Biographical and historical memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton counties, Nebraska, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties mentioned, and numerous biographical sketches of the citizens of such counties, Part 109

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, The Goodspeed publishing co.
Number of Pages: 820

USA > Nebraska > Adams County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton counties, Nebraska, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties mentioned, and numerous biographical sketches of the citizens of such counties > Part 109
USA > Nebraska > Clay County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton counties, Nebraska, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties mentioned, and numerous biographical sketches of the citizens of such counties > Part 109
USA > Nebraska > Hall County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton counties, Nebraska, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties mentioned, and numerous biographical sketches of the citizens of such counties > Part 109
USA > Nebraska > Hamilton County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton counties, Nebraska, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties mentioned, and numerous biographical sketches of the citizens of such counties > Part 109

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Henry Joehnck is an influential pioneer citizen of Hall County, Neb., and for some time has been engaged in market-gardening at Grand Island. He was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, April 28, 1835, and is a son of Christian and Kath- arina H. Joehnck. He spent his youth in his na- tive county and attended school until he was six- teen years of age, after which he went to Berlin and spent four years in learning the trade of a wagon-maker. At the age of twenty years he ac- companied his father and mother, two brothers and three sisters to America, and on reaching this country the family came westward to Davenport, Iowa, and two months later the parents, with five of their children, settled on a farm in Clinton County, where the former spent the remainder of their days. The father died August 12, 1885, at the age of ninety-one years, and the mother Feb- ruary 20, 1889, at the advanced age of eighty-nine years. Henry Joehnek did not accompany his

relatives to Clinton County, but preferred to fight his own way in the world, and accordingly re- mained in Davenport two years longer, working at his trade. March 27, 1857, he was married in that city to Miss Margaret Goos, a daughter of Carl F. G. and Maria (Peterson) Goos. Mrs. Joehnck was born in Schleswig, Germany, February 4, 1840, and, with her parents, one brother and two sisters, came to America in the fall of 1851. On reaching this country they also settled in Davenport, and here Mr. Goos followed the occupation of wagon- making. He died June 27, 1867, at the age of. fifty-four years. His wife survives him, is a resi- dent of Davenport and is seventy-seven years of age. Two months after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Joehnek, in company with twenty-three men and five women, one young girl and one child, started from Davenport for the territory of Ne- braska, overland, and came to the present site of Grand Island, which town was founded by them and named. It will be seen from this that Mr. Joehnek and his wife are among the very earliest settlers. After working at his trade for two years he turned his attention to farming, gardening and stock-raising, and has successfully followed these pursuits ever since. The following family have been born to this couple: William, Fred, Henry, Carl, Dora, Laura, Christian, Augusta, Metha and Detlef. The eldest of these is thirty and the youngest ten years of age, and five of the children are married. The entire family are members of the German Lutheran Church. March 27, 1882, Mr. and Mrs. Joehnck celebrated their silver wed- ding, at which time their relatives and friends as- sembled in large numbers and left them many handsome and valuable presents as a token of their respect, good will and esteem.

Stephen Jones is one of Hall County's pros- perous agriculturists, but is a native of Pennsyl- vania, born in Luzerne County, March 3, 1842, being a son of Daniel and Catherine (Jenkins) Jones, the former being also born in Pennsylvania, his birth occurring in 1807, and there he continued to make his home until his death in 1876. A Whig in early life, he afterward became a Repub- lican, and during the Civil War was a strong

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Union man and served for some time as deputy provost marshal. He was a man of very ener- getic temperament, but his body was unequal to the duties which he imposed upon it, and his health was very feeble during the declining years of his life. His wife was born November 29, 1808, in Pennsylvania, and is still a resident of that State, being hale for her years. The Jones family were originally from Wales, and the Jen- kins from Germany. Stephen Jones attained manhood in his native State and supplemented his common-school education by attending Wyoming Seminary. When twenty years of age he enlisted in the Federal army, in Schooly's independent battery, but it was subsequently transferred to the Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, Company M, Sec- ond Regiment, and was on duty at Fort Delaware and Washington, D. C., until May, 1864, when his regiment joined Grant at Cold Harbor, and was with him until the fall of Petersburg. Fol- lowing the last battle in which Mr. Jones par- ticipated he was appointed division mail agent in Gen. Hartsuff's headquarters. He received his discharge June 21, 1865, was mustered out at Petersburg and returned to his native State, and after farming for a short time began teaching school, continuing one term. After acting as fore- man of a gang of men on the construction of a railroad for six months, he remained at home for the three following months, then went to Texas with a brother and made his home in the West for two years. After farming in his native State the two following years he was married May 10, 1869, to Miss Margaret Furman, who was born in Penn- sylvania in 1842, and with her removed to Effing- ham County, Ill., where he found employment un- . til the following year, then settling on his present farm in Hall County, Neb., which comprises 240 acres. He is a Republican, a member of the A. F. & A. M., and G. A. R. He and wife have two daughters: Lulu (who is a teacher in the graded school of Wood River), Lena M. (who is also a teacher and a graduate of the Wood River schools.)

H. M. Jones, farmer, Wood River, Neb. Among the successful agriculturists of Hall County, whose

merits are such as to entitle him to representation in the present work is Mr. Jones, the subject of this sketch. He was born in Luzerne County, Pa., July 13, 1846, and is the son of Daniel and Cath- erine (Jenkins) Jones, both natives of Pennsyl- vania. The father was born also in Luzerne County, May 30, 1807, and lived on one farm for forty years. He died there in October, 1876. He was a great traveler and wandered all over Michi- gan and the Western States. He owned at one time 1,000 acres of land where the city of Chicago is now standing, and sold it for 50 cents an acre. He was married, October 8, 1826, to Miss Jenkins, who was born November 29, 1808, and who is still living in Pennsylvania. They were the parents of twelve children, eleven of whom grew to maturity. The maternal grandfather was a child at the time of the Wyoming massacre, and was saved from death by being dressed in the clothes of a woman. H. M. Jones attained his growth in Pennsylvania, and received a common and high-school education. He worked on his father's farm until grown, and February 14, 1871, he left home and emigrated West. He joined his brother, Steve Jones [see sketch], in Illinois, and they took wagons and after a tedious journey arrived at Lone Tree, Neb. This was then in an unsettled condition and the present cities were then but villages. They had enough money to make a start, but the dry weather and grasshoppers made times very hard. Mr. Jones entered 240 acres of land, which he has since im- proved very much. He was married, May 12, 1873, to Miss Rebecca Hillman, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1851, and to them have been born two chil- dren: Claude D. and Grace C. Mrs. Jones came with her parents to Nebraska, in 1872, and received a superior education in her native county. She was a school-teacher, and the first one in Dis- trict 8. Her father, Michael Hillman, was born June 23, 1818, was a native of Pennsylvania, and of Dutch descent. Her mother, whose maiden name was Caroline Crissman, was born in Pennsyl- vania, in 1831, was married to Mr. Hillman in 1847 and is now living. Of our subject's brothers and sisters three are deceased: D. W. (born Sep- tember 5, 1840, died in June, 1841), Merritt B.

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(born November 8, 1834, died January 1, 1870, at Fort Clark, Tex .; he was a government employe) and France (born November 23, 1827, grew to womanhood, married M. W. Cooley, and died in 1881, leaving six children). The family of Mr. and Mrs. Jones consists of Susanna B. (now Mrs. H. K. Ebert, resides in Wood River, Neb.), Hester (a widow), Elizabeth, Helen M. (the wife of Mr. Day), Elvira (married) and Louisa, all in Pennsyl- vania, and T. J. Jones, in Michigan. Mr. Jones is a Republican in politics and belongs to the M. W. A.

S. M. Jordan, assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Wood River, Neb., and treasurer of Wood River Township, Hall County, of that State, was born in Gentry County, Mo., in 1860, and remained on a farm there until twenty years of age. He graduated from the Northwest Nor- mal and Business Institute at Stanberry, Mo., in 1885, and afterward taught in the common schools for some time. Later he was made principal of the Stanberry public schools, which position he held for two years, and in May, 1888, he moved to Wood River, Neb., where, besides teaching, he has held the above-mentioned positions of trust and honor. He was elected treasurer of Wood River Township in November, 1889, and fills that position as well as collector of the township taxes. He was married in Stanberry, Mo., in June, 1889, to Miss Stella Flowers, a native of Missouri, born in 1863. His parents, Samuel and Ann (Puter- baugh) Jordan, were both natives of Pennsylvania, the father born in 1821, and the mother in 1829. The latter died in 1883, but the father is still liv- ing and resides at Stanberry, Mo. The latter was quite well educated, and followed the teacher's profession in his younger days in Pennsylvania for some time. He was also a contractor and builder, which trade he had learned in Pennsylvania, and after his marriage to Miss Puterbaugh he came West, locating in Ohio, thence to Illinois, afterward to Wisconsin, Iowa, and finally to Missouri, where they located at Stanberry, on a farm in 1858. The father, who was in the Union service during the late war, was judge of the county court of Gentry four years. His grandfather came from England

and was married in Philadelphia. He took part in the War of 1812; his wife died in her ninety-sixth year. His father and mother were both born in Bed- ford County, Pa. The former held the office of jus- tice of the peace for over twenty years, and was an old line Whig, being a great friend of Henry Clay, and mastered the political subjects of the day. He said that he was never drunk but once, and that was the day the news of peace between this coun- try and England was received. He died at the age of seventy years. His family consisted of ten children, eight boys and two girls. One brother and one sister died at the ages of three and five years. David, the eldest, was self-taught, mastered geome- try and surveying, took yellow fever while locating a railroad in Mississippi and died and was buried at Natchez. Francis, the second, graduated in Mar- shall College, in Pennsylvania, was admitted to the bar of Bedford County, practiced law several years and was then sent to the State Senate. He was among the first payınasters Lincoln appointed, and went to Vicksburg to pay the troops, being there when it was taken, then went to Natchez and became sick, when he returned home and resigned. Subsequently he was appointed lieutenant-colonel under Gov. Curtain's staff, and State agent for Pennsylvania troops, with headquarters at Wash- ington, D. C. Going to Harrisburg he was ap- pointed secretary of State under Gov. Curtain and reappointed under Gen. Geery, himself coming within one vote of being nominated Governor of Pennsylvania. He is now practicing law in circuit and supreme courts in Pennsylvania, and is over seventy years of age. Samuel was the third son and William the next. His health failed early in life and he died in Pennsylvania. John M., the fifth, went by wagon from Chicago to Oregon, thence to California when gold was discovered, but returned to Oregon. On his return from Califor- nia he was shipwrecked and lost all but the clothes he wore. He was a good business man and soon accumulated a fortune. Finally he went back to Pennsylvania, where he died, leaving a daughter and son, the latter now a physician in Philadelphia. Thomas, the sixth, died; had a short but eventful career. He mastered all he undertook. Possess-

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ing a great memory, he had a good command of language and wonderful powers of oratory. Over- work in books destroyed his health. He went to Mississippi, then went to Europe with a son of Gen. Quitman, visited England, Germany, France, Ireland, Scotland and Italy. Returning home, the next year he started for the Sandwich Islands. He began teaching there on a good salary, but had to give it up, and started for home by way of Cali- fornia. He reached Sacramento, and in company with his brother John started for Pennsylvania. On reaching New Orleans Thomas died and was taken to Natchez and buried by his oldest brother. James, the next, died at the age of twenty-three from mental over work. The sister graduated at the Young Ladies' Seminary in Philadelphia, but also lost her health from hard study and died at the age of seventeen. None of the boys were ever drunk, and but one ever used tobacco. The ances- tors on the mother's side came from Germany and Ireland and located in Pennsylvania. To Samuel and Ann (Puterbaugh) Jordan were born nine chil- dren, seven sons and two daughters, our subject being fifth in order of birth. They are named as follows: Louis and James (both in the furniture business at Stanberry), William (in St. Joseph, with the Motor Street Car Line), S. M., George F. (cash- ier of Sherman County State Bank, in Sherman County, Kas.), Minnie (at home), John (book-keeper for the above-mentioned bank in Sherman County, Kas.), Walter (a student at St. Joseph Business College), and Mary (who died at the age of two and a half years). None of the boys use whisky or tobacco.

Nicholas Kelly was born in the "Emerald Isle" in the month of June, 1829, being a son of Andy and Mary Kelly, who spent their lives on their native island. In 1856 Nicholas Kelly was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Costiean, their union taking place in the United States, but she was also born in Ireland, and on first coming to the New World settled with her relatives in the province of Canada, but later moved to Philadel- phia, Pa. Mr. Kelly received the advantages of the common schools, and possessing the quick wit and keen intellect of his conntrymen, he made

rapid progress in his studies, and is now a well- informed and intelligent man. He followed various pursuits until the spring of 1861, then joined the home guards, but was never in active service. In 1882 he emigrated to Hall County, Neb., and pur- chased a farm of 160 acres, but his second crop was destroyed by the devouring elements, and for some time it was all he could do to make a living. By alınost superhuman efforts he soon established himself on a sound footing, and has made for himself and family a comfortable home, much bet- ter than is owned by the average Nebraska farmer. His farm of 160 acres is all under cultivation, and is well stocked. He has always been generous in his contributions to worthy enterprises, and has always interested himself in the welfare of the community in which he has resided. He and wife are the parents of four children: Audrene (de- ceased), John, William and Andrew. The family attend the Roman Catholic Church.

Hiram E. Kent, farmer, was born in Erie Coun- ty, Pa., April 5, 1833, and is a son of John Kent, who was born in New Hampshire, but was reared principally in Canada, whither he was taken by his parents at an early day. After reaching man- hood he moved to Vermont, and was married there to Miss Zanna Chittenden, a native of the "Green Mountain State." Mr. Kent served for over three years in the War of 1812, and after his marriage moved to York State, thence to Erie County, Pa., where both parents spent the remainder of their days. Hiram E. Kent received a good early edu- cation in the common schools of Erie County, Pa., and supplemented this with a three-years' course in Girard Academy, after which he engaged in teaching the "young idea" in Pennsylvania and Arkansas. He was married in 1860, in Pennsyl- vania, to Miss Asenath Jerome, who was born, reared and educated in Ohio, and a daughter of Charles Jerome, and after their marriage they engaged in farming in Erie County, continuing until 1864, and in February of that year Mr. Kent enlisted in the Third Pennsylvania Artillery, and served until he received his discharge, July 25, 1865. He was then engaged in farming in Erie County until 1869, at which time he moved to Kansas, and after a two-

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years' residence in Atchison County, he came to Hall County, Neb., and is now the owner of 160 acres of good land. His farm is situated about five miles from Grand Island, and is well improved with good buildings, fences, orchards, etc. Mr. Kent has served about twelve years as justice of the peace, and is a man who commands the respect and esteem of all with whom he comes in con- tact. He and wife have a danghter, Elma A. (who is still at home.)

Gustave Koehler is a liquor merchant and ice dealer of Grand Island, Neb., and was born at Mohorn, near Wilsdruff, kingdom of Saxony, Germany, December 27, 1842, being a son of Hein - rick and Carolina (Henker) Koehler, who reared a family of three children: Bertha (widow of Her- man Werner, of Wilsdruff), Louis and Gustave. The father was a brick-maker by trade. Gustave Koehler came to America in 1866, and joined his brother Louis in Indiana, the latter being now a resident of Chicago, in the tin-smithing business, and although he had learned the drug business prior to coming to this country, he found that the hardware business would be more profitable, and accordingly opened an establishment at New Cory- don, Ind., and was profitably engaged there for two years. Being subject, however, to chills and fever in that locality, he removed to Omaha, Nel., and worked at the liquor business for two years, and then followed the same occupation in Wichita, Kas., being also engaged in farming and garden- ing. Since 1880 he has resided in Grand Island, and although he held the office of supervisor of Hall County one term, he is averse to holding pub- lic office. In 1885 he started a fine ice and fish pond at Grand Island, introducing German carp, and in addition to these enterprises, he is quite extensively engaged in the real estate business, dealing in farms as well as city property. He is a stockholder in the Grand Island Improvement Company, is a director of the Citizen's Bank, and is a stockholder in the canning factory. In all matters pertaining to the growth and development of his locality he has given an active support, and is highly respected as one of the leading business men of this portion of the State. He is a member

of the Liederkranz, and he and his family worship in the Lutheran Church. He was married in Coun - cil Bluffs, Iowa, to Miss Kate Whitney, a native of York State, horn in Otsego County. Mr. Koeh- ler's only child, Emma, is a student at Garfield University, Wichita, Kas.

Hon. Henry Arnold Koenig. president of the Citizens' National Bank at Grand Island, Neb., was born in Gütersloh, Westphalen, Prussia, May 3, 1836, and is a son of Henry Christof and Caro- line (Zumwinkel) Koenig, the former of whom was a distiller by occupation, although his attention was given to other occupations also, he being the proprietor of a hotel. The Koenigs were a mer- cantile and manufacturing people, and the Zum- winkels were prominently identified with the pork packing interests of Westphalen. Hon. Henry Arnold Koenig grew to manhood in his native land and received a good literary education in the pub- lic schools, supplemented by a commercial train- ing at Osnabrück, graduating from an educational institution of that place, at the age of sixteen years. After spending four years as clerk in Arnsberg he went back to Gütersloh, and for about three years was a book-keeper in a pork- packing establishment belonging to an uncle. He next spent one year in the regular army, but in the fall of 1859 he joined an elder brother, who had been a resident of Omaha, Neb., and was then at home on a visit, and came with him to America, and until the breaking out of the late Civil War was engaged in clerking in Omaha. He then en- listed in Company B, First Nebraska Volunteer Infantry, and was on active duty until the fall of Fort Donelson, when he was honorably discharged on account of disability and returned to Omaha. In 1863 he became associated with Fred A. Wiebe in the general mercantile business in Denver, Colo., but not being satisfied with his location he sold out his interest there and returned to Omaha, but al- most immediately came to Grand Island and opened a general mercantile establishment, which he successfully conducted for several years. During the Sionx Indian War of 1864 he fortified his store, and many farmers with their families would take refuge there during the night to protect theni-

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HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

selves from the depredations of the Indians. During the construction of the Union Pacific Rail- road he was a general contractor in railroad ties, and also furnished supplies and kept a State sta- tion and telegraph office for the Western Union Telegraph Company. Mr. Koenig and his part- ner built the first saw-mill in Grand Island, and in 1867 attached a grist-mill, which did duty here for many years. They dealt in grain, lumber, coal and general merchandise, and their trade ex. tended from Columbus to Kearney. They started a general banking business at an early day, but by 1871 it had become so extensive that they opened a State bank under the name of the State Central Bank, which continued until 1884 and then be- came the Citizens' National Bank, and as such has since continued, Mr. Koenig being president of the bank continually since its organization. In 1887 the United States Investment Company was organ- ized and a street car railway was built, of which Mr. Koenig has since been president. He has always been a very public spirited citizen, and to his influence is due the establishment of the beet root sugar industry at Grand Island, and he was also one of the chief promoters of the Grand Island Improvement Company. He has been active in local politics and has served the county as treasurer several terms, and from 1871 to 1874 was treasurer of the State. He has also been a member of the school board of the city, and was one of the organizers of the Liederkranz. Al- though he attends the Lutheran Church he is lib- eral in his views. He was married in Grand Is- land, Miss Agathe Henriette Von Wasmer, a daughter of William Von Wasmer becoming his wife, and his union with her has resulted in the birth of three sons and one daughter: Richard (who is a book-keeper in the Citizens' National Bank, is married and the father of a son, named William), Mary (who is the accomplished wife of Dr. John Janss, of North Loup, Neb., and is the mother of a daughter, named Frida). Arnold (an intelligent young gentleman, taking the civil en- gineers' course in the Washington University of St. Louis), and Henry (a clerk in St. Louis).

William Kurka is a Bohemian, born in 1840,

which fact is enough to assure one that he is one of the enterprising, frugal and industrions men of the community in which he resides. He remained in his native land until thirty years of age, then came to the United States to seek his fortune, and subsequent events have proved his judgment to be good, for he is now a successful merchant tailor of Grand Island, and has a competency which places him beyond the reach of want. After coming to the New World he worked for a short time in Chi- cago, then traveled for some time, and in 1880 located in Grand Island, and here has been promi- nently identified with the merchant tailoring inter- ests of the place ever since. He is the owner of a fine business block and residence in Grand Island, and the thorough manner in which he has con- ducted his affairs and the success which has at- tended his efforts, have tended to place him among the leading business men of the place. He was united in marriage to Miss Anna Manning, a native of London, Canada, their union taking place there. Mr. Kurka is a Select Knight of the K. of P., and as a man of business enjoys the esteem and confi- dence of all who know him. His parents, Matthew and Catherine Kurka, were also native Bohemians.

Elbert S. Lamon was brought up to the life of a farmer by his father, Manuel Lamon, and like the majority of boys has followed in his progeni- tor's footsteps, and is now one of the leading agriculturists and stockmen of Hall County. He is a native of the "Hoosier State," born in Har- rison County, June 10, 1831, whither his parents moved from their native State of Tennessee in 1829, both being of German parentage. Here the father was engaged in farming until his death, which occurred about 1868, his wife surviving him about twenty years, her death occurring at the ad- vanced age of ninety-seven years. Mr. Lamon was a man well known and highly esteemed for his many worthy qualities, and was for twelve consecu- tive years magistrate in his district. He was also a faithful soldier in the War of 1812. Elbert S. Lamon attained his manhood in Harrison County, Ind., making his home with his father, and was married there November 23, 1854, to Priscilla Green, a daughter of John and Leah Green,

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Author: Goodspeed Brothers Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago, The Goodspeed publishing co. Number of Pages: 820

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, The Goodspeed publishing co.
Number of Pages: 820