THE PLATTSMOUTH JOURNAL THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY EDITION.
Elmwood Is a beautiful growing
town located in the western part of
Cass county, and right in the heart
of the most fertile section of the
county. It is situated about twenty
miles west ;t Plattsmouth, the coun
ty seat, and about 24 miles southeast
of Lincoln, the state capital. From
an agricultural point of view the land
tributary to Elmwood is unsurpassed
and produces abundant crops, which
always brings the highest market
prices. The farmers are prosperous,
and can buy goods for spot cash any
old time In the year. The excel
lent country of which Elmwood Is
surrounded, In many respects, is due
the thrift and prosperity , and up
building the beautiful town. A trip
over the town and to view the many
palatial homes, with fine well-kept
lawns, and beautiful surroundings
one Instantly is impressed with the
residence portion of the town as one
in which the owners of these state
ly mansions, are happy in the
thought that there is in reality "no
place like home."
Previous to establishing the town
of Elmwood the postoffice was call
ed "Stove Creek." There was a
general store here, which is said to
be the first one in this section of
the county, which was owned by
Lane & Hogan, then llogan sold
THE
TOTI IF iLClTO
The Queen City of Western Cass County, Surrounded by the
Best Farming Country, With Beautiful Homes
one excellent hotel, opera house,
livery barn, private hospital, under
the management of skillful physi
cians and surgeons, four real estate
dealers, Plattsmouth Telephone Ex
change buildingf several milliners
and. dressmakers, and several confec
tioners. And last, but not by any
means least, a good newspaper (the
Leader-Echo) that is in harmony
with those who have the, true Inter
ests of the town and community at
heart. It is under the management of
Mr. Will Clark, who fully understands
the business in which he is engaged,
and is giving Elmwood a paper, of
which every citizen should be proud.
Also one of the finest flouring
mills in the state.
To illustrate the energy and en
terprise, of which some of the princi
pal business of Elmwood are gifted
we will mention that in July, 1906,
AN ENTERPRISING TOWN
Peopled with Hustling and Progressive Citizens
Who arc United en Home Institutions
Brief Biographical Sketches
gardless of what inducements may be
offered by the mail order houses and
traveling fakers. Below we give
mention of the live, progressive
business houses of Elmwood, and re
commend them to the people of Cass
county, as gentlemen worthy of
their confidence, patronnge and respect.
STREET SCENE-ELMWOOD
his Interest to S. C. Greenslate. Af
ter which Lane sold his interest to
C. D. Clapp, which made the firm
name of Clapp & Greenslate, who
continued in the business several
years. The town was laid out in
1885, soon after the Lincoln branch
of the Missouri Pacific railway was
surveyed through this section. The
railroad company laid out the town,
and received half of the original
townsite and certain right-of-ways as
their part. The land was originally
owned by C. D. Clapp and three
others, whose farms, ,s it seems,
covered where the new town was
to be located. The railroad came in
1886, which brought with it the
foundation of this modern little city
of 1,000 people, whom all delight in
claiming as their home. (
The first bank (now the First Na
tional) was instituted on November
16, 1886, with Edwin Jeary, as pre
sident and W. S. Waters, cashier,
which is today one of the leading
financial institutions of Cass county,
with Edwin Jeary, president, Floyd
L. Wolcott, vice president, and Ed
ward J. Jeary, cashier. The bank
was first organized as a state bank,
and remained as such until seven
years ago when it was re-organized
under its present system on April 5,
.;1901."
From the very slarl Elmwood gave
great promise of being one of the
principal commercial centers of this
section of Nebraska, and she has al
ways been fortunate In possessing
within her borders a class of busi
ness men and citizens who always
6trlve for that which is of interest
to all who dwell with them. And
It Is due to their labors that today
Elmwood Is the proud possessor
of many Improvements that
would be creditable to cities of live
times its population. Here will be
found a light plant, water works,
and the finest sidewalks of any town
In thestate. These llve.progresslve and
contented people are always alert to
the Interests of town-bullding. Ite
ing located on the Lincoln branch of
the Missouri Pacific railroad, she
has excellent train service, good Bhip-
ing facilities, and is destined to al
ways prosper.
Elmwood today boasts of two of
the most solid financial Institutions
In the country the First National
bank and American Exchange bank,
who by their conservative and ex
cellent business management have
withstood the trying days when
money was not to be had In the
large financial centers. The Ameri
can Exchange Hank was organized on
the 9th day of Septembcr.1 889,with
T. E. Stevens, president; Ed. Stev
ens, vice president, and W. S. Wat
ers, cashier The bank Is now under
tho able management of the following
officials: John P. Cobb, president;
C. S. AMrldge, vice president and
John Gerry Stark, cashier. This
bank hns had and held a continuous
organized slnro 1SSD. The town can
also boast of four well-equipped and
iip-to-dnto general stores and de
partment stores, ono grocery store,
two drug stores, two hardware stores,
two harness shops, two Implement
dealers, two grain elevators, two pool
halls, two general blacksmiths, two
barber shops, ono Jewelcr.ono photog
rapher, two attorneys, two physi
cians, one dentist, two meat markets,
a mass meeting of the citizens was
called and a Park Association form
ed. 'This was the foundation of
the Elmwood Chautauqua, which In
1907 held its first session. The
park was leased from Mr. C. D.
Clapp and arranged in a manner
most beautiful for such occasions.
The first Chautauqua in 1907, was a
grand success in every particular,
and the best talent secured. Last year
It was somewhat of a greater suc
cess, and this year It will far sur
pass that of any other year. The
officers of this association are: John
Gerry Stark, president; Charles D.
Clapp, vice president; Floyd L. Wol
cott, secretary, and Edward J. Jeary,
treasurer. The board of managers
constitute the following well-known
citizens: John Gerry Stark, Floyd
L. Wooleott, Louis F. Langhorst,
Charles S. Hal t, Dr. Ii via C. MungeT,
Herman Dettman, Chas. D. Clapp.
These gentlemen are a power within
themselves, and with their Indomit
able grit and energy have made a
success with this laudable move
ment where towns and cities of
much more pretensions have failed.
The program for this season will
include some of the most noted
attractions in the country, both as to
lectures and musical numbers, and
every citizen of Elmwood should put
his shoulder to the wheel and help
boost the Great Elmwood Chautau
qua to the top of the hill, to stay
there as one of the greatest in the
nation.
Elmwood is also blessed with its
share of churches and secret and
fraternal orders. Here will be found
five churches Methodist, Catholic,
German Lutheran, Christian and Ev
angelical, all of which are well sup
ported by large memberships. There
are eleven secret and fraternal ord
ers here, as follows: Masonic, Odd
Fellows, A. O. U. W., K. of P., M.
W. A American Order of Protec
tion, D. of II., Eastern Star.Pytnlan
Sisters, Rebekahs, and Royal Neigh
bors of America. With these bene
volent Institutions added to the
churches and schools, which are
among the best In the state, afford
every advantage to the spiritual
welfare of man, with every advantage
along educational lines for the child
of tender years and the youth and
maiden for the high school, or pre
paratory course.
The business men of Elmwood de
serve every dollar's worth of patron
I age they receive, and a great deal
more. Tho success and prosperity
of .a tow n lies In the hands of Its
citizens and those tributary thereto
It behoves them to support every
business Institution In the town, re-
Elmwood ('liaiitauiiii.
It would be impossible for us to
finish this write-up without saying
something In behalf of one of the
most interesting enterprises in east
ern Nebraska. Three years ago the
leading citizens of this hustling lit
tle city got together and organized
a chautauqua, with but little hopes
that the first meeting would prove
the great success that it did. But
with such men backing ft as did so, it
was hardly possible to expect any
thing else. They were all hustlers
and are still hustlers. The first meet
ing proved a great success, the setr
ond meeting was a bigger success
and the third meeting, which runs
from August 14 to August 22,
this year, will prove still a greater
success. Elmwood park, in which
the chautauqua Is to be held, is one
of the most beautiful spots on God's
green earth, with plenty of shade
and good water, and everything nec
essary to make one's outing there a
pleasant one. The attractions are
some of the greatest known In chau
tauqua circles. The managers leave
nothing undone that Is calculated to
make every one feel at home. Re
member the dates August 14, 15,
16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22. If
you cannot attend all the time, make
your arrangements to have your
family remain there a portion of the
time.
to Elmwood at the solicitation of
Hon. J. H. Arends, where the latter
opened a general store in 1886, with
whom he remained as a clerk two
and a half years. The Farmers'
Alliance then opened a store lu
Elmwood, In which Mr. Langhorst
had an interest and was employed
as general manager. After a year
and n half he sold his interest to the
Alliance. It was then that the sub
ject of this sketch began a career
which was to eventually terminate
in one of the most successful and
enterprising merchants in south
eastern Nebraska. In 1894, he pur
chased the stock owned by the Al
liance. He continued the busi
ness at the old stand of the
Alliance for twelve years, or until
his business had grown to such an
extent that more capacious quarters
became neoessary, and in June,
1907, he purchased the Hobbs
Opera House block. After thor
oughly renovating the same and re
moving the partition, making one
mammoth room, 48x75. he removed
his goods to the present quarters on
November 1, of the same year. Thi3
was the making of one of the most
complete up-to-date department
stores in the Btate, excepting only
those of the larger cities such as
Omaha and Lincoln.
Mr. Langhorst has been, and as
long as he remains In business In
Elmwood, will be of great benefit to
the farmers of the territory trlbu
tary to that city, as he furnishes a
ready market for all the farm pro
dints that they have to dispose of
for which they receive the very
highest market prices. Mr. Lang
horst is the oldest merchant in Elm
word, and is always alive to tho
best Interests of the town and com
munity.
vl e-prot.l(?ent of the institution, John
Gerry Stark llr.g reta'.A! as :.,h'. r
These gentlemen are all business men
with a large experience. Mr. Cobb
is a native of Iowa and for twenty
five years has been engaged in the
wholesale drug business, having been
assistant manager In charge of the
sales department of Park Davis &
Co. of Kansas City, and later, vice
president and general manager of the
Neldon, Judson Drug Co. of Salt Lake
City. Mr. Cobb Is principal owner of
a 4,000 acre cattle ranch in the Black
Hills of South Dakota. C. S. Aid-
rich was born at Tipton, Iow a, w here
his father was a well known farmer
and Btockman. Mr. Aldrlch Is a prac
tical banker and was cashier of a
bank at Tipton prior to coming to
Cass county. These gentlemen have
moved their families to Elmwood and
become permanent residents of that
years, where he has built up for him
silf a well as the company a state
wide reputation for manufacturing
the fmtst brands of flour. Their
choicest brands are "Golden Gate,"
and "Calla Lily,'" and these are of
the most excellent qualities and find
ready sale In all towns and cities in
Eastern Nebraska. The Elmwood
people stand by this very important
enterprise, and no other flour, to
speak of.i8 sold in the town. And we
can say no flour gives such universal
satisfaction. These mills are doing a
splendid business, and will continue
to do so under the able supervision of
Mr. Olsen. Being a first-class miller,
and withal a most excellent business
man and gentelman, we cannot see
how it could be otherwise.
Stirt & Iorviiz.
Phillip Stlrtz was born In Ijee
County, Illinois, and passed hU early
life in that state. He came to Elm
wood three years ago and bought his
present business and conducted It
under the firm name of Stlrtz Broth
ers until January 1st, 1908. At
that time Mr. Frank W. Lnrenz
bought the interest of D.J. Stlrtz and
from that time the firm has been
known' as Stlrtz & Lorenz. Mr.
Lorenz was born In Harrison County,
L. V. Langliorst, Men hunt.
Louis F. Langhorst was born in
New Brcman. Auglaize county, O..
In 1866. Mr. Langhorst Is one of
The American Exchange Bunk.
The American Exchange Bank, of
Elmwood was organized in Septem
T 1
m
,1
II II
1 1
u
L J'
progressive little city.
Mr. Stark's ability as a banker is
well known In this county where he
has resided practically all his life.
He takes a deep interest In all public
matters and is recognized in the com
munity as a careful and conservative
banker.
On the bank": ('rectory are found
the name of A. C. Adams formerly a
successful banker of Eagle, and L. J.
Dunn, the present cashier of the City
National Bank of Lincoln.
The bank is now permanently or
ganized and with its strong and ef
ficient officers and directorate will no
doubt continue its successful career
as one of the leading bunks of the
county. '
3
AMERICAN EXCHANGE BANK
the self-made men of Cass county.
When he departed from his old
home In Ohio, he was 14 years of
age, and his father went to the rail
way depot with him, and Just be
fore he boarded the cars he hand
ed tho son 50.00, with the parting
words: "Don't come back!" This of
course did not mean that the boy
should not return, but that he did
not want him to do like many
other boys had done, after they had
spent their money and becamd
homesick. He went direct from the
old home to Cincinnati, Ohio,
thence to Evansvllle, Ind., and
from there to St. Louis, where he
worked for about four months.
From the latter tity he came direct
to Syracuse, Neb., where he was
employed on a farm for six months.
He then worked for Chris Mohrman,
driving team for the mill for five
months. Mr. Ijinghorst then came
ber, 1889, and has had a continu
ous existence since that time. Mr,
Edgar A. Stopher was the founder
and first president of the bank and
remained Its chief executive officer
until August. 1908. W. S. Waters
was the bank's first cashier and con
tinned In that position for ten years
w hen he was succeeded by John G
Stark who has had the active manage
ment of the bank since that time.
The bank was organized with a
capital of $15,000.00 which was sub
sequently raised to $25,000.00, at
which figure It now stands. The
average deposits of the bank are
about $150,000 but at certain periods
have been as high as $195,000.
In March of this year John P
Cobb and C. 8. Aldrlch purchased a
controlling Interest In tho bank and
nt a stockholder's meeting held the
first of April, John P. Cobb was
elected president and C. S. Aldrlch,
William DclcsDcnilcr, Attorney.
The subject of this sketch was
born In Memphis, Tenn., In 1856, and
came to Nebraska with his parents
in 1866, locating near where Ne
hawka now stands. Here he grew to
manhood, and began the study of his
chosen profession, that of the law.
He came to Elmwood about fifteen
years ago where he has prospered,
and built up a most lucrative law
practice. Mr. DelesDernler bears
the reputation of being among the
most successful practitioners at the
bar In Southeastern Nebraska In all
the courts. His promptness In the
way of settling estates In the county
court has made him a reputation
that is lasting, . having been Inter
ested In the settling of some of the
largest estates in Cass County. His
business methods are of that nature
as to make his assistance In settling
estates very valuable. Mr. Deles
Dernier has hosts of friends through
out Cass county, and has twice repre
sented the people of his county
In the lower house of the legislature,
and Is known as a gentleman of sterl
Ing qualities and one who eagerly
looks after the Interests of his clients,
STREET SCENE ELMWOOD
Iowa, and came to Elmwood January
1st, 1908, when he took up his In
terest In the store. The linn deals
In hardware, tinware, stoves, yard
and field fence, paints, seeds, furnl-
lure.sewing mnchlnes.croam separa
tors, buggies, wnginiM and farm imple
ments of all kinds. In cream separa
tors the firm handles the best made
the Sharpies ami Blue Bell.
They have recently tuken up the
sale of automobiles and have already
taken several orders for modem ma
chines. They have also put in a line of
carpets and rugs and have the best
stock lu those lines in Kim wood.
They take infinite pains that only
the most recent carpet and rug pat
terns are In stock and the result is
of the most satisfactory kind to tho
many customers of the house in this
department. MessrB. titirtz & Lor-
nz arc steadily growing In Influ
ence and trude and are well thought
of by all classes.
Klin wood Mill and Elevator Co.
Among the many enterprises that
Elmwood feels proud of Is the Elm
wood Mills, which manufactures Borne
of the finest brands of flour In the
state. Tho present owners are F.
Wolf, of Murdock, president; Mrs,
C. Breckcnfeld, vice president; J. E.
Olsen, general manager, secretary and
treasurer. Mr. Olsen Is an experienc
ed miller, and Is right up-to-date In
all milling appliances. Previous to
ccmlnt, to Elmwood, Mr. Olsen was
connected with Wausa (Neb.) Milling
ond Elevator Compnny, and previous'
ly with tho mill at Louisville, Neb
Mr. OlHen has been connected with
the Elmwood company about threo
First Nutional Itaiik.
Tills institution was organized in
April 1901, with a capital of $25,000.
The first officers were Edwin Jeary
president, Samuel 8. Johnson, vice
president and Floyd L. Wooleott,
cashier. Mr. Johnson died during
the summer of 1908 and was succeed
ed In the vice presidency by Floyd
L, Wooleott, who at present occupies
that important position. Mr. Ed
ward J. Jeary was at this time elect
ed to the position of cashier.
The First National was a success
from the start and Its business and
Influence in Elmwood has steadily
grown. The capital still remains at
$25,000 but there has accumulated a
surplus fund of $5,000. Deposits are
$120,000. The bank owns $25,000
United States bonds, has a bank note
circulation of $25,000, has loans
and discounts of $120,000 and car
ries cash In eight exchanges of $30,-
000 a fine exhibit for a town tho
size of Elmwood. The FlrHt Na
tional's business is constantly grow
ing and extends over the country
tributary to Elmwood. The bank en
gages In general banking In all Its
branches. It also represents tho
best line of Insurance companies in
the country.
r
I
INTERIOR VIEW OF LANGHORST'S DEPARTMENT .STORE
J. H. Cm 4i.
The late J. H. Green of Elmwood,
was born In Florida, New York. He
emigrated at an early age to Des
Moines, Iowa, where for many years
ho was foreman In the Rock Island
railroad shops at that town. After
a time ho removed to Council Bluffs,
Iowa, Btlll in the employ of the Rock
Island. Forty years ngo he onit thrt
services of tho Rock Island, . and
moving to Plattsmouth, went to work
for tho Burlington. Quitting rnll
I'ond work ho went to Fa totyvlllD
and opened a blacksmith shop on
his own account. After a T'w years
ho moved to Syracuse, In Oto coun
ty and embarked In tho druir busi
ness. From thero ho went to Elm
wood and opened a drug store In
that place, continuing In It until
tho tinio of his death In 1S'.'3.
Mr. Green had tho lending storo
of tho kind in Elmwood and it has
slnco continued to hold first place.
After his death, Mrs. Green, tho
widow, with the help of dorks con-