Biographical Sketches of Edgar
 
 
 
David F. Anderson
O. A. Avery
Rev. Albert B. Byram
O. B. Canfield
M. S. Dougherty
William R. Fuller
Corydon F. Glazier
John G. Glazier
Charles G. Hayes
Milton J. Hull
Joseph R. Kidd
Simeon B. Montgomery
John P. Nelson
N. B. Olseene
John G. Prosser
S. Addison Searle
John V. Stayner
George W. Updike
John J. Walley
Charles H. Warren
S. J. Whitten
Rev. William H. Wilson
Harry K. Wolfe
 
 

 
      DAVID F. ANDERSON, physician and surgeon, Edgar, was born in Darlington, Beaver Co., Penn., June 5,
      1845. Was educated at Monmouth College, Ill., and during 1872 and 1873 practiced medicine under Dr.
      Robinson, at Mount Pleasant, Iowa; and then attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Keokuk,
      Iowa, graduating in 1874, after which he practiced in Fulton and Texarcana, Ark. He came to Edgar in May,
      1879, and at once opened an office for the practice of his profession. The Doctor is a member of the Nebraska
      State Medical Society and the Republican Valley Medical Society.


      O. A. AVERY, dealer in grain and live stock, was born in Corinth, Vt., February 10, 1837, and, at eighteen
      years of age removed to Boston, Mass., where he was for three years employed in a mineral water manufactory.
      He enlisted, October 22, 1858, in the Fifth United States Cavalry, serving for five years, and, on June 25, 1863,
      re-enlisted in the Third Rhode Island Cavalry, and was commissioned First Lieutenant, and promoted to Captain
      March 24, 1864. Was mustered out January 26, 1866; subsequently was for a year engaged in a grist-mill at
      Corinth, afterward carrying on a fruit farm in Union County, Ill., until he came to Nebraska. In January, 1870, he
      homesteaded and timber-claimed 320 acres in Sheridan Precinct, Clay County, and resided on the same for
      nearly six years, farming and improving his property. He came to Edgar in 1876, and was employed in various
      capacities until he engaged in this business in February, 1880. He is also engaged in farming and breeding stock.
      While residing in Sheridan Precinct, he held the office of Justice of the Peace for two years, and was for several
      years a member of the School Board. He was elected a Trustee of Edgar in April, 1881. Mr. Avery was
      married, at New Orleans, May 25, 1866, to Rosa L. Hoffman, a native of Georgia. They have five
      children--Carrie, Clarence, George, Robert and one infant son.


      REV. ALBERT B. BYRAM, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Edgar, was born in Darke County, Ohio,
      October 31, 1843, and raised on a farm in Iowa. He was educated at the State University of Iowa City,
      graduating in 1874, and afterward at the Northwestern Theological Seminary, at Chicago, graduating there in
      1877. He was licensed to preach, by the Chicago Presbytery, in the spring of 1876, and in April, 1877, took
      charge of the Presbyterian Church at Greenville, Ill., remaining there until he came to Nebraska in June, 1880, at
      which time he took charge of the First Presbyterian Church at Fremont, remaining there for a year. He came to
      Edgar, in July, 1881, and entered upon his present duties. He is a very able speaker, and popular with his
      congregation. Mr. Byram was married at West Liberty, Iowa, in July, 1873, to Mary E. Dawson, a native of
      Pennsylvania. They have two children--Elbert W. and Ethel.


      O. B. CANFIELD, physician and surgeon, Edgar, was born in Perrysburg, Ohio, December 11, 1855, and
      resided in Illinois, with his parents, accompanying his father, A. B. Canfield, to Edgar, Neb., in 1875, and during
      the winter of 1876 and 1877, he took a course of lectures at Rush Medical College, Chicago; also attended
      Kentucky School of Medicine, at Louisville, graduating there June 25, 1877, after which he began the practice of
      his profession at this place. The doctor has been a member of the State Medical Society for over two years.


      M. S. DOUGHERTY, manufacturer of and dealer in harnesses.


      WILLIAM R. FULLER, musical merchandise, jewelry, etc., Edgar, was born at Fort Ann, Washington Co., N.
      Y., in 1845, and some years later moved to Dowagiac, Mich., where he resided with his father and assisted him
      in carpenter work. He enlisted August 6, 1862, in the Nineteenth Michigan Infantry, serving for three years. After
      the war he attended the State Normal School, at Whitewater, Wis., for a year, after which he taught school for
      some years. He came to Nebraska, April 2, 1870, homesteaded 160 acres in Sherman Precinct, Nuckolls
      County, and resided on the same for ten years, during which period he farmed and also taught school. He came
      to Edgar in January, 1880, and engaged in this business in company with D. E. Hughes, and in September, 1881,
      he bought out his partner, since which time he has conducted the business alone. He was elected Justice of the
      Peace in November, 1881. Mr. F. was married in Beatrice, Neb., in November, 1872, to Flora Follett, a native
      of Pennsylvania. They have four children--Carl R., Lottie, Loren A. and one infant daughter.


      CORYDON F. GLAZIER, of the firm Glazier Bros., dealers in pumps, implements, etc., Edgar, was born in
      Bennington County, Vt., in 1852, removing with parents to Putnam County, Ill., in 1855; was reared on a farm.
      He came to Nebraska, in 1870; was for two years engaged in dealing in live stock at Ashland, and came to
      Edgar in 1872, and was for five years in mercantile business in company with John G., his brother. On his arrival
      here he also engaged in the Halladay wind-mill business, and in 1880 he admitted his brother, D. E. Glazier, as a
      partner. Mr. G. is also engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was married at Edgar, in December, 1875, to
      Libby Canfield. They have one son--Fremont.


      JOHN G. GLAZIER, merchant, was born in Jamaica County, Vt., August 30, 1847, and, eight years later,
      removed with his father to Putnam County, Ill., where he was reared on a farm. In 1862, he went to Peru, Ill.,
      and entered the employ of Lininger Bros., general merchants, as clerk. He came in that capacity with the firm to
      Ashland, Neb., in 1869, remaining in their employ there for three and a half years. In August, 1873, he came to
      Edgar, and at once engaged in general merchandise business in company with his brother, George F. Glazier,
      under the style of Glazier Bros. They dissolved in 1878, and, one year later, John F. closed out the entire
      business. Was one of the organizers of the Grand Island Banking Company in January, 1880, and was elected
      Vice President. He managed the company's business at this place for about a year, then sold out his interest in the
      concern. In August, 1881, he again engaged in mercantile business, and has continued since. He has also for
      some time, been engaged in the cultivation of trees, etc. Mr. G. has been a member of the school board for some
      years, and has, at various times, filled the office of Treasurer of that body. He was elected a Trustee of the town,
      in April, 1882. Mr. Glazier was married at Ashland, Neb., in 1870, to Luella E. Pratt, a native of New York.
      They have four children--John L., Jessie L., William C. and Harry M.


      CHARLES G. HAYES, proprietor Commercial Hotel, was born in Ottawa, La Salle Co., Ill., November 16,
      1849, and was reared on a farm. He came to Nebraska in 1867, and was for ten years employed in farming in
      Cass County. He came to Edgar in the fall of 1877, and at once engaged in the livery business, which he has
      carried on since. On April 25, 1880, he purchased the Commercial Hotel, since which time he has added many
      improvements. He has now a good house and accommodation for forty guests. He was married, in Ashland,
      Neb., March 7, 1872, to Martha J. Pratt, a native of New York. They have two children--Stella M. and Lulu.


      MILTON J. HULL, Postmaster, was born in Waterloo, Monroe Co., Ill., August 22, 1841, and was reared in
      Jersey County on a farm. Enlisted in the Fourteenth Illinois Infantry April 1, 1861, and served for four years,
      subsequently following teaching. In 1867, he attended Eastman's Commercial College in Chicago, where he
      graduated, after which he farmed in Jersey County until he came to Nebraska in the fall of 1871, at which time he
      homesteaded 160 acres in Logan Precinct, Clay County, and resided on the same for four years. He was
      appointed Deputy Clerk of Clay County in January, 1876, and removed to Sutton, where he resided, and
      engaged in that capacity until the following October. Was then appointed Postmaster of Edgar, since which time
      he has resided here. Since the spring of 1877, has also been engaged in conducting a book and stationery store,
      and, in 1879, established the Edgar Review, of which paper he is still the proprietor. Mr. Hull has always taken
      an active part in all enterprises for the improvement of the town and people. He is a prominent leader in the
      Masonic Lodge of the place. He was married at Whitehall, Ill., in October, 1870, to Martha C. Bingham, a
      native of Michigan.


      JOSEPH R. KIDD, of the firm of Kidd & Dalton, general merchandise and agricultural implements, was born in
      Morgan County, Ohio, January 3, 1843, where he was reared on a farm. He enlisted November 10, 1863, in the
      Ninth Ohio Cavalry, and served until the close of the war, after which he came home and farmed until he came to
      Nebraska in February, 1874. He homesteaded 160 acres, and tree-claimed the same amount, in Sheridan
      Precinct, Clay County, and resided on the same five years, during which time he was principally engaged as a
      carpenter and builder. In January, 1878, he engaged in the implement business, and in August, 1880, he admitted
      Henry Dalton to a partnership, at which time they added general merchandise, and now do business as above.
      Mr. K. was married in 1867, at McConnellsville, Ohio, to Josephine Young, a native of that place. They have
      seven children--Annie B., Luella, Mattie, Albert, Loren, Frederick and Hattie.


      SIMEON B. MONTGOMERY, of the firm of "Frees & Montgomery," lumber and coal, was born in Brown
      County, Ohio, August 11, 1842. He enlisted October 21, 1861, in the Seventieth Ohio Infantry, and served three
      years, after which he returned to his home in Ohio, and learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed for a
      livelihood. He came to Nebraska April 12, 1872, and homesteaded 160 acres in Sheridan Precinct, Clay
      County, residing on the same about two years, then in Sutton. Immediately on his arrival he began business as a
      contractor and builder, following it for about five years. He built the present schoolhouse at Sutton in 1876, and
      also one at Glenville. Mr. M. came to Edgar July 24, 1877, and entered the employ of J. C. Clarke & Co.,
      lumber, etc., remaining in their employ eleven months, afterward with Day & Frees in the same business until
      January 1, 1882, when the firm changed to "Frees & Montgomery." They also have a branch house at Fairfield,
      this county. Mr. M. was married in Adams County, Ohio, November 28, 1867, to Jane Peterson, a native of that
      place. They have four children--Sallie B., William, George T., and Ollia M.


      JOHN P. NELSON, insurance agent, came to Nebraska in October, 1878, located in Edgar, and at once
      established himself in this business, and is now the oldest exclusive insurance agent in the place. Mr. Nelson is
      assisted in this business by A. M. Murphy, who has had considerable experience in this line. Among the
      companies they represent, are the North American of Philadelphia; Hartford Fire and Marine; Springfield Fire
      and Marine of Springfield, Mass.; the Phoenix of Brooklyn, and many other leading companies.


      N. B. OLSEENE, wagon-maker, blacksmith, etc.; born in Sweden in 1848, and learned this trade there with his
      father. He emigrated to America in 1867, and worked at his trade in Galesburg, Ill., and in Kansas and Missouri.
      In 1872, he went to Chicago, Ill., and worked for two years as a blacksmith, etc., afterward in the Moline Plow
      Works, Moline, Ill., until he came to Nebraska in the fall of 1877, and he carried on a blacksmith shop in
      Geneva, Fillmore County, for over four years. He came to Edgar January, 1882, and at once engaged in this
      business, which is the principal one in this line in the place. Mr. Olseene was married at Chicago in February,
      1873, to Gustinia Anderson. They have two children--Herman and Robert.


      JOHN G. PROSSER, agent for the Union Pacific Railroad Company, was born in Johnstown, Penn., March 21,
      1836. He learned the trade of carpenter, and in October, 1854, entered the employ of the Chicago, Rock Island
      & Pacific Railroad Company, at Chicago, and was employed with them some three years as a brakesman; then
      with the Hannibal & St. Joe Railroad, as brakesman and conductor for five years; afterward Ticket Agent at St.
      Joe, Mo., for nearly five years; then Baggage-master on the St. Joe & Council Bluffs Railroad for two years; then
      in Nashville, Tenn., for a year. He came to Nebraska, April 20, 1872, and was employed in the construction
      department of the Union Pacific Railroad Company until August following; was then appointed agent, at
      Alexandria, and two months later, agent at Davenport, where he remained for thirteen months. He came to Edgar
      October 15, 1873, at which time he was appointed Station Agent at this place. Mr. Prosser has been a member
      of the Board of Trustees, of Edgar, off and on, for four years, and at present is Chairman of that body. He was
      married in Utica, Mo., January 1, 1861, to Mary E. Bruce, a native of Kentucky. They have nine
      children--William, John, Charles, Lily, Gertrude, Francis, Louis, Frederick and James.


      S. ADDISON SEARLE, attorney at law, was born in Andover, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, August 4, 1854. He was
      educated at Grand River Institute, Austinburg, Ohio, graduating in the class of 1877; shortly afterward went to
      Cleveland, Ohio, where he read law with Messrs. De Wolf & Schwan, and was admitted to the bar September
      3, 1879, and subsequently practiced his profession in that city until he came to Nebraska; in February, 1880, he
      was admitted to the Supreme Court, at Lincoln, on March 17, and for a few months practiced at Clay Center;
      came to Edgar in the fall of 1880, and at once opened a law office. Mr. Searle was admitted to practice in the
      United States Courts, at Omaha, on May 2, 1881. In connection with his practice, he is also engaged in farming
      and stock-raising.


      JOHN V. STAYNER, proprietor of the Edgar Photograph Gallery, was born in Wayne County, Ohio,
      December 30, 1845. Ten years later, he accompanied his parents to Iowa; was for some years employed in
      farming, in Jones County, then at cabinet work at Monticello, Iowa, until he came to Nebraska, June 2, 1872. He
      homesteaded eighty acres in Edgar Precinct, and resided on the same for five years. In June, 1874, he engaged in
      furniture business, in company with his brother Cyrus. This gallery was also opened at the same time, and when
      the Stayner Brothers dissolved, in 1878, Cyrus took the furniture business and John V. the gallery, which he has
      conducted since; is versed in all branches of photography, viewing, etc., and has the leading gallery in the county.
      In connection with this he manufactures all his fancy frame work, and in this branch he has no competitor in the
      county.


      GEORGE W. UPDIKE, of the firm of Stout, Updike & Voorhees, real estate, collection and loan agents, Edgar,
      was born in Pennington, N. J., in 1853. In 1872, he removed to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and was for about a year
      or more employed in the insurance business. He came to Nebraska in the fall of 1876, locating in Hastings; was
      engaged in this business in company with his brother, F. D. Updike, under the style of Updike Brothers, until
      January, 1881. He then went to Washington Territory, where he remained for a few months. He came to Edgar
      in January, 1882, and joined H. W. Stout in this business, he (Mr. Stout) having established the business here in
      1881. They have recently taken into their firm Mr. C. A. Voorhees, of Pennington, N. J. These gentlemen are
      active, enterprising men, popular, and do the leading business in their line in this place.


      JOHN J. WALLEY, of the firm of Brown & Walley, dealers in agricultural implements, was born in Milford,
      Otsego Co., N. Y., December 26, 1840, and resided on a farm with his parents until he enlisted, August, 1862,
      in the One Hundred and Fifty-second New York Infantry, serving until August, 1865. After the war, he engaged
      in the mercantile business in Eaton County, Mich., following that business for a short time only. He went to
      McHenry County, Ill., and was engaged in farming until he came to Nebraska, in May, 1872. He homesteaded
      160 acres in Edgar Precinct, Clay County, residing on the same until February, 1879, when he removed to
      Edgar. Mr. Walley engaged in the implement business in November, 1878, with Joseph R. Kidd, continuing in
      that line until he sold out to his partner in the September following. In November, 1879, he joined M. J. Hull in
      the book and stationery business, remaining in partnership with him until June, 1881, when he sold out and joined
      J. H. Brown in this business. He was elected Assessor of Edgar Precinct in the fall of 1875 and 1876.


      CHARLES H. WARREN, dealer in grain and live stock, was born in Hector, Tompkins Co., N. Y., October
      25, 1842. In the fall of 1862, he enlisted in the Eighth New York Cavalry, and participated in thirty-two
      engagements, serving four years and nine months, after which he farmed in Ontario County, N. Y. He came to
      Nebraska, March 31, 1872; homesteaded 160 acres in Linn Precinct, Clay County, and resided on it for five
      years. He came to Edgar in May, 1877, entering the employ of C. F. Shedd & Co., dealers in grain and
      live-stock, and remained with them as manager of their business, at this place, until the summer of 1882, when he
      engaged in the business for himself. He purchased an elevator, February 24, 1882, with a capacity of 10,000
      bushels, and this, with his experience, places him among the leading dealers in this county. He is the owner of 360
      acres of land in the county, and is also engaged in farming and stock-raising; has filled various local offices and
      been Treasurer of the School District for three years. Mr. Warren was married in Ontario County, N. Y.,
      February 14, 1866, to Cornelia Hartsough, a native of New York. They have five children--Emelia B., May H.,
      Arthur H., Herbert and Lucretia.


      S. J. WHITTEN, dealer in lumber and coal, was born in Canada, May 12, 1846, and, after leaving school, was
      for several years employed in mercantile business; came to Nebraska in April, 1871. He pre-empted eighty acres
      in Seward County in January, 1872. He went to Crete, Saline County, where he was employed as a clerk in the
      mercantile business. He came to Edgar in April, 1874, and engaged in the lumber business in company with
      Marion Hart; a few months later, he bought out his partner's interest, and conducted the business alone until
      1877, when he sold out, built an elevator and entered into the grain business, in which he remained some three
      years. He then bought back the original lumber business, and has given it his attention since. In the fall of 1881, he
      put in a lumber yard at Blue Hill, Neb. Mr. W. was married in Crete, Neb., March 30, 1875, to Annie M. Blair,
      a native of Canada. They have two children--Florella and Winifred.


      REV. WILLIAM H. WILSON, pastor of the First Baptist Church, was born at London, Ontario, August 1,
      1847, and educated at Toronto University, Toronto, Ontario, graduating there in 1868, after which he taught
      school for some years. In 1872, he renewed his studies for the ministry at the Baptist Union Theological
      Seminary, graduating from there in 1874, after which he had charge of the Baptist Church at Latham, Logan
      County, Ill., for three years, and at Effingham, Ill., for eighteen months. Subsequently was for a year in charge of
      the Latin and Greek Department in the Ewing College, Franklin County, Ill. He came to Edgar in April, 1881,
      and at once entered upon his present duties. Mr. W. was married in Brantford, Ontario, May 27, 1875, to
      Elizabeth Dimmock, a native of England. They have three children--Carl, Percy D. and Myrtle.


      HARRY K. WOLFE, Principal of the Edgar High School, was born in Bloomington, Ill., November 10, 1858,
      and came with his parents to Nebraska in 1872, residing with them in Grant Precinct, Lancaster County, assisting
      on the farm until he reached the age of seventeen years, when he went to Lincoln and attended the State
      University, where he graduated in the classical course June 10, 1880. His first school was in District 39,
      Lancaster County. In January he took charge of the Ponca High School in Dixon County, Neb. He came to
      Edgar in September, 1881, and at once entered upon his present duties.
 



 

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