Tekamah and Vicinity, Noteworthy Men of

Mr. Skinner served the county as sheriff in 1886 and 1887 and raised Company H, Second Regiment, Nebraska National Guards and was Captain of the same for three years. During the war of the rebellion he served with Co. E, New York Heavy Artillery.
   Mr. Skinner was united in marriage July 1st, 1872, to Miss Lucy Austin, at Buffalo, New York.

   WILLIAM LEROY PIERCE was born November 9th, 1848, at Woodstock. Connecticut. From there he moved to Geneseo, Illinois, in 1854 and to Brooklyn, Iowa, ten years later. Mr. Pierce arrived in Tekamah in the latter part of the year 1871 and resided here for thirty-one years. At present he is a resident of Oronoque, Kansas. During his thirty one years residence here he followed his profession of physician and surgeon. From 1867 to 1869 Mr. Pierce attended college at Grinnell, Iowa, and from '69 to '71 attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons, under Professor Cleaver at Keokuk, Iowa, and then practiced medicine six months at Brooklyn. Iowa, before coming to Nebraska.
   Mr. Pierce was united in marriage May 4th, 1872, to Miss Angeline B. Swain, at Brooklyn, Iowa.

   FRED MICHAEL was born in Germany, June 17th, 1862. When ten years of age he accompanied his parents to the United States, coming immediately to Tekamah, arriving here in January, 1872. For two years they resided in Arizona township moving to Tekamah in 1874. Mr. Michael, for thirty years,. has conducted a fine barber business in this city.
   Mr. Michael was united in marriage in 1890 to Miss Dora H. Arndt, at Blair, Nebraska.

   R. J. MITTEN was born April 26th, 1852, at Canton, Pennsylvania. While young he accompanied his parents to Wyalusing, that state, where he resided and worked on a farm until 1879 when he went to Camptown, Penn., and clerked in a store for five years.

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Mr. Mitten came to Tekamah in June, 1884, and entered the store of Smith Brothers where he clerked for two years. In November 1886 he formed a co-partnership with his cousin S. A. Mitten and established a "Five Cent Store" in this city, and from this small inception has grown one of the largest country retail stores in eastern Nebraska. In the fall of 1888, J. F. Nesbit associated himself with the Mittens under the firm name of Mitten, Nesbit & Mitten. This firm continued for ten years when Mr. Nesbit retired and the Mittens conducted the business again until January 1st, 1902, when S. A. Mitten retired and R. J. Mitten conducted the business alone until February 1st, 1903, when the present corporation of Mitten & Nesbit Co., was formed, of which R. J. Mitten is the president and one of the largest stock holders.
   Mr. Mitten is active in all public enterprises and since the organization of a fire department in this city has been president of The Hook and Ladder Company continuously.
   Mr. Mitten was united in marriage May 24th, 1893, to Miss Emma H. Houston, in this city.

   WILLIAM R. LANGFORD was born March 29th, 1850, at Tiverton Center, Coshocton county, Ohio. He came to Tekamah in December, 1887, where he has resided continuously since. From 1892 to 1896 he held the position of deputy sheriff of this county and from 1896 to 1900 was the sheriff of the county, making one of the best officers the county has ever had. Mr. Langford has also been City Marshall of Tekamah for many years. He is at present at the head of a fine retail grocery in this city.
   Mr. Langford was united in marriage June 3d, 1873, to Miss Mary E. Welker

   HENRY H. SMITH was born at Hamilton, Ontario, April 15, 1852. When eighteen years of age he came to the United Stales and settled in Bell Creek town

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