USA > Nebraska > Sarpy County > Biographical record : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Saunders and Sarpy Counties, Nebraska > Part 19
USA > Nebraska > Saunders County > Biographical record : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Saunders and Sarpy Counties, Nebraska > Part 19
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33
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BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
ware business under the firm name of Men- gel Bros. This business was disposed of in a few years. September, 1897, he received the appointment of postmaster at Valparaiso and is now installed in that office. He is a consistent Republican. Fraternally he belongs to the I. O. O. F. and Modern Woodmen of America. The subject of this sketch married Amanda Dodds in 1879. They have four children, named Fern E., Clarence L., and Floyd and Lloyd, twins.
ETER GIBSON, one of the most suc- cessful farmers and large land owners in Marietta precinct, Saunders county, Nebraska, is also a mechanic of no mean ability, having spent many years of his life at the blacksmith trade.
Mr. Gibson was born in the southern part of Sweden in 1836. He is a son of Jeppa Gibson, and at the age of seventeen years he came to America, settling in Illinois, where he followed farming at $8 per month and thought that was high wages. In 1860 he took a mining tour to California, Oregon and Idaho, remaining in the far west for six years. In 1865 he returned to Knoxville, Illi- nois, and followed blacksmithing. That occu- pation he pursued for eight years, when he was obliged to discontinue it. In the mean- time he saved some money with which he then went west hoping to invest it more advantage- ously than he could in Illinois.
In 1871 Mr. Gibson bought the southwest
quarter of section 27, Saunders county, Ne- braska, which contained a young grove, and he builta small house. 16 by 28 feet in size. A small portion of the land had previously been broken. This tract formerly belonged to Mr. Allmen. In 1874 the subject hereof purchased lumber at Fremont, Nebraska, and built a frame house. In 1880 he bought the adjoining 80 acres, east, and moved his house to that tract, which was formerly owned by Curt Thomas. The house is now used as extra granary, as Mr. Gibson subsequently built a fine residence, set out groves, and planted nearly two acres of land in fruit trees. From the early groves set out on his place he has cut and given away large quantities of wood.
Peter Gibson married Matilda Johnson, daughter of Andrew Frederick Johnson. Mrs. Gibson was born in Sweden. Her father came to America with his family, settling in Chicago, where he died in 1852, aged thirty-seven years.
Mr. and Mrs. Gibson have been blessed with a family of ten children, viz .: Esther Cor- nelia, Emma, John, Rosella, Lily, Josie, Ernest, Alvin, Leroy, and Ruth. The last named died at the age of nine months and eighteen days. Esther Cornelia married Rev. L. J. Sundquist, of Kansas, and they had three children: Mi- randa, Victor, and Lawrence. Emma married F. O. Johnson, of Pueblo; three children also bless their home: Leroy, Delphia, and Irene. John is a hardware merchant, of Mead, Ne- braska. Rosella is the wife of E. G. Berg, a prosperous harness maker, of Mead. Lily is the wife of Carl Thorson, of Marietta pre- cinct; they have one child, Lillian. The re-
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maining children still brighten the home place.
Mr. Gibson is greatly respected for his many fine qualities and is recognized as one of the active and progressive men of his community. He has served as a member of the school board ever since the district was established, twenty- five years ago. He has also filled the offices of road supervisor and assessor. In 1886 he bought 40 acres of land in section 26, known as the Sward property. His farm is devoted to both stock and grain. He usually has from 200 to 300 head of hogs, 40 to 50 head of cattle, and raises large quantities of corn, oats, barley, and rye.
OHN W. KNAPP. From the list of the many prosperous farmers of Saunders county, Nebraska, the name of John W. Knapp, a prominent fruit grower and stock raiser of Stocking precinct, must not be omit- ted. Mr. Knapp was born in Cook county, Illi- nois, 18 miles southwest of Chicago, in 1851, but moved to Hancock county, Illinois, when a boy. He is a son of William D. and Deborah (Griffith) Knapp. His father was a farmer and went to Nebraska in 1882, set- tling in Stocking precinct. He purchased the farm now owned by T. J. Snelling. William D. Knapp died when seventy-nine years old, and his mother passed away at the age of sev- enty-five years. Their children were : Seely B., of Omaha; Albert C., of Ithaca, Nebraska ; Mary, wife of Edward Wright, of St. Louis, Mo .; Horace, also of Ithaca; John W., the
subject hereof ; and William D., Jr., of Wahoo.
John W. Knapp began life for himself in Illinois in the spring of 1873 and in 1874 he purchased land in Saunders county, Nebraska, in section 5, township 13, range 8. The tract is now owned by A. Schueneman. Upon this farm Mr. Knapp built a house, barns, corn- cribs, etc., and set out orchards. He also fenced and otherwise improved it. In 1892 he sold out and purchased 40 acres of land in section 16 of Stocking precinct, from Mr. Schoelett. He also bought 160 acres located in the northwest corner of section 15. These tracts are directly adjoining each other, be- ing separated only by a road.
In 1896 Mr. Knapp built a large residence of modern design, suitable barns, granaries, etc. The same year he sold the 40-acre tract in section 16 to C. Beadle. Mr. Knapp has a two-acre orchard containing all kinds of fruit. Much attention is given to stock raising upon this farm, and it is well stocked with thorough- bred Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China hogs. The farm is situated about one mile from the city of Wahoo, in a very choice location. It is considered one of the finest farms in Saun- ders county.
Mr. Knapp married Nancy Isabelle Tull, a daughter of Josiah Tull, of Hancock county, Illinois. Five children blessed this union, all of whom were boys. They are: Harry R., a farmer; Wirt E., an employee of a com- mission house in St. Louis; Roy C., a tele- graph operator on the B. & M. R. Railroad; Maurice E., and William J. Mr. Knapp and family all worship at the Methodist church.
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His political sympathies and support are with the Republican party. Fraternally he is a mem- ber and past grand of I. O. O. F. Lodge No. 58, of Wahoo. Mr. Knapp is a self-made man in every sense of the word. He has worked hard for what he has and his success is well deserved.
F. BLUNK, a successful lumber deal- er of Weston, Chapman precinct, is another self-made man of Saunders county, Nebraska. Mr. Blunk commenced his career as a common laborer, without capital, and by his own exertions, good judgment and business ability he has risen to the ranks of the successful business men of his vicinity. Mr. Blunk is a native of Holstein, Germany, where he remained until 1867. At that time he and his brother, C. C. Blunk, came to Amer- ica, settling in Davenport, Scott county, Iowa.
His parents, John Henry and Catherine (Ghral) Blunk, were common laboring people. Late in the year 1867 they also crossed the ocean and settled in Davenport. The beloved mother is now deceased and the father has made his home with the subject hereof since 1886. They reared four sons, as follows: C. H., now a retired farmer of Ida county, Iowa; H. F., the subject of this biography ; C. C., a prosperous blacksmith of South Omaha, Ne- braska; and M. C., a retired farmer of Ma- quoketa, Iowa.
After remaining about five years in Scott county, Iowa, H. F. Blunk went to Fremont,
Nebraska. That was about 1873 and he fol- lowed farming for one year. He then entered the lumber business as an employee of Cap- tain St. John, with whom he worked for more than two years, or until 1876. He afterward did similar work three years for Nye, Coleson & Co. In 1879 Mr. Blunk went to Wahoo, Nebraska, and entered the employ of Anton Jansa, with whom he remained until Mr. Jansa sold his business to Blackstead Brothers, for whom he worked until 1883. From that time until 1885 he served as superintendent of the county farm. He then moved to Weston and started into business for himself.
At that time Weston was a very small place, but Clark, Heaton & Co. were also engaged in the lumber business there. Two years later they sold out to Louis Bradford. Mr. Blunk built a fine residence at Weston, also a fine of- fice, scales, lumber sheds, etc. He now has sheds measuring 140 feet in length, and carries from $7,000 to $9,000 worth of stock. His business has more than doubled itself since he first located in Weston.
Mr. Blunk married Mary Hansen, a daugh- ter of C. H. Hansen, one of the pioneer settlers of Cedar precinct. Two children bless their home. They are Henry C. and Minnie C. The former is twenty-three years old and is now traveling at Cape Nome, Alaska. The latter is twelve years of age and attends school.
Mr. Blunk is independent in politics. He has served twelve years as town treasurer and six years as treasurer of the school board, of which he has been a member for nine years. He joined the I. O. O. F. lodge at Fremont,
JOHN A. SNELLING.
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Nebraska, but his membership was subsequent- ly transferred to the Wahoo lodge, with which he still affiliates. His religious views are in accord with the German Lutheran church, of which he is a devout member. Mr. Blunk de- serves great credit for the successful manner in which he has conducted his business.
OHN A. SNELLING, a progressive farmer and one of the leading citizens of Saunders county, Nebraska, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, owns a fine estate in section 13, Stocking precinct. He is a native of Tuscarawas county, Ohio, where he was born in 1832, and is a son of Alexander and Agnes (Cray) Snelling.
The subject hereof was reared on the farm and received a good intellectual training in the schools of his native county. In early man- hood he taught several years, being engaged in that capacity two years in Ohio, three years in Illinois, one year in Iowa, and one year in In- diana. He was well qualified for the work and seemed gifted with the power of imparting his knowledge to others, which is so often lack- ing and is always essential to a competent in- structor. At the first call in 1861 for men to serve three months in putting down the rebel- lion, he enlisted from Ottawa, Illinois, in Com- pany H, 11th Regiment, Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, but after two months of service was sent home because of sickness. In October, 1861, he re-enlisted in the 53d Illinois Regi- ment, and his company was consolidated with the 15th Illinois Cavalry. Eighteen months
afterward Mr. Snelling was appointed to assist in organizing the Ist Alabama Cavalry, being subsequently appointed second lieutenant. With that regiment he served until the close of the war, receiving high praise for his many gallant deeds. Upon returning home from the war he again taught school in Iowa. He was shortly after married to Mary Elizabeth Shauler, a daughter of John A. Shauler, of Ottawa, Illi- nois. Mr. Snelling then moved with his wife upon her father's farm in Iowa, renting the property. He subsequently took up 80 acres of land there, which, after making many improve- ments, he sold, and in 1868 removed the Ne- bras. He started for the lumber camps in Wy- oming, where he remained one season ; upon his return he took up a homestead in section 24. Stocking precinct, Saunders county. He erected a good house, set out groves and an orchard, and built a good set of farm buildings. In 1890 he disposed of this property and pur- chased a quarter section of railroad land, wholly unimproved, in section 13. There he has built him a large and commodious house, good, substantial barns, and other outbuildings. He set out shade and fruit trees, which under his constant care are in excellent condition, and also put all his fields under cultivation, with the exception of 45 acres, which is good pas- ture land. He is extensively engaged in grain raising of all kinds, and has been unqualifiedly successful. He raised as much as 90 bushels of corn to the acre one year, and the yield is often 75 bushels. A great change has taken place in the conditions of Nebraska since he has lived there, and Mr. Snelling pleasantly recalls the time when there was an abundance
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of deer and antelope in his section. His place is well stocked with hogs, horses of good qual- ity and Shorthorn cattle.
The subject of this sketch and his wife are the parents of eight children, as follows: Thomas L., John Alexander, George Vincent, Mary Eliza, and Rebecca Josephine, all of whom are living; and Fanny Alice, Henry F., and Florence Agnes, who are deceased. Thomas L. Snelling married Mary Keller, by whom he has three children,-Charles Henry, Flor- ence Louise, and Margaret Elizabeth ; he lives on his own farm. John Alexander Snelling lives on the parental homestead, and is en- gaged in farming and stock raising. George Vincent Snelling is engaged in the sheep indus- try in Wyoming. In politics Mr. Snelling is a Populist, and has served as school director and road superintendent. Religiously, he is a faith- ful member of the Methodist church. He be- longs to the Grand Army of the Republic.
John Snelling, the great-grandfather of John A., served seven years in the Revolutionary War. He was a Virginian and fought under George Washington.
16 AVID FRASER, a substantial farmer of Center precinct, Saunders county, Nebraska, has filled the position of road supervisor in his precinct for the past nineteen years.
Mr. Fraser is a typical Scotchman. He was born in Perth, Scotland, July 14, 1848. His father, David Fraser, was a blacksmith and farmer. In 1870 he came to America, settling
in Canada. There his first marriage occurred, in 1874. He wedded Charlotte F. Fletcher, a daughter of John Fletcher, of East Canada. She died in 1896 aged forty-five years. She was the mother of four children, namely : John, who died in 1886; "Charles; James; and Robert, who died in 1886, wlien six years of age. Quite recently Mr. Fraser contracted a second matrimonial alliance, the bride being Mrs. Kate Rich- ardson, whose maiden name was Tarpening. She has six children by her first marriage. Their names are: Charles, Olive, Stella, Ver- non, Earl, and Della.
Mr. Fraser came west in 1874. He pur- chased a quarter of section 12, Center precinct, Saunders county, Nebraska, from Mr. Vin- nage. There was only a combined board and sod house on this land. A small grove had also been set out. Mr. Fraser built a large and handsome residence, commodious barns, etc. Soon afterward he bought 40 acres from Mr. Hays, and also 80 acres from Mr. Craig. He subsequently sold 80 acres to J. A. Olson, which had previously been homesteaded by Peter Ackerson. Mr. Fraser's present resi- dence was built in 1875. It is one of the handsomest in Center precinct and has beau- tiful surroundings. The principal products of this farm are grain and live stock, and oats and corn surpass all other crops. About 75 head of fine cattle are kept, some of which are graded Durhams. Mr. Fraser has also about 100 head of hogs, and raises only the best. Mr. Fraser's son, Charles, who as- sists his father on the farm, keeps two thor-
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oughbred stallions, Keota Franklin, a hand- some Percheron, weighing 1,700 pounds avoir- dupois ; and Nexible Boy, a beautiful Hamble- tonian of great promise, now three years old. Mr. Fraser is quite popular, and takes a great deal of pleasure "in promoting any measure which promises real benefit to the community. In politics Mr. Fraser is a Populist.
J OHN A. ANDERSON, one of the enter- prising business men of Wahoo, Saun- ders county, Nebraska, is a member of the firm of J. A. & F. W. Anderson, proprie- tors of a music store and dealers in real estate. He is also postmaster of Wahoo, and has been closely identified with the growth and develop- ment of that city since he located there. He is a man of good business ability, shrewd and calculating, and his efforts have been attended by the greatest success.
Mr. Anderson was born in Skaraborg, Sweden, in 1856, and is a son of Andreas Anderson, who came to the United States in 1870. The latter located in Henry county, Illinois, for one year and then in Page county, Iowa, where he has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He married Chris- tianna Swenson, who departed this life in 1869, and their living children are as follows: An- drus A .; John A .; Mary Josephine; Frank W .; Claus H., and Minnie W.
John A. Anderson attended the public schools, after which he worked out as a farm hand, being employed by his uncle. He re-
ceived as compensation $10 per month for the first year, $12.50 per month for the second year, $15 per month for the third year, and $18 per month for the fourth year. He worked for his father in 1874 and then engaged in farming on his own account until 1880. Having lived industriously and frugally he laid by sufficient money to permit of his entering college. He entered the Swedish Augustana College, at Rock Island, Illinois, but was obliged to give up his study in 1883 because of ill health. He was successfully engaged in the life insurance business until 1885, when with his brother, Frank W. Anderson, he went to Mead, Saunders county, Nebraska, and opened a furniture and music store. In 1887 he became connected with the Union Pacific Railroad Land Department as traveling agent, and real estate has since been a large part of the firm business. He was identified with the Union Pacific Railroad Land Department until 1896, traveling form ocean to ocean, and the sum total of his real estate deals probably amounts to more than that of any other man in the state of Nebraska. In 1889 the furniture depart- ment of the firm's store was disposed of and they removed to Wahoo, Nebraska, and opened a music store, which they have since conducted in addition to their extensive real estate busi- ness. In August, 1898, Mr. Anderson as- sumed the duties of postmaster of Wahoo, re- lieving J. F. Sherman, and he now continues in that capacity. A postoffice was first estab- lished in Wahoo by J. M. Lee, who built a residence in which the office was located in
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1869-the mail then being carried by horse over the trail. Today the postoffice is third class, and receives and discharges eight mails per day, employing three clerks. It is now located in the Safranek Building, on Fifth street, and its appointments are of the best. The subject of this sketch was a member of the school board, serving, for the last year, as its vice-president, and he takes a deep and earn- est interest in educational matters.
Mr. Anderson was united in marriage with Ellen C. Johnson, a daughter of John Johnson, of Page county, Iowa, and they are the parents of four children, namely: L. Ruth E. C .; Karl A. R .; J. Paul A., and Ruby Marie Con- stancia. At the Nebraska conference of the Swedish Lutheran church in 1897 he was elected by acclamation a director of Luther Academy for a term of three years.
J. POSPISIL, a prominent young busi- ness man of Weston, Saunders county, Nebraska, is the proprietor of the only drug store in that place. His store is located in the Bilan building, which he rents. He carries a large and complete assortment of pure drugs, and also handles wall paper, paints, and the thousand and one articles usually found in an up-to-date drug store.
Mr. Pospisil is a native of Saunders county, where he was born in 1871. He is a son of John and Mary (Dolezal) Pospisil, both na- tives of Bohemia. They came to America early in 1864 and took up a homestead in Elk precinct, Saunders county, Nebraska, in 1871.
Their homestead was located in section 27; they afterward acquired land in sections 28 and 33 or 34, making 160 acres in all. Eight chil- dren were born to this worthy couple, four of whom are still living. Those living are: An- ton, Mary, Annie, and J. J., to whom this writ- ing pertains. Anton married Mary Virgil and resides upon the home farm. They have nine children. Mary is the wife of John Woita, a prominent merchant of Weston. Annie married Frank Virgil, of Elk pre- cinct, and has one daughter-Mary.
J. J. Pospisil is the youngest member of his father's family. In his youth he worked on the parental farm; from 1887 to 1892 he was a student at St. Benedict's College, at Atchison, Kansas, where for five years he studied Latin, Greek and other languages. In the winter of 1892 and 1893 he taught school in the Kunish district ; in 1893 and 1894 he also taught in dis- trict 98.
The following year Mr. Pospisil spent in St. Louis, Missouri, where he attended the College of Pharmacy. During the winter of 1895 and 1896 he again taught school in district 98. June 1, 1896, he started in the drug business at Wes- ton, in partnership with Dr. Stockert, who is now located at Elmwood, Nebraska. About two years later Mr. Pospisil purchased the interest of his partner, and since then has continued to conduct the business alone. About the same time he changed the location of his drug store by moving four doors south, into his present commodious quarters in the Bilan building. His stock is first-class in every respect and is estimated to be worth $3,000.
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Mr. Pospisil married Josie Jayhawk, a daughter of Winslow Jayhawk, a prosperous farmer of Chapman precinct. One child blesses this union-Bessie-still an infant. Winslow Jawhawk, Mr. Pospisil's father-in-law, was born in Bohemia in 1845. He is a son of Jo- seph and Frances Jayhawk, and came to Amer- ica when six years old, locating in Iowa. In 1872 Mr. Jayhawk went west to Saunders county, Nebraska, and took up a homestead claim of 160 acres, which is the northeast quar- ter of section 26, township 15, range 6, in Elk precinct. There he lived in a dug-out, 14 by 16 feet. In 1880 Mr. Jayhawk sold his farm to Mr. Tomchicek, for $1,600. He then pur- chased three 40-acre tracts in the northwest quarter of section 15, near Weston. He made extensive improvements on this land, set out large fruit orchards, etc., and engaged in grain raising.
Mr. Jayhawk married Annie Kopetsky, a daughter of Frank Kopetsky, who is now de- ceased. Eleven children were born to them, of whom those living are: Charles, who mar- ried Josie Comenda and conducts a livery sta- ble at Prague, Nebraska ; John, who is still at home; Henry, who married Lena Mattis and is associated with his brother, at Prague; Mary, wife of Mr. Ficinec, a hardware dealer at Wes- ton ; Josie, the wife of Mr. Pospisil ; and Emma, Annie and Rosie, all of whom are still at home. Mr. Jayhawk enlisted in the Iowa Volunteers in 1862 and served until the close of the war. He is independent in politics and is a member of the G. A. R. of Valparaiso, Nebraska.
Mr. Pospisil resides in a beautiful home in |
Weston. He belongs to the Roman Catholic church, and is a member of the Catholic Work- men, of Weston. He is a man widely known and esteemed for his integrity, honesty, and uprightness, both in social and public life. He has served as a member of the town board, and is now a member of the school board. In politics he is bound to neither party, and votes for the best man. His business has been pros- perous and his patronage is ever on the increase.
J OSEPH HILTSHER, a rising young farmer of Chapman precinct, Saunders county, Nebraska, is a native of Bohemia, where his birth, from German parentage, oc- curred July 19, 1863. His father, Frank Hilt- sher, died in 1870. His brother, Frank, is also deceased.
Mr. Hiltsher went to Saunders county in 1880. He worked for several different farm- ers in the northern part, among them being Thomas Lorenz and Jack Peterson. After working there for several years he spent one year in Kansas. The following year he re- turned to Saunders county and rented a farm from Mr. Phillips.
December 12, 1891, he purchased 80 acres of the south half of section 29, which is his present home. He paid $2,900 for the tract, which he soon began to improve, building a house, etc., and, one year later, a barn. For two years he hauled water but now has a fine well 200 feet deep, operated by a windmill. Neighbors were not so close together when
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Hiltsher first settled there as they are at the present day. Joseph Hiltsher carries on gen- eral farming, but devotes the greater part of his time to stock raising. He was united in marriage with Miss Fiedler, a sister of James Fiedler. Three children were born of this union. They are: Emma, Gertie, and Ida. The subject of this sketch is a sturdy and hard- working man and is well liked by all who know him. He is regarded as one of the most ener- getic and progressive of the younger farmers of Chapman precinct and his friends unite in predicting for him a bright and prosperous fu- ture.
R. C. CARPENTER, an enterprising and well-known citizen of Weston, Nebraska, is a native of Wapello county, Iowa, and was born in 1855. He is a son of William and Mary (Tinkam) Car- penter. His father died when the son was but eighteen months old.
Mr. Carpenter moved to Saunders county, Nebraska, in 1882, and for $20 per acre pur- chased of Mr. Morton, who now lives in Omaha, the southwest quarter of the south- east quarter and the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 32, town- ship 15, range 6. Three years later he bought of Mr. Morton the west half of the northwest quarter of section 32, township 15, range 6, and sold this land in 1899 to D. A. March, of Weston, receiving $30 per acre. This latter tract had been well improved and cultivated, although there were no buildings on
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