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Lincoln
in
1913


On November 20, 1913, the Lincoln Sentinel published an entire edition dedicated to all aspects of Lincoln – its business and businessmen, churches, schools, industry and history. The tone is frankly boosterish; while the purpose of the edition is not stated, it likely was used as a way to advertise the town and to recruit new residents – and to please its advertisers.
This was a boom time for the town of Lincoln. There were at least eight physicians practicing; the town boasted three banks, many law firms and real estate and insurance agents, a wide array of grocery stores and mercantiles, three lumber yards, several candymakers, a laundry service, an ice plant, a movie house, two dealers in musical instruments, a mill, a taxi service, an ice cream parlor and a host of restaurants. Lincoln’s population reached its zenith in the early 20th century and its residents had every reason to believe their town, and their county, would only continue to grow.
That was not the case. Nearly 60 years later, when the transcriber of this series was growing up in Lincoln, there was still an active downtown, but nothing approaching the standard of 1913. There were two physicians, two grocery stores, two banks, a movie house that later closed, and a few restaurants.
But for those of you whose families were a part of Lincoln in those heady, prosperous days, and those of you who know Lincoln only in its later years and have trouble imagining such a thriving business district, this series hopefully will give you a glimpse into the past of your ancestors – or your hometown.
The articles from this edition have been divided into subject groups to make them less unwieldy. Below are links to the broad topics with a short description of each.

Lincoln’s Beginnings

A short history of the settlement and early days of the town.

Lincoln’s Banks

Includes sketches of the Saline Valley Bank, Farmers National Bank and Lincoln State Bank.

Lincoln Churches

Includes the Church of Christ, First Christian, Catholic, Free Methodist, Methodist, Presbyterian and Baptist churches.

Lincoln Physicians

Includes Drs. Geo. W. McCulloch, L.A. Kerr, G.M. Anderson, B.F. Spencer, J.J. Moffitt, Malcolm Newlon, Geo. W. Ryan, A. Hultner, H.M. Hall. Plus the Cole Sanitarium and the Lincoln Health Department.

Lincoln Education

Includes sketches of the city and county school system and a salute to A.T. Biggs, former superintendent.

Lincoln Restaurants and Grocers

Includes sketches of Herman Knoch (baker), The Star Grocery, C.W. McCurdy (butcher), The Bon Ton (ice cream parlor), H.C. Olsen (restaurant), Henry Zink (restaurant) and the Lincoln Candy Kitchen and Restaurant.

Lincoln Government

Includes sketches of these elected officials: A. Artman, probate judge; S.H. Brunt, county surveyor; county clerk C.E. Booze, county clerk; J.F. Jennings, county superintendent; G.E. Hutchison, register of deeds; M.J. Healy, clerk of the district court; Boyd F. Gilkison, county treasurer; S.C. Wolford, sheriff; Henry W. Rahmeier, county attorney; E.A. McFarland, mayor; plus a sketch of the Lincoln County Poor Farm.

Lincoln’s Famous Citizens

Includes sketches of C. Bernhardt, Lizzie McNair and A. Roenigk.

Lincoln Real Estate and Insurance Brokers

Includes sketches of W.T. Nimmons, Joe Jackson, J.B. Marshall, Davison & Burt, Brumbaugh & Francis, George Hawkins, Bowers & Rasmussen and W.E. Lyon.

Lincoln Services

Includes sketches of Archie Hazen (plumbing and heating), Wacker & Bosch (harness and saddlery), Frank Mulloy (Opera House), Geo. I. Robinson (painter and paper hanger), C.E. Purdy (dry cleaning), E.P. Loso (shoe repair), J.W. Dodds (undertaker), N.B. and M.J. Rees (electricians), Lincoln Roller Mills, J.C. Cooper (ice plant), Hemminger & Fulmer (auto livery), C.J. Chandler (mechanic), Rankin & Holmes (blacksmith and repair), Lincoln Steam Laundry, G.W. Phegley (photographer), Lyon & Williams (auto repair), George Hastriter (wholesale and retail produce); Lincoln Republican newspaper.

Lincoln Lawyers

Includes sketches of McCanles & Orr and John J. McCurdy.

Lincoln Merchants

Includes sketches of L.E. Hendrickson (jewelry), Leldigh and Havens Lumber Co., J.G. Cuddy (druggist), Burgner-Bowman Lumber Co., E.H. Wicker (clothing), Davis and Wilbirt (milliners), The Racket (general mercantile), Troup and Robinson (hardware), Lincoln Mercantile Company, A.R. Hall (furniture), A.E. Achterberg (implements), Hall’s Drug Store, Hub Clothing Company, Farmers Union Store, The Eagle Store (mercantile), Lincoln Hardware Co., Chicago Lumber and Coal Co., R.W. Bishop (automobiles), J.W. Grubb & Son (mercantile), A.L. Miller (jewelry), Frobenius & Achterberg (marble & granite), A.L. Shire (grocery).


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Bill and Diana Sowers, Lincoln County Coordinators
Tracee Hamilton, Lincoln County Coordinator

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Copyright 1997, 1998 by Bill and Diana Sowers