Topic for Review:
Criteria for Evaluation for the National Register of Historic Places.
The quality of significance in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture is present in districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association, and:
A. That are associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; or
B. That are associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or
C. That embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or that represent the work of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; or
D. That have yielded or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.
Lately, in between my 5 history courses, which range from Women in US History, Native Americans in US History, the Emergence of Modern US [1877-1920], the American Revolution, and Senior Seminar in History which covers historiography and the art and craft of research, and getting the house refinanced, I have decided to start the process of getting our house listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Our neighborhood is already on the register as a historic district, but I want to get the house listed separately, because I feel it is rather special and unique [as every person probably feels about their own house, when they aren't in the middle of a mild crisis]
I am probably going to focus on Point B, from the list above, because it's our strong point at the moment. So far, this is what I have gathered on the occupants of our home.
Mr Ross L. Hammond.
Built, and lived in our house from July 5, 1895 - January 6, 1920
From a book at the local historical society:
Ross L. Hammond was "prominent, influential in developing and promoting the highest ad best interests of Dodge County...one of the most enterprising and popular newspaper men of the state, who was editor of the Fremont Tribune for forty years, and in addition to his duties in that capacity helped to build up an extensive and remunerative business by the Hammond Printing Company [now Hammond Stephens Printing], of which he was president."
He was born May 13, 1861 in Le Grand, Iowa to George [a farmer, and dealer in lumber and grain] and Jane (Leech) Hammond. He was of English colonial descent, and raised a Quaker.
Ross Hammond came to Fremont in 1879 to work at the Fremont Tribune, which was owned by his father and brother, Frank.
In 1885 he married Louise F. Reynolds. They had 4 children - Louise, Le Ross, Howard and Constance.
These are some other things Ross did when he lived in Fremont:
Director of Nebraska Building and Loan Association for 25 years.
City Library Board member for 20 years..the later of which he was president
Director of First National Bank
Owned farms in Nebraska and Minnesota
Member - Independent Order of Odd Fellows
Member - Modern Woodmen of America
Member - Ancient Order of United Workmen
He was an "influential" member of the Republican party, serving as a delegate to every state convention for 25 years. He assisted in the framing of party platforms and he was a "pleasing and effective speaker" in campaign work.
In 1894, Ross was President of the Nebraska Press Association.
He was a candidate for Congress from the Third District in 1896.
In 1897 he was appointed Postmaster at Fremont by President McKinley, and later was reappointed by President Roosevelt.
In March 1908, Ross Hammond became collector of internal revenue for the State of Nebraska.
He was an active member of the Nebraska Press Association., and served as a delegate to the National Editorial Association.
He was the first President of the Fremont Men's Club.
In 1918 he was a candidate for the United States Senate.
In 1919, he sold off his interests in Fremont, and moved to Riverside, California, where he engaged in investments and banking.
**[I really need a pic of Ross' wife and family. I found info on Ross Hammond's son, Le Ross as a pledge for Phi Delta Theta in 1918 as a freshman at UNL and again in some school military regiment.]
One ironic item.....the land records show our house transferred from Ross Hammond and family to Elmer Stahl and family on January 6, 1920. That EXACT same day, the census people came to town. (Download 1920.pdf) They found Ross and family staying at 606 E 7th St. Isn't it odd that the same day they sold the house, the census record was taken? :)
Professor Elmer McClellan Stahl and Lydia Melindas Stahl and family - January 6, 1920 - 1946
On January 6, 1920, Ross Hammond sold our house to Elmer McClellan Stahl for for $6,250.
Elmer McClellan Stahl was a professor at Midland College in Atchison, Kansas. The college moved to Fremont, Nebraska in 1920, so Elmer moved with it.
He was a Professor of Mathematics and Astronomy. He earned an A.B. degree from Gettysburg University in 1894; his A.M. from Gettysburg University in 1900. He was a member of the Mathematical Association of America.
He started teaching at Midland [ in Kansas] in 1910..and continued until 1946, when he passed away.
At the time of his death, he had taught for 65 years - the newspapers said he had the longest teaching career in the nation.
He was known as "Pops" around campus.
He was well liked, and it was written that many students signed up for Math classes just to have him as a professor.
On a work related survey, one of his hobbies was listed as "maintaining a home".
One of his gifts to the college was 3 sugar maple trees. Two still exist and are located behind the library.
I found Elmer Stahl and his family in the 1910 Census (Download HeritageQuestOnline.pdf) , living in the Cordorus Township, York County, Pennslyvania. He was a high school teacher. I guess this is right before he moved to Kansas to teach at Midland.
Dr Stahl and his wife are buried at FREMONT MEMORIAL CEMETERY:
Lydia Melindas Stahl Elmer McClellan Stahl, L.L.D.
23 Sept 1873 5 Nov 1952 14 Aug 1864 20 Nov 1948
Mary (Stahl) Follen & Albert D. Follen April 1, 1948 - 1976/1975? [rob, check this date out for me]
When Elmer McClellan Stahl passed away in 1946, I don't really know what happened...but it wasn't until a couple years later [ April 1, 1948 ] that the house shows up on the land records again, this time going to a Albert D. Follen for the price of $1.
Albert married Elmer McClellan Stahl's daughter, Mary.
Mary had attended Midland College and graduated in 1924, I think. One of the yearbook's said she was the future "Mary Anderson"...but I have no idea who this Anderson person was..[there was no Anderson in the yearbook]
I know Mary passed away some time in the early 1970's [ 1971, I think?]. Her husband passed away a few years later [ 1976?].
Mary's collection of Royal Danish Copenhagen Christmas plates [ every year since 1908] was given to Midland Lutheran College; they're on display in the library there.
Mr. Tookey
19751976- May 15, 2004
Mr. Tookey was a piano teacher. That's about all we know about him. Whenever people find out where we live, they always say, "Oh, the piano teacher's house!" then proceed to tell us about recitals they saw preformed there.
