History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 106

Author: Buechler, A. F. (August F.), 1869- editor
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Pub. and Engraving Co.
Number of Pages: 1011

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FRANK SALLINGER, one of Hall County's well known and highly respected citi- zens, now lives in comfortable retirement in Grand Island, after almost forty years of ac- tive life here as a farmer. He came to Hall County in 1879 and has never felt inclined to leave, finding here land, business opportunity, good neighbors and many friends.

Frank Sallinger was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, June 15, 1848, a son of Alda and Mary (Cokenaur) Sallinger, both of whom were born in Westmoreland County. They died in Pennsylvania aged re- spectively eighty and eighty-seven years. The father was a farmer all his active life. He was a quiet, industrious man, honest and fair in all dealings, a consistent member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and Republican in poli- tics.

In the country schools near his father's farm in Westmoreland County, Frank Sallinger obtained the usual education of the farmer boy of that peiod, laying a good foundation on which he built the higher, wider experi-

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ences of life. He began to be useful on the The father, who was a school teacher, died in home farm by the time he was twelve years . Germany and the mother with her family, in old and farm pursuits have interested him ever since. In 1879 he left his native state and came to Hall County, Nebraska, as above men- tioned, where he continued to be a farmer until 1913, when he retired and removed to Grand Island, locating in his comfortable home at No. 1836 Lafayette Avenue,

On December 31, 1871, Mr. Sallinger mar- ried Miss Margaret Kerns, who was born in Northumberland County, England, being brought to the United States when a small child, by her parents and reared in Pennsyl- vania. Mrs. Sallinger died in Nebraska, March 14, 1916. Her parents were natives of England from which country they emi- grated. The father died on the voyage to America and was buried at sea. The mother subsequently married August Nettle. She died in Hall County. Mr. and Mrs. Sallinger be- came the parents of seven children, five of whom are living, namely: Charles, lives in Hall County, married Mary Miles; Edward, residing in Grand Island, married Emma Ring, who was born on her parents' homestead in Hall County ; Frank, also lives at Grand Is- land; Jennie, the wife of William Thomas, of Hall County; and William, who lives in Perkins County, Nebraska, has been twice married, first to Maggie Benson and after her death married Katherine Nagel. Mr. Sallinger is a member of the Trinity Methodist Episco- pal church, Grand Island. He has never de- sired to hold public office but has been inter- ested in the developement of this section as a good citizen. He votes with the Republican party.

WILLIAM A. HAGGE. - The history of a community is best told in the life record of its citizens. In gathering the records for the early history of Hall County, we find that the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch is one of the three survivors of the original colony that settled on the present site of Grand Island, and at a meeting held to decide upon a name for the new town, the name finally adopted was the one suggested by William A. Hagge. It is nearly sixty-two years since that little band of sturdy German people came here and during all these years the subject of this record has been a resident of this com- munity.

William A. Hagge was born in the village of Pratsdorf, province of Holstein, Germany, April 3, 1834, a son of Johann and Ida (Klindt) Hagge, natives of the same province.

company with a party of neighbors started for America. The were opposed to the militarism in vogue in that country, and to escape the possibility of its young men having to serve in the army, they sought refuge on this side of the Atlantic. They sailed from the harbor of Hamburg on April 9, 1849, on a vessel flying the Russian flag, and from the start were pursued by Danish warships. The ship also encountered severe storms and after a voyage of eight weeks they landed at New Orleans. Cholera was raging at the time and the, disease attacked the little band. Before they reached St. Louis several of their number had succumbed to the dread dis- ease, among the number being the mother, an older brother and a sister of our subject. The party continued up the Missis- sippi River to Davenport, Iowa, and here William A. Hagge grew to manhood and be- came a merchant. His store enjoyed the best German trade in Davenport and he continued to prosper until the panic of 1857, and though there was much money owing him he was forced to give up the business. It was that year that a party of congressmen and bankers of Washington, D. C., planned to form a colony in the valley of the Platte somewhere in Nebraska, and Mr. Hagge became a mem- ber of the second Nebraska colony and was with them when they settled on the present site of Grand Island. Here Mr. Hagge took a homestead and a pre-emption claim and be- came a successful farmer. He erected the first house to be built in the neighborhood which was destoyed by a prairie fire the next year. He was the first justice of peace of this district and the first trial on record was held before him.

He has always been a Republican in politics and took an active part in all things that had to do with the developement of the county. He was called to public office and served two terms as treasurer of Hall County. Later he engaged in the banking business, but for many years has lived retired, his sons under the name of Hagge Brothers carrying on the work of the farm.

October 26, 1865, occurred the marriage of William A. Hagge and Miss Caroline S. Mol- ler, who was born in the village of Darry, Holstein, Germany, February 10, 1846. Her parents, Frederick and Katrina (Lillienthal) Moller, emigrated to America in 1857 and settled first in Davenport, Iowa, and in 1859 became residents of Hall County. They drove overland from Iowa with horse and ox teams

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and cast their lot with the early settlers of Washington township. They were farming people and spent the remainder of their lives here, the father passing away at the age of eighty-five and the mother was seventy-two when called to her final rest.

Mr. and Mrs. Hagge became the parents of eight children, seven of whom are living: Ida Adelia, the wife of Harman C. Petersen, of Davenport, Iowa; Emma, married F. W. Behrns and resides at home; William A., Jr., and Frederick J. are operating the old farm; August W., is a member of the firm of Hagge Brothers, and for twenty years has been on the agricultural staff of the American Beet Sugar Company ; Helen M., the wife of John G. Roby, residing in Hall County; Clara, unmarried and resides at home; and Minnie, who died at the age of nineteen.

Though for several years Mr. Hagge has been bereft of his hearing and his eyesight is impaired, he still delights in recounting the reminiscenses of the early days. He is one of the few remaining pioneers to whom we are in- debted for the information that makes possible an authentic history of Hall County. He en- dured the hardships, overcame obstacles and helped to make the community a better place in which to live. Indians, grasshoppers, prairie fires and drouth were some of the trials they had to meet. On one occasion Mr. Hagge had gone to the woods for a log when he was sur- rounded by Indians. When they searched him a postage stamp was all they found. His re- sourcefulness was brought into play and when he told them that this stamp was his protection, and that if he was harmed Uncle Sam would deal harshly with them at once, they seemed satisfied and went on the way leaving him unharmed.

A full account of the trials and experi- ences of these early settlers will be found in the general history and the people of the county should appreciate the opportunity to have this done before it is too late. In giving space to those who are deserving especial men- tion, we trust the life record here preserved will prove not only an inspiration to his own family but to all future generations of Hall County.

JOHN H. WINDOLPH, one of Grand Island's well known business men and re- putable citizens, bears a name that has been held in great respect in Hall County for over a half century. Mr. Windolph was born in Hall County, Nebraska, January 6, 1871, the eldest of the four children of John L, and

Mary (Magdalene) Windolph, the latter of whom is deceased. His father was born in Ger- many. He came to the United States in early manhood, and to Hall County, Nebraska, in 1861. An octogenarian but still vigorous in mind and body, he now lives in comfortable retirement on a part of his original homestead adjoining the city limits of Grand Island.

John H. Windolph was educated in the public schools of Hall County and the Grand Island Business College. He has been em- ployed by his father more or less throughout his entire business life and it is recognized that he possesses decided commercial ability. He is now operating the finely improved farm of eighty acres, all that the reaching out and expansion of Grand Island has left of the original homestead which grew to a farm of 240 acres. Business streets and fine residences now occupy the rest of the land other than the home farm, it having been sold gradually after being divided in city lots. Mr. Windolph has spent his entire life in Hall County with the exception of two and a half years during which he was looking after his father's prop- erty in Oklahoma. He gives his father assist- ance in looking after the latter's many Grand Island interests.

January 20, 1909, Mr. Windolph married Miss Helen Krause, a daughter of W. T. and Pauline (Gebauer) Krause, who came to Hall County in 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Windolph have two children: Chester Charles and Marie Magdalena. They are members of the Roman Catholic church. In politics Mr. Windolph is a Republican. He has never accepted political office, but for five years was member of the Grand Island Fire Department, and secretary of the same as well as secretary of the Pacific Hose Volunteer Company No. 1.

SIMON NYCUM LYSINGER, a substan- tial citizen of Grand Island, has been identified with the city's best interests for the past twenty years, but he is still interested in agri- cultural pursuits, owning large bodies of valu- able land in different sections, aggregating over 1,700 acres.

Simon N. Lysinger was born in Bureau County, Illinois, March 18, 1854, one of a family of seven children born to Isaac and Rachel (Sparks) Lysinger, who were natives of Pennsylvania. The father was born in 1820 and died in 1897, at which time he owned 260 acres of land in Illinois. He setttled in that state in 1852 and remained there, gradually acquiring land through his industry. He was a Republican in politics. The mother of Simon

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N. Lysinger was a member of the English Lutheran church. Of their three surviving children, Simon N. is the only one living in Hall County. He came to this state on March 4, 1874, settling in Hamilton County, where he took an 80 acre timber claim to which he subsequently added land by purchase until now he owns over 400 acres in Hamilton County alone. His only property in Hall County is his comfortable, commodious residence beautifully located in Grand Island, but he has 320 acres of farm land in Oklahoma, and has 1,000 acres in Oregon. Mr. Lysinger had com- mon school advantages in Illinois, and at the age of twenty years began business as a farmer on his own account. He resided on his farm in Hamilton County managing his industries himself until 1899, when he came to Grand Island. Since then he has had his sons asso- ciated with him, two of whom have been called from the peaceful home circles to take part in the World War.

In Aurora, Nebraska, November 1, 1874, Mr. Lysinger married Miss Julia E. Lehen. The following children have been born to them: Anastasia, who lives at Grand Island, is the widow of William Harrison; Isaac L., who resides at Comstock, Nebraska, married Emma Peachon; Mary E., the wife of Albert Sprague, of York, Nebraska; Harriet H., the wife of Horton Tully, of Spaulding, Ne- braska; Joseph, a resident of Kansas City ; Lenora, the wife of Emmet O'Connell, of Minneapolis, Minnesota ; Gertrude C., the wife of Omer Schills, of Grand Island ; Bessie, the wife of Louis Rigle, of Savannah, Georgia; Evelyn, the wife of Donald Martin, of Helena, Montana; and Simon Richard and Lawrence L., both of whom are members of the Ameri- can Expeditionary Force in France. Mr. Ly- singer has given his children educational and other advantages and without exception, they are respected members of society. Mrs. Lysing- er is a member of the Roman Catholic church. An active citizen in all that concerns the wel- fare of country and community, Mr. Lysinger feels better satisfied in political matters, to cast his vote according to his own intelligent judg- ment than to submit to the domination of any particular party.

JOHN SCHIMMER, a member of an old and important family of Hall County, has spent his entire life here and is interested in Hall County enterprises. He was born in Hall County, Nebraska, October 11, 1873, and is a son of Martin Schimmer, who is widely known as a capitalist, farmer and stockman. An ex-

tended history of the Schimmer family will be found in this work.

John Schimmer grew up on his father's farm and was educated in the public schools of Hall. County and the Grand Island Business Col- lege. He is operating a farm for his father and together they are interested extensively in buying and feeding stock, annually handling about 700 beef cattle, and also turning out a car load of hogs. Their business standing in every market is the best. Mr. Schimmer is concerned also with the operation of the well known and popular summer resort, Sand Krog, which is under the able management of his sister, Mrs. Lena Scheel. Sand Krog was founded by his father in 1874 and was the first road house in Hall County.

On May 5, 1896, John Schimmer married Miss Anna Thavenet, a daughter of George and Maggie (Scheel ) Thavenet, now deceased, who were pioneer settlers in Hall County. Mr. and Mrs. Schimmer have two sons: Martin and Walter, both of whom reside at home. Mr. Schimmer is not identified with any political party but is a careful, watchful citizen and casts his vote according to his own excellent judgment. He belongs to the fraternal order of Eagles, attending the lodge at Grand Is- land. He maintains his home at Sand Krog.

ROBERT PAGE SHIPTON. - Undoubt- edly the teacher is right who declared that the greatest task in the world is the turning the soil each year for the growing of crops. The importance of farming in all its branches is thoroughly recognized in Hall County, where many of the most intelligent young men turn each year to this industry, and thus contribute to their own prosperity and the nation's. wealth. One of the wide-awake, enterprising farmers of Washington township is Robert P. Shipton, who is operating a large tract of land situated on section five and meeting with deserved success.

Robert Page Shipton was born in Hall County, Nebraska, April 10, 1881, the son of Samuel F. and Lovina S. (Davison) Shipton, the latter of whom was born in Illinois, April 10, 1862. The father of Mr. Shipton was born in Kentucky, but early in life went to Illinois, and from there came to Hall County in 1879. He still owns the farm purchased when he first came here but now lives retired in Alda, Hall County. He has been more or less active in Democratic politics and both he and wife are faithful members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church. For some years he has been identified with the M. W. A. and the Digitized by Google

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A. O. U. W. fraternal organizations. His three children are as follows: Robert P., who grew up on the home farm; Ella, the wife of Wesley Knox, of Alda, Nebraska; and Cassie, the wife of Mark Hessel, of Alda.

Mr. Shipton completed the public school course in Hall County and then spent some time in the Normal school at Fremont, follow- ing which he engaged in farming, in which business he has been interested ever since. At the present time he is operating a well im- proved farm that belongs to his father-in-law, Martin Schimmer, and through his careful methods is making it one of the most profit- able estates in Washington township.

On March 21, 1907, Mr. Shipton married Miss Dora Schimmer, born July 19, 1878, the daughter of Martin Schimmer, who is a prominent farmer and stockman of Hall County. Mr. and Mrs. Shipton have three children: Lorraine, born March 4, 1908; Hazel, born August 21, 1909; and Samuel, born July 1, 1915. Like his father, Mr. Ship- ton is a Democrat, and belongs to the same fraternal orders, in addition he belongs to the F. O. E.

JOHN L. WINDOLPH. - There were not many householders in Grand Island, not more than seven or eight all told, when John L. Windolph came here over a half century ago. Fine, sturdy people they were and Mr. Win- dolph knew them all. For many years of an industrious life he worked for and with them in developing what has been made one of the finest cities in the state of Nebraska. This venerable and highly esteemed resident of Hall County, despite the weigth of eighty-three years, can so clearly recall people and events of the long ago, that it is a privilege as well as pleasure to listen to his reminiscences. Mr. Windolph has lived in Hall County for fifty-eight years. John L. Windolph was born in the village of Buchwilde, Ger- many, July 27, 1836. He was one of two children born to Nicholas and Elizabeth (Bingel) Windolph, and the only member of his family to come to the United States, His father followed the trade of wool carder. After a certain period spent in the public school, John L. Windolph was apprenticed to a cab- inetmaker with whom he worked faithfully and laboriously. According to the rules of the trade, he was not considered entirely compet- ent until he had traveled as a journeyman worker for three years. He started out on a small capital but was confident of earning more

very easily, for he had become exceedingly expert as a cabinetmaker. He was about einghteen years old when he and his friend Lucas Flom, decided that they could probably do journeyman work just as profitably in America as in Europe, hence they took pass- age for the United States. The first city in which he worked at his trade in this country, was Sandusky, Ohio. After being employed there a few months he went to Logansport, Indiana, and a few months later to St. Louis, Missouri, and found himself on the way west ..

In the meanwhile, Mr. Windolph had formed the acquaintance of Christopher Cornelius, Hans Maas and Philip Feldtman, and together they decided to look the country over with the idea of securing homesteads in the western country. They started for St. Louis and landed in Hall County, Nebraska, May 20, 1861, but went on to St. Louis and continued their inspection trip in that territory several months. Then Cornelius and Maas went to Davenport, Iowa, Feldtman went first to Fort Kearny and then to Toledo, Ohio. Mr. Win- dolph found no place that pleased him as well as Hall County, so he settled in Grand Island. Although at that time there was no demand for the fine finished workmanship of the cabi- netmaker, the country was being settled and there was need of a carpenter and Mr. Win- dolph with his expert knowledge of tools, had no difficulty in turning his skill in that direc- tion. His services were required very often to put up doors and fit window sash in the new log houses, and he was the carpenter that built the old O. K. store well remembered by the pio- neers. The first slab turned out by the local sawmill was secured by Mr. Windolph and from it he fashioned a stool that he yet owns. He proved an astute business man as well as good workman, for he pre-empted 160 acres of land adjoining the village of Grand Island, of which land he still owns a small tract, the larger part of the original body having been divided into city lots and sold most advantage- ously. He owns several valuable building lots in Grand Island that he keeps as an invest- ment, and also lots one and two in block sev- enty-nine which he has improved with store buildings.

Mr. Windolph married Miss Mary Jenne- man, whose parents lived and died in Germany. There were four children born to them: John H, who resides on the old home place in .Grand Island; Anna, married and lives at Washington, D. C .; Frank, who lives in Den- ver, Colorado; and Christopher, who is de- ceased. Mrs. Windolph passed away Decem- ber 6, 1906. Mr. Windolph has always been

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a faithful member, as was his wife, of the Roman Catholic church. He has never been very active in politics, not because of indiffer- ence to neighborhood progress, but because he has been a very busy man and inclined to look closely after his own business rather than that of others. He always casts his vote ac- cording to his own judgment and it is always on the side of law and order.

MRS. LENA SCHEEL. - There are many residents of Hall County who have been royally entertained at the fine summer resort, Sand Krog, on Schimmer's Lake, near Grand Island, and all of these acknowledge the busi- ness capacity and executive ability of Mrs. Lena Scheel, who with her brother John is general manager.

Mrs. Scheel was born in Hall County, Ne- braska, August 3, 1882. She is a daughter of Martin Schimmer, a sketch of whom will be found in this work. Mrs. Scheel was edu- cated in the public schools and remained at home with her parents until her marriage, in 1903 to Hans D. Scheel. He was born Sep- tember 28, 1879, and died Stepember 26, 1912. His parents were Henry and Anna (Reuting) Scheel, the former being a native of Germany and now deceased, and the latter of Pennsyl- vania but now lives in Grand Island. For one year after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Scheel resided in Grand Island, but in 1904 they went to Sand Krog, where Mrs. Scheel still re- sides and operates the summer resort. Sand Krog was founded in 1874 by Mrs. Scheel's father, Martin Schimmer, being the first road house in the county. It has always been a properly conducted resort and is beauti- fully located on a body of water that gives opportunity for fishing and water sports. The hotel is very popular and every summer is crowded with pleasure seekers. Mrs. Scheel is an admirable hostess and watches carefully the welfare of her guests. She has four chil- dren : Louis D., Elmer E., Henry F. and Evelyn E. Scheel. Sand Krog is situated one quarter mile west of the large stock farm of Martin Schimmer, who is one of Hall County's extensive dealers.

JUERGEN CLAUSEN, a leading citizen of Hall County and in every way a representative of its best interests, accompanied his parents to the United States, almost a half century ago. He was born September 28, 1853, in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, the son of Claus and Christina (Wresener) Clausen, natives of

the same province, where the father was a mason contractor.

In 1870 Claus Clausen decided to follow his eldest son, Peter Clausen, who had come to the United States in 1869. Emigrating from the old country the family reached America safely and traveled as far west as the Mississippi River, spending their first year at Clinton, Iowa. land and establish a settled home. To this end he took advantage of the opportunity in Ne- braska and in 1871 took up a claim in Hall County. On this land he continued to live throuhgout his life, his death occurring May 3, 1903. His widow survived him only a few months, her death following on October 4, of the same year. They had four children : Peter, now deceased; Anna, the wife of John Schuett, of Boelus, Nebraska; Claus, who lives in Grand Island, a farmer, married Kate Lassen, now deceased; and Juergen, who lives on the old homestead in Washington township. Claus Clausen was a highly respected man, was a very successful agriculturist and stock raiser. Both he and his wife belonged to the Lutheran church. He was very enterprising and is cred- ited with the aid of his sons, with making the first brick ever mixed and burned in Hall County. He found the clay on his own land and quickly turned it to good account. Conse- quently the family did not have to live in log houses or dugouts quite as long as did many of their neighbors, all having substantial brick residences built by themselves. Mr. Clausen also constructed his own windmiill, possessing much ingenuity and mechanical skill.

Juergen Clausen was seventeen years old when he accompanied his parents to the United States, having attended school previously in Germany. He worked for his father until he was twenty-five years old, in the meanwhile, about 1875, taking up a homestead at Boelus, in Howard County, Nebraska. He lived on his place for a short time and then sold his claim and returned to the homestead as his father needed him. His brothers Peter and Claus determined to explore the region west of Dannebrog and if possible, homestead there. At that time the Sioux Indians were giving the settlers much trouble and United States sol- diers were preventing the savages from com- ing south. The Clausens, however, broke through the military line, believing they could take care of themselves, but they found out their mistake when the Sioux drove them back.

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History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 106

Author: Buechler, A. F. (August F.), 1869- editor Publication date: 1920 Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Pub. and Engraving Co. Number of Pages: 1011

Author: Buechler, A. F. (August F.), 1869- editor
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Pub. and Engraving Co.
Number of Pages: 1011