USA > Nebraska > Dodge County > History of Dodge and Washington Counties, Nebraska, and their people, Volume II > Part 16
USA > Nebraska > Washington County > History of Dodge and Washington Counties, Nebraska, and their people, Volume II > Part 16
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department. After two years of service he was honorably discharged with the rank of second lieutenant. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Congregational Church. Well-known in Masonry, Mr. Smith was entered as an apprentice August 15, 1885; became a fellowcraftsman, October 7, 1885, and was given the third degree November 10, 1885. He is now a Knight Templar, and has served his Commandery as eminent commander. Mr. Smith also belongs to the Woodmen of the World. In politics a democrat, he is one of the local leaders of his party, and was elected on its ticket commissioner of Washington County, and served for one term. Keen, self-reliant and experienced Mr. Smith knows his trade and how to supply its demands. Having lived at Blair during its formative period, he takes a pride in the fact that he participated in its constructive work, and is anxious to further its growth in the future.
C. R. MEAD, D. D. S. The record of Dr. C. R. Mead proves the value of persistent endeavor and the fact that no intelligent effort is lost. He has so developed his natural faculties that today he is justly num- bered among the leading practitioners of his learned profession and is recognized as one of the public-spirited men of Blair, where for some time he has been intimately identified with the development of this section of the state.
Doctor Mead was born at Marengo, Iowa, on June 16, 1869, a son of J. H. and Ellen E. (Kepner) Mead, natives of New York and Penn- sylvania, respectively. They were married at Marengo, Iowa, and lived there during their early married life but then, in 1882 came to Blair, Nebraska, and before his death, which occurred some years later, he developed into a farmer and stockman of more than local prominence and a man of large means. His widow survives him and makes her home at Blair. They became the parents of four children, namely: Guy K., who is manager of the Blair Garage Company of Blair ; Gertrude, who is at home; Doctor C. R., who was third in order of birth; and Ethel, who is at home. The family are all devoted mem- bers of the Methodist Church. The father belonged to the Masonic Order, the Grand Army of the Republic, and was a republican. During the war between the North and the South, he served in the Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry until he was transferred to the Sixty-second United States Colored Infantry of which he was a lieutenant.
Doctor Mead attended the public schools of Blair and Central City, Nebraska, and he studied dentistry in the Chicago College of Dentistry, from which he was graduated in 1898, and returning to Blair, entered at once on the practice of his calling. Since then he has built up a large and valuable connection and is recognized as one of the leading dentists in this part of the state.
In 1900 Doctor Mead was married to Eda Jones, born at Fontanelle, Nebraska. The children born of this marriage are as follows: James, who is now in the preparatory school of the United States Navy at Newport, Rhode Island; and Robert, Elizabeth, and Paul, all of whom are attending school. They are all members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Doctor Mead has been superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday School for twenty years. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and belongs to the Knights of Pythias, serving as master of the former for one term and as chancellor of the latter for three terms, and repre- sented the Blair Knights of Pythias at the grand lodge. A very strong . republican, Doctor Mead was the successful candidate of his party for mayor of Blair in 1908, the year that the city went dry. He served
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fifteen years on the school board. He has lived up to the highest stand- ards of American citizenship, and deserves the consideration accorded him by those associated with him.
WILLIAM E. BARZ. In a comparative sense Nebraska is to be desig- nated as one of the younger commonwealths of the Union, even though she has maintained the dignity of statehood for more than half a cen- tury, and it is gratifying to record that within her borders are now found many native sons whose loyalty and eligibility are shown in their incum- bency of various offices of public trust. In Dodge County Mr. Barz has maintained his home from the time of his birth, and here he has been called upon to serve in various official positions, including that of county clerk, of which he is the present efficient and popular incumbent.
Mr. Barz was born on a farm near Scribner, Dodge County, Decem- ber 15, 1884, and is a son of Carl and Anna (Ollermann) Barz, both natives of Germany and both pioneers of Dodge County, where their marriage was solemnized. Carl Barz was active in the development of farm industry in this county and after having been engaged in agri- cultural pursuits a number of years he operated a brick yard at Snyder, this county, for another term of years. He finally purchased a farm in the State of Louisiana, and there he and his wife have resided since 1916, his attention being given mainly to the improvement and cultiva- tion of his farm. Of the two children William E. of this review is the elder, and Ottilie is the wife of Walter Gustin, their home being now in the States of Louisiana.
He whose name introduces this sketch acquired his preliminary edu- cation in the district schools of his native county, and thereafter he con- tinued his studies in the Fremont Normal School and Business College. After a due experience in connection with farm work he attended the public schools at Snyder, and in the meanwhile clerked in a local drug store. Thereafter he served a few years as deputy postmaster at Snyder, and his later activities in that village were in the operation of a brick yard, besides which he gave considerable attention to the feeding of cattle for the market.
After removing to Fremont, the county seat, he was appointed deputy county assessor and served in 1908-1909. His next occupation was in connection with a lumber yard and grain elevator at Snyder, and he has served as clerk in a number of the retail mercantile establishments of Snyder. In 1912 he was appointed deputy county clerk and served until 1917. Mr. Barz was elected county clerk, and the best voucher for the ability he displayed in this office was that given in his re-election in 1918. He has given a very efficient administration of the multifarious affairs of this important county office and his service has met with unequivocal popular approval.
Mr. Barz has been unwavering in his support of the cause of the democratic party, and he is prominently affiliated with both the lodge and encampment bodies of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has passed the various official chairs in both, and he is identified also with the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
In 1908 Mr. Barz was united in marriage to Miss Mary Pateidl, who likewise is a native of Dodge County, and they have one child, Carl, who is a student in the Fremont schools.
OTTO H. SCHURMAN, president of the Commercial National Bank of Fremont, one of the leading financial institutions of Dodge County, was a lad of ten years at the time of the family removal to Fremont,
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where he was reared to adult age and where his entire business career has been marked by close association with the bank of which he is now the executive head and of which his honored father was the founder and first president.
Mr. Schurman was born at Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois, August 12, 1870, and is a son of Ernest and Onnoline (Looschen) Schurman, who were born and reared in Germany and whose marriage was solem- nized in the State of New York, whence they removed to Illinois in 1865, where the father was enabled to exchange his modest supply of gold coin and buy "greenbacks" with a material profit. At Ottawa, that state, he made the application and filed the papers which resulted in his becoming a naturalized citizen of the land of his adoption, and it may well be said that no man proved more loyal and appreciative than did he, for in this country he found the opportunities that enabled him to achieve large and worthy success. At Pekin, Illinois, this future banker found employment in a wagon and hardware establishment, at a salary of $75 a month, and he continued his residence in that state until 1880. In the meantime his earnest and well ordered activities in connection with business had resulted in the advancement of his financial prosperity, and when, in the year noted, he came to Fremont, Nebraska, he here established himself in the wholesale grocery business. In addition to developing one of the leading wholesale industries of the vigorous little city he soon made his influence still more pronounced, by effecting the organization of the German-American Bank in 1889. The new institution received the fortifying power of his exceptional energy and business acumen and soon took rank with the foremost institutions of its kind in Dodge County. Eventually it was reorganized as the Commercial National Bank, and Mr. Schurman continued as president of the institution until his death, at the age of fifty-five years, his wife having passed away at the same age and both having been earnest communicants of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Schurman had a capital of about $20,000 at the time of establishing his home at Fremont, and through his progressive business enterprise in Nebraska he accumulated a fortune that marked him as one of the wealthiest men of Fremont at the time of his death, even as he was one of the most loyal and respected citizens. His political allegiance was given to the republican party, he was prominently affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and he held membership also in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Of the three children, Otto H., of this review, is the eldest; Ernest A. is engaged in the banking business at Elkhorn, Douglas County; and Rudolph B. conducts a prosperous automobile business at Fremont.
In the public schools of Fremont Otto H. Schurman continued his studies until he had profited by the advantages of the high school, and thereafter he completed a course in a business college in this city. He then became a bookkeeper in the bank established by his father, and his advancement came as a matter of efficient and faithful service rather than through paternal influence. He passed on through the various stages of official promotion and finally, after the death of his father, he was made president of the institution. The Commercial National Bank bases its operations on a capital stock of $100,000, has a surplus fund of equal amount ; its undivided profits are fully $50,000; and its average deposits are in excess of $1,250,000. These figures bear their own significance as indicating the solidity and popularity of this old and well ordered banking institution, whose history has been one of conservative management and cumulative success.
Sophie Sprick.
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Though unwavering in his allegiance to the republican party and essentially progressive and public-spirited in his civic attitude, Mr. Schur- man has had no ambition for official preferment and has given close attention to his business affairs, rather than entering the arena of practical politics. A deep student of the history and teachings of the time-honored fraternity, Mr. Schurman has taken great satisfaction in his affiliation with the various bodies of both the York and Scottish Rites, in the latter of which he has the distinction of having received the thirty-third, or maximum, degree, the Red Cross of Constance, and Royal Order of Scotland. He was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason May 19, 1909; received the capitular degree on the 16th of the following October, was made a Knight Templar on the 20th of December of the same year, and received the thirty-second degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite on the 17th of March, 1910, while the final honor of the thirty-third degree was conferred Novem- ber 26, 1917. Mr. Schurman was for many years actively identified with the Nebraska National Guard, from which he received his dis- charge November 5, 1892. He was treasurer of Fremont Lodge No. 15, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, from 1912 to 1920, was high priest of the local chapter of Royal Arch Masons in 1914-15; was captain-general of Mount Tabor Commandry, No. 9, Knights Templar, in 1915-16, having previously held the office of generalissimo of this commandary, and having served as its eminent commander in 1915-16. He was reared in the faith of the Lutheran Church, but is now a mem- ber of the Congregational Church, as is also his wife.
In April, 1895, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Schurman to Miss Myra L. Lee, daughter of Henry Lee, a prominent and influential citizen of Fremont. Mr. and Mrs. Schurman have three daughters: Lee Ottila is a student in Sweetbriar College, in the State of Virginia, as is also Phyllis; and Hortense Ruth is a student in the Fremont high school. The family is prominently identified with the Congrega- tional Church of Fremont, of which Mr. Schurman is a trustee and also treasurer.
HENRY SPRICK. The early history of Fontanelle is intimately asso- ciated with the colony which in the spring of 1855 emigrated West from Quincy, Illinois, and made the first settlements on the prairie around what is now that thriving town. One of the prominent men in the colony was the late Henry Sprick, whose early residence in Nebraska Territory and subsequent achievements as a business man and citizen, and all around wholesome character, entitle him to a special place in the history of his county.
Henry Sprick was born March 1, 1826, in Westphalia, Germany, and in 1853 settled at Quincy, Illinois, at that time a favorite colony of Germans. He worked on the farm for a time, but in 1855 joined the party of about fifty people who set out from Quincy in prairie schooners drawn by oxen going to Washington County, Nebraska. He was per- haps the only native German in the entire colony. Nebraska was then a territory, and settlement was being attracted within the borders largely as a result of the tremendous and vital discussion going on in Congress over the Kansas-Nebraska bill. Henry Sprick made several trips back and forth between the Nebraska colony and Quincy, and in 1858 he returned to Quincy to marry Sophie Wilkening. She was born in Germany May 30, 1837, and came with her parents, Henry Wilkening and wife to Quincy in 1856. After their marriage Henry Sprick and
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bride made their wedding journey out to Fontanelle, Nebraska, a distance of nearly four hundred and fifty miles, in a wagon drawn by a yoke of oxen. Henry Sprick in the course of time became prominent in the new community. In 1873 he was elected to the lower house of the Nebraska Legislature, and served three successive terms. In 1878 he was chosen a member of the State Senate, and in 1884 was a presi- dential elector on the republican ticket.
After having been active in the development of his community for fifty years, successful in business and exemplifying a philanthropic spirit, he passed away honored and esteemed July 21, 1906. While his first home in Fontanelle was a log cabin, he later enjoyed the comforts of a fine brick residence. His wife survived him about ten years, passing away in September, 1916, at the age of eighty. Of this honored pioneer couple portraits appear in this work.
They were the parents of ten children: Mary, wife of Christian Sick of Sterling, Nebraska: Henry C., who though born and reared in Fontanelle, went back to Quincy, Illinois, some thirty years ago and has achieved great prominence as a banker, business man and citizen of Quincy; Sophie, wife of Carl Krueger, a minister living in New York State; Anna, wife of Ed Niebaum, a Washington County farmer whose sketch appears elsewhere: Albert W., whose interests in the Fonta- nelle community are also described; Emma, wife of Otto A. Langhorst of Fontanelle, a record of whom appears elsewhere; Clara, widow of George D. Roth of Quincy, Illinois; Louise; George, who died in infancy; and Alfred, who died in 1901 at the age of twenty-three.
ALBERT W. SPRICK, a son of the prominent Fontanelle pioneer, the late Henry Sprick, has been a life long resident of this section of Nebraska, is a former merchant of Fontanelle, and one of the leading farmers and stockmen of Washington County.
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He was born at Fontanelle March 18, 1871, and has well exemplified the high minded and progressive spirit of his family. He was educated in the common schools of Washington County, spent one year in Iowa College at Grinnell, and completed his education with a four year course in Midland College in Kansas. On leaving college he applied his efforts to general farming and. stock raising, but from 1898 until 1902 was a member of the well known mercantile firm of Sprick & Berkheimer. After selling his mercantile business he resumed with renewed energy the stock raising and farming industry and this is the field in which his enterprise has brought him substantial material rewards.
In 1911 Mr. Sprick married Miss Bertha Westhold of Quincy, Illinois. They are active members of the Lutheran Church and Mr. Sprick, like his father, is a republican. Respected for his sound judgment in business and public affairs and though quiet and unassum- ing he has a host of loyal friends and has rendered valuable service in a public way. He was a member in 1919 and 1920 of the Nebraska Constitutional Convention and in 1920 was elected a member of the House of Representatives in the State Legislature. Mr. Sprick occupies his father's fine old home place at Fontanelle.
MRS. ELIZABETH A. MAXWELL of Fremont is the widow of the late Judge Samuel Maxwell, for many years one of the most prominent jurists of the state.
Mrs. Maxwell was born in Andrew County, Missouri, September 5, 1845. Her father, Jacob Adams, was a native of North Carolina but
Bertha M. Sprick
Aalborg les Sprack
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spent his early life in Henry County, Indiana. He was a carpenter by trade but for many years a farmer. As a pioneer Nebraskan he took up a claim and then returned to Iowa. During his absence the claim was jumped and when he returned he bought out the occupant in later years. He made the journey from Iowa by wagon and passed through Plattsmouth when it contained only two houses. Jacob Adams died at the age of fifty-nine. He married Rachel Wyles, who became the mother of six children, Mrs. Maxwell being the oldest.
In 1866 at Plattsmouth, Nebraska, Miss Elizabeth Adams was mar- ried to Samuel Maxwell, who was born May 20, 1825, in Lodi, New York, his parents having come from Scotland: At the time of his marriage Mr. Maxwell was a farmer but had studied law under his brother and in 1866 he opened a law office in Plattsmouth and in Fre- mont in 1873, when he had been appointed district judge of the North Platte district, which office he filled several terms, when he was made supreme judge of the state. He then moved to Dodge County and in this county achieved his greatest eminence as a lawyer and judge. He was a Presbyterian, a Mason and Odd Fellow, and died February 11, 1901, at the age of seventy-six.
Mrs. Maxwell was the mother of nine children: Mrs. Maggie Fer- guson of Brookland; Henry E. of Omaha; Jacob; Elizabeth L., at home; Andrew C. of Sioux City, Iowa; Marilla, at home; Mrs. Anna Jefford of Jamaica, New York; Samuel of Fremont; and Sarah, at home.
HERMAN F. MEYER. Among the stable business men of Scribner, no one is held in more confidence or higher esteem than Herman F. Meyer, who is cashier of the Farmers State Bank of this city. This institution is one of large importance in Dodge County and its growth has been steady and satisfactory since its organization. Its officers are all men of ample means and banking experience, and are recognized as able, upright business men.
Herman F. Meyer was born in 1876, in Dodge County, the second in a family of twelve children born to J. G. and Marie (Stoever) Meyer. Both parents were born in Germany and both came when young people to Dodge County, Nebraska, the father in 1867 and the mother in 1869. They were married in Dodge County, where the father secured a home- stead, proved up and for many years afterward occupied his land, in the course of time becoming a substantial farmer and stock raiser. Since retirement they have lived at Uehling, Nebraska.
The brothers and sisters of Mr. Meyer were as follows: Anna, who is the wife of Charles Heneman, a banker at Spring View, Nebraska ; Sophia, who is the wife of Joseph Marsh, a farmer near Spring View ; Mary, who is the wife of William Heneman, a ranchman near Millboro, South Dakota; Bernard, who is a farmer in Dodge County ; Matilda, who is the wife of Lars Jorgenson of Uehling, Nebraska; Bertha, who is the wife of Hans Jorgenson, a farmer in South Dakota; Kate is a student in a business college at Grand Island, Nebraska; Freda, who is principal of the public schools at Spring View, Nebraska; Margaret, who resides at home; and Deidrich, who is deceased. The parents are faithful members of the Lutheran Church.
Herman F. Meyer remained at home and assisted his father on the farm until he was twenty-eight years old. He attended the public schools in Dodge County and afterward spent one year in the Fremont Normal College, where he completed a commercial course. After leav-
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ing the farm he went to Uehling, and there embarked in the insurance business, but later sold out in order to become assistant cashier of the Farmers State Bank of Uehling, where he continued until 1918, when he came to Scribner to accept the position of cashier in the Fariners State Bank of this city. Mr. Meyer devotes himself closely to the affairs of this institution. Officially and otherwise he has made many friends since coming to Scribner, his courteous accommodation in busi- ness being appreciated, and his interest in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the community being welcomed.
Mr. Meyer was married on June 26, 1907, to Miss Lena M. Young, who was born at Omaha, Nebraska, and they have two children, namely : Donald and Delma, both of whom are in school. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer belong to the Congregational Church. Mr. Meyer belongs to Scribner Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and to the Woodmen of the World.
CARL F. KOLTERMAN. In mercantile circles of Blair a name that is becoming increasingly prominent with the passing of the years is that of Carl F. Kolterman. During the past nine years Mr. Kolterman has been the proprietor of a variety store at Blair, and his energetic spirit, pro- gressive views and excellent management have served to introduce him to the people of this community in a favorable light, while his ideas of public-spirited citizenship have caused him to be a contributing factor in the success of various movements of civic moment.
Mr. Kolterman was born at Millard, Nebraska, September 24, 1882, a son of John Carl F. and Anna G. (Kanenbley) Kolterman, the former a native of Pomerania, Germany, and the latter of Jersey City, New Jersey. The father learned his trade in his native land and on coming to the United States settled at Omaha, where he was married and where he conducted a mill at West Point. Later he came to Blair, where he also followed milling, and at the time of his death was one of the highly respected citizens of his community. He was a republican in his poli- tical views, and he and Mrs. Kolterman were members of the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Kolterman, who survives her husband, resides at Red Oak, Iowa, with her son. The seven children, five of whom are living, are: Carl F .; Fred, the proprietor of Kolterman's Racket Store, at Seward, Nebraska; Ewald W., who is a grading contractor at Lamoni, Iowa; Herman, who met an accidental death by electrical shock while working for his brother Carl, being then aged twenty years; John, who conducts a general store at Red Oak, Iowa: Frank, who is employed by his brother Carl : and Ernest, who was a twin of Frank and died at the age of nine years.
Carl F. Kolterman acquired good educational advantages in his youth, first attending the public schools of Millard and Blair and later Dana College at Blair for two terms. When he left school he began working with his father, with whom he was associated until reaching the age of twenty-one years, at which time he secured a position with a coal, lumber and grain company at Scribner. Mr. Kolterman continued to be thus occupied until 1911, when he decided he was ready to embark upon an enterprise of his own, and accordingly established his present store at Blair, where he has worked out a substantial success. Mr. Kolterman has what is known as a variety store, handling a large stock of useful articles, modern in design and moderate in price. He has acquired the confidence of his fellow-townsmen, a quality necessary for the conduct of any successful commercial enterprise, and his success may be largely
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