel Hugh McClellan, fought in the Revolution. In the early days he mustered a group of minute men and drilled them and they elected him captain, and when the Lexington alarm was given in 1775 they marched to Charleston, Massachusetts, and in April, 1777, marched to Saratoga and were in the battle fought there and were present at the surrender of Burgoyne (facts on record at the state house at Boston, Massachusetts). She is a distant relative of John Adams, president of the United States.
Mr. Purinton was graduated from Seward High School, and later attended Lincoln Normal College. He has been a farmer for many years. He is a Republican, and active in party politics, a member of the Congregational Church of Cambridge, of the Modern Woodmen, and the local school board. His favorite sport is hiking.
His marriage to Grace Ella Hutchison, daughter of V. T. and Cora B. Hutchison, occurred at Wilcox, Nebraska, April 16, 1911. Mrs. Purinton was born in Harlan County, Nebraska, August 17, 1885, a granddaughter of a Civil War veteran, Charles H. Potter, who died at Wilcox, August 1, 1931. They have two children living and one deceased, Elizabeth, born May 29, 1916; Helen, born April 17, 1918, and died September 23, 1930, of infantile paralysis; and Edward, born December 12, 1920. Residence: Cambridge.
Walter George Purtzer
Born at Lindsey, Nebraska, January 29, 1896, Walter George Purtzer has lived in this state all his life. John Purtzer, his father, who is a harness maker, was born at Evanston, Indiana, June 17, 1865, of German parentage. He is a Republican, Mary (Born) Purtzer, his mother, was born in Germany, October 20, and died at Madison, Nebraska, October 2, 1915.
Mr. Purtzer was graduated from high school at Lindsay, Nebraska in 1912. He owned a barber shop at Madison for several years, and in 1924 was elected clerk of the district court there on the Republican ticket. He still maintains the latter position. He is a member of Rotary International at Norfolk, the Community Club at Madison, and the Madison Firemen's Association. He is vice-chairman of the Welfare Board, is affiliated with Trinity Lutheran Evangelical Church, and holds membership in the Nebraskana Society. He is president of the Nebraska Clerks of District Court Association.
He served in the World War as a private for 17 months with the 34th Division, 134th Infantry at Camp Cody, New Mexico. He saw foreign service with the 103rd Infantry. At this time Mr. Purtzer is a member of two American Legion posts. His sports are baseball, golf, hunting, and football.
On August 17, 1920, he was married to Ruth Olive Davis at Lincoln. Mrs. Purtzer, who was formerly a school teacher, was born at Essex, Iowa, November 1, 1900, daughter of Benjamin F. and Maude (Pritchard) Davis. Her parents were farmers. Three children were born to them, Horace Chester, on July 19, 1921; Jean Walter, on August 17, 1924; and Dean Davis, on February 13, 1926. Residence: Madison. (Photograph in Album).
Frederick Arthur Putnam
Frederick Arthur Putnam, banker, came to this state in 1871, and has spent most of his life in Boyd County. He was born at Gratiot, Michigan, January 21, 1869, the son of Eri Carlton, and Eliza (Goodrich) Putnam. His father, whose ancestry was English, was born in Jefferson County, New York, January 12, 1812, and died at Ute, Iowa, August 26, 1896; he served as postmaster at Warren, Nebraska, from 1873 to 1877. His mother, of Pennsylvania Dutch descent, was born at Courtland, New York, in May, 1841, and died at Soldier, Iowa, May 11, 1904.
Mr. Putnam taught in the rural schools for a time, engaged in farming, was cashier of the Peoples Bunk of Naper, Nebraska, served as cashier of the Citizens State Bank of Bute, Nebraska, and is now cashier of the First National Bank of Naper. He served as county clerk of Boyd County for four years, was county treasurer, by appointment, from January to December, 1904, and was elected county treasurer in 1914-1918.
He holds membership in the Modern Woodmen of America, the Royal Highlanders, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Madison County Historical Society. He is treasurer of the local school board at Naper, and holds membership in the Nebraskana Society. Mr. Putnam acted as representative to the Nebraska Legislature in the 47th Session. He is independent, politically.
He was united in marriage with Florence Gertrude Sanders at Scottville, Nebraska, November 2, 1892. Mrs. Putnam, whose ancestry is English, was born at Granite Falls, Minnesota, November 11, 1872. They have the following children: Ruth, born December 21, 1893, who married John Milton Johnson; Walter, born January 28, 1896, who died July 16, 1896; Eugene, born June 10, 1897, who married Gladys Andersen; Carlton, born October 21, 1900; Fred, born April 1, 1904, who married Alice Samuelson; Dorothy, born February 4, 1907; Wayne, born March 22, 1910, who was killed in an airplane crash at Wayne, Nebraska, May 24, 1931; Woodrow, born April 24, 1913, who died May 26, 1917; and Ward, born April 25, 1916. Residence: Naper.
Forest Bourne Putney
A lawyer at Tilden, Nebraska since 1894, Forest Bourne Putney has been a resident of this state for the past sixty-one years. He was born at Strawberry Point,
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Iowa, October 12, 1857, the son of William Wallace and Rosina (Bates) Putney. His father, who was a farmer and civic leader, served as county clerk of Antelope County, Nebraska, from 1871 to 1875, and was a member of the legislature of Nebraska in 1880; he was born at Villenova Township, New York, March 6, 1884, and died at Neligh, Nebraska, December 19, 1912. His English ancestors came to America in 1737, and he is descended from Joseph Putney of New York, who was born in 1758. Judge Putney traces his ancestors direct to John Alden, of Puritan fame. Each Christmas time judge Putney writes to each of his grandchildren a story of his early boyhood in Nebraska, and the letters when completed will be a very interesting volume.
Rosina (Bates) Putney, mother of Forest L. Putney, was born at Stockton, New York, October 27, 1828, and died at Neligh, Nebraska, February 18, 1912. She was the daughter of Roswell Bates, a farmer, and a soldier in the War of 1812; her ancestry was English.
Judge Putney has been a farmer and editor of distinction, and since 1894 has been one of the leading lawyers of Madison County, Nebraska. He is the author of Four Chapters of Antelope County History, and was formerly the editor of the Oakdale Journal and the Willapa Republican, published at Willapa, Washington. A Republican, he has been prominent in political affairs for many years and has held the following positions: member of the legislature of Washington; county judge of Madison County; member of the Board of Education of Tilden ten years; city attorney of Tilden for 25 years; and a member of the Madison County Council of Defense. He is a member of the Nebraskana Society.
He was united in marriage with Edith Hortense Wallington at Willapa, Washington, November 29, 1891. Mrs. Putney, who was born at Detroit, Michigan, January 18, 1872, and died at Tilden, February 15, 1902, is the daughter of Frederick and Sarah (Brown) Wallington; her ancestry is English.
Their children are: Fred W., born September 19, 1892, at Willapa, Washington, who married Cornelia Fraizer of Lincoln, Nebraska; William W., born December 2, at Oakdale, Nebraska, married Hazel Snell of Lincoln, Nebraska, daughter of the president of the Midwest Life Insurance Company of Lincoln; Leila G., born July 14, 1895, at Tilden, Nebraska, who married Lloyd E. Whitney; and Edward M., born July 12, 1898, at Tilden, Nebraska, who married Lois Shepherd of Lincoln, Nebraska. William W. is president of The Midwest Life Insurance Company of Lincoln, Nebraska. Residence: Tilden.
William Griffey Putney
William Griffey Putney, president of the Bank of Cedar Bluffs, was born at Ithaca, Nebraska, June 14, 1870, son of George Jewett and Elvira Maria (Griffey) Putney. George J. Putney was born at Conneaut, Ohio, November 5, 1844, and was a homesteader and farmer in Saunders County in 1867. He served four years in the 29th Ohio Regiment of Volunteer Infantry in the Civil War, and died at Wahoo, January 5, 1914. He was of English and Scotch descent, his ancestors having come to Massachusetts in 1685, and Vermont about 1700. His wife, Elvira, was born at Cherry Hill, Pennsylvania, February 13, 1845, and died at Wahoo, December 18, 1923. A teacher prior to marriage, she was of English, Welsh and German descent.
Mr. Putney received his elementary education in the rural schools of Saunders County, and was graduated from Wahoo High School on May 29, 1889. He later attended Elliott's Business College at Burlington, Iowa, and Fremont Normal College.
On March 8, 1893, Mr. Putney was married to Myrtella Eoline Bellows at Grant, Nebraska. Born at Arcade, New York, July 26, 1870, Mrs. Putney is descended from English settlers in Massachusetts, in 1635, and from one line of early French emigrants. She was a piano teacher prior to her marriage. There is one daughter, Vera L., born December 27, 1895, unmarried.
A teacher in earlier years, Mr. Putney taught in Elliott's Business College in 1892, and in rural schools. He was superintendent of schools at Weston 10 years and at Cedar Bluffs eleven years. He has also engaged in farming, and is president of the Bank of Cedar Bluffs. A Democrat, he served two regular and two special sessions in the Nebraska House of Representatives, and was unsuccessful candidate for county superintendent its 1916.
During the World War he was a Four Minute Man and took part in all loan drives, and is a member of the Nebraska State Teachers Association, the State Historical Society, and the Sons of Veterans. He is a member and elder in the First Presbyterian Church, and a leader in religious activities. His fraternal memberships include the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Royal Arch Masons, Knights Templar and Shrine, and the Knights of Pythias. He enjoys golf and hunting. Residence: Cedar Bluffs.
William Wallace Putney
William W. Putney, insurance executive, was born at Oakdale, Nebraska, December 2, 1893, and has lived in this state all his life. Forest Lilbourne Putney, his father, who was born at Strawberry Point, Clayton County, Iowa, October 12, 1857, is a lawyer, editor, and educator. He served as state representative from Pacific County, Washington; was city attorney at Tilden, Nebraska, for 30 years; and served as county judge of Madison County, Nebraska. He is descended from Joseph Putney of Oneida County, New York; Salmon Putney of Chautauqua County, New York; and William Putney. His English ancestors came to this country in 1635.
Edith Hortense (Wallington) Putney, mother of William, was born at Detroit, Michigan, January 18, 1872, and died at Tilden, Nebraska, February 45 (sic), 1902. She taught in a private school in Pacific County, Michigan; before her marriage. Frederick Wallington and Sara (Brown) Wallington, her parents, were both born in London, England. Her father was assistant general baggage master for the Michigan Central Railroad several years.
Mr. Putney attended the public schools of Tilden, and was a student in the summer sessions of Colorado and Nebraska colleges. He was secretary and treasurer of the Star Van & Storage Company, 1919 to 1923; and from 1923 to 1927, was assistant secretary of The Midwest Life Insurance Company of Lincoln. Since 1927, he has been president of The Midwest Life Insurance Company.
On December 19, 1921, he was married to Hazel Frost Snell at Lincoln. Mrs. Putney was born at Lincoln, December 28, 1889. Prior to her marriage she was director of the public school extension department at Lincoln. Two children were born to their union: Hazel Patricia, born April 24, 1923; and Snell Wallace, born February 27, 1929.
Mr. Putney served as a member of the National Guard, 1913-14, and in 1917, enlisted in the 7th Nebraska Regiment, but was not called for service. In May, 1918, was called into active service and served until war ended. He took part in various loan drives during the war, and is at this time a member of the American Legion. His membership in civic organizations includes the Red Cross, Community Chest, Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, the Nebraskana Society, and the Kiwanis Club of which he was a director in 1929 and 1930. He holds membership in the Young in 1929 and 1930. He holds membership in the Young Men's Christian Association, is a Mason, Scottish Rite, Shrine. Among his social clubs are the University Club; and Eastridge Country Club, both of Lincoln.
He is affiliated with All Soul's Unitarian Church at Lincoln, and devotes a great deal of his time to the welfare of his community. He likes to hunt and fish. His favorite recreation is reading. Politically, Mr. Putney is a Republican. Residence: Lincoln.
