Biographies
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| VIC
BIERBOWER, District Attorney for the Fifth
Judicial District of Nebraska, with headquarters in
Sidney, Neb. Mr. B. located in Nebraska City in
1871, and engaged in the practice of law up to 1876,
when he moved to Sidney and opened a law office.
Since connected in the practice of his profession,
he has frequently been assigned as special U. S.
Attorney on important cases. He was appointed
District Attorney by the Governor of Nebraska in
1880, and was unanimously elected to the same
position by both parties in November, 1881. Out of
forty-five cases tried, he has convicted forty-two,
among which are four murder cases, two for
manslaughter, twenty for shooting with intent to
kill, and the remainder for horse-stealing. He was
born in Shelly's Island, Dauphin Co., Penn., March
30, 1847; lived in his native State until 1866,
entering Dickinson College at Carlisle, Penn., in
1862, and graduated in 1866. He was admitted to the
bar in Keytesville, Mo., and for three years edited
the Marshall Banner, of Marshall, Mo., with Charles
Maynard, firm of Maynard & Co. He was also
Superintendent of Public Instruction in his county.
Their newspaper office was attacked by a secession
mob, and twice set on fire. Maynard was shot and
crippled for life and Mr. B. was severely cut and
wounded. The same was occasioned by hostile feelings
engendered by the late war. They kept up the
publication of their paper until Mr. B. came to
Nebraska. He was a delegate to Chicago National
Convention, June, 1880, and is also Western attorney
for U. P. R. R. Co. He is a brother of Ellis L.
Bierbower, U. S. Marshal of Nebraska. C. E. BORGQUIST, dealer in a general line of drugs, medicine and liquors. Opened business in April, 1871, carry a stock to the value of $5,000. He came to Sidney in 1869, as Hospital Steward in the U. S. Army, and as soon as he was discharged he opened the above business. He enlisted in 1849, in Company C, First Regiment Mounted Rifles of Regular Army. He served in the latter regiment five years, a part of which time was Sergeant. He enlisted in Fifth Cavalry in Company K, and served four and one-half years; served during the rebellion as Hospital Steward. Has participated in many Indian skirmishes. He was born in Sweden, May 14, 1826, and came to America in 1849. He was married in Boston, Mass., August 19, 1862, to Miss Mary Kinney, of Ireland. They have two children--Paul Ray and Mary Christina. He was elected County Treasurer of Cheyenne County, Neb., in 1870. He is one of the original school officers of Sidney acting in that capacity in the latter place on the organization of the first school in Cheyenne County. He owns and occupies the best business building in Sidney, which he erected in 1876; it is built of concrete, the walls of which are two feet thick and fire proof. The size of the building is 44x53, two stories high, and cost $10,000. FRED E. CLARY, firm of Maple & Clary, dealers in drugs, medicine, stationery, notions, etc., etc. Opened business in May, 1878, alone, Dr. Maple becoming a partner in the spring of 1880. They carry a stock of $3,500. Mr. Clary came to Sidney, Neb., in 1875. Was appointed Postmaster in 1878. Held the office until January 1, 1882. He was born in Maquoketa, Iowa, September 9, 1851, and lived in his native State until he was twenty-two years of age. He learned telegraph operating, and followed the business until 1878, in Nebraska, Wyoming and Utah, and operated in Sidney until he was appointed Postmaster. He was married in Maquoketa, Iowa, in November, 1877, to Miss Rose F. Van Evera of Canajoharie, N. Y. E. DORAN, firm of Doran & Tobin, proprietors of Capital Billiard Hall. Opened in May, 1880, and keep all kinds of wines, liquors and cigars. He located in Sidney, in 1877. Worked on a stock ranch for his brother-in-law a year; then went into the liquor business in another part of the village of Sidney, until he moved to his present place. He was born in Waddington, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y , January 3, 1838. He owned and operated a woolen mill, also kept a hotel, etc. He was married in his native place in 1867, to Miss Catharine Behan of the same place. They have four children--Henry T., Charles E., Rebecca J. and Wallace S. He enlisted in the fall of 1861, in Company G, Sixtieth Regiment New York Volunteer Infantry, as private, and served one year and a half; he was then made drummer of his company and served until the close of the rebellion, being mustered out in July, 1865. SAMUEL O. FOWLER, Sheriff of Cheyenne and Sioux Counties, came to Sidney in August, 1876, and went into the employ of the Sidney & Black Hills Stage Company as blacksmith, and a portion of the time as messenger on their treasury wagon, remaining in their employ three and one-half years. He was appointed Sheriff of Cheyenne County, Neb., in April, 1881, and by election has since held the office. During this term of office he has arrested three murderers, two of whom are serving life sentences, and the third is serving out a term of twenty years in the Nebraska State Prison. He has also arrested many horse thieves and notorious characters; by strategy and perseverance he was the means of the capture in Nemaha County, Kan., of the notorious murderer and robber, H. B. Coyne, who has a life sentence. Mr. F. was born in Madison County, N. Y., September 7, 1853, and was raised in a village and learned the trade of blacksmith. He went to Del Norte, Colo., in 1871, being one of the pioneers in that country. He was one of the first prospectors in the San Juan mines in the latter State, and was one who assisted to lay out the plat of Ouray City, Colo. He also spent some time in New Mexico, Texas, etc., being gone five years, and following various occupations during the time. He has taken the 32d degree in Masonry, now being a member of the Scottish Rite. A. J. HASKELL, dealer in a general stock of groceries and provisions, hardware, lumber and all kinds of ranchers' and miners' supplies, wholesale and retail. He opened the hardware and lumber business in May, 1877, and the grocery and provision business in September, 1881. He carries a stock of $15,000. He erected his own store buildings, one of which is 30x120, and another of 30x110 feet. He has erected and now owns thirteen dwelling houses, which he rents. He first located in Sidney in 1876, and followed contracting and building until 1877. He was born in Medford, Mass., August 27, 1832. He learned the carpenter and joiner trade in his native place, also carried on and owned a sash, door and blind factory in Plymouth, Mass., a year. He enlisted in August, 1861, in the Fourth Regiment, Kansas Volunteer Infantry; served fourteen months, being Orderly Sergeant, and participated in the battle of Osceola, Mo. He ran a ferry-boat on the Missouri River from Belmont to St. Joseph, Mo., one year; he then engaged in contracting and building two years in Belmont and Troy, Kan.; followed the lime business three years; farmed three years near Beaver Creek, Neb., after which, he went to Sidney, Neb. He was married in Rockport, Mass., in 1854, to Miss Adeline Pool of the latter place. They have one daughter--Lucy C. Haskell, now married to Mr. J. Papst, and living in Sidney, Neb. GEORGE H. JEWETT, Postmaster, located in Camp Sheridan, Neb., in 1873, as post trader, where he remained four years. Then went to Sidney, and engaged in contracting and forwarding Government supplies, for the use of Government troops in Camps Robinson, Sheridan and Red Cloud Agency, which business he still continues. He was appointed Postmaster December 15, 1881. The office does an average business of $3,500 per month in money orders and sells stamps to the amount of $3,000 per annum. Mr. J. was a member of the State Legislature of Nebraska in 1879-80. He was born in Rochester, N. Y., in 1848. Was raised on a farm. Enlisted, in September, 1864, in Company E, One Hundred and Forty-second Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, and participated in Butler's attack on Fort Fisher and many skirmishes, etc. He was mustered out June 8,1865. He afterward clerked in the Quartermaster's department for the Government in Forts Rice and Randall, D. T., and clerked for the post trader at Fort Randall two years. He was married in Niles, Mich., in December, 1877, to Miss Minnie Mead, of the latter city. He is a member of the Masonic order of Sidney and the I. O. O. F., of Yankton, D. T. S. KELLNER, dealer in dry goods, clothing. boots and shoes, hats and caps, etc., opened business in the spring of 1877. He has a store 72x21 feet and employs three men in the business. He was born in Hungary, Europe, September 14, 1853; came to America in 1865, and located in Cleveland, Ohio, seven years. He located soon afterward in St. Louis, Mo., and was with his father in business until 1876; then went to Laramie City with a brother, in the dry goods business, where they owned and operated a store, until he came to Sidney, Neb. He is a member of the Sidney Fire Department. Mr. K. began business with a very small capital. By attention to business and fair dealing he has now the most extensive dry goods store in Sidney. He is a thoroughly wide-awake business man and merits the patronage of the public. JAMES J. McINTOSH, County Clerk of Cheyenne County, Neb., located at Brady Island in February, 1869; engaged as operator in the employ of the U. P. R. R. Co., where he remained three months; then went to Potter, Cheyenne County, as agent and operator, five years; after which he came to Sidney. He was elected County Commissioner in 1873, but resigned after one year's service. He was also interested in the cattle business at the same time. He afterward moved on his stock ranch, twenty-eight miles west of Sidney, and lived two years; then disposed of his stock interest and moved to Sidney. He was elected County Clerk in the fall of 1877, and by re election has since held the office. He was born in the Province of Ontario, Can., at a place named St. Andrews, June 17, 1850. He was married in Omaha, Neb., in 1871, to Miss Mary Heelan, of Chicago, Ill. By their union they had two sons--John Thomas and James L. His wife died in April, 1875. He was again married, in May, 1880, in Sidney, to Miss Mollie Kelly, of Grand Island, Neb. They have one daughter--Grace. He is a member of Frank Welsh Lodge, No. 75, of Sidney, Neb. DR. J. B. MAPLE, physician and surgeon, associated with Dr. F. B. Winnett for practicing medicine; also engaged in the drug business, under the firm name of Maple & Clary; they deal in a general line of drugs and stationery. Dr. Maple is Pension and Examining Surgeon for Western Nebraska. He located in Sidney in March, 1879, and continued the practice of medicine and engaged in the drug business in 1880. He was born near Hammondsville, Ohio, February 7, 1838; was raised on a farm and taught school three years of his life when living at home, and began the study of medicine, entering the Ohio Wesleyen University, in 1860, and remained a year. He enlisted in the Eighty-sixth Ohio Regiment, in the one hundred day service; served his time and returned to the latter university and remained until 1863. He entered the Michigan University, in Ann Arbor, in the medical department, in 1864, and remained through one course of lectures. He then went to Washington, Ind., and engaged in business a year; then to Clayton, Ill., two years; then to Southern Illinois and began the practice of medicine, where he continued until 1870; moved to Stonington, Central Illinois, and practiced until 1879. He entered the Medical College of St. Louis, Mo., in 1878, and graduated in March, 1879. He is now Moderator of the Sidney School Board. He was married in Clayton, Ill., in 1866, to Elizabeth McWhinney, of the latter place. They had two daughters--Dolly and Pearle. His wife died in Sidney, Neb., in July, 1879. JUDGE JULIUS NEUBAUER, County Judge, Cheyenne County, Neb., settled in Lincoln, Nab., in the fall of 1874, and engaged in the hotel business until February, 1877, when he sold out and moved to Sidney, where he kept a restaurant until December 4, 1877, when his place burned. He then kept the Moore Hotel and was Justice of the Peace, which he followed some time; then built a new restaurant and kept the same until 1878; was elected County Judge in the fall of 1879, and by re-election has since held the office. He was born in Prussia, Germany, October 31, 1836; came to America in 1856, in company with a brother, and located in Chicago. Ill., where he followed various occupations two years; then went to Kansas City, Mo.; remained there about two years ; then to Lawrence, Kan., and worked as before until 1861, when he enlisted in the Second Regiment Kansas Volunteer Infantry, Company D, and served six months. He then settled in Fort Scott and followed different occupations, and in 1864 went to Germany; remained six months; returned to Fort Scott for some time; returned to his native country and lived four years, in the settlement of his father's estate; returned to Fort Scott in 1870, and went into the bakery and restaurant business until 1874, when he went to Lincoln, Neb. He was married in West Point, Neb., in 1871, to Miss Maria Siewert, of his native place--Germany. They have three children--August Leslie, Maria Dorethia Walleska and Julius Caesar. Mr. N. is a member of the E. V. Sumner Post, No. 12, G. A. R., and Frank Welsh Lodge, No. 75, A., F. & A. M.; also Sidney Lodge, No. 91, I. O. O. F., and a member of the Sidney Fire Department. He is the Commander of the E. V. Sumner Post and Past Master of the Masonic order of his place, and present United States Commissioner of the First District Court. JOSEPH OBERFELDER, firm of Oberfelder & Co., dealers in a general line of clothing, revolvers, ammunition, saddlery, pocket cutlery, blankets, chaperjos, oil slickers, etc. Opened the business January 6, 1877. Carry a stock of $20,000. They also own a similar store in Council Bluffs under the firm name of Oberfelder & Newman, and a branch house in San Francisco, Cal., under the firm name of the Amazon Distilling Company. He was born in New York City September 18, 1857. He graduated from Grammar School No. 19, New York City, at the age of thirteen. He then began book-keeping, and remained in the city until February, 1876, then went to Omaha, Neb., in the employ of Max Meyer & Co. as cashier and book-keeper, taking charge of the entire financial part of the business a year. He soon afterward became identified with the above firm in Council Bluffs, Sidney and San Francisco, Cal. He went to New York City in 1881, and was married to Miss Hannah Rosenthal February 2, 1881. During his life in New York City, he was Secretary, and afterward President of the Cooper Union Literary Class. Was President of the Charles Sumner Literary Union and Secretary of the Hamilton Literary Society, all of New York City. He is County Superintendent of Public Schools of Cheyenne County, Neb. ROBERT S. OBERFELDER, firm of Oberfelder & Co., located in Sidney, Neb., in 1876. He was born in New York City December 8, 1854. He entered Grammar School No. 13, and graduated from that school at the age of thirteen. He also attended the Thirteenth Street High School in the evenings. He was employed as decorator and designer for the large furniture house of B. L. Solomon & Son five years. He came to Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 1874, and went into the employ of Oberfelder & Newman, and became a member of the same firm in two years afterward, where he remained until 1876, then came to Sidney and opened business as before stated. He has since, in company with his brother and other parties, opened branch houses in San Francisco, Cal., and 266 Canal street, New York City. During his life in the latter city he was President of the Cooper Union Literary Class and Dramatic Director of the Shakespeare Dramatic Association, also Director of Murray Hill Dramatic Association and Vice President of the Jefferson Literary Union. E. A. POWELL, JR., business manager for J. Sutherland & Co., a large grocery house of Sidney, Neb. He was born in Northport, Tuscaloosa Co., Ala., January 31, 18?5. He entered Eastman's Commercial College in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., May 31, 1873, and graduated from the same September 30 of the same year. He then returned to his native place as book-keeper for McLester, Hayes & Co. one and a half years. He then went to Buffalo, Colo., and engaged in the stock business which he is now carrying on in company with his brother, W. J. Powell. They have about 500 head of cattle of all kinds. He came to Sidney, Neb., in July, 1877, and engaged in book-keeping for D. Carrigan in a general store until November, 1877, when he returned to his native place and was married, November 29, 1877, to Miss Allie Lee, of Livingston, Ala. They returned to Sidney in March, 1878. He then engaged as book-keeper for Kennard & Simpson, which he continued some time, then went to Colorado and took charge of their cattle ranch until October, 1880. Returned to Sidney as book-keeper for J. W. Haas, then in the forwarding and commercial business, and from the latter proprietor to J. Sutherland & Co., taking charge of the latter business. They have two children--Agnes Lee and William James, Jr. A. A. RICKER, dealer in boots and shoes, leather, findings, etc. Employs two workmen in the manufacture of boots and shoes, and keeps $3,000 worth of stock. Opened business May 1, 1880. He was born in Buckfield, Oxford Co., Me., April 17, 1837; lived in his native State, enlisting September 10, 1862, in Company C, Twenty-third Regiment Maine Volunteer Infantry. Was mustered out in Portland, Me., July 15, 1863. He went to Milwaukee, Wis., in 1864, and clerked in a wholesale grocery house about two years, when he returned to his native State and farmed until 1880, then went to Sidney, Neb. He was married in Buckfield, Me., in February, 1859, to Miss Josephine B. Stevens, of Vermont. They have two children--Albert E. and Angie M. He is a member of E. V. Sumner Post, No. 12, G. A. R.; also Director of Sidney School Board. I. RUBEL, of I. Rubel & Co., dealers in liquors, cigars, etc., wholesale and retail; carry a stock worth about $15,000. Opened business in February, 1879, locating in Sidney about that time. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 26, 1851. Came to America in 1869, locating in Chicago, Ill., where he engaged as traveling salesman. He afterward moved to Platteville, Wis., and engaged in the liquor business until he came to Nebraska. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Sidney Lodge, No. 91. SIMON RUBEL, dealer in hides, furs, etc., opened the business in Sidney in the fall of 1880. He is stationed in Sidney, and employs a buyer on the road. He does a good business, and is known as a good business man. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, April 21, 1854. Came to America in 1869 with his brother and located in Chicago, Ill., and engaged as traveling salesman six years. He then went to Platteville, Wis., and embarked in the liquor business until 1879, and afterward went on the road as salesman until he settled in Sidney, Neb. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., of Platteville, Wis. JOSEPH SHARMER, President of the Sidney Exchange Bank, and a member of the firm of J. Sutherland & Co. He is also largely engaged in stock-raising. He located in Sidney in 1874, bringing stock with him for a stock ranch. He was born in Germany May 25, 1829. Came to America in 1847; followed the sea for a number of years; went to California in 1853, and engaged in mining and stock-raising and other business until 1869; then went to Nevada and engaged in stock-raising until 1871. Went to Brookville, Kan., in the latter year, and followed the same business until the spring of 1874, when he came to Sidney as before stated. DR. J. J. SOLOMON, homoeopathist physician and surgeon, located in Sidney in February, 1881, and continued his profession. He was born in Old Mexico March 11, 1846, and began the study of medicine at the age of twelve years and entered the Parcilesis College, of his native city, and graduated in March, 1873. His father was a physician and surgeon. He then went to Brackettsville, Texas, and practiced his profession about two years; then to New Orleans, La., and finally traveled in many of the Southern and Eastern States, locating in Sidney as above noted. He was married in Colorado, in 1879, to Miss Ella A. Ellison, of Minnesota. They have two children--Jennie and Alonzo. The Doctor is a member of the Masonic Order, I. O. O. F., and K. of P. He enlisted in 1862 in Company C, Forty-seventh Massachusetts Regiment. Was assistant physician part of his service. He was mustered out in 1863. He participated in several skirmishes. He is now a member of G. A. R. of Golden, Colo. JAMES SUTHERLAND, Cashier of the Sidney Exchange Bank, with Joseph Sharmer, President, the above being a private bank organized and opened for business in February, 1880. The average annual deposits equal $30,000. The above parties are also owners of a large grocery store, doing a wholesale and retail business under the firm name of J. Sutherland & Co. The same parties also own a large warehouse on the north side of the Union Pacific Railway, where they transact a heavy forwarding and commission business, and now handle nearly all the freight for the Black Hills country. They also do a large trade with the stock ranchers of the surrounding country. Mr. J. S. first located in Sidney in the spring of 1875, and engaged in railroading, merchandising, etc., until he began to be interested as above noted. He was born in Scotland April 27, 1851. His parents came to America in 1853, and settled in Canada West, where he lived and attended school until he was eighteen years old. He then went to Negaunee, Mich., and engaged in book-keeping for the Iron Cliffs Company five years. He then went to Marquette, Mich., as station agent on the M. H. & O. R. R. one year; then to Chicago, Ill., and worked for Sherer & Parsons in a wholesale grocery house a few months, when he removed to Sidney, Neb. He was married on Shelly's Island, in the Susquehanna River, Penn, September, 1881 to Miss Ida Shelly, of the above island. He was elected County Treasurer of Cheyenne County, Neb., in the fall of 1881, and was appointed to fill vacancy in March of the same year. Mr. Sutherland and Mr. Sharmer are large owners of the most desirable real estate in the village. DR. F. B. WINNEIT, physician and surgeon, associated with Dr. J. B. Maple for the purpose of practicing medicine only. Dr. W. located in Sidney in the spring of 1877, and began the practice of medicine. He was born in Washington County, Penn., August 10, 1848. Began the study of medicine at eighteen years of age, entering Hogue's Summit Academy in the study of Latin in connection with other branches, and remained three years; then went to Beallsville, Washington Co., Penn., under a medical preceptor two years. He then entered the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Penn. He graduated the summer of 1870 at Long Island College Hospital. He began the practice of medicine at Scenery Hill, Washington Co., Penn., and continued eight years. After five years of successful practice in the latter place, he received the degree of ad eundem. He is largely engaged in sheep-raising in Cheyenne County, Neb., now owning several sheep ranches, and has 10,000 sheep now on the same. He in company with Dr. Maple are surgeons for the Union Pacific Railroad from North Platte to Cheyenne, Wyoming, and from Denver Junction to Sterling. They also have charge of the Cheyenne County Hospital work. He was married in Washington County, Penn., in 1868, to Miss Isabelle Scott, of the latter county, Penn. They have two children--John Elmer and Wray Biddle. |
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