75. JULIUS N. KILLIAN
Julius N. Killian, was born in Bouden, Germany, Sept. 9, 1860 where he was raised and educated. He came to America at the age of twenty and spent some time in Troy, N.Y., and then came to Blair, Nebraska, in 1886. There he read law in the office of Judge W. C. Waltons and was admitted to the bar.
In July 1888, he located in Columbus where he practiced till 1898. He then went to the Philippine Islands as captain of Company K., First Nebraska Volunteers, where he served until the regiment returned in August 1899 and he was mustered out in September of that year.
He was appointed Adjutant General of Nebraska on Governor Dietrich's staff and went to Washington with that body to McKinnley's inauguration. Later, he was commissioned in the regular army in the commissary department with station at Fort Riley, Kansas, from where he was again ordered to the Philippines in the spring of 1902 where he served three years. After his return he served at different stations in the U. S. until 1912 when he was again ordered to the Philippines. Because of ill health he was ordered home in July, 1913. Burial was made in Blair, Nebraska.
Mr. Killian, was educated for the priesthood and followed that profession for some time. He afterwards abandoned the priesthood for the law. He was County Judge for a period of two years prior to his going to the Philippines.
Mr. Killian, was of a peculiar temperament, very quick and short in his manner and rather of a high strung disposition, although a most upright
76. man and full of kindness for his fellow man and in his practice conducted himself as a straight forward practicing attorney.
He belonged to the Masonic order and was also a member of other fraternal orders.
77. C. A. WOOSLEY
C. A. Woosley, came to Columbus in 1889 from Weeping Water, Cass County, and with three other men from that county, incorporated the "Gilt Edge Mfg. Co." and erected a factory in the west part of Columbus and manufactured windmills and other machinery. The factory did quite well for a time but competition got so keen and they made a good many bad sales which put the company out of business after it had been in operation for about six or seven years.
Mr. Woosley, practiced law here for some time and was general attorney, as well as one of the managers, for the manufacturing company. After that closed he remained in the practice for some four or five years and left here but the writer is not sure where he went.
Mr. Woosley, was one of the most serious men in the practice that we have ever met. In every law suit he threw himself in the picture with his client and his client never could be wrong and he would take it very much to heart when he was defeated in the trial of a case. He was really a pretty keen lawyer and a careful trial lawyer but never a smile on his face no matter how comical things sometimes are and especially when one of the trial lawyers is cock sure he is right and his client could not be wrong. Mr. Woosley, was a very likeable man and a very straight forward, upright fellow, but he went through the hardships of 1894 when it was a very difficult matter to do business of any kind or to collect money.
Whether Mr. Woosley is living we do not know but we are under the impression he died some years ago.
78. I. L. ALBERT
I. L. Albert, was born in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, in 1856 and attended the schools in the community and afterwards attended the Leander Clark College at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, from which he graduated in 1884.
In 1887 he moved to Albion, Nebraska, where he commenced the practice of law in this State. After he had been there about two years, he moved to Columbus and formed a partnership with J. D. Stires and remained in partnership with him for some time and when that partnership was dissolved he entered into partnership with J. G. Reeder and later on with his brother-in-law, Mr. Ralph W. Hobart. Shortly after Mr. Albert moved to this county he was nominated for county attorney on the "Populos" ticket which at that time was a very popular party and he was elected in the fall of 1889 and served one term.
In 1901 he was appointed as a court commissioner to the supreme court of Nebraska and held that office until 1907. Some time thereafter he was appointed District Judge to fill out the term of Judge Post who had been elected to the supreme bench.
Judge Albert was an exceptionally bright lawyer and was a hard adversary in the trial of cases for he usually prepared his case and was able to back up his position by law.
While a commissioner on the supreme bench he wrote some very fine opinions and there was no difficulty about understanding what he meant by his findings.
79. Judge Albert, was in some respects rather a peculiar man, in this- He held himself aloof from all social and fraternal orders and seldom mixed up in any social affairs where it was thought necessary to go on dress parade. He enjoyed a good story and enjoyed telling them.
In the latter part of his life he was afflicted with a defective hearing which made it very difficult and annoying for him in the trial of cases and in hearing the cases. Judge became physically afflicted in the first part of 1927 and he grew worse until on August 5, he passed away and by his death Platte County lost one of its foremost lawyers.
80. EDGAR HOWARD
Edgar Howard, was born November 16, 1858 in Osceola, Iowa.
He got his early school education in that town and after he had finished his schooling there, he attended the Iowa College of Law and after completing his law course he went to Papillion, Nebraska in 1883 and in 1886 he was admitted to the bar in Sarpy County. He practiced law there for a couple of years, mostly without consideration and as a friend to the oppressed.
In 1894, he was elected to the State Legislature and served two years there and then he was elected as probate judge for four years.
He moved to Columbus in November 1900.
In 1916, he was elected Lieutenant Governor and in 1922, was elected to the House of Representatives and served twelve years continuously.
When he came to Columbus in 1900, he purchased what is now the Columbus Telegram, from a man by the name of Paschal, who was publishing the paper at that time, and he has been in the newspaper business ever since and is recognized as one of the able writers of the State.
He belongs to all of the Masonic Orders,- to the Elks and is an ardent member of the Episcopal Church.
Mr. Howard, is one of the best known men in the State and has a high standing as a citizen, politician and newspaper writer.
81. PATRICK C. DUFFY
Patrick Duffy, came to this city about in 1895 and was, to the best of our judgment, about fifty- five to sixty years of age. We are not sure where he came from but believe from Missouri.
Mr. Duffy, was a very aggressive lawyer and was a hard opponent on a jury case. He had a peculiar method of convincing the jury that his client could never be mistaken about the things he was claiming and in his argument he would resort to most any legal method within the rules of argument to convince the jury that his client should win.
He was a very friendly gentleman, never much for parade, nor any kind of an attempt to make it appear that he was any better than the average man. He was a clean opponent and prided himself on being fair.
We do not know that he belonged to any fraternal orders but we do know that he was a man that thought a great deal of his children and tried to bring them up as they should be.
He left here, as we remember, about 1902 or 1903, maybe a little later and went to O'Neill, but we are unable to follow his history further.
82. LOUIS LIGHTNER
Louis Lightner, made his venture into this ever restless world in the city of Nauvoo, Illinois, November 22, 1877, and when at the age of five years his mother passed away, he was brought to Platte County and was given a home with Mr. and Mrs. Hans Elliott, Mrs. Elliott, being a sister to his father, and like other Platte County boys, was brought up on a farm and taught the main duties in operating a farm, an education which lays the safest and best foundation for all sciences and professions and without which knowledge, no education is complete. It is said that Louis was a quiet, obedient and studious boy. After securing the best education he could in the country school, he attended first Fremont and then Lincoln Normal School where he was when the Spanish-American War broke out.
Having a desire to serve his country, he, with many other normal students, joined the army as volunteers in Company "I" under Captain Stockholm and his first Colonel was John C. Bratt of Lincoln, but some time after reaching Manila the regiment was commanded by Colonel Stotzenburg who was later killed in action. This was in the year 1898.
His regiment was sent to San Francisco and took boat for Manila and reached there about July 30, 1898 and soon thereafter experienced the sensation of shooting at men and being shot at. He participated in the battles fought on Aug. 2nd and 5th, 1898 and was also in the assault made on Manila on August 13, 1898, in which the American army took the city by storm. This capture practically ended the war with Spain, and Mr. Lightner, believing the war over, was anxious to get home
83. and finish his education and prepare for the life battle in the profession which he chose.He reached home about the first of January, 1899 and entered the Nebraska University where he took a two year acadamic [sic] course with his law course, from which he graduated in the spring of 1904 and was admitted to the bar and came to Columbus and commenced practice with J. J. Sullivan, on July 5, 1905.
Mr. Lightner, had the good fortune to be under a partner of more than ordinary ability which gave him great advantage and he profited by the connection which gave opportunity for speedy development of the young lawyer, which was very rapid and his success at the bar so uncommon that he received the support of his brethern for the appointment to the office of District Judge, upon the death of Judge Post, August 26, 1923. His appointment came from Governor Charles Bryan, Sept. 8, 1923 and he has since been elected and re-elected to that office which he still holds and these several elections are proof that he has given entire satisfaction, which is gratifying, not only to the local attorneys, but to the Judge himself, and his friends. He is a most careful, painstaking Judge and very attentive to the lawyers, in presenting their cases. He is conscientious in his rulings and decisions. The bar in this county has been respectful to him and the companionship and mutuality has made this one of the most desirable bars in the State. Besides his work as a Judge, he is the author of "Lightner's Cyclopedia of Nebraska Forms", a three volume work which contains all the legal forms and directions for pleadings; this work is especially valuable to the younger members of the bar. He is also author of the life of Judge John J. Sullivan published in the November 1931 Nebraska Law Bulletin.
84. The Judge belongs to the Masonic Order, the Elks, Waltonions, Chamber of Commerce, Sons of Veterans, Spanish War Veterans and is a member of the Lions Club.
Politically, he has been what would be called a mild democrat. He was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention at Baltimore in 1912 which nominated President Wilson, and was several times appointed City Attorney of Columbus by Democratic Mayors. But on the bench there is no politics, at least, not apparent.
From the present outlook, he will be further honored by his friends, to succeed himself or some one of the supreme court bench.
85. AUGUST WAGNER
Mr. Wagner, was born October 1, 1878(?), in Cuming county, Nebraska, and was not an exception to other boys born on a farm. He was taught to work and to rustle and to do all kinds of farm work and August has never laid down on a job unless the game gets too slow.
He attended the country school in Cuming County but moved to Columbus in 1891 and graduated from our high school in 1897. After finishing the high school he took a course in the State University and was graduated from the law department there and came back to his home in Columbus.
In 1900 he started to practice law, but soon thereafter the Spanish navy sunk the battleship Maine in the harbor of Havana and for the offense war was declared against Spain and Mr. Wagner volunteered and entered the service in 1898, served in Philippine Islands until August, 1899.
He was captain of Company K. Nebraska National Guards from 1904 to 1907. He was a member of the Second Expeditionary forces in the Philippine Islands and was engaged in the following battles against the Spanish, Skirmish Pasay, Aug. 5, 1898 and was in the battle at Manila at the time Manila was captured, Aug. 13, 1898. He was also in the battle with the insurgent forces at Manila, Feb. 4th and 5th, 1899; also in the battle of Mariquina Roads, Feb. 17, 1899; at San Mateo River, Feb. 22, 1899; at San Francisco Del Monte, March 25, 1899; at Maycanayan, March 26, 1899; Manilao, March 27, 1899; Guiquinto March 30, 1899; and in another engagement at Malolos, March 31, 1988.
86. When he first went into the army he was under Colonel John C. Bratt of Lincoln, Nebraska, and some time thereafter their company was transferred to Colonel Stotzenberg, who was killed in the line of battle and after that he was under Colonel Colton.
He returned home in 1899 and again took up the practice of law with Judge A. M. Post.
In 1905 he formed a partnership with I. L. Albert, which lasted until 1927 and from 1927 to 1929 Mr. Wagner practiced alone. About that time his son, Milton, graduated from the law school of the University of Nebraska and returned home and formed a partnership with his father, and some time thereafter they took as a member of the partnership, Warren Albert, the son of Hon. I. L. Albert, who had recently passed away.
The only political office that Mr. Wagner has ever filled was that of referee in bankruptcy from 1901 to 1916 for the territory of Butler, Polk, Platte, Merrick, Nance, Boone and Madison Counties.
He is past Department Commander of the Spanish War Veterans' for Nebraska. Also past Exalted Ruler of Lodge 1195 B. & P. Order of Elks. Also president of the Platte County Alumni of University of Nebraska at this time. He is also vice-president of the Platte County Bar Association. When the Loup River Public Power District was organized here Mr. Wagner was made one of its attorneys which office he has held to the present time.
Mr. Wagner, has been a tireless worker in his profession and has been successful and that success is what comes from his industrious habits
87. and tireless working. He is one of our leading trial lawyers. As a young lawyer, Mr. Wagner never wanted to compromise or settle a case but time and experience has taught him and many other lawyers, who have grown old in the practice, that an adjustment of differences between clients often beats winning a case, so far as the client is concerned.
Like some of the other lawyers, he had faith in real estate, and has accumulated considerable and we all hope things will turn out all right for the lawyer who had faith in golden soil of Nebraska.
Since he was appointed as one of the attorneys for the Loup River Public Power District, he has faced some difficult litigation which he has handled, seemingly to the interest of his client.
88. I. W. HOBART
I. W. Hobart, was born and raised in the State of Maine. Graduate of Ann Arbor Law School 1888.
Came to Nebraska about 1889; left about 1907.
Went to Mitchell, Scotts Bluff County, in 1906 and practiced a while there and then Gering and while there was appointed District Judge of the 7th District in April 1911and served for three terms and on account of failing health, was compelled to resign, on January 1, 1923.
He went to California, hoping it would benefit him but he continued to decline and died August 22, 1930.
While here he was in partnership with J. N. Killian and later with I. L. Albert, his brother-in-law.
As a man, he was a very quiet unassuming gentleman and seldom attended any social or sporting events.
He seldom ever joked or laughed and was studious and very serious in his litigation, and in his manner, often reminded the writer of Byron Millet in his actions and seriousness.
He belonged to the Masonic and Odd Fellow Fraternal Orders.
89. W. I. SPEICE
W. I. Speice, is the youngest son of a pioneer, his father, Charles A. Speice, being one of the early settlers of this country. Mr. Speice was born April 18, 1875 and has lived in Columbus all of his life except four years while he was in school in Chicago. He graduated from the high school in Columbus, May 26, 1893 then went to Chicago and studied law from September 1, 1893 to September 1, 1897. On May 27, 1897, he graduated from the Kent College in Chicago and received his degree of B.L. and was admitted to practice in Illinois June 5, 1897, after being obliged to take an examination before the bar committee in addition to his graduation certificate. He was admitted to the bar in Nebraska, January 5, 1899.
He was appointed court reporter to Judge Sullivan in 1897 and held that position under Judge Sullivan, Judge Marshall, Judge Grimison, Judge Reeder, Judge Thomas and Judge Post, altogether, 23 years.
He was a member of the school board for one term and was appointed County Judge on August 1, 1931, after the death of Judge Gibbon and has held that office ever since. He has given satisfaction in his official capacity and is conscientious and careful about his decisions. He is well liked by the members of the bar and those with whom he comes in contact. We anticipate that Judge Speice will hold this office as long as he wants it and remains a mild democrat.
He belongs to the Order of the Elks and the Sons of Herman. Mr. Speice never practiced his profession but the profession has been of the
90. greatest value to him, not only in his office of County Judge but as Reporter.
He is an ardent member of the Episcopal Church and has an important office in that religious organization. Mr. Speice, can look back to the early days of this city and county and has seen the city grow from a rough little village to the important city it now is.
91. CLARENCE N. McELFRESH
Clarence N. McElfresh, was born at a place called Holt, West Virginia, in 1882 on a farm facing the rising sun and the Monongela River, a very picturesque spot. He spent his early life about the same as every other country mountain boy spends and was taught the rudiments of farming, first, to dig out the small undergrowth and trees and chop up the brush, burn it, clear the ground, ready to scratch with a single horse shovel plow and the plow perhaps would strike a root in the newly prepared land and if it did, it would follow the root and the handles would always get a boy in the sides and knock the breath out of him. Well, of course, Mac would feel like swearing but he was taught, as all boys in the country are, not to swear, so Mac sat down on the hillside and sang "Old Hundred" and by the time he got through with the last verse his side did not hurt so badly and he could go probably another round without getting hurt. A boy in that country also has to pick stone off the ground so there would be some soil to cultivate, hoe corn by hand, pull weeds, split rails, build worm fences (with rails) and in fact, do so many things that it would be taking up too much space to tell what he had to go through till he grew up to the age where he could be trusted to go about alone.
He attended the country schools and after he had gotten to the top there, he then went to the State Normal school and from there, to the law department of the State University at Morgantown, West Virginia, from which he graduated in 1903 and followed Greeley's advice and started west and landed in Platte County, the latter part of 1903.
92. When he landed he was about in the same condition that every other self made boy is when he starts out for himself and it becomes necessary that he should make a little money, so he taught the Murray school and also a school near Monroe in the Izaiah Lightner district. Desiring to brush up on the law he went into the office of C. J. Garlow and studied until the fall of 1904 when he took the State bar examination, while the writer hereof was chairman of that committee, and passed with good record and then started in to practice the profession. He left Columbus in 1907 and went to Omaha and practiced there for about three years, came back to Platte County in 1910 and started in anew.
He was elected County Attorney for the terms of 1911 to 1914. He has also filled the office of City Attorney and while City Attorney, had some very interesting problems and rather disagreeable litigation to contend with.
Mac, as he is known, has been diligent and a consistent practicing lawyer and has succeeded. When the Loup River Public Power District was created he was appointed as one of its attorneys and since that time has had all kinds of experiences and much litigation. Mac, is a safe counselor and is inclined to keep people out of litigation rather than to get them into it.
He is a member of all branches of the Masonic Orders including the Shrine, also a member of the B. P. O. E. of Columbus, Nebraska, and has held presiding offices in practically all of the lodges to which he belongs.
93. FINDLEY HOWARD
Findley Howard, was born in Papillion, Sarpy County, Nebraska, Oct. 8, 1885. He attended the village school and after he had passed the high school grades there, he attended the University and graduated from the law department in 1909. Soon after his graduation he went to Grand Island and entered into partnership with M. T. Garlow and practiced there for a while. Shortly after the partnership was formed, Mr. Garlow was appointed as special attorney for the Cudahy Packing Company and Mr. Howard quit the practice and came back to Columbus.
Soon thereafter he secured a position in the Panama Canal District and worked there for five years holding down an official position. While he was in Panama, he was appointed financial advisor of the republic of ElSalvador for two years.
While serving there, he received the appointment for a like position with the Chilean government and spent two years there. From there he went to Guatemala and served five years as financial advisor.
In 1934 he was appointed as American Minister to Paraguay which position he still holds.
94. WILLIAM STERNBURG
William Sternburg, was born on a farm near Underwood, Iowa, April 7, 1880. His early education was at the grade schools and at the State Benedict Preparatory school at Atchinson, Kansas. He was a candidate for the Catholic Priesthood, but after a certain amount of preparation he had a change of heart and concluded to follow some other calling, so he started out by teaching country schools in Shelby County, Iowa, for about five years, after which he attended Drake University at Des Moines for one year and the balance of his college education was at Creighton University, in Omaha, where he graduated with the degree of M.A. He also studied law there and was graduated from the law department and started to practice law in June 1910 in Humphrey, purchasing the F. M. Cookingham library. He practiced there for about two years then moved back to Omaha and associated himself with Crane & Boucher, attorneys in Omaha and practiced law with them.
While practicing there, he became instructor for part time at the Creighton Law School. Afterward he became a full time professor of law in Creighton and has remained a member of that faculty ever since.
94b. LOWELL L. WALKER
Lowell L. Walker, was born Sept. 10, 1894 on a farm near Cedar Bluffs, Saunders County, Nebraska. Lowell, went through the trials and tribulations of all boys raised on a farm with industrious parents who set their boys to work early in life that they may earn a little of their keep as well as storing up a fund of education preparatory to any kind of future work. He received, while engaged in many of the boyhood duties on the farm, many scratches, cuts and kicks from the unappreciative and hard-hearted milk cows, but these scratches and bruises only give a boy some idea of the future knocks he gets when he reaches manhood and which continue all through his life.
Lowell, attended the country schools and reached the limit of the education there and then attended the high school at Cedar Bluffs and came out with colors flying. Being desirous of following some other avocation than that of farming he pursued his education and attended the University of Nebraska and graduated therefrom in 1914 receiving the usual degree of a successful student. After graduating from the Law Department he entered the office of C. Petrus Peterson and remained with him for some little time and then came to Columbus and was admitted to the bar in 1915.
When this country became involved in the World War, Lowell enrolled in the First Officers Training Camp in Snelling, Minnesota on May 15, 1917 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of infantry August 15, 1917. On June 23, 1918, he was commissioned First Lieutenant and Sept. 10, 1918 was commissioned a Captain of Infantry and served in training camps with the 163rd Depot Brigade, at Camp Dodge, Iowa; S.A.T.C., Des Moines
95 b. College, Iowa and at the State Normal School in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and was honorably discharged from military service on Feb. 3, 1919. He served as Captain and Major in reserve corps in 1915 to 1925.
After he had finished his military service he returned to Columbus and went into partnership in February 1919, with C. N. McElfresh, which co-partnership continued until February, 1936.
He served a term on the City Council of Columbus from 1929 to 1931. Is a member of Lebonan Lodge 323 A.F. & A.M. in which organization he has held the offices of that Order. He is a member of Hartman-Post 84 of the American Legion and has been Post Commander and past Commander of District #2. Is a member of the Wayside Country Club and is a member of the Rotary Club and Y.M.C.A. and the Nebraska Alumni Association and has served as president of the board of directors of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce.
These various associations has given Lowell an insight in the very channels of military, social and industries of life and are all a benefit to him in his law practice since that covers every avenue known to the practical and scientific parts of educations.
Lowell, has been a consistant [sic] practitioner and we have not known of him resorting to any questionable tactics either to secure business or in the practice of the profession after business came to him. He is a man of more than ordinary equaliberum [sic] and has the material that ought to exist in every high minded and highly
95 b. ethical lawyer and which prepares him for the duties of a judgship and we anticipate, before Lowell has passed the meridian of the law practice, he will have been honored by that office.
95. GEORGE S. REEDER
The subject of this sketch- George S. Reeder- is the son of J. G. Reeder and was born in Columbus, Nebraska, May 26, 1890. He grew up in the city with other wide awake boys, born in a comparatively new country with Indian ideas and engaged in all of the boy sports of the time.
Among the accomplishments of his boyhood days he attended school and graduated from high school at the age of 18 years. Then he attended Bellevue College, a Presbyterian college located south of Omaha, but he did not remain there long and in the fall of 1909, he started in at the University of Nebraska, taking several different courses, any of which might lead to a profitable life service, but at last he settled down to follow the profession of law and was graduated from Nebraska University in 1923, and was admitted to the Bar of Platte County in June, 1923.
After his graduation from the law school, he formed a partnership with his father which lasted until the death of his father. He served on the City Council for four years and was City Attorney from 1934 to 1937.
George, as we call him, is of a studious disposition, a good thinker and will, no doubt, equal his father in his successful professional life. He is a careful advisor and attentive to business and enjoys the respect and friendship of the members of the Platte County Bar and we look forward to his continued success in the practice.
Mr. Reeder, has taken a great interest in the civic matters of the city and has lent his energy and ability toward the advancements of the good things for the city of Columbus.
96. He is a member of the Elks and is past Exalted Ruler.
He also served as president of the Commercial Club for one term.
Mr. Reeder, has made a special study of matters relating to real estate and trusts and is somewhat an expert along that line.
George, likes to have a good time socially but we can say to his credit, that we don't believe he sacrifices business for pleasure.
97. CHARLES J. THEILEN
Charles J. Theilen, was born near Earling, Iowa, September 6, 1882. He attended the town schools from which he graduated and then attended Creighton Preparatory College and the law school at Ann Arbor for one year and a two year law course at Creighton from which he graduated from the law department in 1911 with the degree of Master of Arts. He was principal of the high school of Sun Dance, Wyoming for the school year 1911.
Mr. Theilen, is a highly respected member of the bar and one who has the good will of all of its members. He is a member of our association and has, so far as we know, adhered to its principles. He has had a very good practice, especially in the northern part of the county, and is an attorney who can be relied upon for his judgment and careful investigation and careful preparation in the trial of his cases.
The writer learned much about Mr. Theilen in a will case tried at Santa Anna, California, a few years ago, with a Los Angeles attorney represented one side of a $60,000.00 estate. He had made careful preparation for the trial of this case and only for his honesty and uprightness, the writer, as well as his clients, would have been defeated of a large sum of money. He was put in a position where it would have been an easy matter for him to have shown a dishonest spirit, but it wasn't in him and we have had unbounded faith in his integrity ever since and the members of the Columbus bar can be assured that whatever dealings they have with Charlie, will be done according to his best judgment and with an honest intent.
98. GROVER LONG
Grover Long, was born Nov. 4, 1887, near Ord, Valley County, Nebraska. He attended school in Ord from which he graduated in due time and having an ambition for a higher education, secured a small amount of money from his father and earned enough to put himself through the Law Department of the University of Nebraska from which he graduated in 1910.
While Mr. Long was in the University he distingushed [sic] himself as an athlete but the more important thing in which he became distingushed [sic] was his studious habits and his recitations and ability to grapple with problems which were difficult for the average student.
About the time he graduated the author of these sketches made inquiry from the dean of the University for a young man who would graduate or had graduated with high honors and who was an all around reliable young man with more than the average ordinary ability of his class and Mr. Long was recommended. Soon after his graduation he came to Columbus and entered into a temporary partnership which became permanent within a year thereafter.
He was of a very studious habit and had one of the clearest legal minds we ever came in contact with. In fact, few young men has the ability to analyze the intricacies of complex law problems as he had and we looked forward to his future with great pride. He had one remarkable faculty- that of never forgetting the face and name of the party with whom he became slightly acquainted and perhaps had a greater number of friends scattered around over the State than any other young attorney.
99. We don't believe we ever knew of a member of this bar- or any other for that matter, that could boast of an attorney who could try a case as bitterly as it could be tried against an opponent and yet have the opponent think well of him, no matter what the result. He had a disposition and a faculty of making friends and of never forgetting them, and we don't think that any attorney at any bar was more beloved by his companions than Mr. Long.
About the time he was running for Attorney General he became afflicted, with what afterwards turned out to be cancer and which he fought under great difficulties, but at last succumbed.
The only time that he ever allowed himself to be pushed into politics was when he ran for Attorney General by being influenced by his friends. He campaigned with his two greatest friends, Edgar Howard and Governor Bryan. The State was yet too strong republican for a democrat to get into office without resorting to unjust methods and spending a lot of money which he did not have.
He never complained about anything but took the world as he had to face things. In his death Platte County lost a valuable member of the bar and one its living members will not forget.
100. JOHN BREEN
John Breen, we believe, was born and raised in Omaha and about the year of 1910 or 1912, went to Humphrey and started to practice law there. He was a young fellow without much experience and very little regard for the ethics of the profession which we attribute more to his inexperience and youth and lack of acquaintance with those rules of common etiquette which go with the profession.
He was a very aggressive fellow but often to his detriment. He left Humphrey, we believe, about 1913 or 1914 and went back to Omaha, but what has become of him since then we are unable to ascertain.
101. OTTO F. WALTER.
Mr. Walter was born in Aurora, Illinois, April 19, 1890. He came to Columbus, Nebraska, in 1906; graduated from University of Nebraska A.B. 1911, LL.B. 1913; County Attorney Platte County 1915 to 1927; delegate National Democratic Convention New York City in 1924 and Houston, Texas in 1928.
Mr. Walter has been one of the successful lawyers practically from the beginning of his practice and has been very successful in his litigation. He is a man of much energy and has at all times made an effort to advance himself in the mysteries of litigation. He has also taken much interest in the political condition of the country, both home and abroad. Just recently he made an extended trip throughout Europe and has made several addresses on his trip which have been very interesting, especially concerning the situation in Germany. In his litigation he has had a good clientele.
He is a jolly good fellow and is upright in his profession and in his litigation and courteous to the members of the bar.
He has invested largely in real estate in the city and has done much to inspire building and beautifying the city. He is a hard fighter in litigation and cheerfully accepts the result, even when it is against him,- one of the noble traits about a man in the profession.
On the 25th anniversary of his law practice he gave a grand reception to the Platte County bar, and Judges- and while we have avoided, for want of space,- entering the family circle- we cannot refrain from eulogizing Mrs. Walter and daughter, for the fine banquet- The eats and viands- Oh, how palatable.
102. EMIL F. LUCKEY
Emil F. Luckey, is a product of pioneers and appeared on the scene in his parent's home in Platte County, February 27, 1897.
He was given his first lessons on the farm by being taught how to slop the hogs, milk the cows and feed the horses and when big enough, was introduced to the plow handles and taught the rudiments of agriculture, which he never hankered after.
He attended the country school, then the Columbus High School and after graduating, desiring to evade further acquaintance with the farm, entered the Law Department of the University of Nebraska from which he graduated June 5, 1922. He spent about six years in the University preparing himself for his future profession and received his A. B. degree. While in the University he was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon and the Phi Alpha Delta. He graduated June 5, 1922 and soon thereafter was admitted to the bar in Platte County and has practiced his profession ever since.
He was elected to the office of State Senator in 1925 and served one term. He was elected to the office of County Attorney in 1927 and served two terms having been elected on the republican ticket, which is a proof of his popularity.
He belongs to the Order of the Elks, Eagles and Knights of Pythias and has served as Exalted Ruler of the Elks and Chancellor Commander of the K. P's.
At an early age he was taught the rudiments of christianity and was confirmed in the Evangelical Lutheran Church and occasionally demonstrates his faith by attending the services.
103. Emil, is possessed of a most affable disposition and has unusual control of his temper at all times and especially in the trial of cases. We consider him a very safe advisor and trial lawyer and seldom gets a client into unprofitable litigation. He prepares and tries his cases well and has a most agreeable faculty of observing the rules of ethics in the matter of his profession and is always courteous to the members of the bar and to the courts.
Emil is of sufficient age, but in one thing he has, so far, lacked the courage that might release him from bachelorhood.
104. JOSEPH L. JIRANEK
Joseph L. Jiranek, was born in Omaha, Nebraska, August 16, 1897. His preliminary education was acquired in the public schools of Omaha. After graduation he attended Creighton College of Law, and was admitted to practice at the State and U. S. District Bar, Nov. 24, 1924.
He came to Columbus and entered into a partnership with J. D. Stires and remained with him until his death which occurred March 7, 1930.
Mr. Jiranek, was County Attorney from April 9, 1929 to April 9, 1933, two consecutive terms. He is attorney for the Home Owner's Loan Corporation, since June 3, 1933 to the present time.
He is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Platte County Aerie No. 1834; is a member of the United Commercial Travelers and past Commander of Hartman-Post of American Legion and past State president of "40-Eight".
Joe, as he is known, is one of the most active wide awake lawyers at the bar and is a jolly good fellow with lots of fight in him, but nevertheless, don't allow his temper to get him down nor is he guilty of trying to brow beat a witness on the stand and though he sometimes looks cross, he isn't.
Joe is making good progress in his profession and getting to the front. The only thing we venture to say, is, that he takes the Democratic party too serious, though we feel sure he will get weaned away from that seriousness in time.
104. For some years he held the reins pretty tight while riding the steed, "democracy."
Most every young lawyer goes through the trance of believing the party can't keep off the shoals unless he has hold of the oar.
105. ARTHUR W. KUMMER.
The subject of this sketch is another product of good old Platte County. He was born on Oct. 1, 1893 and reared in Loup Township on his father's farm. Like all good boys of industrious parents he was taught that wealth and success came only by industry, energy and honesty and as his father was one of the pioneers of this county who endured hardships, which few of us know anything about, we can rest assured his boys were brought up to know the value of a dollar as well as the value of time.
Like all other boys of that community, he attended school in the township until he had reached the top of the scholarship and then came to Columbus and graduated from the high school after which he attended the school in Washington, D.C. and took a course in accountancy. Afterwards he went to Chicago, attended the Central College there and took a course in commerce and received his B.C.S. Degree in 1923.
He also attended the John Marshall Law School in Chicago and in 1927 received his W.L.B. degree. Aside from this degree he was required to pass the Illinois Bar Examination which he did successfully in 1927.
After all this schooling he returned to Columbus in September 1929 and was admitted to the bar in Nebraska on September 19, 1929.
He has been active in the Red Cross work and the Boy Scouts for the last six years, but never held any political office and never ran for office until the fall of 1938 when he was elected County Attorney but a contest being had it was found that his opponent, Mr. Jesse Dougherty, had received a few more legal votes than he did, therefore Mr. Dougherty took the office.
106. When the World War broke out he enlisted January 2, 1918 and was sent to Washington Barracks, Washington, D.C. where he served three months in a Signal Corps Office in the Aviation Section, War Department, and then was transferred and spent three months at Princeton, New Jersey. Then he was sent to Camp Dodge, Iowa and from July 1918 to January 29, 1919, he was in Camp and was discharged as a member of headquarters Company, 87th Infantry, 19th Division.
Aside from the services above mentioned, Mr. Kummer was assistant cashier in the First National Bank of Columbus, Nebraska, for some time and therefore he has a thorough education for a foundation for the law. Mr. Kummer is a young man of exceptional qualifications and has a splendid reputation throughout the country and with the Bar. His conduct at the bar has been above reproach and while he is a modest unsoliciting member of the Bar, he has secured and handled very important business and we speak for him a successful career as a lawyer. He is particularly a safe counselor and true to his clients.
107. JESSE L. DOUGHERTY
Jesse L. Dougherty, was born Nov. 6, 1893 on a farm near Orchard, in Knox County. He attended grade school located two miles from his home and after he had graduated from the country school and in milking, taking care of the hogs and horses and had learned how to do farming, he entered the city school in Sioux City, Iowa, and graduated from there in 1913. Jesse, tried to forget all he had learned on the farm because it was not to his liking. He attended the Morning Side College for two years and then went back on the farm to take advanced lessons in that branch of his early life's work, but that didn't last a great while, so he left home and entered Creighton Law School of Omaha and attended there until the spring of 1925 at which time he took his bar examination and was admitted to practice law.
For about one year he was associated with the firm of Ziegler & Dunn in Omaha, after which he came to Columbus in the late summer of 1926 and opened a law office with W. L. Dowling from Madison. However, Mr. Dowling did not stay in Columbus but was located in Madison. The firm also had with it Mr. Charles J. Thielen of Humphrey and Mr. Thielen remained in Humphrey. After a short time working under this arrangement Mr. Dougherty left Columbus and went to Madison in the fall of 1927 and there became associated with Mr. W. L. Dowling in his office and remained there until April 1, 1929, at which time he returned to Columbus and opened an office in the Central National Bank Bldg., and practiced until January, 1935.
In the fall of 1935, he ran for County Attorney and was elected and in 1938 he was
108. re-elected and is holding the office of County Attorney at the present time.
Mr. Dougherty, is one of the substantial young men in our town and at the bar and he has made a fine record as county attorney and is to be complimented for using very good judgment in preventing a lot of questionable actions being brought to be financed by the county. Mr. Dougherty has played the game on the square and we don't know of anything that he has done that has been questionable in any respect to the profession.
There is just one thing that the bar has been puzzled about for some time and that is, why the bar hasn't been invited to his wedding. We know that as fine a looking man as he is and as popular, that it is not the fault of somebody else but we don't know what the bar can do about it. We know we would like to help him in some way, if we could.
Jesse, belongs to the Knights of Columbus and to other fraternal orders and being a liberal democrat is liable to hold the office of county attorney for some time to come.
109. CLARENCE STONE
Clarence Stone, Humphrey, Nebraska, was born on April 1, 1896 in Central City, Nebraska and received his early education in the schools in Central City. After he finished the high school he attended Creighton University and was admitted to the bar on June 16, 1925 and came to Humphrey in April, 1926 and commenced the practice of law.
He was inducted into the World War service June 26, 1918 and served as a member of the Medical Officers Training Camp Band at Fort Riley, Kansas, and was later transferred to the Embarkation Hospital Band at Camp Stuart, Newport News, Virginia, and was discharged from service at Camp Dodge, Iowa, April 17, 1919.
Mr. Stone, is a Knights of Columbus, a service officer in the American Legion and a member of the Humphrey Lions Club and is a director of the American Red Cross.
During the latter part of Judge Gibbon's administration as County Judge, while he was not physically able to attend to his office, Mr. Stone was appointed by the Board of Supervisors as Special Judge and filled that office for some time and gave satisfaction to the bar and litigants.
Mr. Stone, was elected as one of the directors of the Loup River Public Power District in the fall of 1936 and has filled that office ever since his election. Mr. Stone, is a very affable gentleman and particularly at the bar. He is very attentive to the business he has to look after and has a high standing at the bar.
He is one of the few bachelors of the bar and thereby depriving himself of the blessings of a wife and home.
110. ROBB T. LECRON
Robb Lecron, was born in Platte County, September 28, 1907 and attended the grade school and graduated from the Columbus High School in 1925.
He attended the State University law school from which he graduated June 6, 1931 with LLB degree and was admitted to the bar June 6, 1931. In April, 1933, he was elected to the office of Police Judge which office he has constantly held since and is receiving that education by having presented to him the bad side of what can grow outside of a good heart.
Few boys and grown ups of all classes want to be bad and he who can read human nature and learn how to deal with that nature so as to bring out the good and induce the wrong doer- often a creature of circumstances,- to reform is more than a judge.
Bob,- as he is known, is possessed of that nature, judgment and sense of justice, that brings out the sorrow for shame and inspires the wrong doer to go and "sin no more". A young judge that has the sense of justice in his heart is worthy of the confidence bestowed upon him by his friends, and we hope to see Bob climb higher and higher in his profession and in judgeship.
111. MILTON WAGNER
Milton Wagner, was born in the city of Columbus, August 6, 1906 and is a son of Mr. August Wagner, whose sketch is contained herein. Mr. Wagner has spent his life, to the present time, in the city of Columbus, except while he was away at school. He attended public schools in Columbus and graduated from the high school in 1924, after which time he attended Notre Dame University in Indiana from 1924 to 1926.
He studied law in the office of Messrs. Albert & Wagner from 1926 to the death of Judge Albert in 1927 and continued his studies until he passed his examination before the State Bar Committee in June, 1929, after which he was admitted to the Bar. After his admission he at once became connected with his father's law business and has remained a partner ever since and is now a member of the firm of Wagner, Wagner & Albert.
He is a member of the Platte County Bar Association, and is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and Fraternal Order of the Eagles.
Young Mr. Wagner, is a very energetic and active young man and has been very successful in his legal work. He is attentive to business and follows very closely the rules laid down by the Bar Association and we anticipat [sic] for him the same success we do for his young partner, Mr. Albert.
112. ROBERT D. FLORY
Mr. Flory, was born at St. Edward, Nebraska, June 26, 1893; graduated from the University of Nebraska, LL.B. in 1914; County Attorney Boone County, Nebraska, 1919-1927. Came to Columbus in 1937; Special Assistant Attorney General for Nebraska as attorney for Liquor Control Commission 1935 to 1938. District Governor Lions Club of Nebraska 1928-1929; Department Commander American Legion 1931-1932; Secretary Democratic State Committee Nebraska 1934 to date.
Mr. Flory, came to Platte County recently and has been mixed up with some of the best litigation since he came here and has acquitted himself in noble manner.
Is a member of the firm of Walter, Flory & Schmid. He is a modest, dignified gentleman but a worthy opponent in the trial of a case, though he does not stray far from the path of dignity even when hard pushed. Although only a recent member of our bar he has the respect and good will of the bar, and court.
113. CHARLES H. SHELDON
Charles Sheldon, is a native of Platte County, Nebraska, and is of the third generation of the Sheldons and came from pioneer stock. He made his first appearance on May 27, 1907, a clear, sunshiny day and it seemed to have a lasting effect upon Charley, as he has always been agreeable and affable. He was raised mostly in Columbus but spent much time of his life on a farm trying to learn the mysteries of farming and making it pay. He was the main help of his father in looking after his many farms and in the stock business and thereby gathering a profitable education as well as building up a good strong physical body.
He attended schools from the first grades to the high schools, from which he graduated in 1925. After graduating from the high school he entered Doane College and graduated from there in 1929. After graduating from there he came back to Columbus to assist his father in the many duties that fell upon him after the death of his grandfather, C. H. Sheldon.
He graduated from the law school of the University of Nebraska in 1935.
Charley, is a good student and spends his spare time in study or other activities for building up a higher education and a better acquaintance in the legal mysteries. He is a very ethical young lawyer in his profession and is true to his clients and his friends and can be trusted to play the game fair.
We have had better opportunity to know Charley than most any other lawyer and we know of no one who could be trusted farther than he can in any
114. matter that is entrusted to him and he is smart enough to understand that the law is not to be learned in one or two years.
He has never held any political office except that of Justice of the Peace to which office he was elected last fall, not with his seeking the office but the office sought him and any litigants may be sure that when Charley decides the case, he believes it to be the right way.
After all, the office of the Justice of the Peace often becomes a stepping stone to a judgeship that is much higher up. We speak and hope for him success in his profession.
115. MARVIN SCHMID
Mr. Schmid, was born near Leigh, Nebraska, and graduated from the University of Nebraska A. B. 1933, LL.B. 1935.
He is secretary of the Platte County Bar Association.
Mr. Schmid, is a young man of more than ordinary energy and activity and has been very successful in his litigation thus far and we anticipate he will keep up his activity and study of the profession and become one of our able lawyers.
He was born and raised on a farm and there got his early training and dreamed of the future when he held on to the plow handles and rode the cultivator. Naturally, it gives a man much gratification to look back to his boyhood days that were spent in the hard grind on the farm and to realize that he has been able to take a step from the drudgery to what the average fellow thinks is a pleasant idleness, but in fact, is the greatest drudgery of any calling a man can follow, if he works as the average successful lawyer must work.
116. WARREN ALBERT
Warren G. Albert, was born in Columbus, Nebraska, November 12, 1904. Warren, is a son of I. L. Albert whose sketch appears in this little pamphlet. Warren, grew up in the town of Columbus and received his education here till he graduated from the Columbus High School in 1922. After he had graduated here he attended Hastings College for three years. In 1929 he commenced his legal education and studied for a while in the law department of the University of Nebraska. After that, he took up his studies in the law office of C. E. Matson, of Lincoln, Nebraska, under whose tutorage he received the elementary principals of the law and was admitted to the Bar upon examination before the State Bar Committee in November 1932.
Soon after his being admitted to the bar, he became a member of the firm of Wagner & Wagner, which firm is now Wagner, Wagner & Albert.
Mr. Albert, is a bright young man and has the stuff in him for the making of a good substantial lawyer and if he keeps up his studies, energy and attention to business, we speak for him a fine success and eventually to reach the heighth [sic] to which his father climbed.
Mr. Albert's conduct at the bar since his admission here has been above reproach, so far as we know, and we feel sure that he will so continue throughout his professional career.
117. HENRY DEVERNE HUNTER
Henry Deverne Hunter, was born March 23, 1903 in Mahaska County, Iowa and came to Nebraska in 1910.
He received his elementary education at the public schools and after coming to Columbus entered the high school from which he graduated in 1921. Soon thereafter he registered in the Law Department of the University of Nebraska, and graduated from there in 1926.
He practiced for a while in Omaha doing special work on insurance and compensation cases. After coming to Columbus he became connected with the firm of Reeder & Reeder, not as a partner, but officed with them and secured his share of legal business. He was appointed city attorney under Mayor Lohr for the term of one year beginning with the fiscal year of 1938 and was re-appointed by the same Mayor for the year 1929 [sic].
During his office as City Attorney in the year 1938 Mr. Hunter had some very important matters to deal with and important litigation and acquitted himself with credit.
Mr. Hunter, is a very companionable member of the bar, is industrious ingenious and very affable and is a credit to the bar.
We do not know of his ever resorting to any questionable methods to secure business nor acting in a questionable manner with those who happen to oppose him and we look to see Mr. Hunter make his mark at the bar in this county, or wherever he may practice.
118. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic Order, even to the thirty-second degree.
Socially, and while in the University he joined the Delta Epsilon and the Phi Delta Phi societies and went through the usual embarrassments in receiving these degrees.
119. HAROLD W. KAUFFMAN
Mr. Kauffman, was born at North Platte, Nebraska, August 20, 1909 and some years thereafter he moved to Columbus, Nebraska.
He graduated from the Columbus High School in May, 1926.
After he graduated he attended the Nebraska Wesleyan University during the school years of 1926, 1927 and 1928. After he had graduated in 1928, he worked for the Union Pacific Railroad Company as a bridge builder.
In 1931, he entered the Law Department of the University of Nebraska and graduated in June 1934 and was admitted to the state and federal bars in June, 1934.
In July 1935, he went to work for the West Publishing Company and in February 1937, he started to practice law with C. J. Garlow and remained until in January 1938, when a lucrative position was offered him to return to the West Publishing Company, which he did and is working there at the present time in the legal department.
Mr. Kauffman, is a very fine young man, having been well brought up and kept within the bounds that a young man should keep himself to make the best of his time and ability. While in the practice he picked up rapidly and was getting into the practice, but the position offered him, being one of advancement, he and his partner thought it was worthwhile to accept.
While Mr. Kauffman lived in Columbus, he was active in church and social matters and was
120. considered one of the upright men of the community. In one respect Mr. Kauffman showed more courage than some of his legal brethern, because he did take unto himself a partner for life and we trust will always be happy of the adventure.
121. FREDERICK L. SPEAR
The subject of this sketch- Frederick L. Spear, was born in Genoa, Nebraska, and attended the town school until he had graduated therefrom, after which he attended the legal department of the University of Nebraska, from which he graduated in 1914 and was admitted to the Bar the same year.
Some time thereafter he moved to the city of Fremont and formed a partnership with Frank Dolezal and N. H. Mapes and remained in the practice until June 1928 when he was appointed by Governor McMullen to the office of Judge of the District Court of the Sixth Judicial District, which office he held until he was elected to the office in November 1928 and has been on the bench ever since.
Judge Spear, went through the experiences of the average town boy, engaged in the sports of the town and assisted his father in his business until he left home to go to school.
He belongs to the B. P. Order of the Elks. He served in the World War.
Judge Spear, has surprised all of the attorneys in his district for his ability and efficient work as a Judge, being one of the youngest Judges in the State and without many years of experience in the practice, naturally it was not expected of him to fill the place of a veteran. However, from the beginning he has been a very serious painstaking Judge and has devoted his energies and ability with great care in the determination of the cases tried by him and especially of equity matters.
122. He is a broad-minded and far seeing young Judge and we anticipate long years of service and the Bar feels safe in entrusting its business to his careful determination and in his ability to get at the "meat in the cocoanut."
123. JOE SHIELDS
Joe Shields, was born in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, Jan. 8, 1879 on a farm where he performed the duties that usually are meted out to the farm boy.
After he was large enough to go to school he attended the Carroll College at Waukesha, Wisconsin and after graduating there he taught school for three years, then he went to the University of Wisconsin and took a special course and graduated from there. After spending a year or so at home, he came to Nebraska, attended the University and graduated from the Law Department in 1906.
About 1907, he went to Fullerton, Nebraska, and soon after formed a co-partnership in the practice of law with W. L. Rose, which continued for two years, since which time he has been alone.
He was County Attorney of Nance County for four terms and also City Attorney of Fullerton for one year. He came to Columbus in 1937 and has been in the practice here since that time.
Fraternally, he belongs to the K. C's. and the Elks.
Mr. Shields, has been known to the author of this sketch for many years and has had considerable business on which Mr. Shields represented the other side in many cases and was associated with the author at times and we found Joe always ethical in this practice and a hard worker.
124. JOHN M. GONDRING
John M. Gondring, was born Sept. 1, 1956 [sic] in Chicago, Illinois. He received his final education at Northern Indiana Normal School in Valparaiso and graduated in 1883. He came to Nebraska in 1884 and in 1886 moved to Columbus, Nebraska. He taught school for two or three years and studied law with Colonel M. Whitmoyer. He was elected County Attorney on the democratic ticket and served two terms.
He was the first County Attorney elected under the new law which abandoned the office of the district prosecutor. He was elected State Senator in 1897 and served one term.
He entered the partnership in the latter part of the '80's with Colonel M. Whitmoyer and remained in partnership with him until he (Mr. Gondring) went to California in 1905. He practiced law in San Jose, California and in Ceres, California and held office of Justice of the Peace in Ceres, California. He passed away March 8, 1933.
Mr. Gondring, accumulated quite a little property in California and was very successful. As a young man, he was very serious in all of the matters in which he was concerned and became a very good lawyer and was known as a very technical fellow about all of the work he did.
We do not know of any fraternal orders or business matters in which he was connected in the town, except that he was interested rather heavily in some mining properties with Mr. Andrew Anderson who also left Nebraska and went to Southern California. He was also one of the very active, prompt and ethical lawyers of the bar and was looked upon as a coming lawyer of the county.
125. ALBERT W. CRITES.
At the time the author of the bar sketch book was writing the history, he was unable to get enough reliable information to risk writing a sketch of Hon. A. W. Crites, until just recently, therefore, the location in the book is at the end, instead of being in the front part where it belongs.
Albert W. Crites, was born at Waterford, Racine County, Wisconsin, May 12, 1848. He received his early education at the country schools, or the village school, but we are not informed what colleges he attended or what law school, but as the most of the lawyers at that time took up a course with an established lawyer in the county seat, or some other large place, we assume there is where he got his first legal education and was admitted to the bar at Racine, Wisconsin, on March 22, 1872. Soon after his admission to the bar he married a Miss Mary Hyat.
He was elected as a police magistrate in the city of Racine, Wisconsin, and also held the office of Justice of the Peace.
In 1877, he left his native State and came to Columbus, Nebraska, and started in to practice law and soon after his beginning to practice, he entered into a partnership with Hon. John G. Higgins, a prominent member of the Columbus bar and soon thereafter he became one of the partners and owners of a weekly newspaper in Columbus called the "Platte Valley Democrat." This paper was published in Columbus until about the time he moved to Plattsmouth.
In April, 1880, Judge Crites, as he was then called, removed with his family to Plattsmouth, Nebraska, where he formed a partnership in the law with his brother-in-law, B. S. Ramsey. The newspaper that had been moved from Columbus to Plattsmouth, was
126. re-christened, "Plattsmouth Current."
In 1886, Judge Crites, was appointed by President Cleveland, Chief of the Department of Captured property, Claims and Lands in the United States Treasury Department.
In 1887, President Cleveland, appointed him First Receiver of Public Moneys in the United States and he resumed his duties as such official in June of that year.
In 1891, he was appointed by Governor Boyd, one of the judges of the fifteenth judicial district of Nebraska and served out his term as such official. Judge Crites, was elected County Attorney of Dawes County, Nebraska, and Mayor of the city of Chadron, Nebraska, and president of the Board of Education, for several terms.
He belonged to all of the Masonic bodies and was very prominent in said order and served as Grand Master and Grand High Priest.
The writer of this sketch had many visits with Judge Crites when he came to Columbus to visit his old partner, John Higgins, and we remember him as a very reserved and dignified man who was looked up to and acknowledged as one of the leading lawyers of the State and perhaps no lawyer at any time was or is more attached to the profession and the study and dignity that belongs to it, than was he.
He had two sons, Edwin D. and Frederick A., both of whom followed his footsteps in the profession and are now located at Chadron, and are among the up lawyers in the State. Judge Crites, was active in the profession and in his official duties up to the time of his death which occurred August 23, 1915 at Chadron, Nebraska.
S U M M A R Y Of the 72 attorneys listed as having been admitted to the bar, 38 are dead.
17 have left the County and State and 2 are not practicing.