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©1982 Jane Ramsay Graff and the Seward Co. Historical Society
©1982 Jane Ramsay Graff and the Seward Co. Historical Society
Biographies and Obituaries, "G" Surnames
Early Residents of Seward Co., Nebraska
Note: If you have any obituaries, biographies, photos, or stories about early residents of Seward Co., Nebraska, please consider adding them to this website. --Alice
Return to Biographies and Obituaries INDEX
Biographies and Obituaries "G" INDEX
GALUSHA, GANNON, GARNER, GASS, GEESON, GEIS, GEMBLER, GEREKE, GIVENS, GOECKE, GOEHNER, GOEHRING, GORDAN, GRAFF, GRAY, GREENWOOD, GREER, GWARTNEYGALUSHA, Algernon. The following biography is from W. W. Cox, History of Seward County Nebraska and Reminiscences of Territorial History, Part Two: Biographical, second printing, 1905, page 70:
[Surnames: GALUSHA]
ALGERNON GALUSHA
An old Seward County boy who has made his mark in the world, and although he is at present a citizen of Red Cloud, Nebraska, yet we feel that Seward County has a right to claim him as we sent him out to battle with the world in his young manhood.Al, as we all learned to call him, was born at Franklin Falls, New York, July 29, 1859, but moved at the age of eight to Lawrenceville, same state, where he was educated in the academy. He struck the great western trail which led him to Seward in 1882, where he clerked in a store and gained many friends who well remember him as a bright young man of good character and very attentive to business.
In 1886 he went to Red Cloud and was for many years engaged in the mercantile business, but is at present traveling as a salesman, and although he has just been nominated by the state republican convention to be their standard bearer for secretary of state, instead of traversing the state looking for votes, he is attending strictly to his employer's business, and we judge that the people will recognize that important fact.
Mr. Galusha is an honorable member of the Masonic order Blue Lodge No. 53, at Red Cloud, also of Chapter No.19 and Cyrene Commandery No. 14. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. No. 60 at his home, is a member of the Grand Lodge and secretary of the finance committee.
Mr. Galusha was elected by a large majority and seems right at home in the capitol.
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GANNON, Arthur H., son of Joseph P. GANNON and Alice (MASTERMAN), husband of Mary (KNOBBS). The following biography is from W. W. Cox, History of Seward County Nebraska and Reminiscences of Territorial History, Part Two: Biographical, second printing, 1905, pages 70-71:
[Surnames: GANNON, KNOBBS]
ARTHUR H. GANNON
An Iowa born boy that came with his parents to Seward when our sidewalks were all of prairie sod. Born at Marengo, September 1, 1869, and came to Seward in 1872. Grew to manhood here and was educated [p.71] in the city schools. Was married to Miss Mary Knobbs, at Seward. They have five children, viz: Clyde, Bessie, Beach, McKinley and Cecil.Mr. Gannon is a barber by trade and has a neat tonsorial parlor which he has managed for many years. He is quite unassuming attending strictly to his business interests.
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GANNON, Joseph P., husband of Alice (MASTERMAN). The following biography is from W. W. Cox, History of Seward County Nebraska and Reminiscences of Territorial History, Part Two: Biographical, second printing, 1905, page 77:
[Surnames: GANNON, MASTERMAN, MENGHEN, STOCKER]
JOSEPH P. GANNON
A thirty-one years' resident of Seward, was born among the rocky hills of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, January 30, 1840. He sojourned on the western trail awhile in cool Minnesota then we find the young man in Iowa County, Iowa, where he found Miss Alice Masterman and they were married December 13, 1866.She was a native of Bermuda Islands, born June 27, 1850, and came to Iowa in early youth. They are the parents of seven children, viz: William H., Arthur H., Alta and Maud, each died in infancy; Mrs. Pearl Stocker, Susie M. Menghen, and Orpha.
The family came to Seward in 1874. He is a painter and paper hanger. Mr. Gannon enlisted in Company H, 64th New York Volunteer infantry and was in battles of Fairbanks, Gettysburg and Chancellorsville.
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GARNER, Helen V. (HAGEMAN), wife of James Alfred GARNER Sr., daughter of William Brown and Magdalena (STRYKER) HAGEMAN. This obituary is from the Seward County Independent, Seward, NE, Thursday, July 6, 1933.
Submitted by great-great granddaughter, Pat Ryan White, who also provided the mid-1920's family photos.
[Surnames: GARNER, GARTON, HACKWORTH, HAGEMAN, KEISER, KITE, McGIRR, ROBBINS]
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HELEN V. HAGEMAN
Obituary
Helen V. Hageman, who was born in Fulton County, Illinois May 20, 1852, died in Seward, Nebraska, July 1, 1933: aged 81 years, 1 month, 11 days.
Her family moved to Seward Co., in 1866. March 28, 1869 she united in marriage with James A. Garner. To this union were born thirteen children, six boys and seven girls. Two died in infancy. The names of the others are as follows: Maggie Robins, Malvern, Iowa; George Garner, Alamo, Texas; Jennie Hackworth, Milford, Nebraska; Constance Garton, Seward, Nebraska; Fred Garner, Lincoln, Nebraska; Harry Garner, Seward, Nebraska; Newton Garner, deceased; Ed Garner, Grand Junction, Colo.; Ella B. McGirr, Boulder, Colorado; William Garner, deceased; Ruth E. Keiser, Boulder, Colorado.
Newton died in 1914. William was killed in France during the World War.
Besides the children, they [sic] are two brothers, Wm. W. Hageman who resides in California, and C. S. Hageman of Dorchester, Nebraska; fifteen grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends that are left to mourn their loss. Mrs. Garner was baptized, and [uni?]ted with the Seventh-Day Advent Church in 1902, and continued her membership in this church until her death.
The funeral was at two o'clock at the Seven-Day Advent church with Elder C. R. Kite officiating, interment was in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.
Card of Thanks
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GARNER, James Alfred, Sr., husband of Helen V. (HAGEMAN), son of James A. GARNER and Nancy (UNKNOWN). Submitted by great-great granddaughter, Pat Ryan White.
[Surnames: GARNER, GARTON, HACKWORTH, HAGEMAN, HUNT, KEISER, McGIRR, ROBBINS, SAXTON, WELSH]
The first obituary is from the Seward County Independent, Seward, NE, Thursday, September 29, 1927, page 1:
J. A. GARNER DIED AT HIS HOME LAST NIGHT
J. A. Garner, one of the old and highly respected citizens of Seward county, died at his home in Seward about 11 o'clock last night after a short illness from kidney trouble. The deceased was 77 years of age and is survived by his wife and nine children.
Arrangements for the funeral services will not be completed until some of the absent children are heard from.
This obituary is from the Seward County Independent, Seward, NE, Thursday, October 6, 1927:
PIONEER CITIZEN WAS LAID TO REST SATURDAY
Funeral Services Held For J.A. Garner, Who First Came To Seward County In 1866
Funeral services over the remains of James A. Garner were held at the Adventist church in Seward at 2:30 Saturday afternoon, and the remains were laid to rest in the Prairie View cemetery just east of Ruby. Elder H.F. Saxton, of College View, was in charge of the services. Mr. Garner was one of the oldest settlers of Seward county at the time of his death, having come here from New York as a boy in 1866.
William Garner, a son, was killed in France during the world war and Fred Welsh, who attended the American Legion convention in Paris expected to visit his grave while over there. The father anxiously awaited Fred's return to hear a report of the visit to the grave, but passed on before his arrival.
Miss Mabel Hunt, of East Orange, N.J. a niece of the deceased, arrived here a few weeks ago to visit her uncle, she having never seen him before. She is a trained nurse, and cared for him in his last illness.
OBITUARY
James Alfred Garner, son of James and Nancy Garner, was born April 14, 1859 (sic: 1850), in Franklin county, New York. He departed this life September 28, 1927, aged 77 years, 5 months and 14 days.
In 1866 he came to Nebraska and located in Seward county. At that time there was no Seward nor Lincoln. Nebraska was admitted into the union the following year.
On March 28, 1869, he was married to Helen V. Hageman. To this union twelve children were born, eight of whom are living, as follows: Maggie Robbins, of Malvern, Iowa; George, of San Juan, Texas; Jennie Hackworth, of Milford; Constance Garton of Seward; Fred, of Lincoln; Harry, of Seward; Edward, of Ft. Lupton, Colorado; Ella McGirr, of Boulder, Colorado, and Ruth Keiser, of Oxford, Nebraska. Newton died several years ago, and William was killed in France during the world war. All of the children except George were present at the funeral. Mrs. Garner also survives her husband.
Except for a few years when Mr. Garner and his family lived at Arcadia, Nebraska, and at Yuma, Colorado, they have lived near Seward since he came west.
In 1881 Mr. Garner was converted and joined the Seventh-day Adventist church at Seward and for many years he was local elder. His presence and help will be greatly missed.
His life's work is ended. Soon he will be called forth from the grave by the Lifegiver to receive his eternal reward.
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Card of Thanks
To the many friends and neighbors showing their kindness and sympathy during the sickness and death of our beloved husband and father; and also for the many beautiful floral offerings, we hereby express our most sincere gratitude.
Mrs. J. A. Garner and family.
GARNER, James Alfred, husband of, Helen V. (HAGEMAN), son of James A. and Nancy (?) GARNER.
The following biography, transcribed by great-great granddaughter Pat Ryan White, is from W. W. Cox, History of Seward County Nebraska and Reminiscences of Territorial History, Part Two: Biographical, 1905, page 71:
[Surnames: CLARK, GARNER, GARTON, HACKWORTH, HAGEMAN, ROBBINS]
J. ALFRED GARNER
A New York State boy, born among the rough and rugged hills of Franklin County, April 14, 1850. He came to Seward county in 1866, with the family of Rev. E. L. Clark. He was one of the boys that waded snow drifts in the awful winter of 1866 and 1867 to the old log school house. He worked as a valuable farm hand until 1869. March 28 he married Miss Helen B. (sic: V.) Hageman. She was a native of Fulton County, Illinois, born May 20, 1852. They have twelve children, viz: Maggie, now Mrs. C. E. Robins (sic: Robbins); Martha F., now dead; George W., Jennie A., now Mrs. A. Hackworth; Constance, now Mrs. B. M. Garton; James A., Harry, Newton L., Edward E., Ella B., William L. and Ruth E.Church home is with the Seventh Day Adventists. Mr. Garner is a splendid farmer and good citizen.
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GARNER, James Alfred "Fred" Jr., son of James Alfred GARNER Sr. and Helen V. (HAGEMAN) GARNER. Submitted by great grandniece Pat Ryan White.
This obituary is from an unnamed, undated newspaper clipping, on file at Seward County Genealogical Society, Seward, NE; handwritten date, 28 March 1956:
[Surnames: COURT, FOUTCH, GARNER, GARTON, McGIRR]
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Fred Garner
Fred Garner, son of James and Helen Garner, was born May 25, 1880, on a farm near Milford, spending his early life in and around Seward. He was a member of the I.O.O.F. Lodge 26. Mr. Garner made his home in Lincoln for the past 35 years, where he was a member of the St. Paul Methodist church. He was an engineer at the Capitol Hotel for approximately ten years.
On Monday, March 5, after a lingering illness, he passed away at a local hospital at the age of 75 years, 9 months, and 9 days. Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 7, at the Wadlow Chapel, with Rev. Frank A. Court officiating. Burial was at the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery with graveside services conducted by the I.O.O.F. Lodge 26.
Survivors include three sisters, Constance Garton, Ella McGirr and Ruth Foutch of Boulder, Colo., and two brothers, Harry of Seward and Edward of Grand Junction, Colo.
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GARNER, Jennie Adeline, daughter of James A. and Helen V. (HAGEMAN) GARNER, wife of Alpheus "Allie" HACKWORTH: see Jennie Adeline (GARNER) HACKWORTH
GARNER, Maggie, daughter of James Alfred GARNER Sr. and Helen V. (HAGEMAN) GARNER, wife of Charles Edward ROBBINS (son of Albert C. ROBBINS and Sarah M. OPIE). This obituary is from The Malvern Leader, Malvern, Mills County, Iowa, Thursday, July 18, 1935.
Submitted by great grandniece, Pat Ryan White.
FUNERAL RITES FOR MRS. CHAS. ROBBINS LAST WEDNESDAY
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GASS, Walter, husband of Betty. This biography, written by [his wife?] Betty Gass, is from page 200-201 of the 1967 book On A Bend of the River, posted here courtesy of the author, Jane Ramsay Graff.
GASS
Walter Gass moved to Seward in 1928 from Columbus with his wife Betty and tiny daughter, Rosemary. After graduating from [p.201] the University he had helped his cousin in the Gass Furniture Store which had been continuous since 1870. He purchased the Furniture store from Albert Chain. All went well for several years--then depression and the 7 years of drought were too much for a young man who had not yet got his foothold--so he closed out all but the floor coverings and started to make some wooden inlaid boxes and toys from native Seward walnut. He was able to buy equipment from Kenneth Buchanan who moved for a short time to Oregon. Don Fosler was helping Mr. Gass at this time. Don and other help left when called for war service. Later Don went into the business of making trophies and resided in Omaha.
GEESON, John F., husband of Antonia (SCHEIBEL). This biography is from W. W. Cox, History of Seward County Nebraska and Reminiscences of Territorial History, 1905, page 71:
JOHN F. GEESON
GEIS, Jacob, husband of May (KARL). This biography is from W. W. Cox, History of Seward County, Nebraska and Reminiscences of Territorial History,
Part Two: Biographical, 1905, page 72:
JACOB GEIS
GEMBLER, Charles, husband of Annie E. (WULLENWABER), son of Friedrich and Katherine (CLOOS) GEMBLER.
This biography is from W. W. Cox, History of Seward County, Nebraska and Reminiscences of Territorial History, Part Two: Biographical, 1905, page 72:
CHARLES GEMBLER
GEMBLER, Nicholaus, husband of Katherine "Kate" (IMIG), son of Friederich GEMBLER and Katherine (CLOOS),
This obituary, transcribed by Alice Imig Stipak, is from unidentified Seward Co., Nebraska area newspaper, about 29 Oct 1945:
Nicholaus Gembler
GEREKE, J. F., husband of Wilhelmina "Minnie" (THOMAS). This biography is from page 201 of the 1967 book, On A Bend of the River, posted here courtesy of the author, Jane Ramsay Graff.
GEREKE
J. F. Gereke was born November 16, 1845, in the province of Prussia, Germany. He came to America with his family in 1866 settling in Eastern Iowa. He traveled for a wholesale drug company and sold musical merchandise. His territory included Nebraska. Being musical he always took with him his violin and it proved to be a great aid in finding friends in strange lands. In Seward he became fast friends of the Thomas family and met and married Minnie Thomas in January 1882. He became a resident of Seward before his marriage establishing a drug store and musical merchandise. The early establishing of this business was in partnership with Mr. Tom Barkley who later sold his holdings to Mr. Gereke to go to Regina, Canada.
GEREKE, Wilhelmina "Minnie" (THOMAS), wife of J. F. GEREKE. See: Wilhelmina "Minnie" (THOMAS) GEREKE
GIVENS, W. D., husband of Laura B. (McPHELEY/McPHEELEY). The following biography is from W. W. Cox, History of Seward County Nebraska and Reminiscences of Territorial History, Part Two: Biographical, second printing, 1905, page 71:
GOECKE, Herman, husband of Christinie (HEGENER). This biography is from W. W. Cox,
History of Seward County, Nebraska and Reminiscences of Territorial History, Part Two: Biographical, 1905, page 72:
HERMAN GOECKE
GOEHNER, John Frederick, husband of Dorothea (VON DER OHE). This biography, written by [probably his daughter] Doretta Goehner, is from pages 201-202 of the 1967 book On A Bend of the River, posted here courtesy of the author, Jane Ramsay Graff, who also provided this photo, from Seward County Nebraska, 1982, p.138.
John Frederick Goehner was born in Germany on October 14, 1850. In 1869, at the age of 19, he came to America to satisfy his desire of seeing the country of which he had heard so much. He worked in a grocery store in St. Louis until 1871, when he came to Nebraska City. In 1873 he came to Seward, which was the end of the Burlington railroad line at that time. After working for J. F. Zimmerer as a hardware clerk, he opened a small grocery store and entered the grain trade.
GOEHRING, Jacob L., This biography, written by his wife, Lora Jane (ROBBINS) GOEHRING, is from pages 204-205 of the 1967 book On A Bend of the River, posted here courtesy of the author, Jane Ramsay Graff, who also provided his photo, from Seward County Nebraska, 1982, p.139.
GOEHRING GORDAN, David Benjamin, son of John and Mary (BIVINS) GORDAN, husband of Anna (ABRESCH),
who was a daughter of William and Anna ABRESCH. This biography is from the Compendium of History, Reminiscence and Biography of Nebraska, Alden Publishing Company, Chicago, 1912, page 993:
DAVID BENJAMIN GORDAN.
GRAFF, Anna E., wife of Jacob IMIG, daughter of of Elisabeth (IMIG) and Heinrich Peter GRAFF: see Anna E. (GRAFF) IMIG
GRAY, Owen, husband of Mary A. (CASTOLO). The following biography is from W. W. Cox, History of Seward County Nebraska and Reminiscences of Territorial History, Part Two: Biographical, second printing, 1905, page 77:
OWEN GRAY
GREENWOOD, Ruth (NUNEMAKER), wife of William J. GREENWOOD, daughter of Shields B. NUNEMAKER and his wife Ida A. (DEWING). This autobiography is from page 205 of the 1967 book On A Bend of the River, posted here courtesy of the author, Jane Ramsay Graff.
GREENWOOD
My mother's family, the Dewings, came to Seward during the late 60's. Some time later my father, S. B. Nunemaker, brought his mother to Seward from Pennsylvania because she had asthma, and Nebraska was supposed to be the best place for people suffering with that disease. He was a miller and worked in the Boyes, Hulshizer Flour Mill. There were six children in our family, but three of them died during the terrible diphtheria epidemic, which struck Seward about 1889. At this time many families in Seward suffered the loss of several children. My parents lived in Seward their entire married life. I was born in 1891 in the house at 3rd and Ash Streets, where Supt. Lamberty formerly lived.
GREER, Dr. Flavius Josephus, son of George and Sarah (LEE) GREER,
husband of Sabina J. NOBLE, who was a daughter of David and Sarah (POWELL).
This biography is from the Compendium of History, Reminiscence and Biography of Nebraska,
Alden Publishing Company, Chicago, 1912, pages 961-962:
FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS GREER, M. D.
GWARTNEY, Don C., husband of Rhoda V. (DAVIDSON). This biography is from W. W. Cox, History of Seward County Nebraska and Reminiscences of Territorial History, Part Two: Biographical, 1905, page 76:
DON C. GWARTNEY
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[Surnames: BERKHIMER, BOBBITT, COLLINS, DAVIS, DYE, FOUTCH, GARNER, GARTON, GOEHRING, HACKWORTH, HALL, HARTMAN, KLINE, MOLONEY, McGIRR, McNULTY, RICHARDSON, ROBBINS, TRIVELY, WOLFE, WISE]
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Services Held at Baptist Church Conducted by Rev. Bobbitt
Funeral services for Mrs. Chas. Robbins who died Monday of last week at the Immanuel hospital in Omaha, were held last Wednesday afternoon in the First Baptist church conducted by the Rev. L.R. Bobbitt.
Music for the funeral service was furnished by Vernon Bobbitt and a quartet, Mr. and Mrs. E.C. Collins, Mrs. George Davis and Vernon Bobbitt, accompanied by Mrs. Bert Kline. Serving as pall bearers were A.J. Berkhimer, J.W. McNulty, A.C. Trively, L.L. Richardson, Otto Hall, Dr. D.M. Kline.
The following obituary was read:
"Mrs. Maggie Robbins, daughter of James Alfred and Helen Garner Robbins [sic, not Robbins ] was born May 18, 1870 at Seward, Seward county, Nebr. She departed this life July 8, 1935 at the Immanuel hospital in Omaha, after several weeks illness.
"She spent her childhood in and around Seward, Nebr. and was married to Chas. Edward Robbins on Nov. 13, 1890 at Seward.
"To this union three children were born, all of whom are living, as follows: Earl Clinton of Riverside, Calif., Ethel Wise of Malvern, and Melvia Dye of Omaha. Also one step-daughter, Rena Moloney, of Chicago, Ill. A step-son, Lee Robbins, is deceased.
"She is also survived by four sisters: Mrs. Jennie Hackworth, Seward, Nebr., Mrs. Constance Garton, Surprise, Nebr., Mrs. Ella McGirr, Boulder, Colo., and Mrs. Ruth Foutch, Cheyenne, Wyo.; and four brothers: Geo. Garner, Alamo, Texas, Fred Garner, Lincoln, Nebr., Harry Garner, Seward, Nebr., and Ed Garner, Grand Junction, Colo. In addition there were two brothers who are deceased: Newton Garner having died in Colorado at the age of 29 and William Garner who was killed in action in France on Nov. 3, 1918.
"There are five grandchildren of whom she was very fond and who will miss her greatly.
"Mrs. Robbins with her husband and three children came to Silver City, Ia., in 1898. At Silver City she was baptised and joined the First Baptist church of that place.
"In 1901 the family came to Malvern. She then transferred her membership to the First Baptist church of Malvern and has been a very faithful member.
Relatives and friends from a distance attending the funeral services were: Mr. and Mrs. Allie Hackworth, Milford, Nebr., Mr. and Mrs. Foutch, Cheyenne, Wyo., Mrs. B.M. Garton, Surprise, Nebr., Harry Garner and Mrs. Jake Goehring, Seward, Nebr., Mrs. R.D. Dye, Omaha, Lieut. Earl Robbins, Riverside, Calif., Mr. and Mrs. A.T. Moloney, Oak Park, Ill., Mrs. George Wolfe and Mrs. Elmer Hartman, Glenwood.
Card of Thanks
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Mrs. Marion Wise
Mrs. R.D. Dye
Lt. Earl Robbins
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[Surnames: BUCHANAN, CHAIN, FOSLER, GASS, GREEN, RIDDELL, SCHULTZ, VON FANGE]
by Betty Gass
When forced to hire women instead of men Mr. Gass looked for something more simple to make and decided upon the Handy Dandy Tot Stool. This was sold in the toy departments of many good sized stores throughout the country, then children's tables and chairs--called the Pinafore set were added. Then toy boxes, sandboxes, field houses and collectors cabinets and flag kits. This business was continued for 15 years through magazine advertising as well as retail stores. But as farmers regained their prosperity after the war and there was a need for a good furniture store, he discontinued Linweed Products.
For the next 20 years he had a successful furniture store serving a wide territory. Concordia College also purchased their furniture through him.
He was very interested in Civic affairs--was Pres. of Chamber of Commerce, School Board, on the Library Board, Pres. of American Legion and a long time member of College Relations board. He was an officer in the Presbyterian church.
He was also interested in Dairy Cattle and farming. He was awarded medals by Uni. of Nebraska for milk productions while Marvin Schultz was farming his farm north of town.
The awarding of a Cedar chest to a 4-H girl was a yearly donation to show his interest in 4-H.
His wife was the former Betty Riddell of Columbus who taught in the elementary schools of Seward and Columbus before she was married. They had 3 children--all graduating from University of Nebraska. Rosemary (Mrs. Green), Walter, Jr., and Elizabeth (Mrs. Eugene Von Fange). All of the children are married and live elsewhere at present.
Mr. Gass retired in 1961 and in 1966 moved to Florida.
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[Surnames: GEESON, SCHEIBEL]
Mr. Geeson was born October 17, 1863. After getting well settled in business he found Miss Antonia Scheibel and was married at Omaha, September 3, 1889. She was born September 21, 1868, in Germany.
Six children came to bless their home, viz: Clara, Josephine, Marie, Edward, Margaret and Leonard. Mr. Geeson is a Workman and Woodman of America. Church home is with the Catholics. He has been for years a trustee of the church. He is a member of the city council.
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[Surnames: EISBARTH, GEIS, KARL, THOMPSON]
Church home is with the Catholic people. Mr. Geis has had the misfortune to lose one hand but somehow he is a rustler "all the ame [sic: same?]".
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[Surnames: GEMBLER, WULLENWABER]
She was a Mineer [sic: Minier, Tazewell Co., Illinois] girl that followed Charley to Seward. She was born July 13, 1874. They have five children, viz: Lena, Letha, Elvin, Lucile, and Opal. They settled on a farm in "F" precinct, but he is now in charge of the Opdike elevator at Goehner. He belongs to the M. W. A. Church home is with the Evangelical people.
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[Surnames: CRAVEN, GEMBLER, IMIG, JENSES, TEMPLE]
Mr. Nicholaus Gembler was born September 14, 1873 at Minier, Illinois. He was baptized in infancy and was confirmed in the Evangelical faith. In 1893 he came to Nebraska with his mother, three brothers and one sister and lived on a farm near Tamora, Nebraska.
On October 12th, 1899 he was united in marriage to Katherine Imig. To this union were born three children who with the widow survive him. The children are Egbert of Seward, Elsie Jenses of Phoenix, Arizona; Gleama Craven of Burbank, Calif., and four grandchildren and one great grandson.
After his marriage they lived on farms near Tamora and Seward. Later they moved in Tamora where Mr. Gembler was in the feed business. After several years they moved to Seward where he lived until his health became bad and they spent all but the last four months in Arizona. The last months were spent in Seward where he passed away Wednesday, October 24, 1945 at the age of 72 years.
Since his confirmation, Mr. Gembler was a member of the Goehner Evangelical & Reformed Church and one of the charter members. Services were held in the Chain and Wood Chapel on Saturday, October 27th with the Rev. [cut off, R?.O. Wollxxxkxxxx?] of Frieden's Evangelical & Reformed Church of Seward, Nebraska, in charge. Songs of comfort were sung by Ernest Temple. Burial at the Greenwood cemetery.
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[Surnames: BARKLEY, BRYAN, GEREKE, THOMAS, WEBB]
by Olga Webb
In the early 1900s Mr. Gereke sold his Drug Business to concentrate on musical merchandise. Throughout his life in Seward he was known as a lover of good music and promoted it always.
Mr. Gereke was a devoted follower of Mr. W. J. Bryan. In 1908 he was one of the Delegates to the Democratic National Convention at which time Mr. Bryan was the chosen candidate for the U. S. Presidency. Mr. Gereke met with an automobile accident in August 1921 from which he did not recover.
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[Surnames: GIVENS, McPHELEY/McPHEELEY?]
W. D. GIVENS
He has the largest and pest [sic: best?] equipped gallery in the county. Mr. Givens is certainly a success as a photographer.
In 1883, October 31, he captured one of our Seward girls, Miss Laura B., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. I. E. McPheley [sic?McPheeley?]. They have two children, Millie L. and John H.
Mrs. Givens was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, August 24, 1863, and came in early childhood to Seward County where she was educated and grew to womanhood.
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[Surnames: BRANER, GOECKE, HEGENER, SIECK]
Was born May 21, 1855, and in 1872 came straight to Seward County, where he bought a quarter section in section 12, "H" Town and the lad went to work with a will and improved it and after seven years he began to think of Christinie that he had left behind and straightway, armed with Uncle Samís authority as an American citizen he went and claimed his own. He and Miss Hegener were married in the Fatherland July 14, 1881. She was born August 14, 1862. Three of their children died in infancy. The living are as follows: Minnie, now Mrs. E. Braner; Annie, now Mrs. L. Sieck; Fred W., Ella, William, Herman, and Emma.
Mr. Goecke has a nice home among the hills and seems prosperous and happy. Church home is with the Lutherans.
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[Surnames: BERNECKER, DIERS, GOEHNER, GRUBER, ZIMMERER, VON DER OHE, WELLER ]
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J. F. GOEHNER
by Doretta Goehner
On January 14, 1875, he married Miss Dorothea von der Ohe. In 1879 he built the first Goehner block on the corner of Seward and 7th St. In 1884, some time after the arrival of his brother, Peter, he built the block that still bears his name on the corner of [p.202] Seward and 6th Street, where he conducted a hardware business until his death on Dec. 29, 1922. The first building is still being operated by Peter Goehner's sons, Henry and Ed, as a mercantile business.
Mr. Goehner was interested in the growth of Seward and active in many civic enterprises. He served on the city council and was elected and served as state senator in 1884. During the time he was in Lincoln as a senator he became acquainted with some of the officials of the Northwestern Railroad and with the help of other citizens of Seward, succeeded in negotiations with the Company to build a line through Seward, the F. E. & M. V. Railroad. The town of Goehner was named in his honor.
A small group of German-American Lutherans presuaded the Rev. Karl T. Gruber of the Lutheran Church at Middle Creek known as "The Stone Church" to hold services in Seward. On Dec. 10, 1877, they organized their own congregation, St. John's Lutheran Church at Seward. Mr. Goehner and his wife were charter- and life-long members of this church. Both were active workers in the church. Both of them lived to help build a second and third church building.
When the Missouri Synod of the Lutheran Church was considering building a second teachers college, Mr. Goehner, together with his brother, Peter and Messrs. O. E. Bernecker and Herman Diers, offered to donate to the Synod a sufficient amount of land for building purposes if they would consider Seward as a location for their school. This offer was accepted and the first building was dedicated on November 18, 1894. The Rev. George Weller comprised the entire teaching staff and the student body consisted of 16 students. These four founders of what is now Concordia Teachers College served the school in many ways. Mr. Goehner was a member of the Board of Directors for many years. On the day of dedication he confided to his wife his dream of "six or eight professors and more than a hundred students some day". His dream had been realized at the time of his death. Today the college has expanded into an institution far surpassing any dream which he or anyone else might have had at the time.
Together with a group of Seward citizens, desiring to protect their homes and businesses, he helped organize an insurance company, in 1896, now the Protective Fire and Casualty Company of Seward. Mr. Goehner served as treasurer until his death.
Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Goehner. The first-born son and a daughter died in infancy. Mrs. Goehner died on Nov. 13, 1934. Seven children survived their parents. The oldest son, Fred W. who died in 1961, was in the furniture business. Ben F., Wm. O., and Walter J. remained active in their father's hardware business. Arthur H. was a farmer and breeder of Shorthorn cattle. John H. was also a hardware man in Council Bluffs, Iowa and later in Los Angeles. Their daughter, Doretta, was at home until after her mother's death after which she was employed with the Protective Fire & Casualty Company in Seward. All, except William and John, still make their home in Seward.
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[Surnames: GOEHRING, PETERS, ROBBINS]
by Lora Jane Robbins Goehring
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Jacob L. Goehring born November 30, 1864 at Spring Bay near Peoria, Ill.
He came to Nebraska Jan. 5, 1885 and landed at Ruby, Nebraska, where he lived for a few years.
In 1893 he was engineer and water commissioner for the City of Seward until 1897. He painted the standpipe from top to bottom.
April 30, 1897, he opened up a bicycle repair shop on Seward street just west of the Elkhorn depot. In later years he moved his business to the east side of the square just off Main St. He operated a bicycle, gun repair, furniture, hardware and plumbing shop for forty-two years before his retirement.
He joined the Seward Volunteer Fire Department 1895 and for a long time served on the board of control. He served as Chief many years and was its first president. He received the gold medal for twenty-five years of active [p.205] service Febr. 23, 1926, and never missed a state convention in forty-two years. On June 26, 1917, he married Miss Lora Jane Robbins of Seward. They had four children, Eda LaVern, Julia Elizabeth, Henry Jackson, and Jacob Daniel.
Eda Peters now lives in Omaha.
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[Surnames: ABRESCH, BIVINS, DASCHER, ECHER, GORDAN, HULSHIZER, MALM]
When he was two years old Mr. Gordan accompanied the rest of the family to Milford and two years later they removed to Seward county [sic: Milford is in Seward County], where the father secured a homestead and lived on it nineteen years. Later he moved to Gresham, York county. David B. Gordan has always followed farming and in 1898 purchased two hundred acres of land on section twenty-three, township seventeen, range seventeen, Custer county; which is still the home place. He has four hundred acres in sections fourteen and fifteen devoted to grain and cattle. He has devoted this place largely to stock raising, in which he has met with gratifying success, and in the year 1909 he erected a handsome residence at a cost of five thousand dollars. We give in excellent view of this model country home on another page of this work [on facing page, not scanned here (Custer County)], to which we invite attention as one of the best in this section of Nebraska. A complete system of water supply and gas illumination is installed in both house and barn.
September 2, 1889, Mr. Gordan was married in Custer county, to Anna Abresch who was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, daughter of William and Anna Abresch. Her father, a native of Germany, served in the German army and later came to America, locating in Milwaukee, where his death occurred in 1879. His wife is now living in Seward county, Nebraska and she has one son, Charles, also living there. Mr. Gordan has always had much patriotic love for Nebraska, the only home he can remember, and has taken an active interest in public affairs. He is serving his ninth year as moderator of school district number eleven and has promoted the cause of education and every other good cause which he considers for the best interests of the people. In politics he is republican.
Eight children have blessed the union of Mr. Gordan and wife, namely: Louis W., Clifford H., married Kate Echer of Schuyler; Esther, married Victor Malm, Lloyd, Theodore, Myrtle, Charles, and Alven. Mr. Gordan passed through many trying experiences in his early years in the state and since he began farming on his own account has met with various reverses and discouragements. In the year 1892 he lost all his crops by hail and during the next four years his crops were a failure by reason of drouth, or hail which destroyed or injured five successive crops. Four years the grasshoppers totally or partially devoured his grain and growing corn, one year being numerous enough to stop the trains by making slippery tracks where ground beneath the wheels. When the family came to the state, antelope were to be seen by the thousands; Mr. Gordan, senior, killed many of them, as well as deer and buffalo to supply the family in meat. He, together with an elder son and son-in-law, had just returned from hunting west of Grand Island when the three days' blizzard of April 12 to 14, 1873, broke over the country. Mr. Gordan of this sketch just missed being out in the well-known blizzard of January 12, 1888. He used a clothesline to find his way to the barn and return in feeding his stock. For thirty-five years, since the age of ten, Mr. Gordan followed threshing; in that time he owned several horsepowers, ten new engines, fourteen separators, and seventeen corn shellers. His policy was to sell while still in good condition and buy new, thus avoiding breakage and expensive repairs. In 1911 he retired from the business having spent enough years in the trying vocation.
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[Surnames: CASTOLO, GRAY]
The family came to this county from the fatherland in 1892, where so many more grand opportunities await the careful and industrious. He owns a beautiful farm in "B" precinct, adorned with trees and fruit.
Mr. Gray is a Catholic and a splendid Irish-American.
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[Surnames: BOYES, BURFORD, CUMMINS, DEWING, GREENWOOD, HULSHIZER, LAMBERTY, NUNEMAKER, SCHICK, THOMAS]
by Ruth Greenwood
It was in Seward that I received my early education. When I started to school the first four grades were housed in four cottage-type buildings located west and southwest of the present grade school. There was also a North Ward which boasted of two small buildings for the first and second grades. I believe that at this time all of these little school buildings are being lived in, as they were sold and made into homes when a larger High School was built.
The first High School building was located on the corner of Third and South Streets. In this building were grades five through eighth on the first and basement floors, while the HS occupied the three rooms on the second floor. The HS faculty consisted of the Supt., the principal, and one other teacher; and I can't remember that it was enlarged until they moved into a new building just west of the first one in 1905. The Board of Educ. refused to allow the first Senior Class to graduate as they felt that the three or four boys in the class had not thoroughly learned their subject matter. One of the members of this class was the late Dr. H. B. Cummins and one was my Uncle, Fred Dewing who later became a lawyer.
From then on the graduating classes ranged in number from about 5 to 12. When I graduated in 1909 there were twenty in the class, which caused one person to remark, "My! it doesn't take much learning to get through HS these days, the way they are shelling them out this year."
My two sisters, Belle Nunemaker Thomas and Millie Nunemaker Burford, and I all taught in the Seward Schools after a short apprenticeship in the rural area. I taught two rural schools, and four years in Cordova before marrying Wm. J. Greenwood in 1915. Mr. Greenwood was a victim of the flu pandemic of 1918, thus I was widowed after three years of married life, with a little daughter, Harriette Belle.
In 1920, I started teaching in the Commercial Department of the Seward High School, where I enjoyed 41 years of rewarding service. After retirement I taught for a short time in Kansas City, but have, with the exception of about a year and a half, maintained my residence in Seward, and am hoping to do so as long as I live. I like my Seward Church, my Seward friends, my Seward home and the city of Seward.
My daughter is now Mrs. Lester Schick of Kansas City. Lester, as well as Harriette represent the fourth generation of pioneer families who maintained Seward as their residence after settling here in the early day.
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[Surnames: BARNARD, GREER, LEE, NOBLE, POWELL, ZUMBRUNN]
Dr. Greer was reared on a farm in Ohio, receiving his elementary education in the public schools. Later he was a student in Harlem Springs, Ohio, and still later studied medicine. He was married at Springfield, Ohio, May 5, 1863, to Sabina J. Noble, a native of Carroll county, and daughter of David and Sarah (Powell) Noble, the father a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and of Irish extraction, and the mother a native of Pennsylvania, of German extraction. Both died in Carroll county, he in March, 1875, and she about 1883. Mrs. Greer has a sister and two brothers in Carroll county, and her brother, Barzilla, is living on the home farm, which was obtained by his parents from the government in 1832.
Dr. and Mrs. Greer established their first home in their native county, where they lived until April, 1866, when they went to Rome, Iowa, and there he opened up his first office for the practice of his profession. In May, 1871, he made a trip into Nebraska, looking for a suitable location, traveling from Lincoln to Seward on the first train that passed over the Burlington railroad there. He filed an entry on one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he entered as a pre-emption. This place was located ten miles northwest of York, on Lincoln creek. Soon afterward, he returned to Iowa, and, although he made subsequent trips to York county, it was not until January 31, 1873, that he came with his wife and children to establish a home there.
In the spring of 1874, he moved into York, where he opened a drug store, and engaged in medical practice. He remained in York until 1889, and later lived in Madison and Gage count-[p. 962] ties for short periods. In the spring of 1885, the family moved to southwestern Kansas, but in 1888, returned to York county, Nebraska. They came on to Callaway, Custer county, in June, 1890, and Dr. Greer has since continued his practice there, although his interests have been broad and varied. He has been engaged in the drug business much of the time, and has also been interested in the stock business and real estate. He served several years on the town board of York, and, later on the board at Callaway, and is a well-known and popular citizen. He stands well in his profession, and has many friends in various circles.
Six children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Greer: James A., married and living in Perkins county, has four children; Cora, who died in August, 1888; Harley E., married, and living in Perkins county, Nebraska, has three children; George N., married, and living in Callaway, has two children; Lydia K., wife of R. R. Barnard, of Callaway; Sadie G., wife of William F. Zumbrunn, of Kansas City, Missouri.
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[Surnames: DAVIDSON, GWARTNEY]
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Was born September 4, 1862, in Harrison County, Indiana, where he grew to manhood. Was educated in the common schools of that country. Was married September 9, 1883, to Miss Rhoda V. Davidson. They have three children, viz: Mazo C., Harry E., and Sarah E., all yet at home. The young people came to York, Nebraska, in 1884, and to Seward in 1887, where he opened a first class laundry, which he conducted until compelled by poor health to sell out in 1903, when he went to Beaver Crossing and opened a restaurant.
In 1903 he was elected district clerk and moved back to Seward where he now lives. The church home of the family is with the M. E. people, where they are active and valuable members.
Mr. Gwartney is a Past Grand in the I. O. O. F. at Seward. He is also a Modern Woodman. In 1897 Mr. Gwartney had the misfortune to lose one of his legs, caused by tuberculosis of the knee joint, which caused him great pain and much anxiety, but after the amputation he fairly recovered his health and makes pretty good use of his artificial limb.
Mrs. Gwartney was the daughter of Rev. W. H. Davidson, of southern Indiana conference. Was educated at her native home. She is a Royal Neighbor in two senses of the word.
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