THE PLATTSMOUTH JOURNAL THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY EDITION,
Th village of Union, with 400
population, is situated 15 miles
south of Pluttsmouth at the junc
tion of the main line and the Lincoln
branch of the Missouri Pacific rail
road. The town was platted In the
spring of 1887 when the Missouri
Pacific railroad began the construc
tion of its line from Nebraska City
to Oraah via Weeping Water. The
first building erected was a store
building by G. A. Rose, and later a
number of business houses and res
idences were added to the new town.
A postoffice was established here in
January, 1888 with Robert H. Frans
B8 postmaster, he having moved bis
large store from the little town of
Factoryvllle, two miles southeast of
here. In the spring of 1890 the Mis
souri Pacific began the construction
of the "Union cut-off," a line directly
north from here to Omaha, thus giv
ing the town splendid railroad facili
ties In all directions. The village of
Union is surrounded by splendid
farms owned by Intelligent and pro
gressive men, many of whom came
here In the early days and figured
prominently in the development of
the eastern part of the state.
The village was Incorporated and
assumed self-government In Janu
THE VALLATE F UNION
Located at the Junction of the Omaha and Lincoln Branches
of the Missouri Pacific Railway
satibfiied with "single blessedness."
His deputy is Dan Lynn, who is an
efficient official. At the Missouri
Pacific depot the welfare of the trav
eling public as well as the company's
business Is looked after by three
! jovial gentlemen, Ceo. F. Whitlow,
Louis Reynolds and T. C. Laws, who
are kept busy handling the large
amount of business the company has
at this point. The company has a
water and coal station here.
Union la well supplied with tele
phone facilities, central stations be
ing maintained by the Union Mutual,
the Plattsmouth and the Bell. The
Union Mutual is a home company
owned and controlled by citizens of
the town and vieinit) It was
Incorporated April 3, 1905, and has
been in a flourishing condition from
PROSPEROUS COMMUNITY
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STREET SCENE-UNION
try, 1892, when the county commis
sioners appointed as the first village
trustees 0. A. Rose, John Kennedy,
R. A. Flemming, Hiram DuDols and
F. P. Tenney, and at their first
meeting, January 8, 1892, O. A.
Rose was elected chairman, C. L.
Graves clerk, and Jake Elkenbary,
treasurer. Of these first officers the
clerk Is the only one now residing
in the village. James Raker, now of
Decatur, Neb., was the first village
marshal.
The religious and educational in
terests are well cared for, there be
ing at present three church edifices,
the Methodist with Dr. D. D. Lake
as pastor, the Baptist with Rov.
John Richards as pastor, and the
Presbyterian with Rev. Hyron Ileall
of Lincoln as pastor. The school
building Is ono of which the citizens
are proud, and the board of educa
tion consists of L. R. Upton, W. 11.
Uan.ilng and C. L. Graves. The
Brief Biographical Pen Sketches of the Leading
Business and Professional Men of
This Lively Village
the beginning. The officers of this
company arc J. D. Cross, president;
George Everett, vice president; W
R. Cross, treasuerer; Dan Lynn,
secretary and general manager.
Fraternal socltles are well repre
sented here, there being the Modern
Woodmen of America, Fraternal Un
Ion, Royal Highlanders, Ancient
Order of United Workmen and
Royal Neighbors, all having large
membership. Owing to the fact that
the Woodmen hall burned a few
months ago the lodges are now hold
ing meetings in the school building.
Another organization worthy of spe
cial mention Is the Union Rand,
having 16 members, equipped with a
fine lot of Instruments and elegant
uniforms, and playing a splendid
grade of music.
In addition to the enterprises
above mentioned the village hits all
the lines of business necessary to
make a live and progressive village,
J. Mayfleld became its Owner, being
succeeded five months later by Chas.
L. Graves, under whose management
the paper has kept pace with the
progress of the town and Is loyally
supported by the business men and
other people. The offic ll equipped
with a "Monona" news pi-ens and all
other facilities for conducting the
business. The paper Is now In Its
21st year, and during that time(wlth
exception of a short Interval) It has
been owned and operated by Editor
C. L. Graves.
Last February two conflagrations
wiped out three large buildings on
Main street, the hotel, the Woodman
two-story hall building and Gruber's
two story pool hall, but in due time
there will be brick buildings to re
place them, a part of the work now
being In progress. There are also
some nice residences to be erected
this year, some already In progress.
The town has no debt. Is inhabited by
an excellent class of citizens, and
altogether it Is one of the bright
spots on the map of Coss county.
Here Is where the old settlers of
all parts of the state meet annually
for a grand re-union of two days, a
celebration that has been held here
each year for the past twenty years
under management of Union citizens
and Is acknowledged to be the most
popular and well attended celebration
held in the state.
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FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
village government Is In the hands of
competent officials as follows: Vil
lage council, W. II. Hannlng, R. II.
Frans. F. H. McCarthy. Frank Hatter
and J. A. Talktngton; village clerk,
Joe Ilannlng; village treasurer, W.
R. Cross; also Judge Reuben Foster
and Const uble O. W. Saxton. The
postmnster Is Wlllinm H. Dullols,
who has served Uncle Sam In a very
efficient manner the past six years
and will probably remain the post
master as long as he desires, as the
patrons realize that they cannot hope
to find a more competent and accom
modating official. The only objec
tlon the citizens have Is that Will
absolutely refuses to make a matri
monial venture and apparently Is
three general stores, drug storo,
hardware and undertaking, millinery,
bank, 3 restaurants, hotel, lumber
and coal yards, blacksmith Hhop,
newspaper, two physicians, meat
market, cement block factory, livery
barn, harness shop, two elevators,
wagon shop, Implements, furniture,
three barber shops, several carpent
ers and masons.
The Union Ledger Is the means
by which the people at home and
abroad are ablo to keep posted as
to the happenings In and around the
village. The paper was established
soon after the birth of the town by
W. O. Todd, who In November, 1888,
issued the first paper, a small G
column sheet. After five months L.
Hon. William It. Manning.
Senator Banning was born In
Wyoming, Otoe county, on the 18th
day of September, 1869. After re
ceiving a common school education,
he taught for three terms. After
which he attended the Lincoln Busi
ness College, from which he received
a diploma.
Removing to Union in 1896 he en
tered the grain at.d implement bus)
ness, and disposed of the implement
business In 1902. In 1903 Mr. Ban
ning purchased the lumber yard of
Edwards & Bradford, since which time
he has carried on a very successful
business, both in lumber and grain.
In 1902 he was elected county com
missioner, and served for three years.
So well did he perform the duties of
that position, that the people all over
Cass County clamored for his re- elec
tion for another term, but Mr. Ban-
ning's private business Interests
would not permit him to accept a
re-nomination. So well and faithful
ly did Mr. Banning look after the
Interests of the taxpayers of Cass
county while a member of the coun
ty board, that the people of the coun
ty came to the conclusion last fall
that he was just the man to represent
them In the upper house of the Ne
braska Legislature. The democrats
nominated him unanimously, and his
well known record for business car
ried the flag under which he sailed
on to victory. His record In the
State Senate was like that as county
commissioner, way above par, and he
acquitted himself with honor to his
constituency as well as himself.
He was among the leaders of the
Senate and was wide-awake, always
to that which was to the best In
terests of Nebraska, and especially
the county he represented.
Senator Running's going to the leg
islature, was a great detriment to
him In his business Interests, hut he
went Just the same, and remained at
his post of duty steadfastly until
"the last armed foo" expired, and to
his credit must be said he acquitted
himself nobly.
try and In no casts ii It necessary to
bring in Ihe aid of human energy to
assist in the work.
There ti a flur mill adjacent to
tht elevator In the form of a light
running (3) roll Barnard & Lee
Mill made in Moline, Illinois. It
will grind all kinds of feed, and also
a patent process flour. It Is Mr,
Becker's Intention to put In a com
plete flour mill plant a littl later
on.
Mr. Becker has Just completed the
installation of a new Barnard & Lee
Corn Meal sifter and grain separator
and screener of the very latest patent.
Joseph Bauer, of Union, was the head
carpenter and contractor of this new
addition to Mr. Becker's ideal farm
home.
A little north of the elevator is
a huge stock barn, new and com
pletely modern In all Its accessories.
South of the elevator Mr. Becker
has recently built a commodious
square brick residence which is com
plete and home like.
He has also Just completed a stone
cold storage plant for his apples and
other fruits grown on his farm.
A brick Ice house built in circular
form, on Mr. Becker's own ideas
gives cold comfort to the family all
the year around.
In all respects the Becker place is
one of the finest and most complete
in Nebraska.
The land is worth with Improve
ments fully $200.00 an acre, and
would be cheap at that price.
At present there is some fine stock
on the Becker place, especially in
mules, some of which are highly pedi
greed. It Is Mr. Becker's intention, when
his Improvements are complete to
enter the stock feeding business on
a large scale.
That it will be well equipped
goes without saying. Mr. Becker
Is a man of 45 years of age, ag
gressive and Intelligent, and it is no
more than proper to add, is Just on
the threshold of a useful career.
The picture here given of Mr. Beck
er's place will give some Idea of the
extent of the Improvements.
L. 11. Upton, Hardware Dealer.
Mr. Upton is a Cass county pro
duction, and was born in Liberty pre
cinct, four miles northwest of Union,
on the 3rd day of July, 1875. He
was a dealer in general merchandise
in Union for seven years, previous to
entering upon his present occupa
tion. Mr. Upton handles all lines
of hardware, cutlery, stoves, farm
ing implements, and everything per
taining to an up-to-date store of this
character. On the second floor of
his store building will be found a
general line of household and kitch
en furniture. If you want any
thing In his line, and Roy has not
got just what you want, he will get
It with a "come quick order," Just as
cheap a though he had the same In
stock. In connection he Is an under-
i stock is carefully selected and is
I fully up la iuilltj with any of simi
lar klni anywhere. Mr. Frans way
! the first business man w hen the town
started and he has never since ceased
to occupy the position of first mer-
chant of Union. Mr. D. W. Frans
the junior member of the firm, is the
oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Frans, and'
he is an active and energetic busi
ness man fully abreast of the times.
V. T. Arn.
This gentleman was born in Ohio
within a hundred and fifty miles from
Cincinnati, twenty-five years ago in
February. Mr. Arn located In Union
August 28th, 1908, and bought into
a partnership with Will A. Frans in
the Union Meat Market on the 19th.
of October last. While Mr. Frans
has an Interest in the market, Mr..
Arn manages its affairs and has entire -Charge
of everything connected, with.
It.
Every article of food usually found!
in a simlliar place is found in the Un
ion Market in abundance and of the
best quality,
The firm maintains its own killing
establishment and slaughters all beet
and pork used in Union.
Mr. Arn is a young and aggressive.
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MISSOURI PACIFIC RAILWAY STATION
taker, and does all the work In that
line, even to embalming. He also has
a hearse, and is prepared to give
funerals his direct attention in mat
ters pertaining to first-class under
taking. He was united in marriage
to Miss Nina Lynd on the 16th day
of March, 1907, and is the happy
possessor of a most accomplished
wife and a darling baby girl. Mr.
Upton Is known well In all the terri
tory tributary to Union, and by his
genial qualities and splendid busi
ness management he has come to the
front as one of the leading busi
ness men of Cass county, with a
trade that Is a credit to a merchant
much older in the same business In
Cass or Otce counties.
business man who is well thought of
In tat community in which he has.
cast kfe tat, and it Is only a questioa
of time that he makes a record for
tianelff ct an enviable character.
R. II. Frans & Km.
Mr. R.H. Frans of Unit n is the old
est resident of the town: In 1887 he
organized the firm cf R. II. Frans &
Co., under which name the business
F. H. McCarthy.
Mr. McCarthy was born and rear
ed in Otoe County and remained at
home until eight years ago when he
removed to Union and entered the
grain business. He has built up a.
good business in that line and handles -
all kinds of grain, buying from the
farmers tn Liberty precinct and snip
ing mostly to St. Louis, where he
finds the market has a more stable-
character than at other points.
Mr. McCarthy is an active man
ana outsponen in nis opinion. nne
he holds decided views he never al
lows himself to interfere with the
opinions of others. As a result he is
highly esteemed as a man and neigh
bor. Ills business is conducted alike
Dr. X. II. Larsh and Family.
Dr. Larsh, one of the pioneers of
Otoe County was personally known
during his long and useful life, to
nearly every man, woman and child
In the county.
As a physician he stood at tne head
of the profession in Nebraska City,
and as a citizen he was prominent
both in civic and political circles.
The doctor was born in Ohio and
moved to Nebraska City in 1859.
Entering at once the practice of
medicine, he at once became a lead
ing citizen, being elected a member of
the legislature In 1861-62. In 1872
he was elected a senator from Otoe
County. He went to the war as an
assistant surgeon In the 1st Ne
braska regiment and served from
1862 to 1865.
Returning to Nebraska City the
doctor practiced his profession until
his death, which occurred in Decem
ber. 1887.
The deceased was sincerely mourn
ed by a large circle of friends and
relatives.
Ten years ago Mrs. Lsreh, the
widow, bought a fine country place
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TUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDING
A. It. Ilccker.
Thl gentleman Is just getting
rounded Into definite shnpo one
of the most Important industries In
Cbrs County. On his fine 450 acre
farm about three and a half miles
ortheast of Union he is having finish
ed an elevator and other improve
ments costing something more thnn
120,000. The principal structure
among these new buildings Is n largo
25,000 bushel elevator. It Is built
to stand for years. Tho heavy tim
bers aro of black walnut and oak
which were cut nnd sawed from tho
forest on Mr. Becker's own farm.
This building is 80x112 feet on tho
ground and rises to a height of
something more than CO feet at Its
highest point. There aro nlno largo
grain bins which may bo filled by tho
uso of a 20 horse power gasoline en
gine. The cleaning, shelling and ele
vating of grain Is all done by machln-
si
. A. L. BECKER'S FEED
was successfully maintained "until
March 23rd . 1908. At that time Mr.
D. W. Frans, a son of R. II. was ad
mitted into parternership and "the
big brick store" is now known to the j
public as R. II. Frans & Son. The
stock carried is a general one and
comprises dry goods, groceries,
bhnna rh Inau a r a i.ln '
Mr. R. H. Frans was born In Iowa
In 1854 and came to Nebraska in
BARN AND ELEVATOR ,
along all lines and he has the confi
dence of farmers with whom he
deals.
1 fi O ) O.I.I . ..III..
..t nf tlnlnn In r... Ca,,. r- '.joou -u hi rwiuijrxiic.
she has build one of the finest homes
In the county, of stone, which was
quarried off her own land, the house
makes a most beautiful land mark In
this vicinity. On the farm many re
mains of Indians have been found
and tn the stone mantel built In the
living room are embodied a number
of stones evidently used at some an
cient date by the aborigines.
Mrs. Larsh Is tho mother of seven
children.
John N. Larsh, a son who conducts
tho farm, whs born In Otoe County In
1865. He Is a capable and progres
sive man and fully alive to modern
conditions. Mr. Larsh Is married nnd
has ono child, a hoy 11 y(-ars old.
Mrs. Larsh, Jr., was born in Waupaca
County, Wisconsin, nnd is an csil
nuiMo woman, greatly admired by all
who know her.
Tho Larsh place Is a model home.
A fine spring furnishes ample pure
water for all purposes, bath room ami
household, besides supplying two
fish ponds amply stocked with bass,
perch and crappy. Tho picture hero
given gives a view of the Iioiiko.
e moved to Union in 1887 when
the place was first organized and has
been the leading merchant ever since.
The store Is a commodious brick,
amply sufficient to supply the needs
of a larger place than Union. The
JoNcph W. ItnnnliiK.
Born in Otoe County, Nebr., Just
south of the Cass County line. Is the
sole dealer In Agricultural Imple
ments, Buggies, Wagons, Gasoline
Engines and anything usually kept
by an up-to-date Implement dealer.
He also carries an up-to-date line of
Furniture, Pumps, Pipes, WindrMlls,
Tanks and Plumbing goods. Taking
the advantage of saving freight he
buys mostly in car lots, giving him
a chance to figure lower than some
of his competitors.
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R. H. FRANS & SON'S STOKE .