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of Lancaster County District, 1924 and 1928. During 1929 he was engaged in legal practice at Seattle, Washington.
During the World War Judge Wheeler served as lieutenant of the field artillery of the United States Army, 1917-19, and saw active service in France. He is a member of the county and state bar associations in Nebraska, and of the Mountaineers Club of Washington. He was married to Helen Matteson at Lincoln, July 12, 1927. Mrs. Wheeler was born at Sutton, Nebraska. Residence: Lincoln.
Thomas Ellsworth Wheeler
Thomas E. Wheeler, register of deeds at Lincoln, Nebraska, has lived in this state since 1868. He was born at Butler, Pennsylvania, September 16, 1863, the son of John Lewis and Maggie (Purvis) Wheeler. His father who was born at Steubenville, Ohio, March 11, 1840, was a merchant and farmer who came to Nebraska in a covered wagon in the early 1860's and homesteaded just north of Bennet. He died at Bennet, September 13, 1913.
His mother was born at Butler, Pennsylvania, February 23, 1841, and died at Bennet, August 19, 1913. She was an interested church worker and took an active part in pioneer temperance work.
Mr. Wheeler received his education in the district schools of Lancaster County. He was deputy register of deeds at Lincoln for eight years and since 1914, has been register of deeds. In 1930 he was re-elected for a four year term to this position. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Masons. His religious affiliation is with the Normal Methodist Church of Lincoln. He likes to hunt and fish, and spends most of his leisure time caring for his flowers and chickens. Residence: Lincoln.
Arthur Hutchison Wherry
Arthur H. Wherry was born on August 27, 1866, at Wyoming, Jones County, Iowa, the son of James Bratton and Nancy Jane (Moore) Wherry. His father, who was born at Fairvue, Ohio, February 4, 1832, and died at Pawnee City, Nebraska, September 24, 1917, was a farmer and stockraiser. He was descended from Scotch-Irish ancestors who came from North Ireland, about 1718, and purchased land from William Penn, at what is now Chester, Pennsylvania. He devoted his life to fighting the liquor interests.
His mother, who was born at Fairvue, September 22, 1833, and died at Pawnee City, May 29, 1901, was the mother of seven children to all of whom she gave a college education. She was descended from Irish ancestors on the paternal side and Scotch ancestors through the maternal line.
Mr. Wherry was graduated from the Wyoming High School in 1888, and in 1892 was awarded the A. B. degree at Monmouth College, Illinois, where he was active in debating. Mr. Wherry, who has been a successful merchant and banker for 38 years, was a member of the firm of Wherry Brothers, which he later sold to enter the banking business. At the present time he is vice president of the Citizens State Bank at Pawnee City. He is one of four men owning large tracts of land in Canada.
He was united in marriage with Eva May Comstock at Pawnee City, June 21, 1899. Mrs. Wherry, who was born at Cascade, Iowa, July 24, 1875, is of Scotch and English ancestry. Two children were born to this union. Evelyn, born February 3, 1903, was graduated from Monmouth College in 1924. She was a high school history instructor at Kirkwood, Illinois, for two years after her graduation from college, and for the next four years was history teacher in the Pawnee City High School. Roland Comstock, born February 25, 1906, was graduated from the University of Nebraska, in June, 1927; in 1928 entered Northwestern Medical College at Chicago, and in 1930, was appointed as an instructor in this school.
Mr. Wherry was chairman of the Pawnee chapter of the Red Cross for two years, and during the World War engaged in four loan drives. He is president of the Service Club; has been a member of the school board for 15 years, acting as president for the last seven years. He is affiliated with the United Presbyterian Church at Pawnee City, where he has taught a Sunday School class for 25 years. Residence: Pawnee City.
Eva May Wherry
Eva May Wherry was born in Cascade County, Iowa, July 24, 1875, the daughter of Abel and Isabelle Margaret (Eckelson) Comstock. Her father, who was born at Putnam, New York, May 17, 1822, and died at Orchard, Nebraska, May 14, 1897, was a millwright, teacher, and landholder. He was an accomplished musician, and was cellist and song leader in his church for over 20 years. English ancestors of Mr. Comstock settled a tract of land in Charlotte County, on the west coast of Lake Champlain, in 1795. Other ancestors, who were weavers, came from Paisley, Scotland.
Her mother, who was a teacher, was born at Burgettstown, Washington County, Pennsylvania, September 1, 1835, the daughter of James and Isabelle (McKinney) Eckelson. She died at Pawnee City, Nebraska, December 2, 1899.
Mrs. Wherry attended the Liberty High School, at Liberty, Nebraska, 1890-91, and the Pawnee City High School, 1892-93-94. In 1898 and 1899 she was a student at the University of Nebraska, where she studied piano. She taught the public school at Riverside, Nebraska, from 1894 to 1897.
A resident of Nebraska all her life, she has taken part in all civic, religious and educational affairs in her community. Upon completion of a trip abroad in 1927, she was the author of a newspaper article, published in 1928, entitled Our Trip Abroad.
Her marriage to Arthur Hutchison Wherry, was solemnized at Pawnee City, June 21, 1899. Mr. Wherry, whose ancestry is Scotch-Irish, was born at Wyoming, Jones County, Iowa, August 26, 1866. He is a banker and landholder, and was formerly a furniture merchant. Three children were born to this marriage, two of whom are living: Margaret Evelyn, born February 3, 1903, who was graduated from Monmouth College, and Monmouth Conservatory of Music, Monmouth, Illinois, 1924, is history instructor at the high school of Pawnee City, Nebraska; Roland Comstock, born February 25, 1906, who was graduated from the University of Nebraska, in 1927, was a student at the Northwestern Medical College, Chicago, where he is now instructor in anatomy; and an infant, born January 26, 1911, who died January 28, 1911.
She was treasurer of the Pawnee County Red Cross following the late war, and is a member of this organization today. She is past president of the Tuesday Afternoon Study Club and the Conservation Club; is treasurer of the local welfare board; and is a member of the local advisory board of the Nebraska Children's Home Society. She is eligible for membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution; is at the present time preparing her family history for this membership. She is past president of Chapter A V of the P. E. O. She is affiliated with the United Presbyterian Church, is secretary of the Women's Missionary Society and for the past ten years has taught in the Sunday School. Mrs. Wherry is interested in gardening, having planted over 700 tulips in the last year. She is an extensive traveler; has toured the United States, Canada, part of Mexico, Cuba, England, and Scotland. Residence: Pawnee City.
Kenneth Spicer Wherry
Kenneth Spicer Wherry, merchant and legislator, was born at Liberty, Nebraska, February 28, 1892, son of
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David E. and Jessie (Comstock) Wherry. David E. Wherry was born in Iowa, in 1856, and is a merchant of Scotch-Irish descent. His wife, Jessie, was born in Iowa in 1859, and is of Scotch-Irish and early New England ancestry.
Upon his graduation from Pawnee City High School Mr. Wherry entered the University of Nebraska, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree. He later took post graduate work at Harvard University. His fraternity is Beta Theta Psi. At the university he was a member of Professor Fogg' debating team 1911, 1912 and 1913, and was a member of the track team.
A resident of Nebraska all his life, Mr. Wherry has been active as a merchant and farmer during the past twenty years. At the present time he is a member of the firm of Wherry Brothers, general merchants. In Politics a Republican, he has been prominent in party politics, and has served as city councilman, and as mayor and state senator. He was candidate for the office of governor on the Republican ticket in the 1932 primaries.
In the legislature Mr. Wherry championed the fish and game bill creating the present state commission. He is the author of the fair practice bill which passed the senate in 1931, and failed in the house. He opposed Missouri River Navigation and debated the question in a series of joint debates with ex-Governor Arthur J. Weaver and others.
On September 20, 1920, Mr. Wherry was married to Marjorie Colwell at Pawnee City. Mrs. Wherry was born at Pawnee City on September 7, 1896, and is of English descent. There are two children, Marilyn, born May 21, 1925, and David, born December 18, 1926.
During the World War Mr. Wherry served one year with the Naval Flying Corps. He is a member of the American Legion, the First Presbyterian Church, the Kiwanis Club, the Pawnee City Public Service Club and the Pawnee County Agricultural Society of which he has been president for six consecutive years. On June 30, 1931, he was admitted to the bar of Nebraska. Residence: Pawnee City. (Photograph on Page 1271).
Thomas Uridge Whiffen
For more than 62 years Thomas U. Whiffen has lived in Nebraska, and has taken an active, part in the economic and civic life of the state. He was born at Utica, Oneida County, New York, September 5, 1847, the son of John and Sarah (Seaton) Whiffen. His father, who was a butcher, packer, livestock dealer, and farmer, was born at Kimbolton, Huntingdonshire, England, October 14, 1815, and came to America in 1832; he died at Kewanee, Henry County, Illinois, June 27, 1897. His mother was born at Hoden, Yorkshire, England, October 25, 1820; she came to America with her parents on the ship with John Whiffen and his parents; she died at Wyoming, Stark County, Illinois, February 23, 1854.
Mr. Whiffen had just completed the eighth grade in school when he enlisted for service in the Civil War. He was a recruit in Company A of the 124th Illinois Infantry as a private, and was mustered out in December, 1865. From 1873 to 1884, he operated a blacksmith shop at DeWitt, Nebraska, and in 1884 entered the lumber business there. He retired from active business in 1914, but is at present president of the DeWitt Lumber Company, and is a director in the Home State Bank of DeWitt. Mr. Whiffen has been prominent in the development of the city.
He was united in marriage with Nettie Waldo at Beatrice, Gage County, Nebraska, December 1, 1868. She was born at Northwestern, New York, June 4, 1852, and died at DeWitt, September 25, 1886. The following children were born to them: John I., born October .14, 1869, who married Emma Miller; Nora M., born February 7, 1871, who married E. W. Tatum; Mary G., born May 15, 1873, who married Jacob E. Carey; Charles V., born March 27, 1875, who married Kittie Travers; Ralph W., born August 27, 1877, who died August 11, 1882; Edna E., born November 24, 1878, who married F. P. Steele; Nettie M., born June 13, 1881, who married Jules A. Sire; Esther, born May 5, 1884, who died August 8,1884; Ona G., born July 14, 1885, married Joseph W. Lindley and resides at Lodgepole, Nebraska.
Mr. Whiffen was married to Frances E. Van Dusen, at Beatrice, Nebraska, December 4,1895; she died at DeWitt, January 4, 1921. One daughter was born to them, Norma L., born August 12, 1898, who married Eugene F. Wilsey. His marriage to Mrs. Luella A. Leeper was solemnized at Wilber, Nebraska, September 6, 1923.
During the World War Mr. Whiffen was a four minute man. He was one of the two remaining members of the S. R. Curtis Post of the Grand Army of the Republic of which he has been adjutant for the past twenty-five years. He is a member of the Red Cross; the Commercial Club of DeWitt Lodge No. 111 of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; and the Nebraskana Society. For more than twenty years he has been interested in education and has served at various times on the local school board. Politically, he is an independent. Residence: DeWitt.
Emma Boge Whisenand
Emma Boge Whisenand, a resident of this state for the past 46 years, was born at Harvard, Clay County, Nebraska, May 15, 1885. Her father, Fred Boge, who was born in Germany, March 10, 1851, came to this country in 1867 and was a pioneer farmer in Nebraska. Her mother, Matilda (Holmes) Boge, was born in Sweden, December 19, 1858, and died at Harvard, March 31, 1907.
Mrs. Whisenand was graduated from high school at Harvard in 1902, attended a junior normal school, and taught in rural schools for a time. She is prominent in women's affairs throughout the state and is the author of various poems and short articles published in national and state magazines. In 1931 she was awarded an essay prize for her study of the Nebraska Indian, by the General Federation of Women's Clubs. She served the Nebraska Federation of Woman's Clubs as president of 5th district 1931-33, and as state chairman of rural clubs and rural life, 1927-31.
She is a member of the Harvard Woman's Club, the Progressive Woman's Club, the Nebraskana Society, and the First Methodist Church. Her hobbies are painting in oils; flower gardening; reading; and the study of poetry.
Her marriage to Paul Russell Whisenand was solemnized at Hastings, Nebraska, October 5, 1910. Mr. Whisenand, who is a farmer, was born in Hamilton County, Nebraska, August 20, 1883. Their children are Keith, born September 6, 1913, who died May 29, 1919; Mavis, born October 24, 1915, who is president of the 4-H Club; and Neal, born July 20, 1918, who died July 23, 1918. Mavis was president of a 4-H Club in 1930; was Clay County 4-H health champion in 1929; prize newspaper reporter 1927. She was graduated from high school in 1932. Mrs. Whisenand is independent, politically. Residence: Harvard.
Douglas D. Whitcomb
Douglas D. Whitcomb, lawyer at Winnebago, Thurston County, Nebraska, has lived in Nebraska all his life. He was born at Pender, Thurston County, Nebraska, February 4, 1892, the son of Waldo E. and Clara E. Whitcomb. His father, who is a lawyer, was born at Hustisford, Wisconsin. His mother, who was born at Topeka, Illinois, is still living.
Mr. Whitcomb received his early education in the Pender and Winnebago public schools, and was a student at Peru Normal School and the University of Nebraska. He held membership in Sigma Chi and Phi Alpha Delta. He is director in the State Bank of Winnebago, and 15 engaged in general legal practice. He holds membership in the Nebraskana Society, is a Mason, and is affiliated with the Democratic party. Residence: Winnebago.
Charles Ray White
Charles Ray White, retail hardware merchant, was born in Champaign, County, Illinois, June 4, 1884, and has resided in Nebraska, continuously, since 1906. He is the son of James R. and Oliva Jane (Koch) White, the former of whom was born in Champaign County, January 11, 1862, and is a farmer. Oliva Jane Koch was born March 10, 1865, and died in Lincoln County, Nebraska, September 6, 1897.
Mr. White attended public school in Urbana, Illinois, and from 1893 to 1897, resided in Nebraska. He farmed until 1909, and engaged in banking from 1910 until 1916. During the years 1917 and 1918, he was state bank examiner, and since that time, has been in the retail hardware business at Sutherland, Nebraska. He is a member of the firm of Cowles-White Lumber Company of Wallace and Elsie, Nebraska. He is a Democrat.
On December 11, 1911, he was married to Eva Retta Cox at Sutherland. Mrs. White was born in Mills County, Iowa, January 27, 1892. To them were born three children, Charles Marvin, on November 2, 1915; Lavoue Lucile, on May 20, 1918; and Kenneth Warren, on April 28, 1924.
Mr. White is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Sutherland, the Red Cross, the Commercial Club, the Odd Fellows, the Parent Teachers Association, and the school board. He enjoys big game hunting, while his hobbies are reading and mechanics. Residence: Sutherland.
Elbert M. White
Elbert M. White lawyer, was born at Fairbanks, Iowa, January 4, 1874, son of Ezra Albert and Mary Louisa (Miller) White. His father, born in Toronto, Canada, died at Bartley, Nebraska, in November, 1905. He was descended from early English settlers in America. His wife, Mary, was born in Valparaiso, Indiana, and died at Creston, Nebraska in 1898.
Mr. White attended country school, Long Pine High School and was a student at Highland Park College one year. He was admitted to the bar on June 11, 1903, and has since continuously engaged in the practice of law. A. Republican, he has twice been elected county attorney of Garfield County, and also served as a member of the Nebraska house of representatives the session of 1927. He did not seek re-election.
On June 1, 1904, he was married to Nina Kate Young at Stanton. Mrs. White, who is of Scotch descent on the paternal side, was born at Stanton on June 28, 1883. They have four children, Ruth M., born September 5, 1905, married Kyle K. McCleery; they reside at Hamilton, Montana. Harold N., born December 31, 1906, is married to Madge King, and teaches at Blair; William Vance, born March 1, 1909, married LaVerne Fitton, and is in the mercantile business at Morrill; Marian O., born April 26, 1912, is at home.
During the late war Mr. White was a four minute speaker and active in various Red. Cross and bond drives. He is affiliated with the Congregational Church, is a member of the Nebraska State Bar Association, the Wranglers Club, the Masons, Modern Woodmen of America, the Royal Highlanders and Ben Hur. For a number of years he was a member of the board of education, and was active in obtaining the Carnegie Library for Burwell.
Mr. White is an ardent baseball and football fan. He enjoys fishing and hunting and has a private lake stocked with game fish. Recently he was made a life member of the Nebraskana Society. Residence: Burwell.
Fred Sam White
Fred S. White, was born at Omaha, January 27, 1903. His father, Samuel White, who was engaged in the jewelry business for many years, was born at Shimsk, Russia, December, 1880, and died at Omaha, August 13, 1914. He came to America in 1900, and until his death was active in the business world.
Minnie Kurtzman, his mother, was born of Jewish parents at Zuromin, Poland, January, 1882, and is living.
Mr. White was graduated from Central High School at Omaha, in 1920. In 1921 he was a student at the University of Nebraska, and in 1924 was graduated from Creighton University, at Omaha, where he received his LL. B. degree. At Creighton he was a member of the debating team, 1922-24. He was admitted to the bar in Nebraska, June 6, 1924, and since that time has engaged in general law practice in Omaha.
He is a member of the Nebraska State Bar Association, and the Red Cross, and is affiliated with B'nai Israel Synagogue. Mr. White's clubs are the Omaha Athletic Club; and the Highland Country Club. He is a Republican. Residence: Omaha.
Harry Smith White
Harry S. White has been engaged in the farm loans and investment business at Lyons, Nebraska, for the past 23 years, and has been vitally interested in educational and civic affairs there during that time. He was born at Milburn, Lake County, Illinois, April 7, 1883, the son of Andrew J. and Abbie C. (Smith) White. His father, who was born at Milburn in 1850, and died at Boulder, Colorado, July 11, 1921, was in the real estate business for several years; his ancestry was Scotch. His mother was born at Milburn, and died at Lyons, January, 1898. She was descended from New England Puritan ancestors.
Mr. White received his education in the public and high schools of Nebraska, and was a student at Highland Park College, 1902-03, where he participated in football and track. He is the owner and sole member of the firm White Investment Company of Lyons. He has lived in this state for 45 years.
He was united in marriage with Sarah E. Paine at Lyons, November 24, 1910. Mrs. White was born at Lyons, July 10, 1883. They have three children: Andrew P., born January 4, 1912; Sarah A., born November 28, 1915; and Mary, born August 23, 1917. Mr. White was chief of the northeastern Nebraska department of the American Protective Association during the World War, and served in the secret service without compensation.
He is a member of the Lyons Community Club; Young Men's Christian Association; and the Nebraska Society. He was a member of the city council, 1916, and the school board, 1920. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, a Republican, and holds membership in the Red Cross. His favorite sport is football. Residence: Lyons.
Henry Adelbert White
One of its most beloved teachers, Henry Adelbert White, professor of English and coach of debate at the University of Nebraska, was born at Oran, Onondaga County, New York, April 8, 1880. His parents, Edward Albert and Gertrude (Candee) White, are both descended from early American colonists. Edward Albert is ninth in line from the Whites of the Mayflower and his wife is of the Candee family which settled near New Haven about 1637. From this family are descended all persons of that name in America.
Dr. White has the following degrees: A. B., Wesleyan, University, (Middletown, Conn.), 1904; A. M., 1905: A. M., Harvard University, 1912; Ph. D., Yale University, 1924. He is a member of Delta Sigma Rho and Delta Tau Delta. He received honors in English and was class poet at Wesleyan, 1904.
His marriage to Henrietta Davidson of New York City, grand-niece of John Zundel, hymn writer, took place in New York on June 28, 1916. Their children are: Muriel Gertrude, born September 27, 1917, and Donald
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