USA > Nebraska > Dodge County > History of Dodge and Washington Counties, Nebraska, and their people, Volume II > Part 3
USA > Nebraska > Washington County > History of Dodge and Washington Counties, Nebraska, and their people, Volume II > Part 3
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February 8, 1898, recorded the marriage of Mr. Condit to Miss Sylvia J. Walker, who likewise was born and reared near Anamosa, Iowa, and the one child of this union, Wolcott B., is attending the public schools of Fremont.
BERNARD MONNICH. No other class of men contributed so directly to the upbuilding, development and subsequent prosperity of any com- munity as do those who are devoting their talents and energies to the handling of real estate. This is a line of business which requires grit, determination and enthusiasm in order that the one engaged in it rise above the ordinary operator and these are just the qualities needed for the making of the aggressive and dependable citizen who can promul-
Sykeman
Dykeman
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gate and carry out plans which ultimately will result in the betterment of the majority. One of the men thus directly responsible for the attract- ing to Dodge County and its adjoining territory much of the attention it is now enjoying, is Bernard Monnich of Hooper.
Bernard Monnich is a native son of Dodge County, where he was born in 1869, and of which his father, Gerd Monnich, was a pioneer. An extended notice of the Monnich family in connection with the devel- opment of Dodge County in the early days will be found elsewhere in this work.
Brought up in Dodge County to a life of industry, Bernard Monnich attended its schools and began at an early age to make himself useful, and in 1891 was able to establish his own business at Hooper, first being a dealer in hardware. After two years in this line he branched out and handled agricultural implements for two years. In 1897 he began handling real estate, and found in it a congenial occupation, although in the interval between then and now he was also in a garage business for seven years in partnership with his nephew, John, they 'erecting the garage at Hooper, and doing a general repair business, but in 1917 he disposed of his interest in it so as to give all of his attention to his real- estate operations, and is one of the leaders in this line in Dodge County.
In 1891 Mr. Monnich was united in marriage with Barbara Achling, born in Nebraska, and they became the parents of the following children : Charlotte, who is employed in the Dodge County Bank; Dora, who is the wife of Ward Thompson of Los Angeles, California; Bernard, who is associated in business with his father; and Carl, who is attending the Hooper schools. Mr. Monnich is a Blue Lodge Mason. He belongs to Grace Lutheran Church of Hooper and is active in church work. An independent in politics, at one time he was postmaster of Hooper, Nebraska, but aside from that has not entered public life. Both he and Mrs. Monnich are held in the highest esteem by their associates, and their friends are to be found all over this region.
JOHN G. DYKEMAN. If one desires to gain a vivid realization of the rapid advance in the civilization which the last few decades have brought, he can listen to the stories that men who are still living among us can tell of their early experiences when the country was new and conditions in the part of the country were in their formative period. Conspicuous among the silver-haired veterans of a period long past is the venerable and highly-respected citizen, now living a life of honorable retirement, to a brief review of whose career the following lines are devoted.
John G. Dykeman was born in New Jersey on January 31, 1842, and is the son of Gilbert and Mary (Johnson) Dykeman, who died in New Jersey. But three years of age at the time of his mother's death John G. Dykeman was thereafter reared by strangers. In young man- hood he went to Illinois, where he applied himself to agricultural pur- suits. In 1872 Mr. Dykeman came to Dodge County and bought 160 acres of land, to the improvement and cultivation of which he applied himself with energy and ambition. Conditions here in those days were comparatively primitive and farming operations were not con- ducted with the ease of later years. But his persistent efforts were rewarded with abundant success and in 1910 he relinquished the active labors of the farm and moved to Fremont, where he has since resided. In 1913 he sold that farm and bought 800 acres of land near Potter, which he now rents.
In Illinois, on December 7, 1872, Mr. Dykeman was married to Anna M. Bull, who was born March 23, 1854, in New York state, the daugh- Vol. 11-2
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ter of Harry and Elvira (Otis) Bull, both of whom were natives of New York state and both of whom are now deceased. Mrs. Dykeman was reared by strangers and knows practically nothing of her parents. She is one of three children born to them. To Mr. and Mrs. Dyke- man have been born twelve children, of which number nine are living, namely: Mary, the wife of N. J. Gidley, who is employed in a garage in Fremont; Allen G., a farmer near Potter, Nebraska; Lula, the wife of Cornelius Davis, a farmer near Potter; Elva, the wife of John Moody, a farmer of Saunders County ; Bertha, the wife of Chris Ogard, a farmer near Potter; Lillian, the wife of Charles Christensen, a farmer near Foster, Nebraska; Verna, the wife of Fred Lowdon, of Wahoo, Nebraska; Wilma married Chas. Jennings, of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Clair is in the employ of the Standard Oil Company at Potter.
Mr. Dykeman and his family are identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics he is an earnest supporter of the democratic party. Mr. Dykeman has played well his part at all times in the work of upbuilding his community and has always been fully abreast of the times, doing such good as he could in all the relations of life, consequently he is respected and admired by all who know him, for he is a man of sterling character and public spirit.
HERBERT T. RING. A number of the flourishing journals of the country, especially those issued in the smaller communities, are owned, edited and published by men who know the practical end of the business and have reached these higher positions from the case. Understanding every detail of the work, they know its possibilities and can meet the problems in an efficient and satisfactory manner, and while making a good living, also render their community a service by giving it a wide awake organ. Belonging distinctively to this class is Herbert T. Ring of Hooper, who owns, edits and publishes the Hooper Sentinel, a weekly journal, and also carries on a general printing business.
Herbert T. Ring was born in Minnesota in 1882, a son of John and Anna L. (Goode) Ring, both of whom were born in Sweden, and came to the United States in the late '60s, locating first in Minnesota, but later coming west to Hooper, Nebraska, where John Ring became one of the prominent men, and served as postmaster for many years.
A child when his parents came to Hooper, Herbert T. Ring was reared here and was graduated from the Hooper High School in 1898. Following his graduation he began learning the printer's trade with J. I. Broody on the Sentinel, later going with E. W. Renkin for two years. Mr. Ring then worked for Shipley & Thompson, and then became an employe of the Hooper post office under his father, who was then postmaster, and held his position for nine years. In 1913 he returned to the Sentinel under Glenn Howard, and later formed a partnership with C. W. Sedgwick which continued a year, when Mr. Ring bought out Mr. Sedgwick's interest. While he is a republican, Mr. Ring conducts his paper along independent lines, and has an excellent circulation, and the patronage of his job printing establishment is large and steady for he turns out fine work.
In 1915 Mr. Ring was married to Elizabeth Schumacher, born in Nebraska, and they have one son, Theodore Herbert, who is a bright little fellow. Mr. Ring belongs to the Ancient Order of United Work- men, the Knights of Pythias, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and the Tribe of Ben Hur. Both he and his wife are charter members of the Grace Lutheran Church of Hooper, and active in its good work.
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A sound, dependable and public-spirited young man, Mr. Ring is cor- rectly numbered among the representative men of Dodge County.
A. M. TILLMAN. A man of versatile talents and forceful individ- uality, A. M. Tillman, of Hooper, has long been identified with the interests of Dodge County, contributing toward the advancement of its manufacturing, agricultural and financial prosperity, and is eminently worthy of the high position he has attained in business and social circles. A son of the late Frank M. Tillman, he was born, August 1, 1870, in Dodge County, Nebraska, of German and Swiss ancestry.
Born, bred and educated in Germany, Frank M. Tillman remained in the fatherland until twenty-nine years old. Coming then to this country, he located in Detroit, Michigan, where he subsequently married Anna Enderley, a native of Switzerland. Settling with his bride in Holton, Michigan, he ran a hotel there for thirteen years. In 1868 he came with his family to Dodge County, Nebraska, and began life as a farmer in Ridgeley Township. Moving to Hooper in 1881, he managed the Tillman Hotel successfully for several years, being a very genial and popular host. Retiring from active pursuits in 1888, he continued a resident of Hooper until his death, in 1915, at the venerable age of ninety-one years. His wife preceded him to the better world, dying in 1908, aged eighty-two years. He was a democrat in politics, and served as county commissioner from 1873 until 1879, and also served one or more terms as supervisor. To him and his wife seven children were born, as follows: Joseph, deceased; Mary, deceased, wife of Peter Parkert, of Hooper; Margaret, wife of Charles S. Basler, of Hooper ; Lizzie, wife of W. F. Basler, also of Hooper; Frank A., of Hooper, a dealer in soft drinks; A. M., and Catherine, wife of Edward Wiekhorst, of Santa Ana. California, the inventor of a fruit branding machine.
Brought up and educated in Dodge County, A. M. Tillman has been associated with various enterprises, his first business venture having been in connection with the making and selling of soft drinks. Con- tinuing in Hooper, he was next engaged in the hotel business, later working as a plumber, and then being employed in the bottling business. In 1904 Mr. Tillman was made president of the First National Bank, of Hooper. and in that capacity had charge of its affairs until he removed to Omaha in order that his children might have better educational advantages.
At the end of six years, Mr. Tillman settled in Knox County, this state, and was there successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1917, when he returned to Hooper, and resumed his banking business, again becoming officially connected with the First National Bank. He is likewise vice president of the Logan Valley Bank of Uehling, of which he was one of the organizers, and is secretary of the Dodge County Stock Association.
Mr. Tillman has been twice married. His first wife, whose maiden name was Tillie von Essen, died in early womanhood, leaving two children, namely: Luella, of San Francisco, California: and Corne- lius H., who enlisted in the World war in 1917, and served in the Oberlin, Ohio, Ambulance Unit until his death, January 24, 1918. Mr. Tillman married again in 1908, Mrs. Edna (Hartung) Uehling, and they have one child, M. Auralea Tillman. Mr. and Mrs. Tillman are worthy and consistent attenders of the English Lutheran Church. Polit- ically Mr. Tillman supports the principles of the democratic party by voice and vote. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
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WARREN MERSELIS was not yet five years old at the time when his parents established their home in Dodge County, where he was reared to manhood, where he gained his early education in the schools at North Bend and where the passing years have afforded him the opportunities which he has so embraced as to have gained a place among the repre- sentative exponents of farm industry in Cotterell Township. His well improved farm of eighty acres is situated in section 28 of the township mentioned, and the pleasant home receives service on one of the rural mail routes centering at North Bend.
Mr. Merselis was born in New York in 1887, and is a son of William and Cora (Collins) Merselis, both likewise natives of the old Empire State, where the father learned and followed the miller's trade. In 1891 William Merselis came with his family to North Bend, Dodge County, where for some time he operated the flour mill. Later he here turned his attention to farm enterprise, and he now owns an appre- ciable tract of farm land in the State of Texas, where he maintains his residence, his wife having died in 1908, Warren Merselis being their only surviving child. The father is a republican in political adherency and is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as was also his wife.
Warren Merselis gained his initial experience in the basic industry of agriculture through his association with the activities of his father's farm, and since 1910 he has been engaged in farming in an independent way. He owns eighty acres of the fine soil of Dodge County, and from the same gains the maximum returns, as he is essentially vigorous and progressive in the management of both the agricultural and live-stock departments of his farm enterprise. He has had no desire for political activity, is independent of partisan lines as a voter and he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church at North Bend.
The year 1910 recorded the marriage of Mr. Merselis to Miss Bertha Wagoner, who was born in Saunders County, this state, a daughter of Lewis Wagoner, now a resident of Fremont, Dodge County. Mr. and Mrs. Merselis have one son, Harold.
CHARLES H. BRUNNER. In all that constitutes true manhood and good citizenship Charles H. Brunner, one of the best known business men in Fremont, is a notable example and none stands higher than he in the esteem and confidence of the community honored by his citizen- ship. His career has been characterized by thrift and wisely directed efforts and he has acquired a fair share of this world's goods, besides earning a reputation as a man of sterling character and public spirit.
Charles H. Brunner was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, in 1853, and is the son of Henry and Ernestine (Denkman) Brunner, both of whom were born in Germany. They came to the United States in their youth and were married here. Henry Brunner had studied medicine in Wurz- burg and Heidelburg University, Germany, and entered upon the prac- tice of his profession in Davenport, Iowa, where he remained until 1868, when he came to Fremont, Nebraska, and practiced medicine here suc- cessfully up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1881. He was a democrat in his political affiliations and his wife was a member of the Congregational Church. For a short time while he was located at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, he served as city physician and also as county coroner. Of the four children born to him and his wife, the following are living: Charles H., John M., who was engaged in the banking business at Mildred and Elkhorn, Nebraska, for a number of
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years, but is now living in Long Beach, California ; William R., who was in the printing business in Fremont for a number of years, is now retired and is living in Long Beach, California.
Charles H. Brunner was educated in the public schools of Wisconsin, where his father was engaged in the practice of his profession, and he then entered the University of Michigan, where he was graduated. He then located in McGregor, Iowa, where he engaged in the drug business for two years, and in 1870 he came to Fremont and engaged in the same business in partnership with Mr. Mageneau. In 1893 Mr. Brunner bought his partner's interest in the business and conducted it alone until 1900, when, on account of ill health, he sold out and from that time until 1918, he spent his time mainly in recovering his health. In this he was successful and in the fall of 1918 he returned to Fremont and purchased the drug store owned by Mrs. Laura L. Pohl. He now has a partner, I. H. Langjahr, but the business is conducted under the name of Brunner Drug Company. They carry a full stock of drugs and also carry a large line of sundries and accessories such as are usually to be found in a well-appointed drug store, and because of the high quality of their goods, their right prices and the courteous treatment accorded every customer who enters their store, they enjoy a large and representa- tive patronage. Mr. Brunner is also a stockholder and director of the Fremont National Bank, is a member of the Fremont Commercial Club and the Retail Merchants' Association.
In 1888 Mr. Brunner was married to Lizzie Knoell, who was born, reared and educated in Dodge County, the daughter of J. Knoell, one of the early settlers and land owners of this county. Mr. Brunner is independent in his political thought and action, voting according to the dictates of his own judgment. Fraternally, he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. While he has never taken an active part in political affairs, he maintains a healthy interest in the public welfare and has rendered appreciated service as a school director. By a straightforward and commendable course he has maintained an enviable position in the busi- ness and social circles of his adopted city, earning a reputation as an enterprising, progressive man of affairs and a high place in the confi- dence and esteem of all who know him.
THEODORE UEHLING. Sixty years ago when Dodge County was still part of the original Washington, one of the important accessions to the citizenship of the district was the late Theodore Uehling, who during a long life became prominent as a Nebraska pioneer and a man fitted by character, industry and integrity to adorn the annals of early settlement.
Born in Saxe Meiningen, Germany, January 11, 1836, son of Casper and Gottliebetta (Deusing) Uehling, German farmers, who died when Theodore was young, he had a limited attendance at the common schools of his native land until 1847, when at the age of eleven years he came to America with his older brother, Frederick, who located in Wisconsin. Theodore grew to manhood in Wisconsin and achieved American citizen- ship there. In May, 1860, shortly after his marriage he left Wiscon- sin with an ox team, and after many days' journey reached Omaha on the second of July. From Omaha they came up into what was then Washington County, and settled in section 18, township 19, range 9. When Dodge County was set off from old Washington County, his loca- tion fell in the former division. After the passage of the Homestead
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Act he homesteaded his property and gave his labors to its development for eighteen years. Though he came to Nebraska with only a wagon, two yoke of oxen and $150 in money, he was able to see his affairs prosper and everything he touched respond to the benefit of himself or his community. He proved a true friend of education, serving as school director for a number of years, and in 1891 was elected supervisor of Logan Township.
January 2, 1860, Theodore Uehling married Miss Kathrina Schwab, a native of Germany, who came to the United States in 1855. The children born to their union were Otto, Henry, Edward, Ludwig, Theodore, deceased, Martin A., Frederick J., Leonora L., Frank Theo. and Louise F. Most of the living sons have special. sketches in this publication.
Theodore Uehling after acquiring American citizenship allied him- self with the democratic party and cast his vote true to that allegiance until 1897, after which he was equally stanch in his support of the republican ticket. He was a Mason and a member of the Lutheran Church.
When in 1905 the Sioux City and Western Railroad built through his farm he accepted the opportunity and laid out a town, which bears the name of this honored pioneer. He had seen the little community grow to considerable proportions before his death, which occurred February 13, 1912, at the age of seventy-six years, one month, two days.
EDWARD UEHLING, one of the sons of the late pioneer, Theodore Uehling, is a native son of Dodge County, has always retained more or less interest in the land and its resources, but primarily has been a business man. His connections for a number of years past have been centered at the town of Uehling and his individual enterprise has done much to prosper and develop that commercial center.
He was born at his father's home in what was then Washington but is now Dodge County, March 13, 1863. He attended the common schools of his home district until he was about thirteen. On leaving school he went to work in a hardware store at Hooper, and the six years spent there gave him a fundamental training in business. For about a year after leaving Hooper he was with a general mercantile establishment at Oakland, Nebraska, and then returned to the general merchandise business at Hooper, where he remained five years. He next entered the Dodge County Bank, of Hooper, and in 1905 he helped organize the Farmers State Bank at Uehling and in connection with the bank of which he was cashier handled a stock of hardware. Mr. Uehling has been cashier of the bank from its inception and has had much to do with the financial service the institution has renderd in that community. Its capital has always been $15,000 and while the deposits in 1906 were only $14,000, those for 1920 showed an aggregate of $247,000.
Mr. Uehling married in July, 1890, Miss Charlotte Herre, who was born in New Jersey. They were married at Fremont, where her father, C. F. Herre, was for many years a tailor and where he died. Mr. and Mrs. Uehling became the parents of four children: Mrs. Vera L. Hout, the oldest, lives at Uehling; Harold T., who spent two years in the Ordnance Department of the army and saw service of eighteen months in France, is now connected with his father's bank, having received his honorable discharge in May, 1919; Elletha, the third child, is a student in the State University of Nebraska, and Clifton, the youngest, is at home.
mauchling
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Mr. Uehling has always been a factor in the school affairs of his community, serving for a number of years on the school board of Hooper and also at Uehling. For six years he has been treasurer of the Town Board of Uehling. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge and his family belong to the Congregational Church.
MARTIN A. UEHLING. The kind of farming that gets results and contributes to the general upbuilding and prosperity of an entire com- munity is in evidence on the place of Mr. Uehling in section 8 of Hooper Township, Dodge County. Mr. Uehling is a veteran farmer and stock man, and belongs to the pioneer class of Dodge County citizenship.
He was born in Dodge County August 20, 1869. More extended reference to the Uehling family is made on other pages of this publica- tion, in sketch of his father Theodore Uehling. Mr. Uehling spent his boyhood in a day when life was still primitive in Nebraska. He attended the common schools and also spent one term in the Fremont Normal School. In 1893 at the age of twenty-four he began farming for himself and for over a quarter of a century has looked after his crops and fields every season. His farm comprises a 160 acres, all with high class improvements. He keeps thoroughbred and high grade stock, both cattle and hogs, and the Sunny Slope Stock Farm has long enjoyed a high reputation in agricultural circles.
Mr. Uehling has also given time to public affairs and at present is county supervisor, entering the duties of his office in 1919, his term expir- ing in 1923. He is a member of the Grace Lutheran Church at Hooper, has held all the prominent chairs in the Masonic Lodge, and he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star. Mr. Uehling was for five or six years Worthy Patron and Mrs. Uehling was Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star.
March 31, 1893, the year he started farming on his own account he also established a home of his own by his marriage to Dora Keller, also a native of Dodge County. Her father, William Keller, is living retired at Hooper. Mr. and Mrs. Uehling have two children, Eva and Vyrle.
FRED KNOELL has been a witness of many developments and changes in Dodge County, and for over twenty years has been a factor in promot- ing some of these developments, particularly in his home locality of Platte Township. He is owner of one of the good farms in section 12, and has earned a substantial place in a community which has long esteemed this family name.
Mr. Knoell was born in Dodge County February 18, 1878, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Knoell. His father, a native of Germany, came to Dodge County at the age of seventeen, spent an earnest and effective life as a farmer and good citizen and died at the age of sixty-four.
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