USA > Nebraska > Dodge County > History of Dodge and Washington Counties, Nebraska, and their people, Volume II > Part 33
USA > Nebraska > Washington County > History of Dodge and Washington Counties, Nebraska, and their people, Volume II > Part 33
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66
August Westlin acquired a common school education and grew up well trained for the vocation of farming and stock raising. For many years he has fed hogs and cattle for the market and is now the pros- perous owner and manager of 260 acres devoted to general farming. In 1916 he built his present home, one of the finest and most modern in that section of the county. Mr. Westlin and family are members of the Congregational Church and in politics he is an independent voter.
In 1902 he married Miss Esther Anderson, who was born in Dodge County in 1877. Concerning her father, T. A. Anderson, of Uehling, more is said on other pages. Mr. and Mrs. Westlin have two children, Margaret and Sherman, both at home.
684
DODGE AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES
HENRY SCHMIETENKNOP. Widely known as a prosperous agricul- turist of Everett Township, Henry Schmietenknop is numbered among the citizens of high repute in Dodge County, where he has lived for upwards of a quarter of a century. He was born March 25, 1876, in Germany, the lifelong residence of his parents, Gerhard and Anna (Miners) Schmietenknop, who were industrious, hard-working farmers.
Bred and educated in his native country, Henry Schmietenknop determined as a boy to find out, as soon as old enough, the truth regard- ing the wonderful stories of America's prosperity, and in 1893 left home and friends to come to the United States. Making his way to Nebraska, he located in Dodge County, and for a time worked for John Heithausen. Becoming familiar with agricultural pursuits, he engaged in farming on his own account, and met with such encouraging results that, in 1900, he rented the farm which he still farms, it being on sec- tion 12, Everett Township. In 1911 he purchased a farm of 225 acres in Hooper and Everett townships which he rents out. Laboring indus- triously and intelligently, Mr. Schmietenknop has carried on general farming and stock raising most successfully, his land being well culti- vated and well improved, while his farming implements and machinery are all that can be desired by the up-to-date agriculturist. Interested in everything pertaining to the management of a farm, he is an active member of the Farmers' Union at Hooper. August 4, 1898, Mr. Schmiet- enknop was united in marriage with Anna Osterloh, who was born in Dodge . County, Nebraska, of German lineage. Her father Gerhard Osterloh, was born in Germany, October 31, 1838, and there lived until after his marriage with Gesine Egbers. Coming with his family to Dodge County, Nebraska, in 1868, he homesteaded, and was thereafter prosperously engaged in general farming and stock raising and feeding until his death, in 1894. He was independent in politics, and an active member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, to which his widow belongs.
Three children have blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Schmiet- enknop, namely: George, Clara and Fred. An independent voter, Mr. Schmietenknop casts his ballot in favor of the men and measures he deems best. Both he and his wife are valued members of the St. Paul's Lutheran Church, and are rearing their family in the Lutheran faith.
JOHN H. DIERKS. An industrious and enterprising agriculturist, John H. Dierks, late of Fremont, was one of the earlier settlers of Saunders County, Nebraska, and with true pioneer courage cleared and improved a highly productive farm. He was born November 22, 1845, in Germany, and died in Fremont, Nebraska, October 20, 1909.
A small boy when he was brought by his parents to the United States, Mr. Dierks was educated in the public schools of Illinois, and having been of deeply religious nature, with strong personal convic- tions, he early determined to enter the ministry. Circumstances changed his plans, however, and in 1878 he made his way to Nebraska, arriving in Saunders County with a capital of $1,500, a part of which he invested in land, buying 160 acres of virgin soil. Laboring with unceasing toil, he cleared and improved a good ranch, and at the end of twenty years made his last payment on his farm, acquiring a clear title to it. His health failing, he moved with his family to Fremont, Dodge County, in July, 1909, and the following October passed to the life beyond.
Mr. Dierks was an earnest and devout member of the Baptist Church, and after settling in Saunders County he and wife helped organize a
685
DODGE AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES
church of that denomination there. He was also influential in establish- ing a mission in Fremont, and having been made superintendent of its Sunday school drove a distance of seven miles every Sunday in order to assume charge of the school. Mr. Dierks paid $8.50 an acre for his farm in 1878 and in the spring of 1919 his widow sold it, receiving $250 an acre, a decided advance in price.
Mr. Dierks married in 1870 Elise Folkers, who was born February 21, 1850, in Germany, and in 1857 was brought to this country by her parents, Ulrich and Catherine Folkers, who located permanently in Illinois. Six children were born of their union, four of whom are liv- ing, namely: Edward, a barber, resides in San Diego, California; George, of Wahoo, Nebraska, is a chiropractor; Sophia, living in Fre- mont ; and Emma, wife of Frederick Thielen, foreman of a harness and saddle factory in Lincoln, Nebraska. Mrs. Dierks is an active member of the Baptist Church, and takes great interest in the work of the Young Women's Christian Association. She lives at 949 North Park Avenue, in the pleasant home which she purchased in 1913.
J. E. LUTZ. A man of strong personality, enterprising and keen sighted, J. E. Lutz, a well-known monument manufacturer and dealer of Blair, occupies a place of prominence and influence in the political and business circles of the city, and is a typical representative of the men of the day who have attained success through persevering industry and wise management of their affairs. A son of Barnet Lutz, he was born in 1854, in Linn County, Iowa, of pioneer ancestry.
Born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, Barnet Lutz there married Ann Kramer, and two years after that important event migrated to Iowa with his bride, going the greater part of the way by boat, an event- ful trip in that year of 1839, when but little was known of any part of the country lying west of the Alleghenies. Buying a tract of Govern- ment land in Linn County, he cleared and improved a fine homestead in the vicinity of Kenwood Park, and there resided until his death. The little town was laid out on his farm, and he had the honor of serving as its first mayor. He was an influential member of the republican party, and he and his wife were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They were the parents of eleven children, three of whom are now living, as follows : Mrs. J. J. Wayt, of Springdale, Arkansas, where her husband is living retired from active business; Mrs. J. H. Smith, a widow, living in Sigourney, Iowa; and J. E., of whom we write. In addition to their own large family of children, the parents, in the good- ness of their hearts, brought up as their own two other children.
The tenth child in order of birth of the parental household, J. E. Lutz, received superior educational privileges, after leaving the rural schools of his native town having attended the Cedar Rapids High School and Western College. He subsequently made, and saved, his first $100 as a teacher in the country schools. In 1877 he embarked in the monu- ment business at Kenwood Park, and continued in that little town until 1888. Coming to Blair, Nebraska, in that year, Mr. Lutz here established himself in the same business, beginning in a modest way, and from year to year has gradually enlarged his operations, having now a very large and exceedingly prosperous business, and in addition to having been successful himself has helped several other men to start in the same line of industry.
Active in local affairs, Mr. Lutz, a strong republican in politics, has served as a member of the City Council for fifteen years, and was a
686
DODGE AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES
candidate for delegate at large for the National Republican Convention of 1920. He took up a homestead claim in 1905 in South Dakota and he bought land adjoining the homestead, and is now owner of 480 acres of choice land. Fraternally Mr. Lutz is a member of the Knights of Pythias, being past chancellor of his lodge and deputy chancellor of the state, and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Religiously he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Lutz has been twice married. He married first, in 1880, Georgia Miller, and of the three children born of their union, one is living, Daisy, wife of Layton Morris, a professor in Columbia University. Mrs. Georgia Lutz passed to the life beyond in 1890, while yet in early womanhood. Mr. Lutz married in February, 1892, Mary Augusta Campbell, a native of Pennsylvania, and they have two children living, namely : Frank, now in business with his father ; and Margaret Ann, wife of L. Noies, who served in the World war, being sent from Camp Dodge to the border, and who is now in the employ of Mr. Lutz.
Frank Lutz, a member of the National Guard, was sent to the border in 1914; and was released in 1916. In 1917 he entered the World war, being sent, on March 26 of that year, to the Fort Snelling Training School, where, after receiving his commission as second lieutenant, he was transferred to Camp Miller, New York. Sailing from Hoboken on October 14, 1917, he subsequently saw active service in France, going over the top, and in one engagement he was slightly wounded. He belonged to the Rainbow Division until 1918, when he was transferred to the Thirty-Second Division. Returning home, he received his discharge in May, 1919, and has since been associated in business with his father, as stated above. Howard Lutz, the eldest child of Mr. Lutz, served in the United States navy before the World war. He subsequently assumed the management of his father's homestead property in South Dakota and was there killed in September, 1906, when but twnty-three years of age.
CHARLES Ross. Inheriting in a large measure the habits of industry, economy and thrift characteristic of a long line of honored Scotch ancestry, Charles Ross of Blair has long been prominently identified with the development and advancement of the manufacturing interests of this part of Washington County, and as secretary and manager of the Blair Horse Collar Company .is carrying on an extensive and lucrative busi- ness. A son of the late Charles Ross, Sr., he was born May 2, 1867, in Scotland, where he spent the first three years of his earthly existence.
Charles Ross, Sr., was born, bred, educated and married in Scotland. Immigrating with his family to the United States in 1870, he located in Des Moines, Iowa, where he followed his trade of a stone setter, for ten years working on the state capitol. Moving to Kansas, he became a homesteader and lived there five years. Removing then to Omaha, Nebraska, he built the old courthouse, which was his last piece of work, and continued his residence in that city until his death, in 1901. He was first identified with the republican party, but subsequently sup- ported the democratic ticket. He was an active member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and a devout member of the Presbyterian Church. Charles Ross, Sr., and his wife, Eliza Ross, became the parents of seven children, as follows: William, a merchant, lives in Colorado ; James H., deceased; Charles, with whom this sketch is chiefly con- cerned; David, his twin brother, living in Los Angeles, California, is employed as a mechanic in the shipyards; George, deceased; Isabelle,
Sodio Recipe
687
DODGE AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES
wife of Jack Durham of Salt Lake City, who is in the passenger service of the Oregon Short Line Railroad; and Robert, agent, in Columbus, Ohio, of the Booth Packing Company.
Acquiring his elementary education in Iowa, Charles Ross subse- quently spent five years on the Kansas prairies, going there with the family at the age of twelve years. He afterward learned the trade of a. horse collar manufacturer, which he has followed since attaining the age of nineteen years, first establishing a small factory in Omaha. Coming from there to Blair in 1906, Mr. Ross continued at his trade, enlarging his operations each year, and in his large and well equipped plant now manufactures collars of all descriptions. The business has been incor- porated, with a capital of $50,000, and Mr. Ross is secretary and man- ager of the firm. In the management of the business Mr. Ross has two wide-awake men on the road, their territory covering the states of Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Colorado.
Mr. Ross married, in 1889, Lizzie Forgan, a native of Scotland, and into their pleasant home four children have been born, namely: Ralph, with the Nebraska Power Company, in Omaha; Winfield, an attorney in Omaha ; Grace, teaching school in Columbus ; and Kenneth, in Omaha, with the Nebraska Power Company. All of these children were grad- uated from the Blair High School, and Ralph was later graduated from the Armour School of Technology in Chicago; Winfield was graduated from the Creighton Law School in Omaha, and the other two children are graduates of the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Mr. Ross is a democrat in politics, and belongs to the Masonic fraternity and to the Woodmen.
LLOYD W. PHILLIPS. A young man of energy and enterprise, pos- sessing excellent business and executive ability, Lloyd W. Phillips is officially connected with one of the most essential of all of the public utilities, being general manager of the Fremont Gas, Electric Light and Power Company. A son of the late Matthew Phillips, he was born October 25, 1890, at Table Rock, Pawnee County, Nebraska.
Matthew Phillips was born and reared in Ohio, but as a young man moved to Illinois, where he was variously employed for a number of seasons. Moving to Table Rock, Nebraska, in 1875, he bought land and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death. He was a straightforward republican in his political affiliations, a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and belonged to the Presbyterian Church. He married, in Illinois, Jessie Weider, who was born in that state, and is now living in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Three children blessed their union, as follows: Ross E., who attended the University of Nebraska for two years and was graduated from a business college, has served as secretary and treasurer of the Lincoln Gas and Electric Company for the past thirteen years ; Nellie, wife of Charles Butler, who is connected with the White Motor Truck Company in Sioux City, Iowa ; and Lloyd ·W., of this brief sketch.
Acquiring his education in Nebraska, Lloyd W. Phillips was grad- uated from the Lincoln High School with the class of 1911, and the following year became bookkeeper for the Lincoln Gas and Electric Light Company. Continuing with the same company, he was subsequently transferred to Fremont, and promoted to cashier, a responsible position that he ably filled until April, 1916, when he was made secretary of the organization. Three years later, in April, 1919, Mr. Phillips was again advanced in position, and has since served ably and faithfully as mana-
688
DODGE AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES
ger, an office that he is filling with credit to himself, and to the entire satisfaction of all concerned.
On May 13, 1916, Mr. Phillips was united in marriage with Etta Hairhouse, who was born in Fremont, where her father, Julius T. Hair- house, a jeweler, was an early settler. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips have one child, William Lloyd Phillips, born in the autumn of 1919. Mrs. Phil- lips is a consistent member of the Congregational Church. Politically Mr. Phillips invariably casts his vote with the republican party. Frater- nally he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, belong- ing to Lodge and Chapter, and Mount Tabor Commandery No. 9, and also to Fremont Lodge No. 514, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
ANDREW E. OLSON. Noteworthy among the intelligent and self- reliant men who are ably conducting the agricultural interests of Dodge County is Andrew Olson, who owns and occupies a finely improved farm in Logan Township and in its management is meeting with marked success. Coming on both sides of the house of thrifty Swedish ancestry, he was born, December 22, 1872, in Dodge County, where his entire life has been spent.
Lars Olson, his father, was born, in 1843, in Sweden, and in 1868 immigrated to the United States, locating first in Omaha, Nebraska, arriving there with but $5 to his name. Subsequently taking up a home- stead claim in Logan Township, he brought a wagon load of goods across the country to the small shanty in which he was to live, and for many years thereafter was busily engaged in the pioneer task of clearing and improving a farm. Prospering far beyond his first expectations, he wisely invested his accumulations in more land, and at the time of his death, in 1916, had title to a valuable farm of 360 acres, a large part of which was under cultivation. In 1871 he married, his wife being also born in Sweden. She came to the United States in 1870 and was married in Omaha. Mrs. Carrie Olson is now sixty-eight years old and still lives on the home farm. To Mr. and Mrs. Olson three children were born, as follows: Andrew E., of this sketch; Mrs. Frances Erickson of Dodge County ; and Mrs. Mary Erickson, also of this county.
Brought up on the parental homestead and educated in the rural schools, Andrew E. Olson chose for his life work the free and inde- pendent occupation with which he had become familiar while working with his father, and having inherited 120 acres of land in Logan Town- ship immediately began general farming on his own account. Indus- trious and enterprising, Mr. Olson succeeded well in his undertakings, his land being now well cultivated and well improved, and amply sup- plied with farm buildings and farm machinery.
Mr. Olson married, in 1908, Carrie Hansen, who was born in Swe- den, where her father still resides, and they have one child, Lillian Olson, a school girl. Politically Mr. Olson is a steadfast supporter of the prin- ciples of the republican party, and in 1918 served as moderator of School District No. 84. Fraternally he is a member of the Woodmen of the World and takes great interest in the order.
CLARENCE D. BRIGGS. One of the older residents of Dodge County, Clarence D. Briggs devoted the best years of his life to farming, and while he has experienced practically all the vicissitudes that have beset the career of Nebraska agriculturists has persisted through bad years as well as good, and today has all the evidences of independence and the goodly esteem of his fellow men.
689
DODGE AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES
Mr. Briggs, whose complete and modern farmstead is in section 34 of Logan Township, was born in Mills County, Iowa, June 26, 1859. Five years later his father, George Briggs, drove with wagon and team across the country and homesteaded a claim in Dodge County near the Town of Fontanelle. The brother of George Briggs, A. C. Briggs, at that time owned the old Logan mill on Logan Creek, one of the historic industries of pioneer times. Though he came to Nebraska with no asset, George Briggs made himself prosperous before he died. He passed away at the age of seventy-one, and his wife, Henrietta Briggs, died at the age of sixty-nine.
C. D. Briggs received his education in Dodge County and at an early age began acquiring property for himself, though he remained at home with his parents to the age of thirty-four. At the age of twenty-one he bought eighty acres and he now has 500 acres, all constituting a modern farm with high-class improvements. He has never concerned himself with fraternal organizations, but is an active member of the Methodist Church and a republican voter. The Briggs family belongs to the pioneer era of Dodge County, since they came before the building of the first railroad and when the trains ran only to Council Bluffs.
September 29, 1897. Mr. Briggs married Miss Mary Ruppert, who was born and reared in Dodge County. To their marriage have been born seven children, Hattie, Grace, Fern, Herbert, Earl, Lawrence and Violet.
Mrs. Briggs is a daughter of Samuel Ruppert, who was born in Michigan October 3, 1853, and has lived in Dodge County since 1872. His father, Henry Ruppert, came to the county in 1871 but never home- steaded, though he followed farming as well as his trade as carpenter. He died at the age of seventy-four and his wife Catherine at seventy-two. Samuel Ruppert from the time he came to Nebraska farmed his father's place about four and a half miles northeast of Hooper. In 1877 he mar- ried Sophie Gaster, who was born in Wisconsin and came to Dodge County when about ten years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Ruppert were the parents of eight children, three of whom died young. The others are Mrs. Mary Briggs, Levi, Joseph, Mrs. Rosie Mortison and Elmer. Mr. Ruppert has been a carpenter like his father and is still active in the management of his farm of forty acres a mile from Winslow. He is a republican voter.
OVE T. ANDERSON, former county clerk of Washington County, has been a leader in politics and public affairs for a number of years, and in his home Town of Blair is now well established in a thriving abstract, real estate and insurance business. Mr. Anderson has spent the greater part of his life in Nebraska and in all his varied relations has shown those qualities that command respect and esteem.
He was born at Cedar Falls, Iowa, February 5, 1873. His parents, James and Sophie (Peterson) Anderson, were both natives of Denmark. His mother's family, after coming to America, adopted the name of Goldburg. James Anderson came to the United States about 1859 or 1860, settling in Wisconsin. In 1861 he volunteered to serve his adopted country in the Union army and was in the Fifteenth Wisconsin Infantry and was a brave and faithful soldier four years, participating in many of the historic battles of the war. In 1886 he was married to Sophie Peterson. He settled and lived in Iowa several years and about 1876 homesteaded in Webster County, Nebraska. He was a resident of that county twenty-one years, and while there took a prominent part in repub-
690
DODGE AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES
lican politics, holding township offices and justice of the peace. In 1895 he removed to Washington County, settled on a farm near Blair, and after continuing his vocation as a farmer for eight years he retired and he and his wife now live in a comfortable home in Blair. They are active members of the Lutheran Church. Of their eight children three are still living: Goldburg Anderson, a farmer in Washington County ; Ove T .; and Theodore, a farmer near Blair.
Ove T. Anderson was a child when his parents moved to Nebraska and acquired his early education in the country schools of Webster County. He also attended Dana College at Blair and the Fremont Nor- mal School. His liberal education has fitted him for his varied duties and responsibilities in public and business affairs. For a number of years he confined his attention to farming and left the farm to become deputy county clerk of Washington County. He filled that office five years and his experience thoroughly qualified him for his duties when he was elected county clerk. Mr. Anderson was the capable and efficient county clerk of Washington County nine years, retiring from the court- house in January, 1919. Since then he has devoted his time to the abstract business at Blair and has a complete record of abstracts enabling him to furnish prompt and reliable service in that line. He does an extensive real estate business and also represents a number of the stand- ard insurance companies. Mr. Anderson was secretary of the local exemption board during war times and gave much of his time to patriotic service.
January 31, 1915, he was married to Margaret Nielsen, who came with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Julius Nielsen, from Denmark to this country when she was only three months old. They settled in Kimball County, Nebraska, where Margaret grew to womanhood. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have an adopted daughter, Margaret, now three years of age. They are members of the Lutheran Church, and politically Mr. Anderson has always taken a working role in the republican party. Besides his business interests at Blair he owns farming lands in Washington County, but these are cultivated by tenants and renters.
REV. C. A. BEYERSDORFER. All classes of citizens in the community of Blair have recognized a source of inspiration and substantial factor in improving the moral and civic standards of the locality in the person of Father Beyersdorfer, pastor of the Catholic Church of Blair. Father Beyersdorfer is a highly educated young priest, is a constructive leader, and takes a willing interest in everything to promote the welfare of his home town and county.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.