History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 113

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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August Schimmer obtained his education in the schools of Washington township, and has always lived on the old homestead. He owns 157 acres of highly improved land, on which he carries on general farming and stockraising, prospering exceedingly as he de- serves to do.

On March 1, 1899, Mr. Schimmer was united in marriage to Miss Clara Ewoldt. They have the following children: Eddie, Helene, Augusta and Henry. Although an independent voter, Mr. Schimmer was elected to the office of township clerk on the Repub- lican ticket, his personal popularity being a factor, which continues, as evidenced by his being twice re-elected. He has always been a great friend of the public schools and for six years served as school director, and it may be here noted that his school district has no trouble in carrying off scholarship honors.

After suffering from several fires, the father of Mr. Schimmer began to think of a farmer's

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MR. AND MRS. HENRY SCHIMMER

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fire insurance company, which resulted in the organization of the Holsatia Fire Insurance Company, a mutual affair, which carries risks in Hall and adjoining counties and has been a boon to many of its members. It was orga- nized by Henry and Martin Schimmer, the former being treasurer during the rest of his life, his son August succeeding him in office. Martin Schimmer is president of the company, and Frederick Thommsen, of Alda township, is secretary. It was through this company that the farmers of this section for three suc- cessive years were saved from losing their entire crops, the years 1884, 1885 and 1886. Mr. Schimmer belongs to the Non-Partisan League and the Farmers Union, is also a member of the Plattsdeutch Verein, a German social organization, at Grand Island.

FREDERICK T. LOESCHER, one of the . oldest citizens of Hall County, and held in high regard, was born in the province of Reus, Germany, October 15, 1844. His parents were John G. and Christina (Sermann) Loescher. The father was a carpenter in Germany. He came to the United States with his family in May, 1850, and lived four years in Calumet County, Wisconsin, then removed to Winne- bago County. In 1875 he came to Hall County, purchasing the farm on which his son Frederick now lives. He died in Sep- tember, 1877, and the mother died November 24, 1887. Of their seven children all died in infancy except Frederick T.

When Frederick T. Loescher accompanied his parents to Hall County, he was thirty-one years old, having had farm experience in Wis- consin. He has lived since on the farm his father bought in 1875, but retired in March, 1918, having lived on this farm continuously with the exception of two years. He can recall not only early days in Hall County, but many interesting incidents of pioneer exper- ience in Wisconsin. During the early days here he relates how each family was entitled to five bushels of wheat and as that cereal was so scarce, his mother ground seeds of weeds into a flour that made a palatable bread but was uninviting on account of its black color. The family, however, seemed to thrive on potato pancakes. The home was twenty-

five miles from a town and they traveled with oxen. The first few years in Hall County were discouraging on account of the grass- hopper invasions. He relates that once, on visiting the Loup River, he found the water thick with the insects. All such experiences and hardshrips have long since passed away,

and Mr. Loescher has lived to feel happy and contented that Hall County is his home.

On November 24, 1870, Mr. Loescher mar- ried Miss Louise D. Raatz, a daughter of Christian and Wilhelmina (Schroeder) Raatz. Thirteen children were born to them : William who lives in Lake township, married Ella Spotholt; Agnes, the wife of Ernest Wagner; Bertha, the wife of Albert Niemoth ; Minnie, the wife of Fred Hengen; Emma, deceased, was the wife of Edward Niemoth; Herman, who lives at Belgrade, Nebraska, married Rose Peters ; Chrales and Laura, who live in Grand Island; Frank, who died July 29, 1915; Fred- erick E., who lives on his father's farm, and three who died in infancy.

A. P. DRAKE. - In the passage of almost a half century, change comes about in a com- munity as well as in an individual, and marked indeed is the change that has come over Hall County within that period. With the coming here of young men of vigor and enterprise, the wild prairie became cultivated farms, the homes of an industrious, contented people, who have become representative of Ne- braska's best citizenship. One who has taken an active part in the agricultural develop- ment of Hall County is A. P. Drake, whose valuable farm is situated in Wood River town- ship.

A. P. Drake was born in Lake County Illinois, October 10, 1849. His parents were John C. and Mary E. (Garwood) Drake, the former of whom was born in Maine and the latter in Pennsylvania. They had two chil- dren : A. P. and Alice J. The latter resides in South Dakota, the widow of William Thompson, one of the early engineers on the Union Pacific Railroad. For many years the father was a prosperous farmer in Illinois.

In his native neighborhood, Mr. Drake had school advantages in boyhood and remained at home with his father until 1871, when he came to Hall County, taking up a homestead the same year. He contended with early hard- ships here as did his neighbors, but never lost courage, and now owns one hundred and sixty acres of some of the finest land in Wood River township. He has all of his land under profitable cultivation and his improvements have kept pace with the development of the soil. While proving up on his land, Mr. Drake drove a stage between Sidney and Deadwood for five years, and in that business saw much adventure and faced many dangers. His rec- ollections and stories of those early days are exceedingly interesting.

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On December 29, 1876, Mr. Drake married Miss Susan C. King, who was born in Illinois. They have three children: Julia May, the wife of Louis Stoup, of Montana; John C., the home farmer, and Alice Gertrude, the wife of William Brauer, of Wood River town- ship. In politics Mr. Drake has always been a staunch Republican. He is known all over the county and is held in high regard.

MARTIN L. WISEMAN, Jr., a thor- oughly experienced farmer, is successfully operating one hundred and sixty acres of well improved land which makes him one of the substantial men of Wood River township. He was born in Frederick County, Maryland, the son of Martin Luther and Martha A. (Ray) Wiseman. His mother died in 1882 but his father survives and is yet active in agricultural life, being an extensive farmer in Hall County.

Martin Luther Wiseman, Jr., came with his father to Hall County in 1886 and . obtained his schooling here. From boyhood he has followed farm pursuits and all through the experiences that have later come to him in the management of his own property, he has been glad that he had early and thorough training along agricultural lines. To operate profitably a farm in modern days a man does not have to be a college graduate, but he must have much knowledge that very often has never appeared on any college curriculum, hence practical training and years of exper- ience are valuable possessions. Mr. Wiseman is not specializing to any extent, general farm- ing covering his activities.

On February 26, 1902, Mr. Wiseman mar- ried Miss Bessie Cross, whose people came to Hall County in 1894. They have three inter- esting, intelligent children: Edith, Mildred and Ruth. Mr. Wiseman and his family are members of the Presbyterian church. In pol- itics he votes independently. He is a Mason in good standing and belongs also to the Woodmen of the World.

JAMES HENRY ELIJAH, a highly re- spected citizen and substantial farmer of Wood River township, has been a resident of Hall County for nineteen years. He came here in 1903, bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Wood River township and has made of this a highly productive farm.

James Henry Elijah was born in Cedar County, Iowa, May 14, 1866. His parents were Allen and Anna (Nicoll) Elijah, the

former was born in Delaware County, New York and the latter in Scotland, in 1836. The mother of Mr. Elijah is deceased, but her father survives and resides in the home of his son a part of the time at Clarence, Iowa, being now a man of venerable age. In his active years he worked at the carpenter trade, and in Iowa, at one time, was an extensive raiser of stock in Cedar County. Mr. Elijah was reared on a farm in Iowa and for thirty years was in the cattle business in Montana, and still retains his interests in the stock bus- iness there. The family have lived in Hall County and in Montana since the year they bought the farm.

On June 26, 1901, James H. Elijah married Miss Nellie Sylvester, who was born in Cedar County, Iowa, August 12, 1871. Her parents were Peter Bent and Catherine (Mckibben) Sylvester, natives of New York. The father of Mrs. Elijah died in 1918. The mother still resides there. Mr. and Mrs. Elijah have six children: Harold, Leonard, James, Ralph, David and Catherine, all living with their par- ents on the well improved home farm. Mrs. Elijah had educational advantages in Iowa, and is a member of the Presbyterian church.

HANS WIESE, one of the older German settlers of Wood River township, has carried on general farming here for many years. He owns five hundred and forty acres of well improved land. He has not only set a good example in industry and frugality, but has never been lacking in those qualities that have made him a good citizen and a friendly neigh- bor.

Hans Wiese was born in Germany, October 8, 1843. His parents were Paul and Bertha (Spiet) Wiese. He was the youngest born of their six children, the others being: Celia, who is deceased, the wife of Henry Wiese, also deceased ; James, who is deceased ; Peter, who lives in Hall County; Anna, deceased, who was the wife of Henry Wiese, also de- ceased, and Margaret, who is the widow of James Dibbins. In his native land, Hans Wiese worked as a laborer until 1864 when he came to the United States. He settled first in Scott County, Iowa, and from there came to Hall County, Nebraska, in 1871, pur- chasing railroad land in Wood River town- ship. He has placed excellent improvements on his land, and could easily sell his entire five hundred and forty acres for many times the amount he paid for it.

In 1869 Mr. Wiese married Miss Catherine Hirt, and they have had five children: Emma,

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the wife of Julius.C. Strasser, of Hall County ; William, who lives on the home place; Charles, deceased; Matilda, the wife of Frank Strasser, and August, who lives in Lexington in Dawson County. Mr. Wiese is an inde- pendent voter. He has been a member of the Lutheran church since his youth. He has seen wonderful changes in this section since he first came here, having passed through the hardships and privations of the early days to now enjoy during his sunset years a well de- served competency. Many of the contempo- rary pioneers of his day have passed away but he lives to enjoy the innovations of the present day.

ALBERT E. LUEBS. - In some sections of Nebraska where intelligent and ambitious young men live, the fostering of agriculture is well under way. This is to be seen in the number of well cultivated farms and fine large herds of blooded cattle. Where some exceptionally well developed properties arouse unusual interest, the owner or operator is, in all probability, a progressive young man, who has had training in an agricultural school, and his activities are directed according to scientific methods. The visitor in Hall County may meet just such an enthusiastic and trained farmer as this in Albert E. Luebs, who is carrying on general farming in Wood River township.

Albert E. Luebs is a Nebraskan, born in Hall County, January 27, 1891. His father, Henry Luebs, who lives retired in Grand Island, was a prominent farmer and stock- raiser in Hall County for many years. Albert E. is a son of his second marriage. The Luebs are all men of sterling character and through marriage are connected with many other leading old families of the county. After Albert E. Luebs completed his public school education, he entered the agricultural department of the State University at Lin- coln, where he spent three useful years. Upon his return home he rented three hundred acres of well improved land from his father, who owns many acres of farm land in the county. Here the young farmer is putting his acquired knowledge into practice with most gratifying results, having been very successful in all he has undertaken.

On February 20, 1918, Mr. Luebs married Miss Olive Smeaton, who was born in Hall County, to whichi her parents came many years ago in pioneer days. Mr. and Mrs. Luebs are members of the Lutheran church. He is an active member of the Grange and

is interested in all matters and movements that promise to be of benefit to agricultural progress. He is also a member of the order of Royal Highlanders.

DANIEL ELROY HARVEY WISE- MAN. - It was from Maryland that the Wiseman family came to Hall County where it is now quite numerous. For generations the Wisemans have been noted for their suc- cess in agricultrual pursuits. A well known member of this highly respected family is Daniel Elroy Harvey Wiseman, who owns one hundred and twenty acres of well im- proved land situated in section 28, Wood River township. Mr. Wiseman was born in Frederick County, Maryland, June 10, 1882, a son of Martin Luther and Martha A. (Ray) Wiseman, who came to Hall County in 1886.

Daniel E. H. Wiseman obtained his educa- tion in Hall County, and from boyhood he has been connected with farming, first with his father and afterward on his own account. He is wide awake and progressive and is carrying. on his agricultural operations with entire success. In 1903 he married Miss Maude E. Burmood. They have two sons: Harvey E. and Glenn Lee, both of whom are attending school. Mr. Wiseman and family attend the Presbyterian church. He devotes comparatively little time to politics, taking more interest in his farm and stock than polit- ical campaigns. He is a good, quiet, peaceable citizen who can always be depended upon in times of real necessity. He owns a herd of registered Jersey cows and is specializing in Poland-China hogs.

ADOLPH KRUSE, whose valuable farm

. of one hundred and sixty acres is situated in Center township, is the representative of an old pioneer family of Hall County that has been highly respected here and has been use- fully concerned in agriculturai efforts for many years. The Kruse family has never desired political prominence, but it has taken some pride in its reputation as steady and honest, and as strong in its support of the Lutheran church.

Adolph Kruse is a native of this section, born in Hall County, Nebraska, September 12, 1877, a son of Henry Kruse. After at- tending school in boyhood, he assisted his father on the farm and in the course of time became a farmer on his own account. He not only carries on general farming but raises many fine horses and operates his own land Digitized by

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and an additional eighty acres which he rents. He is one of the well informed farmers in his township, making practical and successful ap- plication of his knowledge to insure the prof- itable carrying out of his farm enterprises.

On April 5, 1905, Mr. Kruse married Miss Katie Kearns. They are members of the Lutheran church.

GEORGE NICHOLAS RAUERT, who devotes his time and attention to raising cattle and hogs, together with general farming, is well known in Hall County, where his life has been passed. He is a representative of one of the early pioneer families of the county, his grandparents coming here with their chil- dren, in 1866. Since then the family has been identified with land development here, and its reputation for successful agricultural effort is second to none in the county.

George Rauert was born in Hall County, June 27, 1882, and is a son of James and Anna (Tagge) Rauert, the latter of whom, died September 11, 1895. The father of Mr. Rauert was born in Germany in 1851, ac- companied his parents to the United States when fifteen years old, assisted his mother after the early death of his father, and now lives retired in Grand Island, in which city he owns a comfortable home. From boyhood George Rauert has followed farm pursuits. He has recently purchased one hundred and sixty acres of well improved land, situated in Mayfield township, and while he gives careful attention to general farming, the raising of fine cattle and hogs is made a leading feature. In 1908 Mr. Rauert married Miss Minnie Behring. They have four children: Ida, Louis, Albert and Lillie, all residing at home and with their parents regularly attending religious services in the Lutheran church. Mr. Rauert is a fine, upstanding citizen of Mayfield township, being always ready to pro- mote her best interests, but has never been ac- tively concerned in political matters. He belongs to several German social organizations that were established many years ago in Grand Island.

MARTIN L. WISEMAN, one of Hall County's highly respected citizens, has been a resident for many years of Wood River township, where he owns well improved prop- erty. Mr. Wiseman was born in Frederick County, Maryland, March 16, 1850, the son of Daniel and Catherine (Palmer) Wiseman, who spent their lives in Maryland. Of their

eight children four are living; Martin Luther is the second born. The others are: Mary, who lives with her brother, Martin Luther; John. P., who lives at Knoxville, Maryland, and Samuel, who lives in Loup County, Ne- braska. The parents were members of the Lutheran church.

Martin Luther Wiseman went to work on a farm as soon as his school days were over. Farm wages were very low in Maryland at that time, and Mr. Wiseman worked on a neighbor's farm for three dollars a month. In the course of time he became interested in the opportunities offered in western lands and this led him to Hall County, in 1886. He was not quite satisfied at first and in 1887 went to Colorado, but in 1889 returned to Hall County. He broke up the prairie sod on what is called the Burkhert farm, moved onto the same and rented that land for seven- teen years. Mr. Wiseman's farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres in Wood River township is well adapted to general farming and dairy- ing. He has always been thorough in his farm methods and now enjoys well merited pros- perity.

In Maryland, in 1872, Mr. Wiseman mar- ried Miss Martha A. Ray, who died in 1882. They had the following children : Marcia Ellen, the wife of A. Kinney, of Salt Lake; R. S., who lives in Wood River township; Caroline; Catherine, the wife of Aden Able, of Sioux County ; A. S., a farmer in Wood River town- ship; Gilmore, who lives in Wood River; Martin Luther, Jr., who is a farmer in Wood River township, and Daniel, also a farmer in Wood River township. The mother of this family was a member of the Reformed church. Mr. Wiseman is an elder in the Presbyterian church. He belongs to the order of Odd Fellows, and is a Scottish Rite Mason and a Shriner.

RUDOLPH H. LUEBS, one of Hall County's best qualified and most progressive agriculturists, is a member of a prominent Hall County family. His birth took place here October 6, 1886. His father, Henry Luebs, a highly respected retired citizen of Grand Island, was born in Germany, in 1845, and came to the United States in young man- hood. For many years he was successfully engaged in farming in Hall County.

Rudolph H. Luebs attended the public schools in his native county, after which he entered the agricultural school at Lincoln, from which he was graduated with credit in 1909. Thus well prepared for the many

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problems every farmer has to face, Rudolph Henry Luebs took upon himself the responsi- bility of operating one of the largest farms in this part of the county, consisting of three hundred and twenty acres of highly improved land, which he rents from his father. He has been trained to work systematically and with thoroughness and the success that is attend- ing him demonstrates his agricultural wisdom as well as his business capacity. He is making a specialty of thoroughbred Shorthorn cattle and the only kind of hogs he deems worth raising are the Poland China variety, which he has found very profitable.

On November 16, 1916, Mr. Luebs married. Miss Hattie Persson, who also belongs to an old Hall County family. They are active members of the Lutheran church at Wood River. Mr. Luebs is independent in his po- litical views, but is very much interested in all worthy enterprises in the county that are in any way related to agricultural life and industry. He is a valued member of the Grange and is foremost in county fair promo- tion. He has served four years as a director of the County Fair association. He belongs to the order of Royal Highlanders.

AUGUST RAUERT, a member of one of the oldest pioneer families of Hall County, was born here February 27, 1889. He is a son of Matthew and Elsie (Siek) Rauert, the former of whom came to the United States and to Hall County with his parents in 1866. For many years Matthew Rauert was a lead- ing farmer in the county but now lives retired in Grand Island, where he is held in much esteem.

August Rauert attended the public schools through boyhood, in the meanwhile assisting his father and getting practical training that has made him a capable farmer and able to carry on profitably his large agricultural opera- tions. He owns eighty acres of excellent land, all well improved, and from his father rents two hundred and twenty-two acres. He makes a feature of raising Shorthorn cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs. Mr. Rauert has the repu- tation of being one of the most successful farmers and stockraisers in this section.

On March 6, 1912, August Rauert married Miss Martha Boldt, whose people came to Hall County in the early days. Mr. Rauert and his wife have two children: Frederick and Viola, both of whom attend school. The family be- longs to the Lutheran church. Mr. Rauert has never found time to enter into politics very actively and has no desire for public office. He

belongs to the order of Eagles and to several German social organizations of old establish- ment in Grand Island.

HENRY DAVISON, who has been a resident of Hall County, Nebraska, since early manhood, came here from a state that has contributed largely to the county's best citi- zenship and he is justly proud of being a na- tive of Illinois. He was born in Tazewell County, May 2, 1857, the son of Minor A. and Mary (Cornelius) Davison, who came to Hall County in 1879, where the father bought a tract of railroad land, and at the time of his death was the owner of eighty acres that had been greatly advanced in value because of the improvements he had made. The mother died January 21, 1890, aged forty-eighty years, being survived by her husband who passed away August 14, 1896, aged sixty-one years.

Henry Davison was reared on a farm in Tazewell County, Illinois, and obtained his education in the public schools in that locality. When the family removed to Nebraska he accompanied them, purchasing first a tract of eighty acres of school land, to which, with buisness acumen, he subsequently added until he now owns four hundred and forty acres in Hall County, all of which is highly im- proved. Mr. Davison carried on general farm- ing, growing crops and raising stock, until 1914, when he moved into Grand Island and took possession of his handsome residence here.

In 1881 Mr. Davison married Miss Rachel Malissa McCabe, who was also born in Illinois, and of their ten children the following sur- vive : Etta Belle, the wife of William Dangler; Edith, the wife of Orville Hutton, a farmer in Center township, Hall County ; Roy, a farm- er in Center township; Earl E., who lives in Center township; Gladys and Wayne W., both of whom reside at home. Mr. Davison and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he has always been affiliated with the Republican party and in earlier days was active in many party move- ments although he never consented to hold political office. Mr. Davison is well known in Hall County and as man and citizen is held in high regard.

WILLIAM FAGAN, one of Hall County's well known residents and owner of a fine farm in Center township, is a native of Canada where he was born September 15, 1865, the eldest of a family of nine children

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born to John and Sarah (McGriskin) Fagan. Both parents were born in Ireland, from which land they came to Canada in 1860.

About 1867 the parents of Mr. Fagan re- moved to the United States and the father engaged in farming in Illinois. In 1892 he came to Hall County, Nebraska, where he took up a homestead and also secured a quar- ter section of land in Prairie Creek township, on which he resided until his death in Febru- ary, 1902, at which time he owned four hun- dred acres of fine land. Both parents were members of the Roman Catholic church. Of their children besides William, the following are living: Patrick, manager of Taylor's ranch in Hall County; Katherine, the wife of Jefferson Norris, of Illinois; Mary, who lives at Hot Springs, South Dakota; Annie, who has been a teacher in Lake township for twenty years, where she is much beloved; Jennie, the wife of George Buckingham. of Chicago; and Margaret, the wife of Edward Landrigan, af Ravenna, Nebraska.

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History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 113

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