 CHRIS KRONBERG AND FAMILY |
where he continued in active practice until he came to Scottsbluff. Dr. Anderson has a well earned reputation for professional skill, and is in the enjoyment of a large and lucrative practice. In June, 1906, Dr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Anna Halberg, born at Greenville, Illinois, and they have four children: Loretta, Hobson, Francis and Benjamin John. In politics Dr. Anderson is a Republican and he and wife belong to the Pres-Presbyterian (sic) church. CHRIS KRONBERG. -- Over a quarter of a century of connection with the agricultural interests of Scottsbluff county has made Kris Kronberg one of the substantial and well-known men of this vicinity. A native of Germany of Danish descent, when he came to the United States in 1882, he brought with him many of the admirable traits of the people of both those countries, and the success that has come to him has been won by legitimate participation in the enterprises of this section. Mr. Kronberg says that next to the pride he takes in the fact that his sons did their full duty to the United States during the war with Germany, is that in his good farm and his record when he served his community and the county as assessor and deputy sheriff. He is progressive in his ideas and methods, takes an active part in all questions for the upbuilding of this section, as well as state and national affairs. Chris Kronberg was born in North Schlesweg, Germany, January 18, 1862, the son of A. Kronberg, a native of Denmark, and Lena (Andersen) Kronberg, who was born in Germany. The father was an innkeeper in the old country where he and his wife passed their lives. They had three children: Georgia, who died in Germany; Martin, located in Sidney, Neberaska (sic); and Chris. The brother is now dead. As a youth the boy received an excellent education in the public schools of Germany, which are supervised by the government, but he saw little future for a man without money in the old country and determined that he would go to America and in the new country secure a foothold from which to climb the ladder of fortune, and he set sail for the United States, arriving in 1882, He had little knowledge of language, conditions or methods, however, he was quick to familiarize himself with both the tongue and customs of his adopted country. Soon after landing on our shores he came west as the idea of every man from European countries is to possess land, but as he had little money he began punching cows for a cattle outfit near Ogallala, Nebraska. Afterward be removed to Sidney and still with his original determination in mind, to Scottsbluff county in 1888, where he preëmpted one hundred and sixty acres of land, proved up on it, made some improvements, and then was able to dispose of it to advantage. He then came to his present place, section 5, township 22-55, where he bought a hundred and sixty acre tract, homesteaded twenty-seven additional acres and on this land developed a fine farm, and there established a home. In 1888 Mr. Kronberg married Miss Betty Smith, a native of Illinois, and to this happy couple were born ten children: Mary, the wife of Roy Konkle, lives on a Scottsbluff farm; Bertha, the wife of Sam Perkins, lives on a farm north of Mitchell; Charles has recently returned home after thirteen months service in France, during which time he took part in some of the most important battles of the war and won promotion to the rank of sergeant, having been a member of the One Hundred and Sixteenth Machine Gun Battalion; William is still in France at this writing, being a member of the One Hundred and Ninth Engineers; Jesse was in the army, but was discharged for disability; Sophie, Roy, Grace, Ruth, and Gladys are still members of the family circle. Mr. Kronberg is an active member of the Modern Woodmen, and in politics votes independently, believing the best man should be elected to office in local affairs regardless of party lines. Mr. Kronberg served one term as assessor and two years as deputy sheriff. He helped organize the company that built the Enterprise ditch and has assisted in the management of same for more than thirty years. His service for the county was highly satisfactory and a host of friends are proud of the record he made while in office. Mr. Kronberg believes that a public official owes a real duty to the people who elect him and he did his best to demonstrate in a practical way the ideas he advocates to the satisfaction of his adherents and his own conscience. HARLIN I. BROWN, M. D., chiropractor, has been a resident of Scottsbluff since the fall of 1911, and has built up a large and lucrative practice here, and has an established reputation all through the valley for unusual success. Dr. Brown was born April 24, 1873, at Canton, Missouri. The parents of Dr. Brown were Abner D. and Matilda (Mullen) Brown, the former of whom was born at Indianapolis, Indiana, and died in Custer county, Nebraska, in 1910, when aged fifty-six years. The latter was |
born at Streator, Illinois, where their marriage took place, and she now lives in Custer county. Of the family of ten children Dr. Brown is the second in the list of eight survivors, the others being: C. L., a farmer in Arkansas; L. A., a chiropractic at Kearney; Stella, the wife of William Halliday, a farmer in Montana; F. C., a farmer in Custer county; Earl W., also a substantial farmer in Custer county; Lila, who is the wife of William Phifer, who is in the draying business at Arnold, Nebraska; and Oma, who lives at home. The father came to Custer county, Nebraska, in 1881 and homesteaded, later becoming active in Republican political circles and serving as a county commissioner. He belonged to the Christian church and was both a Mason and an Odd Fellow. Harlin J. Brown attended the public schools in Custer county. He was graduated in his school of medicine at Universal college, Davenport, Iowa, in 1910, immediately afterward beginning practice at Calloway, Nebraska, but in November, 1911, established himself at Scottsbluff. He has some remarkable cures to his credit and his patients come from all ranks in life. In 1897 Dr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Holliday, a daughter of C. T. Holliday, an early settler in Custer county. Dr. and Mrs. Brown have two children, Fay S. and Fonda, the latter of whom, now twelve years old, is yet in school. The former entered the aviation department of the National army, March 4, 1918, and was in training for thirteen months at Ebertsfield, Arkansas, making many flights. He was honorably discharged and reached home in April, 1919. Dr. Brown is one of the city's sterling citizens but is not active in politics, his profession making such heavy demands that added official service, if his desires were in that direction, would be almost impossible. For many years he has been an Odd Fellow, passed through all the chairs at Arnold, Nebraska, then entered the Encampment, and has served two terms as district deputy grand master. ROBERT E. GILLETTE, who operates a first class blacksmith and carriage shop at Scottsbluff, does a large business because the public has learned that he is a competent workman and reliable business man. He has been a resident of Scottsbluff since the spring of 1911 and is numbered with the town's useful and representative citizens. Robert E. Gillette was born in the southern part of Wisconsin, May 4, 1869, and is a son of Hamilton and Margaret (Downs) Gillette, the latter of whom was born in Ireland and the former in New York. He was twenty-five years old when he located in Wisconsin, where he married, and some years afterward moved to Gage county, Nebraska. He was a carriage maker by trade and worked at the same in New York, Wisconsin and Nebraska, conducting his own shops at Beatrice and Adams in Gage county, his death occurring at Adams. Of his six children the following survive: Elizabeth, the wife of John Frederick, a retired farmer of Beatrice; Emily, who resides at Adams; Robert E., who lives at Scottsbluff; and Minnie, the wife of Harry Smith, a farmer in Michigan. The father of Mr. Gillette was a Republican in politics and he belonged to the Masonic fraternity. Robert E. Gillette attended the public schools at Adams, Nebraska, after which he worked as a farmer until he was twenty-two years old, at which time he learned the blacksmith trade. He conducted his own shop at Adams until he was burned out, in 1910, and in the spring of the following year came to Scottsbluff. Here he has a good business location with modern tools and equipments, and has no fault to find with the large volume of business coming his way. In 1899 Mr. Gillette was united in marriage with Miss Sadie E. Annabell, who was born near Adams, Gage county, Nebraska, and they have one daughter, Gladys. Mr. Gillette and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a Republican. JESSE C. COOMES.--There are many lines of business carried on in every modern community that are rightly deemed important but, considering the relation that meat products bear to the sustaining of life, it would seem that the meat industry in all its branches, is among the foremost of all. A leading butcher and meat dealer at Scottsbluff is found in Jesse C. Coomes, who, in a short time here has built up a fine business. Jesse C. Coomes was born in Illinois, February 27, 1884, and is a son of John W. and Sarah (McDonald) Coomes, the latter of whom was born in Illinois and the former in Iowa, in which state they were married. In 1892 they came to Nebraska and the father bought a farm nead (sic) Wood River, in Hall county. The mother died there but the father survives and now lives retired. Of the family of five children Jesse C. is the second of three survivors, his two sisters being as follows: Pearl, the wife of William Mankin, a |
hardware dealer at Glisco, Nebraska; and Edthe wife of John Mankin, a merchant at Oshkosh, Nebraska. The parents were members of the Christian church. In politics the father is a Democrat, and he belongs to the Knights of Pythias. In the excellent schools at Wood River, and later in a military school at Kearney, Jesse C. Coomes was prepared educationally for the future. After his graduation at Kearney in 1904, he went to Green River, Wyoming, where he learned the butcher's trade and remained there until 1912, when he came to Mitchell, Nebraska, and worked in the butcher shop of Harry Naylor until February 1, 1919, when he came to Scottsbluff. Here, in partnership with Mr. Naylor, he bought the shop of Charles Deulen. The firm, although a comparatively new one in this city, is doing well. Both partners being experienced in the business, they are able to offer the best meat products, carefully selected and prepared, have commodious quarters and do business according to honorable methods. Mr. Coomes was married in 1905, to Miss Ida Mansfield, who was born at Salt Lake, Utah, and they have one daughter, Anna, who is attending school. Mr. Coomes is a Democrat in politics and an intelligent, enterprising man in business. WILBUR J. IRELAND, who is prominent in the grocery trade in Scottsbluff county, interested in three cities in this line and manager for the firm of Ireland Bros. at Scottsbluff, is widely known in this section both in business and public affairs. Wilbur J. Ireland was born at Saling's Grove, Nebraska, October 1, 1872. His parents were George M. and Mary E. (Sexson) Ireland, the former of whom was born in West Virginia, and the latter in Iowa. They were married near Omaha, Nebraska. In 1878 they came to Furnas county, Nebraska, where the father homesteaded. In 1907 he removed to Mitchell, in Scottsbluff county, and his death occurred there November 18, 1915. The mother of Mr. Ireland still resides at Mitchell. He grew up on the homestead and attended the country schools. Until 1911 he continued work as a farmer, then entered the employ of the Carr-Neff Lumber Company at Mitchell and remained so connected for five years. In April, 1916, with his brothers he established the grocery store at Scottsbluff, and also a store at Gering, under the same firm name, and a third store at Mitchell, which is operated under the firm style of Ireland & Cockle. These are all high class business houses and are conducted carefully and systematically. On May 28, 1902, Mr. Ireland was, united in marriage to Miss Lola Whitten, who was born in Michigan and is a daughter of Lorenzo D. and Martha Whitten, who moved to Saline county, Nebraska, in 1882. The mother of Mrs. Ireland died in 1884, and the father died December 9, 1914, residing at that time with Mr. and Mrs. Ireland. They have two children: Raymond, born January 5, 1906; and Eunice, born December 5, 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Ireland are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He belongs to the order of Odd Fellows. In politics he is a Republican and while a resident of Mitchell served on the town council. Mr. Ireland has built up his fortune through his own efforts, in earlier years teaching school, farming, working as a section hand and with a threshing outfit, all of which reflects credit upon him and offers an example that might well be profitably emulated. RUBY P. DORAN, who has business interests of importance at Scottsbluff and other points, is a native of Nebraska, born in Seward county, February 23, 1877. Mr. Doran has been the builder of his own fortunes, circumstances making such a course necessary in his boyhood. The parents of Mr. Doran were Barney W. and Chrissie (Dobson) Doran, the latter of whom was born in County Leitrim, Ireland, and the former at Toronto, Canada, of Irish ancestry and of the Catholic faith. He was a college bred man, educated for the priesthood, but never was ordained. By trade he was a cabinetmaker. After his marriage in Canada, he came, early in the seventies, to Nebraska and homesteaded in Butler county. His death was the result of an accident at Sheridan, Wyoming. Of his seven children Ruby P. was the third in order of birth, the others being: William John Henry, an importer and broker in the coffee trade, and a wholesale coffee roaster, at Denver, Colorado; Ada May, an artist in china painting, resides at Omaha; Claude James, a stockman at Grand Island; Collins, the fifth in order of birth; Fred, employed in a shoe factory at St. Louis, Missouri; and Nellie, the wife of Lewis Davis, a farmer near Valley Falls, Kansas. The mother of the above family belonged to the Presbyterian church. Ruby P. Doran attended school at Ulysses, Nebraska. His business connections before the state of Nebraska became prohibition terri- |
tory, were with the retail liquor trade. In 1915, he came to Scottsbluff and established himself in the bakery and confectionery business, erecting a substantial one-story brick building with dimensions of 25x100 feet. He has prospered greatly in this enterprise which has expanded to large proportions. In June, 1908 Mr. Doran was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle Coleman, who was born at Ulysses, Nebraska, a daughter of George and Katie Coleman, residents of Ulysses, Mr. Coleman being a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Doran have two sons, namely: Richard Peter, who was born June 25, 1914; and William Elmer, who was born in November, 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Doran are members of the Episcopal church. In politics Mr. Doran is independent but not indifferent, the best interests of his country being very dear to him. He is identified with the Masonic fraternity and as a prominent man is active in many worthy organizations. ROBERT L. COSNER, who for many years was prominent in the dental profession, and was the first dental practitioner at Scottsbluff, belonged to one of the old families that had come from Illinois to Nebraska in pioneer days. Dr. Cosner was born in Illinois, April 12, 1869, and passed out of life at Scottsbluff, in the beautiful home he had just completed, December 30, 1917. Dr. Cosner's parents were William and Rosetta (Epperson) Cosner, the former died at Clayton, Nebraska, but the latter now resides at Scottsbluff. With the death of her son Robert L., Mrs. Cosner has but three living children: Harry, in the real estate business at Malta, Montana; Mrs. Edith Patterson, a widow, who lives with her mother; and Mrs. Harry Johnson, who also resides at Scottsbluff. Mrs. William Cosner is a member of the Presbyterian church. Robert L. Cosner attended school in Nebraska through boyhood and then entered the dental school of Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, from which he was graduated. For a while he practiced in Chicago, then in Wayne and Schuyler, Nebraska, and also in Montana, so when he came to Scottsbluff in January, 1919, it was as an experienced dental practitioner. He homesteaded in Scottsbluff county and his widow still owns the property. Dr. Cosner was skilled in his profession and built up a wide reputation and a large practice, of such extent that he was required to hire an assistant during the last three years of his life. He was a man of high personal character, a member and liberal supporter of the Presbyterian church, a faithful Mason and Knight of Pythias, and an earnest, public-spirited citizen. He was liberal in his benefactions to charity and conscientious in his support of movements for the public good. In June, 1914, Dr. Cosner was united in marriage with Miss Carrie Young, who was born in Scottsbluff county, a daughter of William and Mary (Schumacher) Young, people of importance and wide acquaintance in this section of Nebraska. Dr. and Mrs. Cosner had one daughter, Florence May, a most engaging child who is a great comfort to her bereaved mother. Mrs. Cosner is active in the Presbyterian church. William Young, father of Mrs. Cosner, was born in Iowa and her mother was born in Wisconsin. They came to Nebraska and homesteaded in Scottsbluff county in 1885, Mrs. Young being the first woman to live in the Gering valley. Her two nearest neighbors were miles distant and even the smoke from their cabins could not be seen across the pathless prairie covered with red topped, swaying grass. The Youngs went through many harrowing pioneer experiences but bravely survived them all, reared and educated a fine family, and survive with vigor left to carefully and efficiently look after their numerous interests, Mrs. Young remaining for this purpose in Scottsbluff county, while Mr. Young is engaged in attending to a profitable fruit farm in Florida. Of their seven children the following survive: George, Leonard V., Mrs. Cosner, Ernest S., Minnie R. and Florence E. The eldest son, George, is in the lumber business at Marsland, Nebraska. Leonard F. is a civil engineer and consultant on construction work. He has worked on many of the irrigation projects in Nebraska, and for four years was on the Tri-State Ditch. For the past six years he has been associated with one of the largest concerns in New York, Sanderson & Porter, builders of some of the most extensive plants of all kinds in the world. Ernest S., who entered military training at the Presidio, California, sailed for France in September, 1917, and was on the Tuscania when it was torpedoed by the enemy. Formerly he was attached to an artillery division, but now is in a civilian division and is port commander at St. Denis, France. Minnie R., who has chosen the noble calling of a trained nurse, is in the Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Florence E., is a bookkeeper and stenographer in the First National Bank of Scottsbluff. The mother of |
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