USA > Nebraska > Sarpy County > Biographical record : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Saunders and Sarpy Counties, Nebraska > Part 31
USA > Nebraska > Saunders County > Biographical record : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Saunders and Sarpy Counties, Nebraska > Part 31
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BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
On April 28, 1880, with his father and mother and sister, Marie (now Mrs. Meduna), Frank Hakel set out from Bohemia for the United States, the reason for such a journey being contained in their belief that they could make an easier living in the new world than they had been accustomed to. On the 2d of May the family went on board the steamer "Salier" at Bremen ; the voyage for a few days was very pleasant, and then all began to be seasick; finally the vessel ran aground on a reef one night and everyone thought that their last hour had come, but in the morning a start was made and New York City was at length reached on May 15. On the 17th of the month they arrived in Chicago, and a day later saw them in Wahoo, Saunders coun- ty, Nebraska. From there they were taken to some of their old-country neighbors, who had sod houses for homes. The wheat, which had been sown, had been carried with the soil by the wind over the country and piled up in drifts in sheltered places, just as if it had been snow. Many acres of the unbroken prairie had small drifts of wheat and soil of this na- ture, and the scene was one never to be for- gotten. In locating, our subject's father bought 80 acres of land of Frank Kliment, on which one payment was made. Funds were getting low, so Frank Hakel, though only fifteen years old, at once assumed a place as a man in the domestic economy of the home and assisted all in his power to help provide the family with the necessaries of life. The first car- penter work he did in Weston was in the erec- tion of the first dwelling built on the south side
of the railroad track; he also did other jobs of carpenter work, such as roofs and the frames for sod houses. Later on he secured employ- ment in cutting broom corn. After several weeks of work he and his father had earned enough to make another small payment on their farm. Late in the fall, when they began corn picking, they experienced the hardest work of any they had attempted. The snow fell early and the corn had to be husked on the ground; as a team could not be obtained and the weath- er continued very cold and severe, the wages paid up to Christmas were 50 cents per day, without board. Toward the close of the year the weather became very stormy, and the snow fell in great quantities, so that in drifts it was as much as 20 feet deep in places; the country had an unusually level appearance. People had all they could do to keep warm, for fuel was very scarce; coal was hard to get, and very little wood was used, many keeping warm as best they could with fires of corn and corn- stalks and tall, heavy weeds. Oxen, instead of horses, were used for the farm work and in hauling. During January and February, 1881, as there was no work that could be done then, the subject of this writing attended school, in order to become familiar with the English language and with the American system of education. For three months in the spring of 1881 he worked on a nearby farm for $9 per month; it was not much, but his parents made good use of it in those hard times.
After working through most of the harvest- ing and haying season, R. H. Thomas, a popu- lar merchant of Weston, called on him to assist
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in erecting an addition to his store building; when the carpenter work was about completed Mr. Thomas offered to engage him as a clerk in the store. This proposition was accepted without delay, and led to his career as a mer- chant. While working for Mr. Thomas his wages were gradually increased every year, without special requests for such action. All of his earnings were turned over to his pa- rents, and with these savings a team and farm implements were bought, and-payments on the land were made. The mutual confidence that existed between employer and clerk induced Mr. Thomas to take Frank into partnership with him, in 1886, thus changing the firm name to Thomas & Hakel. This occurred when our subject was twenty-one years of age. Soon after Mr. Thomas moved to Ogallala, Keith county, Nebraska, being successful in his search for a new location. This left Mr, Hakel to look after all the interests of the firm in Weston ; his management of the business was very successful and satisfactory to both parties concerned. In 1890 the partnership was dis- continued and the stock divided, Mr. Hakel still continuing in business in Weston, and Mr. Thomas moving his goods to a new loca- tion. Our subject remained in the original store structure, purchasing Mr. Thomas' share in the building ; in 1891 he erected a new two- story frame building, which is now occupied by a large and complete stock of general mer- chandise that is a credit to the town and the whole surrounding vicinity. In 1892 lie em- ployed seven clerks, and the total sales for the year reached nearly $50,000. Four years
later dry weather and hot winds made the crops very short, which with the money panic of 1896 caused a depression in business that continued for three or four years. When the times improved, business enterprises revived again.
Frank Hakel was married July 7, 1886, to Anna Novak, being the second couple to be married in the new Catholic church in Weston, which was built in 1885. Mrs. Hakel was born August 4, 1865, and is a daughter of John V. Novak, who died Sept. 30, 1899. John V. Novak, and his wife, who died De- cember 7, 1877, were among the oldest of the Bohemian settlers of Saunders county; Mrs. Novak left four small children at her death. The matrimonial life of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hakel has been blessed by the birth of two children-Freddie, born July 20, 1891, and Gertrude, born March 4, 1895. The home is a very happy one indeed. Our subject is ar- ranging to have his son and daughter educated, so that they will follow in the footsteps of their parents, and make good, clean records for themselves. He is now the pioneer of the busi- ness men of Weston, with his hair already turning gray, although he is only thirty-five years old, and nothing could please him and his wife more than to see their hopes and wishes in respect to the children gratified. Besides lis linguistic acquirements-he has a perfect knowledge of the Bohemian, German and Eug- lish languages-he has excellent business qual- ifications and an energy that never tires ; these characteristics have enabled him to achieve the brilliant success that is his. Adhering sincere-
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ly to the faith of the Roman Catholic church, he is one of the most prominent and generous members of St. John's Catholic church at Wes- ton, and a member of the Catholic Workmen. He ranks high in social circles and is greatly esteemed in the whole community as a man of standing and strict integrity.
OHN N. MILLER, a retired farmer of Ashland, Saunders county, Nebraska, is an esteemed and respected resident of that city, and ranks among the self-made men of today. Mr. Miller was born in Kos- ciusko county, Indiana, in 1841. He is a son of James and Mary (Baker) Miller.
James Miller was born in Lancaster county, Ohio, where he followed farming until early in the "sixties." He then went to Minnesota, and was one of the pioneer farmers of that state. As one of his sons had located in Nebras- ka, Mr. Miller was induced to leave Minnesota and go there also. In 1870 he took up a home- stead adjoining that of his son Charles in Saun- ders county, Nebraska. The trip overland was made in a covered wagon drawn by a team of oxen. Later the elder Mr. Miller sold his claim to his son and purchased the William Lawson claim, where he lived up to the time of his death, in 1887, at the age of seventy- one years. Together he and his wife improved their farm. They built a handsome residence, barns, and other buildings, and set out a great many shade and fruit trees. This farm is still owned by John N. Miller's mother, who
is still living. She resides in Ashland in her own house, close to that of her son, Charles, and is now more than eighty years old. Her maiden name was Mary Baker. She is a daughter of Jacob Baker, of Johnstown, Lick- ing county, Ohio. Ten children were born to her and her husband, as follows: Enos, who died in infancy; John N., the subject of this biography; Enoch, deceased; Charles, a res- ident of Ashland; Elijah, deceased ; Jemima, wife of Samuel Merriman; Mary, wife of George Herron; Oliver, deceased; Rohama, and Tina, wife of L. T. Farmer. The parents of these children were devout members of the Bap- tist church.
John N. Miller was reared to farm life. In 1864 he enlisted in Company B, 7th Reg. Min- nesota Vol. Inf., and served until the success- ful termination of the Civil War. In 1876 he decided to go to Nebraska, where his father and brother Charles had found a beautiful country, free to those who chose the oppor- tunity. He married Maranda La Barre, a daughter of John La Barre, of Olmsted coun- ty, Minnesota. This lady possessed rare cour- age and was willing to leave home and friends and seek a home with her husband in Nebraska. Together they went to establish this home, promising to the eye, but where hardships and privations awaited them. They purchased Union Pacific Railroad land for a trifling sum of money, and settled on section 15, township 13, range 8, in Green precinct, Saunders coun- ty, Nebraska. This land was a bare rolling prairie, with only a few small berry bushes along a creek.
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Mr. Miller built a small house, in size 20 by 16 feet and 8 feet high. He had 160 acres of land which he proceeded to cultivate. In a comparatively short time Mr. Miller had won for himself a prominent place among the pro- gressive farmers of Saunders county. He en- larged the house and built better barns and buildings. His first barn was a small one, 14 by 16 feet in dimensions. He also set out a fine orchard of 260 trees, besides groves, hedges, etc.
Mr. Miller devoted much time and attention to stock raising. He started with only one or two cows and increased the number to 130 head of cattle-raising all his own stock. He purchased 40 acres of land adjoining his home- stead property, and later added 120 acres to it. This latter tract was bought from the U. P. R. R. Company by Alfred Eyre. In addition to this Mr. Miller purchased 40 acres of bot- tom land. In 1892 he decided to retire from the farm, that he and his wife might spend a few years in comfort and ease. He rented his farm and purchased land in Ashland, upon which he built the handsome modern residence in which he now lives. Three children were born to him and his wife, namely: Wealthy, Jesse, and Ira. The eldest child died at the early age of two years. Jesse married Zella Hoffman, and resides in Ashland, while Ira is still at home.
Mr. Miller began his political career as a Democrat, but later voted the Republican ticket, and has supported it ever since. He is not a member of any church. Fraternally he affiliates with Lodge No. 110, F. & A. M., of
Ashland, of which he is past master. He is also a member of G. A. R., Post No. 31.
Mr. and Mrs. Miller have a wide circle of acquaintances and friends and enjoy the esteem of all.
OHN THEEDE, a gentleman engaged in agricultural pursuits in a practical and successful manner, is well and fa- vorably known in Mariposa precinct, Saunders county, Nebraska, where he owns about 200 acres of highly improved farm land.
Mr. Theede was born in Germany, in 1865, and is a son of Jurgen and Anna (Cook) Theede, his father being a carpenter by trade. The family came to America, in 1873, locating in Illinois, where his mother soon afterward died. He has two brothers and two sisters; the brothers being Henry, who married Minna Anthony, and lives on a farm adjoining that of John Theede, and who has two children- August and Landy ; and Gustav, who married Ann Mohr, a daughter of J. M. Mohr. The sisters are : Emma, wife of Fred Amlike, who resides in Fremont, Nebraska, and has five children-Esty, Linda, Otto, Fred and an infant; and Anna, wife of William Silk, who lives in Grant Park, Illinois. John Theede also has a half brother, Claus, who lives in Fremont, Nebraska. In 1876, Jurgen Theede, with his then young boys, came to Saunders county, Nebraska, and bought railroad land in Mari- posa precinct, at $5 per acre, acquiring the west half of the southeast quarter of section 9, town- ship 15, range 6, and the southeast quarter
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of the southwest quarter of section 9. Owing to the prevalence of grasshoppers and the drouth, he, like many others, lost his land, but with firm faith in his ability to eventually succeed, and with a perseverance that must be admired, he determined to try again. He again purchased the same land, in 1879, under a new contract, and immediately built a small house, with dimensions of 14 by 16 feet, to which he added an L in 1887-the dimen- sions being 16 by 24 feet. He had a frame shanty for his horses, but subsequently built a barn, 32 by 40 feet in size, and still later, added a shed to the north side of it. In 1885, he set out a fine grove of about two acres, which is now. in excellent condition. Mr. Theede started an orchard in front of the house in 1882, and has always cared for it himself, rais- ing fruits of all kinds. He was particularly successful with his peach trees, which he kept from freezing, by surrounding and wrapping each one with straw-building racks around them to keep the straw from being blown away. Mr. Theede began in Saunders county, with only $5, but at the time of his death, in 1889, he was one of the most prosperous men in the community. He left no will, and the three brothers conducted the farm together until 1894, when the property was divided by the court-John Theede retaining the home property.
The subject of this sketch attended the schools of Germany before coming to this coun- try, and is now a well-read man. He has shown good business ability in the management of his affairs, and is among the best known of the
younger class of farmers, in this region. He keeps about 200 hogs, 33 head of cattle, and enough bees to supply honey for his family's use. His farm is in excellent condition, in every respect, and is supplied with an artesian well which fills tanks for the stock. Mr. Theede was united in matrimony with Miss Tassar, and they have five children (who are at home and attending school), as follows: Henry, John, Mamie, Annie and George. Politically, Mr. Theede is a sturdy Republican.
HARLES F. SHEPARD, a well known citizen of Ashland, Saunders county, Ne- braska, holds the responsible position of roadmaster on the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad.
Mr. Shepard was born in Ashtabula town- ship, Ashtabula county, Ohio, February 22, 1846, and is a son of Captain Charles and Hancy (Gifford) Shepard. Peletiah Shepard, the grandfather of Charles F., came from Connecticut, and settled in Ashtabula, Ohio, in March, 1808. He, together with Anan Har- mon, built and equipped the first vessel, the "Tempest," at Ashtabula, all of his sons assist- ing in the work. He was a sailor all of his life.
Captain Charles Shepard was born in May, 1808, being the second white child born in the township of Ashtabula, and was the third of twelve children-eight sons and four daugh- ters. All of the sons became sailors, command- ing lake crafts, except George, who, when a young man, was drowned from the schooner
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"Parrott," off Ashtabula, in 1835. At the age of nineteen years Charles Shepard shipped aboard the schooner "Columbus," at Ashtabula, and thus commenced his career as a sailor, which extended over a period of thirty years during the season of navigation. His industry, honesty and good judgment soon secured pro- motion for him early in his career, and he was placed in command of the schooner "Geauga," of Fairport. He was subsequently master of the "Atlas," "Reindeer," "Antelope," and mate on the steamer "Robert Fulton." He com- manded the following schooners : "Atlanta," "Huron," "President," "Windham" and "Phi- lena Mills." He was then mate, one sea- son, on the "Cleveland," after which he was captain of the schooner "Raleigh," which marked the end of his career on the water. During this long period he was remarkably fortunate in that he never lost a ves- sel or met with a serious mishap, although he encountered storms, and met with difficulties incident to the early navigation of the lakes with inferior craft. In all this time there was but one life lost aboard his boats, that of Will- iam Shears. In 1852, Captain Shepard left the deck, and bought a farm overlooking the beau- tiful lake on which his life had been spent. There he followed farming until 1866, when he received a paralytic stroke. He then moved to the city of Geneva, where he died on January 29, 1872. His wife, who was born in 1818, died in 1882. Their children were as follows: Albion E., who owns a large sheep ranch in Texas; Isadore M., deceased; Benjamin G., living in Ashtabula; and Charles F.
Charles F. Shepard was reared and schooled in Ashtabula township, and assisted on his father's farm until January, 1864, when he en- listed in the 2d Battery Ohio Light Artillery, and served until the close of the war, mostly on the Red River Expedition and on Ship Island, as guard of the rebel prisoners. He returned home at the close of the war, and went on the lakes as a sailor before the mast. After a period of two years, he left the lakes. He came west, in 1867, having married the preceding year Susan H. Ballou, a daughter of Emor S. and Susan (Van Buren) Ballou, her father also being one of the early settlers of Saunders county. Mr. Shepard located in Green pre- cinct, Saunders county, and then returned for his wife, at the same time inducing her father to come back with them. They shipped their goods to Council Bluffs by railroad, and then Mr. Shepard, with a team belonging to his wife's father, started with what goods he could take, but owing to high water and ice, he only got across the Platte River. Learning of the condition of affairs at the landing, he and his wife left their belongings and walked to their new home. It was about seven miles to the new Ohio settlement, and there they stopped with Mr. Woodbury until Mr. Shepard cut trees, hauled them to Ashland (then called Saline Ford), had them sawed and constructed a rude house. He had a farm of 80 acres in section 22, township 13, range 8, Green precinct, now owned by Mrs. Moon. After cultivating the farm for two years, during which time he broke the sod for his neighbors in order to get money to live on, he went to
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work with a shovel, in the spring of 1870, on the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad, which was being constructed through that part of the county. On August 1, 1870, he was made section foreman at Waverly, Nebraska, and continued thus for five years. After this, he ran a construction train on the Eastern Division, from Plattsmouth to Omaha, and to Lincoln, until the spring of 1886. He was then promoted to be roadmaster for the division, from Grand Island to Alliance, Ne- braska, a distance of 287 miles, and he lived at Ravenna, Nebraska, until July 4, 1890. He was then transferred to Ashland, and has the division from Lincoln to Schuyler and Colum- bus, a distance of 125 miles, with offices at Ashland and Lincoln. He has been entirely successful in his work, and stands high in the esteem of the officials of the road. He owns 160 acres of land in Hayes county, Nebraska, which he rents, and his wife inherited 40 acres of her father, it being located in the village. In 1892, he erected the handsome residence in which he now resides.
Mr. Shepard and his wife are the parents of five children, as follows: Martin E., a con- ductor on the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad, who married Anna Weythman, by whom he has three children,-Pardon B., Er- nest W. and Cecil C .; Charles Ernest, also a conductor on the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad, who married Irene Ong, by whom he has a son, Charles F .; Susie H., who is the wife of D. F. Clark, a freight agent ; Pardon B., a brakeman, who married Jennie M. Stew- art, and has one son, Pardon S .; and Etta M.,
who married V. A. Clark, their only child, Susie F., being deceased. Politically, the subject of this sketch is a Cleveland Democrat. In a re- ligious connection, he adheres to the faitli of the Baptist church. Fraternally, he is a member of the A. O. U. W. and the G. A. R.
HOMAS KNIGHT CHAMBER- LAIN, a gentleman who for many years pursued that independent calling, farm- ing, in Clear Creek precinct, Saunders county, Nebraska, where he was one of the earliest settlers, has been living a retired life, since 1890.
Mr. Chamberlain comes of good old New England stock, born in Topsham, Vermont, in 1833, and is a son of James and Hannah (Scribner) Chamberlain. He was reared upon his father's farm, one of the finest in that part of the state. At about the time lie reached manhood, some of the most enterprising and far sighted citizens of the vicinity were discus- sing the advisability of locating in the West, and growing up with the then new country. He was much taken with the idea, and ques- tioned many of his friends who had seen the country, and pursuant to their advice, he came to Nebraska territory, then a wild and rolling prairie. In 1857, he pre-empted a claim of 80 acres in section 18, and another one in section 19, in what is now Clear Creek pre- cinct. He built a small house and tilled about 40 acres of land. In 1859 he went to Colorado, where he spent nine years, engaged in cattle
MR. AND MRS. JOHN STENDER AND FAMILY
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raising and identified with mining interests. His business on the ranch prospered, and upon selling out and returning to Nebraska, he pur- chased the tract of 320 acres on which he now lives. He built a house and set out trees from the seed, sowing cottonwoods, some of which now measure over nine feet in circum- ference. He has a fine variety of shade and fruit trees, and has erected good, substantial farm buildings.
His land is as good in quality as any in the county, and he devoted his efforts to rais- ing grain and stock, until 1890, since which time he has lived in retirement. After his many years of active work, Mr. Chamberlain is now enabled to enjoy the sunset of life in the man- ner he choses. He occupies much of his time in travel, spending the winter months in south- ern California. He is a man of high character, takes an earnest interest in public affairs, and enjoys the respect and friendship of all with whom he is acquainted.
Mr. Chamberlain was united in marriage with Hattie Bowley, a daughter of Jacob Bow- ley, who was a resident of Vermont. She de- parted this life in 1881, leaving one daughter, Isabelle. Politically, the subject of this sketch is a stanch adherent of the principles of the Republican party. He is liberal in his religious views.
OHN STENDER is one of the repre- sentative farmers of Richland precinct, Sarpy county, Nebraska. Beginning at the bottom, he applied himself to his work with
great diligence and, solely through his own individual efforts, grew to be one of the pros- perous men of his community.
Mr. Stender was born in Germany in 1844, and is a son of Frederick and Fredericka (Hein) Stender. He was reared in that country, where he learned the trade of a shoe- maker, at an early age, and in 1869, came to the United States. He located at Omaha, Ne- braska, where he followed his trade one year, and then worked out for a like period, as a farm hand. After his marriage, he rented a farm until 1875, when he purchased his present farm of 160 acres of wild prairie, in section 35, Richland precinct, Sarpy county. He built a small house, which he has since greatly enlarged, and set out a grove con- sisting of cottonwoods, maples, box elders and walnuts ; some of these trees have grown up to be two feet in diameter. Mr. Stender also has an excellent orchard of three acres, of all kinds of fruit. The land is under a high state of cul- tivation, and has yielded as much as 60 bushels of corn, 22 bushels of wheat, and 35 bushels of oats, to the acre. He has erected a roomy barn, corn crib, and other desirable outbuildings, and everything about the place bears an air of that prosperity, which comes of hard work and careful management. He has his farm well stocked with Holstein cattle, and horses and hogs of high grade. By his hard labor and constant exposure to all kinds of weather, he contracted the rheumatism, and although it causes him considerable trou- ble, he is able to oversee the affairs of the farm.
Mr. Stender was first united in marriage with
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Mattie Brock, a daughter of Hans Brock, an early settler of Sarpy county. She died at the early age of twenty-two years, leaving one son, Fred, who lives at home and assists in the work on the farm. His second matrimonial alliance was with Sophia Lupteen, a daughter of Peter Lupteen, and she died in 1891, aged thirty- seven years. By this union, he had five chil- dren : William, who manages the affairs of the farm; Ella, Agnes, John, and a son who died in infancy. Mr. Stender served several terms as school trustee, on the school board, and as road supervisor. A picture of Mr. Stender and his family, as it was constituted a number of years ago, is shown on a preceding page.
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