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HISTORY AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES OF LOUISVILLE NEBRASKA; continued

CAPT. J.T.A. HOOVER

UPON our streets every day of the year may be seen the gray-haired, venerable oldgentleman, who, more than thirty long years ago, laid out the plans for the beautiful little townin which we make our home today. He put up the first house in the place, and the town hassince been the object of his fostering care.

This man is Captain John T.A. Hoover, born at Nagold, Wurtemberg, Germany,September 13, 1826, and the record left behind in those seventy-six years on earth is oneoccupying a place second to none among the early promoters of our state.

Attending the common schools of his native country until he was fourteen years of age,he entered a laboratory and learned the compounding of medicines, devoting most of his timeto the study of chemistry. At the age of eighteen he entered the employ of Dr. FrancesCroener, spending two years with this gentleman traveling about Europe. By this time hisparents had decided to emigrate to America so young Hoover gave up the road and in 1846accompanied them to this country, settling on a farm in Ohio. In 1848 Mr. Hoover wasmarried to Miss Effie Houfnatrale, of Pennsylvania, her parents having spent their last days inOhio. He still stayed at home with his parents, working for them on the farm. In 1853 hejoined the Ohio state militia, soon afterward becoming captain of his company, commissionedby the governor. His father died in 1856 and young Captain was then left in whole charge ofthe farm affairs. This he did until the breaking out of the war in 1861. At the first call forvolunteers he made up a commpany known as Co. D 58th Ohio Vol. infantry of which he wasthe head, receiving his commission from Governor Denison of Ohio. He was thus activelyengaged for two years being compelled to return home in '63 owing to ill health.

Upon return to his family, whom he had left on the farm well cared for during hisabsence, he disposed of all his property in Ohio and removed to Cass county, Nebraska, andpurchased land on section 23, Louisville precinct, securing at once 320 acres, upon whichthere were no improvements, with the exception of a small log house. Under manydisadvantages he commmenced the opening up of a farm, and six years later erected a largestone dwelling, which is today his present home. The material for this structure was quarriedon his own land.

After signalizing himself in a most decided manner as a man well fitted for positions of trustand responsibility, Captain Hoover was, in 1865, elected to represent this county in theNebraska lagislature[sic] on the Republican ticket, endorsed by the democrats. He served histerm aceptably there and returned to his farm. In 1870, when the B. & M. Railroad companybuilt their road through this section, Mr. Hoover gave them $500 out of his own pocket tolocate their station at this place. This move was the foundation of Louisville. He then erected asmall frame building on what today are Second and Main streets. Here he kept the first postoffice of the town, together with a small stock of groceries, tobacco, etc., at the sametime caring for his farm and promoting the interests of our little city. In 1881 he resigned hiscommission as postmaster to Mr. J.V. Glover, and turned his whole attention to his farm.Captain Hoover is now retired form active service but he and his faithful wife still live on theold home place with plenty of this world's goods to make their last years, years ofcontentment and pleasure; to which they are so justly entitled.

Ten children were born to Captain and Mrs. Hoover, four boys and six girls, all of whomare living.

HENRY J. TANGEMAN

LIKE the majority of our successful business men of today, Mr. Tangeman was born on hisfather's farm in Clayton county, Iowa, December 6, 1860, where he remained until he wastwenty-six years of age. He began taking part in the running of the farm as soon as he was oldenough to do so, at the same time attending the schools of his neighborhood until he receivedan education suitable for all practical purpses. In 1886 he began farming for hmself in thatstate and continued so to do for fourteen years. At the end of this time he sold out there andremoved to Gresham, Neb., again going into the farm and stock raising business. He lived atGresham until 1902, when he disposed of his property there and moved to Louisville, wherehe is at present engaged in the mercantile business with his brother-in-law, Mr. Wm. Diers.Mr. Tangeman is a plain, practical business man who is well capable of taking care of hisaffairs wherever they may be, having been successful in all his undertakings. He is a sober,honest, public spirited man who has made a friend of every acquaintance, and a man whoadds strength and stability to the community in which he lives.

Mr. Tangeman was married on March 31, 1886 to Miss Annie Diers of Motor, Iowa.They are the happy parents of two bright children, a boy and a girl.

MILTON A. SAMS.

PRIN. MILTON A. SAMS was born near Anamosa, Iowa, November 10th, 1871. Hisfather is a native of Ohio, being of Welsh descent, while his mother born in Pennsylvania, is ofpure Germanic blood. He was born and reared on a farm, the place most conductive to thedevelopment of a strong mind in a strong boy. At the age of twelve he moved with his parentsfrom Iowa to a farm near Table Rock, Nebraska. Living there ten years they then moved(1894) to their present home near Elmwood, Nebraska. After completing the work in thedistrict school near his home in Pawnee county, he entered the Pawnee City Acadamy.Leaving the acadamy he began teaching his first term of school in October, 1890 in a countryschool near Burchard, Nebraska. Not content with the opportunities offered for advancementin the country schools, he enrolled as a student in the Nebraska State normal school, fromwhich institution he graduated in a class of fifty-two, ranking first for ability and practical workin the model school there conducted. After graduation he was elected to the principalship ofthe schools in Kennard, Nebraska, which position he held for three successive years, giving itup for a more lucrative position as principal of the Silver Creek schools in Merrick county.This position he had since held, being re-elected for the present year but resigned to acceptthe principalship of the Louisville schools, which brings him to his home county. Prof. Samsprepared a new course of study for the school which was adopted by the Board of Educationat the beginning of the year. Several marked changes in the school were made and at presentLouisville is having one of the best schools she has ever had. Prof. Sams comes from a familyof teachers, having two brothers and three sisters who are known among the successfulteachers of the state. On November 30th, 1899, he was married to Miss Lenora Gaines, ofKennard, Nebraska. Mrs. Sams graduated form the Kennard schools in the class of '98.

DR. E.H. WORTHMAN

DR. E.H. WORTHMAN was born October 9, 1875 in Chicago. In 1877 the family movedto Lincoln, Nebraska and from there to Seward where his parents yet make their home. Thedoctor graduated in both English and German from the schools of that city afterwardsattending the Walther College of St. Louis for two years. He then spent four years at John A.Creighton Medical College, Omaha, graduating from that institution in 1900. He first locatedat Dubois, Neb., but six months later he removed to Louisville, where he has a good practiceat the present time. Mr. Worthman was married June 4, 1902 to Miss Hattie Stevenson, ofLincoln, a lady who stands high in the social circles of her adopted home town. The doctor iswell liked as a physician and as a man, being moral in character and temperate in habits, justthat kind of a man who may be relied upon at all times, a very necessary qualification for adoctor to possess.(A copy of this work at the NE State Library contains a handwritten notation below this entrythat reads, "His son, Dr Herbert Worthman is still a practicing Doctor in Louisville, Nebr")

WILLIAM OSSENKOP

WILLIAM OSSENKOP was born on his father's farm in Cass county, December 17, 1872,where he spent the greater part of his life. He attended the schools of his neighborhood untilhe secured a good business education, which afterward proved a great benefit. He took a partin all the affairs of the farm when a boy and upon the death of his father took solemanagement; this he conducted successfully, as a matter of course, until 1900. At this time hedecided that he would like to go into business in town, so he purchased the saloon businessowned by S.P. Metz, in Louisville, which he has carried on successfully to this time. Mr.Ossenkop is a quiet, good natured young man and enjoys a large circle of friends.

JAMES ALLOWAY

THE subject of this sketch was born in Clayton county, Iowa, May 1, 1857, his parents atthat time living on a farm. He remained there until thirteen years of age when he began thestruggle of life for himself, working at different places and for different people until he wastwenty-one years old. He then farmed for hmself a few years in Iowa, afterwards coming tothis state where he farmed in Saunders county. His next move was Louisville, where he is atpresent engaged in the livery and feed business, enjoying a good trade. Mr Alloway wasmarried in December, 1880 to Miss Johnson, who was a resident of Cass county. Twochildren have been born to them.

ANCIENT ORDER UNITED WORKMEN

THIS order is the oldest fraternal insurance order in America. Its founder, John JordonUpchurch, was born in the first part of the past century; but not until the 27th of October,1868 was the organization founded and ready for business. The first officers were, H.C.Sessions, S.M.W.; M.W. Sackett, S.P.R.; John J. Acker, S.R. The first assessment madewas in 1871. It is not necessary to tell of the merits of this order or the good that it has done,for its fame is world-wide, its beneficiaries live in every land, and the blessings of thousands ofwidows and orphans rest upon the Ancient Order United Workmen.

The order may truly be called the Ancient Order, especially is this true with many of thenoble brethren who took part in the founding and launching of this worthy and noble craft, thathas done so much to rescue the widows and orphans of this land from the great gulf of vice,sin, want and final ruin to which thousands might have gone but for this their only hope andsuccor. When we are well and in good health we need no physician, but there will come atime in all our lives when death, like a dark storm cloud, will hover around us, and to many ofus of today it will come as it has to many in the past., 'like a thief in the night', when leastexpected. Let us then try to be prepared for whatever may be God's will; what He does is forour good, let us trust Him and hope for good things. Hope is one of the corner stones of thegreat A.O.U.W. Temple. Hope is God's beacon light adorning and lighting life's pathway.Hope is an anchor of the soul, sure and steadfast, and when the shadows of death approach,Hope draws back the veil and points to a blessed Haven of Rest.

Hope like the gleaming tapers light adorns and cheers the way,
And still as darker grows the night, emits a brighter ray.

But Hope alone is not sufficient. We must so live and act that our lives and hopes may bein harmony. Our loved ones are those for whom we live, it is for them we brave the dangersand hardships of life and in us they have all hope and confidence, giving us their help and theirlove, and all earth contains no richer boon for mankind; if we appreciate their love how shallwe prove it? By our love and kind treatment while here and by protection provided when wemay no longer walk with them; when our voice is hushed forever in that sleep of death formwhich no word of love can come. This protection if offered you by the Ancient Order UnitedWorkmen. Half a million men, good and true, offer you their help and protection, both moraland financial, for your loved ones when you can no longer provide for them. Can you affordto slight their offer?

This protection is offered you at a price that none are too poor topay. This order has stood the test for years. It has paid every honest obligation and has theconfidence of every man who has investigated its foundation and principles. It has long sincepast the hundred-million mark in payments to widows and orphans. It has in its ranks some ofthe brightest and brainiest men in our nation and from every walk of life. Remember, thatopportunities, like shadows, soon pass away. Louisville Lodge No. 137, was organizedAugust 16, 1887 by State Deputy Johnson with ten charter members and the following namedofficers were elected: O.C. Steele,P.M.W.; Dr. A.V. Robinson, M.W.; J.M. Jackman, F.;J.N. Drake, O.; C.A. Manker, R.; Harvey Kelso, Fin.; M.N. Drake, Rdr; G. Nordval, G.;J.H. Heasly, I.W.; E. Palmer, O.W. Today this lodge is in a flourishing condition with amembership of 210.

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