Who's Who in Nebraska

NEGenWeb Project - Clay County
Who's Who in Nebraska, 1940

Clay

Who's Who

1932 has cared for father; past mbr Fairfield city coun; during World War active in ARC work, collected books for war libraries & was chmn of Clay Co coun of defense; Degree of Honor, state pres since Oct 1937; NFWC, past state corresponding secy, past state chmn of rural clubs & rural life, chmn of various depts; while pres, federated 25 new clubs in dist, greatest increase in mbrship made by any pres in 5th dist; Fairfield Clover Club; PEO ch, Harvard; OES, past worthy matron; Congl Ch, tch SS class in Harvard 25 years; Rep; hobby, organization work; res Fairfield.

   JOHNSON, HARRY HANSON: Manufacturer; b Lenox, Ia May 15, 1875; s of Manander Mott Johnson-Charlotte Ellis; ed Worth Co Mo; Doane, Acad 1900; m Lula Inez Holcomb Sept 24, 1902 Harlan Ia; s Dent Hanson (dec), Manander Mott; 1889-1893 farm worker; 1893-94 miner in Joplin Mo; 1894-99 engineer, Orr Bros Flour Mill, Clay Center; 1901 engineer Orr Bros Flour Mill, Alma; 1902-03 with Sure Hatch Incubator Co, Clay Center; 1903-10, with M M Johnson Co, mfr Old Trusty incubator, Clay Center; 1910- owner & gen mgr M M Johnson Co, Clay Center; 1916 estab Johnson Ayrshire Dairy herd, Clay Center; 1925-36 owner & opr KMMJ, radio broadcasting co; 1936 sold KMMJ radio station to KMMJ Inc; VP Comml State Bank, Clay Center; past trustee Doane Coll; past pres Clay Co Agrl Assn; chmn Clay Center lib bd, dir Clay Co bd of conciliation; chmn coun of defense & draft bd during World War; AF&AM; past pres C of C; chmn of bd & treas First Congl Ch; hobbies, stock raising, travel, poultry, trees; off Johnson Bldg; res 420 W Johnson, Clay Center.

   JONES, WILLIAM M: City Commissioner; b Harney, Md Aug 4, 1862; s of William Jones-Anna ___; ed Carroll Co Md; m Anna Arabelle Mock Feb 21, 1891 Fairfield; s Verne Sylvester, William Bernard, Glen Raymond, Roy, Ray, Howard; d Edith Pearl; 1877-83 emp on farms near Harney Md; 1883-86 did gen farm work in Ill; 1886-97 did gen farm work near Clay Center; 1897-1901 did section work on CB&Q RR, 1901-18 section foreman Clay Center Ia, 1918-20 janitor Clay Center sch; 1920- city commr & city marshal, Clay Center; hobby, fishing; res Clay Center.

   KEITH, CHARLES WORTHINGTON: Physician & Surgeon; b Cleveland, Ill¹ Jan 12, 1879; s of Worthy Peter Keith-Lenora N Graham; ed Palmyra; PSTC; Creighton U, MD; m Ruby Winona Priest Nov 11, 1915 Geneva; d Patricia Ruth; tchr in Lancaster Co 10 years: 1912-16 priv med prac in Lincoln: 1915-26 prac in Tobias; 1925- prac in Edgar; past asst to state med examining bd; city phys; asst Clay Co phys; ofcl med examiner CMTC; med examiner U S Dept of Commerce; surg CB&Q RR; past pres Clay Co Med Soc; past mbr Neb St & AMA; chmn Clay Co ARC first aid & first aid instr, chmn Clay Co disaster com; Amer Assn of Railway Surgs; vol med service corps; IOOF, Tobias; AF&AM, Scot Rite; Sesostris Shrine; OES; dist expert counsel for BSA troop 292; hobby, amateur radio, state net control ofcr of army amateur radio station W9CTJ of 7th corps area, Edgar; off Graham Bldg; res 7th & E, Edgar.
   ¹Cleveland Ill, a small coal mining town 18 mi E of Moline, was destroyed by a tornado several years ago.

   KESSLER, BERTHA TUCKER: Homemaker; b Jo Daviess Co, Ill Jan 27, 1871; d of Newton W Tucker-Sarah Prisk; ed Stockton Ill; Northern Ill Normal, Dixon; m Edward Denton Kessler Dec. 25, 1908 Stockton Ill (dec); 1890-91 rural sch tchr, Jo Daviess Co Ill; 1892-1900 rural sch tchr in Ill; 1900-06 tchr, Stockton Ill; 1907-08 agt Knights of the Globe Ins Co, Freeport Ill; 1906-08 org for woman's aux, Knights of the Globe; 1908- homemaker; past matron OES, mbr 35 years; org & past pres Clay Center Woman's Club; past supt Meth SS, supt of SS dept of Clay Co Fair Assn; Rep, committeewoman for Clay Center, past VP Clay Co Central Com; hobbies, button collecting, painting, quilting, gardening; res 810 N Brown Ave, Clay Center.

   KIRCHHEFER, EDWARD: Bank Cashier; b Lauren, Ill Aug 13, 1894; s of Reermt Kirchhefer-Sophia Popp; ed Brookings S D; m Meta Wolken Feb 1906 Barneston; s Walter; 1903-04 cash & bkkpr, Marion S D; 1904-16 because of health lived on farm near Barneston; 1917 assessment work Clay Co; 1917-19 Clay Co dep treas; 1919-29 bkkpr & asst cash in Sutton State Bank, 1929- cash; Comml Club; Sutton Golf Club; past mbr Lions; city clk 8 years; German Reformed Immanuel Ch; Rep; hobby, golf; res Sutton.

   KREBS, AUGUST CHARLES: Attorney; b Friend, Neb Jan 15, 1890; s of Jacob Krebs-Elizabeth Englehardt; ed Friend HS; U of N 1912-18, BA & LLB; Phi Delta Phi; m Mabel Jewitt Jan 22, 1919 Friend; in U S army during World War, May-Dec 1918, disch as 2nd lt; 1919-20 law prac in Clay Center; 1920-28 Clay Co judge; 1928- prac in Clay Center; city atty of Edgar; past city atty, Clay Center, past city clk; Country Club; Clay Center Gun Club; past secy C of C; AF&AM, Scot Rite at Hastings; KP; service ofcr & past comm Amer Leg; First Congl Ch; hobbies, stamp collecting, golf, hunting, fishing; off 117 S Brown; res Brown & Glenville, Clay Center.

   LATTA, JAMES OSCAR: Physician & Surgeon; b Plattsmouth, Neb Aug 9, 1877; s of William Edmundson Latta-Sarah Lee, Current; ed Kenesaw; Cotner U, MD 1902; 1900-01 capt football team of med dept Cotner U; m Ada May Bavinger Jan 20, 1904 Clay Center; s William Mitchell; d Inez Mae; 1902 prac, Clay Center; 1902-16, 1924- Clay Co phys; 1903-12 treas Clay Center Tele Co; 1908- mbr Clay Co insanity board; 1908-17 mbr city coun; 1917-20 mayor; during World War, chmn conservation commission; pres Clay Center Golf Club; secy & treas Clay Co Med Soc; Neb St Med Assn, past pres dist 7; AMA; past pres C of C, mbr exec bd; ch mbr Lions; MWA; WOW; AF&AM; Scot Rite; Shrine; KP; DOKK; hobbies, mechanics, baseball, football, golf; off 115 N Brown; res 201 N Alexander, Clay Center.

   McCONNAHA, ROBERT EMMETT JR: High School Superintendent; b Boydsville Mo Dec 7, 1907; s of Robert Emmett McConnaha-Nancy E Loftis; ed Tekamah HS 1925; Neb Wes, 13A 1931 U of N; Beta Kappa; m Isadore Stone June 7, 1931 Lincoln; s Robert Stone, Richard; 1931-36 history tchr & asst athletic coach, Harvard; 1936- supt Harvard HS; Comm Club; Clay Co Supts Assn. Past Pres; 4-Co Schoolmens Club; NSTA; First Meth Ch; hobby, sports; off HS; res Harvard.

   MacDONALD, CLAUDE ANDREWS: Postoffice Clerk; b Hoxie, Kas Jan 28, 1887; s of James C MacDonald-Agnes Scott; ed Sutton HS 1905; m Maude M Cundall Dec 3, 1913 Sutton; d Jeanette (Mrs Oliver Ham), Helen Marie, Mary Ann;, 1905-12 PO clk, Sutton; 1912-18 railway mail clk, Lincoln; 1918-28 oprd farm in Clay Co; 1923-34 P M Sutton; 1934 reinstated in civil service, postal clk since; Clay Co secy civil service bd; AF&AM 99, past master; Scot Rite, Hastings; York Rite; OES, past worthy patron; IOOF; VP Comml Club; Natl,. Fedn of PO Clks; First, Meth Ch, treas & deacon; Rep; off P O; res Sutton.

   McGHIE, McFARLENE JAMES: Furniture Dealer & Funeral Director; b Exeter, Neb July 18, 1883; s of William McGhie-Ann Gray; ed Exeter; m Pearl Ethel Graul May 18, 1910 Exeter; s William Lloyd, James Malcolm, Harold George; d Ruth Mary; 1904-17 blacksmith in Exeter; 1917-18 emp by W B Graul Furn Store in Edgar; 1919- owner & mgr Graul Furn Store & Undertaking Bus; past secy bd of edn; mbr BSA coun troop 292; IOOF; AF&AM; Neb & Natl Funeral Dirs Assn; clk of session of Presby Ch, past SS supt; father b in Aberdeen, Scotland & was married there; later came to Amer & settled on homestead near Exeter; res Edgar.

   McKIBBIN, THEODORE ROOSEVELT: Druggist; b Lexington, Neb Apr 10, 1901; s of Theodore T McKibbin-Cathrine Seifert; ed Exeter HS; Babcock Sch of Pharm, Des Moines; certificate in Neb & Mo; m Mary Ainsworth Sept 6, 1923 Exeter; s Kennth Wayne, Donald Theodore; 1925-26 druggist in Friend; 1926 druggist in Sabetha Kas; 1926-28 druggist in St Joseph Mo; 1928-30 druggist in Kimball; 1930- owner & opr Rexall Drug Store, Sutton; past mbr sch bd; Comml Club; AF&AM; past pres Lions; Meth Ch; Rep; hobbies, fishing, hunting; office & res, Sutton.

   MATTESON, GUY HAROLD: Farmer & Stockman; b Sutton, Neb Nov 24, 1888; s of Fred Cheney Matteson-Mary Elizabeth Hayward; ed Lincoln HS; U of N, BA 1909; Seattle Wash Bus Coll; m Louise Guthrie Feb 1, 1916 Lincoln (dec 1920); m Jeannette Johnson July 16, 1925 Lincoln; s Richard W, James E; d Mary E, Louise H, Jean; 1910-11 homesteaded near Moscow, Ida; 1912-13 emp by James McAllister in Custer Co; 1913- farmer & stock feeder near Sutton; mbr sch bd; state representative from Clay Co 1915-16; secy Sutton Co-op Grain Co; AF&AM, master; Dem, mbr Clay Co Central Com; hobby, reading, res RFD 4, Sutton.

   MATTESON, WILL DINSMORE: Farmer; b Sutton, Neb July 8, 1886; s of Fred Cheney Matteson-Mary Eliz-

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abeth Hayward; ed Sutton; U of N, BA 1908; m Lorna Parks Feb 18, 1913 Lincoln; s Fred C, William Victor, Frank Parks; d Cornelia E, Sally Ann; 1908-09 remittance clk First Natl Bank, Lincoln; 1910 emp 6 mos by Sutton Natl Bank; 1910-12 emp by First Natl Bank Lincoln; 1913- farmer & stock feeder as ptr of brother Guy H near Sutton; mbr sch bd past 15 years; mbr twp bd, School Creek; AF&AM; Natl Livestock Producers Assn; conservative Dem; hobbies, hunting, travel; res RFD 4, Sutton.

   MERRILL, CHARLES HAROLD: Hardware Merchant; b Edgar, Neb June 2, 1895; s of Ozias Joel Merrill-Grace Wiltshire; ed Edgar; m Georgia Lenora Wilson Sept 8, 1921 Clay Center; s Justin Wilson; d Wilma Charlene; 1915-17 owner electric store, Edgar; 1918-27 city light & water commr; 1924- owner & mgr C H Merrill Hdw Store; 1936-38 mayor; past mbr bd of edn; chief vol fire dept; AF&AM, past master, secy; secytreas Masonic Bldg Assn; dir Security State Bank; during World War ent army Sept 1917, disch Jan 1918; hobby, raising rabbits; ancestors came from England & settled in Maine 1600; father came from Wauseon Ohio to Sutton in 1870, later to Edgar; Mrs Merrill before marriage was first employee of Fed Land Bank of Omaha; res, Edgar.

   MOGER, SAMUEL WAYNE: Attorney; b Harvard, Neb June 11, 1897; s of Albert Jordan Moger-Laura Luella Kennedy; ed Harvard; m Florence Evelyn Smith Mar 11, 1921, Lincoln; d Helen Emma; 1921-38 clk Clay Co dist court; 1937- city clk & city atty; 1938- prac law, Clay Center; past secy. bd of edn; during World war ent USN June 1917, disch Aug 1919; AF&AM, secy to past master; Neb St & Amer Bar Assns; Country Club; Amer Leg, past post comm, past Clay Co comm; Congl Ch; hobbies, baseball, hunting, fishing, football; off Clay Center State Bank Bldg; res 301 Clay Ave, Clay Center.

   NIEMAN, JOHN HENRY: Druggist; b Quincy, Ill Dec 31, 1872; s of Gustav Adolph Nieman-Amelia Lober; ed Stanton; m Hannah Bell Whitten July 30, 1898 Albion; d June C, Nonda Norma, Verna Mae; 1894-1905 owner & opr Nieman's Drug Store, Petersburg; 1905- owner & opr Nieman's Drug Store, Clay Center; past chmn city coun; past pres C of C; Meth Ch; hobbies, fishing, hunting; father born in Hamburg, Germany, settled in Stanton 1884; res Clay Center.

   NORTHROP, OTTO WILLARD: Clerk of District Court; b Clay Co, Neb Oct 4, 1893; s of Walter Northrop-Hannah Matilda Nall; ed Edgar; PSTC 1914; m Irene Deines Mar 80, 1918 Hastings; s Leo William, Max Erwin, Jack Merline, Jerry Otto; 1915-16 tchr, Clay Co; 1916-23 farmer, Clay Co; 1923-88 highway patrolman, Clay Co; 1938- clk Clay Co dist court; past master AF&AM; Harvard; mbr bd of edn, Harvard; mbr cemetery bd, Harvard; mgr Harvard jr boys kittenball team; Congl Ch. Harvard; hobbies, hunting, fishing, baseball; res Clay Center.

   NUSS, HERMAN VICTOR: Physician & Surgeon; b Sutton, Neb Aug 22, 1905; s of Chris Nuss Jr-Hannah Peter; ed Sutton HS, U of N, BA 1926, BSc 1927, MD 1929; grad work Washington U, St Louis Mo 1930; Phi Rho Sigma; m F Mildred Ross Feb 10, 1929 Central City; s Richard Ross; d Janet Mildred, Victoria Maud; 1929 in Hepperlen Clinic, Beatrice; 1929-30 interne Clarkson Hosp, Omaha; 1930- prac med Sutton; 1936- farm owner, livestock feeder, Sutton; during World War, res ofcr; Comml Club; AF&AM; IOOF; Clay Co Med Soc; Neb St & AMA; Presby Ch; Rep; hobbies, farming, bridge; res Sutton.

   ORR, BURGESS HENRY: Miller; b Clay Center, Neb May 3, 1899; s of Edward Wilson Orr-Margaret Sarah Holcomb; ed Clay Center; U of N 1919-20; Kappa Sigma; m Mary Esther Keyes May 8, 1921 Holbrook; s Edward Albert, Robert Burgess; d Frances Mary; 1920-29 co-mgr Orr Bros, Clay Center; 1929- part owner Orr Milling Co, Clay Center; past mbr bd of edn; past mbr Assn of Operative Millers: pres Clay Co Rural Electrification Project; during World War, in US army Sept-Nov 1918; Clay Center Gun Club; past comm Amer Leg; C of C; past mbr KP; Reorg Ch of Latter Day Saints; hobbies, hunting, fishing, woodwork; res Clay Center.

   ORR, LESLEY KENNETH: Miller; b Clay Center, Neb Apr 24, 1896; s of Edward Wilson Orr-Margaret Sarah Holcomb; ed Clay Center; U of N 1916-17; Kappa Sigma; m Harriet May Ward Sept 10, 1919 Clay Center; s Kenneth Ward (dec); 1919-29 co-mgr Orr Bros, Clay Center; 1929- part owner Orr Bros Milling Co, Clay Center; during World War in US army May 1918-Feb 1919; past mbr city coun; dir Neb St Sportsman's Assn; Amer Leg, past comm, state chmn marksmanship com; Clay Co chmn CMTC com; C of C; AF&AM, past master; hobbies, hunting, fishing, trap shooting; res Clay Center.

   PATTON, GAYLORD T: Jeweler; b Fairfield, Neb Apr 30, 1895; s of John A Patton-Anna Thompson; ed Fairfield HS 1915; m Bess A Hoydar Sept 12, 1920 Fairfield; d Shirley Jean; 1915-18, 1919 worked for M L Jones Jewelry Store, Fairfield; during World War, priv; pres C of C; AF&AM; Amer Leg; 40 & 8, Hastings; mbr sch bd; city treas; Meth Ch; Rep; hobbies, hunting, fishing; res Fairfield.

   PAUL, JOHN MILFORD: Attorney; b Dakota Co, Neb Oct 15, 1878; s of William C Paul-Myrna Ann Dezell; ed Wakefield; WSTC; U of N, BA 1905; m Emma Mary Hamlon June 13, 1918 Aurora; d Nellie Genevieve, Oletha Eliza; 1895 farmed in Dixon Co; 1896-98 tchr, Cedar Co; 1901-08 student U of N & sch tchr; 1908-11 prac law, Emerson; 1910-11 editor & publisher Emerson Enterprise;, 1911-13 supt Bauxite Ark HS; 1913- prac law, Harvard; 1918- owner & opr 400 A farm; during Sp-Amer War, 1899-1901 in U S army Co G, 34th U S vol inf, Philippine Islands; mayor, city atty, Harvard; past city atty, Emerson & Wakefield; Neb Bar Assn; past treas Neb St Fedn of Co Taxpayers Leagues; hobbies, horticulture, fishing; res Harvard.

   PERRY, CHAS: Merchant; b La Rose, Ill June 29, 1872; s of William Thomas Perry-Susan McCune; ed Harvard; m Ona Crabbe Jan 14, 1904 Harvard; s Homer; IS94-98 played professional baseball at Hastings, Topeka & Atchison, Kas, St Joseph & Kansas City, Mo; 1898- in hdw bus, Harvard; 1927 became owner Perry Furn Co; MWA; mbr lib bd; Dem; hobby, baseball; res Harvard.

   PERRY, JAMES LEROY: Abstractor; b Marshall Co, Ill Oct 22, 1870; s of William Thomas Perry-Susan McCune; ed Harvard: m Stella Hannah Green Oct 29, 1896 Chicago; 1892-96 worked for father in hdw store, Harvard; 1896-97 emp by Norton Bros Mfg Co, Chicago; 1898-1901, 1917-22 Clay Co dep clk; 1902 transcribed numerical land indexes, Clay Co; 1903-15 secy & mgr Mutual Tele Co, Clay Center; 1915-17 mgr Lincoln Tele & Teleg Co, Clay Center; 1923- owner & mgr J L Perry Abstract & Ins Co; 1900-30 dir Clay Center municipal band; past mbr city coun; C of C; AF&AM; Scot Rite; past mbr Neb Title Assn; Clay Center Golf Club; hobbies, music, golf; off Corner Bank Bldg: res Clay Center.

   PLETTNER, ELMER WILLIAM: Co-Owner Hatchery; b Fulton Co, O Aug 11, 1895; s of Andrew F Plettner-Catherine Weckesser; ed Fulton Co, O; m Eva Stites Aug 1, 1917 Fulton Co, O; s Elmer Jr, Earl, Elden; d Evelyn, Etta Jean, Eva; 1918-20 worked on cattle ranch, Mont; 1920-28 day laborer, Hamilton, Mont; 1923 ptr in garage bus, Missoula Mont; 1923 farmed in Canada; 1927-29 ran hatchery, Exeter; 1928- opr hatchery & poultry farm, Sutton; mbr sch bd; mbr city coun; Comml Club; hobby, machinery; res Sutton.

   PUMPHREY, FRANK THEODORE: Retired; b Melrose, Ia May 1, 1868; s of Thomas F Pumphrey-Elmyra Gardner; ed Melrose, Leon, Ia; m Olive Honeycutt June 29, 1891 Springfield; s Guy Floyd; d May V (Mrs E R Doll), Grace (Mrs Dickerson); 1885-1938 with CB&QRR, 1885-87 helper, Friend, 1887- 88 opr, Friend, 1888-89 agt Havelock, 1889-95 agt, Gretna, 1896-1909 agt, Milford, 1909-10 agt, Wolbach, 1910-18 Greeley, 1918-38 Sutton; IOOF; MWA; hobby, flowers; res Sutton.

   REED, FRED LEE: Lumber Dealer; b Wymore, Neb Aug 7, 1889; s of William Isles Reed-Addie C Clayton; ed Wymore; LBC; m Della Victoria Miller Nov 26, 1913, Blue Springs; s Hobart Dean, Gene Burnell; 1910-13 farmed, Gage Co; 1913-16 bkkpr & foreman Farmers Grain, Lbr & Coal Co, Wymore, 1916-26 gen mgr; 1926-28 VP & sales mgr Beckman Chevrolet Corp, Sidney; 1928-29 agt Bankers Life Ins Co; 1929-30 mgr Harvard Lbr Co, Howard; 1930-31 sales mgr Oliver Lbr Co, Hastings; 1931- mgr Clay Center Lbr Co; mgr city coun, Wymore; past pres Clay Center lib bd; AF&AM, jr deacon; dir, past pres, past secy-treas Lions; dir & past pres C of C; ch mbr Kiwanis, Wymore; Neb Lbr Mchts Assn; Meth Ch,, SS supt 8 years at Wymore, ofcl bd mbr Sidney & Harvard, tchr boys class; mbr ofcl bd, tchr young peoples class, Clay Center; hobbies, flowers, automobiles; off Clay Center Lbr Yard; res 116 N Clay, Clay Center.

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Who's Who

   ROBERTSON, LEWIS ADELBERT: Merchant; b Clay Co, Neb Nov 14, 1878; s of John Henry Robertson-Mary Elizabeth Coon; ed Clay Co; m Julia Matilda Rudeen Oct 5, 1908 Omaha; s Rex Rudeen, James Herbert; 1901-07 farmed, Clay Co; 1907-23 clk for J H Webster, Harvard; 1923- owner & mgr Websters Store, Harvard; past twp treas; mbr city coun; secy vol fire dept 30 years; chm farmers street & improvement fund; AF&AM, past master; Scot Rite; OES, worthy patron: past noble grand IOOF; Congl Ch, trustee; hobbies, horseshoes, baseball, football; res Harvard.

   ROTHROCK, HARRY JENNINGS: Attorney; b Reynolds, Neb Sept 19, 1896; s of Martin Luther Rothrock-Nancy Elizabeth Dice; ed Exeter HS 1915; U of N, LLB 1919; 1919-20, 1921-23 prac law, Exeter; 1920-21 prac law, Hastings; 1923-33 emp in sales work in Neb & Ia, 4 years traveling representative for Standard Oil Co of Ind & Deeprock Corp, Chicago; 1933-35 with John B Scott in law prac, Sutton; 1935- indep prac of law; 1936-39 city atty; past city clk, Exeter; past twp clk, Exeter; during World War, 4-min man; IOOF; Comml Club; Neb St Bar Assn; Dem; hobbies, hunting, fishing, stamp collecting; res Sutton.

   ROWLEY, CLAUDE LESLIE: Grocer; b Clyde, Kas Mar 8, 1909; s of Charles Arthur Rowley-Rosalie Wiler; ed Clyde Kas; U of N, BSc 1931, pres sophomore class, pres N Club; won 3 major letters in football, 2 in track; PSTC; Alpha Gamma Rho; Alpha Zeta; m Mildred Ethel Dunahugh June 29, 1931 Clyde Kas; s Claude L Jr; d Marilyn Louise; 1926-27 tchr, Clay Co Kas; 1931-34 tchr & coach Sutton HS; 1934-36 tchr Wahoo HS; 1936- owner & opr Rowley Groc Store, Sutton; past BSA scoutmaster at Sutton & Wahoo; Comml Club; IOOF; Sutton Golf Club; First Meth Ch, steward; Indep; hobbies, athletics, bridge, golf; res Sutton.

   SCHMIDT, HERMAN JOHN: Merchant; b Hamilton Co, Neb Dec 29, 1902; s of Jacob J Schmidt-Christina Eva Roth; ed Sutton HS; m Hilda Huber Jan 9, 1930 Sutton; s Lawrence Herman; d Verlene Hilda; while in sch worked in gen mdse stores in Sutton; 1918 resided at Loveland Colo; 1919-29 with C H Griess & Co gen mdse, Stockham; 1930- with brother William, owner & opr Schmidt Bros Gen Mdse Store, Sutton; past secy Lions Club; secy Comml Club since 1938; past mbr city coun; First Reformed Immanuel Ch; Rep; hobby, fishing; res Sutton.

   SCHWENK, WILLIAM GEORGE: Hardware & Implement Dealer; b Harvard, Neb Feb 24, 1887; s of William Schwenk-Kathrine Bieck; ed Clay Co; m Maude Stiles Nov 1912 Hastings; s Clayton; 1903-06 carp, Harvard; 1906-07 with Updike Grain Co, Omaha; 1907- ptr of Edmund Bieck in Harvard Impl & Hdw Co, Harvard; past mbr city coun; during World War, mbr local bond com; Comm Club; AF&AM; MWA; Chris Ch; Rep; hobby, baseball; res, Harvard.

   SCOTT, JOHN B: Attorney; b Ontario, Canada Sept 28, 1866; s of George Scott-Charlotte A Stevens; ed Oxford Co, Ontario; Jones Coll, London Ontario; m Carolina Amelia Bell Oct 1899, Canada; 1899-91 farmed. near Friend; 1891-99 law ptr of James Pugh, Minden: 1899- prac law, Sutton, 1934- with law firm, Scott & Sullivan, Sutton; past mayor; past city atty; KP, grand chancellor 1932-33; 10th Judicial Dist & Neb St Bar Assns; Meth Ch, chmn bd of trustees; Rep; hobby, greyhounds; res Sutton.

   SEELY, HENRY HAMBLIN: Physician & surgeon; b Middlebury, Vt May 14. 1872; s of Henry Martyn Seely-Sarah Jane Matthews; ed Middlebury Vt Coll, BA; U of Vt, MD 1898; Chi Psi; Delta Mu; Nu Sigma Nu; m Clara May Kirtland June 29, 1905 Fair Haven Vt; d Mary Louise, Sarah May (Mrs William S Lockwood); 1894-95 chemist N Y agrl experiment station, Geneva N Y; 1898-99 interne Boston City Hosp; 1900 ship's surg on SS San Juan, also student Post Grad Hosp, N Y City; 1900-09 prac, Richmond Vt; Burlington Vt; 1910- prac, Harvard; Feb 8, 1911 lic as registered pharm; 1908-09 consulting phys, Mary Fletcher Hosp; assoc staff mbr Mary Lanning Hosp, Hastings; Amer Assn of Railway Surgs; Assn of Mil Surgs of US; Neb St & AMA; AF&AM; Scot Rite, 32^o Burlington Vt; Cairo Shrine, Rutland Vt; father was prof of chemistry & natural history in Middlebury Coll, Vt; off & res Harvard.

   SHAFFER, LESLIE FINCH: Dry Cleaner; b Boone Co, Neb Dec 4, 1907; s of Charlie Johnson Shaffer-Angie Chamberlain Finch; ed St Edward; Hastings Coll 1926-29; Eta Phi Lamba; m Ella Marie Skanderup, Jan 19, 1929 St Edward; d Shirley Ann, Nadene Beth, Karen Marie; 1929- owner & mgr Clay Center Cleaners; mbr bd of edn; chmn BSA com troop 281; pres C of C; past mbr Clay Center Golf Club; past pres Lions; trustee Congl Ch, SS supt; hobbies, biographies, gardening, baseball, football, basketball; res 505 N Brown, Clay Center.

   SHUBERT, REX: Postmaster; b Butler, Mo Oct 14, 1895; s of James W Shubert-Nazerator Bear; ed Fairfield HS 1915; m Marie Phelps May 20, 1924 Mankato Kas; s Rex Jr; 1915-17 opr delivery service for grocery stores in Fairfield; 1919-23 timekeeper for Northwestern Bell Tele CO, Omaha; 1923-37 owner & opr cleaning establishment, Fairfield; 1937- P M; past city clk; during World War, ent U S army Apr 1918 O/S with 350th Inf of 88th div, disch Camp Dodge June 1919; Amer Leg; Comm Club; Neb ch Natl Assn of P Ms of U S; Congl Ch; Dem; hobbies, fishing, hunting; res Fairfield.

   SIEFKEN, THOMAS A: Postmaster; b Lee Co, Ill Apr 12, 1878; s of Hero S Siefken-Jane Sutton; ed Clay Co; Fremont Normal; Grand Island Bus Coll; m Effie Lineaweaver Feb 23, 1898 Hastings; s Robert D; d Ruth F (Mrs L B Shreve), Mildred L; 1895-96 opr of father's farm; 1896-1902 with whol house in Hastings; 1902-07 with J H Haney & Co, whol harness & saddlery; 1907-12 farmed father's homestead; 1912-15 Clay Co dep clk, Clay Center; 1915-16 with Farmers Elevator Co, Harvard; 1916-18 Clay Co clk of dist court; 1918-21 mgr Farmers Elevator Co in Harvard; 1921-26 owner & opr grain bus pur from Nye-Schneider-Fowler; 1926-34 real est & ins agt; 1934- P M Harvard; past mayor, past mbr city coun; Clay Co supvr; AF&AM Scot Rite 32^o; Tehama Shrine, Hastings; IOOF; Chris Ch; Dem; hobbies, collecting old stamps & old coins, father hauled lbr from Harvard to build one of first farm houses in Clay Co; res Harvard.

   SNEDGEN, ALFRED THEODORE: Superintendent of Schools; b Rhode Westphalia Germany Aug 28, 1894; s of Bernard Snedgen-Bernadine Hesse; ed Rhode Germany grade sch; Conception Mo HS 1914; Colo St Tchrs Coll, Greeley 1915-17; U of Colo, Boulder, 1923-24 summers; U of N, BA 1926, MA 1934; Lambda Gamma Kappa; m Theresa Hildebrand Sept 28, 1922 Kansas City MO; s Alfred T Jr; d Margaret Ann; 1915 with Evans Colo Pharm, 1922 with Olive Street Pharm, Kansas City MO; 1923-24 supt of Kiowa consolidated schs, Roggen Colo; 1924-25 supt of Kirtland N M consolidated schs; 1926-32 supt of schs, Alvo; 1932-34 held fellowship U of N; 1934-35 with Neb State highway dept; 1936- supt of schs, Sutton; during World War, 1917-22 in US army in France, Belgium & Germany; Amer Leg 61; pres Southern Neb Schoolmens Club; NSTA; hobbies fishing, hunting, gardening; res Sutton.

   SULLIVAN, JOHN EUGENE: Attorney; b Hickman, Neb Mar 31, 1911; s of Andrew Joseph Sullivan-Lillian Maas; ed College View & Cathedral HS Lincoln; U of N, BA 1932, LLB 1934; m Margaret Elizabeth Burke Dec 26, 1933 Lincoln; s John Joseph; d Joan Carroll, Judith Ann; 1934-35 gen prac in Lincoln; 1935-Jan 1989 ptr in firm of Scott & Sullivan, Sutton; Jan 1, 1939- Clay Co atty; C of C; past mbr Barrister's Club, Lincoln; Neb Co Attys Assn; Neb St Bar Assn; Clay Center Golf Club; Country Club; St. Joseph's Cath Ch; hobby, golf; off Courthouse; res 315 N lay (sic) Ave, Clay Center.

   SWANSON, HJALMAR AUGUST: Postmaster; b Clay Co, Neb Aug 23, 1878; s of Trued Swanson-Ellen Lundahl; ed Sutton; U of N, BA 1903; Kappa Sigma; m Mabel Constance Stone June 14, 1906 Prairie Du Sac Wis; s Harold Arthur, Russell Eugene; d Marion Elenore; 1903-04 sch tchr Erwin S D; 1904-05 sch tchr, Trinidad Colo; 1906-16 asst cash in Clay Center State Bank, 1916-31 cash; 1931-34 farmer & ins agt in Clay Co; 1934- P M Clay Center; 1914-35 secy Clay Co Mutual Ins Co; 1914 secy Clay Center Co-op Grain Co; past pres & past secy bd of edn: past mbr city coun; 1917-18 in Neb legislature; C of C; AF&AM; Neb Ch Natl Assn of PMs of US; Congl Ch, past supt of SS; father came from Monmouth Ill, settled in Clay Co 1872; off P O; res 403 E Glenville, Clay Center.

   TRAEGER, PAUL: Clergyman; b Leipzig, Germany Aug 2, 1872; s of Ernest Traeger-Emilie Mueller; ed Germany; gymnasium of Leipzig, Germany; Mission House Coll, Plymouth Wis, BA 1895, MA 1923, PhD 1926, U of Wis; m Dora Mahloch Dec 7, 1898 Kiel Wis; s Theodore Ernest (dec), Calvin Elmer (dec), Edgar Alvin: d Clara Estella (Mrs Leroy Krampe),

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in Nebraska

Clay

Edna Dora, Gertrude Ethel, Esther Anna (Mrs Gilbert Winkler); 1891 came to Amer; 1898 ordained June 5, Chicago; 1898-1901 pastor First Reformed Ch, Chicago; 1901-08 pastor Silver Creek Ch, Freeport Ill; 1908-21 Bethany Reformed Ch, Baxter Ia, 1921-32 prof of German & French in Mission House Coll, Plymouth Wis; 1932- pastor Emmanuel Reformed Ch, Sutton; 1901-08 stated clk Chicago classis; 1911-12 pres Ursinus classis Ia; 1922-23 pres synod of Northwest Reformed Ch; pres Neb classis 1934; 1906-12 mbr bd of ch erection, formed to build, new churches; 1922-28 mbr bd of ministerial relief; 1929-32 mbr bd of Central Publishing House, Cleveland O; author of Contributions to Catechetical Instructions 1899, The Inspiration of the Bible 1900; 1932-34 editor of German Almanac of the Reformed Ch in the US; author of lectures on Schiller, Goethe & modern literature published in the German Almanac 1933-34; Neb synod, Evang & Reformed Chs; hobby, reading; off & res Sutton.

   VAUCK, HENRY: County Judge; b Sutton, Neb Nov 22, 1876; s of Heinrich Vauck-Ernestine Lange; ed Sutton HS 1895; Rohrbaugh Bus Coll, Omaha; PSTC; m Alice Jeannette Oakley Mar 12, 1902 Ong; s Edward L, Earl, Burnett E; d Bernice (Mrs Orren L Graves); country sch tchr 7 years; 1904-10 Fillmore Co supt of schs; farmed 20 years in Fillmore & Clay Cos; Clay Co judge 11 years; mbr sch bd; mbr Co-op Farmers Elevator bd; Farm Bur; IOOF; Congl Ch; hobbies, tree planting, caring for lawn; keeping in touch with schoolmates of the 1888 blizzard year which culminated in celebration of 50th anniversary of blizzard; rees (sic) 515 South Alexander, Clay Center.

   WALLEY, JAMES GARRETT: Merchant; b Edgar, Neb Oct 10, 1878; s of John J Walley-Susan M Sanborn; ed Edgar HS 1895; m Helen V Stout Nov 4, 1903 Edgar; s Gerald W; d Lois S (Mrs E J McGee); 1897-05 emp by Brown & Ferree Bros Merc Co, Edgar; 1905 pur Mrs Brown's int; 1905-19 ptr in Ferree Bros & Walley Merc Store; 1919-29 ptr of E F Hart in Walley & Hart Merc, Edgar; 1929 pur Hart's int & since opr the bus as J G Walley Co; past mbr county coun; Lions, past pres; AF&AM; RAM; KT; Tehama Shrine; Fedn of Neb Retailers; First Presby Ch; hobbies, hunting, fishing, gardening; off & res Edgar.

   WELCH, JOSEPH MICHAEL: Physician & Surgeon; b Waunakee, Wis Oct 9, 1878; s of Thomas Welch-Hannah O'Malley; ed Madison Wis HS 1898; Rush Med Coll, Chicago, MD 1902; m Emma G Wanderer Sept 1905 Milwaukee Wis; m Mary F Dieringer Oct 14, 1920 Independence Mo; s Paul David; d Adelaide Marie; 1902-03 prac med, Milwaukee Wis; June-Nov 1903 prac Preston Idaho; Nov 1903- Oct 1922 prac Stockham; Oct 1922- priv prac, Sutton; 1936- mayor Sutton; past mayor & mbr city coun, Stockham; past mbr sch bd of Stockham; surg Sutton Gen Hosp since 1920; staff mbr of St Elizabeth Hosp, Lincoln; Comml Club; Clay Co Med Soc; Neb St & AMA; hobbies, hunting, travel; off Welch Bldg; res Sutton.

   WERNER, GEORGE KARL: Contractor; b Clay Co, Neb Apr 7, 1898; s of Philip Werner-Lissette K Kammerer; ed Clay Co; York Bus Coll 1916-17; m Marie Elsie Wolfe Oct 17, 1922 Hastings; s Philip Frank; d Marvella Fae; 1919-21 farmer, Clay Co; 1922-23 salesman, Fairfield; 1923-36 owner & gen mgr Werner Truck Line, Fairfield; 1930-36 gen mgr George K Werner & Son, contrs & producers of sand, gravel & bituminous aggregates at Fairfield; 1936 moved Werner Truck Line & George K Werner & Sons bus to Clay Center; during World War in US marine service with Smedley D Butler at Philadelphia Penn during cleanup 1918-19; C of C; Amer Leg; AF&AM Fairfield, Scot Rite & Tehama Shrine Hastings; Clay Center Golf Club; Clay Center Gun Club; Congl Ch; hobbies, hunting, fishing; off & res 421 N Center, Clay Center.

   WHISENAND, MRS PAUL: Librarian; b Clay Co, Neb May 15, 1885; d of Frederick Boge-Mathilda Holmes; ed Harvard HS 1902: Geneva Jr Normal; m Paul Whisenand Oct 10, 1910 Hastings; s Keith (dec). Neal (dec); d Mavis; 1906-10 with Harvard Bank & real estate off; 1938- librarian, has published 3 booklets of verse, The Blue Booklet of Verse I, II, III & club play entitled What Federation Means; essay & hist text, This is Nebraska, on Neb Indians, won first prize in natl contest conducted by GFWC; won 1931 prize in state poetry contest on A Mother's Prayer-, poems in Crown Anthology of Verse Caravan Anthology, Biographical History of Contemporary Poets, Homespun & Gen Fedn Anthology of Verse; poem Goldenrod included in State Flower Poems for exhibit at both World Fairs 1939; pres 5th Dist NFWC, program chmn state convs 1933-34; state chmn rural clubs 4 years; sponsored Neb Beautiful contest which won statewide recognition; poet laureate NFWC since 1935; past mbr Alma rural sch bd; Harvard Womans Club; Progressive Womens Club; Neb Writers Guild; NS&D of Neb; Meth Ch; Dem; hobby, writing; res Harvard.

   WIELAND, EDWIN M: County Superintendent of Schools; b Sutton, Neb Sept 26, 1902; s of Jacob Wieland-Lydia Schwarz; ed Sutton; U of N, BSc 1927; Hastings Coll; m Sarah Violet Ovenden June 17, 1933 Lincoln; 1922-23 clk for Spielmann Pharm, Sutton; 1927-28 tchr & coach in Dwight schs, also tchr of summer classes at Sutton; 1928-31 tchr & coach Deshler schs; 1931- Clay Co Supt of Pub instruction; has contributed articles to NEA Journal on pub relations for rural schs; sponsored series of radio addresses on schs & the community thru PTA; chmn Neb tuberculosis seal sales; secy Clay Co bd of health; mbr Neb Planning Commission; treas Clay Center BSA troop 281; secy Country Club; Lions; secy Clay Co Supts Assn; past VP & past secy Neb Assn of Co Supts; SS tchr, Congl Ch, mbr com on mbrship; hobbies, reading, coin collecting, books; off Courthouse; res Clay Center.

   WOLF, OTTO WILLIAM: Publisher; b Madison, Neb Dec 16, 1883; s of Fred Wolf-Carrie Stracke; ed Madison HS; m Dora M Peterson Sept 1, 1909 Madison; s Arthur F; d Maxine; began to learn printing trade when 15 years old & in HS; 1890-1912, printer, Madison; 1912-17 Madison Co dep clk; 1917-22 Madison Co clk; 1922-23 owner & opr groc, Omaha; 1923-25 with Kenesaw Progress; 1925-27 with Madison Star Mail; 1927- owner & publisher Edgar Sun; NPA; chmn BSA com; secy Lions Club; Presby Ch; hobby, work; off Edgar Sun; res Edgar.

   YOST, CONRAD GEORGE: Auto Dealer; b Clay Co, Neb Jan 9, 1885; s of George Yost-Margaret Sinner; ed Harvard HS 1903; m Elizabeth Wendt July 23, 1907 Harvard; s Otto W (dec) 1919; Ardell I; Merlin; d Frieda A (Mrs James Dunne), Cecelia R, Marian; 1903-09 with J H Yost Lbr Co, Harvard & Grafton; 1909-14 owner & opr hdw & impl bus, Grafton & Sutton; 1914- in auto & petroleum bus, Sutton; secy bd of edn; Comml Club, past pres; Neb Indep Oil Dlrs Assn; Neb Auto Dlrs Assn; United Transporters of Petroleum Products; trustee Evang Ch; Dem; hobby, motoring; res Sutton.

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Who's Who in Nebraska (introduction & directory, abbreviations list)

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