Soren Nielsen Soelberg
Soren Nielsen Soelberg, a successful merchant and manufacturer at Elba, Nebraska, was born at Randers, Denmark, May 18, 1883, the son of Hans Nielsen and Inger Marie (Christensen) Soelberg. His father, who was a rope manufacturer, was born at Randers, March 22, 1852. His mother was born at Hjorring, Denmark, May 21, 1853.
Mr. Soelberg was graduated from the Randers High School in 1899, and later studied business at Randers. He learned the grocery trade in Denmark, and after his arrival in America clerked in a store at St. Paul, Nebraska, for a year. He served as clerk at Elba, from 1908 to 1909, bought an interest in the Nysted Store a year later, and in 1917 started a general merchandise store at Elba. He is also owner of the Elba Broom Factory.
He is a member of the Nebraska Retailers Association, the Danish Brotherhood, the Red Cross, and the Nebraskana Society. He is affiliated with the Danish Lutheran Church. From 1912 to 1917 Mr. Soelberg served as postmaster at Nysted. His hobby is reading.
On November 30, 1911, he married Mette Marie Henriksen at Elba. Mrs. Soelberg was born at Randers, April 9, 1884. Their children are: Margrethe, born November 28, 1912; and Lavern, January 3, 1925. Residence: Elba. (Photograph in Album).
Vallora Bundy Solts
Vallora B. Solts, clerk of the district court at Beatrice, Gage County, Nebraska, has lived in this state for the past 24 years and has been prominent during that time in civic service. He was born at Iodana, Clay County, Kansas, May 23, 1887, the son of James Henry and Mary Elizabeth (Bundy) Solts. His father, who is retired, was born in Jo Davies County, Illinois, Indiana (sic), May 4, 1852, and lives at Morganville, Clay County, Kansas. His mother was born November 20, 1858, and lives at Morganville, Kansas.
Mr. Solts attended the public school at Beatrice and later studied at Northwestern Business College, Beatrice. From 1910 to 1924 he served as cashier for the Iowa-Nebraska Public Service Company, during 1924 was assistant to the city clerk of Beatrice. From 1924 to 1930 he was deputy clerk of the district court; he was elected to the office of clerk of the district court November 4, 1930.
He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce at Beatrice, the Parent Teachers Association, the Red Cross, and the Nebraskana Society. He is affiliated with the Methodist Church and holds membership in the Elks, Eagles, and Odd Fellows. His sports include fishing, baseball, and football. He is a Democrat.
His marriage to Zilpah Beatrice Skinner, was solemnized at Beatrice, March 11, 1914. They have one daughter, Jane Virginia, born October 4, 1920. Residence: Beatrice.
S. E. Sorensen
S. E. Sorensen, cashier of the Farmer's State Bank of Rockville, was born in Howard County, Nebraska, January 1, 1884, son of Hans and Johanna (Paulsen) Sorensen.
His father, who is a retired farmer and banker, was born in Denmark. His mother, born in Denmark also, died in Howard County, in September, 1888.
Mr. Sorensen was graduated from Broken Bow Business College in 1908, was a grain buyer for the Hord Grain Company from 1908-12, and from 1912-19 was in the hardware business for himself. Since 1919 he has been cashier of the Farmers State Bank.
He was married on September 12, 1911, to Marie Hehnke at Grand Island, and to them two children were born: Lillian, on September 4, 1912; and Dorothy on April 12, 1914. Lillian is a teacher, while Dorothy is in high school.
Mr. Sorensen is a Democrat. He has been city Clerk for the past twenty years, is a member of the Cornunity Church of Rockville, the Odd Fellows, Masons, and The Nebraskana Society. His favorite sport is golf. Residence: Rockville.
Thomas Sorensen
Thomas Sorenson, son of Nels and Anna (Goderum) Sorenson, was born at Gantrup, Jutland, Denmark, September 8, 1874. His father, born at Bjerreherred, Denmark, died at Sondervissing, Denmark, January 10, 1901. His mother, who was born at Voerlodegaard, Skov, Denmark, died at Sondervissing, July 25, 1923.
Educated in the public and high schools of Denmark, Thomas Sorenson came to Nebraska twenty-four years ago, and has gained much prominence in his community. Primarily a farmer, he has taken an active part in local Democratic polities, is moderator of the school board, a director of the Farmers Union store, and the Community Hall, and is active in his church, the Lutheran Church of Hardy. Mr. Sorenson is also a member of the Odd Fellows and the Rebekahs, and is a life member of The Nebraskana Society.
On January 25, 1902, he was united in marriage to Magdalena Elizabeth Simonsen, at Rankin, Illinois. Mrs. Sorenson, who was born at Synderjutland, Denmark, May 5, 1872, comes from a line of farmers. There were six children born to this union, Nels, born October 8, 1902, who married Marie Hansen; William, born April 18, 1905; Mabel, born December 30, 1907; Helen, born November 20, 1911; Harry, born March 27, 1913; and Gladys, born January 20, 1919. Nels and William are farming, Harry attends the university, and Mabel and Helen are teaching. Residence: Hardy.
J. Marenus Sorensen
J. Marenus Sorensen, banker of Dodge County, Nebraska, has lived in this state all his life and is prominent in civic and business affairs at Fremont. He was born at Ord, Valley County, Nebraska, June 20, 1890, the son of Lars and Anna (Olsen) Sorensen. His father, who was a farmer, was born in Denmark, January 16, 1850, and died at Long Beach, Los Angeles, California. His mother died at Oxnard, Ventura County, California, in March, 1929.
Mr. Sorensen attended country school and later was a student at Fremont Normal School. He is now vice president of the Stephens National Bank at Fremont, treasurer of the Fremont State Company, and secretary-treasurer of the Fremont Mortgage Company of Fremont.
He was married to Marie Peterson at Fremont, June 24, 1922. Mrs. Sorensen was born at Fremont, March 18, 1892. They have the following children: Robert M., born December 31, 1924; William Edward, born May 12, 1927; and Howard A., born June 1, 1930.
Mr. Sorensen was a member of the Nebraska National Guard, discharged as private; entered the World War and was discharged as sergeant, and was active in Liberty loan drives. He has been adjutant of the American Legion for two years and finance officer for the same time. He is a member of the Dodge County Bankers' Association, the Nebraska Bankers' Association, and is president of the First Nebraska Regional Clearing House Association. He was vice president of the American Bankers Association from Nebraska, in 1930; is a member of the executive council of the Nebraska Bankers Association, former chairman of the regional clearing house committee, and is chairman of the bank management committee.
He is former president of the Dodge County Chapter of the Red Cross, has been president of the Young Men's Christian Association for three years, and is a member of the board of directors of the latter. He served as president of the Kiwanis Club, 1929, and has served as treasur-
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er and director. His fraternal organizations include the Knighs (sic) of Pythias and the Masons.
Mr. Sorensen is a Republican. He is affiliated with the First Baptist Church of Fremont, and is vice president of the Nebraska Baptist Convention. Residence: Fremont. (Photograph in Album).
Charles O. Soules
Charles O. Soules, farmer, was born at Wichita, Kansas, August 31, 1873, son of Oscar and Ellen Jane (Tosser) Soules. His father, born in Vigo County, Indiana, September 10, 1837, died in Lincoln County, Nebraska, April 20, 1906.
He was a farmer, a private in Lieutenant H. S. Millers Company (Company D, First Regiment of Indiana Cavalry, and served from July 4, 1861 until July 3, 1864. He was the son of William and Almira (Baker) Soules, who were married June 25, 1820. He was born February 28, 1796, and she on September 6, 1800.
Ellen Jane Tosser was a native of Kentucky, born December 8, 1851, and who died in Lincoln County, Nebraska, December 30, 1907. She was the daughter of David and Elmira Tosser.
Educated in country schools, Mr. Soules afterward engaged in the automobile business in Gothenburg for about sixteen years. He has since engaged in farming. He was married to Mary Bertha Middleton at Pleasant Valley, Lincoln County, Nebraska, on June 8, 1898.
Mrs. Soules was born at Troy, Iowa, November 22, 1877, daughter of Clarinda Lee Middleton. Her grandfather was Daniel Lee and her great grandfather Daniel Lee. They had one son, Willis, born November 27, 1901, who died April 19, 1924.
Mr. Soules was active in Red Cross and Liberty loan drives during the World War period. Politically, he is a Republican. He is a member of Banner Methodist Episcopal Church, the Banner Community Club and the Nebraskana Society. His hobby is purebred Hereford cattle. Residence: Gothenburg.
Miriam Southwell
Miriam Southwell, one of the leading educators of Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, has lived in this state for the past 23 years. She was born at College Springs, Iowa, October 22, 1875, the daughter of Adam and Ann Corrett (Haskin) Grimes. Her father, who was a lawyer and probate judge in South Dakota, died at Des Moines, Iowa, in November, 1931; he served as county attorney of Charles Mix County, South Dakota, and was an outstanding figure in the professional affairs of his community.
Mrs. Southwell was graduated from high school in Iowa, and later studied at Chadron Normal College and the University of Nebraska where she held membership in Pi Gamma Mu. She is county superintendent of schools in Scotts Bluff County at this time, is active in the Order of Eastern Star, and holds membership in the National Educational Association, the Nebraska State Teachers Association, and is president of the Nebraska Women's Educational Club. She is affiliated with the St. Andrews Episcopal Church of Scottsbluff. Mrs. Southwell is a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was married to William Southwell at Wheeler, South Dakota, November 3, 1892. They have three children, Horace C., born October 6, 1893, who is a graduate of the University of Nebraska; Miriam Grace, born February 6, 1897, who married Millard J. Kittell; William Glenn, born April 5, 1900. Both boys saw active service in the navy during the World War. Residence: Gering.
Peter Spahn
Peter Spahn, general merchant at Culbertson, was born at Norka, Russia, and has been a resident of Nebraska since 1892. His father, George Spahn, was born in Norka, November 5, 1861, and came to the United States in 1892. He is a retired farmer. His wife was born in Norka, October 3, 1861, and died at McCook, Nebraska, April 4, 1930.
Mr. Spahn attended public school and since 1903 has been a general store manager for Conrad Walker at Culbertson, Nebraska. He is a Republican.
He was married to Lydia Wacker at Culbertson, Nebraska, on June 3, 1903. Mrs. Spahn was born at Culbertson, Nebraska, August 4, 1885. She is of German ancestry. Their children are as follows, Myrtle, Glen, Leona, Henrietta, Marcella, Gerald, Bernice and Richard.
He is a member of the Evangelical Church and the local school board. His hobby is work. Residence: Culbertson.
Edward Henry Spangler
Edward H. Spangler, master farmer of Cass County, was born at Plattsmouth, July 24, 1875. His father, Henry Spangier, who was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, March 8, 1832, and died at Plattsmouth, August 5, 1907, was of German descent. Mary (Wadel) Spanglcr, his mother, was born at Hessen, Darmstadt, Germany, September, 4 1839, and died at Plattsmouth, April 4, 1925.
Mr. Spangler has been a resident of Nebraska for 55 years. During this time he has farmed, and was a master farmer of 1929. He is treasurer of the Co-operative Creamery Company, a director of the school board, and a member of the farm board.
He married Nellie Jean at Plattsmouth. Mrs. Spangler, who was born at Plattsmouth, August 5, 1884, is of French ancestry. There are two children: Jean Henry, born August 4, 1908, who is a recent graduate of the University of Nebraska; and Richard, born September 27, 1913, a graduate of the Plattsmouth High School.
Mr. Spangler is a Democrat. He is a member of the Red Cross, the Chamber of Commerce, The Nebraskana Society, and the United Brethern Church of Mynard. He is a Rotarian. His hobby is reading. Residence: Mynard.
Martin L. Sparks
A leading physician of Franklin County, Nebraska, is Dr. Martin L. Sparks, who was born at Martha, Kentucky, April 4, 1863, the son of Levi J. and Policy E. (Gambill) Sparks. His father, who was a physician, was born at Moelka, Kentucky, and died at Blaine, Kentucky.
Dr. Sparks attended school at Blaine, and received his professional education at Louisville Medical College in Kentucky, receiving his degree at Louisville in 1905. He has been a resident of Nebraska for the past 34 years and has practiced medicine at Bloomington since 1912. He is a member of the Franklin County Medical Society, the Nebraska State Medical Association, and the Nebraskana Society.
On February 18, 1886, he married Vessie L. Ferguson at Blaine; she was born at Blaine, October 29, 1869. To their marriage six children were born: Roy A., July 9, 1891, who married Grace McCabe; Herbert, March 30, 1894, who married Ida Kelly; Alonzo E., April 30, 1897, who married Ursel Morrhaus; Henry W., October 9, 1901, who married Pauline Holmes; Sarah E., December 13, 1904, who married Leonard Watkins; and Hillman, March 14, 1909, who married Ellanora Steck. Roy is a dentist and Alonzo is engaged in farming. Residence: Bloomington.
Edwin Josiah Spaulding
Edwin Josiah Spaulding, son of Gilman and Celia Johnson (Waterman) Spaulding, was born at Waukon, Iowa, July 28, 1862. His father, born at Dover, Maine, September 22, 1824, died at Gothenburg, December 8,
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1892. He was a lumberman of English descent. His mother, born at Foxcroft, Maine, October 27, 1831, died at Waukon, February 25, 1912. She was also of English descent.
Educated in public and high school, Edwin Josiah Spaulding lived in Iowa until March 1, 1890, when he settled in Nebraska. He has been in the hardware business for a number of years. Active in civic and community affairs, he was local treasurer of the Red Cross during the World War period. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Kiwanis Club, the Masons (32nd degree, Knights Templar and Shrine), the Gothenburg Country Club and is affiliated with the Gothenburg Methodist Church.
On August 17, 1885, Mr. Spaulding was married to Martha Mary Rowe at Waukon. She is of German descent, born at Indiana, Pennsylvania on November 26, 1863. Before marriage she was a school teacher at Waukon. There are two children, Earle, born September 1, 1890; and Caryl, born May 3, 1893. Earle, who served in the World War and was discharged as first lieutenant, was united in marriage to Elsie Jerrison, November 8, 1919, and is living at Portland, Oregon. Mrs. Earle Spaulding served as a nurse during the World War at Camp Dodge and Camp Sheridan. Caryl married A. H. Williams, October 11, 1923, and resides at Kansas City, Missouri. Earle and Caryl are both graduates of the Nebraska State University.
Mr. Spaulding is a Republican. From 1880-87 he was a member of the Iowa National Guard. His Club is the Gothenburg Club. Recently he was elected to life membership in the Nebraskana Society. Residence: Gothenburg.
Allan Dale Speir
Allan D. Speir was born at Kilmornock, Scotland, January 8, 1878. His father, James D. Speir, who was born at Edinburg, Scotland, and died at Moberly, Randolph County, Missouri, August 7, 1823, was connected with the Wabash Railroad for 42 years.
Elizabeth Jane (Roy) Speir, his mother, was born at Beth, Scotland, June 9, 1859.
Mr. Speir received his elementary education at Moberly, and later was a student at Northwestern Normal at Stemberry, Missouri. He has lived in Nebraska for over 30 years and since June, 1900, has been in the cracker business. He is now sales manager for the Iten Biscuit Company.
He was united in marriage with Charlotte Gertrude Yocum at Hastings, Adams County, Nebraska, September 26, 1905. Mrs. Speir was born at Lloydsville, Ohio, July 26, 1879.
Mr. Speir is a member of the Red Cross, the Omaha Chamber of Commerce, and the Omaha Kiwanis Club. He is a member of the Methodist Church, Ak-Sar-Ben, and U. C. T., a Mason and Shriner. His social club is the Carter Lake Club. He is a Republican. His sport is bowling. Residence: Omaha.
Karl L. Spence
Karl L. Spence, newspaper editor and publisher of Nebraska, was born at Marion, Illinois, January 30, 1889, the son of Charles and Jennie (McBride) Spence. His father, who was engaged in the real estate, banking, and lumber business, was prominent in political affairs during his residence in Webster County, Nebraska; he was born in Johnson County, Illinois, November 4, 1862, and died at Hot Springs, Arkansas, February 26, 1931.
Charles Spence traces his ancestry to ancestors who fought in General Greene's army during the Revolutionary War. His ancestry is Scotch and English. Jennie (McBride) Spence, who was a teacher before her marriage, was born at Marion, June 8, 1866. Her grandfather, Samuel McBride was born at Dublin, Ireland, in 1795, and came to America in 1810 where he settled in Tennessee. Her father, James McBride, served in the Union Army during the Civil War, and died October 17, 1929, leaving 92 direct descendants.
Mr. Spence was graduated from high school at Bladen, Nebraska, was a student at business college in Illinois, and for many years has been engaged in the newspaper business in Nebraska. He owned and published the Eagle at Upland, Nebraska, and at this time is the editor of the Northwest Nebraska News at Crawford, Nebraska. He is a member of the Nebraska State Historical Society, the Crawford Chamber of Commerce, the Nebraska Press Association and the National Editorial Association.
He has been an amateur archeologist for many years, is an inveterate collector of Indian artifacts and fossils which are on display in the museum at Hastings, Nebraska, and has written a number of articles describing them. He has made many important discoveries of Indian housesites in various parts of southern and northwestern Nebraska. Mr. Spence's sports include golfing, archery, and hiking. His social club is the Crawford Country Club.
During the World War he served as chairman of the Junior Red Cross in Franklin County, and assisted in loan drives. He is the author of Passing of the Soddy, an article published by the Western Newspaper Syndicate, and several feature articles published in the Omaha World Herald and the Nebraska State Journal. For nearly twenty years he was the editor and publisher of the Franklin County News which he established.
On February 25, 1908, he was united in marriage with Sadie Mae Doher at Franklin, Nebraska. Mrs. Spence, who traces her ancestry to soldiers in the Revolution, was born at Franklin, February 27, 1888. She is regent of the D. A. R. at Crawford and a member of the P. E. O. Sisterhood. They have four children: Loris, June 4, 1910; Katherine I., April 9, 1914; Charles Morton, May 24, 1922; and Stephen Thomas, June 17, 1925. Loris D. was a student at the University of Nebraska, and was a reporter for the Nebraska State Journal. Katherine is a student at the University of Nebraska. Residence: Crawford.
Leslie David Spence
On January 1, 1878, Leslie D. Spence was born at Radcliffe, Hamilton County, Iowa, the son of Alexander and Alice (Mace) Spence. His father, who was a merchant, farmer and live stock dealer, served for several years as county commissioner of Johnson County, Nebraska. He was born of Scotch parentage at Somers, Kenosha County, Wisconsin, February 1, 1846, and died at Crab Orchard, Johnson County, Nebraska, January 21, 1924. He was a Civil War Veteran, descended from ancestors who came to America from Scotland in 1845.
His mother was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, November 24, 1851, the daughter of Quaker parents. Her mother was a physician.
Mr. Spence, who is a farmer and livestock dealer, was educated in the public schools and business college. He has lived in Nebraska for 41 years and has been active in the political affairs of his state and community since his youth. He is a Republican; has served as precinct assessor, 1900; was county clerk of Johnson County, 1910-12 having previously served four years as deputy county clerk; in 1929 served in the regular session of the Nebraska legislature; and in 1930 served in a special session of the legislature.
In the recent war he was captain of the home guards and was active in Red Cross work. He is treasurer of the local branch of the Red Cross at the present time; is president of the board of education at Crab Orchard; and is a member of the Parent Teachers Association there. He is a member of the Methodist Church at Crab Orchard. Residence: Crab Orchard.
Charles Ralph Spicer
A leading physician and surgeon for many years, Charles Ralph Spicer was born at Springfield, Illinois
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May 18, 1870. He is the son of Thompson Clement and Melvina (Vigal) Spicer. Thompson C. Spicer was born in Indiana, of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry, on December 1, 1825, and died in Sangamon County, Illinois, August 1, 1900. His wife, who was a native of Sangamon County, died there in 1872.
Educated first in the country schools of Illinois, Dr. Spicer was awarded his Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Indiana University in 1892, and his Doctor of Medicine degree from Rush Medical College in 1896. Thereafter he completed a clinical course at the Great Ormond Hospital for Sick Children at London, and at the Rotunda Lying-In Hospital at Dublin, Ireland. He also completed a similar course at Carolina Spittal, at Vienna, and had a year's post graduate work at Northwestern. He has since had two years work in the children's department of Rush Medical College.
A general practitioner at Taylorville, Illinois, for five years, Dr. Spicer spent a like period in the special practice of obstetrics and pediatrics at Springfield, Illinois, and five years at Aurora. For the past fifteen years he has been in special practice at Hastings. His professional organizations include the American, Nebraska State and Adams County Medical Societies. Dr. Spicer's hobby is the use of four devices employed by him in his practice, which he invented and has patented. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, a Mason and a member of The Nebraskana Society. His marriage to Florence Fletcher took place at Aurora, Illinois, August 10, 1910. Mrs. Spicer, who is of English and Scotch descent, was born at Saint Paul, Minnesota.
They have one son, Fletcher, born December 4, 1915, who is a student in high school. He is an Eagle Scout and has a hobby of making model airplanes and sailing yatches (sic). He is interested in radio, television, photography and telegraphy. He also owns and operates a print shop. He has been awarded the merit badge for life saving and is an accredited master swimmer. Residence: Hastings.
Harry Oscar Spicknall
A. resident of Nebraska for the past fifty-nine years, Harry Oscar Spicknall was born at Guilford, Indiana, December 11, 1867. His parents, Richard Surburn and Anna Rebecca (Proctor) Spicknall, were also born in Guilford, the former on March 6, 1832, and the latter a March 16, 1841. Richard Spicknall was a sergeant in the War of the Rebellion, of American ancestry for three generations, and a farmer by occupation. He died at Grand Island, July 8, 1910. His wife preceded him in death, on February 12, 1882, at Guilford. Anna Spicknall's father was English, and landed in the United States in 1820, at the age of 18. Her mother was of Pennsylvania Dutch extraction, born in Pennsylvania in 1808.
Harry Oscar Spicknall attended country school to the seventh grade, and thereafter took up his life work of farming. On March 4, 1896, he was united in marriage to Alice Elizabeth Mitchell at Hastings. Mrs. Spicknall who was of Scotch-Irish descent, was born at LeRoy, Nebraska, March 4, 1876 and died at Roseland April 8, 1919.
To them were born ten children, eight of whom are living: Mabel, born February 22, 1897, married A. Frank Grice and is living in Florida; Howard, born July 19, 1898, married Nattie Franzier, and resides in Colorado; Florence, born November 6, 1899, married Orville W. Joynt; Clifford, born September 20, 1901, married Frances Frazier; Amos, born October 9, 1904, died August 10, ???; Mildred, born August 24, 1906, married Cecil Evers and resides in Florida; Jeanette, born March 16, 1908; Robert, born February 8, 1910; Lila, born April 4, 1912, married Howard Franzier; and Laura, born December 28, 1913, died October 8, 1915.
Except for two years' residence in Florida during 1915 and 1916 Mr. Spicknall has always lived in Nebraska. He is much interested in farming and farm improvements, while his hobby is mechanics. He is a member of Holstein Evangelical Church, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Nebraskana Society, and was from 1888 to 1914 moderator of his local school board. Residence: Roseland.
Clarence Thompson Spier
Clarence T. Spier, was born at Trenton, Grundy County, Missouri, January 26, 1894. His father, William Clarence Spier, who was born at Battle Creek, Michigan, was in the operating department of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad for many years and was killed in a train wreck near Kansas City, Missouri, September 1, 1902. His Scotch ancestors have been in America for several generations. His mother was born in Taswell County, Virginia, March 6, 1871. Her father was a Confederate officer in the Civil War who was wounded at the battle of Shiloh; her English ancestors were early settlers in Virginia.
Mr. Spier attended the public schools of Trenton, Columbia, and St. Joseph, Missouri, and in 1910 was graduated from the high school at St. Joseph. He received his A. B. and LL. B. degrees from the University of Nebraska in 1916; was a student at Sarbonne University at Paris, France, 1919; and was made a Delta Upsilon and Phi Delta Phi.
Since 1916 Mr. Spier has been engaged in the private practice of law at Omaha, served as deputy county attorney of Douglas County, 1926-30. He is a member of the Omaha Bar Association and the Nebraska State Bar Association, is president of the Dundee Parent Teachers Association; and is a member of the Masons (past master of George W. Lininger Lodge No. 268 at Omaha). His social clubs are the University Club and Happy Hollow Club. His hobby is reading. He likes to golf. He is a member of the First Methodist Church of Omaha.
During the World War Mr. Spier was a first class sergeant in the American Expeditionary Forces in France, serving from January, 1918, to September, 1919, at Cantigny, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, and the defensive sector of Meuse-Argonne. He is a member of the American Legion.
On November 29, 1919, he was married to Louise Coe at Nebraska City, Otoe County, Nebraska. Mrs. Spier was born at Nebraska City, September 10, 1894. Her English ancestors settled in Connecticut and later in Nebraska. They have two sons: William, born January 16, 1923; and Robert, born September 20, 1925. Residence: Omaha.
William Franklin Spikes
William Franklin Spikes, who has served as county attorney of Howard County since 1927, was born at Pocahontas, Arkansas, November 16, 1889. His father, born in Randolph County, November 18, 1854, was a public school teacher who later served as sheriff, county clerk and county terasurer (sic). He died at Pocahontas on April 3, 1923. His ancestry was Scotch. His mother, Sarah, Dalton, was born in Randolph County, March 18, 1869. She was a public school teacher.
Mr. Spikes attended the Pocahontas public high schools, and received his LL. B. from the University of Michigan in 1914. He was a member of Phi Alpha Delta, Order of the Coif, and was on the staff of the Michigan Law Review while at the Unversity (sic) of Michigan. During 1908-09 and 1909-10 he was a student at the University of Arkansas.
From 1909 to 1912 Mr. Spikes was superintendent of schools at Pocahontas, and from 1914-17 was a member of the law firm of Campbell, Pope and Spikes at Pocahontas. He was admitted to the bar of Arkansas in 1911, Michigan in 1914 and Nebraska in 1917.
Coming to Nebraska on March 3, 1917, he has since
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been in active practice. He is a Democrat, and was elected to his present position on that ticket. His professional organizations include the Nebraska State and Howard County Bar Associations. He is affiliated with the First Presbyterian Church, is a member of the Red Cross, the Community Club, the Woodmen of the World, the Masons and the Nebraskana Society. For some time he has been an elder in his church. His favorite sport is golf, while his hobby is reading.
Mr. Spikes held the rank of second lieutenant, Field Artillery, United States Army, 1918, and was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant. On April 30, 1919, he was married to Genevieve Speice at Jonesboro, Arkansas. Mrs. Spikes was born at Paulding, Ohio, August 18, 1895. They have two children, Betty, born October 25, 1920, and Billy, born April 9, 1922. Residence: St. Paul.
Emanuel Joseph Spirk
For the past 33 years Emanuel J. Spirk has been a retail lumberman at Wilber, Saline County, Nebraska. He was born at Merklen, Czechoslovakia, January 1, 1865, the son of Joseph and Barbara (Brabec) Spirk. His father, who was a dealer in livestock, was born at Merklen, in 1826, and died at Crete, Saline County, Nebraska, in 1903; he came to this country June, 1874.
His mother was born at Merklen, in 1825, and died at Wilber, October, 1919. Mr. Spirk was graduated from business college in 1882. He has lived in Nebraska for the past 57 years and has always been interested in educational and civic affairs. A Republican, he served as state senator in the sessions of 1913-15-17, and was a delegate to the state constitutional convention. He was county treasurer of Saline County for two terms.
He married Mary Batta at Wilber, November 24, 1887; Mrs. Spirk was born at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, May 14, 1896. They have four children: Bertha, born April 30, 1889, who married Adolf S. Herman; Victor, born September 11, 1891, who married Flavel Ruth Bollman; Elsie, born August 14, 1893; and Hilda A., born April 12, 1895, who married Willard F. Cox.
Mr. Spirk took part in various loan drives and made speeches of a patriotic nature during the World War. He is now serving as president of one of the most successful Farmers Elevator Companies in Nebraska for twenty-six years; has served as treasurer of the local Red Cross for 10 years, as president of the school board, and as city councilman, and is now a member of the library board. He holds membership in the Rotary Club, the Community Club and the Nebraskana Society, is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Knights of Pythias, the Royal Highlanders and Japadni Jednota.
While an ardent advocate of temperance, Mr. Spirk was never reconciled with the cause of prohibition and women suffrage. During the legislative session of 1917, he led a successful fight in the state senate against the ratification of the 18th Amendment, thus defeating the aims of William J. Bryan to force Nebraska to become the first state in the union to ratify that amendment, during legislative session of 1917. Residence: Wilber. (Photograph on Page 1125).
Victor E. Spittler
Victor E. Spittler, son of Ernest Joseph and Catherine M. (Kuhbacher) Spittler, was born at Ewing, Nebraska, May 13, 1898. His father was born near Belfort, France, October 25, 1855, of French and Swiss parentage, and came to America when a young man. He died at Ewing, January 23, 1926. His wife, Catherine, was born at Cologne, Germany, January 8, 1874.
Victor Spittler attended the public and high schools of Ewing and received his LL. B. from Creighton University. He was admitted to the practice of law in 1920, and is now a member of the law firm of Spittler and Nicholson.
He was married to Beryl M. Cooper, a native of Schuyler, Nebraska, born July 5, 1900. Mrs. Spittler is of English descent. They have two children living: Marilyn, born March 21, 1928, and Robert born April 2, 1930. Jean, born January 25, 1927, died June 28, 1930.
Mr. Spittler is a Republican and a member of the Catholic Church. He was a private in the Student Army Training Corps during the World War, is a member of the American Legion, and the Omaha and Nebraska and American Bar Associations. Residence: Omaha.
Myron Edgar Spooner
Born in Herkimer, Herkimer County, New York, October 28, 1857, Myron Edgar Spooner is the son of William Henry Spooner who was born in Herkimer, New York, September 5, 1819 and Amanda Malvina (Willard) Spooner who was born in Herkimer, New York, November 16, 1826. William H. Spooner was a successful farmer and died October 15, 1897 at Parkston, South Dakota. His wife who had formerly been a school teacher and was a capable house wife passed away the following year on June 12.
Myron Edgar Spooner received his education in elementary schools and on April 24, 1876, he married Alice Emely Robbins, who was born at Rockford, Illinois, February 6, 1858. They were married in Elk Point, South Dakota, April 24, 1876. Six children were born to this union: Addle, March 31, 1878, who became the wife of Will Oliver, Dealia, December 4, 1880, who is Richard William's wife; Ray, March 17, 1885, who is also married, Augusta, November 16, 1887, now Mrs. Lew Oliver; Raliegh, April 30, 1889 and Harry, September 30, 1897.
Mr. Spooner has resided for twenty-nine years in Nebraska working in the merchandising business and as a salesman. He belongs to the Barneston Commercial Club and has done much work in the Red Cross and in Democratic politics. He belongs to the order of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. His second marriage occurred in East Saint Louis, Illinois in 1904. Residence: Wymore.
Marion Wilson Spohn, M. D.
A leading professional man in Chester, Nebraska, Marion Wilson Sophn (sic) was born in Keokuk, Iowa, April 11, 1855, the son of Adam Fisher Spohn and Angeline (Iler) Spohn. His father was born in Ohio, October 27, 1819, and died at Bloomfield, Iowa, March 29, 1890. He was of German parentage, and was a mechanic. His mother was born at Hartford, Ohio County, Kentucky, February 7, 1826, of English parentage, and died at Fairmont, Oklahoma, on September 10, 1915.
Marion Spohn attended the rural schools and Troy Academy in Iowa. In 1896-97 he attended the college of Physicians and Surgeons at Chicago, after he had attended the Keokuk Medical College in Iowa, a branch of the State University of Iowa. He also attended the Rush Medical School at Chicago and the West Side Medical School at Chicago. He is a member of the Des Moines Valley Medical Association and the Wapelo County Medical Association at Ottumua, Iowa.
Dr. Spohn was united in marriage to Joan B. McMains, July 4, 1878, at Bloomfield. She was born near Bloomfield, May 12, 1854, and died May 16, 1890. She was the mother of two children both of whom are deceased; Clara Ethel, born January 12, 1888, died March 11, 1930; and James Loyd, born April 17, 1890, who died in August, 1890. On April 1, 1894, Dr. Spohn was married to Eliza Etna McCuistion, who had taught school before her marriage. To this union three children were born: Beulah Marian, January 2, 1897; Berenice Mariesa, August 24, 1901, and Hubert Hiram, February 24, 1904. Bereniee married Vern J. Wagor and is the mother of three daughters and one son who is deceased. Beulah is a musician, and Hubert attended the Babcock School of Pharmacy and is the father of two daughters and a son.
