Biographies - Nuckolls County, Nebraska -

Was born in Ray County, Missouri, April 10, 1849, and he was one of the best known, most influential and most popular citizens in the southern part of Nebraska for many years. James H. Kesterson was a son of James C. and Kate Kesterson, and he was a child at the time of the family removal to Nebraska Territory. Here he received the advantages of the pioneer schools, and among his classmates was the late Paul Morton, son of Hon. J. Sterling Morton, who was one of the foremost figures in Nebraska history. In the late '60s Mr. Kesterson accompanied his parents on their removal to DeWitt, Saline County, and there he engaged in the general merchandise business. In 1879 he sold his business and property interests at DeWitt and became one of the pioneer settlers in the newly founded town of Superior, Nuckolls County, where his ability, his energy and his resources forthwith made him an influential force in the development and upbuilding of the town and in the general advancing of the interests of this section of the state. Mr. Kesterson here purchased several lots in the newly platted townsite, and he here erected several business buildings, as well as a number of houses. His first enterprise here was the implement business, and he established also the first drug store and the first jewelry business in Superior. In the early days he was compelled to bring all of his merchandise in wagons from Edgar, the nearest railroad point. His integrity, his progressiveness and his versatility well fortified Mr. Kesterson for leadership in community affairs, and he was signally prosperous in all his business undertakings. He was a prominent figure in promoting the construction of the line of the Missouri Pacific Railroad between Superior and Prosser, and it was mainly due to his influence and efforts that lines of the Chicago & North Western and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroads were brought through Superior.

Mr. Kesterson was a fancier and judge of fine horses, and brought with him several when he came to Superior. He developed many speedy standard-bred horses of the Wilkes strain, took great pleasure in racing them, and became one of Nebraska's most prominent representatives in turf events of the various racing circuits. His buoyant and generous nature won to him a host of friends, and he made his life count for much in its every relation and interest. He had no desire for political preferment, but was a loyal supporter of the principles of the Democratic party, and he was long and actively affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

At Friend, Saline County, Nebraska, on the 17th of July, 1878, Mr. Kesterson was united in marriage to Miss Ella J. McLaughlin, who was born at Zanesville, Ohio, February 28, 1856, a daughter of James R. and Elizabeth McLaughlin, who removed from Ohio to Illinois when she was a child. Mrs. Kesterson was graduated from the high school at Moline, Illinois, as a member of the class of 1873, and thereafter she taught a year in the schools of that state, whence she then came to Nebraska and became a popular teacher in the schools of Saline County, where her service was in the public schools at Friend and DeWitt. She was lured from her pedagogic activities by Mr. Kesterson, and after their marriage they continued their residence at DeWitt until their removal to Superior in 1879. Mrs. Kesterson has long been a gracious and loved figure in social and church activities at Superior, she being a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and also an influential member of the local organization of the Daughters of Rebekah. Of the two children of Mr. and Mrs. Kesterson, Mrs. Zona Berg, of this review, is the elder, and the younger, Lombard Ray Kesterson, was a resident of Lincoln, this state, and was there engaged in the automobile business at the time of his death.

Miss Zona Kesterson married Herbert Spencer Berg at Superior, Nebraska, the death of Mr. Berg occurred February 12, 1912, he having been born in Pennsylvania February 7, 1875, and having been there reared and educated. At the time of his death Mr. Berg was engaged in the mercantile business at Villisca, Iowa, his untimely death having been mourned by his wide circle of friends in Nebraska. Jack Kesterson Berg, only child of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert S. Berg, was born at Villisca, Iowa, May 24, 1903 and is now his mother's partner in the successful music business at Superior where they have a large stock of musical instruments and merchandise and where they control a large and representative trade. The Berg music store is known as one of the largest and most important of its kind in this section of Nebraska. After his graduation from the Superior High School Jack K. Berg was for two years a student in the law department of George Washington Law School, Washington, D. C., where his widowed mother likewise studied simultaneously, as previously noted in this context. Jack K. had previously, in 1912, been a student in Principia Christian Science Parochial School at St. Louis, Missouri. March 12, 1924, recorded his marriage with Miss Ruth Stansbury, of Superior, and they have a fine little son Bert Kesterson Berg, born January 22, 1925.

Mrs. Zona (Kesterson) Berg is indebted to the public schools of Superior for her early educational discipline which included that of the high school. Thereafter she was for two years a student in George Washington Law School, Washington, D. C., where her only son was a student at the same time, and in the national metropolis she availed herself also of [p.275] instruction under the direction of leading exponents of voice culture, her musical training in this line having included also study under leading teachers in the City of Chicago. Mrs. Berg thus has a finely cultivated voice, and through her talent, as well as through her splendidly equipped music store, she has done much to advance musical art in her native city and county.

Mrs. Zona K. Berg has become a prominent representative of business enterprise as well as social and cultural activities in her native city of Superior, Nuckolls County, where she owns and conducts a well equipped music store that gives the best of service in all of its departments. Mrs. Berg was born at Superior, on the 21st of June, 1880, and is a daughter of James H. and Ella J. (McLaughlin) Kesterson, who were among the first settlers in Superior. The father died in 1922 and the mother is living on the old homestead.

Lombard Ray Kesterson, only brother of Mrs. Zona Berg, was born at Superior March 8, 1883, and his death occurred in Omaha, March 24, 1917, his home at the time having been in the city of Lincoln, where he was engaged in the automobile business. He married Miss Matilda Grigsby, of Superior, who survives him.T

The first permanent settlers to locate (Saline Co) were J. H. Artist, Dr. L. J. Cross, J. W. Brown and William Wall. They located soon after the town was surveyed. A post office was established and J. H. Artist was appointed Postmaster. He also put in a small stock of goods and started the first store. William Wall was a blacksmith and put up a shop and began working at his trade at once. J. W. Brown was a lawyer and railroad land agent. Dr. Cross was engaged in the practice of his profession as a physician. Soon after this, and in the year 1872, William Wild moved here and opened a drug store. Not long after, J. B. Kesterson & Sons, built and opened a general merchandise store. They also sold lumber. In the spring of 1873, G. A. Hunt removed from Swan City and started a general store. In the fall of the same year he was followed by W. J. Dunn, who opened a store in the same line. A hotel had been erected in the early history of the town and with the railroad buildings grain warehouses, residences, and smaller structures, DeWitt was by this time quite a respectable little village.

L. J. Cross, M. D., druggist, DeWitt, was born in Athens County, Ohio, in 1840. In 1844 went with his parents to Quincy, Ill., where he remained until 1851, going from there to Monroe County, Iowa, where he lived until he settled in Nebraska in 1870. In 1862 commenced the study of medicine at Bremen, Iowa, with Hildreth & Huffard, finishing at Keokuk, graduating in the winter of 1865-6, and located at Swan City, Saline Co., Neb., about 1870, remaining there about one year, when he went to DeWitt, and commenced the practice of medicine. Soon after he settled in the county. The physicians who had settled in Swan City, previous, three in number, moving away. Mr. Cross had most of the practice in the county for six years. In the spring of 1877, opened a drug store and has devoted most of his attention to this business since. In 1880-81, erected a commodious brick building for his business, and has one of the largest stores in the county. In 1863 and a part of 1864, was Hospital Surgeon in the employ of the government at Keokuk, Rock Island and St. Louis. Was married in November, 1874, at DeWitt, to Miss Barbie Kesterson. They have two children, Guy and Fanny. He is a member of the Blue Valley Lodge, A., F. & A. M., Wilber.