USA > Nebraska > Dodge County > History of Dodge and Washington Counties, Nebraska, and their people, Volume II > Part 6
USA > Nebraska > Washington County > History of Dodge and Washington Counties, Nebraska, and their people, Volume II > Part 6
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His parents, Vaclav and Magdaline Reznicek, immigrated to the United States in 1886, coming directly to Nebraska. Purchasing land in Saunders County, they labored unceasingly in their efforts to improve a homestead, and on their farm reared their family of five children, all of whom are now living.
An ambitious student, noted for his good scholarship, Joseph F. Reznicek was given good, educational advantages after coming to this country, having attended the Joseph Medill High School in Chicago, two years, later taking a course in the Chicago Business College, and on his return to Nebraska studying two summers in the Fremont Normal School. Equipped for a professional career, he taught school in Saunders County four years, being quite successful as a teacher. Embarking then in mer-
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cantile pursuits, Mr. Reznicek conducted a general store at Morse Bluff, Saunders County, for twelve years. Selling out there in 1914, he estab- lished his present store in Dodge, putting in a well-selected stock of general merchandise, and in its management has met with unquestioned success, his trade being far-reaching and remunerative.
Mr. Reznicek married February 6, 1899, Anna Pavel, who was born in Butler County, Nebraska, near Abie, and to them nine children have been born, namely : Louis, employed in the First National Bank of Dodge ; Joseph, a clerk in his father's store; William, attending school near Chi- cago; Helen, Rosie, Albin, Lucy, Marie and Tillie. A stanch republican in politics, Mr. Reznicek has always taken a prominent part in the administration of public affairs, while living at Morse Bluff having served as village trustee, village clerk, village treasurer and as a school director. He is ex-mayor of Dodge and he performed the duties devolving upon him in that capacity with ability and fidelity. He is also ex-president of the Dodge Community Club, organized for the purpose of advancing the best and higher interests of the city. Religiously he is a Catholic, and socially he is supreme president of the Catholic Workmen and one of the board of directors of Z. C. K. J., a Bohemian Fraternal society.
GEORGE F. WOLZ. One of the most important developments of nation-wide importance is that which has brought about a recognition of the necessity for good roads, and the consequent building of magnifi- cent highways in every state in the Union. Much remains to be done, but the initial stage is past, and there are few who do not acknowledge the value of what has been accomplished and plan for an extension of the movement. One of the men who has played a very important part in this progressive work in the State of Nebraska, is George F. Wolz ot Fremont, now serving as president of the Good Roads Association of the State of Nebraska. For many years Mr. Wolz has been connected with the business life of Fremont, was its mayor for several terms, and his name is one which carries weight, so that his present connection is one of great value to the people who have the welfare of the state at heart.
George F. Wolz was born in the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on December 30, 1861, a son of George and Christianna (Basler) Wolz, of German descent. George Wolz, Sr., died during the war of the '60s from disabilities incurred during his period of service in the Union army, and at that time his son, George F. Wolz, was but three years old. The widow was later married to C. Balduff, both deceased.
When he was only six years old his mother brought George F. Wolz to Fremont, and here he has spent practically all his life since that time. Here he acquired his educational training, as well as that of business life, beginning the latter as a clerk in a store, of which later he became the proprietor, buying the business on time before he had reached his major- ity. He had no one to back him, but the man from whom he bought knew him and his reliability, and was willing to take his notes, and this man, like everyone else with whom Mr. Wolz has had any transactions, never had cause to regret his action in trusting to the young man's hon- esty and unusual ability.
It was in 1882 that Mr. Wolz became the owner of his own business, which was a bakery and confectionery establishment, and he remained in one building for a period of thirty-four years, or until 1916, when he sold so as to devote more of his time to affairs of public moment. This business was located at 530 Main Street, and was established in 1872
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by C. Balduff. During the first three years Mr. Wolz had a partner, W. S. Balduff, now of Omaha, Nebraska, but bought the interest of his associate. As time went on Mr. Wolz gradually expanded his business and did a very large wholesale trade. Still later he branched out as a caterer and for years was the only man in this business at Fremont. He did an immense business in ice cream, fruits and bakery goods. Dur- ing the life of the Commercial Club, he was among its active members and for the past ten years has been its secretary and later president and now commissioner.
Among the first to realize the necessity for improving the roads of Dodge and surrounding counties, Mr. Wolz brought to bear upon the matter the same steadiness of purpose and efficiency of method and today has the pleasure of realizing that his efforts have borne such fruit. that the requisite laws have been enacted, principally through his instru- mentality, and that the preliminary work has all been carried out. At present he is president of the Good Roads Association of Nebraska, his success in local matters having brought him to the attention of the enthusiasts on this subject in the state, and many of his ideas have been adopted by similar organizations in other states. For six successive years he was mayor of Fremont, and after a lapse of several years was again elected and served for two years more, so that much of the work of taking the municipality out of the village class and putting it where it belongs, among the thriving cities of the state, was done during his administration. All of the work was not done, of course, while he was in the office, but he laid the foundation, made the plans and assisted his successors to bring about the ends all of the good citizens held so dear. and his name will always be associated with constructive work in Fre- mont. He also served one term as senator from Dodge and Washington counties in the 1913 Legislature.
On February 15, 1883, Mr. Wolz was united in marriage to Maggie L. Pfeiffer, born at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and they have two daughters, namely : Ida, who was born on April 4, 1885, married Glenn O. Pope, train dispatcher at Chadron, Nebraska; and Laura, who was born on January 14, 1891, married Ray V. Stock, assistant cashier of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Fremont.
Mr. Wolz has been very successful in everything he has undertaken, and owns considerable real estate, is a director of the Farmers and Mer- chants Bank of Fremont, but devotes the greater portion of his time at present to carrying out the plans of his association, traveling all over the state in the interests of the good roads movement.
He is well known in fraternal orders, being a member of the Scottish Rite, Mount Tabor Commandery, Tangier Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of the Masonic fraternity, past officer of different branches of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias, is a member of the Elks, Lodge No. 514, Rotary Club, Travelers' Protective Association and United Commercial Travelers, past commander of Nebraska Division and member L. D. Richards Camp No.' 5, Sons of Veterans, and many other benevolent organizations.
From the beginning of his career Mr. Wolz has maintained a high standard of helpfulness and integrity. He has always been a hard-work- ing, clear-headed man of affairs, but, while for years he was deeply immersed in intensely practical matters, he always found the time to devote to his civic duties and his ability to solve problems of large moment has brought him conspicuously before the public.
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ARTHUR BLEYHL, manager of the Farmers Union Milling and Grain Company, at Snyder, is a worthy representative of the younger business element of Dodge and Washington counties. To a very considerable extent it is this element in any community, especially ontside of the large cities, which infuses spirit and zest into the activities of the place. It is this element whose entrance upon the arena of active life dates not far- ther back than a decade of years, which monopolizes much of the vigor, zeal and pushing energy which keep the nerves of the commercial world ramifying through all the lesser towns of the country strung to the full tension of strenuous endeavor. A pronounced type of the type of tireless workers thus described, Mr. Bleyhl has done much to advance the business interests of his company and of the community of his adoption.
Arthur Bleyhl was born on a farm in Dodge County, Nebraska, in 1893, and is a son of Albert and Katherine Bleyhl, natives of Germany. He was reared in an agricultural atmosphere, spending his boyhood in the country and obtaining his elementary education in the public schools of his native county. At first it was his ambition to follow the vocation of an educator, and with this end in view he pursued a teacher's course at the Fremont Normal School. After graduating from that institution, he com- menced his work as an instructor, and for one year taught in the rural schools of Boone County, then going to Dodge County, where he instructed the mind of youth for two terms. At the end of this time, Mr. Bleyhl's experience had convinced him that a teaching career would not prove con- genial, no matter how successful, and he therefore turned his attention in another direction, deciding to enter business matters. Accordingly, he sought and obtained employment in the hardware establishment of William J. Wolsleger at Snyder as a clerk and bookkeeper, positions which he retained during the year that he remained in Mr. Wolsleger's service. When he resigned these posts it was to accept the position of bookkeeper with the Farmers Union Milling and Grain Company at Snyder in 1917. He displayed energy, foresight, industry and fidelity, and in 1918 the officials advanced him to the post of manager, which he has since retained. Mr. Bleyhl is an exceptionally energetic and enterprising young man and thoroughly competent in business transactions. The honesty of his deal- ings is fully recognized by his fellow-townsmen, and although his advent at Snyder is of comparatively recent date, the general confidence which he has acquired presages a successful future. Under his management the business, in which he is a stockholder, has enjoyed a healthy and consistent growth, its products meeting with a steady demand, and at this time six men are given employment. Mr. Bleyhl has a number of civic, social and business connections, and is a popular member of the local lodge of the Hoo Hoos, the well-known lumbermen's fraternal organization.
HENRY SIEVERS. Among the representative citizens of Scribner, Nebraska, none are better known or held in higher esteem than Henry Sievers, who is vice president of the Scribner State Bank and officially connected with other organizations, in all of which his business sagacity is highly valued and his sterling character recognized as a distinct asset. He has been a resident of the United States since he was fifteen years old, and of the State of Nebraska for more than fifty years.
Henry Sievers was born in Germany, December 16, 1843. His parents were Christian and Christina Sievers, who came with their children to the United States in 1858. Three of the children, David, William and John, are deceased. Of the other three, Henry resides at Scribner; Charles is a farmer in South Dakota; and Christian is a retired resident
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of Scribner. The parents located at Moline, Illinois, where the father followed his trade of brickmaker for several years, moving then on a farm in Rock Island County. He spent his last years with his children, surviving to the age of eighty-seven years, the mother passing away at the age of seventy-seven. They were faithful members of the Lutheran Church.
Henry Sievers had attended school in his native land. His first occupation after reaching Illinois was farm work in Rock Island County, and he continued farming in that state until 1869, when he decided to become a resident of Nebraska. At the present time a journey from Illinois to Nebraska is but a pleasant and comfortable railway trip of a few hours, but fifty years ago it was a much more serious matter. Mr. Sievers was at that time a man of family and property, and it took much preparation before the start for the new home was made. The family traveled into Dodge County in a pioneer covered wagon having more or less adventure on the way but finally reaching the land that Mr. Sievers had homesteaded. It was entirely unimproved but the wagon sufficed for a home until a sod house could be made comfortable, and this humble dwelling remained the home of the Sievers family for some years.
In Illinois, in 1867, Henry Sievers was married to Ida Kleeman, also a native of Germany, and to this marriage the following children were born: Henry J., who is a farmer in South Dakota; Charles, who also lives on his farm in South Dakota; Frank, who lives retired at Huron, South Dakota: Ferdinand, who conducts a meat market at Scribner ; Augusta, who is the wife of George Cartens, a retired farmer in South Dakota; Anna, who is the wife of Henry Dringuis, a retired farmer of Scribner : Emil, who is a farmer in Dodge County; Ida, who is the wife of Dwight Martin, who is in the Government mail service at Scribner ; Walter, who lives retired at Scribner: Clara, who is the wife of Walter Aders, in the banking business at Dix, Nebraska ; and Alexander, Edward and Arthur, all of whom are deceased.
Although Mr. Sievers and his family did not entirely escape pioneer hardships, they were patient, resourceful and industrious, and the home- stead was rapidly developed and through careful cultivation became one of the most valuable farms in Dodge County. Mr. Sievers continued to farm and raise good stock for many years, resigning his heavy duties to younger hands at length and on retirement moved into Scribner. Here he has continued an active business man up to the present. As mentioned above, he is vice president of the Scribner State Bank, a solid, prosperous financial institution of Dodge County. He is also treasurer of the German Mutual Insurance Company of Dodge County. For many years he has belonged to the fraternal organization of Sons of Hermann. and takes part enjoyably in its social features. In political life he has always been an independent voter, and every public measure designed to permanently benefit Nebraska has his support. During his long resi- dence here he has seen so many changes and has known intimately so many people of consequence, that his reminiscences are more than usually interesting.
ROBERT C. BYERS, M. D. A member of the medical profession whose position is a highly creditable one and whose reputation is well extended over Dodge County, Doctor Byers has practiced in this section of Nebraska for seventeen years, and most of the time in the Nickerson community.
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Doctor Byers, who comes of a family of physicians, was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1877, a son of Dr. John N. and Jeannette (Hadwen) Byers. His mother was a native of England. His father, who was born in Canada in 1842, completed his medical education in Victoria College of Ontario, graduating in 1868, and was engaged in an extensive country practice in his native province until 1900. In that year he moved to Fontanelle, Nebraska, and continued the general practice of medicine. He was a member of the Episcopal Church and an independent in poli- tics. The children of Dr. John N. Byers were five in number; S. J., a physician in Rimbey. Alberta, Canada; George A., who is also in the family profession, practicing at Snyder: Bernard, a farmer in Alberta, Canada : Eleanor, wife of Dr. O. C. Hopper of Stanton, Nebraska, died April 20, 1920; and Robert C.
Robert C. Byers was liberally educated and graduated in 1903 from Western University of London, Ontario. He then came to the home of his father at Fontanelle and was engaged in practice in that community for four years, since which date he has looked after his professional interests at Nickerson, and gives all his time to the busy demands of his profession.
In 1907 he married Miss Laura Sexton, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. T. C. Sexton of Fremont, a well-known family of Dodge County. Dr. and Mrs. Byers have four children : Margaret, born in 1909; Eleanor, born in 1911 ; Patricia, born in 1917, and Robert C., born in 1919.
Doctor Byers is a member of the Elkhorn Valley, Dodge County and State Medical Association. He is a Knight Templar Mason, a member of the Episcopal Church in which he was reared, while Mrs. Byers belongs to the Baptist Church of Fremont.
WILSON B. REYNOLDS has gained precedence as one of the most suc- cessful exponents of the insurance business in his native state, and is one of the progressive men of affairs, of the younger generation, in his native City of Fremont, where he was born January 19, 1888. Here he is president of the corporation entitled Reynolds, Morrison & Rathburn Company, which is incorporated with a capital stock of $50,000, and which, in addition to maintaining the leading local insurance agency at Fremont, controls a large and constantly expanding general insurance business, with sub-agents not only in Nebraska but also in Kansas and South Dakota. This company is conceded to be the most important and successful concern of its kind in Nebraska, and conservative yet progres- sive policies govern all features of its widely extended service in the domain of insurance indemnity. Mr. Reynolds is also secretary of the Farm Home Realty Company, which is developing a splendid enterprise in the buying and selling of western farm lands, with its general head- quarters at Fremont.
Mr. Reynolds is a son of B. W. and Mary (Davies) Reynolds, the former of whom was born at Fremont, where his parents were num- bered among the earliest pioneer settlers, and his wife is a native of Wales. He has been a specially successful business man and influential citizen of Fremont for many years, and he is now president of the Farm Home Realty Company, of which his son is secretary and which does an extensive business in the handling of western land, as noted above. He and his wife are numbered among the honored citizens of Fremont, and with them their son, Wilson B., continues to maintain his home.
He whose name initiates this review continued his studies in the public schools of Fremont until his graduation in the high school as a
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member of the class of 1905. From the initiation of his independent career he has been continuously identified with the insurance business. He became secretary of the Colson-Reynolds Company, and later pur- chased the interest of Mr. Colson and effected a reorganization of the business, under the present corporate title of the Reynolds, Morrison & Rathburn Company. He has proved vital in his initiative and adminis- trative ability and has furthered policies that have inured greatly to the success of the two important business enterprises with which he is identified. He is an active and enthusiastic member of the Fremont Commercial Club, of which he served two years as vice president, and he was made president of the Fremont Advertising Club at the time of its organization. He is a republican in political adherency and is affil- iated with Fremont Lodge No. 514, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
WILLIAM J. WOLSLEGER. With the coming of Herman Wolsleger to Dodge County during the early '70s an element of strength and purpose was added to the upbuilding forces of a promising and prosperous community. That the ideals of work and citizenship cherished by this frontiersman have been transmitted to those succeeding him in the race is not questioned by those familiar with the history of the family. Mr. Wolsleger purchased a couple of years after it was founded at Snyder the town's first hardware establishment, and this is still being conducted by a member of the family, the son, William J. Wolsleger, who has also taken an important part in the various activities which have served to develop the community.
William J. Wolsleger was born in 1875 in Dodge County, Nebraska, a son of Herman and Clementina Wolsleger, the latter a native of Swit- zerland. Herman Wolsleger was born in Germany and was little more than a lad when he came to the United States, his first home here being in Illinois, where he located in 1860. During the war between the North and South he fought as a Union soldier for one and one-half years, being a member of the Ninth Illinois Cavalry. During the early '70s he made his way overland to Nebraska, where he was shortly afterward married, and here homesteaded eighty acres in Dodge County and a like acreage in Saunders County. During the early days he hauled ties for the Union Pacific Railway, but his chief interest was in his farming and stock-raising operations, in which he continued to be engaged after he had opened a hardware store at Snyder. He was a good citizen and was recognized as such by his fellow-citizens, who elected him to various offices, including those of member of the Board of County Commis- sioners and road overseer. His political support was given to the princi- ples and candidates of the democratic party. He and his worthy wife were the parents of ten children, as follows: Henrietta, the wife of Gus Becker, a farmer carrying on operations in Dodge County; Katie, who is deceased; William J., of this review; Julius and Emma, who are deceased; Lizzie, the wife of John Meyer, a farmer of Dodge County; Carrie, the wife of Albert Orlley, a South Dakota ranchman; Ida, the wife of James Lynch of Omaha; Edward, who is in the garage business at Snyder; and Arthur, deceased.
William J. Wolsleger acquired his education in the public schools of the rural districts of Dodge County, and as a youth became acquainted with business methods in his father's hardware store. After conducting this establishment for the elder man for about eight years, he bought the business and for a time handled harness and implements in connection
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with hardware. Later, however, he disposed of these lines, and at the present time carries a general and complete line of shelf and heavy hard- ware and paints, and is doing a thriving business, necessitating the employment of three men. During the twenty years that he has con- ducted his present establishment, Mr. Wolsleger has built up and main- tained a splendid reputation for honorable dealing and high business principles.
In 1902 Mr. Wolsleger was united in marriage with Miss Emma Schneider, daughter of Conrad Schneider, a pioneer business man of Snyder, and to this union there have been born six children : Magdalena, who is attending Hardin College, at Mexico, Missouri; Herman, who is deceased; two children who died in infancy ; and William and Conrad. with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Wolsleger are consistent members and generous contributors of the Lutheran Church. As a fraternalist, Mr. Wolsleger holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of which he is financier, and the Modern Woodmen of America, in which he is a member of the venerable council. While he is democratic in principle, he is an inde- pendent voter. At the present time he is serving efficiently as township clerk, and in the past has been justice of the peace two years and a member of the city council of Snyder. He is a stanch friend of education and was for five years treasurer of his school district. He is an enterprising and capable man, thoroughly posted on current events and in close sympathy with everything which tends to the development and growth of his native county.
H. P. WEITKAMP. A man of distinctive and forceful individuality, active and progressive, H. P. Weitkamp occupies a position of note among the leading business men of Winslow, where he is prosperously engaged in mercantile pursuits, owning and conducting the only hard- ware and furniture store in the place. A son of the late Herman Weit- kamp, he was born September 15, 1867, in St. Louis, Missouri, of German ancestry.
Born and bred in Westphalia, Germany, Herman Weitkamp came with his wife, Mary Weitkamp, to the United States in 1867. and spent the ensuing four years in St. Louis. Coming to Nebraska in 1871, he bought land in Washington County, near Fontanelle, and was there suc- cessfully engaged in tilling the soil until his death, December 23, 1917, at the advanced age of seventy-nine years. His wife preceded him to the better world, dying in 1906. Four children were born into their house- hold, as follows : H. P .; Mrs. Louis Frank, living on a farm in Washing- ton County; Mrs. Frank Krohn, whose husband is also farming in Washington County ; and W. H., living on the parental homestead, near Fontanelle.
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