NSGS - NE Ancestree, Vol I, no 4 p 161
NSGS Ancestree
Nebraska State Genealogical Society Journals
NEBRASKA ANCESTREE
Volume One, no 4

Spring 1979

 

Volume One, no 4, page 161  Spring 1979
A-Submitted by D. JoAnn Schiefelbein, Wichita KS
1903 "Wilber Republican" can be seen at Nebraska State Historical Society
EXCERPTS FROM THE 1903 "WILBER REPUBLICAN" SALINE COUNTY

Sketches of some of the leading business men in Wilber:

SHIMONEK & Sons: This firm consists of Anton SHIMONEK and his son Adolph. Anton came to this country with his family in 1871 and to Wilber in 1881. He and his son were engaged in general merchandise business until. 1893, when they bought out Frank JANOUCH's hardware business. Other boys with the firm are: Charles; Anton, Jr; Mail (gf of JoAnn Schiefelbein) & Ladimore.

ZWONECHEK & AKSAMIT purchased the Wilber Roller mills in 1894. Mr. ZWONECREK was born in Bohemia and when eleven years old (in 1865) he and his parents located in Ia. They moved to Saline Co in 1874. Mr. AKSAMIT, a native of Bohemia, came to Lancaster Co in 1870, farming until the present firm was formed.

Henry WACKER handles butter, eggs fowl; dealt in almost everything.

J. W. BROMLEY was reared on a farm near Burlington, Ia. He and his father managed a breeding stock farm. In Jun 1889 he located in Crete then to Wilbur.

J. L. ALBERTON was watchmaker and jewelry business.

A. S. SANDS was born 9 Jun 1867, came with parents to Saline Co in 1873, locating on a farm near Friend. He studied law with the firm of HASTINGS & MCGINTIE at Wilber 15 Dee 1885, graduated from Ann Arbor Law School in 1889. Practiced in Frontier Co for a bank until 1892 when he returned to HASTINGS & MCGINTIE until 1900.

Frank FICTUM was born 11 Feb 1876 Saline Co living on a farm, then located, in Wilber in 1899.

J. L. BORECKY was born Nov 1867 Chicago Il moved with his parents to Racine, Wi in 1871, at age 12 moved to Sumner Co Ks, at age 16 to Little Rock Ar, at age 20 to Tx, in 1891 to Beatrice Ne, to Wilber in 1892.

Saline Co Abstract Assoc. organized in 1888 and is the successor of the firm of VAN DUYN & JAHN. Officers consist of J. W. SHARATA, J. N. VAN DUYN & W. H. DAVIS

B. B. KOHOUT born 1873 Chicago Il moving to Wilber with his parents, graduated from Wilber school in 1891. Completed a law course at Ann Arbor Mi in 1898, was associated with F. I. FOSS at Crete.

T. A. CLEMENTS was born 15 Oct 1859 nee Marengo Ia. moved to Ks in 1874 with his father, returning to Marento 2 y later. He married in Dee 1881, was in the artesian and flowing well business at Ladora Ia, then Pleasant Hill in 1888, to Wilber Jul 1894 engaged in hotel business. Purchased confectionery business of Ed. WYCKOFF in 1895.

Dr. Chas. STASTNY, dentist of Bohemian descent, came to America 1888, first settling in Wi, came west 1890, served as pharmacist until 1897, then attended a Chicago College of Dental Surgery.

E. J. SPIRK, born 1 Jan 1865 in Bohemia, came with parents to Crete 1874 & to Wilber in 1879. Served as a Co officer several years, Mar 1897 purchased lumber business.

Dr. L. E. GOODELL, born 1834 Medina Co Oh, graduated from Physicians & surgeon college at Keokuk Ia in 1864, to Ne 1867 & Wilber 1876.

F. W. BARTOS, born 1 Aug 1878 Bohemia, coming to America ca 8 years old, graduated from Wilber High School 1896, law college U of N 1900.

Dr. P. F. DODSON, born 2 Feb 1866 Lewis Co WV, graduated from (continued)


Nebraska Genealogical Society Vol. 1, No. 4. Page 162
B-Submitted by D. JoAnn Schiefelbein, Wichita KS
1903 "Wilber Republican" can be seen at Nebraska State Historical Society
(continued-Excerpts From The 1903 "Wilber Republican" Saline County)

medical college in Baltimore 20 Max 1889, located in Wilber Aug 1899.

Z. T. GREER, born 1881 Lancaster Co Me. moved to Saline Co when 6 months old. Began teaching school at age 19, later purchased general merchandise business.

H. BINGER, born 1856 Germany came to US 3 Jun 1862, received experience as a lumberman in Wi, lived in Wilber since 1883. Owns lumber business.

Jos. R. HYNEK, business partner of BINGER, b 16 Doc 1874 Saline Co.

E. H. WEHN, born 6 may 1854 Johnstown Pa, to Iowa 1867, to Beatrice, DeWitt in 1874, to Wilber in 1878, owns drug store.

J. A. WILD, b 16 Mar t863 Gage Co Net moved to Swan City, Saline Co 1869, 1872 to DeWitt, to Wilber later. Graduated from U of N College of Law in 1896. Began the "Opposition" at DeWitt in 1874 and purchased "The Wilber Republican" in 1887 with Mr. A. N. LUSE as foreman.

W. M. HARE, b 31 Jun 4867 Brown Co Oh, moved to Ks when 16 for 1 year, to Co for 5 Y. to Beatrice 3 y, then to Wilber where he is in photography business.

Dr. W. S. LOVE began practicing medicine in 1878 at Bolton Mo. In 1887 traded for land in Holt Co moved with his family to Wilber in 1890.

John MORAVEC, business tailor, native of Holubi Zhor, Moravia, learned trade at age 12, came to Omaha 1880 where he had a business for 14 y, 3 y in Swanton & then to Wilber. Frank MORAVEC, a son is associated with him.

Edward W. MISKELL, b 1863 Columbus Ch. came to Ne in 1870 near Hubbel, with his mother and 2 older brothers. Upon the death of his mother and brothers, he used his savings to attend college. Clerked in general store in Byron Ne & in 1889 established the Racket Store in Wilber, 1890 moved his wife & 2 daughters to Wilber. In 1896 established Racket Store at DeWitt, managed by his brotherin-law and partner J. P. SCOFIELD.

Frank J. ROBERTSON, b near Weston Mo 14 Sep 1857, a dentist, located in 1885 in Wilber. Bought the Wilber Hotel in 1899.

J. F. SPIRK, b Jul 1858 Merklin, Bohemia; came to US May 1871 arriving Dayton Oh then to Chicago. In 1873 to Omaha, 1874 to Crete, 1876 to Wilber, working on the "Besida" a Bohemian weekly for a short time. Later graduated from Bryant & Stratton's business college.

Jack KNIGHT, b 2 Jan 1849 Norwell Co of Nottingham, England, baptised in the Church of England, came to Ne from Eng 1871. At age 11 entered a homestead just southwest of where Western now stands. Publisher of "Saline Co Democrat" since 1893. Not married.

The original town of Wilber was filed for record on 10 Mar 1873 by C. D. WILBER after whom the town is named and N. M. WILBER his wife of Will Co Il and Jacob MOWERY and Margaret, his wife of Saline Co Ne as owners. The first building was a boarding house built by DEMMING, present residence of E. W. MISKELL. Lumber was hauled from Crete by Dan BROLLIAR. Henry CLARK built the first store, he was also postmaster, his store now owned by A. J. HANYS. Previously the mail was at the Blue Island postoffice at the residence of Tobias CASTOR and later at home of Sanford HARROD.

C. D. WILBER built the hotel known as Wilber House, stores built by a WORMLEY, & John GOODIN. Other early settlers and business men were Tobias CASTOR, S. D. DAVIS, S. S. ALLEY, S. J. HOW, John THOMAS, O. P. NORRIS, Pap YOUNG, (continued)


Page 163 Spring 1979 NEBRASKA ANCESTREE
C-Submitted by D. JoAnn Schiefelbein, Wichita KS
1903 "Wilber Republican" can be seen at Nebraska State Historical Society
(continued-Excerpts From The 1903 "Wilber Republican" Saline County)

James BARNES, Drs. Levi ANTHONY & J. A. PADDOCK physicians. The mill was built in 1874 by William H. MANN, a Watertown NY native, who had built the first mill at Sterling, Johnson Co. C. D. WILBER was associated with MANN but sold his interest to James HARVEY from Il. Present owners are ZWONECHECK & AKSMIT.

Rev. Fred ALLEY was the first pastor of the first church. the Congregational now the Christian. The first child born in the town was a son to Thomas H. BARNES and wife. First newspaper the "Opposition" moved from DeWitt on 7 Mar 1877 by J. W. WEHN, Jr.

An election on 6 Nov 1877 moved the county seat from Pleasant Hill to Wilber and the first county commissioners were P. J. CARL, Wencil VILDA, Adam BUCHER, C. DURAS, Charles H. SLOCUM, J. H. HARDY, J. N. VANDUYN, T. L. DIXON, J. W. HITCHCOCK, E. O. HALSTEAD, Jacob BIGLER. The court house was built in 1879 by W. L. VANALSTYNE contractor from plans of architect MULVEY of Aurora Il.

The town was incorporated 25 Apr 1879 with the first board of trustees: J. H. HARDY, S. J. HERMAN, L. E. GOODELL, Thomas DAVISON & W. C. HENRY. The school Was built in fall 1879 by WHITNEY, BEENEY & DIX of Wilber. Brick work done by J. K. BICKEY & brother, officers W. H. MANN, L. E. GOODNELL, Henry GUND. Saline Co officers are J. H. DOUCE, C. E. BOWLBY, Jos. NOVAK, J. W. SHABATA, D. C. HOPKINS, B. V. KOHOUT, Dr. W. S. LOVE, J. W. PRICE, W. M. SANDERS, T. A. VORE, W. H. STALEY.

Mrs. D. JoAnn SHIMONEK SCHIEFELBEIN's father, John Anton SHIMONEK born 20 May 1908 at Wilber. His father Emil Edwin SHIMONEK b 1 Aug 1871/2 in Gibson Twnshp, Manitowoc Co Wi; m 1 Oct 1906 to Grantiska VACEK (she d 31 Jul 1963 Crete). Emil d 30 Dee 1942 Wilber. Antonin SHIMONEK, father of Emil, b 2 Feb 1847, Nebuzalep Prazsky, Bohemia, m 1 Oct 1867 to Maria RVCHTARIK in Manitowoc Co Wi. Maria was b 16 Jul 1850 in Sopotnice, Bohemia. Both died at Wilbert Antonin 29 Apr 1913 & Maria 1 Sep 1925. Dorothea Alma Grace SMITH, wife of John Anton SHIMONEK was b 21 May 1912 at McCool Junction, York Co Net dau of Heinrich Philip SCHMIDT and Louisa Bertha SMITH. Dorothea d 15 Apr 1975 at Ft. Collins, Larimer Co, Co.




Volume One, no 4, page 165 Spring 1979
A-Donated by Nebraska State Historical Society
Source "Gordon Journal" 6 Apr 1939

EARLY DAY RECORD OF GORDAN VILLAGE, SHERIDAN COUNTY

In going through some old records of the Gordon Oddfellow Lodge, there was discovered the proceedings of the village board of Gordon from 19 Nov 1885 to 14 May 1889. The first recorded entry is the oath of office of the original "village trustees;" L. F. REINHART, Michael MORRISEY, John G. FRITZ, M. SWIGERT & A. S. HOLMES, acknowledged by D. C. HART, J. P. Appointed L. L. WORK & W. H. WESTOVER. Saloon licenses to D. C. (the famous 'Doc") MIDDLETON, BEARE & RORKE.

1886: First election held. John BEELY, D. C. Hart, H. F. LINGLE, F. W. BOGGS, David BEARE, F. J. ANDREAS. In 1888 a cemetery was purchased. In Apr 1887 a new board of trustees was chosen: A. S. HOLMES, Wm. HOGUE, Thos. M. HUNTINGTON, Geo. W. SEELEY, John REMY, R. J. GRAHAM, Frank THOMPSON, J. C. MORRISON. Thos. L. BURDICK saloon license & James R. RORKE. Frank BLACK, later of Rushville, was named as Street Commissioner and Marshall in May 1887, while at the same time, the "Gordon Press" was made the official village paper. J. W. JONES was the publisher. S. H. LADD became the village attorney.

In Oct 1887 M. M. ABBOTT applied for a liquor license but a remonstrance was filed by Rev. J. A. SCAMAHORN.



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