NEGenWeb Project
Resource Center
On-Line Library

144
NEBRASKA'S ENTERPRISING CITIES.

the Merchants' April 1, 1838. He is assisted in the management by H. S. Wells, as clerk. The hotel is a handsome three-story structure and bears the reputation of being one of the best two dollar per day houses in the State.

     LUTHER ACADEMY.--To the enterprising and aspiring spirit of the Swedish population of our State belonging to the Lutheran Church is due the establishment of an institution of learning that is steadily and surely working to the front rank of our educational forces in Nebraska. Luther Academy was dedicated on the natal day of its great namesake, October 3, 1883, the corner stone having been laid July 23d of that year. The college buildings at present are incomplete, as so far only the south wing of the college building proper has been completed, and the central and north wings will he completed according to the plans and specifications as soon as possible. The completed building will represent a cost of about $30,000 and will compare favorably with that of any college in the West. A little to the northwest is a two-story frame building now used as the young men's dormitory, the lady pupils occupying part of the college building as a dormitory but in a short time a boarding hall and ladies' dormitory, 40 x 60 feet, and three stories in height will be put up.
     In the matter of location, the selection of

.Picture

this city and the site was most fortunate, as Wahoo is situated on three lines of railroad, and has a climate most healthful and pleasant, and its people are intelligent and progressive. The college owns a tract of ten acres on a gently sloping eminence about five minutes' walk from the postoffice.
      The educational facilities of Luther Academy are first-class and complete. Ability to read well and a knowledge of the rudiments, with good character, are the requirements of admission, and though especially devoted to the interests of the Swedish Lutheran Church, no distinction is made as to creed or nationality.
     The college is equipped with a library of 750 volumes and pamphlets, composed mainly of the best literature in English and other languages, has a complete herbarium, a fine collection of zoological specimens and electric and other apparatus used in the study of the natural sciences. Its faculty is a strong one, consisting of the following:
     Professor S. M. Hill, A. M., principal, religious instruction, Swedish language, church history, general history, physiology, physical geography, pedagogy, vocal music; Professor P. A. Rydber,. B. S., M. ACC., geometry, algebra, physics, zoology, botany, arithmetic and industrial drawing; Miss Augusta C. Stenholm, English language and literature; Oscar Sellberg, M. ACC., assistant, book-keeping,


SEWARD
145

business practice, commercial law, arithmetic, penmanship, reading, spelling and rapid calculation; Julius H. Flodman, A. B., assistant, algebra, arithmetic, civil government, reading and spelling, Latin and Swedish literature; additional assistance in English reading and spelling has been rendered for longer or shorter periods during the year, by Frank Dalton, Ellsworth Sandahl, Edward J. Peterson and Minnie Johnson. Curator of Museum, Professor P. A. Rydberg; librarian, Miss Augusta C. Stenholm; steward and matron, Mr. and Mrs. John Boquist.
      A feature of the college is the encouragement of musical talent, both vocal and instrumental. having a piano and organ and a full set of band instruments for the free use of the students.
     The board of directors is as follows: Term expiring 1895--Rev. C. A. Johnson, Nealmo, Nebraska; Rev. John Torell, Swedeburg, Nebraska; Mr. Nils Eliason, Swedeburg, Nebraska; Mr. Peter Colseth, Omaha, Nebraska. Term expiring 1898--Rev. F. N. Swanberg, Mead, Nebraska; Rev. J. E. Nordling, Swede Home, Nebraska; Mr. N. P. Henning, Mead, Nebraska; Mr. Victor Anderson, Mead, Nebraska. Term expiring 1894--Rev. P. J. Brodine, Holdrege, Nebraska; Mr. Nils Bengtson, Swedeburg, Nebraska; Mr. Abraham Helsing, Wahoo, Nebraska. Rev. John Torell, chairman and treasurer; Rev. F. N. Swanberg, secretary,
     Prof. S. M. Hill, principal, was born in Sweden, and has been at the head of the college for seven years, and has been an instructor for nine years past. He came to this country twenty-five years ago, graduated at Augustana College, Rock Island, and was instructor at Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peters, Minnesota, and engaged in mission work among the Mormons in Utah for two years.
     Prof. P. A. Rydberg is also a thoroughly competent instructor. A native of Sweden, he graduated at Skava, in that country, and also at the State University, Lincoln. Last summer he was employed by the government in botanical researches in Nebraska and Wyoming, in which work he was assisted by Prof. J. H. Flodman, and next summer he will study and report on the flora of the Black Hills region. The other members of the faculty are earnest workers in this great cause, and well-fitted to fill their respective chairs.
      The attendance this year numbers 117. The object and work of the college is to afford the Swedish youth of Nebraska opportunity for a higher education, to prepare them for their lifework and emulate the best principles of Christian culture and training.

     ST. MARTIN BROS., Druggists and Pharmacists; Books, Stationery. Notions, Musical Instruments, Paints and Oils, Wall Paper, Etc.; Newspapers and Periodicals.--It would be difficult to find a more popular or well-patronized place of business than the pharmacy of St. Martin Bros., on Fifth Street near Broadway. Their stock occupies all the available space in a store room 22x60 feet. Mr. Henry St. Martin is a native of Canada, and his brother, Theophilus, of New York. He graduated at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, and is vice president of the State Pharmaceutical Association. They started business in Wahoo three years ago, but have been engaged in the drug business in this State for the past six years.


SEWARD.

     Seward, the county seat of Seward County, is situated near the center of the county, at the confluence of Lincoln and Plum Creeks with the Blue River. It is beautifully located on a high plateau, which slopes gradually down to the streams, affording excellent natural drainage. The county is one of the richest and most fertile in the State, and the town is consequently a thriving business center. It is well-built, nearly all of the business houses being substantial brick buildings, two and three stories in height, while many of its private residences are very fine, and comfortable homes are seen on every hand.
     Nearly all kinds of business are represented by first-class firms, and in manufactures the city is fully equal if not superior to any place of its size in the State. They may be described as follows: Two large roller flour mills, one oatmeal mill, one canning factory, one cob pipe factory, one cigar factory, one of the largest creameries in the State, one carriage factory, one large machine shop, one foundry, one extensive brick works, and numerous other smaller concerns. There are three banks, two national and one State, that are recognized as among the strongest financial institutions in the State. The general business of the city is represented by five dry goods stores, six grocery stores, three meat markets, three hardware stores, five weekly newspapers and one daily, four restaurants, three clothing stores two boot and shoe stores, two millinery establishments, two furniture stores, two photographers, four drug stores, and a number of smaller establishments of various kinds. There are two good hotels, one of them being a three-story brick with all modern conveniences.
     Seward has three lines of railroad, and eight passenger trains go through the city daily. It has an excellent system of waterworks, owned by the city, and a fine electric light plant, owned by private parties. The schools of the city are of the highest class, occupying six buildings and employing thirteen teachers. In addition to the public school facilities, a good
     11

 Prior page
General index
Next page

© 2002 for the NEGenWeb Project by Pam Rietsch, Ted & Carole Miller